Eryn and Andrew in Korea: A New Post, Finally!

We're finally connected again!

It took quite a few visits from the internet people and many translated phone calls, but the internet company here has finally stopped changing our contract on us, and finally figured out hooking up our computers to the internet properly. Let's hope it continues to work!

Anyways we have tons to update everyone on since its been so long, so this might be a long post...

Since the last time we updated we have been super busy at our schools. We were both offered extra classes in our schools for an amazing rate of 30 dollars an hour. The classes are held after school is over and are considered to be outside of the school curriculum, so it is our responsibility to create the lesson plans.

We've both been busy creating lesson plans as well as teaching our regular classes.

It has become a lot more hectic in the last couple of weeks, and we feel it after school when we come home and collapse for the evening.

We went to Seoul for a nice buffet dinner with a big group of people two weeks back and I also went in to Seoul with a few girls for a big and needed shopping trip!

Our tiny dinner table in our apartment:

The outcome of a successful shopping trip, how stylish am I!!!!

Buffet Dinner in Seoul with friends:

This big structure is on the walk from our house to the grocery store. I'm not sure what you would call them, but these structure type things are all over...

Eryn's Grade 4 class:

We both had big staff dinners last week. My school went out for a big Korean meal together and then we all went to Karaoke together! I had a great time and laughed all night. The teachers at my main school are really amazing. They are all so sweet and helpful to me and involve me as if they've known me forever.

Many of the teachers came and sat with me at the dinner and told me that I had a "beautiful heart" and that they loved having me at Habil School. It was really really nice!

Karaoke was HILARIOUS, they all went absolutely crazy! They were dancing, singing, drinking. Great fun.

(oh and did I mention most of them are in their 40's and 50's?)

They made me stand in front of everyone and sing Sweet Caroline. I tried to warn them about my voice but they wouldn't take no for an answer.

When I was standing in front of everyone and singing my tone-deaf heart out for a bunch of 40 year old Korean principals and teachers, I had to stop and ask myself

"Is this really happening?"

On of those surreal moments....

My school dinner:

Galbi! Delicious Korean BBQ

My Co Teacher on the left, Lee, and My Vice Principal beside her. The one thing he can say in english is "Eryn, I love Eryn." except he pronounces it "Elin, I Rove Elin."

hehehe

Andrew and I have really started to settle and know the systems around us, which feels nice, but a bit scary at the same time. We've sort of just started to realize how long a year really is, and how much we are truly going to miss home.

Food is becoming easier, as we have started to know the grocery store, restaurants and what's available to us, and we're trained on the bus and cab system here now as well.

Our Island is very very quiet and there is very little to do around us on the weekends. It gets a bit isolating and lonely at times, but hey, we always have Seoul only a bus ride away, which always has something new to offer.

As it gets warmer, we will have much more to do and see.

We both are joining the gym next month as well :) finally some real exercise!

Some of Eryn's grade 5's: