Today I joined in with SWU basketball class for Health Science Majors and had a great time. All the girls were so much fun and we played for about an hour and a half! Lots of fun and I have to say I am liking Korea!

Last Tuesday and Wednesday Me and Ji Won tackled the Hwan Gang River or at least 70k of it. It was so beautiful and enchanting to be out on the river sorounded by majestic mountains, rock faces and a variety of wildlife. Wednesday, was particularly exciting with me falling into the river fairly early on.

I didn't expect that particular rapid area to be so rabid and we got caught on some rocks and out I fell as the canoe went sideways. I made it through just fine only a scrape on my knee and a few broken nails.

The rest of the day went much better, with spurts of rapids and nap times. Around noon we began to look for a place to get out and find some food when we came upon a group of about 20 men huddled around some coal fires and other cooking equipment. We paddled near them and Ji Won spoke with them. I believe he asked if there were any restrants near by or something along those lines but we ended up getting out and having lunch with them. Little did I know that a quick stop would turn into an hour venture.

I soon became the "honored" gest, they gave me one of the few chairs to sit on, piled the grill with a variety of clams, fresh shrimp, beef, pork and potatoes. Thankfully I am fairly confident with chopsticks and have adjusted to some of the eating habits here. Thankfully I was able to eat and accept the food gracefully and it was uber good as well! Soon after we arrived I looked around and noticed a number of camera's out and to my surprise, realized I was the subject! Some of the guy's knew a little English and we talked a little in between them giving me more food and juice.

Ji Won told me how to say I liked the food (Mashda-which means delicious or something like that), and let me know that some of them wanted to try out the canoe and that he would be right back. I wasn't too excited about the idea of being left alone with all these guy's who barely spoke English but couldn't do much about it and, figured it would be fine and they would enjoy the ride. Yet i was releaved when they made it back and Ji Won was able to help me understand what was going on.

The guy that I was sitting next to for most of time has a daughter who went to Australia and he said she had a hard time there, so he wanted to make sure I felt welcomed. Most of them worked in Seoul as mechanics for the subway and came to the river for some relaxation and a good time.

To top it all off before we left and after I had exclaimed multiple times that I was full (pebula), they said I had to try this particular dish, that is was a very important I at least give it a try. It was a traditional dish where you are supposed to put kimche, pork and this special kind of fish together in one bite and enjoy. It took me a few minutes attempting to put all three together and get it to my mouth with the chopsticks and eventually just picked it up and ate it. Along with almost all the Korean food I have eaten it was good and everyone was overjoyed.

I later found out from Kuk Jay that the fish was a type of Manta Ray and exstremly expensive and an honor for them to offer me some. This is just one example of Korean hospitality and kindness for which I am so grateful.

I am often left wondering why? Why are they so nice to me and honestly I don't deserve any more kindness than anyone else, yet I am blessed and encouraged. It is strange to stick out as well, like everyone notices me and even more so because I am active and do things that most girls here don't like canoe and play basketball.

This Picture is from the Seoul Womens University 50th Anniversary celebration. Here is the Choir singing and they sang in English :)

Some Site Seeing

After lunch on Thursday Key and Ji took me to a park along the Han River. It was a beautiful park, full of vibrant flowers and people especially school children. We all had to laugh as we arrived because none of us had any money for the parking fee, however, the guard in the booth was nice and let us go through anyway! I thought that was a nice little gift from God and it turned out to be an enjoyable time. The random exercise equipment was also a hoot, and at the same time a great idea. I mean how perfect, someone could take a jog along the river stretch and do some equipment work and have a great work out.

After work we went to another park called the Children's Grand Seoul Park (or something like that) and i was amazed at the size and variety in the park. They had amusement rides, a zoo, fields, more exerciser equipment, ponds, artwork, large green houses and lots of trails and just pleasant areas. They also took me to Dinner at a near by dinning facility. Key and Ji were telling me that even though the place looked older the food was good and it is even famous in Korea and just then an elderly lady barfed right on the sidewalk in front of us and just kept on walking. I was a little shocked, looked to my companions and struggled to keep my composure. It was a challenge not to laugh, and Key assured me that was not normal lol.

I enjoyed the appetizer that was something like ravioli but circular and much better. I did discover that I am not a fan of what they call naingmyen which is a cold noodle dish. For the most part though I have enjoyed all the food and am amazed at the variety and abundance. I think maybe this morning was the first time I have been hungry since I came here and I climbed a mountain before breakfast :)

The First Few Days

Everyone i have meet and am working with are amazingly kind! My room where I am staying is incredable and I am feeling very blessed at the moment. I have been warned that this week is an easy week for me to adjust and rest but next week I will not have as much time so figured I better post while I can :)

This morning I went for a run, it seems every house out here has at least three dogs and they all like to bark. The neighborhood where I am staying is what they consider country but i don't know if that is how I would describe it. The roads and driving out here is entertaining to say the least, with all single lane roads lined with either cement walls or gardens when you meet another vehicle you ether have to back up until you have enough room or go off the road to make room.

Well I am off to the office!

The Journey begins...

Before I Ever Left Home

On the plain ride over I was thinking back and know that God has been preparing me for this summer and not only preparing me spiritually, physically and mentally but he has gone above and beyond my material needs as well.

The last month or so God has been providing and blessing me in so many way to even be able to come here, but even more mind blowing for me has been just his abundance of blessing the weeks leading up to my departure.

IT is hard to say when the blessings began, but having my XA pastors pull me aside and tell me they love me and just wanted to bless me on my trip with an Ipod touch is a good place to begin! After that I was like wow, God is providing me with things I never would have dreamed to ask him about. During this time I was also given extra opportunities to earn money.

one in particular that stands out is when I went to babysit and just before I had arrived this families two dogs had just been sprayed by a skunk. Under normal circumstances this would be far from what I would call a "blessing," but that day it was. Mr. Silver was not about to wash them himself and in the end he gave me $100 for about an hours work of washing the dogs. The smell did follow me home, but it was a great reminder that God works in the strangest ways :)

To top everything off, my parents and sisters got together to buy me a digital camera, camera case and memory card! I was amazed but even more so when I found a wad of cash in the camera case. "I don't deserve any of this" was my first thought, but God reminded me none of us deserve anything yet he chooses to bless us anyway. None the less I was grateful and amazed and my families generosity. I was again close to tears when I found out that my sisters had been saving for quite some time in preparation for my leaving and I am just so blessed to have younger sisters who are so willing to bless me with their hard earned money.

now here I am in Korea all set and ready to start this new adventure. I am still a little nervous, but looking forward to all that is ahead of me. Keep me in your prayers and I love all of you.