San Francisco!!

It is about time I update my blog... alot has happened since May! I am finally back in the United States of America - and it feels so good to be back closer to family and friends.. Closer is the keyword.. I returned to Arizona for only a week, then i moved to SF for a job... I just started working at Best Buddies (www.bestbuddies.org) as the High School Program Manager.. I am excited for this new job, and for the new city - but stressed starting all over again in a new city!

Luckily, my mom came to help me get settled in SF - settled into a hotel until I move into my new place on the 1st of September....
I will post pics soon! The new place is amazing... there are 6 of us moving in, all going to the same Singles Ward in SF, and I don't know any of them yet.. but I am looking forward to the year....

If anyone travels to SF give me a call!!

Pyeong Taek Church

Occasionally I head down to Pyeong Taek to attend the English Speaking ward there.. Here is the branch in Relief Soiety, then everyone after sacrament.. it is a really nice branch!

 

 

HARD ROCK CAFE

I headed up to Seoul a few weekends ago for the birthday celebration of Ruth and Ange... here we are enjoying our overpriced but delicious drinks at Hard Rock Cafe... We got pedicures before we went out that night, and our friend Wensley also got a black manicure

 

 

 

Buddhas Birthday

It has been a while since my last blog... no real excuse - just laziness lately!! This past weekend some friends and I were heading to an Island for the 3 day weekend, but the ferry was cancelled due to the weather... so we just randomly went to Pusan instead...
THE BEACH!!! Saturday was all cloudy, and rainy - but this was Sunday and it was beautiful!!

 

Buddhas Birthday - so we headed to the Beomsa Temple in Pusan

 

 

 

Acupuncture

I started acupuncture this past week.. I figured I should try some traditional Korean medicine while living here. It is supposed to help with overall health, and make you have more energy. I have been getting sick a lot lately - so I thought this would help. Let me describe the adventure:
First - I get the Oriental Medical Clinic, and they explain a lot of it in Korean really fast, so I caught about 50% of what was being said - the part I understood was that there would be some blood... So, they lay me down and begin to put about 30 needles throughout my body... Small small needles. When he put them in it didn't hurt at all... Then they attach a small wire to each needle (like when you jump start your car) and they proceed to give each needle an electrical shock! I wasn't expecting that. That lasted about 40 minutes.

Second - I was sure I was done after that, so I said thanks, then they said "wait, you need to go upstairs for MORE!" So, I went upstairs into the unknown! I got up there and I once again laid down, and this time they attached small circular sticky things to my stomach and legs, and they were also attached to an electrical current. For about 20 minutes they charge these sticky things, and it does crazy things.. It felt like my muscles were being twisted around in circles... This is supposed to get the blood flowing, and start removing toxins from the body.... So, after this 20 minutes of electricity I thought - For sure I am done now.. but alas....

Third - They removed all the sticky patches, and then the nurse brought over this cart with about 16 ceramic tea cups, and a flame... WHAT! She proceeded to place a tea cup over the flame and then place it directly onto my stomach.. It would then attach to my stomach like a suction cup (a very painful one) she did that with all 16 tea cups... and that stayed on my stomach for 10 minutes.. When she finally removed them, I had 16 perfectly circular bruises all over my stomach - which I guess is a good thing, because it is removing the toxins.....

That is my experience.....

Here is a picture from wikepedia of what the bruises looks like - I opted for that picture instead one of my own stomach!! Just imagine 16 of those bruises across my stomach!!

New Students

Well... March was the start of new students coming to Kdg... They are SO young - the class that I am in charge of is all 5 year olds (Korean age - so American age 4) They are adorable - There are 2 little boys that are ABSOLUTLEY ADORABLE... Here are their pics...




It has been a chaotic month with so many new students, but it has been fun as well..

Kongju - Roadtrip

So... I slept in Saturday morning, and when I finally rolled out of bed realized I had absolutley NO plans.. and really nothing to do! Which created the perfect opportunity to just drive, and see what I could find... I began my trip with the goal of following any 'Brown' road signs, regardless of what they actually say. The 'brown' road signs always led to some historic, or touristy spot. So..I drove, and drove... and kept on following brown signs... And after about 1 1/2 hours of aimlessly driving I saw a sign with TWO brown signs, and 2 options.. I decided to follow the larger of the signs - and ended up at a Fortress in Kongju. Enjoy the pics...

 

 

 

 

MY 2 WEEKS IN REVIEW

First stop North Carolina……
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I had a WONDERFUL time visiting my younger sister and her adorable family.. my nieces are officially the cutest kids ever (and I am not just saying that because I am biased) Here are some pics of the trip:
BIKE RIDING IN THE HOUSE

 

Second stop Salt Lake City….

Next stop was SLC to visit my older sister and her boyfriend… I had a great time there as well.. It was tricky, every where I visited I was ready to move there… NC to be with Tiff and the girls.. then SLC to be closer to my older sister… then AZ to be close to my bro and parents.. but alas….. I am back in Korea…

Rachael and Eric took me snowboarding - turns out I am not a good snowboarding, but it was SO much fun! And Rachael, who is actually a really good skiier, hung out with me the whole day on the bunny slope - and the easier runs! She was so sweet... and encouraging after my MANY falls!!
It was a too-short visit… I will definitely spend more time there on my next visit.. Rachael and Eric were wonderful hosts.. they even had Root Beer on stock, and Cracklin’ Oat Bran for breakfast – 2 of my favorites!!
Rachael @ Solitude

 

 

 

Next stop – SUNNY ARIZONA

Always feels good to get home, even though the flight managed to lose my luggage on a one hour trip! Hanging with the parents was a blast – and argument free!! My mother and I went to a cooking class.. Chef Brad… and I can now make El Salvordian Tamales – and they were quite delicious!

Of course I went to visit my little bro, and my new sister-in-law at their place, and we totally jammed to Guitar Hero… I am now attempting to buy a wii so I can buy guitar hero and entertain myself here in Korea…. I even beat my brother at one song (albeit I was on easy, and he was on hard, but those are just the details)

 

 

 

 

4th Stop – CALIFORNIA!!!

Laura and I decided to take off Friday and drive to Magic Mountain for a day filled with screams, and fun… but turns out Magic Mountain isn’t open on Fridays… But don’t worry, we just drove to Knotts Berry Farm – via San Diego - and had a FABULOUS time..

 

 

 

FINALLY…… INTERNET

My New Place
Yes, Good News – I have internet access at my apartment! My boss moved me while I was on vacation in the states – so when I finally made it back to Asan, I was in a new apartment! And I love it.. a total upgrade from the mold infested place I was staying in!

No Internet Access...

So - I recently moved to a glorious studio apartment that is not equipped with internet access.. Hence the late posts! I really am commited to keeping this blog up to date - however without internet it has been tough!!! SORRY!!
Enjoy all the Christmas Postings!