The one where I blather about Daejeon

It's been a loooong time since I've posted anything, so I decided that I would. That's all.

Well, there's nothing terribly new and profound to report on this end. I did get a hold of the folks at ASK Now, and my new preferred departure/first day of teaching is sometime in September. And my first choice of destinations is now Daejeon, where Darrell and Shannon are currently teaching.

I had pondered whether that was being "too safe", going to the same city where I have friends. I also pondered whether I was being "unoriginal". But you know what? I don't think so now. I'm really excited to see the places in the Nevers' pictures - and to see them, of course! And I've been spending some time investigating Daejeon (through good 'ol Internetland), and there's so much to see! I mean, they play it down, because it's not really a "tourist" desination, although there is Zooland, among other things. As far as I can tell, Daejeon is more of a business-oriented city; and Wikipedia tells me that it is "known as the Silicon Valley of Korea (being the) home of various private and public Research Institutes, Centers and Science parks."

But even if it's not blantantly touristy, that's absolutely fine. Because it will all be new to me - I'll be a tourist no matter where I go, no matter what I do! I think this will also mean I'll be able to really see what life in Korea is like, when it's not drowned in tourist attractions.

I don't know. Maybe I'm crazy.

:P

They made it!

I found out a few weeks ago that Darrell - who I had worked with at a camp the summer before last - and his wife Shannon were themselves headed to Korea. They left Canada in the wee hours of Monday morning, arriving exhausted 14 hours later.

But they made it!!!

I'm not going to lie, I'm excited to have contacts over there who I actually know in another context, other than through Internetland, for example.

They're pretty good with keeping up with their blog, The Nevers' Adventures, if you're interested in following along. Darrell also does these constant updates via Twitter... I don't even know what that is, really. Like status updates on Facebook. Or something. Yeah. :)

I'm so, so glad that they made it over safely. Their apartment - from the photos I've seen - has plenty of space, and their school looks great, too.

I can't wait to hear what happens next for them! :D