LOVE 146

What could be better than supporting a worthy cause - having fun while doing it! And that's exactly what we had at a scavenger hunt downtown Daegu, to raise funds for an organization called LOVE 146 which aims and aids in fighting against human trafficking - an issue I only recently became more aware of. The statistics are frightening!
The purpose of the scavenger hunt was to raise awareness as well as raise funds - this was done by screening a video about the topic, collecting money from teams wanting to participate as well as selling raffle tickets on the day to win prizes such as food vouchers of some of our favourite spots and even a grand prize of a polaroid camera :)
It was a super fun event, very well organized and the best part, they reached their target of money needing to be raised, win-win. Here are some of the crazy things we had to do :

meet the team - Fantastic Four (although African Queens would also have been befitting)

Propose to a stranger

take a picture with a couple wearing matching clothing :)

mummify a team member (with tissue)

Take a picture with a man with facial hair (a rare occasion in Korea)

yep - kiss a mannequin

declare thumb war with a kid

Greet a stranger (of course we have to bow Asian style)

wearing something with animal print

go into a cosmetic shop - and go crazy

swap outfits with a team member

take a picture with someone in a cast

hug a stranger - poor Koreans

And many more....

Final Thoughts

What causes are you passionate about? How are you getting involved in your community to help fight injustice? Giving money is always good, but going the extra mile and devoting some of your time too is even better. Sure, we could have donated the same amount of money and stayed at home. But by choosing to hit the streets and be silly for a little while, also gave us the opportunity to get people in the city talking and asking questions about what it is we are doing, thus raising awareness too? Two birds with one stone - you see :) Thank you to the team that put the hunt together - we had a ton of fun! Thanks to the Fantastic Four too - you girls are just awesome...

Thanksgiving

One of the best parts about coming to Korea was getting to meet people from all over the world. Korea as country is pretty homogeneous, but with the ever increasing demand for English Teachers, there is also a huge foreign community settling in the east, even in my city, Daegu. With that comes the joys of sharing one another's cultures (read holidays), some of the popular one's include Halloween, St Patrick's day, there was even a huge Jubilee celebration in our neck of the woods.
But my favourite foreign holiday for me is definitely Thanksgiving Day (although I am sure 4th of July fireworks would steal the show if I was ever in America to celebrate). I just love the holiday, especially as a Christian, because it makes me sit down and acknowledge how much I need to be thankful for, and to who I am thanking. It reminds me how Good God is, how true He is to His promises. My friend over at Transplanted  has a tradition that she has been practicing for over a decade - writing a list of 100 things to be thankful for every year. I love it! It brings meaning to this time of the year, more than just stuffing my face with turkey and I get to do what I do best, making lists. So here is my list of 100 things to be thankful for (and maybe why):

1. for family (big enough yet small enough, they drive me insane at times, but distance has really made the heart grow fonder)
2. korean public transport (super fast, efficient, affordable, safe etc...)
3. my job (easy + lots of vacation+ good pay+ love my clients students)
4. my colleagues (kind, thoughtful but still give me space to go about my daily business)
5. healthy body (that i can feel sick or tired and one day in pyjamas cures everything)
6. 20-20 vision (I'm guessing eye care is pricey and the idea of contacts or Lasek surgery freak me out)
7. travel opportunities (I have traveled to more countries in the last 18 months than the rest of my life before then)
8. friends (too much to say, no words to say it)
9. care packages from home
10. skype dates
11. water
12. smart phones - and their fantastic apps
13. cameras - been fun capturing so many precious moments
14. safety - in Korea it's been so great walking at night carrying valuables without worrying
15. floor heating - for those cold and long winter days
16. korean food like Bibimpap that I have become so fond of
17. being able to eat with chopsticks - not perfectly but I get by
18. fast internet - so fast I can watch youtube clips like TV
19. gas stoves - making me feel like a real chef even when I am just boiling an egg
20. english speaking church in Korea (and its walking distance from my place)
21. my American friends (who have taught me about thanksgiving)
22. Starbucks (for giant mugs) and awesome Chai Latte
23. bananas - the most inexpensive fruits in Korea
24. blogs - great, funny, inspirational, motivational, creative blogs
25. diaries - always reminding where I need to be, who I owe, and what to look forward to
26. facebook - has changed the way I keep in touch
27. being able to ride a bike
28. alarm clocks - don't remember waking up before 9am without one - just doesn't come naturally
29. God's promises - the only one who honours them
30. being in my 20's where anything and everything is possible
31. shopping at markets
32. asian kids - so beautiful and smart, I just wish they knew it
33. birthdays - a guaranteed reason to celebrate
34. escalators
35. good causes to support
36. dreadlocks - all natural, no harmful chemicals, its bliss
37. being able to speak English, learning it is so hard :(
38. touch screens
39. aeroplanes - albeit being afraid of flying
40. surprises
41. budgeting
42. laughter
43. when my students put up their hand and say "Teacher"
44. caring, loving, and patient boyfriend :)
45. getting a lift
46. making holiday plans
47. expecting visitors
48. rewards after hard work
49. forgiveness
50. counting down towards something big
51. Answered prayers
52. public holidays (for sleeping in)
53. good movies incl. chick flicks
54. cereal
55. Bible study groups
56. board games
57. receiving snail mail
58. beauty of Autumn and Spring
59. pretty hairbands that do a good job of hiding embarrassing growth
60. highlighters
61. healing from illness
62. clothes swapping parties
63. good books
64. atmosphere at 10km fun walks
65. finishing a hike - rewarded by breathtaking views
66. encouraging testimonies
67. friends getting married
68. friends starting families
69. aching feet from dancing all night
70. sisters - worth looking up to
71. friends that visit you all the way in korea
72. friends who meet you halfway
73. cooking classes in different countries
74. potluck parties
75. clean clothes
76. shaving cream
77. learning about other countries from people who come from there (not just text books)
78. opportunity to share about south africa and break the stereotypes
79. being able to read korean characters
80. comedians
81. instagram being available on android
82. sorting out misunderstandings
83. hand cream and vaseline
84. Cute korean shops that make buying gifts so much easier
85. service (means freebies in korea)
86. koreans trying to speak english - the chinese don't even try :(
87. pinterest
88. i get to call south africa, home
89. hot water
90. inspiring sermons
91. theatre (especially cirque de soleil and wicked)
92. my life in korea
93. friends younger than me - they keep me younger for longer
94. long emails
95. gift giving
96. people who inspire me without even knowing it
97. great hostesses making me feel welcome in their homes
98. African movies - reminding me of my roots and providing hours of laughter
99. computers
100. Thankful for Thanksgiving - a holiday I hope to adopt with my family when I return home

