Day 1 in SK

To my coworkers, you will enjoy this......contrary to popular belief, I do not look like a Fay-sian (fake Asian) to the people of South Korea!  I thought people in SK would take one look at me and know I am a Fay-sian! However, the only thing that's really given any indication is the fact that David is with me.  He is definitely the minority. It's so funny how everyone assumes I know what they are talking about. They rattle off Korean and I just give them this blank stare. It started on the flight to SK. All of the Korean stewardesses spoke in Korean and it has continued from there. I'm learning a little, but it's a very difficult language. I've mastered the currency. Food however has been a challenge. As much as I want to eat some authentic Korean, it's difficult when the entire menu is Hangul. There aren't even pictures for me to point to. Therefore, we've been taking it slow with food and have only had Pizza Hut and Popyes Chicken. We found more restaurants in a college district near our guest house that have both English and Korean so the food should improve tomorrow. We also found this great pastry shop called Paris Baguette. Best pastries I have ever had! Tomorrow we are going on a street food tour with some of our adoption friends. I can't wait to tell you all about it! 

Our first meeting with Bennett was great; very laid back. Our social worker spoke very little English, which made our visit a little challenging. We were supposed to take some of this visit to ask questions to help us with the transitions on our pick up trip. However, with the language barrier it was difficult. The social worker initially left us all alone which was also awkward. No introductions, just take your shoes off and go in this room.  The foster mother was talking up a storm in Korean and I just smiled and nodded.  I wish I knew what she was saying. 

The FM showed us pictures of Bennett's second birthday party. He is definitely loved by her family. He loved David's cell phone and kept acting like he was talking on the phone to someone. He has a great imagination and naturally is a very busy two year old. He loved going down this small slide. He would laugh and giggle everytime he slid down. He would let David catch him and then climb back up and slide down again. He even sat in my lap and colored a picture for us (thanks Nana for sending the crayons). We have our first piece if artwork from our little one; just one of the things so easily taken for granted. A piece of paper with a bunch of scribbles :) We get to see him again on Monday and will also have a lunch with the director of the agency. I hope to have better pictures at that time. He moves so fast. It's hard to get good photos.

We volunteered with the babies at the agency this evening. It was exhausting! There were about 10 children under the age of 1 and 5 toddlers in one room. There was one worker in our room. It was a sad sight. Most of them were sick with colds and left in cribs or on play mats. The room was so hot too; about 85-90 degrees. The babies were sweating, We were sweating! David hung out with the toddlers and helped feed them. I stayed with the little ones and helped with feedings and put most of them to bed. Many of them were also teething so there were a lot of unhappy little ones. Hopefully, they will get to go to a foster family soon. There was another room that had all of the newborn babies. They were so tiny and precious; just waiting for their forever families.

That's all for now! Love and hugs to you all!

Amanda