Annyeonghikaseyo~Goodbye

I have been back in the US for almost a week now.  I am trying to get used to being here.  It's harder than I thought though.  I think a small town in the American Midwest in winter is the epitome of isolation compared to a city of 4,000,000 people.

BUT, this is much needed rest time.  And as I learn how to rest...I can fully appreciate my time here.  I am learning to be still (which is a lesson I should have learned long ago).

I love being here with friends and family.  And I especially loved going to church today.  I saw the people who have been fighting for me in prayer for this past year.  And it touches me to see how much they care.

I want to continue to keep up with people (in all places)...so I have created a new blog: http://carolinesadventuresinlife.blogspot.com/

I hope that you find it a good read...and a way to keep up with me now that I am back in the States.  But for now...I will tell Korea and this blog 안녕히 가세요~Annyeonghikaseyo~goodbye!

Going Home

Packing is a Pain

It's hard.  I thought I wanted more than anything to leave.  And I still do.  But there is a part of me that hurts to say goodbye, pack, and head out.

No wonder women are so difficult to understand...it's not that we don't know what we want.  It's just that we want the best parts of everything.

Anyway, I have more teary eyed goodbye notes from my students than I know what to do with.  I had to say goodbye to a lot of people too.  Yep...I cried.

I think the hardest thing will be leaving my church.  I can not describe how much they have helped me and how changed I am from just knowing the people there.  This is going to be a teary weekend I know it!

My friend Mrs. Nancy will be driving me to the airport and I will head home.  I guess I will do one more post after this to let you know how things go.  And that will probably be the end of this blog.  The year in Korea will be over.  Hmmm.... thoughts?

Stuffing it all in...

I have exactly two weeks until I leave Korea.  And I am exhausting myself trying to stuff it all in: Dinners with friends, adventures, classes and lesson planning (I don't want that one...but it comes with the territory of being a teacher), packing, moving logistics (banking, gov't stuff, apt...), and church.  I am not checked out mentally yet....because there is still far too much to do here now.

Anyway...I thought I would give those of you back home (who aren't into Facebook) some photos.

I really like the two photos below.  One is of me and the Nursing teacher (Teacher Park).  She has got me through many an illness this year.  And I love her dearly.  Also, the epic 10k race shot.  Not too shabby.  :-)

Floral Bibimbap in Daegu (2hrs out of Busan)

Having a high ropes adventure!

Catching up with friends and eating at the cutest coffee shop.

Words for me...from me...?

Back in the good old days (:-P te he he)...when I was in India, our mission leaders asked us to write a note to our future selves.  This note would hopefully encourage and edify us  in the future.  After writing the note, we were to give it to the team leaders and they would send it to us later in the mail.

I forgot about it.  Until mom mailed it to me.  She sent it with a confused note..."you got a letter from you...."  Then I forgot about it again.

Well...I was packing (just a little) and stumbled across this note.  And boy do I have to say, that Caroline in the past knew just what Caroline in the future needed.  Or should I say God knew what I needed, way back before I did.  It went a little something like this:

"Hello Future Me!

     First of all, I want to encourage you.  You survived India! (if you are reading this) (if you didn't...well, you are partying w/ Jesus) :-P

     Ok, to the serious stuff:'

I want you to never forget the Joy and Peace that come from complete surrender.  God has been so good to you!  Are you still trusting Him w/ your all?
     Also, don't forget to love till it hurts, to make allowance because of Christ's love.

READ EPHESIANS 4.

     On a happier note:

Remember your Cricket skills!  Remember how hot you look in Indian Clothes!
Remember the smiles from the children..the giggles with the bubbles in the slum and the importance of family.

     Family is so important.

Always be there for mommy.  She has been so good to you!

  

     I love you Caroline and I know you can do all things through God who gives you strength.

     ~Caroline~"


So the main things that stood out to me were JOY AND PEACE FROM COMPLETE SURRENDER.  Wow!  Those are the things that I struggled with so much when Satan attacked My Strongest City.  Also, to hear me say "I love you Caroline..."  I know that sounds odd.  But coming from a place where I didn't like me...let alone love me...for half a year....  WOW... it sure is uplifting to know that deep down...I am lovable.

Anyway,  I will put this note in a box to mail home on a slow boat...and I will see how God uses it in the future...  :-)  I might have to write to myself more often.

One Month Left

Alright Folks...get ready for 6 seconds of creepy.
I ate the "fighting Octopus"....and I kinda liked it.  :-P

So, I have one month left.  I am trying to make the most of my time here, yet at the same time, I am trying to live kinda cheap.  I have been fighting with my school for two weeks now about money they promised me and didn't deliver.  They don't understand...and I had to spell it out to them.  You guys made me buy my airfare upfront, and didn't give me the money your promised.  I have enough money for next weeks meals.  But then you have to give me more.
The response... "I am sorry to hear that."  They sure know how to infuriate me.


On a happier note.  I did a bunch of hiking....hurt my foot...prayed about it...fully healed.  Hmmm...what else.  10k coming up on Sunday.  And, I finished knitting my scarf.  As for my students...they still think it is odd that I don't have a boyfriend...and they think they have to remind me about it each time I come to class.  :-P  I will miss these girls.

