Happy Birthday, Daddy

Last year Ryan and I arrived home from our Asian adventure just in time for my dad's birthday.

We spent the morning together, just me and dad, catching up over coffee and pastries. 
Later we celebrated with two things we both love--wine and Italian food, at a lovely Portland restaurant.

It was a wonderful day and I'm so glad I was home to spend it with him.

{4.21.2011}

One of the things living abroad has taught me is not to take anything for granted.  So often we don't take the time to see family members living close to us because we're busy, or we put off that phone call to a friend we know we should make because we assume we can call them anytime.  Living far away from my loved ones has shown me that the time we spend with the people close to us should be cherished. 

Being home with dad on his birthday last year was the perfect start to the chapter Ryan and I had at home for the summer, and that day was just one of many great memories I've made with my dad.

Although I'm far away from home this year, I wish dad the happiest day!
I am the luckiest girl to you have you daddy, no matter where we are.
I always love you.

Smiles

When I did a recent update on our classes, there was one class I forgot to include.
One that just so happens to be my favorite.

When Ryan moved up in March with two of old his classes, I got to move up with my favorite class from last year as well.  They're three and four years old now, some were two when they started at our school.
Yes, a few of them were in diapers.
Learning English.
As a second language.
I know.

During my parents' trip to Korea they visited my favorite class.
My dad was a little busy being high-fived and getting his face patted, but he managed to snap a few shots of me and the kiddos.

Pretty cute, right?

 

My favorite thing about this job is that no matter how I feel when coming into work, the moment I enter the classroom and see those adorable faces, I can't help but smile.

 And smiles are good.

Potato Planting, Spring Blossoms, and an Update

On Friday morning we boarded shuttle buses and headed to a potato farm with our kindergarten students.

 We're here!

The kids brought their shovels along to cover potato chunks with dirt to start growth on next fall's potatoes.  

Ok, so maybe they just pushed dirt around...

Either way, they were pretty adorable.

 The scenery was nice as well. 

Dare I say it, spring has officially sprung!  

Our local forecast shows highs in the mid 60s for every day in the forseeable future.  Even though the sun did a disappearing act yesterday, the air is noticeably warmer and for the first time since October we opened our apartment windows this week!  Shocking I know.

****** 

In other news, I have a much better handle on my three new classes of four and five year old students.  We've gotten our routine down and have been having a great time together learning English basics like numbers, colors, shapes and simple action words.  The students love the songs we sing and often sing them to me when I see them outside of class in the hallway during our passing time.  Their other favorite thing to yell in my direction is "under the table" (where I ask them to put their hands during class) which always makes me laugh.

They're a different group of kids than they were a mere month and a half ago.  It's both rewarding and reassuring to see them progress so soon.  I was afraid we were going to have to practice "May I go to the bathroom?" and "May I get some water?" for the next two months before we could move on, but luckily they proved me wrong.

My three year old class is another story... but they're coming along as well.  The crying has stopped!  We're all taking it one day at a time.

Ryan doesn't teach any of the brand new students, but he moved up with two of his more advanced kindergarten classes from last year and added two new ones also.  He's been having a good time working with his five and six year olds on more advanced reading, writing and discussions.

 

So we're good here.  Trying to enjoy spring before rainy season hits in May and the humidity forces us to stay indoors or at the beach in the water.  

We're hiking with some friends in this afternoon sunshine and from there we'll play it by ear.

Have a lovely weekend! 

Happy Easter From Korea

On Friday we decorated eggs with our kindergarten students in celebration of Easter.  My superviser asked me to explain the holiday to my students.  I looked at the three and four year olds who aren't yet able to write their name in English and decided it would be ok if I didn't...  But we did make some cute egg art together!

Hope you had a happy holiday weekend!

Weekend Walks in Spring

I can't believe tomorrow is Friday.  Even more surprising?  It's a Friday in April.  Time seems to be flying by.

We finally seem to have shrugged off the cold weather that has been lingering for the past four months and before we know it the humidity of summer will return.  Ryan and I have a pact not to complain about the heat this year after spending the entire winter freezing.

We've also been taking long walks on recent weekends in an attempt to enjoy the spring weather.

   
We stopped to enjoy the bright, intricate grafitti lining the walls along our favorite stream that runs between our apartment and a local university area.

Ryan was ambitious enough to take on an impromptu run/hike on Sunday as well.

On our Monday walk to school, we saw the first blossoming cherry tree of the year.

And there's more where that came from. :)