Different country, different culture

Well, I have been going to my schools for orientation. Everyone is quite nice and they all say I look young and seem to be comfortable around me (I am guessing because I look Asian?). Right now, it is Wednesday, so I am at Gaejin Middle School. I watched my co-teacher, Ms. Um, teach the grade 1 middle school class. It consists of 3 boys (there are only around 16 students in the school). The basic instruction is a lecture focusing on teacher to student communication. I will be teaching 3 classes (one per level) about Canadian culture.

As for my apartment, we have 'officially' moved in. We have a fridge, gas range, TV, table and chairs. Notice anything missing? We're missing a bed and have been sleeping on the floor the past two nights. The hot water needs to be turned on and off everytime you want to take a shower. We have no internet at the moment. I think we need to get our alien registration card in order to apply for internet service. I found out from my co-teacher the other day that the area where we live is famous for its grilled pig intestines. For an entire block, there are restaurants for grilled pig intestines (and other food, but that is the main focus).
Today, I will be going to the immigration office with my co-teacher from Ugok Middle School to get an alien registration card and a multiple entry visa. For the alien registration card, we need 2 passport sized photos, our passport, contract, ARC application, and fees. I'm really lucky because my co-teacher from Ugok, Mr. Phie, helps me with everything and tells me everything I need to know to live in Korea. There's still so much I need to learn.

This morning I took the subway for the first time. Thanks to Mr. Phie and Aaron's co-teacher, Mr. Lee, having given us a demonstration last week, I was able to buy my token and get to the proper station without getting lost. I was unaware that token machines only took 1000won bills and coins, but fortunately had 2 1000won bills in my wallet (my only 2!) and managed to pay the 1100won fare.

Last night, we went to a newly opened restaurant near our apartment. The waitresses could not speak any English, but we managed through hand gestures and props. We ended up ordering mandu (dumplings) and a meal for 2 people, which consisted of a ton of side dishes, chap chae (fried potato noodles), and gooksu (noodles in broth). We definitely ordered too much, but the waitress explained to us that we could take the mandu home if we did not finish them. They were really helpful and Aaron and I plan to go again, but this time order less! The meal here was really cheap and came out to only 20,000won, which is around $20.