The fire I started on the Beach

                                                                                                 Literally the bus dropped us off in the middle of nowhere.  We looked around confused with our tents and backpacks and just started walking to the beach.  After a night of freezing (once my little fire died), living off crap food from the convenient store, and not sleeping...I decided it was time to go home.  Yep...I like camping better when Daddy is cooking

Below are some photos from my most recent hikes.  To the left is Igidae which is known for amazing views of the beach and bridge.  In less than 3 days I will be running over that bridge for my 10k.  As for the right.  This is a temple in the mountains.  I really love the rock carving that is actually the temple carved into the mountain.

And a little note from my student for her journal entry.

The Strongest City

So here are my thoughts.

I have been growing a lot this past week.  I am learning who I am in Christ.  I have been learning that I am not disgusting, not shameful, not despicable, and not able to call myself these things.  I am God's child, and I need to start acting like one.  I need to stop believing the lies of the evil one, and I need to start living in the redeeming grace and authority of God's love. I AM GOD'S!  He is patient, and what he declares clean, no one can call unclean.  So my past sins and even current struggles are covered.  Anytime I feel guilty or "screwed up" (as I like to say)...I have to remember that God tells me who I am...and I have no right to argue.  I am HIS!

You know that with this past couple months, I have struggled with depression and anxiety.  The evil one was stealing my joy.  THINK OF IT THIS WAY:  An enemy doesn't attack a weak little city in the middle of nowhere.  An enemy will send his army to the capital city or the strongest city in a nation.  That is how the war is won.  As for me...he attacked my joy.  This was my strength and I didn't even know it.  Satan attacked my joy because my joy is a gift to myself and others.

Here is an excerpt of a note written to me by my teammate from my mission to India (before all the stuff with the attacks when down): "You are one of the most kind, caring, and genuine people that I have met.  You have such a servant's heart and truly put the needs of others before your own.  You have been an encouragement to me this whole trip!  Always giving free back-rubs and your bubbley personality is so contagious."

I remember reading over this in my lowest points of depression.  I was so mad, so disgusted with myself.  I always said that I was not that girl anymore. BUT THAT WAS A LIE!  Satan stole my joy and lied to me...told me that my greatest strength was no longer mine.

I declare the truth!  That my joy is my strength.  That the girl who served in India is still here and she is as amazing as ever (not on her own strength but on that of the Lord's).

I want to encourage you!  The thing that you struggle with and feel you will never have.  THAT IS YOUR STRENGTH!  Claim it and stand on that truth!

Running, Running, and Running around.

I have been doing a lot of running lately in preparation for my upcoming 10k. It's actually very good for me.  We all carry around a pharmacy in our heads and running activates the anti-depressants.  :-)

So, needless to say, I am feeling much better about life.  But, with all the running and the usual running around, I have been so tired lately.  Everyday this week was taken by something (usually somethings-more than one), and my Saturday was busy too. So this Sunday morning I slept in ALOT!  I got out of bed at 10:00am compared to the usual 7:30am.  It feels so good but I feel like I have wasted some of my day.  Perhaps it was needed though.

Anyway, I want to tell you about my yesterday.  I woke up, had my Skype date, did Zumba and then went to a Orphanage to volunteer a bit.  This was my first time here, and it was an all boys home.  Boys are soooo much fun.  They are rough, but awesome.  I spent the morning teaching them the card game, SlapJack, and they loved it!  They got so into it...and they want me to comeback so they can try to beat me at it. :-P  In the afternoon, we played basketball.  Earlier in the week, hyper-extended my arm and playing B-Ball was probably not the best thing I could do....but, my team won!  And we were two western girls and two middle school boys, verses the highschoolers.  WHAT!?!?!?  WE ROCK!

I am so blessed that God has given me the opportunities that I have.  And sometimes I take them for granted.  But, I am just trying the best I can.  Thanks friends and family at home, I appreciate your prayers.

"You're killing me, Smalls!"

So if anyone knows the movie "The Sandlot", then you know that famous line that occurs during the S'mores scene.  Our lovable kids are exasperated by Smalls' lack of grasping the simplest of all concepts....the S'more.

And as for me, I spend a good deal of time exasperated.  According to the online dictionary that means,  I am made very angry or impatient; annoyed.  So quite often when I am alone in an elevator or at my desk, I mouth "You're killing me, Smalls!" to the sky in the the "Why Me, God?" fashion.  (Secretly I mean, you're killing me Korea)

Plans are not coming to fruition, lessons are failing, I am as homesick as ever, there are racists mocking me on the bus, and the co-teachers don't understand what in the world is wrong with the crazy foreign girl they hired.

I am overwhelmed.  And overworked.  And over demanded.  And overly tired.  And ready to sleep...right here at my desk.  But I can't, because I have a lesson in six minutes.  Wish me luck friends because I sure need it.

"YOU'RE KILLING ME SMALLS!!!!!"

Photo Update

 So this is our Photo Update.  Eliza and I have sure been busy.  Check out all that we have done this week.


To the left, you can see us during our day trip to the city of Gyeong-ju, (the old capital during the Shilla Dynasty).


Behind us is Bulgoksa temple.  It's a UNESCO world Heritage Site.










