Back to School

I woke up this morning and noticed this:

How did I do that? Hmmmm... I hate mysterious injuries. By the way, that's not the leg with the crappy knee (which now feels fine, whew!). So apparently both my legs just hate me.


That's the last picture for today, because I spent all day with Drew and his friends and I didn't want to be a mad picture-taker. They've all been here for so long that my camera makes me feel like a tourist among locals. Pictures will resume tomorrow, hopefully.

I met Drew at the subway station and he showed me the way to the church where he takes Korean lessons. It was fantastic. I was really worried that either it would be way too hard, or that they'd stick me in a beginner class and make me practice writing hangul (which I already know). But they split the students into very small groups so they can teach at very specific levels. There were six other people in my group (one higher than total beginner), and they were all very friendly. I chatted with a girl named Stella from New York; next time I'll have to get her contact info so we can hang out. The teacher is animated, engaging, and willing to go at our speed. She's wonderful. I learned more in two hours there than I have in two weeks. I immediately bought the workbooks I needed, and I plan on going every Saturday.

Two of Drew's friends - Kyle and Doug - were at the class with us. We left together and met up with Drew's girlfriend April. April seems sweet, but quiet. Kyle is friendly and also very, very tall. I wish I had taken a picture now because he's about a head taller than all the rest of us. Doug was excited to learn that I'd be staying into July, because he needs someone to sub for him at his teaching job for four days at the end of June. I think I can handle it. He has an assistant teacher who speaks both Korean and English, so I won't be lost. And it'll be fun to do a little teaching without committing for a whole year.

We had dak-kalbi for lunch, which is this fried veggie-chicken-and-ramen dish that was just on the threshold of my spicy tolerance. It was delicious, but I had to eat a lot of rice and drink a lot of water.

We hung around town for the rest of the day, then went to Kyle's apartment to watch TV and drink beer. They went out later, but by then I had to go home. I was exhausted and not feeling very well. Sigh. Seems like my body wants to prevent me from enjoying the Seoul nightlife. But tonight wasn't the night anyway - I was still carrying the workbooks I had bought that morning, and it's hard to party with books on your hip. At least I spent a whole day getting to know them and showing them that I'm not too weird (hopefully).

Next Saturday our Korean class is going on a field trip to the fortress walls of Seoul. I can't wait! And now I have to lie down, because I'm half-convinced that I fell asleep an hour ago on the subway and that this is all a very vivid dream I'm having. Goodni...zzzzzzzzz......