6 months in Korea

Aint no party like a snack party!!!!!

Well I've made it to the halfway mark!  It doesn't really feel like it's been six months, but in a few weeks it will be.  The time has truly flown by.  At times it feels like I've only just arrived, then again, I feel very settled in.  I always thought it took about 3 months in a place to feel settled and I've doubled that time, kind of crazy.  I've already experienced and learned so much about myself and this country.

The second semester starts in two weeks and there are already a lot of changes on the way.  Every Korean male must go into the military for two years(unless you get a gold medal in the Olympics or are going to school to be a Doctor).  This usually occurs right after University or at some point in their early twenties.  Two teachers that I have grown very close to and consider friends have left to join the Korean Military.

Celebrating a last meal before Hyun Jong leaves for the Military.
This is round 3.  Also, he's the one frowning, I assume because
this is our last meal together, not because he is going into the Military.

 Two of my Co Teachers are pregnant and will no longer be teaching English.  Due to EPIK (English Program In Korea) going through major cutbacks I will be teaching at another school.  I am not sure yet if this other school is in addition to the two I already work at, or in place of my second school Namil.  Either way, this means meeting new students, new teachers and a new Principal and Vice Principal (which is always nerve wracking).  The nice thing (or not so nice, depending how you look at it) about Korea is you can always expect the unexpected, so you can never completely settle in.  Just when I was getting used to the 2 hour bus commute to Namil I find out I will be getting a new school.  I am looking at this as an opportunity to truly master the bus system here...or, continue to get so lost on these journeys that I get to see parts of Korea that I normally would not see (most likely the latter).

Mokali and Ramen

David and I stumbled upon this gem while waiting for the bar
to open.  We beat the whole game...no big deal.

Fire cheese pork

I have my group of friends that live in different cities all over the the country, we try and meet once a month in Seoul (these trips are worth a blog on their own...or should never be discussed again).  I have made amazing friendships with the teachers I work with, who are the true kings of round 4 and 5.  Then I have my Ochang Family, the two girls who for better or worse got stuck in the same town as me (sorry ladies, at this point you are really stuck with me).  I am very grateful to have you all here and it truly wouldn't be the same without you.

Winter camps have come to an end and the last couple weeks of the semester have begun.  Winter camps were a blast and went better than I expected.  The Vice Principal said she received a lot of positive feedback from the parents and students regarding my writing camp and has already asked that I do something similar this Summer.  This leads me to believe that not only the students but the parents as well have fallen for my subtle bribes in the form of candy and snacks.

In Winter Camp we made Pepero.
The girls

The boys
  It warms my heart
to see 3rd graders giving it the old
college try.  

As everyone is getting ready for the second semester of classes to begin I am packing up for my long awaited vacation!  In a few days I will be heading to the Philippines for a few weeks.  All my friends have had their vacations, so I've patiently followed their trips through Facebook pictures and listened to their travel stories while working all through winter break...now it's my turn!  I have a date with some Whale Sharks on Wednesday and I intend on sending every picture to you guys working (or desk warming...Helmut?), just to rub it in a bit. If I return, you can also expect a story or two.

I almost forgot to bring up the most important relationship I've made here.  Her name is 신민아 (Shin Min ah), we've grown very close in the first half of my stay here in Korea.  I first met Min ah when I was watching a Korean T.V. show called "My Girlfriend is a Nine-Tailed Fox (and boy let me tell you, she sure is)."  I knew there was a connection immediately and I'm quite sure the feeling was mutual.  I knew it was more than just a crush when I started seeing Mina all over Korea,on billboards, in commercials, and the sign of all signs...on a bottle of Soju!  I'm not exactly sure where this relationship is going, seeing as she hasn't responded to any of my letters, but I will be sure to keep everyone posted.

The Nine-Tailed Fox