To the right, the Jagalchi Fish Market.  This place is famous for it's fresh caught fish.  Together we enjoyed some very nice fried fish, eel, and rice.

We also happened to be walking in the market during the second typhoon of Eliza's stay.  Eliza was hit by a leaf...it was sad.

Here we are enjoying dinner at the restaurant owned by one of my co-teachers.  Eliza is improving with her Chopstick skills!  This was her first time to try Quail Egg, Pig's Feet, and Marinaded Octopus.

You grab the meat and wrap it in the leaf, then enjoy.

Sunset at Dadaepo Beach

After a long day of hiking, we came to the South Gate of the old fortress of Busan.  Eliza took this awesome photo from the ramparts of the South Gate.  You can see the recently restored city walls complete with flags.  So nice!

Eliza loves me!

At Seokorim Grotto Eliza got the opportunity to ring the monk's ceremonial bell.  She had to lift this really really heavy log and let gravity do the rest.  The bell continued to ring for quite some time afterward.  And you could feel the vibrations.  So cool!

Lastly, we visited the beautiful Summer Palace at Anapji pond.  Can you just imagine visiting as royalty one summer night and seeing this?  Ooooh!  So jealous.

The Palace was designed to have a perfect reflection off of the pond after dark.  And I think they were definitely successful!

ELIZA!!!!!!

Caroline: Did I mention that we had a Typhoon?  Yeah...we did.  And it just happened to be the same day that Eliza (my friend from the States) was flying in to visit me.  I had been nervously tracking her flight, and bugging my co-workers all the time with my questions about the weather.  And, there I sat at the airport 1.5hrs early staring at the arrivals board and worrying my little head off.

As it turns out, every flight on the board was either cancelled or delayed, EXCEPT for ELIZAAA'SSSSS!  :-)  Now that is a God thing.

Eliza: OMG I was so excited to visit Caroline!! but I was also very nervous at the same time.  This was my first time flying outside of the United States.  My airport experience has been traveling with a friend to Maine and with a group to New Mexico.  Now, I was traveling to South Korea all by myself!!!  I would never imagine a year ago that I would be doing this!!  Everything went well for the most part.  I got really worried when I was waiting in Tokyo for my flight to Busan because I was told that it may be cancelled or may have to land at another airport.  That darn Typhoon!! Like Caroline said, my flight came without any real trouble (we had to wait about 10 minutes to land).  I was pretty lucky!!

Caroline: I waited at the arrivals gate for those extra 10mins...still worried.  But Eliza came through the doors and I gave her many many hugs.  Then I, just maybe, maybe, had a teeny tear...that came in multiples....maybe.

Eliza: Yeah, she cried...it was intense.

Caroline: ANYWAY, we got safely back to the apartment.  I prepped lunch for school the next day and we hit the sack.

At school, Eliza is quite popular.  I think I have only taught half of a class since she's been here (minus my Business English Class every morning.)  Manly the kids love having "Free Talk English" with her, which means Q&A.  But it's good practice for them to be vocal in English.  And Eliza is a good sport about it all.  :-)

Eliza: I am so happy that I did have any jet lag! I went to Caroline's classes thinking and planning to sit in the back.  Yeah, didn't happen.  All the girls wanted to talk with me.  It was fun though, I really enjoyed it.  I was getting a big head due to the fact that they all were talking about how beautiful I was.  It feels nice to feel pretty lol.  Everyone here is really nice from the students (though many are shy) to Caroline's co-teachers.  Everyone has been very welcoming!

Caroline: After school yesterday, my best co-worker Kim took Eliza and I to YongKung Temple (the dragon temple by the sea) and out for a traditional Korean meal.  It was so nice.

Yongkung Temple

Eliza: Kim is great!  I have never been to a Buddhist Temple before and it was beautiful!  It is so hard to describe the intricate details of the temple by the East Sea (known as the Sea of Japan).  I loved the traditional dinner even though one of Caroline's co-teachers laughed at me because of the way I used my chopsticks.  I need more practice but I had so many new foods like Kimchi (fermented cabbage), Pacheon (seafood and green onion pancake), Bibimbap (mixed veggies and rice), Patbingsu (shaved ice with redbeans, fruit, and condensed milk), and many more!  I love eating new foods! :)

Caroline: The plan for tonight is to go to Nampo-Dong (our international shopping area) to look around and get some gifts for the folks back home.  Also, dinner at the famous fish market, and some much needed time at the spa.  Lastly, we want to pop by Busan Tower (because it's famous...well in Busan it's famous.)  :-P

Anyway...you will hear from us soon...with photos and smiles.  :-)

Back into the Swing of Things

I am safely back in Korea sitting at my desk at work.  I am reminded of how confusing life is here...but luckily, I have prepared myself this time.  I still don't know what is going on around me.  I have two different teachers and a coordinator giving me three different schedules.  I am not sure exactly what I am doing.  But I have lesson plans to last me until tomorrow.  Hopefully I will know more by tonight.

Great Ocean Road

These are some more photos that my team leader took in Canberra.  Sorry that they are so late...but ya know!

