Day 7 and 8 of 293

As promised the day of the Health Check up has arrived.  I needed a little buffer time so that I could think of it as funny instead of tramatic

Sooooo, we leave the apartment at 7:40, and what do you think we do?  Walk to the Hospital.  We get there at 8am.  This is the earliest we have had to do anything since we got here.  We all thought that we might oversleep, but no worries, we were all up well before our alarms.  Still getting used to the time difference.  Anyway, back to the day I will never forget (HeeHee!)  We walk up to the counter and ask for a Health Check Up and hand the man our passports. None of us know how to say Health Check Up in Korean and our translator has not arrived yet, so we went back and forth trying to explain what we were needing.  Each of us tried to say it slower, that didn't help, we tried to get a little louder.  For some reason, understanding words in a foreign language is not helped by talking slower and louder or by hearing it from different people.  Finally we found it on the form in front of us and we were on our way to the 2nd floor.  We waited til our names were called.  We heard "Mernenrnne  Godoodne" and we knew it was me!  (Daniel is lucky, everyone already knows how to say "McDonald")  Bravely I walk into the room, where there are many little stations and some chairs where more people were waiting.  The nurse asked me a question, I said I don't know, she asked again, and again I said I don't know.  We both smiled at each other, and then I called Caleb in to help.  She asked him a question, he said something like "School, need Health Check Up."  The Nurse looked at us funny, we called Sally and she talked to her on the phone!  Yay, Sally!  So she called all the rest of us in there.  She did body measurements, how big around are you, how tall are you (take off your shoes! which makes sense I know, but when you don't know what you are going to be doing it is not as obvious!!!)  Then we got our eyes checked.  Get ready for funny.  For all of you who don't know, I have a lazy eye, which means one eye has great vision and the other eye not so much.  So the first eye checked, I could only see down to line 3 or 4, the second eye checked I could see nearly to the bottom of the page.  Everyone was laughing, when I say everyone, I mean everyone.  Not just our group, but the nurses, and the people that were in the seats waiting.  Just in case you were picturing these stations being closed off, they were not, they are just set up around the room.  Next was the blood pressure, (all you nurses out there, don't read this part) My blood pressure was pretty high, we will not talk specifics.  I was then ushered to the next station, hearing and color blind check???  The hearing I am sure of, we put on headphones and say which side the sound is coming from.  I NAILED IT!  Then we had say what numbers we saw in pictures, I pretty much nailed that too.  Then it was time to meet with the doctor.  He looked at my chart, did not try to say my name.  Pointed to my Blood Pressure Reading and said something that corresponded with his hand going up in the air. I took that as my Blood Pressure was high!  I said ok.  Then he pointed to my vision test results and one finger went up and the other went down and he sort of smiled at me when he said it.  I smiled and said "different, I know." Then he shooed me out of the room.  So far, so good, I thought.  Then I had to get a EKG, I think.  Anyway, it is not like I envisioned getting my EKG done.  Shirt up, shoes off, they attached these cuffs of some sort to my ankles and wrists, then they put all the little monitors around my heart.  Took the test, then unattached me.  This would not be my first time disrobe.  After this I had to pee in a cup.  The Nurse gave me a cup and marked a point on the cup of how full it needed to be.  I already had an idea of what to do, because earlier we had seen a guy carrying a cup of pee down the hall and to the lab.  So I went to the lab and the sent me to the bathroom to pee in my paper cup.  FYI - the hall is lined with chairs, with people waiting for their various kinds of doctor appointments.  I go into the bathroom and try to pee in the cup.  First hardship, we were not able to eat or drink for the previous 12 hours, so not really producing a lot of urine.  Second hardship, I have horrible aim, I wasted pee, because I just couldn't get it in the cup.  There has to be some technique, but I have not mastered it, because I have only done this a few times, and it has been a long time.  Not like riding a bike.  So, I am just trying to fill this lidless paper cup and it is just not getting to the line she marked.  Finally, Christine said, "Well this is as good as it is going to get" which means she didn't make it either.  So, I decide that is all they are going to get on mine too.  Look around for toilet paper, there is none.  (I had been told that in some places you have to get the toilet paper before you go in the stall, but as of yet that had not happened and I had been looking.  Why in the world would they do that in a hospital of all places????)   Anyway, I had no choice, I just had to leave.  I went to wash my hands, while holding my paper cup of pee, guess what, no paper towels.  So here I am, looking for paper towels, holding my cup of pee, and Eureka!  I find them, NO, wait, thats toilet paper, BOOOO!  So I do what anyone else would do, I take my cup of pee, down the hall for my walk of shame, with wet hands holding the paper cup.  I take it to the lab, nope thats not where it goes, they usher me back into the room with all the medical stations, still full of people and I give it to the nurse.  Hope she knows which one is mine, because Christine hands hers to the nurse right after mine.  Then the nurse sends us to the lab, where they again usher me out of the lab and we have to wait.  She finally calls "Mernenrnne  Godoodne" I think, at least that is what Kathrine and Caleb told me, and a new nurse takes my blood, a little prick and a little blood and it was over.  Now time for the chest X-Ray.  Downstairs I go, Kathrine leads me to the right room.  Once called, I am taken to the X-Ray room where the nurse tells me to disrobe, except this time she just stands there and watches.  Oh well, you gotta do it!  She takes me to a stand up machine and I get my chest X-Ray done.  Then she motions for me to change back into my clothes.  Then she leaves.  When she comes back, she looks at me like why are you still here and shoos me out.  I go pay for this time of torture and humiliation, but I am not done yet.  I have to get by blood pressure checked again, it is a little worse.  Now I am done and we can leave the hospital.  No, wait! We have to wait for the bust to come get us and take us to emart to get photos done.

