A Day at the Market!

Some Happenings in Seoul!

Palace Grounds

It’s been a while since I’ve written an update about the comings and goings of Korean life! I’m sorry!! I’m finally snuggled up in my warm apartment, drinking a hot cup of Rooibos tea and ready to share a little of what’s gone in the last few months!

One of my big excitements was finally getting Internet hooked up in my place last week Friday. Hopefully this will help me keep in better contact with everyone back home.  I’ve made frequent trips to local coffee shops and PC Bongs (computer houses that provide Internet for 1,000 won an hour) but it's not the same as being able to access internet at home.

Palace Guard 

The city is slowly becoming more familiar and I’m realizing more and more that there is SO much to do here. Some of my favorite moments have been the simple ones like going for long walks in Olympic park, shopping at local markets or having long coffees. I've spent most of my exploring time in the downtown core, which is about a 45 min subway ride away from where I live. There are so many different sections to explore, each with a slightly different focus - shopping districts, university areas, the foreigners hangout or areas dedicated to traditional Korean things. 

I have found a solid church to be a part of. It’s so wonderful to slowly start making new friends and meet people from all over the world and with so many stories to share. It’s a smaller church with a good mix of ‘white’ people and Koreans. The English service meets Sunday afternoons and is a whole day affair with the main service, Sunday school and a second service dedicated to praise and testimonies. The day ends with small group prayer time. With so many of us being English teachers that have crazy schedules and live far away, it's nice to be able to spend some concentrated time together one day a week. 

The Korean Alphabet

Traditional tea 

Every Monday and Wednesday morning my cousin Joanna and I get up early and brave the busy rush hour subway traffic (we are slowly learning that sometimes the only way off or on the subway is to push and shove – and Koreans don’t take offensive – it’s just normal!) to attend Korean classes.  We have learnt the entire alphabet now so can read all the signs around us and have started learning some basic greetings and phrases.  Its has been another neat place to meet people from all over the world like Sweden, Pakistan, Australia, Ireland, etc. Hopefully we will soon be able to say enough to feel comfortable ordering food and asking basic questions.

Kimchi pots!!

School life has started to become a nice routine and I’m starting to feel like I know my students a little more than just their names. We just finished up preparing for the pop song competition. Every class learned an English pop song and I'm happy to report that one of my classes successfully won a pizza party out of the competition, so we are all looking forward to enjoying it on Monday. Today we are celebrating Halloween with lots of candy and a special 'market' where students can trade their hard earned stamps, that they received for doing homework and good behaviour, in for small toys or stationary items. The end of the first term is slowly coming which means all the teachers are busy writing student comments and the students are getting ready to write their tests which will determine if they are able to 'level-up' to a higher class or not. When I'm not teaching or preparing for class I have been preparing 'book-club' lesson plans for next semester. It's been fun to read through lots of children's books and has brought back so many memories of reading as a kid. 

It's hard to believe that I've already been here for over two months. So much of it still seems so new and strange yet at the same time I feel like I've learnt so much already! 10 months to go!!

A view from Seoul from the mountain we climbed.

With Your Likeness Let Me Wake

I remember hearing this song for the first time this summer while counting cars on the Trans Canada down in Medicine Hat, Alberta. I listened to it over and over again one day!! It had been a long week for me - working 12-14 hrs a day and spending a couple of my evenings waiting in emergency at the local hospital.

It has been encouraging me again this week - especially the following lines:

May this journey bring a blessing,
May I rise on wings of faith;
And at the end of my heart's testing,
With Your likeness let me wake

I can't seen to add the actually video to this post so here is the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80s6fWli-Rc

Jesus draw me ever nearer
As I labour through the storm.
You have called me to this passage,
and I'll follow, though I'm worn.

May this journey bring a blessing,
May I rise on wings of faith;
And at the end of my heart's testing,
With Your likeness let me wake.

Jesus guide me through the tempest;
Keep my spirit staid and sure.
When the midnight meets the morning,
Let me love You even more.

Let the treasures of the trial
Form within me as I go -
And at the end of this long passage,
Let me leave them at Your throne.

Be Still

Still my soul be still, and do not fear though winds of change may rage tomorrow.
God is at your side, no longer dread the fires of unexpected sorrow.

God You are my God, and I will trust in You and not be shaken.
Lord of peace renew a steadfast spirit within me to rest in You alone.

Still my soul be still, do not be moved by lesser lights and fleeting shadows.
Hold onto His ways with shield of faith against temptations flaming arrows.

God You are my God, and I will trust in You and not be shaken.
Lord of peace renew a steadfast spirit within me to rest in You alone.

Still my soul be still, do not forsake the Truth you learned in the beginning.
Wait upon the Lord and hope will rise as stars appear when day is dimming.

God You are my God, and I will trust in You and not be shaken.
Lord of peace renew a steadfast spirit within me to rest in You alone.