Anyway, we are planting trees here....  This is one of the hills in Jerrabomberra.  :-)









So Now in the lovely land of Geelong.  As, I said in my last post, I was going to the Great Ocean Road.  And believe me...it is GREAT!  The place is so beautiful.  We are working on a hillside with a view outside the city of Lorne.

We are weeding out a few invasives, including Potosporun and Broom Bush.  These are harder to get, so though we can hand pull the smaller ones, we have to use "Loppers" (hedge trimmers) and poison.  I try to avoid poison where possible, but you have to do what you have to do.  We want a healthy bush full of native Australian Wildlife.

The weather here is dreadful though.  It has rained everyday...but it's okay with me.  Because that rain made me a beautiful rainbow right over one of the beautiful beaches on the Great Ocean Road. Trust me..there will be photos to come.  :-)

I am slightly bummed that tomorrow is my last day with CVA.  I head to Melbourne on the train after work.  Then I will fly to Korea on Saturday Morning.  I will miss this place.  I really enjoyed Western Food, English Language, and Countryside.  This place makes my heart ache for home.  But, only 2.5 more months in Korea.  I can do this.  :-)

Another City

After my free time in Melbourne I met with the CVA office.  We spent Monday weeding out the Cape Ivy at a beach in Melbourne.  This ivy was from South Africa and it will climb anything it can and smother it out.  It has no predators in this new environment and thus is quite an invasive species.  I would gently unwrap it from poor native plants that were being strangled, and for those who know me...you know I sweetly chatted with the natives reassuring them that it's all okay now and encouraging them to grow.  :-P

 Anyway, that afternoon they drove me to the city of Geelong, where I will be staying for the remainder of my time here.  This is the along the Great Ocean Road and is said to have some amazing little towns around it with great views of the ocean.  I didn't get to one today, but I have been told that we will do tomorrow's project out that way.

Today however, we spent the day in a town called Ocean Grove.  We were weeding out a bush by the name of Polygala.  This bush is not as nasty as Cape Ivy, but it does grow rampant on the dunes here.  I also found us an other invasive "Box Thorn", but unfortunately I found it by way of sitting on it...but I weeded that one out with vengeance!!  I was happy to find myself with a group leader who was a botanist and he pointed out and named the natives on the dune.  It will be lovely when those beautiful beach peas and succulents take over the dune again.

Mom and I got my email working again and someone from Jerrabomberra sent me a photo of us working on the duck boxes.  So I will post it below.

Melbourne

Hello All!

I am in Melbourne now which I like.  It's a bit easier to navigate than Sydney but has better public transit than Canberra.  I have the rest of tonight free and then I will go on a fun tour tomorrow.  Monday morning I will meet my new CVA team of Volunteers and we will get to work on whatever project CVA Melbourne decides we need to do.  (Secretly, I am tired of planting trees so I am hoping for a change.)

Melbourne is lovely.  It has a very European feel to it.  I just finished up the chocolate tour before checking into my hostel....WOW!  Chocolate is so good!  I am afraid though, that my body will take a while to get used to all this rich western food.  :-(


On a sad note, I have been blocked out from my email account.  Apparently someone was trying to use it the same time as I was.  I tried to unblock it but they won't allow me too.  I don't know if this is something I can do while traveling.  I just hate thinking about it.

If anyone is familiar with the film, "Breakfast at Tiffany's", they will understand my next reference.  I am having bouts of feeling "the mean reds"...I have no reason to be anxious because God is so good to me...but sometimes I can't help how I feel.  I am just trying to stay busy.  Thank you guys for being patient.

Jerrabomberra Wetlands

I am sitting in the Public Library enjoying the free public internet service.  I love Australia!

As you can see by the title of this post, I am working in Jerrabomberra Wetlands.  These wetlands are important because the migratory birds that come down from Asia nest here.  We are close to nesting season and these wetlands need a lot of help.  You see, Australia has a sensitive ecosystem.  It is basically a large island, so when an invasive species gets here, it takes off and destroys the dynamics of the environment here.  There is an African Thornbush that had made itself at home in these wetlands.  A CVA (Conservation Volunteers Australia) team came in here before ours and killed a good deal of it.  So our task for the week is to plant native plants to reclaim this ecosystem.

On Monday, we planted 100 native species (and this is no easy task).  It starts with digging, then planting, then securing with a box guard for protection from rabbits and roos, then watering, and lastly mulching.  (The mulch is made from the chipped African Thornbush...a fitting end to the invaders I think.)

On Tuesday, we planted 133 native species of trees and shrubs.  We also painted some duck nesting boxes for weatherproofing.  After work that day, a teamate and I went for a hike to see if we could see some wild Kangaroos.  TASK ACCOMPLISHED!  Those things are running around as common as rabbits once you are up in the hills. (But they are easier to see than rabbits because they are huge!)

And today, we planted 70 natives and also prepared and placed 3 of the duck boxes in the marsh.  I really enjoyed this part because I got to wear rubber waders and operate a power drill.

I am having a good time but I am finding myself really tired.  We are working from 8:00am to 4:00pm everyday.  And when you are swinging a Maddock all day digging, you find yourself rather beat at the end of it.

