Merry Christmas and all that jazz...

So Christmas has come and gone... Christmas Eve around here was a bit of a pain in the arse... my parents succumbed to the stress and just got annoyed with each other which left a feeling of tension rather than peace in the air. That is always worth the 10 hour flight and $1,700 in cash that you pay to get here!! *wink, wink, nudge, nudge* Oh well, that stuff happens to the best of us from time to time.
Christmas Day was different though, they worked side-by-side in the kitchen to produce an AMAZING meal for me, my grandmother, my two friends (Eric and Flora) and their friend Kiyo. It was a blast. We all sat around, ate and drank and told stories about our lives. I think my friends were a little overwhelmed though. It was their first real Canadian Christmas... and in this house that means a drink in hand at all times (usually with something in it at all times... aka booze) and food at every turn. Needless to say, it was jovial.
Then today was Boxing Day.... always fun. Mom and I spent some time hanging out, another family friend dropped by for a drink and dinner (which turned into more drinks as well) and more stories of the past and the present.
I think that might be one of the things that I enjoy most about this season... time spent with friends, family... remembering the best parts of the past, the best parts of the people around you and the best parts of the present. It really is a beautiful time.
I hope you all (my loyal two readers... thanks Kris and April *^^*) had a great holiday and that you took as much joy as I have so far!!!

Ciao!!

Home for the holidays

So yesterday I arrived home. My dad was there to pick me up and take me to my parent's house so that I could surprise my mom. It was like the stuff on talk shows, you know... the ones with the big family reunions. I waited around the corner from the door and my dad told my mom to come downstairs to help him with a Christmas present. He told her he couldn't get it in the door by himself. She thought it was the fridge they had thought about buying and couldn't understand how she could help him. But she came anyway. Once she got out the door, she saw me and totally lost it... she just cried and hugged me and cried some more. It might be the best gift I have evrer given anyone!
SO yea... I'll be here from now to the 12th of January.

Have a good one!!!

Long tme no blog...

It has been a long time since my last entry. I've just been so busy with school stuff, and I have started taking yoga a couple times a week as well. I know, I used to think that yoga was on the easy side, but it is really, REALLY hard if you do it right. My teacher is this tiny Korean woman who is incredibly, if not inexplicably, strong. She pushes us hard but also knows when we need to rest, so I appreciate her a lot. She is super nice and we actually have some friends in common, so that is cool.
What else has been going on? At work I've been diving in to getting the kids more tech savvy (I am sure I spelled that wrong), we now have a class blog page. So check it out at: www.sis-1b.blogspot.com It is pretty cool. There are pictures of all my hairbrained ideas for projects and some of their poems.
Other than that, I am just plugging along with life. I've been trying to be social and not too social, if that makes sense. I just want to be able to hang out without feeling dragged out.
Okay... enough for now...

American Thanksgiving in Korea

With 50 years of American influence in Korea and bases full of Americans all over the country, you would think that most Koreans, especially those living in the cities that have bases would know a little about Thanksgiving. It's true, they are selling more and more turkeys, cranberry sauce etc in all the groceries now (although at incredible price hikes) but still... they don't really get it. Perhaps they just want to fushion the cultures together a little more, or make it more Korean, I don't know. But there is kimchi at the Thanksgiving feasts, talk about exchanging gifts and and general blank stares. I did have two awesome Thanksgiving dinners over the course of the weekend, so I am NOT complaining... just noting an observation. Here is my favorite observation: one of the parents at the school buckled under cultural pressure (Korean) and gave all the teachers and staff a Thanksgiving present... nice, isn't it? Wanna know what it was? How does an 11 pound box of Korean sweet potatoes strike you? That's right... 11 pounds per apartment. Um... what am I, a single person, going to do with that much sweet potato??? Oh well.... I've been getting pretty creative (so has the rest of the staff... you should have seen our Turkey Bowl football tailgate party potluck dishes). Anyway, just thought I'd share.
Ciao

Almost missed it...

