Joys down in my heart

As I sit down to blog a Sunday school classic runs through my head...

I've got joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart.
Where? Down in my heart!
Where? Down in my heart!
I've got joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart
Down in my heart to stay!
And I'm so happy, so very happy....etc.

I am nearing the three months mark, an important landmark when living and working abroad. Almost every foreigner I've met has warned me of the third month "low" in which the honeymoon stage of life in Korea has worn off and most people find themselves annoyed, frustrated, and/or homesick. Determined not to fall into this infamous "low" I've decided it's "high" (ah ha ha) time to record the little joys that bring a smile to my face each day.

1. The friendly guard at the back entrance to the university- Most mornings I go for a jog at the university track close by to my apartment. And most mornings I am greeted by the same old guardman who gives me a bright smile and a "hello" salute. He must be studying up on his English because in addition to the simple salute, a dialogue has gradually grown (with a new, added phrase about once a week) into "Hello/good morning beautiful lady! How are you? Have a nice day/see you tomorrow!"

2. Little Alvin- My very first class of the day are always my precious Pre-Step 2-ers. They are the youngest students at E.L.C. (8 years old) and have the lowest level English. One student named Alvin is the sweetest little thing in the universe. Everyday he sprints up the steps to the teacher's area before the bell rings (which always leaves him gasping for breath) in order to grab my basket of books to carry into back down into the class room. If he doesn't come to get my books then I can be sure that he is hiding under my desk to "scare" me when I sit down to take attendance.

3. Go-karts- This past weekend was the annual fall picnic for my school. Smith, my goofy director, decided we'd go-kart racing for the Saturday adventure. The day began at 9:15 am when we loaded ourselves into the school vans for the hour long drive to Gyeongji, Korea's old capital, very historic and beautiful countryside (note the mountains in the background of the picture). It didn't take long before the fried chicken covered in spicy sauce, chips, oranges, soda and beer were passed around to all of us passengers. What? Fried chicken with spicy sauce in the morning? Believe it. To no one's surprise Smith was a madman on the go-karts, not slowing down for anyone, not even the double carts containing small children (see picture)...eek! The poor secretary at the school made the mistake of riding with Mr. Kim and screamed the entire race. He took great pleasure in her screams and the rest of us took great pleasure in the terrified look on her face each time they sped by. Mr. Kim spun around in circles several times as a grand finale before pulling into the "pit" lane and even somehow managed to keep a straight face as he was being scolded by the go-kart workers for his spinning. Ah, nothing beats driving super fast around a track and the smell of burning rubber though...that cannot be denied.

4. Cheap lunch- Thanks to the introduction from my Korean friends Jerome and Nimo, I've been enjoying the delicious and super cheap lunch specials at the university cafeteria. We're talking a full plate of food for 2,000 won (~ under $2). Can't beat it. Not only is it tasty, it also allows me to try a larger variety of Korean dishes, makes so I don't have to do any cooking/cleaning, AND allows me to practice my Korean as I try to read the signs and order by myself. Win-win-win.

5. Mums- This week is the flower festival at the university. Mums galore. Nearly every open space is now filled with mums. It's breathtaking...today kindergarten students were swarming the place getting pictures taken with their classmates. Since when have we been this in awe with creation like these kindergarteners?

6. My new camera- Wooo, obviously I'm excited to finally be able to capture memories as I choose and post pictures for ya'll back home to make my blogs a little more exciting. :)