Annyong haseyo!
I have come to the conclusion that I am a terrible blogger. Many of you are probably thinking "We're way ahead of you there buddy". It's just that when I think about writing a post, I chicken out when I consider all the time I'll spend typing and editing. "So write more often and the posts won't have to be so long" you say. This is very true and something I WILL work on in the future. For now though, I offer my humble apologies yet AGAIN, and hope that you find it in your hearts to forgive and have hope for me.
So, where to begin? I suppose I could start with the latest news and works backwards from there. Alright, here goes.
Last weekend, I traveled up to Seoul to participate in the Seoul International Marathon. I hadn't been to Seoul yet, so I left on Friday night in order to get in a full day of sightseeing on Saturday before the marathon on Sunday. Seoul is a very nice city and bustles with activity all day long. I stayed at a hostel in Hongdae district and traveled by subway to get around most of the time. The subways there are VERY crowded to say the least, and I spent quite a bit on tickets there as I didn't have a pass card. I went to several districts, one of particular note called Insa-Dong, where they have a whole street devoted to souvenirs, crafts, and traditional tea houses. I didn't buy anything there as I arrived before all the shops opened.
Near Insa-Dong street, I discovered a huge indoor music market. It was like having about 20 music stores combined into one giant mall. For a music lover like myself, its like being in a candy shop. I did a lot of "eye shopping" as the Koreans say, and then as I was looking over some guitars in a window, I was asked by the shop keeper in English (excellent, btw) if he could help me. I explained I was just looking and then told him I was left handed and I knew they probably didn't have anything like that. He said slowly "Well, actually, I do have a left handed model for this guitar" pointing to a all black electric Ibanez. Now, I've been longing to own an electric guitar, mainly for the purpose of playing it in worship. After talking through its qualities, he fetched in the lefty from storage and plugged it in for me to play. It was like magic. I played through some stuff and checked out all the various tones and distortions, and like that, I was hooked. But I didn't want to commit right away so I asked him if I could come back after a while. "Of course" he said, and then proceeded to make a package deal for me. The guitar, a 15w amp, soft carry case, cables, extra strings, picks, and an instructional CD all for 300,000 won. Which in American dollars is less than 300. Excited beyond words, I left and headed to a PC bang and checked out what the net had to say about this guitar. Every review I read had positive things to say and the owners were all pleased with its performance. And the price was even better; in the states I would have been paying nearly twice as much for what he had offered to me. So, armed with this information, I went back and boldly took the plunge on buying my first electric guitar. Now, this was not in my plans at all but I believe there was a reason I went into that store and met that certain man. I truly am blessed beyond words.
The next day was the marathon. It started at 8:00 am so I was up at five and there by six. It was freezing cold with a chilly wind but like the crazy people they are, most of the marathoners had stripped down to shorts and t-shirt by the time the race started (I fell into this crazy catagory). I was assigned to section E, the last section to be positioned in the corralling area. My number was 54138 so I'm guessing there were over 54,000 people registered to run. We had to stand there and wait while the announcer guy kept talking away, giving an inspirational speech I suppose, and cheer at the appropriate times. Finally we got started and it was a little tricky to run at first with so many people all around jostling for position and trying to set their paces. After things settled down and everyone spread out and was running comfortably, I felt much better. For the first 20 miles, things went very well. I was on pace to finish at 4:10, maybe a little under. And then, CRAMPS. I began to cramp up in my hamstrings very bad and before long, I was considering dropping out of the race. But, I pushed away the thought and kept doggedly limping along, telling myself I had not entered my first marathon just to quit. On and on it seemed to go, and those six miles felt like they had turned into another 20. Every step was like someone stabbing a knife into the back of my thighs and I sometimes just wanted to scream from the pain. But FINALLY, we entered the last 2 km and I saw the Olympic Stadium in sight and the thought of getting to that finish line gave me the extra boost I needed. As I entered the stadium, a feeling like none I've had before hit me. Rounding the track, and bearing down the homestretch, my legs pumping with adrenaline, I thought "I've done it-I've just run 26.2 miles. Further than I ever have in my life. And I didn't quit." Then, across the finish line, with the time of 4:52 flashing at me. It was so incredible. Was it the time I was hoping for? Did the race go as I expected? No and no but I finished and that's what counts in the end. Some may ask "Why would you suffer that amount of pain? Is it really worth all that torment?" Well, when you have the medal hanging around your neck that reads "Marathon Finisher", you tell me how you feel then. I felt pretty darn good.
Well, in other, older news, teaching is still going well and I am enjoying interacting with all the kids. My two Native Speaking co-teachers have ended their contracts recently so we have two new teachers in, a couple named Joe and Jessica. They are nice.
Spring is coming, slowly but surely. We have a phenomenon here called Yellow Dust days during spring. It is when a strong wind blows down yellow dust from China all the way to Korea and turns the air a yellowish tint. I experienced my first time of it when I was in Seoul and I have to say, it is a very odd sight. Other than yellow dust, spring in Korea is known for its myriads of flower and tree blossoms. They say the scenery in the mountains can't be beat in the spring time. I can't wait to hit the hiking trails!
My involvement with Dongshin Church continues to grow. I can't tell you how thankful I am to God for providing this body here. We are having communion this Sunday so I am looking forward to that.
Well, I guess that is all for now. Hopefully there will not be such a long time between posts next time. Until then, be blessed.
