catching up

Greeting all! I havn't posted in forever and here it is just 2 months out from my return home! I figured out today that I have just 6 1/2 weeks of teaching left because we are coming off a 2 week holiday and have another week off late September for their "Thanksgiving" (called Chusak)! I can't believe I will walk through the door of my home and will be greeted by my daughter and granddaughter!! How sweet is that?

But I'm not family-less here in Korea. I am very close to this one clan and was invited to go on their family vacation at the beach during my holiday. (Just a couple of days). These people have been so kind and generous to me during my stay here.
The one on the left is Yun Jeong and she is a pharmacist also well versed in Chinese medicine herbs. She was a great help when I got sick last winter and has become a wonderful friend. She's pretty alternative for a Korean!

Her sister Mishell (her English name from English class), is next to her and expecting a baby any day now. I'm so happy I get to meet the new one.

These 2 were the youngest of the crew. Ye Jin (the little girl) and I were pretty much in love. I taught her how to play Slap Jack and we had so much fun I gave her my deck of cards.

We stayed in this awesome house and most of the family (12 in all, including grandmother and grandfather) slept on the floor. I, being the Western guest, was given a private room with its own bathroom. We barbaqued the first night - not unlike being at home - watermelon for dessert!

The next day we visited this traditional Korean house with a huge lotus flower garden. It was on the downside....... can you imagine what it looked like in full bloom!!

I love this architecture so much. I wish they were still building homes like there here, but I guess it's too expensive. The new homes these days are quite boring, ugly even. And the majority of people like in apartment complexes; tall, tall buildings built in groups like a high rise community. So sad.

Anyway, nice to get a bit of travel in before I get out of here.

See you soon. YOO HOO!!

big love, p.