6 months? CHECK.

Halfway mark today. Wow, already? And yet, Finally! It's been pretty good over here, but alsohard being away from the family and having a huge language barrier. Charades can only get you so far. In commemoration of our 6 month mark, I thought we would do a little recap of what I can kinda remember :D

Month one: I remember my initial reaction to our apartment with the area to take off your shoes and the sliding door entrance: "Oh it's so asian!!" We were lucky to have some people who had been here for awhile show us around. I am so grateful for that Whitney and Neal! I don't know where we would be without them. Probably starving and hunkering in our apartment afraid to go out. It was really scaring going into the classroom for my first time after training. I kept thinking I was going to screw up the kids, and their parents were going to call the school to complain. The other teachers were helpful as well, giving me tips, and now I can't believe I was so nervous!! We went to Woobang Towerland for the first time, and it was the coldest day ever. But you know how i LOVE rollercoasters and rides, so I sucked it up. THere was one ride, the Tambourine, where you are holding on to a bar, and nothing is strapping you in, and the ride bucks up and down. I was so scared, I hated it. And fortunately, Whitney's pants were coming off, and there wasn't much under them, so we got the ride stopped and got the heck off that ride. The kids love that ride, I don't understand! December also marked when we got our crazy babies! Bootsie Poo and Koyangi. It took a lot of adjusting to get used to their late night romps all over the bed and house. They still do it. We missed Christmas, but at least the MoonKkang expats all got together for a potluck Turkey dinner. I would have killed someone for some Turkey soup a couple days later though :D

January: As soon as we got used to one thing at MoonKkang, they changed it. January brought a new curriculum that wasn't well received at first. Now I kinda like it. I have the most interesting conversations with the kids, more so than I would have with the old Speaking class (which is done on Wednesdays now, and are horrible :D ) In January, Luc, Bev and I went on the City Bus Tour. We went to various destinations in the city, some bad, some good. It did happen to snow that day (Snow is rare in Daegu). So we were chilled, and interested, and bored all day. Though it was nice to see some spots that I know I wouldn't have gone on my own. By this point, we have made some really awesome friends, and had some good times throughout the city.

February: At the beginning of February is Seolnal or Lunar New Years, and we had three days off. Many people went to China at this time, but becuase Luc and I didn't get paid until January, we were not able to have the money in time. Instead, we went on our first trip to Seoul. Again, would have been completely lost if it wasn't for some friends, that I found out were going to Seoul when we were on the train. They literally took care of us and showed us to all the good spots in the city. It was because of them, that we were able to show Diana and Mike the spots as well. And we're going to do for Mom and Dad in a whirlwind overnighter. We visited two palaces, Insadong, had some Thai and Greek food, and visited cute little tea house. We saw Namdaemun gate hours before it was completely obliterated in a fire by a 70 year old man who was angry at the government for taking away his house becuase of taxes or something. Sure, burn down National Treasure #1. Smart man :S. That was the same thing with the Daegu Subway Fire in 2003 though, some guy was angry at the government for taking away disability, so he blew a bomb up in the subway. Anyways. We also went to the COEX mall, which was disappointing, but we did get to meet Randy Orton, Snitsky, and Trevor Murdoch (wrestlers), much to Sean's jealousy and dismay.I'm glad that Lucas and I decided not to go to Seoul, it's too big, too much. We were ready to go home a little early.

March: We have learned a little Korean at this point (though I haven't say, that we haven't learned much more by this point). We had taken Korean lessons, and can read it. It's amazing how much of a difference it makes. It's really easy to learn to read and write. But we just have no idea what we're reading, what it means. I get my kids to teach me some things sometimes. They go beserk when I say something and clap their hands all excited like, its great. March was my first paintballing experience. Luc and I are actually going tomorrow as well. And we even had people over for a potluck. I went with Whitney to Palgonsan Mountain which has a large stading Buddha statue and it was maginificent. I did like the month of march. It was getting warmer out, the sun was shining. After winter's cold, I was ready for something new. Though, once it gets to summer we're going to be absolutely dying and wishing for winter to return. Summers here are brutal.

April: At the beginning of the month, Jae Won took us to Jinhae for the world famous Cherry Blossom Festival. It was so beautiful with millions of cherry trees in full blossom. And on top of that, millions of Korean people. A sea of black hair and pink flowers was the landscape. April marked something else as well... Diana and Mike arrived! It was so great to see family again, you realize it more acutely when you see them after so long. We showed them some places in Daegu and where to go to eat. They even came to some classes. THe kids were really freaked out to havemy boyfriend's parents in class. They were giving me tips before their arrival on how to act appropriately. I think at this point, it's a little late. They were telling me I havet o use certain language, not to talk much, be very demure. Sorry kids.

May: uh, HELLO, JEJU!! THe first weekend we went with Diana and Mike to Jeju. Most beautiful place in the world and I swear, it's the world capital of random museums. The weather was warm, the water tropical blue. I was in heaven. It's my first taste of tropical. We went to Love Land (you saw pictures :D), Cheonjiyeon Falls, Sunrise Peak, Hamdeok Beach, Green Tea farm.... man, I love that place! it was sad to leave, but we had to as school was the next day. We went to an Indian restaurant with some friends for a birthday. That was a bad idea. Four out of seven of us got food poisoning. And I think this was the worst case I've ever had. My whole birthday week in the tubes becuase I missed two days of school and spent the next three weeks in the bathroom. Not fun. I hate Korean doctors too. They don't listen or understand. And they give you a plethora of random drugs, but always, ALWAYS include tylenol. It's the cure all here. Kinda like windex from My Big Fat Greek Wedding.

So now it is the last day of May. I am training a new teacher today and Monday. James and I are the old hats in the office. Mom and Dad come in a week. We have time booked off for China and Japan in September, and then our last teaching day is Mid November before we head off to Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam just in time to get a tan before coming back to Canada. Now I must start report cards again. They are useless, the kidsand parents don't look at them. And they take hours and hours to complete.