Pucker up little guy!

Highlights of my Day... New Year's Eve 2006

1. Discovered around 3am that Mi-Nam is a loud snorer… ㅋㅋㅋ.
2. Never in my life have I met a lazier puppy than Mi-Nam! Seriously, he’s so lazy that he resorts to sliding (more like dragging) his legs across my hardwood floor instead of getting up and walking. He lays down when he eats, his hobbies consist of eating, drinking, and grunting like a pig, and his favourite sport is marathon napping!
3. Came to the realization of who Mi-Nam reminds me of… Old-Man-Googly-Eyes!!! When I was in grade 1 I went to a private Christian school. I had to take a bus to school and my bus driver had these super big eyes that seemed to jump out of his face! Oh my gosh… my dog is the reincarnation of Old-Man-Googly-Eyes!
4. Well, paper training today wasn’t too successful. In my attempts to teach him to do his “duty” on the paper, I ended up training Kim Tae how to clean…ㅋㅋㅋ.
5. Oh my gosh… Mi-Nam toots! How a dog so little can produce such a smelly toot is beyond me. ㅋㅋㅋ He’s lethal!
6. By mid day I still didn’t have any New Year’s Eve plans. I had been asked out by various friends but opted out. They all wanted me to go to Seoul and well, we all know how much fun I think it is getting stuck in Seoul… no thanks!
7. Opted out of doing anything too crazy and instead hosted a private party at my house. The party started off at a local restaurant I had discovered the other week, A Bis.
8. Couldn’t help but be overly curious about the couple that sat across the room from me. It was a Korean man with a European woman. They were clearly on a date. I felt bad for the girl though. She was a pretty girl who was clearly trying to spark up an interesting conversation but he seemed uninterested and he definitely lacked a friendly smile. Instead, he looked like a boring person, not bored, just boring. I almost felt compelled to invite her to sit at my table.
9. My private party then moved on and ventured over to my house for cake, goodies and beves. We talked about new year’s resolutions and it was then that I realized I just turned another year older… yes, I’m now 28!!!! Here in Korea, the new year is kind of like everyone’s birthday. So everyone here in Korea is now a year older. Wow... that means Byung Hyuk and Kim Tae turned 25, my little Korean sister Sue turned 8, and PE Teacher turned 66. Happy birthday Korea!
10. Thank you to all my amazing students, co-workers and friends who bombarded my phone with countless new years cheers! Happy New Year's everyone... I hope everyone ended the old year on a good note and celebrated the new year with someone they love. It's not how you celebrated it that matters, instead, it's who you celebrated it with. As for me, I entered 2007 with two of my favorite Korean men, a huge smile on my face, and laughter in my heart.

QUESTION OF THE DAY...
How are you going to make this new year different?

QUOTE OF THE DAY...
Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right.
-- Oprah Winfrey

I admit it, ok, so it's not a great picture but it's quite sentimental; this is our first kiss

Here's Mi-Nam chilling out in his new bed. So far, what I've learnt about him is that his favorite thing to do is sleep... quite the lazy puppy!

Highlights of my Day... Saturday, December 30

1. After a super rough sleep (which I question if I even got sleep with all those loud teachers in my room), they made me wake up at the crack of the dawn and then fight for the bathroom.
2. Everyone was suffering from lack of sleep and most of the men where struggling with hang-overs from last night, yet someone had the “great” idea to go sight-seeing in the chilly morning weather.
3. Sight-seeing included visiting the local seaside fish market. There was every kind of seafood under the sun and it smelt so bad! I amused myself with poking the live octopus with my pen. Apparently the seller wasn’t as amused. ㅋㅋㅋ.
4. Next we went to go visit a mountain side temple. The scenery was absolutely beautiful but it was too chilly. I stepped out of the car and the wind just whipped through my clothes so I took shelter in a local restaurant and waited for the others to find me.
5. Finally arrived home. I had been gone for a 1 & 1/2 days and returned to 14 unread emails. News about my trip to Canada traveled fast, wow!
6. After what seemed like hours of waiting, Kim Tae and I finally headed out to get my puppy. He’s a 4-month French bulldog with oversized ears and he’s so ugly, he’s cute…ㅋㅋㅋ. We both decided to call him Mi-Nam; it means “handsome” in Korean.ㅋㅋㅋ
7. Stocked up on supplies at the pet store and then headed home with Menam. Despite the clear fact that many of my neighbours have pets, my building doesn’t allow them and so I humoured myself by smuggling him into my apartment.
8. We arrived home and Mi-Nam was super spooked. He was confused as to where he was, his feet slipped on the hardwood floor, and I don’t think he’s ever had such freedom. It was all new to him and so it was pretty cool to watch him explore around the house. I consider him a very lucky dude.
9. Within minutes of arriving at his new home, he kissed me…ㅋㅋㅋ. Nothing quite like a doggy kiss.
10. Holy fascination… Mi-Nam did nothing but sleep, poop and pee but I was so fascinated watching him sleep. I think he’s a bit sick though. I’m no expert on dogs, or poop for that matter, but he kept on coughing, his poop was messy (ok, too much info there, sorry) and he slept soooo long!

QUESTION OF THE DAY...
Are we there yet?

QUOTE OF THE DAY...
A dog is the only thing on this earth that loves you more than he loves himself.
--Josh Billings

Highlights of my Day... Friday, December 29

1. Today was the day of the big staff trip and so I spent my morning up in my classroom, practicing the song I’d be singing for them tonight.
2. After two hours of driving, we showed up at Daechon Beach. It was super chilly and so the women scurried into the hotel room to warm up. I stayed outside with the men and watched them play their Korean ball game.
3. We were a little late showing up at the beach for the sunset but nonetheless, we did get to see the last bit of it. It was quite beautiful, quite romantic too and so I couldn’t help but laugh as I stood there sharing this super romantic moment with Action Man (PE Teacher) and the rest of the Eumbong crew…ㅋㅋㅋ.
4. Headed out to a restaurant for nothing but fish and seafood…yum (did I mention I hate seafood?!). I love sushi and so it was great to taste super fresh seafood but as for the other creatures on my plate… hmm… I tried to be adventurous and taste them. I was a no go on the worm though… that was just pure nasty!
5. Dinner was long but it was probably one of my most enjoyable moments of the trip cause it gave me a chance to circle around the room and talk to all the staff members… or at least try to talk, Konglish.
6. I did it! I really did it… after dinner we went to a singing room and I sung the Psy song that I had been practicing. I was super nervous but Mrs. Jeong and Ms. Lai acted as my backup singers. Everyone loved it!!!
7. I was ready for bed by the time we finished singing but the staff insisted we all go out to a club. I followed along. Don’t get me wrong, it was fun but being the only foreigner is always kind of strange and so I got a lot of attention from random dudes.
8. Mrs. Jeong and Ms. Lai were the dancing queen couple on the dance floor. I tried to stay on the sidelines by my vice principle kept on trying to get me to dance in the middle of the circle… that’s when some random dude grabbed my wrist. Mr. Jo tried to pry me away but it was my punch to the dude's chest that saved me.
9. A total of three times… that’s how many times that fat ugly Korean man tried to grab my arm or wrist. A total of three times... that's how many times I punched him. Finally some other random man intervined and yelled at him. That man was Mr. Kim. Ended up hanging out with him for the rest of my evening at the club. He’s 46, a middle school PE Teacher, speaks a bit of English, but is super cool and funny.
10. Despite Mr. Kim’s efforts to make me forget about the fat ugly grabbing man, my night was pretty much finished. I wasn't in the mood anymore and so I wanted nothing more to go to bed. All us staff headed back to the hotel. However, much to my surprise, when I finished my shower, I walked out to a packed hotel room. Mr. Jo was cooking soup, some teachers were talking while others were playing a game. Apparently my room was the party room… it made for an impossible sleep and so I curled up under my sheets and tried. No luck!

