I Am Not My Hair

I have felt the need for change for a while now - for something totally new that I'd never imagined. I wasn't necessarily thinking of a change of appearance, but this is what I came up with:

1. I wanted to do something that totally scared me. I've had long hair for majority of my life, why in the world would I chop it all off?? That question was the affirmation that I just needed to do it.

2. I'm in Korea for a year, what better time to branch out and do something drastic? I definitely had a lot of encouragement flowing from my community here - which got me going with this idea in the first place.

I remember meeting a girl my freshman year of university who had the most beautiful hair - color, texture, style - I have ever seen. She didn't have to do anything with it. No products. No maintenance. One day our group of friends met and her hair was gone. She said she felt she depended too much on her hair for confidence and security.  She was always so inspiring to me. No, I don't think every girl should chop off her locks just to build a firm foundation of confidence. But I do think it is good to have time away from those things that are precious to us. Maybe too precious at times. In college, my bestie and I would sing this song by India Arie, somewhat as a joke, on bad hair days. It was in my head a lot over the last few weeks of considering the change:

After some quick research, I found an amazing salon, Hair & Joy, in Hongdae - the same area as the church I've been attending. The stylists there are incredibly qualified AND speak English fairly well - a huge comfort. After church Sunday, Abby and I ventured out.  Abby was awesome - she photo-documented the whole thing and cheered me on constantly. As for the result - I love everything about it. It is low-maintenance, saving me both time and money. I no longer have to think about what to do with my hair - it now has a mind of it's own. And I am just going to embrace it for what it is!

My student's reactions today were so precious! (I had let them know last week, so it wouldn't be a total shock - their last teacher did the same thing. Must be an epidemic..)

Triston: "Fantastic!"

MinSeo: "So beautiful!"

Kipper: "More prettier than other days!"
Veronica: (journal today) "I like her hair very much and she is more prettier then long hair.  And teacher was very pretty in long hair but when she cut it is as pretty as HollyHood girl." 

And, perhaps my favorite: my blue level communicated by pointing to the calendar (September, then October, November, etc.) then ran to our weather poster and pointed to the "snow". They thought it was hilarious that I had long hair in the hot summer and now will have short hair in the cold winter. I've thought it rather ironic myself...hehe

Feeling accomplished.

Feeling lighter (quite literally).

Feeling less dependent upon things that don't truly matter.

Grace & Peace Church Retreat

 A beautiful location...

With some wonderful people...

 Eating amazing food...

Playing the most group games I've played since summer camp...hehe

 Soaking in the intriguing traditional Sunday service... 

August Snapshots

August brought so many changes to Connexus and our community!

Annie and Anna both finished their years teaching and returned home to the U.S.  We also welcomed three new teachers - Anna, Heather and Michael! Now we are the complete second generation (so no more goodbyes for a long time, thank goodness). I could not ask for better people to work, live, and experience Korea with!

For the first couple weeks of the month, a few of my students took off from Connexus as it was their school vacation. Now all have returned, with the addition of twin girls in my highest class - Monica and Michelle. Directly after their first class, the girls' parents wanted to have a meeting about their (very high) academic expectations of their daughters, Connexus and me. Our hagwon, or academy, has characteristics very different from the others here. Our main emphasis being conversational English, we focus on developing grammar knowledge, expanding vocabulary, growing comprehension skills and building healthy, peace-filled relationships. I was really pleased with how our conversation went, and left feeling confident of what our academy stands for (whether they will allow their daughters to remain with us or not). But this class holds a special place in my heart - four girls ages 11-13...now is such an important time in their lives and I am looking forward to how I might be used in it!

For monitoring classroom behavior, we use a basic three-stamp system.  Each student begins class with three stamps and will end class with those stamps if they fulfill their expected responsibilities of turning in homework on time, speaking English only (especially for higher level students) and maintaining good behavior. Well, this week I was talking to my students in class, and lo and behold - a Korean word slipped out. Then they irrupted: "KATE TEACHER!!!!" Laughing almost hysterically, they ran to the white board, added my name under their names, gave me three stamps with the marker, then dramatically wiped one stamp away saying "Teacher spoke Korean!!!"  It was kind of embarrassing, but the best bonding moment yet had with that particular class.  (Should I mention the next day, it happened AGAIN?  Now, they write my name and give me stamps everyday, eagerly awaiting another slip of the tongue.) hahaha

For weeks I have delayed blogging as more and more stories and experiences were piling up. Even now it is so hard to post this knowing I've left out so many important things. haha  But, at least this is a step in the right direction of being a more faithful blogger...


