Monthly Archives: March 2010

curiosity killed the cat

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If there is one major thing I have learned about myself living in Korea over the past seven months, it’s that I am not a naturally curious person. Which is weird to me, I sometimes think I would should be a curious person because for some reason I feel like not being one means I just don’t care. Which is completely untrue.

For example, I was sitting at my desk the other week when all of the sudden this ridiculously loud siren starts blaring outside. I thought to myself  that is a really loud noise, and it’s kind of annoying. I didn’t ask “what is that?” and no one in my office paid any mind to it so I quickly forgot the incident even happened. I found out from some friends later that night that the sound was a practice drill for if/when North Korea decides to invade. Whoa. I feel like that is important information for me to know and no one at my school thought to say “hey, that noise? yeah, if that happens for real jump under your desk or something.”

I have to sit in a weekly meeting every Monday at my school. Nothing is translated for me and rarely ask what is going on. Sometimes I am missing out on some hilarious stuff too, because there are a few teachers at my school who love to complain. Meh. I have recently started to practice learning my geography during this time, I feel I am not particularly smart in that area. (And now I know the capital of Lousiana.)

The one time I really appreciate my lack of curiosity though is when I read a book or watch a movie. I never sit there and think what is going to happen? I need to know! I just let myself get 100% lost in the story and I often feel the emotions of the characters. I vividly remember bawling my eyes out and hitting the pages of a book once when I was a teenager, I was so mad at this one heroin. This past week I have been grinning from ear to ear while watching my newest Korean drama (Shining Inheritance) because things are finally starting to get resolved (and the main characters shared their first kiss, haha!).

One final thought on being a naturally non-curious person. I like it. I started reading the Harry Potter book series by J.K.  Rowling when the first book was published in the USA in 1998, I was in seventh grade. I happened to be in England (by chance) when the final book was released,  July 21st, 2007. (This meant I got a cool British version with different cover art and words spelled like pyjamas and favourite.) For almost ten years I had been reading this story, and never once was I determined to find out, or figure out how it was going to end. I hated the characters Rowling wanted me to hate and I fell in love with her heroins. Every twist in every book, throughout the whole plot, was a surprise to me (or if I saw it coming I was still surprised because I forgot I couldn’t believe I figured it out) and it made my journey with Harry so much more fun.

The final Harry Potter book, by the time I was done with my book I had already read it through twice.

On a side note at the beginning of every English class I teach I ask the students “How are you?” in order to get them to stray away from the traditionally taught “I am fine, and you?” I make them answer how they are really feeling. I was just walking down the hall pass a class of students going from point A to B when one boy shouted out (amongst the many “hi teacher” and “hello teacher!”) “I am happy!”

It made my day.

stephen

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I  became acquainted with an amazing man yesterday. I can see him right now in my mind. Tall, dark, confident, and understanding of the true meaning of God’s forgiveness, faith, and love. I have actually met this man before, I just forgot about him. Which is incredulous to me. His name is Stephen, and you can find him in Acts (a book of the Bible) Chapter 7 giving a speech that will leave you speechless.  (Haha, didn’t think I was going to turn all religious on you didya?!)

While Stephen is stoned to death he asks God to forgive the very people killing him, to “not hold this against them”. If I lived in a country where I was openly and physically persecuted for my faith, could I stand there and ask God forgive, while they are doing the very act? Maybe if I survived and had years to heal… maybe then, but to stare at people who are glaring at you in hatred, and still love them? This is a powerful faith, I want to be like Stephen.

the food court

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I had a new experience today. I know, very surprising. Today is an odd day. It is a Saturday and I had the day fully booked, then my plans all changed and I have spent the majority of the day alone (with the exception of some lovely skype calls this morning). I was supposed to meet a friend for lunch, and when that fell through I made the decision to do something I have never done, I walked across the street and I entered Techno-Mart (exactly what it sounds like, you can buy computers, tvs, iPods, as well as furniture, clothes, books, and the kitchen sink) took the escalator to the basement and walked to…. the food court. The only restaurant in the food court that is not Korean appeared to be a kebab place and it was out of business. I looked at all of the plastic fake food displays (very popular here) and I found myself reading the Hangul (Korean alphabet) printed menus. I settled on a 4,000 won meal of bulgogi  and dok (a delicious meat with noodles and something else I can’t describe… a really thick noodle rice cake thing? okay… you wouldn’t understand) and through some hand motions discovered from the adjumma working that it would NOT be spicy.

