The End.

My journey to Korea and the beginnings of this blog started in September 2009. I sit here, over a year later, in a packed apartment, hours away from my next adventure. I only look back fondly!!

It has been an awesome year! An awesome, AWESOME year!

My adventure to Korea started as an outlet of exportation-- for a few reasons. I wanted to live abroad for a while to experience life outside of America. I wanted to do something out of my comfort zone and challenge myself. I wanted to explore a future or potential in travel journalism. I wanted to see Jesus and his kingdom outside of what i was used to. Well friends, i did it! And God had SO much more planned for me.

A few things i learned/was reminded of this year:

- this world is HUGE and my place in this world is very small

- some things just don't make sense to me, and probably never will. i'm "ok" with that

- i value communication, more than ever before

- i don't want to be a travel journalist (but i still love to write)

- Skype should win an award

- the media is an interesting machine often mastering the art of hype

- kids are kids... things they say are even funnier in a foreign language

- Jesus and his beauty is always present-- however, so many people have yet to see it

- i have learned the value of being present... wherever i am, just being completely there

- there is something really rich about sitting on the floor sharing a meal with friends family style

- im an awful chopstick-er (even after a year.)

- non-verbal communication is an artform

- i love Korean food. Especially kimchi. And will probably always eat it.

I feel as if i am a different woman today than i was boarding the plane here. I have done some wicked awesome things. Seen some crazy things. And lived in a freakin' foreign country alone. I've met some awesome, awesome people-- friends! And been confronted with the realities that being American affords one in a foreign country and have been challenged to understand and assimilate into a culture that is completely unlike mine. At times, it has been frustrating, but it has been rich! I love Korea. And the general kindness and generosity i was shown by many Korean friends-- and strangers for that matter-- made my transition and daily life here unbelievably smooth.

I feel blessed for the opportunity to live and travel like i have for the last year. I am thankful that God, in his perfect timing and goodness, opened doors and showed me the bigger reasons for living in Korea. He really is control of life-- and despite my doubt, he has BIG things planned for those who love him and are called according to his purpose. I am thankful for my church and the community of people i met. I am thankful for the opportunity to travel to Nepal-- and for the opportunity to serve with MountainChild when i return to LA. Again, God is SO good to me! His timing and workings in my life are beautiful and SO good. His love for his children is so grand!

All that to say, this is the end. SoKo bound no more. SoKo has been had and it was good! On to the next chapter! Blog? Maybe. (actually probably- but not for a while.)

What is that you ask? Well, first, a sunny vacation in beautiful Thailand! After that, rest and reunion with my loved ones.

Thank you Jesus for life and for the promise of abundant life! You are good... and dang, my heart beats for you. Wherever-- whenever-- whatever... i'm in! All in.

Signing out...

love,

sarah

how about a few pics of my last day, just to finish strong.

funny faces.

more funny faces.

My coworkers.

A Year Ago Today.

Today is January 13th. A year ago today i arrived in Korea.

That, my friends, is crazy! The goodbyes have started. The packing is almost finished. And i anxiously hold two plane tickets. 1 roundtrip to Thailand for a much needed vacation! And 1 oneway ticket to a new chapter in California. If you couldn't gather it on your own... that holds for me a bag of mixed emotions. Thankfully it's less than 25kg as i'm not a fan of those extra baggage fees. But, undoubtedly, a little weighty still.

My massive, human-sized duffel bag (in which my sista Jugie can fit in) on the other hand, is right around 25kg and i'm wondering how the heck im going to haul it to the bus stop. I hope it doesn't snow.

But that's besides the point! : )

Today is exactly one yea... and DANG! It was good.

Hello security check.

Anyang (hey!) Korea!

A Walk in the Snow.