QUESTION OF THE DAY...
And what would you call that?

QUOTE OF THE DAY...
Dance is the hidden language of the soul.
-- Martha Graham

Swung by Grace's house and checked out her pop-up books.... lots of fun. Within 5 minutes I had kissed a blowfish and got my head chewed on by a tiger...ㅋㅋㅋ

Highlights of my Day... Thursday, December 28

1. Finished informing all my students at Eumbong Middle School that I’ll be changing schools next year. When I was telling class 1-2, my student Anastasia burst out in tears. It kind of freaked us all out actually. I went to her and asked what was wrong. She hugged me and then refused to let go. She ended up missing her next class so that she could spend some extra time with me.
2. Before I knew really what I was getting myself into, I had agreed the other day to do some supplementary English classes next week at my school. They had told me that they’ll be able to find transportation for me and it’ll only be 5 days of classes.
3. Turns out it’s 6 days of classes, spread over two weeks and finding transportation meant them electing my friends outside of school and suggesting the bus… dang! That’s not cool.
5. BOUGHT MY TICKET TO CANADA! Brought a stash of cash to school today and handed it over to Mrs. Jeong. I can’t use cash online and so today I got to use her credit card… cool. Trip is set for January 27th to February 17th.
6. Turns out Travelocity.com wanted to ask some questions about my trip. They emailed me but when I called them, their number didn’t work. As luck would have it, my brother in New York was on msn at the time and so I was able to get him to call them. Cool… thanks dude!
7. Twenty minutes later and you’ll NEVER guess what happened… Mrs. Jeong turns to me and mentions something about being at school for February 5th. I wasn’t really paying attention and so I turned to her and said, “February 5th… what? I’ll be in Canada”. Turns out she wasn’t really paying attention or someone else wasn’t when I told them all I’m buying my plane ticket today.
8. The school tried to convince me to change my plane ticket and so I definitely wasn’t impressed. After spending countless days discussing when I should exactly go and then the hassle I went through today with the travel company, I wasn’t about to change it. I found out that I could in fact change it but there’d be a penalty fee. I figure that this was the school’s fault and not mine so I told them that if they wanted to pay it than I change my schedule but it also means I wouldn’t work my supplementary classes.
9. Found a loop hole to get myself out of this silly situation… my sick days! According to my contract I’ve got five sick days. Looks like I’m going to be sick February 5th to 9th…ㅋㅋㅋ.
10. Tomorrow’s the big staff trip and so I practiced lots of my singing. Kim Tae came over and we laid on the floor singing songs for a couple of hours. My house was a norrabang (karaoke room…so fun)…ㅋㅋㅋ.

QUESTION OF THE DAY...
Are you serious?

QUOTE OF THE DAY...
The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page.
-- St. Augustine

So yummy.... this stuff is what dreams are made out of...ㅋㅋㅋ

Highlights of my Day... Wednesday, December 27

1. Day off…. Sweet! My elementary schools started vacation earlier than my middle school and so today I had no class. Mind ya, I had to visit Dankook University for a brief orientation.
2. Orientation at the university consisted of me sitting around with Ki-Dong (one of the teacher’s assistants) and casually chatting about what to expect, what do to, and all the luxeries that come with the job. Here’s the key pointers I was particularly interested in:

• - Classes are TWO HOURS long!
  - They've already got me a new flat-screen computer for my desk in the staff room... nice!
  - Picking up extra classes is super easy and the extra pay is great.
  - I’m not required to spend endless countless hours in the office but am instead allowed to come right before class and leave right after… sweet
  - I only work 4 days a week… most sweet!
  - It only costs me 950 won (that’s like 95 cents CDN) to bus it home (10min ride... great!)
  - They basically give me a textbook and tell me to teach it. What and how I do it is solely up to me… cool. So there’s a lot of flexiablity and lee-way.
  - I get to create my own exams for the students to take. Talk about power….ha, ha, ha.
  - I’ll be working with 11 other English foreign teachers and so I won’t be forced to figure things out solely on my own… there’s a team backing me up.
  - THREE MONTHS of uninterrupted, totally mine, totally paid for holidays… need I say more! ㅋㅋㅋ

2. Quickly came to the conclusion that Ki-Dong and I are going to be great friends after I realized just how honest he was about the job. I really respect him for his honesty and eagerness to help me out. He’s a pretty cool dude.
3. Holy uncomfortable moment in the university teachers’ room. As Ki-Dong and I sat there talking, we were interrupted by this Korean Prof. who, I personally though, was being rude to some random first level English student. The boy was arguing his mark cause apparently he presented a doctor’s note for a missed class. Instead of the Prof. being cool about it and trying to explain it in simple terms, he ratted the student out and cursed. I don’t really care for a tough guy or a Prof that acts all tough to their students.
4. Much respect to the student though. He had written out various sentences prior to meeting the Prof. and so I thought that showed a lot of effort on his part. I felt bad for him and so when everyone had stepped out of the room, I was there left with him. I tried my best attempt at translating into Korean for the student what the Prof. had said. He was really thankful for my explaination and I was really humoured at my choppy translation...ㅋㅋㅋ.
5. Well my meeting at the university sent me home on a huge high but then I crashed and burned in the afternoon when I met up with Ryan. We had some unresolved business to take care of (which is still unresolved). I was super nervous but excited to see him but no sooner did I get into his van than things turned sour.... real sour.
6. In the heat of the moment, it's fair to say that both he and I said things that we later regretted. A second after I had said it, I shook my head and knew I went too far. We both did and for my part, I really am sorry. I don't want things to end on this sour note.
7. I was in no mood to go out and so I stayed in for most of the evening. I tried to cheer myself up by cooking up a big pot of macaroni and cheese.... the real stuff, by Kraft! Thanks mom!
8. Kim Tae came over and so I shared my macaroni and cheese (this stuff is like gold) with him... only cause he brought over banana milk though...ㅋㅋㅋ.
9. Agreed to play a silly game with Kim Tae. I'm not too sure who invited this game but Korean's sure love to incorporate "rock-paper-scissors" in various games. Tonight's game involved push-ups and "rock-paper-scissors". It started off with us doing a round of "rock-paper-scissors". The loser then had to do 1 push-up. Then step one is repeated but the loser then has to do 2 push-ups... this continues until the last loser does 15 push-ups.
10. Our game ended with me being the biggest loser... Kim Tae did a mere 33 push-ups and I ended up doing a grand total of 87! I'm super woman! ㅋㅋㅋ

QUESTION OF THE DAY...
What should I call my little puppy?

QUOTE OF THE DAY...
The Grand essentials of happiness are: something to do, something to love, and something to hope for.
-- Allan Chalmers

