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

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!