Seongbuk Institute

So after much deliberation and many phone calls, I have finally been assigned my first placement.  It is my understanding that it is only 2 subway stops or so from the main institute where I am currently.  They tell me that it is a very new school.  Actually, it's been around for about two terms (4 months), so I'm going to continue helping the institute build it's reputation in the community.  It is a three teacher (missionaries) school which means I will have several opportunities to do vespers talks and sermons on sabbath.  It wasn't my dream to be speaking so much but we'll see what happens.  I'm just happy that I finally have a placement.  All the other missionaries received news of their placements tonight as well.  I head to my institute early tomorrow morning.  I will be picked up by the pastor there and then he will show me the nearest grocery store, bank, post office, etc...  MY MISSION IS NOW BEGINNING =)

Now...onto the cockroach.  A matter of fact, I just saw another huge one about 10 minutes ago!  My housemate Brian had to kill it.  It certainly was NOT about to be me lol...I made something likened to a screaming noise and he came jetting in from his room.  It was actually quite funny.  Anyway, this cockroach from the other day.  I was going into the bathroom and I flipped on the light and...I see something jet across the bathroom floor.  And I had already spotted cockroaches outside so I was immediately suspicious of whatever was in there.  So I picked up a slipper and chucked it in its direction, and out scurries a huge cockroach.  I mean that thing would have made a normal cockroach look puny.  I'm talking David and Goliath stuff here ;-)  Anyway, I just knew that I had to have a picture for a keepsake.  I closed the bathroom door so it wouldn't get out and ran to my room to grab my camera.  Enjoy the evidence!!

Yeah, that JUST happened!

I had more training this morning but it had nothing to do with teaching.  It was sermon preparation and vespers training day.  AHHHHH!  They were trying to equip us with as much advice and resources that could best help us prepare and do a good job.  They aren't suppose to be just regular talks or sermons.  They need to include english pronunciation practice, powerpoint presentations, and culturally relatable details and examples.  My first few sermons and talks will definitely require much research and preparation.  Prayers will be greatly appreciated.

That ended our training for the morning and we were off to do whatever the rest of the afternoon.  I walked about half a mile down to a basketball court near the river.  Three other guys from my orientation group came along as well.  Not long after we arrived there it began to rain.  And this was not like normal rain...oh NO!  It was quasi monsoon rain.  It-was-epic!!  We tried to wait it out but it just would not let up.  So we just said whatever and proceeded to play in the rain.  What a great decision that was.  I have not had fun like that in quite sometime.  We were all drenched from head to toe. It was extremely difficult to play because of the terrible conditions, but we couldn't stop laughing =)  Several Koreans were taking solace under some shelter right next to the court and they were looking at us like we were crazy.  I think they enjoyed watching us flail about in the pouring rain.  I would occasionally see them crack a smile or even chuckle.

It has been a very pleasant day.  We capped it off by attending vespers and then facilitating the afterglow program with the students.  It was our (new teachers) first time in a classroom with students.  I think we all did pretty good.  I was with my new buddy Jason and some other teachers.  Initially he led out and then I took over.  I was the leader of hangman!  The students and teachers were great participants and the whole experience turned out quite well.

Anyway, it is time for me to hit the hay.  I'd like to wake up at a reasonable time so that I'm not late for breakfast and/or sabbath school haha.  Side note...pictures will be showing up on the blog soon.  I've got a little story about a cockroach and there needs to be some visuals to help you understand.  Until then!!

FYI #1 - Interesting Discoveries

Being here in Korea has been a pleasant experience thus far, and as each day passes by I learn something new.  So far here is what I've gathered and/or learned.

In the United States, most of our foods are salty.  Right?  Right!  That is not the case here.  Things are more likely to be sweet.  Believe me, I've been shocked than on more than one occasion.  For instance, I have eaten both sweet Korean brand Cheetos and potato chips.  It was totally unexpected.  And as recently as this morning, I got egg and toast and a nearby toast shop and would you believe it, the egg had sweet corn in it...HAHA!  That was a little unusual but it turned out okay.  Spaghetti sauce is sweet.  Even pizza sauce is on the sweet side.  I don't even have to eat candy or have dessert most times =)

Now onto bathroom etiquette.  There is a new system that we are all currently adjusting to.  The pipe system is not very good here, and on account that there are so many people, things can easily get clogged.  So how do we combat this issue?  Well, we have a waste basket in each bathroom/stall which is used for discarded toilet paper.  GROSS RIGHT?!  It has taken some getting used to but I think we are all getting the hang of it.

