Vacation!

I just got back a few hours ago from an amazing vacation in Beijing. My friends Keith and Ithzel went out of their way to make our vacation fantastic. There is something about Beijing that makes me want to stay....

Anyway, instead of writing about my vacation Danielle and I decided to do a video blog of our daily happenings. We are going to spend some time putting the videos together and editing things. Stay tuned for that update!

Enjoying the view on the Great Wall

Turn and Run

Well, I guess it's been almost two weeks since I've updated. So, here is the brief update.

Last week was my birthday weekend extravaganza. On Saturday a few friends and I got together downtown and rented a room to play Nintendo Wii. It cost us each about $3.50 for a drink and we could play for an hour. We had a lot of fun of course! Afterwards we all headed to the Outdoor Galbi Restaurant (aka Korean BBQ for those not sure what it is. You cook your own meat at the table). It was really good. We got ice cream and had a drink and were all home and in bed early. On Sunday, Megan, Josh and I went on adventure to Sangmu to check out the 5.18 Memorial Park. We sat in a park for a long time just hanging out and talking. It was really fun. We then headed to one of the best restaurants in Gwangju The First Nepal, for my 2nd birthday dinner. I didn't really know much about the dinner. Other than Danielle and Dan kind of planned it. A bunch of friends were there with cake and a cool necklace that says my name in Korean. I have some great friends here :)

On to school things.

I think I've talked about before on how we currently have only one Korean teacher.. She told me last week that she wants THIS Friday to be her last day. If that's the case it will be Dan and I plus our director. Dan and I basically do everything as it is. Several Korean's have been interviewed for the position. But she keeps saying how she is "too busy" right now to find a teacher. One lady was in for several days sitting in classes. I guess she was hired... she called and said she wouldn't do it. More people were in to interview. On Saturday we had to work and the newly hired teacher was in shadowing. She seemed pretty nice, despite not having much English skills. Yesterday was suppose to be her first day... guess who never showed. I think my boss has given up on finding a Korean teacher. Which is not really good for Dan and I. Also, we were suppose to be paid Friday. Money is finally in our account today, but of course, only half. I hope I can warn future foreigners on this train wreck of a school.

On the plus side of school topics. I have one class all afternoon who is my absolute favorite. They love to have conversations, are polite and just fun to be with. The girls all gave me birthday presents, which was really sweet of them. On Saturday we had school and that was the only class were I said, keep your books out. We will pretend to work but play games all class. They loved it and really were happy with me for it. 3 of the kids in the class have birthdays this month. So, I bought them all a snack as a little present to them. They were so happy and started chanting my name. It was cute.

And lastly, Saturday begins my 6 day vacation. WIN! Danielle and I both fly out on Sunday to Beijing. We will be staying with my friend from college. I'm so excited! After we get back I have to teach on Friday and then it'll be the weekend. September is almost over :)

Life is Good

This coming weekend not only is my birthday weekend (yay), but it's also my 4 month anniversary of being in Korea. I can't believe 4 months is already here! It's been a crazy ride so far and I'm sure the next 8 months will be just as crazy. I have had a lot of ups that have been pretty epic, but I've also had some serious lows. I know I absolutely made the right choice by coming here. I got out of the rut I was stuck in, in Limestoneville and get to experience and meet so many great people. I'm also meeting up with friends I haven't seen in years that live abroad, it has and will continue to be an amazing experience.

2 weekends ago Megan and I ventured out of Gwangju to the Boseong Green Tea Plantation. I've been hoping to go at some point and that Sunday turned out to be a great time for both of us. We jumped on a bus and with the help of some nice Korean's got off at the correct stop and then purchased another bus ticket to go to the Plantation. We left pretty early in the morning, so both of us only had a light breakfast. It turned out to be a gorgeous, but very hot day. We did plenty of hiking through the fields and up the mountain. It was about 1:30 in the afternoon, with the sun beating down on us when we made it to the top of the mountain. The view was beautiful. I don't know how those ajummas and ajosshi's climb that mountain regularly to pick the tea, but more power to them!

view from the top of the mountain

lines of Green Tea

me in the fields

more lines of Green Tea

This weekend is not only my 4 month anniversary of being in Korea, but also my 25th birthday. I'm getting old! I think I'm going to have a low key type of weekend and get some friends together for dinner and to play some Wii downtown and of course, eat ice cream!

Now, on to my children.... My one kinder Brenda is in love with me, most of the time. She gets mad at me when I make her read or write (haha). When kids in class (she is in a class with older kids, she is VERY VERY smart) say they don't like me, they like Dan teacher, Brenda will be the first to say "I like Megan teacher! She is my favorite friend!" It's cute and other times she'll say "Megan teacher is a Princess" Of course, 2 days ago she was angry with me and told me all the reasons I'm NOT a Princess. Want to hear them? Of course you do!

1. I wasn't wearing a beautiful dress

2. I didn't have a pretty crown (I said it was at home)

3. I didn't have a sparkling ring

4. I didn't have a horse

5. Where was my Prince? (I'm wondering that too!)

6. I didn't have heels on

7. My hair wasn't done properly

and finally

8. I wasn't wearing a bracelet

Clearly, someone watches too many fairy tales! It was pretty adorable and made me laugh. She was really excited to hear my birthday was coming up and wrote herself a note so she could bring me a present, too.

That's my update for now. Despite the bad things that have been thrown at me in my 4 months in Korea, I still love it here. There have been way more awesome times to even things out. Life is good and I know I made the right choice by moving halfway around the world to start a new path!