So, i finished my classes at 1:40 today. I don't finish my day until 6. After a massive dumping of snow, which had me tied to my desk, i decided to take a walk to run some errands. While it was bit chilly of a walk, it was beautiful! As i walked, i was overcome with thankfulness for this year and the time i've spent here! My time here is wrapping up quickly... maybe a little too quick! I'm going to miss it here so much! So, in light of that, here's my "i'm going to miss you Korea" list. And a list of things im looking forward to in California.

The Miss List

- having to walk everywhere and having everything within walking distance

- delicious Korean food literally on every corner

- my co-workers/friends (sad just thinking about it!)

- "free service" (that being the extra things you get at restaurants or when you buy cosmetics)

- tteok, jjimpang, kimchi, chamchi kimbap, sundubujjigae, hobak juk, makoli and pajjeon pat, and other Korean deliciousness

- the crazy things i see walking to and from work everyday (near car accidents, crazy delivery boys on pimped out crotch rockets, girls walking in 3 inch snow in 6 inch heels, cute little kids all bundled up, etc.)

- the awesome public transportation and crazy taxi rides

- watching people work out in public exercise equipement and some of the funny things i see them doing on the track (i will not, however, miss the ajjumas rockin' hot pink work out attire walking little dogs whose fur has been dyed a similarly awful color.)

- sharing a meal with friends, sitting on the floor, eating family style

- the little ESL glitches my students make and the awesome dictionary words they pull out (like cerebral hemorrhage = scrape on my head?)

- my tutor student JiEun

- the amusement my kids get when i can understand them or say something in Korean (or the laughter that erupts when i butcher some Korean word)

- my lovely Korean friends!!

Things im looking forward to

- WARMTH-- though be it be a relative term

- seeing my family

- weekend gatherings with my family

- coffee with my best friend

- being able to go shopping, or actually do just about anything without all eyes on me

- buying shoes

- reading the newspaper

- wandering around Target without getting bumped into or hassled to buy something with a loud speaker by a woman wearing a hanbok

- driving

- dyer dried jeans. and socks. and underwear. towels. heck... dry it all!

- whole wheat everything

- Mexican food

- driving and listening to the radio!

Well.. there you have it. Hate to get all sentimental... but it's all hitting me! Korea... you've been good to me! I'm going to miss you!

More to come soon!

(i successfully wasted an hour... time to go home!)

First Day of My Last Week

Wow. Hard to believe that this time next week i'll be finished with my teaching contract and sitting in an airport in China.

More to come on that soon... but here are some visuals of me finishing up my time in Korea! Man, im going to miss this place! : /

Making kimchi with my sista Monica.

Learned how to make delicious Korean food!

Eating fish. Red bean filled, fried fish. YUM!

New Years!

Happy New Year!

2011 is going to be awesome!

Eating my first bungeoppang. Deep fried, red bean stuffed fish. yum.

Monica ssaim documented the occasion.

Danced in the New Year with some awesome ladies!

lovely ladies.

Welcomed up the new year's sun with some lovely friends!

2010 was awesome. Full of change!

2011... i am expectant!! Big things are a comin'... i feel it!

All of it to the favor of my King!

: )

Christmas in Korea

"Jeolgeoun kurissamassa"

This Christmas was the first spent away from my family, and well, i am thankful for two things.

1. That it went by rather quick, and

2. For the people here who made it awesome!

It's hard being away from loved ones during the holidays! Familiarity. Tradition. Mom's home cooking! You know, the little things that warm your heart! When you live across the globe, it is a little hard. But, even though a few tears were shed sharing Christmas with my family over skype... "i had a lovely holiday" (said in a Brittish accent)!

Christmas Eve was spent at work where i watched the first 40 minutes of Elf five or six times. And not just any Elf-- Elf with Korean subtitles. My kids loved it. I found myself mid-evening sitting at Kimbap Heaven on my Christmas Eve dinner break enjoying a less than delicious bowl of bibimguksu (mixed vegetable/chile paste cold noodle dish). My meal was quickly redeemed by the Christmas Eve program on a TV overhead featuring Korean pop stars and their renditions of English Christmas carols. Epic i tell you. I sat there, next to a taxi driver scarfing bowls of rice, chuckling again to myself... "Where the heck am i?" Later that night some friends gathered at my place and we welcomed Christmas Day in with a cup of cider, a potato pizza, some Sacha Baron Cohen Youtube clips, and the company of some good friends!