Shalom, ~Kate

Yongmunsan Hike

Saturday brought an amazing break from long hours at school.  All the teachers went hiking at Yongmunsan mountain - the most challenging hike I had ever trekked. After hours of rocky incline, we reached the top in time for the clouds to part revealing this view. Goodness, it was worth it!

Nature has a way of nurturing the deepest of thoughts inside of me, and the on-top-of-the-world feeling I felt on that peak cultured those thoughts even more. I felt as if I were seeing my life from a bird's-eye view. 

Often in the recent weeks I imagine I could have written the words to Joel Ansett's song [Known and Loved]. It has been playing on repeat in my heart...  

* * * 

You’re in a place you think you know / surrounded but you feel alone
You have a place to rest your head / but not a home

Feels like you lost yourself again / sit in the silence of a friend
When you are fully known and loved / you have a home

The burden you choose to bare / keeping yourself from those who care
Problems and pride play hide and seek / you’re unaware

All of the things you keep concealed / one day are bound to be revealed
We paint a picture of ourselves that isn’t real

Feels like you lost yourself again/ sit in the silence of a friend
When you are fully known and loved / you have a home

In time / may you find / peace of mind / with me my friend

* * * 

Yes, I am in a new part of the world seeing new things, eating new food, growing into a new job, and while I miss home, technology has made communication so accessible. At any given point of the day or night, I can skype, email, facebook or text and be guaranteed to reach someone from where I call home. But what do I miss the most? 

Being known.

To know a person's name, where they are from, what they do - those things are only a shallow beginning.  I miss my heart being known, instead of feeling the need to constantly explain it. As an introvert, moving alone to a foreign country was absolutely terrifying. Not because of the new sights, tastes, smells, or language - all of that excited me, and still does! But it was the daunting task of building relationships and connections from the ground up.

The Lord has reminded me that though some of the most important things to me remain in the U.S., right now my life is here. I cannot give Korea, my students, my community of roommates and fellow teachers only a piece of my heart. I need to give it all.  I have long unpacked my luggage, filling my shelves and dresser drawers.  It is time I unpack my heart and allow its roots to grow.

I do not share any of this in hopes of receiving sympathy, I came to Korea knowing this would be my biggest challenge, but I want to honestly display all of my experiences in this current chapter of my life. God has planted me in an amazing place and surrounded me with some the most incredible people I have ever met. I am not by any means giving up Skype, email, Facebook or texting, but rather I am deciding to not be so dependent upon communication with home to be my comfort and security. I am not uprooting my heart from where it is already known; I am extending it's roots to sink deeply into this new soil.

Thank you all, near and far, for faithfully encouraging me and lifting me up in prayer. God is on the move.

Shalom, ~Kate

Mission

Finding joy in the day-to-day:

Tuesdays are journal day for homework and this week I told a student she could write absolutely anything - the only requirement being that the entry must be seven sentences. This is the completed masterpiece I received in response:

8/6/2013 - I will send letter to my tearcher Kate.
To. my forever teacher Kate

Hi! I'm Veronica.
I am so happy because I have very good teacher.
When I didn't saw you, I wonder is she scary, always happy, very good teacher.
And you are very good teacher.
When it was first class I was be at a loss for a word.
But I talk with you long time so I became friendly.
I think you will be my forever teacher ever.^^

Form. your student Veronica

While teaching in Korea is my job right now, I see it as much more than a cultural experience or something to build my résumé.  Praying that God will show me how to teach well so that maybe, one day, knowing English will draw these precious children to Him ~

Fan-tastic Friday

I love Friday activity days! I relish the time spent with my students simply laughing and enjoying English together. Each week's theme rotates from classroom games, to cooking, group games, and crafts. For today's craft project, we made paper fans. If you have experienced July's humidity in Korea, you understand the significance of these cute yet essential creations.  My classes were small today, as many of the students started summer vacation in the last few days. They have off for a few weeks, and were very envious to hear how much free time kids in America have during the summer months. hehe

Here are a few shots of our day! (Courtesy of my iPod - I, yet again, left my memory card in my computer at home. haha)

Here is my fresh-out-of-phonics class! They are are each
so unique in personality but seem to be learning quickly 

(and are as cute as can be).

