Hana, Dul, Set.... Hana, Dul, Set

Hello friends!

Well we came to the realization yesterday that we have been here for over 1 month already, hard to believe isn't it? It has actually gone by quicker than I had imagined. I guess that's easy enough said with only one month down and 11 more to go - but, here's for hoping!

So, we started something new last week. It's probably something that you would never in a million years see me (and Andrew, for that matter) doing. No... it's not eating dog! We actually started taking a martial arts class. It's called Taekkyon. We started taking it last Tuesday, and every day since then we both feel like we've been hit by a bus. It's incredibly intense! First of all, we have to stretch in ways that I don't think either of us ever have (think: basically the splits but only one leg juts out to the side. Also, you have to remain upright). Once you think you've got the stretch down, the "Master" comes along and pulls your extended leg out another 4-6 inches! Everyone usually has tears running down their faces by the end of the class. Secondly, we have to move in the funniest ways. We have only learned one step, so far, but it has pretty much left us counting, "hana, dul, set" (one, two, three) in our sleep. The "basic step" (did I mention the class is all in Korean?) is pretty much like dancing. "Dancing" automatically means that I've got a hand up on Andrew in this department. Andrew says it must be due to "all" the nights I spent at the Sutherland!

So, we're taking the class 5 days a week for 1.5 hours each day. We should be lean, mean, fighting machines by the time we get back home. Okay, I KNOW that you're laughing at us now. We'll send some videos as soon as we have some skills to show off! I'm glad that I'm a girl because they go A LOT easier on me than they do on Andrew. At one point last week the "Master" was trying to explain to us (in Korean, of course) a move where you sort of "leap" from side to side. He turned to Andrew and said, "go!" just before he started kicking at Andrew's head. NOTHING can get you to master a move than if a foot is flying at your head! I actually just about screamed! (It was honestly crazy, I had milliseconds to jump from side to side as he kicked the air where I had just been -Andrew)

We went to the World Cup Stadium on Sunday to try to go swimming (to sooth our aching muscles!). The World Cup Stadium is only about a 10 minute walk from our apartment. When we got there, there was a soccer game going on. It was only a high school game but the energy in the crowd was HUGE! I found this so funny because Koreans are pretty reserved. Anytime we've ever seen a performance of some type, Koreans just sort of smile and give a polite clap at the end. In Canada there always seems to be a lot of yelling, cheering (especially at Rod Stewart concerts!) and just generally a lot of energy. Anyway, I guess that soccer is a whole other ball game (no pun intended) for Koreans. Anyway, we had a lot of fun, and just sort of cheered for both sides (hey, we're foreign!). We also went swimming, but it was definitely NOT as enjoyable as the soccer game. It was lane swimming with about 15 people per lane. Also, as per usual, Andrew and I seemed to attract the majority of the kids into our area!

I have unfortunately caught my first Asian flu (no, not THE Asian Flu, don't worry!). I have been achy and coughing since the weekend. I went to the doctors tonight and got a shot in the butt (first time since I was 5 years old I think!) and got multitude of pills to take. Anyway, the doctor says I should be feeling better by the end of this week. I like how my flu has gotten me out of "dish duty" for the week, ahhhhhhh.

Anyway, we are still doing well. We miss everyone so much. Your posts have been so great. They all make our day! We check the site about 5 times a day. I'm not joking!

Hope everything is well with all of you,

Tara and Andrew
XO