Korea is Konfusing

Please excuse my face. I’m being told conflicting things about summer camp.

Two things I have going on:  1.  The other day, I went to the post office to send off some things to the states. Originally I wanted to send the two boxes by airmail, but was informed that would cost around 117,000 won or $101.00.  So, I opted for the slow route, or surface mail. It was 30,400 won, or about $26. Much better! The downside to this arrangement was that I had to buy their box, and combine the two into one box. And then, the box may not make it to my Dad’s house until 2-3 months from now. The amount of time I can handle, it was mainly winter stuff. My concern comes in when I marked “treat as abandoned” in order to not have to pay even more to ensure that it gets there if they somehow can’t deliver it. Using surface mail is risky enough all ready, but I wouldn’t want to be conned into spending more money to guarantee its arrival. I’m worried about my stuff not making it to Dad’s. After all, surface mail means it goes by ship, land, all that stuff, and who knows what could happen? I’m trying not to worry about it. The next day I sent another box around 5,000 grams or 11lbs, and that was 72,000 won  for airmail (I want to guarantee getting that one back, thank you very much) Anyway, sending stuff back home is easy enough but can get expensive.

2. Summer camp.  Winter camp was a relatively easygoing affair the last time around. I was asked by my coteacher to prepare the lesson plans for camp in a certain way, but I told her the way I did it was the only way I felt I could do it well. She eventually backed off, and the camp went without many problems.

This time around, they are wanting so much, so fast. I am expected to prepare an outline, that was done in April.  No problem. Then, I am told last week to make it more detailed but that it doesn’t have to be “all completely done,” according to one co-teacher. The other says, no, it has to be done, and you have to include every single thing. Even now details are mixed. My 5th grade co-teacher and I have just talked, and I understand more of what they want. Still, it is stressful! I have to revise my plans, and then get all the materials together that I will use to be made into a book to be given to the students (presumably to hand to them at camp each day)…so much so soon! I asked for the “deadline” to be extended.

Most creative present award goes to…..Kate

Kate sent me a present of a cowl and a box of Welch’s Fruit Snacks, in this box:

Kate has good taste.

She’s da bomb.com.

Sorry I haven’t updated much lately. I’m going skiing this weekend though, so I’ll be sure to say how that goes. 🙂

Christmas away from home… and Christmas packages post

I had a good Christmas weekend.
On Friday night, I went and saw The Nutcracker in Seoul with a few friends. I hadn’t gotten much sleep the two nights before, so I had difficulty staying awake at parts, but it was nice. Afterward, I stayed at a friend’s place after we got some Grilled Cheeses from a local bar. It was a magical evening, in part because of the snow 🙂
Saturday morning (Christmas Eve) my friend and I woke up and watched the film Jingle all the Way. We lounged around for a bit even after that, talking and such. We finally went downstairs and got a late breakfast/early lunch at this new sandwich shop&cafe that opened beneath her apartment. The drinks were amazing! I got a Sweet Potato “latte” which was super tasty.
Afterward we walked around in the snow a bit, and she showed me a temple that is near the subway station. It was a serene looking place.
Saturday afternoon I met up with the same friend and another, Jessa, and we looked for things for ourselves and our Secret Santas. I bought a Christmas pattern sweater and a warmish pullover, as well as another pair of mittens. I also bought my secret Santa’s present. Afterward, Jessa and I went to see when Sherlock Holmes would be playing. We ended up having to sit up close in the late show. First we ate at a delicious western-style restaurant, and then we saw the movie, which was SO good. I would actually watch it again, I liked it that much!
The next morning was Christmas morning. It really didn’t feel like it, though. I got up and eventually starting making Banana Bread for the Secret Santa gathering. I called Mom’s cell phone through Skype, and then eventually got in touch with Dad, too. I went for a late lunch at a restaurant near my home that has great Carbonara (the best pasta dish ever). I was running very very late for the get-together, so I got ready and made my way over. I intended originally to go to church first, but I decided against it when I ran out of time)
The Secret Santa get-together was fun. I missed most of the food, but there was still a little left. My secret Santa got me a Calvin and Hobbes book. We talked and watched the movie Elf. Later, we went and got those cutesy photo-booth pictures done. When it got later, we went to another friend’s home and watched UP and talked some more. Eventually, 4 of us took a cab home. All in all, it was a nice quiet weekend. 🙂
Below: Packages received for Christmas 🙂

The package Dad sent- complete with TWO boxes of oatmeal 😀

Thanks to Morgan, I have enough American candy to last me for a good while 🙂

Candy, blanket, and sweet card! ❤ Gwen!

