Mom and Dad E visit Seoul

We had SUCH a good time showing Jordan's parents around Korea. We did lots in Seoul and we also had time to fit in the DMZ and take a few days hiking at the beach. Here are some of the highlights from our week.

Please let's go playground!

One day I walked into class and this is what I found...my students had left me a note. :) heehee....they're awesome!

And these are the messengers...
Everyday I start class by asking my students the date and then writing it on the board. They tried to earn extra favor by writing it themselves before class. :)

Chuseok

Today is Korea's national holiday called...."Chuseok". It would be most similar to the holiday North Americans call "Thanksgiving". During this holiday people travel to their families tombs and bow to their ancestors. They also get together and have a big feast. They eat things like 'dduck' which is a compressed rice cake kind of treat. Typically many people wear the traditional Korean clothes called a "hanbok". It's a fun holiday...and we like it all the more because we have vacation from school :).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chuseok

Seoraksan National Park

We're having a blast with Jordan's parents here! Tomorrow we head to Sokcho for a few days to do some hiking and see the ocean. Here's a picture of where we are headed....more to follow....

Fan Death

It is an urban legend in Korea that if you sleep with a fan or air conditioner on in a closed room...you will die...this is why fans, particularly sold in Korea, are equipped with timers. Many of our fellow teachers marvel that we sleep with our fans or AC on. To us it seems totally normal...but to them it's suicidal.
You decide....can you really die from a fan blowing on you in a closed room?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fan_death

Why Korea? Why?

We went to this coffee shop the other day....and as this is what I saw as I walked into the bathroom. Thanks for letting us know how it is Korea.... ;)

Jubilee!

This weekend was more eventful than usual, we spent most of it getting to know some people from church. We went to an American-style BBQ on the Army base on Saturday.It was to celebrate our church's 4th anniversary. It was VERY wet and rainy, but that was more than made-up for by the DELICIOUS food!
Then on Sunday we started going to a small group bible study. It was fun to meet some new faces and get a little more involved with the church here. We will be going through the book of Luke over the next few months. All in all, it was a great weekend! :)
www.jubileeseoul.org

what???

So we were shopping in a local mall and saw this clothing boutique.....what the what?

Misunderstood

Needless to say that when you are teaching a second language to students and you don't speak their native language, it can be difficult to be understood. Our students understand little of what we say and sometimes that leads to major frustrations and other times it leads to a hilarious moment.
Every class I start by asking "What is the date today?". The students then have to tell me the date and how to spell it. I asked my students today, "How do you spell Tuesday?" and one of my students just looked at me and exclaimed "November!" I tried not to smile as I explained again that I wanted the spelling of 'tuesday'.....heehee...so funny :)

Just another day at the office....

This is the building where we work...our school is on the 3rd and 4th floor.

Daily life

Here are some pictures from our little neighborhood...

this is how we do it....

In Korea, when someone wants to move out of their apartment, they call a company who brings an "elevator". They then move all their stuff down and put it into a truck and take it to the new apartment. Also, unlike in the States when you move out, it's perfectly okay to leave your place a disaster. It is expected that when you move into a new apartment, you will spend a few days to a week cleaning and fixing up your new place. I think I prefer cleaning up my own dirt instead of someone elses .... :)