You can take the girl out of social work....

but you can't take the social work out of the girl.

Being a teacher in Korea doesn't fill my desire to help others. If I were a teacher back home, I would be more involved with the social and emotional needs of my students. However, because of the differences in both language, and maybe more so culture, I can not get as involved as I would like.
Fortunately, there are other outlets for my social work desires. In Mokpo, a program was started by a foreigner a few years ago. A group of waygook (foreign) teachers teach classes every Monday evening at an orphanage right up the street from my apartment.
The orphanage is run by Catholic ( I assume) nuns. A "sister" helps us with our class; however, I am 80 % sure one of our students is her son, and she also has an older daughter. So I am not sure how that really works. In a recent conversation, she said that she is married to Jesus Christ, so the only sensible explanation is that another Virgin Mary also exists in today's world in Mokpo, South Korea.
Travis and I taught this class together, and now my friend Kelli and me teach the class. We have 7 students ages 7-11 "korean" age, so 5-10 "everywhere else in the world" age.
Their names are Chul Jin, Song Hee, Min Ji, Ha Nul, Eun Joo, Hae Song, and I can NEVER remember the 7th student's name! Bad Lin Ji teacher :( I could type little personality profiles on each student, but I am aware that not all people are as intrigued by different personality characertistics as me. So if you are one of those people, just ask me, and I would be more than happy to give you copius details of each kiddo's personality.
We do not teach during winter vacation, so I have been missing my students A LOT! Yesterday on my way to the gym, I happened to pass Ha Nul, Song Hee, Chul Jin, and Auntia aka 2nd Virgin Mary . I was greeted with hugs and "Lin Ji teacher Lin Ji teacher." Long story shortened, I ended up attending a concert and eating dinner with all the sisters and the kiddos later that evening. It was a beautiful concert, and an overall moving experience.
The proceeds from the concert are going toward a mission trip to help the less fortunate in the Phillipines. Sister Thomas informed me that next month 32 of the students and several sisters will make the trip. Yes, these children are orphaned, but she wants them to realize that there are far less fortunate children in the world. She wants them to have a better appreciation for what they do have. The orphange is a very nice facility, and there is a strong sense of family between the sisters and the children. However, I am a firm believer that the bond of a biological family is one, for whatever reasons, is a difficult one to break. The longing that children have for their parents, especially their mothers, is incomprehensible.
Regardless of religious preference or cultural background, this is the most awe inspiring form of "pay it forward" that I have ever witnessed. It is easy to discuss support of various charities, it is pretty easy to write a check for some charitable cause, it is easy for many of us to volunteer for a few hours a week; because at the end of the day we go home to our comfortable lives and our loving families. Spending time with these children is by far the highlight of my week. I assure you that these children give me far more than I could ever give them.

Sorry this post was suppose to be a light hearted and brief overview of my after school adventures. But, I really miss social work, its the only thing that seems to give me a sense of purpose. Since this is the unedited version, I also feel like it shold also be an honest account of my life whether it be past or present. I left home for several reasons 1) I needed a change of pace. 2) I have always had a longing for adventures. 3) I felt that I was failing miserably at my job back home. As I said, social work gives me a sense of purpose, but unfortunately being assertive is not one of my personality characteristics. I always felt like there was more that I could have done or said. I'm also a sponge when it comes to other peoples' stress, and I couldn't handle it anymore. So to all of those in the "trenches" back home, I'm sending all of my love and upmost respect. You all stayed to endure so that others could have better lives.