Ski Time Again In Korea

Many of you remember that I went skiing as a councilor last year through our church here in Korea. Well it was that time again. I thought that I was going to be the speaker this year, but that wasn't the case, which worked out pretty good. I had a lot of nerves getting up in front of 70 students and being the main guy...Seinfeld once said..."Humans greatest fear is public speaking, second is death...SECOND is death...that means that if you were at a funeral, you'd rather be in the casket, than delivering the eulogy." I can't dispute that. If I know the crowd sometimes it makes it harder, I mean they might actually know how little I know, you know? Richard Dean Anderson said in an episode of Stargate..."Though the candle is on in my house...there is no body home." Call it a self-doubt thing.

Anyway, last year someone told me that snowboarding would be easier because you only had one thing to worry about. That's right DYING. I have now done both and let me state very clearly here, SKIING is totally easier. I was given the basic instructions by a fellow teacher, how to stop... (a VERY good thing to know to me), but it was amazing, I went about 50 feet and didn't fall. Of course my feet were in the position of a pizza the whole time, and I actually saw a snail crawl past me, but I didn't fall. This slope was huge. We got on it at 3:45 and I got down to the bottom around 5:30. Not that I was that slow the whole time, but it really was a long and great slope to learn on. But out of the 8 or so that were in the group learning, I was the only one to make it to the bottom without help. Now I'm not trying to brag or anything, but I was very confident. I only fell twice the whole way down, but in that short time, my leg muscles were KILLLING me. using the ones I rarely use.

The next day we got up got our skis on and hit the slopes. I had every intention of learning ALL day, but that was not to happen. My soccer girls got a hold of me and wanted to hang out and ski with them. Amy Peterson, JeeYoung Wolfe, Beckey Hennessey, Heather Packard, and Sophia Yoo wanted to go out together. So me being the big coach and almighty PE teacher, couldn't let them down. They headed right to a slope that I hadn't even seen, but they said it was easier then the one that we went down the day before. And they were right...I actually had to use my poles to get me going to get started. We went down that one three times and I didn't fall once, and my legs weren't burning like the time before. I was even learning how to turn from side to side. Then they get ambitious...students are like that. They think, well I did this so let me try skiing off this cliff over here, can't be much different. And what does it say for me, when I am wanting to join them, so that I don't look like the one wimp, looking back it should have been less of a wimp and more of a wise man. I want you to know that I still only fell once, but the slope was WAY steeper. There were times that I would comes across a little flat part, and then just nothing...I couldn't see the next part of the slope. But I survived it.

At this hotel, they had two hot tubs, and a very warm pool that was divided into two. During the afternoon session of skiing I thought I would take a break and just relax and bask in my accomplishments. It was beautiful. I had such a relaxing time in there. Koreans would walk by and just stare at this dumb American in a pool with the weather outside about 10 degrees. But the water was SOOOOO nice. The air was a little cold but I loved it anyway. Some of my guys came and jumped in with me, it was really a fun bonding time.

The next day was met with more of the same, I tried new slopes that I hadn't been on, and was successful at all of them. I even ran into our fellow teacher who taught me to get rid of the pie and turn by pushing down with the opposite foot from the direction I wanted to go, then lifting up and turning the back foot. Oh man I loved him for that. It was beautiful. I had a lot of success with that and was practicing that the rest of the morning with a new group. Liz, the one in charge, and three younger girls Melanie Ivey (pastor daughter), Amanda Rich (Friends daughter) and Miriam Calamaro, our bible teachers daughter, all were about 6th grade and right about at my level. On our last run before lunch, we went down the yellow course that the teens had taken me on the day before. This was Miriams Choice. We started out with me telling them that there were places that they needed to be aware of. And sure enough we started out, and it got steep right away, and I was using the stuff I learned and was going back and forth, doing a great job mind you, but out of no where Miriam went flying by, she was in somewhat perfect form, but the pie wasn't stopping her as she was sailing down the mountain. I in the meantime saw this and had my eyes on her and didn't see this Korean boy in front of me until the last second and ducked out of his way but fell in the process. I look up just in time to see the Mountain start to flatten out, but not before a class was going across the mountain, just in time for Miriams flight plan...she collided with another Korean student, a young female. I thought for sure we were in trouble, for both of their sakes, Miriam is not a small 6th grader, and she met a very small 20 or so Korean female. I put back on my skies and got down to them, and Miriam was holding her wrist, and the Korean girl was looking up in utter shock, she had no idea what hit her. But both were okay in the end, but Miriam got to have her second assisted trip down the rest of the mountain.

