The Long Goodbye (For Real This Time)

Well, friends... I have finally made some decisions in my life. Phewww. I will be leaving this country that I love April 27th. It is a bittersweet decision. It is going to be very hard to leave Korea, but I am so excited to start over and stay in one country/city for awhile. I have moved to a new house, city, state, or country almost every year since 2002 and boy am I tired. I want to decorate an apartment, make friends that I won't have to say goodbye to as often, buy things and not wonder how they will fit in my suitcase, and of course, be closer to the most important people in my life! The plan is that I will start sending my resume out to schools in Denver and see if I get anything. If nothing comes my way, I will move anyways (ha!) and figure it out as I go. It's really scary. I'm terrified actually. Korea may seem hard to most people, but to me it has become my home. It would be much easier to stay here with the comforts of a job, apartment, and a steady income than starting over again. However, I have come to the realization that life is not always rainbows and puppies (my students favorite writing topics). Sometimes the easy route isn't the right one.

I have now started the long goodbye to Korea. I'm trying to enjoy everyday and take everything in. I don't want to miss anything.

I'm excited my long goodbye will include one of my best friends, Eryn and her new husband Jeff, who will arrive in 2 weeks. I get to be their welcome to the country girl and tour guide. I couldn't have come up with a better way to spend the last 6 months here.

You can expect me to be in MN by June sometime for a couple weeks. April 27th I will be heading to Nepal for 14 days. I was going to climb Everest, but it is off season. Darn. Then I will be heading to India for about a month. I can't wait to see more of the country that was so fascinating and incredibly overwhelming the last time I was there. I never thought I would actually have the chance to go back. I will be heading there with two of my friends from work kaila and Therese. I'm sure you will meet them someday. They are great. Just like you.

I hope your fall is lovely and you are taking time to enjoy the weather, the beauty around you, and the people by your side.

xoxo


ps. Katie (my cousin and sister) and two of her friends were here a couple weeks ago and we had a BLAST. Here is a couple pics.



Love you. Visiting me in Korea meant more than you will ever know! :)

Yeah, So...I'm a Creeper.

One of my favorite activities on this side of the world is taking pictures of strangers. I may be a creeper in the eyes of some, but I am ok with that. I am photographed by people all the time and sometimes feel like a zoo exhibit, so I figure I can do it too. Here are some random photos from random days of my life here in Seoul. Random days with no plans are my best days. Just flying by the seat of my pants. Do it. I dare you.

























xoxo

Chuseok, Second Time Around

Hi friends. It has been awhile. It seems like that has been the opener for most of my blogs this time around in Korea. I have a lot less free time and my job is far more exhausting than my previous job. However, I am not complaining whatsoever. I am grateful to have a job and one that I love...most days. I'm not going to lie though, I will be relieved to move on to older students in my next job. I am getting a little burned-out with my kindergartners, but I think I just need a restful weekend to give myself a pick-me-up. My new students test me everyday, but I am learning a lot. Woop! Woop! I have to report that less students are picking their noses lately, but I am little concerned when cold season hits. EEEK! Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving) was last month. It was a fun filled day with strange games, hanboks(traditional clothing), food, and dancing. I had fun just hanging out with my students and being silly.


My "Earth" class. They are very smart with big personalities. They definitely keep me on my toes and steal all my energy. However, I love them. How can you not?

If I can't see you, you can't see me. These boys also take plenty of my energy in my "Mercury" class. They are also in the "I pick my nose" group. Good times.

My Joseph. A day is not complete if I don't get a hug from him.

Boy will be boys...even in nice clothes. Rex, one the left, is quite the character. I think he is going to a Sunday school class or his parents are teaching him about the 10 Commandments. Either way, I had my favorite teaching moment last week.

Arwen (AKA princess Arwen): I don't like my mom. She is making me go to the dentist
Rex (jumping up from his chair, pointing, and shouting): You're going to HELL!!!

This led to a 5 minute conversation about when all the other students had heard the word hell before and its context. Obviously, I had to explain to them that it was not a word we say in class. It was hilarious and I had to turn around so they wouldn't see me laughing. I also started laughing through out class when I thought about it. My students thought I was nuts.


tough guy

posing with their masks they made

proud

WHo is who?


Girls making the traditional rice cake called songpyeon. It is as important as turkey or stuffing in our Thanksgiving.

You would never guess that the boy in this photo (Eric) is the worst behaved munchkin I have EVER had. Although it is hard to get mad at him when he tells me his mom tells him he is stupid often. I have found out how transparent kids are and MOST of their behavior issues directly correlate with their home life. Obviously, this does not include every child.

The worst game in the history of the world for children. Having children "chicken fight" and see who can knock each other down first. Hmmm.... WHAT WERE THEY THINKING?!?

Hmmm... 30 minutes with nothing to do? Let's DANCE!

I love watching my children laugh.




I love Chuseok.

xoxo