Hi, My Name is Joanna and I'm an Addict

I made chocolate covered strawberries again tonight. This time I used a slightly darker chocolate. It's not quite as smooth, but it's more firm when you bite into it. I also dipped some of them in chopped almonds. *Sigh* I know that chocolate-covered strawberries aren't, strictly speaking, good for you. But there's something about them that's like baking. There's something deliberate and patient and sumptuous about them.

I've been here two months now, and all I can think is: "Wow, it feels a lot longer than two months. " (c:

The drama classes I taught for the last two months finally had their performance on Saturday night. Afterwards they made me go up onstage and get my picture taken with all the classes and then with all the kids and their parents. I don't really have words for how awful it was. I did reflect that maybe it serves me right - it probably doubled the number of photos that exist of me. It's funny how much I just feel like a white performing monkey. Oh well, it's passed.

I cut my hair today. It came out okay. Miriam did a really good job of giving me a base to work with, so I've just been trimming it periodically, but the ends were really dry and driving me crazy, so Alex (one of the other teachers) cut off about three inches today and then I layered it. I think I'm going to use this time to grow out my bangs and see how I feel about it. Input is always welcome.

Goodnight, please remember how much I love all of you!

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