I Think It's Become A Habit...

You can breathe a sigh of relief...I haven't been kidnapped or suddenly up and headed for the airport (not yet anyway. lol), I just haven't been in the mood to write. My last couple of entries were not exactly what you're use to I'm sure. You've been accustomed to getting a little chuckle here and there while reading. Maybe today I'll be in the comedic mood.

So, Happy Belated Valentine's Day (Yea, 1 week and 4 days ago)! How was your day? My started out with school, but I did dress in red (actually, I always dress in red. It seems to be the only color in my wardrobe). After school, I went to Itaewon to get Kory's present and of coarse it wasn't ready...Geesh. They guy told me to go back the following week. Didn't have much of a choice, so I had to comply. Afterwards, Christina and I headed to Bungdang to visit Kara. We were celebrating Mardi Gras early and was having a "southern" meal. We had cornbread, hop'n johns, cole slaw, chicken and three pies. Pecan, Berry, and Coconut cream. And we had some sweet tea to wash it all down with. Dinner was great and then we went out for drinks. Overall it was a good day and I'm glad I didn't have to spend it alone.

Sunday, we went to the COEX for lunch and a movie. We had lunch at "On The Border" and had some Margaritas. After lunch, we saw "He's Just Not That Into You" and I must say, after I woke up (I missed about 20 mins of the movie. lol) I enjoyed it. It really made you think long and hard about a past relationship, the relationship you're in, or a perspective relationship.

That movie justified me calling a lot of girls "hoochies." This is how I see it, if I don't know your intentions and you seem to always be around my guy, you're a "Hoochie." However, if you're in a relationship or respect the relationship that my boyfriend and I have, you're a friend. Now, I'm not saying that all girls in relationships don't try to go after already taken men, I do still watch out for them, but I can ease up a little as opposed to those no good, gold digging, fast behind girls out there who just want a man...any man...YOUR MAN... getting a little off topic. LOL. I'll bring it back. Back to Korea.

So the iBT level Up test was a couple weeks ago and I am proud to say that 90% of my students leveled up!! Maybe I'm not so bad of a teacher after all, but that still doesn't mean I will pursue a career in teaching when I return to the states.

Speaking of returning to the states, I finally have a game plan and will start the ball rolling within the next month or two. When I get back home in October, I am going to enroll in a Paralegal certificate program and hopefully get a job at a law firm. This will help me ensure that this is the environment that I want to be in for the rest of my life. After a year of working, if I enjoyed the setting and could handle the tasks that I was assigned, I will go for law school. If the job turns out to be far from what I want to do, I will go to grad school for journalism or psychology. After months and months of pondering, I finally have a plan. That was one of my main goals while I was here and I'm happy to announce that the task is complete (thanks Kory and Chris! They helped me come to this decision).

Last week, I had a meeting because the curriculum for Memory classes and up at CDI has changed and I had to be trained all over again...UGH! Thankfully, the proposed 3 hour meeting was only 45 minutes and I actually like the new books and what not. What I like most is during the third hour of class, there is a 35 minute project that the kids are involved in. I put them in groups and they have to complete the project (it's about whatever lesson we learned in class. For instance, the first class will be discussing the beginning of the American Civil War and for their project they have to come up with their own war and details. That's for the Tera class).

This past Saturday I went a picked up Kory's jersey. I can't tell you who's jersey it is, only that its a football jersey. They didn't have the one I wanted so I got it made. Once he receives it on Saturday, I'll tell you whose it is. I hope he likes it. I thought it was kinda original, but we'll see.

This past Sunday I went to church with some co-workers and enjoyed it. I even signed up for Bible study after church. Hopefully I'll be able to stick it out, bout I'll keep you up to date about my progress.

Today is the beginning of Lent and I have decided to give up fried foods and exercise more. If you know me well, you know that french fries are my life so this is a big test of my strength and endurance, but if Jesus could die for me, the least I can do is give up some things I love for 40 days. I'm also going to try to exercise more. So not only will this be a test of faith I guess you could say, but I might even shed a couple pounds as well. I'm also enrolling in a ballet class tomorrow!! I'm really excited! I'm going to do it with my co-worker so we'll be able to motivate each other. I love ballet and since the opportunity has presented itself, I'm going to take advantage of it.

