Archives for November 2012

Weekend reunions

Written by: Amanda // Category: Expat Living, South Korea

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

Written by: Amanda // Category: Holidays, South Korea

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

They deserve it the most…

Written by: Amanda // Category: Holidays, Uncategorized, Weekly Photo Challenges

Thanksgiving: turkey, family, holiday cheer, Black Friday shopping, reflecting on the blessings you were given. I have a love/have relationship with this holiday. I love the fact that Thanksgiving brings out the warm love and friendship of people. I love the fact that people can set apart their differences to enjoy each other's company. I love the fact that it's an excuse to have the opportunity to cook a huge meal and sit down to enjoy it together. I hate the fact that Thanksgiving is filled with gluttony. How many pieces of pumpkin pie can I eat today? If I weigh myself before the meal, how many pounds can I gain after? I know for most people this is not a problem or a conviction for them. I just cant help but think of how many starving ... Read More

Three quarters.

Written by: Amanda // Category: Expat Living, South Korea

I feel like it was just yesterday that I posted about being here for six months...and we're already here at month nine? Time sure does fly by doesn't it? The days have been blurring together as Derik and I have both started our 10-13 hour days. We look forward to the weekends in which we can plop down on the couch and fall into a slumber-like coma not wanting Monday to raise it's ugly head for a while. Yes. It's pretty darn tiring. I've become a scheduling mastermind of sorts...because now with working from 10:00am to 10:30 pm I have to figure out to-the-tee when I bake my bread, wash the laundry, clean Jazz's cage, wipe off the never ending dust from my table, etc...etc. Good thing for me, I am obsessed with lists. I take an inner ... Read More

11/11

Written by: Amanda // Category: Food, Holidays, South Korea

I couldn't help but chuckle as I looked down at the description of the box I held in my hand, "Strawberry chocolate attached fragrant biscuit." This isn't my first time dealing with Peperos...I was introduced to them by my friend of 12 years, Alexis and her husband Jordan. I'm not sure if they knew what they were...but they were good so that's all that mattered. Peperos originated in South Korea (or so they say) by the mega-brand Lotte. They are made from a long piece of sweet biscuit and dipped in chocolate. They remind me of chocolate covered pretzel sticks. Now what I didn't know until last Friday was, 11/11 is national Pepero Day. I found out about it though my students' thoughtful gifts as they brought me boxes of these sweet little ... Read More

Halloween: ‘korean style’

Written by: Amanda // Category: Holidays, Teaching

I have this little boy in my class that is obsessed with the world renowned hit song by PSY: 'Gangnam Style'. If you have no idea what I'm talking about, click on the link immediately. It will only help you understand my little boy named Tim. He can sing this song backwards, forwards, and also can impressively sing quite a few parodies. He's decided to take the phrase: "Gangnam Style" as his own, and anything he thinks is cool and relevant to him he calls it, "_____ style!" Im talking about everything. On Fridays I try to do crafts with my little Kindi students. I usually end up with some sort of origami paper craft, it's the easiest and with the least material. I found some cute strawberry origami paper, so I decided to make strawberries ... Read More

Archives for November 2012

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