It's that time of year, when you're supposed to start saying goodbye.
I've already had about four good bye parties and I'm still going to be here for another few weeks.
But I'm always up for a party.
Friday, June 15, 2007
Last day of classes
Yes, this school year has officially ended for me.
one more week of finals, two weeks of touring Korea, then back to the states.
on my to do list: visit friends around the country, jeju island (scuba scuba), Busan, Seoul, and the DMZ
Today I finished writing the last of my papers (30 pages this week alone)
Celebrated with friends by having our first game night in over a month.
Tonight we had a banquet at the cafeteria. Spaghetti and chopsticks, what a combination.
one more week of finals, two weeks of touring Korea, then back to the states.
on my to do list: visit friends around the country, jeju island (scuba scuba), Busan, Seoul, and the DMZ
Today I finished writing the last of my papers (30 pages this week alone)
Celebrated with friends by having our first game night in over a month.
Tonight we had a banquet at the cafeteria. Spaghetti and chopsticks, what a combination.
Thursday, June 07, 2007
room 120 text messaging champions
Cell phone use #31: competitive texting.
I was reminded of Korean's infatuation with their cell phones again tonight when our dorm had a text message competition. Creative. 10 questions were broadcasted over the dorm intercom and everyone in the dorm frantically tried to be the first to get the right answer sent in. It was hilarious to see dozens of students burst out of their rooms and scurry around the halls with their phones, trying to calculate exact numbers in response to questions such as the amount of rooms, students, or details from posters.
Yet again, room 120 triumphed (the last in a clean sweep of all four major dorm competitions: bowling, bingo, sports day, texting). We celebrated over pizza and chicken.
My apologies for the obvious lack of recent postings. Stay tuned for updates about my last month's trips to Seoul, concerts, festivals, etc...
I was reminded of Korean's infatuation with their cell phones again tonight when our dorm had a text message competition. Creative. 10 questions were broadcasted over the dorm intercom and everyone in the dorm frantically tried to be the first to get the right answer sent in. It was hilarious to see dozens of students burst out of their rooms and scurry around the halls with their phones, trying to calculate exact numbers in response to questions such as the amount of rooms, students, or details from posters.
Yet again, room 120 triumphed (the last in a clean sweep of all four major dorm competitions: bowling, bingo, sports day, texting). We celebrated over pizza and chicken.
My apologies for the obvious lack of recent postings. Stay tuned for updates about my last month's trips to Seoul, concerts, festivals, etc...
Sunday, May 06, 2007
The last few weeks have been characterized by conversations, studying (midterms), and thinking.
listening to and gaining a better understanding of intercultural differences and conflicts, examining 'Christian' culture and hypocrisy - so many of us wear masks. thinking about community, is it based around a common self-righteousness or common brokenness?
Learning to combat depression by not to carrying my own burdens alone or other's for that matter. It is depressing if we focus on the problems alone and our inability to do anything about them instead of first giving them up to God, Phil 4:5-7 and sharing them with others. It's surprising how we all share so many of the same struggles but dont know until we talk. seeing how community and relationships are key, that's how we're wired. being reminded of basic truths: we need love, God's love, and in turn to share that love with those hurting around us. this is beautiful, fulfilling, and disturbs the natural empty ways of doing life ourselves.
Christianity is not for the pristine, stainless, self-righteous, but addresses the dirt, tears and problems of reality. it's for sick people (mark 2:17). It's an upsidedown kingdom - when we're weak we're strong, through Christ (2 cor 12:9),
Scandalous Grace. Genuine Joy. Hope and Love that lasts, transformation from the inside-out.
listening to and gaining a better understanding of intercultural differences and conflicts, examining 'Christian' culture and hypocrisy - so many of us wear masks. thinking about community, is it based around a common self-righteousness or common brokenness?
Learning to combat depression by not to carrying my own burdens alone or other's for that matter. It is depressing if we focus on the problems alone and our inability to do anything about them instead of first giving them up to God, Phil 4:5-7 and sharing them with others. It's surprising how we all share so many of the same struggles but dont know until we talk. seeing how community and relationships are key, that's how we're wired. being reminded of basic truths: we need love, God's love, and in turn to share that love with those hurting around us. this is beautiful, fulfilling, and disturbs the natural empty ways of doing life ourselves.
