Many New Beginnings to Light the Path of Unfortunate Circumstance

This certainly was an eventful week.

On Tuesday, Coach took me shopping for new shoes and new insoles. After going to a bunch of different stores, we finally settled on a decent pair of shoes that were at least not initially uncomfortable. We couldn't find the insoles that I needed in any of the stores, so it was suggested that we buy them online. Until then, I was hoping that either the new shoes or my old shoes without any insoles (I had taken out the ones that came in the shoes in the States and replaced them with the special insoles so now I had nothing inside of those) would be sufficient for a few days. But when we ran on Wednesday, after not 10 minutes my knees really started to hurt. You cannot imagine my frustration. I was crying while running. Oh god. I was MAD.

But, on Saturday, the insoles that Coach ordered for me online came. I swear, those things are magic. I put them in, and they were very comfortable. Ok, one down (I bought two different kinds also because I can't risk not being able to run because of knee injuries that I thought were a thing of the past for me...I really took my insoles for granted looking back). Next prospect: running from Haeundae Beach to Songjeong Beach, in between which there is a quite large hill that might be able to be classified as a small mountain. And we were carrying a backpack (he on the way there, me on the way back). You cannot imagine how ecstatic I am to report that knee pain was almost non-existent!!! Going from great discomfort after 10 minutes to 100 minutes of virtually pain-free running (except for blisters incurred from the new shoes and the new insoles) was seriously baffling. I could not contain my happines. My Coach is my savior!!!

Plus, the day was incredibly beautiful - probably around 55-60 degrees and sunny. Amazing!

Later on that night I went out to dinner with Coach and his family. We went to this amazing restaurant that served 오리 불고기, or duck...but...it was amazing duck. So delicious! We celebrated the fact that Coach's birthday is this week - so that was great :) Also, towards the end of the dinner, someone from another table came over with two huge pieces of songpyeon (traditional rice cakes made usually during Chusok) and said, 'traditional Korean food.' ! I thought that was so nice. :) And so delicious!

After dinner we went to Igidae Park and then to Hwangreong Mountain, both of which had amazing views. Ah. Such a great day!

Sunday, we were supposed to do a long ride after the youth team's practice, but since I was really worn out from a really eventful week, we decided to forego the bikeride and go get some stamina food. Oh man. SO delicious! 추어탕- which is soup with some leafy vegetable that looks like spinach amongst crumbled mudfish. It might not sound appetizing, but I can tell you that it really really hit the spot. On top of that there was stone-pot cooked rice, which spelled like pancakes. Oh man. SO GOOD.

And after that, they took me to a fruit and vegetable market where they bought kilos of sweet potatoes, apples, and clementines, and then proceeded to ask the vendors for separate bags so they could set aside a HUGE amount of delicious for me to bring home...

Really...sometimes I feel its not fair that I have such amazing people in my life - both at home in the States and here in Korea. Just having one amazing family at home is something that I am thankful of everyday, but the universe must really like me to have bestowed all of this upon me.

And speaking of my family in the states...Congratulations to my brother and his girlfriend who just got ENGAGED!!!!! Now both my older brother and older sister are engaged!! What a time to not be in the States! But I am ecstatic nonetheless. I love you guys so much, and am SO happy for you!!!! :) xxxxx