Onto happier things...our training is complete for the day.  I'm about to venture to Costco with a group of the new teachers.  I'm excited to see what it is like over here.  I am still sick but I figure I'll just go out anyway.  I'm feeling slightly better by the way...

I hope you are all doing well!

Oh NO!!

So I'm sitting here on my bed listening to a little Michael Bublé on this rainy Korean evening.  It's soothing.   Quite appropriate after a long day of work.  


Today consisted of more adult and junior training.  I enjoy the training, because more than just seeing the trainers model it for us, or watching videos, WE as a class have to model our teaching for each other.  There is a lot of repetition to the practice but it's for the best.  It allows us to evaluate each other and work out the kinks.  We are a very easygoing and rambunctious bunch, which makes the whole process easier.  The training room and cafeteria were full of laughter today!  Ya'll know I love to laugh so it suits me perfectly =)


The current teachers here, the main institute in Seoul, have been very hospitable and helpful.  They are quick to answer any questions or give advice on how to do things.  I have done my best to deliberately interact with them and pick their brains as much as possible.  I'm trying to learn as much as I can even though I understand that the experiences of each teacher vary.  However, the way I see it is, the more I learn, the better off I will be.


Now for the reason of the title.  I've been here in Korea for what, a week?  Yeah...and guess what?!  I'm already sick!!  Yeah.  I started feeling that infamous little tickle in my throat Sunday night, and I was like "oh boy!"  It took a little longer than I was expecting, but the positive is that I can go through this now before teaching and greater responsibility begins.  I've been consuming my vitamin C twice a day, and have recently started taking my multivitamin, so we'll see how it all pans out.  All I can say is to continue to pray for me.  Lord knows I'll need it!


Until the next time...

Weekend Festivities

Sorry it took me so long to give an update.  Life has been busy around here and what a weekend it has been!  Let’s begin with Friday...I already mentioned that we went out with the All Day Club.  Friday night was business as usual and included vespers and afterglow.  The vespers is called Friday Night Fellowship (FNF) as to encourage the students to come continue to practicing their English while learning about God.  It’s a pretty nifty idea, and there were several students who attended.  

This program was a bit usual, but customary for the last FNF of the term.  The new teachers and current teachers were both present.  But what made it unique was the musical focus of it all.  Students and teachers were able to display their musical talents over the course of the 1 1/2 time we had together.  I must say that I am completely amazed how well the Koreans here can sing.  It totally blew me and the other new teachers away!!  After the conclusion of what was one of the most amazing vespers I’ve ever been a part of, I mingled with the current teachers and students.

Saturday had it’s own set of craziness.  Breakfast, sabbath school, clubs, church, lunch, nap/rest time, dinner, and some more free time.  Let me start with the explanation of clubs.  Clubs are kind of like attending sabbath school but with more emphasis on English.  There was a Breakfast Club, Conversation Club, Music Club, and Signs Club (which I joined).  Signs Club consisted of an article from Signs of the Times, which was then broken down.  We were able to study vocabulary and pronunciation all while reading the informative article.  We then had discussion questions to talk about what we read.  It was really fun working with the current teachers during the club and now I have a better idea of what to look forward to once I reach my institute.  Church was pretty interesting as well.  The Academic Dean, Leo, who I admire and now have a good working relationship with, was the preacher for the day.  Church alternated between English and Korean speech, and there was a translator there to translate into the other appropriate language.  It was indeed and interesting service to attend.  Surprisingly everything turned out ok =)  

I spent my afternoon napping and finally getting a hold of family and friends via Skype and Facebook.  It was nice to see my family’s faces and hear their voices.  Side note - for those of you who have yet to contact me, shame on you!  Anyway, after dinner I spent my Saturday night in because I didn’t want to over do it on the weekend.  Sunday was going to be a busy day and I was already preparing myself.  I had a good time cracking up at Happy Feet and eventually fell asleep pretty early.  

