Jinju Orphanage

On Saturday Katie and I went with Arianne to an orphanage in the nearby city of Jinju. Katie, Arianne, and Maureen (a friend of Arianne) led a small English session with the kids. We sang songs and, as you can see, Katie read a book.



Do I look outnumbered to you? According to the kids, my hair is "yellow". The kiddos were all very well behaved and extremely friendly. After the lessons, we spent time doing a worksheet and coloring. When we were finished, the director, her son, and his family took us out to eat (galbitang at a traditional restaurant). We had a great day.




The following is a brief video of Arianne leading the children. This will give you some idea of her awesome Korean skills. Wherever she goes, the children always love her.

And so it goes

So it turns out that poor Aaron will be working six days a week this next term. We're pretty bummed. Two of the days he only has 1 three hour class, but the fact that he has to be there six days in a row is pretty crummy. This will be the case for the next thirteen weeks. We're just hoping the time goes by quickly! Luckily, he's been assured that he will not have to work Saturdays next term which is good news since my sister Mindy and her boyfriend Dave will be coming to see us during that time, and he'd rather not be swamped with work during the whole visit.
On a lighter note, we've begun taking private Korean lessons from a woman who teaches at Changwon University. Her English name is Julie, and she speaks and understands the English language very well. She's very professional too. She has us using a textbook and workbook that is also used at the university. Our first meeting was this past Wednesday, and she really gave us a run for our money! We really didn't know what to expect, I guess. I don't read Korean script as well as Aaron, and he would tell you that he's just OK at it. When she arrived at our apartment, she just dove into the lesson by giving us worksheets to do that had not even one word in English on them. I was a little overwhelmed, but in an exciting way, I guess. So for the past 24 hours, I've been racking my brain trying to memorize the Korean alphabet and replay new vocabulary words in my head. I'm proud to say that I can write my name in Hangul, and read some other words- very slowly.
In addition to the private lesson, another opportunity to learn Korean has come up. My friend Young asked me if I would be willing to do a language exchange with her. Meaning that she teaches me Korean in exchange for a lesson in English. No money involved. She has been studying English for a few years and is pretty good at it, so I may take her up on the offer.
Otherwise, there is nothing new to report. We are happy and healthy, and glad to hear that our families are as too. Well, I guess the ones in Colorado aren't happy about gas prices, but in general they are happy :)

Katie

2 Months Down, 10 to go

We recently hit the 2 month mark of our journey, and now we're already halfway through it. It's amazing how fast time is passing here. Aaron is wrapping up this term next week, and will start a new 13 week term on May 26. We're hoping he won't be scheduled to work Saturdays, but it's possible he'll have to work 6 days a week.

Here are a few pictures of our class at the center:

Movies!

Thanks to Mom sending us the Canon Powershot (which we had left in Colorado), we can now shoot movies. Here are a couple from Wednesday, when Katie and I went back to Haeundae Beach.


Katie waves "hi" from Haeundae.


The delicious-looking silkworm larvae we've told many of you about.


Some ajummas on the subway. Please note the over-sized visor...

