The Meat and Potatoes

So, I’m sure you all want to know one thing, and one thing only…. what have I eaten so far–so here’s a list of things in order of importance.

1. I JUST bought dinner for 1 dollar and 3 cents on my way home from work. AND I ate pork, yes, I have changed my ways since arriving in Korea and finding that pork, and beef are readily available, and chicken and turkey are not.
2. I ate the Korean version of a corn dog (without my knowledge) and it was more like a desert than a dinner. The outside was very sweet and rolled in sugar! (cost about 40 cents)
3. On my first day here I went to a restaurant that had a picture of a chicken on it (as most of them have smiling cows and smiling pigs: translation: not Jessica friendly).. This meal of chicken ended up being pretty expensive, about 8 dollars, and I was confused as to why. When I actually received my meal I realized that it’s because it was chicken for at least 8 people, and ate it for at least a week.
4. Everything is spicy. As far as I can tell, there are 3 flavors in Korea, 1. Spicy, 2. Sweet, 3. Spicy/sweet all of which are lovely.
5. Rotisserie Chicken- This past weekend my director offered to take me shopping, and I agreed. I assumed that he would be taking me to my first open door market, and I would have a true Asian experience. Instead, we pulled up to costco, sigh. I bought a rotisserie chicken for about 4 dollars and have been eating that for lunch everyday almost.
6. Coffee- I know not a food, but coffee is definitely one of MY food groups. As far as I’ve seen here, the only coffee is instant. Also, it’s not just instant coffee, but a mix called mocha mix gold, or something of the like, that is instant coffee, sugar, condensed milk, and hot chocolate mix all in one…needless to say, I am going through real coffee withdrawal.

That’s pretty much all I’ve eaten, but I’m sure will have many updates later. Pictures to follow later, as my computer isn’t uploading now.

Another Post, Sorry Mike fox

I know I just posted, and Mike is going to be mad that this isn’t a tweet…but just so everyone knows, I have hot water now..it wasn’t me. It was broken. Today, I tackle the Korean washing machine. Wish me luck.

Also, a quick food picture.

Relying on the Kindness of Strangers and Charades…

Here in Korea, my apartment does not have keys, but codes to get in to. For those of you that know I’m kind of a scatterbrain, this story will not come as a surprise.

Today, after being here for almost a week, I forgot the code to my apartment, after taking out the garbage. Now, for the first few days I had been carrying around a little book with my address written in Korean and English, the phone number of the director of my school, what to tell a taxi driver so that I can get home, and the code to my apartment gate, and my actual apartment door. Today, when taking out the garbage I did not bring my lifeline book with me. When I returned inside, I could not remember the code to my door!

So after trying the door code for about a half an hour, at which time it started yelling at me in a beeping noise (probably to ward off burglars), I figured out it was going to be necessary to find a computer, a phone, and ask my director the code. I then walked around for another half an hour, thinking about how much of a ditz I am, and how I didn’t want my employer to realize this, but that it was going to have to happen.

I then went to a near-by pastry shop, and mimed to the owner that I needed to use his computer. It just so happened that the only English word he knew was “Why?” and after explaining(which he did not understand), and I think almost crying he let me check my email, while standing over me and reading things aloud: (GOOGLE! JESSKA, AHHH). I was able to find my director’s phone number. I figured it would be too much to ask him to use his cell phone as well, so I left. (Note to self: Go buy many pastries at that shop)

I then walked the streets looking for teenagers that I thought might know English, so that I could ask them to use their cell phone. I wandered into what I thought was a book store, but turned out to be a comic book/dubbed american movie/porno store and found teenagers! Perhaps the only teenagers in ALL of Korea that did not know a word of English! Bring on the charades. I won the game, and was able to call my director to get my code. To which he said “But you’ve left your apartment before today, you don’t know it?” and I started to explain brainfart to him, but thought I’d save it for another day. But he had it, and gave it to me. Yay!

I sit in my warm apartment right now typing this story, not having a meltdown, but I thought everyone would want enjoy this story of my true ditziness: Korea style.