Church family, please pray for my team, we spend so much time with each other that sometimes we need to get away for a bit.  Also, please pray big time for my health.  I hurt my foot and have been fighting with it...trying not to get infected.  I have been keeping it clean, but it hurts.  And it kept me up a good part of last night.  So Caroline is sleepy today.  Also, I am wind-burned and sunburned at the same time, and my hands have taken quite a beating.

I will try to get back on the internet when I finish here and head to Melbourne.  Wish me the best!!!

Canberra

Hello all from Down Under....

So I arrived in Sydney after a really long flight.  I got off the plane and on the bus.  It feels like November here weather-wise and it has gotten me all in the spirit of the inpending holidays (which are not really inpending...but don't break my spirit folks...haha).
The bus drivers here don't drive crazy enough.  I miss Korean buses...they are fast and they announce the next stop.  Luckly, everyone speaks my language here, so I just asked random people on the bus and they told me when to get off.  I got off at Centenial Park, which is FLIPPING HUGE!  I wandered around for 45 mins lost and found myself at a gas station asking for directions.  This older man overheard me and said he knew the place I was going to.  He offered me a lift.  Normally, I don't get into cars with strangers...but I had to get there, and the guy was old, so I could probably take him if there was any funny business.

I approach his car to get in and found myself on the driver's side.  "Sir, I didn't mean to get in on the driver's side, but Australia is backwards....haha". Yes folks, they have the drivers seat on the right and they drive on the left side of the road.  Te he..silly American.

Needless to say, he got me there safely and quickly.  He was pleasant conversation too.  I was there early enough to check in and found time to do my bible study in the park with all the crazy Australian birds.  (And I mean there are a TON of crazy looking birds here...black swans, wild cockatoos, etc.) After a few house of orientation they drove me to the bus stop and sent me to Canberra on a Greyhound.  It's the political capital of Australia (4 hours out of Sydney) and it's right in the middle of many different types of ecosystems. 

I met up with my group, who are all Asian (execpt a girl from Denmark that I will meet tonight).  Anyway, there are 3 Koreans and 2 people from Taiwan.  They had dinner on the table for me when I got there.  :-)  YAY Taiwanese food!!!

Anyway, we have today and tomorrow off to get settled and we will start our service project on Monday in the Marshland.  We went to a few museams today and I think I might try to go to the Mint or the Parliment house tomorrow.  Who knows?

Thanks guys for reading this...I know it is not as interesting as an exotic blog about Laos or Thailand...but hey, Australia IS pleasant. 

Photo Color Contest

          I have been invited by a friend to take part in a photo contest.  The prize is pretty hefty and though I am not confident in winning this contest, I thought I would give it a shot anyway.  It couldn't hurt right?  So here is more info on the photo contest: http://www.travelsupermarket.com/c/holidays/capture-the-colour/ 

          For this contest, I need to select a photo that represents each color.  So here it goes:

Blue:

I visited Mexico as a treat to myself for surviving University.  This photo is of the edge of Isla Mujeres, where the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea meet.  

Green:

During my time teaching English in South Korea, I visited Laos.  This is probably the most beautiful country I have ever seen.  I met a friend in a cooking class and together we hiked around. This waterfall was a pleasant surprise. 

 Yellow:

 I did some volunteering in Thailand at an "At-Risk" girl's home.  I had free evening and was able to go to a culture dinner.  At the end of the very delicious Thai meal we were invited to release these celebratory lanterns for the Lunar New Year.

White:

I had very good neighbors when I lived in Ohio (America).  We both grew rather large gardens of flowers, herbs, and veggies.  We would trade delicious home grown goodies and spend hours talking.  I took this photo on one of my visits to her garden.

 Red:

I had so many photos of red-leaved trees in the fall...but I wanted to do something a little more interesting.  Here is the brick wall of an aged building in the States.  There is just something Nostalgic in the shape of it all.

I hope you guys like this post and hopefully I can win something.  Who knows?

I nominate the following for the photo contest:

Kyle and Melody @  http://kyleandmelodythibodeau.blogspot.kr/ 
Justin and Kat @ http://www.twomonkeysinatent.com/
Abi @ http://www.abigailjasmine.com/
Nancy @ http://graceexp.blogspot.kr/
Chelsea @ http://trackintucker.blogspot.com/ 

Tears for Mayo

So, this sounds a little embarrassing, but it gives you some insight into the human mind.

I haven't shopped for a good two weeks because I wanted to be sure that I had enough cash to pay my phone bill.  I got back from work today at a little after noon (1/2 days for English camp.) I was REALLY hungry and sleepy...  I thought I should maybe nap then eat something small for a late lunch.

I got a little rest (thank God because I haven't been sleeping well at night).  When I woke up, I went downstairs and out to the market.  I walked around the store with my $3 budget but nothing looked good.  I have been severely lacking in fruits and veggies because I can't even imagine buying apples at $10 for a bag of 5.  Mom sent me vitamins, but sometimes you just want real food.

So, I saw the tomatoes.  I was like...yummy!  Those are only $1 each...and I can get some lettuce for $2.  Ohhh...I was building a sandwich in my mind.  They had some fake meat that resembled ham that wasn't too pricey.  And in the fridge section they had a tube of white cream, "Mayo", I thought.  It was outrageously priced though, a small tube for $5.

