Love from Cheonan...the Safest Place Under the Sky

as one journey ends...another Begins

2007-11-18T09:21:00.000-08:00

Ive not been able to finish this blog as I wished.

As i mentioned my laptop broke and then my busy, hectic schedule took over as usual and I just couldnt finish it and bring you all the info about what I was up to in my last months in Korea...

Im pretty gutted about not being able to finish it properly but now Im back home I need to just finish it off...maybe not the same as I wanted to but anyway!(I have too many pics to bore you all with that Ill defo be showing you when I get home. My walls will be covered with Eeunjae and Wendy for sure)

Teaching in South Korea has been amazing.Its been a time to grow, a time to reflect, a time to change, a time to just sit in Gods presence and listen and be still and let him work in my heart. I feel like I sacrificed so much to go to Korea and although Im at home now trying to pick up the pieces of my broken heart Im trusting God and Ive got a peace.

From a spiritual point of view I really needed my year away in Korea.With gritted teeth I left people I didnt want to, mainly Jai. I knew there was things in my life that needed to change, things about me and my lifestyle that I really needed to work on. It was priority. I also met someone I adored yet I could never give him all of myself coz I felt so unright with God . How can you give yourself to someone when you feel that way? I knew he deserved better, I knew I deserved better so it was an extra reason to go and just be with God and let him sort me out.

I had hurts I needed to be healed, desires of my heart that needed tweaking! And... I feel like its been done. Im back now and some of the things I thought would be here arent here anymore and theyve changed. Its heartbreaking but it was a sacrifice I chose so Im just trying to put into practice what I learnt in Korea about trusting in God in everything.

My christian mates told me before I went to Korea that God would really wrap me up in that year, in that place and just really minister to me and really just Love me. And you know what ? It was all so true. He really did. He healed me in so many ways, he changed the desires of my heart... so many things.. I never believed someone like me could say they're ready to commit to anyone in marriage for a start (and really mean it), to start a family (and really mean it), to give everything to someone (and really mean it). I cant believe the change in my heart. Its amazing lol Its just too late for some things here. Bad timing. Again, I have to keep trusting in Gods amazing plan for my life. Coz Im sure he has one!

My time in Korea was just a really beautiful experience and I needed to go for my sanity, for my growth. Although Ive some regrets and pains about certain things that I should and shouldnt have done Ive learnt the past few days that I need to just let go, try to move on and just try to accept things as they are and accept mistakes Ive made along the way.

God is amazing and so I will end my blog here as Jackie says in a ccc way ('cheeesy christian crap' way). I will never forget the things I gained there, the people I met there, the friends that I laughed with, the friends I cried with, the kids I taught, the very special friend I lost there, the healing, the grief, the huge life changing decisions, the hurt and torture of being away from my ex- potential husband while his parents died, the risks, the trusting, the Love God poured out onto me, the big, complex changes in my heart.

I will never forget my year in South Korea.

The year God put me in an incubator to just Love me, minister to me and wrap me up.

The year he took me away from everything to just hold me in the palm of his hand.

'And we know that in all things God works for te good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose'

Update :)

2007-10-11T17:53:00.000-07:00

Guys... the reason for my lack of posts is due to the fact that my laptop broke a few weeks ago and it hasnt been the same since its been fixed. Ive just realised how much I have to update on here and how many photos I have to post. Ive been really ill since my holiday and have some rather strange symptoms but I think its down to the wisdom teeth coming through..urrrghh. For those of you who know... it drives you crazy.

Have a busy morning and a dress fitting at 11am ... my managers family have bought me a beautiful Korean hanbok as a forget us not gift. The day is getting closer to say bye :)

Here are a few pics from Chuseok. It was really lovely to go away on my last hiking trip but I got really run down and ill after about two days... not fun. Anyway the view from the last hike we did were stunning and Ill never forget it.

Lots to update on... when i finaly get the time :)

Jeremiah 29:11

2007-09-21T07:45:00.001-07:00

I alone know the plans
I have for you,
plans to bring you prosperity
and not disaster,
plans to bring about
the future you hope for.

Then you will call to me.

You will come
and pray to me,
and I will answer you.

You will seek me,
and you will find me
because you will seek me
with all your heart.

2007-09-21T06:05:00.000-07:00

So I got the day off today. Ruby wanted to take some extra rest so Chuseok began for me last night ! I headed down town to meet Jolie and Kara for dinner and coffee (and shopping :( lol )I heard that Chuseok was bigger than Christmas but Im not so sure... I do know though that Ive got another five days left of no work so Im happy with that!

Me Jackie and Cara are heading down to Jeongju early tomorrow to get our last hiking trip in together. With all the working out and dance classes Ive had this week Im pretty tired but know that as soon as I start hiking up that mountain tomorrow the adrenaline'll kick in and Ill be dandy. Jackies planning on hiking for five days but I've got so many goodbyes to do over the next few weeks that I might head on back on Tuesday or Wednesday and hang out with people back here in Cheonan. I think the plan is - Jeongju-Moaksan P.Prk-Maisan P.Prk- Deogyusan N.Prk (plan is we'll stay in a hyangjeokbong on top of the mountain )- Daedunsan P.Prk.

(I definately wont be sleeping on a pagoda in the terrential rain wrapped in a throw this time)

The clock is tick tocking away and every day it seems Im reminded that its almost time to say goodbye :) Im really happy though, in fact Im ecstatically happy and nervous and tons of other emotions I wont bore you all with! Sunny and Ruby ushered me over to the hagwon p.c in work on Wednesday afternoon with a slight sense of excitement and urgency... I think they've got something up their sleeves. They were asking me to pick out a hanbok (a traditional Korean dress) from a multitude of them online. (To be blatant I think they look ridiculous on Western women. They look lovely on Korean women with their delicate little frames but on Western women.. even smaller ones, I think they can scream out 'wannabe korean' I hate it lol) Ill keep you posted with what they're planning though!

I told some of my kids this week that its nearly time for saengsengnim choann to go back home and some of my li'll babies have been upset, others (my junior boys) have been like... yay teacher.. party, we party! (little trolls) lol

It hit me on Tuesday of this week after I had a rather miserable morning of being preached at by the church of God for about an hour and a half (yes.. really, not fun I tell thee) that I really am going home. Terry and Ruby showed me a picture of the new girl who theyve chosen to take my place. Take my placelol its sounds so awful ! Im really glad they've found someone though even thoug I know deep down shes not really 'taking my place' like that. Shes going to be moving in with me for about three days before I leave and Im happy that Ill be able to shown her round, help her out with stuff she needs and introduce her to all my mates. Im excited for her coz I didnt have any real English speaking mates for a while really! I hope shes nice.. eeerrrr ...just hope she likes people/ is sociable coz theres probably gonna be a few parties at mine before I leave hehe.

So my last hiking trip with the gals is gonna be great but sad too :) Im looking forward to getting out into the open and getting up those mountains! It could well be my very last chance.

For Paul

2007-09-15T07:20:00.000-07:00

The Road Not Taken

TWO roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth; 5

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same, 10

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back. 15

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference. 20

2007-09-15T06:59:00.000-07:00

Just a few recent snaps of Sojins dance academy and her gorgeous daughter. Ill undoubtedly put on some videos of us in motion with our gear on when I get them from Ellie (Sojins second daughter who took great pleasure of getting us on film last week through the glass doors :)

2007-09-15T05:40:00.000-07:00

Another busy week's flown by... my pro belly dancing lessons are coming on a treat. Ive actually found something I LOVE and am good at ! Ive done lots of cardio, lots of yoga, teaching time with Cherry on Monday, jogs, meetings, dinner appointents. Its been another very active week. I found out my mate Robyn has started working out at my gym so its gonna be wicked to have a running partner to motiate me some more. By Friday aft I was done teaching. Ruby cancelled my last lesson coz the kids were knackered bless 'em. This week has been yet another for getting closer to Sujan and Wendy. It seems that the more their English improves (which is EVERY DAY at the moment)the closer we become and we were close when Sujan could barely say hello, how are you ? I LOVE those little girls so much.

Ive really had the best day today. God has blessed me so much with my two mates Isabel and Juri. Theyre like my guardian angels sat the moment and I see them both at least twice a week now. I always feel a little back to myself when Ive spent time with them. I cant explain it. I guess its coz theyre a little like my mates back at home but Christian.

Today was time for me to go offer my services at the single mums home (Ive wanted to go along with Isabel for so long but Ive always been away when she been).It was SO lovely. I was a little worried that the Mums'd wonder why a dodgy, blonde foreigner was coming into their home to help clean and look after their babies, I was worried there'd be tension there of not only a stranger being in their private home but a foreigner lol. I shouldnt have worried though at all. I felt so comfortable there with Isabel knowing the Mums and babies so I felt so relaxed and at home. The babies jaws dropped instantly (whats new there then lol) and one of the tiny babies just stared into my eyes in awe for about ten minutes and almost couldnt catch her breath properly which was the funniest thing Ive ever seen but I felt like crying for her at the same time coz you could tell she was really overwhelmed ! It seemed she was struggling to catch her breath and she didnt know whether to laugh or cry. It was so sweet.

Twenty minutes later her Mum passed her to me and she was happy gurgling on my arm all afternoon. She even fell asleep on my shoulder really snuggled up tight so I cant be that ugly afterall ha. I literally melted when her Mum passed her to me... I hope Im not ready for kids yet. The hagwon's enough to put me off for life.Its been reconfirmed for me here how hard and demanding kids actually are. They are for life.

When I was younger Mum did alot of nannying for kids after Dad left. I saw the poo wiped on our bathroom walls (Much to Mums sheer delight...Peter heehee), the cronic nose picking and bleeding noses over our cream carpets...(Sam) the constant whinging and crying (I better not mention lol)the green bogie wiping down the chair arm (my dear sister), the burst bean bags...up our noses on the ceilings, down the stairs, down our pyjamas// (that was me and my first boyfriend Christian age 3?) So, I always knew the hard work and stress. If you want your kids to be put off teeenage pregnancies/ sex at an early age/sex before marriage a little- do some nannying.

Ive been feeling really maternal today though and its been so nice playing with the two baby girls and having some cuddles. God's always supplied when Ive felt the need for a snuggle. Usually its been Sujan or Wendy but today it was two little bundles of joy :)

So after we ate together and played some more me Isabel and Juri went off to Pinacle Land overlooking the ocean. Considering the weathers been diabolical all week it stayed dry for us and we walked around the flower and herb gardens and sat by the waterfall for a while.

It reminded me today that this whole year has been a time to just sit with God. It reminded me today just listening to the water. It was so relaxing we ended up sititng there for a while watching the Korean families and children almost head butting eachother head first into the pools of shallow, fish filled water. Isabel treated us to dinner and we ate some beautiful food overlooking the huge grassy lawns and pretty flowers. I feel refreshed all over again. After Church tommorrow and my weekly sauna Ill be totally ready for another hectic week. My Korean mate has sorted me out a friend to help me with driving/ basic maneouvers so Im realy excited about that for this week! I wanna get on the road asap when I get home ! No more shite waiting for the buses for me ta. Ive done it all my life and just coz Ive travelled alot doesnt mean Im not gonna get on it quickly when I get home lol!

You know sometimes Ill sit with God or alone and think about my time here over the past year. I needed to come out here and God made me pursue it. This very place. He planned everything here for me from the place to the people. I really believe it. He put it on my heart like I believe he does with a lot of things. Some people refused to believe it was from God but to this day I believe Im supposed to be here. In this place at this time with these lovely people.

Ill think about how Ive spent my time here and what Id do if I was doing it all over again. The truth is that Id change nothing. Ive been everywhere I wanted to go. Ive done everything Ive needed to do. I sometimes think about things Ive 'missed out' on like big clubbing nights out in Seoul with mates here, drinking sessions down town most nights that Ive missed. What I feel though is that I havent 'missed out' on it.

I came here to rest my soul, to think about my life, to spend time with God, for him to draw me close to him and its been one of the most peaceful, interesting years of my life. Actually THE most peaceful year of my life. I know when I get home everything is going to be mad again but Ill know and always remember the year that God himself took me away from everything to love his daughter and hold her in the palm of his very hand.

Ill never forget the moments Ive had with him here.

I doubt that this blog wil get any better with my hectic schedule up to when I leave but Il post my pictures (if I have any time to take any haha). Until then.

2007-09-09T05:41:00.001-07:00

Im so close to ending this blog right now coz Ive been so busy and updating it is becoming a chore lol. I cant possibly write about everything I do on here coz I just dont have the time and facebook seems to be so much easier for connecting with peeps. I m having issues with being sucked into the world of facebook and web sites such as bebo and my space. I've a strong theory about this time we're living in and Ive been so tempted to just cut off my accounts lol ! Ive got so many issues with facebook but I know if I cut myself off from it Ill also cut off alot of contacts off that I wanna stay in touch with. I know theres always email but facebook seems to be so much easier. I have a list growing in my head of the positives and the negatives of being on there ! Arrrggghh.. Ill keep you posted on it. This blog will definately stop in a few weeks coz Ill be home wit you all and we can TALK !!!!!!!!!

The weeks seem to be flying by... Its as though Im savouring every moment in my hagwon, every sunset I see, every time I bump into that lovely little old lady downstairs (who had her hair done last week and had her pearls on), everytime one of my kids comes over and throws their arms around me.

I sometimes feel like I should be distancing myself now from peeps but I seem to be revelling even more in the love my kiddies give me, relishing in the hugs Sujan and Wendy pour out. When I have a blue day its like the kids just know and like they just automatically know to love me more on those days.I never let them know Im feeling blue (if I am ) but its like they just know :) A few weeks ago (I dont know if Ive already posted this but..) I had a really bad week after something happened and I was feeling so down. I went and sat on the toilet (seat down.. sounds dirty but its my escape place sometimes when theres no where else to escape to in my busy hagwon) and prayed that God would remind me how much he Loved me. I instantly felt as though God just said, Scott, Ok Scott'll show you today. Just you wait. I felt as though the voice in y head was that clear that I was actualy saying the words myself and felt stupid. An hour or so later though Scott waddels in in his cute little shoes and hands me this beautiful hand crafted mirror, his face lighting up when he saw the expression on my face. It seems he never stops using these kids to remind me how much he adores me. It was a really memorable moment for me. Ill never forget it.

On Thursday Wendy sat and picked her nose for 45 minutes, Scott kept going out of the room for water every 5 mintues (coz he gets bored of the girlie singing & dancing being the only boy in the group) and Sujan sat with a face on because her best friend Melanie was sick and she was scared of getting told off by her Dad for being lost that afternoon but as I looked out into my little classroom I couldnt help but giggle to myself and wonder how Im ever gonna say bye to these little darlings. Ive seen most of them (Sujan and Wendy for definate) five days a week every week for almost a whole year. I feel like their main caregiver sometimes and I Love them.

Mrs Nam is unfortunately in hospital and Ive been worried alot this week. She had a car accident last week and since then shes not been back into work.Please pray for her. She had a CAT scan done and I everyones a little worried about her. Its not the same with her not there pottering around. I dont like it !

Anyway, moving on before the tears start again haha. Ive had a good week Ive hung out with mates alot, done alot of exercise, went to my belly dancing lesson on Wednesday which was great. I really feel like Ive found something Im good at and am gonna try carry on with it when I get home. My mate Cherry came round on Monday so I could help her with her university studies which will be an ongoing thing till I leave now . Althoug its a favour Im ding for her and her Mum Its actually really great for me too coz Im reminded how much I really learnt when I did my degree and things are coming to the surface that I forgot I knew! I really enjoy teaching one-to-ones. Willian my other student cancelled all his privates with me last week coz he was on business again so despite the dissapointment of not getting extra in my pay packet I had two nights free last week so I hit the gym :)

So, I went running last week, did three sessions of Yoga, had a good power walk with Monica, did an hour and a half of belly dancing and a small workout at the dance academy but still it doesnt feel like Im doing enough. Im craving more.. its driving me mad. Saturday I had to take a trip down to Yongsan for a hard drive.. my computers finally not switching its poor self off now due to info overload lol. I cant believe how many pictures Ive got after this year. Ive gotta stop. Seriously lol!

The next few weeks will fly by too. Ive got Chuseok coming up in a fortnight and plan to go on a last girlie hiking trip for a couple of days with Bolen, Carabeara and Monica. Im looking forward to having as much exercise as I want and having a whole 5 days off work yay ! Two weeks after that my Korean Family are taking me away with them (I guess if all well with Mrs Nam) to a resort for the weekend with Sujan and Wendy of course. They've even said I can bring Cara so I think It'll be a really nice, fun (but rather teary)last weekend together before I say farewell.

Ive got a lot to do this week. Running and a belly dancing session tommorrow morning, a one to one with Cherry in the evening, coffee with my pregnant mate Kyungran on Tuesday then a one to one with William in the evening, Wednesday I have my compassionte ministries meeting and then a yoga and cardio session, Thursday jog and William till 9.30, Friday ..hopefully a morning in bed so I can have a lie in ! This is an average week here for a Cheonanite I guess.Its busy, busy, busy and I feel terrible that I havent been to the orphanage for weeks so next week its gonna have to be priority..or maybe I could go this Friday morning...

Im currently putting up all my things for sale that Ive spent a fortune on in my apt. My sofa, queenie, bookshelves, chests of drawers.. stuff like that. Its all rather surreal. In a way it felt like yesterday that I was viewing thing to buy!

Had Monica over for the weekend which has been nice, red wine, a good laugh. I went out for a lovely italian with the girls today from my church, Sarah (my pastors wife ) and her cute daughter Emma. We sat out in the heat of the sun for quite a while on the patio and then me and some mates went on to Independance Hall. Im not big on museums and get bored after ten minutes but I loved the grounds! The torture chamber info in there was really interesting but so graphic I lasted about two minutes and was out with a definate tear in my eye. These Koreans had it tough thats all I can say.

So, Im busy and have a lot going on as per yooge as we say in Manchester :) Got a lot to think and pray about over the next few weeks but for now Im not making any strenuous decisions about what next. Im just gonna go home, chill out and think and prayabout my options when Im ready. I have a few ideas and all these desires to do certain things right now but one thing Ive learnt here is that its not about what I want for my life ... its about what God wants.

So please pray for me that Ill hear his voice clearly in all this madness...in all these ideas and options that are laden before me. Because I know there are soooo many.

2007-09-02T05:43:00.000-07:00

Okay okay ! So im doing a duff job again with this blog and thinking about sacking it off coz of lack of time.

Its hit me the past few days how soon Im leaving here and although Ive been given good advice to prepare my heart and cut down on seeing aquaintances where relationships could grow stronger I seem to be aquiring new relationships and spending more time with peeps lol.Just me all over.

Anyway the weeks are flying by. My belly dancing lessons are going well and are sooo fun, Im upping the ante on my cardio for a change (now the humidity is rapidly dissipating- oh the relief of not being wet through and saturated in your own and everyone elses sweat all the time lol ), keeping busy with my kiddies, odd yoga seshes (in my rather growing pretentious gym)and keeping up to date with mates.

Last week at work was a walk in the park. So much so my head was buzzing with the thoughts of going home. I worked about 21 hours.. honestly and to make matters more intense William (who i teach twice a week) was too busy for privates this week. It was not enough! How peeps do it everyweek.. i dunno ! I went crazy, my head was spinning all week with excitement, all that time free gave me all these eratic thoughts of home and Christmas and I was so restless sat there with no one to teach lol and all these thoughts of Christmas eve candle night ceremonies at Mottram on the Hill and our church, walks in the snow up at Warhill, our annual Christmas Morning breakfasts of champagne with the Martins (before church lol), christmas shopping with Mum... My girls, getting ready to go out on nights out over the festive season, nites in with Sarah drinking the left over brandy/vodka/ baileys and watching good old british comedy in front of the fire nearly weeing ourselves taking off the likes of Dawn French doing some Christmas special... arrgghhh the list is endless.... nothing beats being a Bunyan at Christmas :)

Despite my week being a 21 hour one Ive been kept busy out of the hagwon. My mate Cherry is struggling with her literature shes been given in Uni to review so Ive been making notes for her this week, read the book she needed to read and plan to meet up with her a few hours a week to help her out. Not only is it helping her but its keeping something alive in me that I love about literature and its reminding me about everything I learnt on my uni course so its all good :) Me and Rhys met up on Thursday for a bite and the evil makoli. I needed a guy chat. We drunk as much as we could and left the bar but as we were leaving something peculiar came over me, I was like you do know weve got half a teapot of makoli left. what are we doing leaving it ? so in two seconds we were back in the bar sat drinking the stuff and then next morning well... all I can say is if youve tried makoli you know how the head hurts the next day. Unluckily for me one of my fave students who I obsess about on here (Tonie) got out his little violin and started to play me a tune.

Jenny, my mate from college and uni came up this weekend from her little place near Suwon. It was SO mint to have her here and to catch up about the old days in college, have a giggle, talk about old people we used to hang out with together! We met up with Arran in town, went for an outback and then on to the extremely cool Rolling Stones Bar, Red Rooster and the evil makoli bar for another teapot of delight and some Man U action. The rain was pouring, Jen was with me in Korea talking about old times, listening to Fleetwood mac, the Beatles and getting wild watching the footy. Im getting ready for home :)

Psalm 23

2007-08-26T03:44:00.000-07:00

Whoa.. what a manic week. Back to the madness of my world yet allll goood :) In a whole week I havent even managed to find the time to update this thing. Ive been back 7 days and I havent been still.Ive had a case of the ants in ze pants. In just a week I feel wrecked again and in need of a day of nothingness, of greys anatomy, of frothy coffee and my big cosy, queen sized bed.

My holiday was amazing. It was so nice to just get away from Cheonan and venture down the East Coast of Korea alone with my wandering thoughts. I woke up last Saturday and was OFF. There was no way I was hangin about in Cheonan. My mate phoned me on Saturday afternoon and I was already at destination number one. I was craving a serious change of location and I sure got it!

It was a whole 9 days of hardcore hiking a bit of rock climbing (slightly scary gotta admit considering the gradient of the peaks..I even wont go there Mum), sunbathing, relaxing in beautiful jimjilbangs overlooking oceans, walking, visits to ancient temples, ponds, grottos.. the list is endless. I went to the very tranquil and restful Namiseon Island first, over to the Jungdo resort, across to Sokcho, onto Seoroksan, from there onto Gyeongju then down to Busan. Travelling down the coast was really stunning and despite being by myself it was great. It was mentally restful. Which I think we all know, is what I needed :)

I could write an essay about the whole week but Im not going to. Despite my bag being stolen on my last day on Hyundae beach with my Bible (which meant the entire WORLD to me) and my Armani watch and some other stuff.. clothes..a memory card with lots of pics on :( nice knickers (which are well hard to get here in Korea unless you think ajuma pants are sexy...nnnaaaahhhh) yeh, anyway.. it was great.

Seoroksan was one of my highlights. Beautiful towering granite peaks, sparkling crystal waters.Id reserved a place in the tourist info box before I ventured up through the park to stay in one of the mountain huts. By the time I got there I was wet, hungry (but happy) and naturally exhausted. Id decided to climb up to a grotto hidden in one of the peaks. The directions stated that it was only 3.5K so I decided to do a detour and stop there before I ventured onto my hut. Although it was only 3.5k the hike was very steep, lots of stairs (and I mean lots) and it was extremely knackering.I got up there and the whole of the park was covered in a white fog so despite my efforts to get in a good view...I could only see this fluffy blanket of white. It was really nice up there though lol. Very tranquil, the monk clopping away cross legged overlooking this fog, hundreds of tiny tealights lit and a place for people to pray to the gold figurine of Buddah.It was interesting. By the time Id got down I think I had another 3-6K to walk before I came to my destination.I knew it wouldnt be a palace but it was just a little white hut hidden in the mountains and little did I know that I was to share it with a Korean family of pro hikers. It was fine though. They kindly adopted me for the evening, gave me clean, dry clothes, food, lots of soju ( like I wasnt dehydrated enough lol) and the mother of the group made sure I had a comfortable place to sleep with their two daughters in our hut before the other four male pro hikers came and bundled in with us. Only in Korea as they say.

The next day they took me on a hike which was harcore. It was really kind of them. Being pro hikers and knowing the guard of the hut we stayed in they took me across to the off limits section of the park across from our hut. We climbed the peak in no time using metal cables and our legs and arms. I was sore for days after lol. The view was stunning, the grandfather of the group yodled some Korean from the top and sung a song and we then ventured down.. also frightening at times but their 8 and 9 year old kids were doing it so so was I !

Sokcho beach & the East Coast were a far cry away from the city lights and heights of Seoul and Cheonan and Gyeongju was really as beautiful as people say. Unable to get into the traditional house I wanted to stay in due to my trip being so spontaneous in terms of when I moved on from one place to another I managed to find a lovely little hostel. It was so full of character and I could tell by the old pictures and stuff on the walls that once upon a time this really was the place to be if you wanted a place to stay in Gyeongju.

Maybe the funniest thing that happened during my hol was seeing a very tall and quite old Mr Jin in the garden stark naked one evening as I was going to read my Bible and have a glass of wine. He was completely unclothed bent over washing his clothes. I apologised in Korean, didnt really know where to look but just covered my eyes and sat down on the garden table my back him.I was worried Id missed some important instructions about not coming into the garden after a certain time at night or something but grinning he just said sonething along the lines of, anyo meeanhamneedah, kwen chanayo, meeanhamneedah (no sorry, its okay, me sorry) and after a few seconds he toddled back off into his living quarters (which is on full show from reception behind a huge glass window by the way). Quite the exhibitionist I gather. Again.. only in Korea. Lol boy did I nearly wet the chair I was sat on . The rooftop in the hostel was great to see the sun go down on and I met a gal from Yorkshie there so it was nice to hang out together for a day and have a bit of company.

The beaches were lush and despite the jimilbangs being lovely overlooking Gwangali Bridge in Busan, (in Sokcho overlooking the lighttower and sea) I had a near death experience almost being squashed by an obese lady in there in one of the overcrowded sleeping rooms. A little girls feet stuck in my face the big lady snored loudly like a wild boar for most of the early hours. The women were getting really annoyed. One ajuma sat up at one point in temper,sighing, her face was a picture and I couldnt control my laughter. I had to leave the room and get out.It was just too funny.
Although I was alone I definately didnt have a boring time I can tell you that for sure. An old, wrinkly, saggy bummed man in the garden and a near death experience arent the only laughs I had lol.

My friend Cara came down to join me on my last night in Busan. I took her along to the lovely Vesta overlooking Hyundae Beach. It was really relaxing. Cara..the poor girl. Her first night in a jimjilbang.. she had an uncomfortable night too and the temperature wasnt right that night lol. We roasted in that sleeping room. Im sure we looked like little wrinkled mandus when we woke up.

Despite me feeling quite sick on Busan Beach on my last day when a freaky old man selling chicken kept giving me free cans of beer and coke all day as an excuse to look at my ladees bits (yuk), feeling pretty obese with all the stick thin Korean women and getting my bag nicked I wasnt gonna let my holiday get ruined so me and Cara went off for a really nice meal together.

God was really good to me during my time away. He looked after me, provided for me, gave me company along the way in different people and characters I met. He never ceases to amaze me.

So Im back to my carwee barwee bo' ing kids. Im refusing to let myself be burned out though. Im craving exercise as I have another 10K coming up :) but making time for it seems to be impossible at the moment. Im honestly that busy its a joke. Anyway, I have my belly dancing lessons on Monday mornings Im making priority and still have Yoga so it not all that bad. Im trying to get in as much exercise as poss. Compared to when I first came here (three hours a day of exercise) Im literally doing nothing now. I gotta sort it OUT!

Anyway its just a five week countdown now till Chuseok, five days off (asssaaaa) then five weeks back and shortly after Ill be on that Boeing back baby.

Hooolllliiiddddaaaayyy!

2007-08-09T08:02:00.000-07:00

Awwwww I am WELL excited. Its finally here....my holiday has finally arrived! Just one more day in the hagwon....I seriously cant keep still :) I'm so excited!

Theres so many places Ive been itching to go to the past 9 months but its been impossible due to not having the time but I have a whole 9 days free to go and find as much adventure as I can :)

Despite my whack travelling skills and sense of direction and me being completely solo I'm daring to go and make the every most of my whole 9 days off. Arrrggghh cant believe Ive got 9 days off :)

Ive planned my trip and so far so good...

Namiseon Island
Sokcho Beach
Mt Seoroksan
Gyeongju
Busan

I plan to spend time with God, relax, ride through the trees in Namiseon Island (maybe Jungdo Island too time allowing), laze on the beach in Sokcho, hike Mt Namsan, stay in a little sarangche by tumulus park, go to Bulguksa Temple, hike the mounts of Seoroksan (finally !) rest by the waterfalls, journey up the peaks by cable car, fry on Hyundae Beach, sit on Gwangali Beach under the stars and check out the view of the lit up bridges, stay in the Vespa jimjilbang, get a full body massage and get treated like a princess. Aw Bliss :) Im dying to get tomorrow over, pack my bags and shoot off. Im worried my memory card wont be able to hold all my pics lol. Ive gotta go and finish off my planning :)

2007-08-02T07:53:00.000-07:00

The other night whilst out with my managers cousin and friend over a private, they informed me that Cheonan apparently gets its name from the Chinese language and its meaning its something along the lines of, 'the safest place under the sky'.

I felt tingly all over when they told me so my blog has a new name.

Love from Cheonan...the Safest Place Under the Sky.

Not only did God bring me to such a loving Korean family, to a hagwon directed by a devout, on fire christian but also to a place with a name like this.

I'm constantly reminded of his blessings.

Such Love

2007-08-02T06:18:00.000-07:00

So... Ive got good things ahead waiting for me and things at home too..you girlies tell me that Hayleys big Day is coming up in December... I cant wait but we'd better get the tissues at the ready. This girl will weep. Hayley deserves a good man. I hope he is that :)

We're gonna have to go shopping when I get back straight away for our outfits lol. Anna you can plan that (if you havent already lol ;))

Me and mum are gonna go away for a week too when I get back. Ive worked really hard here this year and it'll be nice to go away to a place of seclusion for seven nights and rest and think about my time in Korea. I guess its gonna be hard to settle back in at home and strange to re-adjust after living here on my own for 12 months in a beautiful 2 bedroomed apt with a killer view and all the space I want in the world. Get in haaahaaa. Really though... Ive been thinking alot about my time here even though its not up yet due to the main reason that after my holiday in two weeks, I know my time heres gonna fly.

Im trying to prepare my heart and its strange but I know deep down that God's in complete control. I know he has amazing plans for me and I know that he brought me here, he prepared this place for me, the people, the places and I trust he has plans for me back at home or wherever else he desires me to go next. I just need to keep praying and keep my eyed fixed on Him.

I have never in my whole life experienced Gods Love for me like I have here. He has shown me so much Love in the past 9 months that I dont even know where to begin.

I really believe that I needed to come here for me to experience it. I came away alone, vulnerable and in Gods total care and under his total mercy and he has provided me with such richness I dont know where to start. I just know that he Loves me and he wants me to listen to him, to succumb to his voice, to his calling for me personally.

Ive had trials in recent months but reading Peter last week made me remember that these trials reveal how genuine our faith is. My hands shake as I write these words because God has spoken to me like never before through his word in my life this year. I dont know where to begin.

Ephesians and Phillipians have been two of the books that have been most prominent for me during my stay here. Before I came Ephesians 3v 14-20 was given to me repeatedly . Repeat, repeatedly.

Eveywhere I went in the space of a few weeks and months, the pastors/ preachers/ ministers/ evangelists voice boomed out (or I simply got an email/ letter) with the scripture from Paul,

When I think about all of this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the creator of everything in heaven and on earth. I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he wil empower you with inner strength through his Spirit.Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God's love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all Gods people should, how wide, how long, how high and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, although it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with al the fullness of life and power that comes from God.
Now all glory to God , who is able, through his mighty power at work within us , to accomplish infinately more than we might ask or think.

Never have I experienced the Love of God like this. This child of God, this daughter of Christ never really experienced Gods Love for herself until she came here.

The thing is after I came back from moving away from him for so long I never let him close enough, never as close as he wanted me to let him. I guess I was scared of the rejection of not being good enough, pure enough, unsinful enough.

If only I had listened to his voice earlier on.

If only I had listened to him when he softly whispered, Come, Come as you are.

So I pray earnestly for continued spiritual growth as I did before I started this adventure.I dont want to become one of these stagnant, dried up Christians with no fire in them. I knew God would minister to me here greatly. I had high expectations as he asked me to have lol As Ive mentioned previously in my blog, I was told God would take me under his wing while I was here and he has done so in such a beautiful, gentle way.

If you're putting off moving back into Gods presence because you're worried you're too unclean and dirty I urge you to just put those thoughts behind you and come back into His presence. He was waiting for me for too long. He's waiting for you too.

One thing Ive learnt is that theres nothing you can do to stop him Loving you. Not a thing in the world.

When I read Pauls words in Phillipians 4 v 6&7 about Gods peace when I first came back to seeking God's face I didnt understand how it could be true. In previous years I was so filled with fear that I didnt understand how it could be real to have this peace that goes beyond anything we can understand, that can actually guard our hearts and minds. It baffled me.I felt too tormented to ever believe that this was real and that it could have been present and genuine in my life. The truth is though that it is real . I desired what Paul talked about and surely enough God gave me his peace.

In stepping out and seeking his face he has given me his utter peace. I never want to feel the fear that consumed me in my past again and I truly believe I wont. Ever Again.

Pentaport Rock Festival 2007

2007-08-02T05:29:00.000-07:00

Ive REALLY not bothered with this blog now properly in a while but Ive been really preoccupied with other stuff so I apologise. Anyway, Pentaport ROCKED. Last weekend was definately one of the best weekends Ive had in South Korea since Ive been here and its taken me a good few days to recover from the lack of sleep and energy I used while I was there.

I travelled down to Incheon on Friday night telling myself that I wouldnt be there to catch The Chemical Brothers so that if by any chance at all I DID get there in time Id be even more excited about being there. And I was ! In time and excited ! They were amazing. Ive never seen them live before but it was really everything I thought and more and the visuals were amazing too. It was prety jaw dropping stuff :)

I finally caught up with my merry friends there who had already made friends with half the campsite. There was lots of drinking, a man made beach with hammocks and chill out areas, candles, huge beach fire, big screens, dj boxes/booths blasting out funky house, a huge camp ground, a huge dance tent, western eateries, funky little bars and cocktail stalls...ahhh it was so cool to just be there after working all week with my little monsters.I felt like I was on holiday it was so nice. I got bitten to shreds by mossies while camping but it was all worth the scars Ill probably have for life... they look more like baby bites (theyre huge)!

I really felt like it was a mini holiday for me. I havent let my hair down for a long time so it was sooo refreshing and so nice to hang out with nice people and have nice conversations with certain people I met. I really made some great friends this weekend that Ive got to hook up with again. I felt like I was back home during some conversations.

I've missed you girls more than I ever dreamed and I knew it'd be a lot.Just a few girlie conversations brightened me up... goodness knows what Im gonna be like when I see you all again... arrrgghhh I cant wait girls!!! :) Not long now !

I didnt get back to Cheonan till Monday morning right before work so I was pretty exhausted and felt like I was floating on air all day. Adrenaline still pumping around my system from Muse... yes Muse. They were aaaamazing too! Me and my mate Mipa got chatted up by some buff, farmer, welder boy who got us sorted out with very temporary back stage passes. Pretty cool to walk around but I wasnt that impressed. Truthfully I was bored and was constantly thinking about where my mates were(not which tent the Testament were sleeping in or which tent muse were hanging out in even) and if I could find them after the tour. Stuff doesnt impress me like that I guess.

So after two days and nights of rocking out with some seriously lovely people that I met there (Mipa coming down on Saturday morning to join us) I got on the bus to Incheon and found a jimjilbang to sleep in for the night. I didnt actually sleep. A pile of farting, korean women plonked on the floor with bright lights.... hmmmm not very restful by any means. At least I tried and I knew there was always the bus home lol

It was more uncomfortable than the tent I slept in for the two nights previous but I didnt care. The weekend made up for it 100 times over. It was all well worth it. Oh to be back! :)

Ecclesiastes 3 v 1-8

2007-07-22T01:12:00.000-07:00

For everything there is a season,
a time for every activity under heaven.
A time to be born and a time to die.
A time to plant and a time to harvest.
A time to kill and a time to heal.
A time to tear down and a time to build up.
A time to cry and a time to laugh.
A time to grieve and a time to dance.
A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones.
A time to embrace and a time to turn away.
A time to search and a time to quit searching.
A time to keep and a time to throw away.
A time to tear and a time to mend.
A time to be quiet and a time to speak.
A time to love and a time to hate.
A time for war and a time for peace.

Corinthians 13 v 4-8

2007-07-21T22:37:00.000-07:00

Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. it is not irritable , and it keeps no record of being wrong. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith. is always hopeful , and endures through every circumstance.

Seoul Grand Park Zoo

2007-07-17T20:31:00.000-07:00

So It was a National Holiday yesterday in Korea and me and my mate Byron decided to go Seoul Grand park to see experience a real Korean Zoo :)

It was great to act like a big kid all day instead of being the sensible teacher.

The Zoo was pretty impressive and the weather turned out to be really nice. There were plenty of things to see... Lions, Monkeys (which were a little vicious and scared me a bit..not like the randy ones me an Jai saw in Chester Zoo before I left!), Zebras, Gorillas, Pumas, Leopards, Exotic Birds, the list goes on.

The Monkeys are always my favourite things to see coz I find them so comical to watch. The monkey Ive added a picture of was making a right racket and looked like a grizzly old man setting the world to rights.I could have stayed there all day watching him. One Gorilla was pretty angry and was throwing things at the glass window to scare people away. He was ONE BIG gorilla thats for sure and Im very glad of the glass patition :( Check out those legs on him.

We also went to watch a dolphin show which was awesome, Ive never seen dolphins so close up before! We then skipped onto the cable car to finish off our day which was pretty high up giving us a good view of the place and over the lions den..eeerrr.

Circled with beautiful Mountains and trees it was a really nice place to go on a day off. A subway back in the humidity (or two.. im the worst with directions lol) we stopped off in Songtan for a well deserved thai after all our walking.

Talking of walking Im craving another mad hike again...I think it may be on the cards.

Boryeong Mud Fest 2007

2007-07-15T06:03:00.000-07:00

So on Friday night Mr and Mrs Nam, Ruby and Steven and I went for meal to talk.I felt a little nervous all day to be honest.I felt as though I was gonna get sacked or something but I think it was just because of the underlying tensions that have been apparent between me and Steven recently lol. Anyway, we talked for a long time over dinner and Mr Nam said that he really appreciated how hard we work when he knows how much hard work the kids are getting recently. I was so relieved that he's actually aware of it.

Since Steven started the kids behaviour has become appauling. I dont like to pin the blame but I was just so relieved when Mr Nam mentioned it on Friday. Im glad its just not me.For once Steven translated properly and he also apologised for a recent thing he said to me that really caused offense and tension all week. After all my prayer I feel like somethings happening slowly. Im really pleased. We'll have to see how it goes though because Ive thought this before and the poos hit the fan again. Anyway I live in constant hope.

So Mr Frost- Mending fences...theres one being worked on. Was glad the evening went well and that I felt properly communicated for a change. Just a damn shame I had to eat sea squirt...(yes sea squirt. dont even ask because squirt is what it does)and other 'delicious' side dishes.Oh the joy.

It was the annual Boryeong Mud Festival this weekend on Daechon Beach where thousands of foreigners congregated for the festivals 10TH year mud festival celebrations. Id been looking forward to it for such a long time. Even before I came to South Korea I heard about it and saw photographs of it in a British Newspaper and remember thinking I HAD to come to Korea just to see it !

Feeling a bit shocked at how packed the beach was when we arrived and taking it all in I felt a little like I wasnt actually on this planet. A few hours after I still felt as though I wasnt on the planet. Pissed up, drunk, full of mud, wrestling, soju drinking, dancing, singing, frolicking in the sea foreigners. A whole lot of fun but rather strange to experience for someone whos been away from so many English speakers for so long! It definately given me a taste of whats to come when I get back home. I better preapare myself. 15 weeeks to go....

The day went so quickly. We sunbathed, got mudded up, went swimming and then met up with the rest of the Cheonanites by the watch tower. More wasted but funny mates arrived and bumped into lots of people Ive met over the few months here not recognising them instantly for obvious reasons lol.

We all had a few game of funny frisbee in the sea (hilarious with me on Arrans shoulders coz he's so short lol) chilled out with some drinks, showered then back down to the beach for fireworks, wine, live entertainment, bands, dancers, and good merry banter. I also invited Steven over with his Girlfrined for a drink. Gasp. lol I couldnt believe how many people were there. It was a tiring day so today was nice to chill out on the beach and fry with the ones who didnt get away yesterday :) A few hours later, good tans all round and a few drops of rain we sped off to the train st, grabbed some pizza and got home :)

Its been an interesting weekend. Ive learnt alot about myself in just two days.I didnt realise how much Id changed. I honestly didnt.

Songnisan Weekend Break

2007-07-08T16:34:00.001-07:00

So after a good week at the hagwon due to a lot of kiddies being away at a school camping trip I threw a party for my elementary kids in my hagwon. It was really nice to do something special with them as they're so cute but it was hard work... I wont be doing it again in a hurry thats for sure lol.

Saturday Morning me and a few friends met up and made our way to Songnisan National Park. Whilst speed hiking/jogging up 3 different peaks I realised that it wasnt the relaxing weekend Id much yeared for but more a hardcore hiking weekend...I feel great though and am planning on doing it again very soon :)We started off at 4.30pm with Munjangdae rock as our destination. Passing two other beautiful peaks on the way I think it's probably the one of the biggest and beautiful hikes Ive ever done (the biggest peak only a mere 1000ft for you pro hikers back home). As a new hiker and doing it in the time we did it I was a happy bunny :) In three hours we were up and back down to our little birosanjang.I think it must have been about 8miles and it was a really steep walk all the way up with lots of stairs. The humidity was really bad but we all ended up speed hiking and it was fun but very hot and very wet work! I wore shorts and a tee and was wet through before we'd even begun. My hair was soaking, my clothes soaked and I felt a little strange half dressed running up the tracks whilst fully kitted out korean, sweat free hikers passed me by.It was good fun though and I felt like a little kid racing up the tracks through the park.

For those happy, avid hikers back home who want to know a bit more about the (very few) mountains Ive hiked, Songnisan is one of the eight most scenic attractions of Korea and it's the central part of the Great Paekdu Mountain Range.I think its stunning. Its the water source of three rivers, the Han, the Kum, and the Nakdong River and the highest peak is Chonhwangbong (1,057m) (which we climbed up too). It was so nice to go on a proper hike as Ive not been for a long time now with being so busy.The humidity made it really hard to walk in and my clothes were completely saturated with sweat before we'd actually even begun.Nice. On a few of the photos I look a bit high but to set the record straight Im actually not I think its just all the adrenaline that I had pumping around my system.

The park still looks as beautiful as ever. Different because there was no ice or snow this time but still very beautiful. Back and washed in the little hut at our biro hut with bucket fulls of tepid water and korean soap I felt a lot better and then we all settled down to relax for the night on the terrace with an amazing meal that the host cooked for us.

On Sunday we took the trip back to Cheonan slowly compared to the day before stopping off for various things in the little town and taking in the park itself.Walking along the theraputic pebbles barefoot and paddling in the stream I felt rejuvenated and like Id had a good weekend away. Jimjilbang afterwards and then it was to an amazing new restaurant by my place with one of Monicas Korean friends.

Fab Time away. Everyone needs it once in a while. Even if it is to go on a mad, suprise workout :)

Giggles

2007-07-03T08:37:00.000-07:00

So Im aching all over tonight and it feels great. I love that ripped muscle feeling after a good training session lol. I met up with Jackie last night for a quick hourly bible study afer my workout which was really, really nice. Got in and did some jobs then hit the sack at 2am. Seriouly. I couldnt sleep. I moved from one side on my queen sized bed to the other, top to bottom, changed positions, tried to go to for a wee (lol), changed beds to my single, tried sleeping with my fan on, with my fan off, yu get the picture...When I rose at 10.30 I know Id been asleep but I hadnt felt like it. I think Id just lay there with my eyes closed for about five hours. So the thought of meeting up with Martie today for a quick bite made me worry a little this morning. I had visions of falling into my jiggae head first but I didnt and have had a decent amount of energy all day. Cand juice keep you up at night? Im doing this juice diet thing and its given me loads of energy but it cant possibly keep me up all night can it ? Im hoping I sleep tonight coz Ive been so busy recently that I need all the sleep I can get. Lets see...

Tonight, my private class with William was pretty funny. Sometimes I get so embarrassed at the stupidest things but I guess its because i just dont know how to keep a straight face and end up giggling really loud when embarrassing things come up. Oh, I must be so unprofessional :( I just cant help it. I think growing up with Sarah hasnt helped me. We could never keep straight faces with eachother and now if a funny situation comes up where I shouldnt laugh I just see her cheeky face as a child or her face as a young woman now taking the mick and having me in stitches.

