Friday, February 22, 2008

Life is going well

I've been here now for about 10 days and am getting settled. My days look something like this.
  • I leave my apartment at 8:15am
  • Have devotions until 9:00am
  • Prep for afternoon classes until 9:45am
  • Help in the preschool until 12:15pm
  • Lunch duty until 1:00pm
  • back to preschool stuff 2:00pm
  • Get ready for phonics class and mess around on the internet until 2:45pm
  • Teach phonics until 3:35pm
  • Teach first leadership from 4:00-4:45pm
  • Teach second leadership from 5:00-5:50pm
  • Go home to eat, sleep, type, prepare

On Tuesday's a local military base does artillery fire across the hill and the whole building shakes when mortars go off. On Thursday nights all of the teachers go out for pizza.

I am especially learning to adjust in how the school works. The preschoolers seem to run the show in the class and I'm really trying to help with class discipline. I've taken on kind of a support role in the preschool. A new school year starts in March and then I'll really have a lot more control of the preschool. I'm hoping to help implement.

Also break duty isn't really an assigned job for me, it's just that there is no one outside with the kids and it kind of drives me crazy. I'm sure someone would go out there if I didn't, but its kind of fun.

Here is a video of the preschoolers I work with. They are pretty cute in this video but the video is a little deceptive. In reality they don't listen to much of what I say. They are kind of testing me a lot so I've been having to lay down the smack.





Also worth noting is that I will be moving into a new apartment. I very nice place that I will be sharing with a fellow teacher. The man who is in one one of my previous pictures giving me bunny ears. It should be a fun transition.

Thanks for your continued prayer support.

Sunday, February 17, 2008

I'm getting settled







Although I only had two days at the school this week, I got a pretty good flavor for what it's like and I like it. The preschool kids are smart and spunky and I'm excited to be working with them. The afternoon kids who are a little bit older also look to be a good fit for me to work with.

The school is changing its curriculum in March and therefore things will be in a bit of a state of flux until then. But for now I help in the preschool from 9:45-2 and then do afternoon classes roughly from 3-6.

I spent Saturday in Seoul and soaked up all the sights, sounds, and smells that it had to offer. It was tiring but fun. I experienced perhaps the most incredible hand drying station at the Outback Steakhouse bathroom. It's kind of hard to explain but I'll try and get a picture of it sometime. I also indulged in the sweetness of some Krispy Creme donuts, and they did not disappoint.

The first picture is of some of the students eating spaghetti out of a waffle cone. Which I will never understand.

The next two are of me on my first train ride, and me riding a tram up to a viewing post overlooking Seoul.

The second to last picture is of my dinner from Thursday, real live spaghetti. It tasted good and I was kind of proud that I ate something that wasn't cooked in a microwave. To be honest I thought I'd lose weight in Korea, but I'm starting to doubt that. The foods good and I have access to some pretty good groceries as well.

The next is the Seoul sky line and the last is the preschoolers, piled on top of each other. I couldn't tell you why they are piled like that, but at least they weren't punching each other.

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

I'm here






After some sad goodbyes and a lot of travel I'm here in Korea. Its cold but clear. I got in last night after flying in the nicest plane I've been in. I flew Singapore Airs and it was awesome. After landing I went to Pizza Hut, with a fellow teacher and the school director. Meeting the director of the school put me at ease. He is a strong man of God.

I got to my apartment and went to bed at around midnight. That was last night, and today was spent hanging around my apartment and sleeping in. The accommodations are great. Even hot water and strong water pressure.

The pictures attached are of my apartment, both from inside and outside the building.

Not much more to say except that everything so far is good. I'm jetlagged but getting rested up for meeting the students. Keep me in your prayers.

Sunday, February 10, 2008

The Precipice of Adventure

Here I sit just two days before leaving for Korea. I'm both excited and nervous. Excited for the adventure and challenges that await me. Excited for the people I'll meet and the opportunities I'll have. Excited to be in such a spot that I will have to rely fully on God everyday.

Yet at the same time there is a level of nervousness that accompanies my excitement. I will be leaving the familiar people and places that I love. I will be stepping into a situation full of unknown and I will no doubt be stretched whether I want to be or not.

I don't know what exactly I'll be doing, I don't know what life will be like, I don't know what the rest of my life holds, but I know God's in control and I'm good with that.

Thursday, January 31, 2008

Why Blog?

I soon will be moving to South Korea for a year of adventure. As I means of staying in contact with all I will be using this blog to stay in touch. This seems like the most basic way for me to let everyone know what's going on.

I'm excited to see what this year brings, what life lessons I'll learn, and how God will change me.