Yuck - Friday July 4, 2008

Hmm...I forgot to write about something yesterday. I had to tell the principal that I was not coming back to Seowonju. I went with my co teacher (who is also a good friend of mine). Bottom line...I couldn't say a word because I was crying. It sucked! HaeIn (my co teacher) is still trying to talk me into changing my mind and staying which is really hard to hear. I want to stay but I know I shouldn't. There is too much to experience outside of Wonju. This is my rationalization for leaving Wonju. Please don't burst my bubble. It was already a hard enough decision as it was.

Anyway, today was my last day of classes. I didn't feel as emotional as I thought I would. Maybe it's because I'm coming back on Monday to do that whole final goodbye thing.

I only had my two Friday classes as usual. The second grade teachers came up during one of their breaks, after I had finished my two classes to give me a present, take pics, and to personally say goodbye since they had been such a big part of my whole year. They gave me a silver flower bracelet because they gathered that I'm a fan of bracelets by looking at my wrists. ^_~ They also gave me a hanbok decoration. So sweet of them. I want to do something special for them, but I don't know what to do.

I had to leave around 2:30PM for my guitar lesson. I was frustrated today. The song I'm learning has me frustrated. I guess that is a good thing because it is pushing me past my comfort range musically.

I went back to school afterward because I was meeting Ellen (a 40-something foreigner who volunteers in the English Village). She invited me over for a 4th of July celebration. Her husband made us homemade pizza! They said it was ok if I invited HaeIn (my co teacher), but she met us a little later. Ellen and Carl are amazing people! I love them! I wish I had been able to spend more time with them. Carl made three pizzas, one entirely vegetarian for me!^^ We talked about politics and Korean culture and cars and so many things. They really are amazing amazing people. They just got married in December and came over to Korea in February. Carl was having a hard time finding a professor position because jobs are SCARCE (to say the least) in America, especially in the mid-west which is where they're from. They're from Ohio. He speaks a multitude of languages, and I can't remember them off the top of my head. I think French is the biggie, but he also studied four semesters of Chinese. Now, he is studying Korean. He wants to become fluent in it before they leave. They don't really have any urgent plans to leave Korean any time soon. Carl is on a two year contract as a professor at Yonsei Uni in Wonju teaching American history (I believe) and a composition English writing class. Their apartment is impressive AND provided by the University. They aren't like many foreigners who come to Korea for the money and for the easy life, they want to learn about the culture, they want to learn the language, and they like Korean food. Carl works on cars a lot back home. He has a car he liked restoring but misses it now that he's here. Ellen does metal work, and she is GOOD! I told her about an independent artist fair/show that they have every few Saturdays or every Saturday in Hongdae in Seoul. I think she should try to sell some of her stuff. She likes making small spoons and may get into the tiny Korean forks that everyone is so fascinated by. They told me I could stay with them any time I visit Wonju! They are so super sweet! I should have taken more pics with them, but I have only one and it will be on facebook as soon as I get the time.

HaeIn and I went to the Friday night WEC meeting immediately following the pizza extravaganza where I managed to eat 5 pieces of pizza. They also let us take all of the leftovers home! So awesome! The topic for tonight was Movies proposed by CJ (former youth pastor from South Africa). What kinds of movies we like? Where we like to watch movies? Do we think that movies can change the way we think about the world? Etc. It was an interesting topic, especially toward the end.

After the meeting, we went to our usual Makkoli place and talked for a looong time. Chan made a toast to me!^^ So sweet of him! Chan is my 34 year old, male Korean, nurse buddy! His wife and son have been on a lot of our outings; so I know them fairly well also. Lauren was there for her last time as well, but she only went to a few meetings. We had a lot of interesting conversations at the Makkoli bar tonight. One being the "playfulness" of Korean girls. The whining...the "cutesy" hitting of their boyfriends...etc. Apparently a lot of guys find this attractive. News to me.

At about 12:30AM, we finally headed out. We went to Beatles Bar afterward. Lauren went home. It was Brandon, CJ, Madeline, Jay, Young, two other Korean girls that I don't know well, and another Korean guy that I didn't know well. I was kind of sad; a lot of the people I first started the club with weren't there tonight. Jay, Chris, Monani, Kevin, Julie, Hyon Ju, Allen, Ju, etc etc. Really sad!

I talked to Jay (Australian Jay...hmm I guess they both spent time in Australia....the second Jay I knew) for a good majority of the time at Beatles Bar. We talked more about flirting and what is seen as cute, what is seen as annoying, if the "helpless girl" act really does go as far as it appears to in Korea, etc.

I think I finally got home after 4AM and was in bed around 4:30AM. It has been a loong week. Time for bed!

Rest in Peace...See you in Heaven. (To be explained at a less exhausted time.)