Do you remember the song from Sesame Street? "These are people in my neighborhood, in my neighborhood . . ." It's a catchy tune and pretty much anyone who had Big Bird and the rest of the gang as part of their childhood TV watching, remembers that song.
Last year when we lived at Migeum I was able to meet a few of our neighbors. They were mostly shop owners in our building. We lived in an Officetel and most of our building was made up of businesses and had very few family apartments. It was wonderful but also difficult because few people spoke English.
This year we live in Dongbaek. By bus we are 30-40 minutes South from Migeum. The area we live in is considered a new area--built in perhaps the last 5-10 years. Our apartment is located in what is called a "villa"--it's comprised of businesses and residential apartments. It's like a small town--there are restaurants, cafe's, small grocery stores and Hagwon's (private academy's). We live near some high rise apartments but in our immediate area, it's mostly 2-3 story buildings.
In the past 2 months I have met more people/families in our neighborhood than I did a whole year at Migeum.
Meet Grace. Grace owns her own bakery, I Love Cookie Box. Grace also offers baking classes at her shop. Last week I was able to participate in her class on making scones. Afterward, we went to a local restaurant and enjoyed a delicious bowl of seafood and noodles. I try to stop by her shop a few times a week as I pass by just to say hello.
Just a few days ago I was riding the 810 home and met a woman by the name of MiJung. The bus was extremely crowded. When she and her husband got on I tried to make room for her to stand next to me so that she could have something to hold onto. MiJung is 8.5 months pregnant. We started chatting, her English is perfect. I found out she had been a missionary for 10 years in Singapore. Two years ago she felt like it was time to return to Korea. After returning to Korea, she met her husband, they married 1 year ago and are now expecting their first baby. I found all of this out on the 810 bus ride home. It was time for me to get off and wouldn't you know, they were getting off at the same stop. We got off the bus and began our walk home. We walked all the way through our neighborhood--or villa as they say here--as we approached our apartment, we realized that we live across the street from one another. I couldn't believe it. We are having tea together this week.
Just a funny side note about MiJung. I was taking the dog for a walk and I ran into MiJung. We were chatting about our day and I mentioned that I had been doing some reading and writing in my journal. Upon hearing this she replied, "Oh, I would very much like to read your journal some day!" I tried not to look surprised. What? Read my journal. Oh, my goodness! I explained what my journal was for and she still had the same reply.
I like walking through our villa because now when a few of the shop owners see us, they give us a warm smile and hello. Every morning I see an elderly couple out walking their dog--the dog we refer to as 'the bright orange tailed dog'--we always greet one another and smile. They would like our dogs to be friends but Lucy will have nothing to do with that--I think it could be the bright orange tail--it's rather alarming. :-)
Foreigners tend to stay to themselves or only connect with other foreigners. It's wonderful to make these small attempts to engage those around us despite the language barrier. Beautiful things happen when you smile or even make a faint attempt to communicate. I think these moments are mostly beautiful because the person receiving it, doesn't expect it.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Mount Seorakson
our welcome
Originally uploaded by kimmer67
Since arriving in Korea we've heard about Mount Seorakson. Mount Seorakson is located on the East Coast of South Korea. We have wanted to make the 3-hour bus trip East to enjoy the amazing landscape of one of Korea's most beautiful destinations. We were not disappointed.
We stayed just outside of the park in the coastal city of Sokcho. After getting settled in our hotel room, we took a local city bus to the park. Arriving in the park felt a bit like arriving in downtown Seoul--there were masses of people all dressed in their best Korean hiking gear.
We traveled with two friends, Logan and Haley and decided it would be best if we took the kids on some trails that are a little less demanding.
We took a 2.4k hike to a waterfall. The kids did amazing. There were sections of the trail that were a bit steep for little Lia's legs but nothing could hold that girl back. Lia was actually quoting her bible verse that she learned the entire way;
"Those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength, they will run and not grow weary, walk and not faint."
After our journey to the waterfall we road a cable car to the top of another mountain--hiking to the top would have taken most of the day but riding the cable car took about 10 minutes. The view from the top was amazing! Seriously, i was undone and felt quite emotional as we stood at the top. There were no guard railings or barriers to keep you from rolling off the edge--it was shear cliff, jagged rocks and enormous heights at every turn. I felt small. Zach was smiling from ear to ear the entire time and saying, "this is AWESOME!"
I wish we would have had more time at the top of this peak but nightfall was setting in and the last cable car ride was departing.
We made it back to the bus stop at 7:00. It was completely dark and the masses of people were now all trying to leave the park. We got on our bus and I couldn't believe the number of people that squeezed on--well, actually I can, it's Korea. There is always room for a few more.
Sunday morning, Lia, Haley and I woke up bright and early to watch the sunrise at Sokcho Beach. A sunrise is never disappointing and watching the sun appear over the East Sea was spectacular.
We will be returning to Mount Seorkason!
Thursday, October 14, 2010
America!
What a wonderful day!
It began by oversleeping. All of us. Todd slept through his alarm and well, so did I since I never heard either of his alarms (if first alarm doesn't work, he has his back-up alarm.). Although Todd and the kids were trying frantically to get ready in 25 minutes, there was no screaming, shouting or whining--everyone just did what they needed to do and made it out the door just as the taxi arrived outside of our apartment.
Then I did what I do every morning; I cleaned. I love putting everything back in order when everyone is out the door. It gives me this freakish sense that I have control over our small space and this makes me feel like life is as it should be (I think I have a problem!).