I've been so incredibly busy and insane with all the stuff that I have going on that I almost missed it. I almost missed fall in Korea. Korea gets notorioulsy short fall and spring seasons, so if you blink too long or stay inside too much, you might miss it. And I almost missed fall this year. But today, as I rode the bus home from nabbing a few little gifties for my friend Sharon, I saw it. I saw the gorgeous yellows of the ginko trees, the bright oranges of the persimmons and the misxed reds, oranges and browns of the rest of the trees. It was so pretty but almost done... imagine if I'd taken my head out of the books or away from stressing over every little thing just a few weeks earlier... I could have enjoyed it all. But, at least I got to see some of it... Must sound silly to most of you, but if you are visual like I am, then you know that seeing the change of a season is wonderful and leaves an impression in your mind... something I don't want to miss!!

Ah... the single life!

You know, I am 31 years old and almost all of my friends that are my age are married or in relationships right now. Part of me thinks that sucks, and then the other part of me (the sensible, less emotional part) thinks "good for them, better for me!" I think the reason why it sucks sometimes is because I get tired of being the single third wheel sometimes. I mean, I really and truly enjoy my friends' spouses or relationship partners. They are all good people and we have fun when we hang out, but I can't help but feel a little left out. And then when I have an opportunity for a relationship, I either muck it up or run the other way... or my personal favorite, I run head-long into it and he runs the other way!! Ha ha ha! Oh well, what can you do. Isn't there that saying that all good things come to those who wait? Question is: How long do I gotta wait to get the good stuff?!
Actually, for the most part I enjoy being single, I'd mostly want a relationship just for the companionship, you know... someone to travel with, cook dinner with and just hang out with. Again, all good things to those who wait... and I am still waiting so I KNOW it is gonna be REALLY GOOD when it gets here!!! hee hee.

Shanghai in a blur!

So this last weekend I went to Shanghai, China for a whirlwind of professional development. You can stop rolling your eyes already!! I did go there for a series of workshop sessions about the Primary Years Programme. It is part of the International Baccalaureate programme that is slowly taking many schools by storm. It was an intensive introduction to the elementary part of the programme. I was in Shanghai for 3 nights. It was super busy. I had very little time for anything outside of the classes. We had a social event the one night with the other delegates, so that was good. It was a great way to network and meet new people as well as see the city. Of course, I forgot my camera so I really only have a few shots on my camera phone. I think I can download them, so I will try. The other main night being there was spent hanging out with my friend Rachel who lived here last week. It was great to see her and have her show us around a little!!
My overall impression of Shanghai was that it is a cool place to visit, but that I DO NOT ever really want to live there. The pollution was horrendous... I could barely breath and I am used to Seoul air!

It's official...

Get your heads straight folks... not an engagement or anything even as fun as a real date... the thing that is official is that my body is falling apart! On Monday I went out for my morning walk which I hadn't done but once the week before. I felt good and it was cold out so I did a little jogging... big mistake!! My back seized up by the end of the day and has been getting worse. I couldn't even do circuits today and could barely stand-up from a chair!! Sucks... because if anything I NEED more exercise. Oh well...

Work, Work, Work!!

You know, usually I look at October as a fun month where the kids and I have settled into the classroom groove. But not so this month. We just finished a week of Chusok holidays (not that I am complaining) and I am back at work working tirelessly. Well, that isn't entirely true, I work like that but I AM TIRED!! I have to coach still, begin work on the pre-assignments for my next masters class, buy a pressie for my nephew and a late pressie for my neice, attend a wedding, two birthday parties, a team dinner, a Gi Therapy session (more on this when I know what it is... alternative medicine for back problems etc) and plan for a sub so that I can attend a full weekend + training session... and that is just the stuff I have to do this weekend. *sigh* But it is all good, at least I am not bored, right?

A little of this, a little of that...

THis blog is going to have a lot of different topics in it... so if you get bored, don't tell me, just stop reading.