My meal, which was less than 4 USD.

As I sat down with my receipt and waited for my number to be called (I was slightly confused at first how it worked and through observation learned pretty quickly) I saw a group of high school students enjoying a late lunch. One of the boys was talking to his friends while nodding his head in my direction. I smile and throw up my hands into the Korean V. The boy is so surprised he smiles back and then speaks even more forcefully to the group of friends. They are not to bothered by my presence but oblige him by looking my way.

My number is called. My food is delicious. I know exactly where to get the water (they give you a cup and the water is at cooler stations throughout the food court), I feel like an expert with my chopsticks.

Sometimes I think that I am just getting a big head. I often wonder if I really am making things up or exaggerating how often people look my way. I feel like they can’t be that interested in me and they really aren’t ALWAYS staring. Or if I think they are staring at me they really aren’t. And then I realize that I am not making it up. They really are always looking at me.

NAkeD.

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I tried an experiment this week. On the way back from the States I decided that I was sick of my long nails (I mean texting is so difficult) and so therefore I ripped them all off, neatly of course… and then I filed them when I got home. On a whim I also removed all traces of nail polish. I then began to wonder what it would be like to go a WHOLE DAY without wearing any varnish on my finger nails; I went naked. For a day and a half I kept looking at my fingers wondering how I used to live like this. I felt stripped of femininity.  And I really like being a woman.

My nails are now a bright lime green. Love it.

“Where I am from…”

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Sitting with my friends in an apartment in the USA I found myself using the phrase “where I am from” instead of  “in Korea”… hello? What is wrong with me that I all of the sudden think I really am Korean? I mean, I don’t WANT to be Korean. Sadness.

*friends reunited*

During my trip back to the States I realized how much I love being at peace with my own thoughts. I was standing in line to get on plane number 3 (yippee) and there was this girl yapping away in front of me. I thought ‘why am I getting so annoyed?’ oh yeah, because I am not used to understanding any of the conversations going on around me.

I also noticed myself having extra long, particular pointless conversations with all of the cashiers at whatever store I was in.

“Did you find everything you needed today?” sales clerk

“Oh absolutely, can you believe the weather outside? It’s so nice.” me

“uh… haven’t been outside today.”

“Well you should go out on your next break, it’s really beautiful.” me

“Okay..”

“Yeah, really…go enjoy the sunshine, well okay I am going to go join up with my friends who are waiting outside the store for me. You have a great day, goodbye!” me, waving and smiling to confused cashier.

Overall my trip was fantastic. The weather was amazing (75 degrees and sunny the WHOLE TIME) and the wedding was beautiful. It felt like I had just left America the day before, no time seemed to have past, but when the trip was over it came all too soon.

My parents and Jordan took a roadtrip to see me!

Upon leaving I stuffed my suitcase with as much American goodness as I could (multiple bags of Doritos, gum, cereal, and all the mixin’s to make puppy chow) and landed in Seoul in the wettest snow storm ever. This was my  homecoming, dragging my large overweight suitcase through the slush, weighed down by my backpack and overflowing purse while struggling to open my to small, wimpy umbrella…perfect.

The bridesmaids dresses, all custom made and flown over with moi from Korea!

the beautiful couple by the harbor in Annapolis

Baltimore Bound

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It feels surreal knowing that in less than 48 hours I will be hanging out with some of my fantastic American friends in the good ol’ US of A. I will be able to speak English to anyone on the street. I will be able to read and understand every sign, advertisement, commercial, and radio commentary. Weird.

