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