I'm Grandfather, you are young. GO!

The title is a line that an old man said to my friends and I on Saturday while we were hiking. We had stopped to take a break before continuing the hike. I guess it was his way of encouraging us. Either way, we made it to the peak to show him

Fall in Korea!!

Saturday morning a few friends and I got on a bus and headed to Yeongam. It's a town a little over an hour away from Gwangju and is the entrance point to Wolchulsan National Park. Wolculsan is marked by mountain ranges mostly covered in enormous rock formations. Getting off the bus we were quite intimidated by the huge rocky mountains, thinking we were going to be rock climbers instead of leisure hikers. We squeezed into a taxi and drove to the entrance of the park. We walked up a little hill and found the entrance to the hike. We were met with the map of the park and some basic stretches they suggested doing, oh Korea. We began the hike thinking it was easier than the hike we did 2 weeks prior, despite hearing from various friends that the hike was "a bitch." We soon began to find out that they weren't lying to us. After about an hour and a half of hiking we made it to the Cloud Bridge. It had a phenomenal view of the surrounding areas! We even saw trees with beautiful fall leaves. The suspension bridge was pretty awesome and we took several pictures on it.

heading up the Mountain

We decided to continuing hiking, but weren't sure if we really wanted to go to the top. Seeing as we were all pretty tired as it was. We kept on going though, pushing through the burning in the legs! As we got closer to the peak, it got a little scarier. From the bridge up we were climbing up steps like a ladder. It was incredibly steep and we were all but pulling ourselves up these steps. After making it up the steps there were rungs that we had to climb up to go further up to the peak. Being afraid of heights, it honestly was pretty terrifying. But I wanted to see the spectacular view for myself so I kept going!

first view of the Mountain

I sat by a rock and enjoyed the view and peace at the top. Koreans would walk by and smile at me and say Annyong or ask where I was from. At one point a Korean lady opened up some food and offered it to me. It was really sweet, but I unfortunately had to decline the free food as she was offering apples and I'm severely allergic. After sitting at the top for quite some time we started our decent. We found a new way down and it was a lovely walk to the bottom. After we walked to the opening where we started we were greeted with claps from other hikers who had finished the hike, too. It was pretty cool.

Suspension Bridge

A perfect Saturday spent with some pretty fantastic ladies.

Danielle, Kelsey, me, Megan, and Kate on the Cloud Bridge

Many the Miles

It's really amazing where the paths in life can take you. A little over a year ago, I had quit my jobs and made the decision to move. My life would be so different right now if I didn't decide what I was doing wasn't what I really wanted for my life. I knew from the time Caley and Chris had come to Korea, that I too wanted to come. But there were lots of things holding me back from what I really wanted to do. When I finally made the decision to come here, I couldn't have been happier. It was really awesome that Danielle and Megan decided that they too wanted an adventure and could be part of this experience with me.

I have officially been in Korea for 5 months. There have been so many ups and downs. Most of the downs have come from the job. But really, I knew what I should expect signing on with a Hagwon. Hagwon's are a business, its more important to make money that see improvements in the children's English language. I have met so many great people and had some really awesome times with these new friends. I've also been fortunate enough to travel to China, twice, to see some old friends from college.

School isn't all that bad. I mean, I love my walk to and from school and the talks and laughs I have with my coworker. And my kinders, Samuel and Brenda. I sometimes get really frustrated with them. But they are smart little kids for being 7 (well, really by our standards they are 6). Brenda translates so much for Dan and I during the day. She is a smart little girl and is pretty respectful. Samuel is a little independent kid. Sometimes he can be a little brat and not do his work, so can Brenda. Usually if one is being bad and not working, the other is really good and going out of their way to do MORE work. I love the hugs they give me everyday and the really awesome days are when they stop what they are doing and give me a massage. Sounds weird, but it isn't. Brenda likes to give hand massages. Samuel usually climbs behind me on the chair and will give me a shoulder massage. He is pretty strong so sometimes he hits me pretty hard. But, he means well. The kids have really changed a lot since I arrived 5 months ago. Iris use to be a really shy girl and every time you talked to her, she would cry. She was usually the only one to not run up and give Dan and I hug. Now she won't let you go and rarely cries!

This past weekend the girls plus Geoff and I all went hiking on Mt. Muduengsan. It was a beautiful fall day and we had a great hike together! On the way down we met this awesome Korean man, who for being older spoke great English. He gave us all these random facts about the mountain and himself. He was 62 years old and for the past 36 years he had been climbing the mountain, everyday. He said he's climbed the mountain over 10,000 times and they call him the Mountain Tiger. He was cool!

The past few Sundays, Meg, Danielle and I have been getting lunch and then going to the DVD bong and watching movies. The DVD bong is where you can rent a movie and you get your own private room to watch it in. The rooms are always very comfortable with a bed and/or couch in it. It's great for a lazy Sunday!

This coming weekend there is an International Community Day in my city. I'm looking forward to it and afterwards we are having a roof top gathering. In 2 weeks is the Gwangju Kimchi Festival as well!

There are so many things to look forward to and I'm excited. I'm so happy to be in Korea. Life here is so comfortable and fun. I can't even begin to imagine how things would be if I didn't decide to come here....

Until next time.

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!

Excitement!

Hi friends and family!

Today I bought myself a new laptop. It was on sale, score for me and all the programs were loaded in English! WIN! I got myself a cute HP mini and I'm pretty excited about having a computer that works!

In other news. Beijing is happening in 22 days!

Sad Day

My computer stopped working.... So, for now I won't be able to update unless I use a friend's computer or the school's.....


Also, I just got my bangs cut. The people didn't speak a word of English but did a great job! And it only cost me $1.50.... WIN! I knew I loved Korea for a reason.