Joy to the WORLD!

I can’t believe it has already come and gone.

Christmas this year exceeded my expiation's by leaps and bounds.

I really pictured Christmas as being one of the most depressing times while I’m living in S. Korea, but it was anything but. And I am Oh- sooooo thankful for that.

We don’t get any days off for Christmas here. Basically the holiday is not that big of a deal.
But I work with some of the most wonderful people who helped bring the Christmas spirit.

We had a secret Santa on Thursday night at our head teacher’s apartment with the 10 of us foreign teachers. It was so fun and everyone got really thoughtful gifts for each other. I just really love these people. I love that we all get along and hang out. I love everyone’s personalities. So thankful for them.




I even tried to “bake”. They are no bake oreo truffles made with cream cheese, oreos, and white chocolate. They were a hit- thank you pintrest =)



Friday we did a secret Santa with the whole office- It was really fun and once again everyone got really great gifts- it was nice to give and get presents two days in a row =)

But the BEST part of Friday was when we walked out of work and it was snowing BUCKETS of snow. We all squealed like little kids and went out and took pictures in the snow. After our traditional Friday night chicken BBQ we went to the Christmas party at the neighborhood bar where a lot of foreigners hangout There were SOOOO many foreigners there. I really did not realized how many “waygooks”, as the Koreans say, live in my neighborhood. It was really fun- but I headed home early- because I had to get up at 6:00 Saturday to go skiing!!!

So two girls I work with, Reuel and Jen, and I got up early Saturday and went to the bus terminal in Seoul to catch the bus to Phoenix Park. After a nap during the 3 hour bus ride we picked up our rentals and hit the slopes.



It was so beautiful- I could not get over the views. It was mountains as far as the eye could see covered with fresh snow. The beginner hills were busy- so we mostly stayed on blues and blacks where we had the place to ourselves. It was a great resort with lots of fun runs. and the COOLEST part- the 2018 Winter Olympics will be held there. We skied the same slopes where they will hold Olympic races. So cool.









We spent the evening of Christmas Eve at the spa and water park. Rough life I know ;) It was perfect- we were cold and sore for a long day on the slopes so a few hours soaking in hot tubs was wonderful.

On our way back to our room we bought some fun snacks- like a bottle of Muscato, chocolate, crackers, cheese, chips- all the fixing for a Christmas eve feast =) We watched Elf and exchanged small gifts. It was not the Christmas Eve I’m use to- but it was wonderful.



Christmas morning was spent on the slopes. It was EMPTY- this was a shocker. I pictured it being packed- but we had the place to ourselves. It was FREEZING but we sucked it up and enjoyed every second. I have never skied on Christmas day until now. And also now I have skied on 3 continents- pretty cool =)



That afternoon we took the bus back to Seoul and headed home to have our Christmas dinner with some of the girls who live in our neighborhood. One of the Irish girls works at a preschool and was able to use the oven- this is a big deal! Everyone worked really hard to make the meal wonderful. We had shrimp and smoked salmon for starters, chicken, 2 types of potatoes, so many veggies, wine, the list goes on and on.







It was such a lovely dinner. I’m so blessed to have such wonderful community here. I’m so thankful for the people I get to live my life with here.

After dinner I went home and skyped with my mom. We opened eachother’s presents. It was so fun. I got my mom a lot of cloths and she really liked everything I got her =) I was very happy to open my gifts from her. She sent me a lot of great goodies that I can never get here like sparkly Toms and PINK brand undies. She is wonderful and I just love her so much!





Then I was skyped into Christmas tree time at my Dad’s. It was fun to see my brothers open their gifts and I really loved seeing them get their gifts from me. It might sound silly, but I really felt like I was there. I love and miss them so much! I can’t wait to go home and give them the biggest hugs of their lives!

Christmas was so wonderful and not depressing at all. I’m oh so thankful for this. I have so much to be thankful for and I have been given so many gifts in this past year =)

Koreans don’t believe in vacation, so we were back to work Monday- but that’s ok =)

Happy Birthday Jesus!

enjoy this video of some of my very shy students singing =)

Christmas in Korea

It's finally feeling like Christmas here in Seoul!




The holidays here are A LOT different from what I’m use to- but that’s ok

I’ve done quite a few things to celebrate Christmas.

It started a few weekends ago with the Weaver’s Christmas Party.

They are a wonderful family I go to church with here in Seoul.

