I GOT DEM INTERNETZ

So I finally got a phone!  Although it's only one year old it runs light years faster than my old Galaxy Nexus which, conveniently enough, will not work in Korea.  How useless.  However, I got a pretty good deal on my new Galaxy S3 (not the S4, lame I know but I needed a phone right away) and I must say, it is a fantastic little gadget.

I'm able to write here thanks to my mobile data which runs out in about 10 seconds.  So by the time I finish writing this I probably won't even be able to publish it.  A word of advice to those coming to Korea: definitely use your wireless connection whenever possible because the availability of mobile data here (see: EVERYWHERE) will cause you to eat up your data plan before you even know it.  I think even the farm animals have cell phones here.

So in-processing is about as in-processing-like as you would imagine.  I fear going into major details here about what we do for fear of violating OPSEC (I know that was redundant...shut up) but suffice it to say that if I had to summarize in a brief sentence it would be: don't touch anyone, be nice to Koreans, be happy, think positively, and always set a good example.  There's obviously more but I think the Army fire hose style of teaching makes a few things stick with all of us.

I'm also really excited to get to my unit.  Let's just say that prior to arriving here I was expecting to do one type of work but in reality I'll be doing something completely different.  It's always nice to stay on your toes I guess.  ADAPTIVE AND AGILE THINKERS.  I'm drinking the kool-aid.

I wish I could write about something high speed and interesting here but the plain fact is that in-processing is perhaps the most high-speed and riveting Army week.  Ever.  We're doing something more interesting today so I'll be sure to take plenty of non-mission related photos and upload them here to share with the viewing public and anyone who may be coming to Korea soon.  Until then, stay safe, stay strong, and be grateful for your blessings.

First Post!

I suppose this has been a long time coming, but I've finally given in: I've started a blog.

What makes this one different (as opposed to my other fizzled projects) is that it'll be about a variety of things ranging from what I do on a day to day basis as a service member, some of my shenanigans (that are appropriate to post of course), Korean culture and anything Korea-related in general, as well as everything else under the sun.  Expect greatness...at your own risk.

So today is my very first day in Korea officially.  We begin in-processing and shortly after that I've heard that I'll be out of the fine comforts of Yongsan and the Dragon Hill Lodge.  It was wonderful while it lasted I suppose, but queen sized beds and free wi-fi all to myself are comforts that I wasn't really expecting the moment I touched down.  Oh, that'll all change soon I'm sure.

The ride here, or shall I say epic journey, spanned over a period of 3 days and including travel by bus, by foot, by plane (duh) and by tuk tuk...one of these modes of transport is a complete lie.  I will let you guess which.

After finally arriving at the Dragon Hill Lodge and being able to settle down for about an hour or so, I let my family know that I had indeed arrived safely and the North Koreans failed in capturing me.  They're so transparent in their schemes, really.  Hopefully my dry sense of humor will come out clearly in this blog.  If it doesn't, you're probably in need of a better sense of humor.  Just kidding...mostly.

Now it's onto my very first meal in Korea wearing ACUs.  I never thought I'd say this considering how I hate it when people flaunt it, but I'm really quite proud to be wearing my Ranger tab as an official Soldier; not just a damned student or someone in "student-status."  Ick...those creatures.

I'd love to write more but I really have to run now.  Update soon and what's been happening, promise.

Peace out world.

Eddie