Because you're important

It's almost five month since I came to America

Absolutely, many thing have been changed if I dare compare with first time I came to here.

First, I can talk with people naturally without fear.

The woman in first picture said she thought I looked very shy

As soon as listen that, I laugh at. Because I am not shy at all.

But I know why she said like that. 

It is true that I looked very shy because I couldn't say anything when I first came 

Before coming to America, I thought It is not big deal to talk with people 

Well.. even if language we use is different. 

However, It is BIG DEAL !

It was not easy to talk with people via language and cultures.

The stress from I can't express my thinking and opinion is still bothering me. 

Sometimes, I feel lonely when friends are talking I don't understand what they're talking and embarrassed about friends laugh at my English mistakes. I know they thought my mistake is cute but I feel sad even I don't know why they are laughing.

But even though sometimes I have troubles and my English is slow and wrong grammar, awkward pronunciation  I really thanks that I can communicate with people. 

I hope and have been praying My English is getting better for talking many things with people.

Second, my taste have been changing!

Before coming to America, I really hate something sweet like drink and cookie, especially put in chocolate!

Still remember my friends' face when I said I do not like chocolate at first week.

It is true that I didn't eat chocolate when I was in Korea

Now? I look for sweet foods every day!

Ohh... My love OREO! Double cream OREO is only one I really want to bring to Korea.

And I will never forget the moment that I first got SMORE at backyard with friends.

I will let my Korean friends smore as soon as going back to Korea.

This is really awesome!

Well.. I hesitate stand in front of mirror but this is my joy!

And most American food is really salty to me. At first week in Atlanta we went to get some pizza. My friends really got the pizza deliciously but I was sick after getting that pizza. Because It is too salty to me. 

So I like homemade food and cooking. 

But one day, I found me who is putting salt in my food.

YES. I become lover salt as well as sugar...

Third, I used to spend time for releasing my stress at last couple month.

It was not easy to start live in different country depart from my family and friends.

Most of all, That there's no any of Koreans made me hard.

I spent time for watching Korean show and movies, calling with friends.

At first week in Atlanta, I truly needed the time only for me. I expected it but It was not easy to admit suddenly changed circumstance. 

So I closed the door and as possible as trying to far way from 'English'

whenever I got break time, how it was so sweet.

But now, the hard time is gone. look around people how they live.

Last couple month, I prayed for overcoming this situation but now make the prayer list and pray for other people. 

And It is unfamiliar to meet stranger and talk with them to me. So I didn't like party and meeting. Probably the big reason is English.

now, I want to meet new people and talk to many things. 

I didn't know but now I can know the joy talking with new people.

I have still trouble to live here and maybe it will make me hard till going back to Korea.
But I am so happy because I have great friends and people.
I so thanks to Ms. Katherin who in charge Action ministries.
Some homeless woman was rude to me and I felt so sad couple days ago.
Katherin saw me and said "Don't be sad no matter what they say to you. We need you because you're important to us."

After school program

Zariah gave me these pictures. 

when she asked how write my name, I felt so happy!

Khleela & Z'ariah

'My grandma's name is Hello kitty!'

'Ohh Jihye, Your English sounds like Spanish!'

'Look at her, she is cute (giggle giggle)'

 All those things is that kids surround me and said to me. 

They seem be interested in me when seeing me. 

Probably that reason might be there're only black american kids and most volunteer is black, too.

They like touching my hair and skin. 

At first time, I was embarrassed about their response but now, whenever they try to touch my hair, I bow to them for they can touch me easily.

If someone ask what is most hardest part of volunteering in after school program, I would not hesitate to say 'Reading Book'!

Even if I have learned English for couple years, It is still difficult to read book for kids.

Because some words are unfamiliar and my accent is also big trouble. 

when Zariah said to me my English sounds like Spanish, I so laughed a lot and felt sad.

Sometimes, they do not focus on listening, I am sorry to them. The reason would be my English.

When people ask what I am doing in here, I usually say I help teaching kids. 

However actually, I have been learning many things from them.

If I say some word differently, they let me know what is right pronunciation.

 sometimes when I read fairy tale book, there's always the word I don't know that meaning.

At first, I was so embarrassed about new word but now I ask to kids.

"what is this meaning of words?"

Everyone like teaching something, kids they also too.

They try to letting me understand that meaning, using body language or drawing picture.

This is killing two birds with one stone!

Now, I can recognize they're taller than time we first me.

They are so lovely and sometimes make me surprised at amazing imagination.

It is still hard to make them focus on homework but It's God's blessing that I can meet and communicate with them.