I did have one problem. The last full day of skiing, I was looking back up the hill for a fellow skier, when my foot caught something and I went down, but I had fallen before, and there had never been a problem with pain, but this time I really hurt something I could feel it. I got up and brushed myself off, but when I came to my hip, I had excruciating pain. Then I realized that I had left my chapstick in my pocket. I had fallen on it and it had jammed into my leg, bruising my front side of my hip real bad. I didn't notice though until we got back to the ski lodge how bad it was. I got my boots off and I could barely walk. I thought this is stupid. I have fallen before this should be shaken off and I'll be fine. In the morning though I wasn't. But I had a problem. I had a couple of videos shot of me, but nothing standing still which could be placed on my blog. So I had David Peterson go out with me while I struggled to put on my boots, and hobble out to the slope nearest the lodge, and take some pictures of me with skies on and ready to go. Problem being that I was close to the top of the hill and when we were done, I sort of slide into the slope and since I knew that I couldn't walk back up in skies or just in boots, I had to go the rest of the way down, and take the gondola back up. I struggled because I knew that if I were to crash without having two good legs, I could do some serious damage. Counter that with it being Friday and more people were on the slopes, and let's just say I was happy to be going down it alone, with no video cameras. It could not have looked pretty. but when I got to the bottom, I had gotten a little confidence back, and the boot was keeping my hip from moving to a painful position, so I figured that I would go all the way to the top for one last run. No worries, I came down with flying colors, we took pictures with the group, and then we got in our bus and came home. Now I do have a couple of pictures to share, but the ones of me will come later, and I'll add them when I get them. The one is of Amy Peterson, athe other is of my calf and if you look closely, you can see the bruising. I'll try and get one of my hip when and if there is any coloring, right now it would just be one with my hip, and I don't know how many would want to see something like that.

The only other thing I would like to tell you about the trip, at least at this point was the food. Because we had had a deal worked out with another place, then that fell through, and another place fell through, our guide had a friend at this place hook us up with a really good deal. But it should have been close to double what we paid. Because of that, the food was rationed for us. We had different Korean soups just about every time we ate. The different kinds included, but were not limited to, beef soup (which meant water and a bone with fat on it), Clam soup (this had three clams in shells at the bottom of a bowl of water), crab soup (Okay you get the picture, but this had a claw at the bottom of a bowl of water), our students didn't know anything about the great deal that our guide worked out, but nicknamed the soup "Holocaust Soup" anyway. The last morning there, the other Koreans were eating eggs, bacon, sausage, orange juice, all the good stuff, but were throwing most of it away, just like we were doing with our meal. I told one teacher they should just go up to the rack and grab some plate and finish up there discarded food. This seemed to spark a mass following by other students. The staff didn't seem to know what to do, since there was no rule on there books about eating someone else's trash. Just a little funny story to end with. I better get going, this turned out to be a lot longer than I had thought. Just remember that I will post the pictures of me skiing, and if I can figure out how to do the video, I will do that as well. I hope you all had a great Christmas, and will have a great New Year. I love you all.

peace out...later on

Just information for those interested

Well I keep checking my blog for any comments, and haven't seen any in a long time. I'm not really sure why, but oh well I guess that is something I'll have to live with.

It is a couple of days before Christmas, and I am home, but not alone this year. This year I have a roommate. It can be really good, but sometimes it can be taxing as well. But that is just the price I pay for having a great place to live.

I know that a lot of you are probably wondering what I am going to do for next year....well as of 6:28 pm on 12-22-06, I HAVE NO IDEA. Really not a one. I have several wants and desires, but nothing seems to fit. If I leave here and go home, I will be starting not from scratch, but WAY in the hole. I have about 11,000-14,000 in student loans. Not that I am trying to get out of paying them, but taking what I have earned as a missionary teacher, and having to get restarted again, is a little scary. Buying a car, finding a place to live, no job. The list can go on and on, and it is very freaky to think to hard about. I have had just about as much as I can take here at ICS. Don't get me wrong there are several things that I love about this school, the fact that I am teaching others about God would be on the top, then there is the students, I really love these students, both from coaching and classrooms. I have a very difficult ninth grade class this year, but as those who have taught before know, you will always have one of those. I love being over seas. Think about it, I am doing something that VERY few of my friends and family will ever get to do. I have a really good friend at another school a little up the road who is leaving and her position is open...the good news being that her boss and I are friends, and he knows me and what I have done with our program here at ICS, the bad news being that I have to wait until after they go to a job fair and see what is there as well, then they'll take all the applications in and then go over them and then they'll take a look at mine. It kind of reminds me of what it was like to get pardon my expression, "screwed over", by both my college and the school district that the college was in the center of. I applied at an unnamed school district having heard the rumor that this school district hired first from Emporia State University, then after having done that, they would look at other applications. Talk about your discrimination, I felt like someone graduating top of their class at one college should be picked over someone finishing middle to low at Emporia State, would have more of a say, but boy was I wrong. I really have an ill feeling in my stomach when it comes to the district that I have had trouble with, and the problem with the college comes from the fact that they said that they would aid in job placement...that's why after I graduated with a education K-12 degree with a 3.6 g.p.a., I worked two day cares, a foster care agency, a concrete pipe manufacturing plant, and building fans, not to mention my moving boxes from one place to another. Not that any of these jobs were bad in and of themselves, but my university, that I paid a high price for, to hear them say they would aid in job placement, do you know how many jobs they even attempted to help with? Not one. I find that funny, since that was one of the reasons I went there in the first place...now get this. I also was told when I was there that if I got a teaching job, that most districts would help or sometimes even pay off my student loan debt. My thinking was Great here is a school that will help me to get the job that will help pay off my student loans. What a bunch of crock. The truth is that only inner city schools might help pay off a very little, if you promise to stay there for a period of time. Now you can tell where I am now, listening to others who really don't know what they are talking about.