William really tries hard and his pronuciation isnt great but he tries and is improving slowly. We were talking about movies before and he accidentaly said boobies by accident. To be honest I wouldnt usually laugh at something like this but I guess I was so tired by 9.45am that I just couldnt help laughing to myself due to his face when he realised what he'd said. Lay on the table was also an advertisement Id printed out for a comedy that we were using to help us with role play. Grab my Banana was the name of it. Seriously....when Im tired thats it. Ive got the giggles at anything. It doesnt take much to have me peeing my pants and these two things just got me tonight The worst thing was that I tried my very best to hold in my laughter but ended up snorting instead and making it more embarrassing. I realy need to be more careful about what I print in future. The poor guy'll think Im coming onto him.

Busy Bunnie Bee!

2007-07-02T08:02:00.000-07:00

Wow... I feel like Ive really neglected my poor little blog recently. I actually thought about stopping writing it due to the fact that because everyone reads it they stop writing me emails ! Guys! I WANT TO KNOW HOW YOU'RE DOING TOO ! I miss you all so dont just read this and not email me ! I miss you all and am interested in your lives too even if you think they are presently mundane and uninteresting! Telling off over. lol.

Okay. So Ive been busy lately. I got a little bored a few weeks back now thinking to myself oh.. 6 months would have been enough here. The fact is, okay it may have been but the truth is that Im here for another 4 months and I can either moan or get on with it and enjoy it! So, Ive been trying to find things to fill my time. Ive got involved with more compassionate ministry stuff with my church, helping out when and where I can. Ive made more appointments with Korean friends, more bible studies,helping at the orphanage, helping feeding the homeless, tried to get out more at the weekends and just do different stuff. Its pretty much filled my weeks well. So before I was bored and know Im just very tired from doing so much. I have all these meetings and appointments and then theres the gym, extra lessons two nights a week that go on till 9.45 and then if I have time, Ive been seeing mates and trying my best to get out of Cheonan for a change and travelling can be tiring!

This week though Im having a break.Decision made. I dont wanna reach burn out. Im still doing the kids club at church once a month but really dont feel like its for me. If Im away once a month and do the kids club once a month I only go to church twice in four weeks. Its not enough for a new Christian. I feel I really need to receive right now and get as much spiritual food as I can. Im craving it !

Tonight I met up with my mate Jackie. She is a God send to me. Ive taken up a bible study with her and some other mates on Friday mornings too and am also conversing with another friend whilst shes on her vacation who I know from church. Im really enjoying getting to know my bible more and I felt so excited tonight just reading the first part of John. I know my bible but not as well as I want to so Im trying to make time and just try to comprehend and internalise things Ive never looked at before or been taught. I love it :)

I headed down to Daechon on Saturday with Monica and Cara after a night of chilling out with Greys Anatomy ( love it !) one and a half other chick flicks and a good merlot. I had plans with some lucky people (lol)but had to let them down last minute. I bet their night wasnt the same without me there haaaahaaaa.I was pretty tired from my week so sitting in solo felt like a good, appealing plan. Satuday we just got down to Daechon and I realised Id lost my mobile. Luckily someone had dropped it off at Daechon St but I had to go all the way back and fetch it :( I wasnt a happy bunny. The day was nice though and we went swimming ( I burnt again but not as bad as last time.) . I didnt think I'd burnt that much until Sunday at a bbq when Jackie shouted out I looked like a lobster.Whoops.

So a day at the beach after a morning of feeling like a fanny for loosing my phone I spontaneously decided I wanted to join some mates for a night out in Seoul so 25 minutes after getting in from a day in Boryeong I was showered, dressed, hair done, made up and in a cab back to the KTX on my way to Itaewon. Another half hour and I was there :) A few of my friends had gone on a rafting trip that day and my mate Rhys met a girl there who I went to college with for two years :) She was sat at the table with all my friends when I got there and it was such a nice suprise to see her. We both came in November but both didnt know how to contact one another as we didnt have eachothers details so it was sooooooo great to see her and catch up with the old days.Jen knew my old friends, she knows my ex boyfriends from college, she went to my uni so it was sooooooooo nice to just catch up !

Although Ive been helping out with all these different things and have been busy with different bible studies and extra lessons I do feel like God is telling me to continue to rest in him. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that from the 20th of July I will be working up to 12 hours a day... yes 12 :( I reckon the way it looks now Ill be working from 10am/11am- 8pm three days a week and then 10am/11am-9.45pm two days a week. Despite this Ill get dinner with my co-workers and breaks however I remember last time in Winter it being really hard work and feeling like I was always at work...yawn. Apparently Ill get overtime which reminded me that I didnt get O.T last time...I need to start watch the hours Im putting in a bit more. Just ten hours a week extra is a lot more money that I need to claim! O.T sounds good to me as Im saving as much as I can now.Dont know If Ill get that much wanted break to Vietnam or Thailand as originally planned but Im sure Ill keep myself busy or relaxed... which ever I choose !

So, Im gonna have a restful week. Maybe the jimjibang, dinner with mates at my fave little places, a few drinks, treat myself to a facial and go away this weekend. Maybe plan a hiking trip and stay in another hut in the woods. Sounds like bliss but gotta get through my hectic days in the hagwon first :) Im currently planning my lesson plans for the dreaded 20th July and I need to get myself in gear. My little goblins sure do keep me busy...theyre hard work but despite it all I cant help but love them. All of them.Even the naughty ones who dont stop jabbering in korean, even the ones who take the mick and probably call me under their breath when I tell them off. I just cant help it. Sujan and Wendy both fell asleep on the way home after our lesson together.Going home in the school bus after a long day, sat in the back in the dark with Anje and Wendy is one of my favourite times of the day. If theyre wide awake we have to sing songs or do mash potato (thanks mum... lol), if theyre wiped out they come and snuggle up with me and fall asleep. Its gonna be hard to say bye to these two. Im dreading it.I actually dont know how Ill stop crying. I will have practically seen them every day for a whole year when I leave. I remember the day that we went to Seoul with their parents when I just got here and Wendy weed all over me in the back of the car as she was sleeping. That was definately an ice breaker if ever there was one. She wasnt shy in front of me after that.

So spending a lot of time here makes me get to know myself better. Maybe thats why Ive felt itchy to be busy recently. Maybe Ive been fed up of disecting myself and my traits and the negative things about myself. One thing Ive noticed is that I put off spending time with people I know I really like. You might think this is mad and it may baffle you but I honestly have with some people here. I think its partly coz I can be actually be quite shy at times and partly coz I know if I get on well with these people Ill only have to say goodbye and I may never see them again. Surely this cant be a good thing though? Missing out on good, healthy relationships? I suppose its a self protection kind of thing but I think I need to just embrace what could be good connections and not worry about the byesor else, Im gonna miss out!

A Bit of Honesty

2007-06-25T23:49:00.000-07:00

So its another week in the Hagwon and yet again its only Tuesday and I feel as though its about Thursday already! Okay! I love my Hagwon but it can be hard work sometimes and really frustrating with the language barriers and the repetitive Joanne... Joanne... doanne...do.. do...teecher.. teecher.. teeacher....I hear this in my sleep zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.Arrrrrrrgggggghhhhhhhhhhh !!!!!!

Considering Ive never worked with kids full time before I think Im doing an okay job but sometimes it can just be so frustrating. Sometimes I just think..am I really helping these kids? I know deep down I am coz Ive seen progress in students Ive taught and stuff but sometimes when I dont see progress straight away I get bothered. When other teachers get the praise for the work that Ive put in it gets me down and I just think why am I putting in so much effort when its not recognised? I know this is SO bad for me to think. I just cant help it sometimes. I know its wrong! I know I should want to help teach these kids and not care if I dont get the credit for it but when its done sneakily its gets right up my nose. I find it hard to really talk to my co-workers about the teaching as the only English speaking teacher here has a male, korean, power issue with interpretating.

I guess sometimes in life we have people we clash with. I have definatley got one I clash with at this point in my life. LOL. Despite this fact Im trying. Very hard. For once Im trying to be a peace maker, to bite my tongue every hour of the day when I have a short class change and grab a quick cup of coffee in the staff room. Its tough. My hagwon has another English speaking contest coming up this month. Ive not been asked to help which is great coz Im busy enough (!) but last time my co worker asked me to write one of the speeches to help him so I did as it was easy for me and I had lots of time back then to help out. He was really worried as he said he didnt have the time and it was difficult for him to write. I researched it ad wrote most of it and one of the children won from our hagwon which was great :) (I think she got second prize) However my coworker didnt make it known that I had written most of the speech therefore he got the credit for it. I also found out that it also helped him to get a pay rise...dont get me wrong he works hard but argggggggghhhhhh ! A few other minor things have happened which makes me just think I cant trust him like him asking if I can lend him huge amounts of money and not tell the rest of our co-workers or manager.Its such a shame. I really crave a good conversation in the day, a good friend in between my lessons to chat with. Now Im just really quite wary of what I say and do, things I shouldnt have to worry about.

Anyway, I am not perfect myself and am a constant work in progress. Maybe I get under his skin as much as he gets under mine... I freakin' hope not :(

Anyway, like I said Im trying my best and am praying about it! We have good days and bad days, good times and happy times and there are people who we struggle with and who we just have to try with even though we dont really want to. Im learning that we've got to just try to keep a smile on our faces throughout even the testing times even if its really difficult! Even with the difficult people... arrghhh.

So today as Im drawing my anorexic, diseased ox (coz I cant draw to save my life ) and my rather chubby, short legged ostrich on my white board for a class room full of screaming kids, (my ears ringing of course) I try to just smile and look at the good things here. I REALLY dont wanna be a witch teacher that the kids remember when they look back a few years down the line. I wanna be remembered as the nice, smily, foreign teacher from that little place called England who was just lovely! AI was with a Korean mate of mine on Sunday and as we were walking down the road an ex pupil of hers bumped into her and started shaking incontrollably with tears. I couldnt believe it. I was so touched. He had really missed her and she obviously had such a big impact on him that he broke down when he saw her. It spoke volumes to me. Its so hard though sometimes to be the happy, energetic teacher full of light! Dont get me wrong, I usually am ;) but after certain comments in the day... oh it just grates on my soul.

The same co worker I have a problem with said to me a few weeks ago that sometimes he feels like he's the only one who cares about the students at the hagwon and I suddenly felt really upset. Did he REALLY, SERIOUSLY think this was true or was it just another sneaky way of getting to me again when I put in so much hard work there? I do care about these kids here and I think deep down he knows it but I am just baffled to why I get these comments thrown at me? Could someone please explain ?!!!!!!! lol

Anyway Im going on randomly again and havent written anything interesting for a while I suppose ! Ive been very busy with appointments and meetings and stuff. Me and my Korean friend arranged to go for a chill out morning last week. We spent the morning in the jimjilbang and then she treated me to an amazing facial locally. I felt like a princess. This ajuma made my skin glow! Te weekend was pretty busy too. Helped out with Compassionate Ministries in the morning and then dinner and shopping with Isabel and Juri. The weather is getting evenmore humid and the mossies are rife! They seem to love my knees and despite my to attempts to keep them away (my anti - mossie plug ins and various amounts of anti mossie sprays) somehow they still find a way to nibble away at me leaving delicious, red bumps on my skin.

Maaaaashitsayo.

2007-06-19T07:28:00.000-07:00

Okay and also before I forget! Katie and Sian !.. Good Luck Ladies for your degree results ! Im so proud of you both girlies! Youve both worked hard and deserve good grades so leme know asap what you both get :) Im waiting for the good news so I can go and celebrate out here for you both. Woooohoooo! :)

2007-06-19T06:45:00.000-07:00

So my weekend and day off wasnt as expected but full of blessings and totally relaxing! Friday morning I headed to Cheonan-Asan Station and thought Id bought a ticket to Daechon. Bikini, Suncream, Bible ...all ready to go. I waited at the platform and the second that it pulled up I realised the train was on its way to Daejon not Daechon.Make it or break it time i decided to just get on the train anyway and see what fun I could make In Daejon instead. Lol. Daejon for me is seriously too big and confusing. Too many tunnels and roads and department stores.. yawn. Anway I did a bit of shopping and got some dinner and had a walk around in the sunshine :) I then ventured back to Cheonan and chilled out in my local jimjilbang for a few hours and slept and chilled out with the poking ajumas again. I actually fell asleep after Id been in the sauna on these mats that are lay on heated marble o the floor. They are lay under some kind of lamps to relax the body and the mats have little teats on them. I feel asleep for about an hour on my front so when I got up my whole body was covered with little red indented cirles. The ladies thought it was hilarious. Im glad I gave them a good giggle. Ive made some good friends in there! Seriously, theres something so beautiful and natural about being in a setting where women are washing and scrubbing eachother.My local is such a great place. Oh! Ill be gutted when I get back to the UK without my jimjilbang time! I cant imagine not being able to chill out and without getting poked at by korean women and children anymore! Thinking of strangers prodding about, I was on the bus the other day and this ajuma sat behind me starts playing with my hair. I turned around to smile and see exactly which ajuma was fiddling around with my locks but when I did she let go of my hair and rapidly spun around and pretended she'd not even touched it. I couldnt help but laugh.I nearly wet myself. She couldnt have been anymore heavy handed or obvious. The proding, stroking, poking, touching...it goes on but never anything threatening which is GOOD!

Anyway the rest of my weekend was pretty cool and relaxed. Saturday I hung out with Byron and Avie on the new Coffee Bean Decking in town in the sunshine. We must have been there for about five hours just gassing and catching up. It was nice to just have a relaxing weekend after another mad, busy week. I seem to be getting busier out here recently. If its not a meeting or a social or work or the gym I always seem to be on the go which is good for me but knackering sometimes. Today was another long day. I started at 11.30am and got in at 9.45. Pretty tired and refusing to open my bottle of wine coz I know I wont get up in the morning for my meeting. Itll knock me out Im that tired.

Having good nights sleep the past few nights after a few bad nights of being unable to sleep properly.I hate it how when us humans have stuff on our mind that eats away at us we're unable to just switch off for the night! Its so hot here now that Im wondering how long my nice nights dreams'll last. Luckily my mint fan is silent so I can sleep with it on but these mossies HAVE to go. They love me and Im getting covered with the things. The one on my thigh looks like a cow/human bite. Think my coworkers are wondering how Im spending my weeknights! lol

Day off :)

2007-06-14T08:05:00.001-07:00

So Ive got a lovely day off tomorrow and am soooo glad I dont have to go into work :) Im gonna go down to Daechon Beach early in the morning for a total chill out and some proper good time out with God. Theyve got a wicked mud spa there which Im gonna relax in too. Bliss dahlings !

The Hagwons been better recently as Im quite busy and time seems to go quickly. The kids are adorable and keep me going when I have a bad class :) My manager told me yesterday that my holidays will be changed. Instead of having them in July Ive now got to wait until August. The good news is I still have 9 days off. Mum has mentioned me coming home for the week but theres not really much point as after the holiday It'll only be about ten weeks and Ill be due to come home anyway ! The bad news is that all my friends here have their hols mainly in July so if I do wanna get away then Im gonna be going solo. Thailand by then begins its rainy season, same for Vietnam Im guessing. Singapore may not be safe to venture to solo and Indonesia too. Shame but Im sure Ill make the most of it where ever I am :) Arggghhh...! :)

Well.. just another short one. My blogs got pretty crap (I apologise) but Im just so busy. Ive got tons of photos though to show you all when I get back so dont be sending me angry emails girls ! lol

Sleep and BEACH!

Pirate Party and Planning Ahead... Or Not

2007-06-11T08:15:00.001-07:00

So Rhys' Pirate Party headed off with a bang this weekend as we all headed down to Seoul on the KTX. It was to Itaewon first and then Hongdae for some proper pirate partying. It was a nice break away from Cheonan for the night as I havent been on a night out in Seoul since New Years Eve so it was extremely cool :) We hit a few nice bars in Itaewon, rather packed out but very friendly Wolf Hound and then on to a house club in Hongdae. Good fun all round me maties although I wont be venturing off to Seoul again for a long time! :) I decided to hop on the KTZ at 5 ish with Alex and Arran and it was pretty nice seeing Seoul City so early and so calm and quiet in the morning. And hilarious to still be in out pirate outfits sat on the train back to Cheonan :) Talk about snorting like pigs with laughter (note: this is a SERIOUS case on a Korean train) You talk you get shusshed at. You laugh and you get shouted at. We behaved but I snorted alot. (A mortal sin on any Korean train at any time of the day OR night).

Was nice to go home when I was ready and not have to wait about in a smoky club waiting for everyone to be all danced out. I wanted food and bed so we went to Mccy D's and I had three Mcdonalds. No kidding. What an ajuma....but Ive seriously lost the drinking urge since I got here. Goodness knows how Ill cope when I get back home with you girls opening the wine everynight. Girls.. youre gonna laugh when I get home... this girl wont be even attempting to drink anyone of you under the table anymore. Mark my words ladies ! lol. The fag dirty habit has finally been kicked to the curb (hooraaayyy..except on very stressful occassions and with the odd drink)..the dirty pint guzzling down in the Pack Horse when I arrive home will probably not even be on the cards.Then again itll be Christmas and me and Bridget Jones will most definately be in my Mums garden bum potting after a few shandies :) Lets hope we have a white Christmas eh Kez ?! IF Im home...!

Ive been thinking alot about what Im gonna do next after my contract ends here.Ive had so many ideas and there are soooo many possibilities about where to go, what to do next, who I could hook up with. Its in my nature to race on and plan ahead and God is telling me again and again and again to just chill myself out and be still yet I still cant seem to just wait and be patient. I just know the things I want to do and the places I want to explore and its so hard sometimes to just trust in God and let him guide me instead of me trying to take charge all the time. Ive been struggling now for the past five weeks with this irritability of not knowing what Im gonna do next and the intense urge to plan on ahead. For years Ive always known and had planned what next and because I dont know exactly what next Im trying to plan, plan, plan and to be honest nothing Im trying to plan is working so Im trying my best to just think and pray really hard about it. I honestly think I dont trust in God fully enough sometimes and I should. Someone from church said to me before I left said something along the lines of, 'dont always try and plan things yourself and worry about what youre gonna do or how youre gonna do it, just pray and let God take over' Its true but its scary for someone whos pretty control freaky with their own life. I was told a few weeks ago by a Christian couple I know that they think Im in a really good place right now.To be honest though Im a bit scared coz the things Gods been talking to me about recently are just like .... boy am I really ready for this ? I suppose God will MAKE me ready if Im supposed to be. We'll see. Ill have to put away my multitude of diaries and just be patient.

So, Im going on on a morning hike tomorrow early to pray and chill out which should be nice and Ive got Friday off this week so Im thinking about heading down to a convent in Busan for some serious still time with God :)

Its already 1.10 am. Ive just watched a really sad Korean film and its time for bed.Ive needed a good cry for weeks now but not allowed myself the pleasure (or the pain) My head hurts Ive cried so much but hopefully Ill sleep well tonight coz for the past five nights + Ive not slept well at all. I think maybe a good cry was needed and this film sure got the tears rolling !]

Anyway, enough blabber. Sleep Girl Sleep ! :)

Compassionate Ministries

2007-06-06T07:46:00.000-07:00

So my day off today has been soooo good ! This morning I had my Compassionate Ministies meeting and had the pleasure of meeting Stan Martins LOVELY wife. She is SO LOVELY ! For those of you who read my blog in Korea- (coz Im not sure if anyone does) we need you help with the Compassionate Ministries team. Stan Martin will be giving a sermon on the 17th (if all goes to plan) and he's gonna ask the church members to get involved. We need people and we need people to commit to just an hour (or MORE !) a week to help out with various things we want to get involved with. There are so many things to get involved with- Isabel has done so much leg work in finding out about things we can help with over the past few months (hard work) that everything is ready. We just need people to help ! There is the orphanage in Ssang Yong Dong we need help with, working with single parents (cleaning and playing with children/ babies ect), feeding the homeless and other things too. Compassionate Ministries needs YOU ! So start to pray about it!

He said to his disciples "The harvest is so great, but the workersa are so few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send out more workers for his fields" Matthew 9:37-38

2007-06-06T06:46:00.000-07:00

I met up with a korean friend of mine today who I met in a Jimjilbang a few months ago. She phoned me this week really eager to meet for dinner and Ive only met her once so to be honest I arranged to meet her but didnt really know which friend I was actually going to meet! I seem to meet that many different people here its hard to keep track sometimes and this has happened more than once... eekkk. Anyway, we met at noon and she took me to her husbands restaurant. It was so nice and shes a really lovely lady. I think shes pretty lonely as shes moved around a lot in the past few years with her family and a lot of her friends are in Seoul. She misses her mates and I miss mine and it makes me feel blessed again to have people around me like I have. God has been amazing to me and is constantly showing me how much he loves me by putting people in my path particularly when I need or want some extra company or comfort!

We had a good chat for two hours over the best most delicious beef kalbi Ive had here in Korea! Shes just found out she is pregnant and is SO HAPPY as it'll be her fifth baby..shes seriously GLOWING. (It makes me get excited about pregnancy coz sometimes I only hear the negatives working in a hospital and all!) She is a lovely lady and it was really interesting to get the chance to speak to her a bit more today. Im gonna be spending a lot more time with her I hope. You know how sometimes it can be a little awkward with foreigners due to language barriers etc? Well I dont feel any of that all all. Shes very like me- very talkative !

Well. I feel like Ive made another good friend here now plus I managed to share a bit of my testimony with her today which was fab and shes really interested in coming to my church next week with her kiddies so Im really happy about that. She opening a new dance workshop just by my apt and we passed her studio today which is lovely. She'll be teaching Jazz, Ballet, Tap and Traditional Korean Dance and Im looking forward to something new I can get my teeth stuck into rather than the weights, constant running on the treadmill and being pestered by certain desperate korean boys/men who just want their egos boosting. No ta.Ive had enough. I dont go to the gym to look gorgeous, sweat free and sultry. I go to work out, to get sweaty, to burn off those calories not to pull thanks very much. Stay Away from the English Girl. Seriously.LOL.

Anyway...did a bit of shopping later on today and met up with Jen, Tina and Martie for coffee and some girlie chat, treatment at Lee Chard, and then later relaxed in the jimjilbang. Always feel like a new woman after a good hour there. Ready for a long day in the hagwon tomorrow, yoga, an easyish one on Friday, a Pirate Party for Rhys' Birthday in Seoul on Saturday night (wooohooo!) and then kids club at church on Sunday. Better get some sleep yo.

