Field day

Just like America, Korea too has a field day. The kids from different classes purchase matching colored t-shirts and compete against eachother. It's a day they all look foreword to because it means a whole day of no studying! Quite a welcome break for the fried minds of the stressed out students. But not today... and in fact they even get one whole day off on this coming Thursday (to celebrate the Asian holiday of Children's Day).

So to all my little students, all you work weary ones, soak in today!

An Accidental Museum Trip

Living abroad always has it's surprises, yet for the past few months life in Korea has been quite predictible. Go to work, teach class, go home or to a yoga class have dinner and repeat. Sure there are those occasional days where class has been cancelled or a student gets all of us teachers sick but beyond that life has been easy. So last week when I heard we had to go hiking, I was not so happy to have my simple routine shaken up. "But that's going to mess up my schedule," I whined to myself. The other coteachers said that I should participate since it would be the last group thing we would do together since I will soon be leaving. I acknowledged the truth in their statements and agreed, but only this one more time. (Last time I had a school dinner, I got stuck next to the crotchety old principal that poked my face and rambled on in Korean about me. Would I like to repeat anything like that? No thank you!)

So the day comes, I even came to school prepared. Tennis shoes, NorthFace fleece, and a snack for after school. But I was informed that the hike had been cancelled, on account of the slight drizzle of rain we received that morning. I was extatic... then I was told we could go home early...EVEN BETTER!

Yet, I should have remembered, things are never as simple as they may sound [here in Korea]. So just as we were packing up to go home, my coworkers told me we had to say goodbye to the vice principal. "Why," I asked. "So we can show that we are doing what we said," they replied. "But wasn't the hike cancelled?" "Yes but everyone is going to a museum," said Ms. Lee. "But we want to look at cars this afternoon, are you free," said Ms Kim. At this point I was getting upset, I thought that it was unfair that I had to be dragged into this in the first place. A hike, ok I had agreed to that, but a museum that was another story and looking at cars well where did that even come from? Certainly I was above attending!

At this point, my pride needed to be realligned and I am thankful that God is gracious in teaching us lessons of humility. Ultimatly what it comes down to is that I must respect the authority of my school. In Korea, I must also respect the idea of saving face and making appearances to appease the principal and vice principal. Once my pride was back in check, I was able to laugh the 15 minute pit stop to check out new Hyundai cars and smile and wave at the kids that said "Hello" to me at the museum. In fact, I enjoyed the exhibits of hanbok (traditional Korean clothing), the cavemen models, and the pottery that was exhibited. Oh my pride... This is just one of the two lessons the I continually learn while in Korea, pride must fall. (The other lesson is with work, patience can too be my virtue.)

The following are pictures of the random museum trip. Picture one is of the kids at the museum who shouted hello to me. Two is a bride in traditional hanbok (korean clothing). Three is of a cave man exibit. Four is of Korean pottery. And the fifth is of ancient buddha statues in seated pose.

South Korea Video!

Hey all! Back in December, Dutton films released an absoluteally amazing video on all the best that South Korea has to offer. It shows the fall leaves, hiking, city lights, fish markets and tons of other great images. If you really want to see some highlites of the country that I am currently living in please go to http://www.duttonfilms.com/2010/12/do-you-know-south-korea/ Hope you enjoy it!

Spring and all it entails.

Finally, after many rainshowers, windy gusts and fridgid mornings Spring has graced us in Korea with her delicate presence. The flowers are bright and bold against the normally bland khacki color of the cellblock housing. The sky is a deeper shade of clean and fresh blue. The wind carries with it the scent of the blooming cherry flowers. The birds (yes, there are birds) have picked up a refreshingly cheerful melody. Children dash around in the golden rays exhaling screams of delight, thankful for the release from a long winter indoors. Even the rounded lanterns to celebrate the day of Buddha's birth add a dash of color. For all of this, I am thankful to the wonderful Creator. May you all soon welcome in warm sun, fresh air and smiling faces too!

A Seoul Sunday

Last Sunday Jin and I trekked around Seoul. We visited Insadong, a street lined with tea shops, art galleries and scrumptious treats. You can buy anything from tea and porcelin, hand pressed Korean writings and Buddhist statues to silver & jade. At one point in history it was the largest market for antiques; yet now a days I would question the authenticity of such relics. It is the perfect spot for tourists to pick up souvenirs and one of the only Starbucks in the world that has the name written in the native language.
Our next stop was the statue of King Sejong at Gwanghwamun Square. This Confucanist king is most known for emphasizing education, something highly prized to this day in Korea. He pressed justice and righteousness. In addition, King Sejong recognized that a good government required men of broadranging talent and education. Under his rule Korea grew leaps and bounds culturally and intellectually, spurring the name The Golden Age. Jin and I pictured below at the King's Palace Gate.
Once our monument tour was over, we headed for a stroll along the iconic Seoul Cheonggye Stream; the stream once divided the poor located south of the stream from the nobility of the north. Fascinating to be in a place with so much history and culture! Thank you Korea for showing me your sweeter side and thank you Jin for being my tourguide.

Zach's 12th Birthday!

Most likely the coolest 12 year old ever, Zack (in the crown) joyously celebrated his last preteen year with fourteen 20-somethings. I believe this might be a world record for any 12 year old. :) We all celebrated the tow head's last trip around the sun by digging into mexican food at On The Border in COEX mall, a foreigner friendly mall that boasts 4 levels for shopping, eating and yes even gambling. We just kept it clean with some songs, virgin margaritas and cake. It was a wonderful evening! Happy Birthday Zach!

Feb Madness

The month of February started off like no-other from the warmth of Thailand's sun I traversed back to the cold of Korea. A new semester began as the last of the ice was melting from the sidewalks. Students returned with a bouncy vigor and I tried to keep up with the new Korean heavy English curriculum. It was a rough start but lots of fun was had along the way.


Thailand: Climbing, the lake, moto-cy-roadtrip, strawberry fields with a view of Burma, old friends and lots of smoothies. Chats of economic-proportions with Bianca and Adele ;)

Once back in Korea I welcomed a visit from my friend Joe, dinned on a tasty dinner with wonderful friends for Valentines Day, took time for sightseeing, admired Korean gun-twirling skills, mused at 3D art galleries and sang at my first karaoke joint.

The stories of each are better sold in person... so get your $5.oo ready and I will tell you a tale or two or three.