Coulda Woulda Shoulda

Big graduation day at the hogwan and there were many tears. It was touching, funny and serious all at the same time. Words are kinda escaping me as of late so I'll just let the pics do the talking. Here is a wide shot of the chaos: And here is a few closeups of my favorite little dudes. These, my friends are the leaders of tomorrow. And considering how quickly they learn and how smart they are, I'm just happy to know that they may be nice to me when I'm working for them someday. And of course, the biggest graduate of all...

Our kindergartens will graduate next Tuesday and, in normal A fashion, I am only just coming to terms with the fact that the little human beings I have seen day in and day out for the last 6 months will no longer be coming here. We were told that there will be a week off from the kindergartens and then the new ones will start in March. As we have a tri -level kindergarten (age 5,6,7) some of the kids will be returning. But I am the only foreign teacher who actually has two of the three 7 year old classes, which means all my little buddies will be gone.... I suppose with all that I'm learning, I'm also experiencing every teacher's highs and lows, this being a high and a low at the same time. These little guys are heading off to 'big elementary school' and I have to hope I've helped to prepare them for what's ahead. As I read what I've just wrote, I suddenly think that sounds really overkill, as though I'm taking credit for what essentially, their pare...

My long weekend awaits with D's parents. I can't believe this long week is finally over. Happy days. My kids today all had the same answer when I asked them what they were going to do for the lunar new year "Go to grandmother's house. Bow. Get lucky money. Go to the PC room (a room filled with computers and hundreds of games they can play with their friends)." The only difference I suppose from any other weekend for them is that they have to bow. Oh and that they get money. To be put into the bank. Probably NOT for any enjoyable things but mostly for their education. Lucky them. I've been practicing the above statement all day. I'm sure, if the tables were turned, I sound a little something like this: "Haaaaaaaaaaa ppppppppppp yyyyyyyyyyy NNNNNNNNNNeeeeeeewwwwwwww YYYeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrr" Kinda like stuttered robot talk. I suppose it's the thought that counts. Happy Lunar New Year people.

Valentine's Day sort of snuck up on me this year. I've had so much going on that I suddenly turned around and then hey, it's the day to celebrate love. There are so many things I'm lovin right now it's hard to know where to start. Lovin' the weather. (um yes, it would be my blog if I didn't mention the weather..and sadly first) Lovin' the kindergarteners (and all the chocolate that has arrived on my desk this morning) Lovin' the social circle we have accumlated here in Gimhae (there is always this moment in uprooting yourself and plunking yourself down when you suddenly feel as though you might just have a normal life after all. and it's a euphoria that doesn't last long, one that you usually begin to take for granted but tryin to just love as much as possible at the mo) Lovin' the fact that I got to go home (still telling stories of all the fun we had) Lovin' the fact that I will have MORE visitors in 2 days (YIPPEE YIPPEE YIPPEE!) L...

My easy going weekend turned out to be much more 'going' than 'easy' and slowly, life is beginning to feel here like well life. A few things I did that made it feel well normal: I was able to buy shirts that I knew would fit me. Mostly because they were from the Gap and American Eagle and Old Navy BUT they were second hand and clearly from other foreigners so they didn't cost the full price. Now I actually haven something to wear to work that doesn't cling quite so tightly.. I was able to have gin and tonics in bar amongst other foriegners that I didn't necessarily have to talk to but just knowing there were other people around that WERE KINDA LIKE ME made it all the less isolating. Gimhae is a good small place to live, you don't feel overwhelmed. But I must remind myself that getting to Busan every once in awhile will allow me to partake in more comforts from home. It was probably just what a needed to keep my spirits up after being home last week. I a...

Thought I'd get some shots up for my occasional Foto Friday. I've also uploaded a lot to my 365 Project, which seems to be going better than I had expected! Check it out at the link on the right. Here's a snapshot of my trip...literarly: Me, at Tokyo airport. The bride and groom and 'The Newlywed Game'! Karaoke Boys! The mothers.... The fathers.... The sisters... The brother... The other brother (right) and groomsmen... The morning after.. And after hair and makeup.. Family photo.. The happy couple... The happily ever after...

There are so many things I want to share, say and show about my lovely visit back to the land-where-you-can-get-everything but as things tend to go, the main thing that's on my mind is the last thing that happened to me. The road warrior that I am, I prepared myself for the long journey home, which was going to be significantly prolonged and more akward then when I went to Chicago because my flight into Seoul arrived too late to get the last flight from Seoul into Busan. This left me with the only option of getting into the centre of Seoul to Seoul Station, to pick up the KTX train - an almost 3 hour journey down to the south of the country. And the, trains-planes-and-automobiles fans, I would have had to get a 30 minute taxi from Busan to Gimhae. All this, after a 13 hour flight from Chicago to Tokyo and a 2 hour flight from Tokyo to Seoul. Yes, H & P, I DO love you that much. But then, something strange happened. We arrived into Seoul at 7:10, a mere 30 MINUTES EARLY!! I sudd...