Gwanak climb

Last week we had Chuseok holiday, Korean thanksgiving. (Hence why I haven't posted in ages). Wednesday, we took the nuriro to Seoul, took a subway somewhere else, then walked a while up hilly streets until they told me we were at the trail. I was clueless. We were climbing Gwanaksan! It was my first Korean hike, one I did not take very seriously to begin with. You should've seen what the Korean "hikers" were wearing - it looked like they were about to ascend Everest in long nylon pants, strappy backpacks, walking poles, and visors. I, on the other hand, was wearing a t-shirt, shorts, and tennis shoes. Got some kimbap for the climb and we were off! The first part of the climb is through the woods up many, many, many, MANY stairs. And the second was  along the ridge with a spectacular view of Seoul. 

And thennnnn there was a medical evacuation via helicopter. This is how close we were. I probably still have sand embedded into my skin. Helicopters are tough!

But man oh man, just LOOK at that view. I died a little, okay a lot. The view was that good, but I also died because it was a long climb.

Climbed through some rocks, traversed some rock faces, had to pull myself up the side of the mountain via a rope. No big deal (it was awesome). There were times I could've fallen off the side of the mountain, the mountain I didn't take seriously in the beginning.

And at the end, after you've reached the top, the Korean men there have cheered you up the last rock face, they've given you high-fives, and you start going down the other side... you come to this beautiful temple filled with lots and lots of hikers. Some who were lame and came up the back way, and some who were awesome (or crazy) like us and came up the front. There was a lot of cold water and a lot of ice cream.

On the train home, this little girl came up to me, sat down, and said "hey." I was a little taken aback to be addressed and in English at that! But she was charming, and she was fluent, and she had quite the spunky attitude. And we taught her to say "mind blown."

The mountain that I didn't take seriously took me out for days and my calves still hate me. But it took five hours to climb that beast, and the Koreans at the top were proud of me. 

Don't take anything for granted, and definitely don't underestimate climbing a mountain. You'll feel silly at the top. Thank you God for views that leave you speechless... 

and helicopters.  

The children

A glimpse into my day: these are my darling third graders (just one class of five). 

They have a joy and affection for life that is contagious. I look forward to seeing them because they act like they LOVE English! (As of yet to be determined). Please take particular note of their facial expressions because each is endearing. Feel life while you're in it, like these kids do. Take each day by the horns. Expect adventure.

Korean Food Porn: Shabu shabu on a Monday

Monday: our co-teachers, Mrs. Hong and Ms. Han, took Julie and I out for a celebratory birthday and welcome-to-the-country dinner! We went to a shabu shabu restaurant (not to be confused with shamu, the whale, which I keep doing). It was sooooo good. The best I've had so far. It was a 3-course meal - the first was wrapping cooked veggies and meat in rice paper, the second was then cooking noodles in the leftover broth, and the third was a rice porridge. And the restaurant had a coffee and dessert bar connected to it, and that just boosted it in my favor. I'll let the pictures do the talking - Enjoy salivating!

Weekends on the hill

Friday nights are generally spent at the bottom of the hill (or BOTH) in community with the other foreigners. It's fun to get to know people here. On the way home from school, I spotted a "matching couple," which is strangely common. When in a relationship, some couples find it necessary to wear male and female versions of the exact same outfit down to the underwear and phone cases... I still don't get it. There are even matching pajama sets.

Saturday was stormy, so I spent most of it in bed doing "productive" things. But Saturday night I went to my first noraebang, which is like private karaoke. It's just you and your friends in a small room with a couple microphones and way too many songs to choose from. Three hours and 39 songs later, I  determined my future go-to song is "Total eclipse of the heart" - a classic. 

I got to Skype the parents last night for a few hours (the stolen internet works wonders!) And it was so good to see their faces and hear their voices. Even Tumbleweed joined the party. I miss them.

This morning I went to my first Korean church service. I didn't understand the sermon, but they gave foreigners headphones that were connected to a translator. It was a good message, something that applied to me now (albeit a little hard to understand). For the most part the songs were songs I'd heard before but in Korean so I could still song along. But there were times when I would just close my eyes and listen. It is a special experience and a blessing to worship the same God in different languages. 

Our God is an awesome God.  

For the special song, these three boys sang beautifully. I thought it was funny that everyone got out their phones and cameras to record them, so I had to document it. They were basically our own cute boy band. 

Silly and great and memorable things happened this weekend.

Oh, and Michigan won again. Go blue!

All Thy Fullness is on repeat this evening. He is my fullness, firm and steady.

