Happy Birthday to me!!!!!!

Life is good and I have no complaints! I recently celebrated my birthday and I must admit, I had more fun then I ever would have imagined. Before I go into all the birthday festivities I have to tell you what happened last week at school and this will be brief...I promise. To begin, one of my co-teachers received a package and it was this little plate that had her phone number on it. I asked her what was she going to do with it and she said she was putting it in her car. Of course I asked why and she responded, "because Korea has such limited parking, when you park somewhere and that spot is reserved, they call you from this number and you have to go move your car. That's why you see all the cars with some sort of contact info in them." I told her, we don't do that where I live. At least I don't and that's why we get towed or booted. She said here, they don't really do that unless it's like really major and the car doesn't have any info in it, but for the most part, they are required to have it and I just found that quite interesting. Ok enough of that.....MY SPECIAL DAY CELEBRATING ME ENTERING THE WORLD!!!! First off, I left to go to Seoul on Thursday night and we began by going to this club called Helio's located in Itaewon. It was great and there were so many people there, of course half of them being military. It was me and and a few of my friends and after that we left to go over a friend's house and the partying continued from there until everyone was too tired to do anything else. On Friday, I had a get together on post in Yongsan and it was even better. All my girls were there and I had this awesome cake that one of my frat brothers got me and we danced and drank the night away, but it didn't stop there either. Keep in mind, I'm being brief with details b/c I would have to write a lot to tell all and I'm not up for it at this point. So Saturday, I went shopping and I bought the birthday gift that I wanted, which was an acoustic guitar and it is so gorgeous. It was purchased with the money I made Friday night, so no complaints there!!! LOL! After shopping, I attended another Mardi Gras party and it was cool. I had lots of fun and it's not even over b/c My sorority sister's birthday is Thursday so we're getting together for that also and I can't wait. I love the month of March!!!! Anyway, all was well and hopefully this weekend will be even better! Pics are on facebook and myspace so email me if you want to check them out. Until next time, your word of the day is, "Seng-eel chooka ham-needa" and of course that means Happy Birthday!!. God bless!

Better Days...

So the last time I wrote I was upset with the weather just a bit, but I must admit it has changed drastically. The days are pretty and the sun is shining, while the nights are a little chilly but soft as ever!!! It's great and I'm feeling better. YEAH!!!! Not only that but my birthday is coming up of course and I don't know if I'm excited at this point or a little homesick. Last year around this time, I was surrounded by the best of people(Ayana, Eboni, Kelli, Nichole, Cabral, and Raven) and I so miss them dearly. This birthday won't be the same without them but I'll make it work. It's actually off to a good start b/c some of my students decided to surprise me and they really got me b/c I started crying!!! I was so happy tonight and they were just shocked at how emotional I was. If they only knew how much I wanted to be home in America!!! It's all good though b/c they are such great kids and they really, really , really made me feel good today, especially w/ the chocolate cake. . .em, em good!!! Let's see now, last week I was a little angry at some of the rug-rats b/c they broke my glasses. That's one thing about Korean kids, they are always playing and they think everything is funny, no matter how serious it is. The little boy that broke my glasses literally just said, "Teacher, teacher, sorry, sorry" and then he went right back to playing like nothing had happened. Of course the Korean teacher had to scold him and call his mom and then she had to have them fixed. It was nothing that major, but still he could have seriously injured me or himself. It's all good at this point and I have new glasses so no worries. I found out recently that Koreans have another special day and it's actually on my birthday.(March 14th) This day in Korea is known as "White Day" and this is when the Korean guys give the girls gifts and candy. So to sum it all up, on Valentine's Day, that's when the GIRLS technically give the gifts and on White day, which is a month later, is when the guys reciprocate and give their gifts and they tend to be more expensive of course.(By all means, merchants love this day as well as Valentine's day!!!) Not only that, but in Korea, they even have a designated date for the single folks, which of course is exactly a month after White day falling on April 14th, and I'll bet you'll never know the name of this day...."Black Day". So if you had love, got love, and then lost love all in a three months time frame between February and April, then you hit the jackpot with all those Korean holidays. Now I don't think that these days originated here(maybe Japan I think), but they sure have been adopted!! Good Luck Lovers!!! As for your word of the day, it's "ke-ee-ku" and that's cake. Peace!

Sick of the weather!!!!!

Ok at some point I would love to be able to wear a t-shirt or or at least a light jacket, but it doesn't appear as if that's happening anytime soon here. This weather is the craziest and I can never determine what to wear b/c of it!!! It's CRAZY!!! At this point, I'm sick and congested to death!! My ears are stopped up, my nose won't stop running, and my vision is slightly blurred....Talk about issues. It could always be worse, so I must stay positive. On another note, all is well at school. The kids are back in public school from a long winter break and hopefully at this point we'll be getting more in the afterschool program now. (which is of course where I work) To help us promote, before school and after school, we pass out packets with our info and the programs we teach.

