101 Things

I keep saying over and over that 'this makes the list of 101 things that would never happen at home' or   'this makes the list of 101 things that would never happen at any job I've ever had before'. I realize that this is week two and eventually the newness of everything will wear off, but I a focusing on savoring every fun and adventurous moment while they still make my heart sing! 

We are currently heading back from our faculty retreat at Minrae camp. It is basically a summer camp resort type place that is just a bit north and way way east of Seoul. Apparently we are only between 30 minutes and an hour away from the east coast. I can't even put into words how beautiful it is here! I'll be posting pictures when I get them from my iPod. It's a bit cooler, lush, green, quiet, and nothing like Colorado. 

We left on Wednesday morning and somehow missed the memo about taking the expressway the whole way...so we tacked on about 40 minutes to our travel time. In return we got some beautiful mountain road views. I also got a slightly longer nap! Thanks to mum and dad for somehow giving me the gift of sleeping on almost any kind of trip :) 

Once we arrived, we got some lunch and then it was on to a slew of activities and moments that start off my 101 lists. Staff high ropes course!! For being with people that I had, for the most part, only known a few days, it was lots of trust and lots of sharing all in one day, but I assume that is the point anyway :) the team I was on started off on a Jacobs ladder. I did one of these in Ireland with three climbers but this one only allowed for two. I looked eager and therefore got volunteered! It was awesome! The activities director got volunteered from his team and I have to say I'm pretty proud if our scurry up the ladder! It cost me some pretty sweet bruises (Matteo would be proud) but it felt great! Next we were on to the elevated log walk where people who didn't do the Jacobs ladder got to go first. I really had talked myself out of doing this one, but my 'first' friend, Kiersten, said 'I'll go if Meg goes'...so on up the ladder we go! I actually knocked down the initial ladder which was a bit embarrassing but got up there, shuffled across, and repelled down. I'm so glad that I got the nudge from a really great friend! We all finished up with a zip line and called it a day. (Other than workshops of course) 

The next day we switched up the schedule and started with a session and did our 'play hard' time in the afternoon with some whitewater rafting! We were promised to essentially have a 'lazy river' float but it did have some really exciting points. First, I somehow managed to get in the line that turned into Team Fun with a guide that referred o himself by his English nickname 'cutie boy'...haha, that should set the stage for you. We had water fights, paddling chants, swimming time, turning in circles, going down backwards, a water slide made out of our rafts at one stop, and the most amazing views of the valley we were in. I soaked in the incredible handiwork of God and tried to be as aware as possible that this is really my life now. My principle (also on Team Fun) said something so simple and yet so profound that my mind raced about it long into the night. He stopped swimming and asked me 'a year ago did you think you would ever be swimming in a river in Korea' and it hit me. I couldn't have even dreamt this up a year ago. I am so blessed with this crazy, beautiful, wonderful life! 

On a more interesting note, we did get stuck in a pretty shady place, and our guide, my principle, and the school Chaplin had to get out to pull us out. If it hadn't worked out so well, I also would have ended up in the guide position for the remainder of the large rapids...that could have been special (again, Mateo would have been proud!). I keep telling myself that it is one of those stories that is funny now because we aren't dead...to know you lived a full life, you have to have those once in a while! 

Also placing highly on my lists comes staff karaoke! (Its really popular here!) My boss singing to old love songs and mouthing all the words to Baby when his daughter was singing to our girl group sad rendition of party in the USA are memories etched into my mind, I hope, forever. My principle (apparently a pretty wise man) said 'this is what it's like...we work really hard during the year, but when we are done with the work, we play equally has hard'. That alone is a new concept to me. It is so supportive here, but we also each do our part to support each other as well. High standards and great reward. 

Another noteworthy list topper was the food. I am slowly learning that breakfast food here is different. When you can have beef at any meal it's different. This mornings selection just made me giggle...kimchi, brownies, pickles, hot dogs, and salad were my favorites. I did have toast, fruit, and eggs but the other options were new to me :) 

We had optional praise and prayer for about 30 minutes last night which, of course, makes my 101 list! It was really nice and a good time to spend with some of the staff. It was also nice to have some fellowship time and personal prayer time. I snuck in a few early morning runs while we were here since there was a trail along the river. It was a great balance of fun time, work time, and personal time. 

I know I keep saying this, but I still keep trying to digest that this is real! I keep asking myself if this is real life and it is...it is my crazy, wonderful, blessed life. 

Thanks for reading!