The End

My Korean adventure flew by.  Despite all of my tears, the frustration, and yearnings to return home, I am so glad that I stayed.  I know that it was not by my own doing, and there is no way that I could have made it in a foreign country without HIM.

I enjoyed my time in Korea, learning new things, seeing exciting sites, going to new places.  I value and will always appreciate all of the time that I had to be able to just relax and think without all of the hustle and bustle of having to run an errand or do this and that.  It felt good to learn how to just be still.

The best part of being in Korea was:
* Experiencing and receiving the love of God
* Rediscovering HIS word
* Meeting my sister in Christ (YUD)
*Hiking one of the tallest peaks
* All of my think time
* Being able to experience something totally unknown and new

I will miss:
*SamSang Elementary School--my co-teachers and students
* Buying (super) fresh fruit and vegetables
* Looking out of my window and seeing the mountains
*Watching crops (corn, potatoes, grapes, chili peppers, eggplants, rice...you name it, I've seen it!) grow
* The beautiful, bright sunshine....

This will be the last entry to my blog.  I would like to express my sincerest gratitude for keeping up with me and I hope that you have enjoyed following along the way.

Although this Brand New Adventure has come to an end, I have just begun another one.  I am excited, optimistic, and so full of hope!

May God bless you and keep you in HIS perfect peace.

Signing off--Sarah Louise

T-W-O and ONE!!!

#2

My favorite school...

#1

My co-teacher from the elementary school,
Mrs. Kim and her son Ji Won...my lil buddy

T-H-R-E-E

#3

Let's pretend this photo can talk.  What is it saying?
"YES! Whoot-whoot! It's my LAST day at work!!"

F-O-U-R

#4



Pictures of the moon,
taken from my
apartment window....



F-I-V-E

Tuesday, August 9th

#5


"Congratulations" Celebration cake
from Chung Soo Jin
(former co-teacher at the middle school) 
...yes it was as delicious as it looks!




Soo Jin and I



Let the Countdown Continue!!

My apologies for the delay with the countdown photos.....

  #9

My trainer at the gym...Lee So Sueng.....
He is quite the comedian...

#8





My apartment building...
Mi Jin Ill Cha (Building 1)



"Recycling Center"...
Food, plastic, glass...
you name it, it gets recycled!



Another view, from the front...




 #7



The tailor, Mr. Buddy!!! 
He does great work and is so, so sweet!

#6



Bliss...



These girls work hard!!!



Let the Countdown BEGIN!!!

It's Thursday, August 4th, which means there are 10 days left of my Korean adventure...

Enjoy the countdown pictures....

#10

Found another one of my favorites!



Construction in the middle school...



Girl's restroom...yes, those are the toilets....

Mops students use to clean....
No comment....



More construction at the middle school...
This is going to be a dormitory for
middle and high school students...



School sign...



Teacher's Office...




My "desk"....



August O-N-E

August has arrived!  Hip, hip, hooray!!!  It has been one year since I left the knowns of Houston, Texas for the unknowns of South Korea.  What a year it has been!

I will return to America in 12 days....unbelievable I know!

I plan on doing a countdown beginning on Thursday, August 4th, as that will mark 10 days until I am scheduled to return.  So, instead of using words, I will (try my hardest to) post pictures, one for every day that I have remaining in Korea.

As a final farewell, I will post a reflection of the past year.  Because I probably won't have internet until I am stateside, I will more than likely write on the plane and post once I am safe and sound on U.S. soil! :)

I Appreciate It, But.....

On my way to work Monday morning, in the supermarket (I was about to buy water...), I met a lady from the Philippines.  We looked at each other and finally spoke.  Her first question was if I was from the Philippines.  After I told her no, she asked me for my phone number and email address.  I gave both of them to her and explained that I am preparing to shut my phone off because I will be leaving Korea soon.  She then asked me if I Facebook.  I politely told her that I didn't.  I took her phone number too, as a polite gesture, but I knew I wasn't going to call.

Tuesday afternoon she called me.  I was a little surprised but remembered who she was.  She invited me to go with her and her family (husband and 2 small boys) to the East Beach.  As much as I LOVE beaches, I had to tell her no.  Of course, I was very nice about it.  I told her that I really did appreciate the offer, but I wouldn't be able to go.  I have my reasons for saying no, just in case you are wondering, here are my top two:

1. I just met you and don't know you.
2. When it gets hot in Korea, it gets really hot! Because of this small kids run around and play in the water naked.  I'm not sure how old her her sons are, but I do not want to see that.  (Side note....as I was walking home from work, on the main street, I saw a little boy (maybe 2 years old) walking around with no diaper/underwear on! My thought...where are your bottoms lil buddy!)

