Headlines: Artillery fire on Korean border

      Hi! News travels fast and I am sure that you have all been inundated with the news regarding North Korea's fierce attack on South Korea. My knowledge of the conflict is currently no more than you; I am receiving all of the same news. I would like you to know that I am safe, registered with the United States Embassy, watching the news, and living over two hours and some ocean from Yeonpyeong Island. 

A little more on North Korea and the conflict:     

CNN - Explainer: Why are the two Koreas so hostile?

Vice Guide to North Korea - A series of three videos taken in North Korea. 

Music Videos, Shopping, and Community

      The weeks are still zooming by. As I look ahead at my calendar I am eagerly anticipating Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations begging the time to slow down just a bit. There are quiet moments when I am on a bus, walking down the street, or crawling into bed where I find myself viewing my life through a lens, pinching myself to make sure I am aware that this is my life. The week concluded with "Friday Fun Day" in my classes. I hasten the students through the lessons on Friday in order to have a little running around the classroom. It is helpful to watch them laugh and play. It often reminds me that they are only six year olds. 

      At the end of the day Natalie and I walked to "And the Twelve," our coffee shop. On the way we found a lovely market and meandered through neighborhoods that were spotted with houses rather than large apartments. This stroll through the local neighborhoods sparked my reflection for the weekend. The relationship between capitalistic culture that breeds consumerism, "Christmas" spirit, and affectionate ties. As the night drew to a close with good friends, milk tea, and Christmas I was brought to tears of joy for a new community that I feel so close and a slight pang for new holiday traditions.  

      Saturday I woke up and made my way back to Seoul to reunite with an old college friend, Alyssa. Like me, Alyssa is teaching in Korea. She is a vibrant women with a love for Korean pop culture. She educated me on a Korea that I am not familiar with. Alyssa's love for K-pop and passion for performing lead her to audition for a musical promotion a local tv station was hosting. Thus, on Saturday I was able to watch her and a friend film. Here is the final product. Great job Alyssa!

Click to see the video! 

      In addition to being with Alyssa in the city, I was shopping and meeting up with friends from Cheongju. Throughout the afternoon I was taken by all of the people on the streets, the shopping malls and advertisements. It was not new to me for it permeates much of
 Korea. However, it made me feel isolated in many ways. I would waffle between the desire to purchase a few gifts for myself, after all it is my birthday and Christmas soon, and  disdain for a culture that resembles the States and so many others in an artificial happiness. This consumer happiness is so engrained that it has been hard for me to view it with a analytical eye. During my time here so far I have enjoyed many trips, dinners out and a luxurious life style. Doesn't that place me in the throngs that capitalism desire to continue advancement. Furthermore, I was enamored by all of the people. The vast number of people are fun to watch and also remind me that life is about learning from one another and being open. It made me desire to be able to interact with the community in a more integrated way. All of these thoughts, and many more, were swimming in my head as a friend made the comment, "Isn't that the life in the city, being completely surrounded by people but feeling all alone." That was it... the connection I was missing the link that helped me bridge the gap between what I was experiencing, my outside perception of people in the masses to the reality that identity does not come through those around us or the materialism we engage in rather from within. 

      On Sunday I was greeted with a vastly different experience. I attended my worship service and spent the rest of the day with friends playing games, talking, laughing and discussing intentional communities. The difference of fulfillment between Saturday and Sunday was not in the people I was with rather the activities we were doing. Saturday was fun, but Sunday was a day where I was just present. I was not asked to buy, I was not encouraged that my happiness came from a shirt, shoe, hat or make-up. I was reminded that my life should be rooted in God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  The blessing of the church community helped me to reach within myself, reminded me to ground my thoughts in the Lord, and encouraged me to strive to break the confines of materialism. It also drew my mind to a portion of a blog I read my first few days in Korea. The blog was written by another young women in reflection of her first month in Korea and helpful pointers. Within the blog she stated, ""The stronger, deeper, and more numerous your affective ties, the better." These past few weeks but especially today have been testament to this statement. The people I have met in Korea have made moving here as comfortable as moving anywhere, perhaps even more comfortable. They offer friendship, laughter, advice, an ear and love. When moments become difficult, it has been these "affectionate ties" that have made me walk on not the false promises of buying something new. 

     These reflections possess me with the opportunity to truly create a Thanksgiving and Christmas that is about giving thanks and spreading love. Not one that is wrapped in a bow with a price tag, rather one that is a hug, a laugh, a smile, a note.  

Not a Tomboy!?!?

      This past week has been a little difficult for me. I have begun to internalize the small differences of being in another country and wish I had taken the time to begin to learn the language. I always have many goals in my life. That is among the top goals at the moment!
      Despite these challenges I resurrected to an evening at the hair salon with my friends/co-workers. Hair salons in Korea are incredible, you can get your hair to look like absolutely anything for a very reasonable price. For instance, I thought that many Koreans had naturally curly or wavy hair. Come to find out that the majority of it is a permanent. These permanents are nothing like those back home. Rather, they are amazing, long lasting, and tweaked to your fancy. Perhaps you are wondering if I got a perm?!?  No, not yet anyway. After getting over hair styler anxiety( I have had my hair cut by Heather for the past 10+ years) I settled into a comfortable seat for a top of the line style that only costs about $10 USD. While "Edward Scissor Hands" styled my hair I became excited for hair long enough to donate and the possibilities afterwards! There just might be a new me waiting around the corner. While at the hair salon we were chatting about childhood, etc. over a fresh coat of nail polish when Gayeon was surprised that as a "child" I was a tomboy. I chuckled to myself. Have I really grown out of my tomboy persona? I don't know whether to be relieved or shocked.
     The evening out was nice. Working full-time, as many of you know, is very time consuming. There can be weeks where I realized I have not done much other than work, read, and enjoy a few nice dinners. I shall try to be present in these moments of relaxation, reflections, and learning before starting a Korean Hip Hop Class next month. That's right, I signed up for a five day a week class with a few of my co-workers. I warned them that I have no rhythm, don't speak Korean, and can't carry a beat. They laughed, said I was lying and badgered me until I said yes. I am sure there will many funny tales in the not so near future.

