Connected Again

I haven't had the Internet at my apartment since April. It's a long story but anyway- not having the internet means having to pay my online bills at work, wait to go to my parents house on the weekend to post pictures, and let's say it makes it hard to do your school work and research. So I am back now! It feels so good!!
I had my iPhone so that I could keep up with e-mail and FB but now everything will be easier. That tiny phone screen gets old.

So first- a Seoul update:
I put my pictures (most of them) up on Facebook.
Here are some of the things I did/saw:

-When I first got to Korea I hated it. HATED it. Partially because I was on a cramped plane ride for 18 hours next to some girl who was sobbing because she was leaving home for the military for a year, I bought a ridiculously expensive egg sandwich (which was so small) and then dropped it on the plane floor; I stepped on my glasses because I fell asleep and they came off; I got on the wrong bus at the airport to go to my house for the week; I couldn't find the guy I was supposed to meet up with....yeah, everything sucked. On Monday I just got on the metro alone and wandered the streets lost and scared. BUT THEN...

- I met amazing people. The people on this trip were so fun to be around. And once the conference started I was surrounded by people that do what I do- teach ESL or EFL. That was SO nice, since where I work I am the ONLY one and I am isolated like a little island. :(
Monday night I ended up meeting up with a girl from PA over there- Sara- and this guy from Alabama who is living in Tokyo teaching English-Josh. We met up at this HUGE mall and then went exploring together. Josh had lived in Seoul for a year, so he knew where to go and a bit of the language. So I spent the first couple days touring with them.

-I toured palaces, secret gardens, temples, went up in the tower and saw the changing of the guards. I went shopping and tried new foods. The food was not my favorite and it made it difficult that I am allergic to shellfish since they put that in everything. But the good thing was that Josh was craving American cuisine since in Tokyo it is too expensive, so we got to eat Western food a few times. And once we ate Mexican! :) Yum!

-Once Thursday rolled around and I knew I had to get up early for "school" I was bummed. BUT it turned out that "school" was awesome. Apparently people came from all over to hear my professors speak. They are the top in the field and I was so happy to be able to meet them. The first 2 days of the conference it was only my University classmates, then they opened it up to the public. I met people from all over the world and the sessions were informative and interactive. NOT BORING! :) There was this panel discussion and we had to submit questions to be answered and they selected the questions for the next day and mine was one of the 5 questions they chose and there were like 60 people there! So I was so thrilled they picked my question!

-Every night after "class" we went out- there was about 40 of us? But we usually split into 2/3/ or 4 groups. We went out for dinner and drinks and had a great time. Friday night we went to this rooftop bar where they had music playing and a bonfire. We thought the place was going to burn down, but we had a great time. And a great view of the city at night!

-Saturday night we had a big farewell party at a pub and we surprised our Prof. with a birthday cake. He was the President of TESOL and awesome! He kissed me on the cheek! :) haha. Then since it was our last night, everyone went off to do something and I headed off with a group of 6 to go to a dance club. Best. time. ever. Seriously, I felt so far removed from my work life and I could just relax and have fun and dance!!! Since there were 6 of us, 3 guys/3 girls, we all had a dance partner. We stayed out til about 3 and then I took a cab home. I got in at about 4 AM and then had to pack for the airport and be up at 6 for class. HAH. What a joke. No amount of coffee could have helped.

-Despite being sleep deprived, the trip was worth it. Getting back was rough- flights delayed and got in at about 3 AM and was at work by 7. Also a joke- I was a zombie all week.

I felt so independent on this trip. I had to navigate subways and walked all around this huge city every night (after I left my friends) alone so I felt free and adventurous. I cried on the plane coming home. I didn't want to leave my friends. Since we are all spread out, I don't know if I will ever see them again. :(

There is something incredibly freeing and eye-opening when you experience a trip alone like this. I was able to think about so much and really have a time of self-discovery, as cheesy as that sounds.
So here are some of my favorite pictures from the trip:
Sorry that I don't know how to format the pictures so they look nice on a blog. These are some of my favorites, but you can check out facebook for more!

Also, I hope everyone went out to vote today! I made sure I voted to cancel out my boyfriend's vote. ;) Haha.

Hope to be blogging more now that I have all-access to the web!

