posting...

I realised how lazy I am at this when I looked up my friend April's blog... she rocks the house. I need to be better at it, but just can't seem to find the time. At least not this month. I'm travelling, taking my masters class, coaching and trying to stay sane!! haha So... be patient loyal readers (all 4 or 5 of you)!! hehehe

New things...

My really good friend just sent me photos of her new thing... a beautiful baby girl named Alicia. She is gorgeous!! Seems like lots of people around me are getting new things like this. I guess it is just that stage in the phases of life. Before they all got married and now they are all having kids. I don't envy them though... it is a lot of responsibility and lost sleep. I know they will all argue with me and tell me it is the greatest thing in the world, but at this stage in the phases of my life... this is one new thing I can do without!! :)

Learning about faith...

A few weeks back one of my students (7 years old) suffered a loss that I couldn't imagine. Her father died of an agressive form of cancer. She wasn't aware how sick he was and he passed away fairly soon after his diagnosis. It was a shock. She asked for me to come to the hospital and to be with the family at the time of the funeral (which in Korea can last from 1-3 days and consists of paying respects to the departed and his or her family and then eating with them and sitting with them during their time of official mourning). Of course I agreed (which meant the loss of a day of snowboarding for my friends and me - my first ever trip). When I got to the hospital, she greeted me and her mother and I spent some time in tears. Then the little girl took me into the room where the body and alter were. She told me what to do and I followed her instructions. It was sad. I prayed for that family as I layed the flower on the alter for the father, who was much to young to die and leave his family. I also prayed for myself, to be honest. I prayed that I could teach this little girl and help her through her grief. All through that funeral time and ever since, she hasn't cried... not once, not a drop. Nor has she complained or been sad. Her mother questioned me about it and I looked to the research on grief and grief counselling and I found that it comes in waves for kids and that just maybe she didn't get it. So I spoke to her about it as did another teacher. Her response? "Do you wanna know why I don't cry? Because, my daddy is in heaven now. He isn't sick anymore and I'm gonna see him later so it's okay."
Faith. That was her answer: Faith that her daddy was okay; faith that her daddy wasn't hurting or sick anymore; faith that he was somewhere she could go; faith that she would see him there when the time was right. I have been learning a lot from her, learning that she posesses the kind of faith we are all called to have and that it's easy for her because she has the uncomplicated view of a child. She isn't stupid or brain-washed. No one told her to say those things, it came straight from her heart, her heart of faith.

Rough week...

So today I was suposed to try out snowboarding for the first time ever.... I was nervous but excited... and then in came the call. One of my students, her dad passed away. The mom asked me to please come to the funeral, which is not the same as in western cultures. I couldn't refuse, my student asked for me specifically. So I went. It was so sad... my student is just 7 years old. Her dad isn't that much older than me and he suddenly passed from cancer. I can't image being that young and without a dad. It sure makes me appreciate my blessed childhood and life so much more. I offered to do what I could for the mother... she is just about the sweetest lady ever. My student said we were like sisters and in a strange way I felt like we were. Those of you who were praying and sending your thoughts, thank you. I believe that the dad went quickly and with less pain because of them... I also believe that the family has more comfort because of them. Keep praying for this family, it is a tremendous loss.

Clapton in Concert

Yup, that's right folks... you read it here first. Eric Clapton had a concert here in Korea tonight and I went... for a huge price of course, but it was fun. I went with a huge group of people from school and it was so much fun. We danced, clapped, laughed and shared a quick drink before going. Although, Clapton only gave one "ankle - Korean for encore."
Maybe there will be more odd concert details in the future, but for now... gotta go to sleep... two late nights in a row (I am beginning to sound like such a grandma!!).

Nighty-night dearies.

A New Diet and Money Saving Plan!!

That's right all you diet hungry folk out there... here is the new plan, and it won't cost you anything... in fact, if you work it like I did, you will actually save money!! Ready for it? Here it is: Get the flu that keeps coming back!! I have had it twice this week and so instead of dropping in on a wine party, birthday party and a going away party, I am sitting at home in my sweats doing my best to keep the little I am able to eat down... gross, I know... but there is always a positive side, right? Well... here is my take on the positive side of this: I've been wanting to jump start a more healthy eating lifestyle by monitoring my portions and I've also been concerned about going out too much and spending too much money. Well, the flu that keeps coming back is so the answer!! I can't go out because I feel horrible for the moment (seems to go away after 24 hours and come back in 4 or 5 days for another round) and so that saves me money and from injesting huge numbers of calories at all these gatherings I am supposed to be at. See? There is an up side... there is always an up side!!

Too Many Passwords...

Have you ever come to the realisation that you have too many passwords? I have recently... I have this site, myspace.com, a couple of friend sites, my 3 email addresses (not counting the school ones), my student blog site, a couple of shopping sites and a WAYN.com site... and all of them have slightly different passwords!! Do you think I can keep track?! Of course not... I am utterly lost most of the time and have to ask the computer to send it to my email (which I do remember all of the time, amazing how important communication can be, isn't it?) almost every other week. Yikes!
Here is the real shame though, that we need to have all these cryptic passwords in the first place. I understand the need, but what does that say about society in general? No honor in the honor system anymore is there? Hm... deep thoughts... ha ha ha... yea, right!
Well, something for you to chew on. Enjoy.
Next time... existentialism....

Getting ready to leave...

Just a couple more days before I go home. Sounds strange to say it like that, but Korea is more home to me than Canada at the moment. I love coming here, and I love being with friends and family, but I miss my life in Korea... believe it or not folks, I actually have one!! So back to that in a few days!!!
For all you in Seoul, I'll be home on Saturday evening! See you then.

Another year come and gone

So the year is almost over... just hours away (about 7.5 hours to be exact) and I sit here and wonder what I have accomplished, and then my mind wanders to what I will resolve not to do or to do for the next year. So... accomplishments: hm... well, I have definitely accomplished the unwanted and unnecessary gain of weight... and I have accomplished almost all of my masters degree (just 3 more courses and a thesis paper to go). So it isn't all bad stuff. But I haven't accomplished as much as I maybe wanted to... I don't know.
Resolutions: hm... I think these are dangerous to make because they kind of set you up for failure, don't they? So I think I will resolve to just try harder in the things that I do and to have a longer list of positive accomplishments this time next year.
Oh... did you hear this one? Apparently (listen up single and desperate ladies) if you wear red undies tonight when the clock strikes midnight you will be guarateed to fall in love and/or get married over the course of the next year... I think as a matter of scientific experiment my friends and I are going to try it... ha ha ha!!! Just kidding!

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?