I saw North Korea- DMZ!

I saw North Korea today! There is a group called Adventure Korea that organizes many trips around South Korea to the most popular tourist attractions. Today, I took my first trip with the group, visiting the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) between North and South Korea. We stopped at several different DMZ locations and had a few siting areas. Since it would be hard to summarize in my own words the significance of all the places we stopped, I am going to simply provide you with the information in the tour pamphlet. That way you'll get an idea of the places we saw today.

First stop: Imjingak
Imjingak is as far as civilians can go to the North by themselves without permission. Imjingak was built to console those who had to leave their homes in the North.
It has Manngbaedan, an altar where those who cannot go back to their homes get together and pray for their ancestors on the New Years day or Chusok, Korean Thanksgiving day.
The Peace Bell was placed in the New Millenium 2000 for wishing peace and unification between the two Koreas. In addition, you can walk on the Freedom Bridge, the discontinued Kyongui Line, where the sign says, “The train wants to run". The Freedom Bridge was also used to exchange the prisoners after the Korean War, so its been called "Freedom Bridge." The suspended Kyongui Line will be reconnected within 2001.
*This was a beautiful place- see my pictures on the side. This is where we got permission to enter the DMZ with our passports. Also fun, we saw marathon runners finishing right near the site as we left!

*We entered the DMZ escorted by South Korean military men who rode on our buses with their LARGE guns strapped across their back...a bit intense, but VERY COOL! They dropped us off at a location where we ate a traditional Korean lunch (not so good) before heading to The 3rd Tunnel.

Second Stop: The 3rd Tunnel (out of four currently found)
The 3rd tunnel was first discovered in 1978 and was dug by North Korea to infiltrate into the south. It is 2m in width, 2m in height, 1,635m in length, and 435m from MDL. Visitors descend about 300 meters at a 14∼15 degree angle before reaching the North Korean infiltration tunnel, which is 73 meters below the surface. Its almost like 25∼30 stories building. The floor of the tunnel (interception & infiltration tunnel) is covered with rubber mats and the wall with charcoal which was applied to give some possibility to the North Korean claim that the tunnel was part of an abandoned mine. This tunnel would allow about 10,000 armed or 30,000 unarmed soldiers to invade Seoul within one hour.
*My favorite stop next to actually seeing North Korea. We watched a short documentary, visited a museum, and then venture DEEP into the 3rd tunnel (many more are said to be undiscovered). The walk down into the tunnel was so STEEP you had to brace yourself from running down, which you can also imagine was also quite the hike back up, but so worth it!

Third Stop: Dora Observatory
This allows visitors to get a view both of the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone)and of the Kesung city, the second largest city of North Korea. You can also see a "Propaganda village" Kijongdong designed to give visitors the impression the North Korea is a prosperous nation. Visitors can see the Daesungdong, freedom village of South Korea. The village has got some benefit from the government such as free of tax, exemption of Military service.
Also visible from the observatory is a head of train, which used to run between the North and South Korea. The National Ministry of Defense built it in 1986.
*Obviously this was the most exciting part of the trip! We couldn't take pictures past a photo line to protect any military strategies of South Korea. The telescopes gave an incredibly close view of the North Korean cities. It was unreal to be that physically close to a place so opposite from the world we live in.

Last Stop: Dorasan Station
Dorasan Station is the northernmost station of the South Korea which is 700m distant from the southern boundary line of DMZ, the civil control zone. Since US president Bush visited Dorasan Station on February 20, 2002, it has come into spotlight internationally. Dorasan Station, the unfinished station of the north-south Korean reconciliation was opened on February 12, 2002. The milestones of Dorasan Station (205km to Pyeongyang, 56km to Seoul) imply the reality of the division between two Koreans and a future of hope and expectation. Because Dorasan Station is the northernmost station of the South Korea in the southern boundary line, Dorasan Station will play the role of customs and entry for Chinese and Russian people and goods as well as the North Koreans, if the Gyeongui Line Railroad connection is completed and the traffic is possible between the two Koreans. Also, Dorasan Station contains the historical meaning as a symbolic place of the division between two Koreans and a gateway of the south-north exchange.
*This was an eerie place to end as you walk into a train/bus station expecting there to be people everywhere. The only people here are tourists.

