Thankful

So... I have been a little bitter and well, being bitter does not help circumstances. Really life has been quite good for the last few months. Sure there still may be things that I don't (and won't
ever) understand but that doesn't mean I can't be thankful. So with that said, I would like to share with you all some things I really enjoy about my Korean life.

1. My students

2. The sunset behind snow capped trees at Kangnam University (where I take my Korean classes)

3. My fellow Adventure Teachers

4. I love the extra goodies that are thrown in when you buy stuff. Koreans say "serviceee"

5. The "yellow dust" storms from the Gobi Desert that color the afternoon sky in a rosy hue.

Let it snow, snow, snow!

Pre-Christmas activities included:

Building Gingerbread Houses. Now these were special gingerbread houses. Why? Well not only did the 3rd graders have a blast eating the candy and gingerbread, the money that purchased the houses goes directly to The Garden of Hope in Thailand. This was the organization that I volunteered at last year in Chiang Mai. (See: http://www.thegardenofhope.org/) As you can see it turned out pretty well. A special thanks to Hollie Fortkamp for cooking & packaging everything and to Jim Bryers for personally delivering it to Seoul. You both are fantastic!

Playing, walking, running in a plethora of snow were all activities that have graced many a day since Thanksgiving. It has been funny to watch the drivers freak out, the girls that still wear high heals in two inches of snow, and the little kids with grins plastered upon their faces. But the real reason why I LOVE SNOW so much is because it means I get off of work early! That means going to my favorite cafe in Jukjeon, Ribbon in the Sky, & ordering a latte and the peanut butter, almond & caramel crepe! Mmmm! (notetoTj)

Christmas Eve was spent dancing the night away with friends. Christmas brunch was spent with the other "orphan teachers" that were left in Korea. Karin made a Christmas orange loaf that was drizzeled with a light glaze and warmed raisins. Charissa's homemade eggnog made a perfect match with our morning coffee for tasty eggnog lattes. And the whole bit was topped off by a four woman procession singing Away in a Manger to celebrate the"return of baby Jesus to his manger". (Charissa's family does this as a tradition to celebrate the birth of Christ.) Quite a hilarious event. Next the four of us, (Haley, Charissa, Karin and I) made our way to the wonderful Stewart family's home. We played cards, chatted and made homemade Chinese dumplings (a Stewart family tradition due to their sweet Chinese daughter LiaJoy). Of course it was not complete until we watched the movie ELF. Though it still cannot compare to being home, it was a fantastic way to spend Christmas! (Hopefully next year will be spent at home, instead of a 4th one away from my beautiful friends and family.)

December already?

It's December already and the chill is more then in the air... it penetrates to the very core of the humans that trek this Korean turf. Rosey cheeked students with sniffles, ajumas cloaked in layers of mismatched wool jackets, and the blessing of knit hats abound this season. Walking to school in -4Celcius is not so bad thanks to the warmth of my wonderful winter useful gifts. So this post is a special thanks to mom and Tj for helping me to stay warm! And a warm teacher = a nice teacher and a nice teacher = happy students!