2 Year Anniversary!

On January 10th Todd & I celebrated a huge accomplishment--being married for two-whole- years. We've been very blessed so to celebrate this blessed event, Todd took me on a surprise date! We went all the way across town to a place we've blogged about before--Lotte World (check a few blogs back). But that wasn't where we were going. Nor was it to the microbrewery we passed and later came back to. Nor was it to the hand-gun shooting range. Though I knew at the slightest look of interest on my part to either brewery or range, Todd would change course immediately and head in either direction. I only hope he would have gone to the hand gun range before the microbrewery, but no matter, it didn't happen.

I kept my head down and headed straight because I knew we had come to go....ICESKATING!! And with 10 gatrillion people in Seoul, ice skating is an evasive sport full of bodies scattered across the ice, children racing and twirling into you, grown women and men holding onto any stable body close by so as not to fall, and senior citizens out-skating us all! Above us was the Lotte World indoor amusement park (you can see 3 stories up) and we were below it all going round and round in the cold. It was beautiful!




And after a visit to the microbrewery (apparently anniversaries are about both people in the relationship--go figure ;)--actually, this may have happened before the skating.) we headed out for an Italian dinner at a restaurant owned by an award winning chef! And I think those were edible flowers on our pizza. Ah, l'amour! I am blessed with a great God and wonderful husband!

Learn about Korea

Not too long ago we had a workshop for Native English Speaking Teachers. During the workshop we had a "Korean cultural presentation" to increase our all-things-Korean savviness. They showed us some videos from the Korean Spirit and Culture Promotion Project. This appears to be an educational campaign to give Korea worldwide attention. (Of course, we will use this info to impress our Korean friends, for the random cocktail party or for correctly answering trivial pursuit/Jeopardy question.) But don't get us wrong, this info was really impressive.

Here is a link to the video section of their website: kscpp.net videos


The most interesting video we found is about Hangul ~ the Korean language. Written Hangul is considered by many linguists as one of the most efficient, intuitive written languages still in use today.



So if you're bored (or simply interested in other cultures) watch some of these videos. You may be surprised by what you learn...we certainly are.

A New Year!!!!

Some photos from the last two weeks...
You know, because there were some holidays and all.



~Traditional Tea House on New Year's Eve:









~"Nor-a-bahng" (Singing Room) Christmas Night:





~ Christmas Day get-together with the English Ministry







~ Christmas Eve Dinner with Friends

Cold

Update (12/17): Snow outside our apt window! Yeah, it's exciting because we are from Southern California...




At School (12/8):





These pictures were taken a few days ago now...and that day was warmer!

Yes, the snow is beautiful. It left and then today it got colder.

Today it is 17 degree fahrenheit.

Walking starts to hurt after a few minutes.

Ahhh, California dream'n ....yep...

LotteWorld!!!

Ahhhhhh! Lotteworld!!!


Rumor has it this is the largest indoor theme park in the East....perhaps in the world!

Dani and I enjoyed the Holiday Festivities while becoming slightly ill on their various "Adventures" (amped-up roller coasters) and Tasty Snacks (see photo above). All in all, it was a great time! Really!

This place has a lot to see and do all with a bit of familiar themes (see our post on Seoul Land) from a theme park back home.

This place is impressive; the indoor structure can be used when it is really hot and really cold, as it does get here in Seoul. But the outside part, which is an island in the middle of a (man-made?) lake. The "Lotte" company (which owns half of Seoul) has done a nice job creating an entertainment facility that's fun for the whole family.

Sans the peanut butter covered squid....

Island Trip

We call it the "Island Trip" because we can't remember the name of the island, but it was beautiful and a nice getaway. We went on this trip about two weeks ago and had a great time with Paul and Candy. Without them we would not get out!

Here are some pictures from the trip:

Rock of Ages

Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee;
Let the water and the blood,
From Thy wounded side which flowed,
Be of sin the double cure,
Save from wrath and make me pure.

Not the labor of my hands
Can fulfill Thy law’s demands;
Could my zeal no respite know,
Could my tears forever flow,
All for sin could not atone;
Thou must save, and Thou alone.

Nothing in my hand I bring,
Simply to Thy cross I cling;
Naked, come to Thee for dress;
Helpless, look to Thee for grace;
Foul, I to the fountain fly;
Wash me, Savior, or I die.

While I draw this fleeting breath,
When my eyes shall close in death,
When I rise to worlds unknown,
And behold Thee on Thy throne,
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee.

"Rock of Ages" | Augustus M. Toplady | 1776

--
I was just singing the first verse of this song in my mind and then decided to look up the whole thing.

Who writes likes this in our day? Who can present the complete work of Jesus Christ as this man has? Who can now witness to the life and hope of a purchased believer in such a way as this man?

May those can speak, sing and write.