First... let me tell you about going to Thailand. It was quite the harrowing trip. First we got to the airport on the busiest day of the year. The airport was packed and lines took forever. We almost didn't even make the airport bus because all the seats were full. Luckily they found a place for us. So, we got to the airport and the ovelry pushy person who wanted us to take her kid found a way to get her on the plane so we weren't responsible for her anymore... thank goodness. But that was the one really nice thing about our trip there. Like I said, lines were long and people were plentiful. Finally we got on the plane and then came the fun. There was a lot of turbulence but the best was right before we got ready to land in Hong Kong. The turbulence was so bad that the plane dropped hard to the right and then hard to the left. It was horrible. I was never so frightened. But we landed and then took off again for Bangkok. We landed at the new airport and they didn't let us off the plane for about 30 minutes or more. Not sure why, I think they just couldn't figure out how to attach the door to the little tunnel thingy (yes, I am sure that is the technical term, hee hee). However, we got off, got transfered and then sat on the tarmac for an extra 40 minutes or so... Apparently small planes with propellers aren't allowed to take off in typhoon winds and lightening... hm... go figure. Eventually we arrived in Koh Samui only to find out that our luggage was still in Bangkok. So we had to wait all the next day in dirty drawers before we got our luggage.

Let's go to Koh Samui... that was GOOD!! The weather wasn't too hot and it was lovely. We just relaxed all the time and swam in the pool at our villa. I tried to get a massage just about everyday. I loved it!

Coming home... I realised that I am a CRANKY traveler at the end of the week. I was just tired of traveling and trying to be happy. I needed alone time. I love the people I went with, but you know how it is, you just need a little alone time. All our transfers went smoothly and we got our luggage in Seoul so things were good.

North Korea... so I am sure that you heard that they set of a nuclear bomb in a test. Isn't that lovely? Dang it! I wish all the world leaders would get their heads out of their arses and start being responsible adults instead of bratty little kids with egos that need constant stroking. Really, I am not that worried about things at this moment. South Korea has heigtened their military status in response, but other than that, I haven't noticed too many changes and no one has said anything about getting ready to leave... home they don't.

Okay... that is all that is wandering around in my brain for the moment... gotta go and finish that load of laundry and tidy up the kitchen and some of my stuff from Thailand...

Ciao!!

Rudest person award...

Usually I can be forgiving of people who are somewhat rude, but people who are over the top really know how to push my buttons. I work with one such person. Thankfully we aren't on the same teaching team because if we were I might have to strangle her. It all started this past summer when I stayed in Korea for the break and helped a couple friends out by taking care of their pets. One night around 8:30 or 9-ish I get a phone call and this woman is on the phone. She asks me to look after her small pets for the summer. I ask when she is leaving and she says that her family is leaving the next day and they just don't have anyone else to ask. I feel inconvenienced but bad for her situation. So I do it... Later I find out that she never even asked anyone else, once she knew that I was going to be here for the summer, it was as good as settled in her brain. So, I learned my lesson and moved on, not the end of the world. You just have to cut inconsiderate people as losses at that time.
But, oh.... it gets better folks. Earlier in the school year she asked if I was doing anything for the Chusok break (Korean thanksgiving, we get a week off this year) and I said that I was going to Thailand. She perked up at this and said that her daughter was going to visit her natural father in Thailand at that time too. I just smiled and said that was great and how nice that she and her hubby were able to take a holiday just the two of them. That was the last I heard of it until last night(bear in mind that I leave tomorrow morning for Thailand). This woman called one of my travel partners and basically told her that she wanted us to escort her daughter on the plane. She didn't ask either of us if we were comfortable with that or offer compensation for being responsible for her 12-year-old. She just assumed that once we heard her sob story of not checking into the ticket her daughter would be using (a return ticket from before that was not listed as an unaccompanied minor) that we would jump for joy to help her. What teacher do you know who would jump for joy to accompany a minor on their first holiday of the year that was taking them to Thailand? What person do you know who would jump for joy to do that for a person who has already proven herself to be rude and selfish? Well, I don't know any. So we told her that we weren't comfortable being responsible for her daughter and sorry. Well, this woman had already changed her daughter's flight to match ours and had told her ex-hubby and kid that we were doing this (did I miss something? Were we even asked? Did we ever say yes?!). In fact, the last thing we had heard was that she would discuss it with her current hubby and the ex to see what they could do on their own. Then we get an email at 1:30 this afternoon at school that she would meet us at the Thai Air ticketing counter with her daughter the next morning!! What the .....?!?! I was and am still infuriated. I tried to think if I knew of another parent that would act this way or do this, I even asked some friends that are parents and they think it is the rudest thing to do... so what do you think? Does she deserve the award?

