Today was a good day. I did not yell or raise my voice, not even once. The kids were well mannered asking bathroom, please without direction. My problem child was very well-behaved today and hugged me several times making the world a little bit better. Overall, it was an unprecedented Monday. I hope to experience more of it's kind.
On the other end of my day, I am digging deeper into organization's for women that serve women across the world. Two have really struck me in a very personal way and have laid claim to my heart. Here they are. I have posted the links below if you are interested...
Women for Afghan Women http://www.womenforafghanwomen.org/
Turning Point for Women and Families http://turningpoint-ny.org/
September 28, 2009
September 27, 2009
Oh all the places you will go
Congratulations!
Today is your day.
You’re off to Great Places!
You’re off and away!
You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself any direction you choose.
You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the guy who’ll decide where to go.
You’ll look up and down streets. Look’em over with care. About some you will say, “I don’t choose to go there.” With your head full of brains and your shoes full of feet, you’re too smart to go down a not-so-good street.
I think Dr. Seuss would agree that Korea is a great place to be. This week was full of ups and downs and the "waiting place" but overall I experienced my best week in Korea yet. My kids actually made progress. I had some hug me, which put me on cloud nine; I had some that were kicked out of class for hitting, but I had others ask please, and thank you and push their chairs under their desks. It's hard sometime to remember that they are young kids whose parents want them to learn English.
This week we celebrated Chuesok, Korean Thanksgiving Day. All of the kids wore their hanboks, costumes. They were beautiful. I have posted some pictures below of the kids.
"
"
Amanda and I went to dinner Friday night with a group of English speakers in Ansan to VIPS, a western buffet restaurant. Most of you know how I am about buffets but this was heaven! They had Mexican food and ceasear salad!!!
Saturday we slept in before heading up to Itaewon, the foreigners shopping district. We had a good time, eating subway (TURKEY sandwich!!!), going to the bookstore where I picked up a great read...Walking the Bible. Highly recommend. Walking down the street I spied a man packing tortillas into his backpack. I stopped and asked him where he got them as they are rare here and only found at Costco. He pointed us in the right direction to a store that had all of those wonderful imports that make you feel like home really isn't half the globe away. We purchased taco seasoning, tortillas and nutella!!!
Later in the day we made our way to Insadong where I had bought my guitar the weekend before. It was great to get out and shop a bit. We found great stationary, hand pressed paper and scarves. We walked to the Embassy which was sadly disappointing. Not open on Saturday, so try not to get into trouble during the weekend.
We soon found ourselves at Gyeongbokgung Palace. It was originally built in 1395 during the Joseon Dynasty and served as the main palace in Korea. Later during Japanese occupation it was burnt to the ground. Rebuilt in 1867, the palace gives you a glimpse of ancient Korea. Amanda and I had quite a bit of fun walking the through the gardens...pictures below.
We found a great Italian restaurant to eat a pizza at for dinner, but uh oh, the pizza was covered with mushrooms. I, of course, ate it anyway but was soon deathly ill. We missed meeting up with friends because I was too sick to stay out.
We rounded out the weekend with a nice Hike Sunday mourning up Mt. Suri. It was great just to sit in nature. Sunday was the first day that there was time to just sit and read and I found this highly enjoyable. Living in a foreign country is not always relaxing so finding this quiet time to get involved in a good book was treasured. Sunday afternoon, Amanda, Derek and I ventured up to Onnuri Church. The English service has about 1,000 in the congregation. I LOVED the service. The worship was reminiscent of Wesley worship!!! The sermon was very good and challenged you to grow. Overall, I will be back. Here is a link for the church!
http://www.onnurienglish.org/
Today is your day.
You’re off to Great Places!
You’re off and away!
You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself any direction you choose.
You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the guy who’ll decide where to go.
You’ll look up and down streets. Look’em over with care. About some you will say, “I don’t choose to go there.” With your head full of brains and your shoes full of feet, you’re too smart to go down a not-so-good street.
