Again

Another drizzly day. Matthew finally emailed me today with a long list of questions about working at the school. I wrote a nearly 4-page answer before church but then it disappeared as I was running spell check. How annoying! Luis gave the sermon since Bill was in Seoul. After the service I went around checking who was coming to the BBQ and getting people to sign up to bring food. Octavia showed up early and waited with a rather impatient look on her face. I apologized and explained that I was responsible for doing this. She gave her normal, "No problem."

After I finished she drove us to Shinbok Church where we had lunch. About 50 kids were playing some odd relay-type games in the dining hall. It was interesting to watch. Bible study had only 2 kids today—most of the others were studying for middle school tests. One guy who came a few times toward the beginning was there in his military uniform--I didn't realize he was that old! He said he's 22, which means he's 20-21 in Western age. Still, he looks like a high school student.

After that Octavia drove me home. She asked me to go with her to a raw fish restaurant at the end of the month—she named an approximate date and said it was a Saturday; I said I was busy on that Saturday (I knew the date); she ignored me and said she'd let me know the exact date later. Uh, I already know the date, and I'm busy then! She doesn't seem to get it that while I don't mind helping them out to have Bible study for the kids, I'd really rather have my free time on the weekends. Free time spent with native English speakers, for the most part. Her English is good, but still not perfect, and it takes extra effort on my part to understand her and to make her understand me. I want to be with people with a similar cultural background where I don't have to worry about doing something offensive. Her way of thinking is that she's doing me a favor showing me around. Well, that's a nice gesture, but I've seen most of the things around here. Plus, her method of seeing things is drive by, point it out, and continue on. How about stopping, walking around a bit (SLOWLY, so it can be enjoyed)?? No, that's not her style. Also, sometimes I wonder if she's not just showing me off to her friends—"Look at me, I have a foreign friend!" So when she asks me again, I'll just have to explain AGAIN that I'm busy on that weekend! (Really, I am, Simin Church is going to an orphanage in Busan.)

Later I wrote Matthew—again—and did some nonsense around the house, I can't even remember what. Another 4-day work week coming up!