Unfortunately, we get there before they open so we have to wait to get our photos done.  They finally open and we go to a photography studio, not like going to Walgreens to get our passport photos.  He positions us in a seat, has us turn our heads just so, lean forward just so, don't smile too much, fix your hair a little bit, there you go perfect!  SNAP!  SNAP!  $20 bucks and 20 minutes later, 6 new photos of yourself for all the documents we might need.

Then its back to the apartments and we are done with our responsibilities for the day!

Wednesday, it was everyone for themselves.  Christine, Daniel and I got together at the Coffee Tree for a little while.  Christine and I went to the bank and went shopping.  Kathrine, Christine and I met at the Coffee Tree in the evening.  I used the ATM for the first time.  It was a pretty non-eventful day

Next post, we will get to go to the school for the first time!

Day 5 and 6 of 293

Now we're to Sunday!

This is the day where we get to meet the principal of our school, Pastor Kim.

We get up in the morning, get ready for church, and yes you guessed it..... WALK to the subway.  Today we are going to Nowon.  The subway experience on Sunday is waaaayyyy better than the subway experience on Saturday.  We were able to sit most of the time.  Again, thank goodness for Caleb and Kathrine, because this time we had to switch rails halfway there.  Would not have known that.  Once we arrive in Nowon, we --can you guess????  WALK to the church, which is about 7 to 10 blocks away,  When we get there, we sit down for some coffee (for me, water), and wait to meet with Pastor Kim.  Sidenote, I could never really get a good view of the church for pictures.  We arrived from the side, so it didn't make a good picture.  Anyway, after about 20 minutes, we were ushered up to meet with Pastor Kim in between Service 2 and 3 of 5.  He motioned toward Daniel, and said a Korean version of "McDonald" (which is Daniel's last name).  Daniel nodded and said "yes" and smiled.  He then motioned toward me, and said a Korean version of "Christine" to which nodded  a no, and pointed toward Christine.  For some reason he did not attempt my name.  They served us some barley tea, didn't taste horrible, but to me it tasted like frito tea (not the most appetizing).  Then we sat in an awkward silence for what seemed like an hour, but was probably only 5 minutes.  Finally, Daniel thought of something to say, and their was a little conversation.  Then it was time for the next service.  We were ushered into the auditorium.  I wish I could have taken pictures, but I felt like that could be considered rude.

