Hi everyone,

I emptied the memory card on my camera and most of the pix are from the talent show in November or 2008. However, there are some of my birthday and a couple of shots of me showing how much weight I've lost. You can tell if you haven't seen me for awhile. I lost 30kgs or about 70 lbs. Now, since I am low on protein shakes (my diet secret), I am up and down a couple of kgs every month, but once I get re-stocked in Suwon, I will continue my weight loss.

Everything is running smoothly for my transition. My new employer was out of town until yesterday, but he gave me an assuring phone call and a document deadline a few days later than I had expected, so all my worries are over. I have packed so many boxes that I have no room to put any more packed boxes anywhere!! This could be a small problem. Next week though, I won't be doing any laundry so I can use the kitchen space where my laundry rack usually is.

I am so excited that I can hardly breathe when I think about finally working for Hae-Young (my new boss), and 10 other foreigners!! We will have weekly meetings to collaborate and share ideas and even some occasional professional development opportunities!!! I can't wait to see my apt and meet everyone (especially my students). I'll be posting pix of everything as soon as I have time!

Everyone take care and I will see you TX folks soon. Wendy

Moon Suk, a long time friend.

More Talent show 2008

Talent show 2008.

Talent show 2008

More Talent show 2008.

Talent show 2008.

Cristopher 5th, singing well!

Roan (one of my favs) and his 1st grade sister.

Baseball boys, baseball is all they care about or know.

Stairs I never climed!!!
My sweet lil 3rd graders!

My sweet lil' 3rd gradersz!

Jinju, took over the teaching after awhile.

Last year, before we got blinds
Proud of my students working hard.

Proud of having the cleanest classroom in the school.

No one's classroom looks this good!

Cherry Blossoms-gotta love 'em.
5th graders last year

That's Hunter, a name the parents don't like.

MK again

These are last year's 3rd graders.
Today's 4th graders.

They play fight all the time and get hurt.

Xenia (in the back) is very upset that I am leaving.

More 4th gradeers.These are some of my 4th graders early in the year.

These are some of my most fun 4th graders.

These are the 6th graders before they turned into 6th graders!

One of my 4th grade classes.

Only one good pic of Cooky

At left top is Cooky. She was my waitress friend in my favorite restaurant until she told me my hair was ugly.

Nest is an other photo my bday 2009.

Moon Suk, me and Mee Kyong 3rd.

And lastly the whole gang, mostly my 2nd grade teacher friends.

Another change in my location and work

Hi Friends and Family,
It is time to make another change in my surroundings and challenges. Beginning July 20th, I will be working for ONE English, a VERY exclusive English acadeny in Suwon, Gyeonggi-do, on the SE side of Seoul. It is not far from Ansan (the 1st city I lived in).
Suwon has grown to about one million people. They used to have one stop for getting on the Seoul subway, but are now building their own subway. It is a beautiful, clean, and well-planned city. The school is quite large, it takes up 4 floors and has a playground on the roof (and an elevator).
My apt will be a 2-bedroom apt, so anyone is welcome to visit. If anyone in America has some good DVD's, I have finally figured out how to hook up my laptop to my TV. Korean DVD's break my CD-rom player every time. I am really looking forward to working with 10 other foreigners (only) and having weekly meetings and going to Professional Development training occaisionally at Universities. Since we are allowed to adapt our written curriculum, I am hoping to share a lot of what I have learned in my Master's classes with my colleagues. It will be so exciting. I have a funky schedule that really doesn't allow for daytime anything, but I'm sure I'll manage.
I will miss Masan. The beautiful bay, my students and colleagues, as well as neighbors and shopkeepers. I am not looking forward to packing and have barely started with 4 weeks to moving date, but I'll get " a round tuit". Unpacking is never as bad. I will teach just one week and then go home for 10 days to see my family and get my visa.
There are some new features on my blogsite, check them out. I go home July 25th to Aug 3rd, but my next college term begins July 13th, right before the full action kicks in (OH JOY!) Looking forward to seeing all you TEXANS soon! Wendy

Left is Moon Suk- a good friend and right is our asst. VP-she likes me!

This is Mee Kyong, My supervising co-teacher.

This is Jinju, my other co-teacher (we teach 3rd and 5th grades together).