Sorry this went off on a tangent. I figure that I had to get some of that off my chest, and since I don't have a huge reading fan base, I could vent to my hearts content. And believe me I have a lot more that I could go on about, but I'll save that for a later post. But I will leave you with a picture that was taken last weekend. Actually I'll clip three on here. One being of me and another being of outside my house. And the last being Kool-Aid discovering her first snowfall. This was last Saturday evening and into Sunday morning. How beautiful snow makes a normally sad a dreary city. Have a great night and a glorious tomorrow, and as a friend of mine always says "Be blessed, and be a blessing"

Baking is something I love to do.

Over the past couple of weeks I have had the chance to really do what I love to do. I have a real kitchen for the first time since living in Korea, and I put that to good use. The first time I just wanted to see if I could make something so I picked something easy. I made some french bread. This was something fairly easy, but still stressful. I have no candy thermometer, and getting the yeast to be the right temp is hard to do when it is only by feel that you have to go by. But anyway here is what the french bread looked like...



The next thing I thought I would try was to put a little test to my skills and do some cinnamon rolls. I have always hated these because my mom makes such awesome rolls, that I sometimes feel as though I can't make anything that comes close. But I keep trying. most of the time it is because I don't roll them tight enough, or that I make the slices different sizes after cutting them. This time I rolled it as thin as I could and then got out the trusty ruler and made them all exactly the same size. I woke up extra early and put the in the oven and got them to school for the teachers to enjoy some nice fresh warm cinnamon rolls. I didn't get one either time I made them. They were gone before I even set them down in the teachers lounge. I guess that means that they were good right? But these are the second rolls that I made...personally I think these are the best I have made both in the states and here in Korea...

We also had a Christmas party at school and we were told to bring a dessert. I tried to figure out the best thing to make and to bring. This was a last second thing and I wasn't sure just how much I could make, so I got to work around 4:30 and finished around 10:30. I knew that we needed bread, so I made four loaves of french bread, another batch of cinnamon rolls, and then I made my mom's famous peanut butter pie. I still can not get this one right. This time it was the top. I blended it like crazy, but the meringue just stayed a liquid instead of stiffening up. But it still tasted great. I love making this pie...it's easy, and so good. Here is what it looked like...

Well I had all three things going at the same time. It was an interesting night to say the least. But I really do enjoy seeing everyone's face when they find out that I made these things. They look like "A guy can make things that taste like this?" "Wait until he gets married...he is going to make a great wife"

Well That is all. I only have two more days of school left. I can't wait to post my next one. I have some great pictures. Take care everyone...I love ya lots...

peace out...later on

Lamar Hunt's passing

It is a sad day for all sports minded people, and those who love the Chiefs like I do. On Dec. 12 Lamar Hunt, owner of several sports teams died due to complications with his battle with cancer. He was 74 years old. I know that most people probably don't know who he is, but he was the owner of my favorite sports team, the Kansas City Chiefs. But he was also one of the founders of the Chicago Bulls, and three Major League Soccer teams. Even if you don't know him by name, you might know the phrase "Super Bowl". This was something that his children were playing one day with a "Super Ball" and it gelled together and now we have "Super Bowl" He also was the founder of the AFL, which was the counter part to the much bigger NFL. This was a league to challenge the Bears, Packers, Vikings. Teams like the Raiders, Broncos and Seahawks would not exist if it wasn't for this man.

I know that this is just a man, and I got to actually meet him once. I was at a Wizards game in Kansas City, and he was near the concession stand just talking with some fans, and I got to go up and meet him. He was a very down to earth human being. I know that he'll be missed. He has been so instrumental in every area of sports. It was his idea also that the NFL play a Thanksgiving night game, and that got to happen just this Thanksgiving with the Chiefs beating the Broncos 19-10. This was the first game that Lamar missed and that was because he had been admitted into the hospital for what would be his last time.

