Going back to Japan...

This weekend is a 4 day weekend for Aaron and I, and we've been itching to get out of the country... So, tonight we decided to scratch that itch and head to Japan! 

We'll be leaving this Friday after work (FIELD DAY, which is hardly work!) and arriving in Fukuoka, Japan, where we'll be spending one night exploring the city.  In the morning, we'll jump on the bullet train and ride 3 hours through the Japanese countryside to Kyoto, one of my favorite places in the world, where we'll spend the following 4 days!

It was exactly this time, 2 years ago, that I visited Kyoto for the first time! Unfortunately though, I spent most of my time in the hospital waiting room, and in bed at my hostel, sick with the swine flu. On the instances where I did get out and explore the city, I fell madly in love with it's charm, history, and beauty! I never thought I'd have the chance to go back, but low and behold, I've been given the chance! I can hardly wait to show Aaron some of my favorite spots, and explore new corners of the city!

P.S. Don't worry, I've checked the radiation levels and Kyoto is A-okay!  Besides I eat enough dried seaweed to fight off all the radiation in the world!  Okay, that's a bit of an exageration... but I love that stuff and it prevents radiation from seeping into your body!  Another amazing natural remedy!

 

Japan, watch out!  We're coming!!

Yummy, yummy!

Remember cooking class in Junior High, when you learned how to make chocolate chip cookies, spaghetti, and french toast?  Maybe America has stepped up the bar a bit since I was a kid, but I've been pretty impressed to see what the 6th grade students, at my school in Korea, have come up with during their cooking class!  

This week, (2) of the three 6th grade classes have had a cooking class, where each student is responsible for bringing an ingredient for their groups particular dish.  The kids asked me to come take some pictures and try their food, which I was more than happy to do... EXCEPT for when one of them very excitedly shoved a huge piece of this disgusting fried spam into my mouth!  

Here are some fun pictures!  This group made french toast with ham and bacon inside! Talk about a heart attack!

They then presented it to me in this lovely arrangement!   Apparently a ball of rice and ham is essential to the mix!

The schools don't have an actual kitchen where kids can bake, so portable stoves are brought in and the kids cook in their own homeroom class.

 

These were probably my favorite!  Sticky rice, carrots, ham, and dried seaweed!

Korea's version of home made pizza!

Duk Bokki...

This isn't just kids playing around... This is actually a way to feed your friend, Korean style! 

And this is another way!  Instead of kids grabbing forks and digging in, the person who made the dish individually feeds each of their friends by picking the food up with chopsticks and holding it up to their friend's mouth!  

Oops, caught her in mid-bite! :)

Cooking white bread, ketchup, pepper, mushroom, and cheese pizza on the stove!

 More rice balls... only this time they were prepared on a skillet and egg was added!  YUM!

Mayonnaise, corn, carrot, and cucumber sandwich.

 Egg, ham, ketchup, lettuce, and pepper sandwich, topped with two rice balls and garnished with 2 colorful marshmallows!

"Fruit cocktail"  (Sprite (aka Cider), kiwi's and tomatoes) 

Another strange sandwich, garnished with cherry tomatoes!

When the students are finished, they prepare one plate of food for the teachers to share!  Here is what we were given!  Appetizing?!

Bet you wish you could try it, don't ya?!

It's coming!!!

Practices for Field Day have officially commenced as of this morning!  I took this video, just minutes ago, from my office window, looking out to the playground.  I am soooo excited that May is around the corner, because that means Field Day is almost here!  Can you tell it's one of my favorite days of the year!  How could it not be?  I get to hang outside all day, watch kids laughing and playing, see proud parents cheering on their kiddos, and to make it even better, I have been nominated as the official photographer of the event, so I'll have tons of pictures and videos to share!

