My New Love

I've been on a lot of trips and I've met a number of amazing people in my day but I want to take a moment to tell the world of my new love. Well, it's more like "loves" because there are three amazing individuals that I want to draw your attention to.

I'll start with Rachel, she is beautiful, smart and warm-hearted. She is willing to open her home to anyone in need at any time. She is my best friend and I want the world to know that I love her.

Next is Trevor, I've never met a more handsome man than him. He's tall and strong, and one look into his big, blues eyes will capture your most inner being and you will never be able to give your whole heart to another man.

But as amazing as they are, no one or nothing will ever compare to the beauty and love I have for their dog, Kimchi. My soul craves to be with him and I desire nothing in this world but to be loved in return by Kimchi.

What I have to look forward to!

This was published from a BBC online article on Monday (Thanks Jay for sending me the link and for your concern!)---- so far here in my part of Seoul (the northern part) I haven't seen anything too bad. It's a bit gray today but I can still see parts of the sky. Everyone here talks about the "yellow dust" coming in during the spring months..... so it looks like we are definitely getting closer!

I'm pretty much way cautious about everything. Did you know that in pretty much all situations I'm in, I first think of what I would do in an emergency?! It must be the innate fireman in me from my father!

Here's the article:
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China dust storm hits East Asia

The dust picks up toxins as it passes over Chinese factories

A huge cloud of choking dust is passing over South Korea as the first sand storm of the year blows in from China.

South Korea has ordered schools to close and drivers in south-west Japan have been warned about low visibility from the dust clouds.

Every spring brings "yellow dust" storms which blow sand from China's Gobi Desert over the Koreas and Japan.

The dust storms have become more deadly each year as they pass over China's industrial zones picking up toxins.

South Korea blames dozens of deaths every year on the storms, mostly of elderly people and those with respiratory problems.

South Korean authorities advised parents to keep younger children at home to avoid the dust.

"We have advised the closure because kindergarten, primary school students have weaker immune systems," Min Eyu-gi, an education official in the southern city of Busan, told Reuters news agency.

Seasonal winds lasting from late February to April or May combine with dry winter weather to pick up millions of tonnes of sand from China's northern deserts.

The storms turn the sky a yellow colour and coat everything in a layer of fine dust.

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Also - here's a subway map to show you where I'm at in relation to the city. Now don't be fooled...... it's much larger than the map appears it to be. I circled where I'm at in yellow. Click on the map to enlarge it.

That's all for now - Blessings!

The end of term

This last week we started a new term, so the previous week was filled with parties during the last 30 minutes of each of my classes.

I was amazed to see that I had been teaching for three months already.... and in about a week I will have been here for four months. The time has gone by so fast and I still wake up every morning so excited to be here in Korea.

Even though I have never seen myself as much of a teacher, I have really enjoyed learning to be a good teacher for these kids. I started out my new term more confident than the last and was excited for the fresh start, the new students and the new materials.

But here's some pictures from the end of the term of some of my students:


This is Karen - she actually came into my class about halfway, but she is so much fun!

Ahem.... yes, the coolest teachers at our branch.


This is Jin Hyeon - and this is a picture of him turning his chocolate snack (called Crunky) to "Cranky". He was pretty excited to show this to me and thought it was SO funny! He's a really good student and I have enjoyed having him in my class. He spent some time abroad in China, so we would speak a little bit to each other just for fun. He also is very street smart, not just book smart (which a lot of students lack street smartness or creativity here in Korea with the education system they have)

Hahahaha - this is another picture of some of my favorite students. This is James (with the Nintendo) and I told him to put his glasses upside down to take a picture of him, but he got so involved with the game he forgot to change them. It was too funny! To his left is Jack - he's a tiny little guy.... a fireball! He's very funny and hates pictures, so it's rare that I got this shot!

These are my FAVORITE girls! They are so much fun and they are such great students. Both Sharon and I adore them. From L to R: Sophia, Karen, Vanessa, Michelle and Claire. I actually have Claire's little brother in a different class I teach..... Jimmy (See picture below) Jimmy is on the left and Andrew on the right. They are teaching the class to play a game here in this picture.


Haha. This is a picture of Teacher Jessica - gotta love it!

And Sophia with her artistic abilities! Some of these girls LOVE to draw. All the tests and quizzes I grade always have some type of picture on it.

So I will get some video uploaded and some other updates as to what I've been up to, but things continue to go well. I have had a really great experience my first term and I have been tremendously blessed.

I continue to be challenged and sharpened as a result of my relationships here and it's so evident that the Lord is working in everything that our group of friends is part of. It's very exciting. It's starting to warm up here in Seoul, so it makes it very enjoyable to be out and about. You all are more than invited and welcome to visit ANYTIME.

Blessings!