Overall, a great Korean Adventure!

The LOVE of a FAMILY is life's greatest BLESSING

As if traveling abroad isn't exciting enough, what makes it an even more special and unique experience for me is that the country I decided to teach in happens to be the home of family. I knew being away from my family was going to be one of the toughest things about my year abroad, especially during the holidays. Last Christmas, my Uncle Bob (my dad's younger brother) and Aunt Shina (from Korea) told us that they would be leaving in February for South Korea. They would be living in Jeonju for 10 months while my uncle taught on a Fulbright position at a local university. At the time, I had no idea I would be joining them.

In February when they left, I applied to teach abroad. There are many countries that hire foreigners to teach English, but when I accepted the position in South Korea, I realized that I would have the chance to learn about the culture of someone in my family as well as spend time with them while I was there! What's even cooler is that I will have spent more time with them in South Korea in just a few short months than I do at home. I am lucky if I see them once a year as they live half way across the US in Virginia.

Last weekend, our school had a four day break (TH-Sun) for one of Korean's most important holidays called Chusok (similar to our Thanksgiving). On Wednesday, our students wore traditional Korean clothing (Hanbok) to school and made the traditional Chusok food called Songpyeon. They are small glutinous rice cakes with different kinds of sweet or semi-sweet fillings, such as sesame seeds and honey, sweet red bean paste, and chestnut paste. They look terrible, but are one of my favorite foods here! It was SUCH a fun day at school, and the children looked absolutely ADORABLE!

Last weekend was also the third time I got to see my uncle since I arrived less than two months and the first time I got to see my aunt. They invited me and any friends to stay with them in Jeonju (famous for its food, especially, my favorite, Bibinbop) for the Holiday break. I was so happy to have Britney and Shauna join me for the weekend. We left Suji around noon on Thursday, headed to the Suwon bus station, and arrived in Jeonju around 3:30pm after the nearly three hour bus ride. My uncle already had plans for us that afternoon. First, we stopped at the apartment to drop off our bags, and have snack time #1. Then, he took us too see a traditional Korean village and the original gate to the city, a beautiful Cathedral, the Chosun era royal grounds, and a gorgeous summer temple on a hill, which we saw all lit up after dark! We went home for a delicious Korean chicken dinner, made by my aunt Shina, and went for a nice walk together to a park with a bridge over water that was supposed to be brightly lit. Sadly, we missed the lights, but it was still a wonderful end to the evening! We returned home for snack time #2, right before bed.

On Friday, we slept in and woke up to a pancake breakfast made by uncle Bob. MMMMM...as much as I love the Korean food, American food is always a treat here! We left the house for the day around noon and started with a hike up Martyr’s Mountain. Our first stop at the start of the hike was Dong-go Sa, a Korean temple with the biggest Buddha I've ever seen! We made our way up and stopped at a beautiful church in the side of the mountain for a lunch of Kimbop (what I would describe as fake Sushi). We were also given homemade Songpyeon by two kind Korean women who had their share. We came to the first peak, took some pictures, and decided to head for another summit that we could see as we still had time for more. We never did find the one we were looking for, but we had a great day hike seeing some beautiful sites. After, we visited two more traditional temples and were given our second batch of homemade Songpyeon! Our last plan for the day was to find one of the famous Jeonju Bibinbop restaurants. After a long walk, we were unsuccessful at finding any of them open as it was the night before Chusok. Instead, we found a pork Galbi (also one of my favorites) restaurant that hit the spot after the long day. I was set on seeing the light on the bridge we visited the night before, so we walked back again only for them not to be on AGAIN as it was too windy. However, we enjoyed a delicious cup of coffee in the cute pagoda on the bridge. Of course, we returned home to an evening of cards and Snack #3, right before bed.

