So I have completed my first day of orientation~^^ But let me back up a bit..
Starting with my flight. Flying is very confusing, I have discovered.
I had a 1 hour flight from Detroit to Chicago, which was okay..a little uncomfortable, but only an hour. I can't really complain. Then there was a 3 and a half hour layover in Chicago, which was relaxing, but I was also very anxious to get to Korea. When we boarded the plane, I was so surprised!! The plane was so big and it looked like all of the flight attendants stepped out of Catch Me if You Can. They were really nice^^ And there was a cool bro that sat in front of me. He had a wife in Cambodia who he was always apart from. It felt amazing just having someone understand how I have been feeling. I miss my boyfriend..hahaha.
Speaking of people by me, I sat in an aisle seat, next to this older Korean couple. They were nice, but I was scared to talk to them because they were speaking so much Korean. One time when the husband got up, she asked me if I speak any Korean (in Korean, mind you) to which I responded, I know a little. Then she proceeded to talk to me in Korean really fast and it was confusing and awkward. I felt really bad because I really wanted to know what she was saying...she talked so fast ㅠㅠ
Also, the planes had a really cool in-flight entertainment system! I watched The Perks of Being a Wallflower, Pitch Perfect, and The Hunger Games. Pitch Perfect was kind of dumb, but the other two were very enjoyable. I also listened to a Chinese Pop radio station and learned some Chinese from a program that was in Korean...but I actually forgot what I learned. I was so tired..
I originally intended to sleep a nice chunk of the flight, but between all of the screaming kids and the little boy that kept kicking the back of my seat, I got about 6 hours, on and off. So I was pretty exhausted.
The plane landed at about 5:30PM in Incheon International. Sadly, there were no idols. At baggage claim, I thought my bag got lost, so I reported it. Then when I met up with the rest of my group, it turned out my friend, Tommy, grabbed it, thinking it was his. And now the airline still thinks my bag is missing because I can't call them...oooooops.
Then we went through customs (really not even a deal) and then signed in with TaLK. We had to wait until about 8 for our bus, so we walked around the airport. I bought a couple adapters and also MY VERY FIRST QUALITY BANANA MILK. Which while drinking, I actually teared up. I have to say it was one of the best things I have ever tasted in my life. Also, Gloria and I ate some mandu at a restaurant and it was okay.
Then we had an hour and a half bus ride or so to Jochiwon. When we arrived, we had to fill out some bank paperwork and it was all very frustrating because I was so tired. I actually don't really remember all of last night (and no soju yet.)
This morning, I had to be at my first lecture by 8:40. Which I was barely ready to go /and/ I skipped breakfast. It was kind of fun in the beginning because we played ice breakers and stuff with the group, but later, we had some more actual lectures and since I was so bored and tired, I couldn't focus well.
Lunch was at noon and we had Omurice! Which is basically rice that was mixed with something that I don't know, and a fried beaten egg wrapped around it. It was very delicious~ Also, there were these little hot dog things and those were sooooo good. I want some more. xP
Then we had a lecture about technical TaLK things, which was intriguing because it was stuff I wanted to know. Then we had the opening ceremony. There were a few speeches, which kind of dragged, but then they had a dance performance, which was really cool! The dancers were really good and on point. But after then was the K-Tigers TaeKwonDo performance. Omg there aren't even words for the amazing. They were all about upper elementary age, I believe. They were all sooooo talented. There were also 4 older guys, who I think were instructors. After, there was a break. The parents of the K-Tigers wanted us TaLK scholars to take pictures with the K-Tigers, so we posed for pictures for like 10 minutes. It was cute though. The kids were talking to us in English and some of us were testing the waters with our Korean and it was just a really cool moment. Then our moment of fame feeling ended and we had to go and finalize the setting up of our bank accounts. And after was dinner!
For dinner, they had a bulgogi soup (so just beef sliced thinly and then some onions and cabbage) which was suuuuuuuuuuuper delicious. And they had seasoned seaweed, which is also suuuuper duper tasty. I ate well. xP
After, some friends and I went to Home Plus (which is basically just a giant store that sells like everything.) It was really cool to go to a Korean store..which was pretty much like stores here..just small differences. One of the workers said hi to me. I was walking that place with my Platinum foreigner card out. xP But I went to the check out..my Korean is soooo bad. I felt so bad, because I did not want to make their job harder. So I decided I am going to start working very hard on my Korean skills!
Also, towels, shampoo/conditioner/soap, and razors are all expensive here. But I got a great deal on face masks! I am going to become a face mask whore! b^^d And I got some banana milk, because let's face it: It's the best thing ever invented and I am already addicted.
Another sucky thing that happened..I got the adapter for my converter stuck in my surge protector. Like suuuuuper stuck. So that sucks..헐..
But to end on a high note, I just learned that Sun HyunWoo from Talk to Me in Korean is doing a presentation/lecture here tomorrow! I am so excited to meet him!! :D So in the end, there's always something good to come.^^
And now to wrap this up because I'm so tired, I have a constant feeling like everything's moving. You know how you feel when you first step off an elevator? I've had that feeling all day. So I need to rest and be ready for tomorrow^^
