Chiak Mountain Spring Picnic

We took a trip to Chiak Mountain yesterday with the entire school staff, enough people to fill a coach. The mountain is designated a Korean national park. The trees in the area were deciduous, and many were only bearing buds. Therefore, the view wasn't spectacular at all, but the ascent was physically challenging. Before the hike, we departed the bus and had a group "warm-up" exercise led by Miah, Lindsay, and Michelle. It was a stretching and aerobic workout, it was a funny way to start the hike. We all got warmed up, and had some laughs in the process. I set out with Ben, Lindsay, Michelle...and Lindsay and I reached the top of Chiak first, followed 15 minutes later by Ben and Michelle, then Aaron, Sean, and the rest of our fellow participants. The decent was quick, Mi and I hiked together and reached the restaurant just outside the national park entrance. We didn't know if the place was actually open, or it was ready to serve all us hikers. To our surprise, inside everyone was drinking Makkali Soju (fermented rice wine) and eating Kimchi. We joined the Korean staff, shuttle bus drivers, hall monitors, friends and a few parents for the appetizers. Then we ate delicious Acorn Tofu, served with red pepper sauce and leafy greens. We also had more Tofu and finally Bi-Bim-Bop and large bowls of rice and red pepper paste served on the side. It was delicious. After dinner, we played a Korean version of "foot volleyball" on a dirt sports lot, setup nearby the restaurant. It was a tough game to play, I took the first two hits off my chin (sorry Erin!!!) and couldn't serve inbounds. It was fun though, and we headed for the bus after losing two matches to the Korean pros. We sang kareoke or Noribon on the way home, and songs were in Korean and English, it was hilarious! I'm exhausted today, I have a cold and didn't go to church. Well, it was a busy weekend, but it was nice to have a trip somewhere without our own expenses. Hope all is well back home, miss everyone, wish I could return (my wish everyday) but I have to save enough to make this teaching worth all the effort. Cheerios and milk ~^^++

Chiak Mountain Spring Picnic

We took a trip to Chiak Mountain yesterday with the entire school staff, enough people to fill a coach. The mountain is designated a Korean national park. The trees in the area were deciduous, and many were only bearing buds. Therefore, the view wasn't spectacular at all, but the ascent was physically challenging. Before the hike, we departed the bus and had a group "warm-up" exercise led by Miah, Lindsay, and Michelle. It was a stretching and aerobic workout, it was a funny way to start the hike. We all got warmed up, and had some laughs in the process. I set out with Ben, Lindsay, Michelle...and Lindsay and I reached the top of Chiak first, followed 15 minutes later by Ben and Michelle, then Aaron, Sean, and the rest of our fellow participants. The decent was quick, Mi and I hiked together and reached the restaurant just outside the national park entrance. We didn't know if the place was actually open, or it was ready to serve all us hikers. To our surprise, inside everyone was drinking Makkali Soju (fermented rice wine) and eating Kimchi. We joined the Korean staff, shuttle bus drivers, hall monitors, friends and a few parents for the appetizers. Then we ate delicious Acorn Tofu, served with red pepper sauce and leafy greens. We also had more Tofu and finally Bi-Bim-Bop and large bowls of rice and red pepper paste served on the side. It was delicious. After dinner, we played a Korean version of "foot volleyball" on a dirt sports lot, setup nearby the restaurant. It was a tough game to play, I took the first two hits off my chin (sorry Erin!!!) and couldn't serve inbounds. It was fun though, and we headed for the bus after losing two matches to the Korean pros. We sang kareoke or Noribon on the way home, and songs were in Korean and English, it was hilarious! I'm exhausted today, I have a cold and didn't go to church. Well, it was a busy weekend, but it was nice to have a trip somewhere without our own expenses. Hope all is well back home, miss everyone, wish I could return (my wish everyday) but I have to save enough to make this teaching worth all the effort. Cheerios and milk ~^^++

Chiak Mountain Spring Picnic

We took a trip to Chiak Mountain yesterday with the entire school staff, enough people to fill a coach. The mountain is designated a Korean national park. The trees in the area were deciduous, and many were only bearing buds. Therefore, the view wasn't spectacular at all, but the ascent was physically challenging. Before the hike, we departed the bus and had a group "warm-up" exercise led by Miah, Lindsay, and Michelle. It was a stretching and aerobic workout, it was a funny way to start the hike. We all got warmed up, and had some laughs in the process. I set out with Ben, Lindsay, Michelle...and Lindsay and I reached the top of Chiak first, followed 15 minutes later by Ben and Michelle, then Aaron, Sean, and the rest of our fellow participants. The decent was quick, Mi and I hiked together and reached the restaurant just outside the national park entrance. We didn't know if the place was actually open, or it was ready to serve all us hikers. To our surprise, inside everyone was drinking Makkali Soju (fermented rice wine) and eating Kimchi. We joined the Korean staff, shuttle bus drivers, hall monitors, friends and a few parents for the appetizers. Then we ate delicious Acorn Tofu, served with red pepper sauce and leafy greens. We also had more Tofu and finally Bi-Bim-Bop and large bowls of rice and red pepper paste served on the side. It was delicious. After dinner, we played a Korean version of "foot volleyball" on a dirt sports lot, setup nearby the restaurant. It was a tough game to play, I took the first two hits off my chin (sorry Erin!!!) and couldn't serve inbounds. It was fun though, and we headed for the bus after losing two matches to the Korean pros. We sang kareoke or Noribon on the way home, and songs were in Korean and English, it was hilarious! I'm exhausted today, I have a cold and didn't go to church. Well, it was a busy weekend, but it was nice to have a trip somewhere without our own expenses. Hope all is well back home, miss everyone, wish I could return (my wish everyday) but I have to save enough to make this teaching worth all the effort. Cheerios and milk ~^^++