Also for Lent, Kory and I are doing the 40 day prayer challenge. The 40 day prayer challenge is when you and your significant other pray together everyday for 5 mins for 40 days. In the prayer you ask God to reshape your lives by replacing old unwanted habits with new ones. You're also supposed to set aside a "date time" once a week to spend time with each other ( we can't really do that part though :/). Studies show that couples who pray together will enjoy a 20-30% increase in conversation, respect, and romance while arguments diminish and the fear of divorce evaporates (seeing as though we're not married we don't really have to worry about that one).

~Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer. (Romans 12:12)
~And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. (Matthew 21:22)

These Bible verses are what will keep me going during this season of fasting and prayer. Hopefully, you will keep them in mind too :)

This week started the Spring term at CDI. My schedule for this term is Mon&Fri- Tera and EC3, Tues&Thurs- EC3 and Tera, Wed&Sat- Some Extensive reading class that I've never heard of... But since my school is not well organized or prepared, the schedule has yet been made for the extensive reading class so I have today and Saturday off...YAY!!!

This morning I woke at 12, went for a walk in the park, did a little food shopping, prepped my lessons for the rest of the week, and now I'm writing in my blog! Unfortunately this will all come to an end and I will be back to teaching next Wednesday, but hopefully, it won't be too bad. This class is 1 hour 1/2 long and I'll be teaching 2 of them so maybe the shorter class time will make the hours pass by swiftly.

I also have some news. Something I'm working on, but I can't let you know until September...and I'm so serious. If you're family or close friends, you already know what it is so Mommie, don't go blowing up my phone trying to find out. LOL.

Nothing much more to report about. Sorry this entry is as comical as I wanted it to be, but maybe next time...whenever that is LOL :)

Until Next Time!

Korea's Traditions and A Little Sight Seeing

So, I am capable of blogging within a week! You didn't have to wait 2 weeks from now to hear about my goings-on (although there isn't much).
Yesterday, I went to get Kory's gift for Valentine's Day but I can't pick it up until next Saturday (the day itself), so that means his present will be over a week late :( I'm such a bad girlfriend,, but I think he will really like what I'm getting him, at least I hope so.
I also went a bought a hair dryer. I actually found one kinda similar to what I used at home. I finally decided to buy one because I'm tired of having to re-do my hair after I leave the "salon."
It took me 4 hours from start to finish (yea, I dunno why it takes me so long), but I finished and my hairs looks good. It's not over greased, poofy, or weird in anyway. It's just the way I like it and I'm happy. I figured I'll only get my hair done when I need a perm.
So today was the wedding and I caught the bus to meet Kara. While on the jam packed bus, a lady whips out her boob and begins feeding her child...WOAH!!!Can you put that thing away!!?? I felt like I was in the horrifying spa again! Ok, I understand the child has to eat, but its called a BREAST PUMP! Get one, and later, when you're in a situation like that, you just whip out a bottle, not your boob GEEZ! And if I can't get a pump, I will get a cab or have someone take me where I need to go so I can have some privacy. Women all over the world are going way overboard with this thing. You know, I would have minded a blanket over herself. Just something...
Anywho...


these are the pictures from the wedding Kara and I went to today. Yo-hao (my former co-worker bka Raye) and her new husband Yang-chung were married at the Korean War Memorial Wedding Hall. It seems as though no one gets married in a church. Wedding halls are EVERYWHERE. Raye looked very pretty in her shimmering dress and her husband looked like a Korean "prince charming."

The entire ceremony was in Korean (except for the song at the end) so Kara and I had no idea what was going on except when we heard "kamsa hamnida" which means "thank you."

Korean weddings are a bit different from western ceremonies. First to enter are the mothers down the runway (yes, a runway) who lite the candles on the alter. Next is the groom down the runway (who walked down to "pomp-um-circumstance" (sp). Finally is the bride and her father. There are no bridesmaids, groomsmen, flower girl or ring bearer. Since its only about the bride and groom what's the need for extra people...

Throughout the ceremony, the bride and groom stand next to each other, not holding hands (I guess that's saved for the bedroom), while a man speaks. No vows or rings are exchanged, and the couple don't even speak to each other. Then they turn around and everyone claps. Next they go to the bride's parents and bow and then to the groom's parents and do the same. Ceremony time: 24 minutes. Although very short, the wedding was very pretty and the flowers were gorgeous. Raye looked happy and I hope she will be in her new life (although we miss her terribly at school).

Also, during the ceremony, its ok to talk. for the whole 24 minutes, there was nothing but constant chatter. Lemme just say, I will turn around and let people know to "shut up" on my day (if I even get married. Not trying to jinx anything).

