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 =)