Peace out, Hanguk!

Dear mom, remember when you moved us to Honduras back in the early 90s and you enrolled us in an international bilingual school? Remember how my teachers were from the US, Canada, the UK, and other countries?  Remember how I said I wanted to teach abroad someday and have adventures just like my teachers? Thanks, mom! 


Yes, thanks to my mom and to the LORD for making this happen. The time has come to say  안녕히 가세요  or see ya to DAE HAN MIN GUK (the Republic of Korea). What an incredible two years this adventure has been. I can't even begin to explain how much I fell in love with this country, the culture and the people that He brought into my life while being here.  Kamsahamnida Hannanim.


As I look back and reflect on the last two years (some may call this contemplating), I cannot help but think of the following lyrics:
"How majestic Your whispers....with a strength like no other, and the heart of a Father."  He ALWAYS has my back and knows what's best. He KNOWS the desires of my heart. He is a PERSONAL God. During the past couple of years, many lessons were learned or reconfirmed. 
 Some of them included learning to trust the LORD more, seeing How personal He is with me, the importance of family and friendship, how wonderful my namja chingu is, more appreciation for other cultures and customs, realizing that I am meant to be working with adolescents and how He placed people in my life when I least expected it.  Again, kamsahamnida Hannanim for making a reality out of my tenured dream.

Saying see ya to the Land of the Morning Calm and Bright Neon Lights has not been easy. My kiddos made me cry, my chingus made me cry and my departing Delta flight made me cry. Of course, they were happy tears, too. I went to Korea thinking my adventure would just be something short, temporary and something to share with my future grandkids. It was so much more. It was deep, meaningful, life-changing and eye-opening.  I worked hard and I played hard. I was immersed in the culture. I explored. I lost a lot of sleep. I lived in the moment. I was impacted by my students. My colleagues were inspiring. My faith grew. I gained new stamps in my passports. My appreciation for my bicultural life increased. My relationships at home grew stronger. I made wonderful friendships.  

So what did I do my last weekend in Korea? I went midnight shopping, had chicken feet, met up with some of my kiddos for lunch, bought gifts, took Stash to the airport (and I ton of my luggage), had quality time with some pretty amazing chingus, cleaned/packed/moved, got eyelash extensions (cultural immersion!),  went to my wonderful church, OEM and stayed up late having meaningful conversations with amazing chingus that are now a major part of my life.


I am excited to see the adventures that He has in store for me back in The Land of the free, Home of the Brave--USA all the way! I know the adventures will include a lot of 13 year old moments, reunions, silly posing,  and my passion for being an advocate for kiddos . My first adventure will begin with vacationing in my 26th state, Hawaii, with my sister, Kristen and Misty! WOOT (and we just got bumped to first class--nice-uh!). 




Thank you to all my Hanguk people for making the past two years a fantastic and memorable experience. I got attached and I don't plan on letting go. Sarangheyo.  






Just scratched off from the Bucket List:

85. Teach abroad: Teach in a foreign country (South Korea 2010-2012)

Just added to the Bucket List:

130. Counsel and teach in multiple foreign countries: More international schools and adventures 

(South America--I have my eye on you next!)....

Off to Hawaii...bumped to first class on our flight from Seoul to Tokyo--so thankful for the MLK crew!

Onnuri Church-a major part of my life in SoKo

Chingu time and one last picture at the House of Glitter

Hanging out with some of my kiddos in Itaewon-last Saturday in SoKo

Cambodia and Vietnam

Ahhh summertime. After a great last week of school ( see previous post), and a late night of dancing and chingu time, I got up and headed to school for my last workday of the 2011-2012 school year. My classroom was already clean so the day was spent going through my end-of-the-year checklist      ( all you teachers know what I'm talking about), saying goodbyes, and napping on Kristen's classroom couch.
After a faculty luncheon and farewell ( which btw, it seems that the reputation I will be leaving behind includes dancing and sunglasses), I headed back to the House of Glitter to quickly pack any last items for SOUTHEAST ASIA. Woot!


