Long time!!!

Ok so I know I haven't kept my word on my posting arrangements but give me a break, it's a new year and I'm trying to make some moves and become internationally known. Ya feel me?!! Anyway, I found out I officially have to move this Thursday b/c of some stuff going on with my current apartment...DON"T ASK!!!! Not only that, part of the reason I haven't I haven't been posting is b/c I've been dealing with some personal issues as well. DON'T ASK!!! about that either. I'm back now and that's all that matters and things can't do nothin but get better...YEAH! So the work life is good, I finally got a little bread in my life here and there and I met some more people of course.(yes I am that social butterfly). The kids are coming along with the English very well and some of them are just off the chain speakers!! God I love my job!!! Others are making it...just at a different pace. =) All in all, things are good there. I must admit, my Hangul (Korean language) is getting better day by day and the kids are teaching me just as much as I'm teaching them so it goes hand in hand. I really haven't had time to sight see and travel as much as I'd like b/c I'm always cold and I never want to go anywhere and I'm working on saving money and not spending it. (read the 1st post) I have made plans to see more in Seoul next weekend though b/c it's the lunar new year. "Hey Kisha, what's that?" Glad you asked. The lunar new year is another celebration for all of East Asia and it's called Seollal. They usually celebrate two New Year’s: one on January 1st according to the solar calendar, and another according to the lunar calendar, falling this year on February 7th. During the Lunar New Year time, most people go back to their hometowns to perform ceremonial rites, paying their respect to their ancestors. You can find out more on this at http://english.tour2korea.com/index.asp. It's kinda lengthy to try and explain so I figured you could educate yourself like I did by reading...hehehe!! So with all that said, we'll see what splendor I brace you with after my exploration!!! That's from February 6-11th so of course I probably won't post until after that. So in the meantime between time, if anything pops off, you'll be the first to know. Until then, happy birthday to my father and grandmother and your word of the day is "ip dak cho"and that means "shut up" (of course my students taught me that!!)

Good People, Good Times

Hello again and welcome!! I'm tired b/c I just got off the train from Seoul and I dread getting up in the morning. Ahh!! To begin my weekend was great and I basically experienced more of Korea and chilled for a bit. On Friday, I got off work and headed up to Seoul and went on post at Yongsan to hang out with friends. It was cool b/c we drank and danced and had a good time. The next morning I got up, met up with some friends and went to The Yongsan electronics district. This is basically where you find all the most up to date electronics at somewhat reasonable prices and trust me they have everything from your laptops to pS3's and so on. Even the bootleg DVD's are top notch . Can't beat the 5 for $20 and they're clear!!! WORD! It was so busy and from what I was told, it's like that all the time. I didn't purchase anything though, I was just window shopping for the next trip. After that, I ate and rested a bit before heading back out. Later I went to Bupyeong which is not too far from Incheon and I just hung out in the shopping areas there. I also went by this place that was similar to a temple but more so a church and it was very interesting. The structure was a bit modern and the layout of it inside was unique. I wasn't able to take pics b/c they were having a ceremony of some sort and when I tried to ask about what was going on, no one really understood me so I think I'm gonna try and go back again to see if I have any luck. I just thought it was quite interesting. Speaking of ceremonies, I was informed by my co-teacher that in Korea, when people get married they have the traditional ceremonies but did you know that people have to pay to come to the wedding? Talk about comin up!! I asked if this was something all or most Koreans did and she said for the most part, a majority of traditional Korean women. The money is treated like gifts of wealth so the bride and groom will have a long life together and it's the beginning of their wealth for their family. They charge anywhere from $20 to $50 a person and then on top of that the guests bring gifts. I think when I get married I might implement this and see where my future goes! =) LOL!! I might be at my wedding by myself if it depended on a charge. Unless of course I have Beyonce and Jay-Z there, people might actually pay!!! Keep dreamin!! Anyway, that's what I learned recently and I wanted to share the knowledge. Of course the date that just recently passed was January 8, 2008 and that of course is (1-9-08) which is the year my illustrious sorority was founded and at this point in my entry I would love to give a SKEEEEEEEEEE-WEEEEEEEEEE to all the lovely ladies of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated. That date only came once and it's awesome to be a part of such greatness!!! Also, if I don't post on the 15th, I would love to say Happy Founder's Day to my sisters as well. I'm actually attending a celebration here in Korea on that day so of course pictures are a must!! On that note, I'm heading to dreamland and I will talk to ya later. Your phrase of the day is "yepbum-needa" and that means, "it's beautiful." Goodnite and God bless!!

