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.
You girls look gorgeous in your photo! :) I don't know if I could have been able to spa with those rules. haha. But you sang in a worship band?! That is awesome! :D I don't think I have ever heard you sing...you will have to show me your skills when you come back.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy your blogs oh so much. Miss you love!