Korean Living

    

     After two weeks of teaching under our belt, Kelly and I can say that we are getting use to Korean living.  We are finding ourselves more in a routine, working standard hours (10am-6-pm) and even creating grocery lists.  Near our house is a grocery store called "Home Plus".  This store is essentially 7 floors of groceries and home appliances.  Consider it a Target and Lunds combined.  It is very nice and affordable.  We continue to explore restuarants on the weekends, but during the week we enjoy homecooked meals that Kelly has craftfully conjured up.  We have had some delecious meals that are very filling.  We recently got paid for our two weeks of training in December, and we are trying to use that half salary to budget the remaining months (i.e., play money, eating out money, travel money, money to send home).
     For the first time in our working lives, and lives since before college, Kelly and I now realize the true glory of a weekend.  For the first time since I was about 15, I have been able to enjoy a true weekend without work or study.  My past jobs, I worked full time and irregular hours and sometimes weekend work.  Throughout college Kelly and I either had to work on the weekends or beat around the bush with homework.  Having a true weekend is an amazing break from a full week of work. 

Kelly and I hosted our first dinner party last Saturday!  We invited a few Bethel friends over for a spaghetti dinner.  Kelly and I were very happy to host a party at our very own place.  It was very fun catching up with some friends who also live and teach in Korea.

(From left to right; Jordan Groh, Jordan Williams, Tony Hanf, Reuben Haggar, and us.)

Ilsan Living

As mentioned before, Ilsan is a satellite/suburban city located just outside of Seoul.  Satellite city means it was developed with a plan.  We have yet to see any houses.  We do, however, see only high rises.

This is our apartment building. We are on the 5th floor.  It is about a 10 minute walk from our school.  The first floor has a delicious bakery in which we buy several breaded treats.  There is also a convienience store on the first floor, epitomizing the word convience for us.

These are other buildings in our neighborhood. As you can see, all houses are apartments in these high rises.  LG is based in Korea, and come to find out, they have their hands in just about everything, including housing.

A short walk from our apartment.  More high rises.

This picture was taken not in our neighborhood, but from an observatory floor in an office building of 63 floors up (63 Square).  This is a better representation of the grid style housing located in most developed suburban areas around Seoul, like Ilsan.  They are running out of space so the only place they can build is up.  Each one of those apartment complexes are about 15-20 floors.

Lake Park

About 5 minutes (walking) from our apartment is the biggest man-made lake in Asia.  Lake Park is a beautiful, 3 mile loop that was specially designed for runners, walkers, and bike riders.  There are 2 paths, one for riding bikes, and the other for walkers/runners.  The walking/running path has a surface similar to track surfaces.  It is soft, slightly spongy and great for running on.

 

One of many gazebo type places along the paths of Lake Park.  We love the Asian design of them.

A little bit of Lake Park in the background.  The lake is frozen over now, and a lot of people love walking around on it.  I think they should make some broom ball rinks...but that concept would take some time to convey.

Office buildings lining Lake Park.

More pictures are available on our Picasa Web Album