Snow, Snow, Snow, Snow, Snow

Today I received the dubious honor of going sledding at an amusement park here in Daegu. It was so funny! When we first walked up to the "ride" all I could see was a small hill so sad and pathetic that none of my family, even those from rainy Portland, would have considered it worth sliding down. There was, however, the promise of real sledding! People were lined up at the top of the hill and the students I was with were chattering excitedly. Oh, my friends and family! I shake my head even as I write. The forlorn answer to their hopes was a hill perhaps a third as steep as my own parent's backyard, and not longer. I couldn't help but reflect on my life as I waited with the rest, huddled, clutching my wet sled. But I should not have thought, when 'twas time for me to pass, that all objects for contemplation had been considered, for no sooner had I sat upon my sled than a nice Korean man began to instruct me on the proper sitting and steering of sleds. Yea, 'tis but too true! I just looked at him and said, "I'm from Alaska!" And apparently he knew some English, because he backed away. I recounted the story for a couple of people later, but they didn't seem to see the irony. Alas! I hope you got a smile out of it. (c:

Tuesday of this week was my worst teaching day so far. (This does not mean it was particularly bad.) The next day I was loathe to go to work, but there was a sweet surprise of light snowfall Wednesday morning. It didn't last any amount of time at all, but it cheered me up, and I'm pretty sure my excitement convinced my students that I'm completely out of my mind.

I feel as if I've been here forever. It was so funny the other day to look at my calendar and realize that it's only been two weeks. Oh well, life passes on. I started getting stressed out the other night about what I'll do when my contract is up, but I still have a ways to go before those bridges must be crossed. Hmm. I shake my head now at my silly self.

Oh, but this was not particularly encouraging today:

This is what the LORD says: "When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my gracious promise to bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back from captivity . . . Jeremiah 29:10-14

In seventy years . . . nice! It's good to have something to look forward to, eh? I hope you all are well. God keep you. (Is. 26:3-4)

I don't have an English accent because this is what English sounds like when spoken properly.
- James Carr