It's been a long week, but good

Well, last week was quite a week. I had a few tours of the area, completed my orientation, and even received my first school assignment. I still can't shake this feeling of disorientation, which makes it very hard to concentrate and retain information. I've been studying Korean phrases and the alphabet so that I can catch up with all of the other students. Most of the other students here have a background in Korean, and can get by fairly well. It's truly amazing how much more accomplished people are compared to the US. They are well-educated in at least one other language from their native language, and most of them know three or four. My roommate knows Russian, Uzbek, Korean, some Arabic, and English. I'm glad I have this opportunity to see outside of American culture, it will be good for me to push my goals even further.
I captured some great things in media these past few days, I hope you like them.
One interesting thing learned: I've noticed that many other countries are represented here, but Japan is not one of them. There are no Japanese students. My friend Usman explained that after the war between Koreans and Japanese in the last century, their relationship suffered and has not been repaired since. The sensitive nature of this event has kept them from sharing in education and economy, although their cultures are very much tied in many aspects (although I think they resist admitting that).
Koreans are very proud of their culture, and protect it in many ways. The music here is all in Korean, although many of the tunes you hear are American (like Britney Spears and Red Hot Chili Peppers). They don't allow dowloading of music on Limewire, or streaming anything from the US, including television shows (oh no, Gossip Girl will go on without me!). Preservation of their heritage is a main priority. It makes me wonder about how the US will maintain any kind of culture when we allow so much to be changed all the time. The US is crying for Change! Change! Change! and Korea is holding tightly to what it has, and it seems to be much more progressive in many ways. I wonder that the US will be surpassed very soon in the world.
Anyway, enjoy the pictures from these past few days! I hope at least one will make you smile, and brighten your day.





Shopping district, and nightlife, so cool
Um, LMFAO!
Lunch at Sol-Sai Cafe hosted by the school, consisting of an entire chicken in a bowl. The chicken was stuffed with fruits and vegetables, it was ultra-nice. Most of the people I am sitting with are chinese students. About 85% of our student body is Chinese.
Beautiful shot of the cafe and stairwell.
Another picture of my dormitory, Nuri Hall


Traditional market in downtown
Pork dumpling soup, sweet potato, and weird noodle thing. You'll notice the little silver cups in nearly every picture. These cups are in every eating facility, and they are used for drinking water. They are kept in silver cases that I think are supposed to kill bacteria, and you go and get your own cup, and water from the fountain (as seen in one of my videos).
Underground subway market, it stretches for miles in every direction!
Love you all! I'll be visiting the local ginseng festival this Saturday, so I'll have some more cool stuff to see soon. Aneyong haseyo!