Teacher Volleyball Season

It's "teacher volleyball season" in Korea and my school's staff has begun practicing twice a week to get ready for the big Saha-Gu Elementary School Staff Volleyball Tournament!  Believe it or not, volleyball is a really competitive sport amongst elementary school teachers in Korea!  In fact, Aaron was actually recruited to teach at his school because the principal heard he was such a good volleyball player!  The first day I met my new Principal he asked me, in his broken English, weather or not I could spike a ball!  haha 

Today will be our 3rd staff volleyball practice of the year!  We started practicing 2 hours a day, twice a week, but this week we've added a 3rd practice - yes a Saturday practice!  I actually don't mind the excessive practices because: 1) I have really enjoyed the camaraderie that happens at the practices, 2) I can't complain about the great exercise, and 3) I get to leave school at 2:00pm to go play!

In Korean voleyball, there are 9 players to a team.  We stand on the court like a bingo board!  I am currently on the far left, in the middle... but last week they were impressed with my spiking (I don't know how or where I learned it, but I actually spike once in a while!) so I was moved to the middle, the HIGHEST RANKED position on the court!  I told Aaron, later, that I was almost hoping the other team would hit the ball right at me, because I was on a roll! :)

Needless to say, I have more street cred at school than I did before Volleyball started!  The teachers used to compliment me on my outfits or my ability to speak Korean... but now they just talk about my skills on the court!  haha!  Who knew?!

Here's to a great Volleyball Season!  Wish me luck!

(I hope I didn't just jinx myself!)

A special gift...

As I was walking to school this morning, I ran into 하나 (Hanna), the 6th grade teacher who I love!  She and her daughter live near me and walk to school as well, but today was the first time we've ever bumped into each other on our ways!  Anyhow, as soon as she saw me, she pulled out a red jewelry box from her purse and said, "Chelsey, this is for you!"  with a huge smile!

Inside was this beautiful starfish necklace to match some earrings I have, and to match HER own starfish necklace!  She said it was "Many thanks, many thanks, for what you have done for me and my students."

Two of my love languages are affirmation and small gifts, so this meant a lot to me! :) I'm wearing it proudly around my neck today, and love that it came from her!

Happy Easter!

Today was a wonderful day filled with laughs, sunshine, yummy food, and awesome fellowship!

The day started with a fantastic skype date with my mom and dad, who are beyond wonderful!  I love those two!!  Then I took a walk from my apartment over to Nampodong where I met Aaron for a lovely Easter brunch at a new restaurant that recently opened!  Yes, this was the best shot I was able to get of him!  He's like a child with ADD when I break the camera out!

This was what we had for Easter brunch, Korean style!  (Actually, this one was Indonesian style!)  Good ole' Nasi Goreng with steak!  Yumm!

I was sooo excited to endulge in such a yummy salad!  Believe it or not, they just don't exist like this in Korea!   It's usually shredded cabbage and yogurt on top.  Weird, I know!  So, this was a big treat for me! 

After brunch, we walked through the market, looking for a fun easter gift for each other... but believe it or not, neither of us could find anything we really wanted or needed!  It's an amazing physical and emotional place to be to feel like you don't need or want anything!

We headed back over to my neighborhood and visited Serry, the neighborhood dog!  I visit Serry everyday on my walk home from work, and so I thought it would be okay if I asked her mom (the store owner) if I could take her for a walk.  I was fairly shocked when she was more than happy for me to walk her!  As we were walking away, she rambled off about 15 sentences in Korean, to which Aaron and I just nodded and said, "Okay" as if we understood!

When we got down the street, Serry automatically stopped in the middle of the road!  She wouldn't go any further, even when I tried to pull her!  We then realized that that's probably what her mom was trying to tell us!  She knows her boundaries!!  :)

So, we all turned around and walked down another street!  Sure enough, we got to a certain point, and she stopped again!  When we tried to pull her further down the street, she laid down, like this!  We couldn't stop laughing!

After saying goodbye to Serry, we hung out on my apartment's rooftop, enjoying the sunny weather and tending to the new herbs and vegetable plants that Aaron recently planted!

