Attendance...

Everytime I leave work early for a business trip, to go to the bank, to watch another English class, because I'm sick, etc... I have to write down the date, the time I will leave and return, where I am going, and how I can be contacted when I'm there.

Then, I have to have the head teacher approve it, the Vice Principal, and then the Principal. And yes, I hand carry it to each person for their signature!

So, all you Millennium teachers who hate filling out "personnel absence forms," let me say right now, "SUCK IT UP! It's a lot better than what is required here!"

This is my very own attendance record folder. :)

My personal favorite "Reason" on this page is "a bitter cold" which was obviously not written by me!!  So funny...

The days highlighted in blue are my personal favorites... because 1) it's usually something fun, and 2) because I get paid 5,000 won for every business trip I go on to cover transportation costs!  Which is funny to me, considering I almost always get free rides with the other teachers! 

A box was deliverd for you!

This is about the best thing I could possibly hear from Stella's mouth during the day... and I heard it today!!!

Katie Olson, one of my good friends from AZ (the student council teacher at Millennium), and an avid reader of my blog, sent me a huge box full of candy, mac n cheese, etc... with lots of sweet cards and letters from my old co-workers and students at MHS... 

'
Katie, I can't tell you how special this box was to me!! I can't stop smiling, knowing that my friends from back home haven't forgotten about me!!

Oh. P.S... I opened the box next to Stella, and pulled out the huge bag of skittles! Her eyes got really big and she said, "Ohhh, what are those!?" She had literally never seen, heard of, or tasted a skittle in her life! How crazy is it that Koreans don't know about skittles! I LOVE SKITTLES! It was a true honor to be able to give her her very first taste of heaven!!

Box of Oranges at My Door!

When I got home tonight, this huge box of oranges was propped up next to my door! I was sooo excited at the surprise and couldn't wait to see who it was from!

It was Mr. Chun! Remember him? He worked in the Administration office at Kevin's old school (Daesin). I am overwhelmed by his thoughtfulness and can't help but feel extra loved, special, and cared for as I lay my head on my pillow tonight! There's no better way to end the day!

It's official -- I'm staying!

just signed a contract for ANOTHER YEAR of teaching in Korea! I'll be here until March 2011!!!


Who would have ever guessed Jill Anderson, the girl who grew up in the same city her whole life would love living in another country so much! I love Korea so much that I didn't even think twice about signing my life away for another year! (Oh and PS, I never dress like this for work, but it was 25 degrees today, and I just wanted to be comfy... luckily my Principal didn't care at all! He was all smiles when I walked into his office!)


My Principal didn't think twice either about me staying at his school for another year.... which made me feel great!

*** Thank you Lord for the blessings this school and country have brought to me during this pivital year in my life! May it continue to be as wonderful and life changing next year!

Beautiful Haeundae...

Looks warm and inviting doesn't it?

Well, don't be fooled! It freezing here these days! Jess and I took a walk on this boardwalk in Haeundae this weekend, with our 3 layers of clothes, warm coats, and hot Starbucks drinks in hand! Winter has definitely arrived! Today it's 25 degrees!