Blogs from Yeosu, Jeollanam-do, South Korea, Asia - page 3

Well... there's my summer. I intended to write in here more regularly, but unfortunately, the summer (and my intense job as Orientation Coordinator Team Leader) got away from me. However, this is just a note to let all of my faithful readers (especially those who haven't chastised me already) that I'll be updating on the full summer soon, including a second trip to Songnisan (see the posting re: the giant golden Buddha in Summer 06), a visit to the DMZ (at a different location than my Orientation), how we tried to visit the small town of Hwacheon to say hello and ended up in their Tomato Festival Parade, and so on. Believe me, there are adventures galore (and some pictures), and I can't wait to share it with you. For now, though, I'm going to greet ... read more

I know I’m a few months belated, but July and August were quite whirlwinds for me. It was hard to say goodbye to my students, the teachers, my school, my host family, and everyone else who’d meant something to me in Korea. Let me try to catch you up. June and July flew by. At the end of June, I went to the final Fulbright dinner. It was nice to catch up with everyone and find out what was next for everyone. About 7-8 are staying in Korea for a second year, I think, which I’m impressed by. A lot are going to grad school, and many others are going back into the work force. I, also, am currently working while applying to grad school—I’m working at the Wesley Foundation (the Methodist campus group) at my ... read more

Welcome, spring! Spring has finally come in full force to my neck of the woods in Korea, and the cherry blossoms are in full bloom. It's absolutely gorgeous, as cherry trees line the drives and outskirts of the school and other places throughout the city. I could easily get used to this. Too bad it will go too soon, and hot weather will take its place. I am ready for it to be green here, though! I've had about all I can of the gray-browns of winter... So, a few things to report since I last wrote. Last weekend was mostly uneventful, but it was fun all around. Saturday, I went to Sam Hye Won, the orphanage where I tutor elementary school kids, and ate lunch with some of the kids and staff there. It ... read more

Happy New Year! I know it's been awhile since my last entry, but to be quite honest, not too much has been happening around little old Yeosu. Early in January, I taught a two-week special class for my school (with about 5-10 students, focusing on writing and creative expression. Somewhere during that time, I went to Daegu (about 3 hours north of Yeosu by bus) to visit my friend Susie (I got to see some other Fulbrighters while I was there, too) and Andy, a friend of mine from middle school in Illinois who I hadn't seen in at least 6 years (and then, the last time, only briefly on a visit to Illinois). So, it was nice to catch up with him and to hang out a bunch with my Fulbright friends. Always good to ... read more

So, what have I been doing since my holidays ended, you might ask? Well, there is a lot to catch you up on there, too. That's what happens when one doesn't write in one's travelblog for about a month. Tomorrow, I'm going to Seoul to meet a Dutch friend of mine who is coming to visit for about a week. We met in Ireland where we studied abroad together (you can actually read about him in the early entries of this travelblog :-)) and traveled together. I'd say he's my best friend from Ireland, so it'll be great to see him again, show him around, and have a good time. Plus, it's my first visitor from beyond Korean borders--woot! As for the two to three weeks between Busan and now, I've been quite busy. I'm still ... read more