Reverse Culture Shock-Take 1

Ok, so I know the title of this blog is Bundang Song and the address is melisafindsASIA and Stockholm and Helsinki are neither of those, but I'm writing my blogs here for a while anyway, because they'll all probably be reflecting back on being in Korea.
This morning, before my plane had even lifted off the ground, my time in Korea seemed surreal...like a dream. Now, being on the other side of the world, though it is still dream like, it's funny to see the cultural (and otherwise) differences.
For instance, my plane landed in Stockholm, I looked out the window....and I could see!! It was amazing! And beautiful, as there was lots of snow around tall thin trees, crowded around one another. There were no cookie cuter white buildings towering above me, crowding my vision.
Then, on the train ride into the center of the city, the sun nearly blinded me! Was it always this big? Is it bigger up North? It was massive and bright and I couldn't remember seeing it that way for a long long time. Or even being able to see it at all when it was that near the horizon!
Also noted on the train...houses!!! People live in houses! With yards! Not tall (again cookie cutter) apartment buildings all piled on top of one another, but houses of all colors and styles. Ah....so lovely.
Then, as I wandered around Stockholm a bit, I saw a couple making out on the street corner. Yesterday, I saw a Korean couple give each other a peck and that was only the second time I'd seen Koreans kiss in public...and both were done in haste. This couple in Stockholm had no qualms about slathering each others tongues right where I needed to cross the street.
Oh, cultures. How I love to compare them.
More to come, when it hasn't been 24 hours since I slept.

Anyangkaysayo (Goodbye)

Why isn't there Duty Free Starbucks? With all this duty free stuff at a huge international airport, I demand duty free coffee. :)
Well, anyway...I'm currently enjoying my non-duty free coffee and a bagel while awaiting my flight. Yes, I'm actually getting on a plane this time. 2 planes actually. And a boat....but that will be tomorrow. My airline tickets are in hand. I've cleared security and immigration. I think I'm good this time.
So now...I'm really done. It's really over. I'm leaving behind the Land of the Morning Calm. (Though it's anything but)
I leave behind dear friends. Friends who have blessed me and encouraged me and strengthened me in ways they'll never know. Maybe even in ways I don't know of yet.
I cannot thank them enough for the love and support they have been and given.
Honestly, I've been pretty checked out for a while. Especially this last week when emotionally I was already gone. I'd said goodbye to everyone 12 days ago. And my heart hadn't been here for quite some time. Then, here I sat, for over a week and a half...and that's all I had to do...just sit.
I was bored at times. Really bored.
But it was good for me. Good for me to have to just sit and be. I was supposed to miss that plane 12 days ago. Through the course of those days, I was able to think, write, pray, and talk with those people mentioned above. Through it, I've postulated a plan for the next 6 months or so....we'll see how it turns out.
The plan is as follows:
In 90 minutes, I'll get on a plane bound for Beijing, where I'll board another plane bound for Stockholm. I'll spend the night in Stockholm, check out the city this evening and tomorrow morning/early afternoon, and then I'll board an overnight ferry bound for Helsinki. I'll stay in Helsinki until March 30th, when I'll fly back to the US (uh..actually, I'll go back to Stockholm and then fly out from there) and spend time with my family and friends who I've missed terribly. Conviently, there was an opening at my old job at the group home in Sioux Falls, which I've accepted, at least through the summer.
During my time in Helsinki, I'll again spend time reading, writing, praying, spending time with friends and making new ones. I hope to get a good feel as to whether or not this really is the place I want to and/or am called to be during this time. If so, I hope to return to Helsinki in the fall either as a student or with a job...and potentially build and or work for a church there. My dream is to have a ministry involving a coffeeshop, art, music, maybe even a hostel, where people can come in just as they are and feel welcome and learn about God in a non threatening environment. As of now, it seems I'd like this to happen in Helsinki, but I think I'll know more in the coming weeks and months. Please continue to pray for me and the direction God leads me...and that I can follow him wholeheartedly, no matter where he takes me. He's really good.
So...that's that for now. I'm sure as the days pass after my departure from Korea I'll have much more to process and write on here, but for now, thanks for reading.
Love to all,
Melisa

