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!