Another Saturday in the Mountains

      My week was action packed and I couldn't believe it was already the weekend. Although I was excited for a day with my new friends at Sangdang Church I was beginning to feel overwhelmed by a new culture, lack of sleep, school load, and well.... just life. These emotions were enhanced by a restless night of sleep and a missed alarm causing me to scramble out of bed, into my clothes, and out the door to join the group.

      As the day began I wished I could create a new expression. Everyone knows the saying, "I woke up on the wrong side of the bed." Well, I didn't "wake up on the wrong side of the bed," I was not crabby rather I was quite enamored by the beautiful sunrise. I do believe that on Saturday, "the bed woke up on the wrong side of me." Not only did my alarm not go off, I missed the bus, barely hailed a taxi in time, and forget my cell phone in the taxi and it was only seven thirty in the morning. The day turned out to be extremely fun. It was filled with countless laughs, new friends, singing, sweating, pictures, food and bikes. 

       In order to have a view from a look out bridge we had to wait in a long line of people. While waiting, I began to reflect on the wilderness of South Korea; sixty percent of Korea's land is mountains and thirty percent is inhabitable. This being so, the fifty million people in Korea live in well structured cities and on the weekend many escape from the city to be in their natural surroundings. The wilderness however, does not offer the serenity of Canada, Minnesota or northern Wisconsin. Quite the contrary, the country side if filled with buses, upon buses of people streaming up and down mountains. Initially this did not bother me, but as I was having a, "the bed woke up on the wrong side of me day," it was a little frustrating. Later on the in hike however, I had an epiphany and became thankful for all the people surrounding me. They are a testament to Korean's desire to be outside and healthy. In addition, they are a wonderful example of ..... if we care for God's creation it can provide for many. 

     This hiking trip ended differently from previous ones. On the way home we were taken to a bamboo forest. This was my first time seeing bamboo and I was not aware how hard it is. I learned that the latitude Damyang is the highest latitude bamboo can grow. After our journey through the bamboo forest we boarded the bus for a three hour drive home. It was not long before the microphone was broken out and the whole bus was singing for the WHOLE ride. When we arrived home my luck was still following me, the buses had stop running and taxi's were hard to come by. I was thankful for my day of fellowship with new friends but equally thankful to curl up in bed.

Pepero Day ~ "Not another Commercial Holiday"

 Right now you may find yourself asking, "What is Pepero Day?" Perhaps you are thinking back to your recent outings and what you saw in the news. Did you miss something? No fear, Pepero Day has not been smothered by Halloween, Thanksgiving, or  Christmas in the states. Rather, Perpero Day is, "not a commercial holiday" celebrated in Korea. Pepero is a stick candy that is very similar to a pirouette and is given as a special gift to friends, family and significant others. It is very similar to  Valentine's Day but celebrated on 11/11 due to the resemblance of the numbers. 

      Pepero Day was my first holiday celebrated as a teacher. It was a day when teachers receive so many treats that they don't know what to do with them!! So, I did what many teachers do with a surplus of treats, shared them with my classes. There is nothing better than adding to the sugar rush and excitement of students on special days! The energy and sugar created a great platform for teaching and a way to have a little extra fun with the kids. I made sure I planned interesting lessons to keep everyone involved and not running around the room. The most difficult part of the day was that it was not a Friday and we could not sleep off the sugar high... rather, rally for the final day of the week. 

SpaVille

  This week marked the end of Speech Contest where I was working additional hours helping the students prepare. It was a week that started with a surprise "late start" for foreign staff! Although we had the morning off I arrived at work early. After my first month of teaching I had a plan on how to make productive lesson plans, prepping for the week and creating new activities. It proved successful! Not only did the rest of the week run smoothly, but it ultimately provided me with more time to relax at work, think creatively, and impress my manager.

     The best part of teaching this week was teaching my elementary students about Paul Bunyan. It was fun to bring them on the journey that is so close to my heart. I think they thought he was real, and as big as a giant squid. The tales of Paul shall never cease.

      In addition to this week marking the end overtime, it also was the end of Natalie, my co-worker, and my first month. To reward ourselves we decided to go on an outing to a sauna, SpaVille. SpaVille was incredible, and soon to become a weekly routine. The outing began when Natalie and I were stumped by buying a city bus pass. To give you a visual, the moment was similar to the following excerpt from Zoolander:

      I am proud to say that Natalie and I "did not lose our cool" and we were "smarter than the machine." That is after we called a friend and found out the passes weren't in the machine after all rather, they were sold in a friendly kiosk nearby. The embarrassment of our Zoolander moment quickly ceased as we mounted the stairs for our first spa experience.
       Spaville is a public sauna and bath house. Image a complex with multiple saunas, lounging rooms, food, and most important a luxury bath room with different temperature baths. It was an experience to behold. Natalie and I found our quiet places and washed away all of the stress and anxiety that may have  compounded over the first month. Leaving refreshed and rejuvenated I was ready to do some interior designing in my apartment and relax.