Orientation

Today was the big Orientation for international students. YongHee had to go to school, so Appa and I boarded the subway and took line 2 all the way out to ShinChon (ShinChon, I've learned, in fact means "New Town" and is the main portion of downtown accessible to the Yonsei students) When we finally arrived I sat in the auditorium of the Millennium building for the presentation while Appa waited outside. It was long and dull, but I was able to sign up for some immersion/adaptation oriented clubs, learn how to register, and receive a map of campus.

The best story that came out of this Orientation was by far Han Song I. I found that every time a new speaker took the stage, I was unconsciously evaluating his or her English. First there was the Associate Dean of the International Exchange College, and his English was better that average. Next was the Dean, who's English was a little worse, but still good. Then the President of Yonsei spoke, and his English was lacking but still a good show for someone who's not really in the International Division of the college. Finally we heard from Song I, the program director and exchange coordinator. Her English vocabulary was impressive, but her accent was stronger than garlic breath. It came to the part in the presentation when she was talking about 'the blue sheet.' Unfortunately these two particular words proved insurmountable to Song I.
"Now if everyone would please turn their attention to the bullshit,..."
"One of these forms is white, and the other is bullshit..."
"Please fill out and turn in this bullshit..."
"Everything is explained here in this bullshit..."
Needless to say there were a few well deserved snickers from the 321 English speakers in the audience.

Afterward, Appa and I got back on the subway. It's truly amazing how much the two of us communicate when we really try. When YongHee is around Appa and I just use him to translate because it's convenient and easy. I spent about six hours with him today, however, and we talked about everything including his mother's premature death, his nerve damage problems while he was in Japan, issues in North Korea, and vacuuming.

When we were getting off the 2 line to transfer to the 8 line of the subway, we decided just to walk the rest of the way and get some lunch on the road. We stopped and had BiBimBap (rice and veggies and spicy sauce all mixed together in a big bowl) and then continued our trek homeward. On the way we stopped and spent at least an hour walking through Olympic Park. I can't emphasize enough how awesome that place is. A little later I'll dedicate an entire post just to that park and it's contents.

Pertinent to this story, however, is the Olympic Auditorium. At the end of our walk in the park we came upon said Auditorium and saw that it was showing a musical entitled 요덕 스토리(Yoduk Story). It just so happens that Appa saw this very musical a week or so ago, and it also just so happens that he used to go to church with the head director of this tour of the show. Even though the director was in L.A. today, Mr. Chung SungSan got a call and Appa scored YongHee and I free tickets! So, while you jokers are laying around at seven in the morning, I'll be nestling in for a three hour musical performance about North Korean refugees. Prepare for pictures!