8 Months Later? What the? 4 Months Remain? How? Where?

Confused, baffled and amazed.  How did 8 months go by so quickly?  Although to be completely honest, some days it seems I've been in Korea for years.  Things that once seemed foreign and intimidating are now familiar.  People that have seemed distant because of a language barrier have become friends or at least colleagues in which we exchange greetings and brief conversations.  I'm more comfortable in my job and with the students.  I know how the classes go, I know the students (perhaps not all of them by name but it takes time), I know their strengths and weaknesses.  I know the troublemakers and the outcasts.  I know how to get around Korea and how to navigate and work with computers in a language I just barely read.

Japanese Cheery Blossoms: Gyeong-ju, Korea

And then there are days when it truly feels like I just got here.  Days when I make a rookie mistakes, or when Korea's last minute, vague communication style catches me off guard.  When all the Korean I have learned in the last 8 months takes a vacation from brain and I can't even think how to say, "hello."

While my time here is brief I feel I have gotten quite a bit out of the experience.  So far I have visited the DMZ, traveled all around the country, visited palaces and temples, hiked one of the tallest mountains, experienced lantern and firework festivals, traditional folk villages, and even a K-Pop concert.  I've also eaten pretty much everything that Korea has placed in front of me, and while I will not eat dog or live octopus I think for this former vegetarian that is a pretty bit accomplishment.

So right now I am making my list of what I need to see in Korea in the very short time I have left and the next few months seem to be jam packed.  First, Angie and I have friends and family (Angie's sister Terri), will come to visit in May and June! Can't wait.  During that time we have a lantern festival, Buddha's birthday, and a one more festival during that time.  Also, right before they get here I am participating in a Whale Festival in which I will compete in a dragon (but renamed whale for the event) boat race.  I am also planning a visit to Seoul to see Wicked sometime in June.  In July, I'm hoping to go to the Mud Festival which isn't really cultural but should be a lot of fun.  Then in July or August, whenever our summer vacation is, Angie and I are planning to hit Thailand!  One last hurrah before we become separated by a continent and an ocean for the first time, not counting vacations, since we met in 2000.

Whew with all that I hope all goes according to plan and I stay on budget, so I can come home and start grad school September 4 in New Hampshire! And on that note I'll leave you with some pictures of the most recent teacher's outing in which we went to admire the Japanese cheery blossoms.

Vice Principal and fellow teachers in 2nd boat.

Swan paddle boats... cuteness is everywhere
in Korea