So long, Sogang

Well, I'm done.
In case you haven't heard, my school, SLP (Sogang Language Program) cut my contract a few weeks back. I was supposed to finish my contract in June. Instead, I finished about 4 hours ago. (It's currently Friday, February 26 at 10:21pm Seoul Time)
I'll miss the kids. I'll miss my co-workers and friends at church.
But I have to be honest, I'm not too terribly heartbroken about this. I've had dreams and visions that seem like they may actually get to come to fruition. The day they told me that they cut my contract, an hour and a half or so before they told me, I was standing in the hallway. My kids were getting a drink of water and using the restroom. This pretty intense pulling within my chest (that I've come to know quite well--don't worry, it's not biological, I promise) was pulling pretty hard. I looked at my students. They were cute. But, inside I was praying, "Lord...I need to be doing what I'm meant to be doing....and this isn't it." My Korean co-worker walked past me. I could tell I had a grimace on my face. "Melisa! You look sad!" she said as she passed. I think I just nodded.
An hour and a half later I was told my job would be over a few weeks later.
Needless to say it's been weeks full of praying, searching, talking, and writing, writing, writing. There's really only one place I've ever wanted to be, and that is Finland. I can't explain it. It's ridiculous. A big part of the reason I came to Korea was to get rid of this incesant longing to be there. Instead, it only grew. And suddenly, the idea of being there didn't seem so crazy. I don't know. Maybe it's because everyone here is an expat and therefore the idea of continuing to be an expat somewhere else, the idea of living abroad, isn't absurd. Don't get my wrong. South Dakota will ALWAYS be my home. I miss it. I love it. I feel bad for having a tugging to leave it. I'm SO excited to come home for a visit this summer. I miss my friends. I miss my family. And I've wondered, for a long time, why isn't it enough to be there? What's wrong with me? I worry so much as I leave for this next chapter of my life that my friends and family members back home think I'm not coming back because I don't care. This is not true. Not in the slightest. But this I know...this insane, intense desire to be in Finland has never ceased. I've tried putting it out of my mind. I've tried cleansing myself from it. I've tried surrendering it to God...a lot. I've tried ignoring it. I even tried to replace it by coming to Korea and being able to visit other countries in Asia...hoping one of them would spark in my heart so I would know it's just international traveling I love, rather that something else...something bigger. But none of those have worked. And so it is, I will leave Korea, and after a few days of "buffer time" (for the purposes of debriefing myself from this chaos known as Korea) I will set foot once again in Finland. For how long? Good question. I guess I'm going tentatively to see if this really is the place for me. I'm at a place where I can go and see. And if I didn't at least try, I'd always regret it.
And maybe I'll get there, and I'll realize all this pining has been of my own selfish desire, and I can finally go home. But at least I'll know. I need to know.

So, today was it. No more Korean children. I'll spend the next 5 days packing and more importantly, spending time with the people here who have been such a significant part of my life. They have kept me sane. They have encouraged me. They have laughed with me. They have cried with me. They have prayed with me. They have traveled with me. They have shared thier lives with me and I with them. I am SO SO SO thankful for all of them. I will miss them greatly. But they all know my heart. They are cheering for me, and again I am grateful. No words can express how thankful I am for them, and for all my family and friends back home who love me and encourage me and pray for me and put up with my crazy wanderlust.

Wow...this blog got a little more dramatic that I had anticipated. But there it is. I pretty much wear my heart on my sleeve most of the time anyway. Thanks for reading. I love you.

Seoul Traffic

You know, when I was getting ready to come to Korea, friends and family were quite worried about the possibility of an attack by North Korea. No one here is worried about that at all. Well, maybe those boys holding guns at the DMZ. Anyway, if I die in South Korea, it will not be because of North Korea, I 100% assure you. If I die in South Korea, it will be because I am either riding in a car, a bus, crossing the street, or walking down the sidewalk. Driving in Seoul=Insanity.

Names

I learned an interesting fact yesterday from my Korean friend Sunny. Korean children are named by thier grandfathers. To name their grandchildren is "their honor." The first child is typically named by the father's father and the second by the mother's father. So...I would have been named.....?

Life As A Waygook--In Hip Hop Media Form

Glossary of Terms:
Waygook=Foriegner
Gamsahamnida=Thank You
Anyonghaseyo=Hello
(Hello and Thank You being pretty much the only words people know upon arrival)
T-Money Card=Scan this to get on buses and subway. Charge with money when empty.
Guemchon=The town these guys live in, in the South somewhere
Yok=Station (though I'm pretty sure he says that)
Cass=Bad Korean Beer
Hite=Bad Korean Beer
(Uh, this would insinuate that there is good Korean beer. There is not.)


They are also wearing large visors at one point in the video. Most Korean women wear these outside in the summers to avoid sun. (Vampires? Maybe.) If they don't wear visors like this, they wear facemasks and generally look like ninjas.

A Taste of Home

I'm kind of failing at this whole "every day blogging" thing.

Anyway, I've been spending Tuesday afternoons at my good friend Kim's house. Drinking coffee and talking about life and God. She's so encouraging and it's really good for me to be there. Well, this week we went to the grocery store to pick up a few things. I found these hot dogs and just had to buy them. Check out where they're made!! (Uh, you probably want to over look the close up of the ingredients list)

Happy New Year!