Sunday!  Today was the beginning of our adult teacher training.  We ran through most of the basics in our three hour morning session.  Everything seems very organized and understandable.  From what I’ve seen so far, it seems as if I will be able to adjust rather easily to the format, schedule, and even expectations.  Aaron is our trainer for the adult training and he did a great job explaining the nooks and crannies.  After lunch we had lunch which consisted of pizza (tasted like actual pizza), kim bap (seaweed+rice+vegetables), pineapple, and aloe juice (which everyone here has become so fond of).  

Today, we had an excursion planned for the afternoon/evening to go explore Seoul and see an Original Korean musical.  I can’t even begin to tell you which sections of Seoul we were in today namely because I can’t spell them lol...  The musical was called Miso and ran about 1 1/2 hours.  There were several drums, costumes, and spectator interaction.  I didn’t care for the show all that much and actually fell asleep for about 10 minutes of it.  All the walking and sun had drained me of my energy, so there!  That’s my  excuse haha.  Afterwards we walked over 15 blocks, in humid and sunny conditions mind you, to a Subway of all things.  It looked like a Subway.  Smelled like a Subway.  Even had sandwiches like Subway.  But in the end, it didn’t taste like Subway all that much.  Either way we were all satisfied to finally get some food and liquid in our starved and dehydrated bodies.  

Pictures to come later!  Goodnight for now =)

The First Few Days Summarized

Wow!  What a journey it was.  I left Seattle on Monday morning around 9 am after about an hour delay of my flight.  I was only functioning on about 3 hours of decent sleep, so I knew it was going to be a rough day.  However, I was pressing on and made it safely to San Francisco with enough time to catch my connecting 12 hour flight to Seoul, South Korea.  I was at the back of UA Flight 893 (a 747), which means I was at row 60 of 61.  It was nice to be at the back because it means I was near the lavatories.  There was all plenty standing room back there which my chronically achy knees were thankful for.

I arrived in Seoul around 3 pm on Tuesday in Korea and was greeted with a fairly slow moving immigration line.  I got through with no problems after about 50 minutes and proceeded to pick up my luggage.  I stepped out of baggage claim to see three individuals waiting for me.  Leo, the Academic Dean, Aaron, can't remember at this moment, and Tasha, Academic Supervisor.  They were all very kind and were quick to make me feel welcome.  We couldn't leave just yet because we had to wait for missionaries to arrive so we could all leave at the same time.  It took about another 3 hours before we were on our way to the SDA Samyook Language Institute which was suppose to be 1 1/2 hours away.  I will say that it seemed like we were on the bus for close to three hours!  I don't think we were but my mind wasn't right because I only slept approximately 3 hours out of my combined 14 hours of flying!  So it's safe to say I was a little deranged, lol.

We eventually arrived to the Institute and I was shown to my new home for the next 13 days or so.  I have 4 housemates and they are all great guys.  One is from Canada.  Another from Michigan.  And the two others from Maryland and Alabama.  I actually lived on the same hall at Southern with the guy from Alabama and it was very nice to see a familiar face.

I was extremely exhausted and I quickly went to sleep after exchanging pleasantries.  I was too tired to shower!  Too tired to brush my teeth!  Oddly enough, I almost felt to tired to sleep but I did it anyhow =)   I found myself waking up at 3:30 am wide awake with no ability to go back to sleep.  Our group breakfast appointment wasn't until 9 so I found myself attempting to read but I was just too tired.  So I fired up some episodes of a TV show just to past some of the time.  The next 14 hours were definitely a blur, but new foods, laughing, new faces, and a new language all entered my world.

I went out last night and today (Friday) and did some exploring with my new friends and a seasoned missionary teacher.  We had our first experience riding the train system, which is very technologically advanced.  I quite enjoyed it and within a few days I believe I will have it down!  That is exciting news for me, so I hope that I am stationed in Seoul.  However, we do not find out where are placements are until the night before we are supposed to leave for our new institute.

This brings us to Friday.  We went out on the town with 5 All Day Students (they study English all day).    It was a fun excursion through town and boy was it hot and humid!  I was carrying a handkerchief around all day, like some old man, just to wipe the sweat off my brow.  I saw many Koreans doing the same thing so I didn't feel so bad.

More to come tomorrow....