Good-bye Lamar, you will be remembered.

Renae's Wedding Finally

I have put together a slide show of some of the pictures that have been sent from the wedding. Since I wasn't there, I have had to put just the ones that I thought were pretty good on my show. I hope you like it, and if you have any requests please let me know.

Congratulations Renae...I love you, little sister.

Cutest Cake ever made

Last month was my turn to make a cake for all of the teachers birthdays that were in October. I thought it fitting since I also have a sisters birthday that is also in October. As the month went along I struggled with just what to do. It isn't easy to make everything here without things you have to go buy down on the "grey market". I was able to get a lot of supplies and proceeded to make a cake that I remembered making when I did my student teaching at Scarborough Elementary. I thought it was cute and so I made it and took a picture of it before it was devoured. The teachers seemed to like it, and even though it doesn't take a rocket scientist to make this, the teachers still want me to make more things, because a few of them know that Mr. Harring can actually make things. Enjoy the picture, and if you want to know how to make it, just let me know and I'll tell you the very simple steps. More later.

Saddest Picture ever taken

A few posts ago I wrote about the best picture ever taken. It was of my soccer girls praying before the biggest moment of the year for them. It was something that I will never ever forget. God really spoke to them and to me during that year, and that picture serves to remind me of just how powerful our God really is.

To go along with that thought I am posting the saddest picture ever taken. This was not taken by me, nor was I even in the same country while this picture was being taken. Due to choices that I made, and places that I am, it made it impossible to be there to be in this picture. I am not upset or mad, just very sad. My next blog will have more pictures from the wedding of my sister. The picture makes me sad because this is my family. These are the people that are closest to me, these are the people that I treasure more than anyone on the face of the planet, and there is one person that is not in this picture...me. You can take this several ways, in 5 years when I am back in the states people will look at that picture and say "where were you?" And then I get to tell them that I was in South Korea being a missionary teacher at that time. It also can look as though I really didn't want to be there, which is so far from the truth. God had me right where he wanted me and to get there for just the weekend would have cost over 2000 dollars not to mention that I would have been able to spend more time in the air then at the wedding and reception and I didn't want that to be an added burden on a day that should be all about my sister. In my next blog I will talk a little bit about the wedding. But for now I'll post this picture and leave it at that.

A little fun with North Korea

Now I do get to see some American news, and I think they are making a bigger deal out of this North Korea thing than they are here in Korea itself. For us at this point it is business as usual. Nothing has changed, and I think most of that has to do with the fact that South Korea would be the last country North Korea would want to bomb. They are having more problems with Japan, China, and the UN then to worry about us. Now the fun that might transpire is the fact that a South korean is going to be the head of the UN. That might make for some fun times ahead, but I promise that I will let you know one way or another. But for now I found this funny little clip and thought I would share it with YOU, my faithful readers.

-click here for video-

I'll probably get a chance to write more tomorrow or later this weekend.

Peace out...later on.

A little reading for your pleasure

During the summer I met Melissa, she was at PFO and is going to go to Brasillia if I'm not mistaken. She was like 6'3" tall and so it was fun to play sports with her. She somehow knew that I was into Steven Curtis Chapman and after getting back home to for the summer she sent me Steven Curtis Chapman Chapman. This book has has really had an impact on my life, and I am not even finished with it. But what I'm going to do is share just a little bit of it every now and then...enjoy.

It is easier to be convinced of our unrighteousness than our self-righteousness. Unrighteousness is usually in direct opposition to Sctipture or conscience; it is external, observable, and usually easy to define. But self-righteousness is more subtle. Most self-righteousness people are religious. They have strong passions about certain rules and regulations. When the self-righteous encounter the irreligious or those who "break the rules," they feel good about themselves and condesecending toward the lawbreakers.

The truth is, there is no greater unrighteousness than self-righteousness. Jesus' most scathing remarks were directed not at pagans and "sinners," but at condesending religious people, blind to their own graceless hearts. Jesus singled out the scribes and Pharisees as the worst examples of this evil. They were the religious leaders who taught that God's acceptance of us is based on our scrupulous adherence to the laws of Moses. Typically they were confident of their own righteousness but suspect of everyone else's. Thus, Pharisaism emerged as a term synonymous with self-righteousness.

Self-righteousness is the proud, judgmental attitude born out of a false gospel of legalism. The self-righteous individual puts his confidence in what he has done to earn God's favor. An orphan spirit is the self-centered attitude of a believer who lives either ignorant of or indifferent to the fact that God is his or her Abba, Father.

Really gets us thinking doesn't it...sometimes we as Christians are more concerned with the religion, and what being that certain religion should look like. I have had people, strong in their faith, tell me that you can't get to heaven unless you are a "conservative, republican, Baptist." Christ could care less about that stuff. He wants to know us personally, does that mean you have to be the "conservative, republican, Baptist?" Not a chance. however, can you be? Of course you can. But I think that once we as Christians start putting those types of requirements on our fellow man, we minimize the teachings of Christ. When I read the bible and Christ is on the cross speaking to the thieves, He wasn't trying to get these men to be this or be that, He simply looked into their heart and told them that "Today you will be with me in paradise." Or, the adulterous woman, or the woman that he met at the well. There was no requirement on these individuals to be this or be that. I go to a Nazarene church back home in Kansas City. I teach at a school that has sstrong Baptist roots. I also am not a member of any church. Again this is based squarly on the fact that no where does Christ say..."Go sign a membership card, then come and follow me."

Not trying to preach here, just trying to put some things out there that have been on my heart. God waits to judge us until we are dead, why should we be any different?

WOMEN...AHHHHHHHHHHH

You know I have rarely just gone and tried to figure things out by putting them to words, but in my world here in Korea, I am getting more and more confused. Don't worry, I'll be brief and I'll use no names to protect the guilty. I want you to see a few things that I am very curious as to "WHAT IS GOING ON" but I also will finish this by using a bible verse that is perfect for this frustration... This is an e-mail that I recieved within the last month or so...

I'll only put in the relevant parts :

"I know that this might be the wrong time to tell you this but you have been in my dreams the last few weeks or so, and it is becoming more and more clear as to what God has intended for me. I hope to talk to you soon. Still loving you from the bottom of my heart...xoxoxoxoxo:)"

(from a woman I haven't writen to or talked to in several years, this one is unmarried and has one child as far as I know)

Next e-mail:

"Do you ever go back and think about what might have happened if I hadn't gone off and gotten married and had two kids. I have to admit that sometimes those thoughts go through my head, do they go through yours?"

(from yet another women that I have not writen to nor made contact with in several years, this one is married and has two children a far as I know.)

Okay, again my e-mail and computer are freaking out...and so before I throw it as far as I can, I think I better close this out with the bible verse that I cling to. Now before I put this on here I want people to know that I kind of like what Mark Lowrey said in one of his concerts concerning marriage...he said: "Well I figure that I'll get married when I turn 33, because that's when the Lord laid down his life." I thought that was pretty funny, and the fact that I turn 33 next year is sort of freaky. Anyway I'll close this out with the verse. See even the bible tells us that we aren't supose to understand women. Take care people and I'll post more soon.

Proverbs 30:18-19

There are three things that are too amazing for me, four that I do not understand: the way of an eagle in the sky, the way of a snake on a rock, the way of a ship on the high seas, and the way of a man with a maiden.

Peace out...Later on.

Insert cute title ...here...

Okay well I know that some people read this since I have come and gone several times and see that the counter keeps going up. So I must either have one really eager reader or just a stadium full of people anxiously awaiting the next blurb to come out of my mouth.

It has been an interesting year so far to say the least. I have had my ups and downs. The latest down was that on Saturday, Sept. 29th my sister got married. Now you might be saying to yourself, "How could that be a bad thing...?" Well for her it was a great thing. I met Jason, and he seems like a pretty stand up guy and I got to talk to him briefly over the summer. I found out a little something funny about the man. My sister had bought him a ticket to go sky diving. Now that sounds fun and I don't think I would try it but none-the-less, he went. I'm not sure where I was, maybe not there in Kansas City yet, but my parents got to see the video of him doing this. Now the man jumped out of a perfectly good airplane from like what??? 10,000 feet? But yet I got to go up on the roof of their new house and clean the gutters, because my dad freaks out at heights, and Jason I guess can only handle heights if he is falling from them. Go figure. But back to my point...don't worry I remember...I didn't get to attend. My family was there, my grand father and his brother. I really wanted to be there, but God had me doing other things in South Korea.

By the way, right now the North is trying to figure out if it is a good idea to test a nuclear bomb underground. Now, I'm not sure but isn't that just a little on the moronic side of things. Anyway, for those that are reading this, there is nothing to worry about. We live about three blocks from OSAN Air Force base, and so far there is no news and no sirens going off. I'll let you know if anything changes.