2007-05-28T08:04:00.000-07:00

With a twinge of a hangover on Sunday morning and feeling the urge to puke a little in church now and again because of the amount consumed the previous night (actually not alot... I can't handle it anymore guys Im turning into an ajuma !) Me, Monica, Mei-i and Byron all went down to Seoul for the Hillsong Concert (or cheesy christian crap as quoted by Jackie :) tut tut. Despite more hours on buses and the metro it was worth it. Situated in Olympic Park Gardens the place was rammed jammed with Christians in full worship. It was so nice to see and just be part of :) Theres something beautiful in listening to Koreans pray in their own language and the sound of people lifting up their voices in praise was so nice for me to experience. The walk to the concert was a hot one after our bus ride and our trip back was knackering too as we missed the last KTX. It was well worth it though and am itching to get back to Olympic Park. Theres lots of colour, very serious old men on rollerblades fully kitted with the latest, funky, bright coloured knee pads and helmets (teehee), families picnicing, couples in coffee shops, odd peeps on bikes, kiddies playing footy. It looked like a really nice place. Am gonna av to plan to go again sometime soon :)

Oh .. and by the way. A bit random but my plants are coming back to life !

Bunnies Birthday

2007-05-28T07:24:00.000-07:00

Okay... so there wasnt a multitude of beautiful lanterns on display for my birthday but at least it didnt rain and it was a good day despite my baaad planning. Me and Cara headed across to Seosan for my friends wedding however we had to turn back because Id planned it so badly. After a bad start and three hours wasted on the bus (poor Cara) we both got back to Cheonan and went for dinner in Buonissimos garden terrace which was lovely. A good fat glass of white, one of my best friends, sunshine, running water (we dont get alot of this in Cheonan), a cute waiter (!)a good chicken salad.. what more could I ask for ?

So after a lovely, relaxing day we all met at Red Rooster- my favourite bar in Cheonan.Was a bit of a squeeze and a heavy night but good, healthy fun :) Had so many lovely pressies and cards amd emails/ messages sent from back home and the hagwon made a big fuss with a Birthday Cake and lots of pressies too so thankyou all !

Buddahs Birthday

2007-05-25T06:06:00.000-07:00

Colourful lanterns, rain, rain and little drowned rats !

Sun Burn

2007-05-21T05:12:00.000-07:00

This picture doesnt even begin to capture how rouge I am. Seriously. Ive even burnt my lips. Mums sent me over my gorgeous red and white dress from back home to wear for my mates wedding on Saturday. Somehow I think Ill look pretty fluorescent in a red dress dont you think?!

Anyway the kids had a ball today giggling at my new 'radiance'. Ruby couldnt stop laughing and Ive not been able to walk properly all day. Bending over for pencils has even been hard.When will this go down !??? Arrgghhh !

Eeeerrrrm...Still Feeling Hot Hot Hot :(

2007-05-21T05:07:00.000-07:00

Okay so this minging picture Ive put on here is for one purpose ONLY.

That is as a reminder that I shall never EVER go out in the sun again without sun protection.

This hideous atrocity shall remain on my blog to remind me of the pain and the shame of allwoing my skin to crisp and burn to this detestable degree.

Ohhh how I wish my skin would go down...

..OUCH.

Feeling HOT HOT HOT

2007-05-20T19:24:00.000-07:00

So Me, Tina, Martie, Cor and Gyung Jun, decided it was time for a beach break down to Daechon this weekend for a well deserved chill out weekend. We got the train and in what seemed no time at all we were sat in a little fish restaurant eating fish soup and drinking soju :) Awwww to be back...!

The beach down there is so lovely and we found a nice spot right at the end of the stretch and sun bathed, played football and drunk our beers feeling very relaxed and happy soaking up the sunshine. We were all sat in our bikinis whilst the koreans walked past fully dressed, some in suits, some with umbrellas to protect their faces (and bald heads ) and some with huge, black visors. They must have thought we were mad sat practically naked. When we went exploring over to some rocks one ajuma started shouting, 'Ohh look at all these Americans that keep coming here with no clothes on again'...arrrgghh you'd think theyd be used to it then by now! Just wait until summer really starts.. Anyway after chlling out all day we went back to our little hotel room for showers and then went back out onto the beach and sat on the porch of a little restaurant to catch the sunset. I could have stayed there all week.It was beautiful.

It was so nice to get out of Cheonan for a while and just be by the sea.The beach looked so pretty at night illuminated by blue lights and fireworks and crackers.It was quite a romantic setting really! It was really relaxing and after our meal we all went back to the hotel room and got a pretty early night coz we were all that relaxed! Bliss...

On Sunday I woke up at 8.30 am and walked down to the beach for some quiet time. It was so quiet and peaceful and the beach looked even prettier than the day before.It was a really hot day. I honestly didnt realise how hot it was in and out of the sea all the time, sunbathing without any protection.I cant belive how stupid I was. It wasnt until we got off the beach that we all realised how burnt we all were. Im seriously burnt to a crisp and have woken up this morning not being able to move :) hhaaaaa. Im definately gonna start wearing spf everyday from now on. I look like a lobster and darent even think about the damage Ive done to my skin.No matter what I do I cant seem to cool my skin down! Im sure the kids will have something to say when I go in today...

Despite the sunburn, slight sun stoke :)( haahaaa serves me right ) and not being able to move properly without looking like Ive pooped my pants I had a wicked, chilled out weekend and will definately be going back very soon :)

Dankook University Festival (and a slight moan)

2007-05-17T18:40:00.000-07:00

So after one of my longest days in the hagwon yesterday William, (Rubys cousin who I've started to teach )took me over to the annual Dankook University Festival to meet his friends. They were all really friendly and pretty wasted by the time we got there but considering some Koreans are pretty shy to talk to when they're sober I dont think it was a bad thing that they were all merry when we arrived :)

The University seems really nice and there was a huge stage with singers that had been performing all night and several different stands belonging to the different departments of the Uni. Lots of drinking and eating :) It was nice to meet his friends and the mood and atmosphere was really friendly. Although I was tired I was glad we went! It started to rain at about 11.30 so we decided to head home. Wiliam phoned for a guy to come and pick us up in his car and drive it home. I think its such a wicked idea and I reckon we should do this in England. It'd save alot of accidents that occur in the UK for sure...

So...Ive got to be in today at 1.30 which Im not happy about :( I dont start teaching until 3.30 so I get in and have to sit around for two hours. Then, to put the icing on the cake I only have two lessons from 6.30-8.30. So another two hours of waiting about until I teach again. So again it's gonna be an extremely boring Friday in the hagwon. Yawn. I dont know why I cant just go in at 3.30 at least but all I get back is...'Oh well, its just the Korean way'. To make matters worse, Terry is tecahing my 3.30 class today as I did an extra for her in the week. So Ill be sat around on my arse for five hours today before I start teaching...great fun.

Damn it. It makes me mad but then Ive gotta keep thinking about how good I have it there too. Just agrivates me. I hate being sat down for too long doing nothing. It destroys me !

Nurse Training Applied !

2007-05-16T23:36:00.000-07:00

So My spirit's buzzing this morning as I 've just applied to NMAS to do my nurse training after years of holding it all off. Nurse Bunyan here I come...really excited! My reference was sorted within just a few days and all I have to do now is sit back and wait to see if I get my first choice!

Had an amazing massage last night. One of Julenes students came round to my house for an hour and worked her magic on my whole body. Her name is Eunji and she seriously has a gift ! It was slightly different to the massage me and my Mum got a few weeks ago in my local jimjilbang :) It was amazing and I felt so relaxed after it. She worked on all my pressure points, my head and my deep muscle tissue. She asked me if I have alot of stress and explained that because my upper back is so strong, my head and neck are extremely stressed all the time! When she just touched my neck and head I felt so much better so Ive deciced to make it a weekly thing and shes coming around the same time next week :) Bliss.

Got a long day ahead now. Another five hours of lessons to go so Im gonna go try and make the most of my break. Would much rather be on the beach but Im gonna have to just be patient until this weekend. The weather's brightened up again and Ive heard the weathers suposed to be beautiful on Saturday so bring it on to Daechon!

Be Still and Know ...

2007-05-15T07:17:00.000-07:00

Something just hit me tonight which I have to share and which is AMAZING :)The past few weeks/months Ive had this recurring dream. I've just recently decided I want to do my nurse training when I get back to Manchester as I believe God has spoken to me at length about it since Ive got here and has laid it heavily on my heart.

My dream is like this..very basic, very clear cut. I am in a clinic in the middle of no where.I think I am in a foreign land but Im unsure. The rooms are white washed and it is very minimalistic and clinical inside. There are a few stainless steel trolleys loaded but there are no patients. The place is ready for patients but there arent any there.I feel as though people are stood with me but I cant see them as they are behind me. I go out of the clinic after looking for patients but there is only a pool of still water in front of me. Still no patients. I am sad because I want the patients to be there so I can nurse them and show the people behind me how to give care to the patients but there are none. I really felt tonight very randomly that God was saying to me that I need to just be still in Gods presence for the moment here in Korea. I feel like God is telling me that he will prepare me but for now I believe that he is telling me I must stay here, in his presence until the work he's doing in my heart is completed. Ive written about it before but before I came to Korea a few people told me that they believed I would come here and be placed in a spiritual hospital. I believed that this clinic in my dream was this spiritual hospital God has placed me in for this year. Psalm 46:10 came to me immediately tonight.Be Still and Know That I am Your God. I just praise God with my whole heart.

I have a diary excerpt that I wrote a few months ago which I sent to my Mum to read. It was about the slight frustration of being in a place which seems so okay compared to a lot of places back home like the run down council estates in Salford, the run down areas of Moss side and so on. I remember feeling a part of my heart being really quite anxious to get home and really do some work in these areas coz Korea just seemed so problem free socially to me at the time. Thinking about it now I dont think Korea is problem free socially at all. I just really believe God has chosen to place me in Korea away from everything right now to do what he has to do with my heart. I know that God could work his healing magic no matter where I am in the world but I do think Ive come to Korea for a specific reason. Maybe one of the reasons for being brought into this wonderful calm place is that it has been to make me think about all the outreach work I could actually do back in Manchester when I return. My heart seems to be longing to do something for the place where I came, not only for other foreign places. Theres a lot of work that needs to be done in Manchester. Maybe God'll use me there one day.

I feel like Im gonna be a constant work in progress until the day I die but knowing that Ive got God who can mould and shape me now into what he wants me to be is the best, most peaceful feeling in the world. I have a lot of faith. God is Amazing and Im just praying for more of him and more of his amazing spirit.

2007-05-15T06:11:00.000-07:00

My dear friend Byron has sent me more pics from Saturday Night :) Was so gutted both of my batteries were dead before we'd even hit a dance floor but Byron came to to rescue and let me borrow his :) Just a shame I didnt catch the dancing midgit waltzing with Rhys in Star Bar.Anyway, it was a really funny night watching people a bit tipsy I didnt even know enjoyed a beer...had some extremely interesting convo's. Bet they dont remember half the things they said which is probably best left that way :) hahaaaa. I remember them all! hhaaaaa.

Had a lovely experience on the way home. My taxi driver was such a gentleman as most of them are here. He played me some Italian Opera and gave me his telephone number explaining that if I needed a taxi drop off with my friends anytime I was desperate then to call him and he would be there.Bum Ho.Heehee.Theres some seriously funny names here. My mate knows a kid called Robot. Ive got a kid who's called Cheese.Whatever next...? It cracks me up.

Today was Teachers Day. It has been another knackering day but a good one. I got given a love heart box of cherries, a french baguette and two darling ivy plants in purple pots. Blooming gorgeous :) but am getting worried about the other 12 dozen plants Ive got on my balcony which Im trying to revive. They were so beautiful last month but it seems theyve all wilted and turned brown and I dont know how to bring them back to life :( Im not very green fingered. Theres something amazing watching plants come back to life but with mine..Im still waiting in hope.

Had a busy week so far and havent stopped again. I rode to the orphanage again on Monday and met with Betsi and Eric which was lovely. I could honestly go there more often. Its so lovely to just go and play with the kids and give them lots of cuddles which they definately need. Theyre beautiful little kiddies and all so different :) Went out for some delicious fish with Martie last night and had some nice red round at hers. Then I opened another bottle I got for my Birthday when I got in and had a few glasses before bed to relax after another hectic, non-stop day. Work has been chocca recently with more timetable changes but it never seizes to amaze me how much I actually get to fit into a day here. I cant stop feeling blessed with what Ive got here and everything God has given and provided me with. I have amazing friends all around me which is just so good as I miss my mates back at home so much.God has provided me with so many gifts and blessings here I just sometimes cant believe what Ive been given.

Went for a coffee this morning with Martie and had a good chat about how God can heal and renew and I feel that God is still doing some amazing things here. Im not ready to go home yet guys and Im happy with the decision Ive made to stay. I feel like God is telling me to stay put until my contract finishes and then I will go home and see what God has got planned and prepared for me back home in Manchester and to tell you the truth I cant wait but in the same breath Im enjoying every given moment here in Korea too.

I suppose for years Ive been pretty much like my wilted plants on my balcony. In need of replenishment, nourishment, growth, some tlc. I imagine in my mind sometimes that God was waiting for the day that I was gonna begin to grow again and I can honestly say that the wilted stage is over. In the time I really struggled a few years ago the only way I can explain how I felt was like a flower that hadnt been watered. At times I felt like I was just so shriveled up. I think thats why it breaks my heart to see others wilted and broken. It reminds me of a place I used to be. A dark place where I couldnt see the light. My plants remind me of that time when I was wilted too but I can honestly say that God is Good and he can heal, he can nourish and he can mend. Lets hope my plants recover...

Looking forward to things Ive got planned this week and am so excited about venturing down to the beach this weeked for a break. Bikini.Beer.Friends.Sun.Sea. Sand. Guitar. Football.Ahhhhh Bliss.Three words for summer...BRING IT ON.

Birthday BBQ

2007-05-13T04:49:00.000-07:00

So this week has been another mega busy one. New commitments, more work at the hagwon, overall quite tiring so Friday night I had an early nite, cancelled all my plans and happily took to my new queen sized bed that still smells of my Mum from when she was here :) Bit of home comfort :)

Did some shopping on Saturday, quick coffee then headed to Owens for a joint Birthday BBQ. The weather was pretty dull but the food was awesome everyone prepped and our Birthday presents were so thoughtful! Thanks again guys :) Then it was out into town for a much needed night out.Lots of Soju, lots of laughs,Rugby game-(my idea of heaven) dancing with midgits,almost naked korean women, star bar, bed. Cracking night out (for Cheonan anyway) and well deserved. Will post pics when I get them :)

So...you can probably all tell at home Im pretty wrecked sleep wise with all these crap posts so Ill be off to bed. Promise this will be more informative next time I write ;)

Random Ramblings

2007-05-08T06:21:00.000-07:00

Apologies to obsessive readers of Bunnies Blog. Ive been so busy its not even funny but not to worry as Bunnie is back to enchant you all with her amazing adventures ;) Not.

Nah.. really Ive been really busy recently with lots of new different stuff and new commitments with work. I started teaching my managers cousin last week whos just suprised me with dinner which was nice. Timetables been packed again today and did a good 8 hour teaching stretch in this bugger heat. From no where its just got so hot. I dont know how Im gonna cope in the summer! 90 % humidity sounds a bit much for this girl who needs her fresh air. I feel like its bad enough now -it seriously drained my energy today ha! Well...Ive worked in the heat before and am probably just being a wuss. Im sure Ill learn to cope with it. Even if Im constantly wet through all the time. Niiice.

Added a picture from the Sanok Marathon ! Its made me wanna keep on training big time :) Its very addictive thats all I can say.

Timetable change again this week..yaawwwnnn. Have new kindergarten classes also which are really fun and also new conversational classes three times a week with a cute (but hard work) brother and sister in the afternoons. Will see how they go...

Had a strange weekend. Needed some pampering so ventured down to sunny Seoul in a mad rush as I got up late (suprise, suprise). Rung the salon to say Id be late, asked if they'd be any problem fitting me in, reply- no dont worry just come and we'll fit you in in an hour..Got there in a sweat and they couldnt fit me in :( Wasnt impressed and to top it all off people were really rude to me all day after that! Just a bad day I suppose but I tried to keep smiling.Ate my first proper meal after my bout of sickness - Thai with Jackie, Byron, Seth...was really good after yukky mush for two days.

Sunday was a lot better. I did kids club in the morning then got home and opened my vino. Had small group round which is always cool. An unusual 12 turned up so everyone got snied rations. Bet they all rushed home to eat again :) Then sat in with some mates and had some (more) wine to celebrate the weather getting nicer. Any Excuse.Probably not the best thing to drink after being so poorly this week...

Met up with Betsi and Eric on Monday morning and headed to the orphanage as my Friday Morning time slot's now filled with my Old Testament study. Was realy nice to go again and Im gonna definately make it a weekly thang. The kids looked hardly any different to when I was there last so maybe it wasnt actually that long ago that I was there. Was so cool to just go and play with them again and so nice to have them wanting cuddles all the time. Ahhh theyre so gorgeous. It Was funny to watch Eric act as a human climbing frame. The kids LOVE him. Think Ill be eating breakfast before I go next time though..hard work ! :)

Oh, I also got ill last week and had to go to the drs as I got severe gastroenteritis :( Was actually really painful and Im not a wuss when it comes to any sort of pain. Had to stay in work all day with it and wanted to crawl under one of the tables and die. Luckily I had no classes all day as the kids had a dollar market but I still didnt wanna be selling pencils and monkey face masks.

More sweet Goodbyes

2007-04-28T02:31:00.000-07:00

So Ruby gave me the morning and early afternoon off on Friday so I could spend some quality time with Mum before she left for the U.K today. We did some extremely brisk shopping in town and then waited an hour and 10 minutes for the bus to Gwandeoksan in the blazing heat. Was worth the wait though even though the day was a little rushed to be back for my afternoon lesson!

Ruby invited us around for a meal with the family to say Goodbye and Mum was rather impressed yet again with their total hospitality and kindness :) I introduced her to Rubys Grandmother who lives with them (she's adorable) and we all sat down to eat samgyapsal together. Was a perfect way to say Goodbye and Sujan sat hugging my Mum all the way back home in the car. Bless her little cotton socks.
Constanly reminded how lucky I am to have this family. Theyre amazing and mentioned how theyd love me to stay for another year :) Ive seriously never met a family as hospitable to me as this out of the U.K before. Theyre amazing and I feel so at home with them.

Me and Mum headed off in different directions this morning which was a bit weird. Felt a bit bad putting her in a taxi to the bus terminal alone as Id got mixed up with the dates for the Sanok Race with Church :( So...she was unable to run in it with us and she would have loved it !

Its been a really hot day but really fun. Ive never run in a race before, in fact Ive never run in heat like today before either. A lot of the guys from church who did the half marathons made it in amazing time ! Watching them come to the finish line minutes after we'd crossed it made me realise how unfit I am compared to the others ! Example..Jo- 1.03 mins (10km) Gordon- something like 1.30 mins (half marathon) ..eeerrrr..someone needs to get training :)Would definately do it again though :) Got a new challenge on my hands and theres nothing better than a challenge for this girl.

Taejosan and Wet Willies

2007-04-25T07:33:00.000-07:00

We had Ruby and the rest of my co-workers around yesterday for dinner at my place. We had a nights notice to prepare and my cooking's enough to kill the cat so I cheated and went to my nearest kimbap place, ordered 7 huge bibimbaps and got them to put them all in my washing up bowl.Very Naughty ;)

It was really nice to have them all around and to Mums shock we all sat on the floor- Korean Stylee of course and ate together. After lots of maaashitsayos we rushed off to the hagwon for work to my naughty, little students. When my mate Caras nephew does something naughty his 'rents give him a bum pinch. I was thinking about the best punishment for my students a few weeks ago when my boys were being really naughty in class.Of course I cant go around pinching bums so for all my students who are really cheeky or bad now...they get a wet finger shoved in their ear. One of the worse feelings ever and they hate it. I think its funny- not very professional but FUNNY especially when they're off guard coz they're being that naughty. Gave a few out this week and had my students howling with laughter sat with their hoods up (for the lucky ones who had them) all lesson. Could probably get the sack if I made a kid cry over that. Anyway, took Mum to Taejosan this morning with 'ma betches' Jacki, Jenni and of course Betch. Had a good gentle hike and laughed at Mum coming down as it was pretty slippy. Again we've had mint weather :) Think its gonna get hotter in the next few weeks. Some soilder at the weekend told me the humidity levels reach 90%...is this true? Sounds unbearable... Im gonna die.

Beautiful Day

2007-04-22T05:05:00.000-07:00

So Ive been really baaaad with this blog recently coz Ive been so busy so will try to update y'all a little. On Saturday Morning Mrs Nam picked me and my Mum up and drove us down to Wyam Folk Village with Sujan and Wendy. The weather was beautiful and the Folk Village looked stunning with the cherry blossoms and other pretty flowers out soaking up the sunshine. The village was full of colour and beautiful smells and we spent a good few hours showing my Mum around. We had some dinner..Mums really tried bless her (!) and then Mrs Nam drove us to the Onyang Folk Museum coz there was some kind of female expedition on. There were alot of really old jewellery pieces on display and old ladies clothes and things- pretty boring but mum liked it. I hate museums but this one wasnt really too bad :) After soaking up some more sunshine and running around after the girls we then drove to the Hyeonchungsa shrine which was probably the highlight of the past few days Ive had with Mum being here. The grounds were really pretty and it was nice to just walk around the lake with the girls and Mrs Nam and enjoy the setting in the heat of the day. We sure ran off some calories running around with the girls. Didnt realise how much fun you could have pretending to be David Beckham and Ji Sung Park kicking a can around :) Seriously in Love with Sujan and Wendy. They make my day :)

After a long day at work today I rushed home and took Mum to meet my mate KyungRan for supper at ShabuShabu. Ive realised since Mum got here how much Ive really made attatchments to certain people and things over here. You only have to look at my photos of the girls to understand why Ive fallen in LOve with them.They're like my adopted sisters :) Then theres the lovely Mrs Nam whos taken me on as her own...thats just for starters. The people, the place, my hagwon, my church, the lady downstairs, my apartment, (even my plants ;)) Talking to my Mum the past few days has had me thinking alot about what Im missing at home though. In the past few years of me trekking about Ive missed 4 of my good friends weddings and I miss another one this weekend and another in a few months. Ive missed funerals of loved ones and Ive missed my friends babies births-probably the hardest. When I think about how much Im in Love with Korea and everything Ive been blessed with here Im also thinking how much Ive actually missed already with mates and weddings and babies and happy times (sad too) and I dont think I wanna miss anymore :(

When Ive travelled before I came to Korea Ive always been kind of running away from things back in Manchester. This time with Korea though its so much more different. Leaving Manchester in November I knew that the things I had back at home were really amazing. The people, the opportunity, everything. In a way although I was excited about coming to Korea and knew I wouldnt change my mind about teaching here I was kind of thinking to myself on the plane...what am I doing when I have so many good things back at home? I guess the past year Ive been so blessed by God. Not only have I got amazing things back at home that are calling me but Ive got amazing things Ive been blessed with here.Gonna enjoy the next six months Ive got left. Cant believe Im half way through my contract!

