Happy New Year to everyone. We spent a few days in Busan and leave tomorrow for Seoul for a departure on a one week tour around the country. In Busan we enjoyed the most famous beach area in Korea ... much different from the summer when we were there with the Jangs and umbrellas to rent covered the place. We went to an aquarium and on a one hour boat ride. The boat ride gave us a really good feel for the harbor city nestled among mountains (Busan means many mountains; san is mountain). There is an observation tower in Busan, so we had good views from there too and especially of the port with so many ships coming and going. There is a huge area of small shops and outdoor vendors, and Michael quickly found a new belt and wallet. We also visited the U.N. Memorial Cemetery, where Korean War casualties from 11 different countries are buried. It was beautiful and there was a good 15 minute movie. We took the subway everywhere, which Michael likes a lot. There were a couple of nice parks for walking and seeing the sea. The weather with highs in mid 40s and sunny was very nice for walking around and being outside. From subway stops, we were almost always walking several blocks.
We found the street with lots of Christmas lights (one of my goals/plans) and also finally found the small theatre that had a show. Prof. Jang had checked online for us to see if there were any activities like that near the lights. We were told "down the escalator" at the top and "up the escalator" at the bottom. (It's about 5 levels.) Well, both were right. I noticed a place about 1/2 way up/down that had posters about the lights. At these sort of level areas there are businesses like coffee shops too. When we went in to ask, we were at the small theatre. It turned out to be a Christian acting group with the show having a mix of very funny parts and serious parts. The setting was in a park at a stand where a woman makes a sweet treat to sell; we have seen these places so understood how it could be the hub of a neighborhood street or park. A very nice fellow stood behind us (we sat in the back row in case we left early) and did some translating. So much of the humor was visual that Michael was really having some laughs. He was so skeptical beforehand, but I told him it's good to check things out. We took a break from our walking and went into a coffee shop ... and we have now become hooked on hot vanillas. It's like hot chocolate but they add vanilla powder instead of chocolate powder. I try to tell myself the (whole!) milk is good for me... never mind the sugar and dried oil in the powder.
Our hotel breakfast was typical Korean: rice, kimchi, lettuce salad, and one or two other types of salad (e.g., dried fish one day and bean sprouts another day). Hot dogs are also available (and ketchup and mustard too). I went for the salad. Michael had hot dogs and white bread toast. We both ate the small oranges that are grown in green houses on Jeju Island - they are delicious. We found that our Korean language reading especially was helpful. We set out for restaurants in the evening, and both times they were down small alleyways where taxis cannot fit. So we had to read the signs to figure out where to go .... and there are a LOT of signs in Korea, most of which are lit up. The baked eel dinner was our favorite. Well, Michael did also like the TGIFriday's cheeseburger he had one day for lunch. He is so good about going to Korean places that I don't object when he wants the occasional Western meal.
My mom is still in "stand by" for surgery. Her next chest x-ray is Monday. They are seeing how her lungs look after bronchial infection. We talked to her and to my dad today. She has been doing all that they tell her to do with OT, PT, etc. They are very hopeful about Monday and will be so disappointed if they don't get the "go ahead." Please pray for clear lungs.
We hope you and your families are having a great holiday. Michael and I are thankful that we have the oppotunity to experience some new places in Korea.
Friday, December 30, 2011
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
End of semester
First, an update on my mom. She has a bronchial infection and x-ray showed her lungs are not clear enough for surgery. It's a big disappointment, but we are hoping and praying for a "go ahead" after an x-ray that will probably occur later this week.
I have submitted my grades, the final step of any semester. Well, actually, Prof. Kim did it with/for me because the system is only in Korean. I can tell when he is in my account because my picture shows up. I was VERY generous with grades. He and I laughed a bit that the grades were fair ... relatively and sort of. But I took his advice on being lenient. I did have several excellent or very good students. It's the other 1/2 that are the challenge in any class, here or U.S. I told him if the word gets around about the grading that I should have plenty of students enroll for my class next semester.
The last day of class I took the students out for lunch. Michael and I had been to a Western place near campus, and I suggested it because it's pretty large compared to many places. The students liked that I knew it was just down from 바보사고리 ("fool's intersection" ... where a drunk person acts stupid). The students were happy to go somewhere so nice, and we ate sitting at tables with knives and forks and big napkins. The servings are huge, so I let them figure out what to order and how many (for typical Korean-style sharing). I was glad they felt comfortable ordering drinks including some beer. The three gals shared a mojito.
