Random Pics to share, just for the sake of doing so (24. & 28. Dec.)

So, today (29. Dec.) I just finished my last teaching day. From now on, it's pure desk-warming. 

(For those who don't know, "desk-warming" is when we go to school, even though all the students--and most teachers--are gone. Why? Because us foreign teachers must be at school for 22 hrs. a week in order to be paid our salary. So, no classes? Just come to school and stay at your desk and you get paid. What should you do? Doesn't matter in the least, as long as you are at your desk from the time the school opens until you're given permission to leave, which for me is around 2pm, anything goes. Hence, "desk" + "warming".)

Take it as you will.

Those who know me know I'm a "cat-person." So when I had my camera with me on my last day and saw cats, guess what I did . . .

PETA would probably have a field day with this . . .

Remember my favorite stepping-stone bridge behind the elementary school in Gapcheon? This is how the entire river/bridge/area looks, covered in snow. Can you see the stepping-stone bridge?

Christmas came and went. I was at another EPIK teacher's apartment for a Christmas party/dinner/get-together. I enjoyed it. True, I did feel a bit lonely at times, but since I don't drink and hardly ever hang out with everyone and/or the out-of-towners who were there, what could I expect? I'm glad I was able to go and be with them for a day.

Friday, day after Christmas, I substituted for another EPIK teacher's winter English camp.

That's right: I/we worked the day before and the day after Christmas. Only Christmas DAY was off. Christmas isn't such a big deal in Korea, as it is in the West. Considering that Korea has a Confusionist background (as opposed to the West that has a predominantly Christian background), it's really not that much of a surprise.

Another shocker for you: Koreans celebrate Christmas like another "Valentine's Day."

Forget the family; This is the national Couples' Date Day!

REALLY Weird, I know. 

Come the weekend after Christmas, I stayed home--just like the weekend before. I really needed to take a break, rest, and take time to skype with friends I hadn't been able to skype with in months.

Then I got tired at staring at my laptop screen, so I decided to go out. I was going to hike a hill, but with the ice on the path, I decided against it.

So I went to the part of the river where the beef festival was held.

You know the river is frozen over when this grown man decides to cross the river--on foot.

I haven't seen this much for myself, so it's a new live event for my eyes.

Just to give you an idea of how deep the snow was.

These rocks are in the middle of the river.

It was really cold here lately.

Whoa, another first for me: witnessing live cross-country skiing.

The river, at least the part that wasn't frozen over.

How artistic.

This calls for walking around random streets.

What could I possibly find?

Uh-huh . . . so, apparently school buses here "walk" . . .

(this was outside a kindergarten)

Eventually, I got hungry. There's a place I like to go to called "Benjamin's Kitchen." No Idea who this particular Benjamin is, but the name calls me--especially seeing it in Roman letters, as opposed to Hangul.

They serve pasta, pizza, and a few rice dishes. I like them. It's odd how I'm usually the only customer there (that's happened about 7 out of my 8 trips there), but I honestly like having a restaurant all to myself. Again, I treasure privacy.

Here's another cool thing about them: Out of all these items, I ordered only 1 thing. Everything else was free.

What did I order? The fries.

Oh, the bowl had a salad and the plate had 1 slice of garlic bread (NOT sweet! I didn't think I could find such a thing in Korea!). I was hungrier than I thought.

Here's my main dish: Beef Pilaf (fried rice with vegetables and small pieces of beef).

So this is kind of the "Before" picture.

. . . and here's the "After" picture.

Beef Pilaf and fries were about $10 (12,000 Won), but considering I got a free salad, slice of garlic bread, pickled radishes and cucumbers, AND a coke . . . yeah, I think it's cheap!

A bit of how it looks inside. 

They like plants.

Anything special or different today? Well, going to school, my bus broke down in the middle of the road out in the country. We waited about 20 -30 min. for the next bus to pass by, pick us up, and take us to our intended destinations as though nothing happened. No big deal.

This was my last "teaching" day. So nothing special, except my 3rd grade middle school girls gave me hugs (they'll be in high school next year). I felt loved . . . 

To top it all off, I went to the dentist to see what they would say about my 4 tiny cavities and how to treat them. They said they'd fill them with resin and it would take about 15-20 min.--and they could do it right then and there. 

Sure, why not? Get it done and over with.

So I did. The only part that I cringed was in the beginning when they drilled into my cavities and hit the nerves. Ohh!

Everything else was fine/not scary.

Now, the big question: how much?

Everything (consultation + cavity treatment and all that goes with it =) 280,000 Won ($254.62 USD / 208.77 Euros).

Oh, and that's without insurance.

It's great to be sick in this country--as long as it's not serious!

My teeth feel weird, but they said it would for a week. If they kept bothering me, then I could come back for them to fix it. Sounds fair enough.

Oh, I understood everything because the receptionist called her high school son__in Texas__ to interpret for us. Perfect English. I thought it was kinda cute, and reminded me of my mom depending on my interpretation skills. Let's say I could understand in a much deeper level.

Wow . . . it'll be 2015 in 2 days .  .  .

Brace yourselves . . . 

