New Year's Eve

In class New Years Eve, we were talking about resolutions. Going around the classroom, there were the typical, "I want to loose weight," "I want to study harder," etc. My favorite one though, was when we started talking about Christian resolutions.

My resolution...are you ready for it??...is to write the New Testament in a year. Maybe not super exciting, but I've already started, and it's such a great way to stimulate my reading each word. Already, I've read things that I didn't notice before, just because I wasn't necessarily looking at details.

Well, after sharing my resolution with the class, one student looked at me and said, "I have an English Bible. Your voice is very beautiful. Have you ever thought about reading the Bible in one year?" I said that I have read through the Bible before, but not out loud. With complete sincerity and seriousness, he said, "Amy, your New Year's resolution is to record the Bible with your voice. Then you'll give it to me so I can hear the Bible in English. It's not impossible." I said that I wasn't so sure about that, but he kept saying that it wasn't impossible and I must do it for him.

Haha. Kind of funny, but I felt bad at the same time. Another student said yesterday that the Korean Bible is very difficult to understand, and there is no easy version. I guess there are only 3-4 versions of the Bible in Korean, and my students say they're all pretty difficult (older language translated from a Chinese version). He wants to read the Bible, but feels like he can't. He said that he hopes someone translates the Bible into understandable Hangul (Korean language). I felt so sad that there are still people in countries filled with churches who don't feel they have access to understanding the Bible. I'm happy to teach students who desire to learn about God more. Before, I was a little disappointed not to have a class this winter with more Bible students, but I'm seeing God's plan for my teaching these specific students too.

Sauna and Church

This afternoon I went to the local Sauna/Jimjilbang with Connie and Robert (2 teachers at my school). Going to a sauna is such a fun experience in Korea. In America, we think of the floors being dirty places to sit, but Koreans think it's fine and clean to sit there. So on the main floor, there are people everywhere sprawled out on the floor with kids running around and people laying down reading books. It's an interesting sight. And refreshing to see families spending time together. This sauna had 4 rooms (3 hot ones, and 1 cool one). They also have a massage place, but there were no workers there...Oh well. I'll have to try it next time :) At least I know that there's one there!

It was nice to talk with Robert and Connie without the pressure of time. It was good to just stop thinking and enjoy eachothers company. This weekend felt like my first real weekend. We had Friday off work, and then Saturday we hung out together, and then tomorrow I work/go to church. 2 real days off in a row!! Also, a little Christmas present, we weren't supposed to get paid in December (until January they'd pay us double) for some reason, and Christmas morning, the paychecks were deposited into our accounts! I don't know why we got paid, but I won't ask any questions. I was just relieved to see it.

After the sauna, I came home, changed, and met Jamie. We walked to her church together (remind me that I need to wear my scarf at all times--it's freezing outside!!!), and they had a message with singing, and then 6-7 skits/singing numbers. It was really fun to see, and Jamie was really nice to translate most of it for me. Her young adults group in church splits everyone up by age 21-25, 26-31, 32+ or something like that. So the 25 year olds were moving on to the next level. That's why they were having the party. I was happy to be a part of it, and going to her church always makes me feel comfortable. Even though I'm usually nervous to be in a church that's all Korean, I feel like they're very warm and inviting.

Well, that's that. I'm starting a new resolution/tradition. I'll tell you about it on New Year's...A hint is that it's something that some Korean Christians apparently do, but I've never known an American who's done it :) Do you have any guesses???

Christmas Morning

Christmas morning, I went down to visit my Korean family and bring them a Christmas card. They made me some buns with bean inside. It was kind of neat how they cooked them in a steam pan so the outsides were chewy and cool and the inside was really hot. After saying goodbye and Merry Christmas, I went up to talk to my family on Skype. I was SOOO happy to talk to Holly and my parents both!!!

I opened presents and got lots of nice things that will be very useful now that it's getting really cold out. Liz Charpie came over for lunch, and I introduced her to my family who were really, really excited to meet her (they couldn't stop talking about it today) :) It was cute. And then we headed to see the Nutcracker Ballet!!

