6 Months

I am sitting in the Foreign Teacher's Staff room, doing a few errands and stuff as I'm waiting for 10 am to come around (my religion class) when I get a revelation: exactly 6 months ago today (Aug. 17, 2010), I arrived in Korea.

whoa.

So much has happened . . .

I met people from Australia, South Africa, Canada, and the States who have come to teach English and enjoyed being tourists with them in Seoul.

I was reunited with old friends from Southern (we haven't seen each other for 3 years before I arrived to Korea).

I became introduced to the teaching profession--and started liking it.

I've given presentations/sermonettes/activities for Vespers and Sabbath morning clubs.

I given the Children's Story at least 6 times.

I've had great students. They are my motivation for going to work, even when I don't want to get out of bed at 5:30 am.

Several current and former students have invited me to various activities and places with them.

I've shared my faith with my students; told them about some of my past struggles and tragedies and how God has and still is with me, helping me--and can do the same for them, if they want Him to.

I've travelled a little to visit friends and travelled on Institute/Church related trips.

I've experienced many new things--some that can only be experienced in Korea.

I am slowly learning Korean. I can read Korean (still no idea what I'm reading) and I know a few words. I am also beginning to understand the grammer.

Thanks to a former student--and her friend--I am now receiving Korean lessons.

At first, I was not interested in Asia at all--except the Middle East and former-USSR. Now, I am fascinated by Korea and want to learn all I can about the culture and explore all I can before my time in Korea is over.

Above all else, my prayer life has bloomed. It's not where it should be, but it is better than it was before.

This will be very neccessary in the next 6 months: especially now that I've been told . . .

The current coordinator will be leaving . . . and the new coordinator will be . . .

me.

. . .

. . .

. . . God, if I ever needed You, Lord, it's now!!!

Chakraa--Awesome Indian Restaurant

This past weekend, my coordinator and I went to Seoul. We had a few errands to take care of, but as soon as we got to Itaewon (the foreigner area), we had a problem that needed to be fixed immediately: hunger.

My coordinator told me of a great Indian restaurant. On weekends, it was all-you-can-eat for 15,000 Won ($13.44/9.91 Euros/86.24 SEK). Not bad! Needless to say, we took advantage of this. I became sad when I became full--because I wanted to eat more! But hey, when you're full: you're full. If I go again, I need to fast for a day or 2.

Chakraa is on the 2nd floor of a building. This is what you see as you're coming up the stairs. The entrance is on your right.

Some complimentary bread and chicken with salad. I was so full, I never touched the chicken.

To my right (I had my back to the entrance).

Just ahead of me. Straight ahead is the food. Not tons of variety, but man are they good!

Ok, enough of food: back to work.

Lunar New Year Walk (3. Feb)

On February 3, all the countries that use the lunar calendar celebrated the New Year--also, the Year of the Rabbit. We had Wednesday (Feb. 2nd) until today (Feb. 6th) off. I worked a little and rested a lot. But I also stayed in-doors a lot.

On Thursday, Feb. 3rd, I decided to take a walk. I really out-did myself this time. I made a circle around Cheonan. It took me about 4-5 hours and I walked about 12-15 km. I just felt like walking!

Let me show you what I saw:

Interesting design on the apartment complex wall.

At city hall, with the Year of the Rabbit greeting.

More of city hall.

Pretty much all of city hall.


Beside city hall was a park and the sports complex. First, I walked through the park a bit (since it as in between).

A few murals of Cheonan.

accompanied snow-sitters.

Oh, hello.

a typical burial mound.


Now, off to the sports complex!

I believe, an olympic stadium.

You'll see why later.

Further up, further in.

now, edited.

same thing, totally different angle.

another stadium. The design is actually on the stairs.

a map.

There were a bunch of people doing this. I wanted to do it soooo bad! But I was alone. I still want to do this, but I need people to go with.

Next round!

This is the small "hill".

This is the big "hill".

yeap, this is pretty big.

The ice skating rink.

Those columns are the reasons why I think this is an olympic stadium.

Skating rink and tubing hills.

Must try before winter ends . . .

another entrance.

I got hungry and went to the first cafe/eating-place I recognized that was open: Angel-in-us Coffee. Too bad it's also the most expensive.

For the next few pictures, I just had fun with my surroundings.

My table.

playing with the mirror on the ceiling.

Flying lights.

zoomed-in self-shot (actually, this was completely by accident).

zoomed-out (this was intentional).

my "lunch".

The bread was awesome and the cup was of hot DARK chocolate. It was divine!

My refreshments with my students' papers I had to correct.

Enjoying every drop.

Back on the road, I couldn't help but be attracted to this sign:

What can I say? I love food.

Hotels/Motels 'r us.

This chandelier would be even cooler if it had a pirate flag.

Over this bridge and a block and I'm at downtown Cheonan!

3 ways to get to the pedestrian bridge. Quite convenient.

Cheonan's city soccer/football field--from the pedestrian bridge.

In the pedestrian bridge--with fun editing.

There are quite a few Middle-Eastern businesses and people here. I'm glad for the little bit of variety.

Right beside "international calling card", in parenthesis, it says "kebab".

I MUST GET ONE!

Ok, so I'm in downtown beside the largest shopping mall in the area. What am I looking at? That's right! The restaurant!

This one is an all-you-can-eat buffet. Any takers?

Walking towards Cheonan train station (about 2km walk from downtown), I see a bout 2 blocks worth of pet shops.

How many cats do you see?

Wow, that's sleep!

"Mount Fishtail Restaurant"

This is the Indian restaurant 1 of my former students took me to. From here, you're basically at the train station.

Almost back home . . . about 5 blocks left to go . . .

man I miss Chinese (-American) food . . .


So, this has been my journey around my city on (Lunar) New Year's day. It was good, I enjoyed myself . . . and now I'm hungry.

Too bad this is the last day of the break . . . but the term will be over in 3 weeks, so it's okay. Thanks for putting up with me!