Comfort Food

8-19-12

Our first week was centered on getting settled in. There are always odds and ends we didn't think to bring with us that make things a little more like home. So, we've been busy picking up supplies in Pohang. We take a shuttle bus from the University that makes numerous stops in town. We pick a stop close to the primary errand we are running and plot our route from there. Thursday's trip took us by a McDonald's in town. Daniel stunned me by saying he'd rather eat Korean instead. None-the-less, dad dragged us into McDonald's (with support from Mary and Robert who had their eyes on Chicken McNuggets.) The menu is part traditional and part Korean. For the Korean taste, there were bulgogi burgers. I got a Big Mac. It was virtually identical to the American product. The bun was slightly bigger and not as soft. The meat seemed a tad drier. I suspect most would not notice a difference or might even prefer the Korea Big Mac. Burgers are also available on the streets from small stands, but I'm a little leery of the "mystery meat." It was the first US style meal we'd had since arriving here, but as you will soon see, not the last.

Later that day Susan hitched a ride into town with one of the professors to do some grocery shopping. She came back with a pizza! It wasn't bad, but they can learn a lot about the intricacies of baking this American staple.

Yesterday I was able to catch a ride with some of the other professors to the Costco located in Daegu - about an hour away. With land at a premium in Korea, they build up. The Costco was about 9 stories high. The first story had dry goods and the second had groceries. The rest of the stories comprised the parking structure. A series of flat escalators take you up and down the floors (see Mary's entry for a better description.) The place was packed with shoppers - almost all of which were Korean. Lots of free samples and I tasted everything. There were familiar Kirkland products and plenty of things that were clearly designed for the Korean market. I stocked up on ice cream, pancake mix and other comfort food. Prices are uniformly higher than we are used to in the states, but much less than similar items in the Korean markets. Yes, they had a food court with the traditional pizza (Korean style with bulgogi) and hot dogs. Hot dogs didn't seem too popular at the Costco, but they were only slightly more expensive than the US (2,000 won which is about $1.85.) Although tempted by the hot dogs, there was an even bigger treat in store on the drive back - a visit to Subway. Tasty and exactly like the American product.

After laying in the stores from Costco, Susan fashioned us a lunch of baked potatoes with all sorts of fun toppings. So, after a week of Korean food, we've fallen off the wagon considerably over the last couple of days. We are determined however to keep moving in the direction of Korean style of eating. Portions are smaller, more vegetables, less meat and overall healthier. Balance is important here if it is to be a successful transition. Susan noted that eating out is sometimes less expensive than eating at home. The Korean economy runs differently than what we are used to at home - a subject of another blog entry.

Susan and I are both struggling with the heat as we wait for the end of the monsoon season in the next couple of weeks. Surprisingly the kids have adapted to the weather fairly quickly. Yesterday afternoon they spent several hours outside playing tennis with some of the other kids in the faculty housing. There is no shortage of kids and friendships are forming every day. At home we try to keep an eye on the kids all the time. Here they roam freely on the campus and wander in at the end of the day hot, sweaty and happy. Both Daniel and Robert have developed heat rashes, but it hasn't slowed them down a bit.

Susan and I have also found no shortage of new friendships. The other professors and their families have been exceedingly kind and welcoming. It reminds me of another era during the 50s where neighborhoods tended to be very close and supportive. There is time to visit, share life stories, laugh and encourage each other. It is also a community deeply interested in the larger questions of life from a spiritual perspective. Of course it is not prefect and there are the usual struggles with health, relational and financial issues, but it is all in an atmosphere of committed Christians trying to live out their faith with integrity. To borrow from the McDonald's commercial, "I'm loving it!"

Today is Sunday and we are set to explore the English speaking service here on the Handong campus. School is not yet in session, so the attendance will probably be low with the children sitting in the adult services. One of the professors from the law school will deliver the message. We spent a delightful evening with his family eating Italian ice cream and watching a movie last night. After church I'm planning to walk over to my office, turn on the air conditioner, and spend some time preparing for classes tomorrow.

One final very difficult thought: Our hearts are broken over the tragic losses of the two boys at our church summer camp at Yosemite this week, Susan's work friend's 3 year old niece who died of a tragic accident at home, and Tebbe Family friends who just lost their 6 year old due to a river accident.  Our prayers are with the grief stricken families, congregations at CCEA and Ireland, as they seek comfort and strength through our Lord and Savior. Words simply fail to describe the depth of emotion we feel. God bless each and every one of you.

Ken