I remember my first snow day as a teacher back in Minnesota. I cranked up the heat. I actually shoveled the driveway by myself for the first time in my life. I watched MANY episodes of Scrubs and Friends over a 48-hour period.
Life the last three days has been similar to a snow day, but snow hasn't been the reason to stay home.
H1N1 has been the culprit.
This past Tuesday our school shut down for a week because of swine flu. Eight students and two staffs members contracted the virus and the Korean Health Department advised us to shut down for a week. What???
School re-opens next Wednesday. I've been busy eating, running, and watching plenty of movies indoors to avoid catching the pesky infection. Life never ceases to get boring living overseas!
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Monday, August 10, 2009
The 1000 Kilometer Summer
This summer was a complete whirlwind for me. Every day was planned out. No lie! I felt like I was going a 1000 kilometers an hour! I vacationed in Manila, toured around Korea with my family, attended two classes for graduate school, zoomed around a motorcycle across the Ontario, relaxed at my cabin, and reunited with college friends at a wedding. I think I traveled close to 1000 kilometers each trip this summer! Regardless of time and distance, here are some highlights from my hectic summer.
DESTINATION: Korea
DISTANCE: ?????????????????????????????????????????????
It takes 15 hours and 50 minutes via Tokyo to fly from Minneapolis to Seoul. Math is not my strong suit and I’m not even going to attempt to figure how the kilometric distance. (Is kilometric a word?!)
I have been anticipating my family coming to Korea for two years and was absolutely tickled pink when they arrived in June. I took them all over Daejeon, Seoraksan, and Seoul. We hiked mountains, ate bulgogi with a random family, shopped, scrubbed down at the jimjilbong, and marched all over Seoul. I can’t believe I managed to get my family around Korea with my limited Hangul. This adventure is definitely one of my favorite Nelson family vacations.
Korea photos:
DESTINATION: Canada
DISTANCE: 1286 kilometers
I finally made to Canada. I suppose dating a Canadian gives one incentive to visit!
I toured the Ontario province with Alan on his motorcycle in early July. Let me clearly state I have NOT converted to motorcycle riding, but I enjoyed the brevity of being a “motorcycle mama” for a week. (If anyone else ever takes me a on ride, I usually have a breakdown after five hours on the bike. I wish I was kidding!)
We went to a cabin for 4th of July, dinner cruise, Niagara Falls, and his hometown. Alan and I met up with three of my coworkers from TCIS from dinner in Toronto. Such a cool city! After visiting the Toronto area, Alan drove us to North Bay and Sault St. Marie to meet some of his relatives. We eventually drove back to Minnesota (a.k.a. the Canadian Riveria) in his aunt’s Mustang so I could get back for grad school. I could definitely convert to becoming a “Mustang Mama”. :)
Canada photos:
DESTINATION: Chicago
DISTANCE: 622 kilometers
This weekend was a preview for NPU Girlfriend Getaway 2010!! My good friend Rebekah got married in late July, but it was a mini-college reunion of sorts. I got to enjoy some sister bonding with Mals in the car on the way to wedding, then smashed into a suite with Mallory, Davia, Stephanie, and Aubrey for two nights. It was such a fun weekend of reminiscing and girl bonding. I can’t wait for next summer!
North Park Girls:
DESTINATION: Korea
DISTANCE: ?????????????????????????????????????????????
It takes 15 hours and 50 minutes via Tokyo to fly from Minneapolis to Seoul. Math is not my strong suit and I’m not even going to attempt to figure how the kilometric distance. (Is kilometric a word?!)
I have been anticipating my family coming to Korea for two years and was absolutely tickled pink when they arrived in June. I took them all over Daejeon, Seoraksan, and Seoul. We hiked mountains, ate bulgogi with a random family, shopped, scrubbed down at the jimjilbong, and marched all over Seoul. I can’t believe I managed to get my family around Korea with my limited Hangul. This adventure is definitely one of my favorite Nelson family vacations.
Korea photos:
DESTINATION: Canada
DISTANCE: 1286 kilometers
I finally made to Canada. I suppose dating a Canadian gives one incentive to visit!
