Last night, we played Settlers of Catan in the park with friends. It felt exactly like something we'd do in Canada, which was really nice. We've met such good people here.

On Sunday, we visited Songdo. It's a city built completely from scratch, on reclaimed land. It seems to have been built with a "if you build it, they will come" mentality. Right now, it's eerily empty. I can't tell if the idea is a flop or if it just needs more time (construction doesn't finish until 2014).

It was so strange to wander around empty streets, after having accustomed to the hustle & bustle of Seoul and Incheon. A friend of ours compared it to the scenes of empty New York City in I Am Legend. It was a bizarre but beautiful experience. So many interesting buildings, so much green space! We can't wait to come back and bike around Songdo's Central Park. And grab another muffin from this coffee cart!

*Mike took some photos and made a short promotional video for my school. Check it out here.

A Saturday spent by the Hangang River in Seoul with friends from my school. We walked by the river, ate some fried chicken, and listened to music.

We've been here almost three weeks. And you know what, it's sort of starting to feel like home. We know where to get groceries, how to hail a taxi, how to properly dispose of garbage (Korea has the most bizarrely complex system!) and I'm slowly getting the hang of those darn chopsticks (yes, 25 years old and inept with chopsticks. The kindergarten students at my school are continually showing me up!). 

The paperwork is all in order for our Korean bank account AND we're getting cellphones. This is our life, not a vacation. I can hardly believe it.

I'm thankful everyday that Mike is here with me. He's my built in support system, chief navigator, and keeper of the tidiest apartment in all the land - I'm lucky and I know it.

*My classroom!

1. Our view from a bus window, outside of Seoul.
2. The view from a lookout in Jayu Park, Incheon.
3. Itaewon, Seoul.
4. A kitten outside our apartment.
5. Exploring Seoul with new friends.
6. Our view during dinner.
7. Mike in Chinatown, Incheon.
8. A boy skipping to school near our apartment.

*Major cred to Mike for this post.

We made it to South Korea! Thankfully, all our bags (including our imac!) met us at the luggage carousel. We're slowly adjusting to the new timezone and exploring our new neighbourhood.

I ducked in to school today (on a Saturday!) and tried to organize some stuff in my classroom. There's a lot to do, but I've been assured it will all come together.

Mike and I then took a taxi to a nearby shopping district for some supper and shopping. It was our first time venturing out without someone to translate so we were pretty proud of ourselves!

Finally... our big news! We're moving to South Korea!

This has been in the works for months, but our visas finally came in the mail yesterday. I signed a one year teaching contract at an international school in Incheon. I'll be teaching grade three! It's been so hard not to mention it here on the blog this last little while, but I didn't want to make any big announcements until everything was 100% confirmed.

Mike was able to get a working holiday visa, but it's still a bit up in the air what he'll be doing while we're out there. He's looking forward to a change of pace. He's been working two full-time gigs for the last few years (working as a journeyman electrician AND a wedding photographer), so he's super excited to have the chance to relax, pursue some creative endeavours, explore our new home, and pick up odd jobs when he can.

We are both over-the-moon about this exciting adventure that awaits us! We are leaving Canada on August 18th, stopping in LA for a few days of sunshine and friends, and then flying into Seoul.

I can't wait to see how this blog blog will change and grow while we are in Asia! Stay tuned. :)