February

We haven't had much opportunity to blog lately for a few reasons. Don and I are currently taking an online Additional Qualification course which has kept us pretty busy with readings and assignments. It is also the beginning of the new school year here so we have been busy with preparing for new schedules which are packed with more classes than we should have due to some drama when the new teachers started. Don did find the time go snowboarding for a weekend and we also went to see a theatrical performance called Nanta. Nanta is kind of like Stomp, but it is set in a banquet hall kitchen and kitchen utensils and appliances are used as drums. It was very entertaining and we highly recommend it.

Since I didn't go on Don's ski trip I will let him tell you about his trip.

Well in trying to make the best of every weekend and the cool weather in February, I thought I would go on a snowboarding weekend trip with my Meetup.com group. I belong to an online group called "The Seoul Sports and Hiking Group" which is a bunch of people with common interests who organize different events. The coordinator, William, got us some sweet discounts on rentals, lift tickets, rooms, etc., so it was an excellent opportunity. My friends Brian ans Katie from work also came with me. The ski hill was called Yong Pyong All Seasons Resort, because they also have a big water park for the warmer seasons. Apparently the hill was only 3 votes away from hosting the 2010 Winter Olympics. So it was a nice hill. I was also very impressed with the whole equipment and clothes rental, since I didn't bring any of that stuff with me to Korea. The snowboarding jacket and pants fit well and were very functional. I loaded all the pockets up with snacks and water, so I could stay on the hill as long as I could.

The snow was a little icy, being man-made for the most part, but we made the best of it and it got better as more people carved it up.


My first gondola ride.


Brian, Katie, and I.

The awesome view and chalet at the top of the hill. I was very happy to smell clean and fresh air being out in the countryside. I almost forgot that I was a teacher and that I had to go back to work on Monday.


On Saturday night, we all pitched in on the communal food that our coordinator William bought for the group. There was roughly 70 people that took part in the weekend trip. We had cheese burgers, Korean BBQ pork, all the required fixins, and of course Kimchi.


They also had a small terrain park with jumps but no half-pipe.

On Sunday we hit the hills one last time before heading back on the bus at 5:30. There were many runs on the hill (around 25) and one was 5.6 km in length! I hit up the local Dragon Hotel Jjimjilbang (a Korean Bathhouse) to sooth those aching muscles and clean up before the trip home. It was a great weekend getaway.

Newcomers Booklet

Hey everyone!! Don and I made up a booklet to make it a little easier for new teachers once they have arrived. I added it in pdf form on the right hand side of the page for anyone to download. We have also given this to the director of the school to give to teachers where they arrive, but if you are heading here soon you might want to take a look and maybe save a copy for yourself. Enjoy!