Left is the PE teacher-she is really nice. I don't know the other lady that came to my bday party and ate my cake, but I know she doesn't like me-who invited her?????"

I am becoming a sexy mama!

Above, pix from the talent contest, below, the new, slimmer me!

March 26th, 2009
Well, the New Year hasn't started out that great, mostly because I went back to work at school 5 days after being released from the hospital after a complete knee replacement. For the first 2 months I was in a lot of pain (mostly from having to bend my knee until it would bend all the way back to my thigh), had to take a lot of medicines, and the food in the hospital ruined my stomach for several weeks.
However, I am feeling much better, though I visit the orthopedic pain clinic and the oriental doctor occasionally. I have lost about 30 kgs (over 60 lbs) since I got back from TX last summer. I have been using the Arbonne shakes that Gogi turned me on to and they are really satisfying. I am rarely hungry at lunchtime, which is a good thing because I don't like anything on the lunch menu most of the time.
I like both of my new co-teachers, one has been teaching 20 years. I have learned some discipline techniques from her. There are many new teachers, but since the original English room is now MY classroom, I rarely go up to the 4th floor office (the new teachers up there make me feel unwanted).
It is almost spring. The weather is usually sunny, sometimes sprinkly rain, and the temperature is in the 30's at night and between 50-66 F in the afternoons. I am already wearing my capri pants because the jeans that fit are hot and most of my pants are huge on me. Even my shirts are so big that they won't stay on my shoulders@! The "catch 22" of losing weight.
I am hoping to come home between the last 2 weeks of July and the 1st 2 weeks of August. I should get a 3 week vacation again if I renew my contract. I have decided that when I finish my Masters (Aug 2010), I will hopefully have saved enough money to return to America to complete my practicum, get my special education certification (most needed teachers with best pay),and find a place in New Mexico or Colorado.
To my family and friends, I miss you very much and will try to start taking photos again (I got a bit lazy after I replaced my broken camera). Take care and keep me informed on what's going on in the States! Wendy

To prospective English students

Hello prospective students! It is November 18th and I am ready to teach you English online. I think you will find me quite entertaining as well as an excellent teacher. I have been teaching for 10 years and am currently working on my Master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction.
We can have conversations, study specific subjects like vocabulary or grammar, and I can edit any English assignments that you might be working on.
I love meeting new people of any age, status or English ability from anywhere in the world. I am passionate about teaching English. It is not just a job to me, it is what I love to do.
I beleive that to be successful in the world, English language is a necessity to work in the business world. English is the international language and a must for anyone who wants to make a lot of money!!!
Whatever you need, I can give you. You get a free trial lesson, so what have you got to lose??? Give me a few minutes of your time and you will find that I am the perfect teacher for you!
Happy holidays and stay warm!!
Wendty

Hello Family and friends! I am one week into my vacation and have 90 or so pix posted for your enjoyment already, including my new nephew, Caden Wilburforce Richardson, It has been between 102-107 every day since I got here until today (thats about 38-42 C for my korean friends!). Today it is not supposed to get over 99, but it is very humid. We had a wind storm last night. I was sleeping over at Margo's, my sister's house and her patio table near the pool got the umbrella whipped off of it and the glass on the table shattered into tiny pieces! What a mess! I went swimming with my nephews, Austin and Spencer yesterday(and will probably swim again today). The water felt great and I really worked out my knee. Margo cooked some wonderful Salmon for dinner and we had a few drinks afterwards with yummy brownies!
This afternoon, my mom will join us to do some "back to school" and souvenir shopping then Margo will make her fabulous lasagne for dinner. Lori didn't have enough room in her spare bedroom for me to stay with them a couple of days, so I'll go back with my mom tonite as I have to have my TB test read early in the morning. I'll go to my Dad's probably Sunday nite and stay with him until I board my plane Tuesday. I am a little homesick for Korea, mostly because of my cats. I know it is very hot there so I worry about them. Myeong Suk, don't forget to pick me up at the airport Wed!!
I've really enjoyed myself so far. I've seen all my family, had mexican food 2-3 times, Mom has cooked all of my favorite meals and I got all the things finished that I needed to renew my contract. Texas really is a beautiful place. I love Korea equally. I guess the biggest difference is the lack of mountains here and the lack of big, puffy clouds in Korea.
I am nearly recupped from my surgery and although, officially, I should be on crutches until next Wed, I've been getting around with just one. I guess the most fun I had was driving around Walmart in the handicapped "driving basket". I haven't driven anything in 5 years. I am looking forward to getting home and teaching summer english camp and start to ride my stationary bike everyday. Many more photos to come, keep watching! Love, Wendy

Mom looks like this when we all come over and bug her!!

