Mornings in Gwangju

This morning on my way home, while trying desperately to hail a cab, a white lady and I mean lady, (I learned later she was in her early 50s), approached me and said hello. I said good morning and stopped to chat. She was part of TN English and was training at the Gwangju location until eventually she transfers to another city. She told me she is from Oregon, her name is Terri and that she had only been in the city for a couple of days. I asked if she wanted to grab a coffee. She happily agreed and we found a Paris Baguette, she bought me breakfast and we got to talking.

Terri is the mother of four successful children ranging ages early 20s up intill early 30s I believe. Before coming to Korea she was a Boy's Youth Correctional Officer and had gone back to get her master's. She is in Korean school limbo right now, TN English doesn't have an actual space for her until one of their teacher's leaves in 2 weeks. I was impressed about how cool she was about the situation, if that had been me I would have been livid. The fun part about meeting her was that it gave me a little glimpse back 2 months to when I didn't even know how to say thank-you in Korean. I've come a ways now!

I don't know why she is here, at a little over 5o. Maybe she was widowed or divorced. She made no mention of a boyfriend, ex, or obviously husband. She said this was a life long desire- I hope when I'm that old I can still muster the energy and courage to leave my children and peace to a different country. At any rate we chatted for about an hour, exchange contact info and I was back home in a flash ready for sunning on the roof.

I had a pretty easy going weekend. Friday I received some gifts from my kids at my school because it was Teacher's Day on Saturday. I got flowers, lip gloss, food, vitamins and a really nice moisturizer set (I later learned that Molly had received the same one lol, Korean's must think we have really dry skin). I brought all that back home with me did some laundry and then went out with some friends in the Sangmu area for dinner, had one of my favs, Galbi and then headed downtown to Bubble for some drinks.

Saturday I climbed a little of the mountain again. Fliss and Molly joined Holli and I. I think Molly really enjoyed it but Fliss was bored until we got to the top and then got, what I am assuming was a little like runner's high and became giddy, and was bubbly throughout the descent. Saturday night I went to see Robin Hood the new Russel Crowe flick, it was alright, maybe a little too long. Was in bed early Saturday night and that's about it. Definitely one of the slowest weekends to date but without a doubt needed.

This week coming up is another short week. Buddha's b-day is on friday and we get it off. There has been word of Everland an amusement park not unlike Wonderland. I would love to do it- I love roller-coasters and apparently there are some wicked ones there.

Molly has started planning for japan. It's going to cost about 1200 dollars to tour around for 10ish days but that's with transportation. I am totally psyched and am happy I can go with Molly because travelling there is like a dream come true for her. I'm not going to say it's the same for me but it is obviously an opportunity not worth passing up. I mean it's Japan!!

I still don't have health insurance at work and I didn't get my international driver's license this weekend. I am hoping this will all come together this week. I really want to get my teeth cleaned. A check up wouldn't hurt either! Also laser hair removal... ughh there I go again spending all my money before I even have it. My only saving grace is just sending it home, putting it in a high interest savings account and forgetting about it lol. I think when winter comes around it will be even easier to save- less things to do? Hibernate... I don't know haha. I'm the worst!!!

Love you all-

Dom out.