Every August 15 is celebrated as Korean Independence Day, commemorating freedom from Japanese colonial rule in 1945. Per my travel book, 3 years later, the Republic of Korea was established as an independent nation. And to further celebrate, the school is closed!
The weather continues to be hot and humid, still raining every day. The kids at the school are starting to get ready for their summer to end and their regular school to start. I will be glad for that too! When the kids are out of their routine of school, it seems harder for them to focus. I think it's asking a lot for them to come one or two hours every weekday afternoon, in the middle of their summer holiday, but this is the Korean way for most parents who want the children to have as much exposure to English as possible.
Can't stop making those weekly trips to the grocery. Last weekend, I finally found "Home Ever", the "highest rent" grocery store in Jeonju. And it is fancy by Korean standards. Wide aisles, lots to choose from, and seemingly higher prices are part of this store's ambiance. Again, like each grocery here, there are two stories with the escalator "ramps" that take you and your cart upstairs. I usually end up staying 2 hours just because I am so fascinated by the items and my making my attempts to find Korean equivalents of what I would buy in the US. I can't imagine ever getting tired of looking around, which I have no doubt said multiple times.
Finishing "Harry" was a great and sad experience. I wanted it to go on and on, but fortunately had another book to start right away. I am so grateful to have the time to read as I used to while in Puerto Vallarta! Reminding myself that this isn't a vacation, but that I really do have a job each weekday, is hard!
No new movies that I want to see in the last couple of weekends. Boo! I have to act fast, as movies don't stay long. A new "Mr. Bean" is here as of today, as is "Zodiac" which looks like a true story and a scary one, and "Surfs Up", which is late here, compared to when it came out in the US. The theaters all have 8 1/2 X 11 colored/slick fliers available. One of my adult students brings me the new info every time he goes to the movies. The only one that looks half-way interesting is a flier that is all in Korean, but by the website, it is called "Lafayette" (?). Seems to be about World War One, maybe? If you know, will you email me? Not sure when it is coming, but it will be!
Will try to better re: posting more often. Just got lazy this week. Many of you are asking if I still love it here, and I do. I do miss some things, which I will talk about in a few days! And, there are still things that I don't have that I am happy not to have, especially a car! I am sure I won't feel that way when it is 15 degrees below zero, but right now, it's still great.
Thanks again for your emails! Keep those cards and letters coming!