2007-04-20T00:53:00.000-07:00

So Im in work today and its not really that busy. The weathers gone really crap today and it feels as though gale force winds are blowing outside! Think Mums left the good weather back at home as far as Ive heard! Think she thought it'd be pretty warm here... Its honestly warm one minute practically freezing the next but I know spring is here as its definatley a lot warmer these days.

Well..I took Mum to the jimjilbang yesterday near my apartment. I dont think Ive laughed so much in a long time :) We both got full body treatments, massages and scrubs and thinking Id be kind I let my mum go first. In some jimjilbangs the treatment section is cornered off and a little more private but in this jimjilbang the treatment section is on full show for everyone to view. Two white women in there was enough to stare at for a start but when the rather large ajuma started hacking away and pummelling my poor Mums muscles there were even more stares and giggles from where I was sat :) It was like something out of a comedy movie watching her. She gave us both a good going over jumping up onto the massage bed and straddling us.We must have looked like rag dolls being dragged about so much. We both thought we were gonna fly off the beds at one point.Ive seriously not laughed so loud since I got here. The noise was the best of her chopping away with her huge hands and flipping us over pulling our legs out in various positions. Seriously..I couldnt stop snorting with laughter coz of the shocked look on my poor Mums face:) She was a bit of a beast and enough to scare any massage virgin :( Ive never had my backside or boobs rubbed so hard in my life.Dont think Ill be taking my poor Mum again...I seriously HOWLED.

Feeling very squeaky clean and soft today and have a lot of energy from being butchered. Ill definately be going back again :) Took her for a nice coffee this morning in town and am taking her out to meet some of the girls tonight for an Italian. Should be fun. Have missed the girls! :)

2007-04-18T17:21:00.000-07:00

I was back in work yesterday after my extra two days off with my Mum so I decided to take her in and show her round. The kids were really great and I felt quite proud of some of the older kids as they all lined up to say Hewo and to shake hands with her :) Cute as. Because my Mum sat in on lots of my classes the kids really behaved quite well and a few of them were really excited that another wayguk was sat in the classroom.A group of my little girls were asking how Mum got over here from England and one of the little girls asked if she came in a spaceship.

After my lessons had finished Mr and Mrs Nam took us out with the rest of the Nam family for a big meal. It was really nice and Ruby has mentioned how she wants to take us out on Saturday to Wyam folk village which I think my Mum'll like :)

These are short and sweet recently. Am now gonna take my Mum to be scrubbed and pummeled in my closest jimjilbang. Hope she's not too sore afterwards !

2007-04-17T04:56:00.000-07:00

So I took My Mum off to Seoul today with the school giving me an extra day off and we ventured over to the Boshingak Bell Ringing Ceremony where we were asked by envious Korean onlookers if we could help to ring the bell at 11.45 :) It was really funny and we felt really daft having to practically march behind the guards in their bright yellow and red outfits with crowds of onlookers. Think we both felt quite priveledged as a little old man metioned how wucky we were to have been involved with it :) Bless him. Felt a bit like a celebrity with everyone snapping away at us :)

The weathers been a bit nicer today after the miserable one yesterday and the cherry blossoms were out surrounding the Bukhansan Mountain Peaks and Gyeongbokgung Palace and it was a really pretty, bright day. We had a good walk about in Insadong and took Mum for some Korean style rice and bulgogi....she's trying but a little overwhelmed by the food right now but how can I blame her after the audacity she had shoved in her face on her first korean meal out?! hee :) Its all TOO FUNNY for me to watch her face each time the waiters bring out our food ;)

We did a bit of shopping in Myeongdong and then took the KTX right back home now hungry for some grub and an early night ready for a good old back massage tomorrow morning at my local jimjilbang. Bring it on Ajumas ! Bliss.

2007-04-16T01:57:00.000-07:00

With Mum being so jet lagged last night and going off to bed major early I thought Id get some beauty zzz's and put my head down at 8.30. It was probably the earliest night Ive had here in Korea :)

Gutted about the weather as its rained all day and has been miserable but we had fun anyway! We went for Kalbi at a little place I know and the first thing she had shoved in her face was a big juicy bowl of pondegi. Her face was a picture :) Dont think she'l ever forget that one ! After giving her a extremely short tour of the town due to the constant downpour we did a bit of shopping and then grabbed a few coffees. Now my Mum is a serious coffee drinker but Im telling you now the coffees upstairs of Yawoori are seriously STRONG and I think coz of the jet lag it knocked her off her rocker a bit- they are violently potent...beware.

We then grabbed a movie and are gonna hopefully venture out later for a massage at my nearby jimjilbang.Wonder what she'll think about that ?! If its anything like last times poking and prodding I think she'll be outta there as fast as ever. Its soooooo good having my Mum over here !

2007-04-15T02:32:00.000-07:00

So Mum got here today ! I cant believe shes here in South Korea! In Cheonan ! Its so weird. She pretty jet lagged and has gone to sleep it off until tomorrow. Ive been kindly given off two days for free from my hagwon to spend with her so want her to be full of energy so I can show her the sights of the South.

Ive been mad busy the past few days and the weeks are flying by recently. Met up with a lot of friends this week in random places and also had my first dvd bang experience. Me, Kalbi, Mekju and Rhys. A good mancunian/korean combination when you need lots of laughs :)Cara also took me to the local outdoor market near her place with Monica which was fun especially seeing Cara try to fly :) hee. Sometimes I totally forget that Im in Korea and walking around the market just reminded me that I actualy AM in Asia afterall and not really back at home like I sometimes think I could be. Ive got a little obsessed with the ajumas here though and my laptop files are explanding with the photos I keep accumulating of them. Watching them just amaze me I guess.

Went out on my girlie night on Wednesday and had a good session with Martie, Tina, Cara and Monica. Lots of soju cocktails ...mmmmmhmmmmm.Cheonan is pretty dead and a crap night out but thats where the girls and the soju come in to perk it up :)Schools been pretty busy as Ive had a lot of work to do making sure the next fortnights lessons are totally planned so I can chill out with my Mum when she comes in to work with me. Had a lot of progress reports to fill out too and speaking tests. Lots of boring stuff Im no longer gonna bore you with :)

Am now gonna chill after my hectic week of shopping, cleaning and socialising this week....need to organise the next few days with Mum ! Am buzzin that shes here and SO pleased Ive got the next two days off with her. Oh what to do...

2007-04-10T20:19:00.001-07:00

2007-04-10T20:08:00.000-07:00

Well seeing as Ive been so ill recently I didnt go to the gym ONCE last week. Considering I go everyday this is REALLY REALLY BAD. And considering my very naughty friend has a secret lust for the evil Mc Donalds I think Im in big bad trouble and falling down a slipery slope hanging out with her when Ive not eaten.(You know who yu are girl ! )Supposed to be running in the Sanok Race next Saturday and havent trained properly like everyone else seems to have...whoops. LOL. Ill probably just laugh all the way through it with my poor Mother. Hee.

Not doing any exercise makes me feel awful now that I train so much so not going last week has really shown. Ive been in a better mood and have been busier in different ways but have missed it and have realised that I havent been hiking in weeks ! Whats the deal ?!

Anyway, going out seems to be much more fun right now than exercise and the choice of going out partying rather than doing a session of weights suits me down to the ground when Im still feeeling so sniffly :) Hee.any excuse maaan...

2007-04-10T04:07:00.000-07:00

SO Easter weekend was pretty busy helping out at church and have been kept busy with the girls out and about doing our thing ! Have had a bad cold all of last week and still seem to be prety run down from it.

Easter was a really nice weekend. Ate out on the Friday Night after the Good Friday candle lit meeting and tried pondegi for the first time. You can tell by my face I wasnt impressed. Silk worm larvae- not my thing. Dont believe anyone who tells you it tastes like 'chewy popcorn'. It doesnt.Its rank !

Dont really seem to go big on Easter over here but we made our own fun and went out for Yonis birthday on the Sunday at a nice restaurant in town. Girlie night ahead tomorrow which Im looking forward to. See what trouble we can get up to :) Tonight just popping into town to meet with my mate Rhys for dinner to see what hes been getting up to with all these poor ladies :) haha.

Had another giggle at work today as Sujan sat at the table and discussed with everyone at length about how fat she thinks I am. LOL. Gotta love em :)

2007-04-04T19:38:00.000-07:00

So Im not fasting today coz Im on these antibiotics and feel rough as still. My apartments looking pretty bad too. Ive finally got my queen size double bed and sofa (aaaaaassssssaaaa) but because I have my old single in my room everything is just chucked in and I currently have one half of the sofa at one end of the room and the other at the other end. Ive tried putting my bed together which was funny. I always seem to have a good giggle with myself these days.Or at myself should I say. I put these cone things I have in the holes where I thought they'd go and flipped over the two plastic boards for my matress to lie on. Thinking that Id check it out with my body weight I gently applied my body pressure onto it one foot at a time. Thinking all was well I started to walk along it, bouncing a little and thinking what a great idea it was and how lucky I was to get a bed this size to chill out in.When I heared a big rip I realised that my body weight was too much and Ive actually snapped something I shouldnt have...whoops.

So my bed is kind of half finished with plastic cones about the place and bits of wood and drawers hanging about my apartment. It looks like Im gonna do a runner and am ready to pack my bags and leave. Im terrible at putting things together like anything to do with DIY.

Whoaaaa...am struggling with this cold/infection right now and am hoping these antiobiotics are gonna start working. Wanna be better for when my Mum gets here and wanna get this place nice for her too !

Too many Goodbyes

2007-04-04T08:05:00.000-07:00

The past few days Ive been so busy here in Cheonan and Ive been really poorly with some kind of bad cold. Ive had a really tight chest and at times Ive felt as though Ive not been able to breathe properly so yesterday evening Sunny, my bosses sister took me to my local ent clinic where I had something rammed up my nose and my throat sprayed down. Nice. Think Ive got some kind of infection brooding on my chest so have been given some antibiotics to shift it. Think its all this cold, cold weather and getting caught in the freezing cold with only thin jackets ! Oh, what us gals do in the name of fashion.

Have also been pretty sad the past few days having to say bye to mates out here. Korea is so transient.I feel like I make friends so quickly like I do anywhere but here it seems people come into your life as quick as they go from it. One day they are here, the next they are gone. Just like that.

Its amazing the amount of people Ive met here already. Even people Ive met briefly in passing or people Ive not really got to know that well but have wanted to, it makes me wonder what my time here would have been like if Id have spent more time with them.I really believe people are put in our lives for a reason, that people cross our paths for a purpose. When people leave I try to just be thankful for getting the chance to meet them, for spending just a bit of time with them but still..its sad to say bye not knowing whether Im gonna see these people again when the truth is Id really like to! I guess Im just fed up of saying goodbyes but thats the price I have to pay for being such a gypsie girl I suppose.

I need sleep. Too many late nights.Too many Goodbyes.

School Bus

2007-04-02T19:35:00.000-07:00

Another perfect time in the day for me is on the way to work on the school bus. Mrs Nam usually picks me at 1.30 and theres always a bundle of rowdy korean kiddies in the back munching on various kinds of sweets and candy. Theres two little girs who I dont teach but who I get the pleasure of playing hide and seek with most mornings and the bus rides are anbother memory that will stick in my head for a long time after I finish off in Korea.

Jazz and Cocktails

2007-04-01T08:40:00.000-07:00

So Saturday we headed to Seoul on the sub. Betch, Gordon et moi headed to Yongsan electronic market and then we met up with Jackshi and Cara Bara for a bite to eat at some restaurant we'd heard was pretty good. Cara ordered a portion of hommous and some pitta, Jackie some dips and Lentil soup, me and Betch opted for the Shawerma sandwich (apparently I cant say this right) and Gordon the Falafel. We waited for ages not really talking cause we were all so hungry. It finally got there and we all must have looked really funny to onlookers as we looked at the crappy portion sizes in laughter. I actually thought it was joke. Tasted wicked though but wont be going back to Abu Babbas or Abu Shabbas or whatever it was called.So Starbucks it was for quick lattes and coffees in the bid to fill our empty stomachs and then we all headed off in different directions. Me and Betch went hunting for the huge musical market walking around in circles to find that it was actually right under our noses the whole time. The market was an eye opener and Betch picked up a harmonica and some shakers for the talented, creative streak in her and we then headed off to the Jazz Club in Hyehwa with Mipa. Im honestly not a huge Jazz fan but the geezers that were playing were amazing and Id definately put my money on it that they were classically trained. The female vocalist was amazing and there was a really talented violinist, an amazing sax player, a cello player and a dude (thats so betchs word :) ) on the keyboard. It sounded so good that the hair on my whole body stood on end and its been a while that music's done that to me I can tell you. The instruments all sounded so amazing together and I tried to imagine what it would sound like without one of the instruments and it was just impossible.They all seemed to work together so well. The place was really quite unpretentious, candle lit, pretty romantic (!) and served a good pasta and good, strong black russian ! At last..a good meal !

Will definately be going there again. Didnt think I was a Jazz kinda gal but guess I was wrong. Am learning even more about myself...:)

2007-04-01T08:03:00.000-07:00

Okay ! So I cant help but post pics of my students online ! I just want you all back at home to be able to see how adorable these children are! The photos dont even do justice to them though honestly :)

Friday Morning I was really pleased to find the little old lady who lives on my ground floor sat on one of the benches soaking up the sun. This old lady is really precious and has always looked out for me from day one telling Candy when she was here that she never had a daughter. She always asks me where Im going and always reaches out to me to give me a hug when she sees me with her gummy, dentureless smile. When I see her she's usually sat about near the garbage bins in her brown gilet, her rough, wrinky hands glasped together chewing on whatever she has in her cheeks, eyes running, handcerchief in hand. Theres a few characters in life we dont forget and this is one I wont forget in a hurry.

Friday Night was nice after work. I worked only two proper hours and sat around for most of the day playing with the kids, helping Sujan to improve her diary writing skills. Me and Cara decided to meet up in town for a few beers instead of the boring shop to Homever. Sounded like a good plan and starving from not eating all day I was looking forward to some good grub. First stop Don Marcos. Closing. Second Stop a little bar which served food and beer. Looked like a cool place so hungrily sat down and ordered a 'chicken' stirfry and a cold beer. What I got was what looked like a pigs ear stirfry and a cold beer. Was happy with the beer but the pig belly/pig ear stirfry was gross. Tucking in pretty quick with Kara we both spat it out as quick as it went in both realising that it wasnt actually chicken at all....mmm yummy.

We then hurried off to the new Coffee Bean in town for some cheesecake to make up for the pig fry and that was a bit yucky too but nice to get out after another day at work with not much english communication :)

Hagwon Life

2007-04-01T06:56:00.000-07:00

So Thursday was just another Thursday this week and I got in at 1.30 where my little students were all waiting for me under the kind, collected control of Terry. Terry's such a lovely lady, really patient but strict too. The kids really listen to her. The kids in this group are just adorable and so tiny. The youngest is about 5 and they are so funny to teach. I have such a laugh with them playing games and teaching them songs and stuff and it makes me laugh how different in character they all are. I've got Emily or Amy Lee (it gets confusing sometimes !) who Ive written about before- she's so boystrous and cheeky, confident and gives the boys a good telling off when due :) Then theres little Eric who is so quiet he barely talks but works when the rest do and is so, so cute.There's also Rachel who tells me Ive spelt her name wrong everytime I put it on the board and who still hasn't figured out that I dont understand Korean and doesn't understand what to do in class even when the rest of the kids explain. She's cute too though! Then theres John..another cutie who usually sits at the back of the class with Daniel, usually has a bit of banter with Emily giving her an odd pinch or two (making her cry the other day :( ) Then theres Daniel whos a little monster at times and nearly knocks me out with the ball we play with when practicing new vocab...thinks its hilarious. These kiddies are ace! Sure you'll agree looking at the pics :)

Later I chiled out with Wendy and Sujan in JCK. Sujan is really seeing me more as her chingu I think and Im pretty happy coz like Ive explained before to see her everyday and not be able to communicate with her like we both want can be really hard sometimes. Wendy and her get on really well but have a good barney every now and again either ending in laughter or tears.

My Favourite time in the hagwon is at about 5pm. The land behind the school is so lovely. Dont get me wrong, its not the best view Ive seen but theres something about the atmosphere behind the school that has me going to that back window at every opportunity just to peer out onto the few mountain peaks and the muddy fields.If you saw it you might not probably get me at first but after a few moments sitting by that window I think you'd feel how nice and calm the atmosphere is even on a dull rainy day. Stephen commented in the first few weeks he started that I looked like a caged bird looking out of the window all the time and it made me think a lot about how much time I spend sitting by that window. Watching the sun go down though at 5/6 ish is just such a tranquil, peaceful, beautiful time and I always feel so blessed to have the hagwon Im in after watching that.Mrs Nam says that in a few years the land will be built upon with brand new apts and I think its realy sad so Im trying to simply enjoy it and am looking forward to late spring when the ears of corn will be high enough to run and get lost in. Knowing that the land will never be seen again in this way in the amber hue of each different sunset makes me feel really priviledged. Watching the sun go down over the dry soil makes me smile knowing that what Im watching will never be seen again by anyone in that exact same light and its my private time of the day to unwind a little before my last classes.

The kids play and run about on the fields looking carefree and happy and it makes me sad sometimes about the kids Ive come across back at home. The kids who Ive come across who have barely a yard to play in, the kids who live on bad estates where theres not much choice but to just hang out at bus stops and so on. Its nice to see though. Just different and it tugs at my heart strings sometimes. The kids in the hagwon all seem pretty lucky (if thats the right word I should use ?). According to the teachers I work with they all come from healthy nuclear families with both parents still in tact, good jobs, nice houses, happy lives, no money problems. Its nice to see no problems but I wonder where the problems are in Korea sometimes. I know there are problems but the experience of Korea Ive had so far has been far from problematic. Thats where the compassionate ministries comes in for me and Ive decided that I need to start getting involved with things that I came out here for. Im just gonna pray God will really use me out here to minister to others in need. Afterall, I know that Korea is definately not problem free in terms of social issues it just seems that Ive been shielded from it somehow since Ive got here. Ive learnt alot though and its shown me how amazing it is to have a secure, healthy family and how much I really want that in the future.

Wedding Belles...Phil yer a Wifey !!!

2007-03-28T19:54:00.000-07:00

This is just a quick post to say how beautiful my friend Philippa looked on her Wedding Day and how sorry I am that I couldnt be there for it. This girl has found the guy of her dreams and I hope her and Andy will be really happy together. She deserves all the happiness after some of the crap boyfriends we endured in our teens!

Maybe its a good job I didnt attend really I think I would have balled my eyes out...

Passion for Food !

2007-03-28T19:31:00.000-07:00

Maaaan Im starting up on some hardcore weights for a girl of my short size and weakness and am frightened that Im gonna get massif if I carry on :( Last night my 'captain' ushered me off with one of the young trainers and directed him to put me up a programme.Suprised at my own strength and not really knowing where its come from I dont really even feel that sore this morning which is really weird for what I pulled last night! When I first started I could barely lift a thing but from no where I seem to have acquired this strength and my muscles are repairing themselves pretty qiuckly too. Cool stuff but seriously I need to not get too into all this.. Dont wanna end up looking like these women weight lifters with no boobies.So after an hour of yoga and an hour and a half of more stretching, cardio and weight training I was ready for home where I had a pretty restless sleep my mind thinking about all kinds of strange things... I could have seriously got up and gone for a run in the middle of the night I seemed to have so much energy. So strange. Thinking about it though I do eat like a bloke and cant say no to food. EVER. If I ate just half of what I ate (even though its all healthy stuff) I think it would make a big difference but I guess I just love my food too much and thats the way its gonna stay !

Recovered :)

2007-03-25T05:27:00.000-07:00

Finally recovered from the Friday Night Camping 'fun' as Jackie likes to call it...

My toes are still in tact. God only knows how.

Slept most of Saturday morning after my ordeal and then went over to Kyrans for a nice meal and then ventured into town with Cara for a chat and beer. Pretty good. Kyrans was really nice to go to and after we'd eaten a nice meal together she'd cooked up with her student, we played scrabble! I laughed at myself playing scrabble on a Saturday Night... ! Never in the U.K...in fact never at all ! Was pretty funny and Im ashamed to say that I think the Koreans beat me :( haa. Some english post- grad I am ! :)

Today has been cool too. Missed the morning service at church as I helped out with the kids club. Was a bit mad really but funny all the same! Kind of looked lie a pig tip by the time we'd finished but that kidies for ya :) The rest of the day I just hung out with the girls which was pretty cool. I seriously dont do this enough nowadays. Sketchy Betchy (lol) cooked up some proper class fajitas and we had a small group meeting and talked more about future plans in Africa. Getting pretty excited...

Sleeping like Tramps

2007-03-23T21:58:00.000-07:00

I thought that my coldest night in Korea had gone but boy was I wrong!

Last night me Cara, Jackie and Sarah jumped in a taxi to Taejosan backpacks and all with the idea in mind to sleep up the mountain after a bit of gentle night hiking. When we reached the entrance we were unfortunatly met by a night guard who wouldnt let us up the mountain. Jackie phoned a mate who could interpret correctly for us but still it was no good coming back with the answer of just 'No'. We were pretty gutted and Jackies cunning plan for next time is to hide in the trees. Haaaaaaaaaaaaa. Can just imagine us all hiding in trees man. Haaaa.

Anway we decided to go to a local mountain near Jackies instead so jumped into another taxi and hiked a little to a rather bright spot with a brand new pagoda. We lay down our stuff, the girls properly equiped with sleeping bags, silly me with a throw...I figured that my duvet would be too big to put in my dinky backpack so I grabbed my throw and loads of layers thinking Id be warm enough. Whoa was I wrong.At first it was pretty warm and really nice with the sound of the rain drops hitting the fresh ground up there but after we'd all dozed off into our dreaming I awoke with a soaking wet face and my body shaking incontrollably.The wind had carried the rain and I was sprayed with moisture. Cara next to me and Sarah on the other side I checked my watch. Only 1am. I tried to go back to sleep moaning to myself in my frozen state. I awoke again and checked the time 3am. Only 3am ! This time I was even more soaked and the little throw Id brought barely covered me. My leg went completely numb and by this point I couldnt feel my feet :) haha. I tried getting some sleep being woken every half an hour or what seemed it, not really sleeping...I realised that everyone else was wrapped up warm around me in waterproof sleeping bags. Waterproof. I was lay there with a little tiny throw with a wet coat over my head and an either freezing cold front or a freezing cold back depending on the side I lay on. I was so so so cold.And felt such a muff. At the point where I didnt think I could get any colder I woke Jackie up to see if she had any more clothes, I already had on a vest top, three jumpers, my walking pants, a major thick pair of socks, a coat over my head and a throw but I was still shaking!

