"If it doesn't make the world better, don't do it" -Kid President

I have survived ten full days here in Gup Yung (sp?), Gumi, South Korea. It feels like it's been about two months. I have learned a a lot and tried a number of new things that it's crazy to think only a week has passed. It literally feels unreal. As far as culture shock and jet lag go, I'm doing really great. I don't usually feel too much jet lag after the first couple of days going somewhere, but when I get back to the States it will probably be bad. Culture shock is very minimal. Sometimes I can't believe I made this life decision and so I stare off into space for a bit, but after convincing myself that yes, this is real life, I snap out of it and continue my day. It's been a good experience so far! 

A lot has happened in the past week! The teachers we are replacing have left Korea which is bittersweet. Asha and I feel like we know them the best since they have been the ones communicating with us over the past months so we wish they could stick around so we could actually get to know them better. They are amazing people and I really wish I  could hear their stories and have a chance to work along side of them. At the same time, it's good for us to get into a routine of teaching and begin to feel the new normal. Saturday they dropped off all of their stuff at our apartment and it was insane! There was so much stuff and Asha and I pulled an all nighter to get our apartment arranged and organized. It was totally worth it because now WE HAVE A HOME!! We love it! 

(Below) This was in the middle of move in day...not even close to being done.

woooo go team!

We're getting closer but there was honestly still more stuff to move in. This is our living room. I'm taking the picture from the entrance to the apartment. 

Everything we had to sort through which is why we pulled the all-nighter.

In Korea, there's usually a balcony-sort of- that has the washer and a place to dry clothes. We have huge one. It's not completely open. The top has windows with screens so it's still enclosed if we want it to be. It makes for great storage.

The entry way and to the right in my room.

The kitchen...

This was somewhere around 4 or 5am.

TADA!!!! FINITO (Italian, not Korean)...Now, we have a tv on top of the desk with an american DVD player...can you say FRIENDS marathon?

haha you can see it in this pic...tv+friends.

Asha's room...

Kitchen all organized..you like our wall paper?! :)

This is my room...The sun beams in bright and early through my window. I'll be getting curtains soon.

Bathroom....No bathtub. There's a drain in the middle of the floor. Happy showering.

So this is the entry way to the apartment. I'm taking the pic from the inside, so this is the front door. Koreans never wear shoes in the house for cleanliness. Even furniture movers will slip their shoes on and off as they go back and forth. 

....and I lost Asha...zzzz

OUR HOME!!! :)

Random Cultural Fact 1: The heat comes through the floors here. So, the floors are heated which is AWESOME, but super expensive! Seriously, this is something Korea beats America on.

Random Cultural Fact 2: The washers here are suuuper strong. I did my first load on laundry this weekend and it totally stretched out the arms on my sweater!!! I pulled it out and the arms of all my shirts and sweaters were wrapped around so tight, they were in knots. So, one sweater is ruined :(

Random Glimpse into our lives: Jake and Asha and both half serious about each getting a puppy! I LOVE puppies, but i don't have it to hinder us from traveling...they're both trying to talk me into being on board with it. It's actually really common for foreign teachers to get pets while their here. One of the foreign teachers that I really want to get to know better said that if you don't live your life like you live here (even if you know you're moving in one year), then you'll never settle or live. I thought that was a good way to look at it.

It's interesting because I plan on staying here for 2, 3, or maybe 4 years. I don't know that I'll be in this exact spot for that long, but South Korea is going to be my home for awhile so as we're getting settled, we're in the mindset of "this is our home". It changes the way we do things. I'm investing in things that I wouldn't if I knew this trip was only going to be one year. We're really being intentional about putting down roots. That means we are spending more on bedding, decorating, and taking more time to learn the language and culture. I really have a desire to learn to communicate and speak at least a small amount of Korean while I live here. We have a friend who is willing to teach us the basics so we can start picking it up. 

Investing also means that I plan on investing in relationships with the intention of staying here for awhile. It's a whole new mindset. I want to get to know the Korean teachers that I work with, which will take intentionality on my part, but knowing that I will be here for some time makes the ministry aspect of the situation more effective. Most of the teachers do not know the Lord, but what's super cool is that Asha, Jake and I are the third generation of legit, Christian teachers to come to these two schools (same owners). So, there has been so much ground work laid. The teacher that I'm "replacing" told us that he felt good about leaving the school, the kids, the teachers with us because he believes that we will cultivate what him and the other teachers have already begun. The idea of legacy and taking up a fight is important to me so that meant a lot. Right now, all the foreign teachers are strong believers with the desire to do missions. We have the same attitude and mindset. We are here to make money and pay off school debt, but we're all here for ministry and knowing that we will have time to build relationships is a comforting feeling. I believe that the Lord will use us a lot in our schools with the teachers and the kids as we continue to teach. If you're praying for me/us, this is something to keep in mind. 

Teaching is going great so far! I don't miss the States but I miss people and Chipotle. This is home for awhile so we're just over here livin' life. 

If you have questions about things just email me and let me know! Please email me and let me know how YOU'RE doing! it's hard to stay in contact with everyone just via email!