Creole King

Today began with a two day old routine that I can easily see becoming a several month long routine. Although, minor things will change. Today, I adapted to brushing my teeth while showering. The shower area and the sink are right next to each other, so it's not like I'm stepping over any boundaries there. Multitasking. That's the Steve Holcomb way. Also, I was told that I was too skinny. When a Korean tells you you're too skinny, that is saying something. I did notice that I had lost some weight since last time I wore my suit, but damn. I'm under 170. What am I in high school again? Anyway, this means that I have begun to implement an exercise routine. It consists of lifting water bottles for weights and farting for abdominal exercise. I figure that I've got a good skeletal base and I can become pretty toned with some work. I'll let you know how it goes, as with everything.

This morning, my co-teacher and I went down to the ol' Daegu Immigration Office and applied for my Alien Registration Card (ARC). What a trip. Well, not really. The office was pretty empty, and I quickly learned to place blind trust in the knowing Koreans when it comes to everything administrative. Lest she be secretly funnelling my paycheck into her own account, I just have to not think about it. She's so nice though, I couldn't see it.

We finished pretty early since the 160 people I thought were going to be there weren't, so we had time to hit up HomePlus. This is my new favorite store. It's like a Target mixed with a good grocery store. They actually have a wine selection. Also, it spans three floors, so they have this awesome conveyor belt/escalator for your cart. The carts come equipped with magnets that stick to the metal of this belt so you don't go sliding down to the bottom and kill any ajummas bowling style.

I tried my first school lunch today. It was more bibimbap and kimchi. I can get used to that, I guess. It leaves me pretty hungry by the end of the day. And that water. Whoo doggies, it tastes like lemonade or something. Water should not taste like that. It may explain my upset stomach. Adjustment, I say. Adjustment. If Koreans can drink it, I can too eventually. All of lunch consisted of Korean children trying to talk to me and Korean teachers trying to talk to me with varying levels of success. I'm the most popular person in the school, hands down. I am also well aware that this will wear off once they realize I can't teach worth a damn.

In the afternoon, we went out again to Daegu Bank to open a new bank account for me (I'll actually have some money in it in a few days. Sweet! Shopping Spree!). We ran into a bake sale, so we bought some rolls and some walnut muffin thing that was really good. Every Wednesday, I may just stop by there and get my walnut muffin fix. Also, I was shown how to use my microwave and washing machine. Bonus, I'm practically Korean now. I'm definitely starting to smell like one with the water and all. The thing that sets me on another level is that I have deodorant and they don't.

We got to talking with the physical education teacher and music teacher (who I will call Street Fighter girl when she's not around) and when I heard strange noises coming from the hall, I asked her if that was her music class. She giggled and told me that the students were throwing away all of the old instruments. This came in handy, because later I went dumpster diving. That's right, Resourceful Holcomb went dumpster diving at school. What did I find, you ask? I'm glad you asked. I found...probably the greatest thing I could find. I found an accordion. A fully functional, working accordion. Well, it was fully functioning after I changed out a few keys and tweaked it a bit. This is the one case where the word "bitchin" most aptly fits. I took that thing home, cleaned all the rat turds off of it and played it until my left arm got sore. I will continue to do so until the neighbors complain. I will be a Creole King.

Tomorrow I am going to actually have to do something. I will have to lesson plan for next week. This won't be so bad. Just come up with a PowerPoint about myself and a few activities to get the students to talk to each other in English. Damn, I just gave away tomorrow's post. Well, look for it anyway, you cheeky buggers. Maybe something totally Korean will happen and I'll throw you off.

Don't worry if you're getting bored with the routine. Soon I will too, and then I'll start getting into themed posts: "Things I've learned in Korea," "Differences in Korea," "The Consistency of My Bowel Movements," "Kids Say The Darndest Things," "The Wonders of the DMZ," and "Teaching Tips From A Master, A Sorcerer of Teaching." You'll get the hint when it happens. Let the evolution begin! Slowly, of course. Slowly. Once I get my ARC, I can get internet and then I can post all sorts of crazy photos for you folks to get a better visual of what my situation is like. Right now, you're thinking of me living in a temple, chugging soju and flying through the air as a black belt in Taekwondo, physically smiting children with English books to knock the knowledge into them. Well, you're close. Very close.

Ok, last thing. I know, I'm squirrelly today and you're itching to get outside and play in the snow. I swear I haven't been drinking. At the PC bang, the keyboard is in pretty pristine condition except that the W, A, S, and D keys are totally rubbed off and blank. Those World of Warcraft players will know why this is. Ask one. He (yes, he. Girls don't play these games) will probably laugh and realize the stereotype of Korean kids playing computer games is actually true.