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!

I bet you didn't know this: The Virtual Smiley

So, you're texting a friend or writing him/her an email and you finish a line with : ). A cheery happy face! Signing off your thought with approval!

Or : D. If you're really happy.

Maybe a : /. If you're unsure or a little sad.

Add a symbol or letter to a set of eyes: regular ( : ) or winking ( ; ), and you have yourself a commonly known emotion! Not that i'm explaining anything new, but it's rather fancy, eh? : )

Well... i bet you didn't know Korean's have their own!?! Let me share!

Happy or smiles: ^^, ^-^, ^__^, ^ㅡ^
Shy: *-_-*
Crying: ㅠ_ㅠ
Stressed: -_-;;
Dizzy: @.@
Wanting something: +_+

I'm a little perplexed... for an email these would work! I know where all those symbols are... minus the pi symbol. Not sure i know how to get that one, but hopefully i won't be crying much! But for a text message... i don't think the "symbol" section has all these! I'm going to have to investigate! ^_^

For a more comprehensive list...

(i wondering in what context the "wanting something" is used? hmm...) ^-^

Interview

So, I've never had an 8pm interview.
But there's a first for everything i guess!

Tomorrow night.
8pm
Interview with Sione!

It's happenin' folks! : )

Option #1

I've been in correspondence with a few of the people with Adventure Teaching lately... and i've been very impressed with their communication! I value consistent communication, and though Rueben is in Korea, i seem to get an update from him almost daily... which i appreciate!

Anyway, i've received my first teaching position option! So here are the details... leave your thoughts!

A-Class After School English School

• Christian school with a Christian principal... who is known for being a very kind and helpful man!

• Located in Sanbon (Gunpo City) 45 minutes south of downtown Seoul, the capital of Korea. It's outside the large city, nestled at the base of a mountain range packed with popular hiking trails and such!

• Courses in Writing and Conversational English with students K-9th Grade.

• 7- 40 minute classes a day (similar to our period system)

• 2.5 Million Won per year. Plus housing and airfare are provided for.
  

Just a few of the details. The process from here will include an interview with the principal. If all goes well in the interview and i'm offered a job, we will begin to negotiate a contract. Making sure that i am fit for the job and that the job is also a good fit for me. I'll then start communicating with other foreign teachers at that school and request information regarding my house, vacation time, classroom, etc.

The principal is reviewing me documents and i would assume we'd interview sometime next week! I'll keep you updated! Please pray that i'd have wisdom to know what to ask about and that communication between the principal and i would be clear!

For more info: http://myaclass.net/sub_opportunity.htm

Here we go SoKo

Though i would LOVE to call and tell you all the ins and outs of this process... one to keep you in the loop and two to ask for prayer... it is rather impossible to make that many phone calls! And I'm not a huge phone person. But i love you. I really do! : )
So... considering that, i am taking full advantage of the wonderful world wide web and have created this blog to help bridge the gap! And it's what all the cool kids are doing these days!

So stay tuned! As you read, please pray! Pray that i would continue in this process seeking first the kingdom of God and HIS righteousness... and from that all else would fall into place! God has big plans for me... i know that full well! And until the door shuts I'm taking a step toward South Korea...and praying that God would use me for his big purposes there!

God is big! Bigger than the US. Bigger than my little faith, and bigger than what I've seen him as thus far! I want to know him greater! As i seek adventure, i want to fall more in love with Jesus, learn how to love and live with his people better, and experience the beauty of Korea! And with that... grow in the knowledge of the Excellency of Christ!
To that end... bring it on world! To Jesus be all glory!