Two students brought me a gift of matching gloves and a big scarf - very pretty and very thick. The scarf is sewed together at the ends so really a circle. I had seen this style but wasn't so sure about it. But it's great - over head, make a figure 8 type loop, and put that loop over your head too. I have enjoyed being outside here on the many sunny days here WHEN I am properly dressed. I have been doing some hiking and trying to figure out the right amount of layers, etc. given a certain temperature. Today the high is 50 but tomorrow 37, so that will be a change.
Today there was a COB lunch. Prof. Kim is gone (China and then Seattle) but arranged for me to stop by someone else's office to go. He doesn't really have to do that as people just sort of congregate before noon, but it's very gracious and feels like I have a host. I sat by the lone female faculty member (we met several weeks ago over lunch). It was raw fish and some cooked fish and delicious ban chan (side dishes). This sort of meal ends with fish soup (brought to the table in a pot for about 4 on individual burners) and rice. I was also sitting next to the Dean and he joked that there would be no English translation, so lucky for me I didn't have to attend the meeting afterwards. They have an accreditation team visit in mid-January, so they are gearing up for that visit. It's a burden here, just like in the States. It is nice there is a delicious lunch that precedes the meeting! There were several beers around the table too. They also order sodas, so I opt for that to be social (I would prefer just water) and know to hold my glass with 2 hands when someone pours.
I have been working a lot because I really don't have a lot else to do and Michael has school until Friday. I had a "revise and resubmit" on a paper and sent back the revision yesterday. A different article just arrived with "revise and resubmit," whioh was good news. Two co-authors and I hope to make progress on that paper after the holiday break. All you professors out there, be hopeful for me/us!!
Michael's new favorite Korean food is where the specialty is spicy soup with pig back bone in it. We like the restaurant because the floor is so warm (and that's where we sit). He said it must be good because there are always so many people there. It's a good trade for us as he gives me most of the vegs. in his soup bowl and I give him most of my rice. There has got to be a Korean gene that can handle so many carbs. in their typical day.
Michael's school Christmas program is tonight. They have practiced a lot - and not done much academic work all week. I hope it comes together as a real team-effort kind of thing. School has become a bit disappointing, but I hope they get back on track in January. The math teacher leaving hurt as the person teaching now already has a full-time job. Another class or two have become quite easy too. (Kind of funny is that one is Korean language. At first he wasn't very interested, but as he has learned some of the language and knows how much I learned, he would like to know more.) It's been really good to talk to Michael about it and have him realize the value of a good education (like at Trinity) and that it would be short-sighted to want things to be easy. He says he hopes he has good professors in college. He has been talking a lot lately about majoring in engineering and maybe getting a PhD :). School dismisses at noon Friday. On Sat. we will attend "A Christmas Carol." Sunday is church followed by lunch out with a big group. We then plan to go to Busan for a few days and be tourists... Lord willing.
I said one of the prayers at church Sunday. The first time I did it I was a bit nervous ahead of time, but this time I waited until Saturday to see where our devotionals, Christmas story, etc. took us. It was to the Prince of Peace. (The Isaiah verses about a child given and Wonderful, Counselor, ... Prince of Peace.. were even in Handel's Messiah that we saw Sat. afternoon - it was a ballet and very moving.) May you know the Prince of Peace in a real and meaningful way, maybe for the first time this Christmas.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!! Manuia le Kirisimasi (Samoan)!!
Peace and Love, Kim and Michael
I have submitted my grades, the final step of any semester. Well, actually, Prof. Kim did it with/for me because the system is only in Korean. I can tell when he is in my account because my picture shows up. I was VERY generous with grades. He and I laughed a bit that the grades were fair ... relatively and sort of. But I took his advice on being lenient. I did have several excellent or very good students. It's the other 1/2 that are the challenge in any class, here or U.S. I told him if the word gets around about the grading that I should have plenty of students enroll for my class next semester.
The last day of class I took the students out for lunch. Michael and I had been to a Western place near campus, and I suggested it because it's pretty large compared to many places. The students liked that I knew it was just down from 바보사고리 ("fool's intersection" ... where a drunk person acts stupid). The students were happy to go somewhere so nice, and we ate sitting at tables with knives and forks and big napkins. The servings are huge, so I let them figure out what to order and how many (for typical Korean-style sharing). I was glad they felt comfortable ordering drinks including some beer. The three gals shared a mojito.
Two students brought me a gift of matching gloves and a big scarf - very pretty and very thick. The scarf is sewed together at the ends so really a circle. I had seen this style but wasn't so sure about it. But it's great - over head, make a figure 8 type loop, and put that loop over your head too. I have enjoyed being outside here on the many sunny days here WHEN I am properly dressed. I have been doing some hiking and trying to figure out the right amount of layers, etc. given a certain temperature. Today the high is 50 but tomorrow 37, so that will be a change.
