Update from the Weekend

Totally spaced talking about Friday with everyone...

We took a second trip to the Silver Center. A Korean newspaper wanted to interview us for a headline story. Think City of Henderson kids on the cover of USA Today. That's how big this newspaper is here in Korea. Instead of having another disasterous go at trying to feed the elderly, we instead helped them make Kim Bop. It is kind of like sushi but not. You take a piece of seaweed and layer it in rice. You then add a strip of egg, hot dog meat, immitation crab, and some vegetables. Then rolled and cut just like sushi! It was so much fun seeing all the elders again because a lot of them remembered us and were so excited to see us. We all helped the same people as last time that we helped during art time. The old man I helped was sooo happy I was there to visit him again. He had a smile on his face from ear to ear. Each person made 3 rolls. After we proceeded to cut them, they insisted on feeding it to us. While they were nice to the boys by just barely putting it on their tongue and letting them control how fast they ate it, they thought it would be funny to shove it in the faces of Judit and I. Not knowing Judit is a vegetarian, the older lady just kept trying to shove it further into her mouth. Eventually she ate it. I ended up with rice all over my lap because the lady was not going to give up making me eat it. It was quite a funny site and I can't wait for the pictures to come out. We have an email into the newspaper to try and see all of them and if we get them, I will post them right away.

Afterwards, we spent some time with a reporter answering questions about our trip and everything. Her English was very good and she was a super cute girl! We had a lot of fun and I'm really glad we got to go again!

I already updated you about saturday... the wedding!

Sunday, my host mom really wanted to go see this city that she has not seen before. It was about two and a half hours outside of Dobong. The government built a replica of a French city, complete with houses and art galleries. The drive up there almost made me car sick because it was such a crazy curvy road. Once we got there, the view was breath-taking, as you can see by my pictures. We walked around into all of the little houses and saw all of the art. There was only one place to have lunch so we headed there. My host father turned to me and started laughing. All he could get out was "This is Italian food, in a French city. WHY!?" It made me laugh. After lunch we walked out to the ampitheater where a band was playing. Picture French men, playing Jazz instruments, singing Spanish songs, but with Korean words. I'm telling you there is nothing like hearing "Tequilia" in Korean coming from French men. It made my day.

We decided it was a little too hot to stay any longer so we left. We drove about an hour back down the road and pulled over to take a quick dip in the river. My host sister is the cutest thing in the world and it was even cuter seeing her face when she stepped into the cold water for the first time. It started raining badly so we didnt stay too long.

After the long ride home, we all were super tired and I think everyone was in bed way earlier than normal.

Last night, Danny (my new Canadian friend that my host mom introduced me to) and I tried to teach my host brother how to play HORSE and half-court basketball. Let's just say, I've never shot so bad in my life! Our game of HORSE took us like 2 hours. I bet Bobby wishes our game of PIG lasted that long. He might have had more of a chance to win if it did (if you don't know this story... ask him.... love you babe)!! It was good to get out and exercise a little but I'm sure I lost another two pounds on sweat during!

This week is going to be a fun week at school. Monday we did plays and face-painting. I had the beginners so we did a play called "I'm the King of the Jungle." They each had to pick an animal and say why they should be the king of the jungle. I ATTEMPTED to draw the animal for them on their hands (none of them wanted it on their face). I say attempted because I am definitely not the best painter in the world. Thursday we have mini olympics. It looks like Ayzia (the Canadian native speaker employeed by the school) has some cool water games for the kids to play. Friday we are taking the kids ice skating to learn key vocab and safety terms. It should be a lot of fun.

Tomorrow, my host mom is taking me to the 63rd building. It used to be the tallest building in Korea and now it is a museum and aquarium. It should be an awesome experience.

Most of all I can't wait until Thursday after the after-school program because Stacy, Judit, and I are going to get pedicures. Much needed pedicures!!! Thursday will be a sad day because it is the last day with my first graders that I love so much but I will happy once pedicure time comes. I will take my camera to school on Thursday and take pictures so you can all see how cute my kids are and why I'm going to miss them!

By The Way: My host sister has started calling me "sister" now instead of Krista. My host mom and I were talking today about how we think she is really going to miss me when I leave on Sunday. She won't do anything without me now! She even started going through my jewelry and plays dress up. One of the pictures I am posting is her in my necklace she got from my bag. She is soooo stinking cute and I am definitely going to miss her.... makes me think about adopting an Asian baby in the future even more!!


Goodnight from Korea...