Last Day of 2013!

Another day in the office til 12. I didn't get a lot of planning done, but I worked on making BINGO cards and that took a long time! At least I think I will be able to use it with both of my grade levels for camp.

After school I came home and relaxed. I debating going to get my haircut/fixed from the cut a few weeks ago. So, I went to Hongdae a little bit early (I was meeting Krystle and her friends there later) to look at some hair salons. I found a few, but it just seems like a bit much to pay for a second haircut, so I'll try and give it a few more weeks before I do anything again. Then I walked around Hongdae and window shopped a bit before meeting up with the group.

It turned out to be quite a large group, maybe 16 of us in total. So, Krystle's friend from back home, Tina came to Korea over a year ago. She and the other English teachers in her in-take became quite close and actually almost everyone (except for 5?) renewed their contracts! (That is out of around 150 I think) So we were with Tina's friends and, small world, I randomly knew one person in that group. Last year at the Lions Club Picnic in Chicago I met one adoptee named Adam briefly. Turns out he is part of the group that is close with Tina so I got to kind of reintroduce myself to him. We were trying to figure out where to go for dinner with such a large group and they decided on an Indian place around the corner.

After dinner went to Norebang (karaoke) and then I decided to head home. They were going to be heading out to a club and I just wasn't feeling it. I got home and skyped with Jacob to ring in the New Year.

What a big group!

Miserable Monday

It wasn't too miserable, but it was rough getting up and having to go to work. Luckily it was not too intense. It was just my 5th grade COT and me in our office. I worked on lesson plans and around 11:30 she leans over and asks me "how about we leave at 12?....We're supposed to stay til 12:10, but...let's leave at 12 okay?" Haha, I wasn't going to argue with her!

After work I came back and hung out. I did a little bit of work on my lesson plans and also went through my pictures from the trip. I made kimchi jjigae for dinner and watched some tv shows on my computer.

What a long day

Again, we took a taxi to the airport. We got there and got through everything no problem. Our flight was at 3:40 so I figured there was something a little bit wrong when it was around 3:25 and we weren't even queuing to get ON the plane. I watched some people go and talk to the airline people-lots of arm waving going on. Finally Krystle decided she'd go and ask about what was going on too because she had a connecting flight to make (we had different connecting flights). She found out, according to them our plane hadn't arrived yet (although I could see a plane sitting outside the window...) and they thought maybe it would arrive around 5:30 at the latest. So, we hunkered down a bit more and waited. Around 4:30 they made an announcement that we were able to finally board. We weren't sitting by each other and we figured we'd just stick to our regular seats; everyone would probably be crabby and exhausted and wouldn't want to deal with moving to a different seat. I slept for most of the flight. We landed in Shanghai and I waited about 45 minutes in a line to get checked to go through for transfer flights. Then through security again and then I had about 2 hours to burn on my own.

It was finally time to board, but I didn't board directly, we took a shuttle bus to our airplane. I was exhausted and just ready to be home, but the day and the journey dragged on and on. The flight from Shanghai to Seoul was only about an hour and a half. Again, I had to take the shuttle tram to get to the regular terminal. More walking and through customs and THEN the airport railroad express to the subway line that connects to mine, a transfer and 3 stops to get to my station...and finally a 6 minute walk out in the cold! Whew. I got home and unpacked and settled in. What a loooong day!!

A cute sign at the airport; 30 seconds to get to Gate 1!!

Reef Cruise and Last Day in Bali

Happy Birthday Shout out to Mart!
What. A. Day.

We were running a bit behind on our schedule with such an early morning collection time. We made it to breakfast and then back to the room to grab our stuff so we could check out. The night before we made a point to ask the front desk if we could leave our bags there securely while we were on the reef cruise (they could). We had imagined we'd get a personal driver again, but we weren't sure. The driver did take Krystle's suitcase so we just followed them after we checked out. Turns out we got onto a fairly good sized bus with about 15 other people. It was a relatively short ride to the cruise departure place. We figured they'd leave our bags on the bus and then drop us back off at our hotel. We got off the bus and saw them take our bags out...so we went to go get them. We held our bags and waited in line to get our tickets. We talked to the guy who was helping us to see if there was somewhere secure to keep our bags and there was. While he was putting them away, I glanced at the itinerary and it looked different than what I had remembered; I looked again and saw it was titled "Beach Club" and not "Reef Cruise" so I told him and he had to fix our tickets and give us new ones. I'm really glad I noticed that!

We boarded the boat and had a little over an hour boat ride to our "pontoon" for the day's activities. The water was absolutely amazing. It was the bluest blue imaginable. First we found some chairs and put our towels on them. Then we went down the water slide; that was a lot of fun. After that we went "snorkeling". I just wore the snorkel and mask and looked into the water. It was quite deep so I wasn't able to touch the bottom or anything. I had borrowed John's (from soccer) camera that is able to go underwater, but hadn't been properly shown how to use it. Krystle and I just guessed what to do. (As it turns out, we only got one video out of everything we thought we were shooting. :( Kind of sad) After floating in the water for a bit, we went for lunch on the boat we came on. It was a buffet and not too bad. The desserts were really good too. After lunch we went to go sit in the sun on our chairs for a bit. Krystle fell asleep and we missed a tour to see some village on an island nearby. When she woke up we went back into the water for a little. Then, it was time to board and head back to mainland. We went to pick up our bags and then look for the driver that was going to take our location (we picked a restaurant to go to for dinner and I had the address so we gave that to them, rather than a hotel location). As it turns out, we were first to get dropped off.

 It was around 5:30 and we tried to go to the restaurant, but they weren't open yet. We went next door to a jewelry shop and looked around there. Then we just sat outside and waited til 6. The restaurant was pretty fancy; we ordered our food and were pretty hungry by the time it arrived. After dinner we took a taxi back to the hotel. We were actually kind of ripped off by the taxi driver; he said it would be a flat 100,000Rp (about $10) for the drive because of the traffic. Thinking about how bad traffic had been the night before we figured it would work out okay. Turns out...the ride was really short and there was hardly any traffic. Oh well. We sat by the pool at the hotel until about 11:30 or so.

We're on a boat!

Wow, just look at that water!

Do I have to go back to 30' Seoul??

Dinner

Full Day Tour

We had to get up early today to make it to our tour. The departure time was 8:30. We asked to have the same driver as on Wednesday, but we had a new driver. His name was Mari and he was in his 30's. His English was quite good, but his pronunciation was a little difficult to understand. All the same, it was pretty amazing because he said he had never taken any formal English classes; it was all acquired through his job of being a driver. He also knew a little bit of Korean, so it was fun talking to him about what he knew of Korea.

Anyway, the first stop of many was to a coffee farm. It was definitely catered for a quick tourist stop. We were shown some of the things they grow there: pineapple, coffee beans, vanilla and lemongrass to name a few. We also saw their civet, which is a little weasel-like animal that eats the coffee beans and then...the beans pass through them and they take the beans and make coffee--apparently it's the best and most expensive coffees in the world. How pleasant. Anyway, we also saw some beans at different stages of being prepared for production, them roasting beans and also hand grinding them (with a stone grinder) After a quick tour of the grounds, we were given some samples of different teas and coffees, but were asked to buy a cup of the most delicious coffees in the world. I took a small sip, but I'm not a fan of coffee anyway, so I can't argue to the truth or discredit the word on the street. We had a chance to stop in a little 'gift shop' of sorts, where they sold many of their goods (teas, chocolate, etc).

I didn't realize this is how pineapples grew!

Cute little critter

Preparing coffee beans

The next destination was Ulun Danu Beratan, a temple on a lake. On the way we stopped because the view of the rice terraces were so pretty. The temple and grounds were quite beautiful. It felt refreshing to be around so much nature; trees, grass and other plants. After the temple we went to a restaurant that had a buffet to have lunch before moving on again. Next on the schedule was Git Git Waterfall; we stopped again on the way. This time on Money Hill, where a bunch of monkeys just kind of hang out. There is a woman there selling peanuts and crackers for you to buy to feed the monkeys (reminds me of the Bird Lady in Mary Poppins, "Feed the Birds"...) Anyway, I didn't feed the monkeys. We arrived at the location to hike to the waterfall. Our driver said we could go on our own or take a guide. We hired a guide (it supports those local people anyway) and he took us to the waterfall; the path was paved part of the way and it was easy to tell which way to go, but all the same, I didn't mind having the guide. I think this was one of the highlights of the day to see the waterfall.

