In Korea, I noticed people usually look and seem younger than what they actually are. Then I realized that it's because they calculate their age differently than in the US where most people look older than they are. For Koreans, they begin counting their age when they are conceived so when they are born, they are automatically 1 year old. Then, their birthday is calculated by the lunar calender so it falls on a different date each year. While this is all very confusing to me, I have been told that in Korea, I am 24 years of age.
Because of Children's Day today, classes were canceled and everyone has the day off. As a treat for us foreign teachers, Pastor Ryu took us to Costco about 40 mins away. Coming with us was Lynn, Kristina's Korean roommate and the Pastor's wife and daughter. His daughter looks like a tiny delicate porcelain doll. And sooo well behaved. During the whole ride, she sat still and sang to herself. When I first met her in class, before I knew she was the Pastor's daughter, I thought she was about 3 years old and thought it weird that she was in such an advanced English class. However, she's 5 and reads English better than most American 5 year olds.
The scenery here on the interstate (or I guess the highways would be a better term) looks just like the East Coast at home. There's greenery and mountains and exit signs. The only difference is that EVERYTHING is in Korean. Even the instructions painted on the lanes. Costco was a few floors tall, and backwards than what I'm used to. The parking is on the upper most levels, the main food and electronic level is one level underground, and the housewares and clothing was on the lowest level. There are electronic ramps, like if you took electric stairs and flattened them out, so you can take your cart with you to each level. Lynn was with us for a while but then we all split up and Kristina and I went off by ourselves. Kristina noticed that alot of Koreans were curious to see what two obviously foreign girls were buying and stared at the products in our carts.
This afternoon, one of our Korean co-workers is taking us (K and me) downtown for the Children's day festivities, so maybe I get a chance to take some pictures of Gumi.
I'll tell you what I told my classes yesterday-- Go find a child to play with!!!
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Aww Joanna, this blog made me smile today! I've been calling you since 8:00 p.m. your time, and I can't find you. Called on the Magic J. and to your apt phone. Tell me all about what you bought and what was the children festival about. Did you know in Venezuela they celebrate this day as well? Pleeeeeeaaaaase take pictures, post pictures, share pictures, otherwise why did I get a camera?
ReplyDeleteLove you baby. Call your tm morning.
Mami.