Meet: Korean children are the bees knees and Beer Heaven

I kid you not. I'm literally obsessed with the cuteness of these children (Shout out to Anne: I'm turning into you). They wear these precious little round glasses that make them look like mini turtles. One of these days I'll post a picture of one of said cute babies. Haven't worked up the awkward courage yet...

But SPEAKING OF precious, cute, darling children: I was a judge in a pre-English festival competition "thing" a couple days after school this week. Yesterday, the third graders performed. And let me tell you, the cute third graders just became my favorite graders. Watch and see: 

But wait.. it gets better. Look at these instruments! What skill! What finesse! What cuteness! 

I died a little inside. Not to mention that I was caught singing along in the back of the room. They know the way to my heart. I'd like to think they were serenading me with their words and cuteness. Yup, that's what I still think. 

It's been a busy week at school. And teaching is so tiring. Next time, pat an educator on the back. They'll think it's creepy - but if it were me, it would make me feel necessary and worthwhile. I am educating children of the future! Some day, what I teach them they will use to change the world! (This is what I hope: I'm creating mini, English-speaking superheroes destined for greatness and cuteness). 

And then, tonight, I found heaven. Well, I knew where it was, I just hadn't made it there yet. Welcome to HomePlus, foreign beer capital of Asan territory. Quality beer - two words I didn't think I would use together for a verrrrrrrrrrry long time. 

So tonight: I'm drinking Dark BrouCzech bottled and brewed by Nova Paka Brewery in Nova Paka, Czech Republic (since 1872) (Hello, I'm being beer-cultured). I'm listening to One Direction on repeat (don't judge me.. yet). I'm blogging about cute kids and beer (duh, cuteness). I'm journaling (say what?). I'm reading 1984 (but really, say what). And I'm eating cheese. 

I am so content tonight. 

How many times did I say "cute" or a variation of in this post? Too many (or 9 times too many) and that doesn't even count the synonyms. Good night! Good night.

Korean coffee is the answer

The past week has flown by, and the amount of stuff I crammed into it is astonishing in itself. I'll only clue you into the most interesting parts so you're more inclined to follow through with the entire saga, deal?

I'm sitting in my apartment listening to Fleet Foxes and Avett Brothers as I recover from sheer exhaustion. Let the drama unfold. This week, I became a teacher; I became a sore thumb; I became a public bus regular; I became a color me rad "runner"; and I became a real person. 

This is the classic "first day of school" pic. In front of the numerous plants in and around my elementary (I love all the plants - fresh air is good for the soul). 

My Korean name tag. They call me "Rogan teacher." (They have a hard time with their r 's, l 's, p 's, and f's). So it goes. It's pretty endearing. And I can actually read my name tag now! Yeehaw! 

Third graders with Mrs. Hong.

I creep, I think it's halfway expected of me. 

To celebrate the end of the first day of school: coffee. 

Another day, waiting for the bus (I am the queen of public transport now). Mom, this picture is for you. Don't worry, I match AND look presentable.

This day was exciting and extra stalker-ish. Some of the girls were competing in a music contest where they played  traditional Korean instruments. I saw them walking, I saw they were dressed up, I followed them to their practice session. I admit they probably think I'm strange, but I'm one of the only foreign weirdos in the school so I get away with it. 

Aren't they darling?!! You would follow them too. Then the unthinkable happened: I confiscated my first Korean LOVE note!! Translation: basically these two fifth graders look good together and they love these Korean bands, yada, yada.  

These  two dears clean the classroom every lunch. And they serve us coffee.

This week I also learned Hangul!! It's like a secret coded puzzle and I've had fun using my special powers to decode license plates and read subway stops.

Walking to the bus stop. I liked my outfit, don't judge.

To celebrate completion of first week : coffee. There is always an occasion for coffee. Always.

I became a real person this day because I finally got my alien registration number from the immigration office! I'm real!!

The color run in Incheon was this morning. I was  dirty for hours. I would compare my personal appearance to that of Linus from Charlie Brown : a cloud of colored dust followed me everywhere, on the bus, in the Mexican restaurant, on the subway, and in the taxi.

Color me rad 5k = very little running and a lot of people on a leisurely stroll documenting every second with photographs. These days. Look above! They're not even walking! They're LAYING DOWN!! What. I've seen things I never  thought I'd see. I'm learning things I didn't know needed to be learned.   

But I celebrated the colorful finish with coffee, and 

I fondly believe I singlehandedly left a lot of Korea more colorful today. 

Spread joy, people, spread joy.

 (Although I'm not sure how the people sitting next to me on the subway felt).

Here's to the next adventure: trying to watch Michigan kick Notre Dames BUTT live in tomorrow mornings game!!!