UPDATE: 1 more week

The Suwon Fortress

Here we are, sitting at the laptop at about 2:10pm, Friday. I can hear the YMCA, word for word, in the distance. Alot has changed since Wednesday night when we talked to the head teacher, Mike. Yesterday, we had a meeting with both Mike and Stella (the boss)about Suwon. Although we were led to believe that we'd be here another month, we've found out that it will actually be one week. Now, you might ask, why would we believe that. Well, the other 5 teachers are coming tonight at 5pm from US, Ireland, England, Canada and will be heading to Suwon. They will move into the apartments and have observations here in Seoul. Next week, they will have to travel everyday to and from Suwon to the Village here for three days. That's a 3 hour round trip commute each day!!!HA!!!

We found out through our sources that they were thinking of keeping us in Seoul until classes actually start at the new school, which could be as early as December. So, we asked to have a meeting with Stella because we realized that all the other teachers would become friends with each other and we'd be left out. Also, for the first few weeks, they'd be just making materials for the classes (i.e. cutting and pasting) but getting paid their regular salary. If they ran out of things to do, they'd go on tours of the Fortress because they have to teach Suwon history! We thought we wanted to be in on that, too, and getting paid the larger salary promised at Suwon. So, on November 13th, we will have our first day in Suwon. We will move down the weekend before and are promised a ninth floor apartment. Half of our belongings have gone to meet the new teachers at the airport, will make the trip to Suwon and be placed in our apartment.

It's really happening!!!!!!! But we're going to miss our friends!! We've got to have a big marathon of card playing this week.