Dale, the Dad, came to Seoul about 16 years ago to teach English and meet his now wife Gunson. They have lived and raised their family in the states until a few years ago when they moved to Seoul for Dale’s job on the US Army Base.







They are so kind and open their home and feed us wonderful American goodies they buy at the commissary. Also they have an OVEN.

This means homemade cookies- ahhh so wonderful.

It was so nice to spend time hanging out around the Christmas tree and sing christmas carols. And we are in Korea- so the piano was an Ipad- so Korean =)







I’m so thankful for wonderful people like the Weavers- they are making my experience over here so wonderful.

This past weekend we had the Avalon corporate holiday party.

Boy was it swanky




We are talking caviar and champagne swanky- nice right

Last night 15 of my friends flattered me and came to see the Nutcracker Ballet with me at Seoul Arts Center.





Words can’t describe how perfect it was.

So beautiful.

My friends might have snuck this picture- shhh don’t tell.



Saturday morning Jen, Reuel, and I are getting up early and going to spend Christmas eve and day skiing and snowboarding.

Not just anywhere- but at Phoenix Park- the Olympics will be held here in 2018- yeah- awesome- I know.

Merry Christmas from South Korea!

First Semester Reflections

I’m here at the 4 month mark.

I have finished my first semester- 3 more to go =)

And I have not cried once about work. yay!

I have learned a lot.

The biggest lesson would probably be that I will be a teacher for the rest of my life.

Good to know- really good to know =)

This semester was hard, but I learned that I am really doing what I love and using my gifts.

I have learned A LOT about grace- oh so much

Nothing feels better than realizing how much some of my students progressed this semester.

Especially my lowest lever students that would not speak at the beginning of the semester- hearing them reading paragraphs 3 months later is amazing!

See a few of my laziest, worst students turn into hard workers that actually do their class work and participate.

I still have a lot to learn though. There were still many students that I had a hard time controlling.

Making class fun is always a struggle when we have hefty books to get through- but I’m determined to find a way for these kid’s sake.

My students go to school from 8-3 everyday- and then turn around and go to academies for the rest of the night. We have 3rd graders that leave here at 8:40. I think 9pm was my bed time in 3rd grade. Koreans don’t mess around when it comes to education.

These kids don’t have time to play and just enjoy being a kid- my goal this semester is to make my class fun and productive.

I’m so excited to teach for the rest of my life- but I know I want to go back to the states and get my masters.

I’m looking very seriously in the Memphis Teaching Residency. It’s a 4 year program where you get you master during the first year and then you commit to teaching 3 years in Memphis City Schools. It’s linked with SOS- the ministry I worked for in the summer of 2008 in Memphis. I would really love to go back to Memphis and be apart of the change happening the city. This will probably have to wait until June 2013 because of my contract, but I look forward to learning more about teaching and moving to this city I love in the future.

Teaching in an academy here has been a great experience so far- but there is a huge challenge in academies- and that would be the parent pleasing.

I work for a business, not a school. We are in the business of keeping parents and students happy. My goal is to teach and see the kids improve, but the school’s goal is to keep enrollment up. This can be really annoying, but I’m learning to work with it and I’m trying not to get too frustrated.

Anyways...

It is really winter here now- I’m not quite sure how I feel about that yet. Check back in a few days for an update about how I’m celebrating the holidays here on the other side of the world =)

Seorae Village

Let me tell you about the latest slice of heave I have discovered while living in South Korea.

Seorae Village

Seoul is home to about 1000 french people working at various french companies that do business in Korea. About half of the French living in Korea have settled in Seorae Village. This neighborhood is centered around the French International School and has been nicked named the little Montmartre of Korea.

If you know anything about me- you probably know I’m obsessed with France. The 3 years I lived in Paris and the 6 months when I studied in Angers have filled my heart with love for France.

So I was really excited to go explore. Jamie and I meet Mi-yeon for lunch at Paris Croissant. Paris Croissant is a big franchise bakery and there is one on almost every corner in Seoul, but the one is Seorae is different. They import their flour from France and real live FRENCH men bake the bread right in front of your eyes- Ligit.

I had an amazing sandwich

And of course we got coffee and dessert.

They had too many options.

Looks like I’m going to have to go back until I try them all =)

They have a terrace at the top- so quiet and peaceful, away from the hustle and bustle for the 26 million people in and around Seoul.

