Mi Casa: Would be in Hangul, but computer is too old to recognize characters

I finally arrived at what will be my home for at least the next year! I am moved in and have actually been working since Tuesday March 27th. I have a lot to update, but first I'll start with EPIK orientation. At first I was a little annoyed with the fact I had to be there. I just felt like I've been here done that can I start working now? However, in the end it was a great opportunity to gain information about teaching in the public school system. Yet again, I was able to meet some awesome people - unfortunately no one lives in Andong :( But all is well, a lot of these individuals live just a bus ride away.

Have you noticed the map to the left? I'm sure you have; well I was placed in Andong, Gyeongbuk-do. Compared to the last city I lived in, Gwangju (or as shown in the map Kwangju), this province is located on the northeast side of the country. So far I'm really liking it here. The city is not at all as big as I would like, but I think I'm really going to like my life here, which is obviously a great thing! For the most part EPIK orientation was no different than any other orientation. We ate too much, sat all day listening to others and of course had to produce something to showcase the skills we learned during our stay. In this case the something was a full 45 minute lesson shoved into a 15 minute presentation/teaching session. We had to present our lesson to others in the class and who ever did the best would in the words of our Korean teacher "be richer." I'm pretty sure it's obvious who won, blow on fingernails and dust the shoulder, ugh we did. Thanks to my EPIK roommate Ellen and group member Carmine I am, I mean we, are much richer and the bomb diggity.

Now what you've been waiting for. Pictures of my apartment. I really really do love my new home! It's definitely an upgrade from my last shithole.

Still homeless

Tomorrow will make one week back in South Korea. Unfortunately, it's been pretty uneventful. I did spend the weekend in Gwangju with old friends celebrating St. Paddy's Day - what a good holiday. I've spent most of my time hanging in my friends apartment watching Greys Anatomy, Private Practice, The Real Housewives of    insert city   and Jersey Shore; yes I watch this. Before you judge, I have not only spent my time watching useless T.V., but I've also read. I can't say 100% that I'm enjoying this book. I'm mostly just trying to finish it to add another book to my goodreads.com count. The book is called A Piece of Cake, which is a memoir and I do typically love memoirs, but her story is almost too exhausting to read. I do realize and understand her story is a very common one for a lot of young girls, but to read this book over a period of months is a lot to take in. However, I do recommend reading this book or any book that deals with drug addiction, rape and/or abuse to get a better understanding of what some youth go through.

I leave tomorrow morning to start my hike to Seoul and finally register/start EPIK orientation. Orientation will last five days and then finally FINALLY I will move into my apartment. It will be nice to once and for all be moved in; plus I will no longer be homeless.

Koreabound

I have officially made it back to Korea. I arrived Wednesday March 14th around 4pm. Overall the flight wasn't bad. It honestly was the best international flight I've ever taken, which is odd considering the Korean woman next to me spent most of our11 hour flight complaining about how her original flight was cancelled, how the toddler in front of us was too loud and/or how she had too much sushi which I happily took when offered. I am now staying at my friend Ashley's apartment until I start orientation Wednesday. Thanks for letting me crash at your place Ash - you're totally from a farm.

Rehashing the past two months:
As much as I hated being home, at times there were some great moments. Proceed to checklist.

1. Rode in a semi truck - check.
2. Finally met my niece Annalyssa - check.
3. Attended an AA meeting - check.
4. Went to Vegas - check.
5. Won money in Vegas - check.
6. Lost money in Vegas - check.
7. Attended a Cirque du Soleil show - check check.
8. Successfully unemployed for 2 months - check.
9. Attended a Childserve game night - check.
10. Got a little drunk at game night and no one knew - check.
11. Saw most of my great friends - check.
12. Drove for 2 months without accidents/tickets - check.
13. Gained weight from eating too many delicious foods - check.
14. Visited my mothers side of the family in Texas - check
15. Witnessed a mariachi band serenade my grandparents - check.

My grandparents - Happy 50th wedding anniversary! Is it just me or does my grandpa look like an older Mexican version of Pauly D?

Most of my cousins: