Take a Deep Breath...

WOW!  The last few days have been quite a whirlwind to say the least.  I thankfully made it safely to my city, Hong Cheon.  I received a 3 bedroom apartment, which I am very thankful for, being mindful of the fact that a lot of the other teachers only received a one bedroom or one room apartment.  I have a pretty good view and A LOT of sitting space.  I don't have a couch and in the beginning I wanted one, but now not so much.  Oh!  I don't have air either.  I am getting use to that and have so many air freshners it's crazy!  Have to have a place that smells good!

I will admit, when I first got here I WAS NOT happy!  The person who lived here before me did not clean it!  (You know I don't play that!) When I woke up the next morning I let go of all that unhappiness nonsense and thanked God for the opportunity and the things that He has given me since I have been in this new city.

I LOVE my co-teacher, Mrs. Choung!  She is one of the sweetest women I know (she doesn't beat my mom though! :) )  She definitely looks out for me.  I went to church with her today (she is Baptist) and will more than likely continue to do so.  I wasn't able to understand what was being said, but I didn't mind it.  She translated what she could. Next week we are going to go to a Baptist church in Seoul, that has an english translator. They sang many songs and I was able to recognize Glory, Glory Hallelujah. I sang along in English! :) I was fed at the church and afterwards she took me to her family's greenhouse (where I met her husband, and sister-in-law) and later to her good friend's coffee shop.  Korean people are VERY kind.  Americans could take a few lessons...I'm just saying.....:)

School starts tomorrow and I am very excited to meet my students.  I will be teaching elementary, middle, and high school!  Whew!  Not all in one day though, it's spread out....

The hardest part so far is the language and trying to get my point across and trying to understand the speakers here.  Even with my book and translater it's hard. :(  It can be frustrating, but I take a deep breath and do the best that I can.

Some other highlights worth mentioning:

• The cashier helped me take my groceries home (I live right by the store, and they saw that I wouldn't be able to do so..
• I was able to get a taxi and take a bus to Chunchen (a nearby big city....what a task!)
• Realized that although this is going to take some getting use to, God is answering my prayers and I am not worrying about anything
• Slowly, but surely I am beginning to speak the language...now understanding it when it's spoken to me.....that's another story! 

I will attach a video of my apartment soon. In the mean time, look at this......this is a view from my bedroom.  Something so small, means so much to me.  This DEFINITELY gives me PEACE and REASSURANCE.  

Day 

     

Night

And the Winner Is!

I had a group presentation today!  Each "class" had to teach a lesson in front of our peers.  We were able to select our own topics.  I must admit it has been a while, probably since grad school, since I have worked in groups and had to present.  I now know how my students must feel when I have them do small group work!  I was very thankful for my group because I know others had some not so good experiences in their groups.  We were able to bring our ideas together and present a meaningful lesson about Emotions.  After all of the groups presented (there were 6), we all received feedback from both the instructor and our peers.  Then we voted on the best group and guess who the winners were?  GROUP 4......that would be my group! Shout out to Y.D., A. P. and S. H....love y'all!  We received a really nice gift!   Eventually I will post a clip from it.....   

We also had our Farewell Ceremony today and it was awesome to say the least.  The group, LoGos sang acappella and they did a phenomenal job!  They were really good! 

                                            

On a different note, because I am preparing to move to the city that I will be living in for the next year, it may be a little (short, I hope) while before I am able to write again.  There are a few steps that I have to go through before I get the internet where I will be staying, but nonetheless I will get it!  Until next time....

Let's See....

A Koren Wedding 

Ahn-n'yohng hah-say-yoh!  (You will have to read the previous entry to know what that says...) :)

The last few days have been busy, busy, busy, learning the Korean language, preparing for our group presentation, and attending lectures!

Some highlights:  one of the instructors told me (in front of the class) that I was, "Assertive, I see, that's good."  What did I do for him to say this to me?  Nothing, just answered a question.  A Canadian woman told me at breakfast this morning, "Sarah, I love your accent!"  I just looked at her and laughed...I don't have one!!!  "Oh yes you do!!!"  was her reply.  It was funny because she REALLY does have one!

I finally received the city that I will be teaching in and I have been told that it is only an hour away from Seoul.  The name of the city is Hongcheon.  And.......I also received my grade level.......MIDDLE SCHOOL!!!!!! Praise GOD!  That is what I wanted!  How awesome is that!!!!!  Words cannot express the amount of gratitude that I have/have had since I have arrived!