Taking a pit stop to see the rice terraces

The temple on the lake

On the grounds

Hi~~

The waterfall

After the waterfall, we went on to a beach that had "black sand". It wasn't completely black, but pretty dark. It was very pretty there. After a short stop at the beach, we went on to Holy Hot Springs. It was an outdoor hot spring. An interesting experience for sure. Almost everyone wore clothing and not bathing suits in the springs. It had a very relaxed and community feel. At this point we were feeling a bit tired and ready to head back, so we asked Mari if we could just go back to the hotel. He asked if we didn't want to go to the Buddhist Temple. We were so torn so when he said it was only about 10 minutes away we agreed to stop there and then head back. It was a nice stop; again the temple and the sculptures around the grounds were pretty. Then, we headed back. We kept climbing higher and higher; just when I thought we couldn't go any higher the van took another turn and we climbed some more. We noticed that the sun was beginning to set and it was a glorious view. We tried taking pictures but it was difficult in the moving vehicle so we asked Mari to stop. He did so almost immediately, which resulted in a location that did not have a very good view. We took a few pictures and then drove on; Krystle saw a spot and asked again if we could stop. This location was perfect. Back in the car again and...we ran into so much traffic. It took about 4 hours to get back...we were are getting a bit fed up of being in the car so long.

Holy Hot Spring

On a pier at the black sand beach

At the Buddhist Temple

Buddhist Temple

Beauty

What a view!

When we finally arrived at the hotel we were both exhausted and needed food. We left the hotel in search of a place to eat and settled on a Western place. I ordered a ceasar salad and gratin potatoes. It was a late dinner, probably almost 10 by the time we got our food. The next day was going to be an early morning; between 7:30 and 8 for collection time.

Dinner

Relaxing Day

We had a pretty easy day. After eating breakfast we took a taxi an area called Kuta. We did some shopping there and then went to go lay on the beach. It stayed pretty sunny and warm for most of the time there. The only drawback is having a lot of people pestering you trying to sell either surfing lessons or beach mats/hats/ice cream etc. After being there for about 2 hours, we took a taxi back to our hotel and looked for a place to eat. We found a restaurant not too far from the hotel. I ordered fried noodles and spring rolls. It was pretty good.

There are lots of temples all over

Walking around~they drive on the left side of the street!

Entrance to Kuta Beach

At the beach!!

Spring Rolls

Fried noodles

At dinner~

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Merry Christmas from Bali!

We landed around 6am. We looked outside and it was a little overcast and looked drizzly. We payed for our Visa on Arrival and then waited to get Krystle's bag. Then, we stepped out into Bali. It wasn't as humid or warm as I was expecting, but it was still both. My camera fogged up, which I was expecting after reading a blog about Bali. We went in search of a taxi, looking for the Blue Bird company which we heard was the most reputable. As soon as you step out, there are taxi drivers standing around saying, "hello, yes, taxi?" or "taxi? taxi?" or "where are you going?". It was a bit overwhelming to be pressured so much to take a taxi. We finally found a Blue Bird taxi and were helped by an airport worker into the taxi. After a maybe 20 minute ride we arrived at our hotel, only needing to pay about $2.50 a piece for the ride.

We had a nice Christmas present when we arrived at the hotel... Check in isn't until 2, but no one was in our room, so we were able to check in early!! It was around 7:30 or so when we arrived so we took a rest and then went for breakfast at the hotel's restaurant. Then we checked out the tour brochures near the front desk. We sat outside and poured over them deciding what to do. After we decided what tours we'd take, we went to go sign up for them. Krystle and I had wanted to do a shark dive at a conservation place, but because of her glasses, she wouldn't be able to use the snorkel/underwater equipment, so we passed on that. Instead, we signed up right away for a sunset tour for that evening. We went back to our room to relax and then looked for lunch. We found a place that was more Western but also had Balinese options. The only problem was that it took so long for us to get our food because there was a family of 6 or 7 that ordered before us. We cut it down to the wire when we needed to be back at the hotel and Krystle didn't even get to eat her pizza; she had it made to go and we ran to the hotel.

Our driver for the tour was a 20 year old Balinese college student. He was really nice. First we went to Nusa Dua, a peninsula/area where we were able to see the Indian Ocean on one side and on the other a bay. After walking around that area a little, we went onto Uluwatu Temple, which is on the top of a cliff. It was beautiful. After walking around there we went to see a traditional Balinese dance performed on the grounds of the temple. It was interesting~there were about 40 men as the "choir" to the dance kind of chanting and they sat in a circle around a fire "pit". Then there were dancers dressed up some as humans and some as monkeys.