Then... I took the bus over to Gwangali Beach to meet my friends Anne and Crystal at Thursday Party for the Easter foreigner BBQ/potluck!  This time's theme was Mexican!  Needless to say, it was a big hit!

I stayed at the BBQ for a couple hours and then took a long bus ride over to Kosin Univeristy for my weekly bible study at one of the professors house!  I've been going here for a little while now and REALLY love it!   My favorite part is the fact that there are people from ALL OVER THE WORLD that come!  There was a fantastic guest speaker tonight from Brittain, who passed this notebook around, asking everyone to write their names and their home countries. When it got to me, I snapped this picture to show just how diverse it actually is! 

Here's a video of 1/2 the room singing the last verse of Seek Ye First.  I love that you can hear everyone's individually beautiful accents!

I was so touched tonight, and inspired to be more like Jesus - patient and loving!!  This was my favorite verse that was read.

And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It's your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it. -Colossians 3:14

On that note, Happy Easter!

A little update

A little update for ya'll.  :)

WORK: I've now been teaching at my new school for 2 months and I have no complaints.  I wake up everyday, excited to go to work to see my students and visit with my co-workers (who by the way, almost ALL speak at least a little bit of English)!  They've also turned me on to tea, which I have NEVER liked until this week!  Now I'm drinking at least 2 cups a day!  Much more healthy that the (2) diet cokes I was drinking a day!  

WORK SCHEDULE: I start work at 8:30am and leave @ 4:30pm.  I usually teach (4) 40 minute classes a day, and the rest of the time is spent doing whatever I'd like! :) I teach (2) 3rd grade classes twice a week, (3) 4th grade classes twice a week, (3) 5th grade classes twice a week, and (3) 6th grade classes twice a week.  In addition, I teach a beginners level English conversation class once a week and an advanced English conversation class once a week!  and I can't forget my English TV show on Wednesday mornings where I'm free to teach whatever I'd like!  My students especially love the food shows where I explain the types of food we eat in America and allow some of them to try it on air! 

AARON: Aaron is as wonderful as ever!  He's my best friend and my biggest fan.  I am so thankful for him!  He's been busy with his recent hobby - photography!  He's getting REALLY REALLY good, as you've probably seen by his flickr page!  He's also started a new workout called P90X which I join in once in a while... until it kicks my but and I give up! haha  

FUTURE: Well, I'm always up for a change in plans, but as of right now, Aaron and I are both leaning towards applying for University teaching positions in Seoul for next school year. (beginning March of 2012)  Jessica and Carlos are both really happy with where they're working and are gonna try and put a good word in for A and I for next year so we can all work together!  So, we'll see! :)  If we got the jobs, we'd be making just as much but would only work 14 hours a week and have 4 months vacation - TO COME SEE YOU!!!

FEELINGS: Living in Korea can be a bit of an emotional roller coaster... It never gets too wild, but it does go up and down a bit.  The weather has played the biggest roll into the down times, I think.  It's been extremely cold for the past 7 months, and being a California girl, I'm not all that used to the cold!  (Granted we've had 2 or 3 warm and sunny days in the last couple weeks, which I took full advantage of by being outside!)  But even today, it happens to be pouring rain, and my co-worker said it's going to get even colder this weekend!  :( I've been mainly cooped up in my apartment trying to stay warm, watching entirely too much TV online!   On the other side, I love my job, and my guy, and have been able to connect with my family and friends through skype and my new texting app for my iphone! 

I'M EXCITED ABOUT:  I'm really excited about the next couple weeks school schedule!  There's no class next Thursday because of testing, and then field day, children's day, and a 4 day weekend follow! :)  Aaron and I talked last night about checking out Taiwan or maybe spending a couple days climbing the Great Wall in China!  This summer vacation, Aaron and I are planning a trip to Vietnam for 16 days!  I've recently been really interested in Vietnam, and am excited to learn some common sentences, so I know what the nail ladies are saying about me!  Let's be honest, we all wonder, right?!  We're not sure, but we're thinking of starting in the north and either renting a scooter, or paying for  scooter taxis to scoot us down south, stopping in places that look interesting, like Ho Chi Minh, and Halong Bay!

