We're blessed and thankful to have a Christian vice principal. Praise God!
Our principal and director (a married couple), however, are buddhist.
Thanks to our church, we got them a Bible in Korean. Tonight Beka and I each wrote them a letter telling them why we're giving them a Bible, why it's so important to us, and a bit of our own stories.
We need prayers as we're going to ask our vice principal to translate our letters as they speak very minimal English. Pray that our VP would translate our letters and not be afraid to do it.
Pray for us also for the courage to give it to them without looking back. Pray that we wouldn't focus on the short term such as how they could possibly negatively react but on long term, and a chance for them to receive eternal life. Pray that we would demonstrate the light of God to them and our students.
Most importantly, pray for God to prepare their hearts for His word and for them to accept the knowledge of truth.
1 Timothy 2:1, 3-5
"First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people....This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.."
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Sunday, May 13, 2012
Vacation Recap
I've adopted Ethan's theory that when I'm not working, I'm on vacation. Final bell Monday? Vacation. Weekends? Vacation. You get the idea.
This weekend we were even able to stay at the Samsung Hotel for vacation! Anders, our friend and Samsung employee, gave us a free voucher to stay in the new wing at the hotel. It's about a 25 minute walk from where we live, just on the other side of the bay. So we packed up and headed there right after school on Friday. The voucher also came with a coupon for breakfast! We checked in, got ready and dressed up, and headed downstairs for a cocktail. Then we headed to our favorite restaurant that is just up the road from the hotel for dinner. We enjoyed a relaxing night in and got lots of rest! Saturday we headed to breakfast where we were pleased to see 'western' items such as cheese, potatoes, waffles, and bacon for Beka. Then after checking out at the front desk, we headed down and checked in at the gym & spa. (The night before I asked about this and the employee gave us free vouchers for this too as usually you have to pay.)
Let me tell you, I felt like I was at home in that gym, surrounded by Cybex weight machines and later swimming laps in their pool! It was very nice and it was the first time I had lifted weights or swam laps in 3 months. We worked out for 1 1/2 hours.
Then, spa time. For those of you that aren't aware, spas in Korea are very different from the states. The main difference? They don't allow you to wear a swimsuit. And trust me, they would correct you if you tried otherwise. We'd heard about the spas, so we knew the drill. We were a bit hesitant but we couldn't pass it up! So we headed downstairs in our towels. Thankfully there were only 3 other Korean ladies there but it was funny because they were staring even before we dropped the towels. (We had been warned about this too.) So we joked about going confidently in the direction of our dreams..and well, our dream at that moment was to enjoy the spa! They have a dry sauna, a wet sauna, a cold tub, a hot tub, and a really hot tub. They have individual standing showers with the works (shampoo, conditioner, body wash), and individual sitting shower stations with the works. The had exfoliating towels too. I guess most spas also have women working there that massage you, but we were pleased that no one tried to touch us! After that, you can head upstairs to stations to get ready. They were sitting stations with sinks, blow dryers, face wash, toner, moisturizer, and body lotion. We took full advantage of the amenities. Afterwards I felt like a new woman! After the initial awkwardness of being fully exposed, it really is an enjoyable time. We're not really sure how it's not socially acceptable to show your collar bone, but you are required to strip down for the spa, but hey, when in Korea, do as the Koreans, right?
Last night we stayed at Cherrel's place. It so happened to work out that we asked to stay so that we wouldn't be late to church for worship as we moved our service time 30 minutes earlier, and since it's Mother's Day we got up early to make breakfast for Cherrel. We practiced the songs last night and then relaxed and watched American Idol. Now I'm hooked and told Cherrel I would need to come watch the remaining 3 episodes. Church was a entertaining as I has a surprise solo. Yes, solo. 4 months ago I would have laughed if you told me I'd be singing on the worship team let alone singing a solo! It worked out but it wasn't on my agenda, that's for sure.