We celebrated Christmas morning how all Christmas mornings should-- brunch. No rice here folks. Only breakfast food. Only Christmas appropriate American-ly delicious breakfast food. Pancakes. Bacon. Eggs. Potatoes and coffee. It was delightful! A wonderful meal with some wonderful friends... followed by an afternoon of napping, skyping and movies.

i love breakfast! i really love Christmas breakfasts!

My dear friend and our lovely host... thanks Becks!

There you have it... a Merry little Christmas indeed!!

보신탕

Boshintang.

Sorry. That is not a Korean Wienerschnitzel. It is, however, a Korean dog soup restaurant.

Hot and domesticated. Awesome! : )

(Thanks to my friend Zeke!)

To: You

Jesus has come!! Our King is here! For that we celebrate.

May God reveal himself and the beauty of his Son to you this Christmas! This beautiful baby grew to become a mighty servant to all--humbling himself to earth, he died in the place of those he loved, and rose from the dead as a beautiful victor! In that we walk confidently, for that is our HOPE, and JOY and PEACE for today.

Fix your eyes heavenward... because he is coming again!

He has promised to make all things beautiful again!

Merry Christmas indeed!

love,

yours truly

Traffic in Korea

Scenario #1

Bad A is trying to make a left hand turn. Clunker B is attempting the same corner making a right. I am approaching said corner of conflict at about the same time. I stop abruptly to avoid a bodily collision while Bad A keeps turning and stopping inches from Clunkers fender. He, obviously holier and more experienced proceeds to yell from his car window. Clunker B neither finishes his turn nor lets me or Bad A continue and responds to Bad A's hostility. The go at it for a while. Meanwhile i am still stopped, watching, hesitant to run across in the midst of the obviously horrendous offense, motioning for them both to just turn already. Traffic has also stopped- unable to pass both cars now blocking the intersection. Let's go people. And cool your jets... i think i had the right of way anyway!

Scenario #2

I am stopped at a crosswalk. In from of me are two cars fresh in a fender bender. Dumb and Dumber have decided to stop in the middle of the street- blocking both lanes and conjesting traffic through the busy intersection. Whilst an open curb lies maybe 20 feet in front of them to the right. It gets better. An impatient bus- making a left hand turn on a red- weaves its way through now halted traffic and attempts to shimmy itself between said stopped cars and the curb. Meanwhile, the crosswalk signal has given me and other amused watchers a green light. All i could do was laugh and shake my head. First... D&D...pull the heck over yo! Did you happen to look around? Second, bus. Seriously? Seriously. Hate to give you a complex-- but, if a car cannot fit in that space- neither can you. You have a bloody red light. Calm the heck down. LET ME RUN!

Scenario #3

I approach a crosswalk to find two cars who have just kissed. Hardly an accident. Crazy Face gets out of his car, ice cream sandwich in hand (and on face), and makes his way over to Poor Guy. He proceeds to start yelling at this guy who hardly hit his rear, and gets so heated at moments that he starts screeching. Poor Guy suggest that he pull around the corner to get out of traffic (smart guy!)... and Crazy Face follows him-- leaving his car parked in traffic. Idiot. Both men are now standing on the corner. Crazy Face is still munching his ice cream between spurts of profanity and jumbled Korean as milky spit is now flying everywhere. Poor Guy is apologizing and looking to make sure there wasn't any real damage. His car obviously the more valuable of the two. I cross the crosswalk and can still hear Crazy Face screaming from across the street. At this time, Poor Guys has gotten back in his car and Crazy Face is now at his window throwing what remains of his fatty sweets at the guy's car. I get on my bus with only one word: 진짜?!?

