Upon opening my email I saw the subject line: It's Time To Check-In
Gives me chills.
Special thanks to everyone who participated in helping me pack.
And a delicious farewell dinner with my family!
See you in Seoul!
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Saturday, March 30, 2013
Money 돈
Finally getting so close I'm in a frenzy. I made it through my last day of work for a month; I sewed so many jeans my nails are turning blue.I started my goodbyes today, more to come.
I got Kiffel and Gretchen transferred to their new residence for now.
Now I just need to rearrange my suitcase so everything fits, and I am ready to ship out.
I've even got my cash exchanged into won! (great job, Jenn!)
Isn't it pretty? These are the four paper bills, and there are coins too. The bills have portraits on one side, and a nature scene or other art on the back.
The lady on the 50,000 note is Shin Saimdang, known for being a good wife and mother, and also a poet, calligraphist, artist, writer .... Her son Yulgok appears on the 5,000. His claim to fame is being a spiritual and educated man, your typical Buddhist genius/author. His teacher was named Toegye, another educated and respected historical figure (and royal spy) and he can be found on the 1,000 bill.
King Sejong the Great is on the 10,000. A very famous king who created the Korean character set and writing system called Hangeul. On the reverse of this bill (shown above) is an astronomical clock from 1669, and this unique specimen is owned by Korea University.
What's the value of won in American dollars?
1,000₩ is about $0.90
Thursday, March 28, 2013
자주 묻는 질문 (FAQ)
Some questions arise when I travel abroad, I'll address them here
1. Where are you going? South Korea
2. How long are you going to be there? 4 weeks
3. Why South Korea? To visit my best Korean friend Jane!
4. Can you speak the language? no, but Google translate app does ... 안녕하세요, 만나서하기 위해 좋은.
5. How long of a flight? My route is Pittsburgh to Detroit -1 hour; 4 hour layover; and then Detroit to Seoul 14 hours.
6. Do you need a visa? Due to the tourist nature of my visit and it is under 30 days, I am not required to obtain a visa. But I did register my trip with the US embassy.
7. What's the time difference between here and there? Well, put simply Pittsburgh, PA is EST : UTC-5, but Seoul, South Korea is KST : UTC+9, but factoring in our Daylight Savings, Seoul is 13 hours ahead of Pittsburgh.
8. What are you going to do there? Everything
9. Who's taking care of all your cats? My mom, and I only have two ...
10. Are you nervous or excited? Yeah, I'm the most excited nervous wreck, its overwhelming trying to pack, mostly because I just have so many cute shoes ... and medicines ...
11. What's the weather going to be like? Spring, and unlike Pittsburgh, it will have flowers and sunshine! See ya, snow!
12. Will you miss me? Maybe, I'll send you a postcard.
Also, Jane says "Hi!!"
1. Where are you going? South Korea
2. How long are you going to be there? 4 weeks
3. Why South Korea? To visit my best Korean friend Jane!
4. Can you speak the language? no, but Google translate app does ... 안녕하세요, 만나서하기 위해 좋은.
5. How long of a flight? My route is Pittsburgh to Detroit -1 hour; 4 hour layover; and then Detroit to Seoul 14 hours.
6. Do you need a visa? Due to the tourist nature of my visit and it is under 30 days, I am not required to obtain a visa. But I did register my trip with the US embassy.
7. What's the time difference between here and there? Well, put simply Pittsburgh, PA is EST : UTC-5, but Seoul, South Korea is KST : UTC+9, but factoring in our Daylight Savings, Seoul is 13 hours ahead of Pittsburgh.8. What are you going to do there? Everything
9. Who's taking care of all your cats? My mom, and I only have two ...
10. Are you nervous or excited? Yeah, I'm the most excited nervous wreck, its overwhelming trying to pack, mostly because I just have so many cute shoes ... and medicines ...
