Around Mokpo




photo credit: Krista Farley

Today is the last day of regular school until March. Lizzie booked tickets to Singapore last night so we're going from January 20 till February 4th and we're meeting Krista there, as she's going with her mom. I have a Korean teacher dinner this evening with all the teachers from my school. Next week will be another trip to Seoul for a New Year's eve party with a bunch of Mokpoites. Will be in touch by email for the next little bit until I can upload some more pics for the blog. I'm going to miss my school computer.
cheers!

I have a camp!

Yay, I am so happy that I have a camp as it means an extra million in my pocket for the holiday! (won that is, oh well) It's kind of out in the country so I will be staying in a motel, but the dates are good, second and third week of January. That means I have next week to RELAX! Then the camp, then three weeks in Singapore and Malaysia with Lizzie and Krista, then a week back at school (but no classes - ok!) then two more weeks off. This is just the winter break folks! Teaching rocks - I highly recommend it.

I know the pic does not really match the post, but I like it! This was taken very early, maybe 6am, on a Sunday morning in Gwangju which is why the streets are deserted. This is near the Migliore shopping district and is ablaze with lights and crowded with street vendors at night.

Christmas day at the Illo orphanage near Mokpo.

There were 22 kids and about 10 foreign teachers, plus three staff so this event was a lot more crowded and busy than the party last week at the smaller orphanage in Mokpo. We did crafts, music, presents, fried chicken and a good time was had by all. Santa even showed up! I think for many of us foreigners it felt good to have a focus for Christmas day, especially those of us like me who have never been out of the country for Christmas. The day was so warm and sunny it felt like a day in April back home, plus many businesses were open so it wasn't a typical Christmas. Many people had to work the next day too...

Of course the children were adoraable and were very excited and appreciative. I had fun taking pictures and video and got a lot of candid shots.

more apartment pics...

A sunrise from my 7th floor window.

Christmas party at the Mokpo orphanage on the 22nd

This was a real delight. Christa volunteers here once week and organized some of the foreign teachers to come and help out for Christmas. We brought gifts, did crafts, had pizza and fried chicken and the kids put on a concert for us. Truly have the Christmas spirit now ...

photo credits: Sloane Kusmack

Good times in Seoul...

We went out for Indian food with a big group, organized by Michelle bless her heart!

The trip to Seoul takes about three hours by train and is very pleasant.

Michelle, Erin, Kira and I looking not too bad for three in the morning!

We went to three or four bars all on the same street in the University district, this one was the most fun and we stayed till they closed at 6am then went for breakfast!

Good times in Gwangju...

This was a couple of weeks ago when Shanda, Lizzie Krista, Tanya and I spent the weekend in Gwangju.

Its a bigger city than Mokpo and about an hour away by bus. This is Shanda and I in the elevator which are always mirrored like this.

Krista and I practicing our side kick in the motel room.

Lizzie and Krista looking gorgeous as usual!