Sneak Peak...

What were YOU doing last Saturday? Here's a little glimpse at some of my adventure... more to follow as soon as possible!  This is a very busy week!

Indeed, he got me!

Here's how it happened...
     I was expecting my boyfriend, Eric, to fly in from Hawaii for a week-long visit.  He was to get to me here in Gwangju on Sunday, September 4th, late at night.  This was not ideal scheduling, but we were excited to see each other after many loooong months apart.  I was trying frantically to get things done "ahead" at work, so that I could spend as much time as possible with my Eric.
  Friday (September 2nd), we had a Girl's Night planned with two of my best girl friends.  After work, we would go to dinner and chat a bit; then see what the night would bring us... perhaps some sangria and chocolate cake? (Little did I know then that, later this night, I would get something so much better!) 
  After the girl's night, my friend, Anna, was supposed to come over to watch girl-ish movies and help me clean my house! (Eric was coming two days later.)  We also had many plans for Saturday... so she would just stay at my house and we could go from there.
  Andrea (the other friend) came over to go "shopping" in my closet... but then changed back into her own outfit.  (This perhaps should have been a clue.)  I half wanted to stay in my work clothes (it's such a comfortable dress) - but the girl's talked me into changing into a newer little dress.  We even decked me out with some different jewelry; but they stopped me at wearing the BIG purple "candy" ring.  (Again, perhaps this should have been a clue?) 
   So off we went to dinner.  It was good food (one of our favorite Italian places here in Korea) with even better fellowship.  It was so good to talk to the girls, as we are all super busy.  One is married and one has a a boyfriend, which is fantastic, but also means limited time just to talk girl talk. Of course, the girls kept texting... and I was like, "It's GIRL'S NIGHT.  Turn off your phones, ladies!"  They were dying laughing that I was getting irked... They even suggested that the boys come out later and meet us for a bit.  Ugh. Um, GIRL'S night...

Girl's Night Begins

  After dinner, we were going for chocolate cake.  I made the girls detour to look at something in a shop I liked.  Then we detoured to Mini Stop so I could load my bus card. They kept texting, especially Anna, and I was like, "Talk to Ben LATER."  Ha ha.  Then I had them detour somewhere else - but we eventually got our cake.  We decided to take it to go and headed to a roof-top bar (Mix) to lounge about a bit.  This is sort-of like just going to a friend's house and sitting on the back patio.  Someone (who shall remain nameless) had a bottle of wine in her purse... so we got little dixie cups and took our cake to the rooftop.
   We talked some more and played one of my most favorite new games, it's using the camera on Anna's camera on the "distortion" setting.  It's really fun!
  When our cake was almost gone, as I was playing with the camera phone, Anna looked up.  She casually said, "Oh Hannah, looks like the boys are here."  I slowly turned to say a polite, "Hi Ben.  Hi Karl."  However, I saw ERIC walking towards me!!!!!!!!

 Hannah, greeting Eric

   WARNING: For my mother and others who are like mothers to me (you know who you are) --  Yes, my dress is short in this; I DID have little black shorts on under it.  Also, there is some kissing and whatnot... we were getting engaged!

  I was in utter shock!  I jumped up, nearly knocking over the table and my chair.  I ran to hug him.  I almost jumped up, all critical-moment-in-a-movie style, wrapping my legs around him, but stopped myself because thought it might hurt him.  (He is a very strong man, but I am a bit heavy).  This is good that I stopped, as my shirt was a bit high.  (Hey, I thought it was just girl's night when I got dressed.)
  I just kept hugging (and kissssing) Eric.  I was def. surprised to see him here, two days early.  All the others seemed to melt away.  I sort-of introduced my friends, which was super silly because of course he knew the boys, they had just picked him up from the bus station.  I kept hugging Eric, and didn't want to let go.  The girls were like, "Hey, Hannah, the boy is tired.  Why don't you let him sit down." Their attempts to help Eric were to no avail. I heard them, but I kept hugging him.  I was way too excited to just sit down!

 Hannah kept hugging Eric.  Note that look of sheer happiness. This is one of my fav. pics. from the night - and he hadn't even asked me anything yet!  I was just super excited to see him!!!