This weekend Seoul was eerily quiet. Shops were closed and streets were empty. It looked like a small town in America on Christmas Day. Everyone was out of town, visiting relatives, celebrating the Lunar New Year (commonly called Chinese New Year). Many Koreans, especially children, dress in hanbok, traditional Korean clothing. The actual holiday was Sunday, though families gathered all weekend. On Friday we celebrated with our preschoolers. Everyone one of them came dressed in Hanbok. It was really pretty to see all the colors and the kids were so proud of thier outfits. Even all of the teachers got to wear hanboks.

On Lunar New Year is is customary for the children to bow to their grandparents. There is a special way for boys to bow and a special way for girls. After bowing, they only rise when their grandparents have spoken for them to do so. Then, the grandparents speak a blessing of luck to the grandchildren and then give them money. Traditional food to be eaten that day is DukGuk (pronouced duckgook) Duk is rice cake. Guk is soup. It's pretty tasty.

I also saw on the news that many people went to the alter that I have a picture of from my DMZ tour. (See DMZ blog for photo) Many went to this alter near the Freedom Bridge to bow to their relatives in North Korea.

Here is the link to the rest of the Lunar New Year photos.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=149388&id=584949759&l=aaf4ba0597

Faces

Sometimes, when I get in the elevator in my building, I make funny faces in the mirror. Then I wonder if I'm being watched.

(To my knowledge, there is no camera in this elevator. To. My. Knowledge.)

Rest for the Weary

Pre-school graduation time is drawing near. On Friday, February 26, all the kids I have been teaching for the last 7+ months will be donning miniature graduation robes and hats (which specific name I can't remember...mortarboard?). They'll march their little selves up, sing a little song, and toss their hats up in the air as a farewell to childhood.
Unlike the West, school in Korea starts in March. So, in just a few short weeks, these kids will begin elementary school. Once elementary school starts, it's over. "It" being childhood. Already as pre-schoolers they go to several other lessons after school. In elementary school, they will go to school, English school, math school, music school, Tae Kwon Do, possibly even Chinese school. Then they have to come home and do homework. I see high school students on the subway at 11pm, still in their school uniforms, because they haven't been home to change.
Now, I've recently just learned that apparently Korean parents are aware that this is a rather stressful schedule. So, in an effort to buffer it (or something) many of my preschool students are taking a week or two off here in the last few weeks of preschool. They get to stay home and you know, be kids. That way, when they're 16 and sleep deprived and on the verge of suicide because they may not get into Harvard (because that's where all my 7 year olds want to go) they're parents can console them, pat thier backs and say, "It's not so bad. Remember, you got to play that one week when you were 7."

Korea Comics

My friend Kim showed me these comics today. They are too good to not put up. They're a lot more funny if you've lived in Korea, but they amply sum up a foriegner's life in Korea. Click on the comic to see a larger version. See more at http://www.roketship.com/

DMZ-Finale

We left the Thrid Tunnel and headed for the observation tower. This is as close to the DMZ you can get withour being on a specialized tour. You have to stand behind a yellow line to take photos. They don't allow visitors to go to the edge of the observatory to take pictures. I'm not sure why that is. I'm wondering if it's so NK can't see SK visitors taking photos. However, you can walk up to the edge of the observatory and look through binoculars. On clear day, from the observatory, one can see the North Korean tower, with their flag waving. This tower was built higher than the South Korean tower, to prove they are higher and mightier. Also, one can see the Propoganda Village, which is just across the border. The Propoganda Village has up to date buildings to make it appear that everything there is normal and that people live well there. There are actually a few people who are allowed to live in this Propoganda Village, and they are the family members of NK soldiers. Also, on a clear day, one can see the treeline end. South Korea is densely forested, and North Korea should be the same. However, it's pretty much sapped all its natural resources, including its lumber. The treeline just stops on the other side of the DMZ. Only devestated forest remains. Sadly, it was way to foggy to see any of this on the day we were there. I was able to see the NK observation tower through the binoculars however.
From the observation tower, we went to our last stop, whcih was the train station at Dorasan. This is the train station that travelers between the countries will use once the border is opened. It's quiet and vacant, with only a few commuters going from there to another town in South Korea. There is one train a day that leaves from Dorasan that goes into North Korea, and one train that arrives. There are no passengers on either trains, just goods. Near the Propoganda Village there is a factory that is owned by South Koreans and several thousand North Koreans work there. Two main exports from this factory are jeans and fabric softener. We were able to buy a ticket to get on the train platform. This train station is 63 miles from Pyonggang.
There was so much devestation on this tour. However, there was a lot of hope, too. Koreans are eager and hopeful for the reunification of their country. The train station at Dorasan seemed to make that evident. Though it sits nearly totally empty, it waits expectantly for the day when it will be full of travelers going freely from one end of the peninsula to the other, without fear of death, nor forever seperated from loved ones.