Chiak Mountain Spring Picnic

We took a trip to Chiak Mountain yesterday with the entire school staff, enough people to fill a coach. The mountain is designated a Korean national park. The trees in the area were deciduous, and many were only bearing buds. Therefore, the view wasn't spectacular at all, but the ascent was physically challenging. Before the hike, we departed the bus and had a group "warm-up" exercise led by Miah, Lindsay, and Michelle. It was a stretching and aerobic workout, it was a funny way to start the hike. We all got warmed up, and had some laughs in the process. I set out with Ben, Lindsay, Michelle...and Lindsay and I reached the top of Chiak first, followed 15 minutes later by Ben and Michelle, then Aaron, Sean, and the rest of our fellow participants. The decent was quick, Mi and I hiked together and reached the restaurant just outside the national park entrance. We didn't know if the place was actually open, or it was ready to serve all us hikers. To our surprise, inside everyone was drinking Makkali Soju (fermented rice wine) and eating Kimchi. We joined the Korean staff, shuttle bus drivers, hall monitors, friends and a few parents for the appetizers. Then we ate delicious Acorn Tofu, served with red pepper sauce and leafy greens. We also had more Tofu and finally Bi-Bim-Bop and large bowls of rice and red pepper paste served on the side. It was delicious. After dinner, we played a Korean version of "foot volleyball" on a dirt sports lot, setup nearby the restaurant. It was a tough game to play, I took the first two hits off my chin (sorry Erin!!!) and couldn't serve inbounds. It was fun though, and we headed for the bus after losing two matches to the Korean pros. We sang kareoke or Noribon on the way home, and songs were in Korean and English, it was hilarious! I'm exhausted today, I have a cold and didn't go to church. Well, it was a busy weekend, but it was nice to have a trip somewhere without our own expenses. Hope all is well back home, miss everyone, wish I could return (my wish everyday) but I have to save enough to make this teaching worth all the effort. Cheerios and milk ~^^++

Sleeping past times in SK

Usually we go out for dinner with everyone from school on Friday nights. This past week was exhausted, I was past-empty, so we went home for dinner and slept early. Saturday, we rode our bikes past Ansan Lake Park. Afterwards, we slept for three hours and had Tak-Kal-Bi (BBQ chicken and noodles, served with side dishes of coleslaw, Kimchi, dark-green leaf lettuce). The huge meal served for two with all the side dishes (free refills) all for $15.00 USD. We checked shops for baby-clothes for Christie's newborn, sets (shirt/pant/sock) combinations were selling for $125.00 USD. We will find a nice card I'm sure! Baba sounded good when we spoke last weekend. Spoke to Dad and he still has two-years worth of firewood in the backyard, that's ^^++ too. Donald didn't take off during today's phone conversation, "Good Boy!" Hopefully, in December 2007 we can plan a family reunion in Thailand (if there are any takers???). I am hoping to take an extended holiday between contracts. Friends from school visited the The Islands - Ko Phangan & Ko Samui, very nice!

Sleeping past times in SK

Usually we go out for dinner with everyone from school on Friday nights. This past week was exhausted, I was past-empty, so we went home for dinner and slept early. Saturday, we rode our bikes past Ansan Lake Park. Afterwards, we slept for three hours and had Tak-Kal-Bi (BBQ chicken and noodles, served with side dishes of coleslaw, Kimchi, dark-green leaf lettuce). The huge meal served for two with all the side dishes (free refills) all for $15.00 USD. We checked shops for baby-clothes for Christie's newborn, sets (shirt/pant/sock) combinations were selling for $125.00 USD. We will find a nice card I'm sure! Baba sounded good when we spoke last weekend. Spoke to Dad and he still has two-years worth of firewood in the backyard, that's ^^++ too. Donald didn't take off during today's phone conversation, "Good Boy!" Hopefully, in December 2007 we can plan a family reunion in Thailand (if there are any takers???). I am hoping to take an extended holiday between contracts. Friends from school visited the The Islands - Ko Phangan & Ko Samui, very nice!

Sleeping past times in SK

Usually we go out for dinner with everyone from school on Friday nights. This past week was exhausted, I was past-empty, so we went home for dinner and slept early. Saturday, we rode our bikes past Ansan Lake Park. Afterwards, we slept for three hours and had Tak-Kal-Bi (BBQ chicken and noodles, served with side dishes of coleslaw, Kimchi, dark-green leaf lettuce). The huge meal served for two with all the side dishes (free refills) all for $15.00 USD. We checked shops for baby-clothes for Christie's newborn, sets (shirt/pant/sock) combinations were selling for $125.00 USD. We will find a nice card I'm sure! Baba sounded good when we spoke last weekend. Spoke to Dad and he still has two-years worth of firewood in the backyard, that's ^^++ too. Donald didn't take off during today's phone conversation, "Good Boy!" Hopefully, in December 2007 we can plan a family reunion in Thailand (if there are any takers???). I am hoping to take an extended holiday between contracts. Friends from school visited the The Islands - Ko Phangan & Ko Samui, very nice!