  A few minutes later, I did agree to sit down and let Eric rest a bit, but only as long as I could still sit right by him and hold his hand.  I sat down, but he moved the chair...
  When I saw Eric kneeling down (notice him on one knee - still taller than the rest of us sitting in normal patio chairs; ha!) - and I slowly started to process what was happening, I didn't really believe it.  I was just in shock that he was even really there!  I knew that he might be proposing while here (we have talked about marriage and whatnot) - but I figured he would make me wait all week or something, just to mess with me.
  So he kneels down.  Our eyes meet and I say, "YES!"  He was like, "Hannah, my love, let me ask you."  Ha ha.  He proceeded... and I was expecting it to be a plastic ring or something (it most def. wasn't) and him to say, "Hannah. (pause) Are you surprised that I am here?" -- but he didn't.
  Once Eric opened the ring box, I was having trouble focusing on what he was saying.  (Hey, it was just so pretty and shiny... sparkly things sometimes distract me!)  So this is especially nice to have a video.
  The video is below.  Only after my response was clarified for the others did I notice that both Andrea and Anna had their cameras out.  They were recording and snapping pictures so that my mother could later share in this moment.  It's funny and wonderful and exciting.  Enjoy.

 Two of Eric's "accomplices" - Andrea and Karl

The other two "accomplices" for Eric - Ben and Anna.

 

[THANK YOU to all for their help and photography skills in this adventure, 

and their continued support as they share in our joy.]

  My Eric is incredible!  He was trying so hard to SURPRISE me.  About a year ago, I mentioned in a conversation that I love surprises, but that I can be difficult to surprise.  He was then on a mission.  Since the proposal itself wasn't hugely unexpected, he decided to mess with the timing a bit.  I really was surprised, and ecstatic!  I am honored to be Eric's fiance. I will be Eric's wife!  Praise the Lord!

 Group Shot -- and Eric is still kissing Hannah.  Tee he he.

    At one point, he commented about his success with surprising me.  He said, "So you were actually surprised?  I got you!"

The happy couple - ENGAGED Hannah and Eric. 

(He doesn't look tired from traveling at all - he is so very handsome.)

   This is the FULL video.  Anna was trying to capture my reaction and the proposal.  Notice how long it takes them to get me to sit down.  Eric's knees were shaking a bit.  I thought he was tired from traveling, but actually he was just getting a little nervous and I wouldn't sit down.  I didn't want to sit down.  I wanted to hug my Eric!

    Yes, he did get me; and I am so thankful and happy!

Another Reason Why I Love Korea...

  Walk into any "stationary store" or just around downtown enough and you quickly see that Koreans LOVE to put English words/quotes/sayings on everything... shirts, paper, pencil cases, etc.  It doesn't matter if the translation is a bit lacking, if the words are misspelled, or if the words put together do not actually make any sense together... it's in English, so it's great.
  One day I wondered if perhaps my Russian club tee-shirts from college would make a real Russian laugh; but I think our teacher would have stopped us.  I don't know.
  Actually, I like that there is an enthusiasm for English.  I am careful not to wear "incorrect" clothing to work (where I teach my students to use proper English) - but I do wear it at home and giggle.
   I really enjoy this part of life here, and stop almost daily just to look at something and give a little chuckle.  I also have some fantastic shirts, but here is a giant sticker I saw one day.  I couldn't resist.  Enjoy!

New Haircut!

  Last weekend I finally got my haircut... it was looking a bit raggamuffin-ish.  For those of you who knew me "before" I knew the secret -- one of the most important lessons I've learned while living in Korea is that I can have my hair "un-permed" (straightened) -- Seriously, it has changed my life.  I am a very LOW maintenance (as in basically no maintenance) kind of girl, but I like my hair to look professional for work and decent enough when I go out with friends.

   This was last Saturday night - out to dinner with the girls.  Here I am sport'n the new do:

  What's amazing - is that, a week later, I STILL like this haircut (pretty much a modern bob, but NO layers or bangs) - AND it looks pretty much the same.  I don't even have to do it or dry it - I just wash it and go.  Even in the humidity of August in Gwangju... it's incredible.  Hooray.

Gwangbokjeol: Korea's Independence Day!

    Monday was a holiday here in Korea.  Hooray for days off from work!!!!

   I also shout "hooray" for new learning opportunities... so I thought I'd share some information about this here.     This is part of the reading I did for my Reading classes this week.  (I did two different versions, as my students are at various levels.)  My students, of course, should know all about it - but this was a good review of some new English words.  You are getting the information here, without the pictures, but I hope you still enjoy it.

What is Gwangbokjeol?

   This is a holiday to celebrate Korea’s independence from Japan.  South Korea celebrates its Independence Day as a public holiday. 

  This is the day that marks the freedom of the country.  In this day, the country gets complete liberty.  This means that they are no longer under or a part of any province or state. 

  In Korea, Independence day is also called Liberation Day.  In Korean, Independence Day is called Gwangbokjeol.  This literally translates to “Restoration of Light Day”.

When is Korean Independence Day?

  South Korea got its independence on August 13, 1948. However, it is officially celebrated on the August 15.