I love weddings, and this Saturday will mark the sixth one I have participated in. I am working on Katherine Heigl’s 27 dresses (which is the REAL reason why I am flying back to the States for less than a week from the other side of the world)… only 21 more to go! My bridesmaids dresses have been much more elegant and prettier than hers were though, thank you dear friends. Cause you know, in my mind her character is a real person and if I make it to 27 I will end up with James Marsden. My main goal in life.

My friends who are tying the knot this Saturday, Jason and Michelle.

On another note I would like to mention that I am in love with paying a mer seven dollars for 24 rolls of toilet paper and having it last me seven months, just used my last roll a couple days ago.  Awesome. I am also loving that I have a basically full bottle of dish soap (which will last me years, realizing how often I actually eat at home and therefore wash my dishes… which is not often) and I still have a couple loads of laundry left in my detergent.  It’s like I have a Mary Poppins apartment and my cleaning supplies just keep giving. Or it could be that this is my first time living on my own, but I like the Mary Poppins idea much better.

Wish my luck as I fly halfway around the world. Pray that I stay healthy and that my plane doesn’t crash (just kidding Mom, I am sure it won’t…)

“Bus driver” just another word for “Crazy”

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Okay so technically bus driver is TWO words, but it just didn’t work with the title.

Here in Seoul, one of the safest cities for crime in the world, I often put my life at risk… because almost every day I hop on a bus.

I often ponder when the turning point is; when a bus driver goes from a law abiding citizen of Korea, to a crazy “I can break all rules of the road because I drive a BUS” person. Sometimes (okay, this might have happened twice in the last seven months) when I get on the bus to go to work I sit down and enjoy a nice slow-breaking, stop-at-every-red-light-and-crosswalk, drive in the correct lanes, kind of ride. But usually I get on the bus and hold on for dear life. Bus drivers will run any and every light, drive on those yellow-striped-no-driving-on-lines in the road and stop so fast that I am genuinely surprised when I don’t have whiplash.

One time I was on a usual bus route I take and I knew my stop was the one right after a turn at a busy intersection, therefore,  I always got out of my seat to push the button and wait by the back door during the turn because normally a bus driver-or any driver- slows down at turns. The bus driver took the turn so fast and with out breaking that as soon as I went to stand my knee slammed on the floor of the bus and as I struggled to get up I almost sat in a poor woman’s lap. I then made it to the ‘stop’ button and as it glowed red the bus driver flew by my stop! My knee is in so much pain and thus all knowledge of the Korean language has left me, I just stood gripping the handle above the door yelling “aahhhh!” and pointing back towards my stop. The confused bus driver (who obviously forgot he was a bus driver and morphed into an adrenaline junkie race car driver instead) finally just pulled over and let me off in the middle of traffic. Safe.

This guy manages to ride the bus while texting and look cool while wearing.. snowflakes? flowers? diamond shape things? on his sweater. Impressive.

I walked to work today in the snow. Guess I brought Michigan’s unpredictable weather pattern over with me since yesterday morning it was 40 degrees and raining. No problem.

I also walked to work this morning with several umbrellas poking me in the face. It’s fluffy snow people! Put away your umbrellas and wear a hat.

Haiti

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I just got an e-mail from my mom about her time in Haiti, I had to share it. Read it and you will see why.

The best parents in the whole wide world. Mine.

Friends and family,

I returned from Haiti late last night. It was an incredible but exhausting experience; one I will never forget. Literally in Haiti the rocks cried out, the earth roared and the world came running. I stayed at Double Harvest Mission which allowed Partners in Health(PIH) to use their facility.This Mission was not damaged by the quake. Double Harvest has 2 operating rooms, a walk-in clinic, birthing room and a few indoor patient beds so their set up was perfect. They rarely have any patients stay over night therefore we housed 25+ patients in garages outside with plywood for flooring.