We're excited because next week we're going to the Yeosu Expo. It's a huge expo that's going on for 3 months. It had the third largest opening ceremony next to the Olympics and the World Cup so it's a pretty big deal! Here's a link if you want to check it out: http://eng.expo2012.kr/main.html
This weekend we were even able to stay at the Samsung Hotel for vacation! Anders, our friend and Samsung employee, gave us a free voucher to stay in the new wing at the hotel. It's about a 25 minute walk from where we live, just on the other side of the bay. So we packed up and headed there right after school on Friday. The voucher also came with a coupon for breakfast! We checked in, got ready and dressed up, and headed downstairs for a cocktail. Then we headed to our favorite restaurant that is just up the road from the hotel for dinner. We enjoyed a relaxing night in and got lots of rest! Saturday we headed to breakfast where we were pleased to see 'western' items such as cheese, potatoes, waffles, and bacon for Beka. Then after checking out at the front desk, we headed down and checked in at the gym & spa. (The night before I asked about this and the employee gave us free vouchers for this too as usually you have to pay.)
Let me tell you, I felt like I was at home in that gym, surrounded by Cybex weight machines and later swimming laps in their pool! It was very nice and it was the first time I had lifted weights or swam laps in 3 months. We worked out for 1 1/2 hours.
Then, spa time. For those of you that aren't aware, spas in Korea are very different from the states. The main difference? They don't allow you to wear a swimsuit. And trust me, they would correct you if you tried otherwise. We'd heard about the spas, so we knew the drill. We were a bit hesitant but we couldn't pass it up! So we headed downstairs in our towels. Thankfully there were only 3 other Korean ladies there but it was funny because they were staring even before we dropped the towels. (We had been warned about this too.) So we joked about going confidently in the direction of our dreams..and well, our dream at that moment was to enjoy the spa! They have a dry sauna, a wet sauna, a cold tub, a hot tub, and a really hot tub. They have individual standing showers with the works (shampoo, conditioner, body wash), and individual sitting shower stations with the works. The had exfoliating towels too. I guess most spas also have women working there that massage you, but we were pleased that no one tried to touch us! After that, you can head upstairs to stations to get ready. They were sitting stations with sinks, blow dryers, face wash, toner, moisturizer, and body lotion. We took full advantage of the amenities. Afterwards I felt like a new woman! After the initial awkwardness of being fully exposed, it really is an enjoyable time. We're not really sure how it's not socially acceptable to show your collar bone, but you are required to strip down for the spa, but hey, when in Korea, do as the Koreans, right?
Last night we stayed at Cherrel's place. It so happened to work out that we asked to stay so that we wouldn't be late to church for worship as we moved our service time 30 minutes earlier, and since it's Mother's Day we got up early to make breakfast for Cherrel. We practiced the songs last night and then relaxed and watched American Idol. Now I'm hooked and told Cherrel I would need to come watch the remaining 3 episodes. Church was a entertaining as I has a surprise solo. Yes, solo. 4 months ago I would have laughed if you told me I'd be singing on the worship team let alone singing a solo! It worked out but it wasn't on my agenda, that's for sure.
We're excited because next week we're going to the Yeosu Expo. It's a huge expo that's going on for 3 months. It had the third largest opening ceremony next to the Olympics and the World Cup so it's a pretty big deal! Here's a link if you want to check it out: http://eng.expo2012.kr/main.html
Galatians 5:13-14, 22-25
For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.
Monday, May 7, 2012
Confessions of a Shopaholic
It's true. I love to shop. Particularly for clothes. I wouldn't say I'm a fashionista, but I love a good outfit.
It's a blessing in disguise that I live where I live. In my area, shopping is ridiculously expensive. Simple blue sweater? 60,000 KRW. And although I love shopping & clothes, I'm also a bargain shopper for the most part. So if the price isn't right, it's easy for me to turn it down.
However, Seoul (pronounced, as corrected by my students, Saw-ule), is just a 4 hour bus ride away. We went over the weekend with full intentions of shopping and eating. Can I get a hip-hip-hooray??!
First stop, Myeong-dong market. Let me tell you, this place is crazy! I've never seen so many people shopping. Street after street literally full of people walking. I found out it's the number 1 tourist destination and over one million shoppers pass through this area each and every day! I thought I had died and gone to heaven when I walked into H&M. After two H&M's we also went to Forever 21, and a few other places.
The people were never ending!
After, it was time to fill our bellies with the long awaited Mexican food!! It was spicy & delicious.
Yes, please.
We ended our night with some live jazz music and the adventures of the early closing subway. Who would think the second largest city in the world would close it's subway at 11:55pm?! We did a little running and then got kicked out two stops later when we tried to transfer. Not to fear, we taxied the rest of the way to our motel.
