Josh's Birthday

Happy Birthday, Josh!!! Today is Josh's birthday. I feel bad that I didn't spend most of the day with him since I was with Grace, but he understands. He was feeling a little under the weather anyway, so it wasn't like I kept him from going places. When I got back the family met up and went to VIPS for dinner. I bought Josh a birthday cake and brought it to the restaurant. After we ate we parted ways again. I'm in the dorm now, trying to pack my things and get out of here. Don't get me wrong; I really like Korea. I do, however, miss sleeping in my own bed... and things around here really don't feel the same since most of the other exchange students have left.

My Grace is Gone

Today, Grace returned home. To spend our last day together we did what we normally do: eat, watch movies, talk, and cuddle. This time, however, we did a couple of different things. We went out and planted the lavender plant she gave me. We did this last night. Then we returned to her apartment and watched a couple movies and talked and finally fell asleep. When we woke up we got ready and went to the airport. It was very sad and I really had to hold back from tearing up. She's so great and I miss her so much already. I saw her every day for months and now I'm not going to be able to see her for a long time (possibly years). Ya Ya, wo ai ni!!! Wo xiang ni!!!

Father's Day

Sunday was Father's Day so, aside from wishing my father a "happy father's day", we met up with Grace and went to Suwon Fortress. That's not the real name but it's easier to say, type, and understand. We took a trolley around some of the fortress. I think my family really liked it. Then we went to New Core Outlet. We were going to go to a park near by but ended up doing a little browsing in New Core and then went back towards Ajou University for dinner. I took my parents to a cha ja myun (a type of Chinese noodles) place and Grace gave them their gift. She had gotten them Chinese wooden chop sticks in a very nice wooden box in a very nice box. It was, as you can guess, very nice. Both of my parents are working on using chop sticks so it would seem that they'll actually use them (at least for a little while). Then we parted ways and I stayed with Grace since she was leaving the next day.

The Family's First Full Day

Yesterday was the first full day for my family, in Korea. As usual, the weather didn't cooperate and it rained. So, my plans for yesterday had to be changed. We ended up going to my campus and I showed them my dorm, as well as the rest of the campus. From there we took a little break and I visited Grace (I miss her). Then, after meeting back up with the family, we went to Suwon Station and did a little shopping. No one bought anything but I think they enjoyed walking around and looking at things. After walking so much everyone was hungry. So, we went to a Korean BBQ. They really liked that and Josh thinks it would be a hit states side. Then we tried to get back to the hotel and that was interesting. It would seem that no one knows of this hotel. I tried to explain where it was and I even gave the cab driver the address but he still didn't understand. It took a really long time and we tried everything to get him to figure out where we wanted to go. We showed him on a map, told him the name of the intersection (with the two intersecting street names), what was near it, etc. Finally, I told him to take us to the Home Plus that was two blocks away and we walked from there. Once we got to the hotel my family kind of passed out. I thought about going back to Grace's but I didn't want to just leave my family here and have them wake up and not know where I am or how to get a hold of me.

Meet the Parents... and Josh

So, today was the big finally party for the exchange students. I didn't really get to go since I had to pick up my family at the Incheon airport. I don't mind missing the event, I'd much rather be with my family, but I am a little bummed that I wasn't able to spend time with Grace and eat a buffet... for free. You know... college teaches lots of things... mainly that you should never miss a free meal.

My trip to the airport took a lot longer than it should have. It was supposed to be an 80 min. bus ride but it took 2 1/2 hours. Luckily, my family wasn't waiting long. It seemed as if we all arrived at the same time. On the way back we had to wait at Hotel Castle for a bus to our hotel. Much to my/our surprise, Grace was on a bus back from Suwon station and saw us. She got off the bus and met us. I was thrilled and it really made my day. She's just awesome and the greatest, sweetest, prettiest, young lady ever. She met my family and wowed them (as to be expected). My family now loves her and thinks she's great, too. Now, I'm at the hotel with my family and I miss her... a lot.