A whole bunch of us SFSers headed down the hill to grab the 4pm airport bus. Goodbye school: hello wonderful summer vacation.

Cambodia and Vietnam have been on my list for years so I was so happy when I was able to finally book this trip.


The two days in Cambodia were spent being tourists at Angkor Wat and the surrounding temples. We also were able to relax at the cool eco hotel where we stayed.
Highlights:
the BANGIN' breakfast
Angkor Wat (duh!)
Ten dollar massage

On Monday, we headed to the airport to explore our next country, Vietnam. We landed in Ho Chi Minh around 3pmand then headed to our guesthouse where we quickly got ready and went out exploring. What was our first meal? Pho, of course!!! All those evenings of finding the best Pho all over Virginia and now here I was in the actual place! It was delicious! We then ran in to Kristen in the middle of the street ( I'm serious!) and then wondered the streets and explored.

That night, we ate some more Pho, I got a much needed pedicure, we had multiple papaya/mango/coconut shakes and went souvenir shopping.

The next day, all four of us went on a tour to the Cu Chi tunnels- a large underground network of tunnels used during the Vietnam War. Once we got back to Ho Chi Minh, we ate a lot more Pho. Notice the pattern?

On Wednesday, it was time to split up and head to Hoi An.

Hoi An is a quaint little town that is known for its cao lau- a tasty noodle dish that can only be found in Hoi An. Anthony Bourdain did one his shows here basing it on cao lau. It really is an amazing dish-- I think we had it about 4 times per day.

Besides eating, we walked around, got pampered (more inexpensive massages? Neh, juseyo!), got outfits and shoes made, went to the beach, drank way too many papaya smoothies and took a lot of pictures.
Highlights:
Food
Hoi An
Shakes
Did I mention food?

Now I'm at the airport, having more pho and a coconut shake and getting ready to head back to Korea. This was definitely a trip of a lifetime--Kamsahamnida Hananim for all of His provision for these travel opportunities!

Here's to two more countries to color in!

The last week of school

The last week of school was FULL ON--so many events, so many emotions. This is the first year in which I didn't have a countdown to the last day. Who knew I would get so attached?

June started with taking the 8th graders to watch Men in Black. We piled up all 80+ plus kids into two school buses and went to the World
Cup CGV. We watched the movie and then had lunch. The kids liked the fact that the first MIB came out when I was their age. :) "The galaxy defenders!" PS: I really like the Pit Bull song on the soundtrack.

That same night, I headed to the Seoul Hyatt for the Centennial Gala celebration. We danced all night, as usual.

The following day, Kristen and I met up with some of our girls for a Seoul
Tour through their eyes. We ate, shopped, took goofy pictures and had a blast! This was definitely one of my favorite days in Korea.

Saturday night was the last House of Glitter event. We had pizza, played like children at the playground and finished with a dance party and a game of hide and seek in my classroom.


The work-week started by heading to Daecheon Beach for the retreat. We were there Monday through Wednesday. It was exhausting but a lot of fun. I love my kiddos!

The last two days of school were an emotional roller coaster. My kids were so sweet to me- writing me heartfelt letters, hugging me and even making me cry. Again, how did I get so attached?

And just like that, the school year ended. Through tears and laughter, I hugged my kiddos and waved bye to the buses.

The afternoon included a nice lunch with my 8th grade team ( thanks for the sweet words and meaningful gifts). That night, MELKs ( S for Stan) went out for Chimek and dancing. What a great way to end an amazing school year.

I love being 13

If you know me, then you know I'm eternally 13. I am a teeny bopper that loves singing, dancing and laughing at bathroom jokes. Thankfully, I have a few other teeny boppers that enjoy being immature, too.
It seems that my inner 13 year old has really broken out in the last few months.
Random things that the 13 year old has done: sleepover at school, amusement parks, fart socks, frilly socks, funky glasses, hair accessories, dunk tank, interpretive playground art (human cubicism), starburst and ice cream for dinner, etc.

Also, you can't be 13 and not act like it around your students every once in a while. We had so much fun during promotion week just dressing goofy for the kids and then dancing with them at grad night. Love my job!