Just a Random Update

It's another long weekend for many here in Korea. Monday is Buddha's b-day and lots of businesses will be closed. Aaron will of course have classes again even though it's a pretty big holiday in Korea, but we found out that he won't have to work during Chuesok (Korean "Thanksgiving") and the Lunar new year, so that will be a nice break. We keep hearing the sound of drums coming from the middle of the city and assume it has to do with Buddha. Several streets are lined with Chinese lanterns also signifying the holiday.
Today is Saturday, and normally Aaron has the day off, but one of the teachers he works with is getting married in Seoul (to a Korean girl) and he's covering a class so another teacher can attend the wedding. It's been getting more humid here, so it feels pretty hot even though it's really only around 70 degrees out. Arianna told me that May can be dreary with little sunshine and occasional showers. It's like that outside today.
We're feeling pretty settled here and comfortable with our surroundings. We have a few favorite restaurants and shops we like to mill around in. Jino's Italian Restaurant is probably our favorite "western" restaurant. They make a delicious pepperoni pizza and a super cheesy spaghetti we love. There are a few other pizza places we've tried and like. Before coming here, we read that Koreans just can't make a normal pizza. Normal being red sauce, and topped with cheese and pepperoni or other veggies. Although they do like to eat "seafood explosion" on their pizza, and add weird sauces, you absolutely can order a "normal" pizza. We also like the TGI Friday's here. Before Korea I had never even been into a Friday's. I know we must have them in Colorado, but I've never been to one. Anyway, it's pretty tasty and oh so American!
Our favorite Korean food has to be the barbecue. I enjoy all the side dishes there, plus it's cheap!
There aren't too many other Korean dishes that I really like. They all have really interesting flavors and usually some sort of fish or sea creature in the mix. Barf. Just for the record, seafood is NOT growing on me since moving here.
Anyway, we're going to be greeters at church tomorrow. Hanbit likes for the foreigners to greet because after all, the service is for "us". We may be going to the beach afterwards to attend the "Awakening" service for Christians. I don't know if we will go for sure, but it sounds interesting.
Henry and Nancy helped us get a cell phone the other day. We weren't sure we would really need one, but the more people we meet we realized that it's just easier to have one so we can make plans to hang out.
Henry got a job at Aaron's school. He's not a teacher, but he does help with the children and their parents. He's basically a translator between foreign teachers and parents.
We really love hanging out with Henry and Nancy. We always try some new food, or see a new place with them, and they are just fun to be around. Henry and a few of the other guys from church have this interest in shooting b.b. guns, and this of course has caught Aaron's attention, so Henry ordered him his own gun so they can all go shooting. Apparently it's illegal to own your own gun here, so all the toy guns look very real and I guess that's part of the attraction. Nancy and I decided that we would have girl time while they have guy time and maybe do some baking. She'll be getting an oven in the new apartment they're moving into when they get married. I'm so jealous!! I really miss having an oven!
That's all for now :)

The Center

Although I don't have any pictures yet, I wanted to post about the ministry I have been so blessed to be a part of. For the past month or so I've been accompanying Arianna to the Good Samaritan Rehabilitation Center (or, "the center") here in Changwon and giving free English lessons to the handicapped and orphans. We meet on Tuesdays in the Pulip-ma-el Kindergarten and teach them very basic English words and songs. We also try to incorporate a story from the bible and do a memory verse. Many of the children who attend school here live at home, but the majority are orphans and live at the center. The center is a large facility with a hospital, therapy rooms, classrooms, recreation rooms, and living quarters. On Thursdays, we have mostly adults in our group, and teach them almost the same curriculum.

The most prominent disability I can identify is Cerebral Palsy, but some, like Meedim, who is of sound mind but is underdeveloped physically, also reside here. Arianna told me that many of the residents have been abandoned as infants and don't know their parents, while others do have families they see regularly, but are unable to live at home because it's too expensive for their family to care for them.

There are also many orphanages in Korea. I visited one with Arianna and another volunteer, Tad, last week. The kids were a little rowdy, but I think it's because they act like brother and sister to one another and are easily annoyed! I'm hoping for the chance to help with the infants soon.

I feel very blessed to be able to freely share God's word here, and volunteer my time for the Lord. At the end of May, our church will be going to another orphanage on an island near Pusan, to have service and prayer with them. Aaron and I are excited for the chance to minister together.

Changwon at Night

Before coming to Changwon, I was told by a number of people that the city is "small". For instance, the woman who interviewed me at the Korean consulate in San Francisco back in February. When I told her my destination she responded, "Ah yes, Changwon. Very small, in southern part of Korea."

But really it's all relative; roughly half a million people life in Changwon. The city was one of the first planned cities in Korea, built about twenty years ago. As I understand it, a small village always existed here, but the present city is almost totally modern. Because this city was planned, it is not quite so congested and there are more parks and open areas than in any other city in Korea. But head downtown, particularly at night (the weekend would be especially choice, though any night will do), and you will get a good sense of just how many people live here.

The first time I saw the city at night, I could only think to compare it to Las Vegas. Downtown is filled with flashing neon lights. The office buildings in Korea are covered with advertisements, and the businesses inside the buildings are often very diverse. For example, the bottom floor may contain a convenience store, a restaurant, and a hardware store. The next floor could have a bar, a bookstore, and a "barber shop" (which may or may not be, in fact, a house of ill-repute). The whole building may contain ten or fifteen floors, each as diverse as the ones described.

These pictures don't really do the scene justice. The neon signs are so busy, that really video would be required to convey the full effect. It is truly amazing. I walk through this stretch of downtown each night that I work, usually around 10:45 PM.