On Saturday (CHUSOK!), we hopped on a bus to Gwangju (another hour and a half ride) to spend the day with Shina's family. I can't possibly describe to you the feelings I had when we opened the 17th floor elevator doors and had Shina's mother and sister jump out to give us such welcoming hugs. Then we turned the corner into the apartment (Shina's brother's place) filled with more smiling faces. They were truly excited to have us all there. We met her mother, younger sister and brother, their husband and wife, and their children. I've never fell in love so quickly. I couldn't believe I was really there spending such an important holiday with such a wonderful Korean family! I left family at home, met even more family in my new home, and was not alone for the holiday. It was indescribably special for me, and just the same for Britney and Shauna. How many other English teachers would have the chance to spend a holiday with a Korean family?

They immediately (and I mean IMMEDIATELY as in before I could even use the bathroom!) requested we sit down and begin eating the smorgasbord of food Shina's family had prepared. The long, floor table was filled from one end of the other...all for us as they had already eaten before we arrived. I was extremely nervous when I saw shells, a whole fish with eyes and sharp teeth grinning at me, and the numerous side dishes of Kimchi, etc. But, the second I began eating, I (and the others) could not stop for the next hour. Shina's sister noticed that the Japchap (noodles with vegetables and seasoned meet) was gone and said to her, "They really like that!" At this point, we were well past full, but she was already in the kitchen making more. We LITERALLY ate until we couldn't eat anymore! It was the most savory meal I have had since I arrived, as most homemade food is. While we were speaking English and her family Korean, I'm quite sure they knew how grateful we were to be there, and we understood how happy there were to have us.

Right after the meal, Shina's brother (and wife) and sister (and husband) took us to see the city's most noted site, the May 18th National Democracy Park, which Bob described as the Gettysburg of Korea. It was beautiful and very humbling. Then, we drove part way up Mudeung Mountain and stopped at a cozy little restaurant overlooking the city. We enjoyed Korean rice wine and a snack while watching the most beautiful sun set. Again, it was the perfect end to a PERFECT day! Before we headed back to Jeonju, we drove through the campus where Shina's brother works as a professor of design and where my uncle Bob also taught at many years ago just after him and Shina were married. As we were about to get a ride back to the bus station from Shina's sister-in-law, we exchanged hugs with everyone just as we had done hours earlier that day. When we got in the car to leave, Shina's sister was waving good bye and speaking to us in Korean. As we drove away, sad that the day was over, Shina told us that her sister was saying, "We are going to miss you." The people we had spent less than a day with were going to miss us, and boy were we going to miss them too. What an INCREDIBLE day! We made it home and spent another evening playing cards and enjoying snack time #4.

On Sunday, we woke up and made our second attempt at finding the famous Jeonju Bibinbop, and we successful at finding the place popular for foreigners. At this place, we were served more side dishes than I've ever had. The table was literally full before we even got our Bibinbop. When the food arrived, it was served in a stone bowl that was so hot, it fried the raw egg placed on top when you stirred it into the dish! It was definitely good, but I have to say that I like the Binibop back in Suji better! However, all Bibinbop is delicious to me, so it was well worth the experience. Uncle Bob told me I still had to go back and tell all the Korean staff it was, "the BEST Binbinbop I've ever had!" Sadly, our weekend had come to an end. We headed to the bus station around 12:30pm, only to find that there were no available buses until 4:30pm. So we headed back to the apartment for yet MORE FOOD until we headed back to Suji. What we realized is very much the same in Korea as in America when it comes to holidays is that 1) You're ALWAYS eating and 2) spending time with family is the best part about the holidays!

I have no doubt, this will be my most memorable event during my entire year in South Korea! Thank you, more than you'll ever know, for taking us in and sharing the wonderful Chusok weekend with us Uncle Bob and Aunt Shina. I love you!

Why I didn't blog on Sunday!

This past weekend was filled with fun, frustration, and quite a bit of laughter. Like I mentioned in my last posting, uncle Bob visited Friday evening. After he left, Britney, London, and I met three other teachers for a fun night out at a beer garden and a luxury Noreabong (the fun Karaoke rooms)! After singing the night away, we returned at 4am, and I slept until 2pm on Saturday! As I’ve said in the past, it’s the most wonderful feeling not having homework to wake up to anymore. The rest of my evening was spent shopping for apartment goodies and decorating.

