First Days of School~

I am DEFINITELY less busy than last semester...maybe the kids are not testing me anymore...it could be the familiarity of it all...yet, I feel like teaching is more effective?! I don't bring work home with me!! BIG improvement, from lesson planning until midnight every night, neglecting a social life to lesson plan...

Counting down, it's been about 7 months...and time really flew by.  My first month, I thought dragged, but really, it's almost halfway over. I've taken less and less pictures, but still trying to make the most of my time.  I'm enjoying just the day to day.  It's still pretty cold here...even though it's the end of March.  They say that winter is jealous of spring, so it tries to stay as long as it can, one last cold before spring takes over... okay. I feel like it's just like Chicago, 6 months of Winter, 6 months of summer =)

With all the free time in the evenings, I'm working out more, studying Korean....able to relax and just enjoy life...when not worrying about what's going on with the family...

I'm cooking more! I almost cut my finger twice....but I'm proud that my knife handling skillz are vastly improving.  This is a typical dinner for me...

A present I bought for myself.  Greatest news about it, all of this goodness only cost me $50. LOVE getting gift certificates to the mall =)

 Something intestesting I found out is that all the 5th graders go to a "boot camp training" weekend.  They actually train like in the army.  It's supposed to instill in them discipline and self confidence.  I hope it really whips some of the whiners into shape.^^

 This is a meeting place, each gets a cushion...fit for like 100 people.

Zip lining...

Teacher cabins

Students need to go across...

Jumping down hoisted by a rope...kinda scary

We went at the end of March and it started SNOWING....like it was Christmas....didn't get it, but it was the LOOOONGEST car ride I've had in a while.  We were sooo hungry...didn't get to eat until 7:30.  It may not be late for some, but eating lunch at 12, and then at 7:30...that's a long time. ^^ We had duck! It was very tasty.

My second hair cut in Korea...my first time I've had bangs across my forehead in a long time.  I had to get used to it at first....We'll see how long it goes before I need to pin it up.  I'm told I look very Korean...is that a compliment? I AM Korean. But I can say with confidence that I am a Korea-American....more American than Korean.

Back to School

The school year has ended...as the year is ending, tensions and worries of teachers escalate...where will they be placed next year.  It's a feeling that I am well too aware and familiar with.  However, this time, I was worry-free. It's nice not have to worry for a change.  I can't believe how fast the semester past, and know that this semester will come and go just like that.  Although, 6th graders were  difficult at times, it surprised me how sad it was to see them leave.  As a class, they were sweet kids.  Hahah...the school is worried that the incoming 6th graders are beasts! (~.-)

Still....I'm going to miss them...

                                              I wanted to take a casual picture of them...they were very engrossed in the movie. They were watching Paranormal Activity 2. The teacher didn't know what type of movie it was...hahah...he was VERY surprised and regretted it.  Hahah...I LOVE scary movies and yet have not watched it yet.

This teacher actually stopped her lesson and told them to pose...it was kinda awkward....but nonetheless, got to see their smiling faces!!

                                          These kids were my favorite class. They were always very active and participated in all my activities.  They were able to speak English pretty well as a class. 

                                                  Flowers I got....

This picture was taken as we bowed for New Year's.  I got some $$$$.

                                           The family played a heated game of Yutnori.  Our team won 40,000won.  It was soo much fun. We played for about 2 hours.

                                        As you can see, our focus is on the sticks! Who's the most competitive?

                                             This woman right here.  Hahha..if anyone on her team got a low number, she would yell at them to do better and give them a hard time.  ^^

                                             Here's an example of one of those moments...

                                          This is the  man....my poor uncle who got it the most...."why can't you do better?"

I can't wait for the new school year to begin!!!

Happy New Year!

It's been a really long time...it's been 5 months, I've stopped taking pictures.  I think the whole "culture shock" is gone, I'm adjusted, I'm missing da chi =) My mom has been staying with me for about 2 months, and she's leaving on Sunday.  Although, I'm going to miss just seeing her around and making me food...I'm glad to see her go..^^ just need some space.

Some pics from the month:
                                      My mom and aunt on the cable car at the resort. We were very very high.

                                            My sister's family... (cousin) I don't really get the Korean formalities when it comes to names.

                                   Pictures are not in order I just noticed.  This is my mom and my Christmas Eve dinner.  This was when meat was pretty okay...but meat is VERY expensive now.  They had to buy thousands of cows/pigs because of an infection.  They buried the animals.  The farmers were on the news crying, very depressed, saying they can hear the animals' cries underground...I feel so sad for them b/c now they have no way to make money...

                                          My aunt from Incheon made us Christmas Day lunch.  She is very cute.  She really enjoys cooking and designing.

                                          My second purse purchase...I like!

                                            Food we ate on our way to Moran Shijang.

                                         At Moran Shijang...it was freezing cold, but this guy REALLLY wants to make a sale.  The things people do to earn a living... "he works hard for da money"

                                Chinatown!! Still, can't beat San Fran!

okay, that's it!! 5 months down...7 more to go!!