NINE

There are only nine days left over here in Korealand. My new beard count... is higher than before. I don't know what the last number was, but I saw a beard yesterday that beat all other beards. It was long, and almost full.

I also saw the results of parking your scooter behind a trash truck on a hill. CRUNCH. The trash truck driver had apparently gotten out of his truck without setting the brake, or maybe without even thinking about the fact that he was on a hill, or maybe the brake failed? I dunno. He yelled and tried to get people out of the way, and all escaped unharmed, except one scooter. Mangled. Just utterly destroyed. Poor thing, never stood a chance.

As my time winds down over here I am becoming paranoid with thoughts of personal injury. Twice today while I was biking I thought about how awful it would be crash. The other day I was riding along behind an old man. He had a flat back tire. He also had a huge load of junk balanced precariously on the back of his bike. As he rode along he was honking his horn, to warn people he was coming. It's a good idea. So he was approaching this one girl who was walking along, listening to her iPod. He was honking away but she wasn't looking. Then she must have heard him because she started looking around, and then, HORROR of horrors, she stepped INTO his path, instead of out of it. So he swerved and missed her by an inch, but part of his pile of stuff caught on her. Everything avalanched off his bike onto the sidewalk, she jumped out of the way and kept going, but he wiped out. Poor old guy. So I had to swerve around him and his mess to avoid becoming part of the accident. He wasn't hurt at all. He managed to leap, gracefully, out of harms way and remain upright while his bike crashed. Crazy Koreans and their balancing skills. But, now I am paranoid. Some people ride their car horns, I ride my bike bell. Ding ding, GIT OUT OF MY WAY.

Yesterday I met up with what's left of my orientation group. We get along so much better now than we used to. I think anyway. We had a nice time eating and talking. Lots of laughing and joking. What a funny bunch.

On Thursday I have invited my religion students over to eat at my place. I am going to make lasagna and brownies. Two of my favorite things in the whole world. I don't know if they will like it at all, but if they don't that's ok, more for me!

Also, today my fellow teachers at this institute got me a cake and shot confetti at me. Small, impromptu going away party during staff meeting. It was fun. I had to make another speech. I guess I should have just prepared some speeches, since I have already had to give two. Hopefully that is the end, but probably not. Sigh. It's hard to leave people. I will miss these people a lot. I have been working with some of them for the whole year that I have been here. Others only a few months, but when you work together, fight together and live together you become close quickly. I want to come home more than anything but I will miss these dear people who have become like family to me. And I will miss this church. It is such a close group. We all spend insane amounts of time together on the weekends. It feels like home, and it is always hard to leave a home.

But I need to come back to my life. I need to try to make my home in Americaland again. Speaking of homes, I really want to get a house. Not today. Someday soon. It would be so nice not to have to move every year. For the past... four years? Every year I have moved to a new apartment. It is exhausting. I am sick of packing and unpacking. I want to unpack and stay a while.

Anyway, my countdown is getting smaller. It seems like only yesterday I was sitting in orientation, learning way too much way too fast. And now... I am leaving. It took so long and happened so fast. My brain doesn't even know what to do with it all.

the end for now =)

One year ago today...

One year ago I today, I was tired, confused, hot and sticky. I was in a new country, far, FAR away from anything I knew. I was with a group of people I didn't know, learning how to teach to people I didn't know. It was overwhelming.

I remembering arriving in the airport and it was eerie. I have never been in an airport that was so silent. It was like all the people had been muted. I remember standing there, feeling gross and tired, waiting for my luggage, listening to the hushed talking. Words I didn't understand. I remember being overly excited about the free luggage carts they offered. Then we went out of the baggage area, and saw a sign welcoming us to our new home. "SDA" it was like a guiding light, piercing through the tiredness. =P

And then meeting everyone, trying to be polite when all I really wanted was a shower, and a bed. And to be left alone. Something that wouldn't happen for a long time. We rode the bus for what seemed like hours, days even. At first the outside world could have been any state in America, but as we came into the city things were not the same. The first thing I noticed were the girls. Walking around in their short shorts and the highest heels ever. And I'll admit it, my first thought was, why are there so many hookers walking around in public. But of course I didn't realize that girls in Korea are NOT hookers, and that it is very common to wear heels with everything. And that was just the beginning of the wonders this country had in store for me.

