The day I became a video game character.

Back in March I was feeling tired all of the time and I decided to try acupuncture (when in Rome, right?)

That Monday I went to an Oriental Medicine office with my co-teacher not knowing what to expect. He explained he would do a "power up" on me and that I should come in everyday until I felt better.

That day I got five needles in various places in my body and a piece of wood was left on my stomach giving off a relaxing aroma. The next day I went back and again the next day. By Wednesday I had seven needles in my body.

It didn't hurt as bad as you'd think. In fact, most places was painless as long as I was relaxed.

On Friday my doctor said the best thing I have ever heard while in South Korea: "You first come, face dark. Power low. Now face shinny. Power up."

He was right. I did have energy again.

Power up! :)

11.

Here I am again writing a blog post on the 4th of the month. I have been in Ulsan, South Korea for eleven months - crazy! The time has just flew by (with a few moments of snail like slowness). I believe this month will be over before I know it and then I'll be on a plane for Oslo, Norway! I am so excited to spend a week with my mom traveling around Norway. I think it will be a good way to rejuvenate my soul and help ease jet lag.

One of the oddest parts of teaching English in South Korea is the sporadic hiring system. Since people are hired at different times, often it is someone's last month. I experienced that back in November for the first time and it has continued throughout the year. During people's last month they try to see last minute landmarks, eat at their favorite restaurants, and say their final goodbyes to those staying behind.

Now it's my last month. I have every weekend full of fun things to do and I even have a few trips planned. Hopefully I won't have too many mishaps along the way (fingers crossed).

Last weekend started my conqueror-the-to-do-list expedition. Meredith and I FINALLY got brunch at London Tea and it was delicious. I was so happy that they were back from vacation. I will miss that cream cheese filled french toast. After brunch we went to Grand Park, rented bikes and rode around the park. It was a beautiful day and the best part was the cool breeze! After the bikes we sat on a bench and just enjoyed the moment. Then we went to Lotte and rode the ferris wheel. Supposedly it is the highest man-made height in Korea. It was great to see the city from that height. We also got to redeem my free curry stamp card (thanks mostly to Samantha who helped me get four stamps before she went home). Yep, it was a lovely day.

I look forward to more lovely days in Korea. Bless friends.

Souvenir 6.8

Another adventure I likely won't forget happened on our Jeju Island trip in June. Meredith had planned the trip since I didn't have time with Samantha visiting right before we left and one thing on her list was to visit a green tea farm. When we finally reached the other side of the island we had already missed our submarine tour and so we decided we might as well go to the green tea farm first. The hard part was getting there. 

We figured if we got in a taxi and said "greena tea farm" we would be golden. Sadly the taxi driver didn't know so we showed him on the phone where we wanted to go and so he starts driving. Then he calls his friend to ask where it was and the taxi turns around and drives the other way. We silently watch on google maps as we drive farther away from our destination. He calls his friend again and we decide to call the farm ourselves and have the taxi driver speak to whoever answers. We finally were all on the same page and got to the farm. It was a gloomy day but the rain had stopped and we were warmly welcomed into the little tea house were we sat on the floor and drank green tea from traditional mugs. 

We then wandered around the farm and in the green tea maze. I bought far too many souvenirs there but I couldn't help it! I love tea and tea cups. 

We weren't sure how we were going to get back to the main city but we decided to walk to the road and pray a taxi drove by. As we were leaving a car drove up and a man rolled down the window saying he would drive us back to the city. I'm sure most of you are thinking "run away" but this is Korea and we figured this was part of our "service". So we got into his car and told him where we needed to go next. His English was low and our Korean is low so we struggled through a conversation about our jobs and Jeju Island. He drove us along the coast and took us right where we needed to be for the submarine tour. It was lovely. 

Here is Meredith with our driver. He wouldn't accept any money. I'm so thankful for friendly people who are willing to help poor confused waygookins out.