amazing!

the bbc's planet earth.......(if you haven't already) watch it now! it is the best nature documentary series i have ever seen. the videography is stunning. it's an 11 part series that each has a different focus (ie. fresh water, desert, mountains, etc.). teddy recently downloaded them and we've been going through it all this past week. watch it. you'll be amazed at what you see.

right place, right time

twice, now, since i've been back to korea, i and some kind koreans have been at the right spot at the right time.

the first time happened around the beginning of march when i was trying to get to teddy's place. not knowing the two adjacent cities, yet, and not being familiar with the bus system, i was unsure of how to get there. i asked a woman at the bus stop which bus number stopped at o-ri station, (the subway stop near teddy's building). we don't have subway here, and i had no idea of the distance. the lady read the bus schedule for a minute and asked another person or two. it turned out that there wasn't a bus that stopped there, that would take me right to the place i needed to be, so she said (in korean---far beyond my ability of understanding) that she'd drive me there. she had previously told me that she was waiting for her daughter and at this point she just told me to wait. her daughter arrived and surprisingly spoke perfect english. she told me that her mother was trying to say that there wasn't a bus and that they'd just drive me there. i insisted that if it wasn't far i would take taxi, but they'd not hear of it and insisted on driving me. it was so nice of them. i had no idea where i was going and they took me directly there---right to the door of the building! made finding it the next times easy!

the second time just happened tonight. i left teddy's place and went to the walmart-type store near his building to pick up a few things before heading home. after leaving the store i was too late for the buses to still be running, so i had to take a taxi. no big deal---it's only about $5......when i can finally get one. sometimes there are plenty and sometimes you have to wait a bit. i had been waiting about a minute when i noticed a "suwon-city" taxi waiting for someone going in that direction. knowing he had to drive right past where i live to get there, i asked him if he'd go that far with me. no was his answer, so i waited a bit more. an older woman and a younger guy asked for rides and they both got in. the driver got out and called out to me. i went over and he said that these people were going and now i could as well. when we got to my place, i asked how much i owed and they all said (in korea) "nothing". i thanked them very much and continued on my way.

all too often we, as foreigners, see korean people as annoying and hard to understand. it's times like these that remind me that there are times when they are stellar.

new phone and number

i couldn't set up the "handed-down" phone like i wanted, so i got a whole new phone and now all is good. i can finally call people and send text messages. my new number is 82 10 8484 4688. feel free to call me if you get a chance. for those of you who have skype---add me, using my hotmail address. for those of you who don't have skype---get it, and a webcam---it's so cheap---free if we both have an account.

things get better all the time here. just last friday i ordered a dresser, (just the one i wanted---enough drawers to hold my clothes and the right size and shape to also be my tv stand and hold a plant). after 14 months of living out of a suitcase, i'll finally be able to unpack and put that thing away!

i just had a great weekend. there's nothing like hanging out with old friends. some friends i had worked with in sokcho came into seoul and some of us stayed at tobi's apartment, while the others were staying elsewhere and we all hooked up for dinner. it was like the good ol' days of chatting the night away. too bad there are a few hours between us.

rough start

well things did get off to a rough start.......but it's been getting better at the school i'm teaching at this year. i have gotten to be pretty good friends with my afternoon supervisor and she has helped me understand a little of the situations that were so weird. i'm liking my school a lot more than when i first arrived----which is a very good thing!

my birthday was last week and i had been counting down with my classes for a few days. they ended up celebrating with me and it was so sweet. the first class got to the classroom before me and hid behind all of the desks and when i walked into the room they jumped up and sang a perfect happy birthday. they were so excited and gave me a birthday hat to wear for the class. my second class was a bit late because they spent part of their previous class making me a birthday card signed by each of the students. then for lunch the school treated us to chinese food. i got a few presents from some of the teachers. then after work i even got to go on a date with t! we went out for some amazing indian food. there is a restaurant chain here in korea that is so yummy. i didn't even like indian food 'till i ate at one of the "ganga" restaurants. then t took me to buy a book that i'd been looking for and added one he thought i needed. it was a great day.

so, here's to things getting better........

call me........really!

so my cell phone does work for receiving calls and next week i'll be able to call out (pay day is on the 10th!!!). also........i signed up a skype account and it's awesome! i highly recommend it to everyone. my skype name is loree.beth.mckay for anyone who has it or is getting it and wants to add me. talk to you all very soon!

call me.....i think!

a friend of a friend recently gave me her cell phone when she left korea. i don't have the resources to set it up so i can call out, yet.....but i think i can receive calls. so don't expect a response if i miss the call. i will email though. the number for those of you outside korea is 82 10 2897 1710.......and for those of you in korea, it's 010 2897 1710. i will be hearing from you soon........right?? ; )