Immigration and Ji

My task for today was to go to get my F4 Visa card remade since my wallet was stolen in December and I needed a new card. I had contacted my friend Sungmin (aka Ji) and asked if he could come along as my interpreter. He agreed, even though he works and I was so thankful! I was running a little late so I ran almost the whole way there. I was wearing a dress and sandals (at least not heels!) but I did manage to rub the skin of 2 toes. Anyway, I made it there and got a number and Sungmin arrived a few minutes later. There were around 100 people waiting in the "residency" line. The F4 visa only had 4 people ahead of me. We waited maybe 15 minutes before we talked to an officer. I had to take a new picture because the one I wanted to use had a grey background and they wanted it to be a white background. I used the photobooth in the waiting room and poof- I had 6 passport sized photos. Sungmin and I returned to the officer and got everything all settled. In 2 weeks I can return and pick up my new card. It was rather painless, but I'm very glad Sungmin went along with me. He helped explain that my card was lost/stolen and my situation of being in Korea and why I don't have an address yet.

We left the office and he asked what I wanted for lunch. I suggested a few things and he decided we'd just go drive somewhere. He is working as a salesman for a medical company so he goes and sells medicine and stuff to pharmacies and businesses. Sungmin has a company car that he can use any and all the time. We went across town and went to a mall complex to a food court and got fried rice. After we finished eating, he had to go meet a colleague because he needed to drop some stuff off to him...except Sungmin forgot the things he needed. So we drove to the company warehouse and got the medicine stuff and then went to go meet the colleague. It was at another mall complex called "Star City" and Sungmin said very rich people shop there and there's a lot more personalized services offered to shoppers there. First we went to the E-Mart and looked at their petshop area and saw the little dogs for sale. Then we went to Krispy Kreme and got "coffee" (I use this term loosely for anytime I go to a coffee shop with friends-they usually get coffee and I get juice or tea) and received a free donut because Sungmin ordered an Americano. Sungmin kept getting phone calls (he was very disappointed because Thurs is a holiday and he had expected to take a rest in the afternoon, but his appointments kept changing) and he realized he'd have to go do more work so he drove us to the complex we at lunch at and walked me to the subway there.

While on the subway, I contemplated what to do. Originally I thought I would just go back to the guesthouse and rest because I had dinner plans with someone there and then plans with our soccer team, but I realized that I didn't have the energy to walk the 15 minutes to the guesthouse to be there for a little and then go back out again. So I took the subway to Ewha Women's University area to do some shopping. While on the way, one of the adoptees I had talked with last night, Seon, messaged me and asked me what I was up to. I told him I was going shopping and he said he would join because he needed headphones. I arrived about 20 minutes before him so I was able to do a little bit of looking before he came, but didn't buy anything. We walked around the area but I felt funny doing any kind of 'serious' shopping with a guy in tow. Then we walked to Sincheon area (one subway stop away) because that's where I was meeting Tae yang, another adoptee for dinner. Seon and I waited in the Mc Donald's, or "Mackies" as Seon calls it--he's from Australia. He ordered some snacks and we talked while we waited for Tae yang. When Tae yang arrived, he said some other guys were getting together for dinner too--and I realized it was the same group I was meeting! Since that group was meeting for dinner, we decided not to eat...much. Seon really wanted to try Taco Bell (they don't have them in Australia--and they don't have them in Denmark where Tae yang lives) so...we went to Taco Bell. And they ordered a party pack with 9 tacos. I had 2 and that was plenty; the guys split the rest. We talked in Taco Bell and waited until it was time to meet the other group.

We arrived first and waited for everyone else to show up. Apparently there was yet another group of adoptees meeting in that location to go for dinner too. After everyone arrived, we had about 17-20 people. The main reason we met was because our team player, Katie, is returning to the US on Friday. So most of the group was our soccer team plus significant others and friends. Off we went to a BBQ place, but I didn't eat because I was still quite full from our taco run. It was a lot of fun hanging out with everyone. After we ate, Stefano, one of our Italian friends wanted to go to Noraebang (karaoke) so he went to go find a place that could accommodate our large group. We sang for probably 3 hours or so. It was also fun, but very loud. When it was time to go, we had to take a taxi, but there were 2 others going to the guesthouse with me so we could split the fare. I guess I knew the most Korean and had to sit in front. The taxi driver was very chatty and again I was forced to test my knowledge and try and make conversation.

Sungmin busy on the phone figuring out his schedule

Seon and Tae yang excited for the Taco Bell experience

From here all the way to the back-our group for dinner

Saying goodbye to Katie

Hwa Sun and Jaebin

I hung around the guesthouse long enough to get lunch. We had bibimbap and my eyes were bigger than my stomach. I was so excited to see all the vegetables that I really loaded up and then couldn't finish everything. (I put lots of mushroom, onion, carrots and cucumber/zucchini in my dish.)

