Volunteering

So I joined a gym today. I know that people are probably scoffing because they know of the horrid experience I had in Canada.. where I paid for my membership and literally never went.... but this time I am going to try my best to get out and go to the gym. By summer 2006 I want to be in a bikini! (fingers crossed). The price wasn't bad either.. for 3 months it was $165 (USD)... not too shabby since I shopped around and this was the cheapest and most reasonable for what it was offering.
I have also decided that once a week I am going to do some volunteer work. (I asked BCM if it was alright... as long as I am not getting paid, they are fine with it). So once a week (maybe on Saturdays) I am going to go to Seoul and volunteer my time at a children's orphanage. I mean that is the least that I can do. It is sooo sad about the number of unwanted children in this country.. that well I had to do something. My heart and conscience wouldn't not let me. I found this organization on the web and it places volunteers in nearby orphanages.... I will be volunteering here:
Hwasung Baby Home: 'Seoul'
The Hwasung Baby Orphanage is welcoming volunteers to come in between the the hours of 11:00am and 5:00pm 7 days a week. So, if you are bored, come on down and have fun with the children it's a great pass time for everyone involved. The kids will be waiting for your visit!
Orientation: Every Saturday at 10:45am Place: Sangwangshimni Station #207, GREEN SUBWAY LINE Line 2, Exit 4
So if there are any ex-pats that want to go with me... well drop me a shout.
Other than that... things are pretty good here. This week went by so quickly!
It is funny to think about how we ever did without technology. All the KB Banks in Korea today suddenly went down at 12pm and it was like all hell broke loose... especially since it was pay day! The banks fixed the problem (a company wide virus) by 4pm.... but for those hours that people (including I) were separated from our hard earn cash.... well let's just say some people got a little nasty.
Korean classes are going really well. I know abotu 2 pages of vocabulary and have learnt several phrases that help me get around on my own. I can also read the language with pretty much ease.... though I am still very slow at it. Oh well, practice makes perfect!
Off to WA BAR and to our staff social tonight... so it should be fun! Then I am going to test out the gym membership tomorrow (after I buy a pair of decent runners).
That's about it though.... I like relaxing now.... maybe I'll volunteer on Sunday after church... that way if Shelina wants, she can come with me. (The invite is open to all though).
Anyways that is all in hot and humid Korea.
OH! And for a country that does air raid drills once a month, where mothers hussel their children off the streets to teach and practice with them the proper proceedures in case North Korea ever invades.... well you would think that they would put that kind of information in their "Welcome to Seoul, Ex-pat Info Pamphlet!". I was walking on the roads today and the sirens went off.... my heart started to race... I mean I had no clue what was going on.. and well culminated with the fact that parents were husseling their children off the street... well needless to say that I was a tad concerned to say the least. Miss Bae laughed at me, when I was explaining the fear and confusion that I had felt. Oh well... Chelsea moment #2!
Annyongy Kaseyo (Byes)!