On Sunday, Shauna and I tried a new church in Seoul. Just before we left for Korea, Shauna called to tell me that the church she took her group home clients (from Mankato) to has a pastor that was leaving to accept a six year contract in South Korea! This week, I had emailed a wonderful Gustavus professor and successful Lutheran theologian hoping he would be able to help me locate a Lutheran church with an English service in South Korea. Sure enough, he was able to find me one, and it happened to be where the pastor from Mankato would be. It really is a small world! We went to his church and found ourselves welcomed by a small but wonderful Christian community of Koreans and foreigners. Pastor Steve Kosberg looked pleasantly surprised when has asked the visitors to stand up and introduce themselves. We proudly let him know we were his neighbors from Gustavus! I sincerely look forward to returning to both Life Church and International Lutheran Church. After church, we met up with a few of Shauna’s friends who are also teaching in Korea and then headed home.

Here’s where my frustration and laughter comes in. I left Shauna on the bus to get off a few stops early as I wanted to stop at Lotte Mart again to look for a key chain. I was given a single key and was quite sure I would misplace it if I didn’t get something bigger attached to it soon. I looked everywhere and was unsuccessful at finding a key chain, so out of desperation, I bought some colored twine to attach to my key. As I was at the register about to pay, I heard something that sounded like a key drop. I looked around but saw nothing so I finished paying and without panic, as I couldn’t see my key in my wallet where I put it that morning, went sit down at a table in the entry way to dig out my key. After emptying the entire wallet multiple times, I knew my key was probably floating around some busy street in Seoul where I had opened my wallet multiple times that day. My key was gone. At this point I was surprisingly still calm as I called my boss to let her know the situation. She called me back after talking to the guy at school who is in charge of the teacher’s apartments. There were two options: 1) go back to Lotte Mart and have the key shop “found in the front of the store” come with me to the apt and make me a new key or 2) go back to my apt, have my boss call the number on my door, and send a person over to unlock the door. Either way it was going to cost money and I had no idea how long it would take. Lucy (my boss) said the first option was the better one to try first. So I left all my purchases at London’s apartment, borrowed money from her as I was nearly broke, and walked BACK to Lotte to find the key shop.

I didn’t see the key shop Lucy had told me about, so I walked to the service desk in back, only to get ignored by the worker and budged in front of by other Koreans. So, I marched to the front of the store and walked straight up to an employed and asked, “English? Do you speak English?” That was a no. So I tried charades by acting out key and lock. Still, a no go. Helplessly, I walked away and was near tears at this point. I was hitting my first actual frustration with the language barrier.

As I walked away and stood in the entryway ready to call Lucy back for plan two, the worker followed me out and thought he figured out that I had lost the key to my locker (they have in the front for people to put other belongings in). I kept saying, “No, my key, house key, apartment, lost!” He finally understood! He called a manager who took me back to the service desk to unsuccessfully identify the 15 pairs of lost and found keys. So, we went back to the original worker who said, “WAIT!” As I stood there, I called Lucy to explain that they thought I had lost my key in the store and needed help finding it. I asked her to explain to one of them my situation and that I needed them to help me find the key shop! As I tried handing them the phone, neither of them would take it. In my head I was thinking, “PLEASE!” Then I realized, DUH!...I was talking to Lucy in English, so they obviously were thinking, “Why the heck are you handing us the phone when you KNOW we don’t speak English?!” I quickly said, “KOREAN!” and they accepted the phone.