I took this picture on Tuesday, but I actually received two more cards during the week!

ILY Morgan ❤

I am blessed to have the friends I have. I am sorry if I ever take you for granted, that’s the worst thing I can do!

This is somewhat short because I’m about to go to bed….fabulous weekend!!

I have had a fabulous weekend so far. Thursday I received Dad’s gift (picture soon) and then Friday I received Mom’s Christmas gift as well. I originally planned to wait until Christmas to open them, but I accidentally read the shipping label on the side and went and gave in)

Yesterday evening I went and met my friend Kristen for coffee and we talked for a bit. She received our passports back from the travel agency with CHINESE VISAS on them! I am SOOO excited to go to China next month. It finally feels real! I don’t think it will really hit me until a few days before, when I am starting to pack my things. I am looking forward to this so much. I have always wanted to go to China, but even if you had told me I was going to go three years ago when I first got my passport, I don’t think I would have believed you!

Today I got up at 6:00 to get to Seoul and join this running group for their 8am run. I didn’t place in the race for my age group or gender, but I think I may have been faster than the last time I joined them, and it was slightly warmer last time! I finally picked up the 2nd female 5k certificate and dining certificate/ socks that I won for being second place in the 5k last week. Afterward we got coffee and pastries at Paris Croissant. I also got a shot of espresso, which may not have been the wisest thing! Instead of showering, I decided to go ahead and meet my friend who lives in Seoul. I met here when I went to Jeju and she just seemed really nice! We went to Insadong, which has some traditional Korean items that can make good gifts. I didn’t have anyone in mind, so I didn’t buy anything. We went to Itaewon next. We ate at Taco Bell, and then talked for somewhere around 3 hours! We had listened to the restaurant’s 5-6 song playlist probably 10 times! But we talked about everything, from divorce to travel to education to what we wanted in our future husbands. I love quality time with others, and this was no exception. My friend Julia is a really special woman, and I hope she realizes that! Even though my time in Itaewon was mainly spent in that Taco Bell, I really did get the sense that Itaewon is a place that attracts sooo many foreigners. It felt strange to not see 95% Korean faces, but a high percentage of foreign faces! Ahhh. Well I am not sure what Sunday brings, but I would like for it to include some relaxing before the somewhat hectic week ahead.

packages received last week

I know, I know, I said I would keep this thing up to date, and look what has happened! Well, never fear, this blog will update you on how great these people are I call my friends. I may be the most vocal person of all my friends here in Korea, but sometimes I think I have the best friends from back home (and abroad) that I could ever hope for.

These two packages are from my wonderful and amazing friends Nikki and Carmen:
Nikki sent me two CDs and the movie Say Anything, a throwback from our Freshman year days where blockbuster still existed and (I think) there were still 99 cent rentals. I had passed by the movie at some point, but then as I was looking at other videos it struck me and I said to Nikki “Have you ever seen that movie where the guy has a boombox over his head on the cover?” Nikki gasps because she was just looking at the same box. It was then that we knew we were destined to watch it. We watched some good movies that year. The best were Night and The Roxbury, Say Anything, and Good Will Hunting. I feel compelled to watch at least one of them with her when we get together. There’s just something lacking if we don’t! Aww Nikk I miss you. I’m pretty darn lucky to be your friend.

Carmen is also quite amazing. One of the thing she sent me was this little owl buddy filled with some kind of beads or something. I can stick him in the microwave for a few minutes, (it should only be 45 seconds but I messed up the settings on my Korean microwave somehow) and presto! I have this nice little buddy to stick by my feet (or under my pillow, as is usually the case). She sent these yummy fruit snacks too, all of which have been eaten except one. I love gummy snacks so much…and they just don’t really have them here in Korea. I never realized how much I liked them until I couldn’t have them. She sent me some candles, and the movie Fantastic Mr. Fox. I haven’t watched it yet but I do remember it was up for some awards last year. She sent me these yummy cookies she called…oh snap I can’t remember the name. They’re tasty! BUT my favorite thing after the owl and gummies was definitely the St. Ives facial scrub that she sent! Ahhh I love that stuff, and while Korea is awash (pardon the pun) with facial scrubs/washes, it’s made for different skin than mine, and I can’t read the labels (I know…it shouldn’t be that hard to figure out, but everyone has that one thing or two that they feel better having from home).
😀

Now I’m waiting on a Christmas package from Mom and some things I asked my Dad to send. I expect to get them next week sometime. Woo hoo!