So much has happened and I have learned so much in the past few days it is hard to remember it all. Getting around Korea only knowing hello "anyoung ah say oh" and thank you "kon sah mi dah" is extrememly diffiult. Many maps of the subway system are only in Korean, and therefore, completely useless to a foreigner. Despite the difficulties, the Korean people try to help as much as they can. They are very generous.





Yesterday was my first full day of work. My mentor, Ko Byung-Cheol, is very enthusiastic, but despite his English being the best in the department, it is still hard to communicate. He can go through half a conversation saying only "mmmmm"and the tone of his voice reminds me of Edna from The Incredibles


One of the other men in my department, Lim Hui-Sang, tries very hard to talk to me and teach me things, but it usually involves him scribbling half English, half Korean characters on pieces of paper and circling things like "rice" or "CFO". He gave me a POSCO planner as well as a POSCO history dvd that are both in Korean. Thus, not very useful to me. He always asks me what I would like to learn, but asking him questions is kind of futile. Thus he rambles on about Oracle and Chinese characters and things. I just try to be attentive without looking him in the eyes. It makes Koreans very uncomfortable if you make direct eye contact. They will generally look at you, but spend just as much if not more time looking around the room. I keep forgetting this as eye contact is such an important part of Western culture. It is different with Koreans who have studied in places like Europe, Australia, or the US. They will look Westerners in the face. Meanwhile I am getting better, I think.

Yesterday I had the strangest experience at work ever. My mentor bought me a toothbrush. After lunch everyone brushes their teeth in the department bathroom. He asked if I had a toothbrush, to which I said no, and then he rushed me down to the store in the building food court and bought me one. In the process standardization bathroom there are 15 different toothbrushes. You keep it there overnight. There is a special sink where you do it, you do not do it at the same sink where you wash your hands. People say Americans are obsessed with their teeth, but this is not a common practice in the US, and it was quite interesting.

More later as there is still so much to tell. I must get ready for work now.