Friday, December 18, 2009

Well, that was fun.

2009 was a big year. It was my 25th year. Here are a few favorite moments from the year of ups, downs, and adventure.
























I wish he could have been here to see the end of it too.
Here's to health, happiness and joy in 2010.
currently listening to: Times They Are a Changin', Bob Dylan.

Thursday, December 17, 2009

I've got a Nikon camera...

As I settle into a routine, it is easy to forget how amazing it is to be here. All those things that seemed so amazing the first time I saw them have become part of my daily norm. However, there are the little things that keep that element of surprise alive. Sometimes it is the little market we pass on our way to school, blasting American music (today was "Hey Ricki"), that reminds me to be present and appreciate the things around me.

Christmas break is coming soon and I can hardly wait. We're heading to Seoul and intend to get into as much stuff as we can in three days. I can't wait to put my camera to work and see something amazing. We plan to head to the DMZ and take the tour. That alone will make the trip, the rest is just frosting. Not only do I need the break from school and kids, I need to travel. The wanderlust is acting up once again.


Oragami cranes for my Christmas tree.

currently listening to: Kodachrome, Simon and Garfunkel

Thursday, December 10, 2009

You are here ->

Korea is an interesting place. The people place high importance on families and value moral choices. I read that it is because of a heavy Confucian influence that the Koreans are just good people. I haven't had a single moment that I felt scared or unsafe because of the people around me. People are helpful even though they don't speak the same language, they go out of their way to help you.

We had a moment last weekend where I was confused about which bus to take to Seomun market. Turns out we had been on the right bus, just the wrong direction. We rode all the way to the last stop. The bus driver started talking to us and obviously neither of us knew what the hell the other was saying. However, he did seem to catch something he understood, and he escorted us to the other bus that was waiting. They didn't make us pay, and the bus drivers exchanged some information about our situation. The second bus driver seemed to know exactly where we wanted to go, so we were relieved because we were very far from our apartments.

After a few stops on our new bus, the bus driver came to a stop and began saying something to us and motioning for us to get off. We knew it wasn't where we wanted to go, but he seemed very happy he could help us. So, we got off the bus in the middle of some neighborhood. We were able to catch a taxi to Seomun, and it wasn't too far. It could have been a disaster.

I was thankful for our kind bus drivers who so happily attempted to assist us silly-English-speaking-only girls, even if it didn't take us where we wanted.

currently listening to: Dixie Chicks

Saturday, December 5, 2009

My apartment

Here is the grand tour of my humble home.
(click the picture to watch it)


From Korea



Its cute.

currently listening to: Government Mule

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

keep it comin!

These are some pictures from a traditional Korean lunch we had with our coworkers. Our director took us all out after a school open house on a Saturday afternoon (which was incredibly generous and we are very lucky). They put so many plates on the table, it was almost funny after after a while. It seemed like the food was never going to end. While most of the food was really amazing, there were a few strange looking dishes that I was not open to experiencing that day.


So many dishes to do!


All of our awesome staff!


Maureen and Corinne


Me and our director, Michelle