DMZ

Ok, so I know this was meant to be up 2 days ago, but it wasn't. Apologies.
On Sunday, January 31, 2010, some co-workers and I joined a tour group headed to the DMZ. Again, DMZ stands for De-militarized Zone. It is the 4 kilometers that seperates North and South Korea. Following the Korean War, the Soviet Union was in control of the North and the United States was in control of the South. As no re-unification took place, it was decided the countries should officially be split along the 38th parallel. Thus, the official de-markation line runs along this geographical marker. The DMZ is the 2km on either side of the de-markation line. Stretching from the West coast to the East coast of the peninsula, it is the most heavily guarded and militarized border in the world. Sounds like a good place to go poke around, huh? Well, we did anyway. Now, just to put everyone's mind at ease, this wasn't something we just randomly decided to do. Nor did we attempt it on our own. We were a part of a guided tour, and hundreds of visitors visit this border everyday, despited it being heavily armed. I never felt threatened or afraid, only saddened by what I saw.
I'm basically going to go through my photos and use them to narrate. We got on the tour bus at 9:00am in Seoul, stopped at a large university at 9:30 to pick up some more passengers, and by 10:40 we had arrived at our first stop: The Freedom Bridge.
When we got off the bus, directly in front of us was a large stone alter.
This is for South Koreans who have family in North Korea currently or who had ancestors who did not make it out. It is very important in Korean culture to honor one's ancestors, and since those in SK cannot access NK,
coming to this alter near the border is really significant.

After walking past the alter, we came to the Freedom Bridge. This bridge was built for some 12,000+ prisoners who were released from the North after the war. There was a wall at the end of the bridge, and on the wall was hung hundreds of cloths and ribbons bearing blessings and prayers from South Koreans for their North Korean family members and friends.

There was a fence from East to West spanning from either end of the Freedom Bridge with barbed wire as you can see. There were also military posts every few hundred yards, with South Korean soldiers tucked into their parkas. It was cold and blustery that day. Wind whipped snow in our faces. I was thankful we could soon return to the warmth of the tour bus. These soldiers however, stayed put hour after hour, day after day, watching over the area. The Korean visitors waved and smiled to the soldiers, who stood in their stoic manner, not returning the sentiments, not out of rudeness, but out of duty. I wondered if they got tired of being a tourist attraction. Then I thought about American citizens waving to our own soldiers, who also cannot return the gesture out of duty. I imagined the Koreans as Americans, waving and shouting, “Way to go boys! We’re proud of you! Thank you for your service!”
Snow and wind continued and a heavy fog blanketed the area. My attention turned from the soldiers to those less than 5 miles to the North without heat and likely without food. The blustery weather seemed only fitting for a visit to a place where families and friends are separated 2.5 miles of no man’s land, barbed wire, and machine guns.
While we were out exploring the area around the bridge, our tour guide was busy processing our information. After leaving the Freedom Bridge, we would be entering the civilian guarded zone. It is the last bit of land before the militarized zone. We had to obtain permission to enter this place. We surrendered our passports or alien cards for approval. A few minutes after leaving the parking lot for the bridge, we stopped at a check point at the entry to the civilian guarded area. A South Korean soldier came aboard the bus and checked our IDs (which had been given back when we got back on the bus at the Bridge.) Everyone passed inspection (I wondered what happened if one didn’t) and our tour bus was on its way to the second destination. (There were 5 all together)
As we drove, we went through Unification Village. This is the last town before reaching the North Korean border. Inhabitants of this village are given many benefits from the South Korean government because, as our tour guide said, their lives are like “Army lives.” Because they live so near the border, they are like civilian soldiers, keeping watch for any misconduct from North Korean military. Benefits from the government include no taxation and no obligatory military service. In Korea, all young men are required to enlist in the military for just over 2 years. However, because the people who live in the village are considered citizen soldiers, they are not required to join.
We stopped for lunch just outside of this town. It was a lunch of kimchi ,(of course) porridge, (which I thought seemed quite like cream of wheat) miso soup, (soup with tofu and cabbage) and some other random side dishes. We each had a shot of soju, Korean rice liquor, similar to vodka.
After lunch, we went to the little shop for some souvenirs, including some goods from North Korea. After that, we were on our way to stop number three: The Third Tunnel.
After the implementation of the DMZ, no one in the world was (or is) allowed in that 2.5 mile span. Any invasion from either side would have to occur either by land or underground. Since 1953, 4 tunnels have been discovered going underneath the DMZ. Our tour got to go in the third tunnel, which was discovered in 1994 by flood waters gushing through it. Cameras weren’t allowed inside the tunnel, but I’ve put up a picture I found on the internet which looks pretty much the same as any picture I would have been able to take. The tunnel was quite low. I had to walk with my head cocked to one side most of the time. I felt really sorry for my 6’3” co-worker. We all had to wear hardhats, and I’m happy they made us do that, as I hit my head more than once. We walked for about 10-15 minutes until we came to a stopping point that was guarded with barbed wire (as pretty much everything there is.) At the stopping point there was a wall with a window looking into the other side of the tunnel, with a small hole through which one could shoot any on-coming enemies. At this stopping point, we were 73km under ground (.45 mile) and roughly 557 feet from the de-markation line. I was hoping the day we chose to go on the tour would not be the day that NK decided to attack via tunnel. Fortunately, it was not. :)

