Saturday on Seon-ya-do Island

I've been so tired lately with all the extra work since Carrie's on vacation that I decided I didn't want to go anywhere this last weekend. But plans change, and I decided to go with friends to a small island off western Korea called Seon-ya- do. Only for the day though. No long weekender. We left Kunsan at 8:30 am on the ferry for the one hour and 30 minute ride over. Unfortunately, the weather didn't look so great--very overcast. It was a nice ride though. We arrived fairly early for the island (I guess) because there were no other visitors around. Everybody was fighting for our attention hoping we would rent their cart to tour us around. The island is actually a group of islands; three of which are inhabited. Total poputation of the three is around 900. The island was very beautiful but would have been so much nicer with sunshine and warm weather. The beach was very nice, but noone was on it. We ate an early lunch of fresh seafood and decided to rent motorscooters. At first I said no way, but eventually gave in. It was great fun! The only problem was the rain which came down in buckets as soon as we got on the road. OH well--next time. The ocean was rough with the stormy weather on the trip back, but we took naps on the floor in the passenger room (there is no furniture). It was great! The floor is heated!

WHAT AM I DOING HERE?

Sometimes I wonder why I'm here. I thought I was here to serve the Lord in some way, but I don't feel like I'm doing that very well. In many ways I feel like I'm growing spiritually through the Church I'm attending, but I can't embrace all their ultra conservative practices. For this I feel a bit of a failure. Also, my job confuses me. It's a Christian School, but most kids there are from well to do families; and in my mind, not needy in any way. So, what am I contributing? The kids can drive me crazy at times, but at other times melt my heart. I love to teach them things--when they want to learn. Alot of them don't want to learn though. They can't sit still or concentrate on anything. They're mean to each other and me sometimes. I get frustrated with them. I don't like to have to discipline them either. I've never liked that part. And I hate to sing!!! But when I know they're getting something out of it all, it's the most wonderful feeling.

I want to know I'm doing something right, but I may never feel that I am. I'll just keep thinking about it. Maybe someday the light bulb will go off.

THE DMZ

My visit to the DMZ was very interesting. I learned alot about the Korean War and the history surrounding it and preceding it. The countryside is beautiful there--mountains, green fields, rice fields underwater. The DMZ is a two mile strip of land between North and South Korea that belongs to noone--except the migratory birds that gather there. In the 70's three tunnels were discovered being dug from North to the South by the North Koreans. These tunnels ran for miles and were suppose to be used for a reinvasion. It is believed there are many more. There are three which can be toured part way. We went down in the second tunnel. This whole area is patroled by the Korean army from various outposts along the fence line. There is also an observation area where you can look over into North Korea. We visited several monuments honoring the South Korean soldiers that lost their life. The largest stood on top of a hill where the largest and deadliest battle was fought.

We returned on Sunday evening after spending the night in a Korean home in a small village near the DMZ. The next morning North Korea performed a massive underground nuclear test

and subsequently 6 missles were launched that week.

Man's Best Friend on the Market

I just love calls from home! My magic jack affords me the opportunity to call and be called from the US. Of course, the time difference is significant. Being able to stay in touch with family and friends is so valuable. Lately, I've really missed my critters; Oreo, Cindy, and Horace. They were my little family, and I loved them so much. Unfortunately, I can't call them. They do not know that I miss them. You don't see alot of pets here because so many people live in apartments. Out on the farms the dogs are mainly watch dogs that are tied up at their dog house. Most of the dogs I see have Siberian Husky in them--many are white.

It was in the DMZ that I saw the most upsetting thing though. There was a dog farm in the small village we stayed in. I understand most of those dogs are of the labriador retriever type and are grown in a small area and never allowed out of confinment. They are sold for meat. Evidentally, the meat is very therputic in some way. It is prescribed by docotors for certain ailments. It was very difficult hearing them bark continuously begging for help. It was nauseating. Yes, it made me sick!

PLANTING RICE

I've been fasinated by the landscape of rice fields in this country. The rectangular fields of water that cover the countryside at the foot of the mountainsides are truly beautiuful. I've been very curious about this grain which is so necessary to the Korean diet--along with KimChee. It grows in water (in mud)and is planted in straight rows. How do they do that? Well, now there are machines that do it, but you still see it being done by hand occasionally. I thought that would be an interesting experience. As it happened, I got to try just that on a recent trip to the DMZ.

I first tried wading out in the mud with tall boots on. That became too difficult very quickly. My boots literally got stuck so far in the mud that I felt like I was in quick sand. I couldn't pull it out, and I was losing my balance. I was told to pull my feet out and leave the boot--go barefoot. At first, I thought, "Is this man nuts?" But it was so much easier, and I quickly got used to the squish of mud through my toes. I made my way into the field and positioned myself along a string that was strung across the field and attached to two poles. There were tiny red strings attached along the string at about 6 inch intervals. People were lined up along the string. We were given little squares of grass looking plants (like sod). You would tear off the sod with 4-5 tiny plants and plant them in the mud at every red string marker. When that was done, you stepped back two feet while the poles at the end of the field were pulled up and moved forward two feet. The process was then repeated. So it goes until the field is planted!!