We had our spiritual emphasis last week here at school and it was awesome all the way around. We had some strong men come in and give it their all to prove that they were stronger then me...not really but these guys were built. One, whose name is Paul, was actually on "American Gladiators" he played the part of "Thor". I watched the show and sort of remembered him. The other guy was a member of the group "Genesis Strong Men". below I'll post a few pictures from the amazing feats of strenght that they showed. Now that was impressive and all, but we had 11 students in grades 7-12 make a decision to follow Christ, several more make re-commitments, and a large group that are wanting to be baptised. That is what being strong is all about, being able to choose to walk by faith and follow our faithful leader, even though the rest of the world is teeling us that we are stupid. Okay check out the photos.This is a picture of Paul "Thor" trying to bend a iron bar three times in a circle...he does do it by the way, I have the bent bar in my office.This is Mike just getting finished breaking through five slabs of ice...The man is a stud I promise you. He is such a fighter and a warrior for Christ. When he told his testimony, it really broke me.This is Mike squeezing a soda can and making it explode all over the students...the elementary students LOVED this one.This is the last one for now. I have others that I will show you but before I go crazy. (the computer is having fun with me tonight and not doing what I ask of it) This is Mike breaking through 13 slabs of tile. The number 13 is supose to represent Chaos, since 12 is perfection. Mike actually after doing this feat, had a nice trail burn about 4 inches wide all the way up his forearm to his elbow. These guys gave it their all, and the students really loved them for it.

Okay I better sign off for now but I hope this gives you guys a little more into what we are up to over here on my side of the world. Take care, I love you all and I'll hopefully see you guys soon.

Later on...Peace out.

Interesting

I thought that you guys that are my true loyal readers might get a kick out of this site that another blogger posted. I stole it...that's right I stole it.


~click here~


let me know what you think of it.

Sorak-San trip Labor day 2006

This labor day, just like other ones we go as a group of teachers to a place around Korea to spend our four days together. This year we went to the East side of Korea and spent the weekend at a ski resort. Usually during the winter it is a snow ski place. During the summer, they have a water park at the complex that has slides and golf, and actually now that I remember it that was the very funniest thing about this trip. There was of course no snow and but does that stop the Korean from playing golf? Not a chance. We stayed on the 8th floor of the hotel (out of 20) and from our window we could watch them playing golf on a real course all the way down the regular ski slopes. We never played, but we joked about putting just a tad too hard and watching the ball roll all the way down the mountain. Crazy stuff. The water park was cool but here is the kicker. Which by the way is another thing that I am VERY grateful to my parents for. We went in to this place and we HAD to wear a ski cap. I figured that we would have to so I brought mine. Tad Mark and Jake all had to buy one there for 3,000 won. (3 bucks) Tad bought a hot neon pink one. Was stared at all day. They had a wave/current pool, really cool place but to get into the current you had to have a life jacket. I was saying..."Are you kidding me?" I have take years of swim classes, even taught them. I even subbed as a lifeguard in California for a summer. But in Korea, the main population can not swim and so I think it is more along the lines of, if we were to be in there without life jackets on, I think the Koreans would be doing it too or at least wanting to do it and then everyone would start to drown and guess who would be to blame...Little ol' me. But I only have a couple of pictures from both the resort and the trip to the beach. I'll post some more once other people send them to me.

Kool-Aid is getting bigger

I have one more set of pictures that I would like to post before I go home today. I have been really blessed to have a dog here in Korea. She is a puppy and while I was gone Kim Wadsworth came over and fed her and took her out. She is still a puppy and has so much energy. I have built her a dog house out of used metal from school. But I think my eyes were a little big while picking them out. I now have a dog house that we call "Chateau de Kay Go Gee" which translates roughly into "house of fried dog". We joke about putting in a basement and maybe a patio. Possibly a little pond or swimming pool. Or at the very least an attic. You be the judge but here are some new pictures of my dog "Kool-Aid" and her new house. (or at least almost finished house).

Okay New year, new toys.

Well it is the first month of school and we are having a blast so far...it's hard to believe that I am the top man on the pole. I think there are only 2 or 3 teachers here that have been here longer than I have.

This summer while I was back in the states I figured that I needed to get a few things to brighten up my office, so I bought a Kansas Flag, and a nice little window covering that has golf on it. I was also looking for a wall mural that had a sports theme to it. When I lived in California, I had a nice one of a minor league baseball park, that was taken from center field, during a game. You could see the shortstop and the second baseman along with the pitcher, catcher and the umpire. Then it wrapped around the wall and had most of the stands in it. It actually covered my closet and the knob for the door was in the catchers glove...SO COOL. I really loved it because when I would be sent to my room I would go through it and look at all the little things that you might not catch. Like a guy bending over to pick up his wallet or whatever. And this was caught on film, and people have this in rooms all over the world. While I was looking for something like that to add a little spice to my office or room. I thought it would be really cool if I were to get a shot of Arrowhead, like during game day from midfield. And then 360 degrees around and put that on my walls in my gym, wouldn't that be cool to be in that room with 77,000 fans cheering you on. However, I don't think something like that exists. So I got the next best thing. However, it wasn't available to be brought back with me and so my parents were awesome enough to send it over to Korea so that I could put it on my office wall. below you will see the transition from nothing to full wall. By the way, mom and dad, you have no idea how grateful I am that you sent this one and after I was done putting this one up I couldn't imagine the pain and trials that you had putting the baseball one up and I don't think I thanked you enough for that. I hope you guys enjoy.