I think Dr. Seuss would agree that Korea is a great place to be. This week was full of ups and downs and the "waiting place" but overall I experienced my best week in Korea yet. My kids actually made progress. I had some hug me, which put me on cloud nine; I had some that were kicked out of class for hitting, but I had others ask please, and thank you and push their chairs under their desks. It's hard sometime to remember that they are young kids whose parents want them to learn English.
This week we celebrated Chuesok, Korean Thanksgiving Day. All of the kids wore their hanboks, costumes. They were beautiful. I have posted some pictures below of the kids.
"
"
Amanda and I went to dinner Friday night with a group of English speakers in Ansan to VIPS, a western buffet restaurant. Most of you know how I am about buffets but this was heaven! They had Mexican food and ceasear salad!!!
Saturday we slept in before heading up to Itaewon, the foreigners shopping district. We had a good time, eating subway (TURKEY sandwich!!!), going to the bookstore where I picked up a great read...Walking the Bible. Highly recommend. Walking down the street I spied a man packing tortillas into his backpack. I stopped and asked him where he got them as they are rare here and only found at Costco. He pointed us in the right direction to a store that had all of those wonderful imports that make you feel like home really isn't half the globe away. We purchased taco seasoning, tortillas and nutella!!!
Later in the day we made our way to Insadong where I had bought my guitar the weekend before. It was great to get out and shop a bit. We found great stationary, hand pressed paper and scarves. We walked to the Embassy which was sadly disappointing. Not open on Saturday, so try not to get into trouble during the weekend.
We soon found ourselves at Gyeongbokgung Palace. It was originally built in 1395 during the Joseon Dynasty and served as the main palace in Korea. Later during Japanese occupation it was burnt to the ground. Rebuilt in 1867, the palace gives you a glimpse of ancient Korea. Amanda and I had quite a bit of fun walking the through the gardens...pictures below.
We found a great Italian restaurant to eat a pizza at for dinner, but uh oh, the pizza was covered with mushrooms. I, of course, ate it anyway but was soon deathly ill. We missed meeting up with friends because I was too sick to stay out.
We rounded out the weekend with a nice Hike Sunday mourning up Mt. Suri. It was great just to sit in nature. Sunday was the first day that there was time to just sit and read and I found this highly enjoyable. Living in a foreign country is not always relaxing so finding this quiet time to get involved in a good book was treasured. Sunday afternoon, Amanda, Derek and I ventured up to Onnuri Church. The English service has about 1,000 in the congregation. I LOVED the service. The worship was reminiscent of Wesley worship!!! The sermon was very good and challenged you to grow. Overall, I will be back. Here is a link for the church!
http://www.onnurienglish.org/
September 24, 2009
September 23, 2009
Walking in Faith
So, I have noticed that I haven't really kept you up-to-date on what God is doing here...thank you to those of you who have been e-mailing me and praying over spiritual growth here. God has heard your prayers!!!!
Before coming to Korea we all spent quite a bit of time in prayer searching for God's desire over this season in my life. Exodus 33:14 led me to Barvas, Scotland, and it led me here to Gunpo, South Korea.
And the Lord replied, "My presence will go with you and I will give you rest."
I have been reflecting on this in the past few weeks and have realized that He always stands true to his word!!! I am being challenged to step out of what has always been "my place" in ministry, in small groups, in being satisfied in faith without knowledge. Last year seems so far away...the times of "well, I just don't get it and I never will..." or "blind faith is okay with me..." Most of you know the struggles went deeper than that, but I now know there is a desire to go beyond the emotion and face the Word, learn from it, and maybe even tackle on some understanding.
God keeps putting people in front of me, whether at home through e-mails, or here in Korea, that are challenging me, supporting me and praying for me. They are all people that I think God is using to help me seek his heart.
I was asked this week by a friend what my spiritual goals are this year. I could not articulate my answer. I have been thinking about this for a while, too. I knew coming to Korea that I wanted to explore the desires that have been growing in me to work and minister with young women and I also knew that I wanted to grow in faith, in knowledge and in prayer in my own walk. It seems now is the time where I am beginning to really let it soak in that this is not MY life, but His. I want to learn to let go of what I want and learn to discern what HE wants.