Finally, they understood and took me to the THIRD FLOOR (not the front of the store) to find the key shop. One worker yelled across the counter to another worker who thankfully spoke enough English for us to communicate…AMEN! Back and forth between me and the key worker, we were able to figure out which kind of lock I had. Finally they said, “Ok, we will sell you this one!” I responded with, “Um, I don’t know how to change that lock!” At this point they agreed, “Ok, we will come to your house and change the lock for you.” “THANK YOU!” Except there was one question left, “How much?” I only had 70,000 won between my own and what London borrowed me. The two Koreans spoke for a while with the most pitied look on their face and asked, “45,000?” “DEAL!” At this point they were probably thinking, “Let’s help this poor, desperate, American and get her OUT OF HERE!”
The Korean who didn’t speak English said, “Go now!” and I followed him to his car…awkward moment! He asked for my address to put in his GPS when I said, “Point?” Does my place even have an address!? All our mail is sent to school. As we got about a block from my apartment, his eyes lit up and he pointed saying, “MY HOUSE!” He actually lives in the building right next to mine! For the first time since I arrived, I had seen two cute Koreans (the one who spoke English and the one who didn’t, but changed my lock). I still don’t know if it was because I was spending so much time with them trying to figure my situation out and got a good look, because they were just so relentless in helping me, or I really did think they were cute! Either way, after one broken drill bit and annoyed neighbors questioning the noise, I got my lock changed and have the nicest door handle out of all the apartments! Although there is no such thing as tipping in Korea, I gave the Lotte worker 50,000 won and FORCED him to keep the extra 5,000 when he didn’t have change.

So, that’s why I didn’t blog on Sunday night. I was too busy meeting cute Korean men and trying to get into my apartment. I realize many of you may not take the time to read this outrageously long blog, but at least I’ll have it for my own sake years after I leave Korea. It is by far the most memorable moment I’ve had since I arrived, simply because of the effort and frustration it took, all to end up just fine hours later. Oh, and by the way….I found the key chains. They’re on the third floor at the key shop…right next to all the new locks!

A little bit of everything!

Sorry if I kept you waiting! :) I know I usually blog on Sunday evenings, but I got a little side tracked with other things that I'll explain later. Excuse me if this gets a little long, which I can guarantee it will. Anyway, life is good, or should I say even better, now that I have moved into my new and permanent apartment for the year. Just when I was getting used to my old apartment and actually not looking forward to moving everything (washer and all the furniture), I realized how great it was going to be having windows that bring in light, floors any color but yellow, and just a little more room! I packed my entire place up (not that I had much, since I came in two suitcases) on Wednesday evening and by the time I got home from school Thursday evening, the moving crew was almost finished bringing everything in to my new place! All I had to do was point where I wanted things to be set up. It was WAY too easy. I am so much happier now. It's a very nice and clean apartment with plenty more space than I had before. I truly feel "at home" now. I've spent a little (too much) money getting things to decorate, but it's my first real place on my own, so I had to!

Last week also had quite a few firsts. We took our first field trip. Being that each teacher has 7-10 energetic kindergartners, we all got a little anxious when our supervisors told us we were going hiking. If we couldn't keep them together in a 10x10 ft classroom, how were we going to do it on a mountain?! However, our supervisors eased us by telling us, "not to worry...it would just be a (word for word) morning stroll." The hike started quite easily on wide paths, but my students were complaining that they were tired within the first five minutes. Soon, we (the teachers, parent supervisors, and Korea staff) were literally dragging kids straight up the mountain OR catching them from sliding back down. We started to think, maybe this is just a "morning stroll" for Koreans as there are mountains everywhere and hiking is so popular here. Needless to say, somewhere along the way, we took the wrong path. The good news is, almost everyone had a blast, no kids were lots on the mountain, and no teachers had a heart attack. It was QUITE the morning stroll.

I also had my first and worst student quit last week...hope it wasn't because of me! He was very smart, but never paid attention in class and always frustrated the other students by not knowing where we were in readings and everyone was always having to wait for him to get his work out five minutes after I would ask. Sad to say, but today already made a world of difference on how smoothly class went! Friday was also my first monthly exam for all of my elementary students. The English teachers have to write the exams for at least one of the classes they teach. When the students took the test, I realized what it was like to be in the teachers shoes when a student asks you a question that they desperately need an answer to in order to be able to answer the actual test question...yet you REALLY can't give it to them without actually giving it away. I was ALWAYS that student, and now I am the teacher, and boy is it a tough position to be in! You want the students to do their best, so you want to help them, but they really should have studied just a WE-BIT more to know that answer. Overall, the students knew most of the material, but struggled greatly with short answers where they have to write full sentences. Articles like "a" and "the" are SO hard for them to grasp, so grading their tests has also been a struggle when you know they clearly understand the answer to the question, but have trouble writing a perfect complete sentence. You want to give them all the points, yet they have to learn to write properly. Who knew there would be so much internal anxiety in distributing and grading elementary exams! All I can say, is I hope it gets better as time goes on like most things do.

