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Tuesday, 18 August 2009

Monday, 10 August 2009

  • Hello Korea

     

    Hot & Humid = two words to describe the weather here in korea. Compared to Texas its super sticky. I really don’t understand how Korean girls are so pale even though they walk out in the sun for hours…its truly amazing J

    All of the TALK scholars have been living in the dorms of KyungHee University out in Suwon. Everyone has been on a tight schedule for orientation. Classes start from 9 and goes until about 5:30 every day.

     

    Weekend:

    I went to Seoul to visit Eunjee Unnie this past weekend. She took me around everywhere in Seoul. We went to 안국, 명동,동대문, 압구정, 신사, 강남, 강변.

     

    Saturday:

    The TALK program took all of the scholars to watch the Nanta Performance. The show was amazing – its a musical/comedy show where performers use cooking utensils to make music. I heard that they were on broadway for a while on tour. I totally recommend you guys to go see it for yourselves J

    After the performance, we were dropped off at강남 for our own leisure time. I planned to meet eunjee there and met with her and her little brother. They took me around강남 and gave me a little tour of the city (I forgot what everything was called) We then went to a little shopping area to look around. Man was the shopping area jam packed with people. At one point I ended up getting shoved and pushed into a store by one of the show ladies up in front of the store haha. After looking around we met up with eunjee’s friend. We went to the area of the Blue House (President’s House) to meet up with more of eunjee’s friends and ate at a little restaurant there. Me, being the youngest, got yummy free food J. Then they took me out to a very cute coffee shop and we all ate patpingso and waffles (waffles are quite popular in korea and they make it look so good)

     

    By the time we were done eating and chatting it was already about 10ish 11. they tried to look for a bus to send me back to suwon but it took quite a long time to find the right one. We found one right in the nick of time and had to run to the bus – by the time I was on the bus the door closed and I didn’t even get a chance to say bye to the unnies L. The bus was jam packed so I was forced to stand in front of the door the whole hour back to suwon. No worries it wasn’t too bad J

     

    pictures014.jpg picture by kwmbc123 pictures037.jpg picture by kwmbc123

    Waffles                                          Shaved Ice

     

    Sunday:

    Me and Martha ended up going to a church in the area (although I didn’t quite understand everything). After church I took a bus back to Seoul to meet up Eunjee and her sister. I didn’t have a phone with me at the time and so when I got off the bus I tried looking for them but couldn’t so I went to the nearest pay phone and called them. I went to the nearest coffee shop and asked to use their phone and tried to get directions. During my waiting time I tried to find a place to sit but everything was full (and it was a 2 story coffee house) – I ended up going into the smoking area to grab a seat but after about 3 minutes I couldn’t stand the smell so I went back out. Then an American guy spotted me and asked if I wanted to sit down with him. SO NICE right?

     

    Guy (forgot his name): “Would you like to sit down? I saw you and it doesn’t seem like you’re a smoking type”

    Me: “THANKYOU so much. Hi I’m Tiffany…so umm what brings you to Korea?”

    Guy: “Hey I’m ____. I’m here to teach English”

    Me: “WOAH really? Me too. Are you with the TALK program?”

    Guy: “No I’m here with another program. Where are you from?”

    Me: “I’m from Texas”

    --- Eunjee unnie walks in ---

    Guy: “I’m from Texas too! From Lubbock!”

     

    Our conversation was cut short because Eunjee unnie walked in J

    Small world huh?

     

    The rest of the day consisted of going around and seeing more of Seoul, eating good free food, and lots of walking. I ended up being about 30 minutes late for curfew but it was worth it – eunjee’s family took me out for pizza J

    There are so many cute cafes to go to and there is much to do in korea (especially for couples) I like people watching and I’ve seen a lot of interesting stuff which I hope to write about next time J

     

    pictures021.jpg picture by kwmbc123

    Eunjee & Me

     

    I will do my best to update this more on a daily basis :) 

Sunday, 27 January 2008

  • i am usually the type of person who always keeps busy -- even if there isn't anything to do i always find something to do. however, lately i have been feeling super busy. it seems like everything is so fast paced -- there have been many times where i just wanted to push a pause button. i love my parents. they work so hard everyday to provide the best for our family. so this is the time of year when they are really really busy with work and bc of their busy schedule i have taken up the role as a superdaughter LOL. it's been a little hard but i have been managing.

    right after school, i pick up my little brother from school and on the days i work (mon, wed, and friday) i take him to work with me and he goes into the 2nd grade class while i work with my first graders. and the other two days of the week (for now) i take him to orchestra rehearsel with me. at home, on top of everything (from working on his school work and the extra work i have created for him) i have my homework and the things i need to do. [[its actually not as bad as it may sound -- sometimes i just wish i had more time for things lol.]]

    my little brother isn't the brightest. he's pretty a.d.d at times and is really behind in his reading and just language arts in general. before, i really didn't really help him with his school work or help him improve. i always complained that he needed to read more and someone needed to really help him improve but i myself never really did much. however, recently (with my parents not around) i really have gotten the chance of helping my little brother out. at first, not to lie, i was really hard on him but i after these past few days i have really learned how to work with my little brother and my patience with him has grown alot. i do alot of extra stuff with him (excluding his hw) and i really do see a slight improvement and its really rewarding. my relationship with my little brother has always been pretty good but i feel like all the time i am spending with him right now is making our bond even stronger.

    not to mention my little sister has been a tremendous help around the house. she has food ready for me and my little brother when we come home and she takes all the crap i send her way when i get stressed or have my little fits of anger. even though we still do argue from time to time, i think everything that we go through together continues to bring us closer as sisters. she has also actually recently accepted Christ as her Savior. HALLELUJAH ;]

    so although everything does seem to be going at a very fast pace right now, i am thankful that things are still holding up and i am glad there are positive outcomes of the situation. i really do believe in the midst of everything God is teaching me many things and i really do believe that without His help i'd prolly be in a different situation.

    also, childcare and work have really been my outlets! my passion for teaching children has really been growing. its great! i am really glad i took childcare this year..it has given me so many different opportunities to work with children. so basically in this class - we get to go to different elementary school sites where we go into school classrooms and basically act as an assistant teacher. 

      

    work has been equally good. i have so many different stories..but i think i will save them for next time ;]. but in end its just so rewarding to me when i do see children change -- its an even greater reward when you know that you are an influence that is helping them change (in a good and positive way ofcourse) things with school and friends are okay but nowadays it really does feel like when i am with my kids at work or at my field site - i am sincerely happy, enjoying myself, and worry-free.

    although there are times i just want to pout and complain about many things i try to keep in mind that everything is not about me. i try to keep in mind that we are to not serve ourselves but to serve others.

    "Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen." - 1 Peter 4:9-11

    [deleted] due to "confidentiality" rules i forgot about lol

    have a great week ;D