A friend recommended some podcasts online to listen to and my brother sent me some great sermons, too. Good ole' Andy Stanley is rocking my podcasts right now as is John Piper and Mars Hill. I'm working on being more proactive about reading and understanding scripture. And I hope to step out soon and be more comfortable in prayer. This year is an exciting year, and I can't wait to update you more on what the Lord is doing here!!
Side note: Guitar lessons have started and I hope to make music for the Lord soon! (Instead of noise!)
Before coming to Korea we all spent quite a bit of time in prayer searching for God's desire over this season in my life. Exodus 33:14 led me to Barvas, Scotland, and it led me here to Gunpo, South Korea.
And the Lord replied, "My presence will go with you and I will give you rest."
I have been reflecting on this in the past few weeks and have realized that He always stands true to his word!!! I am being challenged to step out of what has always been "my place" in ministry, in small groups, in being satisfied in faith without knowledge. Last year seems so far away...the times of "well, I just don't get it and I never will..." or "blind faith is okay with me..." Most of you know the struggles went deeper than that, but I now know there is a desire to go beyond the emotion and face the Word, learn from it, and maybe even tackle on some understanding.
God keeps putting people in front of me, whether at home through e-mails, or here in Korea, that are challenging me, supporting me and praying for me. They are all people that I think God is using to help me seek his heart.
I was asked this week by a friend what my spiritual goals are this year. I could not articulate my answer. I have been thinking about this for a while, too. I knew coming to Korea that I wanted to explore the desires that have been growing in me to work and minister with young women and I also knew that I wanted to grow in faith, in knowledge and in prayer in my own walk. It seems now is the time where I am beginning to really let it soak in that this is not MY life, but His. I want to learn to let go of what I want and learn to discern what HE wants.
A friend recommended some podcasts online to listen to and my brother sent me some great sermons, too. Good ole' Andy Stanley is rocking my podcasts right now as is John Piper and Mars Hill. I'm working on being more proactive about reading and understanding scripture. And I hope to step out soon and be more comfortable in prayer. This year is an exciting year, and I can't wait to update you more on what the Lord is doing here!!
Side note: Guitar lessons have started and I hope to make music for the Lord soon! (Instead of noise!)
September 21, 2009
Suwon Folk Village
Amanda and I ventured South to the Suwon Folk Village...here is a photo essay of our trip...
River boats, overdoses and guitars...
This week I am experiencing my first cold due to the children coming to school with all sorts of illnesses. I have been thrown up on twice, wiped countless runny noses and can't remember how many times I have been sneezed on... I finally succumbed to the sickness. I went to the doctor due to serious worrying on behalf of my school director. She took me to the hospital, BUT she doesn't speak ANY english. The doctor spoke a little bit, enough to scare me to death. She started talking needle talk and then I was adament about feeling much better. We finally communicated enough for me to decline the use of either an IV or an injection in the rear. So, now I am taking six pills 3 times a day and something at night that makes you feel like you are a one-eyed one-horned flying purple people eater!
I went on a grand adventure over the weekend. I did a short solo hike up Mt. Suri. Absolutely amazing. It was a great time to sit and talk with Jesus. I'm finding that He is moving in ways that I have not experienced him before. I am learning that I can really find a quiet place in the mountains, similar to what I experience in music.
Met up with about 30 English speakers in Seoul for a birthday party. Here is the birthday gifts to our friends:
Amanda and I rocked out our BOOTS!
We took a river cruise down the Han. It was beautiful. At one point we watched a light and water show from the boat that took place on the bridge. It was amazing...until you are soaked from cruising under the fabulous water fountains falling off the sides of the bridge. Add the cool breeze coming off of the water and you get what equals the shivers in 80 degree weather. We then took a taxi with good friends, Jonathan, Krista and Sam (a soldier from Cobb County, GA). Longest taxi ride EVER! We met up with the rest of the group at a place in Hongdae where we met even more English speakers. They really do exist in this country.
