Since I haven't been here long I was worried that this could be a very boring break from school, however I was able to find things to do. I made friends with some Russian girls studying Korean at the university in town and went out with them. I had a good time getting more acquainted with Changwon and meeting new people. Saturday (Sept. 29) I took a bus to Busan, which is the nearest large city in Korea. Here I met up with another teacher from the states, Callie. We spent the day exploring Busan and especially the beach. Haeundae beach is very popular and a lovely beach. It sits on the far west side of the city and is a huge attraction for Koreans and foreigners alike. Even though it was the end of September, I should have brought my swimsuit, because it was a beautiful day to be sitting in the sand. Callie and I also went to a couple other areas of town and met many new people. It was so nice to have a mini getaway and for a good price. I can buy a bus ticket to Busan for $3.25 and then ride the subway for about 97cents a ride. Have I mentioned how much I love public transportation here?
Once I was back in Changwon, I met up with a guy from the neighboring city of Masan. He showed me a great little island to go hiking at called Juh Doh. While taking the bus there, the scenery reminded me of driving to my grandparents house north of Puget Sound in Washington. It felt like a little taste of home and I loved it. The day of hiking was so beautiful and exhausting, but definitely worth it.
The other days of break I used to explore Changwon, meet some new people, and do laundry for the first time. I was a little worried about using my washing machine with buttons all in Korean. However, after watching a few YouTube videos and reading a couple websites I was able to wash my clothes on a standard cold wash cycle.
I have been able to attend church twice now since I have been in Korea. I have attended a church called Hanbit International Christian Fellowship. They are a satellite congregation of Korean church in town and were very welcoming. The congregation frequently does things together and it seems like a very nice community. However, the service/worship style is not quite what I am used to and I have found it hard to focus the while at church there. Worship begins with almost 30 of standing and singing, which is nice because I love the music but it does get long standing and singing for that time straight through. Then there is a reading and then the message. I don't know about anyone else, but growing up as a Midwest Lutheran, I am used to sermons being 10-15 minutes in length. At this church it is normal to have a sermon be 30-45 minutes in length. AH! Also, the sermons are not written with anecdotes or stories I can relate to, they are taking the reading of the day verse by verse and reiterating it.
It is hard to tell if God is calling me to worship here or challenging me to try and embrace another worship style. What I do know is that it is something that will take a lot of getting used to. I am happy to say that they are in need of musicians to help with worship and I volunteered my talents. FINALLY, a musical outlet that I have been looking for. I will be able to play piano and sing with their worship band, which will be a joy. I am thinking this will also make worship more exciting and engaging by being a part of the music.
On the whole life is going really well here in Changwon. I am excited to have started building a friend base and to know that it will only grow from here on out. I am also looking forward to traveling around Korea and Southeast Asia more! All in all, it finally hit me what a blessing this is to be living and teaching in another country! I was sitting in my apartment and the light bulb went off, Britta you have been provided with an awesome opportunity to use the gifts God has given you and share them with the people of Korea. How amazing!
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