BACK WHEN I WAS IN 'NAM....

That's right, people. It's official. I'm leaving in a week. Here's my proof. Please peruse my links and froth at the mouth with jealousy.


PART 1: HANOI

PART 2: HALONG BAY

PART 3: PHU QUOC

For those of you who are worrying, I AM getting a few hours of Saigon in. Are you relieved?

UNDERAGE KOREAN MILITARY MEN

This should have been posted long ago. This was an impromptu photo op on Jejudo in May:

MICHAEL JACKSON WHO?

FROM THE COUNTRY THAT CREATES MASTERPIECES SUCH AS "CURRY CURRY" PIZZA COMES...........MY NEW BLOG ENTRY.

Ok, there's a slight possibility I'll get better at this when I finally get my own computer. But it's slight. And yeah, I know. I still don't have a computer. I'm practically still listening to tapes. And if 8-tracks had been popular during my time, I'm positive I'd have a couple of those laying around. I'm just a little slow in jumping on the technology bandwagon. That, and I'm perpetually broke and can't afford things like IPODS and laptops.

But I digress. Let's get down to the important things that have occurred in my life, starting with........THIS:


This is Tom. He is a man about town. If he sees someone attractive, he simply can't be tied down by his current relationship.

When Heather Teacher saw this shirt on Tom, she immediately left class to come get me, at which point I immediately ran to get my camera. This photo, however, was taken 2 days later when Tom decided the point was not made the first time.


THEN THERE WAS THIS:

Heather Teacher was doing a lesson with the kindergarten class, New York, and made them describe me.

The most important items on this list (besides the obvious: "Elizabeth Teacher is beautiful and sassy," blah, blah, blah) is that 1) I teach Spanish and 2) I created Hug Monday. These are 2 things I'm proud to be known for in Asia. Hug Monday was created in response to the fact that I love to hug my kids on Mondays because I actually really, really miss them over the weekends! And let me tell you, its popularity has spread like wildfire. I have kids DEMANDING hugs from me now. I mean, let's face it: my hugs have always been in demand. But to gain this kind of celebrity in Korea; well, it's humbling.

MOVING ON.......

CHECK OUT THIS LITTLE CUTIE-PIE:

This is Adam. I totally didn't get his sense of humor last year but this year he has seriously honed some comedic skills. It just goes to show, you can accomplish a lot between the ages of 4 and 5. Adam has learned to say, "OMG" with drama and flair; a feat I am not gonna lie, has warmed the cockles of my heart several times a day for weeks now. EXAMPLE: Adam always finishes his English Time Activity Book ahead of the others. Upon completing it, I assign him to a less ESL-inclined student and Adam helps them. But when I assigned Adam to help Liam (Lil' Liam is not quite solid on the alphabet and we're doing some hardcore phonics now), Adam took one glance at Liam's barely completed Unit and exclaimed in exasperation, "Ohhhhhh Emmmmmm Geeeeeeeee."Definitely a highlight of my life.

LIL' LIAM:

ONE MORE SPECIAL LITTLE PICTURE:

This is Andy. It was Cooking Day. Most of the boys had gender-appropriate aprons (which I actually find quite shocking considering Korean mens' affinity for feminine apparel), but alas, poor Andy's mom sent him in this frilly little number. Oh well. Sidenote: That's Lil' Liam behind him.

Stay tuned for the awesomeness to come!

DEAR GOD

THIS IS A LETTER MY STUDENT JACOB (ALSO MY BOSS LINDA'S SON) WROTE AS AN ASSIGNMENT. IT'S THE SWEETEST THING I'VE EVER READ:

To- God
Hello! I'm Jacob
God! I haven't see you.
But I can imagine you.
I want to see you. I belive
you. Can I ask you? Where
are you? I imagine you are
very pretty or hansome guy.
I don't know the distinction
of sex you are. I want to be
a high school teacher. I want
to go to good school too!!!
Because I want parents
happy. I belive you help me.
I will do my best. I will study
more hard. Please I can be
a high school teacher.
Please send my father's sister
to heven. Can you come to Ilsan
Lake Park? I want to meet
you in there. When I meet you
I want to talk with you.
good bye! I belive you God!
5/20
Sincerly Jacob

UPDATE!!!!!

Well, I've been inspired. My Uncle Asa read my blog and if he's going to go to the trouble of reading it, I guess it's worth writing.

I'm at work right now. We started a new semester and it's been kind of hectic. I have about 5 million books to teach now and no breaks. Last term I felt like I was just kind of hanging out all the time. Now I feel like I never really stop going. It's a sign of the economy. We lost a foreign teacher and our enrollment decreased, so we're all working more.

