Monthly Archives: February 2011

my heart aches

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The DMZ. You may have heard of it. The one thing my mom told me before I moved to South Korea was, ‘Melody, do NOT go to the DMZ.” Sorry, mom.  I went.

I appreciated the experience and my eyes were opened (physically and mentally) to how close I really do live to North Korea. This trip really upset me. I went with my two friends who are visiting (J & S) and Dyanne (a fantastic friend and coworker). The four of us joined a larger tour group, the total was probably 20-25 people.

As I was taken to the “Freedom Bridge” and the “Bridge Of No Return” (7th paragraph in link) and as I stepped on the other side of the room in the MAC Building (the building where North Koreans and South Koreans come together for meetings), technically finding myself in North Korea, my spirit was on fire. Besides the group I came with, every other person seemed to be treating this as just another “tourist attraction”, their attitudes being more like “I stepped on North Korean soil and survived!” rather than one of solemnness. There was a war going on inside of me as I wanted to shout “THIS WAR IS STILL GOING ON!” to the people who acted as if North Korea is just a fake place where men are playing really dangerous nintendo games and using up other people’s lives instead of their own during the tough levels, while at the same time I thought these things I wondered why I needed to come and see this. Was it a tourist attraction for me too?

NO.

My heart aches for North Korea.

this shot was taken near freedom bridge

ribbons bought to support peace between north and south korea. ribbons with messages of freedom. ribbons for family members still in north korea.

flags on freedom bridge

looking north

inside the MAC building

officers standing on guard outside the MAC building. it is all for show, as soon as we left our US Soldier (escort) told us if we looked back once our bus took off they all meandered back inside. The North Koreans, however, have guards on duty 24/7.

the bridge of no return

J & S rockin’ Seoul

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For the first time I have people who I know from back home invading my world in Seoul. What an experience. I am remembering things that I forgot were strange are, in fact, still strange! I am realizing that there are certain things I accept about the culture I live in now that used to blow my mind.

Justin and Shawnna arrived on Valentine’s Day (a great gift amongst all the chocolate my students showered me with as well)  and have been amazing house guests ever since. So great, in fact that I left them alone in the apartment all weekend to go to grad class. Yeah, okay that wasn’t planned.

I am now taking Justin and Shawnna to experience the wonderment that is New Philadelphia Church in Itaewon. I am THRILLED to be able to bring some friends from my church back home to my home church in Korea!

“I laughed a lot today.”

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This statement was made by my good friend Dyanne, on the subway, leaving church on Sunday. A true sign of good fellowship with your brothers and sisters is definitely laughter.

Valentine’s Day in Korea is reversed from the way we know it in the USA. Over here, in this Asian land, the ladies buy chocolates for their man (now, really… if you think about it this makes no sense, most men don’t even like chocolate- let alone LOVE IT- at nearly the same intensity that woman do, but… this is Korea).

And since I live in Korea I am a big fan of assimilation. On Sunday the welcoming team was in given the assignment of creating a night of fellowship centered around blessing our brothers… for Valentine’s Day.  Awe. I was put in charge of the activity/game. And if you know me you know that I love games (not necessarily playing them, but making/organizing the game, and as a six time bridesmaid extraordinaire I have the resume to back me up, woot woot).

 

setting up for the activity, the boys were sweating. haha.

filling out the bingo sheets and getting in the zone

 

The night was a success.

Monday came around, and I realized that Valentine’s Day is quite possibly, my FAVORITE holiday! I had no idea until I had a classroom of my own. Getting ready for this holiday brought back so many fantastic memories I have from celebrating V Day as a home-schooler. Every year I got to decorate a tissue/shoe box to hold my gazillion Valentines, AND I got to go to Chuck-E-Cheeses with all the other home-schooling peeps (we are that cool), AND I got to play games, win tickets, get prizes, eat pizza, and walk home with a box full of love and a bag of candy.  IT WAS THE BEST.

That is why this year in preparation for the big day of love my students sensed my excitement.  I went on my rant about how we were all going to make valentines for each other and decorate our boxes, in the middle of my rave one girl raises her hand, “Ms. Welton, what is a Valentine?”

Haha, oops. They are Korean, some of them just don’t know.

Don’t worry, I shared my wisdom.

 

she loved my heart pillow

Sun ready to give out all of his Valentine's.

 

 

A Call to Arms.

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I am in pain. I am so tired of this. I woke up this morning with my head pounding, it was overheated, and I wanted to throw up.

And then I had to come to graduate class. For eight hours.

Every single person reading this, wherever you are in the world, whether you know me or not, please… think of me. Pray for my head. Pray that these migraines GO AWAY once and for all. God does not want his children in pain, there is no reason for me to live like this, my God is a God who heals.

These headaches get in the way of me living my life, and I am done. Lord, heal me. In your name, you blood covered my sins and I don’t want to accept this condition anymore. You are the King of Kings and your name is higher than any other.

Headaches. Migraines. Go. Away.

Amen.

PRAY WITH ME!

a moment of panic. a moment of pride.

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my computer shut down at work today. it has a virus, or something bad has been detected. I couldn’t have someone come fix it right away because it was 8:30 p.m., and well, you know… not many people are still working at that time at my school (though there are a handful). really hoping this computer not functioning is just a temporary thing. made me realize how much I depend on it. for… everything! I have so many files from my first year of teaching (this year!) on there… I really hope  I don’t lose anything. I have confidence.

we really depend a lot on technology these days, eh?

 

a random shot of my phone, t-money card, and headphones (I finally figured out how to put music on my cell phone- my iPod has been broken for weeks! - it was exciting)

 

I was just staring at my fingernails and realized hat it has been almost two years since I stopped biting them. I gave myself a small moment to be really proud. It felt good.

be proud of something you’ve done, do it, right now. you feel good.

confession…

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I have a confession to make. Tonight. I did not want to go help my little orphan boy learn English. I know. It sounds horrible. I had all the excuses right? I have been sick for the past week, I need to get to bed early and get better (as if I would go to be early). I have grad class this weekend and so much stuff due I must do it (I am a procrastinator, no need changing that now, I will get around to it later). I have so much to do for my class this week (I ALWAYS have something to do at work).

Two weeks ago I went to tutor Han Wool and he was gone at ski camp, no one told me. Last week I went to tutor Han Wool and he was in a different English class by a worker at the Children’s Home. I had to wait 30 minutes to even hang out with him. I figured this week something else would happen, though I have been going to tutor Han Wool every Monday at 7 p.m. for over a year now.

If I am being honest I just didn’t want to go. It’s cold. I was being selfish.

I went. AND GUESS WHAT? Han Wool READ TO ME. Yes, it may have been only 3 or 4 words… but he READ. Dr. Seuss I love you. I had such a great time with this boy I was reminded why Monday used to be my favorite day of the week. Time to get back in that mindset. Man, I had such a great evening, and then Jee Young and I went to Isaac’s for dinner. Best Toast Sandwiches Ever.

I took some pictures of Seoul this weekend. Here they are.

wow. now this big beautiful heel…yeah, definitely korea.

still can't believe the smallest size in this asian country is still a little too big for my feet!

I took this picture and then messed around with some of my camera settings, I love the outline of the hangul letters.

I would have never discovered this little coffee shop if I was looking for little alleys to take pictures of. I LOVE seeing Seoul through the eyes of my camera lenses.

sometimes i forget that staring daily at a foreign language used to be abnormal for me...

my friend kelly recently told me that I take a lot of pictures of food. she was right.