The pictures below and above are from the EPIK culture day......amazing, that's all I can say! Enjoy!!!

Taking a break...

      

a small rice field

Yes!  He is SITTING on the rope.  Eventually I will upload the video
because you have to see it to believe it and sitting on it was not the
only thing he did!!!

Finally, I have to apologize because it has come to my attention that some want to post comments, however, you are not able to.  I didn't know that you had to be a "member" (so to speak) in order to post a comment. So, thanks to my best buddy (and ANCHOR...thanks for helping a sista out!) here are the directions.  I hope this helps and I apologize for the inconvenience.  

To post a comment: 

Go to the bottom of Sar's post -Click on comment

Under "Post a Comment" look for "Comment as: Select Profile" - Scroll down and pick a site (I use Google Account)

(You’ll need an account with one of these sites. To get an account you'll just need to sign up for one. I have a Gmail account. (www.gmail.com - same thing as google account) It’s just like having another email. If I recall correctly they only ask for name, a password of your choice, and for you to agree to terms of use. 

Blessings, 

Do-mannap shida (Doh mahn-nahp she-dah) See you later. 

South Korean Firsts.....

An-young-ha-say-yo! (Hello)

So many firsts today in SK!
*I had my first (real) Korean dish.  I think it was pork, which I rarely ate in the states!
*Said thank you to a Korean and received a smile in return.  (Both times they knew I was trying and I gave them a thumbs up)
*Learned so much Korean my head is still spinning!
*Washed my first load of clothes in a Korean washer.  (Dryers are very rare here, but....me being me, I did find one with the help of a sista on my floor!)

We received a full....literally......medical exam, with blood tests, weight, height, body fat, waist size (what they need that for I have no clue!), x-ray, hearing, and general health questions.  I thought I was going to pass out because we couldn't eat after 9 p.m. last night AND I had just got in from a nice rigorous walk in the park.  I was fine though so no worries!

As I meet new people throughout my time here, I can't help but to think about how THANKFUL I am.  I am thankful that God has provided me with a sense of direction, thankful that HE has shown me my purpose in this life, thankful that I am in my career and know what I want to do.  It's a wonderful feeling to know that I have grace and mercy.

Enjoy the various pictures.......

• a picture from my morning walk with my roommate from Idaho (glad I am with someone who likes to workout as much as I do! CJM this park is wayyyyy harder than the hill we used to do back in KCMO!)
• a piece of exercise equipment that is outside in the park (no need to get a gym membership here! they have something for every body part!)
• having lunch with some friends that will also be teaching in Gangwon-do
• a Korean washer and dryer (thankfully, the instructions were written on the side in English...I just had to match up the symbols/letters)

Finally Arrived...

I'm here!!!! and the time is currently 10:30 p.m.

The trip here was a GREAT (talk about favor) because:
1.) my extra bag didn't cost as much as I was originally quoted
2.) I didn't go over the required weight
3.) The flight attendant from Houston to San Fran allowed me to use her "secret compartment" to store my bag since it wouldn't fit overhead
4.) I started meeting people from the program as soon as I got to San Fran
5.) All of my bags arrived when I did
6.) I met my recruiter (go figure....she recognized me right away......I wonder how!? LOL....)

The flight wasn't as bad as I thought it would be, but it was definitely LONG!  I had to get up plenty of times because I could feel my feet swelling.  The flight attendants looked like models out of a magazine and it seems like they were serving food every 2 hours.  I should have taken a picture of the first class seats!!!!

Tomorrow orientation starts and I am sure it will be a long next couple of days.  I know I will have to get use to the time change and keeping up with the days!

  

Wednesday, July 18, 2010

Here we go.............

I hope that you enjoy this journey with me.  The goal is to use this blog as a means to share some of my experiences with those who are special to me.  I hope to write at least once or twice a week (maybe more), but I am sure that may change once school begins....  

Know that you don't have to comment on every, single thing, but you are more than welcome to if you wish!!

The adventure will begin on Wednesday, August 18th, at 9:00 a.m. and I will be arriving in Seoul on Thursday evening, August 19th....how many hours is that you ask? 19!  19 hours total!!  Stay tunned for more... 

Blessings, 

Sarah Louise