After lunch I went to Gwanghwamun Plaza again to take pictures of all the Korean flower-trees. While I was taking a picture, an older Korean man (ajushi) spoke to me in Korean, saying, "aren't they pretty?" and I agreed. Then he talked about the weather too. He was dressed in traditional royal clothes and was carrying a Korean flag, a fancy hat, a sign and a bag of other traditional clothing items. It looked like he had come from Gyeongbok Palace (which is right behind the plaza) but I don't think he was with them. Anyway, he put his hat on me and took a picture of me. I always love these random meetings that give me an opportunity to practice my Korean.

I walked on to Myeongdong to do a little shopping, but didn't see anything. Then it was time to head to Hwa Sun's house! I arrived at her apartment and as usual, I lucked out and someone was leaving as I was arriving so I was able to get into her building. When she opened the door a small white ball of fur came flying out and yapped at me. They are dogsitting her parent's dog, Hanuel (sky, heaven) for a few days. She is so tiny, Toby could eat her for breakfast! We visited a little and I gave Jaebin his Ninjago lego present. Right away he started putting it together--he was also very excited because apparently there are 5 characters and this was the last one he needed to complete the 'set' and have all 5! After he finished putting the lego thing together, we went for "patbingsu" which is shaved ice with red beans. Well Jaebin doesn't like red beans (and I'm actually not crazy about them either) so we all basically had shaved ice. :) Hwa Sun also ordered a cheesecake as well. We returned to their house and visited a little. Her husband came home from work; he's had some stomach pain so he didn't visit long and didn't come to dinner with us. We had jjimdak (which is the chicken stew Bohye's mom made for me) and it was soo good!

When I got back to the guesthouse, there were many of the adoptees hanging out and talking in the lounge. I decided I would join them and stayed up very late talking with everyone. It was such a unique experience; I really enjoyed it. 

Gyeongbok Palace

National flower of Korea as far as you can see

Mugunghwa (name of the flower)

My new friend

Wearing the hat

Tree trimmed in the shape of Korea!

Statue of Admiral Yi and kids playing in the water fountain

Jaebin and me

Hwa Sun with our dinner

Not a case of the Mondays

I did not sleep very well, but it could be due to the fact this is the 6th bed in 11 days that I have slept in. I skyped with my Mom and then later my Grandpa. It was so good to see both of them. :)

I just hung out in the guesthouse until 12:30 when the free lunch was served. Everyone in the house gathered for the meal. The cook made curry and a pickle soup and also had some vegetable side dishes. After lunch I went walking even though it was pretty hot. I went to Insadong (which is the traditional artsy area--lots of pottery, fans and then also souvenirs) and then took the subway to meet my friend Katie. I started to not feel very well and at one point on the subway I must have looked so in pain that a grandfather asked/told me that I looked like I was very sick/in pain. He then went to someone sitting down and told them to get up because I was hurting. I met Katie and she helped me find some medicine. We went to a cafe to sit down. Then I felt better. We went into a few stores and then went to her gym.

At her gym, we dinked around a little bit, waiting for a workout class to begin. I had my muscle/fat measured and according to their machine and the results, I'm below the average muscle mass--so I'd better start pumping some iron! The trainer also told me I should eat more protein. The class was pretty intense--the hardest were the ab exercises that we did. After class, Katie walked me to the station and I made my way back to the guesthouse.

Back to Seoul Sunday

I slept really well last night. When I got up, Jungyoon and I had bread. Then we just hung out and watched tv. Her parents drove me to the bus station and her dad gave me an envelope of money. They also gave me a lot of advice about teaching in the car. ^.^ It was sad to say goodbye, but I’m sure I will see them all again.

The bus ride was not very eventful. I didn’t sleep except for the last maybe 30 minutes of the ride. I arrived in Seoul and I was struck by how busy and how many people there are mashing about. I forgot how rude and pushy people in Seoul are. The southern part of Korea is much more laid back and people are friendlier and I think a little more kind. They are not so busy and ‘go-go-go’. 

I hopped on the subway to get to the station near the guesthouse. My friend suggested I not walk to the guesthouse but either take a bus or get a taxi; and Jungyoon’s dad told me to take a taxi with the money from him because it is too hot to be walking so much with my heavy bags. I got a taxi and called the office to tell the taxi driver how to get here. When I arrived, Mrs. Jung, the ‘house ajuma’ was waiting in the alley for me. She helped me with my bags, but funnily enough, it was my lightest one. Anyway, I was shown how to enter through all the doors and everything and given a tour of the guesthouse. 

