호ㅓ장실 어디 있어요?

Got that mom? That title is for you.

Anyway I went to the church's free Korean class yesterday afternoon. It turned out to last 2 hours. There were only 4 students, 2 of us were new. We've all been here for varying lengths of time, with my one and a half months being the shortest. However we were all actually pretty evenly matched. One of the other students was from Minnesota! That was exciting for us. Also it was funny because when she walked in the room I smiled and waved as if I knew her, but then realized that I just recognized her from the bar the week prior, because she has a very, shall we say, distinctive face. So anyway I found it interesting that this person I remembered from the bar turns up in the same room as me and is from Minnesota. Small world I guess, huh?

I thought the class was pretty helpful. The guy who teaches it is Korean but speaks perfect English. And since the class is so small it's basically just student-driven, meaning if there are things we want to learn he will teach them to us. And they didn't even try to get me to go to church...yet. Although I did have to fill out a registration card, and they took my picture, I wasn't really clear on why. So I figure I'll continue to go each week as long as I can get away with not going to their services. Plus Damien will still meet with me on Sundays and we'll study a bit, and on Tuesdays Hannah and I are going to do a language exchange. So hopefully it won't be long before I can converse a bit with not only 최 청 배, but my neighbors and store clerks and everyone else too!

Speaking of 최 청 배....yesterday I made him cookies. Well, I made them for both the masters, but with him in mind. I wrapped them each individually and put them in a box and gave them to them tonight after class. I guess in Korean culture when someone gives you food you wait until after they leave before you try it and then tell them later how good it was. But Hannah told them that in American culture they are supposed to try it right away in front of the person and tell them how it is. So they each had one and 최 청 배 seemed very impressed! I was happy. I guess he could taste the Love I added to the batter.

I tried out a few Korean phrases on him and he seemed to understand. Taekwondo class was fun tonight. We are working on the poomse, which is a series of sort of choreographed punches and blocks. He blindfolded us and had us try it that way and it was really hard. So then I asked him if he could do it blindfolded and Hannah convinced him to try, so i turned him around a few times and he was a little off too, but not as bad as us. We practiced the side kick and he had me hold a cushion thing so he could demonstrate how much power we are supposed to use, and it was really scary. I almost fell over. But it was my turn to be impressed.

They were rearranging their office and getting rid of a coffee table and couch. And I told them that I actually could use that coffee table if they aren't going to anymore. So they said that I could have it but one day a year they need to use it for exams, so I agreed that they can borrow it again anytime they need it. So tomorrow night after class they will bring it over!
So you see, I have managed to lure 최 청 배 into my house tomorrow. heh heh.

Crap, I better clean.

Tonight after I got home I went outside at about 11pm to try to gather some dried leaves so the kindy kids can do leaf rubbings tomorrow. I looked up when I heard some people approaching but then looked away again, but did a double take when I realized it was the masters. So I waved, then remembered I am in Korea and bowed, and said 안녕하세요 and 최 청 배 bowed and said it too. It made me happy. (oh, they were walking by because the older master lives in the building across from me and 최 청 배 stays there sometimes if it gets too late)

So anyway, I feel I am making progress in the important areas of my life...Korean, Taekwondo, 최 청 배...Even today with the kindy kids it was overall a really good day. They actually followed most of my directions! At one point I made Jasmine cry...not just cry, but sob. But then she cheered up and was a good girl again. If only every day could be like this.