Up to Speed

There is MUCH to catch the Western world up on.  So pull up the foot stool, clean the lenses on your readers and get ready to spend a few minutes of your time reading through the (mis)adventures of my Korean life!

I'm going to try to get a post out everyday this week.  That should bring you all up to speed on what I've been doing and leave you with enough fun, happy thoughts to hold you over for the two weeks I'm on holiday in China!  (not like I haven't already had radio silence for more than two weeks while still being in Busan, within easy access of a computer, but.... let's slide past that!)

 

So to start, let me tell you a little bit about a 'sport' called Gaelic Football.

I'm using '  '  because GAA (Gaelic Athletic Association) isn't just one sport, it's comprised of many!  And the one I'm learning how to play, Gaelic Football, is several sports combined into one confusing mix of madness that has ever lent itself to somehow be an entertaining, fun, structured sport.  Have a look:

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TEAbWrdB9XU?wmode=transparent]

You can dribble the ball.  Pick the ball up.  Kick the ball.  Punch the ball.  Punt the ball.  Underhand volley the ball.  Kick the ball up to yourself.  Kick the ball into the goal.  Kick the ball over the goal.  Run all over the field.  Shoulder the other team.  You can do just about anything!

You can do just about anything, but all three times that I managed to get the ball during our first friendly scrimmage against Daegu, what happens!?  Whistle blown.  Ahhh rats!!  I used to be good at sports! or fairly good.  But this!! It goes against EVERY sport I have ever played.  

• I played soccer, but in Gaelic you don't leave the ball on the ground and it is best to use your hands, and I do not possess the skills to sole the ball (to run while dropping the ball at my feet, kicking it up to myself and continuing running in a non-falling-over-forward motion).


• I played basketball, but in Gaelic you're only allowed one dribble.


• I played volleyball, but in Gaelic it's only underhand passes.


• I've never played rugby, but I did grow up with an older sister.... enough said.  

I'm sure it's just going to take more practice.  But geeeezzzz!  Talk about complicated.  Not really the sport you(I) just "pick up".  The Irish do, and so did my friend Jill.  Who came to the scrimmage just to watch, but ended up playing AND scoring several goals!!  So proud of her!  

Maybe with a few more practices I'll be scoring goals too and back to my old sporty-self.  Or maybe I'll just practice and cheer on my teammates!

During one play of the scrimmage, I stopped defending the other team to congratulate them on good teamwork - they passed the ball back and forth 3-4 times!!  It was really good!  However, my team didn't find it too nice that I stopped playing to give them a little motivational clap.  Oops!!  And to think! I was never a cheerleader and this is what I've become.  So shameful!

Laochra Busan Gaelic Football Club - your new favorite sports team!

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