Yes, it has been a long time since I have updated...sorry! I think I feel like life is becoming "normal" here and so I forget that I need to post updates on what isn't normal to my readers. Seosan is really starting to feel like a community! People now know me by name, I can no longer leave my house without running into at least one person to stop and talk with. I now leave my house early to allow time for these unplanned run-ins. My area of town is very quaint and child friendly. There are always children running around and I am constantly surrounded by young students screaming "hello!".
Work is going well. I was fortunate to get a now job that I love! Every Tuesday and Thursday, I take the bus to Deasan (45 minutes from Seosan). Deasan is the home of the worlds largest company-LG. I get to eat lunch with the environmental engineers for LG, then we drive to the office building where I teach them conversational English for an hour. I absolutely love this job. There are usually 6 men in my "class" and we just talk about life. We spend most of our time comparing life in Korea to the United States. I am learning so much about Korea from these men, I think I should be paying them!
Today was Easter, and one of the best days I have had in Korea! Easter is my favorite holiday, so it was wonderful to have such a great day. As soon as I woke up this morning, I was able to eat the ears off my chocolate bunny like I have every year since my very first Easter thanks to my fabulous Easter package from home! Then I went to church with my friend Sade. It was my first time attending church here. I have to be honest, and confess that I'm not sure if I really enjoyed the service, but the church was lovely and an awesome experience. The service was in English, and if you closed your eyes the pastors voice sounded identical to Arnold Schwarzenegger. The mere fact that it felt like I was being preached to by the Terminator made it difficult to enjoy church. I found myself chuckling at his voice more often than listening to the words. At the end of the service, the pastor gave all the foreigners $20 gift cards to a nice Italian restaurant in town. It was a very nice gesture to make us feel welcome in a place far from home.
A couple of my favorite students attended the same service. After church they came to my house, then we went across the street to play basketball. They told me that was their first time to play basketball, and we definitely had a lot of fun. It was great to see them get to play and be kids for a few hours since most kids here study 24/7. When we were finished, we went back to my house to wash our hands, and they discovered my Easter candy!!! I was more than happy to share my candy with them and tell them all about how we celebrate Easter in the States. They even enjoyed eating their very first chocolate bunny!
Robby and Cindy with the bunny!
This evening, their families took Sade and I out for dinner to a lovely restaurant. Robby's parents said they used to come to this restaurant for dates before they got married. I had a great time talking with their parents, and getting to know both families. We talked about everything from work, school, travel, and even the birth of their children....haha! I felt so welcomed by them! I look forward to future dinners, picnics on the beach, and fishing trips!
The awesome restaurant
Sade and I
enjoying our Easter dinner
I feel extremely lucky to have met so many wonderful people in my community. I always feel honored when I am so openly welcomed by families-no matter where I am in the world. It is so nice to be welcomed into a family when I am missing my own family immensely.
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