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lithium
Joined: 18 Jun 2008
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 Posted: Tue Apr 19, 2011 5:37 am Post subject: |
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[quote="I didn't get coldsores in America and then in Korea one sprung up-[/quote]
Dude? |
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Illysook
Joined: 30 Jun 2008
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| Posted: Tue Apr 19, 2011 7:27 am Post subject: |
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Things to do during your last 2 weeks of freedom?
We have to tell you?
You will fit right in here....but say your prayers dude, say your prayers. |
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robinsoncrusoe
Joined: 22 Jan 2010
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| Posted: Tue Apr 19, 2011 7:44 am Post subject: |
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ok, so it seems that i need to add a few more things to my list:
-sense of humor about things
-thick skin
-big heavy set of balls
-vitamins: won't they stop me at airport security for all the "pills?"
also, it really that hard to get large towels and deodorant? i go old spice with my deodorant. it's a pretty generic brand that's stocked at every pharmacy i've been to.
| Triban wrote: |
OP if you bring me a casserole dish I can use for my oven I'll pay you. |
triban, i'm gonna pack all of my stuff this weekend and if there's room leftover inside for a casserole dish, i would have no problem bringing one over for you. |
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northway
Joined: 05 Jul 2010
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| Posted: Tue Apr 19, 2011 8:00 am Post subject: |
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| robinsoncrusoe wrote: |
| -vitamins: won't they stop me at airport security for all the "pills?" |
ICN is ludicrously lax. |
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Auslegung
Joined: 14 Jan 2009
Location: MB, SC
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| Posted: Tue Apr 19, 2011 10:12 am Post subject: |
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| robinsoncrusoe wrote: |
| also, it really that hard to get large towels and deodorant? i go old spice with my deodorant. it's a pretty generic brand that's stocked at every pharmacy i've been to. |
Yes, it is. Koreans are a diminutive people compared to us big hairy apes called Westerners. Ergo, their towels are smaller. It was never an issue with me as I tend to use smaller towels in America anyway, but it is a common complaint.
As for deodorant, most of what you'll find in Korea is the antiperspirant/deodorant combo that contains aluminum. Not good for you. You may or may not be able to find only deodorant at any given store, and you may or may not be able to find your precious Old Spice. Best advice, it's small and you'll only need a few sticks for a year. I use the crystal mineral salts stuff, healthier than deodorant and one $10 stick will last about a year, fwiw.
I was able to find multi-vitamins while there, and even able to find some that didn't have extreme amounts of vitamin B, or whatever it is they commonly put in 800% of your recommended values. Don't remember the price on them.
If you're a reader, you're going to need to bring or buy an eReader. There is a Korean eReader called the Nuutbook, and Kobo has an eReader, you can get them locally I've reviewed the Nuutbook extensively on this forum somewhere, but I'd suggest Sony's for the quality or Amazon's for the popularity, personally. Just about every public library here has English books, but their selection is understandably slim. The National Library of Korea has a lot of good English books, but you may not live near a branch.
Make sure you know what the dress code at your school is. When I first went to Korea I thought it'd be business casual, when it was just casual. I had only packed 2 pairs of jeans, and needed more, but couldn't find any in my size.
If you have boobs you're going to want to bring plenty of bras, since the ones in Korea are all small. I hear that's a common complaint amongst boob-possessing people.
If you have a *beep* you're going to want to bring condoms, since the ones in Korea are all small. I hear that's a common complaint amongst *beep*-possessing people.
If you're more than slim, finding clothes to fit you may be difficult. If your feet are more than size 8 in men's, you'll have difficulty finding shoes as well.
Bring enough cash to get you through at least 2 months. I got in Korea on the 20th, and my hagwon's pay period was such that I got paid for 1 week of work in the middle of the next month, and didn't get a full paycheck until almost 2 months after getting there.
You're probably aware of it already, but almost no one has a dryer for their clothes, you just hang them on a clothes rack to dry. This will take between a day or two depending on the weather and humidity. Because of that I wished I had brought more undershirts and socks.
I feel like I'm leaving something out, though someone else is certain to mention it. I have a website for people preparing to go to Korea, PM me if you want to see it, it has the list of everything I brought, and my evaluation of that list 6 and 12 months later. |
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carleverson
Joined: 04 Dec 2009
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| Posted: Tue Apr 19, 2011 11:58 pm Post subject: |
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| for work: buy a monkey suit and learn how to dance... |
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PardonTheInterruption
Joined: 02 Mar 2011
Location: Canada
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| Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2011 6:51 am Post subject: Re: 2 Weeks left till Korea - What to do? |
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| robinsoncrusoe wrote: |
So far, the list of things I've already done:
-Explain to girl I've been kind of seeing that we should probably break up, though we were never officially dating |
That's kinda funny, I just did this. Although, I didn't wait till I was two weeks outside a departure...try to explain it's something you "need to do...for you" and hopefully all goes swimingly.
I'm excited for you, have a great trip!
Lastly...I would do some research on the area on where you're staying, some of it's history, and some of the local attractions...so when you finally have some free time you have a few ideas on what you would like to explore. |
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robinsoncrusoe
Joined: 22 Jan 2010
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| Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2011 7:44 am Post subject: |
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robinsoncrusoe's rules on how to say goodbye to girls the right way (or, How to NOT repeat my dumbass mistakes):
1. do NOT surprise her out of the blue with it.
