Adventureland

So about these little adventures:

10-30 can be classified as my second trip to hospital. Part of our requirements to teach we have to prove that we are not drug attics, nor do we have any extreme health conditions that would force us to exit early. On my first trip I was told that I have low cholesterol, high blood pressure and poor eyes. By the second trip I had high cholesterol, low blood pressure and perfect eyesight. This instilled 100% trust in their health care system. I also took joy in their idealistic hope for the goodness of their people. Let me explain. I carried all of my paper work from each testing station (all 10 of them), after I urinated in a cup, I put it by ten other pee cups, that were poorly labeled and sitting by the exit of the station, no one spoke a lick of English, there were 9 people just standing around waiting for service, budging in line etc at every point. I want you to know that at no point did I tamper with my paper work or substances. There is a reason American hospitals are so systemized and protected - we would take advantage of such open opportunities; rather, we probably did, hence the strict regulations of today. On the trip home with my director Mr. Nam, I heard a park worth of dogs barking. When we pulled up to the location of this noise, I found myself locked in on rusty cages filled with beautiful pups. I couldn't help but dream - which puppy would I take home with me if I could not have them all. Just as soon as I had decided who I would rescue from the puppy play pen, Mr. Nam, informed me that they were not for pets, but for processing - they eat dog meat! I was nauseous the rest of the day at the thought of Chloe being tasted...

I can't say I found comfort, but I found peace in an article regarding such practices. It was from the perspective of a Hindu - ye who love the cow. They said that it is more insulting to them that Westerners eat beef multiple times a week with little regard for their culture. Just the same, Korean's don't view all dogs as best friends. Can't hardly argue that.

10-31 also known as Halloween, was one of the most exhausting days of my life. You would think it would be the most fun, filled with candy, parties and play time. With that came the need to constantly entertain the unappreciative whining candy whores! Overall, fun. I fell asleep at 9pm that night.

11-2 My second church experience in Korea began with an early Western brunch with Alison, the girl whose position I have taken over for - she is now teaching in the depths of Seoul, as Guri ison the outskirts. We had an amazing brunch filled with great food and enlightening conversation. Church managed to top that. I really like it there, and the people are incredibly welcoming - you can feel their love pulsating off their chests, so brilliant! This is the venue from which I take my Korean lessons (next entry).

11-8 My first Korean Lesson, mall trip, and club experience. The day started too early, heading an hour and a half away for our lesson at the church I have joined on Sundays. Thankfully, Ashley and I were not the only ones who were three weeks late for joining. They started a second session for us, and kicked our butts. Yes, I have 26 pages of hwk I have yet to do. They don't mess around. My proud moment was when the amazing teacher (she's one of the coolest people I have met here hands down!), reached out her high-five hand complimented with a "you are my best student!" This didn't stop. I hated it on the outside, as the other students glared, but deep down I was glowing through all my innards. Little does she know, that I won't always be that, as I am missing class this weekend and am overall a bad student, who can only pronounce well and repeat with ease. Ha.

After Korean class, a couple us (Becca, Chatch's old roomie who was up visiting for the weekend! She is teaching in Busan) hit up the CoEx - the biggest mall in Seoul. Good times. That night we exhausted a club club called Monkey Beach. It was themed out in a tropical decor and hiphop bumps. Needless to say, I felt right at home :) 

11-9 Came too early. I met Becca a teensy restaurant, where we chatted about the days events and prayed the rain away. As soon as we decided we would have to spend this one inside, we crossed the coolest umbrellas EVER - we eventually named them after famous unicorns - ya know, the things that seem to good to be true until you find them one day! Yeah. They were clear, so we kept them out rain and shine. Enough about that, we took a long walk passed the old prison (really lame, not worth writing about, but the umbrellas were), and through a gorgeous park.

It was covered in yellow and red leaves, giving both of us a taste of midwest home :) We played on the hilarious exercise equipment, offended a couple elderly as a result, and witnessed a fight in broad daylight - one of the rarest sites in Korea! We then embarked on a hike we were not prepared for - so what it was on cement most of the time. I will have to ask Becca the name of the temples we sought after. It was cool to get some of the rich history, see the Buddhist rock they pray too, and hear the faint chant of the monks. The lookout was the highlight of the hike. With our clear umbrellas in hand we basked on pride rock overlooking all of Seoul. Nothing could bring us down from feeling like the Kings (Becca's BF was with us at this point) and Queens of the most populated city in Korea. Afterwards, we descended down the mtn, exchanging teaching stories all the while, to Insadong - one of the oldest and most authentic Korean markets. If you ever receive a present from me (don't get your hopes up), it will most likely come from there :) It turned cold too quickly, so the three of us comfied up in a hometown comfort, Starbucks. It was so great to have my fellow midwesterners here to share stories with! I felt completely refreshed, ready to take on the following week of screaming kids and educating sponges.

11-10 concluded our second trip to the grocery store haven, we like to call CostCo. It is a little flavor of everything import and Western. Ashley and I will go there just to marvel at the magnitude of food and soy sauce (they sell them in gasoline gallon containers... hahaha... only in Korea, and maybe China or Japan ;). They have supported my kettle chip and snickers addictions - two habits I will not be kicking on this trip.

11-15 (This coming weekend) I am cramming myself in a teeny car with too many others to head 2.5 hours away to the beach. To be honest, I don't even know the name of the beach. I am just along for the ride! We are staying a nice camper along the shore!!! I'll let you know all about it when it's all over. 

