Turbulent Tuesday

Today class was extremely difficult for me. In book work, I can do it and 'understand' what I am supposed to do. In speaking and actually understanding what the use of it is, I have no idea. I've also begun to realize that I am NOT a verbal learning and most of the class is done verbally. I prefer to see things written--I cannot visualize things easily in my head, especially Korean, especially when it is done very quickly. I really struggled today. I think I also discovered that I may need to brush up on my ENGLISH grammar/sentence structures a bit to help understand the explanations in my Korean textbook...

After my challenging class, I rushed to the little bakery to get a small cake for Jihye and to the stationary store to get her a little card. I realized I forgot my camera in my room, so I stopped to grab it on the way. As it turns out, I made it to the station where we were meeting with plenty of time and I actually waited for about 15-20 minutes for Jihye, Megan and Jean to arrive. Megan was also a participant with me at Inje. Jean also did the Inje program, however it was in 2004 I think--so she hadn't met Jihye before. We arrived at the location of the ceremony and then Jihye told me Erica (I met her when Ginger came to Seoul), her husband and son were at the subway station. So, I went to go get them--otherwise it would have been difficult for them the find the building. The ceremony was pretty shore. The founder of Inje University was at the ceremony which really surprised Jihye because he is in his 80's and has been kind of ill. I met him last year when I was at Inje. After the ceremony, there was a small reception with some food. We had a small snack there and then went to find a BBQ place Jihye had looked up. Unfortunately when we arrived, they said that they were not open yet and would not be serving dinner for another hour and a half. Jihye tried pulling the "they're foreigners" card, but it did not move the owner enough. We found another BBQ place nearby and had a nice dinner. Jane had to leave and Erica and her family decided they should take off too-they are leaving for the US tomorrow morning for Thanksgiving.

Megan, Jihye and I went to a Mister Donut for 'coffee' (when I use the term coffee, I am using it quite loosely, basically meaning any hot beverage--but typically hot chocolate for me) and to chat. It was really great catching up with them. Jihye had to catch her train and since Megan said she would see her off, I figured it would be best to head back home and do some studying.

Back row (except for the people on the outside) are award receivers; front row is VIPs (middle is Inje Founder, his wife is next to him; the man on the right is the current President of the university) Jihye is second from the right in the back row

Jihye's supporters! EJ being held by Brian, Erica, Megan, Jihye, Amy and Jean

At dinner-EJ wanted to show me stuff on "his" phone

Mini reunion! Jihye, Megan and me