We were the only foreigners there, but they were kind enough to say "Don't use cameras/video" over the loudspeakers. Bummer!! I was hoping to use the "I don't speak Korean...I don't understand" card and try to sneak a few pictures. Oh well. It was beautiful!! It was so interesting to see the Korean spin on the original. There was one part where there were a few countries represented, and it was so cool to see how they introduced those countries through dance. I figured out the Spanish one by the fingers snapping in the air, and the Korean one with the traditional costume (only cut shorter) with taekwando moves, but other than that, I would have had little idea other than from the costume.

I still didn't figure one out...It was a costume that had a big dot in the middle and kind of looked like a clown with the bright colors and wide/yet short skirt. They had round rosy circle cheeks. They were dancing with their pointer fingers in the air going up and down...If you can figure it out, I'll buy you an ice cream. I've been thinking about it all weekend :) Anyway, the ballet was really fun, and having front-row tickets ended up being a really great choice.

On the way back to the subway to head downtown, we took these pictures:
Strange/neat looking day-care center
Beautiful sky!!
A national cemetery we found while walking to the subway (ended up taking an hour to walk from one subway station to the next...)
The mounds in the background are the burial sites

Christmas Night

After we got to Seoul, we found City Hall area where they had the area marked off for a big Christmas tree and lights! It was really beautiful, but getting super cold. I think mostly because of the wind. It was soooo beautiful!! I loved seeing all the colorful lights and the colored spotlights. Christmas in Korea is definitely a couples day, so I was really happy to have Liz with me as a buddy. We were checking things out in the center of the square when all of a sudden HUGE snowflakes started falling on us! They were doing a big performance thing, so we both assumed it was a snow machine. I was checking everywhere to figure out where this was coming from, when I realized that it was REAL snow!!! Yay!!! Honestly, I'd been pretty jealous of all the snow in Minnesota...and was beginning to feel left out. Especially on Christmas. But I felt so happy and blessed really, that we got to experience that snow for quite a few hours. 7 of my friends called/texted me telling me that it was snowing :) It made me feel good that they were thinking of me and happy that it was snowing too!

We headed to McDonalds for lunch, and searched everywhere trying to find bad spellings on signs and stuff. We found a few, so I put one of them up down below. You try to find it :) Then we had Starbucks and braved the cold back to the subway where we parted ways. What a beautiful, unforgetable Christmas. Even though it didn't really feel like "Christmas" like I'm used to, it was one that I am happy to have experienced.
Seoul Station/City Hall area...where Christmas night festivities began!!
Cool building made of art with lights shone through. Each square had a little New Year saying/wish on it.
Liz Charpie, my Christmas buddy :) I'm so thankful we were able to spend the day together!!
The snow started to fall :)
McDonalds now delivers...for free!!
I spy something...funny!! Do you see it??
Seoul is apparently the World Design Capital...
Snow!! Yepbuda (Beautiful!!)
Do you see the moon?
Chunggyecheon Stream running through downtown
Merry Christmas!

Winter Class

Well, to be honest I wasn't really looking forward to teaching a new set of students during the winter session. Especially when I found out that I was teaching 7 students, and the other teachers were only teaching 2-4... However...!! They're really great!! KBU students never disappoint :)

I have 7 students, 3 guys and 4 girls. 3 of them are students I've had before, 1 of the guys is from a completely different university only taking a few winter classes here, and the other girls are taking English for the first time at KBU. So, it's a pretty good group. We've had 3 classes, and so far so good. They're working well together, and still kind of warming up, but I think it'll be a great situation.

Today we had an easy day watching the 1955 version of "Miracle on 34th Street", singing Christmas songs, and playing English games. I got a few chocolates and a nice Korean pen with bookmark. Yesterday I put up Christmas lights with Daniel, and now my room looks a little Christmasy. But it's still not like being at home. This winter's been hard for me being away, but I'm definitely learning to be content in each situation.

