TAXI Please!

Taxis. Who knew how wonderful it would be to NOT drive your own car? Living in Korea has definitely introduced me to something new. Taxis are everywhere and available at anytime of the day and night, at least where I live. Now its not always rainbows when using taxis, because like most things in life there are pros and cons. Lets List them!

Taxis in Korea Pros:

• As stated, they are very convenient.
• The drivers are pretty fast depending on the traffic, and even then they squeeze their way out of jams.
• Its pretty cheap, but of course not cheaper than the bus. Remember you are paying for convenience. For example, from my apartment to my school is about 3200 won and the base fare is 2800. Not bad, especially if I am running late!
• You can have really good conversations with the Taxi Drivers. I swear there is never a dull moment. It doesn't matter if your Korean is good or not because sometimes they actually know English!
• Specifically for my situation, the Taxi Drivers know exactly where my building so I get dropped off right in front! Talk about service. 
• And the number one reason is PARKING!!! Oh my goodness parking here is horrible. Now I am from Augusta, GA and went to university in Macon, GA, so I am used to wide open spaces! But here, parking is pretty impossible. Of course there are parking decks, but large areas for parking lots are extremely rare. That's why Taxi services and all public transportation  are so appreciated. No one has time to scour the land for a space. 

Taxis in Korea Cons:

 

• Sometimes drivers like to take the long way. I don't know if its because the know of some disaster going on on the more sensible route or if they are trying to earn an extra thousand won or 2. 
• Sometimes they smell a little strange.
• Taxi Drivers can watch TV while driving!! Now if that ain't a hazard, I don't know what is!
• Sometimes they have to pee. I understand completely that it is a bodily function that you can not ignore. When you gotta go, you gotta go. BUT you can go before you pick another customer up! I have had friends that have experienced a taxi rides home that included a detour because the driver had to use the bathroom. It can be scary depending on where you are, the time of day/night, and your knowledge of Korean/ theirs of English. Just know, it could happen.

All in all. I support Taxis and other modes of transportation. Buses, not so much. They are ALWAYS crowded. I like space. So I will pay a little extra for luxury lol. Don't misunderstand me, I don't take taxis ALL THE TIME. I only take them if I am running a little behind, the weather is unpleasant, my shoes are too fancy, or if I lave a heavy load. Other than those times, I'm pounding the pavement! 

Christmas in Korea

Well as you may know, I am currently living in Daejeon, South Korea. It’s pretty nice here. Very different from America in more way than one can imagine. That is for another entry. Lol. Being so far away from my loved ones I am experiencing some serious Christmas Blues. Yes I have friends here, people I can share this day with. But I think you know I would be lying if I said it made thinks alright. So there are some things that my Christmas in Korea will be seriously lacking. I have to write this today because if I do this tomorrow I might just cry!

1. A fresh snatch from Tiyu at Sun Nails... My Mercer Friends Know what I’m talking about.

2. That long drive from Macon to Augusta.

3. The hard decision of how to divide my time with my extremely large family!

4. Washing Dishes... never thought I'd say that.

5. Catching up with my siblings and seeing how grown up they have become in my absence.

6. Chatting with Poppy about random things... mostly food.

7. Momma trying to find out if I have a boyfriend and if I don’t, why not.

8. Rubbing someone's feet... I never know who in the house will request my services lol

9. Meeting with all my cousins, brothers and sisters, aunts, uncles and grandparents! It’s really a warm feeling I cannot describe.

10. Food. Food. Food.

11. Seeing old friends again. After watch each others' lives on social media, it’s good to know we can come back together and feel like things haven’t changed!

12. My Mercer Family... I can’t really put a situation. Things are so unpredictable with us lol

13. Real hugs... and not that "I’m gonna hug you because you need one" either.

14. Just that warm feeling that my family and friends give me.

15. Speaking of warm feelings… I need that Warm Georgia Weather!!!

Please do not misunderstand. I am NOT miserable here. I sleep pretty well lol. I’m just jealous. I miss certain things and this holiday season is amplifying these feelings. Just know when I come back, I'll appreciate you that much more and I'll probably feel this way about Korea. 

I want to say that I miss you all there is not a day that goes by that I don’t think about someone back in America that is important to me! Merry Christmas, Happy New Year. Continue to love each other, be healthy, and be happy. I will see you soon! 

So you may be wondering...

안녕하세요!!!!  That means hello btw. I have been very busy settling in to my new home in Daejeon. But I finally have made time to write! So... details, details, details:

Where do I live? A nice little studio apartment in Dunsan-dong, Seo-gu, Daejeon, South Korea

Where do I work? A fairly large Elementary school that is about 20 minutes walking distance from my apartment.

What classes do I teach? I teach 3rd, 4th, 5th,and 6th grade Conversational English (about 5-7 classes in each grade and 25-30 students in each class)

How many co-teachers? I have 3 wonderful Co-teachers! (A photo with Ms. Sara is soon to come!)

  

 This is Ms. Nam

This is Miss Juyoung! 

What have I been eating? Well, I have not been starving! I am still trying

OMG OMG IM REALLY HERE!!!

I can not believe it! I am finally here in Korea! The plane ride was crazy!!! I had never been on a plane before until now. Let me tell you, I was scared! I chewed that gum so hard my jaw was sore for the next 2 days. 14 hours of random moments of turbulence, babies crying, and seafood (because I dont eat pork). It was pretty awesome. When I arrived at the airport, excitement was not the first feeling that came to me. I was soooooooo sick. I'm talking cold sweats, feeling faint, stomach turning. But I soon got over it as I rushed to collect all my luggage. After meeting with EPIK, I got on the bus and  rode 5 more hours to reach my next destination , Jeonju University for orientation. Its a really beautiful school in Jeonju. I took a Tae Kwon Do class. It was legit, the warm up even had me sweating (I know, Im quite out of shape). I went on a field trip to Hanok Village which is a traditional Korean village. It was so lovely! I think its is so wonderful how Korea preserves and keeps its culture and history alive. Aside from sitting through many long, but helpful lessons, I made some wonderful Korean friends. I cannot believe how nice they are to me and they just met me! I went to dinner with them on Sunday and they bought me a CHEESECAKE!! I was so amazed and thankful. I will never forget Ji Seong's (my first Korean Friend) words,

Allow me to introduce my self...

HELLO!!!
I'm Bazooka Boat and you are currently reading my new blog!! Duh! let me give you a little background info about myself. I'm 24 years old. I grew up in Augusta/Hephzibah, Ga. I went to college and received a BA in Spanish. And now... I'm going to South Korea to teach ENGLISH!!! How exciting! A lot of the time I get "Your degree is in Spanish but you're going to KOREA to teach ENGLISH????" Well here's my logic: Yes,  I did spend most of my student career studying Spanish and even spent 4 years earning a degree in it, BUT that does not mean that has to be the only language I study, the only culture I partake in, or the only countries I visit. Little do most people know, I have been interested in Korean culture, actually Asian Culture, for about the same time as I have Spanish. I am just a lover of all cultures. Now I have the opportunity to LIVE in a culture of interest and gain first hand experiences. Also I am sharping my skills for teaching a foreign language. It is all just a wonderful experience.

I am ready to live it and tell you all about it. So as you can tell from the title of this blog, it will be about my life in Korea! I hope you enjoy reading it!