Christianity is not for the pristine, stainless, self-righteous, but addresses the dirt, tears and problems of reality. it's for sick people (mark 2:17). It's an upsidedown kingdom - when we're weak we're strong, through Christ (2 cor 12:9),
Scandalous Grace. Genuine Joy. Hope and Love that lasts, transformation from the inside-out.
Sunday, April 15, 2007
Black Day
Korea is great about creating random holidays.
For example, April 14th was Black Day.
To better understand what Black day is you have to back up a few months.
Feb 14 (which we celebrate as Valentines Day) is called Red Day here.
On that day, it's actually the girls who give gifts and food to guys.
Then on March 14, the guys return the favor on White Day.
As you could guess, Black Day is sort of a consolation to those (single) people who didn't get anything.
Noticing a pattern? It just so happens that the 14th of every month is "couple related"
so on Jan 14, couples make scrapbook albums together, May 14 is rose day, etc.
In case you were wondering, Black Day is called "black" because you eat noodles covered with a Black sauce...the ultimate despair food...
Another creative, random holiday is Peppero Day, which pays homage to a famous Korean candy - long, skinny, chocolate coated pretzel sticks. It's no coincidence that it also happens to fall on November eleventh (11-11).
Apparently, on that day, there are packs of peppero sticks hanging from trees everywhere. Bummer that I miss both this day and Feb 14 - no free candy for Luke...
For example, April 14th was Black Day.
To better understand what Black day is you have to back up a few months.
Feb 14 (which we celebrate as Valentines Day) is called Red Day here.
On that day, it's actually the girls who give gifts and food to guys.
Then on March 14, the guys return the favor on White Day.
As you could guess, Black Day is sort of a consolation to those (single) people who didn't get anything.
Noticing a pattern? It just so happens that the 14th of every month is "couple related"
so on Jan 14, couples make scrapbook albums together, May 14 is rose day, etc.
In case you were wondering, Black Day is called "black" because you eat noodles covered with a Black sauce...the ultimate despair food...
Another creative, random holiday is Peppero Day, which pays homage to a famous Korean candy - long, skinny, chocolate coated pretzel sticks. It's no coincidence that it also happens to fall on November eleventh (11-11).
Apparently, on that day, there are packs of peppero sticks hanging from trees everywhere. Bummer that I miss both this day and Feb 14 - no free candy for Luke...
A Time For Tourism
This weekend was a blast.
There was a team of MBA students from Azusa Pacific coming through on an Asian tour. They stopped by my school and I got to hang out with them for the weekend and go with them on their tour of the area. This was a blessing in many ways. One, because since I'm not here with an official 'program' I really haven't gone anywhere on the weekends. And two, it was great to be able to make jokes and laugh with people who understood your culture.
Saturday, we traveled to the ancient city of Gyoung Ju (used to be the largest city in the world about 1500 years ago with 2 million people), got to see temples, the world's largest granite buddah, ancient tombs (over 200 several stories tall hills and preserved against gravediggers because they were ingeniously surrounded spherically by 20ft of rocks) and our day was completed with a trip to the bathhouse/spa.
Let me tell you a little more about that last part. Quite an experience (because us westerners aren't used to the whole being naked in public bath houses thing - men and women in separate rooms of course). The bathhouse/sauna place we went consisted of a number of temperature-regulated pools and sauna rooms. The idea was to go from one extreme temperature pool to the next (ranging from 20'C to 50'C) Interspersed between were trips to different sauna rooms with moist herbal scents. The concept is that by going to the various extreme temperature pools, your pores open up and all the gunk and dead skin cells come out. At the end (like after an hour) you scrub everything off and shower. It's amazing how much dead skin you have. Afterwards we all felt relaxed and smooth.
There was a team of MBA students from Azusa Pacific coming through on an Asian tour. They stopped by my school and I got to hang out with them for the weekend and go with them on their tour of the area. This was a blessing in many ways. One, because since I'm not here with an official 'program' I really haven't gone anywhere on the weekends. And two, it was great to be able to make jokes and laugh with people who understood your culture.