Highlights of my Day... Tuesday, December 26

1. Broke the news to my co-teacher, Mrs. Jeoung. She congratulated me and acted happy but it only made me feel bad. Five minutes later, she and my vice principle ask me if I can teach supplimentary classes next week... umm, you mean teach during my holidays?! Silly me agreed but I'm definitely going to see about whether or not there's extra cash in it. If no cash than no thanks. Sorry but I'm really looking forward to my holidays! There's no way they're going to kill my winter holidays like they did my summer holidays.... I ended up working 3 extra weeks at English camps.... camps way the heck in the middle of no-where.
2. My first two classes were cancelled and so instead of sitting in the teacher’s room and dying of boredom, I roamed the halls and searched out various students.
3. Chatted it up with two of my students, Rachael and Dorothy about high school boys and Dorothy’s new boyfriend. They were both curious as to when I had my first kiss and so I told them, “Kiss a boy…. Oh no! Boys are gross!”
4. By lunch time my news had circled around the staff table and so ya, that was kind of uncomfortable sitting in on a conversation about me. Turns out there were already eager to find out if last year’s teacher, Nerio, will return or not… The least they could have done was waited until I left the room.
5. Opted out of coffee time after lunch and having to endure more questions about my new job, and instead put on my ear phones to drown everyone out. Then suddenly my phone rang. I don’t normally answer my phone at work but it was Ki Dong (the teacher’s assistant from Dankook University). I think it’s safe to say that I made it pretty clear that it was Dankook University on the phone.
6. I was so happy to hear Ki Dong’s voice. I had been having an uncomfortable morning and so it was reassuring to hear him all excited about me joining the Dankook team. Now I feel like I’ve made the right choice. No regrets.
7. Broke the news to one of my level one classes and they weren’t impressed. One of my students cried and so I felt terrible. Thankfully though, I had discussed this situation with her previously and so she knew it wasn’t to be taken personally. I reassured her that I’d still email and text message her. She made me pinky-swear to it.
8. I’m in love….. he’s about half a foot tall, walks on all fours, has oversized ears, and snores… he’s perfect!
9. Quick… tell me EVERYTHING you know about training a puppy! Today Kim Tae and I went to a pet store and I’ve convinced myself that I’m going to get him.
10. Yup, looks like I’m going to have a baby… a baby French bulldog that is. The way I look at it is that I’ve got holidays coming up and so I use this time to train him. Moreover, my work schedule allows me to be home more now. And as for my trip to Canada, well, no problem. Kim Tae has agreed to move into my house just for the time when I’m away and so he’ll be multi-tasking… house-sitting and baby-sitting, perfect!

QUESTION OF THE DAY...
What should I name my new baby?

QUOTE OF THE DAY...
Whoever said you can't buy happiness forgot about little puppies.
-- Gene Hill

Spent my Christmas evening in a beautiful restuarant, eating a most delicious meal, and giggling with a super sweet friend. And to think I was going to sleep away Christmas...hmm.

Our Christmas meal consisted of spagetti, fettuccini alfredo pasta, pickles, pickled radish, salad, and garlic bread. It doesn't come close to my mom's Christmas fest but it definitely made our tummies happy! ㅋㅋㅋ

Highlights of my Day... Christmas 2006

1. It’s Christmas… Bah humbug! Despite my attempt to sleep the day away, I was woken up bright and early by one of my elementary students who thought she’d be cute and text message my phone at 7am… numerous times!
2. Needless to say, I couldn’t fall back asleep. In between hiding under the covers and my phone going crazy with text messages, I failed in my mission to hibernate today. So I sprang out of my bed and ripped open Kim Tae’s gift.
3. Last night Kim Tae nervously gave me a Christmas present. I had told him to please not get me anything but men, they never listen…ㅋㅋㅋ. He had wrapped it in total girly flower paper and so it looked quite pretty. He had told me that it was the first gift he ever bought for a girl and so I was super curious as to what it was. Are you curious…ㅋㅋㅋ.
4. My favourite part of his gift was actually the card. I never really liked cards in the past but now I’m all about them. It’s the most personal part of any gift. But, Kim Tae’s card caught me off guard. I opened it but inside I saw no message, so strange. It wasn’t until a while later than I realized why he had included a pen with the gift. His message had been written using special ink (it requires a black light to read it)… so cool!
5. The next and final gift I opened was the one sent from my parents. You can imagine my excitement when I ripped open the package and there, nestled among numerous other goodies, were two zip-lock bags with REAL Kraft dinner macaroni and cheese! Awesome!
6. Chatted on msn with my good buddy Errol and was totally excited to hear that he’s thinking of returning to Korea in 2008… awesome!
7. Hit a low point around noon when I realized I was spending Christmas alone. Friends had asked to spend time with me but I thought I’d be better off alone, I was wrong.
8. Snapped myself out of my silly mood and turned into a lean, mean, super freak cleaning machine…ㅋㅋㅋ. Within two hours, I had done all my laundry, washed the walls, cleaned the floors, scrubbed down the entire bathroom, and my house was so clean you could have eaten off any surface… ok, maybe it wasn’t that clean, but it was pretty clean.
9. By early evening I came to the realization that Christmas was coming to an end and this wasn’t how I wanted to remember it. Called up Kim Tae and off we went in search of the perfect restaurant for a good Christmas meal. Low and behold, there stood “A Bis Restaurant”. It’s this beautiful huge house that’s been turned into an Italian pasta restaurant. I’ve seen it many times before but always thought it’d be so expensive. I was wrong. The prices were awesome and it was so much more beautiful inside than I had imagined it to be. It was perfect!
10. Ended my Christmas with a phone call to my parents out in Canada. It was great to talk to them but it made me miss them so much. We reminisced about how last year I showed up out of the blue and surprised them just as it was approaching midnight on Christmas Eve. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to top that surprise! Kim Tae humoured me by chatting with my parents and so that was nice. I thought he would be too shy to talk to them and so I was really impressed. He’s heard me tell him so many stories about my family and so I’m sure he feels like he already knows them.

QUESTION OF THE DAY...
How will Christmas be next year?

QUOTE OF THE DAY...
Take Christ out of Christmas, and December becomes the bleakest and most colorless month of the year.
-- A. F. Wells

Here stands the saddest looking Christmas tree. Not only is it missing it's pointed top, it's missing a star, has no presents to keep it's bottom warm, it's branches are being weighed down with over sized bulbs, the lights are burning it's plastic branches and there it stands alone in the lobby of my building... it needs a hug!

Highlights of my Day... Sunday, December 24

For your amusement, here's my rendition of The Night before Christmas

-- by Amy Berezowski

‘Twas the night before Christmas, yet all through my place,
No sense of the season; no sight, sound, nor taste.
No stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
Cause a, there’s no chimney, and b, I don’t care;
(And c, I’m too old to believe that St. Nick will be here).
Instead I was tossing and turning up in my bed,
With a nightmare of my cousin that played in my head;
With mama in Canada, and me over here,
I prayed that Christmas would forget me this year.

When out in the hall there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the door I flew like a flash,
Threw on some make-up and put on a sash.
Had Christmas arrived? But where’s the snow?
And what’s with this weather, it’s not even below!
Then what to my wondering eyes should I see,
But my dear friend Kim Tae standing before me.
With a bucket of ice cream and a present he had picked
I thought for a moment, “He’s the Korean St. Nick!”

More rapid than eagles from Asan he had came,
And he whistled, and giggled, and called out my name;
“Now, Amy! Babo! What’s this I hear?
You don’t want to celebrate Christmas this year?
What a terrible discovery; what a terrible claim;
You should know better than to curse Christmas’ name!

“But”, I cried out, “Christmas this year, it just can’t be,
With no dad, no mom, no Troy or Robbie.
And what about Ryan, he’s way out in Seoul,
I’m here broken hearted and that’s taken it’s toll!
How can I be happy, how can I have cheer?
When they’re over there and I’m alone here!
So you see Mr. Korean St. Nick, as much as you try,
I don’t want Christmas”, and with that I did cry.

“Now Amy, dear Amy. Don’t cry, can’t you see,
That Christmas is here so please celebrate with me;
Don’t think of the bad things, just think of the good,
Cause that’s what your father always said you should.
So dry up your tears and put on your best smile,
Put on that smile that stretches a mile!

And so there we stood alone in my place,
And I knew in my heart that it was by God’s grace;
That I would have a friend so patient, a friend so dear,
A friend that would love me, and hold me so near.
Close to his heart and always in his mind,
A friend like that is definitely one of a kind.

“Let’s make the most of it” said Kim Tae with cheer,
And so we headed to a church that was quite near.
But when we walked in, all the people walked out,
“Great show this year!” I heard one guy shout.
The show had finished, there was nothing left to see,
I thought to myself, “This isn’t right, this just can’t be”.
We then went to Kimbab Nala and feasted away,
I tried to be happy but my mind did stray.
My eyes filled with tears and I knew in my heart,
This isn’t the end of Christmas, it’s only just the start;
Christmas this year would be hard, that’s true.
But with friends like Kim Tae, I can make it though.