It's been 4 and a half months now and I've really settled into my life here. John visited me and we fought about 5 times a day and stormed out on eachother in various situations, but I think he still had a little bit of fun. You never know what's going to happen when you get two Beaches together, much less shove them in an efficiency apartment for a week in a foreign country. The best part was when we went skiing in Kwangnam at High 1 Resort. The gondola was super-scary and ran even in the most blizzardy of weather.


Anyway, I don't even know what to talk about anymore. I feel like I need to go to America to remember what I think is weird or different about Korea. Basically, I go to work every day. On Mondays I get together at church with Cristal and Sookyung for our English/Korean Bible reading (I can read hangeul pretty fluently now), get together with Kim during the week to watch "The City," occasionally go running with Heather...just regular life things.

This weekend I went to the Palace at Gwanghwamun but it wasn't that exciting because it's brand-new. I mean, it's a replica of the old one that the Japanese burnt down. Mostly I get excited about eating food, namely Mexican food, and I finally found an amazing place in Itaewon that has enchiladas!!! yayyyyyy! AND, best of all, there are Korean mariachi men that sing anything from "La Cucaracha" to songs by James Blunt. You know, authenticity is key.

I miss some comforts of home like Target, Chick-Fil-A, and driving my car (oh yeah, and my family and friends) but for the most part, God has really given me comfort here. More to come....

EVERDAY ARGUMENT IN MY KINDERGARTEN CLASS:

NEIL: I love you, Kelly.
KELLY: Ok.
NEIL: You no love me?
KELLY: I no say I no love you! I say ok!
NEIL: (head down and crying): Elizabeth Teacher! I say Kelly I love you and Kelly no say I love you!

This literally happens every single day with at least two of my kids.

UPDATE! UPDATE!

Ok, so it's been over a month and I haven't felt like posting anything. In fact, I keep thinking I may just delete this blog because I never feel like writing.

BUT, in this rare moment, I'd like to give a brief update of what has been going on since I last wrote:

1. I met a fantastic friend, Riteesha, who is at the end of her contract and will be going to India for six weeks and then moving back to Canada in February :(. But we have already decided to move to South America together so all is not lost.

2. My boss took me to Kwangsung Church, which is now MY church. There is an English service every Sunday. Ironically, the majority of the attendees are Korean. But I am now in 3 different Bible studies thanks to my Korean friend Cristal, who is also an amazing hairstylist and cuts hair for 5000 won, which is INCREDIBLY cheap. I love her.

3. I went skiing with some friends of friends (who are now MY friends) in Jisan. It was so much fun and I discovered that I'm a decent skiier even after 10 years of not doing it. And I'm about to get to ski AGAIN because John is visiting me next week!!!

4. I went on a date. This shouldn't be that big of a deal, but you know how I am with official things--and how immature I am about boys. I was pretty proud of myself. And it was a good date with a nice, gentlemanly Christian guy.

5. I painted my officetel. It needs to be repainted, but I'm happier now that I have bright colors around me. And I can't wait til I can afford to do some REAL decorating.

6. I taught 2 of my little kindergarteners to count to 100. Now they run around screaming, "ONE HUNDRED!" It's so adorable. And you should see how out-of-breath they get when they actually count all the way from 1.

7. My boss has just recently asked me if I would be willing to teach the 9 a.m. kids' service at church. I haven't made a final decision because I haven't gotten all of the information yet, but I'm really excited at the prospect. I love kids and I love God, so it's a good combination.

8. Korea started airing its version of "Meteor Garden," which has spurred an entire Meteor Garden explosion. Friday night I had Abueng and Diana over to watch the Tawainese version and now Abueng has gotten hooked on the Japanese version. Aska is coming over to watch the Korean version with me soon....so Dao Ming Xi is still a huge part of my life. What a relief.

9. I am currently addicted to gimbap. Or however you spell it. It's delicious and cheap.

10. Jenna, my very first Korea friend, spent the night last night and we watched "Girls Just Want to Have Fun," which she'd never seen before. Heather Marie sent it to me in a care package and the joy of Sarah Jessica Parker's dance moves have now changed Jenna's life forever. ALSO, last but not least, Kim and I have formed an entire friendship around "The Hills" and "The City." As previously proven in other friendships (Becky--Dawson's Creek; Jill--Felicity; Marisa--The Hills; Laura--Meteor Garden, etc, etc), it is essential for BFFs to have a good soap to bond over.

So I guess that's as good an update as any. Nothing about Korea and everything about me!

Oh, forgot to talk about the DMZ. Hmmmmmm. Oh well! Maybe next time!