2. do NOT take her out to a fancy dinner where you break rule #1
3. do NOT start off your explanations with "well, it's not like we were gonna get married..."
4. do NOT mention marriage. at all.
5. do NOT recover from your fumbles by telling her how pretty she looks. that only works when she's feeling bad about herself, not angry with you.
6. do NOT tell her she'll find a better man after you're gone. especially if you don't believe it yourself and can't say it with a straight face or without your voice cracking
7. do NOT promise or do anything ludicrous because you feel you owe her. related to rule #2.
8. really try hard not to break rule #1.
yes, it's hard to believe any idiot can make so many insanely retarded mistakes all in one night. all without alcohol involved believe it or not.
also, in regards to things like deodorant, larger shoes, condoms, vitamins, clothes...isn't it possible to purchase those things online and have them shipped to Korea? For the most wired country in the world, I bet they're ordering things online everyday. |
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jennad
Joined: 02 Dec 2010
Location: San Diego
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| Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2011 11:48 am Post subject: |
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| northway wrote: |
I don't know if you need that big a set of balls, Korea's pretty tame.
Contact lenses are non-prescription here, don't bother bringing a ton. You can walk into your local grocery store and get them over the counter. |
If you like a specific brand though, should you stock up before leaving? Not sure what brands they have over there... |
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rumdiary
Joined: 05 Jun 2006
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| Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2011 12:22 pm Post subject: |
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| Stop eating authentic Mexican food. The sooner you forget what it tastes like the sooner you will be able to enjoy Choi's Tacos and On The Border. |
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Triban
Joined: 14 Jul 2009
Location: Suwon Station
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| Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2011 1:41 pm Post subject: |
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| lithium wrote: |
| [quote="I didn't get coldsores in America and then in Korea one sprung up- |
Dude?[/quote]
Dude? Mostly everyone has them. I got it from an adult when I was a baby, though I didn't have a problem until Korea. Only happened twice but that's twice too many for my taste. |
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lopare152
Joined: 05 May 2011
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| Posted: Sun May 08, 2011 12:15 pm Post subject: |
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| Triban wrote: |
| lithium wrote: |
| "I didn't get coldsores in America and then in Korea one sprung up- |
Dude? Mostly everyone has them. I got it from an adult when I was a baby, though I didn't have a problem until Korea. Only happened twice but that's twice too many for my taste. |
I've gotten the rare cold sore myself, same situation. Can you say whether this posed an issue on your health checks? I've read a lot of pretty rude blog and forum posts that don't really answer the question and make me think I'd get deported over it (read: the author would deport me over it if they had the choice). I guess from your case, it shouldn't be a problem, though? I would think since HSV is NOT solely an STD, it would not even be tested for, correct?
Sorry to bump/hijack the thread; can't PM. |
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YailBloor
Joined: 31 May 2009
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| Posted: Mon May 23, 2011 4:07 pm Post subject: |
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| robinsoncrusoe - I wanted to PM you about the allergy serum you mentioned in your first post. I'm getting allergy shots here in the states and wanted to see how it's working out for you bringing the serum with you and getting shots in Korea. Have you been able to do that successfully? If so, where are you getting your shots? Thanks in advance for your reply. |
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robinsoncrusoe
Joined: 22 Jan 2010
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| Posted: Mon May 23, 2011 4:33 pm Post subject: |
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| YailBloor wrote: |
| robinsoncrusoe - I wanted to PM you about the allergy serum you mentioned in your first post. I'm getting allergy shots here in the states and wanted to see how it's working out for you bringing the serum with you and getting shots in Korea. Have you been able to do that successfully? If so, where are you getting your shots? Thanks in advance for your reply. |
yes, it's pretty simple. i brought it over in a thermos bottle with the vials wrapped in an icepack inside. It doesn't matter if it's cold or frozen...it just can't be at room temperature for too long (because then the allergens start to multiply).
soon as you get here, you have your school help you locate a hospital close to you where you drop it off, fill out some paperwork, and show up every week to get your shots! you could also get it done at an ENT office.
important point is, bring the serums with you, don't ship them over. let ur school know ahead of time that you need to get it to a hospital soon. and once you get to your apartment, stick it in the fridge. |
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peacemaker
Joined: 19 Sep 2006
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| Posted: Mon May 23, 2011 4:44 pm Post subject: |
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| lopare152 wrote: |
| Triban wrote: |
| lithium wrote: |
| "I didn't get coldsores in America and then in Korea one sprung up- |
Dude? Mostly everyone has them. I got it from an adult when I was a baby, though I didn't have a problem until Korea. Only happened twice but that's twice too many for my taste. |
I've gotten the rare cold sore myself, same situation. Can you say whether this posed an issue on your health checks? I've read a lot of pretty rude blog and forum posts that don't really answer the question and make me think I'd get deported over it (read: the author would deport me over it if they had the choice). I guess from your case, it shouldn't be a problem, though? I would think since HSV is NOT solely an STD, it would not even be tested for, correct?
Sorry to bump/hijack the thread; can't PM. |
I'm pretty sure they'll deport you if you get cold sores.  |
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