life in korea

It's one thing to say you want to live in a foreign country. It's a whole different thing to live in a foreign country! It's pretty safe to say that I took most everything for granted before coming here. I can't even mail a letter without assistance from my director! I never knew how good I could possibly become at pantomiming. With some creativity, you can communicate, though extremely shakily. Trying to get a passport photo taken for a visa to China tonight, it took the clerk a patient 5 minutes to explain to me that for 8,000 won I was getting 8 photos, not 1.

I was in Dunkin Donuts yesterday ordering a latte, waiting on some friends to go to the Daegu shooting range (more on that in a bit), when I was very aware of the most adorable little girl staring at me with a teensy shy grin on her face. I've gotten this so many times- little shy kids who are probably taught by someone just like me, and they so desperately want to get my attention and proudly say hi. Her mom was sitting next to her, and I could tell that she was nearly mouthing the word "hello" to the little girl so she could say hi to me. She finally did, and over the course of 10 minutes and countless attempts at building enough courage, she said "How are you?" then later told me "You are beautiful." It made me feel good the rest of the day. It's funny, I've seen some of my kids outside of school, and it's like they forget every word of English they know! They're so chatty in class, but then I think they get embarrassed or something once they vacate school premises.

So, Daegu shooting range. I have a map of the city hanging on my wall right beside my computer, and I saw there was a shooting range, and for whatever reason I decided I'd like to try that one day. I was out with some friends the other night and I suggested we make a Sunday sojourn to shoot some guns. I could never guess how excited a group of Brits and Canadians (I was the sole American) would be to hold firearms! After signing my name to some waiver written entirely in Korean, suiting up in my bullet proof vest and clamping giant yellow headphones on, I was "ready." The first gun I chose was the glock 9mm. I have no idea why- maybe because rappers talk about glocks, and to be honest it might be the only gun I'd actually heard of! Ok, that little thing I mentioned above about not even being able to mail a letter on my own in this country... hahaha- try taking instructions on how to aim and fire a gun! Shot number 1 was the scariest thing I have ever done in my life. My hands were shaking so terribly. I had no idea what to expect, and this gun was way too powerful for me. After almost tearfully glancing back at my friends as if to say "Oh. My. Goodness. What am I doing?!" I tried it again. I don't think I breathed the whole time and just kept praying each shot was the last!! It was terrifying. However, out of 10 shots, I hit the target 5 times.

The second gun was a Smith & Wesson 22. I'm so happy I decided to try shooting again! Disregarding the fact that dude moved the target about 10 feet closer, this gun was so much easier to use. Plus, it was a revolver, and not to sound like a dopey gun-happy American, it was smooth and awesome. I hit the target with all 10 shots, and the proof is now hanging on my wall in my apartment. Yay for new experiences!

Smith & Wesson 22


I'm going whitewater rafting outside of Seoul in 2 weekends. I'm about to book a flight to Beijing in a month (hence the Chinese visa I have to get). Spring is here, which means baseball games, bike rides, night hikes, etc. The weather has been beyond gloomy the entire time I've been here (minus a few gorgeous days). Greg comes back in 3 months (too soon to count down? ha, probably....). His second visit will mark my halfway point of this adventure. Today is actually 3 months exactly that I've been here. It seems like nothing and forever at the same time. I have no idea how that is possible. 9 months to go!

My kids are continuing to say hilarious things, and my little 4 year old Suin finally likes me! It's so rewarding to see him acknowledge me with a smile, then run up to me and wrap his little tiny arms around me. Today I pushed up the sleeve of my shirt and asked him to count my freckles on my forearm. According to his very accurate counting, I have 19 freckles (skipping number 16, so really only 18). Ha, if you've seen my arms you know I have more like 19 bajillion freckles.

This has nothing to do with anything, but one thing I miss more than anything (sorry family/ friends/ boyfriend) is good Mexican food! Last night I ordered a vegetarian burrito from a place downtown. Somehow it tasted like pizza. FAIL! Reason 82 that I cook 98% of what I eat here!