sickness is upon me

It was bound to happen- last night after a long day at a rugby match, followed by dinner and the batting cages, I developed a nasty sore throat. By the time I got home, the sore throat was accompanied by severe chills and a fever of 102. I popped some acetaminophen and went to bed early. I woke up every 2 hours, on the dot, all night. I could hardly move today, but when you force yourself not to swallow except once every ten minutes because it's so painful, something has to be done. I literally waddled (I'm not sure why feeling sick makes me waddle/ shuffle, but it does) to a nearby hospital, Korean translation book in hand. I don't speak Korean anyway, and even if I could I can't speak at all due to the throat. So I circled all my symptoms, and took special care to circle sore throat about 30 times and put stars next to it for emphasis. I could barely even say "Ahhhh" when asked. The doctor said something about an infection, and injection, and a prescription. Just wanting drugs, I didn't really register much of what he said. Before I knew it I was in the next room with my buttocks exposed, receiving a shot of who knows what into my left cheek, nurse massaging it in. But I was also too sick to care. It cost about $7 for this doctor visit, and even though it was a hospital I was in and out within 15 minutes. The pharmacy was next door, and for less than $2 I received 9 packages of various pills to take over the next 3 days. I also have no idea what these pills are, but I know one of them is Tylenol. I've been in bed all day, sleeping most of it, writhing in discomfort the rest of it. The worst part is that today was 75 degrees and sunny, the best day I've seen in Korea, and I was supposed to meet my friends for a picnic at Suseong Lake to plan an upcoming beach camping trip over a 3 day weekend.

I sure hope this goes away, or at least subsides slightly by tomorrow. I do not want to teach 9 classes feeling like this!

Thanks to my mother I realize that I haven't posted in awhile... Maybe because I feel more like I actually live here now, and maybe things don't seem as exciting anymore. Some highlights over the past 2 weeks include going bowling (they're super serious about bowling here...), going to the batting cages (twice!), something I haven't done in probably 14 years, attending both a baseball game and a rugby match (I think Korea lost both), and the usual- hiking, biking, and night running. I also feel like I'm finally settling into a great group of friends. They're more into the things I'm interested in, and for awhile I was afraid that I wasn't finding the right people to spend my time with. But these people leave me feeling encouraged and positive after every time we hang out.

Hiking on Mt. Apsan- really close to my apartment.

Korean rugby team. Got squashed by the Japanese team.

I wanted to post a funny picture that I drew. One of the lessons in a kindergarten class of mine was to draw a picture of your family. I know this is a little skewed, and in no way reflects my actual drawing abilities, but it's funny nonetheless. And the kids thoroughly enjoyed it. I've also found that kids are amazed when I say, "Yes, I have a sister, a brother, a mom, and a dad." It's almost like they think I appeared out of thin air and don't have a family or friends back home. "Teacher! You have a brother? and a sister?? Wow..."

100% accurate representation of my family.

Teaching has given me a whole new perspective. It's been a little over three months, but teaching is hard work. I know that as a kid I never thought of my teachers as real people. That sounds ignorant, but it's kind of like how kids see their parents. You see them as 'mom and dad,' not as actual people living life and making decisions, sometimes very hard decisions, all the time. I guess it's because as a child, you think like a child. That being said, I definitely respect every teacher I've ever had, and I finally understand why my mom got angry, slammed her hand down on the desk, and called her students "a bunch of LUMPS!" one time when I came into school with her. I definitely yelled at a class this week, saying that if any of them left their slippers behind in class that I would come out into the hall and throw them at them! Luckily I didn't have to!

Ugh, time for more bedrest. My nightstand is littered with throat lozenges, hot tea, gingerale, water, and a spit cup (to avoid swallowing). And some donut holes, which surprisingly feel really good on my throat! Hope everyone's had a great weekend!