Photography, goodbyes, and other things we've been up to...

Aaron's really getting into photography.  He especially enjoys taking several shots at different angles and putting them together using some fancy-shmancy computer program to create panoramas (as seen in the title photo above).

In the "Buddha Room" at Seokbulsa Temple.

 

The title photo and the one to the left were taken on an all-day hike up the mountain by our house.  Like I've said before, one of our favorite things about hiking in Korea is stumbling upon peaceful Buddhist temples tucked in the mountains.  This was one such temple. Seokbulsa was actually one of the most unique temples we've ever been to because of the stone carvings and stone buildings.  They even had shrines and meditation areas tucked in caves high up on the mountainside.  It was a beautiful place to rejuvenate after a busy week.

Among other things, our dearest friends Kate and Chaz left for good last week.  Chaz was Aaron's brewing partner while Kate was my fellow English teacher companion who could geek out with me about anything to do with education or language arts. We know our dear friendship will continue across the ocean and soon enough, state lines (they're from Iowa), but in the meantime we feel like there is something special missing in Busan.

On one of their last nights here, we went to our FAVORITE Korean barbecue place along with our friends Kim and Steve.  Not only does this restaurant have the BEST smoked samgyeopsal (3 layered pork) and the BEST kimchi (aged for 2 years), but it also has the BEST adjuma (older, married woman) working there.  Each time we would ask for more kimchi, she'd hunch over and slap half a head of cabbage on the grill with a mischievously giddy grin [and probably thinking, how in the world are these waygooks (foreigners) eating so much kimchi?!].  When Jake came to Korea, he said he wanted to marry an adjuma--well Jake, here she is!

Perhaps the greatest adjuma that ever lived.

And this is how each of us feels after eating her fantastic food.

In other news, both Aaron and I are finishing up our after-school classes this week, have final exams next week, and then will have only 3 weeks until summer English camp begins.  The time is flying!  Aaron is INCREDIBLY excited because he is doing a science camp at his school.  We basically have freedom to teach whatever we want for our summer camps.  He will do experiments, use the science lab and do labs, go on field trips, go hiking, and really teach about what he loves.  I'm thrilled for him.  Teaching English is certainly not his cup of tea, although he really enjoys teaching.  I'm happy he's found a way to teach science and English that is both exciting and educational (and that thrills his teachers and parents which is VERY important in Korea).

I, on the other hand, am busily putting the Daechonli Middle School's English Newspaper together.  This is my big project and it's been fun, but quite time consuming.  I really enjoy working with the students and utilizing my newspaper skills from yesteryear.

Speaking of skills from yesteryear, while I was walking out of school today, some of my 2nd grade boy students were playing soccer in the sandy school yard.  I see them playing almost everyday and it takes all that I have not to join them as I almost always am wearing a skirt or shoes not conducive to soccer. But today, something came over me and although I had a dress and nylons on, I kicked off my shoes and played barefoot with my students for a while.  It felt AMAZING.  I'm not sure if it's the nostalgia associated with touching a soccer ball or what, but it felt so good to kick something again. I had a great time (and the boys got a "kick" out of a girl playing in a dress, nylons, and with no shoes). 

I will leave you with some words printed on one of my 1st grade student's pencil cases today with a picture of a teddy bear and a horse:

"Friendship is the marriage of the soul, and this marriage is liable to divorce."

Until next time...