To All the Older Siblings in the World: Never Make a Promise You Cant Keep! (And Other Notes Related to My Contract Renewal in South Korea)

SKYPE CALL: MY SISTER FINDING OUT ABOUT MY CONTRACT RENEWAL [GULP]

Mama: - So, yeah, ever since she found out that you're returning to Korea for another year, she's been like this

Me: [sorrowfully] Oh my goodness, Ma! Why did you tell her?! No, wait - why didn't you tell her?! 

Mama: She found out on her own! 

Me: How?

Mama: Well, she was doing better and looked like she had finally accepted that you will be coming home three days later than you had originally said, so that was good...

Me: uh-huh...and...?

Mama: Yeah, so...

Me: Ma, and, what?

Mama: Oh, yes! Well, today, she was looking at the calendar again, and flipped to August. That's when she saw my note...

Me: [in much anguish] Oh noooo...

SKYPE CALL: MY ATTEMPT AT BRIBERY

[To Emily] LING, Ate Mimi MISSES you! I will come home soon, Ling. Don't miss me too much, okay?

Emily: Okay

Me: So, Ling, what would you like me to bring you from Korea? 

Emily: [thinking]

Me: [Not sure if she's understanding my question] Ling, do you want clothes? Or chocolates? Or snacks? Or clothes, chocolates AND snacks? What do you want, Ling? I will get it for you! 

Emily: [still thinking]

Me: ANYTHING at all! 

Some of my afternoon was spent online, searching for a blue, long-sleeved, Korean flight attendant uniform, which Emily said I must bring home to her from South Korea. She told me this quite passionately over Skype. 

the-way.co.kr
Thank you, Ju Hyeon!

SKYPE CALL: MY SISTER'S GIFT REQUEST FROM KOREA
Me: [off to the side to my mom] Ma, is she serious?

Mama: Unfortunately, yes...

Me: No, I mean, is she serious about the flight attendant uniform?

Mama: Yes, she is serious

Me: Mom, I'm talking about the flight attendant uniform that she said she wants: blue, long-sleeved, and specifically "Korean"

Mama: I'm telling you, she's being serious! 

Me: [groans] So, where did she get the idea that this is the perfect gift from me?!?!

Mama: I don't know, but I did notice that she's been Googling that a lot lately, and laughing to herself

Me: ...well, okay then. [Pause, and then] So, Ma...

Mama: Hmmm?

Me: In case I can't find this, uh, blue, long-sleeved, Korean flight attendant uniform anywhere in Korea, do you think Emily will be...very upset or...just normal upset? 

Mama: That's a good question...From the look on her face right now, I think she will be very upset...Do your best to look for it there

Me: [exaggerated groans of despair] Whyyyyyyy! [To Emily] LEMING, why can't you want a normal thing, like a pack of seaweed, or a pair of cute socks, or...or Korean chocolates?! I will buy you chocolates, is that okay?? A LOT of chocolates, yum!

Emily: [giggling at seeing my despairing face] No, no, no! Not A LOT chocolate. Uniform, yes! Mimi, uniform, coming home July 19. Emily, blue, uniform, plane! Yes, yes!

Me: Okay, I will do my best, Ling [insert super fake confident smile here]

Emily: [flashes me a huge, expectant smile over Skype before waving goodbye]

Me: [to Mama] I'm screwed 

Mama: [amused] Just do your best, nak

MY HOST SISTER COMES TO THE RESCUE
I was neck-deep in my despair when Ju Hyeon casually walked into my room and asked to borrow my iPad. I sighed and gave her the device, but not before explaining Emily's impossible dream gift. Ju Hyeon disappeared into the living room and came back a moment later with a Korean website that sells - what else - flight attendant uniforms. I was so excited/relieved/ecstatic/joyful in finding that this item did, indeed, exist out in the real world that I didn't immediately notice the steep price tag. Again, Whyyyyyyy?!

On the bright side, this is my opportunity to make up for being a horrible older sister, and failing to tell my youngest sister my life plans for the next year. Since I have left, she has been holding on to one date: "July 16, 2014," the date of my supposed return to the states, not knowing that my plans had changed. She was devastated to learn that I was actually coming home on July 19, 2014 (three days later than what I had originally promised her on our parting at Sea-Tac airport). I remember how tightly I clung to the promises of adults as a child, so I definitely understand how Emily might find these turn of events utterly unacceptable and inexcusable and even heartbreaking. 

[insert so much sadness here]

MY QUESTIONS FOR YOU

Do you remember someone making you a promise they were not able to keep? When was the promise made and why was it so important to you? Have you yourself made a promise that you may or may not have known you could not ultimately keep? Who did you make the promise to, and how did you (or did you not) make up for failing to deliver?

Share your experiences by writing in the comment box below!

