Christmas Eve in South Korea

Wow, last year at this time, I definitely didn't think I'd be in South Korea! I had left one college, was starting a contract at a new college in January, and was hoping I would be able to earn a permanent job at the new place. Chris had been working at his job since the previous September, and was anticipating staying there until starting his PhD in September 2008. Boy, were we wrong! The couple of schools Chris applied to weren't smart enough to accept him, and Chris was also laid off at the end of July and I took myself out of the running for a permanent job in order to give us the chance to teach English here in Korea. Quite the change of plans!

We spent the early part of Christmas Eve watching "The Day the Earth Stood Still" with a fellow teacher, Daniel, who is also not going home. He'll be spending the holidays moving and snowboarding here in Korea! It was a good movie - thumbs up.

Then we came home, heated up some Campbell's soup and cut up some baguette, and enjoyed hot soup while we watched "A Christmas Carol" (Alastair Sim version in black and white). We brought it from Canada, because we knew we wouldn't go home for Christmas, and we would need a little taste of home. "A Christmas Carol" is an annual tradition at my dad's house.

Did you know how NORAD started tracking Santa? It was a beautiful accident! Check it out! http://www.noradsanta.org/en/whytrack.html

So now, feeling a little lonely, I use NORAD and Google Earth to find my Grandma's house, and my mom's house, and my dad's house. I wave. I miss you guys right now! I haven't felt homesick until now. Christmas isn't the same without family. I look forward to calling you tomorrow (Christmas Day for me).



Here are some photos from our staff Christmas party on Christmas Eve Eve!

You can find more online at http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=188804&l=06d69&id=591715424