The kids and parents look over the info of course and then decide whether being a part of our program is something they want to pursue. This is the crazy part though; so we're outside by the school right and Annie says, "Kisha more kids are going to come now b/c they see your pretty face." Then I tell her, "They only see me when I'm at school or walking back and forth to my apartment. Other than that, these kids don't even know what hogwan(private school) I work at." Then she points up and I see this big poster advertisement with a picture of me and some of the kids on it. I couldn't believe it!!! I was cute of course, but I'm thinking we were just taking pictures with the kids b/c we all were in the photos that day. She said she wanted it to be a surprise and it definitely was. I told her I wanted the banner when they took it down. HEHEHE!!! So that was the excitement of my day and I felt very special. It' s good when you have such a positive impact on people and you're doing good things in life. What more can a girl ask for?!! Oh yeah, except for a great birthday present!!! This of course is my birthday month, so hopefully it will be splentastic!!!(new word) It's the 14th and I can't wait...We'll see what's in store! Your phrase of the day is, "odee ka-seemneekka" and that's "where are you going?". Until next time, c-ya!!!

Party Hardy!!!

Ok so I didn't make the K-1 fighting event this past wknd b/c: (1. My girl got sick and we had to babysit her (2. I had so much fun Saturday night, that all I wanted to do was be lazy on Sunday. What a life!!! Anyway, I didn't leave for Seoul until Saturday morning b/c I had to take care of some stuff here in Gumi. I headed to the train station around 12:20 and arrived in Seoul a couple hours later. I had to get my hair done also, so now ya girl has micros and they are so cute!!! I love me some me!! Saturday was a great day b/c we(me and other friends and teachers) were celebrating Lu's bday. Happy bday girlie!!! We had dinner at this nice restaurant in Itaewon called Villa Sortino and I was lucky enough to meet the president of the establishment. It's an Italian joint with lots of great food and wine and the ambiance just provides that extra ounce of romance and warmth any hopeless romantic is looking for. I give it a 4+. Check it out online. www.sortinos-seoul.com. Ok, so after dinner we went to a wine spot called Na-bi's and it was great as well. Very cozy atmosphere also and good CHEAP drinks. The owner there is Carmen and she's a great gal. I had one drink to many, but it didn't stop there. We then went to Monkey Beach which is in Apuchyeong (i think i spelled it right) and it was CRAZY!!! Lot's of people, lots of drinks, lots of dancing. You name it, there was lots of it. hehehe!!! I've provided a small glimpse. So as you can tell, I was not in the best of shape for Sunday afternoon and probably would not have made it the whole night. Your word of the day is "chupta" and that means cold.

Fight Night!!!!!

Hey my world!! It's Thursday and I can't wait til the weekend. I'm suppose to be going to a K1 fighting event in Seoul and I can't wait. Kisha what's that? Well, I'm glad you asked. It's an event where there are competitors at different levels and they go through different rounds of competition for the process of elimination to get to the #1 winner. Check out the website for more info...http://www.k-1.co.jp/k-1gp/atop.htm. Moving on, I meant to inform you that I spent Valentine's Day at work and then a bar with some of the fellow teachers. It was cool, but I wish I had a Valentine to go home to. (enough of that!!) The weather is getting a little better and I'm warming up to my new spot. I also have a trip to China in progress for October and that is for sure!!! We're putting our deposits in and we'll finish up payment around this summer. Hopefully, I'll be able to provide pics from the fighting event but in the meantime, duty calls. Your phrase of the day is "aseege-ssumneekka" and that means, "do you understand?" Later until next time.

Yes, it's been forever!!

I know, I know, I know....It's been forever but I had mad drama!!! That drama consisted of me moving to a new apartment, not having the internet, power or gas!! Ain't that a stale cookie!! It's all good though b/c I'm back in business now and we have a lot to cover. Since January 28th, so much has happened but I'll be very brief. I was angry at my boss and threatened to leave the school so of course they tried to do everything to keep me from leaving and that's why I'm still here today. They finally got my internet back up and running and my gas and power is straight now also. The first weekend in February, I went to Seoul and I attended a Mardi Gras party at some friends and it was nice. Good food, lots of drinks, and of course....ME! That Monday, I watched the Superbowl on post (Go New York!!!) and headed back home for another short work week. Pics will be on myspace shortly. As mentioned previously, this short week was due to the Lunar New Year in Korea so of course this meant another trip for me and I went to areas surrounding Seoul including Bupyeong, Itaewon, Osan, and others. Great shopping areas for those interested. Let's see, what else...Oh yeah I partied in the Itaewon district at this place called Helio's and it was nice and I also went to the college district and partied at other spots which were really nice. The following weekend I went skiing at the Yong Pyeong resort and it was HOT!!! I never imagined I would have such a hard time trying to ski but I was determined to get down those slopes...bruises and all. It was fun and I'm going again!!! Great workout by the way!! For Valentine's Day, I went to work and in Korea, it's crazy b/c all the kids bring the teachers so much chocolate it' s ridiculous. They love chocolate on this day of course...who doesn't, but I just didn't imagine it to be to this extent. It was nice though and I felt the LOVE!!! My next challenge will be snowboarding so we'll see if I can minimize the bruising from that task. I tried to be brief so hopefully this wasn't too bad. Your word of the day is "cho yon hee he" and that means be quiet. I'm constantly telling the kids that and they're constantly calling me crazy teacher...Gotta luv it!

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!!)