Last Dance + Last day at Cheongil Elementary + Winter (18-20.Dec.)

So, I haven't shared this, but for about 6 months (from April with 2 months off in July & Aug), I've taken a "diet dance class." Basically, I deem it as "aerobic on steroids." Yes, it's quite intense. I think enough that it goes twice a week.

Anyway, Dec. 18th was the last day and we went on a 회식 (staff/class dinner). We went to a meat restaurant of some sort. My friend/EPIK coordinator/fellow-foreigner and I let them know we were leaving come March, so it turned out to be our farewell party as well! I was touched at how authentically sad they were to know we were leaving. I honestly didn't think I was doing much, but I guess coming and dancing with them week after week faithfully meant something that I wasn't aware of.

I'm really grateful for the opportunity I had to dance/exercise with them, their gifts (free dinner and singing room, as well as a BEAUTIFUL scarf), and the fact that they respected my dietary restrictions even on the last day (they ordered a beef dish for me and only served me the Korean version of Sprite). Thank you ladies. 정말 재미있었어요. 많이 감사합니다! 

The ladies

Ok, I'll get in it too.

Ah, winter . . .

Winter morning, looking at my apartment from the bus stop.

With my Friday school (청일초) at my back, I gaze at the sky.

My 5th graders trying to stick the correct flag to the correct country.

This map was waaaaaaayyyyyyy too small for this endeavor. Europe alone was completely covered!

My 6th grade girls.

My 6th grade boys.

Yeap, that's it.

Actually, they used to be 3, but then the boy in the blue coat transferred over, so now the playing field is more even (when it comes to teams)

Cheongil Elementary

Cheongil Middle, just next-door.

Now, the weekend. Oh, it snowed last night!

Camera, to thy duty!

The view from my bedroom window.

Looking more towards the left from the previous picture's position.

Whoa, look at all that snow on the poor branch.

I love the contrast of the snow on this pine.

There were several cute and fat Chickadees on this tree, but once I opened my window, they all flew away. Sadness.

So yeah, do you feel cold yet?

Winter + Busan_2 (13-14 Dec.)

Look at what I saw outside my apartment window:

And this was from the 1st week of December!

Nothing like snow to announce the beginning of winter.

Well, on the 2nd weekend of December, I met a couple of my friends in Busan. It happened that I arrived about 3.5 hours before they did, so I decided to do some exploring in the meantime.

Where I arrived. Just 4 hrs. from Hoengseong (+/- traffic)

With so much time, I decided to check out the airport.

Oh, this is good to know.

Wow, look at those round seating areas!

Lovely sunset.

Of course, this picture didn't do it justice.

So this is the train/tram station just outside the Gimhae Airport in Busan.

The International Terminal to the left and the tram stop at the right.

The tram stop to the left and the Domestic Terminal on the right.

Some of the international carriers that come to/go from Busan.

Some more of the same.

The international check-in area.

Not big. Actually, it's about smaller than Gimpo Airport in Seoul.

I haven't seen this in Gimpo!

As you can read, it's a place where you can check the internet for free, and even print something off if you need to--for free!

Brilliant!

and hopefully cleaner than restrooms . . .

Ok, my friends are near. So I need to go and meet them at Busan Train Station,

Walking up from the subway station to the train station.

I do feel very much welcomed, thank you.

From the train station, looking back to where the subway station is.

I love nights solely because of the lights.

From Busan Station, exit 8, this technicolor bridge will greet you (only at night, though).

Here's a good chunk of the harbor.

Alright, my friends arrived and I put my camera away for the rest of the trip.

Sorry, but it was good.

**Oh yes! Before I forget, I finally received confirmation about paying off my student loans. It is finished indeed.**

Thanksgiving in Guri (30. Nov.)

My friend Jennifer held a Thanksgiving meal at her home this past Sunday. There were a few people who came, but it was good that it turned out that way, considering the limited space. But we were all comfortable. A married couple brought the turkey (Jennifer has an oven in her place--most homes in Korea don't have an oven). A former-student and friend of ours brought some sweet potatoes. All I brought were extra hands to help clean and cook--although all I did was help clean. At least I was able to help. Couldn't help do the dishes since I had to leave to make it home before it got too late.

I was able to get a few pics in. Let me share them with you.

The 2 men and their chess game.

Chess (on a Kindle).

Our friend's daughter arranging Jennifer's stuffed animals.

Our friend's second daughter.

Her cute smile and dimples won us over completely.

Ladies playing Jenga as JinSeong observes from his massage chair.

Harold giving it a go.

So, ladies at Jenga and gentlemen at chess (again).

Thought-provoking group, eh?

Most of the food was ready, we were just waiting on the turkey. But we had already helped ourselves to most of the food, as this pic kinda shows.

What? Turkey is done?

Wait, is it my move?

Table, with the turkey.

We played a bit of Pictionary.

Jennifer is drawing binoculars.

Finally, Jack can try some of the food. He dropped his family off and went to work, because something came up. At least he was able to come back and spend a few moments together with us--and most importantly, eat.

I was quite tired by the end (and I still had to get home), but it was worth it. This might be my last Thanksgiving in Korea. I liked it.