Two more sleeps...

For some reason, this year, the holidays don't seem to come fast enough. Maybe it is because I stayed in Korea or maybe it is because my students are really, really hard this year. But whatever the reason, the holidays that we get in the international schools feel few and far between... I know that they aren't, but I feel like they are. But regardless, on Saturday I will be boarding a plane and heading out for a spa in Thailand for a week... aw... yea!!! I was supposed to do a cleansing fast when I got there, but I think I am too tired and I haven't had time to do the pre-fast so.. .I think the order of the day is sleep, sunshine, massages and swimming. I know, I know... you are reading this and some not-so-nice words are going through your mind... sorry! If I could take you with me, I would!!!

Okay... I need to crash. I promised to meet people at 5:30 am to workout... I know, I know... now you are reading it and laughing at my stupidity in giving up sleep a full hour before I have to... *^^*

Lesson Learned

SO this morning, I get up at the crack of dawn to get ready for the Terry Fox Run here in Seoul. Yup, that's right... there is a Terry Fox run here and it is HUGE!! All the money goes to local cancer research and thousands of people come out. It's really great and it is the second year I have done it in Korea. And this time I was ready to run, so I was all excited about the run. I got up, got ready and then debated on taking and small bad or not for my phone and Ipod. I decided against it because it would be annoying. Instead, I took a light hooded jacket with pockets. Well, it got warm and the jacket ended up tied to my waist by the time I was ready to start. I actually ran almost to the half point when my breath and shinsplints got to be too much. So I slowed down and grabbed for my very expensive, very new cell phone to check the time. WHat!? No phone!?!? Crap! Fortunately, one of the new teachers was with me and we went back to look, so we walked all the way back to the start and didn't find it, so we walked all the way to the half way point and back again. Then I borrowed someone's phone and called my phone. Someone picked it up on the run and turned it in to a photographer who held it for me until I got there. Blessings!! I was so thankful... but the lesson, you ask? Take the bag, dummy, take the bag!!

Aw... Yea!!!

So, I have lived in Korea for almost 7 full years now and I have coached volleyball for about 5 of those years. And year after year I have never managed to beat one certain school and they are the ONE I want to beat more than the others... There are other schools that I haven't beaten (mostly base schools because put a team of westerners against a team of Asians... who do you think will have more atheleticism and height?!) but that school... SFS.... ooOOooo how I have wanted to beat them. So we played them last week and lost the first set. It was close, but a loss nonetheless, so I got ready to just get all my girls some court time, especially when it looked like we were going to lose the second set. But then my girls came from behind to take the win... and then another set and then another!!! Yes, that's right... my fantasy win happened!!! We see them for two more games in the season so I am hoping to be consistent. But in the mean-time... WOOHOO!!!

Random Weirdos

Okay... so I belong to a couple of websites for meeting people. Lots of times, it is just interesting people who want to be friends and sometimes there are the freaks. I have managed to avoid most of those and never meet them in person. But I did start emailing some guy and we had one or two conversations and it just wasn't working. We rubbed each other the wrong way. No big deal. So then I get a mass email from a former student and it sends out to your list when you open it. He was still on my list and sends me some nasty reply about how I don't know how to have relationships of substance since I sent out a forward. SO I sent a reply to him asking why he was so rude. He proceeds to tell me that I am the rude one and so on and so on... random weirdness...

I am terrible...

