Week 1 of School

Okay, I am going to try something new with my blog. I will try really hard to post at least once a week. This way, you guys can know how school is going and what not. By you guys, I mean my mother and the 5 others who actually take the time to read my babbling.

Anyway, I just began my life as a 한국어 학생. (Korean Student) Right now, it is kind of easy since I have already learned how to read and write Korean. The teachers are pretty nice. I somewhat have a crush on one. Well, her character anyway. She has a lot of energy and makes the class fun.

The students are pretty cool as well. One other student is from America(Boston) and the rest are from Canada, China, Japan, Mongolia, Singapore, Germany, and Australia. A lot of them can speak English, but there are a few who just know a few words.

Side-note: China actually just says, "hi" and "bye-bye" when they greet. Apparently, movies are not the best source to find out what people say when they see each other. Thanks 25 years of watching Chinese movies and being lied to.

It has been fun talking to some of the students and to hear their stories. Oh yeah, about half of the class has studied some form of psychology and 3 of them are lawyers.

To make money, I am a kindergarten teacher now. I teach for a few hours every morning working with children who are between the ages of 4 and 7. They are extremely cute. I will try to get pictures of them soon. I think you will agree when you see them. Work is good. The teachers are all really nice. It should be a good, tiring year, haha.

In other news, I had a 소캐팅 (blind date) and must say that it was a complete disaster. My friends and I had a lot of laughs about it afterwards. When we met, it was like pulling teeth to get the girl to speak. In fact, I am not even sure what her name was. (I know, I'm a terrible person.) Anyway, after about 15 minutes of this torture, I wanted out of there fast. My friend showed up and pretty much rescued me. I slid over and let him sit in front of the girl. Then I mentioned that I needed to go to 교보 (It's a bookstore here in Korea.) in hopes of getting away. However, they all went. My friend 바우 and I walked around without the date while I was shopping. We talked about how terrible it was going and then left. We all ate some ice cream and then the girl went home. When the person who set up the date came back we all began joking about what just happened. I told her she should never set anyone up on a date again. It was a complete bust.

Now, I just finished my homework for class and have to study for my test on Monday. That's right, only a week of school and we have a speaking test. I will let you know how I do.

Life: Past, Present, Future

Okay, so I think a few of my friends have begun to wonder, "What's going on with Johnny?" Well, I am here to give you the scoop.

Last year about this time, I was preparing for my big move to Korea. I had no idea what would be in store for me. I had never traveled before other than to Mexico when I was a child, so I really didn't know what to expect. I knew that the transition wouldn't be easy. Not only would I be moving to another country, but also to a country where most of the people speak a different language. However, even knowing all of this, I had a peace with me the whole time. There was never any doubt or fear. I knew where I was going was the direction I was suppose to go in. (Quite possibly for the first time in my life.)

Then, I got to Korea. I immediately fell in love with the place and the people. Korea is beautiful and hopefully my photos are able to show just a little bit of that. (Which I have a ton I need to edit. Hopefully, real soon.) Anyway, since I have been here, I have done some traveling around Korea and was also able to go to Japan. It has all been quite exciting. As my year was beginning to end, I began to wonder what my next step was. I had begun to learn Korean, but I wanted to know more. I also began to feel that I wasn't done with Korea yet. I believed and still believe that I have more to do here in Korea.

Currently, I am still working. I have about 3 more weeks before my contract is up. I have decided not to extend my contract with my school and have given them my notification. However, I still had this desire to live in Korea. I have prayed about it for awhile now and I finally decided to apply for 서울대(Seoul National University.) Well, I was accepted and will start class on December 7th. I will study Korean 4 hours a day for 5 days a week. This will hopefully go on for the next year and a half. My contract with my school now will end at the end of the month. From there, I will go straight to school.

Which brings me to the future. I will not be able to come back to the States this year. I would not have the time to visit nor the resources to do so. I have been saving up for my school and housing. I am hoping that this allows me more opportunities to speak to those whom I think God would like me to. I have also found out that teaching is not something I would like to do for the rest of my life. I studied film and would like to pursue something in that field. My hope is that when I finish school, I will be able to speak enough Korean and get a job here in the film industry. It is really growing here and there is progress being made in expanding to do more overseas. I hope I will be able to contribute to that some day.

So, my dear friends, I am sorry to tell you that I will not be coming the States this year. However, I am happy to say that I am completely happen with where I am and who I am. God has huge things in store and I ask that you would keep me in your prayers. A lot has happened with me over the past year, some of which happened overseas, and at times things can seem difficult. Know, that I constantly think of you and pray for you as well.

Heres to another year in Korea!