Seoul

I have been absent from the blog world. I apologize. I am planning on doing a catch up post soon. But I am just popping in to say that my week/8 days in Seoul, Korea, was most likely the best week of my entire life up to this point. I felt amazing and enjoyed it to the fullest. I will update with pictures this weekend. :)
Let's just say...it is rough to be back. Responsibility- what's that?

What's New

Greetings Blog World! I realize it's been a few weeks...
Here is what's new-

Work is going pretty well. I got three new students within the first 3 weeks of school- one from Puerto Rico and two from India. That has been exciting.
School is going well- my school, not work-school. I have almost completed my fourth grad. class towards the Masters program. It has been challenging, but I am learning SO much.
Perhaps the biggest news is that in 9 days I will be departing for Seoul, South Korea. I am going to a very big conference over there that will count towards my Masters degree. Basically, I attend all these seminars with the people that "write the books" on ESL, so I am really, really excited to meet the professors. I will also meet all of my fellow classmates that I have been working with "online" since January. That will be fun, too. I am going a bit earlier than the conference dates, because my work is off on Columbus day so I figured I might as well get there and do some touristy things, since it will be my 1st time to Asia! I am not staying in a hotel (too much $) so I am "couchsurfing" as it is called. The guy's couch that I will sleep on is actually from Pen Argyl/Bangor, so that is weird! He teaches English over there. A few things to pray for- safe travels (never done a 17-18 hr. plane ride before) also safety while I am there- do I have an itinerary? Nope. Just heading over by myself, walking off the plane, and trying to navigate my way thru a HUGE city until I hop on a bus to try to get to the couch I am staying on. Also pray that I do not get sick. I am so afraid of getting a cold before I go- my mom and sister are both sick. :( And I have to go to my parents this weekend to pack and do some errands. I am also worried I will get sick while there. So please keep me in your prayers! Finally, pray that I get all of my work done before leaving- I have to prepare lesson plans for the sub for a week which is so challenging in my field since it is very varied and also I have to write a paper for my grad class this week...all while packing! :)
Also, one prayer that was answered...my school is graciously giving me a few days to attend the conference, so that I don't have to use ALL of my personal days. It is also a blessing that my boss and the superintendent talked and felt that they would pay for the conference in full- not the plane ticket, etc. but still...this is a HUGE blessing. God is faithful.
So, even though I stink at photography, I will try to take lots of pictures (quality may be poor) and then post away when I get back.

Back to School!

The time is here! I have now had three full school days of the 2010-2011 school year. So far:

-My Middle School students are sooo stinkin cute! One boy comes up to like my hip- he is so tiny!
-I have a student named Honey Dew and she is a doll!!
-2 of the boys (grade 7) called me Mr. Palmer today. Totally innocent.
-I got my first paycheck since June! Woo!
-I LOVE all of my classes!! (A lot of the annoying kids moved or exited the ESL program!)
-Today was free donuts/muffins/coffee at the Middle School
-Free dress down day at the High School -you should have seen the looks I was getting from the MS teachers. They probably hate me now because they thought I was breaking the rules.
-I got back to the gym two out of three days. I haven't really worked out all summer and last night Simon, my trainer, obviously wanted to get revenge. I can barely move now, but it's all good.


I have never been so excited to go to work. I HATE waking up early (that is my only complaint!) and my sleep schedule is wayyyy off- I needed naps after school everyday. But, I really am excited for this year. I know it sounds crazy, and I am sure I will get tired of the routine in due time, but this year I just feel like I know what I am doing and I have such a desire to teach these kids! I will post class pictures soon, I hope.

AND seriously the best part about this time of year: FOOTBALL! Eagles game Sunday and I get to watch it at my parent's house with my dad! :D

Traditions

2007

2008

2009

2010

Well, I finally made it to the beach this summer...last Saturday for the day and it was glorious! I love everything about that place....the ocean, the sand, the pizza, the Johnson's popcorn, the memories of Girl's Week with my sister and cousin, learning to read for the very 1st time and buying a book a night on the boardwalk, daddy-daughter mini golf/ice cream dates, the Wonderland Pier (rides), etc. etc.

Even though Nannie and Pop-pop haven't been able to get a house there for the summer, I have been blessed enough to take a day trip down for the last 5 or so years. One day, I hope I can take my family there for summer vacations.

