Starting May 2008 with a few misc. pics from da Seoully

This is Danny and one of the kids at the orphanage.
A girl at the orphanage.
One of the Korean volunteers at the orphanage with one of the many kids there.
A boy at the orphanage.
A view from some tall building that I ended up in when I was randomly dragged to some Korean kid's 100-day party. Turning 100 days old is a big deal here.
A nice day along 하ㄴ강.

Subway entertainment.
A boy at the orphanage.
The hand of a boy at the orphanage. This kid was amazing at drawing!! Here, he was teaching me Korean. I learned HEAD, SHOULDER, KNEE, EYES, MOUTH, NOSE, EARS, NECK and to his joyful laughter BUTT. The paper he wrote on is now taped up on my wall in my room.

안영
The kids at the orphanage are NOT actual orphans. They are kids from broken homes. Sometimes they see their parents. Most of the times, they are at the orphanage. I was told that none of them will be sold...I mean adopted.

OTHER THAN THAT:
I am well. The sun is warm. The flowers are blooming. I have met some really nice people. I am learning the culture still - and loving it. I AM SOOO HAPPY!!!

Spring in Korea with Humpty-Dumpty and and and and and PRIDE!!!

It's been a while since I blogged...I've been busy with work and stuff. Let me explain... Life in Korea is more time consuming than you might think...texting on the phone takes time, walking to the subway takes time, enjoying the moments takes a lot of time. OK, those are really bad excuses, but truthfully I've been very absorbed in living in the moment...AND I'M LOVING IT!

Korea is a beautiful place and I feel a sense of belonging that I've never felt before...not in this way anyhow. I have truly learned (and am still learning) to live in the moment and to appreciate the small things. Small things make me smile. Small things are sometimes very meaningful.

Let me give you an example. This morning I woke up from a random text from someone that had obviously texted the wrong number. The message was in Korean. I didn't know who it was from and since I have friends that speak Korean I wasn't sure if this was from a friend...so I texted back "who is this?" Well, the conversation went something like this:
Stranger: bla bla bla (in Korean)
Marie: Who is this? (in English)
Stranger: Go home yankee (in English)
Marie: I am at home
Stranger: you humpty dumpty (meaning white on the outside, but feeling Korean on the inside)
Marie: I am Korean and I'm proud of it.
Stranger: You make me laugh.
End of Conversation.

Mainpoint: It's the first time I've said "I am Korean and I'm proud of it." WHAT A BREAK THROUGH HUH!?!?

Gotta go...my students are waiting...that would be Scott, Andy, Theo and Jihwan...

Hello.

2008-04-07

I feel pretty adjusted to Korea now. I have my everyday life of work (it's going great) and my apartment (quiet, listen to music, watch a little TV) and...well, that's pretty much it.

Last Friday was the company party. Everyone from the two branches were there....we ate and drank soju and makju.

I went to Koroot last weekend also to visit for the first time since I moved out....it was nice and I realized how much I've missed it.

Spring has sprung. Today is my first no-jacket day! YES!

More soon...

A Little Picture of me

Hi, just a short note to let you all know I am well....and here is a little picture of me...