Not wanting to wake anyone up I eventually woke Jackie who gave me some more socks, some mitts and another jumper.I got the courage to stand up and put on my ajuma winnie the pooh pyjama bottoms and another of Jackies body warmers. I felt like the michelin man. Sarah then kindly opened her sleeping bag up and let me share the warmth from that. It was a serious COLD, WET night but funny now Ive got warm back at home. It makes me shiver think about it !

NEVER AGAIN! (until summer anyway!)

A serious crap cook

2007-03-22T06:43:00.000-07:00

Just got in from a hards days work and a nice yoga sesh and thought Id cook myself a bit of supper since as I havent had dinner or lunch. Poured myself a nice glass of red got into my snuggly pyjamas and got my rice on while I heated up some quick and easy chinese black bean sauce and stir fried some lean pork and vegetables. Sounds so lovely ubt Im seriously the worst cook ever. The rice is undercooked, the sauce didnt heat up (but fired all over my microwave), the vegetables and soya are broken and overcooked. But it tastes good. To me anyway :)And, I suppose thats the only thing that matters coz Im the only one eating it tonight!

One of the worst house hold chores in my book is cleaning the microwave after somethings expoded in it...think Ill leave it until morning. Il probably be sick cleaning it now after Ive just eaten this delicious meal ;) Anyway! Not to worry as Im going to ny friend Kyrans house on Saturday to learn how to cook Korean style. So even if I cant cook normal rice (in a rice cooker ) maybe theres still hope for me.Just maybe...

It a Love Affair !

2007-03-21T08:35:00.000-07:00

This is what makes my day worthwhile seeing little Emily my new Fantasy 1-1 student on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday mornings. She's such a cutie I think Ive seriously fallen in love with this little girl. She is SO mischevious it hurts and constantly cracks me up with her face expressions, her korean and her telling me off constantly for my bad stick drawings. She usually screams the classroom down for 'ball game' as soon as she enters my room and we spend a good 15 minutes of my lesson learing new vocab whilst she makes me howl with her throwing techniques. She reminds me of how me and Sarah used to be as kids for example when we get to the letter 'L' in the alphabet she sometimes struggles to think of a word so I usually say, 'L for Love' and she'll just writhe about saying 'urrrghhh!' pretty much like little boys do when you ask them if they like girls or if theyve got a girl friend or if someone's kissed out their teeth if they have gappy smiles ! She looks like butter wouldnt melt in her mouth but this girls got serious attitude :) She's so beautiful and cheekily stretched out her little legs on my knees today as I was sat in front of her listening to our phonics tape (which by the way she hates) The class was originally five but it seems that its just be and Emily now and Im not complaining. This kid's COOL !

Confession

2007-03-20T06:13:00.000-07:00

Was feeling pretty bright yesterday after my killer sleep from relaxing at Caracalla with the girls on Sunday evening so arranged with Cara that after my yoga session I'd meet up with her at E-mart and we'd do some late night food shopping.Id not eaten again since breakfast so I was pretty starving hungry by the time we'd done at 11.30. Fighting the urge to eat and guzzle all the food off the shelves on the way round E-mart, me and Cara came to the dreaded, minging but tastes great Mccy D's.

Yes..not only did I eat a whole shanghai chicken burger meal to myself with Coke (I never drink coke yuk!) I also ordered a rice milkshake and I egged Cara to buy more fries coz I was still hungry after all that...oh the shame :( Not only is that a mortal sin for any gal in training like I am but at 11.30 pm and right after yoga tooo. Cara...no more late night food shopping trips at Emart.Serious.

Paddies Night, Plans and being Plucked and Prodded...

2007-03-19T08:30:00.000-07:00

So Saturday night was nice to get out and meet up with Jolie, Jackie and Jenny. We went to ShabuShabbu and had a nice meal together and it was nice to catch up with some girlie chat. Afterwards me and Jolie headed to a few shops and then went to meet up with some new mates of mine in the ever so dingy niche bar. By the time we got there the beer was flowing and it was nice to see some old faces round the table. After a few drinks we headed over to Dujongdong in taxis and then ventured over to the very dead Coyote Ugly and then to a noraebang. All I can say is that I was HIGHLY entertained by the drunkeness and it felt good not being wasted myself like the old days. It was pretty cool and funny to just watch other people fall about and listen to their drunken songs. The people I was out with never sease to make me nearly wee my pants when but this weekend has got to be the funniest. Maybe they just seems so funny coz we're in Korea and there's less mancunian and londoner nutcases around like us!

Sunday was really nice too. I got up for church and the had the 2nd spiritual gift seminar with Raylene Tucker. A lot more peeps showed up this weekend and it was really nice to chat to new folk who've just recently arrived. Afterwards we went for kimbap nara and then icecream at Baskin Robbins...then coffee (and I had cakes :) )at Paris Baguette....haha. Me Cara and Jenny then went to my (was) minging, (fluffballed) apartment and we chilled out and watched Futurama for an hour before the evening meeting group at Gordons beautiful pad. He cooked up a fab Spaghetti Bol which was really tasty and we chatted at length about some really interesting stuff. After watching a Rob Bell dvd which got us talking about how 'rich' we all really were (it was pretty disturbing stuff) it got a lot of people really thinking and talking. The group Ive joined from church is really interesting. Everyone is really different and theres so many intriquing characters with so many different backgrounds. It was nice to come together and be able to discuss what we could actualy do that could make a difference to thrid world countries such as Africa as a small group and we've arranged to talk about it more next week which sounds really exciting.

Africa is on a lot of our hearts and the problems there at the moment are more severe than most of us will ever probably realise unless we get involved and get really educated about these complexities. Alfred (who I call Albert constantly... Im sorry Alfred) is from Tanzania and Jenny the new girl is from South Africa and it was really interesting to hear what they had to say about some of the things that came up in the discussion. I think its really cool the way that we've all been brought together like this. I mean, we're all from different places, we've all got different backgrounds and life stories and it just amazes me how weve all come together like this.It makes me smile inside knowing that we've all got similar passions to get involved in missionary work at some point in our lives and when Africa is on a lot of our hearts and when we have educators like Alfred from Tanzania it makes me laugh inside about being brought together with people like this. People who really have the hearts to work on things that could bring about positive change.Its pretty exciting.

Recently Ive been thinking about my place in South Korea. I came out here for many reasons. Firtsly to save, to get teaching experience, to experience another culture and to learn about traditions and people in more depth, to develop my character, to become stronger as a person and last but certainly not least, to become closer to God and to learn more about him. The past four months have been pretty amazing over here.I feel in some ways like Ive been in a whirlwind of a mixture of different feelings. Ive experienced such love from this place, the people, the famililes and the whole culture is extremely warm and hospitable and even the little things like eating dinner together is such a collective, warm activity. Ive felt so looked after and loved and the people here are really so warm. Despite this however Ive really started asking God why of all the places has this really been on my heart to come here (putting aside the fact that this was a good place to save). Why of all the places have I come to a place where everything in relation to a place like Manchester seems so okay and so together...so little problems socially compared to my home city. Maybe Im just really uneduated about Korea right now but I guess im just really interested in where the hurting is and where theres work that can be done.After praying about it a lot recently I spoke to my friend Jolie after seeing a poster on a wall in Patch Hall and I got really excited to find out that theres a compassionate ministries group which do work with North Koreans and in Orphanages in the South Korean Community.Im hoping that its something that can get involved with as Id really like to learn more over here and try to help in some way and give back to the people of South Korea what they have given me so far.Will keep you updated.

Sunday Evening was really funny as me, Betch-shi(haaaaa)Jacki, Cara and Julene went to a jimjilbang in Ssangyongdong for a good bit of naked, girlie pampering! Have got to say me and Jacki were a little bit too loud and excited after being in the heated pools too long and then jumping into the freezing cold pools afterwards. I must say that I felt a little high after doing that and we got into quite a bit of trouble and got shouted at to be quiet by a mad anjuma. I couldnt stop laughing and felt as though I was gonna faint I laughed that much and was so cold. I think I was in a bit of shock though still from being prodded by the naked korean women as I was getting undressed. I kindly had my body curiously examined by three older women and a dear child, had my thong twanged and was asked in horror and disbelief about my piercings and what I'd do with my belly button piercing when I was to have a baby...either that or one of the women asked me if I was preggers ! Arrrggghhh ! I just had to laugh with them at myself :)

After being harrassed by naked korean anjumas and getting an earful by a very cross and disconcerted massage 'wady' me and Cara bumed into Calvin who gave us a very convenient lift home where I had the best sleep I think Ive had in a while aaaahhhh.

Morning Hike to Taejosan

2007-03-16T23:52:00.000-07:00

Okay so I woke up really early this morning as my minds been going nuts recently about whether I should be back home or whether I should stay here. I decided to go for a morning hike with Jackie to clear my mind which always helps a little when my mind's in turmoil over stuff. The hike was gentle for one of Jackies but was really nice. The weather has been really lovely today and just the right temperature to walk up a mountain in. Brought back a few memories of Candy after Id got back into Cheonan town. Happy ones though. Boy do I miss her at school.Must be strong.

Thought I waas going to pass out after the long strip of stairs up to the giant Buddah but carried on hoping that the damage Ive done to my muscles this week after my hard training at the gym wont be too bad tomorrow when I get up :) We had lots of nice breaks though on the way up and down and sat on some nice 'ladies lumps' and had a nice long break in the sunshine overlooking the trees in the distance.We also ventured into a cave full of bats which I was pretty hasty to get out of. Jai shoud probably know Im scared to death of the little flying rats after our trip to Chester Zoo last year when I left the bat house screaming at the top of my voice like a kid :)Was a good day though :)

Was nice to get out on a Saturday Morning and be back in time to chill out for the rest of the afternoon in my little apt. Now Jo's gonna chill out with a session of Futurama and then get ready for a night out of St Patricks Day socialising in the now very famous vicinity of DujongDong.

Happy Birthday Sian and Anouska !!!! Miss you lots and lots :( Dont need to tell you both to have a good night...:)

chow4now

Different Ideals of Beauty

2007-03-15T07:21:00.000-07:00

You know sometimes when you get that frustrated that you wanna scream really,really loud for just one minute to make yourself feel tons better like a kid does? Well I wanted to do that today. Twice actually. Not just a quiet scream but a really, really loud one. One that could burst your ear drums. One that would really hurt if anyone heard it. I think if I go hiking on Saturday when I reach the top of the mountain Im going to think back to the times today when I wanted to scream my head off and yell as loud as I can :) RELEASE !!!!

Sometimes the frustration of not speaking Korean takes its toll on me but instead of screaming something in me just goes a bit mental instead! Haaaaaa :) Anyway...its just one of those things I've still got to get used to. Am determined to learn a few new phrases and words this week but you know what ? Even when I have Steven in the class with me to interpret the words I give them some of the kids still dont understand...haaaahaa. I got to laugh about it maaaan :)

Taught the teachers for a while after my last proper class. Its a bit annoying the way that Im just sprung on with lessons and not told when and when not Im supposed to teach them but anyway...another thing Ill have to get used to this year I think! Its really nice to have a chat and teach them a few new things but still, the language barrier is so difficult sometimes. I just wish that I could just have ONE conversation with them in Korean or English. Just one so I could see what each of them are really like and talk to them properly about the things they want to learn from me. Would be so cool ! Today Sujan cried coz of the frustration of not being able to communicate with me properly. I felt her pain today and just had to tell her that I loved her after ( in Engish and Korean) and gave her a cuddle :( I wanted to cry with her today I really did :( !

Tonight we talked about beauty ideals in Asia compared to Britain. I explained how in the U.K a tanned body is quite the height of fashion (which has been in recent years). The women in my class discussed how they admire white skin and how they desire fair and pure like complexions. It reminded me of all the advertisements I surveyed and came across when I was doing my research for my Dissertation last year (Wow ! Cant believe its last year !! aaarrgghh ) and I felt really sad about it.... the way us women back at home go on the sun bed, how me and my mates slap on the fake tan and how we spend a fortune on the right bronzers to give us those year round 'glows'.The women here on the other hand opt for the whitening creams and last week whilst in Seoul I actually got a free gift from the clinique counter which consisted of a Derma White Moisture Bar, Derma White Super City Block (spf40), Derma White Moisture Cream, Derma White Powder Makeup, all packed into a whiter than white makeup bag with a white head band.My friend tells me that the products have some kind of reaction with the skin that evens out and lightens the complexion which sounds a bit scary to me even though they're clinique products! Skin bleaching... sounds painful :(

Designed for asian skins I certainly wont be using them as they'll probably strip the skin off my face.In fact, when I first got out here I tried a cream sample which brought me out in a full face of dermatitis which the doctor over here says I may have forever now (gutted) It's gone but it may come back with stress and that was one of these lightening creams.

Will be seriously careful in future about what I try. Next time I could be scarred. Wont need to pay for a face peel in a few years will just have to sample the cream I tried again a few more times :)

Anyway just talking to the teachers tonight made me think about the differences in how the women over here look after their skin probably a lot more than us Brits do. I explained to a mate how I cant wait to get on the beach in a few weeks time and she told me that its really funny to see as she explained that Koreans usually cover up their bodies some even fully dressed lounging on the beach in the complete and utter heat. You wouldnt see that in Britain I tell you now ! As soon as that suns out in the U.K which is incredibly rare I have to say, the guys have got their t-shirts off, the gals have got their summer dresses on with rarely care for any spf. Talk about asking for skin damage. I spoke with a male aquaintance about it the other day and he claimed that he cant wait for summer so he can see even more girls flesh...unlucky for him he probably wont be seeing any more korean girls flesh than he's seeing now.Little does he know :) Hee.

Its been interesting so far just chatting about it and Ive actually thought about how much time I sit in the sun without skin protection! A little worried about how I must actually look to the teachers and kids I work with. Suppose I go to the beach one weekend when its really hot and catch a great suntan. Will I look really burnt to them and ugly ? Its a strange thought but I wonder...!

I remember before I came to Korea when i was working on a makeup counter at Boots and an Asian lady came in to try some different shades of foundation base for her skin. I remember her husband with her and her gradually getting more and more upset because the colours I was giving her were not the light colour she desired. It seemed that she wanted a colour that was far too light and her husband was arguing with her speaking in another language trying to get her to choose a colour that was more of a natural, darker shade for her. This woman got so upset because he wouldnt let her buy a light shade. She got so upset she was practically crying and I really felt for her and felt a bit guilty that I didnt persuade her husband to let her have the colour she desired. She didnt speak much english but all I wanted to say to her that her skin was lovely the way it was and she didnt need a colour so light. Her husband also agreed but stil this lady had a mission to get lighter looking skin. So much that she appeared to be at breaking point because of it :(

I wonder what its gonna be like when my kids are grown up. What the new fads are gonna be. What women are gonna desire to look like and become compared to what we want to look and desire to be like now. Its a shame us women cant just be happy and content with what we've got.Maybe one day we will :) Have got to say though that I cant wait to see people on the beach this summer fully clothed :) Will post some pictures I promise!

Happy White Day Laadees!

2007-03-14T06:19:00.000-07:00

Well, its White Day here in Korea. The day where the ladies get sweeties off there fellas ! Valentines Day is a bit different over here as the women tend to give their beloveds chocolate on that day and then White Day is where the guys give their girlfriends candy. Theres also Black Day in a few months and apparently singletons of South Korea buy chocolate and candy for themselves :) Sounds like what I do every day :)

Well anyway, Ive eaten a lot of stuff I shouldnt have today and its a good job I worked out well this morning thats all I can say ! The new teacher gave me a couple of boxes of Jeju Island chocolates and they're sat in the kitchen calling me again... uh oh ;) I also got some sweets and chocolate from Sujan and Wendy my managers nieces which theyve just helped me to open. They are so sweet- Ive seriously fallen in love with them. Im gonna miss them so much when I have to say goodbye at the end of this year.

Anyway. Focus on the present! Mum booked her flight out to see me the other day and I cant wait ! Ive signed us up for the 10km race with my church next month and am really looking forward to doing something like that together! Bit of Mother and Daughter trouble ! Think it'll be pretty funny ! I Worked out for four hours this morning feeling pretty guilty about the past two weeks of not going every single day like I used to. I started a new yoga class today and its so different to the evening class I usually go to. The night class is much more chilled out and relaxing whereas the morning one is a bit crazy and energetic but fun anyhow ! I woke up at 8am and was determined not to go back to sleep like yesterday. I made myself get up and started training straight away. Managed a good 7 km on the runner and another 6 on the bike and am going to have to time myself in a few days to see how long I think it'll take me to run 10 km. Hehe. Ill be running forever with these little legs of mine :)

Seriously now...Im no runner at all. Yeh Im getting fitter- but no Im not a runner. I cant sprint for toffee! Im more of a take it my own pace sort of person so we'll have to see! Anyway after my warm up I did a good weights session and then ventured upstairs for my yoga sesh.Am feeling quite tired after work (was busy today) and now Ive eaten my supper so think Im gonna hit the sack...mmmmm warm bed.Dont think Ill get up tomorrow for training.Hee.

Was Lion now Fan :)

2007-03-13T08:06:00.000-07:00

So the kids at my school have been really wild again today as usual but one thing that makes me laugh is the names they choose for themselves :) Lion, pictured here is one of my favourite kids at school. Hes really naughty in class but out of class he always comes to me and says 'Hi' or 'Hello' and gives me sweets and is just really pleasant. He sits in class and fidgits around not really listening most of the time and just sings to himself or says things in Korean really loudly and pulls stupid faces to himself sometimes writhing around on the floor. Funny but annoying when he disrupts my class. I cant help but Love him though :) The other day I had a great chance to get some photos of him. He toddled into my class and just spent a bit of time with me letting me take some close ups. We had a laugh and Amy looked while he smiled for the camera messing about with his little jam jars trying to be funny with his slightly runny nose, cute wonky teeth and cheeky grin. How can you not think this kids cute? The tracksuit he occasionally wears is the best ! Its acid green, velour and cracks me up everytime I see him in it.The clothes Mums out their kids in over here are so cute seriously ! Originally his name was Lion but he informed me today that he's changed it to Pad for some strange reason :) Some of the other kids have great english names like Willy, Danie, but the best has to be my mates kid Robot! Am definately taking this one !

Its laughter with the kids and the funny moments like this that make the whole experience out here so much worth while. It beats teaching the naughty kids anyday...but thats a different story !

And Now Comes His Peace

2007-03-11T06:07:00.000-07:00

This week has probably been the worst Ive had in South Korea which is why I havent written any proper drafts this week as Ive been far too busy trying to sort out my head with God and questioning him about why some stuff has recently happened. Sorry for those who've been waiting for news and pictures :( God is just dealing with so many issues Ive had to face this week back at home and over here in my heart.

I feel like Ive been under spiritual attack a little this week for the first time since Ive got here and its been a struggle also accepting some stuff thats going on right now too. It seems as though everytime I make a big step further towards Christ I get an attack blasted at me.Ive also had a taste of the major blues which stems back from about three years ago now and Ive been pretty 'fearful and tearful' worrying about things I should have put straight into Gods hands that I just havent. Sometimes I feel like the things in my head are so complicated for me to understand that they're too complex and messy to hand over to God but the truth is that even though I sometimes cant even comprehend the turmoil in my head and heart myself, nothing is too big for God to handle. Absolutely nothing. And the best thing is knowing that he wants us to give it all to him like he says in Matthew,

Come to me, all of you who are weary and heavily burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yolk upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart , and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light (11:28-30)

Its only been a fairly recent thing that Ive really come back to God in the bid to try to get hold of my faith again that I had as a kid 'on fire for Christ'. Deciding to come back to my faith and the cross has been spiritually amazing but Ive had my struggles like any normal human. Since Ive been in Korea God has lifted me up and shown his amazing love for me like never before in my whole life. Before I came out here I did the Alpha Course at my new church in Manchester and it really broke down my hard exterior I'd built to shut God out of my life. It was in that time that I came really close to God again and really decided to try all over again with him. I make mistakes everyday even now and it breaks my heart alot knowing that Im breaking his but Im trying and I feel like God is really changing my heart. As far as this week's gone though Ive felt so close to God yet so far. I feel like he's really testing me to just give everything to him right now. Everything. Things I dont want to. Things I forgot about years ago. Feelings I forgot about. Things Ive done in the past. People Ive hurt. Things that are eating me up and things that Im struggling with now.Not only has my time here been amazing in that hes drawn me close to him but hes dealing with me in such an intricate, unique and gentle way. It feels like he's opening me up in so many ways all over again even though I'm letting him down over and over. Which reminds me of,

But then I will lead her back once again. I will lead her into the desert and speak tenderly to her there. I will return her vineyards to her and transform the Valley of Trouble into a gateway of hope. She will give herself to me there, as she did once ago when she was young, when I freed her from her captivity in Egypt. When that day comes " says the Lord, "you will call me 'my husband' instead of 'my master' ... (Hosea 2 14:23)

Bringing up past hurts, bringing up things I havent thought about for years, some things I 've never even thought about before. Ive felt such a dip into depression this week and have had a reminder of how I felt a few years ago when something really terrible happened in my life.Its like the breath of that emptyness and that morbidity has just come cak to haunt me this week and as just completely frozen me. I havent been myself at all and time has flown by with me looking back on the week not really knowing where the hours went never mind the days. When I was younger I narrow mindedly thought that depression was just an excuse that people used to get time off work...boy was I wrong. Really wrong. Thankfully I got over my period of it after a long time of hurting and rawness. This week though...I just got a few flashbacks of how I was back then a few years ago due to things that have happened this week. Im so glad this week is over but I cant ignore what happened this week and need to acknowledge it and pray that it wont happen again with such intensity. I also need to commit everything to God. I feel like God allowed me to have a bad week to remind me how bad and empty my life was without him but to move on with him and to have my prayers and requests answered (which Im putting to him now) I guess I need to give him everything I have which I was taught about in the second workshop I had about Discerning the Will of God this weekend. The scripture in both workshops have been the exact scripture sent to me via emails, letters and in cards sent by people from home in recent weeks and months since Ive been here and this has just amazingly reconfirmed to me some of the things that I really think God is trying to talk to me about right now.

The image of an empty jigsaw puzzle came to me a long time before I came out here when I was starting to go back to church again and I felt that the image in my head was to do with my life without God in it and I feel like it's symbolic in my life even now trying to live my life obediently to God. I really felt before I came that these constant images of this jigsaw puzzle (with pieces missing, pieces in the wrong places, pieces I didnt even know where to put to fit in with the others) was really significant. During the workshop towards the end Alicia, (the speaker ) held up an empty jigsaw puzzle which she explained symbolised Gods Vision for us in our lives. Without the principles (that she spoke to us about during the workshop) she stated that the vision of God in our lives would not come about and be revealed to us. The principles, morals, our surrender to God in giving him our all, our everything, by us being passionate and praying to him everyday and being obedient to him is what Alicia said will fill that empty puzzle frame communicating a vision to us for our lives. Gods vision for our lives.That was pretty amazing to listen to being able to link it to images I'd had of this empty jigsaw puzzle months ago. Speaking to a good friend of my Mums was a real blessing before I got out here as she reminded me in our natter and her testimony that our lives should be centered about what God wants for us in our lives and not about what we want. Her words were exactly 'Just Remember. Its about what God wants for you. Not what you want'. Good advice.