Lori's house and kids

My sister Lori's house, Trevor and Brooke, my niece and nephew

Trevor and Brooke, Lori's kids
Trevor in his backyard
Brooke with their latest Kitten (totallying 6)
Lori's awesome jet bathtub!

Mom's bedroom

Views from her balcony

Some pix of Mom's place

A REAL Shopping Mall
Lots of land out in Texas
Tuffy, my old dog, now my mom's dog
Mom and Tuffy together on a Sunday Morning

My old house

Laundromat-washers and dryers for poor people
???????

My neighborhood as a child

My old house when I was in High School

Just more views of flat TX

The TX skies are beautiful


A view from my mom's balcony

Beautiful sunsets and clouds in TX

Freeways outside town where mom lives.
A view of downtown
The Reunion Arena restaurant in the big high ball.
Downtown Dallas, Texas

Me with 5th nephew, Caden
My oldest 1/2 sister, Jen
Mom, Caden and Anna Kate

The green, green grass of Texas!

Anna Kate and I had some fun!

Almost the same color of eyes, huh?

If I owned these restaurants, I would be rich!
Jeff and 1/2 sister Jen
My niece, Anna Kate (2)
Left to Right, Caden (3days), Jen (29), Cole (4) Anna Kate (2)

My Stepmom and Mother
My youngest full sister, Lori
Our middle sis, Margot
Lori in the 105 degree heat!

Hello Friends and Family,
I was just released from the hospital yesterday and will be recovering from knee surgery for the next 4-8 weeks. The degenerative arthritis combined with many falls from the crazy Korean sidewalks had all but destroyed the insides of my knee and my knee cap. I now have a "pin bar" where they took out all of the mush that used to be tendons and cartlidge and I will be walking on 2 crutches, no weight-bearing, for the next four weeks.

Although I always use University hospitals, the experience is quite different from American hospitals. One good thing is that they don't charge you for every cotton ball and injection you receive while you are staying in the hospital. What would've cost upwards of $5,000-$7,000 in the US, was a total of about $1400 dollars for me here. I do have very good insurance here as well for $50/month (my 1/2)

I was first given a choice of rooms: 6 beds in one room of mixed men, women and children, they were out of the 4 beds per room, so I took the only other option, 2 beds per room. Visiting hours are just about anytime between 9am and 11pm and everyone in the whole family and circle of friends seems to be there the entire time allowed.

My first roommate was a grandmother with a cast from her hip to her toes. She was not allowed out of her bed at all. She was also very hard of hearing andhad the TV up so loud my ears ached. They have many kindly older women, who, for a small fee, will stay with you 24/7 to do everything from helping you eat to changing dirty diapers (and man, granny had some really stinky ones!) I asked for the aircon to be left on overnite and granny thought she was an ice cube when she woke up, so they moved me to the next room (empty) known as "the cold room". Later that afternoon, I got another roomie, a 24-yr old Korean girl who just happened to be an anethesiologist at the same hospital. She likes it cold as well. Her boyfriend came for breakfast and dinner every day, and I began greeting him 'hey honey' every day. In addition to the regular refrigerator, there was a huge "kimchi" refrigerator and the rooms and halls reeked of the stuff at every mealtime. I had ordered the western menu, but just the smell of food made me sick the first 4 days, so I ate a little breadstuff my 5 friends gave me that visited me only once, the day after my surgery. Unfortunately all my friends are teachers and this and last week was 1/2 year grade reporting and comments for all the students so everyone was extremely busy.

I finally paid one of the kindly older ladies to go out and get me some coca cola because all they had in the hospital was Pepsi, yuck! The western food was so strange that I changed to the Korean menu and finally ate for 2 days this last Monday and Tuesday. I lost 4 kgs while in the hospital. The doctor would not let me take any of my stomach meds and it took my stomach bleeding and my refusal to eat before he allowed me back on them.

