"It's So Hard To Say Goodbye To Yesterday"

First off, I'd like to thank everyone over the past few weeks for taking the time to get together with me one more time before I leave. It has been an exhausting few days full of good times with plenty of family, friends, and food (not to mention way too much alcohol for me!)

I've gotten very good at saying my goodbyes to my friends from Bristol, Providence, Boston, and throughout the region - trust me, I will miss you guys sooo much! Last night I had to see Patrick and Anne for the last time in a year, that was tough, but with the Internet, we'll be staying close! (If you two are reading this, this is your reminder to download Skype and get a microphone!)

In my exhausted state last night, I had managed to check my e-mail and saw that my recruiter had answered some of my nagging questions about my first few days in Korea. Turns out that because SK has now confirmed cases of the Swine Flu...er...I mean H1N1 virus (you're welcome all you Brown Public Health-ites.) Because Americans in SK have contracted the virus,

"all the foreign teachers who arrive in Korea after May 11th can't start work until 7 days pass.

(There have been new 14 foreign teachers from the States found to be influenced by S.I. (Swine Influenza) and they already got in touch with some students."

I was told I should still arrive in SK as planned and follow the new regulation. Oh darn, a week vacation when I arrive to sight see, get settled, and meet other Americans....it's a rough life, but someone needs to do it.

Also, I found out where I will be living. Apparently it is "very good and clean". If you would like the address of the apartment or school, please e-mail me, as I don't want to actually post the address. Who knows what sort of people might read this. Instead, here's a map of the area to help give you an idea of where I will be living compared to my surroundings:


View Gunpo in a larger map

Note: If you click on more in the upper-right-hand corner you can select pictures, and view some of the surroundings as well.

Also, I found out that when I arrive, I'll be picked up by a driver at the airport (hopefully he'll be holding the sign written in English). I then will go to the school to meet my teacher. Her name is Gyeong sook Kim (aka "Ms. Kim"). I'm willing to bet about half the teachers at the school are named "Kim". I am planning on bringing a couple of small, luggage-friendly gifts for my co-teacher and principal. If you have any suggestions on something that you think is considered uniquely American, please let me know!