Summer vacation

After completing my THIRD year of teaching (has it really been 3 years already?), and my FIRST year of international education, I was ready for summer!

Ahh summer....a wonderful time of beaches, bathing suits and NO WORK (if you're in the education field...hehe). Although I loved my year in South Korea, I was definitely ready to head back to the US for 8 wonderful weeks of summer vacation. On Sunday, June 12th, I carried my luggage down SFS's hill and waited for the airport bus to Incheon International Airport. I gave myself plenty of time for checking in, security and last minute gift shopping. Then at 4:00pm it was finally time to board my flight back to the good ol' US of A! I had a layover in San Francisco and then finally landed in DC at about 10:00pm.I was so excited to see my family!

Here's the rest of my summer:

Family time in Gatlinburg, Tennessee: a cute, country town that is also the home of Dolly Parton's Dollywood! We also went to the Dixie Stampede which is a dinner theatre where the audience members fight against each other in a good-natured way as Southerners and Northerners battle to win various horse competitions. We had a blast at Dollywood, at the show and just walking around this little country town. I thought Virginia was southern but not quite like Tennessee! Who knew this Pennsylvanian born Honduran could be such a Southern belle? :) HI Y'ALL!:)

Miss Dolly Parton

Only in the South!

Our picture at the Dixie Stampede

Dollywood

         

Horses at the Dixie Stampede

All over Virginia of course (Fredericksburg, Lynchburg, Staunton...)

Giving Amy her Korean Starbucks mini mug

Sam cheesing it up

Counseling girls in Stauton

 Visiting Meg and Dave in New Jersey: We did a lot of relaxing by the pool and eating:) Ya know, the usual.

With Meg

Pool-side

The traditional "Guess" pose

Boston and NY: We met up in NYC for dinner and then took the Megabus up to Boston where we toured Harvard, walked around the city and had great seafood.

Inside the Cheers store

Waiting for Breakfast

Boston Harbor

Seafood dinner! Me, Annie, Melanie and Kim

All over Northern Virginia: My friend Brittany got married at the beginning of July.  As the other bridesmaids and I planned the Bachelorette party, a skydiving groupon opened up and we had to do it! 

Bucket List item!

I survived!

With the Bride!

The wedding party

Back in VA: I spent time with my brother and his little girl...my cute niece!!!! I love Londyn!

Londyn!

Maná concert: After many years of waiting (I've been a fan since I was 7), I was finally able to see Maná in concert. We saw them right outside of DC with 20,000 other crazy fans! I wasn't surprised by the fantastic show. I will definitely see them again. I hope they tour in Asia!

Arizona: In mid July I went on a short trip to Arizona.

Scottdale

I survived the 5 hour hike in very HOT AZ weather.

Don't look down!

Canada: The last weekend of July, Meg and I drove to Ontario, Canada to see Heather. We stayed in Windsor one night and saw The Tea Party at Caesar's after hitting the slot machines for a little bit. We then went to her hometown and spent time with her mom and went to Lake Erie.

 Summer lovin'...

Pedicure with my OMA:)

Well hi Dolly!

Jack and his Taekwondo gift:)

A few other summer events:

-Went to Concord University in Athens (West Virginia, not Greece :) ) to take a licensing exam
-Got my nose pierced
-Scratched off Ohio and Connecticut from my "States" list (every summer since teaching, I try to see new states)
-Ate A LOT of Chik-Fil-A
-Drank a lot of sweet tea
-Ate a lot of southern food
-Saw lots of movies
-Finished Season 5 of How I met Your Mother
-Re-watched seasons 3 and 4 of Saved by the Bell

Saying "see-you-soon" :

brother!

This summer was a blast and I can't believe it's over (I go back to work on Monday for teacher work-week and I have the usual back-to-school nerves). Now I'm sitting at Narita airport waiting for my connecting flight into Seoul. Saying see-you-later to everyone at home was hard but I'm looking forward to my adventure in Korea and reconnecting with my fellow Seoulites and seeing my students.

Here's to another year!