Ahn-Nyeong Hah-Seh-Yo (hello) Spring!

Spring is FINALLY here...REALLY!

It been cold since October. And as much as I have loved getting to experience seasons, I’m OVER winter. It’s been too cold for too long! This past week it has finally warmed up. I have been celebrating by putting away my winter jacket, taking my electric blanket off my bed, and taking the winter window seals off my windows. I even open my windows in the mornings. I’m so thankful for spring.

A few weekends ago 7 of us women of Uiwang took the bus from Seoul about 4 hours to the south to the historic city of Gyeonju. I actually have learned about this city and some of the famous Kings and Queens from long ago in the classes I teach. A few of the units in my higher level classes were about these rulers and what they did for Korea. So kinda felt like a field trip =).






We spent the whole Saturday cycling around the countryside. The city was very rural by Korean standards and there was lots of open road and fresh air.

I’m totally a lost country girl who has been living in the second largest city in the world for the past 8 months. I was so happy to slow down for a weekend and enjoy the beautiful blue ,smog free skies and see a bit of Korean history.





It was a very tiring weekend, but at the same time relaxing. It was so nice to spend some quality time with the girls. I am so incredibly blessed to have meet such wonderful friends. We are making such wonderful memories together. I’m so thankful I’m not here alone and I get to share these memories with wonderful friends.

It’s cherry and apple blossom season here in Korea.






My wonderful Korean friend, Minhee took us on a lovely tour of the cherry blossoms last Saturday. It was so nice to get out and just enjoy the spring weather. Later in the day we got to visit her university.

Ewha Women’s University was founded by missionaries and therefore the architecture is very different from the norm here in Korea.







It is a BEAUTIFUL campus but has HUGE hills you have to climb to go from class to class.

This morning I took a walk down a street lined with cherry trees and literally spun around with my hand in the air enjoying the beautiful flowers as the snowed down on me.

I just want to shout it from the top of the mountain “I LOVE SPRING”

Today is my 8 month mark of my Korean experience. ⅔ of the way finished- crazy. I’m getting really excited about going home, but really starting to LOVE life here =)

Student Stories - Alex

Alex

Alex is a 4th grader I got to teach last semester. He is so cute. He says the funniest things in English even though his level is not very high. A few month ago I found out Alex loves campers and we have bonded a lot since then.

The essay topic was “What do you want for your birthday?”. I was helping the students write their drafts and then I got to Alex. “I want a camping car” was written in him book. I was not sure if understood what he was trying to say, because what Korean child knows about campers? I have not seen one the whole time I have been here! I asked him to explain and he said he wanted a Jayco (a popular brand of camper). I was shocked. He explained that he loves campers. So funny. When I told him my parents have a camper he freaked. I have emailed him pictures of my parent’s camper and he proceeded to research that model. My step-mom sent lots of pictures that I have forwarded him. I think this makes him really happy.

I did not think he cared too much for me before this moment, but now he runs in the office often to talk to me. The BEST was when he ran in last friday and told me he got me tickets to a camper expo on Saturday.. Melt my heart... what a sweet heart. I had plans =/ He was kinda bummed. But he brought me brochures.

I love this kid. Alex thank you for making me smile.

Thailand Part 2: Bangkok

My older brother Chip has lived in Thailand for a total of about 3 years now. Last year after spending some time in the states he married his Thai girlfriend and moved back to Bangkok. I have not seen any family in a long time, so I was happy to get to see them after being gone for 7 months.

Seeing him at the airport was just strange. It was kinda surreal. Chip and his wife Poupee took me all around the city. From their house we took a boat “bus” to the first temple. There were way more foreigners than I expected in the city. The temples were really different than the temples I see here in S. Korea. Really cool though.








They also took me to the grand palace. It was such a huge complex. Poupee really explained to me how much Thai people love the king. The king has done some great things for them and she said that even at the movie theater before the film starts they play the king’s song. Chip and Poupee were great guides. They both know a lot of the history and stories behind the temples.







At night we went to Chinatown and Little India. Poupee’s grandparents immigrated to Thailand from China and there are many chinese immigrants in Bangkok. We had noodles and duck for supper. It was SO hot but that does not stop Thai people from eating noodles.





On my last full day we took a train out to the countryside. We took the railroad to the famous Bridge of the River Kwai. My grandfather who passed away last summer spend a year in Thailand during the Vietnam War. He loved Thailand and trains. Actually my Grandfather was a huge part of my decision to come to Korea. So it was really cool to retrace his footsteps and take that trip.








Sunday morning before I flew out we had lunch on the top floor of the tallest tower in Thailand, Baiyoke Tower. The restaurant is actually a buffet and is really nice. They had cuisine from all over the world. It was really nice. The view of the city was really good. I was a nice way to spend the last day of my holiday. We said our goodbyes and I was off the the airport. I flew to Malaysia and then took the red eye to Seoul. I left Malaysia at 11pm and arrived in Seoul at 6am! I slept the whole way thank goodness. I was even able to grab a nap before going to work at 1:30.







I had the best vacation I could have dreamed up. I feel well rested enough to teach for 5 more months. =)