...Smitten with Busan!

                                                  Living in Korea means more to us than to the ‘average’ foreigner. We are here not only representing the US, but our ‘vested interest’ lies in the fact that our older four children are Korean, two actually BORN here in Busan! Being from Korea is an origin they have every reason to be PROUD of! Sharp, intelligent, attractive, precise and moral are all words I would use to describe the people of Korea. What a fabulous city to be born and what a remarkable culture to belong to. It is an honor for us to be here.

The exceptional city of Busan and her people have exceeded ALL expectations. How proud and meticulous these individuals are! Korean precision in industry (LG, Kia, Hyundai?) is also apparent in their homeland and personal lives. Recycling, practicing economic savvy, being physically fit, showing respect, being family oriented, speaking and dressing with modesty and reservation are all ways the Korean culture is superior. We were not prepared for such beautiful surroundings or to be impressed so with the people of this country. Their landscaping skills ALONE take our breath away.

The International School our two younger children attend include teachers and students who are from every corner of the globe; countries such as Brazil, Scandinavia, Turkey, Africa, Australia, Sweden, France, Italy and Japan! The casual and laid back environment of the school is impressive. While the spoken language is English, many students speak other languages and require translators. EVERY child learns to speak Korean. We never in our wildest dreams imagined Maddie and Monty would have such a rich educational experience abroad. The facilities are impeccable, brand-new. We are enchanted and excited to be attending this school.

Our progress? We arrived to the apartment from the hotel and have completed our first week, here. We are smitten. It is hands down the MOST beautiful home we’ve ever seen. Furniture shopping is on our ‘to do list’, but we were able to purchase and bring in our luggage three air mattresses + linens that have proved so far to be more than comfortable for us. At Costco (Sam's equivalent)... we found four folding chairs that can later be useful. We have made some interesting suffices as make-shift tables to put things on (such as suitcases and cardboard boxes). With views like these, who needs furniture? My goodness!

 

The accommodations are suitable for a KING/Queen, which brings me to the difficult part of all this, for me personally. Floors are heated (customary in Korean homes), drawers and cabinets shut automatically, beautiful wooden cabinetry, tile, granite and marble finishing’s, modern amenities that I have never even seen (like electronically enhanced toilettes), leave me feeling a bit ‘over the top’. Never in my wildest imagination did I expect all of this when we began our journey to Korea. While I KNEW the apartment and school were going to be great from all the photos and pamphlets that Fred brought home, I was not prepared for this magnitude, or the reality of it.

I am not accustomed to money and affluence so therein lies a source of conflict. I will learn by being exposed to such wealth, but the lessons can be difficult. It has taught me, so far, to stand a bit taller and to use my words and phrases more wisely and with more caution. This level of abundance and elegance is foreign to all of us. We are having the time of our lives, but must remain guarded. While in the hotel, I taught Maddie and Monty the customs of bowing and in-turn have learned them myself. We will slowly learn and by experiencing mistakes we will find our way. I look forward to making the most use of the views and elegance of the apartment by entertaining - hopefully fostering growth in the industry in which my husband does business. I trust the Lord will provide me with skills to do so with the style and grace that is deserving of such altitude.

Driving the children to school is getting easier each day...
Especially with an adorable car like this!

Language is the only other difficulty I see us facing, here, which will be resolved with studies and diligence over time. I cannot read a single sign or street name! The people of Busan have been very patient with my driving errors. Only a couple of times have they yelled… mostly, people honk. Maddie says the Korean automobile manufacturers should install varying degrees of horns in their cars… LOUD for angry, mean outbursts, MEDIUM for annoyances, and SOFT for slight nudges and polite reminders. I totally agree!

Jet lag is just beginning to fade, now, after arriving just two weeks ago. Aside from all these 'trivial' nuances, we have been blessed. My God the abundance is blinding. Everything has changed. We have come so far. Korea is everything and MORE than any of us ever expected.



How thankful we are for this great adventure!

 We’re smitten… Beautiful - Busan, Korea!
(Photo taken from Apartment)

(I have so many stories to tell and we’ve only just begun! Stay tuned… funny stories to follow)

A Runner's Nightmare

...This morning I was yelled and honked at vehemently by an angry Busanian as I waited patiently in a left turn lane. I thought I’d never hear myself say, “Thank goodness I can’t speak Korean.” The culture here is much like that of New York or LA. Rush hours being particularly ‘edgy’ and impatience on the road, common. Many of the Busanians opt to ride the subway and various other transit alternatives such as buses, taxi’s and bicycles. The reduction in stress levels of those individuals is noticeable.  

Being of different nationality in Korea is extremely obvious. We stand out. I understand better now that America is largely a multi cultural crock-pot. For foreigners arriving to America, this must make transitioning easier. Depending on where you’ve landed, I’m sure there are varying degrees of noticeability.

I am finding a few welcoming Koreans who desire to converse and/or smile kindly, but mostly, they are a very busy people who are just as uncomfortable at speaking our language as we are at theirs. Our obvious differences create barriers that require an adventurous approach. Not many people have advanced themselves to this level of adventurism. I, myself, didn’t know how lacking I was until arriving to Busan.

For example, running. I have been a runner for many years. But, having NEVER ran on a treadmill, a city like Busan poses several issues. You see, I have run in the rain, the snow, the sleet, the fog… even in the wee hours of the morning darkness when angry wolves and possums hungrily await behind every lurking corner… however, NO possiblility of animal attack or freezing stinging rain in the USA EVER prepared me for running in Korea.

Here’s why:

"Wait. No woods?! Where’s the secluded pathways???" "City streets?! People?! Huh?!" "Fear has taken over!" "Help! I am a prisoner of my own Korean luxury apartment."

Thoughts in my mind begin to race…

“How do I run on a city street?” “I KNOW there’s an exercise center on the 2^nd floor.”

“I am used to running on s-e-c-l-u-d-e-d wooded pathways… I don’t WANT to run on a treadmill with buttons in Korean.” "I DON'T even want to run on a treadmill in ENGLISH."

“Treadmills are for YMCA members.” “I PRIDE myself in NOT being a member of a fitness center” “I am an outdoors exerciser.” "It's FREE."

“What IF I fall off in FRONT of them? Then, they will laugh at our American stupidness.”

“I know, I will just run around this ginormous apartment. OR better, yet! I will go online and locate a used (American language) treadmill on ebay and have it shipped to me here in Korea. That way I don’t ever have to leave the apartment AGAIN.”

What the @#%! is THIS all about?!?!?!

I am not a wimp. I will DARE to adventure into the unknown and WHATEVER Korean misfortune shall befall me - - - - I WILL SURVIVE.

(stay tuned… headlines to read: American girl caught running in Korean city dead from FEAR and the after effects of an angry yelling Busanian driver)