I walked around for another 3 or 4 mins craving that sandwich that was out of my budget. Then said, "Why not!?!?  I just will be good about my other meals this week!"  Between the aforementioned sandwich supplies and a pear (which was $2.50  OH MY GOSH!) I spent $18.  But, this has to be worth it right?

I get back to my apartment and start piecing together my prize only to find that the "Mayo" was really sweetened condensed milk.  I can't read anything here with the language barrier.  Tears began to flow....

Then I beat myself up, "Don't cry over Mayo.  You can eat the sandwich without it."  But it was no use.  I lost it.  So I just let myself go.  I sat on the couch and cried about Mayo.

This taught me that sometimes you have to cry, even over the little things.  And I am a little embarrassed.  I mean, I can give things up...mayo is no different right?  I can shower cold out of a bucket in Thailand, I can sleep on the floor in India, I can survive nights filled with sweat and mosquitoes....but, every once in a while, a girl needs to cry.  And it took the form of Mayo this time.

Which one is Mayo????

No worries friends...I am too stubborn to eat my sandwich without Mayo.  I traversed to two more shops while my sandwich lay open on the counter.  In the last store, I found a bottle.  And the sandwich was worth it, believe me!

Now I just have to figure out what to do with the sweetened condensed milk....

AAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So...
I have just one more week before vacation.  I CAN DO IT!!!!

It's so hot and humid that it's miserable though.  I have moved my sheets, pillow, and stuffed monkey down to the couch and have been sleeping there for the past few nights.  My A/C won't go below 27 degrees Celsius with is about 81 degrees Fahrenheit (building policy).    (And I will probably cry when I get the energy bill this month because they add up everyone on the floor's bill and divide them equally among the tenants.  This sucks...because my neighbors are not as conservative as I am.)

Just one more week of summer classes...then after a few more days I can run off to the land Down Under (where it is a pleasant 55 degrees F.  So happy it's winter there because they are south of the Equator.)

If I can't start sleeping better at night...this is going to be one tough summer.

I do get a small reprieve though because I will stay tomorrow night at a friend's apt in our neighboring city, Ulsan.  She has her birthday shindig this weekend and I am going to join her over there for Italian food, Batman in the cinema, and to visit her church on Sunday.  It should be quite pleasant.

Mini-Holiday

So last Sunday I decided to skip UT, Church, and Yoga, and give myself a little mini-holiday anywhere but in the city.  I promised myself that if I got the apartment cleaned, I could treat myself.  Well, I got it mostly clean.  :-P

My Woodpecker Friend

Beautiful Flowers All Over Gyeong-Ju

Korea Has It's Moments 

The place I chose to visit on my mini-holiday was the old Shilla Dynasty Capital called Gyeong-Ju.  It was quite pleasant.  It is only a $4 bus ride away and takes only an hour and ten minutes to get there.

As you can see from the photos, it is quite out of the city.  There was much more nature than I expected to find.

I spent the morning wandering around and sketching a bit.  I am learning to not be afraid of my color pastels, but I think I need far more instruction from my art teacher friend Carolyn before I can be truly comfortable.

Hopefully the two of us will get some sketching in when she comes hiking this weekend.  (Hint Hint, Cough Cough :-)

So, after a delicious toast dinner (where the sweet old lady cut my crusts off), I called my friend Sarah, who lives in the area.

Together we visited the Anapji pond, which is an absolutely splendid view at night.  The pagodas reflect the lights off of the water.  After that, she deposited me back off at the bus station and I slept all the way home.

Train Ticket to Anywhere

With Carolyn on the Train to Yeosu.

Happy on a train as usual.

 I swear... I am most happy when I have somewhere to go.  And this weekend was lovely.  I went to a friend's place in Jinju (a nearby city) and then we headed out the next day to the World's Fair.

Yeosu Expo is what they are calling it this year...and it's all about preserving the World's Oceans and Coasts.  That's right up my ally. :-)

At the World Expo we saw things from so many places.  This is actually my second time going but I just couldn't see it all the first time.  (And honestly I didn't see it all the second time either.  But I am content with all I saw this last time).

Below are a couple photos.

Displays at the Expo

Shows in the Street

Ice Core in the Swiss Exhibit

Anyway.  That Sunday morning I stayed with Carolyn again in Jinju.  We went to the Fort that makes Jinju famous.  During the Japanese colonization, the Japanese attacked the city of Jinju and all the people had to hide in the fort and fight them off.  The Korean people won this battle but Japan attacked again with vengeance to  preserve their honor.  They sent so many forces that Jinju didn't stand a chance.  They destroyed the whole city and killed everyone.  We lit incense in honor of the 60+ generals that were buried there.

I know that the past events of this city compose a sad story. But I think it is good for me. I so often get frustrated with things in this country.  And sometimes it helps you understand the people a little better when you know where they are coming from.



~Caroline R. 

"You Get What You Get!"

I had the joy of video Skyping yesterday with the little one I used to Nanny.  It was adorable.  She is almost five years old now.  I could tell she liked the video idea, she was making a ton of faces.

I just finished a big meal at the Curry Pot this evening and went for a walk at the nearby park.  I found myself a bench near the fountain and sat for a while.  I just got thinking about the times I had with my little girl back when I was a Nanny.

