So I'm on my third month here, and I just cannot believe how quickly time is passing! It's been an amazing adventure so far, I've seen and done so much! Still loving teaching... (Did you see the pictures? Who wouldn't want to hang out with them all day?) Their little personalities are coming out more and more each day and their English is really getting so good! I'm amazed at what they are picking up! Each sentence has so many words in it, they are finding ways to communicate their tiny thoughts and I am thrilled! I feel so great about work now. I was a little overwhelmed with the workload this last week or two, but things are slowing down again. The weather is becoming beautiful! Many of my northern coworkers are complaining about the heat, but it's nothing like Tennessee yet. I hear the humidity will be crazy soon, but if I can survive a Memphis summer, I think I can do just about anything. It's around 65-70 and sunny most days. I hope it stays like this for a while... I am able to take the babies to the park. They LOVE going outside. I feel like it's my duty to let them run around freely, make messes, and not be perfect for an hour or two. They look so genuinely happy blowing bubbles and picking dandelions. (which of course, are a beautiful bouquet for Marissa Teacher.) We had mini-Olympics two weeks ago. Basically we dressed them up in SLP t-shirts and had them run around the park doing really silly things. It was more enjoyable for me than them I think, because I couldn't stop laughing when they had to run around a tree with two of them in a hoola hoop, put on the sunglasses and crazy hair wig and then run back. Then they had to run to a tray of white flour and use only their mouths to "dig worms (gummy) out of the sand." These are all becoming official Olympic sports next year. So classes are wonderful, the kids are being so sweet. I have had two successful experiences with CCTV now (where the mothers/fathers of the kids come to watch your class from a hidden camera while you get scored on how well you are teaching). So YAY for that. And tomorrow is TEACHER APPRECIATION DAY!!! I'm excited. Apparently they bring us flowers and candy and tell us how wonderful we are. Sounds like my kind of holiday. Only I won't be eating the candy because I'm on a major health kick at the moment. I've been running and working out, eating much better and cutting out sugar. I have to start looking bathing suit ready for when my beautiful boyfriend comes to visit! (SOMETIME IN JUNE for allllllll the people that keep wondering :) We are wonderful, God has blessed our relationship beyond belief. Not a day goes by that we do not thank Him for keeping us healthy, happy, and so incredibly in love. Cheesy, I know, but so true!
I found Mexican food. Well, I say I, but really my friend Anna found it. There's an On the Boarder in Bumgay... yes, funny name. Bumgay is about 30 minutes on the subway from me, and so far I've been twice in the past two weeks. The tacos are SO expensive, but I probably would have paid $100 to eat Mexican. It did not disappoint. I have been shopping a little bit and looking for new shoes... the shoes here do not go past a 7 in US sizes. I am so sad :( My feet are too big :( Luckily my Mama is sending some rainboots my way! The monsoon season is not far off! This weekend is Buddha's birthday which means we get a day off of school on Friday! Jaclyn, Kade, Michelle, Kate and I are going to Busan (beach town about 5 hours away) for some leisurely sightseeing and beach time! I'm soooooo ready to be on the beach, sleeping in the sunshine. Hopefully the rain holds off so I can live this weekend in wonderland. I have booked my first 8 day vacation which is at the end of July, beginning of August. I am going with Michelle and Anna to Japan! YAY! I have always wanted to go there and see the Geisha district and the flower gardens and temples. We will be going to Kyoto and Osaka for 6 days and it's going to be AWESOME.
So, in summary, I have a lot coming up! Teacher's Day tomorrow, Busan this weekend, Adam's coming within the month, Dad's visiting 4th of July, Japan at the end of July, and hopefully my Mama will be here in September! I'm one lucky girl, and I am so thankful for my many blessings. If someone reads this to my Grandma, please tell her I love her a bushel and a peck. I think about her often and wish she had a smart phone. It's on my list of things to get her. Also, on the next shipment that someone decides to send me, if you could just box up Madison and Makenzie, that'd be sufficient. I miss them more than almost anything. Being around these babies all day just makes me realize how sweet and far away my two favorites are :( Your Aunt Issa misses you girls! Bode family: I am teaching the big kids about family trees. I drew ours on the board. It took up the ENTIRE board. I am so happy to have such a big wonderful family :) You should have seen the Asian 3rd graders trying to pronounce your names... I said "Who is Marissa Teacher's 2nd Uncle?" They said, "STOVE." hah. "Who is Marissa Teacher's Aunt?" to which they replied, "BeCAW". It was kind of like having you all there with me. Please know you are loved, and I wish all of you a very happy month of May. Nine more to go until we're together again! xox
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