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I've started my new job, and moved into a new apartment.

The new apartment is amazing. Every other place I've lived in Korea has been pretty much the same. They've all been small studio apartments. Basically a small room, with a big bed that occupies the lion's share of the space. Along with that there's been a small bathroom, and modest kitchen area. This new place is much different, I actually have rooms, separated by doors. I even have an extra bedroom, so really now, there's no reason for you not to visit me.

The job has been fine so far as well. The hours are pretty mint. On Monday, Wednesday, and Friday I teach six fifty-minute classes. But Tuesday and Thursday is really where it's at. On Tuesday I teach three classes, on Thursday four. I have to be at work at 2pm everyday, but my first class on Tuesdays isn't until 6:20. That's more than enough time to do the requisite prep work, so yesterday the other foreigner and I stepped out to play pool for an hour at a nearby billiards hall. I've always been lousy at pool, but now that I have a standing order for an hour lesson once or twice a week, I may just turn into Eddie Felson.

I think I'll look back at the past year of teaching as "the lost year". It was so dispassionate and felt so meaningless. This year, already, my job feels more substantial, like I'm not just window dressing, a white face to have on show. I feel like I'm actually back to teaching. Having that sense of importance back has really felt good.