Fight

Next Saturday will be my 4th month in Korea... weird with so much going on I shouldn't be surprised with how fast time has flew...

My third Speech contest (Where they recite a news article and sing a pop song =D) finished today and as I look at the kids with whom I have built a rapport with most and I feel at home. When they stumble during their recital they look at me to remind them of the words... this I do with a feeling of warmth spreading in my heart. They have made me love and enjoy every moment I'm at work, even the bad days (not many) are mere obstacles now. I came to experience and rebuild myself (and my bank account...) these wonderful and equally wacky kids have been so important in the continued strive I have...

I feel blessed for having found the best hagwons among the worst hagwons... Thank you Tanya for squashing my fears and encouraging me to join this family.

Unfortunately not the same positive notes can be used to describe my current savings... as undoubtedly foreseen my Tokyo, Vietnam, and Hong Kong trips have delayed my expected debt free status. BUT there is a plan and with my lovelies at home contributing towards my next biggest expenditure (Nikon D5100 DSLR...drool) I will be back on track as of February!

The latest book I've just finished today was Dream of the Red Chamber- If anyone has some spare time try your mind at this one. Said to be one of the greatest stories and adaptation of Chinese literature, it starts off a little dry and there are well over 100 characters portrayed in the book, it is tragedy done at its best. Reality has never seemed so determined to conquer hope.

I was on a new mission to try as many different foods as I can but that will have to be put on hold for me to allot a food budget for Vietnam and Hong Kong that I will be satisfied with. LOL seriously, this one's gonna get her FOOD ON...yay

Within these four months, to say my life has taken a drastic turn is an understatement... I tend to try and live with no regrets which will float over my death bed. In this case I will have to wait and live to find out... I will face it with the new found strength in myself for myself. I will not let what I sacrificed to prevent me from seeing the light... in other words lets just call it 'optimism'!

I can only hope those dear to me whom have fought with me and by me are still with me. I'm sorry for not having been there the last four months, I greatly appreciate all your love and support, in the many ways it comes about!

Much Love,
Jan

Complicated

Finally read the last book in Larsson's Girl with a Dragon Tattoo series! Very good and recommended... don't read in the middle of the night unless you can sleep with conspiracy and murders in your sleep lol

Onto "Dream of the Red Chamber"

Been thinking about whether to buy a DSLR or not as my christmas present to myself... Korea has really made me love taking pictures, of scenery more than people. Fall here is just amazing, everyone says it is the best time to travel around and I couldn't agree more. I'm looking at a $650 or $850 one... will have to do more research.

On the other hand Hong Kong has been booked for Jan 21st to 24th another 4 day trip lol should be fun, have dreamed of going to Hong Kong since I was a child watching my dramas and can't believe it's actually going to happen.

Overview:
Korea (August arrival)
Tokyo, Japan (September)
Ho Chi Min, Vietnam (December)
Hong Kong (January)
Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore (July)

Not bad right? The best part of teaching here is being able to travel and I wouldn't trade my current experiences for anything, hardship or not. I realized I love to teach and I love talking to the kids. Made me want to apply for teacher's college back in Toronto, but I'm not sure I'm done in Asia yet. I want to do everything I can before settling down in Toronto.

My students thought I was 20 years old, I was like is that even possible since I need a undergraduate degree lol I laughed and the next guess was 27.. I'm like you're pushing it buddy lol Not far off the mark I guess, considering in April my asia age will be 27.. ahhhh lol a bit of air gasping there but still here...

got used to the idea of being young and having endless opportunities.. but now I'm feeling like I have to decide on a plan... mmm will have to think about that one a bit more...

What I've been up to for 6 months... update

Update on previous post: accomplished everything but "stop eating fish ice-cream" lol again not gonna happen!

"At First Sight" by Nicholas Sparks
"The Lucky One by Nicholas Sparks
Something Blue by Emily Griffith
Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom (Thanks Phil)
Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Girl who Played with Fire and The Girl who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Stieg Larsson
Shoe Addicts Anonymous by Beth Harbison
Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk
The Unbearable Lightness of Being by Mikale Kundera
Confessions of a Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella
To Kill a Mocking Bird by Harper Lee
The Color Purple by Alice Walker
The Picture of Dorian Gray, Lord Arthur Savile's Crime, The Happy Prince, The Birthday of the Infanta by Oscar Wilde
Hitler's Peace by Philip Kerr
 The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks
The Secret by Rhonda Byrne
20000 Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne
The Rescue by Nicholas Sparks
Message in A Bottle by Nicholas Sparks
The Wedding by Nicholas Sparks
A Bend in the Road by Nicholas Sparks
Farewell of Arms by Ernest Hemingway
Game of Thrones by George R. R Martin

Reading A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens




LOL been busy =D