RECYCLING

Hey, they have it down here in Korea! It's taken me awhile to get organized in this department, but you have to--out of guilt. They don't give you bags at the grocery store--or bag it for you. If you don't have your own, you have to buy a plastic bag. However, you probably won't accumalate too many of those because you can use them in your trash or garbage can. They don't use these big trash cans here. They have these small little cans in the kitchen that are perfect for that plastic bag you get at the grocery store. In the kitchen, you separate your paper trash, plastic, glass and food garbage. You carry this all out everyday--no large cans or bags--to the collection area at the apartments. There you find a place to throw away plastic, boxes, styrofoam, glass, and yes, food (which goes to the pigs). Trash is picked up everyday at the apartments. Pigs eat pretty well too.

SEOUL--FIRST TRIP

Big City, lots of traffic, polution, noise, lots of interesting people, and lots of interesting things to see! Oh yes and the subway! Lots of subway! I'm just a country girl--love that peace and quiet. I did, however, have a great time in Seoul. Traveling with women under 40 can be a challenge now--I just don't have the same stamina. I retired early on Saturday evening while the rest of the group continued on. The King's Palace, Gyeongokgung Palace, was absolutely incredible with over 100 buildings on the grounds in the middle of Seoul. The Beautiful architecture just amazes me--so intricate and colorful. This was evidentally a second home! We enjoyed seeing the changing of the guards with their colorful uniforms and flags. It was diffinantly worth the sore ankles.

We ran into David, another teacher friend, at the palace. Across the street we found a great little English bookstore/coffee shop and stopped in for a latte. We had a good time there with the owners. We played a Korean game and bought some books in English (which are hard to find, by the way)

Other adventures included: the wholesale fashion world where you shop through the night until 4:00am when the wholesalers close. Eaun Hui, our Korean friend, sales clothes in Iksan to clients. I obviously didn't do the all night shopping thing. An hour was enough for me. It was interesting to see all the designer knock off vendors lining the street. They are very popular here. The subway!!!--yes the never ending subway. And my favorite place...Insadong!! Great shopping, lots of foreigners, lots of characters! I loved it!

Visit to Simgoksa Temple

We drove up into the mountains near Iksan to visit a old Budhist Temple located along a beautiful peaceful mountainside. The priests were in prayer for Budha's birthday, but we were allowed to go inside the temple and photograph while the priest was in prayer. This includes chanting for hours. The chanting was beautiful and very soothing. The view from the temple down the mountainside was so tranquil. The breezes were soft and cooling.

BUSY WEEKEND

Busy weekend again this week. Saturday was the Christian Women's Meeting for several churchs throughout Korea. It was held at Faith Baptist Church which I have been attending. It was great to meet other women both Korean and American sharing the same values. The main guest speaker was Mrs Dutton, who has spent the last 30 years in missionary service with her husband, Pastor Dutton. They have just retired and moved back to the states, but made the trip over to be here for the event. She gave a very interesting and inspirational talk on women as the backbone of a Christian home. Fellowship was great! The food was great! And the men served our lunch and cleaned up. We got to enjoy the day. I really enjoyed meeting other teachers from KCIS Kunsan as well as the pastor and his wife from the Haven in Kunsan. In fact, I went to church today at the Haven with Jodelle and Eauni. The Haven has been in existance since 1971 in Kunsan and is pastored by Mr Stewart and his wife Linda, missionaries of 28 years. It is located just outside the Kunsan Air Force base so is attended by many service men stationed there as well as teachers from KCIS Kunsan and Koreans. English is used exclusively there.
After the service, Eauni, a new Korean friend, drove Jodelle and I to the nearby beach to take a few pictures. It's still a bit cold to really enjoy the beach, but it was wonderful to walk around and enjoy the scenery and nature. There is a ferry there that will take you out to some islands offshore. Many people were there with tour buses to go over. This is a growing area which will be a popular resort area soon. I really enjoyed it. We stopped at another fabulous restruant on the way home for a Korean meal. Always good and always healthy!

SHOPPING AND PRAYING

Jodele (another teacher at my school) and I went to the open market after church today. It was an interesting experience. So many kinds of fish. Many I've never seen. All kinds of foods, fruits, and vegetables. And mushrooms in all shapes and sizes. It was amazing. I found some great plants at much cheaper prices than you find in the shops. I bought a nice palm type which the vendor put in a nice pot for me. It was so heavy I had to buy a shopping cart to move it around. It did fit in the taxi thank, goodness. I've been plant happy this week. I also bought two citrus trees. The cumquat tree has fruit on it, and the other I'm not sure what fruit it is because it's still in blossoms. I couldn't understand which fruit it was. They look great in my apartment.
This weekend I spent quite a bit of time at church. Saturday volunteers went in for Spring cleanup. I painted almost the entire dining hall. It looked great today. The santuary was also sparkling. I had an interesting talk with the pastor at lunch yesterday. I had questions about a few things from their perspective. Pastor Adam can quote the passages backing up his claims. I'm still having a bit of trouble with some of them. He explained to me how a person will change after finding faith and how you continue to change with reading the Bible and discovering the truth in God's words. The Bible study and sermon today was totally based on our conversation.
It was very inspiring. He assured me that I was being lead by God, and I only needed to continue asking for His guidance. Amen.