메리 크리스마스 from South Korea!

Merry Christmas Everyone,
-Bets

PS - New photos are available for both November and December under the Photo tab!

A Fine American Thanksgiving

I consider myself blessed for the individuals I've met in the four months I've been here. Whether I see them everyday, every weekend, or every other month I feel like I've created a proper family filled with personality. I think this point is best showcased by our "Fine American Thanksgiving" celebration that took place on November 19th...because we all had to work on Thanksgiving Day...

It wasn't just an American expat affair. Scotts, Irish, Australians, New Zealanders, Koreans, and Canadians were all in attendance. We had one of the best potlucks I've seen which included fried chicken (turkey is a rarity here!), mashed potatoes, rice cakes, wine, stuffing, pavlova, and mac n' cheese: a true assortment of international fare. I loved how easily everyone fell into the merriment of a new holiday.

After grub we all marched together to the distant soccer field to play some good ole American Football. Unfortunately, it was too dark to throw anything at people's heads, so we opted for yet another twist: rugby. I'm sure we were the sorriest sight of rugby every played. Rules were hard to interpret and action in the dark became more and more difficult on AstroTurf. Eventually we had to quit the game due to shear confusion.

Of all the holidays abroad, I think Thanksgiving really rang true to home. Though it was many people's first time participating in the event, I felt like we had been getting together for years. I am so thankful for the friends I've found here. Homesickness hasn't been nearly as bad as it could be because, in a way, I am home.

(Sorry) Schmaltz at Christmastime,
-Bets

A Bit of Advice

In November, I was invited to a special evening event at the Taean Office of Education where a famous travel writer/volunteer/UN adviser named, Han Bi-Ya, was presenting. I was told the speech would be in Korean, but there would be many great pictures. Feeling slightly pressured, I kindly accepted and figured it wasn't a big deal. I could handle it. I like pictures.

Well, the presentation did have pictures...for two minutes. The following 90 minutes did not. I sat next to my co-teacher and got a smattering of translations here and there. Unfortunately, you can't translate everything and I could see that my "co" was waning interest. Through the brief descriptions I received I could tell I would have liked most of what Han Bi-Ya had to say. This realization put me in a terrible mood because I felt like my Korean skills were limiting my experience. Which, after awhile can really start to nag at you because you can't hear others or get your own point across. I just want to say, "I'm smart. No, really!" Korean is difficult...

Frustrations aside, Han Bi-Ya said some things that I really appreciated. The first was a self-examination that asked, "What map is in your mind? Is it your city, county, country, continent, or the world? This single question can tell you what concerns and interests you." So much of what we choose to see is in close proximity, when there is a whole world beyond our view that can resonate just as easily in our daily lives. I know I'm speaking as someone who lives a half a world away from many friends and family, but I think the world perspective is a luxury of travel that I am truly thankful for, especially when I'm back home.

Her last piece of advice regarded questions of doing. As someone who goes through torturous pains to make big decisions, I found this extremely insightful and easy. It took me years to finally teach abroad, though I had been thinking about it since my sophomore year of college. And I'm (mostly) happy as a clam for being here...Han Bi-Ya explained:

If you are ever debating whether to do something or not, I offer this simple piece of advice:

• Always: 1) Travel  2) Study


• Never: 1) Buy it  2) Pack it

Cheers,
-Bets