Welcome to Year 2 (Destination: Jeju)

Hello everyone, I'm back in Korea and still teaching for SDALI. This time, I'm in a new place: Jeju Island!

This is now my 3rd day teaching in Jeju (my 5th day on the island) and I'm enjoying it. Yes, I have a few adjustments to make, since things are done differently in every institute, but I'm blessed to be with a patient, helpful, and caring team. There are 3 foreign teachers (myself included) and 13 Korean teachers; so I have a lot of new names to learn (not including my new students)!

I feel a little out of the loop--maybe my 4-month vacation was too long--but everyone has been graciously helping me get adjusted. I can see this will be a much better year than the year before.

1 downside is that I don't have internet in my apartment, so the only time I can use internet is when I'm at the institute. My cell phone isn't working yet either, but I'll get it up and running soon.

Naturally, I took a few pictures and now let me share them with you:

My flag collection.

This is in my room in Florida.

I have 1 flag and keychain for every country I've visited (I'm missing 1 flag for Switzerland, and 2 keychains; 1 for Switzerland and 1 for Korea).

Can you guess which flag belongs to which country?

In a subway in Seoul.

I was curious.

My apartment building in Jeju!--for now.

I've been told I'll be moved to another apartment next month.

(This apartment is about a 10-15 min. walk away from the institute. The new apartment will be about 2 min. away from the institute.)

I'm on the top floor (Floor 3).

My apartment is the one to the right.

I haven't taken pictures inside yet 'cause I don't have it ready for the camera yet.

An elementary school just across the street from my currrent apartment building.

Oh yeah, these rocks are everywhere.

Going on a walk, I came across this tropical outdoor gym.

After I went through that park, this is how it looked behind me.

A statue beside City Hall.

The day before was a national holiday (Independence Day), hence all the Korean flags.

Here's City Hall.

It's one of the busiest bus stops in the city (although you can't really see that here).

Oh, the adventures that await . . .

Wedding in the Bahamas (16.-19. Jan. 2012)

Alright! I'm all rested from my EuroTrip . . . just in time for my friend's wedding . . . in the Bahamas! I've never been there either. This trip will change that.

This trip is special; not only because of the wedding, but also because my parents came with me. This is the first time we've travelled together (dad and I) since I was 10. Wow, I didn't think I'd have to wait 15 years for the next one. Hopefully I won't have to wait another 15 for the very next one! We'll see.

No, this is not the Bahamas. This is outside our appartment in January. Since when did January look like Autmn?

Dad, Olguita (dad's wife), and I at Fort Lauderdale Airport, waiting for our turn to board the plane.


Waiting for take-off . . . and to see who will start panicking first.

We were going to rent a car, but this car had a lot of issues and the prices were pretty steep.

We took a taxi instead.

Good thing too. They drive on the left (we drive on the right).

A scene I captured as we sped by in the taxi.

The view from our balcony.

Further to the right, still from our balcony (on the 2nd floor).

No wonder they call this place "Paradise Island."

From our balcony, just look up.

Dad and I were captivated by something.

Stoic moment.

That evening, we explored the Atlantis resort (we were on the same island, so why not?).

A friend's suggestion.

To the casino!

Wow. Hello.

Fountains and a rolling marble ball.

Part of the aquarium.

An outdoor patio.

The "bridge" connecting Atlantis' east and west Royal towers (too bad you can't really see it).

This "bridge" is actually a 10-room suite, which costs $25,000 a night. But, if you book this suite, you can book it for a minimum of 4 nights. So, now you know what you can do if you want to blow $100,000 all at once.

I had to take a picture of this T-shirt!

If you want one, go to the Bahamas!

Island Hybiscus

Most of the Atlantis resort from the "water taxi" we took to go downtown.

Dad and I enjoying the ride.

The Royal Towers.

There's the $100,000 suite/bridge.

Walking to the Fish Fry, where one can go and have some authentic Bahamian cuisine.

Poor dad was out.

My lunch:

2 fried fish, baked macaroni and cheese, peas and grits, and fried plantains.

Everything was surprisingly spicy; but still good.

Sunset at a nearby beach (from our hotel).

The swimming pool and hot tub . . .

We've visited the hot tub already twice before, but after the beach, I'm going in the pool.

Same beach from the evening before.

Before . . .

. . . After.

It's time.

The wedding.

I love how there are 3 races represented here.

The bridal party!

(no groomsmen)

Everyone to the left!

Ugh, what are we doing now?

Reception: the Menu.

The cake.

The cake-topper.

I like it.

Time to fly back to Florida.

It's time to leave, but let me do so with the picture of one of the best actors of all time, who happens to be from the Bahamas:

Sydney Portier!

If you love movies and you've never heard of him or seen him . . . child, you've deprived yourself.