The Roberts in Korea

Keeping On

As we wrap up the end of the school year we are keeping busy and keeping on.  Becca and Sarah are keeping out ahead of their parents in more ways than one.  They are busy with end of the year school, activities and friends, but they are loving it.  As we plan for our trip back to the USA for the summer it is a bit overwhelming to consider all the things that we need to get done here in South Korea so that we can go to the USA.  And then it is a bit overwhelming to consider the many things that we want to do and need to get done while we are in States.

I (Ryan) am throwing a wrench into the works of the summer because I will be spending three weeks of our six week summer break in New Jersey, taking classes at Drew University.  I am thankful for the opportunity to take classes, but I am not looking forward to being away from Dina and the girls for three weeks and I am bummed about losing so much time in the summer that I could spend with friends and family.  Oh well, I guess we will thankfully keep on.

In the midst of the end of the year craziness we did slip away and go to a movie a week or so ago.  Our favorite movie theater is the CINUS theater.  It is on the fifth floor of a shopping building.  We like the movie theaters here because they have assigned seating, they have reclining seats and the snacks (popcorn, caramel corn, soda pop, nachos, and dried buttered squid) are cheap.

Sarah at the Jesus Abbey

Just over a week ago Sarah and 20 other middle school students took school to the mountains of South Korea for three days.  They all boarded a bus and drove four hours to the Northern Taebaek Mountains of South Korea.  They all went to the Jesus Abbey.

The Jesus Abbey is a place that was established by a man named Ben Torrey (grandson of the famous evangelist, R. A. Torrey) as a place where people can spend time in spiritual retreat and prayer.  The Abbey also serves as a place of training for people that are interested in ministry to the people of North Korea when the wall to that country comes down.

At the Abbey, Sarah and the other middle schoolers were engaged in service as they were clearing trails, picking rock out of fields, doing their own dishes and cleaning up around the Jesus Abbey facility.  Sarah and her friends spent an hour each day in silent prayer, Bible study and spiritual journaling (this is a requirement if you stay at the Jesus Abbey) and they learned a lot about the story of God and about the people of North Korea from Ben Torrey.  Sarah said the place was beautiful and she had a great time.

Good Coffee and Smorking

I don't have much time to post, but I do have time to include some silly signs of Korea.  Enjoy...

The Prom

Friday night here at TCIS was the biggie...the Prom.  Becca had a date and it was quite an event.  It all began a few weeks ago when Becca began looking on-line for the style of dress that she wanted to wear to the prom.  After numerous photos and finally a "thumbs up" from her Mom...and Dad, she printed off the picture of her dress and her Mom and her took it to a Korean sewing shop and in a few words and with lots of gestures said, "Please make this dress."  After two more trips to the seamstress for fittings etc. the dress arrived at home--it was beautiful.

As the day of the prom edged closer and closer the rest of the prom outfit came together.  The "right" shoes were secured (borrowed) from a teacher at TCIS and the "right" clutch (a purse) was purchased with a day to spare.

Friday (Prom day) after school, the preparations for the main event really ramped up.  Right after school Becca and some friends headed to a local hair dresser to get their hair done.  Dina accompanied the group and took some pictures.  After the hair dresser Becca headed over to her friend's house (Abby) to get dressed and ready.  (Dina and Ryan followed...Dina helped and Ryan took pictures.)

At Abby's house the preparation included make-up, eye liner, finger nail and toe nail polish touch ups, hair adjustment, perfume, lip gloss, deodorant, lotion and finally the dress (and shoes).  It was quite a time.  Lots of smiles, laughter, giggles and jitters.  By the time it was time to go, the girls were ready to go and Becca and Abby looked fantastic.

Friday night was a bit of a rainy evening so we all grabbed our umbrellas and walked the short distance to the school.  In the school atrium we met up with Becca's date--Vincent (he is a nice guy and good friend of Becca), and we met up with lots of Becca's friends.  Lots of students were at the atrium because they were all taking the school bus out to the Riviera Hotel, where the Prom was being held.

While at the atrium, Becca and Vincent exchanged the corsage and boutonniere and Dina help them with the application (the corsage was tied on Becca's wrist and the boutonniere was pinned on Vincent's lapel).  We took lots of pictures, everyone ooh-ed and aah-ed over each other's dresses etc. and then it was time to board the bus.

From that point, the parental supervision stopped.  All that is known about the actual prom event is what Becca has shared and what can be gleaned from Facebook photos and comments.  Overall, it was a grand time.  Becca said the Riviera banquet hall was fancy, the music was loud and the food was good.  Becca said that most of the evening was taken up standing in line for the prom pictures.  The pictures were taken out in the open with couples, groups and silly poses--so it was fun to watch.

Becca had a great time with her friends and her date.  In the pictures you can see Becca with friends like:  Brittney, Christina, Hanji, Hannah, Abby and many others.  At 11:30 p.m. the prom bus pulled into the circle drive of the school.  Becca's Mom and Dad were there waiting for her.  Becca and Vincent got off the bus smiling--they had a great time.  After goodbyes, Ryan, Dina, Becca and two of her girlfriends pulled out the umbrellas and headed for home.  The Prom was a great time and a great memory.

Side note:  In the final picture of Dina and Becca walking home in the rain from the prom you can see the roses that are growing along the sidewalk in front of the Hansup Apt. complex.  The roses are significant as they were one of the things that we noticed when we visited South Korea for a week--over four years ago.  The roses are a reminder of God's goodness and faithfulness throughout the years and seasons of our lives.

For this father, who just tags along behind taking pictures...the roses, their scent and their beauty remind me to savor the moments that are passing by all too quickly.