When the play was over, we met up with our driver again and went off to have dinner on the beach. The only problem was the restaurant served mostly only seafood. A problem for someone that doesn't like seafood and the other is vegetarian! Luckily they had grilled chicken on the menu as a side which I ordered and poor Krystle only had rice. The best part of the meal was feeding some scraps to a female dog. After dinner, we got dropped back off at the hotel and I was able to skype with Mom and Phil to make my Christmas complete.

Allowed into Bali!

Christmas in Bali~~

View from our hotel

Sitting on our private balcony

Spring Rolls

Fried Rice

Glimpse of the Indian Ocean

Toes in the Indian Ocean

Nusa Dua

Temple

Beautiful

Krystle and me

Taditional Balinese dance

Show~

Sunset

Pineapple juice on the beach

Christmas Eve!

Merry Christmas Eve~~

We were awarded a half day today. The other teachers in my office and I are leaving at noon to go to lunch together. After lunch, I'm going to head to the airport. I don't mind being there early and waiting. I can exchange money and not feel rushed.

I think we should have wifi in our room, but in case it's spotty I just wanted to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas! Love and miss you all!

Edit:
After school I came back to my place to make sure I had turned off everything and had my water dripping. I went to Emart and got lunch from the food court and then off to the subway. From door to door, it took me about an hour to arrive. Krystle had warned me that she had about a 45 minute wait through security, but it didn't take me that long. I also exchanged my money after checking in. I'm glad I had a bit of extra time; my flight was in a different terminal and I had to take a shuttle there. Then I waited a bit before take-off. I landed in Shanghai and we had to take a shuttle bus to the airport terminal. Upon arriving, we went through a transfer service and through another security check before being able to go into the terminal. I found Krystle and we spent the next 4 hours or so just chatting. When we got on the plane, I asked a stewardess if I could change seats and sit by my friend and she let me. I fell asleep almost immediately (it was around midnight) and didn't wake up until we were landing in Bali. 

Easy Monday

We had an easy work day. There were students, but they stayed with their homeroom teachers. So, all we did was show up and do other work. Unfortunately, the textbook for my winter camp that my COT ordered hadn't arrived yet, so I didn't really have much to work on.

After school, I came home and packed. I cleaned and got ready for my Bali trip!

Soccer and Church, as usual

I had a really relaxing morning. I finished baking my cookies and then realized I was going to be late for soccer. We moved the time up 2 hours; while it's the perfect time so I can go to church, it was a bit of an inconvenience this week because I was making cookies!

We played at I'PARK Mall in Yongsan this week and it's a bit further away. I met up with the other guys there; it was just John and Sammy. Luckily there was a group of maybe 12-15 guys that had played before us and John talked to them and asked if they wanted to play longer with us. They agreed so we had some new competition. It was a much better workout than normal. I did alright; I had a few shots on goal, but I've never heard people say "that's a girl right?" so many times in regards to me. I'm sure it's because women don't normally play soccer, but still. After soccer, I went to church. We let out a little bit early so I was early for church too.

Cookies and InKAS Christmas Party

Started out my morning skyping with my Grandpa and Aunt Judy. It was good to see them both. :)

I met Jacob for lunch and we had BBQ. It was delicious and we also got kimchi jjigae as our side. I've been craving kimchi jjigae for at least a week now. After lunch, I came home and made cookies. I did about half of my batter because the dough was getting harder and harder to work with. There is a fair amount of butter in it and it was getting too sticky. I also was running out of time. I made the cream cheese frosting and it turned out quite delicious. I had bought some powder to color the frosting with and it didn't really turn out; only the pink color showed up on the frosting. The blue and yellow didn't work.

I cleaned up and dressed up for the InKAS party. I went to Hongdae early to meet Jacob and one of his friends from a language program he did over the summer. We chatted and I shared some cookies with them.

We walked to the Marigold Hotel with the dinner was. We checked in and waited for the event to begin. They started with a performance on the gayakum (a traditional Korean instrument) and then a guy sang opera style to some Christmas songs. They gave awards to some members and volunteers. Finally a pastor said the blessing. I was really touched and moved by the blessing he gave. Then it was time to eat! It was pretty good. I sat with Jacob and Melissa, another mentor, and her husband Matt. We also sat with Melissa's mentee and another mentee. 

What to eat first?

Christmas Cookies about to happen!

Christmas cookies!!

Gayakum Performance

InKAS Christmas Party

Plate one!

Desserts were sooo good!