After the first one (1 of 8)
(2 of 8)
(3 of 8)
(4 of 8)
forgot to take one after 5 so this is (5&6 of 8)
(7 of 8)

(8 of 8)

And here are just a couple o m being a little goofy. Tell me what you think...I think it is really cool. Now I am looking for a ceiling fan that has palm branches and then I'll just have constant beach music being played all day long. I think I might stay here some night and pretend that I am on vacation.

The best picture ever taken

before I sign off for the night I thought I would post two pictures that I think are the best ever taken of me...I HATE my picture being taken because I always think I look like a dork...many people are like "No you look good" I know they are placating me, and I appreciate it, but it is okay to call the picture what it is...kindling. But these two however are awesome...I actually looked at the one of just me and I thought it was one of those that comes with the frame of a picture ya know? The other one is of me and my dad. Now please don't think that just because I am in a tux that I got married. I have already heard people thinking that. These pictures were taken at my sister Kim's wedding back in May of 2003.

I KNOW

What a pair of hunks right?

Back Again

Okay loyal readers, I'm sorry again for not posting sooner. I could give a lot of excuses, but they really wouldn't do anything justice. I have just got back to Korea and have been getting ready for school which we started last Wed. I was in Memphis again this summer, this time as an advisor rather than a participant. It was a real blast and I met some really awesome people. I plan on going back there this next year after my time in Korea is done. I have been really doing some praying about staying another year or not and I feel God calling me to other places. If that is in the states, or in another country, I plan on following Him wherever He leads. I will come up with a few stories later, but I thought I would throw a few pictures on here so that people might be able to see some recent things...plus I know that people really only come here to see the interesting pictures anyway right?
This was me at the Redbirds game in Memphis...don't ask me who won...I really could have cared less about the game...It was the company and the friends around me that really made the night one to remember.

This was only half of the people that were at the PFO training in Memphis...about 140 people from all over GOING all over...what an awesome show of faith and determination.

This is our new Third grade teacher here in Pyongtaek...Mr. Mark Boyson...He is just a tad shorter than I am but as you see whether we are in the states or here in Korea, SIZE MATTERS...

Can you believe me in a talent show...If you can see I am there sitting in the chair in the blue shirt. Trevor is standing and going from my right is Avery, Gregg, Dave and Mark. We were all in a play of Cinderella. Mark was Prince Charming, Dave was the Fairy Godmother Gregg and Avery were the ugly step sisters Trevor was the narrator, and that leaves me and one part left to play...yes I played Cinderella. The whole skit was set up to be spoken, even read from the script in a VERY monotone voice. So I would get up slowly walk over to the mic after Mark would get up to say "I am prince Charming" I would follow with something like "I am so beautiful" or "Alright" the crowd loved it and I enjoyed myself. I had a great coach and was told to pick a spot out in the room and boy did I ever. Thanks Coach.

Okay I better wrap up this little journey. I will share more pictures of friends and events later. Thanks people for checking in every now and then. I will try to do better, but it is always great to hear people from home say that they check the blog out...it really makes me write a little more often...keep it up, and feel free to make a comment every now and then.

Later on...Peace out

STEVEN CURTIS CHAPMAN

Well I know that it has been a while since I last blogged, but I relly wanted to make this as perfect as possible. I really couldn't believe what happened during these two days and so I was left in awe. But now it has been a few weeks and my eomtions have calmed down a bit.

During our Spring Break, Grace, Paul, Beckie, Laura, Jerry and I went up to Seoul to go on the Seoul City Bus Tour. This is my third year here and I can't believe I have never done this before. We get on a bus at a certain location, and they take us from place to place, where we can get off the bus, look around, take some pictures, and get back on. One of the places that we went to was the USO at Yongsan. We had an American lunch there and then waited while the girls went to the bathroom. While we waited, I was standing by the door, near a stand that had flyers of things around the neighborhood, kind of like at a hotel in the states, where they have little things of "things to do while you are in Podunk". You know what I'm talking about. Well Grace looked over at me and out of the corner of her eye she saw something and said "Hey, why haven't you seen that yet." I looked over and my eyes fell on a ad for Steven Curtis Chapman in concert in Seoul. I was almost floored. I grabbed it expecting it to be a past event that I miss, however to God's wonderful blessing, he was going to be in concert the next month on the 18th, at 7:00 pm in Seoul. I took it, put it in my backpack and continued on the way. The following Monday at school, I went to one of our secretaries and gave her 110,000 won, which is roughly 110 dollars and had her put in an order for two tickets as close as she could get them. I got them and was thrilled that I would be seeing him again. This would be my third concert of his that I would see. One in Kansas City, one in Oklahoma City, and now one in Seoul South Korea.