18 days....18 more days.....

Dinner with Love

I had dinner with my vice principal (vp), his family, and two of my co-teachers, Mrs. Kim and Mr. Lee, from my FAVORITE school (SamSang Elementary).  In the beginning I was a little skeptical because I thought it was only going to be me, the vice principal and his family.  I was wrong.

The meal was interesting.  It was a little difficult fot me to eat because, well, I'm a picky eater and have had a hard time with Korean food.  We had duck, chicken, and a whole lot of other things (of which I didn't eat).

We had a good time.

As it was getting closer for us to leave I was informed of quite a few things.  Most of what I was told was translated of course, but nonetheless it was all very touching to me.

My vice principal told me (through his son) that he really doesn't want to see me go and he wished that I would stay in Korea.  The teachers and parents are very pleased with my teaching and I have exceeded all of their expectations.  My ratings from my open class were very high.  He went on to say that he loves me very much and that he has a daughter who is 31.  He told me that he has the same love for me that he has for his own daughter.  I didn't cry, but my eyes did get a little teary.

                                                      *                                   *                                    *

I agreed to go on a field trip with the students on the 12th of August.  My original plan was to leave Hongcheon on the 12th, spend the night near the airport and leave on the 13th.  The vice principal, Mrs. Kim, and Mr. Lee talked me into going on the field trip.  There was no way that I could say no.  Once I agreed they were just as excited as I was.

Although I am ready to leave Korea, it will be hard from me to leave the students and teachers of SamSang Elementary. They have found and made a place in my heart that will last forever.  Their kindness and the love that they have shown me speaks volumes.  For me to even try to describe it would do no justice.  It's something that you would have to experience for yourself.

New Glasses!

I had to get new glasses because my old ones broke.  The lenses are (somehow) too small for the frame.  They can't be put back into the frame without breaking them.  I have only had them for 1 year.  Weird, I know......

I heard getting glasses in Korea was cheap and now I believe it!

The eye exam, which is just like I would get in the states was F-R-E-E!  Yes free!

Frames range from 10,000 won to 300,000 won or more (if it's a designer frame).  The lenses also vary, (20,000 won to 90,000 won) depending on what kind of protection coating is put on.

I got very nice frames and lenses with a good protective coating.  Somehow, 10,000 won was knocked off of my lens price, which was fine by me.

I picked up my glasses today (even though they would have been ready within 10 minutes after I made all of my selections) and I am ecstatic about them! I don't think I have ever been as happy as I was to purchase a pair of glasses. And.....I hate to say it, but the quality of Korean glasses (exam included) is much better than that in America!

My F-A-V-O-R-I-T-E School

SamSang Elementary
Sangook, South Korea

Today was my last day at my favorite school, SamSang Elementary.  This school is my favorite for a few reasons.  Besides the fact that they treat me very well and take care of me, the students look after each other and the teachers ensure that students are actually learning and not just going through the motions.

It's true that kids will be kids.  They will tease each other, saying whatever they want to hurt each others feelings. SamSang students are a little different, definitely not like any other that I have ever taught.  Once these students enter the classroom, the name calling, teasing, etc. stops and students help each other.

For example, my 4th graders, who have made tremendous growth from when I first met them when they were in 3rd grade.  There is a little boy who is much lower than his classmates.  For certain subjects, he is "pulled out" and works with the special education teacher.  During English class he has a very difficult time.  Of course I do what I can and shower him with verbal praise of which he seems to understand due to his bright smile and excitement that he shows when he has done well.  I also have some "helping teachers".  The girls that sit near him always help him.  Always.  They do so willingly, never having to be told, but more so in an effort to assist their classmate who is struggling because none of us want to see him fall further behind.  How is this different from the other schools I teach at?  Good question.  At ALL of my other schools (minus the high school), students who have been "labeled" with some type of learning disability just sit.  Literally, just sit.  When I try to involve them in lessons, helping them along the way, I am told by the Korean teacher not to.  All the while I'm thinking how can you have a child in a classroom and (basically) ignore them for 45 minutes?

