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!