And now it has been a year. The weather is almost identical. Hot, rainy and SO humid. At that time, I didn't know what kind of evil was possessing my hair. And now I have learned to embrace the curliness that I apparently have. The apartment is the same. New room... but that's about it. The sounds are the same, the smells are the same. Most things seem the same. But the difference is, I am used to it now. It's not making me feel out of place. It just feels like yet another apartment, in yet another city. Not that I have lived in many cities, but I sure have lived in a lot of apartments. The sounds don't scare me. Even being honked at on the road doesn't send me into a full body spasm anymore, thank goodness.

I ride my bike places. I ignore people who are staring. I ignore people who are yelling. I ignore the stench wafting out of the drain that I walk over every single day. I duck as I go under that one sign that is really too low for humans, maybe ok for Hobbits... I check the mirror as I come up to the dangerous side street. I jump out of the way for scooters and then keep going. I walk everywhere and like it. I have learned which doors don't open and which ones do. I understand that bathrooms can have toilet paper in the stall, or not. But either way you shouldn't flush it. I never, ever, for any reason drink tap water. I put my shoes in a bag when I travel, to keep them from contaminating my other stuff. These are normal to me now.

This is not a big surprise, this is what happens when you live somewhere long enough. And this isn't really supposed to shock and amaze you. This is more for my own personal reflection.

One year ago today, I embarked on a journey across the world, to a place many thought was dangerous. And I survived, so far anyway. I stuck it out, even though I didn't want to sometimes. I braved the elements and never want to live through winter in Korea again. I taught I learned, I met people. It was fun. And I am glad I did it. AND you should do it too.

the end

Vacation

Man, this was the best vacation ever. I definitely spent WAY too much money, on things I probably didn't need, but really, most was spent on food. But too much either way. Our vacation got extended by two days due to a typhoon. I have never been so happy to see a storm.

We played on the beach, watched a lot of TV, went to some museums, slept, swam, played and relaxed. We are right now, sitting in a coffee shop, killing time til we go to the airport. We are on seperate flights on the way back. When they cancelled our other flight we had to reschedule and it was easier to find one seat than two. So that's fine with me... I'm a big girl. =P

I am getting so anxious to come home..... Eeek. It's so close now! Like, hardly any time left. I am starting to think I am running out of time to do all the last minute things I have been waiting to do. I already have a list of things I need to do before I leave....

I am excited to get back to my children... Even though I didn't really miss them at all this week. But I do not mind them. And I am excited about art class tomorrow! Hehee..

That is all for now.. see ya on the other side

Michelle

26 more days!!

I am currently in Jeju. Jeju is an Island in Korea. It is further south and so it feels more tropical. My roommate, Cleo, and i came down last Sunday and are returning to Seoul this coming Sunday. We have had a blast down here. Spent WAY too much money, but had a lot of fun. We went to the Teddy Bear museum, Ripley's believe it or not, we went ATV-ing, Go carting, and to the beach! I got the first and worst sunburn of my life. I have gotten what I thought were sunburns in the past, a couple times, like, seriously, two times, but this is MUCH worse. Last night I thought I was going to die. Thankfully it seems less burny today. I sure can sympathize with people now though. I never knew how awful it could be.

Last weekend we had summer camp with all the school in Korea. About 900 people came. It was quite busy, but also fun. Fun to see other teachers who we don't get to see very often, and fun to hang out and bond with the students who we don't get to really hang out with too much while at school. There is something about sharing one bathroom with 8 other women that really brings out the bonding.... lol. We had a lot of time to socialize while we waited our turn in there. Loooong nights, that's for sure.