He’s tall and he’s cute, but not at all an elf,
And I laugh when I see him, in spite of myself.
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Always reassures me I have nothing to dread;
So despite my heartache and all my tears;
Despite not being with family, like previous years,
I’ll try to enjoy Christmas, I’ll try with all my might,
So Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!

This looks like lots of fun... but was rather dangerous considering we lit up our sparklers here and then ran towards the sea...ㅋㅋㅋ

Highlights of my Day... Saturday, December 23

1. My attempt to sleep in late and continue my Saturday tradition of doing so, was killed today. Be for-warned people… I don’t like early Saturday mornings.
2. Turns out my buddy Gangster boy ran into Yong Chan. Yong Chan “claims” he’s got a girlfriend… ya, like I believe that. Anyway, supposedly her name is Amy, she’s a Canadian and is an English teacher… what a coincidence!!! That’s borderline stalker and is just as freaky as when an ex-boyfriend of mine cheated on me with a girl that looked exactly like me! She resembled me so much that even my own friend couldn’t tell it was her instead of me in a picture I found.
3. I GOT IT… I GOT IT… I REALLY GOT IT…. Dankook University called me today and informed me that out of all the applicants, they loved me!!! I know I should have jumped at the chance to say yes but I hesitated and instead, I told them I’d call them back in a hour.
4. Who else could I call for some honest advice than my very own parents. My mom told me that when I come home to Canada in January, she'll cook up a Christmas dinner for us. Troy will bring his family (Cara and Elizabeth), Robbie will come up from New York, I'll be home from Korea and so it'll be us Berezowskis together once again. I'm definitely looking forward to mom's Polish cabbage rolls! Oh ya! My mom's already even prepared my favorite cookies... her notorious mocha balls!
5. An hour later, I called Dankook University back and accepted the offer. I still don’t know if I’m happy or sad about the decision. Accepting their offer means I’d be giving up an already sweet job. I have no idea on how I’m going to break the news to Mrs. Jeoung, my supervisor, or my students. Oh my gosh… it’s going to make for a really hard and emotional week next week!
6. Thanks to everyone who’s been sending me congrats but I’m still shocked about the whole situation. I should note that congrats are also definitely in order for my co-worker, Mrs. E. After 6 months of intense studying, various interviews and gruelling tests, she competed against 46 other teachers and succeeded for the promotion… awesome! I’m so proud of her!
7. Kim Tae treated me out for a celebration meal at the Pumpkin Restaurant where I was highly distracted and amused by the little kid sitting beside me. He had the cutest little head of perma hair, was very fashionably dressed, but he was so confused by me. I take it he’s never really seen a foreigner before….ㅋㅋㅋ. Korean kids are the cutest!
8. I wanted to go out and do something but we were stumped for what to do and so at 9pm we decided to take a two hour drive out to Daecheon Beach (the Yellow Sea). Surprisingly enough, it wasn’t windy or as cold when we were standing on the beach compared to the streets. We stolled along the beach, sipped on our juices and joked around. We humoured ourselves with fireworks and had lots of laughs when I almost hit some dude with a rocket firecracker….ㅋㅋㅋ.
9. Ran into one of Kim Tae and Byung Hyuk’s friend while we were walking on the beach. He’s also from Cheonan. His girlfriend was super nervous to talk to me and so she stood behind him giggling. 10. On the way home I totally crashed in the car. We had left the beach a little after midnight. At one point along our route home however, I woke up and had a mini panic attack as I opened my eyes and realized I couldn’t see anything! Turns out we had hit a huge fog cloud. We couldn’t see anything, no road markings, no cars beside us,…nothing. I consider Kim Tae an incredaibly loyal friend and so I knew he’d be extra careful with me in the car. Sure enough, he got me home safe and sound.

QUESTION OF THE DAY...
What are you doing for Christmas?

QUOTE OF THE DAY...
Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love!
-- Hamilton Wright Mabie

This is my friend Jung Hyoi (Koosy)... isn't he so cute?! Yeh! Today I had the chance to see him. We don't see each other enough though cause he lives in Seoul and well, I don't really like Seoul. I love Cheonan.

I may not like fish but that's only cause I don't like cooked fish. I love raw fish... I LOVE YOU SUSHI and I crave you like a fat kid craves chocolate...ㅋㅋㅋ

Highlights of my Day... Friday, December 22

1. Woke up with enough energy to light South Korea. I was so hyper. Today was the day of my big interview at Dankook University and I was super pumped and giggly. It’s funny cause when I’m really nervous about something I tend to giggle a lot… I was so giggly today!
2. 9:30am rolled around and so Kim Tae and I headed off to Dankook University. I waited in the teachers’ lounge for about 20 minutes talking to two Korean cuties. They’re teacher assistants at the school. Can’t say the same for the foreign teachers working there though. Met three foreign teachers. They were all men and they were all much older than me. I definitely was the cutest too…ㅋㅋㅋ
3. Walked into the interview room bursting with energy and wearing the biggest grin on my face. I was ready. Turns out only two professors were interviewing me as oppose to the four they had mentioned to me on the phone. Bedazzled them with my lesson on New Year’s Eve traditions and shocked them with the fact that we kiss in public...ㅋㅋㅋ. They totally ate it up too. I had them laughing and so it was probably the best interview I’ve ever had. They loved the fact that my minor in university was Korean culture and so that was the selling point I think.
4. Walked out of the university, taxied it back home and then screamed and jumped around in my apartment. I knew I kicked butt at the interview. That job’s mine!
5. I was so excited… all day! I called up my parents and was bursting to tell them the news. They, of course, were so happy for me and wished me congrats.
6. Was pleasantly surprised by Jung Hyoi (Koosy). His sister was getting eye surgery in Cheonan and so he had ventured to Cheonan with her. They both live in Seoul.
7. Went for sushi with Jung Hyoi and then later his sister met up with us. It was so sweet to spend time with Jung Hyoi and it was super cool to meet his sister. Good times and lots of laughs.
8. Now I’m faced with the million dollar question of the week… Who will I pick, the university or my middle school? I figure regardless of who I pick, there are going to be people disappointed in me. I feel a sense of loyalty and obligation towards my middle school. I am a part of the Eumbong family and so I don’t want to upset them and leave them. But, if I refuse the university position, I feel like I’m letting down all my friends and family who have been supporting me and who’ve been encouraging me to go for the position. I know that the job is like magic on a resume and that I really should consider the benefits it’ll bring me in the future… but… I love Eumbong.
9. Yes, Kim Tae… you have high IQ…ㅋㅋㅋ. Kim Tae helped me figure out how to link my computer to my TV. His idea saved me about $200…. Sweet! Thanks!
10. Ordered in pizza and watched a movie with Kim Tae… well, that’s not exactly true. About 30 minutes into the movie I was out like a light. I was asleep by 11:30pm…ㅋㅋㅋ. I guess my youthful loud, long nights are a thing of the past…ㅋㅋㅋ.

QUESTION OF THE DAY...
What's your answer?

QUOTE OF THE DAY...
Whether you think you can or think you can't - you are right.
-- Henry Ford

I'm not too sure why exactly we're still having classes at my middle school. Tests are finished with and so it's like a free-for-all at school. And look here... here are my students. They're suppose to be in my class but they've decided they rather play soccer. Okay.