Saturday, we traveled to the ancient city of Gyoung Ju (used to be the largest city in the world about 1500 years ago with 2 million people), got to see temples, the world's largest granite buddah, ancient tombs (over 200 several stories tall hills and preserved against gravediggers because they were ingeniously surrounded spherically by 20ft of rocks) and our day was completed with a trip to the bathhouse/spa.
Let me tell you a little more about that last part. Quite an experience (because us westerners aren't used to the whole being naked in public bath houses thing - men and women in separate rooms of course). The bathhouse/sauna place we went consisted of a number of temperature-regulated pools and sauna rooms. The idea was to go from one extreme temperature pool to the next (ranging from 20'C to 50'C) Interspersed between were trips to different sauna rooms with moist herbal scents. The concept is that by going to the various extreme temperature pools, your pores open up and all the gunk and dead skin cells come out. At the end (like after an hour) you scrub everything off and shower. It's amazing how much dead skin you have. Afterwards we all felt relaxed and smooth.
Monday, April 09, 2007
Fun times
As is usually the case, my weeks are rediculously busy, with school, work and youth group - then I have fun all weekend. This picture highlights one of many adventures I had last Saturday, including explorations of the city, a trip to the local seafood market (and live octopus...), getting my computer fixed, and eating a ginormous Baskin Robbins Ice cream cone
Thursday, April 05, 2007
"Cheers" for chopsticks, group think, and billiards
Have you have ever cooked with chopsticks?
Something else to add to my growing list of firsts: frying bacon and sausages, and flipping them with chopsticks.
The other morning we had a dorm breakfast with eggs, bacon, toast, etc... a welcome change to my normal breakfast routine of 'graham crackers' and peanut butter.
Today in my Law and Contemporary Issues class the topic was Human Rights in North Korea. We spent part of the time watching an eye-opening documentary on the life of two North Korean schoolchildren reminiscent of something straight out of 1984 with all the political jargon, mandatory government controlled household radios which must remain on at all times, single station government TVs, warped view of reality, group think, pictures of their deified rulers everywhere, and total obliviousness to their lack of freedom.
This week has been funfilled and busy thanks to the arrival of a perspective student from Australia, Daniel, who has a heart for North Korea, and is now planning on coming to Handong next year. Many late nights of hanging out, eating fried sweet and spicy chicken, pizza, playing billiards, games, going to the arcade, making skits for youth group, fun and fellowship have ensued. And who doesn't love an Australian accent? so as they say down under, "cheers," - to all of you who have taken the time to keep up with my blog.
Something else to add to my growing list of firsts: frying bacon and sausages, and flipping them with chopsticks.
The other morning we had a dorm breakfast with eggs, bacon, toast, etc... a welcome change to my normal breakfast routine of 'graham crackers' and peanut butter.
Today in my Law and Contemporary Issues class the topic was Human Rights in North Korea. We spent part of the time watching an eye-opening documentary on the life of two North Korean schoolchildren reminiscent of something straight out of 1984 with all the political jargon, mandatory government controlled household radios which must remain on at all times, single station government TVs, warped view of reality, group think, pictures of their deified rulers everywhere, and total obliviousness to their lack of freedom.
This week has been funfilled and busy thanks to the arrival of a perspective student from Australia, Daniel, who has a heart for North Korea, and is now planning on coming to Handong next year. Many late nights of hanging out, eating fried sweet and spicy chicken, pizza, playing billiards, games, going to the arcade, making skits for youth group, fun and fellowship have ensued. And who doesn't love an Australian accent? so as they say down under, "cheers," - to all of you who have taken the time to keep up with my blog.
Sunday, April 01, 2007
musings
This past week without a computer has provided for some great lengthy discussions with my int'l friends and their diverse backgrounds and views. Some of the topics have included:
- African perspectives on difficulties and prejudices experienced living in a very monoethnic Korean culture and analyzing/discussing that culture and its people who are very group orientated.
