I love you too!

These two 3rd grade girls are assigned to clean my office after lunch everyday. They started a new tradition last week, where when they leave, they yell to get my attention, and when I look at them, they are down on the ground like this infront of my desk...


Then they pop up and say, "Alexis, I love you" and put their hands in the shape of a heart over their heads!


It never gets old! :)

My 4th English Church Experience

Last Sunday, I went to church with my Vice Principal's daughter. I met her when I was invited to his home for Chuseok, and we hit it off immediately! As soon as she found out I was a Christian, she invited me to her church, which she said had an English service.

This is my 4th Korean/English church experience... and I think I'm going to just stick to my good ole' church podcasts online! There was nothing inately wrong with it... it just didn't feel like home... Here's a picture of the church. The brick building is the original building, and the tall gray building is the new addition, where the English service was.


There were 15 people. Myself and a 25 year old guy from Sri Lanka were the only foreginers! I sat in the back row, which usually isn't my style... but I felt the most comfortable there for some reaosn. The pastor is from Canada and has been living in Korea for 13 years. His message was about depression and despite the fact he had to talk on a 5th grade level, it was actually very good! I took a lot of notes. :)

At the end of the service, one of the older men got up to announce things that were going on in the English church and said how happy he was that I was there. He told the group that I was from California and that I taught English at Gamjung Chodun Hakyo. I was very impressed with his memory from our earlier chat.... but that wasn't the best part! Everyone there, turned around and looked at me and sang a song about how they loved me with Jesus' love and handed me this gift!


Inside was this...


It was adorable!!! I have never been to a church where they gave me a nail kit as a welcome gift... It was definitely a moment I won't soon forget!

BBBuuuuurrrrrrrrr!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'd like to know where Summer went, and why the heck Fall is soooo cold! This is the forecast for the next 7 days in Pusan! I'm not used to this kind of weather! Can someone please send me a down coat and some rainboots?!

Tuesday

low: 35 °F

high: 56 °F

Wednesday

low: 50 °F

high: 63 °F

Thursday

low: 60 °F

high: 68 °F

Friday

low: 63 °F

high: 72 °F

Saturday

low: 63 °F

high: 72 °F

Sunday

low: 66 °F

high: 70 °F

Monday

low: 57 °F

high: 67 °F

Dogs on the Black Market

Yesterday, my friend Aaron and I took a trip to Gupo Market, a well known market where dogs and cats are sold and slaughtered on the black market. I had heard about this market, and Aaron had actually been there before. He told me he would take me to see it because I was really intrigued by the idea of Koreans eating dogs (and no, I was not interested in trying). Needless to say, the experience was devastating...

It's believed, among Koreans, that the consumptions of dog meat enhances men's sexual stamina, and for that reason, many of the older men eat it. It's also believed that cats and dogs can be consumed for medicinal purposes, and that the more severe the animal suffers during death, the more medicinal powers the meat will have. Isn't that sooo crazy?!

Contrary to popular belief, the sale and consumption of dogs is actually illegal in Korea... but unfortunately, no one seems to enforce the law. Below are some pictures of the market. It's nearly impossible to take pictures here, because the Korean shop owners get unbelievably angry, and will sometimes hit your camera away, terrified that you are an animal rights activist, or a news reporter, coming to report them to the authorities. The owners are extremely rude and uninviting... It's definitely not a place where the shop owners smile at you or strike up conversations.

When we were walking down the dimly lit street, I saw one of the shop owners dragging an 80+ lb dog into the back, by a rope that was wrapped around his neck. It was horrible! I saw another shop owner throwing a skinned dog around like it was a rag doll, which was equally as disturbing. Most of the shops had coolers infront of the store, where skinned dogs were sliced down their stomachs and laying on their backs, ready for purchase. It was disgusting!

There were literally hundreds of dogs in this market, laying in small cages along the street... unaware of what their future would hold. They were sweet, mellow, and despite the fact that they have lived their entire lives on dog farms, with virtually no human interaction, if given the chance, there's not doubt in my mind that they would make amazing pets. The next 3 pictures are pictures that Aaron took the first time he was there, back in May... I hate to say it, but all of these dogs have been slaughtered by now.

This picture just kills me...

I found this video, on youtube, of a Korean market in Seoul where dogs are sold on the black market to give you a better idea of what happens in these markets... FYI: It's pretty disturbing...

Making Rice Cakes!

I decided to take a nice little walk to the outdoor market by my place this afternoon.  It's one of my favorite things to do, especially on the weekends.  As I was walking by the rice cake store, I noticed that there were 2 women in the back, making them on a large steel table.  I've always been intrigued with the process, and have wanted to learn to make them, but have never had the chance to do it... Today was my LUCKY DAY though!   As I was standing there, outside the store, watching them add ingredients and smoosh them together with their hands, one of the ladies motioned for me to come over!  I was shocked, but super excited at the invitation.

As soon as I walked over, I stood over her shoulder and began to watch.  Before even 3 seconds passed, she motioned for me to get my hands dirty and make some along side her!  She also yelled for her 7 years old son to come over and help (and practice his English with me!)  The 4 of us made rice cakes together for at least 30 minutes!   Noah, her son, was one of the most adorable little Korean kids I've met to date. 

The rice cakes on the tray were the ones WE made! :)

Me and Noah!  

*** As a side note... She never asked me, or Noah to wash our hands before we started making them... Kinda made me think!!!  I wonder how many other places don't care about having clean hands before touching food!   eeehhhh