Ok, more to come tomorrow...ideally.

DMZ Preview

Yesterday, I stared across at the most gaurded border in the entire world. I stared out at a country where things like food and heat are nearly non-existant. Then I came home, sat on my comfortable warm bed and watched The Simpsons until I fell asleep. Remind me to count my blessings. Twice.
Yesterday, I went to the DMZ. I will blog more about this tomorrow, because I want to give it adequate representation. However, here is a snippet. DMZ stands for De-militarized Zone. It is the 4km span between North and South Korea where no one in the world is allowed. The actual De-markation point, which follows the 38th parrallel is in the center, with the North controling the northern 2km and the South controlling the Southern 2km. There is an outpost directly on either end of this zone, with heavily armed soldiers gaurding it 24/7. It was a terribly bleak place, and yet there is so much hope amongst Koreans for the re-unification of their nation. I ate lunch in re-unification village, crossed re-unification bridge and walked on the bridge of freedom. Here is a link to my photos of the day on facebook.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=145836&id=584949759&l=a9772e2faf

Super Saturday

2 days missed. Ooops.
The first day I forgot until after my computer was turned off. Last night, my computer battery died before I could get it plugged in. You didn't miss much.
Today (Saturday) was Chuncheon Adventure day. Chuncheon is a town that is a two hour train ride away from Seoul. It's really nice to get out of the city from time to time. I went there last September with Hannah and Karen (coworkers). This time, there were 9 of us. It was a day full of different modes of transportation. Starting from the beginning I took:
Subway, Bus, Subway, Train, Bus, Taxi, Ferry, Ferry, Bus, Train, Subway, Bus Subway.
It was nearly a palindrome of motorized vehicles. :)
After taking the train to Chuncheon, we started to take a bus to a lake, but the bus was far over crowded and continued to lurch violently. We opted to get out and take cabs. The lake was set in the "mountains." They're a bit smaller than the Black Hills...or so it appears to my untrained eye. It was lovely to see snow on the mountains and not be trapped in by tall white apartment buildings that all look the same. We took a ferry across the lake and walked up the mountain a bit to a Buddhist temple. I'll put some photos up on facebook.

Snowy Seoul

It snowed in Seoul today. It's rather a rare occasion. There was quite the commontion in the office.
Now that I think of it, I think I did hear apocolyptic rumblings the other day.

Potty Dance

So I'm super tired, so I'm going to make this quick. I had to put this picture up. My friend and I met for dinner tonight. I found this sign in the bathroom amusing. There was only one bathroom for men and women. There was a urinal for the guys next to a stall for women. In case of any confusion, this sign gave any lost bathroom-goers clear direction. I think it's clear that the woman has to go much worse than the man, as she's doing the dance and he's hardly even crossing his legs. Also, look closely at the guy in the small yellow circle below. I presume what is written in Hangul says "Watch your aim."

Regular Radio

As much as I pretend to be a music snob, I really miss the regular radio. Even the commercial filled radio. I'm currently sitting in my apartment listening to Mix 97.3-a Sioux Falls station. Not my favorite Sioux Falls station, but the one I could get to stream. I just heard the school cancellations and late starts. I heard a commercial for a "responsible plummer." And it made me so happy. (Apparently, according to Ben and Patty in the morning, the Saints-Viking game was a hard game to watch. Ah...normalcy) Actually, it's bittersweet. So nice to hear. However, it makes me a little sad, too.
And South Dakota accents!! Sigh. So nice to hear.