I decided it wouldn’t be too bad to walk back to the subway to get to church because I wasn’t carrying much with me. I went to church and after, I met with my soccer team for dinner. One of the players is returning to Italy at the end of the week and he wanted everyone to get together. The group played today, but with church and my toe, I decided I would pass and wait a few more weeks (next week is the start of my orientation and the following week I’ll still be at orientation).  While I was at Jungyoon’s house, she had me put on some medicine (some kind of iodine?) that is supposed to help with the discoloration from the bruising and maybe it helps some other way too. I’m not really sure, but her dad also strongly recommended to me that I use it, so I did. The team and I went to an all you can eat grill your own meat buffet. I didn't eat much because I sat with the Italian (Soo Bok) and his wife and they are vegetarian. I had to use a grill on a different table and it was a little awkward reaching around the guy sitting next to me.

View outside Bentley's room

View from the living room--the big roundish building on the right is a soccer stadium

Bentley's room

Jenny's mom, me, Jenny, and her dad

Family Day

Originally we planned to leave to see Bentley around 10:30 or so, but Jungyoon’s Grandmother wanted to meet me and her mom had to stop over at her Grandma’s, so we went there earlier instead. Her grandmother was so sweet and cute when she greeted me. She gave me a big hug and said she recognized me from pictures. Jungyoon’s aunt was there too. She had made some dolls out of character socks and let me pick one to have. We left and her Grandma waved to us from out the window—she called down to us getting in the car. Jungyoon said ever since she was little, her Grandma always made a big deal of saying goodbye. 

We went to McDonald’s to get Bentley a hamburger, but it was so early they only had the breakfast menu, so we got breakfast sandwiches instead. We arrived at his military base and Jungyoon signed in for us. Then the office calls to Bentley and he has to take a shuttle bus to the meeting place. He arrived finally and looked much older with his short military haircut and because he lost some weight. Jungyoon’s mom could only stay a little while because she had to go back and help prepare for the Grandma’s birthday. Jungyoon and I visited with Bentley for almost 4 hours. We also ordered fried chicken to have for lunch. 

Around 3:15 we said our goodbyes and headed to the hair salon. I got my hair cut and permed and Jungyoon got her hair trimmed. I think it turned out pretty well. It took a really long time at the hair salon and when we were finished Jungyoon and I walked to her house. We had enough time to cool off and then we went to pick up her cousin and aunt to take to the restaurant for Grandma’s birthday. 

When we arrived at the restaurant, there were extended family members there—wives and sons/daughters/children in laws of her grandfather. Her grandfather and grandmother arrived and then her grandfather’s brother as well. We grilled samgypsal (pork) and then also had galbi (another kind of meat). There was so much food! After Koreans finish grilling, they will usually get a stew and rice (and in the summer neygmyeon—which is noodle soup, cold with ice in it); Jungyoon and I both passed because we were so full. Towards the end of the meal and before the after stew/soups came, some of the older relatives started singing and dancing a little. They made me stand up and I had to pick a Korean song to sing. The only one I really knew was a song I learned at Inje University. It was pretty ugly. Then it was time to leave and we sent off all the older relatives; Jungyoon, her cousin and I walked back home. We stopped at Baskin Robbins for ice cream to go. When Jungyoon and I got home, we watched some tv. There is a popular show right now with celebrity dad’s and their child(ren). They go on little trips/adventures with little competitions or tasks to complete. One actor is from a drama my mom and I watched together.

Grandma waving goodbye!

Inside the meeting room--the only place the guys can meet friends or family members on base

Bentley!

Jenny, Bentley and me

Bentley reunited with his sock from America!

Jenny, Bentley, me and "Mom"

Saying bye to Bentley

Family

Jenny's family--the man on the left is Jenny's dad

Grandfather singing

 

Jenny and me--new hair do's!

Jenny's Aunt

Jenny's Great Uncle and her Grandpa

Jenny's Grandma, me and her Aunt

Jenny, her Grandpa and me

Inje University Visit

I woke up this morning excited again. We were going back to Inje for a visit! I had grand plans to visit my favorite restaurant (Mongshili for bibimbap and kalguksu--a noodle soup) and a hair cut and perm. Jungyoon had tried calling the hair salon a few times with no one answering. Around 9:50 Jungyoon's mom told us we had to leave ASAP because the bus to Gimhae left on the hour. We rushed like crazy and got to the bus station. We looked at the time table and it actually didn't leave until 10:30. We waited and then boarded the bus to Gimhae! Unfortunately Jungyoon had tried a few more times to call the hair salon with no answer; Jihye thought maybe the salon was closed for summer vacation--a lot of businesses were on a little break.