It's been wonderful getting little Christmas gifts from family and friends! Even a well-timed "Merry Christmas" or "I'm praying for you" has been such an encouragement to me this year!! Today was probably the worst day of all. I was so bummed. BUT, I got a phone call from Jamie!! She invited herself over (thankfully I'd just finished cleaning), and we sat talking on my floor for an hour or two about the last month or so that we hadn't met in. It was SOO nice to talk to her! I didn't realize how much I missed her. She's such a good friend. This afternoon I had sent a letter in the mail to her, so I'm sure she'll be surprised of that. It's kind of funny I sent it off the day she came to visit me. Anyways, we made plans to meet on Saturday for a church service of hers and also for a sleepover in January!! Yay!!

SO, tomorrow I'm going to meet Liz and have lunch together. Then we're going to see the Nutcracker Ballet (front row tickets) at 2. I'm not a big ballet fan, but I'm actually really excited for this. Then we're probably going downtown to see the lights. It's supposed to rain/sleet, so I'm not really sure what's going to happen, but that's the plan anyways :)

Then Saturday late morning, I'm going to the sauna with Connie and Robert (coworkers) for some intense cold/head. I'm actually excited for the cold sauna room. It'll feel more like Christmas time!! Maybe they have a massage place too. That's what I'm crossing my fingers for...

Anyways, Merry Christmas Eve!

Deck the Halls

I know it's a rather Christmas title and my post has little to do with it, but I was just reminiscing over this last week and remembering how silent these school hallways have been. This week was Finals week, and all the students have been anxiously studying for their final exams. I found students sleeping in the library, computer lab, and prayer rooms. I saw piles and piles of books in the weary arms of studying students.

But the one thing I didn't hear were voices. I've been working in my classroom preparing for winter classes and finishing up a final test of my own for Hamline's grad program, but usually I hear voices echoing down the hall from the English Zone foyer. But the halls have been silent this week.

Until today!

Today is Friday, and I think most students have finished their finals. The halls have been decked with laughter and singing! It brings such a joy to my heart to hear their happy voices. Even though they are speaking Korean (despite being in the "English Zone"), I'm so glad to hear them. It makes me happy to hear them being happy.

Joy is contagious!

Homesick

We have a week "off" teaching, so I've been working like mad on finishing up the final test for my master's level linguistic class. I'm happy to have done the work, but don't think I'll take another class like that online... :)

Today I got to go to lunch with Juny (one of my student-friends who went hiking with me once), and we had Chinese! Yum...there's a really good Chinese restaurant right across from school that a lot of students hit up at lunch time. We each had a Korean-Chinese noodle dish and shared tangsuyuk (kind of like sweet-and-sour pork). My favorite part though was having popsicles on the walk back to school. I can't believe it's the middle of December and it's still warm enough to wear light jackets and have popsicles!! Some days are cold, but most are pretty nice so far.

On my way home, I was thinking a lot about being here alone for the holidays and talking to Juny about home made me miss it a lot. This last week has been rough, and it all kind of cumulated today. I felt really stupid crying on the bus, and even more walking home, but once I got close to the apartment I remembered that I'm not here alone. Someone does care about me. A lot! My Korean family...

So I walked into the restaurant probably looking a mess, and sat down quietly. My Korean mom came over and started talking together, and it felt really good to have her calm me down. I'm so blessed to have her with me here. The other ladies came over and gave me a special soup that they made. Then we all shared some raw sweet potato together :) It wasn't the best food I've had by far, but it was so generous, and in their best of hearts. I stayed for 3 hours sitting and talking and helping them prep for the next day, and I loved every minute of it. Korean mom tells me every few minutes I can stop if I want, but I've learned the Korean word for fun "kipuda" and use it often. It reminds me of a mix between "yepbuda" which means "beautiful" and "kiputuh" which is Konglish for "gift". When I put "beautiful" and "gift" together, it's what reminds me of helping in the restaurant. It's such a beautiful gift that they've given me, the privilege of being together with them-no strings attached-and having someone to go to when I'm happy or sad.

Even though it's lonely here at times, I'm reminded daily of how good God is in giving me special people who have touched my life in ways they may never realize. I hope that I do that for other people. I hope that I can touch the lives of others in unexpected ways.

Dreams coming true

Well, I haven't found my true love yet... :) But I have had a few exciting last couple of days!