(really!!! in Korean.)

Greetings!

Well I've done it folks... i've crossed over into the final month of my time in Korea. And I just realized i've been mistaken on my time left. All weekend i've been telling folks that i have 6 weeks left- i don't! I ONLY HAVE 4 WEEKS!! That is crazy.

But before i go on ranting about my time left, let me recap this last month.

If you didn't know i got to travel home a few weeks ago to visit my family and friends, and most of my November was spent counting down the days! As much as i tried to stay present in Korea, the longing to be home and the closeness of that actually happening was a little much some days. You can ask my coworkers. I'm sure my ridiculous countdowns got a little tedious. Home came and went and it was delightful! I got to spend some time with my family, catch up with dear friends and celebrate the marriage of a dear sister. It was amazing. Just the reboot and refill i needed to return and finish strong.

I've actually been told that i look better now than i did before i left. (I must have really needed a vacation!)

Tensions have been pretty high in Korea the past few weeks. The associated press reports as if war is imminent, yet things on the Korean front are rather commonplace-- with the exception of a few people that is. A few Korean friends and coworkers talk more heatedly about the most recent attack, however no one really considers the idea of an all out war. Being home didn't help. I sat on a balancing act of media hype, social passivism and reality. Needlesstosay, I returned to Korea after my short vacation and well, as expected, life continues as normal here. Admittedly, I was checking CNN daily for almost two weeks straight, but deep down i didn't really expect anything to happen. I still don't.

For the first time ever, i worked on Thanksgiving! For the most part it felt like any other day. Which was a little sad- and something i hope not to repeat again. But we celebrated in full steam the weekend before and rocked a traditional Thanksgiving meal like only expats can do in Korea! No cranberry sauce, or turkey, but it was rounded out nicely with some stuffing, mashed potatoes/gravy, pumpkin pie, and some good wine! I also roasted my first chicken, and that was an adventure. I gutted, cleaned, rubbed down and roasted the little guy. Yes, i am a vegetarian. And yes, that is a neck bone. It was SICK. But i guess it came out pretty tasty.

The lovely clan in my little apartment.

Success.

I spent the last part of November in the states! And it was, again, amazing! Too much to detail right now. Awesome will have to suffice.

I left the California sun and arrived back in Korea to a week of snow! It dumped for two days last week... and stuck! I walked into one class one afternoon with all my little ones up on the window sill. I had to grab my phone to take a picture! I love this class!

Alice. Lisa. Suzie. Hannah. Jinny. Sam

Snow from my office window.

Now i find myself halfway through December with only 12 days till Christmas! Time is flying by! Christmas will be undeniably different, but i am excited to spend Christmas with my friends here! I am convinced that if my expectations are for something new- i will not be disappointed. I will most definitely be missing my family... but celebrating Jesus and his coming to be with us can happen in any and every corner of the world!

Even in my apartment! : )

So now i'm looking forward. Christmas Eve is next. I'll be "working". But, I plan to read the Christmas Story to my kids! Christmas day will be spent with friends! A new teacher shall be joining us the following week. And we plan to rock New Years Eve like only one can do in Seoul! As my dear friend D would say-- it's best! And then we'll break into 2011. Can you believe it? Me either.

There you have it friends! Month 11 was great and the next few weeks promise good things as well! I'll leave the "end times" for another post!

Korea you're awesome. We shall live it up this month!

More to come soon!
-s

Fear Not.

I am alive! :)

And well, life is continuing as normal. Like most threats this past year, in which the crazy man up north has decided to tool with the South, it seems this incident is just that-- a threat. A crazy, horribly unfortunate threat. I don't know what will come of all of this... but i do know that kids are still coming to school, Emart is still open, and people are still on the streets. It must not be that bad.

But, it's a good thing im boarding a plane this weekend.

For more info... check these out.