Life

The month of May is a crazy one in the life of a school.  Everything is wrapping up--culminating activities, graduation, end of the year concerts, prom, field trips, final exams, final projects--this is the time of year that TCIS is a busy place and we are busy family.  In the midst of the activity we don't want to forget to notice and savor the moments of life.

A week or so ago Becca and her friends had a big sleepover/party and a part of their fun night included a trip to a Noraebang (a place where you sing Karaoke).  They had a good time and made some memories.  I included a picture of Becca "performing" at the Noraebang.

I (Ryan) got up early last Saturday and took a taxi to the outskirts of town and took a walk in the great outdoors.  It was nice to get out of the city, smell the flowers, hear the birds and walk the trails of the mountains and hills that border the city of Daejeon.  After a bit of climbing I found myself in a place where I had a nice view of the city.  I took a few pictures.  It was a good time.

You have seen a picture of this bulldog before.  His home is along the route that we take when we walk home.  We like to stop by and say hi every once in awhile.  Here is a nice picture of "Max" the bulldog in South Korea.

Brent's 50th

Last Saturday we attended a birthday BBQ bash for our friend, Brent Frazier.  Brent celebrated his 50th birthday.  A half a century...it just doesn't sound that old anymore.  Brent is the guy in the white shirt in all of the pictures.

It was a good party.  Dr. Penland manned the BBQ grills.  He did a great job cooking up hamburgers, hot dogs and chicken.  The dinner included a smorgasbord of salads, fruit bowls, chips and veggie trays.  The BBQ was good but the best food of the evening was found at the dessert table.  Mrs. Penland is an amazing cook when it comes to desserts.  I enjoyed a nice big piece of German chocolate cake and a slice of coconut creme pie.  Mmmm...

Brent is the Director of the TCIS/GSIS Dormitory/Residence Program.  He has been in Korea working at TCIS for 15+ years.  He grew up as a missionary kid in Africa.  He attended boarding school in Africa for a good portion of his childhood years.  Brent's home in the USA is in Tennessee.  Brent knows how to spin a yarn and it is always a joy to hear him tell a tale about the snakes in Africa or the shenanigans that take place in the backwoods of Tennessee.  Happy Birthday Brent!

Swinging Time at I-Fest

The International Festival (I-Fest) at TCIS was a lot of fun this year.  As you know, Sarah got her hair cut at I-Fest and the rest of us just had a fun day and a great time.  It was fun watching teachers get dunked in the dunking booth. 

We enjoyed lots of acts on the main stage.  One of the acts included Levi Miller and some the other soccer guys "juggling" soccer balls with their feet--impressive.  Becca and her friends enjoyed the tire swing that was set up in the gymnasium.  Becca rode the tire swing many times.  She is fearless. 

The I-Fest evening culminated in a spectacular fireworks show that would rival any show that I have seen the States.  I think that we can get them cheap here because of our proximity to China.  We have lots of good memories of I-Fest 09.

The Night Sky and a Great Story

A few weeks ago I (Ryan) had the opportunity to speak at the yearly Dorm Spiritual Retreat.  On a weekend each spring, the TCIS dorm staff hosts a spiritual retreat for about 30 students in the dormitory program.  This is an event where students are given the opportunity to participate in activities and events that will enable and encourage them to grow deeper in their commitment to and relationship with Christ.

I was one of the first speakers on the agenda of the retreat and my topic was to give the students an overview of the "Big Picture" as it relates to the story of God.  Key to the talk was the idea that each person is a very integral and valued "character" in God's story.

After a time of singing praise and worship songs in the dormitory recreation room the entire group moved up onto the roof of the building.  It was a beautiful, crisp, cool evening.  The view from the roof was spectacular, the story of God was amazing, but the speaker??...now that is another story.

Now You Know

My friend Dave wins the award for his astute reading of our blog.  He asked about the "Pee for Free" t-shirt that Alexandra Zickefoose is wearing on the "Sarah's New Hair-Do," blog post.  The "Pee for Free" t-shirt is from this year's high school musical/drama at TCIS.  This spring the TCIS drama department, under the direction of Heidi Zickefoose, presented the musical, "Urinetown." 

"Urinetown the Musical" is a musical comedy that satirizes capitalism, bureaucracy and small town politics.  The setting of the musical is in a city that is experiencing an extreme water shortage because of a twenty-year drought.  The city leaders decide to make some money and charge people to go to the bathroom.  Even though the title and the theme of the show are a bit off-putting the songs, lyrics, script, characters and theme all come together in a show that is so funny it will almost make you wet your pants.  (sorry about that)

Sarah was involved in the production at TCIS.  She was a member of the extended cast and played the part of a poor orphan girl that greeted the audience as they entered the auditorium and made their way to their seats.  She begged for money from the audience so she could pay to access the bathroom facilities.  The show was a hit and a great event to attend.  All that remains of the TCIS production are good memories and the t-shirts.  If you see Sarah in a "Pee for Free" t-shirt this summer...well, now you know.

Sarah's New Hair-Do

On the first Saturday of May, TCIS held its annual International Festival (I-Fest).  The festival is full of carnival games, fund raising booths for various ministries and lots of delicious international food booths.  One of the regular events at the I-Fest activity is the presence of the  Locks-of-Love booth.  Here is the website description of what Locks-of-Love is:  "Locks of Love is a public non-profit organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children in the United States and Canada under age 18 suffering from long-term medical hair loss from any diagnosis."  (Here is the Locks-of-Love LINK.)

Sarah has been growing her hair out in preparation to make a donation to this year's Locks-of-Love booth at I-Fest.  Dina worked as a volunteer in the Locks-of-Love booth and was the person that cut Sarah's hair.  Sarah went to the booth with her friend, Alexandra Zickefoose.  They both were very excited to donate their long beautiful hair.  After a few snips and bit of trimming Sarah and Alexandra were sporting new summer hair-do's.  It was a fun day.