ii. Wow.

So, I work a lot and I work hard, but it's been worth it after I've completely fallen for my kids. I teach 14 four year old Korean cuties and it's been SUCH a joy. I laugh every single day and sometimes they do such adorable things that I just want to die. Can you tell from my gushing that I just love them??

One great thing about my job is we'll do different trips or activities which are actually pretty interesting. We've had pajama day, cooking days, field trips, and holiday parties. Almost everything I do with my class is stressful since they're so young and there's so many of them, but we manage and always have a great time. Here are some pics of my babies that make my Monday-Fridays go by so fast...

:)

i. A new chapter

oh my goodness...

If it wasn't for this adorable coffee shop near my apartment,

I might've been lost forever. I've missed you all, very very much.

First! Mailing/work address:

Lisa Puckett

c/o LCI Kids Club

SeongJi Building 2nd floor

Bangbaedong 837-16

SeochoGu, Seoul City,

Korea 137-060

Second! Update:

I moved in and started working right away. It's hard not to compare my experiences last year with this one, but they are completely different. I'm right in the city, so it's incredibly convenient, BUT the Korean staff isn't as.. accommodating. My immediate area is kinda ghetto, but I found an amazing little coffee shop close enough and laid back enough that I can show up in my pjs and fart around. Everyone's nicer in my area since it's not as ritzy, so overall I like it. My apartment is just a one room studio (with no loft like last time), but I'm nesting well and busy making it look awesome. A vid and/or pictures to come soon!

This week of vacay has been spent catching up AND saying good-bye to a ton of people leaving. At first, though I knew this would happen, I was really sad, but my co-workers that live on my floor are amazing and I'm able to connect with some new people. Sooo, lots of new beginnings... which is good, yet frustrating and stretching at the same time. I miss having people around that really know me and love me for who I am. Well, I know everything comes with time...

ALL THIS BEING SAID I MISS YOU ALL INCREDIBLY.

Seriously, once I get internet, Skype...

I have some addresses and I found the post office, so letters to come soon!

Write me or at least give me your addy! I just bought cute stationaryyy lol ^.^

You can reply with any specific questions that you may have~!!

Love,

Lisa

This made my week:

Jessie: HAHAHA i didn't realize you had no phone. i texted "i miss you." and your mom answered

"this is lisa's mom, i miss you too."

XXXIV. You say goodbye, I say hello.

Here are some pics of several of my classes during the last days of work. I still can't believe I've left them after a year and three months. I miss my kids.

T/TH:

Reading 3.2

Reading 4.1

M/W/F:

Junior 1

Science 2

XXXIII. Gimje Horizon Festival - 10.3.09

Gimje, the land of the horizon.

Around Seoul, it is pretty mountainous, with fairly challenging trails that are great to hit up around fall. However, Gimje, my mother's hometown, is completely flat- which is great for growing rice. To celebrate a good harvest and beautiful countryside, there is a festival held called "Gimje Horizon Festival." The following weekend after Chuseok, I revisited my relatives to attend the festival.

I didn't know much about my uncle as a photographer, but it was fun to follow him around while he captured moments and conversed with the locals. He had a little exhibition in one of buildings, so I was able to see his work and talk about art. It was seriously one of the coolest moments I've had in Korea. Talking about creative things with my Korean uncle.

I love things like this = such a nerd :]

Turkish ice cream. So random.

Basically, this is what happened:

-Ate a LOT of yummy food.

-Didn't sleep.

-Hung out with my uncle and aunt a ton

-Was interviewed by Arirang (oh the wonders of being part caucasian)

-Made a lot of crafts. Multiple times.

-Saw fireworks.

-Hung out with my mom's baby sister and her kids. I'm so in love with them!

-Free stuff.

-Met a great-aunt for the first time.

-Learned how to make silk.

-Had a heart to heart with my cousin, Jihae.

I'm incredibly thankful for my relatives.

The white and blue dragon keep the peace

by maintaining the balance between good and evil.

On the last night, I experienced "ganggangsullae," an awesome surprise after my students had been telling me so much about it in class. It's a traditionally female dance, now enjoyed by everyone, celebrating the brightest full moon of the year. Everyone holds hands in a circle and sings/chants "강강술래". As my aunt was telling me, not only does it symbolize the harvest moon but also unity and peace by joining as one heart.

Sadly, I wasn't brave enough at the time to jump in, but it was really heartwarming to see entire families holding hands and singing, promising each other to keep the bond of unity. No wonder families in Korea are so close. Who wouldn't be after such vulnerability ;}

Anyways, I keep missing weekends in Seoul and at Jubilee, but I don't mind. These moments with my relatives are few and far between. I count them as precious.

XXXII. They call it a revolution.

I'm on my last week of work. And I'm replaying all the Kpop songs that help me forget that life is serious. Just for now.