There are only 26 days left, for me. I am excited and ready to come home. Looking forward to this next section of my life. Whatever it may bring. =-)

That's all for now

Michelle

45 more days. OH MY!

Apparently Korea only knows two kinds of weather in the summer. Insane rain, or insane heat. Having just finished about a month of torrential downpours, I woke up this morning, possibly in the middle of the night, sticky with sweat. And then when the sun woke me up this morning, I knew it would be a scorcher. Thing is I didn't really know what a scorcher was til I actually went outside. The humidity vanished and has been replaced by the MOST intense heat I have ever felt. I am sure being surrounded by concrete and pavement doesn't help, but I can feel it radiating on me even inside.

Things I have learned in Korea. They don't joke about weather. When it says it will be cold, it will be VERY COLD. When they say it will rain for a couple weeks, they mean it will RAIN, HARD, for a couple weeks. When they say in June, oh this isn't hot yet, it's because they know what's coming in July and August. Phew. The thing is... I don't have an air conditioner. I know, poor me. But seriously, poor me. In a strange, annoying way, I am kind of getting used to it. I guess living without it all the time makes you adjust. I find myself getting cold if the temperature dips below 27*C. I must be losing circulation, or I'm getting old. Or I caught what most of my ancestors seem to have had, constant coldness, even in extreme heat. Thanks ancestors. At this very moment it is 34 degrees, feels like 38. Which for you american folk is 93, but feels like 101. That is a pretty severe difference if you ask me. Also makes me confused. If it feels like 101, isn't the temp just 101? Why is it only 93... when it feels like, to everyone, 101? I don't understand that.

Yesterday I went with Karen, one of my orientation buddies, to Namsan tower. Also known as N Seoul Tower. We dressed up all fancy and Kenton came along for his fourth visit, and we got a reservation at the top of the tower at a revolving restaurant. It was very fancy. Small food that cost a lot of money. I actually had money left this month and I figured its something I will never do again and I am here, might as well splurge. It was delicious. However, I am not sure if it was the food, or something else, but my stomach is not overly excited today. I drank a cup full of charcoal... and Uhm, well, its been a painful day. I will spare you the nasty details. Last week I got another bug, or something, and ended up staying in bed for a day. Wasn't able to stand up without losing my food. So I think I am wearing out. I need a rest. Ha, such a Korean thing to say. They are always saying, "take a rest, why don't you take a rest". Mostly it means, take a break, or take a nap, or go to sleep. Anyway, I need SOME rest. Like possibly a month of it.

I have been researching getting a masters in education, emphasis on early childhood development. While it is daunting to think about, I kind of really want to do it. The thing is school always costs money. Which means I need a job first... then save for a while, Then go to school for a while, THEN get another job. Sounds like a terrible process. Baby steps... baby steps.

And for those of you wondering, my return date is Sept 1. Please don't be too anxious to see me, I plan on hibernating for at least a week before facing people and questions... My ticket has been purchased. It is an awful trip, this time made worse by multiple layovers and plane changes and so forth. I will be as good as dead when I finally make it to Chattanooga. But have no fear, after I have readjusted to normal life I will be around to see ALL of you... whoever you may be... if in fact we are friends/you still want to see me. That sort of thing =)

and that is all for now.

Michelle

It's raining, it's pouring...

I have literally NEVER seen so much continuous rain in my life. It has been raining, nearly all day everyday, for TWO WEEKS. WHY!?

And then today I woke up and my power was off. I woke up because I was suffocating because my fan turned off and there was no air circulation in my room. Tried to go back to sleep but it was like sleeping in a sauna. So I gave up and got up. But, what is there to do when you don't have any books, and the internet doesn't work? Go to Tabi, that's what.

Tabi is a super cute coffee shop right next to my apartment. It is run by a man and his wife who have traveled all over the world. In their travels they collected random stuff and so the decor in the coffee shop is very unique. Pictures and souvenirs from all over the place. And they happen to make the best french toast in the world! YUM.