Oh internet...where would I be without you.
(Really? 6 turnovers?! Come on, Purple)

Duck and Cover

Today, my friend Jessica and I were walking back to our building from the subway, when the one thing all foriegners in Korea dread happened. Minding our own business, a man in a suit (with a suitcase for some reason) began walking along side us. "Hi. We're taking a survey..."
"No. Thank You." I cut him off.
"It will only take a few minutes."
"No. Thank you." We hadn't stopped walking.
"But..."
"No. Thank you."
He stopped.
"Have a good day." I tossed back.
A few steps later, Jessica asked "Church of God?"
"Yep."
We have the unfortunate circumstance of living practically next door to the Church of God. If you are unfamilar with this sect, let me fill you in.
This church is pretty big, and they are very eager to share their message of God the Mother. God the Mother is a significant portion of what they believe. She apparently is an old woman who lives here in Imae (a district of my city Seongnam City). However, of course, no one can quite pinpoint where she is. Folks from the church hover around and tell you they are practicing for a sermon and want to practice in English. Or that they are doing a survey. Just tell me what you want to tell me, man. Don't try to cover it up. I wish I had more patience to listen to them, but generally, I'm annoyed. I've found that by tossing out the term "bad theology" they are rendered speechless and will let you on your way.
Anyway, we made it safely past them once again. However, the mothership should be arriving any moment, so I best be off.

Lazy Saturday And Dancing Hobbits

Much needed rest today, followed by a trip to the English book store, Indian food, and coffee shop concert (featuring folks from my friend Autum's church). Aside from being turned down from yet another cab ride, all in all a decent day.

Except now, the giant spider part in The Return of the King is on TV. Blogging is a good distraction. I made myself watch that scene the first time. That was enough.

Actually, speaking of that movie, there is a scene near the end, when all of the hobbits have returned back to The Shire. Middle Earth has been saved at the expense of many lives. The little hobbits fought nobly though muck and fire and destruction. Battles raged around them. More than one being tried to kill them. They carried each other, both mentally and physically. Their hearts never failed. Continually, they pressed foward, fighting to save their home from what seemed like inevitable destruction. Hobbits are small creatures; no bigger than children. The world of war is no place for such small people, no matter how big their hearts are. Numerous times, they were told to stay out of the way in battle, that they were burdens. But still they fought. And they won. And in the end, when they have returned safely to thier home, they sit around a table at their local pub, like they always had. They drink their pints of beer and everyone dances and sings merrily around them, paying them no heed. They had no idea what these four hobbits had been through. They knew they were gone for over a year. They were happy for their return, but they had no idea. The 4 hobbits sit at the table, watching the merriment surrounding them, and just look at each other, knowing that they share a bond that no other hobbit or any being on Middle Earth could ever break. Or ever begin to understand.

I think of this scene when I think of being back in the United States. Many will be glad for my return. There will be merriment around me. However, daily life will continue around me as well. And when I come across an individual who has shared the experience of teaching in Korea, we will look at each other, while others dance around us, and know.

It's Not All Bad

As promised, here is a more postive look at my life in Korea. I've compiled my top ten reasons I'm thankful for being in Korea. Also, I've asked my friend/co-worker Amanda to make a list as well. She came to Korea just over a year and a half ago and has fallen in love with the country and plans to stay here forever. May these be proof that not everyone is nearly as cynical as I am...and that even I'm not as cynical as I make myself out to be. So, without further ado:

Amanda's List is as follows:

10. Always a variety of things to do: bowling, hiking, shopping, bungee jumping, amusement parks, ice skating, swimming and biking. Plus all things are reachable in about an hour or less.

9. Amazing public transportation that is cheap and will get you ANYWHERE.

8. Koreans crazy desire to learn EVERYTHING.

7. Jimjilbangs (Korean Sauna/Spa/Bath houses)

6. Street vendors for everything including clothing, plants, and movies and well you got the idea.

5. Good food all night long at hofs(bars with food).

4. Bars and other establishments being open all night long.

3. The amount of respect that Koreans have for their elders.

2. Korean Food. Especially kimchi, kimbap(rice roll), bibimbap(rice and veggies with red pepper paste), and dukbokki (rice cake in spicy sauce).

1. Korean Boys especially Lee Sung Gi, Kim Bum, Boys from Boys Over Flowers (Korean TV Drama)

My Top Ten Reasons I'm Thankful I'm In Korea:

10.Korean Food

9. Communal Society

8. Easy Winter

7. Seeing similarities between here and USA.

6. Konglish (Misspelled English words/English words written in Hangul...consequently, I feel like when I get home, I'm going to rock at the game Mad Gab, because reading English words written in Hangul and trying to sound them out is like constantly playing that game.)

