Cheonan Visit (26.Dec. - 1.Jan.)

12 Day Term Break!

GOD is Great!!!

(seriously, this is the longest term break since my terms off back in Nov. '11 - Feb. '12)

What did I do? I visited my 1st home in Korea: Cheonan.

Journey started 26. Dec. (my Christmas present to me!)

From my Asiana flight (window seat too).

Keep up the good work, guys!

See? These people know how to keep tourists feeling welcome and want to come again.

View of Korea--in snow

Wow, this airport really is small.

I like it.

Dec. 27: I visit a certain cafe I used to frequent when I lived in Ssangyong-dong.

Ok, different name, but the same guy is there.

This guy has done a great job with this cafe. The name, decoration, menu, everything . . . he did himself. This is literally his cafe. It's got books, games, 2 computers & a printer, and the menu is pretty good too. As far as the pastries are concerned, he makes them all by hand, from scratch--himself.

You don't want to miss this place. If you pass by, tell him you saw his cafe on my blog. I can't guarantee a discount, but I'm sure you'll like it.

Karen and I wanted to try ice skating at the Cheonan Sports Complex, but it was closed. At least we got info on when it will open--even had someone offer to get us in for free.

28. Dec.: Afternoon dedicated to catching up with a friend I hadn't seen for over a year.

Yay, good times.

Emart Traders

(like a Costco or Sam's Club, but under Emart)

1st time I've seen that.

Point of view

My favorite bridge in Cheonan.

29. Dec.: Get together with 4 of several beloved students

I kid you not, this evening went by waaaayyyy too fast. This is what happens when you spend time with people you miss and love.

30. Dec.: Another afternoon dedicated to another girl I hadn't seen in way too long (and at another cafe I really missed).

 
Yay! Back in Lower Garden!
(Their menu has changed--and extremely expanded)

Kate wanted to be the photographer--and me to be the model.

What? A cat and a bird friends?

Here we are.

Great seeing you again!

31. Dec.: Last day of 2012

Karen and I hit the ice.

The guys clearing up the ice during break-time.

The Olympic gate at Cheonan Sports Complex 

The 2 tubing "hills"

Stadium, tubing slides, and ice rink rules.

I think I got it!

Wait, maybe I really do have it

Hi!

Oh, stop posing?

I didn't fall! (I was on the ice for a good 1.5 hrs.)

1.Jan.: 1st Day of  2013

Last lunch in Cheonan

I met with the former Jr. Coordinator at Seo-Cheonan (when I was there) and her family at Mount Fishtail Restaurant (great Indian & Nepali food!).

Isn't she adorable?

Happy family

Ah, the end of my trip has come.

Sadness.

Well, I'll do what I can to visit once more before I leave for good (as it now seems).

Christmas on Jeju

Hi all.

So yeah, . . . Christmas on Jeju . . . right . . . It's really not exciting.

Christmas is becoming popular in Korea year after year, but it's nothing like in the West. Christmas is like another Valentine's Day in Korea. Most shops and restaurants are open (great for me, 'cause then I'm not as bored).

So yeah, not at all the same kind of Christmas we get in the States or Europe.

At least I was invited to a very different event:

Yeap, the sign says it all!

I couldn't understand half of what was going on and the kids were, well, kids.

At least they were kind enough to consider me and welcome me. That says a lot.

After, I just went for another of my random walks.

Never without surprises.

A building . . . how exciting

I know it's not, but what is has is.

Who wants to go tubing?

This is the place and the days they're having this.

Behind is an ice-skating rink.

Must.

Go.

Watching from a distance as several people have fun going down.

I want to join them.

Hmmm . . . the prices make me think about this a bit.

Can we do it anyway?

Apartment, waves, and snow (23. Dec.)

I don't remember exactly when, but I promised to show pictures of my new place. Sheesh, to think I moved into my new apartment back in April, and only now did I take pictures and decide to show you.

Better late than never, right?

We'll begin with my bedroom: 

Bedroom

The blanket wasn't my choice, but it's warm. As far as I'm concerned; in winter, warmth trumps style.

My window's screen.

I LOVE it!

The map of the world with flags! Almost as though it were made for me.

2 wardrobes.

I guess this is a set. Don't really need both, but I use'em anyway.

Bathroom floor.

Shower and sink.

No shower curtain. That's ok.

Bathroom mirror.

Sink & toilet.

Random room

Cleaning supplies and ironing board & iron.

A/C, rice cooker, and vacuum cleaner.

Kitchen.

Refrigerator.

The sliding doors are to the random room, whose pictures I showed earlier.

Between "random room" and bathroom.

Living room

Door & shoe cabinet

(plus a bunch of trash I took out later)

Phone and tourist info and brochures.

Washing machine out in the veranda.

Veranda.

Bed in Bedroom 2 (guestroom)

Window, table, & closet.

(this is where I use my computer the most. this room has the best internet signal)

Inside the closet. 

More storage than anything else.

Ok, there it is! My apartment, about 9 months after I moved in--and 2 months before I move out.

. . . Off to other stuff . . .

Just a couple of blocks from the apartment.

See the blue off in the distance? That's the sea.

The sea.

It was REALLY windy down there.

Just look at how high these waves jump over the gate (about 2 meters above sea level).

Really stormy.

I loved it.

A few students and I had dinner, desert, and then went to a photo booth.

Good times, good times.

Ah, we got snow!

Not much compared to mainland, but it's still snow nonetheless.

A few guys and cars on the snow.

Snow on tropical plants.

At the district court sidewalk.

A little dust on the bushes.

The park by the institute.

Still have to show you my Christmas and Christmas break pics.

Later.

Random Dec. Night walk (19.Dec.)

Hi, Happy New Year!

Allow me to use this time to finish what I couldn't finish last year--my posts for Dec. 2012.

One night, I just felt like going for a walk, so I did. I took the bus to the new city region of Jeju (called "Shin Jeju") and then walked around. I even walked all the way back to the apartment (took about 1.5 hours, but I didn't care). As I walked, I noticed the lights and decided to use the camera in my backpack. Here are my results:

At the Shin-Jeju Rotary (round-about)

Lighted fountain down a promenade (part 1).

Lighted fountain down a promenade (part 2).

Just water & light.

Water, light, & vegetation.

At the intersection to go to the airport.

Top.

Middle (sign in English)

Bottom (sign in Korean)

Not much, I know, but hey I'm slowly getting my wanderlust back. Baby-steps, people; baby-steps. This means I'll have more pictures and more stuff to show you all. 

Now if you'll excuse me, I'll get on to doing just that.