I love the kids I work with. They crack me up. My favorite kid is named Helicopter, and he has recently started kissing me on the cheek when he sees me... melts my heart! Work is getting better, still.. I now officially have a schedule, but I have yet to receive my pocket money.. which is too long delayed in arriving. I am frustrated with the lack of organization with my work project. I am helping out in an English class for 2.5 hours, and then I eat lunch, ride two buses with children, on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, I teach swimming lessons with US aged 2-3 year olds, and then I end with Taikwondo which I really just hang out with the kids. On Tuesdays and Thursdays... well I don't really do much. I just sit after 2pm until 5pm. So, I'm hoping to maybe get another project on Tuesdays and Thursdays, or at least do something. On Friday, one of the boys ( Happy Boy) looked me dead in the eye in English class, and pulled out his penis in the middle of class. I didn't entirely know what to do, I told him " you can't do that" in Korean, and he just giggled and put it back. But I was glad to get out of that classroom after that incident.
My favorite boys ( minus happy boy)
It was my Best Chingu's birthday on Friday. Hannah turned 25! We went out for beer and chicken on Friday. This was the first major outing of all the new volunteers ( minus May who got sick the day before, poor girl) since we first arrived in Seoul. Even Marcy joined us! Vivi and Claire came up with the idea of making Hannah birthday chocolates, so Thursday, all the girls did that. It was a fun process, and it was even more neat that everyone was so excited about such a personal gift. I got her a separate gift, and a cake.
Marcy!
Saturday, Loren, Hannah, and I woke up early to get outside of Seoul- our weekly tradition. This time we went exploring the Dasan River Trail. I was thrilled to be able to go out and see such beautiful scenery. Everyone outside of Seoul is so friendly! More people are willing to speak to you, and I got told I was pretty 3 times, which is always really flattering. We ended up meeting a very nice man, who ended up being a bit TOO nice, that raised the hair on my neck, and obviously set off alarms with Hannah and Loren as well. He wanted us to join him on an adventure, and none of us felt right in saying NO. So, we made some lame excuse, and walked away after being stuck with him for half an hour on the metro system. We ended up going on a good 10 mile hike, probably a bit further. Hannah ordered us food in Korean, which is exciting. The food we got was really good, and I'm starting to really enjoy kimchi. In all honesty, I'm craving it right now.. might have to go break into the kimchi stash in the fridge. Loren, Hannah, and I dipped our feet ( well I walked ) in the North Han River. The water was cold, but being from the lovely region of icy lakes, I enjoyed dipping my feet in the water. We followed a bike path a very long way, saw a beautiful cove, met some very friendly people - one of them called Loren a selfish person because she's working with kids in an orphanage without being religious.. made me laugh- and after a while were convinced that we were lost. Seeing Pajong station was a breath of fresh air for us. I met some puppies, who were absolutely but Hannah made a good point of rabies, so I couldn't pet them. A lady on the subway back over heard Loren and I talking, and asked me where I was from, completely ignoring Loren throughout this entire conversation. Ends up, the lady had been through Oregon. I love when the US gets more love than the UK.
I have gained back some of my weight that I lost early on in my time in Seoul. I am still a lot lighter than I was when I left Oregon. I have finally received some post from Oregon. two postcards from mom, sent two weeks apart, arrived the same time. I do not understand the mailing system, but if you do send me something, send it to the Jongno address that I posted earlier on. If you want the address, don't be afraid to email me, or message me on the good ol' FB. I loved receiving the mail from my mom. Brought me to tears when Marcy delivered them to me on Friday. I am enjoying Seoul the more I am here. I am enjoying the friends I have made, and even though it's been a gigantic struggle, I'm glad I'm here. However, if anyone is looking at going to South Korea through ICYE, I highly discourage it. It's very unorganized, and though the people are lovely, it's not worth the stress if you are given a warning. Hannah and I did get our photos from the random photographer, and he has agreed to show us around Seoul one of these days. Here's one of the best photos of the two of us.
I hope you are all well, and I hope this week, you tell your Dad's how much you love them. I wish I could tell mine.
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