Saturday morning I woke up to a beautiful snow-covered mountain outside my window! It was so refreshing to see, and even more wonderful when it started snowing later. It's snowed here probably 4-5 times this year, but it hasn't stuck at all. So seeing white ground was thrilling!
Saturday afternoon, I met my Children's Center coworkers and supervisor to go to Apkujeong. It's a really nice, ritzy area of Seoul that has a lot of fun places to eat and hang out!! We walked through blowing snow for 15 minutes or so to a small little restaurant called Smokey's Saloon. Small restaurant, big taste!! They feature 15 or so different kinds of burgers (American style), so we chose 3 different kinds and tried parts of everyone's. YUM!!

It was so cold on the walk back to the subway that we stopped for tea and coffee. The guy who helped us at the coffee shop was so kind-and handsome-and definitely didn't fit any Korean stereotype. He was really tall, bigger built, and didn't seem to be obsessed with his appearance. Ah, I wish I spoke Korean...Oh well, now I have something to do during the next 2 months off teaching. I teach a winter intensive class for 3 weeks starting this Tuesday, and after that I don't have to teach until March! I'm really looking forward to studying Korean enthusiastically!! I can't wait!!

Ok...so on to my "dream coming true". Whenever I go to meet my Korean mom, I have a weird desire to make Korean food myself. Not at home, but in the restaurant. I've thought many times of asking to watch her make the food when we're alone, but I've never had the courage (even though I think she'd be happy that I asked). So Sunday night I was the only one in the restaurant with her, and I was helping her prepare some crab meat for the next day. It was so fun helping her, and I know it helps her out as well as lets me have something to talk to her about. So...I wanted to try something more exciting...and I started my plan and asked to order kimbap. She stood up to make one for me, and I followed her to watch over her shoulder :) They make the kimbap at the front of the store in front of the window, so it wasn't awkward or weird or anything for me to watch. She made one, and after seeing that I was watching her more closely than normal, she smiled and put her sanitary gloves on my hands. I was so happy!!! I tried my best to spread the rice evenly over the seaweed, but quickly realized that it's a lot harder than it looks...Oh well. She laughed and helped me out. I put some egg, cucumber, radish, carrot, and mushroom inside and then rolled it up. I think that the only part I was actually good at was the rolling :)

She could tell I was really happy, and in the midst of my excitement I searched for the right words to say in simple English...what could I say that could communicate that I had watched her do that for so long and I always wanted to try? The words came out how my students typically communicate just that... "It was my dream!!" Haha!! I must have sounded so funny. Making kimbap is something very simple to Koreans...but very intricate to me. Here's a picture of my handiwork!! Very beautiful if I do say so myself :) "Yepbuda" as they say in Korean!

Procrastination/Thanksgiving

Well, my final day of the semester was officially yesterday! So no more teaching, but prep work for the winter classes will begin. I'm definitely looking forward to the change in pace at least for a week or so. But the winter classes should be fun too! We're only teaching 2 students each for 3 hours a day for 3 weeks. Since they're small classes and 3 hours long, that gives us plenty of time to do fun things like field trips...

Last week, I was teaching about procrastination (the topic of the day was "stress" and they were listing off reasons for why people are stressed), and I realized how much of a procrastinator I am with writing on this blog...I have something interesting to share but then either get tied down with work or think, "Oh, I can do it later" :) So, the procrastination stops right now. For today at least.

A week before Thanksgiving, a Korean Bible teacher invited us to his home for a traditional "Thanksgiving dinner". Turkey is nowhere to be found in Korea, so I was so happy that we'd have the opportunity to share at least that one thing together. And it was delicious. There ended up being 2 Korean professors, and one of the professors wives (she did the cooking for us). They all spoke really great English, and it was a delicious way to start the Thanksgiving holiday!

Afterwards, we went to the Chung-gae-cheon, which is a stream that runs through the middle of downtown Seoul. Every year about this time they have a Lantern Festival that runs for a week or two, and then they decorate it for Christmas with other beautiful lights. Well, at the time that we went, it was the last day of the Lantern Festival. So there were soooo many people! But it was beautiful.