That weekend has now come and gone. It was all that I dreamt the Korean ocean could be. On our drive there we stopped at a sweet cave to buy time, but it ended up being one of the highlights. I have never been in such unique carved out rock :/

Afterwards, we pulled up to our home away from home away from home. It was the sweet little trailer you see on your left. It comfortably slept 8, and had every imaginable amenity. I guess this is what the Korean's call "camping". Hey, I'm ok with that. There was little adventure involved, but was the best, most peaceful weekend I have had here yet. I spent my day in the sleeping bag you see on the bench (me) overlooking the lapping waves, finishing a book. At night we cooked, ate, then cooked again. If we weren't cooking, reading or eating, we took long walks on the beach. I ventured into the freezing water twice. I couldn't help myself! Overall, it was a dreamy and surreal weekend!

Fleeting, vibrant...

This week I was reminded of how temporary life can be. 

This is a dedication to my beloved Great Aunt Gerry, who I can still remember playing card games with us at the Grandma and Grandpa's cabin. This is how I will continue to fondly remember her. 

Two weeks ago, unknowingly I began a book about death and suddenness of it. Page 1 describes Susie Salmon's horrific murder with her being the narrator. From there she looks down over her family and watches her mystery unfold before their eyes. Rather than focusing on the mystery aspect, I am intrigued by her family's love and devotion to her after she has passed. This, as many other things, remind me that I need to tell my family and friends how much I love them. It is easy to show love when in the presence of someone, but to love from a far... well, it's new to me. I want to do everything I can to express to you (my family and friends) that I truly think of you every day and with that comes missing you. The further away I go, the more people I meet, the more I discover that they best people in the whole world are in Minnesota and Wisconsin. I am so blessed to have found you this early in life. Thank you, I love you and I miss you more than you know!

Story number three revealing life's fleeting nature occurred on Wednesday of this last week (10-19-08). As any other Wednesday, we headed to our neighborhood bar, MoonBlues. The night was average at most, it was on the walk home that our stories were altered. Unable to hail a cab, my friend Jared and I began the hike home. Along the way we passed a middle-aged plus man (the elderly men in Korea are called "Adjashies") curled in a little ball shaking from the cold. It was easily 10 degrees F that night. With my huge parka and socked feet, I was freezing. After walking past this "Adjashi" once, our consciences were left disturbed to say the least. We made it a goal to find this man a warm place to stay. Long story short, we couldn't find anywhere, the police came to our rescue and would not let him in the car with us. Realizing that our night was dedicated to the Adjashi and we were a packaged deal, the three of us were able to leave together and find a warm place for him. This was one night. What will happen the next? Are these his last hours? Is he destined to die freezing in the wealthy, bustling streets of Korea? This has been turning over and over in my head for days now.

Then today, I was shaken from my death fix by the joy of life. My sister, Jenna and her long-time boyfriend and my good friend, Tommy got engaged! The last five years have merely been a warm up to the journey they are about to embark on together. The idea of these two dears being together forever brings such color, vitality and vigor to the luminous life we live. I am elated to witness their passion for each other and their future triumphs to be tackled hand-in-hand. God bless you two! I couldn't be happier for a couple!!!

Moral of the week: Life is fleeting, temporary, provisional, yet brilliant while being lived. So spend it with those that extract that effervescence from it - I have found those that do so, my family and friends - you are loved and appreciated!

Updation Station

I'm haunted daily by the idea of people checking this blog and there not being anything new and exciting for 20 daysish. I would hate for your dedication to dwindle. Besides being a bit on the busy side, I haven't had anything too crazy too write about in recent. However, it seems there have a been a few fun activities. I am still waiting on the pics to come in, but once they do, I will obviously post them here.

Daily, I fill my time with nine hours at school - most of them are fun filled. My love and

 frustration continue to grow for my kids with every passing period. Their personalities are shining through all too brilliantly. There are kids who I thought were the kindest, most innocent little kittens that have become deceitful, passive aggressive bullies. Don't worry, that stuff does not fly in my class. With me, they have become far more comfortable... too comfortable. All Korean's enjoy a - what should I call it? - thumb plug?! Here me out, it is a cultural thing, a game. The kids think it's funny to poke you with their thumb when you turn around. This also does not fly on my watch! Overall, they are buttons who bring me 70% joy, 20% frustration and 10% anger - no aneurism yet, just a couple close calls. Part of working with kids is their constant germ sharing. I have come to terms with the fact that I will be sick a lot, as are the other teachers. There are always three others that share in my sniffles and blows. Speaking of the other teachers, they are all pretty cool. Shoot, I just like new friends. Ashley from Canada with boyfriend Andrew have become my closest friends. She is so chill and hilarious. We are practically inseparable on every adventure. 

Whether I mention her or not, she was probably there. I have

 concluded that I like almost all of them for the simple fact that it takes a certain soul to embark on this journey - I guess I like th

at soul. Everyone is so warm and friendly, eager to be besties. It's

 weird introducing myself to people now... before they were always introducing themselves to me - the new girl! I am no longer the new girl. Trippy. It is a simple reality - with every going away party, a new person enters the circle.

Not being the new girl, I have found that I am learning my way around and everything is done with far greater ease. I go on the bus, tube, and take taxis by myself now. It feels good to be independent... outside of my apt ;) The apt has become home. I am hanging Christmas lights and in the process of painting the mural - I have only thought of what I want to do with it, no final plans - once that is done, it will be all me!