I traveled with a group from Grand Rapids that included 2 orthopedic surgeons, anesthesiologists, a family medicine doctor and an emergency room physician assistant.We served patients who had already lost a limb in the quake but required further surgeries for infections. Some patients arrived to the clinic who still needed surgery for broken bones that happened in the quake 6 weeks ago.Some had injuries not related to the quake but we served all we could. I will share the highlights of what I saw God do through our team.

One lady,Stephanie,  walked into a clinic with an incomplete fractured in her back We still marvel at the fact she “walked” period. Her house had collapsed during the quake trapping her underneath. Our facility could not repair her back and we were running out of time for the surgery she needed or she would be a paraplegic for the rest of her life. Our lead doctor worked for several days to find a spine facility in Haiti and then the helicopter to transport her. The roads are so bumpy that one pothole would ruin her back for good. A German helicopter arrived and took Stephanie. There were tears of joy when she was lifted into the air.

One day a team from Spain arrived and took measurements for prosthetics, artificial limbs. Beside our patients, there were 2 truck loads of people that came to be fitted. Again, the rocks in Haiti cried out and the world came running.

There was a walk-in clinic everyday we were there and many of these patients just needed an antibiotic for various infections. But we had a few come in with malaria, typhoid fever, seizures, and other illnesses. One young girl was seizing and unconscious. We admitted her so the seizures could be brought under control. What the doctors came to realize was that the girl was experiencing Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome. I prayed for her and know the Lord will bring her through.

When I finished my rounds with the doctors at night, I would then sing songs to the patients and they in turn would sing some of their favorite gospel songs. They didn’t understand the words I sang and vice versa but we all knew the joy of the Lord was filling the plywood floors of the open garages. They couldn’t get up and dance with me but they did in their beds. We would act silly and laugh. Laughter is a very good medicine in any part of the world. In the midst of their sorrow and pain they continue to give glory to God.
We really can’t imagine what many of these people have endured. Yes, our team is exhausted from 16+ hour long days but the reality is it’s just a minor  sacrifice. Anytime there is a mild aftershock, the Haitians scream and run out into any open area they can find and who can blame them. One man shared that he was full of hope even though he had lost a limb and most of his family in the quake. When asked why he was so hopeful he replied because the WORLD has come to Haiti and sees the corruption in our government and things have to change. He is hopeful that soon he will be able to get an education and a good job.

I will have pictures soon and will make them available either on facebook or as an attachment to email. I could not have done this trip without the faithfulness of all of you, praying for me and helping me financially.I hope this all made sense with me in a sleep depravation state. I am richer in my spirit for the journey; they gave as much to me as I did for them.
I would encourage any of you to go to Double Harvest’s website or their facebook and see photos of the work that has been going on.
God Bless,
Vickie/Mom

Meet 한 울

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한 울 showing off his Alphabet skills.

한 울 (Han Wool) is a handsome 12 year old (Korean age) with a mischievous glint in his eye. He is my new friend, a child that lives at Namsanwon Childrens’ Home, with whom I now spend every Monday evening teaching English.

Mostly, we spend our time communicating with hand motions and building trust in each other.  Yesterday, I brought  한 울  a prize for kicking my BUTT in Uno the last time we met (which he did again this time). I gave him a choice between cookies and strawberry chews. He chose the candy and shared the entire package with me throughout our session, it was so sweet. I am excited to get to know his boy better over the next couple of years, I can already tell that he will be one of the hardest people to leave when my time in Korea is up!

한 울 trying to teach me how to shuffle, the "Korean way"... I have a lot of practicing to do.

In other news, my mother (bless her soul) is currently working with a group of doctors and nurses in Haiti. She recently e-mailed family and friends to ask for prayer in strength, they are working 16-18 hour days. To keep updated on what is going on their website is: www.oamichigan.com/haiti/ . I am so  proud of my mother and I know she is the happiest when she gets to help and serve in this way. Way to hold down the fort while she is gone Dad, I know Travis and Jordan can be quite the troublemakers, unlike those five daughters you had to raise before them ;) We caused no trouble whatsoever…