Happy New Year!!

Ok so my last post was dedicated to my parents which was long overdue, but now...party time!!! I hope everyone had a great holiday and are looking forward to a GREAT '08! I had fun New Year's b/c I went to a party and a half and I experienced Seoul all lit up and pretty!!! It was great. I also got a chance to see my sorority sister who was in town visiting her boo. It was great and she looked great(of course). I didn't really do much to celebrate with any of my Korean friends b/c technically this isn't their official new years. They celebrate in february around the first week. I'll inform you more on that later. One of the teachers I work with did tell me that she goes to church on New Year's Eve and they bring in the new year this way, which is of course similar to how we do it. She said that they pray and they sing and they give worship to the Almighty and then they go home. The celebrating with partying and stuff isn't done until february so I found that interesting. Now let me tell you some crazy stuff b/c I wasn't ready for this. So why was I on the bus headed to the train station and my bus driver starts falling asleep. He almost runs into a safety cone and he's swerving all over the place. Talk about scary!!! Not only that but we stop at a red light and homie just gets off the bus and starts smoking a cigarette. Help!!! I mean what if a car was coming or what if an ambulance or police car was headed to an emergency scene...God forbid of course. Just know that I wasn't ready for what was taking place. I wanted to get off that bus quick, fast, and in a DAMN hurry!!! All in all a the end of the night, I made it home safely and I lived to see another day...yea!!! Your word of the day is "yopso" and that means postcard. Be blessed in the new year and remember to progress not regress!!!

Life is good!!

Welcome to a New Year!!!! A new Beginning, A New chance, A New You...maybe! Anyway, I had a great New Years and the only thing that was missing was my family. Today I dedicate this entry to the supporters of my everyday life, my well-being, and most of all, my being here period...My mom and dad!! They are the BEST parents a girl could ever have. No matter what I've gone through in life they have always been there for me and I can't ask for anything more than that. I appreciate them so much for all the good, the bad, and the ugly!!! My mom has always wanted me to have nothing but the best out of life and she did (and still does)everything in her power to make sure that happens. Mom, I love you so much that words cannot express how I feel for you and how you have made me into the phenomenal woman that I am today. For this, I thank you!! You are a Beautiful Black Goddess that only some women dream of being like and I am proud to say that I am a product of your essence!!! Through everything you have taught me and everything you are teaching, I am blessed and I am so proud to be your daughter!!!! You make me laugh, you make me cry, but most of all you make me love with all my heart and soul and you teach me to endure whatever may come my way. This new year was brought in missing you but your presence was definitely in my heart. "Daddy's girl" is what I've always been called and till this day it remains true. My father is my world and I'll always have the "fat duck" memories to remind me of that! My dad is a real "black" man that knows how to appreciate his wife. Although the beginning was a little rocky, it couldn't stop what was meant to be in the end...a family of happiness!!! Daddy you are an awesome man and I thank God everyday for both you and mom!! It feels good to not be a part of the statistical "single -parent" household at this point in my life. Not to say that a great product can't come from a single-parent home, I'm just acknowledging my blessings!! My father taught me so much to the point where I just can't imagine my life without him. My family is a rock solid foundation that brings me joy each and everyday of my life. The beauty of being so blessed is recognizing where it comes from. To God be the Glory!!!!! I love you mom and dad!!!