I think that's about it for updates!  Hope you feel a little more connected! :)

Love always,
Jill

My PERFECT 4th graders!

How can you not feel like a Queen walking into a classroom with children this well behaved!  I love this class!  Everyday after tea time, I walk into class and they are sitting quietly with their hands on their heads waiting for me to teach!  ...And every time it takes my breath away a little!  I love these little angels!

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Cirque De Soleil

Last Saturday, Aaron and I headed up to Seoul to see Varekai, by Cirque De Soleil! It was a beautiful show under the big colorful tent!  

We both wanted to make it a nice date night and look extra nice for the event, but we had lots to see and do in Seoul before the show, so we got ready early in the morning and wore our fancy clothes all day.  Hence my messy hair!

Standing in line with my birthday present: the tickets!  Thank you A

Once inside the tent, we were told not to take any pictures or videos, but I couldn't resist!  I was stealth and sneaked in a couple videos, with my iphone, to remember the night!  Please don't tell on me! :)  ENJOY!

The show was fantastic and sitting in the 5th row was pretty sweet as well!  We could see everything up close and personal!  Such a great 30th birthday gift from my guy!

Weekend in Seoul.

In T-minus 1 hour, Aaron and I will be boarding a lightning fast KTX train to Seoul to spend the weekend with Jess and Carlos!  We'll also be catching the 8 o'clock showing of Cirque Du Soleil tomorrow night!  The weather in Seoul is supposed to be sunny and in the mid 60's, which is the nicest weather we've seen here in 6 months, so it should be a great trip!  See ya'll Monday!

Fancy Foto!

Aaron is always fine tuning his photography skills!  It's his favorite hobby these days, and sometimes I get to be a part of the fun!  This week, he took me to a subway station and had me stand completely still while a subway train whizzed by!  

I really love how the picture turned out.

 

Do I have to eat that?

School lunches in Korea are REALLY different from school lunches back in the states.  First of all, everyone eats the same lunch here! No one brings a packed lunch (including the staff)! Korean school lunches are always comprised of 5 things: rice, meat or fish, a vegetable, kimchi, and a soup.

Today's lunch though was CRAZY!!! 

I really wish I had my camera, but I didn't, so you'll just have to deal with my written descriptions!

We had:

white rice (Always yummy!)

soup with chinks of tofu and pumkin, slimy clams, and green onions.  (WTH!)

Then, the meat portion of the meal was squid and clams in red sauce.  (Eehhh!)

The vegetable portion was green onion stalks with anchovies in a honey sauce (double Eehhh!)

and of course, kimchi!

Believe it or not, I ATE ALL OF IT!  Every last bite... because that's what you do in Korea! 

I'm hoping tomorrow isn't so crazy!

Cherry Blossom outing!

Yesterday, my Principal gave the 6th grade teacher group a chance to leave early and do something cultural together!  Lucky for me, the English teachers are part of the 6th grade teacher group, so I got to go too!

First, we drove to 경화's apartment (6th grade teacher - middle front) for some hang time!  She just recently moved to this apartment, near Gwangali Beach, so she was eager to show it off to all of us!  She had fresh strawberries, rice cakes, yummy tea, a wild raspberry yogurt drink, and some vanilla waffers for us to munch on while we chatted! 

After leaving 경화's apartment, we piled into Monica's SUV and headed to a nearby mountain to see the newly blossomed Cherry blossom trees!

민정(Min Jung), 현정(Hyun Jung), 하나(Hana), and 옥정(Ok Jung)

굼연 (Gumyeong Mountain) is a famous mountain in Busan, because you can see, in all directions, from the top!  

The 7 of us all have tea time together, every morning, after our 1st class of the day!  And the best part is they can all speak English and are ALL outgoing!

