First day back at school after a 5-day weekend.

On Saturday I went to Pyeongchang and stayed overnight at my co-teacher's parents' house. They are farmers in a village of about 10 houses (I didn't count). It was quiet and beautiful and peaceful - everything the city is not. I am such a country girl. Her parents don't speak a word of English, but they were hard-working, kind and welcoming. Even though I was in a totally different world, I couldn't help laughing when, after the day's work was done, I found myself sitting in the living room watching TV with Marrisa's parents. I thought - if I was at my parents' house right now, we'd probably be doing the same thing! People are people. I think the highlight of that trip was when I got to pick vegetables that we later ate! I love working the land and hope to someday be able to grow my own food for my family. On Sunday afternoon we left Pyeongchang and went to Wonju, which is the largest city (population wise) in my rural province of Gangwon. Before arriving at our destination (Marrisa's sister's apartment), we stopped and hiked for about an hour on a beautiful mountain trail that led to an ancient Buddhist temple. You know, just a Sunday stroll in the park, with some 2,000 year old buildings thrown in for good measure. After stopping at the bakery to buy a pumpkin cake for Marrisa's nephew (his mom said chocolate is too unhealthy), we finally arrived at the apartment. It was on the 19th-ish floor of a typical Korean high-rise apartment building. Their home was peaceful and comfortable. They have nine and five year old sons, and a 6 month old daughter. The kids and the food and the company... it was all nice. But what I reallllllly liked was the bed I slept in: latex mattress (AKA the first soft mattress I've experienced in Asia! haha. I slept for like 14 hours! It was very refreshing. Plus, there was a heated blanket. ahhhhhh).

Enough is enough. Either I get moved to a new apartment, or I am quitting. I love this city, and my job. The one and only problem is my mold-infested apartment that is poisoning me. I have been sick for the past 6 months. I'm really starting to get scared of what will happen to me if I stay here.

This past weekend was both productive and relaxing. On Saturday, I came to school at 1pm to meet my co-teacher. I got fitted for my school's athletic uniform. Then, Marrisa took me to the ENT (ear, nose and throat) doctor. We had to wait for about 15 minutes, because it was the doctor's lunch break when we arrived. To Marrisa, this was a ridiculously long time to wait at the doctor... to me, it was a miraculously short time to wait. Our medical systems are SO different. When my name was called, I walked in to see a man who looked about 22 years old. I thought he was a nurse or assistant, but he was the doctor! Super nice... he tried to speak to me in Korean, but when he realized I couldn't understand he switched to English. I was thankful we could understand each other somewhat. He looked in my throat, and used a machine to suck a bunch of junk out of my nasal passages. I could breath a lot easier after that. He prescribed Nasonex and a plethora of other pills. I think he told me my diagnosis, but I couldn't understand. I don't really care what the problem is, as long as there's a solution! Anyway, the doctor didn't seem too concerned so that's a good sign. $3 later, we were on our way (prescriptions in hand). Again, I love the Korean medical system! Marrisa took me out to lunch at an authentic Korean restaurant by the school. Then she went home, and I went walking for a few hours, exploring the library some more and the park. It was a perfect day to be outside. On Sunday, I walked around Lake Soyoung for over 2 hours. It was supposed to rain, but I stayed dry :)

Today Marrisa told the school nurse about my constant sickness, and they printed out a map to an ear nose and throat doctor in town. I think I will try to go sometime soon. My health has taken a serious beating since I've been here. And it shows all over my face (my skin condition is HORRIBLE!).

Apparently the people living in the apartment underneath me complained to the apartment manager, because I've been putting notes on their door asking them to PLEASE turn their tv volume down. Seriously, almost 24/7, I can hear their tv, and feel the vibrations of the sound. They told the apartment manager they are going to move out if I don't stop. Actually, that sounds like a splendid idea to me!.. I know, that's horrible to think, but honestly it makes me crazy.

I have never seen them, but the apartment manager came to the school today and told the administration staff I need to stop and there's nothing anyone can do about the obnoxious volume level, bc they are old people - age is everything in Korea. Chalk it up to a "culture difference". Old people here are aloud to be as rude as humanly possible, and everyone still worships them.

6 months to go.

TODAY IS THE 6 MONTH MARK.

I've been in Korea 6 months, and am offically half way through my contract.

Wow. Sometimes it seems like I've been here forever, and other times I feel like it's only been a few weeks.

Jason comes in 26 days. After he leaves, I'll have 8 weeks before returning to California.

I have a feeling this second half will go by faster than the first... One thing's for sure, the weather will be better (for me anyway, because I like hot more than cold)! If I could make it through a Korean winter, having 4 weeks of doing literally nothing but desk warming (winter break) for 8 hours a day, and not knowing for sure when I'd see my husband next, I know I can make it through these next 6 months.

Right now it's spring - a time of transition. I went through MANY changes in the previous 6 months, and I know many more changes are ahead.

~

Today was sooooo very cold. Around 4pm, the special education assistant teacher invited me to eat noodles with her. That was definitely a nice warm snack (dinner)!

Side note: They put up new wallpaper in the bedroom today. Although I know the mold is still there (because last night I worked for about 3 hours, peeling off the old wallpaper and bleaching the concrete walls... but the mold didn't go away), at least I don't have to look at it.

Today I walked for three hours... I should have brought my camera, because I saw so many beautiful and amazing things!

I followed the Gongjicheon River and found Lake Soyoung. Around the lake, there are many parks and walking paths. It's great! I will definitely be going back there frequently. Very peaceful.

I also happened upon the public library. It's nice and modern, about 4 stories (no pun intended). I only explored the first floor, which is the children's books. There is a whole section with English books! I stayed and read a few :)

Then I went and sat outside on a wooden swing (the kind you'd call a porch swing). I enjoyed the sunshine and watched a squirrel jump from tree to tree! I was really amazed at that little guy.

Then I came home and grabbed the lunch I'd packed earlier: brown rice, seaweed, raisins and almonds, and went to school. There is a nice outside area with benches, so I was there for about 2 hours, eating my lunch and studying.

I came home and talked with Jason for a bit, then walked to Emart. I ran into the special education assistant teacher - she's awesome! This is the second time I've seen her there on a Sunday (and come to think of it, I was wearing the same exact outfit last time ha). I bought some milk, tofu and bean sprouts (they were taped together, good deal!), Special K (had a water pitcher taped to the box... as you can tell, free gifts are commonly included with purchases!), Activia yogurt, and my favorite little 5-grain high-fiber crackers.

As I was walking home, my grocery bag (which I've been reusing for apparently too long now) ripped. Luckily, I caught it before everything went falling out the bottom, and I had an empty cloth bag with me so I just stopped and transfered everything into the cloth bag ;)

I saw so many of my students throughout the day. I saw Jinho riding his bike, then at the park I saw our of my little guys, and walking back from school I saw one of my really shy girls. I love that I can go walk around and see so many people I know! All together, I think I saw 7 familiar faces today (if you don't count the Emart employees who are definitely familiar faces to me haha).

The weather was sweet today. Just perfect. Maybe I will get somewhat tan?