Wondering what God is going to do with me and my life has been something on my mind a lot recently so I was really intrigued when I found out about the workshop about this Discerning the Will of God. Im the kind of person who likes and kind of NEEDS (!)to know what's round the corner, what Ive got planned for the next 12 months of my life. In fact for the last six years (probably more) Ive always had a big picture in my head of things Ive wanted to do, lining them all up, making plans to travel and do things Ive always wanted. Right now though the next twelve months after my contract is up here is blurry. In some ways its pretty scary for someone like me to not have something seriously planned out, a place to go thats set in my mind but I really do feel like God is saying right now to slow down ...and just wait on him...to enter his presence and revel in it... drawing closer to him... leaning on him and learning to just trust him. Home I will go. Home Im being called. But not yet he says.

After this weeks whisperings of being unable to be obedient to God will all my being and even after the workshop on Discerning the Will of God I felt pretty overwhelmed and worried about how Im gonna give up and stop doing some of the things I know are displeasing to God. Hes been tapping me on the shoulder about so many things, things hes speaking into my life about, things in the past that are gently playing on my mind in dreams and flashbacks and so on. One verse that has come to me through many friends recently and at the ladies retreat though is this, And I am certain that God, who began a good work within you will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Jesus Christ returns (Phil 1:6)

Despite these feelings this week that Im not gonna succeed in pleasing God due to things Im struggling with... this verse has been my vice reminding me that God will not let me down and that if I give myself to him gwith a genuine heart and ask for his help he will help to build me up, he will give me strength with my struggles and he will carry on his good work in me in the changing of my heart. The womens retreat in Songtan with my church came at the right time for me. After a whole week of heavy tears and keeping on a brave face at work part of me really didnt want to go but another part dragged me out of bed, got me showered, put on my makeup and put me in a taxi. The other part wondered what I was doing in that taxi so down that morning on my way to a womens retreat when I could have been in my warm bed. Im so glad I fought that little voice telling me not to go though.

The first workshop was on 'Purity' and its one thing that God has spoken to me about greatly the past few months since I started going back to church.

The workshop was about Purity in general and about how being pure can create more intimacy with ourselves and God. Strangely the book I recently read, 'Redeeming Love' was also about purity and Gods grace and amazing love and was linked to the verse on my mind quoted above from Hosea about God winning back Israel. Giving our whole selves to him as living sacrifices was the verse that was spoken about mainly at a summer camp I went to with my home church this summer ( Soul Survivor) before I came to Korea and this verse was given also at the workshop which really stood out for me. The speaker also discussed how obeying the father can regain our beauty that we feel has been lost through our past sin. One thing that God really used before coming out here was a very close mate of mine. She 's quite a new friend but I Love this girl as a sister and before I left God put her in my life (as I requested in prayer for a good, unboring christian mate!) and he spoke volumes to me through her. She carries such purity and beauty about with her it runs out of her every pore. This girl has been such a witness to me, she's amazing and this girl is someone I really look up to in such a big way.

The rest of the discussion was about how we should defend out hearts and minds, and through meditation. The workshop made me realise that in practicing obedience, purity can be gained bringing an intimacy with God that is untouchable. The question posed to us by Becca (the speaker) was 'Are We Looking Towards God to meet our Emotional Needs?' She called the emotional affairs with others 'heart adultery' and also discussed the lack of emotional needs that our earthly fathers do not give to us which made me think of so many people I know, female mates and male mates who have felt often so let down by their earthly Fathers. Things they've said, things they havent said, things that havent been done, things that have, the list goes on.

Speaking to mates about this over the past few months just here has made me realise that so many are let down by their earthly fathers even if they are present in their lives.

Knowing this and after this weekend, God has just reconfirmed to me with so much scripture that he, this father, our Godly father, will never let us down. No matter what. Nothing is too big for him to handle, nothing will separate us from his love and he'll never let us down or out of his grip.And thats worth praising him for alone.

Recovering

2007-03-06T05:33:00.000-08:00

Well ! Have recovered a little from the mad weekend away in Namhaedo ! Me and Rhys headed for a cool Galbi place near mine after the quick and speedy KTX back to Cheonan and ate as much as we could stomach. Bumped into Suki in Seoul waiting for the same train and I giggled about what a coincidence is was. Had a power cut in my apartment last night so had an excuse to light some candles and have an early night with God. Felt really anxious actually as I get a bit scared when things like that happen when Im alone but I drifted off to sleep pretty quick after Id said my prayers :)

School was good today. Nice and busy and Im learning more korean phrases so it seems to be more fun ! :) Steven has given me a notebook which hes written in and printed off some korean things for me to learn like numbers and basic korean greetings and phrases so Im gonna really try to learn as much as I can from now on. Apparently my pronuciation is really good :) the problem is my memory so Im gonna have to just practice loads and as much as I can ! Im so excited ! Im not that bothered about even learning to read and write but Id LOVE to be able to have a decent basic conversation by the time I leave so thats my aim from today that Ive set myself ! Asssssaaa !!!!! (Thats means Yessssssss!!!!!! ) :)

Got some new kids to teach this week and theyre really cute! Am really enjoying the teaching at the moment apart from the lessons where I dont really have much material to work with as the kids get quite bored and so do I ! Steve has said that hes gonna help me out with finding some good grammar books though so looking forward to that :) Its so nice and rewarding to see the kids improving and the past few weeks Ive started to do diary lessons with a few of my classes and some of their work looks so GOOD ! It so nice to hear the teachers also say to me that they think my students are improving. Its so rewarding. Some kids in the beginning wouldnt even look at me never mind talk to me but now they're chatting away and using english whenever they can its so funny :) It makes me really glad :)

My power is finally back on and I dont have to get up tomorrow and go to a jimjilbang to have a shower ! Im glad I went this morning though coz I made a new chingu ! :) Seem to be making loads of mates out here and its so nice to have a wide variety of different people to go out with and have a laugh with. Im a lot more comfortable with the teachers at my hagwon and we have a new teacher who I got introduced to today. She seems really nice but a bit nervous and reminded me today of when I first started. It seems like yesterday but also a very long time ago now ! My teachers class went well again tonight and Ruby brought in family pictures to practise her 'introducing' skills. I was really proud of her ! Must go to bed. Still have sleep to catch up on and wanna go to Yoga tomorrow morning if I get out of bed :) Yeh Right.

Namhaedo Island and Darangee Fishing Village

2007-03-04T19:23:00.000-08:00

Aw!! Maaaannn ! I've had such an amazing, fun weekend! We met up at Honkik Subway Station at 8am to catch the Adventure Korea bus and after the next stop at the Express Bus Station we started our very scenic journey down South. There was about 45 of us, Koreans, South Africans, Americans, Canadians, British, a whole mixture of up for a bit of adventure peeps!

We stopped off a few times for dinner, wee breaks and Mekju and Soju shopping and finally after a good few hours (about 6!) we got to the Darangee Fishing Village. As soon as we got off the bus KBS camera crew were there filming! The little place was really striking and pretty and the weather was pretty decent too. The village overlooked the sea and was very green and quite lush really compared to the South Korea Ive seen already. It was nice to meet our Korean Hosts and we got ourselves into a group of 8 and went to drop off our bags. The girls slept in one room overlooking the sea and the front garden and the lads had the back room. The place was really nice and cosy and we met our 'aborgie' and 'armonie' (Mother and Father) and then started back to find the rest of the group who we'd arranged to meet half an hour later.

When we got there we were bundled into the back of an old truck (about ten of us) and driven crazily up the winding paths towards the mini mountain we were going to climb. Unfortunately for me I sat at the back and every minute or two the van grated on the road and I was pretty scared I was gonna fall out. I think everyone got a few good photos of me bagging myself.

We finally :) got out of the back of the van and started up for the mountain. It was quite warm and sunny and a bit hot to walk in so steeply but a really nice little walk and the view was really worth it. We cooled down up there and waited for the others to get up, took some snaps and then ventured down. Thinking we'd taken the wrong path down the mountain we ventured back up to find out that we'd actually been waling on the right path so down we went again. My legs have never felt so toned and the unfit of the group were bright red and gasping for breath when we finally got down. We bundled into the back of the van again and headed to the beach where I paddled and we al chilled out for a bit. It was nice to see the private beach and sea and feel the cool breeze after all the walking and travelling. I had a paddle and enjoyed the view of the dinky island in the distance. It was getting colder though and the sea was freezing so we all walked back to our homestays to get some dinner. Our food that our host cooked for us was a delicious mix of korean side dishes, rice, fried fish (the best Ive tasted in Korea) and good soup and it was nice to get to know so many different people.

After our gorgeous meal we met up with the rest of the group and found the old school where the KBS crew, Korean villagers and children were waiting for us. It got darker pretty quick and soon the games started. We first took part in a relay race. Our group came a close second (my fault we lost :( haha!) and there were wrestling matches which were hilarious ! My mate Asher won the male competition and had to wrestle with the Korean village champion who was about 60 ! Was a pretty hilarious night. Soon the camp fire was lit up and the kids were scarily swinging cans attacthed to string with fire in them. I could just imagine one of the cans slinging off into the air and giving me third degree burns on my face or catching onto my hair. Bald Jo. I was pretty scared but couldnt say no to the challenge and Ive got to say it was pretty fun ! Just a bit scary watching the little tiny kids wanging them about in the air close to the other children. We were all like....' Whoa !

After the fun and games and the korean womens cooking and giving out samples we played some drinking games with Gem's cards and enjoyed the heat of the camp fire. It was a hilarious night and we had to be back to our homestays for 12 ish but had plenty of time to enjoy the chatter and games. We had a right laugh on the way back and I dont think Ill ever forget this trip or the people Ive made friends with.

The next day I was up at the crack of dawn to try to catch the sunset with a slight tinge of a head ache but the sky was so cloudy and muggy that there was no chance so I waited in line for the bathroom and slowly got ready for the fishing trip. We had breakfast which was exactly what we'd eaten the night before but not as quickly! Most of us couldnt stomach the huge meal in front of us from being a bit hungover but I ate loads coz of my new male appetite! I seriously cant stop eating coz of all this exercise Ive been doing recently! After the 'brekkie' more like dinner (! ) we went to catch the bus to the fishing village which was about half an hour away and said goodbye to our hosts and the others who came to wave us off.

The weather was pretty dull and it started to rain pretty quickly but we got an introduction and met the captain of the village and then went to get into our groups and got into our little fishing boats. As soon as we set off I felt a bit queasy and hung over the boat for most of the journey. When we eventually stopped though in the middle of the choppy sea I nearly fell in due to the weight at that side of the boat. The thought knocked me sick and from that moment I felt even worse and hung over the boat for most of the trip after that. It was funny though and we didnt really catch that much! It was raining and was really beautiful and we caught some amazing little brightly coloured starfish, one flat fish and some odd shaped poo like things ! haha !

We rode back in the boat and soon were on land looking and comparing at what the others had caught. Ive never been deep sea fishing before and it was really good despite the motion sickness! One group caught some octopuses and my mate Gem had a good bite of one of the legs while it was still alive. Yummy. She was a bit scared as she could feel its suckers on her throat on the way down. Serves her right. hee! ;) We then had a huge meal of raw fish and other korean side dishes and the noraebang singing (kareoke) got started. It was a really funny day and some of the group started back on the evil soju and were pretty drunk by the time we got back on the bus. We had planned to do some ox farming and rice layering in the fields but the weather was that bad by the time we'd finished eating the gorgeous raw fish that we said goodbye and thankyou to the women who had prepared our food and started back off for Seoul.It was a long trip but a great one and I dont think Ive laughed so much like that for a long time. It was nice to experience something like that with so many cool people! Dont think Ill ever forget the walk home guys or me and Gemma falling by the old, abandoned school ;).All I can say is wet patch ;) She'll know what I mean when I send her the picture (hhaaaaaaaaaa) Good times.

Gotta just add.... Asssssaaaa ! (thats for you Asher ;) )... Vapid! (for the British)...Svarted! (Rhys you minger) .... Yekshemesh!!!!!!!

HeCtIc!

2007-03-04T18:45:00.000-08:00

On Wednesday night after we finshed at school we went out for Galbi. We've got two new teachers and Christine and Louise are leaving. Christine is only leaving for a while as she is finding the news about Candy rather difficult and I think shes suffering from depression. I really feel for her.We went out for a huge meal and Mr and Mrs Nam and the kids joined us. Steve the new guy from work and Mr Nam ordered the evil Soju and we all ate talked for a good few hours. The meat was maybe one of the best Ive tasted and Mr Nam ordered extra for us as we were starving!

After, we ventured out into my area of Shin-Bang-Dong and went for a few Mekju's! Ruby and Carly soon left with the new teacher and left me Louise and Steve to finish off the Mekju. I was really annoyed at the end of the night as Steve walked me home insisted in his extremely drunken state that he wanted to come and see my apartment and then fell asleep straight away after jumping onto my bed. I was really annoyed and pretty angry coz he snored like a pig ALL NIGHT, was blowing his snotty nose all over and his phone was going off all night until the morning.

I didnt sleep a wink all night and was pretty cold too. Anyway I got up in the morning and after I got ready to go out (as I had plans that morning ) I woke him up and told him he had to leave. My manager had a chat to him about it and hes apologised saying that it wont happen again. In Korean Culture this is a really bad thing to do and It better not happen again! Yuk.

Anyway, Thursday was the National Holiday and me and Joella decided to go to Yongsan Electronic Market to buy new cameras. It was a long day trekking around all the different, competitive stalls but I managed to find a good deal and we met up with Rhys and a new guy Alex. Me and Joella enjoyed a good Bibimbap overlooking Yongsan square and we also decided to head to Myongdong after for a bit of shopping. I absolutely love that place! Its a really funky area and full of young people, food stalls, little trendy clothes and jewellry shops and it was really busy that evening in fact we got quite lost at one point trying to find the subway station on the way back.After being all 'shopped out' we got the express train back to Cheonan and I went straight to sleep when I got in hoping to be up and ready for School the next day.

On Friday morning I woke up at about 8.30am and texted Ruby and Terry to see what time I had to be in for the hagwons advertising. They didnt reply so I went back to sleep and got woken up by Steve at 9.30 who said that I was being picked up at 9.30.... wasnt impressed. Id got in from Yongsan the night before and had just climbed into bed not bothering washing my greasy mop. I had to get washed, dressed, brush my teeth, get on the make-up,sort out my barnet in about five minutes flat! Probably the quickest Ive ever got ready in my life.

We didnt start the 'advertising' for about another hour after I got to the school and I was constantly thinking how I could have been washing my hair in that time :) We finally drove around the corner in the pouring rain and handed out the Jungchul bumph that we'd prepared on the Wednesday after work together. When they were all handed out to the parents we headed back to the hagwon and sat down for dinner together.Mrs Nam had made one of my favourite spicy squid dishes with rice and we all ate until we had classes to prepare for. Feeling full and tired I wanted to sleep but the day went quite quick and is even more fun now as I have a few more books to work from so its not as stressful anymore just fun !

After work I hurried home to pack for my fishing trip with Adventure Korea and rushed to the train station to catch the train to Seoul. It was a long trip on the bus but the train was pretty quick and it was a relief to find the hostel we were staying at. We sat and ate our kimbap and korean microwave dinners in the cool hostel's living room and watched a film trying to soak up how relaxed me were with mutual understanding that it was gonna be a hectic day the next. After I ate I went off to my bed in the dorm and slept really well waking up at 6 am on Saturday ready for the trip...

Random Tuesday Morning Chat

2007-02-26T16:47:00.000-08:00

I didn't go to Yoga last week once coz Ive been so busy going away and seeing friends and stuff but I went last night and boy do I feel it today. That'll be the last time I miss a week at the gym I tell you now. I thought just coz I did a hike on Saturday I'd be okay but no lol. I went last night and my personal trainer 'Captain' wasn't very impressed with me again telling me that I should be going everyday so that 'body wine bootiful, muscle UP fat DOWN ' :) He's so funny. Constantly asking if English girls think that Korean men are good looking and if he has a nice body. Yawn. Lol, its funny though.Guess he's just another self obsessed gym buff. But a nice and rather funny one at that ! :) lol!

Everything at the hagwon is changing recently. The teacher who replaced Candy is leaving at the end of this week and we have a new guy Steve and another woman who joined our team yesterday. Ive got to say that Im really settled in now and enjoying the whole teaching a lot more than I was before. Ive got a lot of speaking tests to complete this week and progress reports but I dont mind coz the busier I am the faster the week goes so I can enjoy my weekend ! Sunday aft was pretty nice. Ive never had a group of people around to mine before so it was nice to have the sunday group from church around.I cooked up a rather bland, overcooked stir-fry (Im such a great cook) but Cara brought round a nice cake and strawberry wine as Jackie has just graduated from her Masters so I think we were pretty happy all round! It was really nice to have a group in my apartment talking about God and praying. The dvd we watched was one by Rob Bell and was a really arty, creative, 'get yourself thinking' eleven or so minute dvd. Pretty cool. Concerning me and cooking...I love to cook but guys I hate to break it to you... Im really bad. Bridget Jones Stylee. I attemped a korean soup a few days back and I forced down a bowl last night coz I didnt want to waste it and nearly hurled.Oh well....maybe my future husband will be able to cook ! :)

Looking forward to my weekend as Im going Deep Sea Fishing off a little island South of South Korea. Sounds pretty wicked ! Am doing a homestay and just found out that my mate has actually booked a place too so I wont be alone! Thursday is a national holiday here so I have the day off. My camera has broken and Im totally lost without it so I think the hot springs and the hiking are out so Yongsan Electronic Market in Seoul here I come. Not really the day off I planned but I NEED a camera here especially for my trip this weekend! Just a bit worried as I know theres gonna be so many different stores and different cameras. I really dont wanna get riped off coz I just have 'one of those faces'. You know what I mean ?! Im usually the one who gets all the mentally unstable escapees follow or the one who gets little old ladies sat next to them on the bus telling me their life stories :) (that bit I dont actually mind!)

Anway, must go as Ive got stuff to do before work.And making breakfast is one of them. Im starving.

Chilled out Saturday

2007-02-24T05:07:00.000-08:00

Ahhh today was really fun :) Met up with Cara for Galbi this afternoon and then went to watch Dream Girls at the cinemas with her and Monica. It was a really good musical and I cried most of the way through it ...! Really good stuff ! Then we headed down to Starbucks for a girlie coffee, chat and cheesecake, bumped into Toby and Joella and had a good chat. Me and Cara then went to do a bit of shopping and waited a ridiculous amount of time for a bus to our local E-mart for some food shopping. I swear I love food shopping so much over here I think I prefer it to actual clothes shopping. Its been really funny in some of the shops here. We had a laugh today as the clothes attendants wouldnt let us try any of the clothes on unless we bought them lol. Funny as! You'd think we were hefalumps or something :) ! Anyway, it was funny and a nice, girlie day out in Cheon-an :) Gotta admit though that Ive really missed my mate Jackie today. Ive been on so many hiking trips with her the past few weeks that it was strange waking up on a Saturday morning knowing that I wasnt going to meet her ! lol

Now Im just chilling out at home in my little candle lit apartment watching Futurama getting all excited for when my Mum and Jai get here !

Back to the Grindstone

2007-02-23T05:03:00.000-08:00

No. Im gonna do it again even though Im tired and peed off ! Basically Im really tired and need my zzzz's tonight. Am gonna have a serious chill out weekend. Probably do some lazy shopping in town and go catch a movie tomorrow with my new sister Cara ! Planned to go hiking but really think I need to get some rest !

Todays been good, back to school and finally went book shopping with Ruby my manager. I am so relieved that Ive finally got a few books to help me with some lessons! Its been almost four months now with no books (apart from winter camp)and its been a challenge ! I shouldnt complain though oz Ive learnt tons ! I can actually say that I know Im a good teacher :) lol

Anyway, a new guy has started the hagwon called Steve and hes doing all his presentations fo rus right now and his training that he has to do. It made me feel all nostaligic this afternoon thinking back to when I first started here and how excited and nervous I was ! It feels like yesterday that it was me stood up there giving presentations and discussions and stuff ! In some ways I feel like Ive been here ages and then in others I feel like I came yesterday.

Watching the sun go down this afternoon made me realise how much Im gonna miss tihs place when I finally have to say farewell. I m so blessed with what Ive got here. The company I work for istnt a company as far as Im concerned. Its a family.

I cant believe how amazing they've been and I adore them all and love it! Ive made some attatchments to a few of the kids which Im pleased about but also a bit worried.... having to say farewell is gonna break my heart at the end of the year ! Anyway, Ive rewalised over the past few weeks of being here that this time that Ive come away from home everything is different. God has been in everything Ive done out here for a change. When Ive been away before Ive shut him out completely and nothings ever gone as half as nice as it has out here! God seems to have just prepared eveything out here for me. I feel so blessed and loved and looked after its amazing!

Anyway, I need my beauty sleep coz trust me I dont feel very beau right now ! Steve was cheekily picking out my wrinkles under my eyes today and telling me I look old....hhhmmmppphhh lol.

Heres a few pics of the kids :) My camera s broken but Ill get some fresh ones soon !

2007-02-23T05:00:00.000-08:00

Okay. Ive just added a blog wihch took me an hour to write and Ive just deleated it by accident. I am really tired tonight and cant be arsed writing another.Goodnight !

Thats just the way it is :)

2007-02-22T04:19:00.000-08:00

So cinderella's finally gone back home to Mummy and Jo's house is dog free, smell free, wee free, poo free, toy free, noise free...aaaahhh. And I was thinking about getting a pup...yeh right. No Way. Never Again. She weed on my matress that many times that I reckon the hagwon workers are gonna think I'm the one who's been weeing the bed....

Back at school yesterday and was exhausted with the travelling back from Seoul after my sleepless but amazing night up the prayer mountain! I met up with Jackies friend today at my local Homever to buy a rice cooker, blender, bookshelf, lamp and shoe rack from them. I was so excited when I got in about having a blender that I dropped it on the floor and it smashed into pieces. Gutted. Im such a butter fingers sometimes. Or such a muppet. Anyway, Ive got the rice cooker on now and its been on for about an hour and still no cooked rice. Youve got to laugh.