Children's Day

Today is Children's Day in South Korea. It's a national holiday observed for parents and other family members to celebrate their children by lavishing them with candy and toys. If this took place in America or somewhere like Canada, I think I'd disagree with it, but kids in Korea are worked pretty hard at school and various other extra curricular activities, so they kind of deserve this day. Public schools and most businesses are closed, (except the toy store :), and even some English academies, but not Aaron's school. It would have been nice for him to take the day off, but even nicer for the poor kids who don't have to go to public school, but have to leave their water guns behind in the park and go to English school. What's even worse is that Aaron is administering a test to them today called the "Level Up" test. This determines whether or not they can go on to the next level of English courses. So no big blow up jumpy castle for them, just a big test :(
We went out earlier to see if we could catch a glimpse of children out enjoying their "day" and sure enough, we were passed up on the sidewalk by several kiddos skipping along or roller blading along with balloons, ice creams, and their parents trailing behind. In the park is where we saw the blow up jumpy things, as well as families having picnics and playing soccer.
Aaron and I decided to join in the festivities by eating some cotton candy, and browsing the toy store.
It was an exciting day in Korea!

Korean Cultural Primer Chapter 1: Ajummas

I realize that we have not said much regarding the cultural differences we have encountered here in Korea. Our silence has not been for want of material; if anything, our preoccupation with adapting to some of the differences has likely been at least partially to blame. Some cultural differences have been interesting, others annoying. The one I am about to elaborate upon was interesting... at first.

So, allow me to share with you the facts regarding ajummas. "Ajumma" is a Korean word which refers to a middle-aged, married woman. As you may imagine, ajummas may be seen everywhere here. Their gloved hands, permed hair, and over sized sun visors are quite hard to miss.

Here is a good definition I found online: "Ajumma (아줌마) : A term used to address an adult female individual of married age and/or runs a business or restaurant. The stereotypical 'ajumma' image is that of a short, stocky, tough old woman who wears purple pants and permed hair, and has sharp elbows on the subway. The word ajumma is also used to call older women when in a restaurant or simply when getting a person's attention, but it is best to only call older women this as women of a somewhat younger age may not think of themselves as ajummas yet, especially if they are in their 30s and maybe even early 40s."

Traditionally, women have not occupied a high place in the social strata of Korea. In the not-so-distant past Korean women were expected to live quiet, sober lives and work in the home. In fact, this expectation still exists to some degree. However, after middle-age a metamorphosis begins to occur. Generally speaking, the older the ajumma, the more pronounced the change appears to be. If you ever come to Korea, here are a few important, if unofficial, rules to keep in mind regarding ajummas:

1. Ajummas may do whatever they like. For example, they are not required to wait their turn in line. They may enter the line wherever they choose, and it so happens that this is usually right in front of you.

2. When passing an ajumma in a crowd, beware her elbows and feet. In Korea pushing and shoving in crowded situations is the norm. However, it is considered respectful to keep a polite distance from elders. As you might imagine, this is often not possible. Still, ajummas will not hesitate to enforce this social law by jabbing you in the gut or stomping your sandal-clad toe.

3. Ajummas are not your friend.

4. Ajummas do not approve of your presence in Korea. But don't take it personally; they don't approve of anyone.

5. Finally, ajummas can snort, hack, and hock lugies like the best men, and do so quite frequently. They were done being sexy a long, long time ago.

A case in point: While standing in line to purchase a bus ticket, I noticed a gray-haired woman approach from the side and begin lingering around the front of the line. She craftily fained as though she was digging for money in her purse -in fact, she was looking for a prime opportunity to edge her way into the front of the line. When she spotted me, a pasty-looking waegook ("foreigner"), she knew exactly where she would make her move. As my turn at the ticket window approached, the ajumma casually ooched closer while continuing to rummage in her bag.

The person in front of me finished purchasing his ticket, and I stepped up to the window. Just as I took a breath to speak, the woman literally elbowed her way in front of me and stomped my toe. She thrust a wad of bills at the attendant behind the glass and shouted, "Masan-heng pyo han-jang chooseep seyo!" (give me a ticket to Masan). Amazingly, she did all this without so much as looking at me.

If you ever come to Korea, heed this warning: Beware the ajumma.

Beach Bums

Gwangalli beach is another beach located in Busan. Gwangalli is more of a "locals" beach and, as word has it, doesn't get as crowded as Haeundae beach during the summer months. Katie and I went there on Wednesday to relax and catch some sun.