First Korean funeral

I received a message around 1 pm Saturday that one of our teacher's moms had died Saturday morning. The funeral procedures were to begin Saturday evening (fast, I know). I actually bought some fruit and veggies from her mom on a few occasions since they live in the area. 

I was amazed at how fast they do this funeral process. The big difference is that the event itself lasts for about three-six days. For folks in the country it takes much longer. As part of the process the group that is coming at a certain time goes in together while the family of the deceased says a little chant. I went in with the women from work, and we all bowed once to the alter area for the mom, and then bowed to the family. In a room nearby we ate a light meal and chatted with our teacher for a little bit. She's been there at the hospital from Saturday to at least yesterday. People come in and out at different periods of time throughout the few days. The body is not in the room, at least. 

Also, just like with weddings, and first birthdays, you give money to the family. I gave them thirty bucks, which I usually do at weddings as my own little custom. The hard part was seeing how emotional my co-workers were. One of them ran out to me and gave me a hug as she was waiting for me, so we could walk to the building together. 

Anyway, it was a sad event, but I'm thankful to have witnessed it for the experience though.

New picture or two

My little angel Yoon above getting her rest during my class. Pillow courtesy of LL Bean barn coat.

                                These two books have kept me VERY occupied over the last four weeks. Finished the Grisham book on Saturday night, so it's time for something new to read.

 I don't normally post picture of myself exercising, but the body is very healthy these days and staying in shape somehow.

What would you think

If you saw four people. . . . two couples. . . . with four different straws. . . . in the same medium-sized Coca-Cola. 

Thanks goodness they weren't all drinking out of the same straw. This is what I witnessed last night at Costco.

I did manage to buy 6 lbs of peanut butter (2 separate jars), along with tortillas (that had been MIA lately), and a six pack of penne pasta.

follow up

This is a little follow-up to the post I made a few days ago. I'll keep this part short, but it will be a little interesting too.

So following the Friday "Family Night" thing at work, I had to wake up and do the Saturday class. Saturdays are becoming worthless regardless of if I wake up and work or not. I guess if one cleans and cooks, for part of the day, and then hits the gym, then things are not considered too "worthless".

I was planning to meet a friend of mine, Timothy (Korean name), downtown that Saturday night. We were planning to meet after nine, since he was attending one of those BIG 1st birthday party events of a friend's child. I've been to plenty of weddings, but I have yet to attend one of these 1st birthday parties. These are really big deals and are even hosted in the same buildings as the weddings.

I waited and waited and ended up meeting a few other people that I know from one of my English clubs. They had already been drinking a little, so I thought I would entertain myself by hanging out with them for a few hours. I had my one shot of Soju (nasty Korean liquor), while they drowned themselves in booze.

One of the girls Julia, had a few random moments where she was beginning to feel very sick from all the booze. I rode in the taxi with her and another girl since we all live in the same general area. Let's just say that that taxi ride was one heck of an experience. Julia felt the need to vomit, so the driver stopped and she found a place where all she did was spit for a few minutes. Well this place was a local Police precinct. As she was attempting to vomit, there was a man relieving himself on the opposite side of us. Then the man walked up to the door and attempted to let himself in, but not a soul was around to be seen.

Of course the next day my friend Julia, did not recall any of these events and apologized. I told her she should take better care of herself, and I haven't heard from her since. 

First weekend back (end of first work week back)

I should have reported upon these events about a week ago, but I just chose not to do so. On Friday, the 11th we finally did our "Family Night" program, which was postponed from the Friday before Christmas (due to an epic snow day). I felt kind of weird getting on stage singing an altered version of "We wish you a Merry Christmas". Our Korean teacher searched and found this version where the song ended on the "Figgy Pudding " part. We didn't have enough time to teach the kids the correct version -- at least that's what the Korean women thought. 

We held candles as well, which I was super uncomfortable with doing the week before Christmas, due to the timing of the school violence back home, and in China. Also, I kind of felt that candles are for church when doing Christmas songs. Since the holiday had already passed, there was not as much meaning there in the end. 

My little class also did a little number of "You are my Sunshine". I thought my Korean teacher made it a little too easy, compared to what some of the Pre-K kiddos were doing in their performances. Apparently the things I wanted to do were going to be "too difficult" for them, due to their ages. In all actuality, they just would have needed a little more practice than usual. 

The program was in a little community theater. So some of the kids did their performances and left with their families, as I was arriving with Jazmine, the other English teacher. There was an emcee who gave out random gifts to parents who did whatever possible to bring attention to themselves (or so it seemed). At one point in the program he had all the parents stand up that had receipts in their billfolds totaling over 200 bucks. You should seen how proud some of these gold diggin' women were. Of course three of the five came from one of the Kindergarten classes where I work. English Kindergarten classes aren't exactly inexpensive in Korea. Anyway, it was fun to see all the parents (even saw many of the fathers for this event as well). 

I'm going to come back to this tomorrow sometime, since I didn't bring my computer battery home. I have an interesting thing or two to add to this post. 

Update on things

Well, it turns out that I will not be a Fulbright Teaching Assistant in Bulgaria after all. The Fulbright Institute had over 9700 applications, for 1600 teaching positions, scholarships, and whatever else they were giving out. I was a little disappointed, to receive the email on Saturday, but I woke up Sunday ready for a new day. I have some other options that I am looking at right now: Masters in ESL, Dubuque Seminary, along with getting my Masters Degrees in Sofia, so I can still have that European experience that I've been longing for.

more cuteness

Commonly referred to as my angels. . . . at least the girls are, when the nutty twins are getting jealous of other kids having my attention.

Some cuteness

Waiting, Waiting, Waiting

According to the Fulbright Timeline I still have a good three weeks until the last moment, in terms of when I can receive an answer on my application. I am pretty hopeful, but at least I know that I will be notified via email. Then if I get a yes on the recommendation, I have March 1 - May 30 to receive the final answer.

Anyway, I'm readjusted now to this part of the world for the final time. I've told the boss that I will stay here until June 1 at the latest, and that's it. I explained that the chapter entitled Korea MUST come to and end, so I come move on to other things in life.

Happy New Year

Hello everyone!!! I made it back into good ole' Daegu about 10 pm this evening. It was just my second time taking the taxi from the big bus station into my area. I never realized that it was so cheap..... Ten bucks to go about ten miles or so. The driver was really appreciative after I gave him a US dollar as well. It's gonna be hard to fall asleep after sleeping through most of the bus ride since I couldn't get a reading light in my area. It was super refreshing to be home....... Clif bars, muscle milk, seasonings, Christmas candy, and the other things have been unloaded for now.