I toured the Ontario province with Alan on his motorcycle in early July. Let me clearly state I have NOT converted to motorcycle riding, but I enjoyed the brevity of being a “motorcycle mama” for a week. (If anyone else ever takes me a on ride, I usually have a breakdown after five hours on the bike. I wish I was kidding!)
We went to a cabin for 4th of July, dinner cruise, Niagara Falls, and his hometown. Alan and I met up with three of my coworkers from TCIS from dinner in Toronto. Such a cool city! After visiting the Toronto area, Alan drove us to North Bay and Sault St. Marie to meet some of his relatives. We eventually drove back to Minnesota (a.k.a. the Canadian Riveria) in his aunt’s Mustang so I could get back for grad school. I could definitely convert to becoming a “Mustang Mama”. :)
Canada photos:
DESTINATION: Chicago
DISTANCE: 622 kilometers
This weekend was a preview for NPU Girlfriend Getaway 2010!! My good friend Rebekah got married in late July, but it was a mini-college reunion of sorts. I got to enjoy some sister bonding with Mals in the car on the way to wedding, then smashed into a suite with Mallory, Davia, Stephanie, and Aubrey for two nights. It was such a fun weekend of reminiscing and girl bonding. I can’t wait for next summer!
North Park Girls:
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Ten years??????
During the graduation ceremony last week it dawned on me that it's been TEN YEARS since I graduated from high school. Has it really been that long since I donned my own maroon cap and gown?
It has.
My over-analytical nature went into overdrive as a I pondered about the things I have done and/or accomplished over the last ten years: graduated college, tatooed my body, dyed my hair more times than I can count, lived in a foreign country, lived with folks, learned a new language, became a teacher, and traveled the globe to my heart's content.
Life has been pretty good thus far.
As the graduation speaker talked about the challenges the seniors would face, I daydreamed about what my own future would be like in the next ten years. Where will I be? What will I be doing? I get scared thinking about the future. Deep down I still feel like the starry-eyed 18-year-old that was nervous about moving to Chicago and living on her own for the first time. Regardless of whatever fear I feel, God has taken me down a path. And he has always been consistent and faithful. He really hasn't left me, just gently guided me down other paths or taken me places I would never normally go. This has helped me shape my goals and dreams more realistically. I've learned to work harder for them, but be more relaxed if they don't work out the way I want them to. This has been good progress for me.
I'm excited to see what happens over the next ten years. Maybe I'll eventually learn to cook during the next decade. :)
It has.
My over-analytical nature went into overdrive as a I pondered about the things I have done and/or accomplished over the last ten years: graduated college, tatooed my body, dyed my hair more times than I can count, lived in a foreign country, lived with folks, learned a new language, became a teacher, and traveled the globe to my heart's content.
Life has been pretty good thus far.
As the graduation speaker talked about the challenges the seniors would face, I daydreamed about what my own future would be like in the next ten years. Where will I be? What will I be doing? I get scared thinking about the future. Deep down I still feel like the starry-eyed 18-year-old that was nervous about moving to Chicago and living on her own for the first time. Regardless of whatever fear I feel, God has taken me down a path. And he has always been consistent and faithful. He really hasn't left me, just gently guided me down other paths or taken me places I would never normally go. This has helped me shape my goals and dreams more realistically. I've learned to work harder for them, but be more relaxed if they don't work out the way I want them to. This has been good progress for me.
I'm excited to see what happens over the next ten years. Maybe I'll eventually learn to cook during the next decade. :)
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
In the month of May
Things are busy. Really busy. Extremely busy. But also really fun. Here are some highlights from the month of May!
Girls (plus Johnny!) weekend way to a beautiful cabin in the Korean mountains! We ate, slept, and talked for three days straight. Awesome!
80's party!!!
Spring bike trips in my stretchy pants. (And showing off my muscles from lifting so much this semester!)
Alan comes to visit for a weekend to visit me and attend some great festivals in Seoul!
