Today started very badly. I felt absolutely horrible when I woke up at 6:00 this morning, so I opted to not go to church. This may have been my first mistake, but I can't change that now. At noon I walked a 45 minute walk in 35 minutes  (and this after making a wrong turn and having to backtrack) to meet Han Soojung, my Korean tutor, to go see a movie.

 

I get to the meeting place 15 minutes early, and, since she is not there, I go to the other two places she could be waiting just to make sure she is not there. While waiting, I met  a group of 6 high school girls who were very eager to practice their English. I was not in the best of moods, but I am always willing to help someone with their English usage, so I put up with their asking their never-ending questions and their unceasing compliments (your handsome man, hat good, eyes beautiful). One could get a very big head around here .  4 of the girls then boarded the bus to Jinhae to go look at the cherry blossoms. 

I waited around for an hour and ten minutes and decided to go home. I couldn't help but wish that I had asked to go with the girls at least I would have company and would be doing something. Sometimes it gets lonely here. I lay in bed for around an hour after I arrived home, then I the phone rings it is Han Soojang. She asked me what happend!! I was ferious, and then she tells me that we were supposed to meet at the bus stop in front of where I work. I just about died.  How can one stay mad when they find out that the person they waited for for an hour did the same, only at a different location? She said she would contact a friend and call me back.

 

Call again she did. It was almost five, and we decided that I would go shopping before we met up with her friend. Of course I spent way too much money, but I now have the ability to make steamed mandu. At seven we met with her friend, the same one we went to Jinhae with last week. We went for  a long walk.  We went to Yangi Park, Yangi Lake, a Buddist temple near Changwon University, and also to another park where some college freshman were having a picnic.

 

We then walked on the grounds of the Provincial Building (like the provincial capital). There are many sculptures, a pond, and a time capsul. It is very relaxing at night when there is no one there. We then visited the provincial police headquarters. We went inside  and asked if they had a vending machine where we could get coffee. The guard just pointed down the hall. It was interesting that the metal detector was standing there waiting for someone to walk through, but we walked around it as if it did not exist. I wonder if that was just because it was night time or if they just use it for prisoners?

 

After we found the machine and had our dixie cup half full of coffee for 200 won (around 20 cents), we went to another building so we could use the restroom. We heard music coming from upstairs and saw someone in a suit head that way we followed. Upstairs there were many sculptures, and in a large room a banquet was going on. The province had invited a famous Korean singer, people from Japan (Korean who were born and living there from what I was told), the govenor of the province, and many other important people. It is Arbor Day tomorrow and they were celebrating (we also have the day off tomorrow for the occasion as well.).

 

We walked inside to listen to the music. They told me it was traditional Korean music music for the older people as the younger people don't like it. I for one found the music to be quite nice I could listen to it for quite sometime. Some of it seemed like old waltzes I have heard. They were very surprised to hear that I liked it. Maybe what was told to me is true: I have an old soul.

 

I don't think we would have ever been able to crash such an event in the US, especially in my hat and jeans. Everyone was in their suites and fancy dresses. I have never felt so underdressed in my life. It was a wonderful time just the same.  It was after this we went to the temple. Talk about a contrast.

 

Well, it may have started bad, but it ended up being a pretty good day. I wonder what tomorrow is going to bring. Han Soojung said she would call around 10:00am and let me know if she has any ideas for things we can do. If she doesn't I will probably be bored all day. I found out how much it is for Yoga: $87.52 for 1 month M-F. That is a pretty good deal. I could go from 6am-7am, go home, get ready for work stress-free. Maybe I could finally relax!! I think I am going to go there Tuesday morning if I can get up in time. I really am going to need to get an alarm clock sometime soon.

 

I guess I will let you all go. Don't forget about daylight savings time I am sure it will not affect me none (have you had to do it yet?), Korea doesn't have it. So it used to be 14 hours difference, now it is 13. All is well.