PACKOLOGIC

I think the hardest part of this trip is trying to figure out what to take, how much of it to take, and what I don't really need. I just took a trip to Costco (which by the way there are Costcos in Seoul!) and stocked up on some food and toiletries. Depending what time of year you end up going to S. Korea will determine what you really need to take when you depart. The rest you can have shipped later that year. Luckily, it's cherry blossom season there right now and the weather is only going to get hotter (unbearable). Leave the snow gear behind and pack sun dresses, shorts & flip flops galore. I've been talking to a couple of teachers who are already teaching at the school and they've given me some tips for packing

• Bring enough deodorant to last you the year - Deodorant is pretty difficult to find in Korea and when you do find it, you end up paying a fortune.

• When it comes to soap, shampoo, face wash etc. if you're absolutely married to any brands, bring them with you, chances are you won't find U.S. brands there

• Personal touches - bring pictures, books, art and/or anything that will make your place feel like home

I was able to fit a game of scrabble in my suitcase. I have a feeling that's gonna be an important piece during the trip. Other random things I'm packing aside from clothes? watercolors, gummi bears, pop tarts, individual oatmeal packs... I guess that's as random as it gets. My friend Alex hooked me up with Rosetta Stone for me to learn the language. Can I just say, that program is unbelievable. I'm finding it to be a lot easier to understand and speak it rather than read and write. I wish I had more time to spend on it but I only have till next friday. We'll see how far that gets me. This upcoming week is going to be a bit busy but I'll try to get some videos in when we arrive in Korea. In the meantime, check out this video of some kids singing "Zippity Doo Dah."