downtime at last!

It's no secret that Korean kids (probably Asia in general) study way too much. I mean they spend A LOT of time in their books - and when you hear about it, it sounds uncanny. Having seen it myself, I can tell you it's not an exaggeration. My very own students are here from 8:20am with the 1st class at 8:50 only to finish the last class at 16:05. For majority of them it doesn't end there. After school they are subjected to basically another day of school, attending hagwon (academy) where they work probably even harder. At hagwon, they brush up on subjects of great importance such as Korean, English, Maths and Science - oh yes and which Asian kid doesn't play an instrument - got to squeeze in that violin lesson too.  These extra lessons can last right through to10pm and for high school scholars preparing for their final exam, midnight is a reasonable hour to still be in school uniform.  It's no wonder our students are always tired and stressed out - they work harder at the age of 14 than I did at university!

You can imagine, then, how awesome it is, even for us teachers, when the students have a bit of down time. They are so happy and you finally get to see them as they truly are - and that is, they are just children. At our school festival last week - the kids really brought their game faces. It was pure bliss. Dancing and singing competitions, game stations, movie screenings, market and sports day all rolled into one (well 2 days). It was magical. I was having so much fun I am surprised I managed to take so many snaps...

Awesome Taekwondo demonstration

settling disputes the old fashion way - rock, paper, scissors

sweet victory

super teacher + super student

Yep - my school had a legit stage set up and the girls danced their hearts out

Final thoughts
I so wish there were more of these days. Maybe not to this magnitude, but just generally more time for the kids to let their hair down. It was really awesome to see them so happy.  The only challenge now: trying to teach them after all these festivities - "Teacher, movie today please?"

seasons are changing

Summer in Daegu is too hot (and I am from Durban), and the winter equally unbearable for different reasons, leaving me no choice but to fall madly in love with the gorgeous but very short Autumn and Spring.  We are thoroughly enjoying the cool of Autumn in the northern hemisphere. You can layer your outfit but still look stylish as opposed to the Michelin Tyres mascot look that awaits us in a few weeks. I can continue to order my hot caffe lattes (as I do in summer) just without the judgemental stares from the iced americano people. The hiking (a favourite Korean pass time) is magical in this season as the trees go through a metarphosis almost on a daily basis. And to be honest, I kind of like watching the Americans (here in Korea) get all excited and prepared for their holiday season as they would back home, starting with Halloween next week and my new American favourite, Thanksgiving, towards the end of November - what can I say I am big lover of pumpkin.

Just popped in to share a snap or two of what my school looks like in this season.

Thanks for letting me show off - my school is pretty neat right? I hope to do a photo walk to snap some more of these golden leaves around my neighbourhood before they fall off completely. Cheers to Autumn!

who doesn't love the aquarium?

A lot of exciting things are happening this side of the Indian Ocean. My friends and I are busy with plans for our last trip together before returning to our home countries- more on that later. I have also booked my one way ticket home and according to my recently downloaded app -  I'll be on my way in 126 days. It's such a bitter sweet moment. I'm so thrilled to be coming home - warmer weather, friends and family, but my oh my, Korea has been such an incredible experience, its sad to let it all go.

I sometimes browse through my photos from the past year and half and I am overwhelmed.  I can't believe how God has blessed me - His plans for me were definitely bigger than what I had in mind. While browsing through my albums  - I found a few snaps from an outing with the girls to the aquarium. Who doesn't love the aquarium right?  I absolutely do - again we witness God's design and marvel at how incredible it is - you see it in all creatures, big and small.

Final thoughts
I really hope to scuba dive some day soon - if I can brave it up. Wouldn't it be magnificent to see these guys in their natural habitat :) ok let's be honest - I'll be more relieved if we don't bump into the last guy....