After the wedding, I gave the cards I had to the bride's info desk and received 2 coupons to eat during the reception. Yea, bring some cash and, you get to eat. Maybe I should incorporate this tradition at my wedding (again, if I have one). It would definitely knock out the freeloaders. We didn't go to the reception because we were meeting Christina in Itaewon.

On our way to Itaewon, we stopped and took pictures at the War Memorial.

In Itaewon, we went to and Italian place for a late lunch/early dinner and then to a bookstore. I picked up a Korean phrasebook. I figured it's time that I stop pointing to things and actually learn the language. I can already read so why not step it up a notch?

Afterwards, I came home and prepped my lessons and now I'm talking to you.

So today is my Granma's Birthday!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRANDMA!!!! I won't tell you how old she is cause she might kill me. I love my Grandma. She's my 2nd Mommie. "Mother, the Sequel" I guess you could say. LOL. But really, I'm truely blessed to have her <3

*Me and Grandma Mimi when I was 3 and she was... :)*

I forgot, the thing I couldn't tell you about last week was that I'm going "suit casing" (my version of backpacking) around southeast Asia after my contract is up in September!! I'm really excited!! So far, we plan to go to Vietnam, the Philippines, Fiji and Bali. We haven't decided on our 5th place yet. So of course, this will push my arrival date in the U.S. back 4 weeks, but when will I ever get this opportunity again??
That's all for now

Until Next Time

Another Day in Korea...My 5 Month Mark That Is!!

So not much going on over here on the other side of the waters. But tomorrow will be my 5th month in Korea!! I figured if I waited to post an entry until the actual day it would never get done. Like I wanted to blog about my 555th hour of teaching, but I forgot. That's right, total I have taught over 555 hours (5 is my lucky number so that's why I like it)! But I can't believe time has gone by so fast. I remember when I was saying 1 week, 51 more to go. LOL
I'm about to go postal on my school. Yea, they annoy me to no end and the new teacher thinks so too, so I'm not the crazy one.
One of my students threw a temper tantrum (yes, in Korea) yesterday because I made her sit next to a boy because she wouldn't stop talking. I told her if she ever slammed anything in my classroom again, she would never walk through that door again. Then she cried and I told her I didn't care. Am I a bad teacher? I just don't think I should have to deal with temper tantrums...GROW UP! and she's 13...
I went to look for Kory's Valentine's Day gift today and the shop I was going to was closed...at 1pm. So I'll try again on Saturday after work. I'm not gonna say what I'm getting him because he occasionally checks for my updates and I don't wanna spill the beans, but as soon as he knows, you will too!
I've been working since last Wednesday...straight, and I'm exhausted, I think I'm gonna go prematurely gray. Lots of hair dye will definitely be in my immediate future. Or maybe I'll get a "henna rinse" like Lucy. What do you think?? LOL
It's time for student evaluations again and I'm actually ahead of the game. They're do next Tuesday (I got the e-mail today...Thanx for the proper notice...) and I already have my 2 biggest classes done. I'm pretty proud of myself.
I'm going to a Korean wedding on Sunday. One of the desk teachers that I really liked quit a couple of months ago to prepare for her wedding and it's finally here! I got my invitation a couple weeks ago and I think Kara and Christina are gonna come with me. Don't worry, I'm gonna take lots of pictures (as long as its culturally acceptable). I'm still up in the air about what I'm gonna wear...slacks or a skirt. If I wear a skirt, it would look best in my pumps which of course are under my bed in New Jersey! LOL I didn't think I would need them in Korea. But does anyone have any suggestions? (I had to explain the word "suggestion" to one of my lower level kids. She told me she understood, but I don't know.)
I can't believe my second term is already almost over and next comes Spring term! and my birthday and Mommie and KJ's visit and Kory's graduation. It'll be a busy next couple of months but I'm looking forward to it.
Speaking of Kory, we've been having some pretty deep conversations and that's one of the reasons why I love him, we talk about almost EVERYTHING. Well, I guess that is what you look for when trying to find a soul mate, I think I may have found mine <3
Really not much else to talk about but if I think of something I will let you know.
Until Next Time!
Oh, wait I do have another surprise, its great actually but I don't want Kory to know until August. Maybe I'll make up another "secret" blog that he won't know about and tell you, but I guess its not a secret if he's reading now...HI KORY!!
...I'll try to tell you in code ;)