A Great Sunday (13. March)

Whoa, I haven't posted anything for 2 weeks . . .

. . . so busy is my life in Korea . . .

Anywho, as a new coordinator, I had to go to the New Coordinator's Meeting on Saturday night (12. March) at the main institute close to Hoegi Station (yes, in Seoul). Also, there was the regular Coordinator's Meeting on Sunday morning (13. March).

It was interesting, in that I'm now allowed to know "the secrets" not open to regular teachers. Wow, that sounded as though I were an Illuminatus or something. Anywho, it was ok, but what happened afterward was the highlight of 2011.

I met a few friends afterward in Bucheon. We went to a Korean restaurant for lunch. Later (this is where the real fun took place), we went to a nearby park. At this park, we rented these bike-cart hybrid things and had a blast riding around the park in them; racing each other and such. I loved it! Thank you so much Jennifer, LMS, and Arron for that awesome time. We must do this again--for an hr. next time (and find some hills). ~_^

To the pics!

Seoul Station . . . one angle thereof

I thought the waterwheel was interesting. It actually works (waterwheel/fountain).

From Sunday at Bucheon:

Jennifer and LMS

Jennifer talking to some kids inside this . . . thing.

Some art for the artist.

Manning the vehicle.

My crazy and animated driver.

Great times!

1 Year

Hey, it's March 15 today.

Do you know what this means?

My mother died a year ago today.

Sheesh, so much has happened, I can't believe it's been a year already . . .

Please pray for my family.

Ugh, have to go back to work now. At least I'm too busy to think--this can be a good thing.

A new term has come; and with it, a few changes.

First, I am the new coordinator. This means, I am in charge of the foreign teachers in my institute. I found out about this change when it was too late for me to decline (by about 2 weeks). I am not amused. At all.

I've had a few challenges already, but with God's ever present help, they've been settled. May He stay with me--or more importantly, may I never wander from Him.

Thulie has returned to South Africa. Thula has come to take the vacant spot in our institute. Thula also hails from South Africa. She's a joy to have. We're getting along very well. Hopefully, this term will not be as bad as I've imagined.

Anyway, this past term break, I didn't go anywhere or do anything extravagantly special. I did invite friends and former students to a special outing on Tuesday, March 1.

Destination: The Independence Hall of Korea.

Reason: This memorial commemorates the fighting spirit of Korea when it came under Japanese domination. One of several independent movements against the Japanese happened in Cheonan on March 1, 1919--92 years ago. This is why I thought it was fitting to go there on this day.

There were a few setbacks. Some of my friends arrived late, the 1 former student who could attend was late, the bus was beyond full, and most of my friends had to leave early. Also, there is so much to see there, we should have arrived as soon as it opened in the morning (I'm not kidding!). It was also a cold, rainy day. For a moment, it even snowed. I would've taken more pictures, but the lighting wasn't good, my hands were freezing, and most of my friends were in a crunch for time.

God willing, I will return on a warmer day and spend the day there--with someone/some people who can translate or explain things for me . . . and take more and better pictures.

Below are the ones I have taken.

The entrance to the the Independece Hall of Korea.

The entrance building with a field of flags.

In case you were wondering: yes, I'm in Korea.

The sign explains the symbolism of the flags.

After those who needed to leave left, this was all that was left of the group: Arron (friend from orientation), Kate (the only former student who could attend), and yours truly.

Check out the differences in height!


I apologize for not posting more, but I don't have much to post; picture-wise or idea-wise. Just know that I'm still alive and still breathing. I have my good days and my bad days; but I will not give up until my time is over.

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!