Today seemed to drag on like no other. Morning session normally goes by quick, but it felt like I had been there all day by the end of second period. Travis and I live further from the school now so we decided to eat lunch closer to school and just not go home. We tried the Lotteria which is one of the big department stores. It was definitely an experience trying to order food from someone who speaks only Korean. Luckily we had a menu we could point at pictures to show them. I ordered ice cream for dessert thinking I was going to get this small bowl of vanilla ice cream. Instead I got this massive bowl filled with shaved ice (that's normally how they serve ice cream) with vanilla soft serve on top, covered in different berries. I definitely had to ask Travis to help me with. Let's just say I won't be ordering that again.
I was excited for afternoon session because we have a new class. We have second graders for the next two weeks. New class means new teacher as well. This one seems a lot more relaxed than the first. Things do not have to be as perfect but I love both teachers equally. The second graders are doing the same lessons that the first graders did so today we taught them animals. I was very confused to see that our first graders knew more English than these second graders. Conversation was definitely difficult but once they got going, they warmed up to us quickly. I'm excited for Thursday's class because not only are we doing body parts again but we are also doing mini olympics like we did with our morning students. I'll take pictures again.
After school, I came home and hung out with my older host sister Hera. She is very funny and is constantly making me laugh. We watched some Korean TV shows. My host mom then left to pick up the new car that they bought on Saturday. During that time, her sister and brother-in-law came over with their 6 month old baby. He is by far the cutest Asian baby I have seen on this trip. The brother-in-law spoke awesome English and was making conversation with me left and right. He also brought over a traditional Korean game for us to play. There are four wooden sticks (one side flat and one side round). Each team gets 4 button-looking game pieces and there is a game board that looks like a square with an X through the middle. Each team takes turns throwing the sticks. Depending on how they land (on their flat side or round side) that is how many spaces you get to move. If you last move is on a corner of the square, you can then use the middle lines to make a short cut to the exit. Each combination of throws has a name but I cannot remember them if my life depended on it. We played my family vs. their family. It was me, my host sister Hera, and my host brother John against the sister, brother-in-law, and the baby (yes, the dad threw for the baby from his walker). It was definitely one of the funnest games I have ever played.
As I watched how excited the brother-in-law got every time the baby made the slightest sound, I realized how precious the life of a baby is. Parents will love their child unconditionally, through thick and thin. It made me think of Quinn Bodine. I have made friends with the youngest Bodine, Amber, over the past year through various classes we have had together and helping each other pass the most difficult class I have taken in college. Quinn is the newest edition to the Bodine clan and is in the hospital battling some infections. Her parents have yet to have the honor of taking her home. I cannot even imagnine what it would be like to be carrying that life around inside of you for 9 months and then not being able to hold her at night when she can't sleep or laugh at the little sounds she makes when she is happy. I have been praying for the Bodine family since hearing about Quinn's condition. I look forward to Amber's constant updates on Facebook about the progress she is making. Every day I get excited to hear good news. I will continue to pray for Quinn until she is a completely healthy baby in the arms of her parents, being amused by the little things her new big sister does for her. I hope that all of you will keep Quinn in your prayers!
I sent Bobby an awesome gift... everyone should bug him to see it!
Tomorrow is just morning school, then shopping with my host sisters. Travis, Schuyler, and Danny are coming to my house for dinner and then everyone is going to karaoke. I will definitely be taking pictures! (Karaoke here is way different! You have your own room with your group so you do not have to be embarrassed trying to sing in front of a ton of people. I'm totally thinking I need to find an investor and opening a place like this in Las Vegas. It would make a killing! It would be crowded every day!!!)
Goodnight for now.....
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