Notes of a Native-Speaking English Teacher

They slid the display back to reveal the shipping scale. When they weighed it up, it was about 2kg.  When choosing a service, I was told EMS was the cheapest and that it would ship out of Ansan on Monday and arrive in my hometown in Wisconsin by Friday.  That sounded nothing short of amazing.

There is a key at the top indicating what happens on each screen.  The weight screen is straight forward and I expect that the clerk enters the information for everyone to ensure that the store doesn't get ripped off.  The description of items screen is similar to the customs forms I filled out when sending stuff from the USA.  The main things that it asks for are the descriptions and the value.

The recipient info screen asks all the standard questions.  The keyboard is a little funky.  The left yellow button is for "space".  The dark bar at the bottom does nothing. ^^  The sender info screen is similar.

The next screen is for payment details.  By paying cash at the store, there really wasn't much to do but confirm the price.

This confirmation screen shows all the important info.  ^^ Click through that and you are finished.

I think the price is based totally upon weight.  No one measured the box.

They also offer insurance, but I imagine it must be a huge hassle if a foreigner had to collect on it. 

Score another point for Family Mart!

* 24 hours

* clean store

* best Samgat Kimbap selection

* owner speaks English

* friendly service

* easy shipping services

The nearest 약 (pharmacy) is near Homeplus.  This is according to Naver.  I hope that someday I will discover one a bit closer.  They operate very differently from the typical Walgreen's in the US.  The main things I've noticed are:

1. Things are cheaper.  I usually pay under $3 for a bottle of cough medicine.

2. Selection is smaller.  Cough medicine is behind the counter and I've never been handed the same brand twice.

3. It is the only place you can buy Tylenol.  Forget about finding it at the grocery store.

4. They don't have Claritin, but they can give you Zyrtek.

5. The hours are rough.  They are not open late and are typically closed on Sundays, unlike the 24-hour pharmacies that we are used to back home.

I wish I had gone to the pharmacy first thing when I arrived in Korea.  I was constantly getting colds and the stores were never open when I finally broke down and decided to get medicine. It's best to keep a little on hand rather than depend on them for any kind of urgent need.

Here is an extensive list of health related Korean vocab.  

Here  are some simple sentences that can be used to describe an illness to a doctor or pharmacist.

This is the sign out front.  It says that bikes can be rented between 7am and 8:30pm.

I believe it also says that they can be borrowed overnight.

They carry a selection of mountain bikes and cruisers.  This picture was taken on a Wednesday night.  I assume other nights are busier.  Most of the bikes have some kind of handlebar basket.  You will also be given a lock to use.

 

Here is a picture of some mumbo-jumbo with English sprinkled on top.  They take your Alien ID card and have you fill out this form the first time you rent a bike.  After that, you will be on file and get a special membership card.

The hours of operation.  Bikes can be returned anytime within these hours.

Monday - Friday : 6am - 9:30pm

Saturday : 9am - 5:30pm (must be returned same day)

Pretty easy. ^^

See the location link at the bottom for the exact area. 

Also, check out the Ansan bike rental website.

Key: 

1   Payroll  Date

2   City Code 

3   Employee Name 

4   Pay Period Starting Date 

5   Department 

6   Position 

7   Number 

8   Earnings Type 

9   Amount 

10 Deductions Type 

11 Amount 

12 Base Pay 

13 Holiday Pay 

14 Weekend Classes Pay 

15 Soccer Classes Pay 

16 Sick Pay 

17 Transportation Reimbursements 

18 National Pension 

19 Health Insurance 

20 Employment Insurance 

21 Income Tax 

22 Local Tax 

23 Agriculture Tax 

24 Long Term Care Insurance 

25 Tuition Payments 

26 Other Deduction 1 

27 Other Deduction 2 

28 Total Deductions 

29 Net Pay 

30 Total Gross Pay 

31 Company message 

32 Company name and location 

A typical paycheck will have about 200,000 in deductions. 

Pension ~ 99,000 

Health insurance ~ 62,040 

Income tax ~ 29,090 

Local Tax ~ 2,900 

Long term care insurance ~ 4,060 

If your gross is ...  you'll take home...

     2.2  mil                   2.0   mil

     2.3  mil                   2.07 mil

     2.54 mil                  2.31 mil

Anyhow, my payday victory lap around Ansan starts at my school and heads to Seonbu-dong. It is a very busy and happening place.  The nearby route 97 bus stop drops me off near KB bank, Homeplus, and countless other fun shops and food vendors.

The line at the KB is usually a bit long around 6pm.  I don't know why I called it a line.  People just jockey for position behind the person they think will be next.  A polite person could be standing here for half an hour if they aren't careful!

Once I get out of the ATM, it's time to check out some food.  There are maybe a dozen large food tents on this street.  They all look like they serve quality food, but some look more delicious to me than others.

My favorite place serves up these spicy chicken feet!  No, I've never tried them.  I stick to breaded, crispy hot dogs on a stick.  They are really good and only cost about 85 cents. ^^

If there's any doubt, look for the sign that says Bobo Chicken! ^^

That's it.  I spend 20 minutes taking in the sights and sounds of the city, then I get right back on that bus and head home.  The KAF is zero! Too perfect!

5/14: I found some prices for these homes. They are selling for about 8억 ($750,000)

Not only did I find a LOT of laces, I also found shoes in my size (US- 12, Korea 300).  In the past, I've had to spend about four or five hours going to Itaewon just to find a pair of decent shoes. I was thrilled to find this place. I can take the subway after work and, with a little luck, buy a pair of shoes and return home in less than one!

I was truly happy to find the ABC Mart!

When I arrived, they took my information but told me that the doctors were about to go on their lunch break.  I would have to wait about an hour.  Meanwhile, there were quite a few people in the waiting room.  I didn't enjoy being so close to so many other sick people.  I went outside for some fresh air.

The doctor and the nurses were very kind, although they didn't speak much English.  I was able to get a prescription and a shot.  The total cost of the visit and the meds was under $10.  That's enough to make any American feel better!

The clinic is a 내과.  That means that they can take care of people with coughs, colds, and stomach problems.  In addition, I noticed that this clinic had at least a few more specialties.

Hours: 

Weekdays: 8:30 - 7:00

Saturday: 8:30 - 4:30

The doctors will take a lunch break between 1:00 - 2:00.  They will also stop seeing patients about 90 minutes before closing time.  The closing time reflects when they actually leave.

Here are a few (highly idealized!) pictures taken from: Health.Naver.com

Links:  SOK @ Gojan website

Health.Naver.com website for SOK @ Gojan