Girls (plus Johnny!) weekend way to a beautiful cabin in the Korean mountains! We ate, slept, and talked for three days straight. Awesome!
80's party!!!
Spring bike trips in my stretchy pants. (And showing off my muscles from lifting so much this semester!)
Alan comes to visit for a weekend to visit me and attend some great festivals in Seoul!
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Malaysia
Fun in the sun! (And the local mall!)
The view from our hotel!
My co-workers and I found some fun at the airport. We got the chance to dress up in hanboks, a traditional Korean dress, and practice bowing. Bring on the Joseon dynasty!!
The view from our hotel!
My co-workers and I found some fun at the airport. We got the chance to dress up in hanboks, a traditional Korean dress, and practice bowing. Bring on the Joseon dynasty!!
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Canadian Encounters of the Third Kind
Canadians are everywhere. I have met or been reunited with several Canadians over the past six weeks. I probably know more abut Rick Mercer, Ontario, the war of 1812, the tooney, and the order of the Canadian provinces than most Americans do.
Welcome to my encounters with Canadians of the Third Kind.
Encounter #1- Canadian in Korea
I first met Alan at 6:30 a.m. on a very chilly Seoul morning back in early March.
That is a lie.
Alan and I first met online and began communicating back in October. We swapped emails a few times a month, but started communicating more regularly in early February. He proposed the idea of meeting in person and offered to fly up to Korea for a week so we could meet and hang out. I happily agreed at the genius of his idea. :)
I first “encountered” Alan at the Seoul airport. He is originally from frozen tundra like myself, but currently lives and works in Manila. His poor body could not stand the shock of the cold after becoming acclimated to tropical weather. I immediately steered us to the Korean sauna for the afternoon. Luckily, he is a BIG fan of spas and saunas. He came back to Daejeon to see my place, meet friends, and try out yoga. I give him props for bending and twisting in unnatural ways for the first time!
After a week together, we agreed I would fly down to Manila two weeks later and continue our “getting-to-know-you” process. See Canadian encounter #4 for more details!
Encounter #2- Canadians in Malaysia
Two days after Alan left, I hopped on a plane to Malaysia with several of my co-workers to attend the EARCOS 2009 conference. (Check it out at www.earcos.org)
If overseas teaching occasionally gives me the chance me to attend to professional development sessions about film and vocabulary, then spend my afternoons lounging by the pool and drinking pina coladas, I might never return to the States!
I met several Canadian teachers at the conference and got a chance to reunite with my Canadian friend, Mary. I met her at writing conference back in Seoul in October 2007, then again during my Japan trip in February 2008. We enjoyed catching up over dinner and dancing at the conference. One of my favorite parts about teaching overseas is meeting so many interesting teachers!
Encounter #3- 1/16th of a Canadian
The morning I got back from Malaysia, I hopped on a bus headed for Seoul. After ten long months, I was going to reunite with Davia!
Davia is only 1/16th Canadian. I am sure my math is incorrect, but her mom is Canadian, so that technically makes her 1/16th Canadian. Right? Maybe not, but she is a bit of a Canadian at heart.
We had a whirlwind week of fun! Davia works for the U.S. Navy in Japan, and her military credentials allowed us to stay at the Yongsan Army Base in Seoul. I instantly feel odd being around American culture, but after I saw Taco Bell, things somehow felt right again. :) We spent time in Seoul and Daejeon going to palaces, museums, performance art shows, shopping, doing yoga, and just talking about life. I was very sad to see her go. Davia is moving back to the States, and will not be “next door” anymore. I look forward to our reunion at Rebekah’s wedding this summer!
Encounter #4- My Shy Canadian
I headed to Manila at the beginning of April to hang out with Alan a bit more. He met me at the airport with roses in tow. I knew it was going to be a good week! We spent the first few days in Manila attending church groups, playing floor hockey (or ball hockey as the Canadians say), eating fondue, and meeting his friends. Last year I went to Manila on a mission trip, so it was interesting seeing a ritzier side of the city.