My Mailing Address In Korea

To all of you that want to send me billions of presents (read: splenda, tampons, deodorant, pam spray, and good coffee):

My Mailing address in Korea is:

Jessica Palmieri
191-4, Hwangsang-dong
Gumi-Si, Gyeongbuk
South Korea, 730-932

I have arrived!

After my 24 hours of traveling, (or more–between time zones I lost track), I have arrived at my destination. I was picked up at the airport by the director of my school, Eric, and his brother, who was so far the most hilarious Korean gentlemen I have met. After a 20 minute drive from the bus station, at which time I explained what a “loaded question” is in the United States, and how asking someone “how old do you think I am” is always a loaded question, We arrived at my apartment.

I was welcomed to a very clean, and very Korean style apartment, with no hot water, and I still have no hot water as I type. I know what you all might be thinking, “Jessica HATES showering…this should be a godsend for her.” well it’s not. I admittedly do enjoy skipping a shower, or two, but after a long flight, bus ride, and drive, there is nothing that I wanted to do more than take a hot shower. Now I know what it feels like to be Evan or Jeremy.

Today is my first official day in Korea, which I have spent unpacking, grocery shopping, and exploring the area. I also had my first official Korean meal of… Drum roll please….PIZZA!
I walked into a restaurant without realizing it was a pizza place, and it was too late to turn back. Oh well, I have another 364 days of Korean meals to eat.

I start teaching tomorrow! and hopefully these posts will get a little bit more exciting. Just wanted everyone to know that I am alive… and dirty, still.

My Shower/Bathroom

I booked my flight!

Today, I booked my flight to Korea, so it seems that it’s official, yes, they are letting me into the country, yes they gave me a visa…after a series of odd questions.
I had a little bit of advice about my Korean Visa interview, including, if they ever talk about drugs, including if you know what a person looks like when high, tell them you have no idea what they are talking about. But the questions more seemed like questions I ask myself everyday. “So you majored in international relations and you’ve lived in upstate New York for the last year?? So how did you find yourself in your current job, doesn’t really make sense? Do you have any experience teaching English to students?” and my responses were truthful, “yes, I have no idea why I work where I work, and no, no experience” but they let me in anyway!

Today I had my first dose of sadness came today when the kids that I work with made me a “Goodbye Miss Jessica” card all signed with “I love you’s” and the like. Though I can not begin to explain to them where South Korea is, or what I am going to be doing there, I have spend the last few days explaining to them that I am not leaving them, and sometimes, there are just things you have to prove to yourself.

I’m not sure how I will fare living abroad for a year, and if the kids that I have guided for the last year or so don’t think I’ll make it, why should I? But I know that even if I’m not sure I’ll enjoy a year in Korea, which I’m sure I will, I definitely am excited at the prospect of trying. I know I’m going to miss many people that I spend my time talking to, or being with currently, but absence makes the heart grow fonder, right? Plus, there’s always skype.

My home for the next year

One Step Closer to My Korean Adventure

After being held up by the Peace Corps for almost a year now, on a whim, I decided to apply to teach english in Korea. I had one false alarm and thought I would be moving there in september, but was deterred a little longer. At this point, I started to give up hope that I would ever venture overseas, a dream of mine for as long as I can remember.

Just when I thought I was permanently going to reside in upstate new york, it seems that I will be moving to Korea in the end of the month, originally slated to go in the end of february instead. Though this seems slightly rushed, I have met this challenge with excitement. Though I would like to have more time to prepare myself for living in a foreign country for an entire year, away from all of the people I know, I don’t think an extra month, an extra week, or an extra year could really prepare me for it.

As I start to get my loose ends tied up, say goodbye to friends I won’t see for an entire year, I can’t help but be a little sad, but a lot excited… It seems that finally I will began a new adventure and sail into uncharted waters.

By tomorrow I will know if I can actually get my Visa to go, or if I am deemed an enemy of the state of Korea (unlikely… I hope) and the definite day on which I am leaving, and I can’t wait.