Returning ETA In Search of Her Next Homestay Family in South Korea

MUSEUM

Today, I had a coffee date with Connie, a sweet lady from my church, to talk about the possibility of her family hosting me during my second grant year in South Korea. I know Connie from the afternoon English service at Ttang Ggeut Church. When I had just first arrived in Yeongdo, she offered to give me rides to and from church, insisting that she was practically my neighbor. I gratefully obliged!

We had coffee together at this beautiful marine museum in Yeongdo. The place was not as busy, the conversation was easy, and the sky and the sea competed in blueness just on the other side of the clear glass windows. 

BARISTA

The only unpleasant thing was being momentarily startled and paralyzed upon seeing the bruised face of the barista who handed me my order. The slopes of her cheekbones were blue and green in hues, and I wrestled with what to say to her nearly the whole time I was sitting down, enjoying my macchiato and sharing a muffin with Connie. I stood up to grab refills of our table napkins and attempted to say something but, each time, the lady was curt, quickly moved away from me, and hid her face. 

Connie and I must have talked about our whole lives this afternoon. The talking was easy (or easier) because she is a middle school English teacher. She had also lived in the U.S. for about 10 years, raising three children there before moving back to Korea. 

COOKING

Connie was willing to host me for next year, but was unsure of whether I would further consider staying with her because, she said, she does not cook. 

With a look half embarrassed and half joking, she said she has heard all year about how amazing a cook my Korean host mom is, and that she was not able to compete with that. (I hadn't realized how much I bragged about my host mom's cooking to, well, everybody until today!). I tried my best to assure Connie that if I stayed with her, I would learn how to cook, and might even start cooking for her and her family! (heh, I know, right!). 

APARTMENT

We left the cafe at the museum, with me not having done or said anything to the lady, and headed to Connie's apartment complex for a quick tour. She was gracious enough to prepare a small snack for me while there. The place was older than my current host family's apartment, but comfortable - it smelled comfortable, and looked well-lived through.

ORCHID

I left knowing that I had many things to consider in the coming days. Before I made my exit, I wandered over to their small patio and saw a purple orchid growing vibrantly among other healthy green plants. This simple sight was enough to reassure me that whatever next year might bring, God will be there right alongside me. I breathed a silent grateful sigh and ushered myself out the door and back into Connie's car, heading to the address that had become home to me this past year.

Purple orchids, my favorite flower

Visiting Geoje Island, a World Renowned Shipbuilding & Ocean Tourism City

HOLY JOY CENTER GOES TO GEOJE-DO

After finishing ship ministry at the port of Busan, Russel and I decided to join church leaders on their trip to Geoje-do (Geoje Island). A church retreat is scheduled to take place there next month in June, so the objective was to visit the church's rest house and assess its suitability for accommodating a large group. 

Our group photo taken by a kind and obliging passerby

TRAVELING TO THE CITY OF GEOJE

While flipping through a tourist magazine, I stumbled upon some interesting facts about this island city:

• Geoje is a world renowned shipbuilding and ocean tourism city, hosting Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering Co., Ltd and Samsun Heavy Industry Co., Ltd)
• It is South Korea's second largest island
• It consists of 10 inhabited islands and 64 uninhabited islands
• Its abundant natural beauty places it among the best scenic attractions of Northeast Asia
• Its regional products include oysters, citrons, bamboo sprout, mushroom, and anchovy - all exported to the U.S. with no quarantine

Ah, Korea, I am in love with your beauty!

Beautiful view from our perch on the observatory deck

TOURING THE REST HOUSE

Touring the grounds in the full heat of the afternoon sun

 

Professor Gabriel's little girl admiring the view (that or looking at the puppy in the dog house longingly)

The two-story rest house, complete with balconies galore

The women, satisfied with the rest house's condition, sit together to chat before the trip back home

The pastors and deacons chillin in their temporary man cave

The kitchen looks good

Professor playing hide and seek with the kids

Little Samuel and his dad

The second floor, where worship service will be held

The very green view outside. This photo does it no justice

After the brief tour of the house, we all piled back into the vans and headed to a restaurant for dinner. We were all famished and the food and company did not disappoint.

OFF TO THE RESTAURANT FOR DINNER

Our group encountering a fun graffiti wall!

Professor's got some artistic skills!

The men checking out a ginormous heart with love letters attached to it.
Question: What happens to the love letters and notes when it rains??

Sam and his dad, again

Professor Gabriel writing a note in his language

Former ship captain, Pastor, & Professor

Moksanim & Samonim cooking that delicious seafood dish

Two men cooking, they're doing it right

After dinner, we were treated to coffee and patbingsu. Our church spoils us just a little...

The men + Kayla (because she loves her daddy that much and doesn't allow him to be in pictures without her, lol!)

It was dark by the time we got back to Yeong-do, our own very small island. The day was tiring but it did me good to see some more of Korea's natural beauty, to inhale that fresh, salty air, and to be in the company of men and women who are showing me what it's like to serve Christ together in a family and community setting.

