Last weekend was eventful. I attended my cousin's wedding with my parents and met relatives of mine. On the same day, I threw a party for my friend Scott who just arrived the country to teach and Sarah leaving for the U.S., her home town.
Thankfully, everyone that I invited gathered. I was a bit disappointed with the fact that some said they can't make it. But they all came.
Speaking of Sarah / Joe's sister, she said she was done with Korea for now. After spending a year, she seemed to be a bit frustrated with many things. I had opportunities to hear about her stories where she did not like her coworkers and had unpleasant experience with locals. I thought it was very unfortunate that she went through it.
And my friend Scott. We met back in 07 while he was a summer program student at Ajou University, my alma mater. Honestly speaking, we were not that close to each other, but he is from Iowa where I spent my 4 month stay back in 2004 as an exchange student at the University of Iowa. I really enjoyed it so thus I thought I would show the same or more extend of hospitality to those coming from the state to Korea. And Scott was one of them-
Ed, Joe, Sarah, Scott, Rick, Bong and Hwanki.. we all congregated, drank, ate and hung out together. It was very much nice to be able to do it with the cool breeze of fall on the rooftop overlooking Nam San tower.
I am looking forward to the next congregation. I proposed that we go to a ball game sometime. I will make it happen whether it is baseball or soccer.
Goodbye, Sarah.
Welcome back Scott.
2011-09-05
Get ready to launch volunteering activities in Suwon
Yesterday, I went to the local branch office of this volunteering organization in order to discuss my plans to start volunteering in Suwon.
Even though it was a Sunday, there was a person working on a graveyard shift. It took me about 30 minutes for me to get there by bike. Since it was so nice, the ride was also very much pleasant.
The location of the office was near Suwon Station. And I passed by the brothel accidentally. As I averting my eyes, I saw this guy that looked like a Southeast Asian, hiding himself around the corner on the street and peeking at the hookers there.
Also, I witness a car accident. As I was biking downhill, I saw a car making a left turn to the back alley and clip a this Korean guy accident. The guy fell and the driver jumped out of the car to make sure he is okay. The car was moving slowly, so there was no blood or anything. I wanted to stay there a bit longer to see the scene, but since it was already late at night, I moved on.
Finally, I spotted the building, parked the bicycle and walked up the step. It was 8 in the evening and yet there were homeless people talking a shower. They were taking a number so that they were given some space to sleep tonight. Yes, the guy I was supposed to meet was giving out numbers to those walking in to secure a spot to sleep on tonight.
As I told the guy at the organization why I was here, he looked a bit suspicious. But as I explained on, he ushered me in and offered me a cup of cold water. In simultaneity, more homeless people walked in and asked for their space to crash. The meeting was constantly interrupted.
As I said to the guy, I am not asking for monetary support. All I need is a bit of space where, on a regular basis, volunteers I will recruit gather and bag up food to dole out to homeless at Suwon station. After I made clear that I don't need money, he looked very much relieved and cooperative. Since he was already preoccupied with the homeless, I left my name and cell number and headed back to home.
I am expecting the green light from them in a day or two. But I am not quite sure how many people in or in the vicinity of Suwon would like to join the volunteering. So far, about 5 or 6 people have contacted me after reading the piece on Koreahearld. http://www.koreaherald.com/national/Detail.jsp?newsMLId=20110823000885
Since next week is Chuseok and a week after, I need to work, I think the first meeting would be 25th September. Frankly, I am tad nervous, but at the same time I am looking forward this challenge.
Even though it was a Sunday, there was a person working on a graveyard shift. It took me about 30 minutes for me to get there by bike. Since it was so nice, the ride was also very much pleasant.
The location of the office was near Suwon Station. And I passed by the brothel accidentally. As I averting my eyes, I saw this guy that looked like a Southeast Asian, hiding himself around the corner on the street and peeking at the hookers there.
Also, I witness a car accident. As I was biking downhill, I saw a car making a left turn to the back alley and clip a this Korean guy accident. The guy fell and the driver jumped out of the car to make sure he is okay. The car was moving slowly, so there was no blood or anything. I wanted to stay there a bit longer to see the scene, but since it was already late at night, I moved on.
Finally, I spotted the building, parked the bicycle and walked up the step. It was 8 in the evening and yet there were homeless people talking a shower. They were taking a number so that they were given some space to sleep tonight. Yes, the guy I was supposed to meet was giving out numbers to those walking in to secure a spot to sleep on tonight.
As I told the guy at the organization why I was here, he looked a bit suspicious. But as I explained on, he ushered me in and offered me a cup of cold water. In simultaneity, more homeless people walked in and asked for their space to crash. The meeting was constantly interrupted.
As I said to the guy, I am not asking for monetary support. All I need is a bit of space where, on a regular basis, volunteers I will recruit gather and bag up food to dole out to homeless at Suwon station. After I made clear that I don't need money, he looked very much relieved and cooperative. Since he was already preoccupied with the homeless, I left my name and cell number and headed back to home.
I am expecting the green light from them in a day or two. But I am not quite sure how many people in or in the vicinity of Suwon would like to join the volunteering. So far, about 5 or 6 people have contacted me after reading the piece on Koreahearld. http://www.koreaherald.com/national/Detail.jsp?newsMLId=20110823000885
Since next week is Chuseok and a week after, I need to work, I think the first meeting would be 25th September. Frankly, I am tad nervous, but at the same time I am looking forward this challenge.
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