Anyway, my place looks nicer with my new lamp and bookshelf even if I havent got any rice to eat tonight and no smoothie for my breakfast :) Lol.

Up the Prayer Mountain

2007-02-22T03:34:00.000-08:00

I heard about these prayer mountains before I came out here from my mate Vicky and it was one of the things I was looking forward to the most. On Tuesday I decided that I'd use my last, unexpected day off in search of the prayer mountain linked to the full gospel church in Yeouido. I got up later than Iwanted because I was so tired from not stopping all weekend but I eventually got to Seoul, took the subway (many wrong stop offs and time delays I have to say coz I kept dozing off on the sub !) but... i eventually got there to Yeouido and asked someone for directions to the Full Gospel Church. I took a nice walk along the entrance of Hangang Park and decided to get a taxi the rest of the way as I'd stupidly put on my gorgeous six inchers. I used to be so hardcore when it came to wearing high shoes. Now I think Im loosing it girls ! (lol)

Anyway, the taxi driver was really sweet and he gave me a free lift about two seconds from where I'd got in the taxi pointing out the huge church. I had to wait an hour for the next bus up the mountain but the guards were really friendly in there and took me to the bus stop. I kind of expected the mountain to be really out of the way in the middle of nowhere and really high up, hidden in the peaks but to my suprise it was more of a retreat cetntre. It was really last minute of me to even go (and I had nothing with me at all) but as I was waiting for the bus to arrive to take us up the prayer mountain I realised that the last bus back to the church was at 9pm and it was 3.30 pm at the time we were all getting picked up to go. I really wanted to stay longer so I thought Id maybe stay the night. When the bus pulled in to the centre about an hour later the korean woman Id been sat next to shouted over to one of the guards who worked at the prayer mountain. He called me to follow him and the english speaking koreans told me to follow him as I was a foreigner and had to stay in different accomodation. I was like 'Heeeeyyyyy wait a minute I dont even know if i wanna stay yet et me check this place out first' but i followed him anyway coz I guessed that he'd lead me to someone who could tell me a bit more about the place where I was ! Ive studied a bit about cults and wanted to be sure you know !? lol.

He took me to Love House (in fact he was walking ahead at quite a speed ) and in my beautiful heels I trip trapped after him trying to keep up. The worker in there was really nice and so was the accomodation so I decided to stay and use my last night up wisely. What better way to use up my last night than to chill out with God for a bit? There was a lot I needed to pray about to him. My room was really big and comfortable and after Id checked it out I went off to explore. The place has a big meeting 'sanctuary' and lots of different little chapels everywhere, grottos to sleep in (like little biro huts all built in together), a little mini farm with ostritches, deer/antelope/reindeer things, birds, rabbits and dogs (BIG dogs :( ) Theres a big park for kids and a little running track and the place was really nice. I ate in the restaurant and had a nice walk and tried to relax in the surroundings. It got dark pretty quick and so I went to check out the worship service in the sanctuary. It was amazing. There was a lot of older people there, mainly older women who were sat and lay on the floor on bedding and sleeping mats. I was so gutted that I culdnt understand any of the service but I really met with God and the worship was nice to hear. I think I may have caught some kind of special worship conference there maybe.

After the service I walked around the campus. The stars were out and the beautiful graveyard overlooking the place was full of korean voices singing out and praying. Some screaming, some crying, some crying out really loud in tongues. It reminded me of the garden of Gethsemene which a lot of the grottos were named after and I ventured up there at one point before I went to sleep and sat on a cement bench just listening to the voices of people screaming and calling out to God. It was so amazing. God really spoke to me about a lot of things I'm having problems with right now and simial verses in the bible really stuck out for me all night in the sanctuary. It was amazing to see so many praying out to God and walking around the centre after the service was amazing too. The grottoes in the night were all lit up and I just stood outside the doors listening to people praying, crying , screaming.

The cemetary at the top of the mountain was pretty freaky and one of the men up there sounded like he was being excorcised but another woman was close by powerfully praying her words in tongues and the two seemed to balance it out.I've got to say it was a bit freaky at times alone. I think it's because I just dont understand a word of korean and it added to the alienness of it all! I decided to go and get an early night and I thought that Id had enough coffee that night so I went back to my room, soaked my tired feet (from my very gorgeous shoes :) ) and prayed and read my bible. Thinking that Id have a really relaxing nights sleep I rested my head and hoped to fall asleep.I dont sleep a wink though. Not a wink. The noises in that place were amazing and I couldnt sleep one bit. The noises were really something and they lasted all night. I didnt appreciate it at the time but I prayed to myself worrying that without my alarm on my phone I wouldnt get up in the morning for the 7am bus back to Seoul. I know if I ever go up there again It'll be when Im not teaching the next day for sure ! For someone foreign to go there and not be religious...I reckon it could be quite a scary place at night. I think they'd crap themselves.

It was an amazing experience but I wouldnt go again on my own. To just go and pray though to God and not mind being woken up all night long or not even getting any sleep at all -its amazing. God really met with me even though and Im really glad I went. Despite me not wanting to go back alone I think I really needed to that night.

Just me and God alone up a prayer mountain.

Will add some pics when i get my camera developed!

Pure Decadence at Asan Hot Springs

2007-02-21T06:59:00.000-08:00

It was so nice to have a little lie in on Monday morning after the hectic night 'getting down and dirty' in Bubi Bubi :) haha.It was nice to just have a lazy morning slowly getting ready and making my way to the train station to meet Cara and Monica. I got there an hour early but it was so nice to just chill out in the sunshine and watch the hoard of korean males standing in the yok square playing games and korean kids walking past teasing one another. Monica arrived and when she did a korean lady came up to us and gave us a teddy bear bag each filled with Korean Rice Cake (dok) and orange juice. Its amazing the things people do for us foreigners out here. The lady was from a presbyterian church in Cheonan and was giving them out to random foreign peeps in the square. It was so nice and Monica even insited that she had a picture taken to remember her by :) Most people are honestly lovely here and really go out of their way to help at any time. I dont think Ive ever felt as looked after in any other country or place Ive ever visited. People are so generous, giving and friendly Its amazing!

We headed to the hot springs on the bus and got shouted at by the narky bus driver and the woman at the bus station at the other end wasnt that friendly with us either but we just put it down to the fact that they were working on Lunar New Year Holiday and must have been pretty gutted about that! (Suppose it goes against everything Ive just said about everyone being lovely ! haha) Anyway the bus driver was really angry and think he was telling us to get off his bus at one point and it did take us a while to find out which way to go but finally we decided to take a taxi to the springs in Asan and it was great. A real relaxing day chilling out in the hot springs and in the different pools inside the building and out. The jimjilbang in there is really amazing too and I just wished at the time that we could have stayed longer because it was massive and so relaxing! Ill definately be going again thats for sure! I got a full body scrub in there by a lovely korean woman who washed my hair and massaged my back and neck. She made me feel like a queen. I could have stayed in there all night seriously! I was really nice to chat to the gals and I realised that Gods really been amazing and has given me some really lovely friends here already so thanks for all you guys back at home who've been praying for this !

After we'd finished in there the lovely lady in the shop got us a taxi back to Cheonan for 20,000 won. Bargain. Was a really nice day and Ill definately be going back. If you want a totally relaxing day out near Cheon-an si you should go! And I 'll come with you !

Lunar New Years Sunday

2007-02-21T05:52:00.000-08:00

My first kids group at church was pretty fun! Cute little Emma kept me entertained for most of the morning in her beautiful little pink korean dress jumping about on Byron and twirling around dancing in her dress. Sunny picked me up from mine after church and it was to the Nams for mandu-making. It was really nice to spend some time with the family drinking red wine, eating dinner, watching a barbie film with the kids :)

Was my first church group get together too and Cara made the BEST satay chicken Ive ever tasted in my whole life. You go girl.Dont have a clue how I'm gonna live up to that this week! :( ! lol ! Sunday night I chatted (whats new ?) and danced myself stupid at Cheon-ans Niche and Bubi-Bubi and drunk as much beer as I wanted with knowing that I had Monday Morning free to lie in bed...Met loadds of new peeps who all seem pretty cool and funny and I swear the swing in there is the hightlight of my night everytime I venture in there.Last time Iwent me and my mate tried to re-enact the Dirty Dancing water scene. Lets just say it didnt work and that the swing is miles away from where they were stood. Enough said. And i wonder where I get all my bruises from ;)

Bukhansan Hike

2007-02-21T04:38:00.000-08:00

Awwww Maaan was the hike nice but its was pretty scary too being so high up in the peaks with nothing much to hold on to. I was tired enough from the hike in Songnisan National Park last week and I could really notice my lack of evergy or 'spunk' as my American mates inform me over here! Anyway I had hardly my legs were tired but it was fun anyway hiking up Donbongsan Peak like little mountain goats.Me, Jackie, Cara and Rhys (new boy from Preston, Manchester Massif ! haha So good to hear a manc accent ! ) The walk got pretty steep towards the top but it was really nice with lots of hermitages, temples, mountains and of course the sunset. The adrenaline had kicked in by the time I realised we were near the top but I've gotta admit that I felt pretty freaked out too having to literally do the spilts whilst scaling the large, smooth rocks. Without the metal posts I seriously couldnt have got up there. It took some serious arm muscle work and I felt like I'd done a full body workout the next day. The ice and the 'mani mani' korean hikers made the experience a bit scary (especially with a few women crying out on the way down and watching the o.a.p's slip and slide about !) but the bit of adrenaline overtook and the view was that stunning I'm more scared thinking about it now than I was up there. The view was stunning and the sunshine was hitting the jagged peaks in such a beautiful way. Coming down was definately scary but the best bit of hiking after the taking in the view as far as Im concerned! Theres nothing better than running down a mountain and swinging from tree branches like a little monkey :)

The hermitage on the way down that we stopped at was really pretty too and the view of Seoul sat pretty in the distance. The walk (or run ) down was cool and there were plenty of rest places and picnic spots to take a break. Was nice chilling out in the sunshine feeling the cool breeze through the trees and being followed by little korean boys who were really interested in keeping up with us :)

Afterwards we headed back to Cheonan feeling pretty knackered and hungry and I ate more Galbi than I think Ive ever eaten before in one go. Serious.

Busy Lunar New Year Weekend Ahead!

2007-02-16T03:57:00.000-08:00

Okay...so tomorrow I've got another hike finally decided on to Bukhansan National Park in Seoul. Am really excited coz Ive seen it but not walked up it yet and it looks pretty stunning.
Its Lunar New Years Day on Sunday and the hagwon where I work have just told me that I've got an extra day off on Tuesday which Im well pleased about! In a way Im gutted that I didnt know earlier as me and a mate were planning on going to China for a few days and four days would have been perfect if only I'd have known ! Anyway..it's far to late to get a visa now and I've got commitments sorted now too. Plus! The Nam family have invited me around to make Mandu on Sunday and I cant say no to that !

Last time I went round to their home I watched in awe as Mrs Nam (the leading woman of the household) made kimchi with her friends on their living room floor. Kitted out in marigolds and aprons they all sat in a big circle cross legged and urged me to join them on their big plastic sheet :) It was such a cool thing to watch and do in my managers home and I was looked after all day and shared nice freshly cooked food before we all headed off to the jimjilbang. Rubys brother and girlfriend are chefs and Mrs Nams cooking tastes amazing! We ate fresh, bolied pork wrapped in lettuce leaves (similar to saemgaepsal) but with fresh oysters and kimchi in it. Im not a fussy eater but the fresh oysters...nah ! Not for me Im afraid. I think they look like big bogeys. And probably taste like them too.

This Nam family have been so kind and have really made this experience so far for me. I love the way that the family seems to be out here. Maybe not all korean families are like this but this one has been so nice to see. They spend so much time with one another working together, living together, playing together, it's amazed me how close they are together. I think that England could learn alot from South Korea about what the family really means. It's made me realise what's really important and it's just a shame that families in the U.K arent as knitted together as these over here. Its been so interesting to see how the family dynamics work here and also to explore the different roles men and women play here. I know I cant generalise just by spending time with one korean family and I know that all korean men aren't probably as committed to their families as this one but Mr Nam...there's one man here that i really respect! I can tell by just spending time with his lovely wife and family that he's nurtured, cherished and brought that family up with so much love, time, respect and care. The way he looks at them and talks to them you can really tell he's really proud of what he's made with his wife. As for Mrs Nam...I LOVE that woman. She seems so, so strong and I really respect her. She's someone I dont think Ill ever forget and I really look up to her. She seems to wear the trousers sometimes and she's so matriarchal. She's helped to carry that family and it shows. I can tell they've brought up a lovely family that they're proud of. They all live together and when I went round the first time Rubys brother was helping out around the house on the beck and call of the women making kimchi bringing tupperware boxes to them and carrying them out when they were full. I was quite amused as they were shouting for him to take their orders ! lol. Rubys sister Sunny and her husband have been good to me too :) Theyve taken me up to Seoul to palaces and out or food and to museums and for tea with the kids. They've been lovely to be with. The kids are great too and being in school today has made me just realise how lucky I am to be here and what an amazing job Ive really got here. Although I've got no books to work from and have been planning my own lessons out here (yes ! my OWN for four months !) I'm loving it now Ive settled in and I just feel so lucky :). God's been amazing. He's planned this for me and I feel so so lucky.

Today also gave me a glimpse of what spring is gonna be really like :) Its been a lovely day. Sunny, blue skies, cool breezes through the hagwon overlooking gwandeoksan mountain...its been bliss and Im really excited about what else I've got to look forward to out here. It a different experience to any other Ive had before. Its not a mad party capital and Im not out every night 'till the early hours of the morning but I didnt want this trip to be like that. For those of you who know me know well enough that Ive done enough partying to last me a lifetime ! :)

This experience is so like being in a spiritual hospital like I told a few of you in my latest group email. Its nice just to chill out, enjoy the surroundings I've been called to and the people that are being put into my paths. Its exciting :) Will keep you posted.

For Candy x

2007-02-14T05:52:00.000-08:00

To my special mate Candy who took me right under her litte wing. Here are some pics of the angel I'll never forget. I'm so thankful I met her and got to spend a little bit of time getting to know her. She was really special to me and Ive got some good memories of our time together that I'll never forget :)

Redeeming Love

2007-02-12T07:08:00.000-08:00

I have to share this with you all coz Ive had a love affair with it the moment I opened the beautiful pages. Its a book called Redeeming Love written by Francine Rivers that my mate Cara lent me and I can honestly say that I think it's the best book Ive ever read in my life. I was addicted straight away and I couldnt put it down. In fact I couldnt even sleep properly at night coz I was getting so involved with the characters and its left something really amazing with me. READ IT ! It's amazing and I've never cried so much at book in my life. Im not even gonna bother explaining the story youve got to read it to believe it ! Its left something in me that I cant even begin to explain. Ill never forget the characters in my life.It shows you how TRULY AMAZING Gods Love is for his children and that no matter what you can turn to him and he will sort you out through any circumstance.Read it - thats an order !

Dog Soup

2007-02-11T04:18:00.000-08:00

Thought it would be great to have a little friend around the place but I didnt realise how much they pee and poo. I love her to bits but its seriously put me off getting a doggie :( My brand new bed has been peed on now about 8 times this week. Thats once a day man.
My mattress is gonna be runied along with my korean quilts that were given to me by my hagwon.I've tried washing it down and turning it over but its one that is impossible to turn over as the legs are screwed into it! My managers gonna think it's been me thats been weeing the bed. As for the doggie poo... well.... My floor has also been cleaned now a hundred times ! I keep telling Sindy that if she doesnt stop peeing all over my bed and pooing where she wants that she'll be made into poshintang or even hotdog. She doesnt believe me ;)

Im enjoying having her over but her biting is getting worse and she is sinking her little gnashers into my legs and even attempting the toe amputation technique. Im sure this little doggie angel has been bred with a young rotweiler ! Its seriously put me off having a doggie. Ive been told by Jai that Im not angry enough with her when I tell her off but she just looks up at me with those cute little puppy dog eyes. I think this girlie has me wrapped around her little finger.

Songnisan Backpacking Weekend

2007-02-11T03:09:00.000-08:00

Wow...what a weekend Ive had guys. Its been great! Me, Cara, Jackie and Betsy decided to go backpacking up to Songnisan and its been the best weekend Ive had in Cheonan so far. Reckon the hike was about 17KM altogether. Am slowly regaining my fitness level!

We got the bus to Cheongju then another to Songnisan National Park where we took a quick look at the Beopjusa Temple before we started our steep hike up the mountain. We started out for Cheonawangbong the highest point in the National Park but to my joy it started to snow. I wasn't pleased that we didnt get to climb to the very top but was so pleased coz the place looked so beautiful and the mountains and trees looked like they were being dusted with some kind of icing sugar. I felt like I was in my own little Land of Narnia :)

We headed back down coz people were heading down with clampons attatched to their hiking boots and we didnt have any apart from Jackie. So...we climbed down and went for some rest at our little hut. It was such a nice little place to stay overnight and if any of you are visiting I'll definately be taking you there! All four of us stayed in a little heated room with electricity and heating and were cooked for by the korean hosts. The surroundings were lovely and quaint and their was a little stream running through the rocks and mountains surrounding us. It was so nice to just get away to think in such beautiful surroundings! The sound of the running stream, the mountains and trees and chipped rocks, bamboo leaves and a million different trees. There was a little bridge going across the stream and smooth rocks to sit on and admire the beautiful surroundings. In front of the hut was a little picnic area with seats and wooden trunks to sit on and there were a few chimineys there. The thought of the place in summer made me feel excited...

It was really nice to hear the female host talking to us in English (or trying her very best anyway :) ) lol She was so sweet and the food was gorgeous. She and her 80 odd year old frail mother served us up fresh mountain vegetables, bean curd soup and loads of other gorgeous korean side dishes and rice. I felt quite guilty sat there enjoying the jasmine tea and my favourite kimchi whilst she was sat there hunched over with her old, frail body making sure we had enough rice and food in us. Her daughter was telling us how she looks after the place and both her mother and father and us girls had a natter about how lonely this poor little woman must get out there in the middle of no-where all by herself. She even said that she was lonely and I sensed a tweak of it as we said we were gonna go hit our sacks.I'd really like to go back sometime just to see the people we met on the way coz that wasnt the only person we met on our backpacking 'adventure' lol :)

We stayed in the little shack all night and had the earliest night Ive had in a LONG time. Didn't sleep that well as the heated floor was roasting and I woke up in a hot sweat after having yet another bad dream and soaked to the bone coz it was so hot in there! At least we werent freezing anyway and it was a laugh!

We woke up at about 8 all feeling dirty and sweaty in our little shack in the middle of the forest and Cara and Betsy decided to head on back to Cheonan. Me and Jackie were feeling a bit more adventurous so we decided to go a bit further and check out a bit more of the trek. We found the next hut where people can stay overnight and it was a bit more shabbier and rustic than the one we stayed in. I grabbed some breakfast there and we were invited into their smoky kitchen where we sat on the floor on mini stools and ate together. It was nice and the heat of the kitchen and the smell of the food being cooked in the open korean style fires was really comforting. After our hot rice and rameon we headed up the mountain where we came across a sign which indicated which way we needed to turn for the peak we were heading to. Lost in converstaion and the excitement to carry on exploring after our break from the hundred stairs we'd both just clambered up we veered left. I was a little confused following Jackie as the peak we were heading to stated that we needed to take a right to get there but she was walking left. I didnt bother saying anything and just followed as the way we were going looked inviting and as you all know I love to explore and I felt like a big kid. For a start there was a huge, huge rock which looked like it had been chipped into and it looked like a walkway had been created. We walked through it nd even past a rope that was dangling in front of the walkway with korean writing on it. When we got up I couldnt believe the view . It was beautiful. Me and Jackie decided to sit down on the grass by a rock shrine looking thing. The sun was out and it was a warm place to sit we thought but as Jackie began to lay down her mat a man shouted and told us we werent allowed to sit there. I then realised he was a monk and that we were right by his tiny hermitage. He waved for us to come up the stairs and invited us into his little house. I honestly felt so guilty going in after climning over the rope and sitting on his sacred plot. Anyway it seemed like he wanted us there so we stayed there.For about three hours! It was the nicest thing Ive experienced since Ive got here. His hospitality was amazing and he fed us with beautiful fresh tea, chocolate, fresh strawberries, avocado and then went off to do his chanting and praying in the next little room. It was a beautiful sound and he was at it for a while before he came out to talk and get some rice as an offering to Buddah then went back in to finish. He chimed his bell he had in his little hut and then came back in to feed us with rice, soup, lotus root and loads of other lovely things. It was so nice to just be there with him and exerience his way of life for just a few hours. Jackie and him talked a lot as best they could and it was nice to just listen to him answering her questions about his life and about being a monk. I was enticed and Ive come away today feeling so blessed and loved for that little monks sheer hospitality and kindness to two cold, tired, hungry backpackers. I'll never forget that monk. Ill never forget the smell in there, the sounds of him chanting, his lovely little hut and surroundings that he showed us before we left. It was really amazing. The view he had was out of this world and he's all up there by himself. Happy to just live his simple life worshipping his God showing his hospitality to wanderers such as Jackie and myself.

Id like to go back one day to see how that little monk and that lonely woman are doing.

Definately by far my best time in Cheonan so far. And Ive only been here a few months...

Free Hugs !

2007-02-04T03:40:00.000-08:00

I first saw a 'Free Hugs' sign on someones blog I was reading a few months ago and couldn't stop laughing. The first time I saw one being held up by a guy in Cheon-an was a few weeks ago and I HAD to go and sandwich him between me and my mate. Think he was a bit suprised as he'd been stood there for ages without anyone approaching him for one :( aww. Think its such a cute idea and SO Korean! This would SO not happen in Manchester. It would attract all the weirdos for sure. I dread to think....
Have shaken on it with a friend that we've got to do the free hug thing in Cheonan before we leave....the more I think about it the more I regret it !

Gwandeoksan Hike!

2007-02-04T03:35:00.000-08:00

Never been hardcore hiking before until I found out Jackie was going with a few others from Cheonan. Boy was it hard work but boy was it a lot of fine fun :) Felt so good to get some fresh, clean air into these abused lungs of mine. Am soooo chuffed that Ive actualy chucked in the fag habit once and for all. I think I would have almost died if I was still smoking during this hike. The hike up was so steep (dont think the peeps I went with thought it was hardcore! )but we went at a good pace and had breaks. It got to be said though that the trip down the icy mountain was a whole lotta fun....think I slid down about 1/4 of the way on my bum.

Meet Sindyrella !

2007-02-04T03:00:00.000-08:00

So Carole's gone away to Indonesia for two weeks on a mission with my church and look who shes asked me to look after.... She is gorgeous but has an OBSESSION with hands and feet. Its really nice to have a bit of company around the place :) Am gonna enjoy have her about I reckon :)