Three Months, Seoul, and a Skype Date!

Hi guys!

WOW! I can't believe I've been here for over three months! I'm a third way through with this incredible, life-changing experience; inconceivable! I know that it's only been three short months, but I can already tell that I am a different person as a result of my exchange.

Since I have been here for three months, I finally got to Skype my parents! It was amazing to see and hear them again. They're still just as loving, kind, hilarious, and caring as they were before I left; heck, they might even have increased in all of these traits! I'm glad that I followed Rotary's 3 month rule, because it made seeing my parents on Skype a lot easier. It certainly didn't make me more homesick, which I know it would have if we had Skyped earlier.

A few days ago, all of the inbounds went to Seoul! It was AMAZING! We went to Ever Land, which was an incredible amusement park, and to the DMZ (the De-Militarized Zone)! It was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. We went about 500m underground (sorry guys, I started using the metric system) and walked through the third tunnel that the North Koreans had built in attempt to invade South Korea. It was amazing to physically be in a part of history. Also, everyone kept hitting their heads on the ceiling of the tunnel, except me, because I'm so short. Not really important, but I thought it was really funny.

While we were up at the DMZ, it started snowing. A lot. My friend from Louisiana had never seen snow before, so I thought it was really awesome. Plus, we got into a snowball fight with some people from China. I love the snow, so much, and getting to play in it while at an important historical sight was very, very memorable.

On a side note, I will be changing host families some time this month, but I'm not sure when. So, if you're sending me mail, be aware that I might have changed families before I receive your mail.

All in all, this exchange has already been life-changing and amazing. Thank you to everyone who helped me get here! Thank you especially to the Rotary Club of Monmouth/Independence and District 5100 for giving me this chance.

Until next time!

Madison

Being Sick and Other Things

Hey everyone,

The past few days have been kind of crummy, because I caught a really bad cold. I actually had to stay home from school yesterday and go to the doctors. Don't worry, they only prescribed Tylenol, so I'm fine. I'm feeling a lot better today, which is definitely a good thing.

So, it's almost been three months since I arrived in Korea. Believe me, I'm having so much fun here that I rarely have time to stop and breathe. I'm at this weird place in my exchange where I'm pretty much freaking out that it's been almost three months. I'm freaking out partially because I've been here for close to three months, which means that I only have six months left and then my exchange and new and unique life here ends. I'm also freaking out because I've been here for nearly three months, which means I still have to wait for half of a year before I can hug my parents again. It's a weird place to be emotionally. But don't worry, I'll push through; I always do.

There's something else I wanted to ask you all. I love mail. Literally, it is on my top three favorite things in the world. Even back in the US when I got mail, I'd freak out (just ask my parents). So, I have a request. As it is almost Christmas (sorry for everyone in the States, Thanksgiving already happened here, so Christmas is the next holiday), I was hoping that everyone who reads my blog, or even just a stranger who wants to put a smile on someone's face, could send me a letter. It doesn't even have to be a letter. It could be a card or just a note, anything. I mean, if you want to send me presents too, I wouldn't object.

At the end of this I'll post my current address and I'll update my blog and Facebook if that changes. Just any kind of mail would honestly make my day.

I hope all is well in your lives!

Madison

P.S. To the members of the Rotary Club of Monmouth/Independence, I am so sorry that I have not been in more contact with you all. I have legitimately been looking for a post card since my first day here, but I haven't found any or haven't had the money at the time to buy one. I am so sorry! Just know that all is well on my exchange! And I am still eternally grateful for this incredible, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity you have given me. Thank you all!

My address:
Madison McCammon
Daewoodongsam APT101-1202 woodong
Busan, South Korea 612-770

Happy Halloween

I know it's a few days late, but Happy Halloween!

Unfortunately, they don't celebrate Halloween in Korea, so it just felt like a normal day. I did watch a few of my favorite Halloween movies, but it just wasn't the same. People at my school understood and knew it was Halloween, so a few came up to me and wished me a happy one, but mostly it was just a normal day. I did get invited to lunch with a group of new friends next week, which is super exciting. Mostly because of food, but also because of new friends.

I started teaching US History to the future US Outbounds for my District (3660), which is so exciting. They kind of looked at me funny when I got all excited about high school in America, but I'm really excited to get the chance to teach and talk about home.

Not much has changed or happened since my last post, so I'm sorry that this one is short.

I love you all!

Madison