The auditorium had a very classic feel.  Their pews, had little tables attached to the back of the one in front of you.  We Baptists, should really think about doing that.  It is the perfect spot to put your Bible and notebook and take notes from the preaching.  We were ushered to a front row seat.  In front of me was a 12 piece orchestra, and on the other side of them was a  50+ member choir.  We were facing forward, and the orchestra and choir were facing to the right, from the left side of the auditorium.  The music was beautiful.  I am pretty sure I had heard all of the songs, but it was hard to place the tunes, when they are singing different words (Korean words).  I hummed along to all of the congregational singing.  On the platform steps, when we first arrived, they had about 7 singers that were, I guess, worship leaders.  We didn't hear much of them.  Behind them up about 8 steps, were Pastor Kim, and what I assume were two other pastors or deacons or elders of some sort.  Not sure what they call them in Presbyterian churches.  I know pastor is one.  One pastor went through a series of prayers, where the people at different and appropriate times, repeated their "Amens" (which I could understand).  The other pastor?? led them through, what I think was Scripture reading.  He would read a verse, then the congregation would read a verse, I think.  We just stood there.
The choir had two specials, their was a good soloist toward the end of the service.  Pastor Kim preached good (actually, I don't know that I haven't a clue what he said.  It sounded to me like he was using his credit card while on an adventure that they were going to advertise for.  It was probably more like Jesus died on the cross for our sins of which we are guilty, and if you repent and put your trust in Him, you can be saved from the everlasting punishment which is Hell.)  After it was over, the three levels of people attempt to leave the church at once done two staircases.  Can you say traffic jam???

After church we went to the really nice Korean restaurant mentioned before (pictures are on facebook).  I ate about 3 of the 15 dishes served, I tried a few more.  Not liking spicy food, is really making my time of eating out much easier.  It is better to say I don't like spicy food, than to say, I don't like Korean food, which for the most part, both are true.  I have been able to find a few things that are tasty.  Like at this restaurant their were these vegetable wraps that were quite good.  I like plain pork, whether it is hot or cold.  I have like the rice, every time so far!  And there you have it!!! That's my list.

After lunch we went to a department store.  Basically like a mall, but instead of different stores, they have different areas. They had an Auntie Anne's, the pretzel was delicious!  They also had an area that had  foreign food, which means, lots of American food!  Good to know!  I didn't get anything there, but some of the others did.  I have describe the layout of the Lotte Mart a little more though.  Basement floor, which connects to the subway, food shops and grocery shopping. Next floor, make up and beauty products.  Another floor, ladies clothing. Another floor, men's clothing.  Another floor, hiking and golf clothes (that just makes me laugh).  Another floor, housewares and appliances.  Another floor, more women's clothing.  Those were the only floors I saw, I am sure there are more.

We then hopped back on the subway and came home.  Appearantly there was a man that had thrown up on himself and was taking up a row of seats, but I didn't actually see it, just heard about it later.

We went to a local grocery store, bought a few groceries, and then headed home.  We planned to meet at Caleb and Kathrines for spaghetti.  The spaghetti was great!  Watched a movie after, and went back to my apartment and crawled into bed.

Monday was not as eventful.  I did stuff around the apartment, called home, Love you Mom and Dad and family!  Then went to eat Korean food again.  Guess what I had..... Plain pork and rice!  It was good!  We then went to Caleb and Kathrines and played Phase 10.  Rauni, you know I loved that!

Stay tuned for the dreaded HEALTH CHECKUP!!!!

Day 3 and 4 of 293

Day 3-4

Our first full day on South Korean Soil was actually pretty comforting.  Caleb and Katherine took great care of us. 

Kathrine made breakfast for us.  Eggs and toast with raspberry jam (which I love and never knew, I guess I have to go across the world to try a new jam) and orange juice.  Great breakfast!  We talked for a little while.  Found out that Daniel had already unpacked (fyi- I still am not completely unpacked, but I need more hangers).