HIghlights of my Day... Thursday, December 21

1. I know I shouldn’t complain but I will. I was suppose to have 5 classes today but 3 of them got cancelled and so it made for a really long day. My body doesn’t agree with sitting in the teachers’ office for such long lengths of time…ㅋㅋㅋ.
2. All my classes… all TWO of them…ㅋㅋㅋ, begged me to let them watch the rest of “Home Alone”. After sitting for five hours I was eager to play games but instead agreed to let them watch the movie.
3. Had a “dumb moment” today in class. I had brought my notebook computer up to the classroom but got frustrated when the mouse wasn’t working on the screen. Turns out I had grabbed the other computer’s mouse. My computer doesn’t even have a mouse. Oh my gosh! Turns out my whole class saw me do this too and so they all thought it was sooooooooo funny! ㅋㅋㅋ.
4. Tomorrow’s the big interview day for Dankook University and so I sat around today contemplating what to plan my 10 minute show lesson on. Finally decided on teaching them about Western New Year’s Eve traditions… the big countdown, silly party hats, noise makers, champagne, midnight kiss, and the Auld Lang Song. I’ve got a good feeling about this one!
5. By last period I felt I was dying of absolute, pure boredom and so I went hunting for some students to entertain myself with. Ryan and I talked Konglish about my cellphone, I helped Jess vaccum the teachers’ room, Adele and I washed the teachers’ cups together, Vanessa and I talked about winter vacation, and then I talked with Cystal about her brother’s trip to Canada.
6. Well it’s official… I kicked Ryan out of Cheonan. He’s been blacklisted. Surprisingly enough, and yet not surprising either at the same time, he left without putting up a fight. I thought he’d at least have something to say… but nothing.
7. I was sad to see him leave. I will miss him.
8. I can only hope he was sad too, having to leave. I don't think he was. I think he was relieved.
9. Received a Christmas package from my parents in Christmas. I’ll be saving it for Christmas. I feel terrible about not spending Christmas with them and instead have decided to spend it alone this year.
10. Despite my eagerness to nail tomorrow’s interview, I must admit that I’m kind of hoping they don’t offer me the job. I’m confident in myself though. I know I’m a great person and a great teacher but, if I have to decide between my middle school and the university, I don’t know how or who I’ll pick.

QUESTION OF THE DAY...
How did things get to this point?

QUOTE OF THE DAY...
How lucky I am to have something that makes saying good-bye so hard.
-- Author Unknown

I love you Wollang! This cool group of super-hyper, super-fun mini Koreans is my grade 6 class. I consider Eumbong Middle School extremely lucky cause next year all they'll all be Eumbong freshmen!

This is my Wollang grade 5 class. They're so much fun and always humor me with their silly jokes, funny dances and cute faces. I'm going to miss our silly singing contests!

Highlights of my Day... Wednesday, December 20

1. Last day at Wollang Elementary School… unless I renew my contract that is. The principle picked me up, as usual, but this time you could tell things were totally different. I felt so sad. He is such an amazingly sweet man and, despite his limited English, we always our short drive to school together.
2. Well, my students loved the Christmas party I held for them. We played games, sang songs, danced, exchanged gifts, ate snacks and then watched a clip from an English Christmas movie.
3. For the secret Santa gift exchange activity I had planned, in my grade 5 class Kristen was my secret Santa. She had given me two gifts but my favourite was the second gift. She had bought a super tiny glass bottle, placed a little bit of sand in it, along with two shells and a letter. What she wrote in her letter was very touching, simple but so sweet. It’s times like this that make me so proud to be a teacher!
4. Lunchtime was kind of sad. Like every week, there’s a little girl who visits me at my lunch table and tries to practice her English. She can’t be any older than 8 or 9. Today her class came late to the cafeteria and so I was leaving when she was entering. We caught glimpse of each other and she looked so disappointed that I was leaving. I walked out but then turned around only to be surprised to see her running towards me. She had started crying. I picked her up in my arms like a mother does to their child and she squeezed me so tight. Stuck around the cafeteria to sit with her and then we said good-bye.
5. After lunch I joined up with my co-teacher Emily and two of the other female teachers for coffee. They were all so curious as to whether or not I’ll be returning next year. I don’t know though. I promised Emily that if I did change jobs, that we’d still remain friends and do things together.
6. Had my last run on the Wollang “Fun Bus”…ㅋㅋㅋ. Sat with my favourite little bus partner. She always loves sifting through my bag and putting on my lip gloss and so today I had brought a new lip gloss for her, a gift. She loved it. She bathed her lips in the ultra pink gloss and then kissed my cheek… ㅋㅋㅋ.
7. Looks like I’m double-booked for Friday. I’m supposed to have my Dankook University on Friday but I’m also supposed to go on a two-day trip with the Asan teachers. I called the university and tried to switch my interview to another day but they said they are only do interviews one day… Friday. Oh my gosh!!!
8. Mrs. Jeoung had left for the afternoon and so we played phone tag for about 2 hours. She’s such a helpful partner but I felt bad for bringing her into this mess. I had called her and asked her to explain the situation to my Asan supervisor. He had refused to let me miss the Asan trip and so I ended up calling him myself. I wanted to avoid talking to him. His English is good but he’s mastered the art of circling around the issue and testing my patience.
9. No, no, no sweety… I’m not the bad guy here! Supervisor tried to play it off as if I was deceiving him or breaking a promise… what promise?! Yes, I had submitted my contract renewal form saying I wanted a contract renewal but listen, I also know I waited almost three weeks for him to respond to my request. I can’t base my next year on the assumption that he’ll accept my new terms and will place me at the same school. Well, you can imagine how frustrating this argument was. Finally after what seemed like hours, he agreed to let me go to my interview and thus miss the trip.
10. Was pleasantly surprised to get a phone call from my old boss. When I first came to Korea I taught kindergarten at his hagwon. He was curious as to if I’d consider working for him again. I told him I’d think about it but personally, and this is between you and me, I don’t think he can afford me…ㅋㅋㅋ.

QUESTION OF THE DAY...
What do I want?

QUOTE OF THE DAY...
No guy is worth your tears and when you find the one that is, he won't make you cry.
-- Author Unknown

These cute girls are going to have some serious cavities if they keep up these eating habits..ㅋㅋㅋ

Happy 7th Birthday Grace. I know you're suppose to have a cake at a birthday party but I highly doubt this hyper little one needs more sugar...ㅋㅋㅋ

Highlights of my Day... Tuesday, Decemeber 19

1. Had a Christmas snack party with my level one students. I had told them that we’d finish yesterday’s movie that we had started. However, it was more like a junk food feast! Students came to class loaded with bags of cookies, chocolate, candy, chips, milk, juice, pop, and anything they could find that was totally sugary! ㅋㅋㅋ.
2. Taught my level three students some funny Christmas games. The best was my rendition of the game “Fruit Salad”. It was an active game that required good listening skills and fast legs. Upon hearing their toy called, they had to jump up and switch seats with another student who was labelled the same toy.
3. Our game injury count was high… oh my gosh. Thankfully though the injuries were minor and consisted only of kids falling off chairs, slipping on the floor, and bumping into each other. I suffered the worst injury though when I collided head on with my student Steve. I don’t think I broke my finger but it’s definitely sprained.
4. Admit that I’ve got lots of patience for numerous things but I haven’t been patient at all with regards to my contract renewal or the Dankook University position. Finally, I snapped today. My curiosity got the best of me and so I called up the Director at Dankook University.
5. According to Dankook University’s Director, over 50 people have applied for the 3 teaching positions the university is offering. He claimed they will narrow it down to 15 applicants, who will then have to come in for an interview. So from these 15 they’ll then pick the final three. Oh my gosh… talk about tough competition. I still don’t know if I even want this job.
6. Held a mini birthday party for Wild Child, Grace. I showed up at her house with a present and cake. We pretended we were having a birthday party and the Queen was there. We put on fancy hats, lit up the candles, cheered, clanged glasses and sipped the grape juice that Grace had claimed was wine. Turns out it was really wine! Oh my gosh! Needless to say I jumped up and grabbed the glass from her hands! I was totally shocked.
7. I GOT IT… I GOT IT…. I GOT IT…. After supper I checked my email and there in my inbox was a letter from the Dankook University Director. I got an interview! I jumped up and down, ran around my house, screamed and yelled, and am sure I had the biggest smile on my face!
8. One problem… the interview is on Friday but I’m going on an overnight trip with the Asan Education Supervisor and all the Asan foreign teachers. Hmm… this could be a problem.
9. Like always, a simple trip to EMart for a few things never is simple and we always end up buying more than we intended, or needed too for that matter. I had to pick up some prizes and two secret Santa presents for my Wollang Elementary Christmas party.
10. Apparently Christmas is the season of sweets and so we stocked up on sweets, pastries, banana milk, chocolate milk, and more cavity inducing yummies. ㅋㅋㅋ.

