As we are getting settled here in Seoul, we figured we would fill in the details of what life looks like for us these days.
We live right in the heart of Seoul, in Yongsan-gu. In Seoul, “gu’s” are basically districts. Yongsan-gu is right in the middle of the city, and we live within walking distance of the Han river! If you look down and just to the right of Yongsan-gu, you will see Gangnam-gu, made famous by PSY in Gangnam Style.
Oppan Gangnam style!
The aforementioned Han river.
A panorama of a scenic lookout on the walking/biking trail along the Han.
Yongsan is known as the international gu, which means there are lots of expats (people living outside of their native country), which brings international dining, such as pizza places and burger joints, embassies, and the big U.S. Military base. We actually live right across the street from the base!
Believe it or not, they make a pretty mean burger here.
We live on the 6th floor of our apartment building. There are three buildings in our complex that house many American teachers, military families, and a few Koreans. We were extremely lucky to end up in a really nice and relatively large apartment. We are so glad to have many families in our apartment complex that also teach at our school and even one awesome one that is staying here for the summer (most travel back to the States to see family) that has been here for over 10 years!
Our apartment complex. Our building is the one in the middle that’s hard to see.
Judah’s room after Asher comes/the guest room.
Asher’s room (Judah is currently sleeping in here since it is closer to us). Notice the awesome shower curtain “curtains”.
(From L-R) Kitchen, (Through the glass door in kitchen) laundry room, (Behind kitchen) Asher’s room, (Behind big blank wall) master bed and bath, living room, (Far right) guest room/ Judah’s room after Asher, entry way.
The master bed and bath.
Kitchen. Isaac broke the dishwasher trying to open it like a cabinet…
Laundry area/storage/trash sorting area (Koreans take recycling VERY seriously.)
Laundry area/storage/trash sorting area.
Guest bathroom (that window goes to the laundry room).
Entry way/shoe storage. We do as any good Korean family would and remove our shoes before coming in.
This is where Isaac dunks on folks who need to get dunked on. (guess who wrote that…)
Our awesome playground downstairs.
Judah Monkey Craft
Let’s be real, Isaac just wanted an excuse to ride this thing.
The very serious recycling area…
We will be teaching at Yongsan International School of Seoul. It is about a 40 minute walk/15 minute bus ride from our apartment. During the school year YISS actually sends a shuttle for the staff each morning and drops us back off in the evening! Isaac will be teaching 6th grade math and Bible, and in October (after maternity leave), I will be teaching middle school girl’s PE.
Yongsan International School of Seoul
A view of the school from the street.
The security guard’s first question was if we are new teachers. Apparently we don’t look like we’re from around here…
The hill that goes up to the entrance of the school, ensuring that only the most physically fit can visit.
The front entrance of the school. Isaac isn’t tired. Not one bit.
Drop off area at the front of school.
One of the families here invited us to go to church with them Sunday. They go to the 3 pm service because it is more laid back and less crowed. It is named Seoul International Baptist Church, and the congregation is from all over the world. We met people from England, Zambia, Georgia (the state not the country), and of course Korea.
.5 seconds after setting him down. Judah obviously struggles with separation anxiety in new places like the nursery.
The entrance to church.
About 3/4 of a mile from our apartment is a little family park complete with a playground, a pond, a barefoot walking trail, multiple outdoor exercise facilities, a community vegetable garden, and numerous pavilions designed for picnics.
Judah again suffering the gut wrenching effects of separation anxiety.
“What do I play on first?”
Yogi is behind one of those trees waiting for someone to come have a pic-a-nic under that pavilion.
It seems as though Koreans feel about exercise how Americans feel about bacon.
The pond
We have been spending a lot of time at the local playgrounds since we no longer have a yard. Judah spends the majority of his time just checking things out and taking it all in, that is of course when he isn’t diving head first off of a deck.
He really thought he was tall enough to make that step.
He barely cried, popped up, tried to wipe the dirt out of his mouth, and then it was off to his next adventure, the larger than life bench where he was even more fearless. Although we have scoped out the local hospital for baby Asher’s arrival, we hope Judah doesn’t land us there sooner.
To more adventures…
Our Southern Seoul 
THIS is what blogging should be! There was a pic of a Hamburger,, you mentioned bacon, and you informed me about Isaac’s mad dunking skills. #yes #moreplease #dohashtagsworkhere #gonnachanceit
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Just finished reading the blog, and it was great! I love all of the pictures and stories! I visited Korea about 17 years ago…yes, I am old! I remember everyone always wanting to touch my hair so I see some things never change. Apparently NO one has blonde hair there still! I also remember going to a sort of outdoor market where they sold numerous types of live animals, and women were carrying large amounts of items on their heads.!
Can’t wait to read the next entry!! I will keep you and your family in my prayers!
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