After a morning of Kathrine answering all sorts of questions, she showed us what Korean life would be like.  We took their cute dog, Bishop, on a walk.  She showed us where many of the places that we would frequent were.  Then back to her apartment to hang.  Then walked to a café and had a non Korean food!  This is a great, because I was worried about food.  No worries, I am gonna be able to survive.  Then we walked back home and got ready to go to Emart for the first time.  Luckily the school picked us up and took us to Emart.  We walked into the multifloor building with everything you could  think of, except for nearly everything I buy in America.  This store is the equivalent of Walmart, but I think much bigger.  Groceries, childcare, cooking classes, clothes, appliances, shoes, pharmacy, and tons of other things that I didn't know what they were.  Oh yeah, let me tell the coolest thing about it being multifloor… the escalators are not actually stairs, but a ramp, when you push your cart onto the ramp your wheels lock in place and they will not slide down the ramp as it moves, that is unless you are me, and somehow your cart wheels (heehee!) don’t lock, and it starts to slide down the ramp.  Luckily for me, I am super strong and saved the cart. JK, it wasn’t very full yet.  I already mentioned this on FB, but Mrs. Yoon saved me from buying the wrong meat, however, I later found out that it was only pork.  I could have handled that.  (More about pork to come)  I got peanut butter, which I had heard was hard to get, they had a few choices.  Super crunchy all the way for me!!! I got grape jelly (not as good as the aforementioned raspberry jam, just saying!) I got eggs, bread, orange juice, bottled water, chicken breast, bananas, a blow dryer, strawberry yogurt, toilet paper, dish soap, sponges, silverware, a trashcan, and a pillow.  Between Mrs. Yoon and Kathrine we were able to get a good start.  It was not nearly everything I needed, but it was something.  No paper or plastic sacks, just load it back into your cart and go to a boxing station.  You then put what you can in a box and carry the rest.  We may not be going to emart much by ourselves, definitely gonna need to have multiple people to carry stuff, especially since we will not have our own transportation.  After getting back, I put my things away, and started to unpack.  I got through one suitcase, then took a break.  Incidentally, I only have one drawer.  There is plenty of space to hang clothing, but just one drawer.  I found that I have WiFi available  in the corner by my window, so I got online and sent out some updates on FB (refer to FB for details).  Caleb messaged me on FB to see if I wanted to go out with everyone for coffee or dinner (FB is how we communicate since we do not have phone service.  So, Caleb, Daniel, Christine, and I all walked to a coffee shop (Coffee Tree) where I found Dr. Pepper!!! (refer to FB for photo).  We talked about what to expect in the school year, then walked home!

Now, my question to you—Did you notice a theme in the mode of transportation used?

The next day, Caleb, Daniel and I, took a trip to Seoul. We first walked to the subway, then found out the hard way how not to be on the subway.
First lesson learned… the six open seats you think are open in the corner, are not, they are for the elderly, pregnant, or small children.

Second lesson learned…the elderly, pregnant, or small children prefer the corner spot in every other section of the car.
Third lesson learned… If you see a space, you better take it.  All people for themselves.
Fourth lesson learned… do not stand by the door.  You will get shoved, squeezed, poked, and prodded at nearly every stopping point.
Fifth lesson learned… Bring a book.

So, and hour and a half later of just standing, we arrived at Seoul (pronounced See-ole).  We looked around at a bookstore for a little while, then walked around looking for something to eat.  My first Korean food to come.  Caleb finally decided on a place, and we sat down.  He ordered plain pork, and marinated pork.  They have a cook top at your table and you cook your own food.  (refer to FB for photo).  I used chopsticks for the first time in a long time.  I am not as good I was in Malaysia.  I would get the hang of it, and then lose the hang of it.  I will get better! I will get better! I will get better!  They put Kim-chi and mushrooms on the cook top, they gave us little platters with garlic and a bean sauce on them, and a bowl of tofu, a bowl of rice sticks, and some sort of soup.  Did not try the Kim-chi, it was spicy.  Did not eat the garlic, too much garlic for one bite, but Caleb and Daniel roasted their garlic and ate it like that.  Did not eat the mushrooms, too thick!  Did not eat the tofu, tried that on the plain, not interested!  Rice sticks, don’t quite see the point, I prefer rice.  Did not eat the soup, too spicy! Tried the bean paste stuff, spicy!  Then they brought out the pork, thank you Caleb for knowing what to do.  He cut it up into pieces and made sure that it cooked well.  The plain pork was really good.  At this point they also brought out rice, which was purple, but good.  They then brought out the marinated pork, it was okay.  I prefer the plain pork.  I was only able to finish about a third of my rice.

After eating, we walked to a palace (pictures are on FB).  It was pretty cool, it looked like what you would imagine it looked like.  After walking around there for a while, we headed to the gift shop, which is the only place I have found post cards at so far.  Let me know if you want one. 

When we finished there, we stopped at Dunkin Donuts to get coffee, which you will soon realize is a theme around here.  Coffee, Coffee, Coffee.   We walked to the subway, and followed the new found rules.  I got a seat within two stops!  Yeah!  We got back, went to our apartments and I fell asleep early that night!