Sarangheyo Hanguk

In case I haven't mentioned it, I love Korea! My adventure here has been beyond amazing. To celebrate, I had an "I love Korea: Sarangheyo Hanguk Party." The theme was to dress Korean (matchy-matchy, cat shirts, huge heels, booty shorts, etc). We danced all night and ended the night at 2am at chimek.


DAE HAN MIN GUK!

MELK crew gets ready

Hikers

Korean mask

Things my kids say...

My students are hilarious. When I first started teaching, I decided I needed to start documenting what these kids say to me and around me. In honor of the end of the school year and the fact that I'm almost done with my 4th year, here are some of those hilarious comments....

-During my first day ever as a teacher
1. Ms. Meza, you're only 23? Dang. You should be at the club!

2. During my current year, the subject of  "liking each other" came up with my 6th graders....
Me: Okay, stop with the liking...
Student: And start with the loving!

3. While correcting sentence structure:
Student: Ms. Meza, I feel bad for you.
    Me: Why?
    Student: Because we're stupid.

4. Student: Ms. Meza, are you and Ms. E roommates?
    Me: Yep, we are.
    Student: It's like a sleepover every night!'

5. Ms. Meza, you look like a high school freshman with your hoodie and your Sperry's.

6. Student: Ms. Meza, how does Lady Gaga like her meat?
   Me: How?
   Student: Raaw raaaw raaaw raaaw!

7. Student: So, do you and Ms. S. go clubbing?

8. Ms. Meza, we like your sunglasses. You look like a boss. Ooo, like a G6.

9. Ms. Meza, if I had one hour to live and could choose anywhere to be, I would choose to be at school because it feels like eternity.

10. Student: So, Ms. Meza, if I don't do well on my placement test, does this mean you won't recommend me for  high school Spanish?
Me: Yes
Student: Fine. I won't recommend you for the counseling position.


11. Student 1: Ms. Meza, my grandma started text messaging. isn't that weird?
Student 2: Really? Mine starting using KakaoTalk.
Student 3: What? Shouldn't they all be knitting?

12. Ms. Meza, two things. One, I'm tired and two, you look like you're 16.

13. I have Fridayitis today.

14. Student: Ms. Meza, are you texting your boyfriend?
Me: No, that would be very unprofessional. I'm checking my school email since you are using my computer and smartboard.
Student: Oh. Well, it's okay, I give you permission to text him during class.


15. Student: Ms. Meza, does 7th grade have a Grade Level Gathering today?
Me: I'm not sure about the 7th grade schedule but I can find out.
Student: Well aren't you and Ms. S. buddies
Me: Yep, we are BFFLs.
Student: That's weird.

16. Student: Ms. Meza, you can be scary.
Me: How so?
Student: With your sarcasm and your nose-ring.

17. You and your friend are like teenagers, with all the laughing and joking.



I love working with my teens! Here's to many more years of quotable moments.

Adventurous Eating

If you know me, then you know that one of my favorite things to do is to EAT. I'm thankful that my stomach is made out of steel so I can try whatever my adventurous stomach desires. Here are just a few adventurous things that I've eaten while living in this country.

WARNING: The following pictures and explanations are not for those with WEAK stomachs.  View and read at your own discretion. Don't judge!


San Nakji: Live Octopus: Kristen, Craig and I headed to Noryanjgin Market to eat Ursula. I've had octopus before but not LIVE octopus. Did I mention that this can stick to your throat and kill you? You have to chew it extremely well.  I was a bit nervous but it really wasn't that bad. I even had it again when Amy and Gina came to visit!

Pig Knuckles: enough said. These are everywhere.

Bring on Ms. Piggy

Nom non nom

WOOF: Need I say more? Please don't hate me or judge me. This was the one thing I said I would not eat while living in Korea. It's considered a delicacy but I told myself NO. Well, never say never. I was really nervous and thought I was going to barf but I didn't! 

Comments throughout the night:

Korean BARKbeque

Let's eat this bitch!

Do you have dog breath?