5. Community and unity felt between other foriegners.

4. Lifechurch

3. God growing me in ridiculous ways. (Ok, this should obviously be number 1, but I'm going to be honest, it sucks a lot of the time, despite how "good" it is for me.) :)

2. Traveling around Asia

1. The People: Co-workers and Church Friends. I am SO incredibly blessed with people in my life here who encourage me beyond belief. Without them (and the insane grace of God) I would collapse. Thanks guys. I love you all and can't tell you how thankful I am to have you in my life.

Are You Kidding Me?

Today's blog is about two unrelated incidents that have happened in the last 36 hours. However, each has a significant amount of ridiculousness, thus I'm just going to write about them at the same time.
I'll start with the more recent one. Thursday is the day that I teach Korean 5 year olds "science." The particular class that I am teaching has been learning English for approximately 3 weeks. The experiment was to use baking soda and vinegar and BTB solution (will someone tell me what that is, please?) to change colors. I'll now give you some direct quotes from the teacher's manual, directing me how to instruct said pre-schoolers on the amazing wonders of science.

Purpose of the Experiment: End goal of the experiment is for children to understand and differentiate the differences between acids and bases....the goal has been set for children to experience amazing chemical phenomenon. Children can be led as far as to understand the concept of "neutralization."

Insturction and execution:
Start class talking of vinegar.
Talk of the properties of vinegar we know.
Talk of the experiences of having eaten vinegar.
Think of other properties.
Talk about the expected result of the experiement.
Make sure to ask the children "What do you think would happen?"
Make the chilren accurately describe the relationship between colors when the vinegar and baking soad are put in the solution.
See what's the relationship between vinegar and soda? (proposed answer) Their properties are contrary to each other.

Needless to say, we talked about our favorite colors. Then, my coworker who loves science took over for me and I went to the coffee shop and had an americano and a bagel.

The other incident happened yesterday (Wednesday) morning as I was walking to school. Korea is crowded. I get that. I expect to get bumped into without acknowledgement. I do get bumped into without acknowledgement pretty much everday. Ok. Whatever. I can deal with that. There is a massive amount of people and they probably assume I won't understand them. (Which, I probably wouldn't)
However, the limit of running into someone without acknowlegement should probably be set at hitting someone with your car. Yes, that's right. A car. I was minding my own business, walking along the road (no, not in the middle) when I was struck on the elbow by a the side mirror of a white sedan. Now, the car wasn't speeding along, but he certainly wasn't creeping along as one might expect it to be when approaching a pedestrian. I admit, I had my earphones in. But I always have my earphones in and am perfectly able to hear automobiles coming up behind me, especially when they honk...which they do if you're even 20 yards away. The driver of this car made no attempt to slow down, go around me, honk, or even make sure I was ok after striking me. If you're worried, I'm fine. It surprised me more than hurt me. But it didn't help my relative angst toward Korea. Here's a photo of where it happened. I was walking along the right side of the road, next to the building with the rounded window. I don't know..maybe the driver expected me to go in the building.

Anyway, there's some entertainment for you, I hope.

I'd like to point out that to counter these relatively cynical blogs, tomorrow I'll put up the top 10 reasons I'm thankful I'm in Korea. I'm also getting my friend Amanda to compile her top ten reasons she loves Korea, because she will never leave this country, and I'd like to have fair representation of views of living in Korea.

Top 10 Reasons I'm Glad I'm Not A Korean Woman

10. Heels.
9. Korean men look like girls.
8. Traditional Gender Roles.
7. Unrealistic expectations of perfection.
6. Unrealistic and unhealthy obsessions and expecations of body image.
5. Societal expectations to obtain a good husband with a well paying job, have 1-2 children, have a nice car and nice apartment. A woman without these things obviously has something wrong with her.
4. Unallowed to be an individual/yourself.
3. Forced to put on a facade (Smile, everything is fine).
2. Husbands telling thier wives (who are all of 120lbs) that they are fat and physically removing all of their snacks from the house.
1. The expectation and general "acceptance" that your husband will be drinking all hours of the night with his "business parters" and is generally entitled to a mistress.

Please keep in mind these are observations from a somewhat cynical outsider who has only been making observations for 7 months. I have several Korean women friends whom I cherish, and I wish them no offense. However, I'm very happy to not have the same societal standards and expectations that they are supposed to live up to.

Top Ten Reasons I'm Glad I'm Not A Korean Child

10. Breakfast: Kimchi and Rice. Lunch: Kimchi and Rice. Dinner Kimchi and Rice.
9. 11pm ice skating lessons.
8. Having to wear a face mask to school.
7. A daily schedule of elementary school, english/chinese school, music /taekwondo/soccer lesson, math/science school, homework, bed.
6. K-Pop (Korean pop music)
5. Coporeal Punishment at elementary school.
4. No room to run and play outside.
3. Ridiculous expectations of achievement.
2. Ridiculous standards of perfection.
1. Korean Mothers.

