Well it could be worse, right?

Hey Everyone!
Well I think today was the first day that we had the sudden and disturbing thought of "where the heck are we and what are we doing here?" Homesickness is creeping up on us fast. We're just glad that we're in it together!

So, we had our first day of teaching two days ago. It started out well - we went for supper at a traditional Korean restaurant with Ms. Kim and one of the foreign teachers we are replacing (Conor). A traditional Korean meal involves sitting on the floor and barbequing meat/vegetables in the middle of the table on a grill. The amazing part of the meal though is the number of side dishes that come with it. There were probably 20-30 different side dishes that accompany the meal. There was so much food, it was unbelievable!

After the meal were both pretty excited to start work. We got to the school and were shown how to use the computers to teach the classes - no problem, right? Maybe not for a computer scientist, but for me it was a very steep learning curve. Then, at around 1:30 one of the Korean teachers came running in on Andrew, Conor and I and told us frantically that I had to teach a class. Talk about being unprepared!

The first class didn't go so bad because Conor helped me out. It was just amazing to me how much of a language barrier there was. The simplest words such as "purse" involve props/pictures/sherades... very complicated. The kids are good for the most part, but there are definately a few monsters in the crowd. Those few kids are usually the smartest ones in the class and seem to also be the leaders. There have been various occasions in the past couple of days where you say something to the class and one kid will yell out something back in Korean. This usually results in all of the kids laughing hysterically at you while you're just sort of standing there thinking "what the heck just happened?" Anyway, the past few days have definately erased the sterotype that asian children are well behaved, disciplined and extremely curtious to their "elders."

Other than that, Andrew and I are starting to adjust to our new surroundings. We've located the nearest grocery store, found garbage bags (sorry fruit flies - your home is now elsewhere), found a coffee shop, a really beautiful park and a mall. This weekend we're just planning on exploring Daejeon - maybe take a trip to those glorious hot springs everyone talks about.

Anyway, we miss you all.... please e-mail us, WE'RE LONELY!!!!

Love, Andrew and Tara