Final thoughts
I could go on, and that's a good thing. This exercise really helped me to just look around my everyday life and realize how privileged I am, how Great and faithful God is, and how far He has taken me. And even though my time in Korea is coming to a close (less than 100 days left), I know that the best is yet to come. Thank you America for introducing me to this meaningful holiday, and thanks Alissa for the idea  - I want to challenge myself every year to do this.

Cakes Galore

One of the many things that surprised me about Korea (more than their huge coffee culture as opposed to the green tea stereotype) were their bakeries :) Granted, I have never been to Europe, home of pastries, but I do believe the Koreans do know a thing or two about making delicious and rather good looking cakes.  I absolutely love birthdays for that reason, in the almost 2 years I have been here - every celebration has a brought with it different design. From pretty bows, to fruit toppings and lets not forget ice-cream cakes in summer and gorgeous cupcakes - well because they are gorgeous.  Almost too beautiful to eat, don't you agree?

Enough said.....

photo cred: raquel lyle :)

care packs

They just keep coming :) I am so blessed to have such amazing friends and family. My sweet friend, Kwezi sent me this a while back - we have the SA postal service to thank for that, but its finally here, safe and sound. I ripped through the package while shrieking ecstatically. The whole staff room couldn't help it but to stop and watch. As the content was being tossed around in jubilation, I heard a round of applause.

What a treat right?

Final thoughts

Care packs are such a joy to give and even better to receive :) I feel so blessed, honestly. Its like a never-ending birthday. Thank you Kwezi for spoiling me rotten. With 4 months still left in Korea, you have no idea how uplifting receiving this is. My energy has been renewed (probably from all the sugar in those sweets and dried fruits in there LOL). 감사합니다 친구 (thank you friend).

Happy Halloween

Part of our job as Native (although I use this term very loosely seeing as though I am actually Zulu) English Teachers is to also teach the kids 'western' culture. Not that I know much about Halloween, since its not something that a lot of South Africans are into, I still incorporated a little lesson on the topic.  I didn't want to get tongue-tied teaching something I know nothing about, so I decided to go a bit casual on this one.  I did a drawing/listening activity. It's their favourite kind of lesson. Listening is an important skill to have when learning a language = teacher is happy. Drawing is an activity that students enjoy the most = students are happy.

I gave them a piece of paper with a haunted house. Then I called out a list of things they had to draw onto their page. I collected them and chose some of my favourites to get stickers (they collect stickers, from various activities, towards getting candy and ultimately chocolate). Its an easy lesson for me to 'teach' and the students enjoyed some time 'off' doing something creative while learning vocab and improving their listening - its a win-win I tell you.

Draw: Owl in the tree, Cat on the roof, Bat in the sky, Witch on a broomstick above the moon, Skeleton in the right downstairs window, Ghost in the left downstairs window, Vampire in the left upstairs window, Werewolf under the tree, graves beside the house, spider's web above the door and Jack-o-lantern (carved pumpkin) in front of the house. To explain Vampires and Werewolves, I made reference to Twilight as a hint and my students (all girls mind you) went mental with oooohs and aaaahhhhs at the mere mention of this movie.

Final thoughts
I will really miss my students. They really are talented and creative - but then again this is coming from someone who can only draw stick figures :D