I remember that when the garden was in full swing, I would pick for her fresh fruits and veggies that I had grown.  I spent a lot of time and effort to make her delicious meals with my produce.  I remember countless times that I would sit down to lunch only to see her poke at the food with the fork for maybe ten minutes.  Then she would say, "I'm full!"

"You are not full," I would say. "you haven't even taken a bite.  I grew this from a little plant for you.  Please just try it."

"How about I get gummies instead?"

Her favorite snack was gummies, but it is not snack time it is meal time.  So I would say the usual; "You will not get gummies right now.  You will get what you get and you won't throw a fit."

I got thinking about my relationship with God.  How often has he been preparing something for me for a long time?  Growing it, harvesting it, preparing it, serving it.  And how often have I looked at it and decided that something else was better?

Perhaps I need to take my own advice, "You get what you get, and you don't throw a fit." After all, my Father knows best.

Flexible

I am learning now to be flexible.  And I don't just mean I have joined a yoga class...though I have. :-P  I am learning that things are not always going to go your way... instead of beating yourself up for being human, you learn to roll with it and enjoy the ride.

My first time to meet Raymond.  He's a rescue.

This weekend was quite busy.  I spent Friday with a couple good friends at the 6k.  I even ran with one of my students.  She helped me translate the registration page and decided to tag along.  I didn't know if she would make all 6k but she did.  I am so proud of her.  There were many high fives at the end.

Then Saturday I went on a hike with this new guy I met.  We got ourselves completely lost...and this is where being flexible comes into play.  We found ourselves at this temple...and there was a family who was praying for their newly deceased matriarch.  They invited us in and gave us some food to eat.  We declined profusely because we didn't want to intrude...but old Koreans always get their way.  Needless to say, we even left with our packs filled with fruit.

When we finally got off the mountain I was a half an hour late to my friend's birthday party at the beach.  I didn't even know where I was so I hopped on the first bus I saw and rode until I could get oriented.  I eventually found my way to the beach only two hours late.

Because I didn't get to run home, I found that I had no money.  And I was at the birthday party a little too late.  The subways stop running at midnight.  And a cab home was out of the question.  I had to bum ten bucks off of the birthday girl and stay the night at a Jimjilbang.  (basically a spa that lets you sleep on the floor).  I paid seven bucks and was given pajamas and a blanket and I settled down for the most restless night on the stone floor of the communal sleeping room.

It was about two in the morning when I finally blocked out the light and the sounds and fell asleep. (many snoring men)  At about  three in the morning I felt something touching my feet.  I woke up to find that a man put his blanket right next to mine and his feet were touching mine.  THERE WAS NO NEED FOR THAT!  There were only about four other people in the room and plenty of space.  I kicked him a few times but he didn't get the message...so I curled into a small ball and fitfully finished the night.

About 5:45am I got up and caught the subway back to my place, had a few Skype dates,  ate soup for breakfast, and then went to meet my friends for a hike.  My friend Alicia volunteers at the dog shelter and just so happened to meet a little guy named Raymond.  She decided to rescue the little guy and he joined us for the hike.  The hike ended at the water temple.  So nice.  Needless to say...I am a little tired.  And tomorrow is "Terrible Tuesday" as my co-teacher and I call it.  Wish me luck guys!

Life, LIFE, life, and LiFe again...

So....Life happens.  It's rough...and it doesn't slow down.

I am leaving my church here in Korea and am searching for a new one.  For right now, I am simply relying on prayer time and scripture reading...but please pray that I find a support system here.  Not having support in Korea is like living on the moon without air...it's really tough...and will eventually be deemed impossible.

Also, though I have not had an anxiety attack in quite a while, I still find myself nervous and even depressed at times.  But God is good!  He has been so gracious...He hasn't given me more than we can handle together.  And I praise Him.

You know me...always keeping busy.  I have a 6k race coming up this Friday night after classes.  Then a hike on Sunday.  Then next week I am visiting a friend in Jinju (a small city about an hour west of here) and then going for the second time to the World Expo.  It was so good...I love it so I am going back (there was just too much to see the first time.)

Two of my students have passed the second phase of the English Internship Application.  All they have left is the English Interview. Please pray that I can prepare them for this before Monday.  I really hope they do well and that I can at least boost their confidence.

On a positive note, I talk with one of them and this is how the conversation went:

Me: "I emailed your English teacher from last year (Tori) and asked what questions we should prepare for the interview"
EJ: "Oh really?"
Me: "Yeah... You know, it seems like a lot of 3rd year students miss Tori.  They really liked her."
EJ: "But I like you better..."
Me: "Why do you say that? You had her for two years and all..."
EJ: "She was my English teacher.  But you are my English teacher now...so I like you."

I love that childlike loyalty.  I wish, that like her, I would not compare things and just be happy with my present situation.  Perhaps I can learn a little something from my students.

The Road Not Taken

"Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,

And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim
Because it was grassy and wanted wear,
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I marked the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference."

Robert Frost

          Note how this poem is called "The Road not Taken".  I always thought the main focus was on the road he took.  You know, the one that he took so long to decide on..the one less traveled..yadda yadda yadda.