Mrs. Kim, my co-teacher, makes sure that students are understanding whatever we are studying in English.  In our extra classes, she made the appropriate modifications regardless of what grade students were in.  For example, during the extra after school classes, 3rd and 4th graders are grouped together and 5th and 6th graders are grouped together.  There were a few 5th graders who were moved down to the 3rd and 4th grade class because they were not able to read basic sight words.  At the same time, a 4th grader was moved up to the 5th and 6th grade class because it is evident that she is much more advanced than not only her classmates, but the older students as well.  Mrs. Kim does whatever is necessary to ensure that every students need is being met by any means necessary.

I will miss this school, especially the kids.  They are the kindest, most respectful children I have ever met.  During lunch today, one of the girls asked me, "Sarah teacher, why America?" (She was trying to ask me why I had to go back to America and why I couldn't stay).  My heart melted.....

Here are a few pictures from the day.......

5th graders.....the muscles is our "inside joke"

6th graders...

4th graders....
the girl on my left is very, very bright

This is a picture of me.  The closed eye is me winking...
One of my 6th graders, Inje, is the artist....

Thursday

Today is Thursday, which means I go to two elementary schools (it's really one school in two locations...) and the school year is finally winding down.

Today was my last day at this particular elementary school and students' last day will be next Wednesday.  They will resume school at the end of August.

Here are a few pictures of my kiddos....

1st and 2nd graders...
Just in case you can't see it,
we are making hearts with our arms...

3rd graders...

4th graders...

Couldn't help myself to my favorite.....Sunflowers!!!

I couldn't help myself with this one either....
I don't think I have ever seen a frog that small...

Randoms

After talking with Yun Jeong (the lady from the bank...), I learned a few things:

1.  When a son goes to work for a big company, after attending college (university), his parents buy him a new car.
2.  When a son gets married, his parents buy him either a new car, a house, or an apartment.
3.  It is much (much) more expensive to live in an apartment than in a house.  Some people have to take out a bank loan for their apartments.  Our living in a house, is opposite for Koreans.  Instead of buying a house, they "buy" their apartment. 
4.  It is the law that people can only change the location of their jobs once they have finished their "contracted" time.  For example, Yun Jeong works at the bank.  Until she works there for three years, she cannot leave. Teachers must stay at the same school for (about) three years before they can leave. 

                *                                              *                                     *                                        *

To show my appreciation for my co-teachers at the elementary school, I decided to give them small gifts.  Mr. Moon, who picks me up on Fridays teaches 3rd graders.  I got a gift for him and his 1 year old son.  After lunch we had a brief conversation.  (Please excuse my broken English.)

Mr. Moon: Sarah, thank you very much for the gifts.  Do I have to get you something?
Me: (with a slight look of confusion) Oh no, no! Gift is for you! Your gift to me is picking me up and bringing me to school.  I got you gifts to show my appreciation. 
Mr. Moon: Oh! Ok, ok! Thank you very much.
Me: You are more than welcome!

A Day with the Kim Family

My co-teacher from my (favorite) elementary school, Kim Soo Jin, invited me to dinner with her family.  So, I spent the day with her, her husband, brother, daughter (all of whom I met for the first time) and her son (whom I teach).  Despite the rain, we had a fun, eventful day! 

We had lunch/dinner at a VIPPS.  The food was excellent.  Their specialty is steak and seafood.  We had the lunch buffet and Mrs. Kim ordered steak and lobster.  She got the lobster for me (she learned that I love lobster yesterday at the track meet....) and it was delicious!!!!  We all ate until we could eat no more! 

The Kims...
Seated: Mrs. Kim and her daughter (she will be 2 at the end of the month);
Standing L to R: Mr. Kim, son (1st grader), brother

After eating, you can imagine we were all sleepy!  I thought I was going to get back on the bus and go home, but no way!  We were going to go to the movies to see Transformers 3 in 3D, but it was sold out so we went bowling instead.  More fun!!

Ji Won was our "ball boy"......

I hit a strike!!!!

My partner and I.  At this point we were loosing.... 

Mr. Kim hits a strike!

This was my the result of my last ball.  It was a gutter ball.
I'm hiding my face....in shame.  Needless to say, we lost! :(

After bowling, we headed to the department store and then to the grocery store so Mrs. Kim could do a little bit of shopping.  Once she finished we headed to the bus terminal so that I could catch the bus back to Hongcheon.  As I got out of the car, Mrs. Kim spoiled me even more by giving me a bottle of wine, chocolate covered sticks and fruit.  She is too good to me!  I told her brother that I am so very grateful and thankful for her!