현정(Hyun Jung), 경화(Gyung Hoah), Monica, Me, 민정(Min Jung), 하나(Hana), and 옥정(Ok Jung)

옥정(Ok Jung)  She and I are very close!  Her english is near perfect and she knows more slang than any Korean I've met to date, so speaking to her is almost like talking to a friend from back home!  She and I teach 5th and 6th grade together!  

 These 3 are the 6th grade teachers at my school.

민정(Min Jung), 경화(Gyung Hoah), and 하나(Hana)

The whole gang together (Minus Ok, who was taking the picture)

 

I am so blessed this year with these great women!  All 4 of them are completely fluent in English! 

We drove the car further up the mountain and climbed to the very top, where we could see in all 4 directions.

After watching the sunset from atop the mountain, we climbed back down and piled into Monica's SUV.  We were having so much fun together that we decided to grab dinner together too!  They ASKED ME where I wanted to go, which I thought was really sweet!  I knew immediately that I should take them to BREEZE BURNS for some American style hamburgers on the beach in Gwangali!  None of them had ever been here. 

It was a BIG hit!  They all loved it and devoured their food as soon as it arrived! 

Working at Dae Gyo is making the thought of leaving Korea REALLY HARD!  :)

I am so blessed!

Save The Date!

I don't think I can fully explain just how much I enjoy receiving mail!  It's basically the highlight of my day, and I'm a sucker for a personal note! 

Today, my co-teacher, Monica, handed me a darling yellow envelope... and my eyes immediately widened like a kid on Christmas morning!  Mail?  For me!!??  YAHOO!

I knew, as soon as I saw the writing on the front, that it was from Sarah, one of my best girlfriends in the world!  It was a SAVE THE DATE card for her and her soon to be hubby's wedding in August!  ... AND SHE MADE IT!

Do I have the most creative friends, or what?! 

Sarah, I love, love, love it!  You're AMAZING :) 

Umbrellas!

Aaron recently joined a group of photographers in Busan, who each week, take photo's with certain themes. This weeks theme was umbrellas, and since I'm his sidekick when it comes to photography, I was nominated to be the holder of the umbrella!  We rode scoot over to a street a couple minutes away where there are tons of newly blossomed "cherry blossom trees"!  

I absolutely love how this turned out!

Lilies!

Spring is here, and Aaron hasn't missed a beat!  He went right out yesterday, after work, and found the most gorgeous, and HUGE, pink lilies for me!  I've never seen more beautiful lilies in my life!  I love this man!   


Thank you sweetheart.

Happy birthday dad!

Today is my dad's 65th birthday!!!  Happy birthday daddy-o!  We've been joking about how now he can start collecting medicare!  Wooo - hooo!  Who wants to go shopping!?

I was so excited to see that my mom and dad were signed into skype this morning!  We had a nice long chat, which makes being away from each other on birthdays just a little bit easier!  Love you dad, and happy birthday!  :)

The water rocket winner!

The big winner of the day!  Good job buddy!

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They're shooting rockets!

Don't worry!  North Korea isn't shooting rockets... It's just my 4th graders!
And they're only water rockets!  

Today was SCIENCE DAY in Korea, so all of my English classes were canceled while the students stayed in their homeroom classes to work on fun science experiments!  The 4th graders made homemade (or rather classroom-made) rockets out of 2 liter bottles, waters, tape, and some other stuff! 

Then, at 2:30pm, they all went outside and set them up, one at a time, on the pressure machine... 

...and made sure everyone was out of the way before take off!

(These kids were smart to hide inside and watch from the window!)

Minsu, holding the handle tightly while the pressure rises...

... making sure everything was okay before turning on the machine...

... Julie, concentrating on the sound of the machine...

 ...and then, when it was ready, they pushed the button and shot their rockets high into the sky!! 

Then they would run out and measure how close their rockets landed to the target...

and OF COURSE, get right back in line and shoot it off AGAIN! :)

I'm telling you... I love science day, and I LOVE THIS GIG!