Korean Adventure: December 2005

Merry Christmas from Yeonggwang

I have been in Korea just over 4 months now. This is my first Christmas away from home, Shawna, Timmy, other family and friends. I have to say I have had my sad moments but, as always, I try to make the best of it.

It is Christmas Eve as I write this and I am "home alone". I had an opportunity to go into Gwangju and go out for dinner with one of my Korean friends from the church I have been attending but I decided I should experience a Christmas Eve ALONE. So, I got up this morning, wrote lots of emails and then watched some TV. Then I went to work out (actually walking on the streets in Yeonggwang is a work out in itself. They are just now getting the snow removed from the streets - using bulldozer diggers and dump trucks - as well even the police were out with plastic shovels shovelling. I even saw one man 'shovelling' with a dust pan. I've seen it ALL!!). After my work out, I went to my favourite restaurant in Yeonggwang 'Pizza Club' and had spaghetti, then rented 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding' - have seen it before, very funny!! Took a taxi home to avoid breaking my neck. Settled down to watch the movie - it is SO FUNNY!! I knew that there was some special programming on TV tonight so that is what I am doing from 6:30 - whenever.

Tomorrow I will open my gifts then go into Gwangju to church, out for Korean lunch and then to see 'King Kong' - not my choice!! and then to one of the foreigner's house for TURKEY!! YEAH!! Back home to Yeonggwang in the evening, hopefully to get some phone calls from HOME!!

Monday, I am back at school for 3 more days. No rest for the wicked!! Winter vacation starts on Thursday, I think..........the date keeps changing. 2 weeks of Winter Camp and then THAILAND - January 25 - February 9. Whew hoooooooo!!

That's it for now. Merry Christmas to ALL and to ALL a Goodnight!! Enjoy the pictures following.

White Christmas in Yeonggwang - outside my window

Mi na - one of my English co-teachers

Me and my tree - Isn't it cute??!!

Christmas is coming!

Sunday was the third Sunday of Advent and I went to church. The message was about the 3rd candle that is lit for Christmas symbolizing JOY. I am reminded that as a child I learned that JOY represents J - Jesus O - Others Y - You. It is a nice reminder especially at this time of year when our thoughts ususally turn to others - family, friends and others less fortunate than us and of course, the birth of Jesus.

Christmas has really come to my place here in Yeonggwang as I bought a tiny artificial Christmas tree complete with decorations and lights and have it in my living room (see picture below). I LOVE Christmas!! - the lights, music, decorations, goodwill towards men & women. I have been listening to all day Christmas music on EZ Rock radio station over the internet. Thank goodness for the internet. It makes the world very small. I can know what is going on at home while I am thousands of miles away. Fantastic!!

Well, I booked my flight to Thailand today. Sasha is coming over to meet me there on January 25. I can hardly wait. We're going to "wing it" in terms of where to go and what to see. I have a contact in Bangkok who says he can give us some information as to where to go, what to see, etc. My main goal is to get to the SUN!! It's COLD here in Korea. I've got to find a hot place to teach!!

Last night, I went to a dinner hosted by UNESCO which is a peace keeping promoting organization. There were many nationalities represented there and it was a most enjoyable evening with singing, dancing and eating - a good combination I think. I went by bus with my co-teacher Hyang Geum Lee. There are pictures following.

Today I was interviewed by KBS - a Korean TV station. They came to Yeonggwang English Town and interviewed some of the students and me to get our impressions of participating and teaching in English Town. This was my second time being interviewed and videotaped for a TV station. A star is born - yah, right!!

Well, I have included a conglomeration of pictures that include Halloween, Christmas parties and parts in between. ENJOY!!