I know most of you knew that already, but today I realised it. Today, my new school (SIS) went to my old school to play volleyball. I used to coach at the old school before they had their new beautiful facilities and it was great... but we never won games and it was hard on the girls and on me. So, I took my girls from the new school and I made them promise that we wouldn't lose. Isn't that bad? But I couldn't stand the thought of losing to my old school in their new facilities... So, I worked the girls hard and we won!! Our varsity teams lost, but we won... GO JV! But isn't it terrible to want to win out of spite?! Oh well, I guess the truth of my nature shines through!

But I will say this, the new facilities for ICS are WONDERFUL!!! They finally have the campus they deserve and I am happy for them. Those kids and teachers are like family to me and I couldn't be happier for them. It was weird to see the little kids that I used to teach in 4th grade or higher. Even some alumni were there. So, Sanders, if you read this... all our darlings say hi. They are just so cute even though they are growing! And J9... our old JV girls who are still there doing varsity say hey... so does Crystal. And... if Beth ever reads this Sharon and Hannah from the old Varsity team send their love...

Whew! All those little shout outs tired me out! ha ha ha. Okay... gotta grab some grub!

Ciao

Meet the Parents

Okay, tomorrow should be interesting. We are having an Open House at our school. Typically, this means that we give a 20 minute presentation to the parents of our students. They all come dressed to the 9s in suits and Prada this and Gucci that. So this means that all the teachers need to "dress for success", aka wear a suit. Do I own one? Nope... well, didn't until tonight. I rushed into Itaewon to find that my favourite lady's store wasn't open and I new that my favourite adjushi was having his store remodeled... argh! So I hopped over to my most-unfavourite lady to see what suits and insults she had going. But to my surprise, the new favourite lady was moving her shop over there!!! Woo hoo!!! She found me a dark grey suit with a pinstripe in it. The pants are very wide-legged and the jackets is more cropped and fitted. Makes me a little slimmer, I think. I still need to drop like 100lbs, but looking good... Of course, while in there, I couldn't help but see the nice linen tunics she had and the new workout pants... dag-nab-it. Oh well, I'm happier and spent less than I budgeted for just the suit. So, I can be proud in my cheap but decent fitting suit tomorrow evening when I meet the Prada Parents :), knowing that I have 2 shirts and a pair of pants to boot! hee hee

Happy Birhtday to me...

Hee hee... so it is my birthday. Or was last night but I plan on getting as much out of it as possible. Went out for dinner with Raymond (that's my best friend in Korea) and then went to a really nice, relaxing martini bar with some other friends. It was good. I love just being with my friends and hanging out. I'm not keen on making a huge deal out of my birthday usually. I just like for friends and family to call or write an email saying Happy Birthday and that's it. Gifts... don't really need them. Cake... hate it (unless it is an ice cream cake... yummy). Big bruh-ha-ha parties... don't need them either. Just time with friends and/or family, sharing laughs and memories. That's all I need and want for my birthday.

Thoughts on church

I don't know what has come over me, but I just don't want to go to church these days. It doesn't have anything to do with my faith at all... I still believe and love God so much, I just don't feel the need to go to church. I tried really hard this summer to get really involved in serving and helping out but I just couldn't seem to get connected the way I wanted to. I don't know. I loved being of use and serving the people in the church and giving back to God but I still felt like I didn't belong or something. I've really struggled to develop close relationships with people at church and that makes it hard for me to want to go there. I mean, I have always loved church for the worship and the fellowship with other believers, but lately I feel like there is no connection at all. I don't know. It has been 3 weeks since I last went and, you know what, I've really enjoyed the quiet, peaceful time at home. But I feel a little guilty not going, like I'm a bad Christian or something... I don't know. Maybe it is time to look for a different church, or maybe I should not beat myself up about this and take a little time for myself. Like a vacation from church (not God... just church). I don't know... random thoughts...

Worries

Thanks to those of you who expressed concern over my last post. Really, it isn't something that I feel like I want to talk about. But in order to alleviate your worries, I'll go so far as to say that there is drama, but nothing concerning health or whatnot. I am fine and things will be fine... I have faith and I know that God is in the situation somewhere. Thanks for your thoughts and your prayers... *mwah* much love my friends.

Ciao for now (it's 2:45 am and I need to sleep).