The next morning, I got to school and was excited about telling people that I would be going to the concert in like three weeks. But Melissa Williamson beat me to the announcement. In our daily devotions, Melissa made the announcement that Steven Curtis Chapman would be in concert. I was sitting there with this grin on my face thinking, "yeah I already have tickets". Then she dropped the bomb on me. She went on to tell everyone that he would be at nearby Camp Humphries giving a "FREE" concert to the troops and she was asking if anyone wanted to go. This concert would be the night before the one I already had tickets too... What in the world was I going to do? Grace and I looked at each other and kind of put our hands up. I really didn't know what she was thinking so I waited until the devotions were over and went over to Grace. I asked her what she thought about doing both concerts, knowing that she was very busy with end of the year things and stuff like that. But she suprised me and said. "Yeah, let's do both of them." Wow was I in shock.

Fast forward to the night of the first concert. It was going to be at 6:00 on base,so we all brought our passports and things to be signed on, and headed to the hall around 5:15. I really thought that this concert would be outside because of all the people that would be at a FREE STEVEN CURTIS CHAPMAN concert. However, I was wrong. We got to the building and it was a small 200 seat auditorium, and three people were there when we showed up. And they were sitting in the middle of the hall. So I went in saw the front row open and started drooling. I went over the the middles and sat down on the second seat from the inside. Everyone else that came with us was laughing because they knew how I was feeling. They wanted to go get something to eat, so I saved all of the front row for our teachers. They asked if they could come and trade so I could get something to eat and I said "Like I could eat now!"

Anyway the concert was GREAT he came out and said that he wanted this to be between a normal concert and just a get together between close friends. After the concert some of the troops went up on stage and behind the curtains to get autographs, and I just figured that that was it. We started packing things up and all of a sudden he walks out and takes a seat at the far end of the hall. We got in line and because there weren't a million people there we just waited about twenty minutes before we were at teh front of the line. Once there, I bent over and shook his hand, laid my "Steven Curtis Chapman guitar book" down on the table and we talked for a bit and I told him that I was a missionary teacher here in Korea, and he seemed interested in that. I then asked if he would take a picture with me. He said "Sure". So I went behind the table that he was using to sign autographs and stood behind him. They couldn't get both of us in the picture, so he stood up, well that didn't help much either because he only came up to like my armpit. So he actually climbed up me and stood on a nearby chair and wrapped his arm around me which is the picture below.

Coach of the year...hehehehe

I have always thought that it is the girls that put forth the coaches mind and thoughts and ideas on the court or field and so to receive the "Coach of the Year" honor, I really feel it was the girls who deserve all of the credit. They worked so hard and should be the ones getting all the praise. The kept me in check a lot of times reminding me that we needed to pray before the games, or when all I wanted to do was Win Win Win they reminded me just what was important to them. I always thought that they wanted to win and so I coached that way. I found out that they just enjoyed playing with each other and being able to get out there and play for Christ. They all were a great inspiration to me and my assistant coach Laurie lambert. More to come later.

Soccer tourney...picture time

During our tournament I thought it would be cool to shave my head in the shape of a soccer ball to hopefully inspire the girls to win the whol thing.

This is another picture for the other side obviously. You can see the sun that I got during this two day tournament. I had our art teache, Mr. Gary, I would never have had someone either do this or tried this myself. Not to worry folks I shaved it off on Tuesday after we won the whole thing.

This is right before the final penalty kicks to win the tournament. They are praying together. This was something we did before every game but this was prompted by the girls themselves since the coaches were not allowed on the field.

Ashley Pierpoint. Probably my most aggressive player. She is built for soccer. She scored 33 goals on the season. We are the ones in the green pennies. Michelle Lane is the on looker in the background.

This is Kim Wadsworth. She played midfield and you can see how scared the girls are of her. This is also from the first half of our championship game.

This was the last shot of our penalty kicks to decide the championship. Soyoung Wolfe is in the goal and if you look close you can see Darlene Black the other goalie near the gol not wanting to look on.

After the kick our girls were caught celebrating. From left to right...Ashley, Sophia, SoYoung Amy, Kim, Michelle, Danica, and half of Mrs. Peterson's head.

The lonely life of a coach. This was taken at our game against local OSAN, an Air Force base. By the way it was just a friendly game but we lost it 5-0. They are a division 1 team and we are a division 2 school. More to come...I don't think they are letting me add any more and I have another cool one to put on here.