- Listening to the multiple Korean views on issues of U.S. troops in their country, whether reunification with N. Korea is possible and/or a good thing
- Trying to gain understanding into the ethnic tention and Korean dislike of Japanese
- Getting a better background in Korean economic issues and why intense loyalty to Korean brands and nationalism are having a negative effect on their market
- Multiple perspectives (African, Central Asian - Muslim, Korean) on war in middle east and what should be done
- disecting hypocritical christianity - as seen in various cultures and students at 'christian' schools in particular
- Gaining insight from my African friends about the numerous issues they face back home. examples: why corruption is unavoidable and a necessary evil; what poverty really is and its causes
Outside of talks with friends, I've learned quite a bit from my academic courses, particularily Int'l Business, Int'l NGOs, and Law and Contemporary Issues.
A few days ago, I gave a 'fundraiser' speech in my NGO class about one of my favorite NGOs: Word Made Flesh, which lives among the poorest of the poor establishing communities, places of love and hope in the world's darkest places: slums and red-light disctricts. While researching for the project, I was able to critique my own tarnished view of poverty as a Christian and how that should influence the way I live. A few insightful quotes:
"The biggest tragety in the church is not that rich dont care but that they dont know poor folks" - shane claybourne
"if you care so much about poverty...name the poor" - mother teresa
Food for thought. With all the Bible's talk on social justice and concern for the poor, you gotta wonder why we're so comfortable and complacent in the west.
PS. God often chooses to bless us through people - connections, relationships, doesn't he?...
So it turns out that one of my coworkers at the English Academy has the same Apple computer as me and he has a ton of experience fixing the hardware of apple computers for a number of people. Not only was he able to extract all the important info that I needed from my deceased hard drive (pics, documents, applications) but he went out got me a great deal on a new 80GB hard drive and is installing it for me free of charge!
- African perspectives on difficulties and prejudices experienced living in a very monoethnic Korean culture and analyzing/discussing that culture and its people who are very group orientated.
- Listening to the multiple Korean views on issues of U.S. troops in their country, whether reunification with N. Korea is possible and/or a good thing
- Trying to gain understanding into the ethnic tention and Korean dislike of Japanese
- Getting a better background in Korean economic issues and why intense loyalty to Korean brands and nationalism are having a negative effect on their market
- Multiple perspectives (African, Central Asian - Muslim, Korean) on war in middle east and what should be done
- disecting hypocritical christianity - as seen in various cultures and students at 'christian' schools in particular
- Gaining insight from my African friends about the numerous issues they face back home. examples: why corruption is unavoidable and a necessary evil; what poverty really is and its causes
Outside of talks with friends, I've learned quite a bit from my academic courses, particularily Int'l Business, Int'l NGOs, and Law and Contemporary Issues.
A few days ago, I gave a 'fundraiser' speech in my NGO class about one of my favorite NGOs: Word Made Flesh, which lives among the poorest of the poor establishing communities, places of love and hope in the world's darkest places: slums and red-light disctricts. While researching for the project, I was able to critique my own tarnished view of poverty as a Christian and how that should influence the way I live. A few insightful quotes:
"The biggest tragety in the church is not that rich dont care but that they dont know poor folks" - shane claybourne
"if you care so much about poverty...name the poor" - mother teresa
Food for thought. With all the Bible's talk on social justice and concern for the poor, you gotta wonder why we're so comfortable and complacent in the west.
PS. God often chooses to bless us through people - connections, relationships, doesn't he?...
So it turns out that one of my coworkers at the English Academy has the same Apple computer as me and he has a ton of experience fixing the hardware of apple computers for a number of people. Not only was he able to extract all the important info that I needed from my deceased hard drive (pics, documents, applications) but he went out got me a great deal on a new 80GB hard drive and is installing it for me free of charge!
Monday, March 26, 2007
Today's Real Life Devotional...
This week's verse is found in Mark 10:21
Jesus looked at him and loved him. "One thing you lack," he said. "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."
Isn't it funny how God uses real life experiences to drive home points he's teaching us?
So today my computer's hard drive coughed a sputtered and finally breathed its last. (and I am now just beginning to process the implications for this turn of events)
What makes dealing with this fact more comical is that I had actually just been thinking this week about what it would really be like to literally get rid of everything, like my computer, recently purchased recording equipment, cellphone, excess clothes, guitar etc. and how 'theoretically freeing' that would be. (though after much thought I had concluded that I still need to be responsible and involved in the world - and a big part of that being connected I thought revolved around my oh so important need for a computer)
Well, now I get the opportunity/nay, the privelage to put theory into practice...