QUESTION OF THE DAY...
Do we need anything else?

QUOTE OF THE DAY...
Curiousity killed the cat but persistance brought it back.
-- Author Unknown

As students chat amongst themselves, Terry sits with me and tries his best attempt at an English conversation. He's a fun-loving, super funny, first level middle school student who never fails to make me smile.

Highlights of my Day... Monday, December 18

1. I’m an email addict… ha, ha, ha. Before I left for work, I quickly checked my email. Turns out Ji Young, my Korean tutor in Toronto, emailed me back. So cool. He’s now graduated Toronto University and is working towards his Masters.
2. Still haven’t reached a decision about what to do concerning picking between my middle school and the university, that is, if the university offers me a position. Today I sat down and came up with a list of pros and cons… The list is still yet to be finished though.
3. I may not have the same “papers” (degrees) on my wall but I sure as heck work just as hard, if not harder, then many Korean teachers. I left my country to teach their people and, as much as I do love my job, on occasion I’ve got the feeling that us foreign teachers here aren’t considered “real teachers” by many. And now with my contract renewal being placed on the waiting list of things for my supervisor to do, I am feeling it now. Why it takes over 2 weeks for him to say a simple yes or no is beyond me.
4. Only in Korea would the contents of the staff fridge consist of soju (liquor), beer, tangerines, and old rice cake…ㅋㅋㅋ.
5. For lunch, all us female teachers headed to a local restaurant. We had a private room and so it was really nice. No interruptions. Mind ya, by the time we left, the restaurant had filled up with customers. As I stepped out of the private room and struggled with putting my boots back on, I felt as if all eyes were on me! I’m probably the only foreigner this restaurant out in the sticks has ever seen!
6. The second period bell rang and I hustled up to the classroom to unlock the door, crank up the heaters, turn on the lights, and then I waited. No students came and so I went in search of them. Turns out third level students have high school interviews today and so two of my five classes were cancelled.
7. Had agreed to host a Christmas party for my class 1-2. They’re not really an active group of kids and so we ditched my planned Christmas games and instead watched “Home Alone”. Then my class 1-1 heard that I had let class 1-2 watch a movie and so they instantly turned into the biggest group of whinny kids…. Cute, but whinny!
8. Teachers were too busy today and so my after school teacher/parents’ class was cancelled.
9. After school Kim Tae and I went shopping at LotteMart. I had to pick up some prizes for Wednesday’s big Christmas party at Wollang. Shopping took too long as I was totally distracted by the new huge kid’s playground on the second floor. It was awesome… there were kids jumping into an area of nothing but balls up to their waistline, pedal toy cars, mini race track, and the best was this area with flying balloons! I wish I was a kid again or that I could at least join them! Wow… looked like sooooo much fun!
10. Bought a chess set. Played with Kim Tae and lost. I hate losing to a boy!!! ㅋㅋㅋ.

QUESTION OF THE DAY...
Eumbong or at Dankook University?

QUOTE OF THE DAY...
As a student once myself I sat on one side of the desk, absorbing, learning, thinking. Now I have a chance to STAND on the other side of the desk and teach. I have a chance to give back, inspire, to teach.
-- Wayne Groves

Snow? Noooooo.... go back to where you came from. I don't want you Jack Frost!

Highlights of my Day... Sunday, December 17

1. Oh the horror…. Woke up to a winter wonderland. I wonder where all this snow came from but, even more, I wonder when it’s all going to leave. Bah humbug!
2. Went through my old emails and came across some interesting pictures and some even more interesting emails… letters from past boyfriends, old wedding plans, university lecture notes, student emails, and the most interesting of all, an email from my former Korean tutor from Toronto University. In 2004 I had briefly took Korean language lessons in Toronto, in anticipation of my move, but have since then lost contact with my tutor, Ji Young.
3. Emailed Ji Young… I think he’ll be proud to hear that my Korean is pretty good. Thanks for laying down the stepping stone Ji Young! I love Korea!
4. No cool points for Louis (former hagwan teacher). Recently he ventured back to Korea for a friend’s wedding but had promised me he’d meet up with me today. I waited and waited, and then waited some more. No email, no message, no call… I wasn’t impressed.
5. Oh my gosh… turns out my foot is attracted to Kim Tae’s mouth… ㅋㅋㅋ. In my attempt to humour myself and tease him, I pretended to kick him and ended up making contact with his teeth…twice…ㅋㅋㅋ!!! He was so disgusted and so he ran to the bathroom to brush his teeth. I can’t remember the last time I laughed so much. It was hilarious!!!
6. Singing lessons with Kim Tae. He’s got an awesome voice but I don’t know how the heck he hits those high notes.
7. Today’s language point for Kim Tae, “My private” isn’t the same as “My personal”… ㅋㅋㅋ. He always says “My private.. thinking…” but I’ve never corrected him cause I find it rather amusing and plus he’s too innocent to be informed on what it really means. Great, now he thinks I’m a pervert…ㅋㅋㅋ.
8. My Korean studies today consisted of listening to the same song over and over again. I’m sure my neighbours are hating me now…ㅋㅋㅋ. My goal is to master the chorus by Tuesday night.
9. Had my first Korean wrestling match!!! I can honestly say that all training at the gym really kicked in and surprised my opponent. Don’t be fooled by my girlish looks, I am anything but a weak woman!
10. Headed to the Pumpkin Restaurant for some awesome food and more jokes. The place was packed to the brim with people. Our waitress treated us to some oysters and I knew despite my wishes to not eat one, I had to be polite and at least eat one. I put it in my mouth, forced a smile and then swallowed it whole. It was salty; it was gooey; it was wet and smelly; it was nasty!

QUESTION OF THE DAY...
How will university students really respond to me if I'm their teacher?

QUOTE OF THE DAY...
But if thought corrupts language, language can also corrupt thought.
-- George Orwell

These are the furniture dudes but who's chair is that? A blue chair?! Anyways,... continue. You're too funny for me to send away.

Unlike me, Ariel (another Asan foreign teacher) decided to make the best of this chilly weather and headed for some Korean slopes. Awesome but today felt so good hibernating in my cozy loft.

