It was my birthday! Oh, what fun!

I had a birthday a few weeks ago and, as usual, I had so much fun! It fell on a Saturday and on the Friday before, Dan took me out for lunch. We came back to school and there was a cake waiting for me and the staff sang to me and I blew out my candles. What kind of cake you ask? Fresh fruit on top of angel food cake layered in a bunch of whipped cream! About 7 of my kids brought me presents (I waited until Saturday to open them... by the way, I told them about my b day weeks before in a convo regarding the calendar or something... not to get presents). My desk was decorated by Dan (and I sort of helped him... hee hee) and he made me a birthday sign (see pic).

The actual birthday- Had a video call with my dad and Connie around 11am and then later with my bro Jay. Opened some presents from the kids and Dan (with Jay on the call, watching). Lazed around until about 8 pm. Had dinner, left over pizza from the night before. Then Dan and I headed to Chantel's place, my friend who lives in Seoul. We drank a bit there. Went to a bar near her place, (a really happening part of Seoul). Played pool, drank and danced all night long. Chantel offered Dan and I her place to crash at that night, which was great, cause it saved us a 1.5 hour bus ride home at 5:30 am. So, we stayed there. Dan took me for Indian food the next day (also in Chantel's neighbourhood). We walked around, I bought an easel and then we came home later that day! How lovely!

Donkey on the loose!

This is my new donkey. Dan got it for me for my birthday. I love it! He sits by our computers, silently bobbing his head up and down. Sometimes I will say something to Dan and then say, "Isn't that right, Donkey?". And he always agrees with me, silently bobbing. Isn't he lovely?! Notice where he is sitting for the picture. On my new easel that I bought for myself for only 2o bucks! All I need is paint, canvas and some brushes, and I am on my way! Isn't that right, Donkey?

I went to a Korean wedding, how exciting!

Michelle, one of the Korean teachers at our school, got married and we went to the wedding. We were invited... I think. I mean, we didn't receive an invitation via paper or verbally, but apparently, according to the other Korean teachers, we were invited.

It was the day before the wedding and several of the Korean teachers (not Michelle though, she was in class at this time) were asking if Dan and I were coming and were insisting that we were in fact invited. The only reason we didn't get an invite from Michelle is because she didn't want us to feel obligated to go. They said it was a cultural difference and that of course we are invited! So, we decided that we would go, hoping that it would in fact be okay with the bride and groom.

Michelle was very happy to see us the next day in spite of the confusion. Her and Louis (her husband) were hanging out together before the ceremony, getting pics taken. We, foreign teachers, went in to get our pics taken with them. Then 20 minutes before the ceremony Louis' mom told us to go downstairs and eat. There was a huge spread of delicious food. Sushi, salads, all sorts of kimchi, stir fry type stuff, rice, vegi's and fruits.

Michelle walked down the aisle to the wedding march, "Here comes the bride", played on an organ. They were being taped and put up on the big screen above their heads, with Korean writing below. They went and bowed to each set of parents. Held their right hands in the air as they swore to God. He kissed her cheek to seal the deal. Some people sang them songs. Louis' dad got up and thanked everyone. There were group pics afterward, which were done on the stairs of the alter. Then people went back downstairs to eat more and later the next day Michelle and Louis flew off for their honeymoon. After the wedding Dan and I went to watch a horror movie at a DVD bong. Has anyone seen Saw 1, 2 or 3? Well we watched all of them within 2 days... bloody, but a good plot.

This New Year's celebration was all new to me!

The five of us, the same ones from the ski trip, went downtown Seoul for the New Year's Eve celebration. We hung out around city hall and were entertained the whole time. If it wasn't because we were surrounded by thousands of people, which is entertaining enough for me on any given day, it was all the other goings on that kept my head darting left to right, up and down.

There were dancers in traditional dress dancing all through the streets in groups of about 10- 15. They clanged bells and banged drums, waved the Korean flag and danced and sang. It was super!

Then there was all the vendors. Selling anything from all sorts of food to fire works! Roman candles for everyone! You're 8 years old? Hey! No problem! Do you have 1000 won (about 1.25 Canadian) then there you go little person, go shoot it off in the streets, but sort of be careful! People were shooting them off all night and it was madness when the clock struck 12! Fire works everywhere, all down the streets, just shooting straight up above everyone's heads. The air was filled sulfur and smoke, stinnnkky. A big gong type bell rang several times. And everyone in Korea turned a year older!

After this we took a train to another part of Seoul and had some supper at 2 am or so, after witnessing a street fight of course! I was trying to see some crazy Tae Kwon Do moves, but it was more like drunks fighting, too bad it wasn't more artistic looking. Dinner was delicious! Then we went dancing until 5:30 or 6 am. Fun fun fun!