Back to My First Love

Boy do I LOVE me some track!!!!  

My Samsaeng elementary kids had a track meet today.  I told them I was going to go, but I don't think they believed me.  I showed up and they were ecstatic!  My plan was to stay only for a few hours, but I ended up staying for the entire track meet.  I had a good time with the kids.  I saw a few of my other students from the other schools I work at; they acted like they didn't know me.......

When a few of my (Samsaeng) kids learned that I use to run track and coach, they wanted to race and of course, I couldn't say no.  Out of two races with 5 kids, only one beat me!  

The lil boy on the far right beat me!
This was also the 400 meter relay, they got 2nd.
The two boys on the far left also run the 800.
The first young man came in 2nd place.
I wish you could have seen the little boy who won, he sprinted the entire 800!  

A few of the girls...

400 meter relay....I believe they got 4th place.

Oh the memories from running track as a kid and coaching......good times! :) 

First English "Meeting"....

Today was the first English "meeting" with the Yun Jeong (the lady from the bank).  We met after she got off of work.  We had a good time and I must admit prior to our meeting I had to send up a quick prayer that God keep me open minded and help however He saw fit.

Our "plan" was to meet for only an hour, but we ended up talking for two.  I didn't mind because between the both of us, we had lots to talk about.  I learned about her, her family, her job, etc. and I'm sure she learned from me.  As you can see this wasn't the "formal" teaching of English, but instead more informal by practicing English through conversation.

During the conversation I just had to ask....."Why did you wait so long to ask for me to help you?"  It took her a little while to answer, but she did.  Turns out that she had asked a different foreign teacher (before I got here) to help her with her English and he was going to charge her 20,000 won (about $18.00) per hour.  She said she just didn't have the money (for this person to do this is illegal because as a foreign teacher in Korea you can't have another job).  After she told me this, I figured she didn't ask because she wasn't sure what my response would be or if I would charge her too.  I reassured her that it was my pleasure to be able to help.

We will meet again next week....

Ask for What You Want

Time is slowly winding down.  Middle school students begin their semester exams today (today until Friday), go camping next week, will have their English Summer Camp, and will then begin their Summer vacation (July 15th thru August 22nd)........

                                                     *                        *                           *

After asking 3 times, (yes 3!), my leave date has finally been approved.  It took so long because I decided to forgo my 14-day summer vacation so that I could leave early.  So...my this adventure will come to an end on Saturday, August 13th!  It has been nothing but God's grace and His mercy that I have been able to endure this year long journey.  More on that later......

I went to the bank today.  I've ben going to the same bank for the past year and have been working with the same lady for about the same amount of time.  Today, however, was a little different.  When I go in to take care of my banking business, she and I usually only make small talk, I make my transaction and I leave.  I went in today, tired with a headache, hoping to only be there for a short amount of time.  As she was gathering my paperwork she started to ask questions.  Then she asked for a favor, this is the short end of the conversation.

Her: "Do you think you could help me?  I know that you are busy."  This was after I told her that I work at 5 schools...
Me: "Sure. How can I help you?"
Her: "Well, do you think you could help me with my English?  You help me and I will pay you by buying you dinner or lunch."
Me: "Oh no. That's not necessary.  I will help you. No problem.  Just tell me where you want to meet and what time.  I train on Monday, Wednesday, Friday so those days won't work.
Her: "Oh great! How about Thursday? We can meet at my bank? I will call you."
Me: "Not a problem."

After our conversation I could see that she was excited.  When I informed her that I would only be here until August, her face changed, almost like she was shocked/sad/disappointed, all at the same time.  I, however, had a huge smile plastered on my face....from ear to ear!    :)

Small Scare

Over the past few weeks I haven't been feeling like my usual self.  Although I knew something was definitely wrong, I couldn't quite put my finger on it.

Last Friday, I wasn't able to deliver my elementary school lessons as I normally do--standing up.  I had to sit during most of the classes because of a severe headache and dizziness whenever I would stand.  Followed by all of this was major heat flashes.  One thing that I did know was that I am wayyyy to young for menopause!

Over the weekend, despite spending time with friends, I was still drained.