Korean Herald

CNN : 2 More Bodies Found

New York Times: A Day After

Korean Times

Thanksgiving: My Family!

I love Thanksgiving. It is by far my favorite holiday, and my yearly anticipation starts around September. The romantic in me loves this time of year for many reasons-- most of them, admittedly, a little idealistic. : ) The beautiful fall foliage, the scarf and boot appropriate crisp weather, and pocket full of excuses to bake with pumpkin, make warm apple butter, and sip a cup of spice. And well anything mustard yellow and burnt sienna colored makes me happy! I know, sounds like a cover of Martha Stewart, but i like it.

Thanksgiving however, is so much more than all of that. Obviously. How could i forget the pumpkin bars and green bean casserole?

Just kidding! I have SO much to be thankful for! First and foremost... my family! This year away has reminded me just how awesome they are! And how ridiculously thankful i am for them!

My family is special. In so many of ways! ;) But i am blessed to have a family that values each other the way mine does. I can confidently say that the holidays bring no family drama. Except the one year we decided Mexican food was good for Thanksgiving and Christmas. But that's an exception. Times with my family usually consists of a table or BBQ of pure awesomeness, a football game or two, and a whole lot of love! We've mastered the art of gathering together, sharing a meal, and celebrating all that the Lord has done-- because dang, we have so much to be thankful for! Before i paint a perfect picture of my family and our holiday seasons, let me share that we had our far share of rough ones throughout the years. They've not always been without hardship; we've spent many holidays in the hospital or without a member or two... but Thanksgiving is abundant and we remain solid. That's how my family rolls.

As i sit here in South Korea thinking about my family, anticipating seeing them (in 5 freakin days) i am reminded again just for blessed i am! Truly, Truly! You don't realize what you have until you don't have it anymore. A lesson never more true than now. The past 11 months i have been without my family. While Skype is good to work miracles and evoke stream of tears, it is hardly adequate. A birthday party and dinner though a computer screen is awesome... just not the same. Saturday afternoon when i hug my family, and my Nunkins learns that i have legs and don't live in the box at GiGi's house... i am going to be one happy HAPPY girl! And while im looking forward to some green bean casserole and stuffing, i'll have just what i need!

awww... : )

How i miss football game rivalry weekends with my guys! : )

It's pictures like this that ruffle my madre's feathers... and my bro and i just can't get enough!

My sister. Nunkins...enough said.

Greetings!

Hello there from the other side of 10 months! It is November 15th. This time two months from now, if all goes as planned, i'll have finished my contract in Korea and will be packing for Thailand. (whoot!) Fear not friends, tis only for a short trip!

But awesome nonetheless!

But, right now I am sitting at my desk. It is Monday. And well, we'll just leave it at that. Monday are Mondays-- even when you work in Korea. Though sometimes Mondays seems far more taxing here than ever before.

Two things i have confirmed about myself at work today:

1. I value effective communication. I'll even lower the bar to just "communication". I value communication. Any communication. Even sucky communication at this point.

2. Working in Korea has increased my job place marketability. (If i can work here, i am convinced i can work anywhere.)

And that was just in the first hour of work! I know. It's impressive. You should see me on a good day.

Well, this past month has been a full one! And a Fall one! It's been beautiful outside! The leaves have changed colors and fallen, and I do believe we're coming to the end of it. The trees are nearly naked and it's officially COLD. Like cold cold. It's 43 degrees today. Though far more convincingly cold in Celsius. 6 degrees folks. That's cold! And somehow i forgot my jacket yesterday when i went to church. Yea, it was cold.

A few highlights from my month:

Got together with my lovely Nepal team! It was fantastic! They are fantastic and well... so was Nepal even a few months later.

Spent a Saturday night with some sista at the Seoul Lantern Festival. It was beautiful, and a great nite out with some lovely ladies!

Look at all the people!

Beautiful, eh?