Finally, my uncle Bob got to come to Suji for his first time. It was a short but sweet visit. He got to my school in time to see my last class of the day for about 45 minutes. We were practicing vocabulary words by writing sentences on the board. They enjoyed having a new face in the room and his English assistance when their sentences just weren't quite long enough! He was great with them, and it was so special having him there to see me teach. After school, he took Britney, London, Shauna, and I to our favorite Korean restaurant and translated the entire menu into English for us! We now have more than just two options: cheesy ramen and Bibinbop. That night we all tried something new, and were for the most part pleasantly satisfied! Our new menu will never leave my wallet! Then, I got to show him my new apartment and we walked to Lotte Mart where he showed me a few new things to try. Like I said, it was a short visit, but he still had an hour to travel into Seoul for work the next day. He is always so generous with his time, Korean knowledge, and money :) when he is here. Thank you Uncle Bob from all of us!

A PROUD teaching moment!

Today was my first PROUD teaching moment! In my afternoon, 2:30-4pm elementary class, I have two male students who often make class a little more stressful for Christine teacher. Both are extremely bright and always do their homework. However, their behavior in class is often frustrating for me and their classmates: constantly touching other students, lots of put-downs, lack of attention, taking several times of me asking them to get work out, losing their place when reading as a class...and the list goes on.

Each week, students have a three paragraph essay to write based on a topic we brainstorm in class. Last week they had to interview a family member and write their essay about that person. Part of the assignment is memorizing the essay to present for the class. If they complete the memorization, they receive ten extra reward stickers, which ultimately mean nothing, but make the students go crazy for more! On Monday, I had already hit my "angry point" with Seth. I walked in the classroom and the first thing he said was, "Teacher, you are UGLY today." Really?! His mom got a phone call yesterday.

Today however, he brought tears to my eyes (seriously). Only one student had memorized their entire essay. None of my best students had even attempted to memorize anything past their first sentence. When I asked who had their essay ready to present, Seth practically jumped out of his seat he was so excited. I thought for sure he was joking as he often does. I was SO wrong. He got up in front of the entire class and as I held his essay in my hand to follow along, he recited word for word, all but one sentence of his assignment. My jaw dropped when he finished, and I gave him the biggest high five he's probably ever had as I told him how PROUD of was of his hard work! He did such a good job, and we both knew it. While Seth frustrates me more than anyone in the class on a regular basis, he is SO hard not to like. I sit next to him when we do class work, so he can't bother the other students, and he constantly rubs my legs and arms and rests his head on my shoulder. I've certainly learned...you've just got to accept the bad with the good! :)

One Month!

I have officially been living in Suji, South Korea for one month....exciting! I can HARDLY believe I've been here that long. Everything is finally starting to become very natural now...my schedule, teaching, food, etc. My week consists of a 7am work out, off to school by 9:30am, teach from10-6:30pm, make dinner, and RELAX (read, internet, or TV)! I'm in bed by 11:30pm or earlier every night, which is unheard of for me. Wednesday nights is when I get groceries and do school work that I bring home. I usually have essays and spelling tests to correct for two classes and weekly kindergarten reports to write on each student for the parents. Otherwise, I've honestly never had so much FREE TIME in my life, and I love it! I really do miss the wonderful community of people at Gustavus, but I'm loving life without homework. After 17 years (K-college) of education, it feels SO GOOD to have time to do anything my heart desires!