I decided to take Monday and Tuesday off and after debating with myself on whether or not to go to the doctor, the conclusion was to go.  I didn't want to go for many reasons, one of which was because what I knew needed to be done, I was very apprehensive.  So, after doing a little bit of research I found an English speaking (fluently) international clinic in Seoul.

Going to see the doctor was the best decision that I could have made.  The staff was very nice and the doctor took his time and listened to what was going on with me.  After we talked, he told me what he thought would be best, x-ray my head, urine sample, and blood work.  I will admit, I got a little teary eyed because what I wanted done was blood work.  He suggested it without me having to say it.

After all of the work was completed, the conclusion was (short version):
the headaches are migraines, I have no energy because my iron is low (and it hasn't been this low since high school).  I was given iron supplements and a prescription for the migraines.

I will get the full report of my visit within 10 days.   

    

Randomness

*  I didn't realize that Koreans plant (literally) everything that they eat.  This includes every kind of vegetable, every kind of potato, every kind of pepper, every kind of fruit (I don't think I have ever tasted anything as fresh and delicious), the list goes on and on.  I know it seems lame, but I enjoy watching it grow.  It's mind boggling.  The corn stalks are about as tall as me!

* After one of my students asked me what I was going to do for summer vacation, I explained to her that I was not going to take a summer vacation because I was leaving at the beginning of August.  She thought that I meant leaving for a summer vacation and then coming back to Korea.  After she finally understood, she got quiet and then said, "Oh, I am sad.  I don't want you to leave....." She looked like she was about to cry.

* I have a trainer at the gym!  He is pretty good.  His English is limited, but he definitely knows what he is doing.  The "class" that started out with 4, with myself included, is now just me!  Not sure what happened to the other ladies.......

And then there were 61.....

Seoraksan National Park

My day began at 5 a.m.  

I needed to catch the 6:40 a.m. bus to Sokcho, and then get on the #7 bus to get to Seoraksan National Park.

Entrance...

I arrived at the park at about 9:30 a.m.  My first order of business was to change clothes and apply some sunblock.  I knew it was going to get warmer and warmer throughout the day.  I didn't want to be looking like a little cherry tomato by the time I left. 

After a quick snack, I knew exactly where I was headed.  I had been wanting to hike this mountain for months and figured that the summer time would be the best time to do it.  I had done my research and found pictures of Ulsanbawi Rock.  Now it was time to climb it.  

Yhep! That's the Rock I wanted to climb.
This was near the entrance of the park.

It's said that this rock is one of the hardest hiker's courses in Seoraksan National Park.  The top is 876m high.  It takes about 4 hours to complete the hike; 2 hours up (3.8 km) and 2 hours down (3.8 km).  It was  definitely a challenge.  

Directions to the rock...these signs became my bff.
Anyone who knows me, knows my sense of direction
is horrible!

I first saw a picture of the mountain on the cover of my tourist book that I bought before coming to Korea.  The picture shows nothing but stairs and more stairs.  All of the pictures that I found show the same thing.  I was surprised when I got there only to find that before you get to the stairs there are nothing but rocks.  For a minute I thought I was going the wrong way and I even back tracked and stopped to ask (I wrote down the name of where I wanted to go in Korean...just in case).  The lady pointed me in the direction that I was already going.  

As I got closer and closer to the top, the stairs began.  

Headed up...
Notice the rock right in the middle.....

Then there is a sign that says...

Getting closer to the top, looking down....

Before I knew it I was at the mile marker to the top of Ulsanbawi!  It was here that I started re-thinking my "mission" to get to the top.  Looking back down I thought that there was no way I would be able to make it all the way back down (let alone the top!).  The higher you go the steeper it gets.  What changed my mind?  I saw kids, small kids and women twice my age and older continuing up the mountain.  If they can do it, surely I can too!  I also told myself that I didn't come all this way to stop and quit 1 mile from the top.

Maybe 30 (or so) minutes later....I reached the top of the mountain!  It was worth it!  I had actually gone at a very good time too.  On the way down there were way more people, so many that they had to wait in a line to get up.  This would be scary because the path gets very narrow only allowing one person to pass at a time. 

After soaking in the top, taking videos, and pictures, I slowly began the journey back down.  This is what I witnessed....

Rock climbers.......

I thought going down would be just as tough as it was going up, but it wasn't that bad.  I felt like I was on the Amazing Race.  

With my great hike completed, I left the park kissed by the sun, and headed back to the bus station headed for home.  I know my legs are going to be beyond sore tomorrow, but it was worth it!