Another Day in Korea!

Thursday, July 11, 2013

Yet again I woke up way too early! It was even worse today. I got up at 3:20 in the morning ready for action. I tried to lay in bed, but the harder I tried the more I wanted to move. It is now 5:20. Yesterday, we went to the Holt Children's Services here in Seoul. They are the adoption agency my parents went through to get me. I had spoken with them about coming to review my file months ago through email. I placed all of the emails in my "important" file on my EOU account through Google. For some reason it saves all of my emails, but somehow does not keep the ones I want. Therefore, I could not retrieve the corresponding emails. I tried to email them to check on the time, but their contact info was in Korean. So we arrived at 10:30 a.m. and much to my dismay, I had gotten the time right but not the day. We were supposed to be there the day before. I wasn't too worried since I had been there in September to review my file. I actually had one goal in hand going there: To find out where I was found.

As you may or may not know I was adopted when I was three years old from South Korea. I was found a year before I was adopted in the Hyundai Market Place. I was alone with no information. That is what I thought until I went to the orphanage, I was admitted to, when I was abandoned. They gave me new information which told me I was found with a letter. They did not have the letter and did not know what the letter had said. I have believed for some strange reason that I was found in Busan, Korea. A large city in the southern part of Korea. I remember reading somewhere that I was found in Pusan, now known as Busan. However, my mom and Holt think I was found in Incheon City, where my orphanage was at. It makes sense, but where on earth would I have come up with the idea of me being found in Busan? One of the things on my bucket list that I want to do is go to the market where I was found. I had planned on going to Busan, but now I don't know what to do. Busan is pretty far away, so it's not like its a quick trip.

After we left Holt we were hungry. Since Gangnam wasn't too far away we headed there to eat lunch and do some sight seeing. It reminds Reagan of New York City. Although neither of us have ever been there. :) There were a lot of nice buildings and young well dressed people there. There were also a lot of American chain restaurants there as well. We went to a restaurant that had pictures. The lady wanted us to get Korean bbq. That is where you cook the meat in front of you. It was way too hot for cooking. I wanted to try the cold noodles, (물냉면) mool naengmyun, which is cold buckwheat noodles. Reagan ordered bibimbap. She was not pleased with our choices and it was downhill from there. I felt like she was glaring at me. She had no shame in doing so. We ordered some soda, which came with some glasses. I don't have a lot of experience in taking off bottle caps, so I clumsily broke my glass. I had to go find her and let her know what I had done. I am sure she was furious. The total of our meal was supposed to be 16,000 won, but she charged us 26,000 won. I think she was charging for the broken glass. 

When we finished lunch we wanted to find some basketball courts along the Han River. I found the information on my favorite Korean informational site, Seoulistic. We tried to follow the directions but instead walked over two hours trying to find the courts. They are suppossedly busy most of the time, but not when we were there. We were tired, so we headed back.

I have been reading with Jenna for two nights now. It reminds me why I am blessed to be a teacher. Her brain is a sponge for learning. It is thoroughly enjoyable watching her curiosity and eagerness to learn.

Today we are going to Insadong, which is where my brother and sister in law stayed when we got Sam. It's one of my favorite places, because I know it so well. Also, because it brings back happy memories. We are also going to catch a professional baseball game. Hopefully it doesn't rain.

Too-da-loo, for now. (You should hear Sam say that!)

Soo made Japchae! It was amazing!

Reagan and his new best friend the cold towel he has named, Blue. Banchan in the middle, and the glass I broke to the right.  Oops! 



Gangnam



I really shouldn't do this, but some of the spelling and grammar crack me up. 
If I tried to spell in hangul, I would miserably fail. 
This is a sign at the park.  Let's all go to the swimming poo!  :)