Payday!

Payday is always a good day.  Nothing changes in Korea.  I was paid this past week and it was a comfort to know that I had successfully made it through almost 5 weeks with just the money I brought with me from home.  I could breathe a little bit.

Then I looked at my payslip.  I was overwhelmed!  First I haven't been employed full time (officially) in three years.  So my paycheck is just a lot more than I have been earning over the last three years.  That in itself is shocking to me.

But then I tried to figure out about how much money I would need for my bills and living expenses here so I could calculate how much I would transfer home.  My mind started to fry.  First of all I don't know what all bills I'm going to get and my first calculations were less than 40% of my salary and I know things are cheap here but I don't think they are that cheap.  Then I found out that the 1 bill I had received and thought was for the first 2 weeks I was here (half of Aug. and half of Sept.) I found out was simply for August.  The previous residents lived in this apartment for 4 days in August and I lived here 5.  So basically I had a third of a month's maintenance bill (still not sure what all is included in that besides TV and I think electricity).  So basically I did a lot of estimating and came to a number and then tried to convert it to US dollars.  I think my estimates are still way off.

My mind just simply cannot figure all of this out yet.  I'm hoping by the end of Nov. I will have a better grasp on my budget here.  Until then, the goal is to not spend tons of money.  But I haven't been doing a good job of that the last few weeks with some trips to Costco.  I went again and this time I found bedding!  I was hoping for a real set of Western sheets (top sheet and fitted sheet).  I found that but they were fleece. I bought them because they were a good price and will be great for the winter but still not fitting what I want for now.  But I did find a comforter.  It's not very heavy and not as soft as I would hope for but I love it!  It's a blue comforter with flowers that might be cheery blossoms. I don't.  I jsut know that I like it.  When you add it to the amazingly soft rich chocolate brown blanket I bought at E-traders this week, it will be fantastic!  Then I will have mom send me my brown sheet set from home and I will be set!  Budgeting...it will happen but it will definitely take some time to adjust to what I spend and how much is needed for expenses over here.  It's all part of learning to live in another country.

And closely related to this, is paying bills.  I know I can my bills through the ATM.  I tried.  I was not successful.  Monday, I will get more instructions from my co-teachers and hopefully I will be successful the second time around!