Annyeonghaseyo

So we headed out for the beach a couple of weekends ago for yet another hash run and good times. Scott, Stormy, Kim, Brandon, Marcus and Tori all decided to attend the hash because it was Tori's naming hash (After 5 hashes, the group gives you a name). She is now Tipsy Tori :)

For the Hash we went Gyeokpo, which is about two hours south of Iksan and only has one foreigner in the entire area (about a 45 minute circumference). When we arrived to Gyeokpo we noticed the weather had gone from AMAZING in Jeonju to poop. As Kim and Brandon were setting up their tent the rain began to pour and took retreat in our over priced love motel. We took advantage of the relaxing times to hang out, drink and take in a little of the view.

The rain cleared off after about an hour and the hash was started almost immediately. Stormy and Kim were virgins this time so they had to carry a balloon with them the entire hash. The hash lead us through some fantastic views but, Stormy and I had other things on our mind... Like sitting down and eating some patbingsu! We quit the hash about half way through and sat in a pub enjoying beer and patbingsu. What is patbingsu you say? Well let me tell you, it is only the most delicious icy treat in Korea! It is actually shaved ice, condensed milk, sweet red beans, and dried rice cake. Sometimes yogurt or chocolate syrup are added to make it even tastier, but I haven't met a patbingsu I didn't like. Here's a picture of the one I took care of that day.



After we enjoyed a little resting time, we were able to catch the most amazing sunset off the beach. Right on the water, it was breathtaking. We took it in with a few pictures and a little quite reflection before heading off to dinner.



At dinner a group of about 25-30 of us wayguks (foreigners) got together and met one another and it was a great time. We stayed up late into the evening playing games like "I never" and laughing. Later in the evening about four of us decided it would be a good idea to try out a little night swimming... and it was a great idea!

We ran into the freezing cold ocean, a few Koreans around to spectate, then swam around for about an hour. The most amazing thing was that the algae in the water made the water light up every time we moved in the water. It was an experience I will never forget and felt like something out of a movie.

For 4th of July weekend we headed to Jeonju for a charity dinner with music and a raffle. I ended up winning two things out of the raffle (which never happens) and two other people gave me their prizes because I was so excited about winning my two prizes! I won 4 tickets to the spa, an original photograph of a cherry blossom tree, a handmade necklace and a $50 gift certificate to a wine bar in Jeonju!
We had a great time celebrating the 4th of July for a good cause and we had great friends there enjoying it with us! Great success


As for teaching, the new semester of adults is well underway. I only had one little problem and it was my only ajima (little old lady). She's a retired teacher and she is in a class that is a far lower level than she is and she wants to tell me how to teach all the time!!! BAH she's driving me insane! But no worries, I will conquer. The rest of my classes are coming along fine and we're having a great time. A lot more talking for the students this semester.

Then there are childrens classes which are running more smoothly than ever and they're actually getting better than I ever expected! Right now I am working on teaching my 8 year olds how to read and it is REALLY hard! To this point they have been memorizing pictures and words and have not had to work too hard on spelling or reading, but I'm pushing them and they're actually loving reading!

Here are a few pictures of my students!