crazy-random dream

I just had a dream that a foreign exchange student tried to take my: Russian verb book, Game Gear, cd player (& something else that's escaped my mind) for Christmas. I think she was a UT fan b/c she grabbed all the UT presents out of a goodie bag first.
Oddly enough, the foreign exchange students were actually celebrating Asia's birthday during this season. At my home in Texas, where this scene took place, our family had hamsters (which looked more like opossums), which we called "Chinese"(??) b/c we gave them 'bread or cheese' to eat (???) Oh yeah, and I was in a marching band (which had no instruments!) decked out in a strange cowboy getup, performing in front of an all-girl Asian crowd.

Now that's one for the books!

Break it up!

So I finished The Chronicles of Narnia - best books ever! Can't wait to read them again actually.

So a few days ago, after leaving a coffee shop late at night, I saw 4 middle-aged business men bullying a young kid (later found out he was in high school). It was in a public and open area, and a few Korean people were standing around, looking on. The men were pulling, nay, yanking his hair and pulling his arms. After seeing this for about 10 seconds and after one, last violent-yank to the boy's hair and a slap to the face, which sent his glasses flying, I had enough...
It's not usual for Koreans (from what I've experienced and have been told) to get involved in any kind of confrontation, especially if it doesn't directly involve them.
... I yelled out, "Hey!" and went to intervene in attempt to diffuse this aggressive situation. The men (might have been tipsy, but they weren't unusually red in the face, which happens to Koreans when they drink) told me to "Go [away]!" and "KA!" - which means "go" in Korean). I wouldn't, so one or two men (can't remember) grabbed my wrist and were slightly pushing me back. I then exhorted them a few times to not touch me/get their hands off me. After 30 seconds or so from intervening, the boy finally said something to me. At first, I thought he said, "home," implying for me to go home, as if wanted to handle it himself. But, as he repeated himself a few more times, he was saying, "help." After that, I grabbed the boy's hand, walked through the men and led him away from the area. The men stood there in their little "puffed-up" circle, probably bamboozled to what just took place. I was actually surprised how easy it was, too! The men soon walked away. The boy stood there talking to me and thanking me; although, he didn't speak much English. A few minutes later, the boy's older brother and friends showed up on their motor-scooters... and yada, yada, yada... tried to find the men to bring them to justice (police) but I guess they hurried away, the end.
I tell you what, it was the biggest rush ever! Well, perhaps not as much as skydiving or a first kiss, but it'll do. My adrenaline was on high for an hour after the fact. Whew!

Flight or fight or gawk...............................................................................?


In other news: I met this Russian girl (purely professional), and she is now giving me Russian lessons - woo-hoo!

OH, and I've joined a small group at church. Right now we are studying Genesis, and we go in-depth and examine every word/verse painstakingly! It's awesome! I've made some real, sincere-Christian friends; they seem to be genuinely devoted to and passionate about our Lord. I've really needed that kind of accountability and fellowship. He is called Faithful and True.

Changed our world, hearts and eternity

If I could reach the stars
Pull one down for you
Shine it on my heart
So you could see the truth
That this love I have inside
Is everything it seems
But for now I find
It's only in my dreams

That I can
Change the world
I would be the sunlight in your universe
You would think my love was really something good
Baby, if i could change the world


If I could be king, even for a day
I'd take you as my queen
I'd have it no other way
And our love would rule
this kingdom we have made...


-And then Jesus changed our world...!-

Well, howdy-doody!

Long time no type... I decided I wanted to write something, even if no one reads it (since I do not regularly update this bad boy).

I hadn't been a partaker in "reading for fun" for a long time now, but after being in Korea... I have been reacquainted with the wonderful world of literature.
It all began with a book my mom gave me entitled, The Shack. She gave it to me sometime in 2008 I believe. I finally finished it in August of 2009! WOOOO! What an accomplishment, seriously.

Well, that got the ball rolling, and the next book I had in my possession for an extended amount of time was, A Child Called "It." Once I opened its pages, it was already over a mere 3 days later. Whoa baby! I'm doing good! It was very impelling; although, after doing some research, the story has some debate regarding its authenticity. This book was also finished in August.

The next book I was to read however, was not in my possession. After a 'movie day' and summary activity with my kindergarten class, I was inspired to read J. M. Barrie's Peter and Wendy! That's right...and it was filled with adventurous excitement and imagination! I actually was able to read this book on a tropical island in Thailand - what joy...do you see the relationship here?! It took me about 3 months to finish this one.

My most recent read has been John Bunyan's The Pilgrim's Progress. It was exceptional. Even though it was filled with words that I was compelled to look up on every page - it was filled with symbolic narrations that one on a pilgrimage of their own can fully appreciate and relate. This took me about 3 months to take in; however, I know I shall surely open its drama-filled pages once again for better comprehension and no-doubt a different experience.

A couple days ago I opened up C.S. Lewis' The Magician's Nephew; the first book in The Chronicles of Narnia series. I'm pretty excited to see what religious tones and symbolism will be brought forth and unveil itself... and of course experience the incredible visual language that will power my imagination!

Another book I'm interested to read in the near future is Daniel Defoe's Robinson Crusoe! The English language has always intrigued me, and with these older books, finding words/phrases that have changed meaning over time, are archaic or are just new to me, both humbles and thrills me!

More to update soon about...??...

1 yr anniversary

That's right. I've now been in Korea for 1 whole year! YAY... that's my blog... maybe more later - I like facebook better!

A new job!

Here's the 411:

I've been looking for a new place of employment for my post-GATE School experience. My contract ends at the end of February, so I applied for the Department of Defense Schools (DODDS). I had all my documents, references and whatnot turned in at the end of January. I was planning on returning home in March/April after touring Europe. However, Jonathan found an opening at his school a couple weeks ago, so I applied there, too. I was thinking I MIGHT not receive an offer with DODDS because I hadn't been teaching for 2 years; a "requirement."

I found out this morning, after an interview on Saturday, that they want me for the teaching job at Jonathan's school. It's a great school he says. It's a private elementary and I'll be teaching 1st or 2nd grade.

It's definitely a step-up from my current job. It's a real school and not an academy (hagwon). It's departmentalized and not a self-contained classroom, so I will be teaching Language/Arts. I'll be teaching from 8:30-2:30, which is also better than 9-5:30. There's also 6 times the amount of paid vacation (oh yeah!). I'll be getting slightly less pay, but it's not enough to care. God is so patient and generous... especially when we are not... yes, me.

So yeah, since I won't be traveling Europe to see some people nor going home, I HOPE to do both during the summer! I will surely keep you updated! Thanks.