What I'll (hopefully) learn:
to read actual books
to hang out with people instead of using every spare minute to check the latest news or email
to work ahead (wont have the luxury of writing last minute papers)
to not worry about things outside of my control
...just to name a few
Well I hope that if you're reading this, you learned a little lesson.
Think about what you're most holding on to. What's got your attention? What's stealing your joy? And are you willing to give that up today?
Jesus looked at him and loved him. "One thing you lack," he said. "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."
Isn't it funny how God uses real life experiences to drive home points he's teaching us?
So today my computer's hard drive coughed a sputtered and finally breathed its last. (and I am now just beginning to process the implications for this turn of events)
What makes dealing with this fact more comical is that I had actually just been thinking this week about what it would really be like to literally get rid of everything, like my computer, recently purchased recording equipment, cellphone, excess clothes, guitar etc. and how 'theoretically freeing' that would be. (though after much thought I had concluded that I still need to be responsible and involved in the world - and a big part of that being connected I thought revolved around my oh so important need for a computer)
Well, now I get the opportunity/nay, the privelage to put theory into practice...
What I'll (hopefully) learn:
to read actual books
to hang out with people instead of using every spare minute to check the latest news or email
to work ahead (wont have the luxury of writing last minute papers)
to not worry about things outside of my control
...just to name a few
Well I hope that if you're reading this, you learned a little lesson.
Think about what you're most holding on to. What's got your attention? What's stealing your joy? And are you willing to give that up today?
Saturday, March 24, 2007
But I took the (road) less traveled...
As I mentioned in an earlier post, one of the best things about my campus is its location...surrounded by miles of hills and forest ready to be explored, offering a quiet place of solitude and reflection.
I should have figured that sooner or later all the stress of the crazy things and places that I've been to and done these past few months would catch up with me... which explains why (in retrospect) I've been extrememly drained physically and emotionally this whole past week. So having a place to go, rest, think, write and be still (psalm 46:10) has been a blessing, to say the least.
These freeing and refreshing excursions sort of symbolize the time I'm in right now as I wander down the pathway of life, examining past, encountering diverse cultures, refining purpose, and venturing forth with confidence into the unknown adventure that awaits...
"...two roads diverged in a wood, and I --
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference..."
I should have figured that sooner or later all the stress of the crazy things and places that I've been to and done these past few months would catch up with me... which explains why (in retrospect) I've been extrememly drained physically and emotionally this whole past week. So having a place to go, rest, think, write and be still (psalm 46:10) has been a blessing, to say the least.
These freeing and refreshing excursions sort of symbolize the time I'm in right now as I wander down the pathway of life, examining past, encountering diverse cultures, refining purpose, and venturing forth with confidence into the unknown adventure that awaits...
"...two roads diverged in a wood, and I --
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference..."
Hello, my name is Luke... not 'Look'
So, teaching English part-time has been interesting to say the least.
tomorrow will be my forth week on the job, working two days per week.
Here in Korea, there is such an emphasis on excelling in academics. There are hundreds of different "academies" where students go to study after their regular school is finished. For example, there are martial arts academies, academies for the mathematically gifted (or challenged), and a plethera of English Academies, of which I happen to be a part.
Much has changed since the first day when I showed up and was literally told to "ok go, speak english." I had to make up games and activities on the spot for four different one-hour classes, with wide ranges in age (7-17) and varying degrees of English competancy. Some highlights were a student who insisted that his English name be, "Dog," being around kids who actually wanted to learn, and an opportunity to put my creative potential to the test.
The last few weeks have been unquestionably better. I have curriculum now to base my teaching off of, I haven't gotten lost trying to find my way to work anymore (it's 30min away taking 2 different bus lines), and the originally most disruptive/disrespectful/hyperactive class of elementary kids is now my favorite.
Thus I persevere forth, adding yet another generation to a line of educators before me (three grandparents and two parents)...
tomorrow will be my forth week on the job, working two days per week.
