Adjusting

I think every day is starting to feel better and better. I like to think I can easily jump into the next thing and embrace it, when maybe in reality it actually takes me a little bit of time to adjust. As luck would have it, I have been here for a little over a week. I feel like I'm finally adjusting even to my level 2 class. It was really tough to jump into the class in the middle of a chapter in the textbook, but now I feel caught up. I've also easily adjusted to my new new room. What a wonderful blessing my new roommate has been. She is so sweet. And I found out we are actually the same age-she is one month older.

Like I just mentioned, class was difficult, and I am always thinking, "don't call on me!" but I am actually understanding more and feeling a bit more comfortable with the material and such. Today, there was not as much homework, so it was nice for me to catch up and review everything. We started in on the next chapter in the second half of class, so I'm guessing we will have a "quiz" tomorrow in the first half. Yesterday we were supposed to meet our "Duwoomi" (helper). Every international student gets a Korean student to have a friend and language assistant. I left class not knowing the duwoomi was coming and did not meet her. So today, during one of the breaks, I quickly exchanged contact information with her and will meet her tomorrow for dinner.

One thing I think is interesting about Korean culture is the respect for elders. When meeting someone, it is typical to find out (right away) who is older. I sometimes forget this quirky part of Korean culture, so I didn't think of it at the time; however one of the only questions my duwoomi (her name is Seok Kyung) asked me today was "how old are you?" Turns out I'm a few years older than her-ha, instant respect to me! (^.~) That is a winking face, in "Korean".

When I returned to my room, I received a phone call from a Korean-American friend I knew from high school. She is currently living in Seoul-about 30-40 minutes away from me. I'm excited to have another friend added to my list.

I tried to do some exercises, but I need to change my workout plan. Everyday I have to walk up a big, steep hill and then climb about 20 steps to get to the building where my classes are. I don't think I need to come home and work on strengthening my legs--I need to research some upper-body/arm exercises first. It seems a bit redundant to do squats and lunges and such.