Life’s Lessons

After working with broken children, and hearing heart wrenching stories every single day, for the last 15 months, I have found myself hard pressed to verbalize the things I have learned in my current position.
Everyday, I work with children that have been abused sexually, physically, and emotionally. Because of this abuse, these children do not have proper coping methods for some of life’s smallest things, like going to bed or taking a shower. Often times, when most of the children I work with are asked to do these things, they will reenact the trauma that they have encountered in their lives, going into a emotional tailspin.
Yesterday, after getting over the fact that I had to work on Thanksgiving, and wasn’t able to spend it with my own family, I felt blessed to spend it with 6 children that have never had a proper Thanksgiving. And because of this experience, I have learned the gift, and importance of unconditional love.
While sitting around the table with my kids, they all went around and one by one explained what they were thankful for. All of the kids said that they were thankful for their families. Most of our kids have the same story, a family that does not find time to visit them on holidays, or even more than once a week if they are lucky. I thought to myself: how can you love your family, when they are the reason you are here? The answer: Because no matter how many issues their families have, they will love them, because it’s all that they know. They love their family because are constantly hoping that their families will sort themselves out, and be able to take care of them.
We also had the opportunity to spend the holiday with a family who’s child is living in the home. This 12 year old boy, recently and accidentally shot and killed his 8 year old brother. When you hear these stories on the news, it is assumed that the child must have very large emotional issues, and the family is very dysfunctional. This child could not be any different than I thought he would be when I heard his story without meeting him. His family came and spent thanksgiving with us, and just seemed genuinely happy to be spending a holiday with their only remaining child, who they love deeply, and have never blamed for what happened. I was reminded of the unfaltering love of a family, that forgives, and loves no matter what.
For this small reminder, that this family will never know that they gave me, I am truly thankful for.

I guess I’ll write a post

I know it’s been quite a while since I wrote a post..and my 3 following fans have been left to wonder what I’ve been up to…so here goes.

1. word press-no longer works on my computer, I can’t see what I’m writing without going back and highlighting what I’ve written, so I have been less then willing to write, also, please excuse any typos, because I can’t see what I’m writing.
2. Peace Corps- After going through a lengthy appeal process, after being medically deferred for a year, the Peace Corps informed me that I could not win my appeal, but I could wait 6 months, get my iron levels checked and then if all was well, then I could go.

3. Work– I’ve been working about 55 hours a week, which is killing me, but giving me 15 hours of overtime, which is nice. I’m currently deciding as to whether I should start looking for jobs elsewhere, because of Peace Corps, which I am tired of waiting for, or stay put, and just keep waiting.

5. General- I am happy with where I am at. I enjoy my job, and don’t really mind working the extra hours, because I am helping people that need it. I am applying to jobs that I think i will love, but no plans to move just yet. I got my passport the other day, so I’m ready to leave the states if necessary .

So there is my brief update, so that Dave can stop complaining.

Oh, also…I did karaoke! surprised? me too!

The Cost of Being Right

Ya know that moment where you have every right to say “I told you so” and it feels amazing to be able to say that. Well tonight, I had that feeling of being able to say “I told you so,” but as I sit and wait for the amazing feeling that I expect will be coming any moment now to come, it hasn’t.

A few months ago, one day, and one interaction sent 3 relationships of mine, and close friends into somewhat of a tailspin. It was something that I never expected to recover from, and am not sure if I have yet. Tonight was an unexpected D-Day, where everything came to blows. The inevitable conversation between my two friends took place, both of which chose to include me in the conversation, and tell me all about it. Knowing what was taking place, I kept on thinking, I had foreseen this, but I didn’t feel great about being right.

Now, I’m wondering, so what if I was right? I didn’t gain anything from it, or at least right now, I’m at a loss when coming up with the list of things I achieved.  So I guess this is the cost of being right, a few months of emotional turmoil, and a day’s worth of wondering what’s the point…and right now, it seems like its a price I wish I didn’t have to pay…but just like that nagging telemarketer telling me I have an overdue bill…if I don’t pay it, my conscious will just keep on calling, and calling, and calling.