Here in Korea, there is such an emphasis on excelling in academics. There are hundreds of different "academies" where students go to study after their regular school is finished. For example, there are martial arts academies, academies for the mathematically gifted (or challenged), and a plethera of English Academies, of which I happen to be a part.
Much has changed since the first day when I showed up and was literally told to "ok go, speak english." I had to make up games and activities on the spot for four different one-hour classes, with wide ranges in age (7-17) and varying degrees of English competancy. Some highlights were a student who insisted that his English name be, "Dog," being around kids who actually wanted to learn, and an opportunity to put my creative potential to the test.
The last few weeks have been unquestionably better. I have curriculum now to base my teaching off of, I haven't gotten lost trying to find my way to work anymore (it's 30min away taking 2 different bus lines), and the originally most disruptive/disrespectful/hyperactive class of elementary kids is now my favorite.
Thus I persevere forth, adding yet another generation to a line of educators before me (three grandparents and two parents)...
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Luke's top 10 Asian Cuisine
-10. Silk Worm Larva
9. Kimchi (pickled cabbage for breakfast, lunch and dinner)
8. Baby Octopi (tastes like chicken)
7. Korean BBQ
6. Bib im bob (rice salad)
5. green tea ice cream
4. kimbab (sushi roll)
3. toast restaurants (40 new ways to make toast!)
2. chicken and pizza takeout
1. the 200+ new snacks and drinks at the local convenience store
9. Kimchi (pickled cabbage for breakfast, lunch and dinner)
8. Baby Octopi (tastes like chicken)
7. Korean BBQ
6. Bib im bob (rice salad)
5. green tea ice cream
4. kimbab (sushi roll)
3. toast restaurants (40 new ways to make toast!)
2. chicken and pizza takeout
1. the 200+ new snacks and drinks at the local convenience store
Korean Super Heroes
You know you're in Asia when desired abilities consist of hyper-memorization and multi-linguistic skills. Such was the case as I discovered last night while helping out at a local Korean Int'l Youth Group. I told them to introduce themselves by name and superpower, and those were the most popular answers I received.
Where to begin...I've been in Korea for two weeks now. Every new day speaks volumes. There is so much to learn here, academically, socially, personally. I've been blessed in so many ways.
Let me give just a few highlights:
- my roomates. They're great. I have two Korean roomates and one from Congo (be sure to check out our pictures on my flickr site). They have been so helpful to my adjustment with Korean and Int'l culture. Speaking of which, that has been one of the coolest things.
- I've got new friends from around the world. The other night I was in a van coming back from bowling and Korean BBQ and realized that in the back two rows alone, there were students from Afghanistan, Mexico, Cambodia, Uzbekistan, Korea, US, Mongolia, Argentina and China. I'm in an Int'l dorm and am loving the diversity.
- I love my classes. I'm taking an Int'l NGO course, Int'l Business, Law and Contemporary Issues and Abnormal Psychology. I've found that being in a culture where everyone likes to study (as the above story suggests) also brings out the best student in me.
- God has brought some great opportunities my way. The first day I was here, one of my friends from Afghanistan asked me if I wanted a job teaching English at a Korean Acadamy. Then some local teenagers asked if I wanted to help them out by starting a youth group. Both have been amazing and stretching opportunities in a lot of ways.
- there are a bazillion new snacks here - my goal is to try them all (minus the prawn flavored section)
- my campus is surrounded by forests and hills (and the ocean one mile away) beckoning to be explored. This promises to be an adventure.
Where to begin...I've been in Korea for two weeks now. Every new day speaks volumes. There is so much to learn here, academically, socially, personally. I've been blessed in so many ways.
Let me give just a few highlights:
- my roomates. They're great. I have two Korean roomates and one from Congo (be sure to check out our pictures on my flickr site). They have been so helpful to my adjustment with Korean and Int'l culture. Speaking of which, that has been one of the coolest things.
- I've got new friends from around the world. The other night I was in a van coming back from bowling and Korean BBQ and realized that in the back two rows alone, there were students from Afghanistan, Mexico, Cambodia, Uzbekistan, Korea, US, Mongolia, Argentina and China. I'm in an Int'l dorm and am loving the diversity.
