There have been so many 'Red Letter Days' lately...I just wish I could remember the details a bit better! :-) I do believe that the little experiences are usually the most note-worthy. An example would be walking into Itaewon with Chris last weekend and hearing Gordon Lightfoot (Wreck of the Edmund Fitz) blaring from a speaker cocked in a little second floor shoe shop....or being at the gym and thinking the music sounds 'familiar'....but not exactly like you remember..."I was made for loving you" by KISS...same music but with Korean words...actually it sounded pretty close...even in a different language! Today I walked into town with the goal of exchanging 100,000KWon into Hong Kong Dollars. I had heard this little shop near the KFC had the BEST exchange rate around so I gave it a try. I knew I was going to have some challenges when I asked what the exchange rate currently was. The lady behind the bullet-proof glass ignored me initially...then I sweetly asked again...she yelled "Go to the Bank!" in clear English...then she resumed her money counting. By this time a small line had formed behind me...a really nice Korean guy (probably around 30) looked at me...I pointed to my money and said "Hong Kong Dollar?" ...the fellow told her in Korean to tell me the exchange rate and to exchange my money. At least I 'think' that is what he said...because she punched in the rate on her calculator...showed me...I nodded in acceptance...she handed me the cash. Poor guy probably wanted to get the line moving...:-) That is one really nice thing about Korea...strangers will assist you if you appear confused/unsure/in some type of distress.....I believe they truly want to help you....or at least get the line moving again! :-)
Tomorrow we are heading to Hong Kong! I am almost packed and really looking forward to it. We will be there for the Lunar New Year or 'Loonie New Year' as some people refer to it. I told Chris we might fit in just perfectly for this holiday! :-) Although things may be a bit slower on the actual holiday (Jan. 26) I do believe there will be an evening parade (I keep imagining one of those Dragons going down the street with men standing underneath moving it down the road...and LOTS of sparklers)....:-) We keep hearing of places we must try out...I'm especially looking forward to the Dimsum! With my new camera...I hope to catch some great pictures. On a sidenote...my computer is having a mini-war between my previous camera software (Kodak) and my new software (Canon)....so far Kodak is winning...so I am limited with my picture posts today...don't worry...I WILL get it fixed! The picture attached to this entry was taken over Thanksgiving while we were visiting Chris' family. The visit we had in MI/KY was really action-packed but so much fun. I may have mentioned in my previous entry that our Internal Medicine Doc said we won the prize for 'longest distance traveled to see the doctor'...:-) Maybe it's all of the Korean food and Kimchi.....good reports all around from our medical team!:-)
Now that January has arrived people have gradually made their way back from their holidays to Seoul. (Of course many are leaving again for Lunar/Loonie) This also means the SIWA classes start back up.....tours...etc. Also attended an AWC meeting where the new Commander of the US forces in Korea spoke about volunteer opportunities...how we can support our military and their families. Hopefully I will post an update from this meeting soon! Sounds promising. I did re-start the Asian Flower Design class...we had one class this past Monday and it was GREAT! I did get some photos and will post once my camera is cooperating! BSF (Bible Study Fellowship) also started back after a Christmas break. It has been great re-connecting with my small group....we are studying Moses. It really is a great study and I truly believe joining has been a positive factor in my adjustment to life in Asia....along with making some really good friends both in BSF and outside this group. I told someone just the other day that my outlook and ability to see people as someone else trying to find their way...has improved so much...I am really trying to make the most of my time here...and soak in this opportunity to explore and learn! Also, several people has asked how my neck is doing...well, thanks to God and a wonderful PT here in Korea I continue to become more active and pleased with my progress. It's amazing how God sends just the right people into your life...at just the right time...and that's how I feel about the friends I have met here in Seoul....I don't want it to end quite yet...I feel there is more to do! And I must give a lot of credit to Chris...he is a go-getter and really researches the markets, travel spots, cultural experiences...even with his super-busy schedule! This was evidenced most recently with our picture on the front page of the JoongAng Daily Newspaper on January 20th!(I was curious why that little fellow with a ladder and camera followed us around the Seoul Folk Flea Market around Christmas!) I have included the published photo from the newspaper in this post! (If only I had worn a little mascara!) Another big 'thank you' to Bev(aka Eagle Eye) for alerting us! :-)
I will sign-off for now....Happy Lunar New Year everyone!!! :-)
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