11. What's the weather going to be like? Spring, and unlike Pittsburgh, it will have flowers and sunshine! See ya, snow!
12. Will you miss me? Maybe, I'll send you a postcard.
Also, Jane says "Hi!!"
Monday, March 25, 2013
Interesting 흥미있는
Monday again, only one more week to get myself ready! Thank you, freak snow storm, for tucking me inside and forcing me out of my procrastination packing habits.
But first, some extensive research!
- Seoul is one of the largest cities in the world, with a population over 10.5 million.
- In 1910 Korea became a Japanese colony, which lasted for the next 35 years. North Korea invaded South Korea in 1950 to unify under communist rule. With the intervention of the UN there was a ceasefire in 1953, yet the border remains one of the heaviest militarized zones in the world.
- South Korea may function like an island, but it is located on a peninsula due to the North Korean connection to China. The border is closed to South Korea, thus all things come in by boat or plane.
- Korean is the official language, but English and Japanese are commonly taught as well.
- Shopping malls are huge! Some of the largest in the world.
- Nearly half of the population claim to be atheist, the other half made up of Christians and Buddhists.
- The drinking age is 20, and you don't have to wait until your exact birth date, just January 1 of the year you turn 20. And public drinking is permitted.
- Taxis are color-coded: white and grey will be a basic car with a newer driver; a black car is more luxurious and the driver more experienced (and more ₩) And don't be surprised if the driver is watching TV while he drives.
- The economy is high-tech and industrialized, with large companies like Hyundai, Samsung, and LG based there. Yet the land is mountainous and forested.
- At 6,398 feet the highest point is Halla-san, an extinct volcano.
- National flower is the Rose of Sharon >>
- Public restrooms may be available, what's not as common: toilet paper. Pack your own!
But first, some extensive research!
- Seoul is one of the largest cities in the world, with a population over 10.5 million.
- In 1910 Korea became a Japanese colony, which lasted for the next 35 years. North Korea invaded South Korea in 1950 to unify under communist rule. With the intervention of the UN there was a ceasefire in 1953, yet the border remains one of the heaviest militarized zones in the world.
- South Korea may function like an island, but it is located on a peninsula due to the North Korean connection to China. The border is closed to South Korea, thus all things come in by boat or plane.
- Korean is the official language, but English and Japanese are commonly taught as well.
- Shopping malls are huge! Some of the largest in the world.
- Nearly half of the population claim to be atheist, the other half made up of Christians and Buddhists.
- The drinking age is 20, and you don't have to wait until your exact birth date, just January 1 of the year you turn 20. And public drinking is permitted.
- Taxis are color-coded: white and grey will be a basic car with a newer driver; a black car is more luxurious and the driver more experienced (and more ₩) And don't be surprised if the driver is watching TV while he drives.
- The economy is high-tech and industrialized, with large companies like Hyundai, Samsung, and LG based there. Yet the land is mountainous and forested.
- At 6,398 feet the highest point is Halla-san, an extinct volcano.
- National flower is the Rose of Sharon >>
- Public restrooms may be available, what's not as common: toilet paper. Pack your own!
Monday, March 18, 2013
Two Week Notice 이주
I just looked at the calendar, March should be out-like-a-lamb in no time -- make that two weeks.
TWO WEEKS and I'm on a plane headed for Seoul!
At any moment I'm known to toss around any of three random Korean phrases I've learned. I'm easily motivated into a fast step of Gangnam Style. Next I'll dig out some chop sticks, trade in the hot sauce for wasabi paste, and prepare my taste buds for that fantastic sixth sense of taste. So excited!
TWO WEEKS and I'm on a plane headed for Seoul!
At any moment I'm known to toss around any of three random Korean phrases I've learned. I'm easily motivated into a fast step of Gangnam Style. Next I'll dig out some chop sticks, trade in the hot sauce for wasabi paste, and prepare my taste buds for that fantastic sixth sense of taste. So excited!
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