Sunday was probably one of the best days I have had yet in Korea. I woke up sick and worried that my throat would do that thing it always does and close up. It was a hard decision to go to church or rest in bed and pray for healing. Church won. Amanda decided to join me. Nancy, my co-teacher who normally picks me up from the train station wasn't able to make it to church so Amanda and I caught a taxi to get there. On the way up the stairs, I met a really cool guy from Cameroon who has lived all over the world. He had some great stories up the 10 flights of stairs to get to the English service. After church, I had a great conversation with a friend from small group who has crushed on the same girl for the past 12 years. She lives in the states and he is stationed here. They have their first date planned in December. He is going back to the states just to take her to dinner. Amazing! My romantic heart was oh so happy to hear his excitement! The two of them are also big Jane Austen fans, so even better.
Next stop, Insadong. I went with another friend from church, Derek, to Insadong where he helped me pick out a good beginners guitar. It was an amazing place, over 200 music stores, I think. Derek had intentions of buying some speakers, but upon arriving we found out that most of the stores are closed on Sunday so he wasn't as lucky. It was a day filled with good conversation and memorable sites and great talk about The BIG Guy. Making pretty great friends here and am exicted to see all the plans that God has made for my time here in Korea. Here is my new guitar and the verse that keeps reverberating in my mind..."Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for JOY!"
(P.S. Thank you to all of you who are praying over spiritual growth here. HE really is taking care of me. Thank you also for staying in touch with me. Your emails warm my heart and your skype calls lift my spirit.
P.P.S. Ashley Pierce ...I brought the pillow case!)
I went on a grand adventure over the weekend. I did a short solo hike up Mt. Suri. Absolutely amazing. It was a great time to sit and talk with Jesus. I'm finding that He is moving in ways that I have not experienced him before. I am learning that I can really find a quiet place in the mountains, similar to what I experience in music.
Met up with about 30 English speakers in Seoul for a birthday party. Here is the birthday gifts to our friends:
Amanda and I rocked out our BOOTS!
We took a river cruise down the Han. It was beautiful. At one point we watched a light and water show from the boat that took place on the bridge. It was amazing...until you are soaked from cruising under the fabulous water fountains falling off the sides of the bridge. Add the cool breeze coming off of the water and you get what equals the shivers in 80 degree weather. We then took a taxi with good friends, Jonathan, Krista and Sam (a soldier from Cobb County, GA). Longest taxi ride EVER! We met up with the rest of the group at a place in Hongdae where we met even more English speakers. They really do exist in this country.
Sunday was probably one of the best days I have had yet in Korea. I woke up sick and worried that my throat would do that thing it always does and close up. It was a hard decision to go to church or rest in bed and pray for healing. Church won. Amanda decided to join me. Nancy, my co-teacher who normally picks me up from the train station wasn't able to make it to church so Amanda and I caught a taxi to get there. On the way up the stairs, I met a really cool guy from Cameroon who has lived all over the world. He had some great stories up the 10 flights of stairs to get to the English service. After church, I had a great conversation with a friend from small group who has crushed on the same girl for the past 12 years. She lives in the states and he is stationed here. They have their first date planned in December. He is going back to the states just to take her to dinner. Amazing! My romantic heart was oh so happy to hear his excitement! The two of them are also big Jane Austen fans, so even better.
Next stop, Insadong. I went with another friend from church, Derek, to Insadong where he helped me pick out a good beginners guitar. It was an amazing place, over 200 music stores, I think. Derek had intentions of buying some speakers, but upon arriving we found out that most of the stores are closed on Sunday so he wasn't as lucky. It was a day filled with good conversation and memorable sites and great talk about The BIG Guy. Making pretty great friends here and am exicted to see all the plans that God has made for my time here in Korea. Here is my new guitar and the verse that keeps reverberating in my mind..."Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for JOY!"