Today there was a COB lunch. Prof. Kim is gone (China and then Seattle) but arranged for me to stop by someone else's office to go. He doesn't really have to do that as people just sort of congregate before noon, but it's very gracious and feels like I have a host. I sat by the lone female faculty member (we met several weeks ago over lunch). It was raw fish and some cooked fish and delicious ban chan (side dishes). This sort of meal ends with fish soup (brought to the table in a pot for about 4 on individual burners) and rice. I was also sitting next to the Dean and he joked that there would be no English translation, so lucky for me I didn't have to attend the meeting afterwards. They have an accreditation team visit in mid-January, so they are gearing up for that visit. It's a burden here, just like in the States. It is nice there is a delicious lunch that precedes the meeting! There were several beers around the table too. They also order sodas, so I opt for that to be social (I would prefer just water) and know to hold my glass with 2 hands when someone pours.
I have been working a lot because I really don't have a lot else to do and Michael has school until Friday. I had a "revise and resubmit" on a paper and sent back the revision yesterday. A different article just arrived with "revise and resubmit," whioh was good news. Two co-authors and I hope to make progress on that paper after the holiday break. All you professors out there, be hopeful for me/us!!
Michael's new favorite Korean food is where the specialty is spicy soup with pig back bone in it. We like the restaurant because the floor is so warm (and that's where we sit). He said it must be good because there are always so many people there. It's a good trade for us as he gives me most of the vegs. in his soup bowl and I give him most of my rice. There has got to be a Korean gene that can handle so many carbs. in their typical day.
Michael's school Christmas program is tonight. They have practiced a lot - and not done much academic work all week. I hope it comes together as a real team-effort kind of thing. School has become a bit disappointing, but I hope they get back on track in January. The math teacher leaving hurt as the person teaching now already has a full-time job. Another class or two have become quite easy too. (Kind of funny is that one is Korean language. At first he wasn't very interested, but as he has learned some of the language and knows how much I learned, he would like to know more.) It's been really good to talk to Michael about it and have him realize the value of a good education (like at Trinity) and that it would be short-sighted to want things to be easy. He says he hopes he has good professors in college. He has been talking a lot lately about majoring in engineering and maybe getting a PhD :). School dismisses at noon Friday. On Sat. we will attend "A Christmas Carol." Sunday is church followed by lunch out with a big group. We then plan to go to Busan for a few days and be tourists... Lord willing.
I said one of the prayers at church Sunday. The first time I did it I was a bit nervous ahead of time, but this time I waited until Saturday to see where our devotionals, Christmas story, etc. took us. It was to the Prince of Peace. (The Isaiah verses about a child given and Wonderful, Counselor, ... Prince of Peace.. were even in Handel's Messiah that we saw Sat. afternoon - it was a ballet and very moving.) May you know the Prince of Peace in a real and meaningful way, maybe for the first time this Christmas.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!! Manuia le Kirisimasi (Samoan)!!
Peace and Love, Kim and Michael
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Mom - surgery
My mom is scheduled to have surgery to remove her colon. The date is Dec. 22. It is good news. The family thought she might not be strong enough, but the surgeon said she is not going to get better with the colon in her so they should go ahead. My brothers and dad said Mom is doing much better with PT and OT and being out of bed. They attribute much of the improvement to the surgery providing hope and motivation. I see answered prayers as well, so please keep it up!
We canceled our trip to Samoa. We were supposed to leave the 23rd (which would actually be the 22nd in AZ). There is too much uncertainty with my mom for me to be comfortable going. Michael and I will wait and see from here. He has two weeks off from school, and we can find some things to do in town or possibly with a bit of travel. He wouldn't care where we go if we can take the KTX high-speed train.
Things are low key here. I teach two more days and then give my final on Dec. 16 and 19. I am working on a "revise and resubmit" research paper now that all my teaching preparation is complete. Michael has a school program Dec. 21. He is the keyboard player. School dismisses Dec. 23 at noon.
May we have the heart of Mary regarding the good news of the season: My soul glorifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior. Have a blessed Christmas.
We canceled our trip to Samoa. We were supposed to leave the 23rd (which would actually be the 22nd in AZ). There is too much uncertainty with my mom for me to be comfortable going. Michael and I will wait and see from here. He has two weeks off from school, and we can find some things to do in town or possibly with a bit of travel. He wouldn't care where we go if we can take the KTX high-speed train.
Things are low key here. I teach two more days and then give my final on Dec. 16 and 19. I am working on a "revise and resubmit" research paper now that all my teaching preparation is complete. Michael has a school program Dec. 21. He is the keyboard player. School dismisses Dec. 23 at noon.
May we have the heart of Mary regarding the good news of the season: My soul glorifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior. Have a blessed Christmas.
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