I bet you didn't know this: Sing Along

I'm reading this book. Though i'm not too big a fan of the title... it's rather helpful.

Culture Shock: Korea.

Though a kin to a travel book, it talks more in depth of Korean custom, Confucian thought, and how those two flesh themselves out in daily life, than it does tourist-y things. Anyway, as i sat reading it today i was struck by two rather comical things.

First, I was reminded of the anxiety i feel in awkward situations. Let me explain. I'm not a shy person, however, I'm not one to "mix 'n mingle". I don't really like being the center of attention or in a position to "sell myself". And while i am plenty capable of holding a social conversation and meeting new folks, people tend to perceive me as quiet and introverted when they first meet me because i'm not initially chatty (or really ever for that matter)... and let's just say you won't typically find me volunteering for karaoke.

With that said, it will make sense why the following made me chuckle.

I learned today of a unique custom in Korea for a guest of honor to sing. Yes. Sing. Following a meal, the guest (often the foreigner, or new friend) is asked to sing a song. That song starts what hopefully will turn into a pleasant social hour of singing, drinking and other joyful activity.

Ok. If you know me well... you will also know i don't sing for people. Though i love to sing... i hate to sing in front of people. I get all shaky, my voice gets all nasty... and well let's just say i hate it!

Putting these three things together... i think it is safe to predict a few rather awkward, though comical meals in my near future! I'm sure at some time i will be asked to sing... and in due respect i will have to serenade my new friends. And if i have prepared well i will sing a song that will turn hearts to joyful song.

My potentials are as follow:

- "Thriller"- Michael Jackson. (motions included)

- "Peanut Butter Jelly Time" - Dancing Banana. (motions included)

- "My Heart Will Go On"- Celine Dion/Kate Winslet (motions included)

I am positive that one of these, if prepared for well, will turn a few, if not all, hearts to joyful song. : )

It's Official.

Hello there friends!

An exciting update for you!

Sione, the principal at A-Class has offered me the position! And i've accepted!

I will be leaving mid-January for a short time of training and will start classes shortly thereafter! My new home will be in Sanbon (Gunpo City)... and soon i will have pictures of my new house! It's super exciting to know where i will be and who i'll be work for, and a general timeline for when i'll be headed out!!

So. There it is! More to come soon... thanks for you prayers! The Lord is good! And speaking of that... I'm signing off because i need some quiet time! : ) Blessings friends!

It's the Small Things

I was out at Badly Mesa Elementary school today to do a campaign. And like any campaign i passed out all my info to the empty chairs and waited around for someone in charge to show up.After a few minutes of admiring some student art depicting the differences between "interpersonal", "intra-personal", "international" and "intra-national" (that was definitely a first)... Mr. McDonald showed up and introduced himself as the principal! He was a super nice guy... very friendly, not that i would expect anything less from a principal. Anyway i went on to tell him that visiting all these schools was getting me excited to teach! And though I said it a little vague, he asked on. I continued to tell him about my plans to travel to South Korea and how i had applied to teach English!

He goes on to tell me what a beautiful country it is... and how he had spent some time there after graduating, traveling around and exploring, and what not! And about some of the placed he had visited! Pretty awesome, eh? He's the first person i've met that's actually been to South Korea, and described it as a "beautiful country"!

I like that! A lot!

That's all!