Day 5- Day by Day

Just in case people didn't know, I am a multi tasker...I am writing this blog as I cook my first dumplings.  The instructions are in Korean but I am sure it is nothing that boiling water and oil can't fix :).  So today was a good day, one of my busiest days teaching with no breaks in the morning (Kindergarteners all morning...KILLER) however because they are cute it works out.   In my afternoon classes though I had a 1 hour and 45 minute break which was incredibly boring but I learned how to use a Korean copy machine...I shouldn't say I learned since I watched someone and was able to do it with them by my side, alone however I think I would fail at it.  The kids were good today but I did make a kid cry, all I said was "that is wrong, here let's fix it".   I am not sure if he understood me or not but it was so amazing at how these Korean teachers deal with the kids.  I have never seen such beautiful tiny Korean ladies shout as loud as they do when some of these kids act up.  It just happened that the kid I made cry has a tendency to be a "baby" and therefore needs to be reminded constantly that he is "big brother" in the classroom.  There are many negatives with being a new teacher; the kids don't know you and therefore feel uncomfortable, you are not sure what the curriculum is and basically have to ask everyone about anything you might not understand (which is pretty much all day long).  However, one of the positives is that BECAUSE the kids don't know you, they are usually quieter and better behaved (well the elementary kids).  I am unsure if it is my whiteness or size that intimidates them but most of them look at me and then sit quietly as I discuss my class rules which consist of:

1) One person talks at a time

2) Raise your hand when you have a question

3) No speaking Korean in Class

4) HAVE FUN!

 It is amazing that it is only Wednesday and I am starting to feel more and more comfortable here.  I now know how to walk home from school alone!!! GREAT SUCCESS!!!  I also am building some friendships with the teachers at my school.  I still cannot get over how attractive all these Korean women are, they show up to school in the best looking clothes I have ever seen while I wear some jean shorts and t-shirt.  Just for the record, there are lots of things people say that are not allowed and every school is different so I am learning not to take just anyone's word for truth.  I was told showing your toes in school was inappropriate and painting your nails was not professional...both of those were falsehoods.  When we walk out of the elevator and into the school we take off our shoes and put on a pair of slippers they give us to teach in.  I now know why many people here drag their feet when they walk, the slippers are bamboo and I hear that to keep them on requires sliding your feet instead of full big steps (SOOO interesting right??? Just go with it :P).  I got my own pair of slippers today, they look like everyone else's in the building since we all wear the same one and since I have big feet I didn't think I would find a pair but since life wants to encourage me, I found one. 

I am now eating my dumplings and my oh my are they scrumptious! I have no idea what's inside of them some meat but it tastes pretty good to me! So on the topic of food, today lunch at the school was very interesting.  There was the rice, fried egg, fish soup (which I ate and it wasn't too bad), KIMCHI and jelly squares that are ground up acorns gone jello.  Now it sounds very nasty but it was pretty good, mixed in with the rice it tasted super good. 

Today I had another AMAZING devotional, I feel like God is trying to encourage me as I am far away from my entire life.  This is what it read: "Rise with me awhile.  You have journeyed up a steep, rugged path in recent days.  The way ahead is shrouded in uncertainty.  Look neither behind you nor before you.  Instead, focus your attention on Me, your constant Companion.  Trust that  I will equip fully for whatever awaits you on your journey.  I designed time to be a protection for you.  You couldn't bear to see all your life at once.  Though I am unlimited by time, it is in the present moment that I meet you.  Refresh yourself in My company, breathing deep draughts of My Presence.  I am with you, watching over you wherever you go".  Such a beautiful and comforting bit of writing and I can honestly say that reading these things puts my mindset in perspective every morning.  I find it so easy to get caught up in what I lost coming here and not enough on my present journey, all the things I am seeing and learning.  Blogging is a way for me to get my feelings and Korean journey out into the world but it is also very beneficial to assist me in all that I am experiencing.  I noticed today that when I was focusing on the day I was living and not on the future or the past, I enjoyed my day more than I had in a long time.  I don't remember feeling this free before, I see a great year ahead of me where I will experience and live through so many different areas but one thing is for sure: I will live each day here the best I can and focus on the experiences that are happening at that moment.  Korea is really teaching me to let everything go because I know nothing and must rely on others and the little knowledge I do .  Stressing, Worrying and Dwelling in the past does nothing for the life I am living at this exact moment in time, funny I had to wait till I was away from everyone who means anything to me in order to figure that out.