We did not really do much else in the area, but there are lovely cafes, restaurants, wine shops, and even a cheese shop.

We stayed there for a good few hours and enjoyed life.

Listening to the sounds of little french children enjoying their pastries.

It’s really easy to find. From the express bus take exit 5. Walk straight for a few minutes until you see a foot bridge that crosses the road to the left. Take the bridge and Voila! You have arrived.

This city is really has a lot of "little slices of heaven" - just go out and look for them =)

Comforts of Home

I’ve hit the 3 month mark.

Crazy- I’m 25% of the way through my contract.

I’ve had my first bit of homesickness since I’ve been here

I’ve realized that a year is a long time- and that this is not just a trip-

This is my life for at least a year.

A few weeks ago I had been thinking of my friends and family as if I might never see them again.

I would also day dream of things back home

like the beach

and driving a car

and shopping at my favorite stores

as if I will never go back.

I basically was telling myself that I will never go home.

What a LIE.

I will go home one day and it will be great =)

Until then, this is the amazingly cool life God is letting me live here in South Korea and I’m going to cherish every moment and find joy in the little comforts of home that mean so much.

Comforts of home like

- mail - I have great parents who send me postcards and packages (sometimes biweekly) one of my best friends back in the states even sent me a football jersey for our flag team

- home made chocolate chip cookies made by one of the moms in my small group

- dinner at Chilis on Osan air base- this was a huge deal- and wonderful

- watching Christmas movies

- listening to Orlando radio stations online

- listening to summit podcasts during my morning runs

- thanksgiving dinner at New Harvest

This week is Thanksgiving

My first Thanksgiving that I wont spend with my family

It will be hard...

But the truth is I have a wonderful family that loves me

and I am so thankful for that

I miss them like crazy- but I will see them again soon

This is part of growing up- you can’t be home for every holiday

And I have wonderful friends that are becoming my family in Korea

I am so thankful for them

So Thursday I’m fixing thanksgiving lunch for my co-workers

Mind you I have 2 burners- that is all

I remember last year wishing my mom had dual ovens

and now- I don’t even have a microwave...

So hopefully Costco will be able to help me out

I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving

And remember there is SOOOO much to be thankful for =)

Happy Pepero Day!

Happy Pepero Day!

Last friday was 11/11/11 - so cool!

The kids were really excited for 11/11 because it was Pepero day!

Pepero is a Korean sweet that kids love here.

It is observed every year on 11/11 because you can spell that date out with Pepero sticks.

Pepero was created by Lotte- basically the Walmart of Korea. Lotte owns everything here. Apartment complexes, fast food restaurants, amusement parks....

And basically it’s a commercial holiday to up sales.

It’s another Valentine’s day. It’s a big holiday for couples and kids to give each other candy.

I gave pepero to all my kids and I was give a few boxes by my students =)

That’s about it.

So happy Pepero day and happy 11/11/11 =)

Fabulous Fall

Fall is here!

I’m obsessed with fall.

Living in Florida for the past 4 years was wonderful- but I missed fall.

I love the cool air.

and the B-E-A-utiful trees.

I have been looking forward to fall since realizing that I was moving to Korea.

And know it is here and I love it oh so much!

We took a hike in Suwon a few weekends ago.

It took 6 hours!

Impressive- I know =)

It was incredibly beautiful and peaceful.

When we reached the top we had the most beautiful view.

It was like we were in a sea of mountains.

They just went on forever- rolling in the distance.

Amazing.

I’m so thankful I get to experience the seasons changing.

Every day I wake up and look out my window to see if the mountain is getting any oranger.

And I think it is at it’s peak now.

So I went out on a little photo shoot this morning.

Beautiful- right?

Fall also means Halloween.

We celebrated with the kids at my school- all 800 of them

Madness.

It was so fun for them though. They really don’t celebrate Halloween like we do

in the states. So this Halloween Party we had for them was a real treat.

It was exhausting though. But worth it to see the kids so happy.

ps- these are the sweetest girls in the school- and I am lucky enough to have them as my students

Fall also means Thanksgiving.

Which will be hard this year.

I have never not been with my family on this holiday that is all about family.

But this is part of growing up.

And part of the sacrifice I have to make to live out my dream.

New Harvest is having a big Thanksgiving dinner

With all the fixings. This will help ease the home sickness.

And I have so much to be thankful for even if I won't be with my family on Thanksgiving

=)

Happy Fall Yall!