Alan, his friend Phil, Phil’s girlfriend Grace, and I left Manila mid-week and traveled up to a mountain area called Baguio. The four of us spent time hiking, visiting Stations of the Cross, visiting an old U.S. Army retreat center, eating, and chatting about life. It was a welcome escape from the heat of Manila. I will not lie, but being back in the mountains made me yearn to visit Switzerland again! After returning to Manila, Alan and I decided to take the plunge and start a long-distance romance. I think Phil said it best: "thus starts the romance between the extroverted American and the Shy Canadian.”
I cannot wait to learn more about Canada's national igloo!
Welcome to my encounters with Canadians of the Third Kind.
Encounter #1- Canadian in Korea
I first met Alan at 6:30 a.m. on a very chilly Seoul morning back in early March.
That is a lie.
Alan and I first met online and began communicating back in October. We swapped emails a few times a month, but started communicating more regularly in early February. He proposed the idea of meeting in person and offered to fly up to Korea for a week so we could meet and hang out. I happily agreed at the genius of his idea. :)
I first “encountered” Alan at the Seoul airport. He is originally from frozen tundra like myself, but currently lives and works in Manila. His poor body could not stand the shock of the cold after becoming acclimated to tropical weather. I immediately steered us to the Korean sauna for the afternoon. Luckily, he is a BIG fan of spas and saunas. He came back to Daejeon to see my place, meet friends, and try out yoga. I give him props for bending and twisting in unnatural ways for the first time!
After a week together, we agreed I would fly down to Manila two weeks later and continue our “getting-to-know-you” process. See Canadian encounter #4 for more details!
Encounter #2- Canadians in Malaysia
Two days after Alan left, I hopped on a plane to Malaysia with several of my co-workers to attend the EARCOS 2009 conference. (Check it out at www.earcos.org)
If overseas teaching occasionally gives me the chance me to attend to professional development sessions about film and vocabulary, then spend my afternoons lounging by the pool and drinking pina coladas, I might never return to the States!
I met several Canadian teachers at the conference and got a chance to reunite with my Canadian friend, Mary. I met her at writing conference back in Seoul in October 2007, then again during my Japan trip in February 2008. We enjoyed catching up over dinner and dancing at the conference. One of my favorite parts about teaching overseas is meeting so many interesting teachers!
Encounter #3- 1/16th of a Canadian
The morning I got back from Malaysia, I hopped on a bus headed for Seoul. After ten long months, I was going to reunite with Davia!
Davia is only 1/16th Canadian. I am sure my math is incorrect, but her mom is Canadian, so that technically makes her 1/16th Canadian. Right? Maybe not, but she is a bit of a Canadian at heart.
We had a whirlwind week of fun! Davia works for the U.S. Navy in Japan, and her military credentials allowed us to stay at the Yongsan Army Base in Seoul. I instantly feel odd being around American culture, but after I saw Taco Bell, things somehow felt right again. :) We spent time in Seoul and Daejeon going to palaces, museums, performance art shows, shopping, doing yoga, and just talking about life. I was very sad to see her go. Davia is moving back to the States, and will not be “next door” anymore. I look forward to our reunion at Rebekah’s wedding this summer!
Encounter #4- My Shy Canadian
I headed to Manila at the beginning of April to hang out with Alan a bit more. He met me at the airport with roses in tow. I knew it was going to be a good week! We spent the first few days in Manila attending church groups, playing floor hockey (or ball hockey as the Canadians say), eating fondue, and meeting his friends. Last year I went to Manila on a mission trip, so it was interesting seeing a ritzier side of the city.
Alan, his friend Phil, Phil’s girlfriend Grace, and I left Manila mid-week and traveled up to a mountain area called Baguio. The four of us spent time hiking, visiting Stations of the Cross, visiting an old U.S. Army retreat center, eating, and chatting about life. It was a welcome escape from the heat of Manila. I will not lie, but being back in the mountains made me yearn to visit Switzerland again! After returning to Manila, Alan and I decided to take the plunge and start a long-distance romance. I think Phil said it best: "thus starts the romance between the extroverted American and the Shy Canadian.”
I cannot wait to learn more about Canada's national igloo!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)