Several of my students called and informed me that everyone was asking about me and wanted to know if I was alright and when would I return to school. The doctor said no work for 4 weeks, but I want to make a good faith effort and try to work Mon through Wed sitting down. If I can't do it, I can't, but I need to at least try.

I was first promised that I would be released after 7 days, then it was "tomorrow" for the next 3 days. I finally got released Thursday, after a custom knee brace was delivered. I had to take a taxi home and pay the taxi driver $5 to help me get my things up to my 3rd floor apt. I am still a bit sick at my stomach and the morphine isn't totally out of my system, so I decided to take my doctors advice and stay home at least today, hoping I could get some much needed sleep this weekend. I could not get a decent night's sleep in the hospital on the "cardboard" beds until the last night when they gave me a sleep aid that knocked me out until 10am on my release day.

My Korean sister and her daughters were taking care of my cats and I got home to a full litter box, no water in any of the 3 bowls and kitty litter in the food dish. Since they are going to be watching my cats the 3 weeks I will be in America starting next week, I think I'd better write complete instructions and let Jeong Yun translate into Korean for me before I leave. As it turns out, I only went over my sick days by 6 days so I will still have a healthy paycheck this month. I used a lot of money leftover from books, etc from my financial aid from the last 2 terms and all the money I had to pay my hospital bill. Between my friends and the faculty membership fund, I was given $100 for extra expenses for the next week until I go to America. All the teachers are worried about me as well, and many wanted to come by and visit me today. Thankfully Jeong Yun knew I would be in my pajamas with a not perfectly clean house so she talked them into sending their "best wishes" with her and she came over this afternoon with some gifts of bread and things this afternoon. I had no groceries when I arrived home yesterday and I asked my one friend that has a car if she could take me to emart. She offered to buy them online from a list, but called me an hour later from Emart and told me she would be over in 20 minutes. Kerry, is very kind and I don't know how I will thank all of my kind friends and colleagues. I have only 6 days left 'till I go to the US and Sally's husband (my Korean sister) will take me to the airport early Thursday as my plane leaves at 7 or 8am. Ironically, I will arrive in Dallas the exact date and time that I leave Korea! The Monday after my return to Korea, I begin teaching summer English camp with my best friend, Jeong Yun. Since my payday is the day AFTER I leave, she will pay my bills for me and transfer some money to my Mom's acct in TX if I need extra money. I asked her today to invite the Principal and Vice Principals to observe a couple of my classes on the 3rd or 4th day of summer camp, just to prove that I have 100% ability to teach well and complete another year (or more) with Muhak Elementary school. The whole reason I got the surgery was so that I could continue to work there until I decide to leave Korea. I really love the children and my colleagues there and have no desire to go anywhere else after the experiences I have had in the 4 years I've been over here. Following are some pix of my Korean family and the hospital. Enjoy and I will see or talk to all of you soon. Love, Wendy

This is where the patients "hang out" when they want to go outside
The red brick is Dr. Song's building
I was on the 7th floor of this building

She even eats standing up-she never rests!!!
I actually watched the clouds because I was soooo bored in the hospital!
The pretty drive-around in front of the hospital
This one is for Mom and Gogi-pretty, huh?

Ready to eat!
The anchovy "chigae" (soup)
Daddy and Amy (she loves my spaghetti!)

She NEVER sits down!!

Sally cooking my fav Korean food-Jeonji Guk Su
Toppings for the noodles
Sally's "mini-jungle" on the balcony

Cordelia & Amy (Sally's daughters/my daughters!)

Sally's HusbandKorean game similar to "Jacks"