A Brief Nod to the Cultural Red Tape We Navigate Through in Ship Ministry

Once or twice a month, I will head to the port of Busan with some members from my church. Lately, we have been accompanied by students from Korea Maritime & Ocean University, who lead worship on the ships we board. 

About to board the Anthea

It's a big group. There's a certain comfort this provides when you board new ships and prepare to meet strangers. However, I can feel how unwieldy we are moving through the narrow corridors of the ships. Unlike my preoccupation with our group's physical size going through the physical structure of the vessels, Russel's is that our bigger group might actually be hindering our attempt to reach out to the seamen on board. He wants to simplify it; boil it down to the essential of introducing or re-introducing Christ to men whose lives, whether on land or at sea, he believes ought to be anchored in Jesus. 

When not utterly exhausted from these excursions by mid afternoon, we take the time to exchange a few words about what worked and what didn't and what we could have done better. It seems to boil down to all of the cultural red tape present - something seemingly inherent in a company composed of multiple nationalities trying to serve the needs of those from other countries.

At the very core, we agree that we are there to minister and spread the Gospel of Christ. However, after this point, any other activity can be imposed upon our trips' itinerary by church leaders that might, upon second thought, seem unnecessary if not altogether unhelpful. 

Piling out of the van

Grabbing our gear

Looking up at these huge structures always inspires awe
(and the irrational fear that I might die by one of these things dropping on top of my head)

I love their uniforms!

Their uniforms might make them look older, but they are actually way younger than me! 

Welcome to Korea!

Going through security again on our way out

Anddd, we are finished! Heading back to the van to grab lunch together

MY QUESTIONS FOR YOU

For those who are involved in [ship] ministry, how have you conducted your outreach? What worked for you? What did not work? Do you have any interesting stories to share about your time boarding ships and meeting people from different countries?

Gabrielle Visits Busan Day 3: Touring Beautiful Songdo Trail and Beach

BACKBLOGGING STRATEGIES 

This post is about Day 3 of Gabrielle's visit to Busan, but if you're observant, you will notice that I have not written about Day 1 or 2. Sometimes, it's easier to work backwards, especially when there's an overwhelming number of posts to catch up on. Man, life is exciting! 

The beginning-ish of our short beach-side trail

WHO IS GABRIELLE?

Gabrielle is a fellow Fulbright ETA, who has spent the year teaching at Hwacheon in the Gangwon Province of northern South Korea. She is so far up north that her location parallels that of the Korean Demilitarized Zone. I have been to the DMZ, which I posted about here, but I have never been to Hwacheon. Gabrielle says it's beautiful up there with its mountains and rural-area charm. 

Her visit to Busan was an attempt to see what the southern end of South Korea was like (I may or may not have been bragging endlessly about my placement). When opportunity for travel came, she hopped on to buses, traveled for nine hours (if I remember correctly), and, arriving very late Friday night, spent some serious quality time with my Korean homestay family for an extended weekend. 

MEET MY FAMILIES IN BUSAN!

She humored me as I showed her around Dynamic Busan (but mostly Yeong Island, due to time constraints), and also took the time to use the Korean she had learned to communicate with my homestay family. They were endlessly impressed! 

None of the various communities I had been bragging about here disappointed. My homestay embraced Gabrielle as if they never wanted to see her leave, and my church family has spent the Sundays since her departure asking after her. With their help, I was able to show Gabrielle more sides of Busan. 

We stopped to grab some coffee at a Starbucks at Songdo Beach

Here is a photo story of our time in Songdo Beach. I had been to the beach before, but not on the trail, so every step was a treat for me as well! 

WELCOME TO SONGDO BEACH

Tour Guide: Sin Jae

The city of Busan is known around the country for its beautiful beaches. Songdo Beach is one of them!

Sin Jae and Gabrielle forging ahead

One of the bridges connecting Yeongdo with the rest of Busan

Songdo Beach!

Rounding the corner to more awesome views ahead!

This deck gave us an eyefull

People were fishing, families were picnicking, and groups of ajummas were hiking all over the place

Yeongdo is right behind them!

After lunch, we went to the beach, where Gabrielle and I both took off our shoes and frolicked hand-in-hand along the shore (it's a Korean thing we adopted, I think)

And then I found out that Gabrielle absolutely abhors having sand stuck on her feet and between her toes, so I used my rolled up socks to wipe off the sand for her. For a second there, I was an older sister again. This is her chillaxing right before we headed to the subway station to send her off

Saying goodbye at the subway station 

KIND OF ISOLATED BUT DEFINITELY NOT ALONE

While I love just burrowing myself into the cozy and homey environment that is Yeongdo, it's times like these that remind me that my unique geographic location on an island really does serve to kind of isolate me from the rest of the world. With Gabrielle's visit, I remembered my hunger to reach out, and my desire to share with folks not on the island what it's like living and teaching here.

Thank you for the time you spent visiting me here in Busan, friend!