         But, why "the road not taken"? Perhaps the things we say no too are just as important as the things we say yes to.  And lately I have struggled with both my yes' and my no's.  My big trouble, and my mom would agree, is that my heart is too big.  I care too much about others.  I put a lot of love into people.  I base my happiness on the happiness of others.

          And today I said no to a couple things.  That doesn't mean that they are any less important...but change is coming.  A new season of my life is starting...I need to note the caution that the "yellow wood" proclaims...and I need to move forward.  I have a choice...and who knows which path I will take...not I.  Perhaps I will do a little trail-blazing of my own.

Changes

So many changes are happening lately.

One of my best friends in Korea (Abi)  has just left to tour Thailand and Cambodia.  Then she is heading to the States for good.  I will miss having her here...but I am happy for her.

My sister Abi and I singing Karaoke for my birthday.

Also, I found a language club that helps me practice my Spanish.  There is a guy from Peru and a really sweet Korean girl who has been studying Spanish longer than me.  Her Spanish is better than her English...so it's the only common language between us. ANYWAY!  I love Spanish.  I am so glad that I get to practice it here.

Another change...I bought my airfare for my volunteer work in Australia.  I am praying that I made the right decision.  After all the craziness that happened with Laos and Thailand...I am a little cautious when it comes to planning travel.  Anyway.  I will be spending 16 days of my vacation in Australia working for National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries.

Oh...and this may be my last week of biology tutoring.  I am sad to finish but her finals are next week...and after that, I think I will no longer be needed. I love to teach Biology...which I would have never thought would happen.

And lastly...I will be going to the World's Fair this weekend.  What are the odds that the World's Fair would be in Korea this year...and that the theme would be Marine Science and Ocean Preservation?  I think this is God's way of saying "Go there!"  :-)

Anyway, my students passed the first stage of the internship application process.  They are taking the written test tomorrow.  Pray for them.  I want them to do well.

Dancing In Asan

I went up to visit my friend in Asan.  We went to the Folk Village nearby.  This is not only a tourist destination...but also the home of many who still live in their family homes in the village and upkeep the ancient buildings.  Anyway.  I hope you enjoy the video of some traditional Korean Music and Dancing.

Just a Quick Update

Hello all!

I am sitting here in my apartment.  It's past my bed time but I feel the need to listen to music too loud and eat Mac and Cheese.  My students will see a sleepy teacher tomorrow.

My thoughts have been all over the place lately.  I got thinking first of all...that by the time I go home in five-ish months...it will have been over a full year since I have hugged my mom.  WOW!  I can't fathom that.  356+ days since I touched her.....

Other thought:  I stole this one from the internet, "I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I needed to be."  This is true in my life.  This is physically, mentally, and spiritually.  You see...I am growing so much.  It hurts.  I have had moments of weakness...and moments of victory.  And  God has been so good through it all...even when I have not.

Yet another thought:  I feel like I must be aging or something.  When I was younger...I don't recall being sore this often.  I swear though...lately...I am sore in places I didn't know would ever get sore.  I am sore where your thighs meet your bum, sore above the knee cap and below the knee cap, and sore in the upper arm.  Really?  I am not even working out that often anymore....

Ha ha...I told you that my thoughts are all over the place.  Ha ha ha.

*Continue to pray for my students who are applying to the internship.
*Pray for me...I don't want to be bitter or judgmental...and I catch myself doing both sometimes.
*And Pray for summer vacation.  I have done some praying and seeking...and found that I might go to Australia to volunteer in my field of Environmental Conservation.  It's costly though.  Pray that I listen to God and not my own desires..and pray for finances.

ANYWAY!  I went to visit a friend for the long weekend (Buddha's B-Day) and I rested a lot.  It was needed I think.  :-)  I might have another long weekend coming up because it seems like there might be a school field-trip this Friday. I will use this time to rest here in Busan.  Maybe get some cleaning and lesson planning done.

Photos to come!
AND Blessings to All!!!!

Besting the 10k

Before the Race!

On the Other Side of the Finish!

So.....I lived!

Who would have thought that the girl who "hates" running would finish a 10k race?  Not that girl...hahaha.  But I did finish and I ran the whole time.

Here's the deal.  As of late February, I hated running.  Thought it was pointless and no fun at all.  But people encouraged me to run to help with my anxiety and depression.  So, I gave it a shot.  At first, I was still not a fan...but with time I grew to like it.  Then crave it.

Suddenly my friend Lou (the British girl in the middle there) invited me to join in a 10k race at the beach.  And like a crazy girl, I said, "Why not?"  So, three weeks of training later, I found myself with a burst of renewed energy, the music from "Chariots of Fire" music in my head, and a smile on my face as I passed over the finish line.


My goal was 90 mins and I completed the race in 82.  :-)  This is definately one of the things I want to do again in my life.


Prayer Requests:  


Two of my students are interviewing for the Australia internship in the next couple weeks.  Pray that their essays are accepted and that they have peace and confidence as they go into the next phase of the application process.


Pray that God makes it obvious where I am supposed to go for Summer Vacation and what I am supposed to do (mission work, science internship, just for fun?).


Pray for patience for me in my continued job searching.  There are not many jobs available for me in the States (that is one reason why I am here in Korea)...  I might have to go back to school but there's the issue of funding.