I have my first case of laryngitis!... I feel like an official teacher now haha.

Went to the doctor at Emart. $3 and 5 minutes later, I walked out with a diagnoses and 2 prescriptions. I love the Korean medical system!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Seriously, if they do anything right here it's health care. Really impressive!

While I was there, a woman said, "Excuse me, I'm sorry. I see you walking all the time."

"Oh, really?"

"Yes, and I recognize you because you are always smiling. You always smile at me so kindly, and I wonder do I know her?"

Wow, I was totally surprised! I vaguely recognized her face... I guess a smile can impact people more than I realized :) We talked for a while (her husband, 3 year old son, and 7 year old daughter were with her - such a precious family!), and I found out she's Mongolian and teaches English at the kindergarden where her daughter goes. I told them about the American health care system and they were shocked. Her husband didn't speak English at all, but she translated a little conversation between the three of us... turns out he attended the elementary school I now teach at! So, he's never lived outside this little area of Chuncheon, Korea!.. He said he wants to go to America bc Korea is not good. His dream is to ski in Oregon and eat a Big Mac! Simple pleasures of life :) I really enjoyed talking with this family for a brief time. I'm realizing more and more that my remaining time here is very short! Basically 6 months. I have to take every moment as it comes and make the most of every opportunity!

After buying some freshly baked wheat bread and some chocolate and mini pumpkin pastries to share (as well as dental floss and sponges), I caught a cab to take me home. I show taxi drivers a business card for S-Oil, the big gas station by my apartment complex. That way no one knows where I live and it's easy to get home, too.

Well, he started driving then asked me if I had a phone... he didn't know where the place was. So, when I said I didn't have a phone, he promptly got his out and called the gas station for directions. I thought that was going above and beyond his job as a taxi driver. I was really thankful. He looked super old, but apparently has a 6 year old daughter who attends English kindergarden... so he knew English pretty well. I told him a little bit about America, and he told me about the summer time in Korea. When we were talking it was snowing outside and 7 degrees c. He said in summer it is usually around 26 degrees c and everyone needs air conditioning. He also said he went to Malaysia for the second time... It was very hot, and he was there for weeks relaxing and fishing. I think everyone here is ready for spring time!!! Haha.