TGIF

Yesterday, my 6th grade COT informed me that we won't really have many classes with our 6th graders when we return from break! Actually, it seems like I might not see 2 of my 7 classes with her again before they graduate! It's bittersweet-I don't mind terribly, but there is always something a bit sad in transitions and change. It's also my second year teaching these kiddos and some of the kids in those classes were my favorite or I got to know a little bit more in the past year.

Anyway, with all that in mind, now until the end of the school year (mid-February) is going to be quite a breeze. I love the second semester of the school year here. So next week I only teach 7 classes; and by teach I mean introduce some vocabulary for "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" and watch the movie. The rest of the week I will be enjoying sand, surf and sun in Cebu, Philippines. The following week gives me 3 days at work to prep for winter camp and then another vacation off to Hong Kong with my friend Mike for 5 days. When I return, I have 2 weeks of winter camp (which is easy as pie; max 10 students for 3 hours and another 2 hours of prep work). After winter camp, 9 days in Thailand with my friend OhMee. When we return for the final weeks of our school year, I have the week in January and one, maybe two weeks of instruction in February. Here I have another 2 weeks of vacation time, with 3 days of holidays within that time. I have an option of taking 7 days of my vacation or some of those days as deskwarming. We'll have to see what shakes out, but I'm looking at another big trip then. *Teachers Bliss* (In case you were very concerned about my workload in the coming weeks)

My 6th grade COT asked me to help with a project she had with her Masters (PhD?) course. I had to read and record passage for her. I did that earlier in the week. She also had asked me to help grade some writing tests to give the best feedback to the students. I finished those corrections and went to return them to her. She gave me a gift card to Starbucks as a "thank you", which, I told her, was perfect because Starbucks is really the only place I can go for coffee because of the soymilk! She was pleased with her good choice.

After work, I came home to unwind for a little bit. I decided I would get dinner at the falafel place since it had been awhile since I ate there last. I was shocked to see its door closed and all boarded up. Maybe they are remodeling inside? I hope that is all and that it will reopen soon. :( I went to Oodle Noodle instead for dinner. Next was on to a Christmas party. There's a newer organization called Seoul Sync that has events and other information about things happening in Seoul. I saw an open invitation for their Christmas party online and figured I'd check it out. It was held at a bar called Mikes Cabin in Hongdae. I went and was really the only person from the community; the rest were all staff members or volunteers of the organization. Even still, everyone was nice and friendly and I enjoyed meeting some new people. There was a raffle and I was one of the lucky winners! I got a voucher to use a taxi service. I stayed until midnight so I could take the subway home. It was snowing out when I left.