Obama graced Korea last week and my kids were pretty stoked about it. It's been a big year for Korea, and a pretty good one to have spent here. 2010 Olympic Champion Kim Yuna- whose hometown is my very own Gunpo. World Cup- in which they did awesome and put on a fan show like no other. Formula One Racing made it's way to Korea and flopped miserably. Lastly, the G20 Summit- the world's leading powers literally miles from one of the most hostile borders in the world. Good stuff right there, and kind of crazy to think about!

Well that was last month. How about this coming month?

Awesomeness. Pure awesomeness. This weekend is "Thanksgiving Feastivies" at my house. We are making and enjoying a feast like no other. I will be attempting my first convection oven roasted chicken. (Wish me luck.) Our feast will be nothing short of a legit American Thanksgiving, with a few additives- kimchijeon and rumor of sweet and sour chicken. The joys of having Chinese and Korean friends! : )

Shortly thereafter, i'm headed home to celebrate the marriage of a dear sista and to spend some time with my loved ones! I'll be rocking a legit Thanksgiving feast with my AWESOME and dearly missed family who postponed the festivities a few days for me to arrive!! I plan to eat. Stare at the ones i love. Hug and re-hug them all. Soak in the California heat. Hold my sweet Nunkin's hand. And well, finally meet and fall asleep with my Sweet Tae on my chest. It really is the small things that will make my heart happy! I'll then head down to spend some time with my dear sistas... ahh... and watch one of 'em walk down the aisle! :) Life is sweet and the people who fill mine are amazing. I am truly blessed... and SO thankful!

Christmas and New Years follow closely behind my arrival back in Korea and well... i love them both! So, there shall be much celebrating! We'll be welcoming a new teacher to take over my job, and then I'll be preparing to head home. It's rather amazing how this place feels so much like home. Some people here have become like family to me. My church. My friends. My kiddos. While i am definitely ready to be home, I am going to miss many things about my life in Korea. But, we'll save that list for a future Greeting.

There we have it! Month 10 was a good one! Month 11 is looking promising... and well Month 12 is party time!

How about a few pictures from this time last year? Ok.

This seems like SOO long ago!

This seems like a LONG LONG time ago!

"I've been to a roof..."

"I've Been to a Roof..."

Check out my story here!

Reunion.

The team. Minus Pastor Jack. Sarai. Scott. And our Nepali/MC friends. ;)

Last Saturday my Nepal team and i met up in Seoul to reconnect after our trip! It was a great night. We met at my favorite Nepali restaurant, Durga (Jonggak Station. Exit 4). Near City Hall area, a short jog to Insa-dong and about two minutes from Cheonggyechong river. Really a great location for a great night! I was reminded upon exiting the subway that this was where i ventured on my first adventure in Korea. It seemed so long ago. But, I guess it kind of was... 9 months? Dang. That's a long time.

Anyway, back to our night.

We had a great time talking, reminiscing and enjoying some great food. Hard to believe we've been back for over a month! Man, time flies! I am once again convinced that the work of God is full of joy! What did he say... "I came that you may have life and have it abundantly!"? Whoot to that for sure! Fellowship with the Church about things that matter for his Kingdom... that makes for a good dinner party!

The food wasn't too bad either!

It was such a lovely night!

Happy Fall!

Fall has blown in, and i'm soaking it up! Some friends spent Saturday afternoon in the Seoul Forest. While it was far more park then lush forest, it was still lovely!

See... all smiles!

Ice cream in the "forest".

Happy Fall friends!

20 Awesomely Untranslatable Words from Around the World

I think i could add "namogi" to the list! Best translated, "namogi" is an elaborate system of quick word-writing punishment for Korean students who fail a vocabulary test. They've really mastered the art of it, and have also master the art of sneaking in as many words as possible in my class while my attention is elsewhere. Sneaky buggers i tell you!

