March Madness/Mellow March

So after the February Challenge, I was ready to rest, right? NOPE.

I'm a bit behind on my blogging (sorry for slacking, Heather) so I will quickly try to summarize March.

Orphanage and the cute babies!

The Launchpad's Brewery

 The House of Glitter hosted the Great Carb Loading (for Megan and Jacob's marathon)

Trampoline fun

St. Patrick's Day on the 8th grade hall

Getting my hair done....again

Korean style: brushing our teeth in a department store

Movies at 26:30 (or 2:30am) Sure, why not? Thank you Dongdaemun CGV!

Saw Nanta finally--an awesome cooking show. I got called on stage! 

With Elisa, her mom and her sis

Graded food projects 

Got a new nickname

Helped Mate celebrate by showing our dragon pride

Attended Stacy's bachelorette party and her wedding to JC

Dressed super Teeny Bopperish for BigBang in concert

Had random fun during professional development at Chadwick International School

 Was a super-tourist during our hotel stay

 Had a California in a Cup themed night with MELK

Just another adventure-filled month in SoKor! 

The DMZ

The Demilitarized Zone or DMZ is a strip of land that runs across the Koreas dividing the peninsula in two.  It runs across the 38th parallel and this area was the original boundary that was set between the US and the Soviet Union after World War II. This is also the most heavily fortified border in the world and there are about two million troops (North Koreans, South Koreans and Americans)  ready to go to war at a moment's notice, if needed.  If North Korean forces ever crossed the DMZ again, the US is automatically at war under a 1954 treaty backed by the United Nations resolutions in which the US is committed to defend South Korea.

My thought on all this: let's go check it out!

At the end of April, Amy, Gina, Kristen, Misty, Elisa and I headed to the USO office to check out the DMZ for ourselves.

Debriefing

Joint Security Area

Greetings from the North

They told us not to point or do anything that draws a lot of attention. This was HARD as I am known for my obnoxious poses.

The Bridge of no Return

Stamp at Dorasan station.

Dorasan station which will one day maybe unite the Koreas

Rebels

Inside a recently discovered tunnel that the North Koreans were making to get S.Korea

Photo opp!

RoK

Visitors Round 3: Amy and Gina

For almost two years now, I have been telling everyone on the other side of the world to come visit. I had a few visitors my first year here including my mom and sister! Well, just a few weeks ago, I headed to the airport to pick up the next round of visitors, Amy and Gina!

Amy and Gina and I met 4 years ago when we were in grad school. We also did a study abroad program in Greece and then explored Paris together. So, being the world travelers that they are, I knew they would come and visit. :) Kamsahamnida for coming, ladies!

Summer of 2008: Future counselors unite! Our view from our hotel: The Parthenon!

Summer 2008: What to do after taking a class in Greece? Go tour an amazing European city!

Meza Tours Inc. was on duty while they were here. We did a lot of sightseeing, eating and shopping throughout Seoul. Some of the highlights included:Sinchon, kiwi soju, night shopping in Ehdae, BBQ in Hongdae, touring the Palaces, Chimek,  noraebang, fish market, Seoul Tower, Myeongdong, Insadong and the DMZ.

Seoul Tower

Dessert in Itaewon

Namdaemum market and the silly guy wearing all of his merchandise

Tea sampling at the Hyundai Department Store

Myeongdong street food

Adjumma visors

Flowers

Continuing the T-shirt tradition

Welcome to Incheon Int'l Airport!

Touring SFS and having lunch

Galmaeki BBQ

Street Food

Going up Seoul Tower--a traditional pose because we have one just like this going up the Eiffel Tower and going up the Empire State Building (we missed you, Leslie!)

SO WHO IS COMING NEXT?! There is still time!