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Friday, February 24, 2012

Never again...

They say "never, say never, whatever you do!" However, I just can't help but to say; "I'm never coming back to Korea;" to live that is. While I've enjoyed most of my moments here, and I've learned so much more about the world and another culture within it, I thoroughly long for the days where it either "is" or it "isn't."

I can't wait for the time when 9:00 means 9:00 and today, means today. If you've lived in Korea, you know EXACTLY what I'm talking about. If you haven't, then kudos for "hopefully" not having to live this nightmare of the never-ending not knowing game until 2 minutes before you need to know.

If anything else, this is the #1 point of contention that I have with the Korean society.

Other than the above (my little rant,) I'm very much excited to be traveling home within the next 7 days! It has been a long time coming; 17 months and 28 days to be exact. I'm ready to see my family and friends. I'm ready to see my itty bitty hometown again, and to drive my car. I'm ready for my dog Joey to be able to run around in the yard, and spend hours at a time outside, with little supervision. I'm even ready to work a full-time job again--and that's saying a lot!

I know I said I'd be updating you on my previous trip, but in all of my excitement to  be going home, I packed away my camera and sent it to America! Hee hee hee. I'll update on my travels when I am safe and sound at home...if by some chance I never make it there...just imagine beauty and mangy dogs, all in the same setting, and you've seen it all!!

Until next time, dream of me on American soil...

Monday, February 13, 2012

It's been way too long!

And for that, I'm terribly sorry! Wow, I've had so much going on--and I've not even thought to blog about it. :-)

That's when you know it's been some serious stuff going down!

Where do I begin?? Where I left off, duh!! LOL. Well, the school year ended without a hitch. I had an amazing time at Winter Camp (at both my schools). At one school, I had 1st-2nd grades, which I thought would be horrific, but they were the brightest bunch of students I'd had the pleasure of working with yet! I mean, sorry 6th graders, but they topped you, hands down! The personalities of the kids--wow, is all I can say! Needless to say, that week flew by!

At the 2nd school, the 2nd week, I had yet another fun-filled week of Winter Camp. In this school, once again, I had 1st-2nd graders combined class, and then the 5th-6th grade combined class. The younger kids were great, but we didn't get to finish a lot of the activities, because they are SO detail oriented!! I expected them to draw a raggedy picture, color it in, and be finished. But no! These famous artist-to-be went "in" on the projects; creating masterpieces from their imaginations! I love them at that age; they are not yet programmed to be drones and just copy work. My 5-6th grade classes did not know what hit them! They expected a trying class (like our normal English class), but were pleasantly surprised that we were doing a "cooking camp!" It was great! We made banana oatmeal, PB&J sandwiches, deviled-eggs (really!), and rice krispy treats! The Vice Principal sat in on one of the days and she had a grand ole time taste-testing the food! It was cool to see the kids being grossed out at making the deviled eggs, but then loving the taste later. :-)

So, after Winter Camp, I had one week to finish selling off my belongings, and moving out of my apartment. On the following Monday, I'd be embarking on this amazing journey through Southeast Asia with a friend...we'd start in Malaysia, go to Thailand, then to Cambodia. She would then continue to Vietnam and Laos. It would be a 25 day trip for me...I mean really!?!? What in the world can you do in 25 days around 3 countries!? EVERYTHING!!!! And I was prepared to do them.

In my next blog, I'll share with you how I came, I saw, and I "almost" conquered. :-) Until next time, go somewhere new, even if it's just in your mind...