First Impressions

I made it! I arrived in Seoul on Sunday evening around 8:00pm.

I) The flight:

The flight was more hectic than expected because LAX pushed our flight to San Fransisco back just over an hour. This made me bitter for two reasons: (1) All the stress I went through at check-in was for nothing. (2) I could have had that time to spend the morning with my family. So, United Airlines - you owe me. Because of the delay Andrea and I had 10 minutes to make our connection. We were ushered to the international terminal and walked right onto the plane. No chance to buy a magazine or a snacks or anything. Oh well! The flight was fine, we eventually found seats together and moved to them. We watched Shrek and a few other forgettable movies. I liked The Hoax the best but slept through everything else.

II) The motel:

After we let the airport (seperately) I was dropped off at the "love motel" I am staying at until September 10th. It's about 8 or 9 feet squared, had a seperate roome for the bathroom (private, so no worries) and has no closet or anything. So I have been keeping my suitcases on the floor and on the giant bed. The window in the room opens up onto a cement wall about five inches away ... so it's pretty safe to say it's a pretty sad room. I'll post a picture when I have a chance. The woman at the desk speaks Spanish and Korean, so we don't communicate much, but she is nice enough. I do get a few funny looks leaving in the morning though.

III) The school:

My first week has been pretty easy. The school is very structured so I won't have to worry about lesson planning too much or anything... so that's nice. All of the kids are adorable. Not gonna lie, it's going to be tough learning all of their names but I'll get them in time. They all call me "Erica Teacher" and I already have a few girls who try to hold my hand every five seconds. They all love spiderman and Disney princesses so we'll have a lot in common. They're really bright kids and pretty well behaved - but my director told me "kids are kids" and not to expect them to behave 100% of the time. I'll be tough if I need to be... I guess.


My first weekend in Seoul starts tonight - so I am sure I will have something more to say soon. I hope you all are well. I miss everyone so much, but I am excited for life in Seoul. I'll post my contact info next week after I get my cell phone on Monday.


Peace,
Erica

So make it one for my baby,..

In the past few weeks I've realized how stressful inevitability can be. It's ironic considering a large part of my decision to go to Korea was my need to not plant my feet down anywhere; yet anyway. I'm not getting cold feet per say, but the definiteness of the next twelve months is pressing down on me more so than ever. I've been doing my best to just enjoy my last week in the states, but it's so close now, that I can't truly spend my days in leisure. I now hate running errands with a passion. Every minute I spend doing something, I wonder if it would be spent better doing something else (even now, I should be doing laundry!) I've gotten so angry with the fact that I can't just snap my fingers and go. I will have to get organized and with the help of my family and friends, pack everything up. No small task, but putting it off only makes it harder. So, no more days at the beach, no more long lunches, no more movie dates with my parents... just being together, and packing. The reality is that even though it's changing, life isn't going to stop just because I'm moving to the other side of the world. Even if I'd like it to.


Peace,
Erica

It's the final countdown!

It's Sunday night, and I'm in Newport watching the Chargers pre-season game against Seattle. It seems completely surreal that in two weeks I will be somewhere over the Pacific, Mullen in tow, making our way to Seoul. I am filled with feelings of excitement, anticipation and - to be honest - terror. It's getting to be the point where I actually need to start packing and finish tying up all the loose ends. I pick up my visa from the consulate tomorrow morning and then it's all really just a waiting game. I have been so blessed to receive messages and phone calls from friends expressing their support (and jealousy ;-D) of me at this huge crossroad of my life. They are all so greatly appreciated. THANK YOU! I'm thrilled that it's all coming together so smoothly, and anxious to get to Seoul. It will be so good to see Kirsten, Jen and Liz (who are already in Seoul and have been since July 12) ... as well as Dean (who arrives in Seoul at the same time Andrea and I do).

I've decided to set up this blog as a way to both chronicle my year and give updates to all of you back home or abroad. So bookmark this page and check back for updates when you can!!

Please keep me and my friends in your prayers and keep in touch!!

Peace,
Erica