No pepper!? The Outback experience

Brit and I went to Outback the other day. It is very different here. For starters, mucho expensive (but it was a birthday thing). Secondly, they served Kimchi (pickled cabbage) with the meal. Thirdly, medium-rare translates into "still alive" here. Fourthly, there was no salt or pepper available (and certainly none on the tables). If you have ever eaten out with me (or eaten with me period), you will know that I LOVE pepper. I soak things in pepper. I think I'm probably disgusting for how much pepper I love on food. Granted, if I am eating Korean cuisine, there is no need for seasoning. They enjoy their food sour and spicey. But if i happen upon an American restaurant I now know there is no seasoning available. Overall, I would not go back to Outback in Seoul.

Saturday night, a group of us from Incheon went into Seoul and enjoyed the night life. It's pretty rocking. I must say, there are/were military men everywhere. That was strange. I mean, my entire time here thus far, it has been obvious that I am only white person around. But come Saturday night, the white peeps gather together and talk, dance, etc. Needless to say, it was quite the experience.

Currently, I am in Seoul, South Korea, training. Training is quite intense. I will have to study grammar tonight. Oh! how we take our language for granted. I never cared to know what a past participle was and now (tomorrow, in fact) I will be tested over my grammar skills. Yikes! that's intimidating. NO worries though. I would much rather study tonight (oddly enough) than do anything else.

I suppose having my friend back in Incheon is somewhat of a disservice for me because since I know her, I don't really feel any pressure to get to know other people. Well, I suppose I should correct this statement. For starters, our training sessions are very different. She went through training with eight other people; I, on the otherhand, am one of hundreds. I hate that. Everything is so crowded. At least it's only for a week. Secondly, everything takes so much longer when there are hundreds of peeps having to complete something. For example, today all hundred+ of us went to the hospital to get our exam. All I will say is that there exams are very thorough. But being thorough also means it is going to take  a long time. I ended up leaving with a couple of girls and catching the metro back to our hotel.

As for relocating, I'm afraid it is not possible. I am still trying, particularly because no where in my contract does it list a location. Regardless, I must abide by my company's and Korea's laws and regulations. Being such, I will be teaching at a main branch. I am hoping (cross your fingers, please) that the commute will be around 30 minutes. That would be completely do-able. Otherwise, I am fearful my friend and me may not be able to live together... and that, well that would be quite the adjustment.

Seeing as I haven't blogged in a couple of days, I just know I am forgetting exciting facts and experiences. I can tell you that South Korea rocks. The people are kind and the options of what to do are endless. I must say, my current highlight of Korea is when friends and me first went over the Han river. It's beautiful! Seoul is beautiful!

I'm sure I will think of other cool things I did or saw, but for now, know that your words of encouragement and emails mean the world to me. It doesn't quite seem like I am half-way around the world, when family and friends are in contact with me so consistently. So thank you!

Happy travels!