Mid-day and packed
About 11:53pm
Sunday we began our day with breakfast. Pancakes with bananas, walnuts, syrup, and ice cream. Yes, ice cream. It was amazing.
Usually I don't even eat pancakes with syrup,
let alone ice cream, but it was a nice treat.
Shopping on Sunday centralized around souvenir type items at Insa-dong market.
Hand painted fans
The only Starbucks written in Korean.
On the bus ride home I had a Tomatillo burrito, comparable to Chipotle, but again, it was spicy. They like to add lots of jalapenos to their Mexican which I'm not used to but I definitely ate!
Over all, a very fun weekend! We were thankful to go with some veteran friends that knew the ins and outs and knew how to get around. Next time around we plan on doing touristy type stuff.
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Move Right
I'll be honest, I don't feel inspired to write, but I do feel like it's time for an update. We'll see how this goes. Here's to you that read my blog! =)
Rainy season hasn't even officially started yet and it's rained more here in the past 2 months as it probably had in the past year at home. Needless to say, we're going shopping for rain boots on Friday. All the pairs we've come across have been around 30,000 KRW (South Korean Won), but a friend of ours is taking us to a place that sells them for 12,000 KRW. (about $30 vs. $12) Our principal at school gave me one of their umbrellas a month ago, so I'm all set there. It's awesome and very Korean.
Ok, so you know when you're walking down a side walk and someone is approaching you head on? Well, you move right, right? The answer is 'Yes!' You always move RIGHT! Wrong. For some reason, Koreans always move left and it drives me bonkers. The only time they'll move right is if I force them to do so by moving myself as far right as I can get. I don't really understand it considering they drive on the same side of the road as us. Well, now that I think about it, Korean drivers aren't the best. Maybe they just need to learn the simple rule, move right!
Tomorrow we're supposed to go on a field trip to watch a musical. Can't wait to see what that turns out like! Field trips are always an adventure here. Then on Friday we're celebrating Children's Day. ha! Who would have ever thought I would be celebrating Children's Day!! The field trip and celebration day should help make it a good week.
Beka and I have been planning on learning the Korean alphabet since we got here and it hasn't happened yet. Tonight we finally wrote them out on flashcards. We're one step closer to learning it. I wonder if there is a song to go with it?! I'm also planning on writing key words/phrases on note cards such as 'no meat'. We also already feel more empathetic towards our children. =)
This weekend we're going to Seoul. We're hoping to find a Mexican restaurant and we're going shopping. Looking forward to H&M and Forever 21 and hoping their prices aren't as high as most Korean retail stores!
That's about it. Adios amigos.
Rainy season hasn't even officially started yet and it's rained more here in the past 2 months as it probably had in the past year at home. Needless to say, we're going shopping for rain boots on Friday. All the pairs we've come across have been around 30,000 KRW (South Korean Won), but a friend of ours is taking us to a place that sells them for 12,000 KRW. (about $30 vs. $12) Our principal at school gave me one of their umbrellas a month ago, so I'm all set there. It's awesome and very Korean.
Ok, so you know when you're walking down a side walk and someone is approaching you head on? Well, you move right, right? The answer is 'Yes!' You always move RIGHT! Wrong. For some reason, Koreans always move left and it drives me bonkers. The only time they'll move right is if I force them to do so by moving myself as far right as I can get. I don't really understand it considering they drive on the same side of the road as us. Well, now that I think about it, Korean drivers aren't the best. Maybe they just need to learn the simple rule, move right!
Tomorrow we're supposed to go on a field trip to watch a musical. Can't wait to see what that turns out like! Field trips are always an adventure here. Then on Friday we're celebrating Children's Day. ha! Who would have ever thought I would be celebrating Children's Day!! The field trip and celebration day should help make it a good week.
Beka and I have been planning on learning the Korean alphabet since we got here and it hasn't happened yet. Tonight we finally wrote them out on flashcards. We're one step closer to learning it. I wonder if there is a song to go with it?! I'm also planning on writing key words/phrases on note cards such as 'no meat'. We also already feel more empathetic towards our children. =)
For my visual people. If you remember, the language is supposed to be easy to learn and one of the most phonetically consistent alphabets today. haha. We'll see how this goes.
This weekend we're going to Seoul. We're hoping to find a Mexican restaurant and we're going shopping. Looking forward to H&M and Forever 21 and hoping their prices aren't as high as most Korean retail stores!
That's about it. Adios amigos.
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