The past two days my heart has been sad because one of my student's parents decided to put her and her 3 siblings in another school due to the move. I know it has only been a week, but she added so much to class and her absence was felt. Now I have 4 students, but may gain more as we move locations.
There is a smell that meets me each morning in the hall and then in my room, it is musty and damp......and just imagine it. It does take only a couple of minutes to get use to it though. Life seems uneventful, yet interesting still at the same time. I pretty much go to school and come home.
I did start Tae Kwon Do on Monday. I've had a total of 2 classes already. I think the challenge will be fun and it is a way to stay in shape, with goals to work towards. It will also give me something to do 3 nights a week. The funny part is that I am the oldest in class and the one to struggle the most speaking Korean. It is funny and the point for telling you is because in a class the person with the highest rank (belt) acts as captain, however if all the students are at the same level then the oldest one does. That being me by 9 years means I must give the commands of "cha-ryau" (attention) and "kjung-ryue" (bow) before and after class. The first class, Master Kang smiled at my attempt and said I could use English. I practiced the next 2 days and tried my hardest to pronounce correctly, but it is pretty comical still.
I love going across the street to the Market. There is a lady there whom has always spoken to me in the little English she knows. Last Thursday, she asked if the picture in my key chain was "your mother". She only glanced at it, I replied with "no a friend", so she then asked "you single?". Which it is not rude here to inquire of a person's age, martial status, and occupation like it is suppose to be in the States (though I was asked the same thing all the time, so is it really considered rude in the States?).
The next night she asked if I "speak Korean". I responded with a little and then shared what I knew. I think she and another lady were amused and enjoyed my attempt with entertainment for the moment. Only been in twice since then. Once she was not there and the other she was on the other side and waved with a huge smile.
I did come across the sweetest old lady in the elevator at the apartments one day. She kept trying to speak to me. I kept saying "mo lah yo" but I don't think she got that I didn't understand a word she was saying. As she keep going on, I just wished I knew what she was saying and I wanted to hug her, she was so cute.
As I did laundry Saturday, I found the thing I miss the most (other than people) from home is my DRYER. We only have a washer and have to hang stuff up to dry. Towels aren't so soft this way. I also think I did more ironing than I have my whole life at one time. Oh well, a luxury I'll have to get use to not having. I also know that I will miss my down comforter. One night it was a little chilly and I so longed to wrap up in it. I know once it gets cold I am really gonna miss this too.
My heel has finally almost healed. At least it hasn't bothered me that bad since the weekend. Actually, it didn't seem to hurt much over the weekend as I had more pain in my left knee. I must have pulled something in it. I could barely walk on Sunday. I took lots of Ibuprofen (thanks for suggesting I bring that Allyson). It remained sore until about Tuesday (but even if it had still hurt I was gonna still do Tae Kwon Do). Praise God it went away and that He has taught me how to endure through so many different kinds of pain. The pain wasn't gonna stop me from anything.
Lastly, I'll close with how much fun lunch at school has been this week. Another teacher has been ordering lunch for me. I never know what I'll be having, just that it'll be Korean. Everyday I have had something different and have liked it all so far. A couple of things I've really liked.
At the moment I'd say Kimbab, Bibimbop, and noodles with black bean sauce (though messy) are my favorite. (Allyson, I am glad I started getting black beans at Chipotle).
Though I have impressed a couple of people with the fact I can eat rice dishes with chopsticks and being new to Korea. The messy noodles, though fun to eat with chopsticks, were a different story.
On Sunday, when I had them I know I really entertained the man at the next table with my eating of these messy noodles. However, I know I would have done better with wooden chopsticks. All restaurants use are metal, which are much thinner and harder to use in general. So eating noodles with them was very entertaining to say the least. But I did finish them all, very slowly and my hand really hurt. I told Gretchen that I need to find some metal chopsticks to buy so I could practice at home.
I also feel so blessed that God chose me for this adventure for such a time as this. He has provided an amazing staff in community for me to be working with. I love seizing moments to get to know them and I am sure entertain them as well..........
No comments:
Post a Comment