Right now, I am taking a break from making all those paper cranes. I think I have made more than 100 and I still have a couple more months to work on it, so I really don't want to rush making 1,000 and doing it badly.
Anyway, this week, I met a new friend. Her name is Jane and she came from Estonia. I've been taking care of her, showing her around and introducing her to people...and I really don't mind. I mean, I'd love to do something rather than just stay at the dormitory and sleep a lot.
Yesterday, we went to Homeplus and I helped here buy some stuff for her room. We bought what she needed to have first. Oh, but before we went to Homeplus, something scary happened. We were walking towards the bus stop when a policeman said we couldn't pass that way. I knew another way out so I told Jane we'll go out that way. As we were walking to the bus stop, I heard planes. They were very loud and I've seen them for the first time. I was starting to be scared mainly because they were loud, so I thought they were flying low. Furthermore, Jane told me, they were war planes...which made me panic more. But then, everybody around us seem not to care. So I thought, maybe this was something normal to them. But still, I am IN a foreign country...what makes it worse is, I am IN a foreign country wherein there is internal war. So I was panicking and becoming my usual paranoid self again. But then, maybe after around 5 minutes, the traffic went back to normal...and soon, everything went fine.
Today, I went to 광양 to visit Esther. Esther is a very sweet kid that I met in the Christian church. She is the eldest daughter of the pianist in the church. Last Sunday, she asked me when I will go to their house, and we decided that we go today because today is her free day. So I brought Jane along with me since I figured that she wasn't doing anything and this was a good chance for her to go around the city.
We took bus 77, and honestly, I was a bit panicking because I hadn't been to their house yet. But I knew I could read and listen to Korean well enough that I probably wont get lost. The bus got a bit full so when some old ladies rode on the bus, Jane and I decided to offer our seats to them. They were very thankful. I was actually happy because when they talked to me in Korean, I did understand them. I mean, my goal here is to be proficient in Korean, and maybe I am one step closer to that.
One old lady noticed my ballers and asked me why I was wearing such. I said I just felt like wearing them. Then she started talking to me. She started asking me where I came from...and then she asked me the never-ending-question if I came here to get married. I instantly said no and explained to her that I came here to study as an exchange student. I was a bit pissed off with this question but I didn't mind. But I was happy that at least I could understand what they were saying to me. The old ladies were helpful enough to tell us that we would get off at the next station.
Then, we met up with Ms.Sarah and together we went to pick up Esther. She was so happy to see me that she literally jumped in the car and sat on my lap. I was so happy. Then we went to their house and did some paper-folding. Then Esther gave me a very cute envelope with her drawing in it. It was very sweet. Then, she gave me her present, it was candies and lollipop, too bad I couldn't eat them next week, I have to watch my diet. I also asked her to play the piano for me. Ms.Sarah said, Esther didn't like playing the piano for other people, even for her family. This was the first time she played the piano for me.
For lunch we had kimbap. It was Jane's first time to eat kimbap and odeng. After lunch, we came to look at the nearby fashion shop. The clothes there were much more cheaper than the ones in the nearby downtown. There was a great pair of red wedges which I REALLY wanted to buy, but I have no money now because I payed for my mother's stay here. Ms.Sarah said I could return anytime there and I could just give her a call and she'll take me there.
Then, we came to see Abraham and Grace. They were in kindergarten. Grace was so excited to see me that she said goodbye to her teacher already. Abraham was still a bit shy but at least he was answering to me now. The kindergaten here is very nice. It looked like a palace to me...really. When we were leaving, the young children were not shy that they said goodbye to us a couple of times. I was very happy.
Then we returned to their house. It was a nice, big house. I really liked it. As Ms.Sarah prepared fruit punch, Esther and Jane played chess. Esther was really good. Then we had some chips, fruit punch and ice cream. We chatted more and Esther showed us some of her ballet dances. She was very good.
Then, Jane and I decided that we should go home to rest for a bit because we still have a housewarming party to go to tonight. As I was saying goodbye, it seemed that Esther didn't want me to go. She hugged me very tight and kissed me a lot. And when I was putting my shoes on, she was pulling me back. So I said don't worry, we shall see each other on Sunday.Then Jane and I took the bus again back to the university.
Today was a very happy day. I wanted to play more but I think it'll be better to play more next time. It was also a bit sad that I didn't get to play with Grace and Abraham a lot, but at least I saw them.
I think it's going to be really hard for me to go home because of these three kids. These three kids are very sweet and nice that I really want to see them every week.
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