How do I want to start this post? Let's see. . .

Last night I ended up going to the mall Techno Mart and ended up going to a couple of stores. I bought a floor pillow type thing to sit on when I sit on the floor praying, reading, or watching TV for about 12 USD. Then I bought a book for Korean kids learning how to read to help me with vocabulary with stuff for 2 year olds. I still don't understand half of it, haha! Then I walked around the mall a little bit, there is a reason it is called Techno Mart. It is eight stories, and about six of those eight are entirely technology and electronic stuff. One floor for cell phones, another floor for TVs, another for computers, etc. I took a really cool picture of one of the areas, it was really colorful and fun to look at. I think I'll post it separately from this post, look for it above. I ate dinner there and the food cart and felt like I am surrounded by rich fashionable people everywhere.

Today I didn't go to the English service church because my friend was studying for his last midterm tomorrow and I was tired. Too much caffeine yesterday! But I was still going to meet everyone at the Korean church and I had to get there on my own from the subway station. The subway station is the Seoul Express Bus Terminal one of the biggest stations with a huge shopping area there. I could not figure out how to get out of it, and of course got frustrated. I need to keep the frustration to a minimun even with a cell phone it is still hard to communicate sometimes. I finally found an exit and was trying to tell them where I was and they didn't really have a clue. They told me to wait and I did, the one guy found me and it turns to come out I was very close to the church at the right exit. I just needed to walk further. .. .so we were a little late.

The Korean church I feel more connected with than the English service church. The English service church is very big and I really don't know many people there but I know a lot from the Korean church because they are my friend's friends. Anyway, so I got there today and they put some of the English translations to the worship songs on the screen above the Korean. I cannot express how much that meant to me because we all know I am the only American at this church and to be able to follow along and sing some of the songs in English is awesome, even if it isn't all of them. I was like they are realy going out of their way here to make me feel good there. Then I joined my friend's small group today and most of them spoke English or okay English to me and tried to do the group half English half Korean. It was one girl's birthday so we had a delicious chocolate cake that we ate with chopsticks. Next week I guess I am going to be officially welcomed into the church. I can't exactly do the new member's class because it is in Korean and also I am already pretty grounded in my faith, so to speak. But anyway, my friend said this isn't a problem and it is the best to just join his group and next week I'll have to stand in front and be welcomed and they will give me flowers. I really like this church and the people there. Over the Chinese New Year they are going on a mission trip to Israel, Jordan, and Egypt and it is actually very cheap. I am undecided but they are like "you sign up" I don't know need to pray about it. I don't even know if these are the same days I have off for work. If I don't have work off during this week I really can't go. Also, I have talked to my parents some and we might try to see each other that week maybe not in Seoul but we would meet in Sydney. We'll see. . .

Then after church I went with three other guys and we ended up going to Baskin Robins for ice-cream. We had a big bowl with green tea, red bean (very good sweet, here in Korea), cotton candy, and another flavor. . . it was an interesting mix. Jaja! Then I came back here and ate at the kimbap house place and had the soup with kimchi cooked in it, it is quit spicy but very good with rice and the side dishes.

Here in Korea it is finally getting cooler. Today was the coldest day yet I think, but it wasn't too bad. But everyone kept saying to me aren't you cold? Do you have a coat? You need to prepare because this week colder, put more clothes on. In Korea this is normal I guess, maybe you are smart enough to know its cold and put clothes on but in Korea it's just something to tell and give this advice to someone.

Today they also asked me how much money I make. Another normal question here in Korea and I said well tell me what is normal for teachers like me and then maybe I'll tell you. They told me about 1.3 million won a month, I am making a bit more than that and told them and they were like you must be a star teacher! Hm. . good! I get my first paycheck next Friday. . . yippee!!!

Tonight I am going to study some more Korean and at about 9:45 - 10:45 there is a drama on TV that I like. I really don't know what it is about, but it is about this young woman who has memory problems maybe. She loves this guy, but the relationship is full of stupid fights that make it funny. In Korea young couples seem to like to provoke each other and have these big dramatic fights and then a couple hours later make up. Koreans are very expressive I would say in their own way, but at the same time its different because they still have the whole idea of "saving face" in all of that. I cannot really describe it, but they are not like the Japenese I don't think who are very expressionless, they have a spunk to them.

Also, Korean people seem to be very good readers of emotion by someone's tone of voice, body language, eye movement. People already say my face gives away everything, so in Korea I must be a really open book! For example, today when I was trying to figure out how to get out of the subway station my friend didn't say anything til later. Then he says "sometimes you get too frustrated, don't worry so much like this morning."

What else? I am in Korea for a little bit over a month and I have already been thinking about what I am going to do next with my life. Hello! Enjoy the moment, and don't worry so much yet you have time. A part of me is like well what if you come to really like it here and want to stay for a while, or go to another country (maybe a Spanish speaking country - one of my life goals), go back to the States and go back to school, or go back to the States and get a job. I don't know, as hard as it is here at times I don't know if I am supposed to be in the States permanently. Right now I am supposed to be here in Korea because that is where God has put me and wants me to carry out His purpose here. Right now I just need to relax and just try to enjoy it here everyday in teaching, exploring, or spending time with new friends.