Random Excursion (30. Aug.)

Hi, I'm gonna go a little out of order, just because I have more time to upload this post and not the one that goes chronologically after the last one (it's so long, I can't cover it in 1 post).

Some of us (teachers and students) got together for lunch at All-That-Barbeque (again). What else were we gonna do? Originally, we were gonna go to the Independence Hall, but we ended up going to the Buddhist village at Taejo Mountain instead. Still good.

My 2 students enjoying the variety of food.


Ingrid is really attentive.
Fabrice is too close.

Whoa, Justin's look is deadly.

At the entrance to the temple at Taejosan. I was already here once before. Proof? Here you go: http://joanninkorea.blogspot.com/2011/04/taejo-mountain-weekend-pt-1-15-april.html

Hi there, Buddha. It's been a while.

We were offered prayer candles by one of the monks. My students are wanting to show us how it's done. No thanks, you wanna do it, that's your thing . . . but don't expect me to pray to Buddha.

Dunno, just caught a glimpse of a moment.

Oh, this moment is clearer.

Just for scale.

Again, this is the largest sitting Buddha statue in Asia.

Yes Ingrid, he's really that huge.

monochromatic moment . . . with some animation.

What are you telling him?

As we leave, just getting a final glance at the statue.

This is a large pond near 5 universities in Cheonan--1 of my students happens to attend 1 of them. I've always wanted to walk along this area.

Sorry that I didn't take more pictures: I was trying to enjoy the moment as much as possible without having to worry about capturing it.

Call me selfish, but I don't have very many moments left; so let me enjoy them to the fullest--even if that means "no captured moments on (digital) film".

Party Day (25. Aug.)

My 2nd to last Party Day in SDALI Korea! The end is coming quick!

This was a highlight to my term. Three great classes and several great students, getting together with each of these classes in different settings . . . yay.

Part 1: 7am Level 2 Class

We went to Angel-in-Us Cafe. It was pretty funny to see Thula's class also there. If Fabrice had brought his students, that cafe would've been exclusively SDALI! It wasn't until just before we left that a non-SDALI student/teacher/person entered the cafe.


Hmmm . . . what to get, what to get.

Free, relaxed conversation.

HA! Twin phones!

Random shot.

The "angel" theme is really obvious--even in the lighting.




Part 2: 10am Level 1 Class

We went out to eat at All-That-Barbeque. Great place.

I thought we were only going to stick around for lunch, but we stayed together for a little longer, VERY pleasant change!

Good attention.

Huh? What's going on?

After lunch; some split the bill, others point stuff out.

Moments like these . . .

Yay! Some of us!

We went to Shinsegae (mall/department store) after and spent some time in the bookstore.

Imagine my shock when I saw this!

I wonder if I should get this . . . .

We were looking at globes and were fascinated by a globe floating between 2 magnetic fields. We're trying to figure out how it works . . .

. . . and now we're all trying to put it back together.

Success.

I can't hide my amazement.

Can this really be true?




Part 3: 8pm with Level 3 (Level 5 & 6 were invited to join us as well. Level 5/6 was at 8pm and Level 3 at 9pm; so we combined the two for that night).

Toujours Cafe; the destination of my final party for party day.

1st floor = bakery; 2nd floor = cafe.

Captured (edited) moment

The bakery inside.

I love it.

From the cafe (upstairs).

The different purchases.

Yeah, the biggest one is mine, but I was sharing!

My batteries were acting up on me as well; you can see them on the table, near my tray.

The men (one missing): Sooway and Charlie.

The ladies (2 missing): Sunny, Lynn, and yours truly.

I can't believe Lynn is in Level 6 (the highest level) . . . she was my Level 1 student when I first started teaching almost 1 year ago!

Cell phone, check.

Food, check.

Utensils, check.

Okay . . . let's start eating!

We got our drinks, so let's pass'em around.

Mine is the mug: Citron Tea. Kinda like oranges, but not.

Ah . . . such a good day . . . am looking forward to the next one--which will also be my last.

Kaffee Heinz (21. Aug.)

I left relatively early from Seoul that Sunday. That evening, back in Cheonan, I decided to go for a walk/jog and stop by a cafe I've been wanting to go to for a long time: Kaffee Heinz. I blame the German name for getting my attention and curiosity.

So I went it and this is what I saw:

Near the counter.

The guitar actually plays and is in tune (I think)!




From my table (near the counter, looking back towards the entrance.
It's across the street from the subway station.

My order, part 1.

Black tea with milk (no latte) and a blueberry muffin.

From my table, looking towards the counter.

Whoa: books, magazines, and blankets.

Nice and cozy.

My order, part 2.

Mocha bun. I love these.

The fork is kinda cute too.

Passing by the sign for the restaurant my religion class and I went to eat out in. For pictures from that, you can go to this post.

Ok, curiosity is satisfied. Think I'll return for another Mocha bun.

Last Meeting (21. Aug.)

Sheesh, it's already the 1st week of September and now I'm beginning to finish the updates of what I've done (or what I've taken pictures of) from the end of August. Man, I've got a lot happening!

Ok, 1st, I'll fill you in on the "Last Meeting". This is the last get-together with the other people from my orientation group. It's the end of the year and most haven't extended their contracts. They will begin to leave that Friday until the following Thursday (Sept. 1). With most packing and getting their things together for their return to their countries, beginning grad school, or just beginning a new chapter in their lives, we were not going to have another chance to meet in Korea again.

The place: Butterfinger Pancakes at Gangnam (rich area of Seoul).

Sleepy Willis and Non-Neo-Nazi Jason.

Hi guys.

Don't remember what we were talking about, but it was worthy of a good laugh.

Random shot and editing (lights from the ceiling).

Got my cup of water, so now I'm waiting for my food.

Michelle's happy with her latte and French Toast.

Ha! Cajun Fried Chicken.

Did I mention this was for brunch? This reminds me of an American dinner.

Lots going on.

Oh, things were not good for Vic.

So yeah. We met. We ate. We talked and laughed. We went our seperate ways. Now, life goes on. I'm glad I got to meet all you people. Our group had something special. Best of luck on all your future endeavors. Godspeed!