So far… I like Korea, it feels like New Mexico to me.  It is very mountainous.  We are at the base of a mountain.  When you walk out in the morning, it is quite cold, but it has warmed up during the day, everyday that I have been here.  It is not nearly as cold as I thought it would be.  I don’t know that I would want to stay here forever, but I think it is going to be a good experience.  The biggest difficulty is the language.  I need to learn some key phrase at the very least, but I think I am going to be just fine!

I ask again, did you notice a theme in our mode of transportation???

Day 1 and 2 of 293

Day 1 and 2 of 293

In bed on the day we leave at 1:30 am
Slept for 4 hours
Woke at 5:30

Let me just say... That was a huge mistake!  4 hours sleep before a 15 hour flight in economy seats= No Good

Mom took me to the airport and took photos, but may need someone to help her upload to facebook, I suggest Kerri or Rauni!!!!

Arrived at airport at 7:30, Checked luggage.  Sidenote:  All of my suitcases of which I had three, were about 10 lbs lighter than I had thought!  I probably could have edited enough to get it down to 2 suitcases, if I had known!  Anyway, thanks Mom for paying for third suitcase and for not crying when I left.

Security check - no problem, they didn't find any of the prohibited items, JK!

Then we waited for nearly two hours!  Got to know Christine Ford and Daniel McDonald a little better!

Boarding the plane, piece of cake.  Korean Air personnel are very nice!

Now begins the 15 hour flight, 2 movies and 1 bad airplane meal later, I am ready to jump off the plane.  I check the progress of the flight and we only have 8+ hours to go!  Then begins my process of pretending to go to the bathroom every 45 minutes to and hour, just to do something.  A movie and a half and another bad airplane meal and snack later and I just want to sleep!  So I got about an hour of sleep, just enough to make you really want to sleep some more.  Check the progress of the flight, 4 hours.....Increase the number of times I get out of seat to go to bathroom.  Sorry rest of the plane, this toilet is mine!  JK  Try to learn Korean, nope too hard, check the progress of the flight, 3.5 hours... Listen to some music, not helping, check the progress of the flight, 3 hours...Start another movie, stop the movie, check the progress of the flight, 2.75 hours... Stare at the progress of the flight...2.74 hours...2.73 hours...2.72 hours...................................................................................................................................................................2 hours.  Start another movie, stop the movie, 1.5 hours left.  Watch the progress of the flight........................................................................go to the bathroom, hear a ding, Yay! they are telling us to put our seatbelts on and put our seats in an upright position.  Never heard a more beautiful sound.  Watch the progress of the plane.  Ears popping. YAY!  1 minute left, thank you Lord for planes that land, no matter how rough.  And were down, and we taxi forEVER.  Ding!  You can now retrieve your bags and exit the plane!

Now we follow the signs to Immigration or did we just follow the crowd, either way we got to immigration.  Thank you Daniel for noticing the foreign passport line.  Way shorter, oh no, I didn't fill out my arrival card.  No worries, they have them there.  Passport and arrival card checked, and we all made it through.

How many Texans does it take to find the right baggage claim in South Korea?
Answer-two Daniel and Christine

Claim baggage, go to customs, didn't fill out my declaration card, No worries, they have them there.  Customs done! we all made it through.

Hey look, there is currency exchange!  Daniel's took forever! I think he exchanged more money that us.

Exit the nearest doors, see people that will soon become old friends!  Hug people that I currently do not know.  Someone told me "Welcome" I said "Welcome" right back.  Oh, well, what are you gonna do!

Walk outside, Thank the Lord for fresh air!  Enjoy the chill!  Realize that everything is going to be just fine!  Kathrine liked my shoes, me too!!!

Load luggage on the FWCI bus, talk a little bit, Starts to feel like I am on the plane again.  Try to hide the sick feeling on my face.  An hour and a half later, eating at McDonalds.  So grateful it wasn't Korean food.  Ate two chicken nuggets, drank some Coca Cola, feeling better.

Fifteen minutes later....arrive at apartments, walk-in, start to look around.  Here "No, No, No, No!"  Forgot to take of my shoes, take off my shoes, Continue to look around.  Love the apartment.  Try to find wi-fi...find some spotty wi-fi.  Post my arrival, Take a wonderful bath, find pajamas, make bed, turn on the audio Bible, sleep for 10 hours!  Wake up feeling great!

Sorry no pictures, wifi, still not great, will post pics soon!

This is your Seoul Survivor signing off,

Meredith