Adventure in construction:

Last Friday we moved in the dorms on campus. This was the first time for most of us to actually see the campus.  This moment had long been anticipated.  The school looked beautiful.  It nestles between some hills.  To one side is Mount Halla; to the other, one can see the ocean on a clear day.  As the bus pulled into the unpaved parking area, we realized how much work still needed to be done. Little did we know we would be moving into a construction site!  The busses could not get close enough to the dorms to unload our luggage.  Some one higher up requested that we go somewhere for a few hours while they try to get everything situated in our apartment.  We combined 3 busses into 1, leaving our luggage and we were off! It was 10 a.m.  We, then, took a trip down to Jungmoon Beach.  

The beach was fantastic, though none of us were dressed or prepared in any way to go.  We had a stroll around and then hailed a taxi.  A cab is an easy mode of transportation and the prices are very reasonable. Some of our new friends and us went to a restaurant named Geckos which actually served American food.  A little on the pricey side, but good enough taste of home.  I had lasagna; Leigh Anne had the fish and chips.  All of us chatted for a while, played some billiards and threw some darts.  We made our way back to the meeting point in enough time.  Back on the bus, we rode towards school again.  It was 4 p.m.  Our higher ups stated that we could not wait any longer.  

It was crazy!  While away, they unloaded our luggage and put them who knows where.  Everybody was in a frenzy trying to find luggage.  The really great thing was that everybody helped everybody.   There wasn’t a feeling of rushing and guarding over your stuff.  We spent the last two weeks in the hotel together and by now trusted each person.  There has been an environment of community that has been built already here that is crazy cool.  So, here we are trying to find our stuff, Jeff, the headmaster is running around helping, directing, and locating not only our luggage but our shipment as well.  They ended up being put in the lower level of the elementary school. We were literally dragging our luggage through a torrent of constructional activity to get them to our place.  We felt like we should have a hard hat on!  The next 4 hours were spent moving all of our boxes to our apartment.  The Korean staff were so helpful.  They also helped us in getting our belongings where they needed to be.  

On the day we moved, we had two small filing cabinets, a nice office chair, a couch, two big chairs, a bed, one wardrobe, one pantry and no air conditioning.  We were camping! Luckily, it has been relatively cool in the evenings.  It is interesting how  the washing machine is underneath our stovetop.  Where is our oven, you may ask?  Oven’s are hard to come by in Korea.  One can be purchased but for a hefty price. It will be neat to find alternative ways of cooking.  Plus, we get 3 meals a day in the cafeteria, and I must say they have not been disappointing--downright delicious if you ask me. 

Each day we have received a little more.  Yesterday was like Christmas, we received our microwave, the dining room table plus four chairs, the internet, and the chord to the internet jack in the wall.  The day before that--blinds!

The campus looks spectacular, as the pictures show, and the progression of the construction has been fascinating to watch.  The speed at which things are accomplished is absolutely incredible.  It’s amazing to think that students will be here in less than a week.  There is still much to be done, but I think it will be close.  Pray that it all will fall into place.  Hopefully, within a week, I can show you pictures of a completed campus!  

We’re thinking of you all!

More pictures will follow on Facebook

Love YA!!