(P.S. Thank you to all of you who are praying over spiritual growth here. HE really is taking care of me. Thank you also for staying in touch with me. Your emails warm my heart and your skype calls lift my spirit.
P.P.S. Ashley Pierce ...I brought the pillow case!)
September 15, 2009
Whirlwind...
Friday: I am balling crying at work because my recruiter was let go from his job, which at the time I thought my was fault because I emailed him to complain about the poor living accommodations that Amanda and I were experiencing, the pay situation, the hours, the boss, etc... So, I am crying because now I have a new recruiter who said "Don't call me if you have problems, deal with them yourself." Hummm, bring on the flood. Now I am fighting a battle of promises made over the course of contracts and emails. I am now losing the battle. Hysterical crying is next....Friday continues. My boss takes everyone out. OUT! We go to the one place that Amanda and I swore that we would never stop to eat at. The place with all the food swimming in the tank outside. Where the cut it up and put it on a plate still beating. YEP. Our luck. So, my boss hears that I ate sushi. She has the two foreigners assigned to her school that barely eat anything in Korea. She is kind enough to order me cooked salmon! :)
First course: only thing identifiable is the pineapple.
Second course: raw fish with weird lettuce. Lettuce...good. Raw fish...not so much.
Third course: SOJU and HITE
Fourth course: starting to forget by this point, but I think it was the flounder, cooked, and something else, possibly eel.
Fifth course: more soju and hite for the table, chocolate cake, something else that was fish, and shrimp.
Sixth course: what do you know, another round of soju. EVERYONE is smiling and excited now. It's Friday. We are all family after this meal. I ate A LOT of cake.
Seventh - tenth course: more soju
DESERT: Norambong with the newly established family. Norambong means karaoke in Korea. YEP, we sang karaoke with our boss and some of our students. GREAT times!
Amanda, Lisa and I finish the night off by meeting some friends at a local hangout. Friday began with a smile, around noon was hysterical crying and near panic attack, and ended with a smile and good friends.
OH A POSITIVELY GREAT NOTE: Amanda and I have moved into our new place complete with kitchen table, more than an ordinary sized window, a BIG frig, and a walk in bathroom. Things are really getting better. More to come soon.
First course: only thing identifiable is the pineapple.
Second course: raw fish with weird lettuce. Lettuce...good. Raw fish...not so much.
Third course: SOJU and HITE
Fourth course: starting to forget by this point, but I think it was the flounder, cooked, and something else, possibly eel.
Fifth course: more soju and hite for the table, chocolate cake, something else that was fish, and shrimp.
Sixth course: what do you know, another round of soju. EVERYONE is smiling and excited now. It's Friday. We are all family after this meal. I ate A LOT of cake.
Seventh - tenth course: more soju
DESERT: Norambong with the newly established family. Norambong means karaoke in Korea. YEP, we sang karaoke with our boss and some of our students. GREAT times!
Amanda, Lisa and I finish the night off by meeting some friends at a local hangout. Friday began with a smile, around noon was hysterical crying and near panic attack, and ended with a smile and good friends.
OH A POSITIVELY GREAT NOTE: Amanda and I have moved into our new place complete with kitchen table, more than an ordinary sized window, a BIG frig, and a walk in bathroom. Things are really getting better. More to come soon.
September 8, 2009
WORD Change...
Western WORD vs Korean WORD
W: debutante = Gently bred southern woman
K: debutante = prostitute
W: debutante = Gently bred southern woman
K: debutante = prostitute
September 6, 2009
Learning to be Korean...
Amanda and I have been exploring different areas of South Korea. We visited Iteawon, the foreign fashion district to have the distinct opportunity to eavesdrop on some English conversations. You know it feels like home when there is more than one Starbucks on the same street, Hardrock Cafe is a luxury burger, there are multiple places to find mexican food, and sweet treats. It was a great time! Here are the pictures of our weekend.
Amanda at the restaurant we ate dinner
Awesome graffiti artist
FOOD!!!!