So I have just been sitting here, for what seems like forever. Listening to the rain beat against the window and talking to random friends online. What a cool way to spend Sunday. Oh well, it's not like I had any plans anyway.

Today there are only 60 days left til I come home. I think... maybe its 59.. either way, its less than it was yesterday!

Today/yesterday was my Grandpa's Memorial service. I wish I could have been there to see the family and love everyone... But it's ok. I got to say goodbye and that's really what is important I think.

I don't have a lot to say actually.... I am just bored, really bored. Maybe I should go do something. I just can't think of anything to do.... It's raining... I have to walk everywhere. I don't want to spend any money... UGH!

I guess I will leave you out of my misery!

That's all from rainy Korea

Michelle

Day 69

Today was a hard day. Not only has it been raining for a week, with no end in sight, but this morning my dear Grampa died. He died peacefully in his sleep, with his wife and daughter nearby. I had often imagined what I would do when I receive the inevitable news that his body had finally given up the struggle, but my reaction was not something I could have planned for. I thought I would be happy, glad to know he was no longer in pain, but instead I was just so sad. So suddenly sad. I don't think I have ever spontaneously burst into tears before. All I could think about was, "how is this possible? He was supposed to never die." What a crazy thought to have. But am I crazy? To me Grampa ran the world. In some way I always thought he was in charge of everything. Time, probably; money, for sure; death, absolutely. He always seemed to make things happen, or not let things happen. I kind of always assumed that he could just do anything. And so when he started getting sick, I always just assumed he would get better. And he usually did. He would get very sick, we would all worry, and then bam! The next thing I would knew he was back to his usual self. I never thought there would be an actual end to him. Even today, while my sister calmly explained to me over Skype, what had happened, I felt like I was in shock. "Wait, it really happened?"

It took me a long time to get over that initial shock. And then I went to work and got hit with it again as everyone seemed to know and want to offer sympathy. Which I appreciated, but there is something about being told over and over how awful it must be, that makes it really truly awful. Then I never know what to say when someone says, "I'm so sorry for your loss". Thank you? I'm sorry too? *look away awkwardly and mumble*? I feel like everyone expects a fountain of tears, and then they can just hug you and move on... but if you don't produce the tears at that moment, then it becomes awkward.... you can't escape, they can't escape... no one knows what to do. THEN if you start crying some other random time they nod, like they had just been waiting for the dam to break. I know I do the same thing when faced with other people grieving... I just wish their was some kind of guide book that we could all read to learn how to deal in these situations. But then again, everyone needs different things. So who knows.

So all afternoon I fought the tears. They came and went. Sometimes I felt fine, and then without warning they would come back, full force. The strange thing is, whenever I thought about Grampa today I thought about him laughing in the sunshine. I have this picture of him in my mind, in Nova Scotia, out in the back yard. The sun is kind of going down, so everything is really bright and yellow and green, and he is laughing. I don't know what he is laughing at, or why, but he's just laughing. And it's summer and I can see the fuzz floating through the air, and its so quiet, except for his laugh. Or he's sitting in the living room, in his chair, taking a nap with his mouth wide open. Or he's petting Susie on the front step. Or he's painting....

I think I will always remember him fondly. He was one of the best. I still can't believe I won't get to see him again on this earth... Bye bye Grampa. I love you.

Today is day 69. only a little over two months to go here in Korealand. We are expecting a typhoon to come through this weekend. Should be exciting times. We had a typhoon last September. I think I blogged about the downed power line outside my apartment. Hopefully this years will be less exciting. Justin told me not to ride my bike, climb any trees or hang from the power lines during the Typhoon. I guess that's pretty solid advice ;-) I will try to let you know how it all pans out. I think that is all the blogging I have in me for tonight.

I hope wherever you are and whatever you are doing, you have people around you that love you. And shoulders to cry on, and arms to hold you. I hope that you are safe, and warm, and dry.

That is all.

Michelle