I really should have consulted my dear friend Molly before even jumping into the idea of Korea. That girl knows more about asian culture than I ever will.
That aside, I am currently reading up on the culture, and really... I love it. My coordinator sent me a 24 page " book" about South Korea. I'm reading it on my iphone as I type on my Mac. Wow, how Apple of me. Anyway, here's a tidbit that I read about some of the culture that I really enjoyed, hopefully whatever readers I have will also enjoy this:
1. Jerye:
Which is all about ancestry. I'm going to super summarize this. Basically, in Korean beliefs, when people die their spirits don't automatically go away. Instead of the spirit dying with the body, the spirit, and the relationship, stay around for a few generations. There are two holidays in which these relationships with ancestors are reaffirmed, as well as the date that the said relative passed away. Having lost a father, this idea seems really cool, and I kind of hope to bring this into my own life. Hopefully I get to experience this with whatever family I'm lucky enough to be placed with.
Oh, I'm giddy.
2. Oriental Medicine:
They believe in balancing out the whole body instead of just one aspect to rid off diseases. I get to partake in acupuncture, and herbal medicines.
For those of you who know, I wish to go into nursing school once I'm done with this venture, and then become an acupuncturist, so this is really exciting for me to be in a place that puts so much emphasis on what one of my own personal passions is.
I also had better get used to Kimchi, apparently it is ALL that I am going to be eating. Luckily, they use spoons for soups and noodles, otherwise I'm going to have to relearn how to use chopsticks.. which will really be a pain.. I was never good with chopsticks.
I'm going to explain the currency, now.
Koreans use Won as their currency. 1 USD= 1,180 Won.
Currency has been explained.
Holidays, they do celebrate Christmas, and I'm a lil bummed that I won;t get to celebrate a South Korean Christmas, what an interesting experience that would be!
However, as I'm reading.. I might actually end up living in a dorm... Looks like I might not have gotten away with that as I had hoped. Oh well!!
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
182.5 Days
182.5 Days. That's not the countdown, folks.. That's the time that I will spend in South Korea.
As some of you may have read, I was only acccepted to go to South Korea for half of a year. I had the option to go to another place for a full year, or even split up my time between two different locations. However, the money and the idea of switching from South Korea leaves an unsavory taste in my heart... well in my mouth, you get me.
I just got off the phone with my coordinator, who was very apologetic. She explained to me that no one was accepted for a full year in South Korea, however they are very excited to have me there. So, that's encouraging. I'm excited to be finally having a final move. I am currently working on more paperwork- I'm feeling like an adult- to finally figure out where I will be staying.
More information coming as soon as I know.
Cheers!
As some of you may have read, I was only acccepted to go to South Korea for half of a year. I had the option to go to another place for a full year, or even split up my time between two different locations. However, the money and the idea of switching from South Korea leaves an unsavory taste in my heart... well in my mouth, you get me.
I just got off the phone with my coordinator, who was very apologetic. She explained to me that no one was accepted for a full year in South Korea, however they are very excited to have me there. So, that's encouraging. I'm excited to be finally having a final move. I am currently working on more paperwork- I'm feeling like an adult- to finally figure out where I will be staying.
More information coming as soon as I know.
Cheers!
Wednesday, October 2, 2013
Almost to my goal
I have realized lately how expensive life really is. Man, everything costs money, especially when you're trying to save money. I've had some help from some lovely people. I have earned $5,000 dollars just on my own this summer from working. Boy, was it worth it. Unfortunately, I thought I had a job in place when I moved over to Salem, but it fell through. The story is constant, I'm not in Salem long enough for anyone to want to hire me. I promise, future employers, I'm a hard worker!
I have been calculating how much it will cost to just be able to go to South Korea. Im almost at my goal to where it will be comfortable, and I'll be able to travel to be able to be in Korea. Unfortunately, I didn't take in account for how much travel expenses and visas cost. Especially since I have to drive/ fly up to Seattle to get my visa, and go to Boston for my orientation. I'm starting to feel as if I'm leaving in just a few months. But really, I am leaving in just a few months. How odd to think about that. I can't wait to go. The longer I'm here in Salem, the more I'd like to get out. I don't like Salem. It's not the place I see myself longer than necessary. Bend is so much more lively. I miss all of you lovely Bend people.
While I've had lots of changes going on recently, the changes just make me that much more excited to leap from this nest in rainy Salem, into parts of an unknown world. I'm looking forward to the structure of an 8-5 day that I will have for eleven months ( not including weekends). One of my buddies ( Nicholas Schneider) is in Seminary School just half an hour away from me, and has been visiting me constantly for dinner. He just informed me last night that one of the Fathers is willing to teach me Korean (he's from Korea). I guess moving does have its perks!
I'm sure some of you know that there was a minor fluke in my ability to go to Korea, but I think that's all sorted out now; I'm crossing my fingers that it is. I'm still waiting to hear back from Korea if I'm able to go. The wait is killing me, there's so much I have to do to be able to go to South Korea. Starting November, I'm going to be busy just with stuff for South Korea.
I have been spending time with family this last week. I went on a mini road trip to Moses Lake WA to visit my grandparents with my brother, what a lovely trip. I have spent a weekend with my Aunt Linda, and a day with my Aunt Tammy. The best part about being in this crummy capitol, is that I'm close to my family.
Thank you so much to those of you who have donated. I will attach my donation site again, seriously, anything you can give is huge. It's tax deductible, and I suggest doing it through the site. I hate asking for money, but this will be the biggest gift I will ever receive.
http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/rhyswilliams/rhyswilliamssfundraisingpage
I have been calculating how much it will cost to just be able to go to South Korea. Im almost at my goal to where it will be comfortable, and I'll be able to travel to be able to be in Korea. Unfortunately, I didn't take in account for how much travel expenses and visas cost. Especially since I have to drive/ fly up to Seattle to get my visa, and go to Boston for my orientation. I'm starting to feel as if I'm leaving in just a few months. But really, I am leaving in just a few months. How odd to think about that. I can't wait to go. The longer I'm here in Salem, the more I'd like to get out. I don't like Salem. It's not the place I see myself longer than necessary. Bend is so much more lively. I miss all of you lovely Bend people.
While I've had lots of changes going on recently, the changes just make me that much more excited to leap from this nest in rainy Salem, into parts of an unknown world. I'm looking forward to the structure of an 8-5 day that I will have for eleven months ( not including weekends). One of my buddies ( Nicholas Schneider) is in Seminary School just half an hour away from me, and has been visiting me constantly for dinner. He just informed me last night that one of the Fathers is willing to teach me Korean (he's from Korea). I guess moving does have its perks!
I'm sure some of you know that there was a minor fluke in my ability to go to Korea, but I think that's all sorted out now; I'm crossing my fingers that it is. I'm still waiting to hear back from Korea if I'm able to go. The wait is killing me, there's so much I have to do to be able to go to South Korea. Starting November, I'm going to be busy just with stuff for South Korea.
I have been spending time with family this last week. I went on a mini road trip to Moses Lake WA to visit my grandparents with my brother, what a lovely trip. I have spent a weekend with my Aunt Linda, and a day with my Aunt Tammy. The best part about being in this crummy capitol, is that I'm close to my family.
Thank you so much to those of you who have donated. I will attach my donation site again, seriously, anything you can give is huge. It's tax deductible, and I suggest doing it through the site. I hate asking for money, but this will be the biggest gift I will ever receive.
http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/rhyswilliams/rhyswilliamssfundraisingpage
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