Yes, this is a squat toilet!
Amanda at the restaurant we ate dinner
Awesome graffiti artist
FOOD!!!!
Yes, this is a squat toilet!
MAN BAGS have taken over Korea!
MEN...check this out. The men in Korean are so secure in their manhood. It is hard for a woman to not only be jealous of another woman's fabulous handbag, but not you have to compete with the men, TOO!
I love the sling purse!
I love the sling purse!
September 5, 2009
Things I have done in Korea.....
1. Eat octopus off of the street: texture of beef jerky, taste of polluted sea.
2. Shop in Iteawon just so I can find something in my size and eavesdrop on ENGLISH conversations.
3. Made the hike up Namsan to Seoul Tower...wasn't afraid to wonder around the top.
4. Found and enjoyed MEXICAN food.
5. Bought a book in English at "what the book"
6. Joined a small group at a great church.
7. Drank an $11 imported beer.
8. Hiked a mountain while out for a run...could see the entire city.
9. Cooked salmon in my room on a hot plate
10. Stealthy photographed men carrying man bags!
.....stay tuned for the Man Bag blog up next.
2. Shop in Iteawon just so I can find something in my size and eavesdrop on ENGLISH conversations.
3. Made the hike up Namsan to Seoul Tower...wasn't afraid to wonder around the top.
4. Found and enjoyed MEXICAN food.
5. Bought a book in English at "what the book"
6. Joined a small group at a great church.
7. Drank an $11 imported beer.
8. Hiked a mountain while out for a run...could see the entire city.
9. Cooked salmon in my room on a hot plate
10. Stealthy photographed men carrying man bags!
.....stay tuned for the Man Bag blog up next.
September 1, 2009
YAY!!!! CHIPS!!!!!!!!!
It is a day for celebration. I have been craving real "AMERICAN" food for the past few days. I am tired of rice, kimchi and soup. PIZZA is the last thing I want. So, I was perusing the E-mart when I stumbled upon the best site in a while. CHIPS! Not just any chips, but GOOD CHIPS! Delicious. I feel better about life right now. I might even enjoy half the bag while blogging.
Side note: I hate Peanut Butter, but I broke down and bought PB&J just to escape the hot food around here. Can't wait to visit Iteawon to find some more comfortable food.
Side note: I hate Peanut Butter, but I broke down and bought PB&J just to escape the hot food around here. Can't wait to visit Iteawon to find some more comfortable food.
Let's talk Kindergarten in Korea
Okay, so, the whole Korean age really does make a HUGE difference. When I start my day, it begins with 6-year-olds (korean)/4-year-olds (western). Not too long after, I make the trek to the first floor for the 4-year-olds (korean)/2-year-olds (western). Enough said. I am to teach them English. They do not understand Korean yet. Moving on through the day I bounce between the 5yo(korean)/3yo(western) and the 4/2 year olds. After the morning session is over, I then play with the 8/6, 9/7 and 10/8 year olds. I am pretty sure the older kids made fun of me the entire class today. So, we played musical chairs. The kids are CUTE! But, wow, I am lost right now.
Korean Age vs. Western Age
When I first signed on to teach English in South Korea, I was questioning the math skills of my recruiter. He reported my age as 24. Well, he was wrong. I am actually 25 here due to the lunar year.
So, that would make any teacher question the "REAL" age of their students. I had been told prior to coming to Korea that my students would be 5 to 6 years old. Well, that is their Korean age. They are actually 2, 3 and 4 years old!!!!!!
So, after coming to this realization I had a moment of utter terror. It soon passed as I told myself that I can and will overcome this short slight of information......
So, that would make any teacher question the "REAL" age of their students. I had been told prior to coming to Korea that my students would be 5 to 6 years old. Well, that is their Korean age. They are actually 2, 3 and 4 years old!!!!!!
So, after coming to this realization I had a moment of utter terror. It soon passed as I told myself that I can and will overcome this short slight of information......
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