Chang Deok Ahn "Dormitory"

We woke bright and early to make sure Amanda got the airport shuttle bus in time. Then, she was off and I was on my own. I went to the subway station to time how long it would take me to walk from the guesthouse to there. Then, I came back and finished packing and organizing before heading to the station a bit early before my meeting time with Jenny's brother (my roommate from Inje) Chang Hwan. As it turned out, he also arrived early and we were off to Kyunghee University area ahead of schedule. His English is not as good as Jenny's, but we were still able to communicate and have short conversations. I was very thankful to have someone to help me with my bags.

We found the 'dormitory' (you may note that I keep putting dormitory in quotation marks...this is because it's not really a dorm. It is not on campus, but it is still kind of university housing. It is more like a mini-apartment in that it has a sink, cooking range, washing/drying machine (all in one), microwave, refrigerator and bathroom. Whew-you also may think that this must be a big space, but it's not. It's probably half the size of a typical hotel room...maybe 18ft x 10ft (though I'm not good at guessing lengths). Anyway, the room is nice, bunkbeds (I have the top) but only one desk. And I'm thinking 'normal' school has been in session for at least a month or so, so she is all settled in. Which leaves me "odd man out" a little. Also, do not currently have an internet cable and am using wifi from someplace around here I guess.

My roommate is a native Korean (I've already forgotten her name...I know her English name is Katherine). I've really only interacted with her for about 3 minutes today. She left to go visit a friend and said she would be back quickly...she was gone for at least 4 1/2 hours... I went out around 3:30 and then again around 6. The first trip was just to see what the area is like. There are lots of restaurants, some shops, and lots of coffee shops. I did navigate to the university and walked on campus for a bit, and then wandered off campus and found another university. There, I watched some guys playing soccer for about 20 minutes. I also found a little grocery store and got some fruit, yogurt and snacks. I came back to my room and studied and then went out again to try and find internet at a cafe. I walked into a whole bunch of them (also looking at the menu) and picked one. Go figure, the one I pick doesn't have internet! So, I took my time there and had my drink (Hot Vanilla- not Chocolate...) and then went in search of another place for internet.

I am just about ready to crash I think. Since I had an early morning and tomorrow is the big "first day of school" deal. Well, just orientation and placement testing... Anyway, my contact here is going to meet me in the morning and walk to school with me. I'm so thankful to have someone to help out a little. Kyunghee is SO much bigger than Inje (I am really homesick for Inje! Even though everything is a bit nicer and a lot newer dorm-wise, I really do wish I was in crazy ole ET-English Town!)

**UPDATE** My roommate is NOT Korean. She only speaks pretty much fluent sounding Korean, and gave me a Korean name when I asked her if she had one. Hmm... We also were able to rearrange the closets some, so I do have my own personal space-small though it be, I'm happy. And now this happy camper is heading to bed!

Standing in the entrance/foyer-"kitchen" to the left, bathroom to the right, living space in the background

Good sized bathroom, with door to the shower area

Dishwasher/dryer unit, stove top,sink, fridge and microwave (the one and only desk stretching from the fridge to the window)

Bunk beds; I have the top bunk

View of the room standing with my back against the window. Our two closets; I have the smaller one on the left. (The bigger one has two doors that open out)