This workshop was bitter and sweet, as we celebrated with our CEV
family. Amanda and Brandon went out with a BANG! We had a great relaxing trip
to Busan/Gimhae. We left CEV at 9:00 am in two vans, Busan bound. Our first
stop was Busan aquarium. Nick and I almost visited here during Chuesok, but I'm
glad we decided not to. We had such a fun time looking at all the sea creatures
with our coworkers. We had a few favorite parts, actually the whole thing was
fantastic. We got to witness penguins eating and swimming around, and later
sharks, GIANT grouper, and sting rays eating. Then if that wasn't cool enough
we got to hold real star fish, and see empty shark eggs. Then if that wasn't
cool enough we got on a boat with a see-through bottom, and got to see/feed
fish who in return feed the sharks in the tank! It was a pretty awesome
experience.
Before we left that area we ate some Indian food (spicy) and walked
on the beach (of course I took my shoes of and played in the water) Before we
knew it we were back in the van and on the road again to a HUGE Lotte
Department store where we walked around for a couple of hours before we met up
again. Nick and I were good and didn't by anything. We have made a new budget
and so far it is working well.
Once again we found ourselves on the road. Nick and I had the
pleasure of riding in the same van as Richard, Suzie, and Sohee. It was
interesting to see how much Korean I understood, and how lost I was in every
conversations. They would throw out an English word every now and again to hook
me back in to the conversations. I have been really practicing my numbers,
telling time, and money. I feel that if I can get these down I will feel like I
have accomplished something with the Korean language. As we drove to Gimhea in
the rain from the Typhoon I couldn't help but think about life and how much I
(and we) have grown here in Korea. Every time I turn my head I see a new
challenge to face. It has been hard and rewarding at the same time.
We pulled up to our hotel and checked in. We have a little time to
unpack and get ready for dinner. We drove to a different Department store and
ate at a Vietnamese restaurant! We shopped around for a little then back to the hotel
for the night. Nick went out to grab us some ice cream because he was in the
mood for some chocolate. While he was gone I decided to take a shower and
relax. He came back and rang our room bell, knocked, banged on the door and I
didn't hear him. He freaked out a little because he thought I had fallen and
was unconscious (or something) he went down and tried to get another key for
our door. Needless to say there isn't an extra key for the rooms and when he
came up the second time I just turned off the shower and could hear him banging
on the door. He busted in and just hugged me for a while thankful that I was
okay.
Tuesday morning we met everyone at 9:00 am and did something that
MANY teacher don't have the opportunity to do. We visited Richard and Suzi's
Home in Gimhea. We felt very special to visit there and to eat breakfast. They
have a really cute, well decorated apartment! When we finished eating we all
jumped in the vans again and came back to Changnyeong to unpack and then we had
a farewell lunch for Amanda and Brandon. Afterward we saw them off! I can't
believe time is flying by so quickly, before we know it, our 1 year anniversary
for being in Korea will be here.
