--Happy Ball Walk--

A few weeks ago, I went to a sporting goods store across the street from school and bought a gym ball. I've been feeling like I should do a little more exercising and I thought starting out stretching at home would at least be something. I brought it home and sat in the living room pumping away for what seemed like forever. The following morning Clinton commented that it already seemed smaller and softer. Once again, I sat down and began pumping away, only to be let down again the following morning to it's sliightly deflated form. After getting a translation from a korean teacher at school, I went back to the store with box in hand and was hoping to get my money back or an exchange. After some gesturing and stuttered korean, they were more than happy to pump up a new ball for me and let me test it out. Noooooo problem. I sat and waited patiently as they set about using their electric pump and within around 5 min. I was ready to head home with my new, larger, green gym ball. I briefly considered getting a taxi, but quickly nixed that as it wasn't quite as hot as usual and I thought a good walk with my new ball was in order. Turned out to be well worth it. I haven't ever had so many people smile or talk to me in one walk as they did last night. It was hilarious, me walking down the street with this 3 foot wide huge ball bouncing in front of me the whole way. Old and young alike were more than a little curious. Their reactions ranged from openly laughing to trying not to stare to children running after me yelling. Old men talked to me, that otherwise never would. Young high schoolers used what little English they could come up with quickly. One little boy was in the tight grasp of his mother walking and still couldn't help but turn around and stare as his mother continued to yank him along. All along the way, I just kept laughing. What a funny walk....