...and we're back!

we've been hard to get a hold of these last couple weeks.  peter finished up with a nation wide exercise that involved some long hours, sometimes up to 15!  the exercise finished and pete had just as busy a week last week, perhaps busier.  he's had night shift as a guard, while also working a 12 hour day...which makes a whopping total of an 18 hour work day!   we'll be glad when his hours go back to normal and we can spend the waking hours together : )

substitute teaching has been an adventure.  i didn't think i would enjoy teaching middle or high school very much, but i've actually had a great time getting to know the kids and teaching the material.  the other day i taught an algebra II class and was pleasantly surprised to find my knowledge of exponents and radical numbers didn't fall too deeply into the crevices of my brain (as I had predicted it would in high school).  

the school here is rather small, only about 40-50 students per grade level, so i've had about every student in the school from my 4 weeks of subbing.  it's nice to hear a "hi mrs. watt!" in the hallway every once in a while.  of course, most kids are actually saying "hi, mrs. wut!" or "watts" or "what".  i never knew 'watt' would be so hard to pronounce.  : )

i'm feeling a break through this last week or so with my transition here in Korea.  I think I am still quite far from feeling like Korea is "home", but I'm feeling more comfortable here.   The last month or so I felt like I was overwhelmed by all of the culture differences (which is not a fun way to be).  Little things would stress me out like taking a taxi, exchanging money, or the driving.  (we realize we are driving more and more like the locals-- we've learned most traffic laws are only "suggestions" and U-turns are fun!) 

Anyhow,  it's been a difficult transition, but it's getting better and better.   My language skills are improving day by day.  We order delivery food every once in a while (which is awesome) and I am engaging in conversations with strangers more-- sometimes  I'll have an entire conversation with someone and they won't even notice I'm not a local!  

I appreciate all of your thoughts and prayers for peter and I as we adjust here.  The culture shock was a big concern of mine and i feel the shock wearing off day by day.  korea is a really beautiful country with lots to offer and i'm feeling like i'm ready to dive in.