HIghglights of my Day... Saturday, December 16

1. Everyone that knows me knows I get bored very easily with my hair and I’m notoriously known for changing it. Yesterday I got bored with my hair so today I ventured over to She Ann’s hair salon for some change.
2. Turns out the change I suggested and She Ann’s expertise on hair care and whatnot, don’t match. I admit it, my hair has been used and abused but it’s not that bad, or is it?! She Ann’s English isn’t really good and so she jumped on the phone and called up some people to interpret for us.
3. First we talked to Colin and then She Ann called up some lady who I’m pretty sure was her English hagwan teacher… oh my gosh! I don’t know how much more we could have circled around the conversation but I wasn’t impressed. I felt bad for She Ann cause this is who is teaching her English! That lady may speak great English but either she doesn’t know what the heck she’s saying or has the IQ of a piece of kimchi, seriously! An hour later we finally started on my hair.
4. Ryan’s going to kill me… I’m convinced of that! He told me not to change my hair. I changed it; I definitely changed it but am confused as to if I like it. Oh my gosh!
5. My original desk was Ryan’s but now it’s gone. Today my new desk arrived. It was accompanied by these two funny Korean dudes who were overly fascinated by all the food on my shelves and the fact that I date Korean men.
6. Their work only required a few minutes work but they ended up joining me on the floor for some chat time. Their English was brutal but that only added humour to the conversation.
7. I don’t consider myself an overly nice person but I do have manners. The dudes had brought the correct desk but wrong drawers, a chair that was blue instead of black and a shelf unit that didn’t stand straight but I didn’t say anything. I didn’t want to say anything. They were so sweet to me and we were having a fun time talking. I guess I didn’t want to spoil the fun.
8. Got all dressed and ready to hit the gym. Took one look out the window and then changed back into my cozy clothes. It looked way too cold. I may be Canadian born but that doesn’t mean I can hack the cold…ㅋㅋㅋ.
9. Visited the sea with Kim Tae. A late night drive sounded like a sweet idea until we got there and it had started to snow. We took refuge in the restaurant cafeteria, had a Koreanized hotdog (hotdog on a stick… ㅋㅋㅋ) and then headed back to Cheonan. I got a free side order of winks from the old men…ㅋㅋㅋ.
10. With less than 2 weeks till the big staff overnight trip and last day of school, I picked another song to present at our outing. We’ll be going to a karaoke bar and so pressure is definitely on but I don’t plan to do anything that go for shock value and leave them with their jaws on the floor…ㅋㅋㅋ.

QUESTION OF THE DAY...
Why do you ask?

QUOTE OF THE DAY...
If you love someone, let them go. If they return to you, it was meant to be. If they don't, their love was never yours to begin with..
-- Unknown

Highlights of my Day... Friday, December 15

1. Despite my huge desire to ignore Christmas this year, I pulled off probably one of the best Christmas parties known to Korea for my Eumbong elementary students today. It started off with a soccer game, followed by carols, a Christmas present hunt, some games, my Secret Santa gift exchange activity, snacks, and then we watched a little of “Home Alone”.
2. It was super chilly outside today and so over half my team (the girls) were busy cuddling in the corner of the field. This meant that what boys were on my team, kept on kicking the ball to me! It was non-stop action. The only minute I stopped was when Bryan and I were both going to head-butt the ball but ended up clashing heads… ouch!!!
3. My two classes loved the Christmas games I played. I had them play this one game where they had to pass a present around the circle. I had wrapped them last night. When the music stopped it meant they got to unwrap one layer. Jokes on them though… with over 6 layers of wrapping it made for a very humorous game with kids laughing, shouting and lots of smiles.
4. At lunchtime I sat with the teachers for my last meal at the school. They were all curious as to whether or not I’ll be back next year. I couldn’t answer though, I don’t have any answer. I feel bad that I don’t have an answer. All my students harassed me about it too.
5. The cafeteria ladies knew it was my last day at Eumbong Elementary School and so they surprised me with one of my favourite Korean dishes.
6. Jack, one of the trouble makers in my class (and in all other classes too for that matter) ran up to me just when I was leaving. He asked me if I’ll see him next year. I couldn’t answer and so I turned away but when I looked back he had started to cry. I hugged him and then cried too.
7. It’s official, I’ve applied to Dangkook University. I don’t know if I’ll get it or not but I’ve got mixed feelings about whether or not I even want to be considered for it. A part of me feels like I’d be letting my students and staff down by leaving them. They’ve been nothing but totally supportive and sweet to me. Am I ready to leave them or is this is where I’m supposed to be?
8. Because of the fact that Ryan’s moved to Seoul, my house has been slowly losing furniture. My computer desk now consists of a choco pie box and my chair has been replaced with the bare floor. It’s definitely not comfortable and so tonight I went and picked out a new desk unit and chair.
9. Only in Korea can you get two full plates of food delivered for under $10. Tonight Ryan and I ordered in Chinese. The thing that’s also so awesome about the Korean food delivery service is that they deliver the food on real plates and then simply leave the dirty dishes outside your house so that they can pick up the dishes later. It’s great!
10. Realized that I’ve got more self-discipline than I imagined when Kim Tae dropped off some ice cream for me and I threw it out.. literally threw it… out my front door.

QUESTION OF THE DAY...
Is this as good as it gets?

QUOTE OF THE DAY...
Teacher : The child's third parent.
-- Hyman Berston

Trust me... it wasn't my idea nor was it my movie! It definitely wasn't my sense of humor either!!!

HIghlights of my Day... Thursday, December 14

1. Started my day anticipating 5 full classes at my middle school. Well, one class got cancelled because of final exams, another class was cancelled because Mr. PE Teacher wanted to play soccer with them and then a third class was cancelled cause the school let the students go home early. Sounds great but it made for a very long boring day.
2. As I sat in the teachers’ room sipping on my morning coffee, I could help but overhear loud noises coming from the room above me… the English room. When the bell rang and class started, I walked into my classroom only to discover that the students had rearranged the whole room as a joke.
3. The guilty party of students were all sitting in a circle in the middle of the room. They literally begged me to let the play that silly Mofia game again. Of course I’m a sucker for these cute Koreans and so I let them.
4. The second class I had today (last period) were all passing out. They had just spent four straight hours, four days in a row, writing final tests. So, we popped in a movie and sat back and relaxed together.
5. Not such a smart choice with the movie… yikes! I had allowed them to watch “White Chicks” and well, it’s got some sexy skin scenes but I found it amusing to see all the students turn their heads away during the kissing scenes. Ohhh… a kiss, so rebellious! ㅋㅋㅋ. Kissing in public here in Korea is not really a socially accepted thing and so I totally understand their reaction but it was still so cute…ㅋㅋㅋ.
6. By 4:30pm I was so desperately eager to go home. I only had 2 classes and so that meant I had to kill 7 hours in the staff room… ouch!
7. At my elementary schools I organized a “Secret Santa” gift-giving activity for their Christmas party and so tonight I went out in search of the perfect Secret Santa gift. While out shopping, I ran into a former elementary student of mine, Jimmy, from my old hagwan. Chatted it up a bit with his mom. She said she was so happy to see that I am still in Korea, that makes two of us sweetie.
8. Spent a good part of my evening wrapping prizes for tomorrow’s Christmas party games. One of the games is called “Musical Surprise”. The students have to pass a present around the circle but when the music stops, they get to unwrap one layer of the present. Little do they know, I wrapped each gift at least 6 times…ㅋㅋㅋ.
9. A few months ago I bought the classic board-game called “The Game of Life”. Well, after months of the game collecting dust in my closet, I finally convinced Ryan to play it with me.
10. Thankfully it’s only a game… I ended up being some entertainer with a low, low salary, I got married and I had a small house that barely was suitable for my four children, all of which were boys!

QUESTION OF THE DAY...
What is life to you?