Howdy family and friends!
Just a few new pix of the kids and the flora in what was springtime, but has turned drastically into summer (of course, my a/c remote breaks the first day it hits 90 degrees!). Only 7 or 8 weeks till my trip home and I am very excited about #1, Family and #2, Mexican Food!! I am also looking forward to seeing Mom's place and hopefully, Jen's new baby!
Other than the heat and the "always pain" somewhere, things are going great and I am staying another year (at least) at my present school. I will get to go back to Fukuoka Japan in Sept to renew my Visa. Unfortunately, I won't have Mom to entertain me!
I am still at a 4.0 GPA in my Graduate studies and all 100%'s in my current class, but it will be another year or more before I finish as I can't handle more than one class at a time (I have to have my "down time" to keep me sane). Most of my American or Canadian friends have moved on, except one I have never met, only Skype with about 3 hours away in Jeonju, but I still have my little Korean family to keep me happy and busy.
Well, I am off to the oriental medicine doc for some accupunture and bee toxin (not to mention this taping method they do which is weird, but it works---it's also very expensive becoz only the visit and accu is covered by insurance.)
Take care everyone and I can't wait to see you family!!! Love, Wendy

SUNNY, MY ENGLISH CO-TEACHER, ON HER BIRTHDAY, MAY 23RD. (I GOT THE CAKE!)

A DICTATION TEST
OLIVIA-SUPER SMART!!!
THE SMART GUYS!

THIS IS SHELBY, VERY SWEET AND SMART!

SCHOOL GROUNDS

The spring flora are wonderful!!

Hi Family and Friends,
My computer finally got my new Vista Premium OS installed and everything has gone to shi_! My gmail no longer works so if you have to contact me use the following email address: Teacher-3@live.com.
May is a nice month. The weather has gone from 90 F to 68 F. I never know what to wear, but summer clothes are always a good bet. I plan on visiting Texas in July for at least a couple of weeks or more and re-signing my contract with Muhak.
Been having some trouble with my arthritic R knee but working on it and also on an intense diet to make myself more healthy (and pretty). I miss you all and only have my immediate family emails available so please send me emails so that I can add you to my live mail contacts.\
Looking forward to seeing all you Texans in a couple of months. Wendy

Above is Johnny, our school (& my personal) computer tech.



Blurry city street shots and more landscaping.

Some scenery riding in a taxi around town.

They brought 3 cakes!!

Left to right: Me, Sunny, Myeong-Suck, Kerry, Jeong Yun and Seoung Sun.

From left to rignt:Tae Gyeong (music), Sunny (coteacher), Myeong Suk (sister), Jeong Yun (best

Our office birthday party for me. You see my immediate need for dieting!

Jeong Yun and some views of the city of Masan.

The buffet restaurant, Jeong Yun and I.

V iews of the bay from the restaurant.

The inside of the restaurant.

A view from the buffet Jeong Yun and I went to for lunch the day before my birthday.

Hey Family and Friends,
Lost or had my last camera stolen and just replaced it. I am using Picasa and Hello to share photos if anyone would like to view entire albums that way. Spring came and went in about 3 weeks and the humidity and rains of Summer have already begun.
I've broken one foot bone and fractured another (walking around on it over 4 weeks until it was 1/2 healed!), but Gogi is helping me with diet, vitamin and energy products and I'm doing easy yoga at home and advanced yoga at work twice a week.
It's been a very busy year so far with grad school, two new English co-teachers and many, many social engagements but things are going very well.
Depending on how they handle the paid airfare at the completion of my contract before renewing, I'll either be back in Texas in July or late September for 2 weeks.
I've also become an early morning person and rarely stay awake past 9pm if anyone ever decides to Skype me.
Tom Hudspeth is coming to SK next year and I plan on meeting him in Seoul for about 4 days, so I need to brush up on my ASL. Luckily Diamond, my old landlord from Honduras continues to send me emails in Spanish to help me keep some part of the language and I'm trying to make it to Korean conversation classes to get this language fluent.
Hoping you are all well and would love to hear from you! Wendy

Above, my baby girl. Below, Sunny, her husband and 6-month old girl, Chae Won, sister, niece and ME!

One of our nice 5th grade classes

My lovely cast for a tiny broken foot bone signed by many students

More 5th grade classes with Kerry

An especially fun class
Mario and Kurby on the right.

Rachel too shy to let me take a photo!!

One of our better 5th grade classes
One of our 5th grade classes
And this is Sherry-sweet and full of energy!

My baby girl.
My 5th graders.
More 5th graders
Kerry and one of our 6th grade classes below.