Here is Allie, one of my highest leveled students. She actually lived in the U.S. with her family for a short time when she was younger.
She and her classmate Sally are always a highlight of my day!

 I could blame the mess on the kiddos...but this is exactly what my table looks like every time I stamp or scrapbook.
I mean, the mess is half of the fun, right?

My weekend agenda:

- The daunting task of writing report cards

- Begin shifting living space to make room for new teachers!

- Prepping for Tuesday - vacation begins!!!!!!

Shalom, ~Kate

101 in 1001

I love lists. 

I have daily to-do lists, lists of people I need to call or write, (never ending) lists of books to read, lists of verses to memorize and situations to lift up in prayer - apparently, I have a list of all my lists, too. hehe  The actions of both writing and rereading lists helps me stay focused and get things accomplished. They help me to prioritize and remind me to consider what is truly important.

This week I discovered a project called 101 in 1001. It started with an online community, but I am pursuing my project independently. 101 goals within 1001 days - that is 2.75 years.  Of the 101, I have written about 30.  I want to have some goals that will carry over my year in Korea, bridging life from here to home, and wherever I will go next. Some to-dos are pretty sort and simple, some will take time and hard work. Some require saving money, some require spending. But after talking with a friend about this project,  I was convicted to make my goals as purposeful as possible. Sometimes I find myself  spending more time thinking about ways people can love me than I do thinking about ways I can invest in people by loving them more. I want each of my goals to somehow be connected to enriching the live of another and to reflecting the light of Christ.  The more life I experience, the more I come to realize how unfulfilling it is to live for myself.

The chorus of a favorite Jenny & Tyler song, Do Not Follow Your Heart, has been on my mind constantly the last few days while beginning to write my 101 in 1001:

Do not follow your heart

If it means you're going to settle when you know there's something better now

You'll be falling apart

Don't you keep holding the lesser when you know it's going to let you down

You are leaving your mark

What you want them to remember when you're gone and can't pretend anymore

What you've loved and you've lived for ~

With those words in mind, the following list serves as a preview of the full project that is to come: 101 goals in 1001 days. Though some goals seem pretty simple or self-seeking, I am adding to the challenge that each task be somehow connected to encouraging, inspiring, enlightening or blessing those whom God has placed in my reach. For some goals, this will require much creativity.  But if I am going to do this, I want to do it the right way. 

1. Finish a baby quilt
2. Open an Etsy shop 
3. Plan a “1^st sleepover” with my nieces
4. Read the complete works of Jane Austen (0/6)
5. Send flowers to someone who needs a pick-me-up
6. Memorize the book of 1 Peter
7. Learn how to play Chess
8. Teach someone a new skill
9. Learn the art of book-binding…and share!
10. Set aside time to seek out and build relationships in my community
11. Take a palates/yoga class
12. Research counseling masters programs country-wide
13. Sew 5 new items of clothing (0/5)
14. Pick 5 months to pay double on student loan payments (0/5)
15. Take a local “just-for-fun” course to learn a new skill (swing dancing/ glassblowing/baking)
16. Host a chocolate-tasting party
17. Run a 5k for a good cause (because I think that’d be the only thing that would motivate me)
18. Mentor a middle school girl(s) after school each week for a semester
19. One month dairy/meat/gluten-free
20. Build something (wood and power tools to be used)
21. Day trip to the Holocaust Museum in Washington D.C.
22. Pick local fruit to can
23. Go on a multi-day-long hiking trip
24. Grow a plant from seed

Please feel free to comment thoughts or ideas! I would love some feedback.

Shalom, ~Kate