Back to the 1-9 and other changes...

I have finished my 4 months with my pre-prep class, and though I am sad that I will not be teaching them anymore, I am extremely happy to have some free time during the week. I have really felt like I have been in a time warp the last few months. I have hardly talked to anyone at home, and I have felt like I am holding my breath for the weekend from Monday morning. I just don't do well working as much as I have been. I will be posting more in the next few weeks, mostly because I will have some time to write and think. Also - I will actually be available during my mornings to talk again! I am so excited to actually get to talk to my friends and family on a more regular basis.


I also think I have come to a decision about next year. As much as I would love to see the world, and despite the fact that teaching in an actual international school for a few years in another country is very enticing to me, I have decided that the reasons to return to the states are just too strong. With the current economic situation, I am grateful that I have a good job at home, and I have decided that I need to hold onto that right now. So, I do believe I will be back in Colorado again next year. Of course, knowing me that could easily change, but I feel pretty certain at this point. Barring some miraculous offer from an amazing international school in a desirable country, I will be returning to Colorado. I am excited to be coming home, and I feel myself already starting to move in that direction mentally...Where will I live? Where do I start applying for my Master's? Which gym should I join? Which ski pass should I buy?...yeah, my mind is already there.



There are many places I would like to see still, and I have some friends (Erica and Brian), coming out in April; so I still have a lot to look forward to these last few months in Korea. I am excited to really make these last few months memorable. Funny how easy the transition from stressful "I have no idea what I am doing with my life!" to calm"Ok - let's move forward with this plan" can be.


I think that spring is slowly beginning to show its face here in Korea. The last few days have been really nice, and I am getting spring fever. I want to be outside! From what everyone has told me, spring is beautiful here. I can't wait for the cherry blossoms!

These are photos from the last couple of months - I have really made some amazing friends here! (left) Ski trip with Elena and Jason - Carla and Jessica were our roommates - it was fate! They are all awesome!(below) My friend Mariko and I ice skating.

After a long day of skiing we all relaxed in a hot tub of grape -infused water. Natalia - my amazing partner teacher with preprep - and I. Out with the girls - we started with mani's and pedi's, had dinner at an Indian buffet, then went out for drinks and dancing.

3 weeks left...

It is crazy that in 3 weeks I will be done teaching my little pre-prep students!  I am so sad!  They are the happiest part of my day, and I love seeing them learn and grow everyday.  I enjoy all of my other students as well, but there is just something about teaching 4 year olds!  They are amazing and say the funniest things.  Today, one of my students came up to me laughing, and said, "I am a farter!"  He loved it.  I asked him if he really said farter, and he laughed and said,"Yes!"  He was so proud of himself and his stinky little butt.  Another student calls me monkey - that is his name for me.  The girls will break out in random  "I love you, Kelly.  I love you, Sally. etc." ...to me and each kid in class. So cute!  We went to the computer lab last Friday, and they were mesmerized - it was so funny!  Notice in the picture above that they LOVE to show a peace sign when they take photos - cracks me up!
I NEVER thought I would enjoy teaching students below middle school, and my favorite classes are all between pre-prep and 3rd grade.  Funny the things we learn about ourselves.

Korean spas

Korea has the greatest spas... that is, if you are willing to take your clothes off! The spas are all over the place, and they are kind of like a bath house. The Korean name is jimjibang They are separated into men's and women's, and then a combined room. So, basically you can go, shower, hang out in the hot tubs or sauna, and then get dressed and meet the guys in the middle. I have been to the one in my building a few times, and it is really great. I have to say that it is pretty strange, especially for my conservative American background, to walk around naked - but you get over it. Tonight, I did a scrub. Basically you pay about $15 to have someone scrub your body. It is amazing how much dead skin I had. It was kind of like a rough massage - but it felt really great, and my skin is soooo soft now. Definitely doing that again!
 I am sure some of you are reading this and are thinking - what?! That is what I thought when I first came to Korea, but now I really wish that we had these back home. At home, it is expensive to go to a spa, and they aren't always that available. These spas are designed for people to take their time and really just relax. You can watch TV, take a nap, get on a computer, eat...pretty much whatever you want in addition to the spa, and they are usually open 24 hours - or at least pretty late. Here is a picture of the inside of a jimjibang (the shared room)- this is not the one I go to - mine is really simple - but it is similar. I stole this photo from flickr. ;-)