As many of you know, Shayla came to Korea mid-September as our first visitor! Seth and I both thought that when we saw her, we were going to be emotional, but it was so natural. At first, it seemed like I hadn’t seen her in a long time, and she seemed to look different, but after about ten minutes, it felt like we were back hanging out in the Midwest. It was so fun to get caught up and share our lives in Korea with her. Her first day in Korea she went to Seth’s school and met the students and teachers and ate snail soup.
That same day, Friday, was my 25th birthday! I am now a quarter of a century old, but guess what?! I’m not scared of aging. Each year, I realize God’s blessings more and more and know that my future is in God’s hands! Age has no real importance.
During the school day, my students had a field trip that I had the privilege of going on. We went to a dilapidated old school in the mountains for a cultural experience. The students made traditional Korean crafts and did performances. My students were so sweet to me all day. They all wished me happy birthday, and some of them even sang to me :) One student who I talk to often, bought a birthday cake for me from Paris Baguette!
That same day, Friday, was my 25th birthday! I am now a quarter of a century old, but guess what?! I’m not scared of aging. Each year, I realize God’s blessings more and more and know that my future is in God’s hands! Age has no real importance.
During the school day, my students had a field trip that I had the privilege of going on. We went to a dilapidated old school in the mountains for a cultural experience. The students made traditional Korean crafts and did performances. My students were so sweet to me all day. They all wished me happy birthday, and some of them even sang to me :) One student who I talk to often, bought a birthday cake for me from Paris Baguette!
For my birthday dinner, Seth and I took Shayla to one of our favorite hole-in-the-wall 훈새 오리 (grilled duck) restaurants. Although it’s a hole-in-the-wall, it’s one of the most famous grilled duck restaurants in Daegu. Despite being a little nervous at first, she really liked it! After duck, we went back home and ate the birthday cake from my student.
On Saturday we had another birthday party for 시환 and me. Seth planned the perfect day. We met all of our friends at 두류 (Duryu) Park. I think there were 17 of us total. We laid out mats, chatted in the shade, played some Poker, and drank Sangria. Later on, the guys played a game of football.
As the sun started to set, we headed for my favorite 벌고기 (bulgogi) restaurant. Upon arriving, we were informed that the entire restaurant had been reserved for the night. A little let down and worried about where we were going to eat with 17 people, we sent out a restaurant search party. Kathy came back with good news. A 삼겹살 (samgyupsal - barbequed pork stips) restaurant had plenty of room.
Satisfied after our delicious meal, we went in search 노래방 (noraebang - karaoke). We had a yummy, moist chocolate cake (Thanks, Kathy) and sang our hearts out. Shayla and I sang “Baby” together. Noraebang is one of my favorite things to do here in Korea, not because I’m a good singer and love singing. Actually the opposite is true. I’m a terrible singer and hate singing, but I love the camaraderie during 노래방 sessions. It’s so fun to watch people let loose and make fools of themselves.
On Monday, Shayla went to my school. Each day, I greet the students as they are walking through the door into my classroom. Shayla stood next to me greet the students as well. As they came through the door, they started giving me the usual “hi,” but the instant they spotted Shayla they covered their mouths, hid their faces, and ran to their desks. They are so cute. Each time they meet a new foreigner they are so shy!
Shayla began each class with answering questions about herself. Koreans are very curious about foreigners. All the classes asked her, “How old are you?” and “Do you have a boyfriend?” Everyone told her that she was beautiful numerous times, and she heard far too many times, “You have big eyes, and a small head.” To most people this would sound like an insult, but to Koreans it’s a very nice compliment. In general, Koreans think that big eyes and small heads are beautiful. They believe that all Koreans have small eyes and big heads.
Shayla had a few new cultural experiences at my school. We had “weed” soup :) for lunch. That’s my name for it because it is made of plants that grow everywhere along roadside. As I was walking with my co-workers one day, they pointed to the side of the road, and said, “This was the soup today.” She got to experience Korean students, and she also got to use a squatty potty for the first time. Something everyone should have to do when in Korea.
On Monday, Shayla went to my school. Each day, I greet the students as they are walking through the door into my classroom. Shayla stood next to me greet the students as well. As they came through the door, they started giving me the usual “hi,” but the instant they spotted Shayla they covered their mouths, hid their faces, and ran to their desks. They are so cute. Each time they meet a new foreigner they are so shy!
Shayla began each class with answering questions about herself. Koreans are very curious about foreigners. All the classes asked her, “How old are you?” and “Do you have a boyfriend?” Everyone told her that she was beautiful numerous times, and she heard far too many times, “You have big eyes, and a small head.” To most people this would sound like an insult, but to Koreans it’s a very nice compliment. In general, Koreans think that big eyes and small heads are beautiful. They believe that all Koreans have small eyes and big heads.
Shayla had a few new cultural experiences at my school. We had “weed” soup :) for lunch. That’s my name for it because it is made of plants that grow everywhere along roadside. As I was walking with my co-workers one day, they pointed to the side of the road, and said, “This was the soup today.” She got to experience Korean students, and she also got to use a squatty potty for the first time. Something everyone should have to do when in Korea.
On Tuesday, we took Shayla shopping downtown with 시환. For dinner, we went out for pasta, and afterward, we hung out in a game room playing board games into the wee hours of the night.
On Thursday, Shihwan took us on an insanely steep hike up 발공산 (Palgongsan - mountain) to see Gatbawi, a Buddha carved out of stone. The view was worth getting sweaty, sticky, and smelly. We were able to look down on Daegu and the surrounding mountains. It was one of the most beautiful and powerful places I have been in Korea. We were at such great heights that the wind slashed at our faces and made us shiver despite the abundant sunlight.
on the bus to 발공산
Buddhist temple on the hike up 발공산
the breathtaking view from 발공산
rejuvenating after the hike
Shayla's time with us began to wind down. On Friday, we spent hours on end traveling on the bus and throughout the Seoul subway system in order to show her a little bit of Seoul before she headed back to the good ol' U.S.A. We took her to one of the busiest shopping centers in Seoul, 명당, and to 이대완 (Itaewon – the foreigner district), and on Saturday, we soaked in the warm autumn sun at a pleasant park by the 한강 (Han River).
한강 It was such a blessing to have Shayla stay with us.
Sunday was our last day with our good friend 시환 :( Dinner with his family was a little quiet as we knew we would soon be saying goodbye. We hope to convince him to come stay with us in the U.S., and we also want to visit him in Australia, but in the back of our minds, we couldn't help but think that we might never see him again. Before he left, Seth gave him one of his famous buzz cuts.
September was a dynamic month for the Schuetts in Korea.
Love, 애나 상생님