A little more history…

   It took many years, but Korea was successful in getting free from the control of Japan. 

  On this date in 1945, Japan surrendered to the Allied forces during World War II, thus ending the Japanese occupation of Korea. Then on this day three years later in 1948, the Republic of Korea (South Korea) was officially established.
   The Independence Day of South Korea commemorates the freedom from decades of Japanese occupation and the formation of the South Korean republic. Subsequent to the 1905 Taft-Katsura agreement, the Japanese took control of Korea in the year 1910. They restricted the political freedom of the Koreans and also took control over the Korean economic and communications systems. The Japanese further attempted to assimilate the people of Korea into their culture.

  Gwangbokjeol commemorates Victory over Japan Day, which liberated Korea from colonial rule. The South Korean government was created three years later, on August 13, 1948, when Syngman Rhee was sworn in as the first President of South Korea.  Gwangbokjeol was officially designated a public holiday on October 1, 1949.

How is South Korea’s Independence Day celebrated?

  Schools, banks, and the post office are all closed on this day.  People from all over the country come together to celebrate.  This is a festive day!  A parade is held.  The national flag is hoisted in order to show respect to the heroes of the country.  Koreans remember all those who gave their lives in order for Korea to be a free country.

  There are other traditions and activities to celebrate! Sometimes festivals are held in honor of Korea’s Independence Day.  Korean food is enjoyed.  The Korean national anthem is played.

Many activities and events happen during the day, including an official ceremony with the president in attendance that takes place at the Independence Hall of Korea in Cheonan or at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts.

  All buildings and homes are encouraged to display the national flag Taegukki, and most public museums and places are open free of charge to the descendents of independence activists on the holiday.

  The official "Gwangbokjeol song"(광복절 노래) is sung at official ceremonies. The song's lyrics were written by Jeong Inbo(정인보) and the melody by Yoon Yongha(윤용하).  The lyrics speak of "to touch the earth again" and how "the sea dances", how "this day is the remaining trace of 40 years of passionate blood solidified" and to "guard this forever and ever".

Also, the government traditionally issues special pardons on Gwangbokjeol.

  

Remembering the past… and looking towards the Future:

  There is a rich history in Korea.  There are stories from the Japanese occupation of Korea and Korea’s liberation.  The fight for the Korean peninsula didn’t end with the establishment of an official government in South Korea.  In 1950, North Korea invaded the South and a three-year battle ensued.  Each side, at one time or another, took almost the entire peninsula for themselves, before things settled back with a division at the 38^th parallel and a cease fire between the two countries.

  As we are thankful for Korea’s independence, we also remember all those who helped make Korea what it is today.  We remember all those who gave their lives so that South Korea could be free.  We also look towards a brighter day, hoping that North Korea will experience the same freedoms that those in South Korea now have; and that the country will be one again.

PS: On a lighter note, be careful when you are spelling "peninsula" on the board.  I'll leave why I offer this warning up to your own imaginations; but I will say that Reading class for Class 5C was especially interesting today.  (No, it wasn't ME - it was one of my students, but it took me a minute to catch it.) Ooops.

Hooray and congrats!

"Love is patient, love is kind.  

It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  

It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, 

it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, 

always perseveres. Love never fails."   (1 Cor. 13:4-8)

  My parents, Warren and Joan, celebrate their 42nd wedding anniversary today! 

 For their  fortieth anniversary, I made them a wall hanging that celebrates with them everything their love is - and all the lessons that it has taught me about both life and love.  I know, in part by their example, how I want my marriage to be.  I know how to love others because I have seen how they love each other, and because they taught me about the One who first loved us.

  Wow. 42 years... and still growing in love for each other.  

      Hooray!  Thank you!  Congrats!!  

       Happy anniversary, Mums and Daddy!!!!

  

"Don't let the door..."

  "Those who can laugh at themselves will never cease to be amused."

    Today, as I was walking out of a store, the door actually DID hit me on my way out.  I caught myself, then stopped to think, "Hey, that door just hit me... on my way out."  Then I laughed a bit.
  This is possible because many of the doors here in Korea are on hinges that swing both ways.
  I do like to sit and watch people at a coffee shop sometimes.  The door says "pull", but many disregard this.  I've noticed that most Koreans will push the door away from them; but most foreigners (myself included) pull the door towards us.  I do this to prevent pushing the door into other people, especially if I can't see through the door or if those on the other side might be shorter than the window.
  I don't know if this is a cultural, height/body size, or other issue; but it is interesting to observe.
  Just remember, when something happens like this and the door hits you - you can get grumpy, or you can just laugh at it/yourself. 
    Choose laughter.