Absurd Korean Moment #7

This segment is back folks. I know you have missed it. Tonight I told my sixth grade class that I wanted to buy an ice cream cake to celebrate the New Year. One student told me that if you eat ice cream in the winter it gives you cancer. That's right, winter time ice cream consumption is not only bad for your waste line, it gives you cancer. He even said there have been studies proving this correlation. I guess this is bad news for Baskin Robbins 31...

With All My Heart

I just spent my first Christmas on this Earth without my Dad. Sunday was a really hard day for me. To be frank, the only way to get through the holidays was to ignore them. I am really missing my Dad this week. I dream about him, I think of him all day at the weirdest times, I find memories in the oddest things. Losing a loved one is a horrible process that changes your life. It is hard to pretend to be ok again when others expect you to feel better so soon. This fact made it hard for me to think of things to write about. Today, I was looking through my photos trying to find inspiration to write again, and I found this picture that I had forgotten about taking when I was home. Above his computer my Dad had two things hanging. The first is a poem that my sister had bought for him when she was little, but had been too embarrassed to give it to him. She gave it to him years later when she found it while moving. The second is the one thing my Dad told me he wanted for Christmas last year. A South Korean flag.

I still love you Dad, with all my heart.

Christmas Eve Movie Night

"I took a shower washing every body part with actual soap; including all my major crevices; including in between my toes and in my belly button, which I never did before but sort of enjoyed. I washed my hair with adult formula shampoo and used cream rinse for that just-washed shine. I can't seem to find my toothbrush, so I'll pick one up when I go out today. Other than that, I'm in good shape."

This scene was always my Dad's favorite. I can still hear his deep belly laugh every time Kevin slaps the aftershave on his cheeks. I am really missing him today, my Dad not Kevin.

Sometimes The Best Plan Is No Plan

Today started with an early morning trip into Seoul to show my new co-worker Matthew around. We had a general itinerary about what we wanted to see and do, but no set plan of action. Sometimes the best plan is no plan. We went to an old palace in Seoul where we met two nice Americans venturing out on the town during their 12 hour lay over. We ended up spending the whole afternoon with them. First my palace pictures.

We showed them traditional Korean BBQ and then found a traditional tea house to round out the "5 hour Korea experience" we were trying to give our new friends. Also, I am fully aware that I did not take a single photo of myself or anyone in my party all day...I need to work on that.

In the end, sometimes the best days I have are the ones that I don't plan at all, I just do. It is the little, unexpected things in life that can make it enjoyable.

Every Moment Is Happiness

One of my favorite local coffee shops is called Cafe Salida. I went there today and as I was enjoying my five dollar mocha, I admired the vintage wood wall and overall warm feeling of the space. I am attempting to be "artsy" in these photos, but please don't tell me if I was successful or not because I could:

    A. let it go to my head.
               ~OR~
    B. be hurt by your criticisms.

 Please just consider them in silence. As the holidays are approaching, I hope that everyone finds themselves surrounded by loved ones and hopefully some gorgeous snow if you're lucky!

A Children's Hogwan Christmas Party

This year one of my co-workers worked really hard to host a Christmas party for our first and second graders, and it was a complete success. We had snacks and presents and Mr. and Mrs. Claus and a movie and games. You're welcome first and second graders of HR. I took several pictures to show you how cute some of my faves are.



 

Who Wants To Take A Picture Next To My Face?

Of all the things my parents hoped for me and my life, seeing my face on the side of a Korean school bus probably didn't make the top 100. However, this day has unexpectedly come. In a massive ad campaign to bring in more students, my boss is putting out pamphlets and newspaper articles, and posting banners on busses. Naturally, when I found this out I asked my favorite class: "Who wants to take a picture next to my face?" Here they are for you to enjoy.

Peter

L to R: Jennie, Paula, Kelly, and Jenny

The BEST 6th grade class. They told me I am a "sugary" teacher. I think that means I am a nice grader...