Friday, February 28, 2014

Dear Mama.... Vacation, Birthday, New Year, Graduation...Now Back to Business

January was a very jam packed month after winter camp ended. There was my long awaited winter vacation, my birthday, a Seoul homestay and touring and Chinese New Year aka Soellal. On Seollal, we went to Ashley's restaurant for the dinner buffet which was "South American Soul Food" lol. What is that? They definitely meant Southern Style Soul Food but didn't know how to say it (or cook it) correctly...nice try though. Vacation was wonderful even despite the cold, rain and snow. I went with Anakaren to the Trick Eye Museum in Hongdae, Seoul for my birthday and the Gyeongbuk Palace for Seollal. So what better way to recap those moments than a video and some pictures: My vacation Part 1 and Part 2. I hope you enjoy. 



Dongdaemun





Traditional Crafts I made in Seoul (Anguk Area, Gahoe Museum)







KBS Studio Tour




 
Gyeongbuk Palace












February just ended and not much has happened at all…just a lot of unproductive desk warming and teaching my after school class. It was nice to be able to take the time to watch the Superbowl during that time.




Valentine's Day was the 6th grade graduation. It was nice to see how a Korean graduation ceremony is held. There was a lot of talking, some singing, dancing, saxophone playing (by the principal) and really cute photo montages. It was in a small narrow space so it was a little sad that most of the parents could not fit inside so they stood outside peeping through the windows. I was expecting year book signings and pictures with friends afterwards but everyone just straight left! So much for getting all beautified lol. One of my favorite students did shout out, "THANK YOU ERICKA TEACHER!" before he walked out. That was touching.













I have been here 6 months and I feel like it is going by super fast. I don't feel like I have really done that much yet. I am still figuring things out like just this weekend I figured out that I can get garbage bags from the convenience store down the street instead of the grocery store where they never understand what I am asking for when I try to get them. Next week school starts again so here come the nerves...wish me luck!

FYI- My cooking has gotten better...I made some Beefaroni recently and it was actually good!!