6th Grade Graduation

My 6th grade graduated on Tuesday morning. I attended the ceremony even though I wasn't required to. I really wanted to be there to celebrate with them since most of them were very fond of me. The ceremony took about less than 2 hours. It started with a few performances from the younger grades then followed by speeches. They were called up individually to receive their diploma. Once they go up, the ppt screen would show what they wanted to be when they grow up. One wanted to be a baker, one wanted to be a barista, one wanted to be a scientist..a boy wanted to be a celebrity...another wanted to be a pilot. I was really interested to see what their dreams and goals are. When I was in 6th grade, all I wanted was to get good grades and go to a good college... I wonder if my students felt the same.

When they played a video of them saying their last good byes and thank you to their parents and teachers, I teared up. I wasn't sure why because I didn't know them that long. I think it's because they're so innocent and just saying the simplest things... "thank you mom and dad"... "thank you teacher " "thank you grandpa and grandpa" (because it's the countryside, some the kids live with their grandparents not their parents).

I think being in middle school will be a big change for them. They will go to a bigger school (my school only has 80 students total) and they will have to wear uniform. Some of the girls are going to an all-girls school. They will probably spend more time studying than anything else they do.

I really hope them the best and I wish someday I can see how they turn out. Like most teachers, I want them to grow up to be good and happy people <3

Here's a video I made for/of them.

Love is in the air!

The cutest thing happened... (one of the many cute stories from my students but this is the cutest). My 1st grade boy tried to give me a kiss. He kept tip toeing and smooching his lips but he couldn't reach. I am quite tall for a 1st grader.

I do adore him.

Goodbyes are never easy...

Spa Land experience

No matter how many times we say good bye... it never gets easier. I think the older I get, the harder it is to make friendships and then say good bye. This past weekend was probably the toughest week I had since my time in Korea. I wanted to cry a lot and I wanted to just go home... where I can just hide under my parents' blanket... like when I was younger.

This past weekend, I did a lot of fun things and I spent it with the people who I call "friends" here. They say all good/fun things must end and it did end ...with us all saying our good byes. My friends are leaving Korea by the end of this week and I'm not quite sure what I am feeling. I think there's sadness but I'm not sure where it's coming from. Am I sad because I'll be here by myself? or I'm sad because it will hard to see them again? Will I ever see them again? 

I told myself to not get attached here because I know I will be leaving someday. I feel conflicted because I don't want to be lonely but at the same time, I don't want to make deep connections. I am learning a lot here... about who I am and what makes me happy. I am grateful that I got a chance to have met my friends here. I know I had a lot of support back home but it's nice to have people walking the same path... experiencing the same weather..the same culture shock. I thank God for them because I know I wouldn't make it through the last six months without them. 

Linh made us take individual pictures.

it's not complete without boiled eggs!

On Friday, I met up with our orientation crew in Busan. It's crazy but the last time all of us were together was at orientation... 6months ago! We had a good time eating and playing... like always. I like the youthfulness of our group. The boys are very young at heart and goofy so it's always fun to be around them. They like to talk about girls so we're never bored.








Before we met up with the boys, Linh, Bertha and I got our best Spa Land experience thus far at the Shinsagae mall. It was a really nice spa. I love spas. It's nice to relax and it's so refreshing. It cost us 12,000won for four hours. It's nice to spend a relaxing morning with the girls. I'm sure I'll come back to Spa Land. After dinner that night, we came back to my place in Pohang. We played games and had some drinks... we didn't sleep til 3-4am. The next morning I sent them off. We said our good byes and our "I'll see you again" and our "I'll come visit". 

Fancy? yes it was very fancy!

Polaroid with the orientation crew!

Dinner; korean meat style.

Last picture?

Blending in with the koreans.

Beginning of our Trick Eye Museum experience

I then headed off to Busan to spend my last Saturday with Bertha. We had lunch at the Jalchachi Market in Busan. We ate seafood and it was delicious. We then headed to the Trick Eye Museum. We took a lot of pictures. I was really tired but I knew that I would never get this moment again. After the museum, I said good bye to Bertha and then took my bus back to Pohang. My day/weekend was over and my heart felt so overwhelmed. I cried on my bus ride home. 

One of my friends told me... I'm crying because my heart is so full...it's overflowing. It's quite beautiful and comforting. 

I'm the hero? 

Heartstruck..wannabe

very odd picture.

mischief

oohh prince charming

that's a lot of pee!

my favorite!

oh you know, just going to school. 

I actually didn't mean to cover her breasts. haha 

Thanks Bertha for an awesome day!