I forget when we started the ferris wheel boardwalk picture, but it was either 2005 or 2006. I can't find the pictures from that on this computer because it is newer, but I posted 2007, 2008, 2009, and our latest- August 21, 2010 (we went the day before our 4 year dating anniversary!) :)

If I Were a Chef...

....I wouldn't have to be thinking about my back to school lesson plans. I wouldn't have to wonder how I will decorate/clean TWO classrooms at TWO different schools in like 4 days and I wouldn't have to be taking Masters courses and doing work all of the time for them. BUT If I were a chef....then I would probably be forced to try a pickle. I would probably be very fat. I would probably work long hours and sometimes get up at like 4 AM to bake bread and bagels for the morning commuters.

All I know is that this week has been a BLAST cooking and baking up a storm for my family. I will share my menu below:

First-last week Courtney got her wisdom teeth out so I made this sorbet from scratch- strawberry mango. It was so freaking delicious (and healthy!) that everyone ate it that night. I had to make more the next night and it was all gone then, too.

Monday: Tator Tot Casserole- my family's favorite meal I think (and Corey's)
Tuesday: Apricot Glazed Shrimp Kabobs on the grill with Pineapple and Sweet Red Pepper. Side dish of Green Beans with Cashews in a teryaki sauce. Since I am allergic to shrimp, I made myself a homemade Chicken Club pizza (which my whole family tried too). Dessert: Mixed Berry Cream Tart
Wednesday: Cheesy Rigatoni Bake with Salad and Garlic Breadsticks
Thursday: Margarita marinated Chicken on the grill and mashed potatoes

I love cooking when Corey is home and this is/was his only week home all summer. He tries whatever I make and that means a lot. I used to date a boy that only ever ate chicken nuggets and pizza and Oreos in milk....basically the diet of a 5 year old destined for early onset diabetes. :( Not that my family is a bunch of health freaks, but I try and cook healthier or low fat options when possible.
One dream of mine: to have a couple sons one day that play football and I cook for the entire football team. Pasta dinners at my house, guys! :) :)

Back to reality on Monday when Corey starts law school again...part of me is happy because it is the LAST year he will have to go back to school. Then it is crunch time for me to get ready for school and keep up with my grad. class. By December something, I will be half way done with my Master's degree! (Then I will need to write my thesis).

I could do BAMA

My only vacation of the summer was going to Alabama for 4 days for a wedding that Corey was in. I always thought AL was kind of backwards (which is funny since I live in the sticks, too) and last time I went (about 4 yrs ago) it was fun but definitely deep south-ish. This time we went to Huntsville, which is really very nice. They have this shopping center that is amazing. These huge outdoor style shops with pretty fountains and Orange Tree (this self-serve frozen yogurt place). At Orange Tree you pick whatever kind or kinds of yogurt you want and put as much in as you want- 45 cents an ounce. Corey warned me that that could get expensive and an ounce is not very much so watch out. Then you go pick your toppings which were unreal- huge blackberries, blueberries, kiwi, Oreos, nuts, anything you want. So I stocked up on fruit like I was the Chiquita Banana and Corey put his on the scale and it came to like 4 bucks and change (not too bad) then he told me to put mine on the scale. Mine brought the total bill to 13 and change. Ooops. I felt so badly. Then I went outside where it was 110 degrees (no lie) and it melted so quickly and Corey just kept saying "Will you hurry up and eat your liquid gold?" Anyway the stores included: J.Crew, Banana, Old Navy, Apple, Anthropologie, Ann Taylor, NY & Co., Francesca's Boutique and more...I loved it! They had great eating places too- P.F. Chang's, the Melting Pot...we didn't get to go to either because my boyfriend picked a gross Chinese buffet downtown that was yucky so he could get all you could eat Crab legs.

I found the houses to be huge and beautiful and way cheaper than up North and the churches were very nice, too. I liked the way that the Southern ladies all wore their hair perfect and lots of pretty jewelry and makeup (even though I am not a very big fashionista). I like their Southern drawl and the way they say "ya'll." I could definitely live down there for awhile if I had to. I even didn't mind the heat. I hate snow, so it works out. So if God decides that I should practice teaching in AL, I will go. :P Even with the mosquitos (which I did not enjoy-I counted 26 bites on my legs alone).

Also, I have not been to one single beach all summer long. This kills me inside. Maybe this Saturday!!! I hope!!