- I love my classes. I'm taking an Int'l NGO course, Int'l Business, Law and Contemporary Issues and Abnormal Psychology. I've found that being in a culture where everyone likes to study (as the above story suggests) also brings out the best student in me.
- God has brought some great opportunities my way. The first day I was here, one of my friends from Afghanistan asked me if I wanted a job teaching English at a Korean Acadamy. Then some local teenagers asked if I wanted to help them out by starting a youth group. Both have been amazing and stretching opportunities in a lot of ways.
- there are a bazillion new snacks here - my goal is to try them all (minus the prawn flavored section)
- my campus is surrounded by forests and hills (and the ocean one mile away) beckoning to be explored. This promises to be an adventure.
Saturday, March 03, 2007
Friday, March 02, 2007
A new start
"Do you like to play football?"
"Sure" I motioned with my feet and pointed enthusiastically at my soccer jersey.
"No, American football...I like to tackle people," he said with a grin.
This was my unexpected introduction to Mukulo, my new friend and roomate from the Congo...not quite what I was expecting to find at a Korean university.
But I've learned to throw away all of my expectations by now. Perhaps because I am not the typical student here either. In fact, I am the only caucasian student at this university (good thing I dont have blond hair). I have met new friends from Afghanistan, Haiti, Vietnam, Thailand, Mongolia, and of course Korea. I am learning to enjoy Korean food like seaweed, pickled cabbage, and other squishy delicacies.
My school is in a beautiful location. I am a mile from the beach. Similar to Taylor it is a Christian school away from town and home to only a few thousand students. But that's probably where the similarities stop. Rooms are smaller and with four roomates. Last night I was at a chapel service with performance with acts ranging from traditional Korean drumming to hiphop.
It's good to be at a place where some people speak English. I spent my first two days at a relative of a friend's house who hardly spoke English. But they were very gracious, showed me around Seoul and got me on a bus to my school... all an adventure of me not knowing where I was going - which pretty much sums up this semester for me. I honestly have no idea what will happen next, which classes I will take, how I will spend my time...but I am not worried, because God has been so faithful to me and has shown me that I should clearly be here for this time. I am excited to see what will happen next. (Phil 4:5-6)
So in closing, I will share a joke from my pizza eating, card playing, Bush-loving Congolese roomate:
What do you call someone who speaks two languages? bilingual
What do you call someone who speaks three languages? trilingual
What do you call someone who speaks one language? american
Thanks for following me in my journey to Korea. More updates and pictures will be soon to follow.
"Sure" I motioned with my feet and pointed enthusiastically at my soccer jersey.
"No, American football...I like to tackle people," he said with a grin.
This was my unexpected introduction to Mukulo, my new friend and roomate from the Congo...not quite what I was expecting to find at a Korean university.
But I've learned to throw away all of my expectations by now. Perhaps because I am not the typical student here either. In fact, I am the only caucasian student at this university (good thing I dont have blond hair). I have met new friends from Afghanistan, Haiti, Vietnam, Thailand, Mongolia, and of course Korea. I am learning to enjoy Korean food like seaweed, pickled cabbage, and other squishy delicacies.
My school is in a beautiful location. I am a mile from the beach. Similar to Taylor it is a Christian school away from town and home to only a few thousand students. But that's probably where the similarities stop. Rooms are smaller and with four roomates. Last night I was at a chapel service with performance with acts ranging from traditional Korean drumming to hiphop.
It's good to be at a place where some people speak English. I spent my first two days at a relative of a friend's house who hardly spoke English. But they were very gracious, showed me around Seoul and got me on a bus to my school... all an adventure of me not knowing where I was going - which pretty much sums up this semester for me. I honestly have no idea what will happen next, which classes I will take, how I will spend my time...but I am not worried, because God has been so faithful to me and has shown me that I should clearly be here for this time. I am excited to see what will happen next. (Phil 4:5-6)
So in closing, I will share a joke from my pizza eating, card playing, Bush-loving Congolese roomate:
What do you call someone who speaks two languages? bilingual
What do you call someone who speaks three languages? trilingual
What do you call someone who speaks one language? american
Thanks for following me in my journey to Korea. More updates and pictures will be soon to follow.
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