Saturday, November 19, 2011

Pepero Day and Open House

Happy Pepero Day, almost Thanksgiving, and end of November!! The past couple weeks have been pretty busy. Our open house was Friday, Pepero Day the Friday before that, and our co teacher left Korea and we are welcoming a new teacher. In the photos below you'll see what Peperos look like, they are basically long skinny breadsticks dipped in chocolate. There are different kinds, chocolate almond covered ones, inside out ones, etc.  Here there is a whole day devoted to them, the equivalent of our Valentine's Day. Kids bring Peperos to school and give them out to each other. We got tons of boxes that day. In my last class of the day the kids were complaining of belly aches because of all the Peperos they ate, it was hilarous, "Ohhhh teachaaaa!! Stomach-uhh!" 

We had open house on Friday and I've been practicing songs for weeks, more like months, with the kids to perform for their parents. It's amazing how they turn from little spaz, crazy monkey monsters to shy, meak little angels when it comes time to sing in front of the parents. At the end of the day they are only 4 and 5, and pretty much adorable, which makes up for their lack of stage presence and the parents always seem elated after their songs. Sally carried the whole performance (what else is new) while donning angel wings and Ryan Lee and Jong Hae upped the cute factor with their red bow ties. 

After school on Friday Brendan and I traveled to Daegu, which is a little over an hour away (same place the body painting festival was) to celebrate his Birthday this coming Tuesday. We took the trip to have a special Birthday dinner at Bennigan's. Yes Bennigan's. This was quite a big deal for us, as Brendan had been dreaming of the Monte Cristo sandwich since we visited Daegu months ago. We had a great time and found a fun anime photo booth similar (but not nearly as cool) to the ones in Japan. 

Next week brings us Brendan's Birthday and Thanksgiving, which we will spend like any other day going to work and eating normal food. This sounds kind of sad and maybe depressing, until you remember after Thanksgiving passes we will have four weeks left in Korea and then we'll be on our way. Oh.Happy.Day.

We miss you, we miss you, we miss you, and are desperately trying not to get overly excited to see you- as we think this will make our time left pass slower. But who are we kidding, we're beyond the overly excited point. 



Some boxes of Pepero. 


I'm not quite sure what word to use to even come close to describing this face. But it is a must post photo. 

Happy Pepero Day!




Action shot from Open House. 





Don't you love Brad's rain coat?


Adorable. You too, Jong Hae. :) 


Silly.


Ryan Lee rocking the bow tie with sweat pants. Typical. 


This is the last photo of Alice and I. Her and Christina are leaving for the U.S. today and won't return until mid January. So sad to see my littlest pup go. She's come so far and my heart broke a little on Friday when I had to say goodbye.


Group shot minus Sally.




Photos from booth in Daegu. 

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Happy Halloween! Happy Birthday!

Yesterday was Halloween and Lia Teacher's Birthday! Halloween in Korea, like many other things, isn't like Halloween at home. The holiday isn't really celebrated here. But we did get to party at Kid's College and the day ended up being a success. We took the kiddies trick or treating to some local stores and pharmacies, yes pharmacies. We also had cooking, arts and crafts and pumpkin carving. 

Having a Birthday on Halloween when you work in a school for little Korean munchkins is just as fun as you'd think it is. After the work day was over, Brendan treated me to dinner and an ice cream Birthday cake from Baskin Robins! I also got to skype with my grandparents, mama and sister, and baby cousins who all sang Happy Birthday! I really missed you guys for this one but am so grateful for the emails, text messages, skype calls, and gifts I received. How lucky am I to feel all that love so far away!

Our apartment is filled with cakes, pastries, gifts and Birthday goodies. I like to be surrounded with boxes and left over treats for a few days following my Birthday, it makes the place feel so warm and lovey.  My biggest problems now are figuring out how to fit the giant cake Smile got me into the freezer and where to put everything. I'd say those aren't bad problems to have. 

Missing you always. Thanks again for all the love. 



I was a princess this year. 


Sally and Alice. Both princesses as well. Quite the popular costume. Who woulda thought? 


My Sally. 

I had to post both. 

Getting hooked up at the pharmacy!

Bin. I liked his glasses. 

Cake from Smile. Don't mind the almost naked, fluffy Korean boy behind us. 

Punk.

Dinner 

Baskin Robins!!

Brendan is going to kill me when he sees I posted this. Birthday hat, tiara, glasses AND boa!