QUOTE OF THE DAY...
When life gives you lemons buy sugar.
-- Author Unknown

Cool Slideshows

Nothing like a hard day at work...ㅋㅋㅋ

Highlights of my Day... Wednesday, December 13

1. Last quiz show with my elementary classes today. It was entitled “A Year in Review – the Ultimate Show-Down”. It was a super long, super intense quiz show. The kids loved it! They didn’t even want to have free time and so the quiz game ran for 90 minutes straight. Winning team got choco pies.
2. A huge part of the success of my quiz show had to do with the fact that in order to be able to answer a question, you had to be the first to grab the plastic hammer. When you got a question correct, you then got to bang the hammer on the floor. The hammer made super silly squeaking sounds and so it never failed to make all the students giggle…ㅋㅋㅋ.
3. It seems like many of the younger elementary students are fascinated with me (ㅋㅋㅋ). Today they asked me for my signature and so I humoured them with signing in Korean and then kissing the paper with my ultra glossy lips…ㅋㅋㅋ.
4. Got taught how to peel an orange “grade 3 style”…ㅋㅋㅋ. First you stick your finger straight into the middle of the orange, smack it, and then rip it apart…ㅋㅋㅋ. Be sure to catch the orange pieces as they go flying into the air!
5. In the afternoon all the staff at Eumbong Middle School and I went bowling. We split into two teams and played two games.
6. Turns out Mr. Science Guy is a secret pro-bowler, Mr. PE Teacher has super hilarious Action-Man poses when he bowls, and the man from the office almost hit down more pins in my lane than in the lane he was actually bowling in…ㅋㅋㅋ.
7. My name has officially been changed from “Princess Smelly Feet” to “Ace” after I filled the game scoreboard with 4 strikes and 4 spares in one game! Out of 15 staff members competing, I came in 4th! I don’t think the men were too impressed that they got beat by a 5ft 2” little Western gal… ㅋㅋㅋ. Mr. PE Teacher called me “Action Girl” and I thought that was cute cause his nickname is “Action Man”. We’re the “Dynamic Action Duo”…ㅋㅋㅋ.
8. All us staff then headed to a local restaurant for octopus (yuck), fish (yuck) and more seafood creatures (yuck, yuck, yuck). Thankfully all the food was dead this time and so I didn’t have to venture in eating any live octopus again. Mind you, Mrs. Jeong fed me some kind of shellfish and, had it not been in a shell, I would have swore it was a human finger.
9. Almost got a ticket for j-walking. I had just stepped off the curb when I spotted a police car creeping up on me. They circled me twice and then I jetted it across the street…ㅋㅋㅋ.
10. Watched “Love Actually” for the third time this week. My favourite line, “You saucy minx.”

QUESTION OF THE DAY...
How am I suppose to eat this?

QUOTE OF THE DAY...
My mother's menu consisted of two things: take it or leave it.
-- Buddy Hackett

Real women have muscle and this video proves my point. Notice how I drop him too... ㅋㅋㅋ

Highlights of my Day... Tueday, December 12

1. As I gulped down my morning coffee in the teachers’ room, I couldn’t help but over hear loud rumbling noises coming from the room above my desk…. My English classroom. When the bell rang and class started, I went up and discovered that they had set up the whole classroom for a rematch of yesterday’s game “Mofia”.
2. With the end of the school year fast approaching, various activities and outings are coming up. At the end of December all us teachers and staff at Eumbong Middle School will be traveling to Daechon Beach for two days and one night. 2. Only had two classes today and so by 10:45 am I was finished for the day.
3. For our staff trip, it’s expected that we’ll go to a singing room during our stay at the beach. Everyone must sing a song. My plan is to totally shock them and break out in a Korean song. They’re going to love it, totally! ㅋㅋㅋ
4. By 11am, Kim Tae had arrived at my school and by 11:30am we were sitting in the sun, waiting for the waitress to bring us our sushi. I must admit, I hate cooked fish but I’ve been craving sushi (raw fish) like a fat kid craves candy.
5. Although I don’t consider myself a big girl by any means, I do admit I’ve quite heavy for my size and Kim Tae discovered this when he tried to pick me up outside of the sushi restaurant. He said I was too heavy, I think he’s too weak…ㅋㅋㅋ.
6. Jokes on Kim Tae. He didn’t believe me that I could pick him up. “Real women have muscle”, I argued and so we went back to my apartment for the challenge. To avoid any argument, we put the camera on the floor to tape it. Deal was that he’d have to buy me ice cream if I succeeded. I’d have to buy him rice if I failed. Maybe I should have reminded him of Pete, an ex-boyfriend of mine who was heavily into heart attack in doing so.
7. Looks like I’m getting ice cream…. Sweet!
8. With the rest of the afternoon and evening totally schedule-free, I downloaded music, practiced my Korean singing, did laundry, and went for a jog.
9. Renewed my gym membership. It was kind of lonely training without Byung Hyuk and Kim Tae but found amusement in listening to Mr. Cocky-Pants “ohhh” and “ahhh” during his training. For a man who’s so obsessed with training, he sure has forgotten that a perfect body is more than just the upper half. Dude definitely has to work on his peg legs…ㅋㅋㅋ.
10. Ryan is back in Cheonan, for the time being.

QUESTION OF THE DAY...
Is the glass half empty, half full, or just too big?

QUOTE OF THE DAY...
If men can run the world, why can't they stop wearing neckties? How intelligent is it to start the day by tying a little noose around your neck?!
-- Linda Ellerbee

A special message to you, my readers. Please note, I really am talking in the message but the video and sound aren't in sync for some reason, sorry.

My soon-to-be tennis teacher and new friend, Colin. He just came back from Japan where he competited in a huge tennis tournament... cool!

Highlights of my Day... Monday, December 11

1. With my level 1 and 2 middle school students having their final tests this week, my vice principle told me I can go home everyday early!!! WOW! So I’ll come in, teach my two level 3 classes and then be home for lunchtime… sweet!
2. With too much time on my hands today, I did lots of web surfing. This is what I did and what I discovered…

• 
  - According to an online “Death Forecast”, they predicted I’ll live to 91.
  - Today in 1961, the Marvelettes released their song “Please, Mr. Postman”
  - I learned how to make a “flour grenade”
  - In the 1940’s my name ranked #305 among names for baby girls but made a come back and ranked #2 in 1970.
  - Learned that “143” means “I love you” in internet slang.
  - According to wedding superstitions, the spouse who’s goes to sleep first on the wedding night will be the first to die.
  - Turned my full English name into an anagram and came up with “my zebra is woke”
  - Interesting question of the day: If humans evolved from apes/monkeys, why are they still here?
  - Played with virtual bubble wrap.
  - "Billie Jean" by Michael Jackson was the first video to air on MTV by a black artist.
  - According to “Love Calculators”, my chances of true love are as follows: 95% with Ryan, 85.5% with Byung Hyuk, 59% with Hyun Bin, and 57.5% with Kim Tae
  - According to “Love Calculators”, I have 67% of having true love with Santa Clause…ㅋㅋㅋ
  - My best celebrity matches include Tiger Woods and Vince Carter.
  - 27% of Americans believe we never landed on the moon.
  - You know you’re from the 80’s if you say, “I pity the fool.”
  - A fish's memory span is 3 seconds.
  - Cutest pick-up line: Let’s make a fabric softener and snuggle.

3. Surprise, surprise… they changed the class schedule times today and no one told me so it meant I had one minute to get to class.
4. Taught my level 3 students the game “Mofia”. The point of the game is to have Mofia kill off the townspeople (wink = kill) and then guess who they are. Students had to give reasons as to why they picked various people. Guesses are all based on body language.
5. Ah the joys and “interesting” times with dealing with middle school boys. Apparently they didn’t notice me in the classroom and so when they brought their boisterous locker room play into the classroom, I was a witness. Turns out they love pulling each others’ shorts down and revealing each others’ underwear.
6. Needless to say I was totally in an awkward position. There I was, hiding behind my desk, not knowing what to say. When I popped up from my hiding spot they were embarrassed but not as embarrassed as I was.
7. By 1:30pm I was home and slowly passing out in my bathtub filed to the brim with bubbles.
8. By 3pm I woke up, got out of the bathtub, and made my way to my bed. Woke up at 6pm.
9. Met up with Colin tonight and checked out a super cozy café that was a little too romantic for us as two friends to be venturing into. We sipped coffee and spilled the beans to each other about our heartaches. We’re both two heartbroken souls in Cheonan but what I didn’t know was his 4 year relationship with She Ann ended only a month ago. She Ann already has a new boyfriend. Hmm….
10. Colin is totally anti-technology. He doesn’t have a TV, radio, CD player, DVD player, or even a computer! He’s got a cell phone though. Holy old school…ㅋㅋㅋ.

QUESTION OF THE DAY...
Can you sing me another song?

QUOTE OF THE DAY...
Friends are the siblings God forgot to give us.
-- Author Unknown