Church Service on US Army Base

I made my way a "Collective Protestant Worship Service" at Camp Red Cloud, a US Army Base just outside of Uijeongbu City this morning. A fellow Canadian (and teacher at my school) attends regularly with her American boyfriend who is stationed at this base. When I mentioned interest in trying to find the English Anglican Church in Seoul she invited me to join them on the base! I do plan on finding the Anglican Church in Seoul, but thought starting closer to home was a good first step!


The service was wonderful and the churh is quite lovely. A famous Korean musician Jose Kim if my memory serves (unfortunately it was not written in the bulletin) who studied music in Spain, who played at the Seoul Olympics and who is now a professor at a Seoul University played a few songs/hymns. Two were instrumental (one with Spanish influence) and he sang with the third in Korean. The music was very powerful and moving and really does reinforce what a universal language music is! Lesley (the Canadian with me) and I are going to try to locate some of his music.

Another attraction of the church service on the base is the Starbucks located at the foot of the nine hole golf course (yup, golf course)! As you know, I am a HUGE coffee shop fan, especially Starbucks, and there are none in my neighbourhood, and few in Uijeongbu City to just "hang out" at so this sealed the deal of attending the service!




During the service, the minister mentioned the
monthly Chapel Family Fellowship Lunch was today in the CG's Mess and encouraged all to attend. How was I to refuse I thought ... and when Brian (Lesley's boyfriend) mentioned the menu I could hardly contain my excitement ... roast ham, buttered corn, chicken cordon blue, mashed potatoes, seasoned asparagus & hot rolls ... I practically jumped with excitement, "Are you serious?" I said. Apparently my reaction is typical of foreigners who are still adjusting to the local food so off to the mess we went!




Here is a photo of my dining companions in the mess, the nicest mess on the base (dining room vs. cafeteria style) so it was a treat for the Americans to eat at this mess as well!

The cherry pie dessert was the icing on the cake and I couldn't resist pulling out my camera and snapping a photo to commemorate the occasion!

Don't get me wrong, I am really enjoying and embracing the food here, but it was a treat to be surprised like this today! In the Photo, Henrietta, Gary, Lesley and Brian ... all smiles after a full tummy!

What a wonderful "treat" after the Church service! In hindsight I should have snapped a photo of myself, the smile could not be rubbed off my face!



This photo is for Trevor -- the military buff in our family! I was thinking of you today and although I was hesitant to pull out my camera a take a photo in the mess hall, I had to for you!

We then headed off to Starbucks, located right next to the 9 hole golf course on the base before heading home!


What a wonderful Sunday morning!


P.S. I almost forgot ... the Girl Scout cookies sitting in the mess for the taking. Of course we each took a box and I now have a box of Thin Mint cookies to enjoy this week ... if they last htat long! :)

Today's hike to Bukhansan National Park!

I ventured out for a hike this morning with two other teachers from the school. We were advised to get an early start to beat the "rush" so we met at the local 7-11 at 7am, walked to the closest subway stop (15 minutes) and two stops later (7 min) we were at Bukhansan National Park - talk about convenient! We follow some other hikers to ensure were we headed in the right direction, but then we looked up and saw the mountain so we could have found it ourselves no doubt!



A view from the subway stop!







Making our way through street vendors and what can be best described as a "flea market" with more outdoor gear shops than you can imagine. Lots of water and snacks to purchase before you reach the entrance ... and for some reason cotton candy, but we decided to pass on that!

We kept walking and finally got to the entrance and having already consulted the Lonely Planet we selected the Dobongsan Hike to Jaunbong Peak! The hike was gorgeous as the pictures indicate, but don't do it justice.



The hike itself was a little more strenuous than my seemingly still infected lungs could take so two of us turned around and one kept going, meeting up a little later at the entrance. During our decent, we took plenty of opportunity to enjoy the view!





The hike was a rocky terrain and somewhat steep at points, certainly different than my limited experience at Gatineau Park and in Banff. I rolled my ankle during the decent - nothing too bad, but I really should have worn my hiking boots rather than running shoes -- I won't make that mistake again!



It was a great morning, about 2 hours in total. On the way down we were walking "against traffic" and boy was that a challenge. There were literally 100's to 1000's of people streaming in while we were making out way down the mountain. We had been told that there were going to be lots of hikers, but coming from Canada I really had no idea of what that truly entailed.

As we completed our hike for the day, many were just beginning! This is a photo of some filling up their water bottles, it does not do the "crowds" justice, but gives somewhat of an idea! I will take more photos next week and post them!

Next time we hope to be at the mountain for 7am. We'll see what the "traffic" is like then.


The North Face Man!! A fitting photo as I had was sporting my North Face backpack!




Until next time!
Cheers,
Jilly Bean

Miffy Class - "Jill Teacher's" kindergarten class.

Miffy is a cartoon character, one of 10 class names. Other characters used are Snoopy, Simba, Kitty (as in Hello Kitty). Miffy is not as well known in Canada (or at least I didn't know of him) so I felt an explanation was in order!


These students started English School in February so they are at a very basic English level. There are 8 boys and 4 girls and they are adorable! Having a teaching degree for intermediate/senior students, I am still navigating my way through the "discipline challenge" associated with this age group! Thankfully my Korean Supervisor (who helps translate when they don't understand) is always nearby! They can be absolutely adorable and I often catch myself about to laugh at something they have done and quickly changing to my "discipline voice" to try to modify that behaviour!

Thankfully, bribery knows no language barrier and I came armed with hundreds of stickers for rewards! This was undoubtedly the most valuable tip I received prior to my departure from Canada. In fact, I might just have to request more from the dollar store be sent over, but I should be good for a few more months?!

Cheers!

Snapshot of my first week in South Korea!

Departing Calgary International Airport on Tuesday, May 30th! I am nervous, excited and tired. The excitement has kept me up at night ... which doesn't bod well for fighting off "bug" on the long flight.










The view from the "river" where I run!


Saturday afternoon at a market in Seoul!


Seoul's Bongwon Temple . . . Saturday afternoon prayer.


Shoe Shopping in Seoul . . . it doesn't quite fit! teehee!

Battling a cold/flu bug in Korea

Hello from Korea!

I arrived safe and I am settling in nicely. I did manage to watch the Saturday Sens game (another teacher streamed it on his computer!)!

I have been fighting a cold/flu bug (head cold and all) since Sunday so when not teaching I am sleeping to try to get rid of it.

I will do my best to update this weekend.
GO SENS GO!!