Doh

Well, I already missed a day. Minus one point for me.
It's currently 4pm, Sunday afternoon. I'm wearing comfey green sweatpants, loafing on my bed, watching Stranger Than Fiction and typing away. A thoroughly enjoyable way to spend a Sunday afternoon. Oh, Dunkin Donuts and an Americano are also involved.
Yesterday was my friend/co-worker Jessica's birthday. It was a funfilled day of going to an aquarium, On The Border mexican resturant, bowling, and karaoke. The aquarium has fairly ingenius tanks made from refridgerators, toliets, coke machines, phone booths, and the like. I'll put up some photos soon.
I'm fairly certain that Livin' On A Prayer is my new Noraebong song. (Noraebong=Karaoke room. Just you and your friends singing whatever songs you like...not infront of a whole bar. Far superior.)
This evening is pub trivia. Good times.
All for now.

Be Thou My Vision

Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart;Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art.Thou my best thought, by day or by night,Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light. Be Thou my Wisdom, Thou my true Word;I ever with Thee, Thou with me, Lord;Thou my great Father, I thy true son;Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.Be Thou my battle-shield, sword for my fight,Be Thou my dignity, Thou my delight.Thou my soul's shelter, Thou my high tower.Raise Thou me heavenward, O Power of my power. Riches I heed not, nor man's empty praise,Thou mine inheritance, now and always:Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,High King of heaven, my Treasure Thou art.High King of heaven, my victory won,May I reach heaven's joys, O bright heav'ns Son!Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,Still be my vision, O ruler of all.

It Must Be The Culture Shock

It's merely 9am, and I'm full of angst again. Ok, less full than I was even 15 minutes ago due to some much needed journaling and a little bit of prayer.
It seems I may be the victim of the stages of culture shock. I've gone from elated to depressed to angry...and I worry this anger may lead once again to depression. I think I thought because I wanted to live abroad more than anything, more than anyone, I would be immune to it. How naive I often am.
One thing I need to remember is that no matter what, God is still God. I am still me. He still loves me madly, and he still has a plan for me-the same plan. Thank God His plan doesn't waver according to my moods (or thoughts toward this plan)
After my angsty filled blog last night and a good nights rest, I saw myself heading down a road (the angst leads to anger leads to depression road) that I don't want to go down...again.
My prayer is to be filled with the fruits of the Holy Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, self-control (let me know if I forgot one or two). It is He who must fill me with these things. I am so incapable alone.

Greater is He who is in me than He that is in the world. Thank God.

Taxi Driving Bastards

I don't care if someone is a foriegner or not, leaving them to stand in sub-zero temperatures while you go in search of better fare makes you a jackass.
Foriegner + Short Distance = No Cab Ride For You
I thought about throwing a snowball at his car after he shook his head and drove away, but Korean taxi/bus drivers have been known (relatively often) to beat the shit out of people who piss them off. So, I kicked at the air behind his car, and my friends and I sauntered along until a driver was gracious enough to take us home.
There are certain cabs who will only take passengers into Seoul-proper, however, these cabs are identifiable by license plate. Mr. Headshaking-I'll-Leave-You-In-The-Cold cab driver did not have one of these plates.
If anyone has a rational explanation as to why this happens, I'll gladly retract the above hostility...and quite frankly, I should probably do so anyway. But c'mon man...it's F-in' below zero outside, in both Celsius and Ferenheit, give the waygookies (foriegners) a chance.

In unrelated news, it's really unsettling when you hear people talking about you in another language, but they won't tell you what's being said. This happens on a fairly regular basis. I thouroughly enjoy my life in Korea when I'm not at work. When I am at work, my recent similie has been that being there is like being repeatedly beaten with a 2 x 4 in the ribcage on a daily basis. I do enjoy several of my co-workers, I should point out.

Thoughts such as those above are a big reason (though not the only) why I haven't blogged much. I'm not as hostile as the above may insinuate. Really, how can I complain? I just spent 9 days in Thailand; a country I've wanted to visit for years. Consider it more venting that anger.

Blog Time

Six blogs in six months. What a shame.
New tactic...blog every day.
This will in many cases probably consist of a one line update on something mundane, but I think it will be a good challenge. Plus, my writing has been fairly non-existant lately, and that should be remedied, if for nothing more than personal reasons. I think about blogging sometime, but I think I've been holding back because I've been trying to wait for some less negative thoughts...and there are a few of those...but it's been a rough couple of months. (I will say I'm incredibly grateful for the people in my life, both in Korea and elsewhere that are pulling for me. You are all so encouraging and I love you)

So, let the games begin.