However, there is debate and uncertainty whether the word is a noun... like "I gave her sentences to write." or "She has sentences." Or a verb, being the act of punishment itself: "You are namogi." as in "You are in trouble."

hmm... the big life questions i tell you. Until i find the answer i will continue to correct them.

Miss Sarah: "You are namogie?" As i draw a picture of a human piece of paper with words written on it. "No, my dear, you're not namogi. You HAVE namogi. And PUT IT AWAY before i throw you out the window."

Hello my name is Sarah, and i am an ESL teacher.

20 Awesomely Untranslatable Words from Around the World thanks to Matador Networks.

Please Pray!!

Friends i met in Nepal, who are working for MountainChild, are with this little girl and her mom! They wrote a blog about her surgery and experience in Kathmandu, Nepal. This was the little girls first time in Kathamandu. Her mothers second. Their first ride in a car... and well, no one speaks their language. Except the 12 year old brother!

Please continue to pray for her and her family! God is good! And a trusted Healer... he is able to do big things!

Scott and Sarai: Surgery In Nepal

Greetings!

I've been in Korea for 9 months!

Crazy. Just plain crazy.

This past month has been a small whirlwind. For those of you following this blogy blog closely... i went to Nepal. It was, in short, AMAZING. So amazing. Sometimes i briefly forget of my travels, but my iPhoto kindly reminds me that, yes, i did indeed travel to Nepal. And yes, it was indeed crazy awesome! Too awesome and long to talk about in this short greeting! But nonetheless life changing in the most awesome-est of ways!

See below posts, and come back again, for more deets.

Right now i am sitting at work and watching the live coverage of the Chile mine rescue. My classes are finished for tonight, and well im hooked! I've been watching all day! So amazing to think about, right? These miners have been a half a mile underground for over two months. Another group of men have been working around the clock to free them! They created a brilliant plan to drill through the earth, and have made a space ship to hoist those miners the half a mile up and out of the earth. That is crazy to me! I was shocked at my first glimpses of the "Pheonix" (the spaceship). That sucka is tiny! My borderline claustrophobia would have me doing panic circles in the cave. Can you imagine being in a cage less than 2 feet in diameter with your arms crossed over your chest, in a shoot of solid rock? The very same rock that collapsed on you a few months prior. Holy heck. Gets me all anxious just thinking about it. But, again, that is besides the point. The men are making their way out one by one... and it's just AWESOME!

Anyway, since this blog is about my time in Korea, i will switch topics. Though that is a little difficult considering i am so ready to be home! I'm not sick and tired of Korea, just ready to be home. You know? I bought my place ticket home for Thanksgiving yesterday, I pretty sure that is contributing to the problem!

Make this attempt two to switch topics.

Fall has wonderfully arrived in Korea! The air is crisp, the boots are out and my neck is decked with scarfage! I am one happy girl! My plan this weekend is to get out of the city and see some foliage! I'm holding out for a Gingerbread latte, but from the looks of it, i think rumors of such deliciousness are false. Anyway, my plan this month (and as long as fall allows) is to find the beautiful places in Korea! :) I think Soraksan and Bukhansan are on the list.

Hmm... what else is new. I got a new couch. It's awesome and pretty dang comfy. I found new running shoes. They're awesome and bright orange. And I baked a pumpkin, and it too was awesome and bright orange! Awesomeness all around!

I guess when you hit nine months, things feel rather "normal". That is, unless you're pregnant. Nine months at that point would be a mix of back pain, diapers, and the weight of looming responsibility for a little one. All of which i don't have, which is nice. And i guess nine months underground wouldn't be all that normal either. But, life in Korea is rather normal at the moment! Which is good!

So, before i keep rambling on just about nothing... how about a few pictures.

My home! And my new couch!

My house take two!

The new kicks.

The curried black bean stuffed baked pumpkin.

Well there you have it folks! Greetings from Fall in Korea! My apologies for the less than exciting update!

But, know i love you! At least those of you who i know!
-s