Living abroad always has it's surprises, yet for the past few months life in Korea has been quite predictible. Go to work, teach class, go home or to a yoga class have dinner and repeat. Sure there are those occasional days where class has been cancelled or a student gets all of us teachers sick but beyond that life has been easy. So last week when I heard we had to go hiking, I was not so happy to have my simple routine shaken up. "But that's going to mess up my schedule," I whined to myself. The other coteachers said that I should participate since it would be the last group thing we would do together since I will soon be leaving. I acknowledged the truth in their statements and agreed, but only this one more time. (Last time I had a school dinner, I got stuck next to the crotchety old principal that poked my face and rambled on in Korean about me. Would I like to repeat anything like that? No thank you!)
So the day comes, I even came to school prepared. Tennis shoes, NorthFace fleece, and a snack for after school. But I was informed that the hike had been cancelled, on account of the slight drizzle of rain we received that morning. I was extatic... then I was told we could go home early...EVEN BETTER!
Yet, I should have remembered, things are never as simple as they may sound [here in Korea]. So just as we were packing up to go home, my coworkers told me we had to say goodbye to the vice principal. "Why," I asked. "So we can show that we are doing what we said," they replied. "But wasn't the hike cancelled?" "Yes but everyone is going to a museum," said Ms. Lee. "But we want to look at cars this afternoon, are you free," said Ms Kim. At this point I was getting upset, I thought that it was unfair that I had to be dragged into this in the first place. A hike, ok I had agreed to that, but a museum that was another story and looking at cars well where did that even come from? Certainly I was above attending!
At this point, my pride needed to be realligned and I am thankful that God is gracious in teaching us lessons of humility. Ultimatly what it comes down to is that I must respect the authority of my school. In Korea, I must also respect the idea of saving face and making appearances to appease the principal and vice principal. Once my pride was back in check, I was able to laugh the 15 minute pit stop to check out new Hyundai cars and smile and wave at the kids that said "Hello" to me at the museum. In fact, I enjoyed the exhibits of hanbok (traditional Korean clothing), the cavemen models, and the pottery that was exhibited. Oh my pride... This is just one of the two lessons the I continually learn while in Korea, pride must fall. (The other lesson is with work, patience can too be my virtue.)
The following are pictures of the random museum trip. Picture one is of the kids at the museum who shouted hello to me. Two is a bride in traditional hanbok (korean clothing). Three is of a cave man exibit. Four is of Korean pottery. And the fifth is of ancient buddha statues in seated pose.
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