David may not have survived

Tuesday

 Calm day school went really well I taught the kids about natural disasters and showed them several you tube videos. They all loved to watch and learn about tornadoes. But then a few of us went out to eat. We had sam gap sam? I don’t think that is right but it was basically pork strips cooked in front of us and served with several different side dishes to eat it with. Wow it was delicious.  Then we walked around Andong to kill time and I was inspired to start the photo album on facebook Really Korea. There are many things that I just shake my head at or actually just laugh my ass of at. A store called “Hunt Kids” really well check out the album I will be posting more pictures as I see them necessary.

Wednesday

School was fun I did the volcano trick. With baking soda and vinegar, the kids loved it. Then after class I was playing soccer with the kids and they were trying to score on me. And when I made one save the ball flew right back and hit a kid square in the face. It was funny but I felt bad. His reaction was great though he was stunned, started laughing then a second later was trying to hold back tears. But he was ok and his glasses didn’t break somehow. Then it was on to climbing. I went up the second path which is a little harder and I got farther than ever but was frustrated I couldn’t get farther. Than they had me do the first but be lead climber. Which is hard to explain but I carry the rope with me attaching it to carbineers on the way.  There is no tension most of the climb but if I slip I will fall to the most recent one I clipped to. At most I fell like 3 ft so it is still safe don’t worry mom. But it was a lot more difficult. I got almost to the top but didn’t have the strength to get the last one casue the wall shoots out again. It was frustrating but I was proud I am getting a lot better.

An awesome lady. she has me call her oma which is like mother.

Thursday

A normal day but went to a fountain that is famous in Andong and is about a 15 minute walk. Wow amazing to say the least. There is a show every night at 8 and it is worth it. Here is a short clip if I can get it to work. If not there are picture and the vid will be online.

its a fountain

Friday

When I got to school I saw the 6^th graders playing basketball with a soccer ball. What it works, and I went over and taught them the proper way to shoot and I was shooting and they were impressed because I would make one every now and then. It was fun to get to play a sport with the kids. I could tell they were really liked to play it with me as well. I hope there playing soccer next time. HAHA well the first 10 min of my first class made me want to just leave. First and second graders, I was doing a short review and game all hour. Well idk what happened but the kid with some disability just snapped he started crying which ok I cant handle I kept going with the class but went over to him and tried to see if he was ok. So no avail I just let him cry it out. He didn’t stop there. He dumped a plant on the windowsill and started screaming bloody murder pretty much then threw his shoe across the room.  Stood up and tried to throw his desk but it was more of a tip over and push and was just going crazy. I was like what do I do, but first thing first is I staying calm I didn’t start yelling at him I just went over to him and tried to get him to sit at his desk. They were sitting in lines for the game and then he sits at his desk and just throws everything off the desk and I go to him and tell him no and that it will be ok. So I just let him sit there still crying and continued with class and he quieted and went to the back of the room and started reading. When that was over the day was smooth sailing. Nothing really special after school, just the normal climbing which is 3 days a week.

Saturday

 

We traveled to the traditional village. Which is a very historic part of Korea and of Andong. The Queen actually chose to have her 75^th birthday there. There was a small exhibit just for that. But the building and scenery were awesome. So beautiful. Houses over 200years old, I was admiring one of them and the owner (people still live there) was like come come and he had us sit down and drink some water with him and we talked for a few. But then were like well we don’t just want to sit here all day so I was like we have to catch the bus. So we left but it was really nice for him to let us into his home. Then after that is where David would have died. A bug flew into the back of my head I went to grab it and get it out when I did it stung me. It was a bee.  If you don’t know my best friend David is allergic to bees and he swells up really bad. The pictures and tell you more than I can.

Sunday

7am wake up be at city hall at 8am. Why you ask? Well the climbing club invited me to a trek. I couldn’t say no. I thought it was just our club. I was wrong again it was a trekking party like thing. Get there and there are about 200 people me being the only foreigner so I got special attention especially from the cameras. During the opening ceremonies a guy was recording it for like the news he had the big over the shoulder camera and well it was in my face for about 30 seconds lol. And when we started he was taking shots of everyone starting he followed me till I passed by him. It was sort of cool. The trek was long but fun. We went up a small mountain. But it was not a tourist place I can’t tell you that. We get to the top and just keep going there were too many trees to get any good picture and it was just a long up and down hike. But it was fun probably about 4 miles. We ate lunch about half way I made a peanut butter and jelly sandwich in which I shared with everyone and they seemed to enjoy it. It was First time for many of them to have that sandwich. After the trek was the festival. More food and drinks drinks drinks. Needless to say a good time. We sat on the ground to eat and on like gravel so the oldest in the group is a 71 year old man and wow he is the best climber of them all. He gave me a pad to sit on and let me keep it as a present. I was very grateful. I felt honored getting a present from the oldest most respected person in the club. On the bus ride home we stopped and had soup. Chicken soup with many dishes as well. It was really good. Like a whole chicken boiled for each person. It was awesome. When I got back I was ready to pass out it was 9pm. But a great day. I would do it again in a heartbeat and hopefully will be able to.

the best view I could get.

Monday

Was taken out to eat by my mentor teacher with my 2 co teachers and another teacher. Wow so many firsts. Almost everything I ate was new and they just kept bringing more and more. Always little portions but there was everything. The new things I had that made an impact was raw beef, raw fish, and raw octopus(don’t worry I feel great today). All were very good when matched with the right side dish. Mostly kimchi. It was great and at climibg I got my shoes finally wow it’s so much easier with them.  But I still have a ton of work to do to be at the level I want.