THURSDAY AUG 6
After 7 hours in transit, we arrive to Sajik for the Lotte Giants Baseball game, as the English foreigner’s website stated. Unfortunately, we were mislead. The baseball game was in Masan–another city. Fortunately we were staying wtih the family I once tutored and they lived in Sajik. They are movie buffs. A.J. wasted no time telling me of the show time of the movie that JUST came out in theaters: G.I. Joe. Even with the game cancelled, things worked out b/c G.I. Joe was off the chain! 2 hour’s I was gripping the armrest, practically a 3D in-your-face action movie. IMHO, it’s better than Transformer’s II..and that was off the hook, as well!

FRIDAY AUG 7
A.J. and Steph’s mom cooked us up a huge, scrumptious korean breakfast. The parents wrapped up my foot with a plastic bag to keep my bandages dry and kindly drove us to the subway stop, so I wasn’t hobbling down the hill 3x longer than it normally takes.
In Hwamyeong-dong, my old neighborhood and KJC workplace, we met up with my Sanso Spa friends. Remember a looooong time ago I posted flix of the Spa that’s suppose to help you loose weight? Promised a testimony: it doesn’t work. I wish I paid only 1 day’s worth and used the hundreds of dollars for other pampering things, but hey, it’s still a great deal compared to U.S. prices.

After taking out $$$ from my Busan Bank, Shani snatched a picture of her new love, the Bank security guard. For 30minutes she was harrassing him and blushing; oh for the days of teenage infatuation.

Very packed schedule, could barely catch abreak (but all well worth it). Met up with an ex-SDALI student and KJC co-worker who sat just beside me in the office. Aileen taught Shani a Korean hand clap, “se se se,” which Shani quickly picked up and has held her status of undefeated champ since.

Sky, Pastor Ham’s wife, offered for us to sleep on the floor in her house provided we don’t mind the “mess.” Mind you this is coming from the mouth of an East Asians. I’m going to be sterotypical, but most Americans know Asian-American’s keep their house spick and span. Regardless, Shani said Sajik families floor and Pastor’s families floor beats out sleeping on my bedroom’s floor (in Seoul) anytime. I try to assimilate, but the Korean’s are pros and camping out on the heated floors. Took some tips and will buy more padding next time ’round

SATURDAY AUG 8
We came back to SDA church on the perfect weekend: they hooked up July and August Birthday babies with cake and a present. Free pair of socks–awesome. Also, the cream/frosting/icing on cakes in Korea are da bomb, unlike the sugary, pasty, way-too-sweet icing on the cakes from back home.

One last meal with Sky (I LOVE her! Such a pure heart <3) and one last flix, for now. Many teachers and church members already ask when I’ll be back…and I consider the winter and summer terms, but we shall see how it all goes down
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Professor Palmer. He knows more about my life in Korea than anybody. He’s been there through heartache, stress, sickness, drama, legalities….a bunch of crap. Bob (Palmer) has always offered an ear and sound advice. It was great to catch up a bit with him and see his family again.

We were all pleased that Calvin took such a liking to Shani. Calvin is austistic and doesn’t bond well with kids his age. Shani won him over, though, as they were wave jumping.
After a day on the most popular beach in Korea, Haeundae, an all you can eat meal, and hours of conversations, Megan Palmer dropped us off to Vesta jimjilbang, famous for being able to look out over the ocean–completely naked. My kind of spa, hehehe. And for $8 bucks to boot. Really gonna miss the prices when back stateside…but by golly at least “American” food (meaning virtualy any food we eat back home) wont be 3x as expensive. Oatmeal: $15. Robbery.
Sweating out all the toxins and pollutants.



SUNDAY
By the time we finished spa treatment, it was 3AM. We went to find a place to sleep, but I found it strange people were camping out in front of the lockers. When we went upstairs to the common area, it was clear why. Vesta spa turned into a refugee camp. People were slung over chairs, sleeping under tables, on the stairs, in front of the elevator, anywhere 2 spare feet could be found. It was quite a sight, but refrained from taking pictures out of respect (and not wanted to get yelled at by hundreds of people woken up by the camera’s flash). We, too, joined the campers in front of our lockers and by 6AM were able to snag a spot on the floor in the woman’s common area. After that, it was a loooong trip home.

Seoul has lots of things to do, being one of the biggest cities in the world. However, Busan is my Korean hometown and has a special place in my little <3. Glad Shani got the opportunity to check out Korea’s #2 biggest city. She likes Busan more, as well.