In honor of...

The First Day of the New Korean School Year, I have decided to show you all my classroom, and a few of the other adventures that I've been on so far. I have also decided to do this in just a picture post form. Too much to write about, so I'll just describe the pictures and maybe put a few little blurbs in here and there.

I will start by saying that I have been VERY emotional the last 24 hours or so. The stress of preparing a classroom for 3 different classes (10+8+6) of students on three different levels of instruction in less than 2 work days (emphasis added for dramatic effect), along with moving from a really nice hotel to a not-so-nice apartment building with the other teachers, and my internet wouldn't work this morning so I missed a very special Skype date with the One and Only Josh. :-(   But, the classroom is almost completely done (done enough for the First Day), and my bags were moved and placed in my room for me (finally got a desk today). The room was Filthy even after a lady came and 'cleaned' it (completely different standard of clean, not containing chemicals at all), but I have now cleaned almost all of the important things (the rest will come Saturday when I can get more cleaner) such as the fridge, the dishes, some of the cabinets, under the cooktop, inside of the wardrobe, behind the bed, and all over the night stand. And last, but most Important, I got to borrow Kristen's internet connection and chat with The Man before shopping for more "Homey" things. I got my own personal pair of slippers for my room, and a sweet little plant that is full of buds and will flower in just a couple of days!!! So Princessy :-)  Anyway, Are you ready? Here we Go!

All of these were shot after I cleaned the room from the other teacher who had it before me. This was the Skeleton I was given to work with.

These are after I got finished working on it!!! Presenting Madison Teacher's Classroom E:

Here's my desk in the Teacher's Room: Pictures include Tiffany, Ashley, and Josh :)

(Catie is on the way)

Now for some pictures of some of the various adventures I've been on :) Some of these are up on Facebook, but most, are coming out here first. Enjoy!

These are the incredibly clean subway stations. This one entered where my hotel was, Yeongduengpo-Gu Office.

These machines help you refill your T-Money card, or subway pass...in four different languages.

Inside of the Subway station :)

Myeongdong, the biggest shopping town in all of Seoul, I think.

Four Story Forever 21! And so many other stores in this one building. Seriously, shops just line the streets and you can get ANYTHING you want here. It's so Amazing that I'm going to have to watch my money more closely because I will have some now!

My first encounter with a Squatty Potty in the Itaewon (foreign town) Subway Stop.

Itaewon, the place where all of the Foreigners go to get Foreign stuff. The equivalent to a Korean Market in America.

Just for Colton...

Bella, one of the Korean Teachers, was so shocked when I told her that we had 7-11's all over the US. She thought it was just in Korea! But, Joshua, they are EVERYWHERE! Its like Starbucks in America, literally on every street corner.

Okay, deep fried potato spirals, or deep fried potato spirals around a sausage...K & I ate #2. Delicious!

The yummiest little nuggets that you find in the most random of places, including the subways! They sell lots of stuff in the subway, really inexpensive too. But this is rice-waffle dough in a mold shaped like a corn husk containing about a tablespoon of vanilla custard/pudding in the center. You can smell them from about 1000 feet away. Sooo Good!

Chicken Galbi (or BBQ) in Myeongdong, one of our first authentic experiences.

Culture Fact: All of the Waiters and Waitresses at a restaurant in Korea take care of you. If it's BBQ like at this place, they stir the pot for you. If you do BBQ yourself, they leave a tab and then if you need something, they check it out. At every restaurant, the staff never actually comes and checks on you during your meal, so as not to bother you. It's your responsibility to get their attention when you need something. Usually, there is either a button, or you say "yuh-boh-seh-yo," which is essentially a polite "Excuse Me!" Also, there is no tipping wait staff, and no taxes...on anything...even clothes. Which makes payment really easy. Oh! Korean currency also doesn't have anything equivalent to a penny, which K & I found out whilst at the bank. We each had a statement that had a penny amount, asked where it was when we recounted all of the bills and coins, and Samuel (our Daddy-Go-To-Guy) told us there wasn't a coin for it...We all laughed, and so did the bank clerk. (below picture is at the Korean Bank)

Well friends, that is all my blog is allowing me to post for one post. I'll try to blog tomorrow night about how the First Day went. If not, definitely some time this weekend. Along with pictures of my new Home when I finally get settled. Thanks so much for reading, and I'm so glad I get to share this Adventure with you! I re-read some of the encouragements given to me at our send-off prayer night back in Texas, and wow-I was so encouraged!!! Thank you so much, and PLEASE feel free to keep encouraging and listening to the Lord for me. I Love every piece of support I get :-)

With Love and Grace,

Madison