When we arrived in Gimhae, Jungyoon helped me find the bus to Inje and then we parted ways--she had an afternoon appointment in Busan and couldn't join Jihye and me for lunch. So, I made it to the campus and met Jihye--she was waiting for me at the stop. She looked so happy and she's so cute with her little pregnant belly. We went to Mongshili and...it was closed. Jihye asked me where else I wanted to go. I remembered the first place we went to with the Inje program and it was nearby so we went to see if they were open and they were! We chatted and I gave her baby presents from Jungyoon and from me. Jihye only had an hour lunch break so we only had a little bit of time. I walked her back to her office and then walked around campus to take a few pictures and for nostalgia's sake. After that, I went through the makeup stores because they were air conditioned and I was waiting for my former student, Kyungmin, to contact me. While I was waiting at a crosswalk, I hear, "AAAAAMY!!" and I looked up--it was Kyungmin in his car with some other people! He was coming back from his lunch meeting. He told me to get in and took me back to campus. We chatted in their laboratory for a few hours. He and another student, "Noh" both got married this year! And one other student got a girlfriend recently too. My 'little' students, all grown up, haha. (They are in their late 20's early 30's!!)

After I met with Kyungmin, my friend Bumsik called me and we met. It was so hot I suggested ice cream so we went to Baskin Robbins. While we were at Baskin Robbins, I got a message from my other student Daeguk--originally he mentioned he was going to be out of town and couldn't meet me, but then he told me he had just arrived to the laboratory! So he came to Baskin Robbins and we chatted a little. He was my favorite student because he tried the hardest. We struggled to converse and Bumsik wouldn't help translate; he made me speak in Korean!! Daeguk had to leave shortly after he arrived so Bumsik and I stayed there until Jungyoon arrived from Busan. He walked us to the bus stop and we took a city bus to the bus station to return to Jinju. When we came back to Jinju we went to a famous bibimbap restaurant and also got bulgogi. It was so delicious. The bibimbap had raw meat in it--I was a little worried about it, so with some good critical thinking skills, I put my meat in the boiling hot soup and voila! My meat cooked in the soup and I added it back to the bibimbap! After dinner we stopped at Paris Baguette for bread and returned to Jungyoon's home.

We've been watching tv with her parents and visiting a bit. I really like her parents; they are very kind. It feels like being at a home away from home here. Even though this is my first time here, I feel like I've always known it.

Jungyoon and me on the bus to Gimhae!

Lunch with Jihye

Cute pregnant Jihye!

The trees we planted 2 years ago

English Town dormitory where I lived for 4 months

Kyungmin, the leader of my students

Daeguk, my favorite student

Bumsik and me by the front gate of Inje University

Bibimbap!

Jinju Day!

I woke up early--I couldn't sleep. Excited to travel to Jinju and see Jungyoon (Jenny)!!! Bohye's mom made 게란 말이 keran mari (egg omelet rolled up and mixed with tuna and green onions). Bohye and her mom both said I'd be fine to leave at 10, but I wanted to leave at 9:30 even though my bus left at 11:30. I was concerned about carrying my bags through the subway and making a transfer as well as finding where I was supposed to go at the bus terminal. As it was I ended up running to make one connection and arrived at the bus station about 30 minutes early. It was good though because I needed to show my receipt and get a ticket printed out.

Then it was time! I boarded my bus and was on my way to Jinju! I slept for a little bit and then we came to a rest stop. I got out and stretched. Back on the bus for another hour and some; I fell asleep again and woke about 10 minutes before we arrived in Jinju. Jungyoon told me that she and her mom were waiting for me at the bus station. I arrived and found Jungyoon right away. :) We got in their car and her mom took us to lunch. We had samgyetang, which is a chicken soup--it's a little tiny chicken stuffed with ginger and rice. It's a special summer soup and you are supposed to have it 3 times in the summer for good health. After lunch we went back to the bus station so I could buy a return ticket to Seoul for Sunday. Jungyoon's mom was so generous and paid for my bus ticket!! We went to a grocery store and got some ice cream and then went to a movie. We saw "Snow Piercer" (I forgot the Korean name). It's about these people on a train because the world froze when they tried to use some kind of chemical to fight global warming. Anyway the movie was really violent because the (poor) people in the back of the train had a revolution and was trying to get control of the engine which was in the front of the train and controlled by the few rich in the front. It was an interesting movie.

After the movie, we went to get dinner. We had kimbap and ramen. When we finished eating, we took a bus back to Jungyoon's house. I met her dad and then we hung out a little before getting ready for bed.

At the bus station

Jinju here I come!!

Samgyetang

We don't really like ginger!