This weekend, Britney and London went hiking out of town, so Shauna and I decided to venture into Seoul alone for our first time. We made it there just fine and visited Namdaemun Market, one of the two largest markets in Seoul. It has many skinny streets filled with everything you could images: clothes, shoes, kitchen supplies, bedding, glasses, nic nacs of every sort, etc. We visited Itaewon again and stopped for the best food I've tasted since I arrived...COLD STONE ICE CREAM! It tasted just like home. Don't get me wrong, I love the Korean food, but nothing can replace American ice cream for me. It HIT THE SPOT on a warm afternoon! We successfully made our way around Seoul through the Subway on our own, and feeling quite accomplished we headed to the bus station to head back to Suji. Too bad we couldn't remember if it was the 5500 or the 5500-1 that took us back to Suji. We jumped on the first bus to come (5500-1) and asked the driver if it went to Suji. He smiled and nodded, so we got on. Two hours later we ended up in the mountains on a beautiful college campus with the bus driver laughing and helplessly trying to figure out how to get us home. He wrote a note in Korean to give to the next 5500-1 drive going back towards Seoul. We had called a friend who told us to get off in Jukjeon (where we had only been to once) and take the 11 bus back to Suji. The next bus driver again nodded when we showed him the note and asked, "Jukjeon?" Fourty-five minutes later I looked back and said, "Shauna, I think we just passed Jukneon" as the driver turned around and laughed at us. He clearly knew we needed to get off there and conveniently forgot to tell us...thanks buddy! Needless to say, we got off at the next stop, which happened to be the Suwon bus station where we grabbed the 11 bus and made it home....3 hours later! Although a 45 minute trip took a bit longer than expected, we had our first "lost Korean adventure" and we'll never forget that the 5500 and the 5500-1 are COMPLETELY different!

Today, we went back to the church in Suwon and saw the people who walked us there last weekend. They invited us to a church service on Wednesday nights that we will likely join them to in the near future. There is also a Christian band from the US performing this Saturday night, that we hope to go to. Otherwise, I took another three hour nap today, did some laundry, and finished my first book since arriving! In college, I always used to tell my roommates, "I can't wait until I don't dread Sundays filled with homework and finally get to enjoy the Day of Rest." Well, I FINALLY know what it's like to enjoy the DAY OF REST, and I love it!

Finally, I got exciting news last week that I will be moving to my new (hopefully bigger and cleaner) apartment on Thursday after school. That's just in time for uncle Bob who's coming to visit on Friday to see my school and my new place. I look forward to his visit this week!

Three weeks and counting!

This Saturday (September 12th) , Shauna and I have officially lived in Korea for three weeks...time is flying! The teaching weeks go by so quickly. Working from 10am-6:30pm seem like long hours, but because I'm constantly teaching a new subject, class, or grade, I never anticipate the end of the day. By Fridays, I am excited for the weekend, but by Sundays I am ready for my week of teaching to start again.

This weekend was wonderfully relaxing! I slept in LATE, talked on SKYPE with my best friends and family, went for a run on the endless miles of soft running trails across the street from my apartment, cleaned my "house," went to the musical RENT in Seoul and explored a new church. It was my third Broadway show, but my first time seeing RENT. Beauty and the Beast in NY is still my favorite, but I'm glad I spend the money to go see it. One of the teachers who just left had told Shauna and I about Life Church Korea in Suwon, the town next to Suji. Today was our first time going anywhere without London or Britney to help direct us. So, when we got on the 720-1 bus headed toward church, I said to Shauna, "If God wants us to be in church today, he'll get us off on the right stop and help us find our way there." We knew the ride was between 35-45 minutes to the stop where we were supposed to get off. We were looking for a Premium Outlet Mall that we were told was very obvious. About forty minutes into the trip, passed many large shopping areas, we were starting to loose hope thinking we would have to try again next week. Suddenly, I heard Premium Outlet announced on the bus, the only stop announced in English the entire time we were riding. I practically pushed Shauna out of the seat saying, "Did you hear that? That's our stop! It said Premium Outlet in English...get off!" So we jumped off only to stand there thinking, "now what?" It was clear God wanted us in church today when two other Americans (married from Iowa) got off right behind us and asked us if we were going to church this morning. They kindly walked us there (about 10 minutes from the bus stop) and we had a rejuvenating morning at church. Everyone was extremely welcoming, it had a contemporary English service, and their were many other foreigners. I am so excited to go back again!

Each weekend since I have been here, I have enjoyed relaxing with friends and/or family, sleeping until noon (which, I haven't done since high school and feels amazing!) exploring new churches, and seeing tourist attractions in Seoul. By Sunday evening though, I am excited to see my students and face the excitement and challenges of the week. It's Sunday evening right now, and I'm ready for tomorrow!