After the home was in order my friend Haejin came over for tea. Haejin and I are the same age. Whenever we are together, we laugh a lot. I appreciate that about Haejin, she has a great sense of humor and we enjoy each others company. Haejin was concerned that the kids had appropriate comforters since the weather is getting cooler. I assured her they were fine but she came today with two comforters that her daughter had used--they are really nice and the kids will be happy to have something a little warmer on their beds at night.
My conversation with Haejin was beautiful. We spoke of how God met with each of us at different times in our lives. We spoke of Korea and North Korea. We shared about our longings to experience God in our lives. When our time came to an end, my heart felt full and grateful.
I was then off to meet my friend SJ (I'm using her initials for a reason) who last May went to NK. When she returned last June from NK, I was already back in the States. Today was the day for the two of us to catch up and for me to hear about her experiences in NK. I can't go into all the details here. I will say that I'm blown away and I left our time amazed at how big God is and hopeful for NK.
A little side note: When SJ and I were chatting a guy came up to us, obviously wanting to practice his English. He asked the normal, "Where you from?" Without thinking I said, "Canada!" That's where SJ is from and well, I am 1/4 Canadian. He then asked if I was married to a Korean. I tried not to laugh. I've never been asked that before. I also told him that SJ and I were sisters--which we are in the spiritual sense--he said, "Oh, nice. You are older sister?" Ya, I'm older sister.
I was then off to E-Mart to grab a few things for dinner tonight. I decided to take the 390 bus home. I don't normally take that bus but decided that I would today. While I was standing at the bus stop I started hearing this small voice shouting, "America! America!" I turned to look and my eyes met the most adorable little boy. He was pointing at me and saying over and over, "America! America!" Yes, I am America. I smiled and waved at him and of course he suddenly became shy. His grandmother kept trying to get him to say hello but he wouldn't budge.
I continued waiting and decided that maybe I could give him a cookie that I had just bought--food breaks all barriers. I walked over and handed him the cookie. A bright smile lit up his face--that smile quite possibly could have lit up the darkest night. I introduced myself to the two ladies with him--his Grandmother and Aunt. The Auntie spoke descent English and wouldn't you know, they live in Dongbaek. We rode the bus together and chatted the entire way.
Perhaps when that little guy grows up he'll remember the day he met America and she gave him a cookie!
It began by oversleeping. All of us. Todd slept through his alarm and well, so did I since I never heard either of his alarms (if first alarm doesn't work, he has his back-up alarm.). Although Todd and the kids were trying frantically to get ready in 25 minutes, there was no screaming, shouting or whining--everyone just did what they needed to do and made it out the door just as the taxi arrived outside of our apartment.
Then I did what I do every morning; I cleaned. I love putting everything back in order when everyone is out the door. It gives me this freakish sense that I have control over our small space and this makes me feel like life is as it should be (I think I have a problem!).
After the home was in order my friend Haejin came over for tea. Haejin and I are the same age. Whenever we are together, we laugh a lot. I appreciate that about Haejin, she has a great sense of humor and we enjoy each others company. Haejin was concerned that the kids had appropriate comforters since the weather is getting cooler. I assured her they were fine but she came today with two comforters that her daughter had used--they are really nice and the kids will be happy to have something a little warmer on their beds at night.
My conversation with Haejin was beautiful. We spoke of how God met with each of us at different times in our lives. We spoke of Korea and North Korea. We shared about our longings to experience God in our lives. When our time came to an end, my heart felt full and grateful.
I was then off to meet my friend SJ (I'm using her initials for a reason) who last May went to NK. When she returned last June from NK, I was already back in the States. Today was the day for the two of us to catch up and for me to hear about her experiences in NK. I can't go into all the details here. I will say that I'm blown away and I left our time amazed at how big God is and hopeful for NK.
A little side note: When SJ and I were chatting a guy came up to us, obviously wanting to practice his English. He asked the normal, "Where you from?" Without thinking I said, "Canada!" That's where SJ is from and well, I am 1/4 Canadian. He then asked if I was married to a Korean. I tried not to laugh. I've never been asked that before. I also told him that SJ and I were sisters--which we are in the spiritual sense--he said, "Oh, nice. You are older sister?" Ya, I'm older sister.
I was then off to E-Mart to grab a few things for dinner tonight. I decided to take the 390 bus home. I don't normally take that bus but decided that I would today. While I was standing at the bus stop I started hearing this small voice shouting, "America! America!" I turned to look and my eyes met the most adorable little boy. He was pointing at me and saying over and over, "America! America!" Yes, I am America. I smiled and waved at him and of course he suddenly became shy. His grandmother kept trying to get him to say hello but he wouldn't budge.
I continued waiting and decided that maybe I could give him a cookie that I had just bought--food breaks all barriers. I walked over and handed him the cookie. A bright smile lit up his face--that smile quite possibly could have lit up the darkest night. I introduced myself to the two ladies with him--his Grandmother and Aunt. The Auntie spoke descent English and wouldn't you know, they live in Dongbaek. We rode the bus together and chatted the entire way.
Perhaps when that little guy grows up he'll remember the day he met America and she gave him a cookie!
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Oh, Canada!
Originally uploaded by kimmer67
This weekend we celebrated the Canadian Thanksgiving with some wonderful Canadian and American friends. We spent the afternoon playing football at the field in Seohyeon, USA vs Canada. Team USA won! No mercy even on Thanksgiving. After football we headed to Yatap to enjoy a Galbi (Korean BBQ) Feast. Our meal was great and we ended the night with bowling and pie. I can't say that I've ever ate pie while bowling but hey, there's a first for everything.
A few of this weeks pics on Flickr are of gardens in our neighborhood. It's wonderful that in the midst of all the concrete and asphalt, there are these beautiful green spaces.
Check out more photos on flickr!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kimmersphotos/5066851544/
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