Dear Santa, This year I've felt extra inspired to write due to the lack of holiday cheer over on this side of the world, as well as the ever-pressing fact that Christmas is going to be quite different without family, friends, and snow. My kindergarten students agree that writing you letters will aide in an unfathomable selection of gifts and wishes come true, so I decided to give it a shot. First of all you should know that I've been good this year. Actually pretty darn good. Please disregard the fact that I've broken many traffic laws including speed limits and red lights, refused to eat everything on my plate (sorry pickled sparrow eggs just aren't that appetizing), and stealing others discarded furniture down in the trash/recycle pile ... Read More
Archives for 2012
Very Inspiring
No soon had I written my post about accepting the Liebster Award, I received notification that Maria, author of Still Times had nominated me for the 'Very Inspiring Blogger Award!' I originally started writing my blog for my family and friends I left back home. It was an easy way everyone could be up-to-date on the goings on in Derik and I's travels. What I didn't expect is that fellow expats and bloggers of similar interest started reading my blog too!!! I am so appreciative of my readers, it keeps me writing! I am very flattered to receive yet another award for my blog. The 'Very Inspiring Blogger Award' is awarded to blogs that give others inspiration with their passion for what they do (photography, writing, journalism). The Rules ... Read More
Delicate
A snowflake. Is there anything else more delicate? Intricate? One-of-a-kind? It still blows my mind that each one is made differently. It reminds me how complex the world was created...and a lot of times we just take it for granted. This week's photo challenge wanted readers to post a photo that means something 'delicate' to them. A few weeks ago I was preparing my classroom to look 'Christmas-y' with my kindi students. I, of course, whipped out the old trick of paper snowflakes. The kids had never made them before and had an absolute blast cutting paper. After trial and error, trial and error (lets face it, it took us ALL a while to figure out that you cant cut all the edges), we finally had a winning batch of truly unique ... Read More
Bring forth the holiday cheer pt.2
I may have mentioned before about having a few more Christmas photos for Derik and I up my sleeve. We took a 30 min drive to the rocky side of the coastline...and found a rather level area on the purple colored rocks. After a quick hour we succeeded with taking them and having a great time while doing so! I am really, really enjoying my tripod, and even thinking about taking it on the trip to Vietnam (6 days!!!!!)...we'll see how that goes. I would highly recommend...if you have any free time between now and Christmas taking some DIY Christmas photos. Not only is it a blast for you, but relatives and friends benefit from it as well! Just in case you missed part one of this photo shoot, you can check it out here. While ... Read More
Recipes: grandma knows best
I don't know if you're like me, but the perfect Christmas cookie recipe is hard to find. Well, look no further. Everyone knows that gingerbread cookies are an American holiday favorite. The soft and spicy cookie is just what anyone needs for the cold holidays...especially paired with a cup of tea or hot cocoa. I was a bit hesitant to share my cherished gingerbread recipe, passed down to me from my Grandmother, with you at first...after all, it's been in the family for years. But being in the holiday spirit, one cannot be greedy and selfish. Also, this recipe is achievable from KOREA with a little help from iherb.com. If you're in for some warm (actually these are even good frozen), soft, and all around darn good cookies...give these a ... Read More
I’ve become domesticated.
This year, Christmas has turned me into a person I'm usually not. While others are out in the frigid cold, fighting for that last christmas sale, stopping by Starbucks to buy their favorite holiday drink, and dressing up for Christmas parties, I'm either working or hanging out in my little cozy apartment. I shouldn't have used the word 'hanging' (i.e. chilling, resting, doing nothing), because I have, in fact, been a busy little bee. In my few short hours I have each day (one in the afternoon on my lunch break and two at night- after work and before bed) I manage to cook, clean, shop, pay bills, AND pull out my domesticated Martha Stewart side. I'm not much of a crafter usually, but for some reason, around the holidays I get inspired ... Read More
Liebster.
The other day I received a notification on my blog that I've been awarded the Liebster award by the very kind Ttanvi. I was super flattered and thrilled that someone thought my blog was awesome enough to get an award! Thank you so much! I have to admit I had no idea what the heck a Liebster Award was, so after extensive googling I think I have found my answer. Liebster is a German word meaning 'favorite' or 'beloved. This award is usually given to inspirational blogs that have 200 or less followers. Here are the rules for this award: Upon receipt of the award, one is to: 1) Link back to the blogger who gave it 2) Paste the award on the blog 3) Choose 5 blogs to pass this award to 4) Let the recipients know about their nomination by ... Read More
Weekend reunions
Some of you may remember our excursion with Ethan and Sandra ( also with Josh and Stephanie!) in September over Chuseok. We had such a great time we knew we wanted to meet again soon to hang out. Unfortunately the only time available was Mid-November-when the hustle and bustle of the holiday season begins. Sadly Derik wasn't able to make the four hour trip up to Seoul with me. He has been kept extremely busy with his job, and between his weekend job (working with another construction company), evaluations, lesson plans, and honest-to-goodness rest after 14 hour days, he just wasn't able to make it work. We all missed him, and are excited to hang out next month on our Christmas vacation to Vietnam. I left early Sat. morning (last week) for ... Read More
Bring forth the holiday cheer
I started decorating for Christmas early. I have always loved the smell of cinnamon, the blinking LED lights, and the glittery ornaments that happily hang on my tree. If it were up to me, I'd have Christmas year around. This year it's been a bit of a challenge when it comes to Christmas decor, especially since Korea isn't that big into Christmas. I've taken that challenge, and am still mastering my victory. As you will see in the next couple weeks I have been trying my hand at making most of my decorations, and some have turned out great...while others have been a flop. I currently have cinnamon salt dough ornaments in the oven...crossing my fingers on that one. Since it is our first Christmas in a new land I was really wanting to do ... Read More
