Halfway there (take 2)

Around this time last year, I did a post rounding up the highlights of the first half of my year in Korea. Reading it now, I can't believe how much happens in such a short space of time. When you are living in foreign lands, your drive to do more and learn more is much higher, I hope to still have some of that when I return back home in a few months time. It's that time of the year again, half way through - time to check in on some amazing experiences so far - gosh the year is just flying!

went home to South Africa for the holidays- I landed on the 1st of January - almost didn't come back

stopped in Hong Kong on a layover to visit Hong Kong Disney Land

arrived just in time for Kerry's bachelorette party and wedding at Groot Constantia - hello Mrs Rosser

started teaching at an all girls school (last year i taught boys)

said good bye to some dear friends - but also got to sleep in a ship going nowhere

went Paint balling for the first time

learnt to ski 

learnt to ride a bike

got to watch a Broadway musical

got my hair (dreadlocks) twisted by a korean

went to a jimjilbang and got an ajuma scrub (blog post for another day)

visited the biggest department store in the world (certified by Guinness World Record)

did a cooking class 

celebrated teachers day

volunteered at a centre for North Koreans teaching English (cannot post pictures for their protection)

did a few korean language lessons

had some laughs while doing students speaking tests. 

To name just a few. It's been an amazing few months and already feel sad at the thought of leaving Korea in a few months, its a good thing its not over yet. I have learnt so much and with my task list of things to do, I hope to continue with the adventures even when I get back home.

Final thoughts
It's time to take stock, what have you been up to this year so far? Have you been keeping to your new resolutions if you had any?

my friends are smarty pants

So I have a confession to make. I am going on, not 1, but 2 summer holidays. I know I am so blessed :) today I arrive back in Korea after a fabulous 2 weeks in Vietnam with my friend Dipalesa. I am landing at the same time as my friend Zama, coming all the way from South Africa to spend 2 weeks with me. Now before you start complimenting her on being a great friend for coming to visit me, I just want the record to reflect that when she was living in the UK for 3 years - I also had to make an appearance in her neighbourhood :) so I believe its only fair I demand am graced with her presence too. 

This girl is such a sweet heart, I met her in my 2nd year of uni- that's almost 10 years ago (gosh now I am giving away my age). 

normal birthday we turned into a pool party

Besides being such a darling, she is also a smarty pants. You know when you  joke around and say things like "it doesn't take a rocket scientist"? Well with her, you come pretty close - she is an Astro-scientist.  I don't really know what that means - so for all intensive purposes, I tell people she studies the stars. She is a DR (like PHD study person) and not even 30 years of age yet! I am so proud of her, my cool nerd of a friend. She is so humble - she will probably kill me if she catches me bragging about her on this post. But we will be on holiday so by the time she reads it - it will be too late :)

city sightseeing bus in Scotland somewhere

Can't wait to have an absolute wale of a time showing her around my hood in the east. We kick off our tour in the capital, Seoul, including a DMZ tour to the border of North and South Korea -YIKES. Then off to see one of the 7 wonders of nature, JEJU island. Swing by Busan to see a temple or two (she is in Asia after all) and the largest department store in the world.  Then finally my great city, Daegu. She will be my accomplice in trying some new experiences (weather permitting) and hopefully check through some of my bucket list items.

Zama's farewell before leaving for the UK

my farewell before moving to Korea

But seriously - thanks my friend for coming all the way and enduring the 17 hour flight and 7 hours time zone difference.  You are what good friends are made of- love you tons.

Let the good times roll....

i love my sister

Today is my sisters birthday. I can't explain to you how much I love this woman! I always tell my friends I want to be just like her when I grow up which is pretty difficult since she is 4 years older than me and keeps getting better with age - I don't know if I can ever catch up. She is slow to anger (I'm guessing she reads the book of Proverbs a lot ), super generous, super patient and gives good advice - such a woman of GOD.

Birthday celebration in Joburg many moons ago

I can't remember the last time we were together for her birthday but I always try to send a gift (and its almost always a cookbook- sorry sis for the lack of creativity but its always a sure thing LOL). Did I mention she is our very own barefoot contessor.  She can salvage any dish I manage to ruin - but be warned, you need to step away from the stove once you have handed over the wooden spoon.

Sis - I miss you and love you and hope and pray one of these days we will be under the same roof or at least the same city, for your birthday so I can spoil you like a good sister should. Have a wonderful birthday filled with tons of blessings (read gifts too) - and thanks for being around for mom and dad while I behave like a typical little sister.

cruising to mozambique - good fun

rainy days

Waiting at the bus stop outside my apartment on a rainy day. I just love how green the trees look with rain drops hanging on to the leaf for dear life - the air feels a little cleaner too - thank you rain :)