Yeong Un is my friend in Medical Assisting school. Sunny is one of my English co-teachers. Seong Sun is the PE teacher for 3rd-4th grade who shares our office and last is one of my 5th grade classes that I teach with Kerry

new camera pix

Hey friends and family. I've been very busy and very sleepy during my vacation. I made some new friends at school and outside school and we seem to always eat when we're together. Nevertheless, I've dropped a couple of KGs since I got here. I'm on my last week of winter camp, then school starts back the following Thursday. I got an A in my first Master's course and the one I am taking now has much less work involvled. I started swimming again, and as exhausting as it is, it makes me feel 10 years younger. Lots of my students swim at the same pool at the same time. I cannot go anywhere in this city without hearing someone calling my name. (You know I'm loving every minute of it). I'll have to learn a lot more about the inner-workings of the school system here in order to complete my current course, but that stuff really interests me. Gotta go to Emart for my tuna supply for lunch this week. Ya'll don't forget to skype me! Love, Wendy

This is Dr. Song, my great Doctor and friend.

Welcome for the 4th graders from the Principal
The first day of Winter English Camp
Above and below, Sue Jin, one of our 6th grade teachers. She came over for lunch and brought more than she ate here!

A view of my workspace and my new office chair that is actually comfortable!
More clean house.
Me taking pix of So Young taking pix of Winter Camp!
Third grade Winter Camp Welcome by the Principal

My limited work space, but I'm still getting "A"s!!!
Lots of books and I HATE reading!
I think I put this pic in twice, oops!
My view of the TV from my "sleeing bed". The other bed is for sitting on.

Above, the babies happy on their new heating pad (they scratched the insides right out of the old one!)
Once the slipper's foam is flat, I get new ones, so I always have a pair when company arrives!!
Super clean kitchen with spaghetti ready to serve!
I may not have a lot of counter space, but I did alright for my buffet-style spaghetti serving!

Above is Sally with her 4th grader, Amy and her soon to be middle schooler, Cordelia
Above the inside of my door, with all the magnetic menus I receive on the outside!
Above, the coat rack I so desperately needed!
A bathroom recently bleached to death (as well as the whole house!)

Ab0ve is Amy, Below the whole gang, Amy, Sun Yul and Cordelia.

Above, my good friends Myeong Suk (Sally) and Young Ae. We eat together a lot.
Above is Cordelia (she'll be in middle school next year) and Sun Yul, who I go swimming with 3 or so times a week.

Greetings and Happy Holidays from South Korea!
It's been a tough 3 months getting adjusted to my new home. I have been sick forever and finally got really sick and had to take a few days off, but am finally recovering. The foreign teachers that went on the field trip to Hapcheon got together last night for turkey and to talk about what we could do to help each other and our community. I'm on a mission to improve the quality and consistency of the Elementary instruction so that it is implemented the same througout the Province.
The weather is a lot different here than inland. Not quite as humid and a bit warmer. I'm told it rarely snows down here, but I can always go to Seoul for Christmas. The winter break starts December 24th. I have 2 weeks of vacation then teach a "winter camp" for two weeks (basically just intense instruction at the school with myself as the sole teacher, no big!), then another 2 weeks researching and planning lessons for the last few weeks of the school year, as our text is nearly finished.
After talking to some of the other teachers last night, I realized that I have been blessed in my situation, with great kids and wonderful co-teachers. I am also very fond of all the homeroom teachers. I really am on a MISSION to make life better for the other English and Korean English teachers, as well as give the kids quality instruction that is the same at every Elementary school. I also really enjoy my "teacher's lessons", it gives me a chance to learn even more about them as individuals and Koreans as a people (I may never figure them completely out, just as men can't figure out women!)
Happy Holidays, I am thinking of all of my friends and family and thanking God for all he has given me. God Bless, Wendy

My first turkey, green beans and mashed taties and gravy in 4 years!

Photos from our foreign teacher's turkey dinner!

More Hapcheon photos.

The bathroom sinks in the museum that holds all the printing blocks for the law, were especially unique.

Hapcheon, beautiful, tall mountains, rocky rivers.

One restaurant managed to feed all 3 tour buses of us foreign teachers. It was delicious!

The further north we got, the taller the mountains. Beautiful colors of fall!

Mostly pix from the bus on the way there.

Our visit to Hapcheon and the great temple.

Above is Myeong Hee, my 3rd grade teacher friend. Below, the sweet boy sitting behind me on our 1 hour trip to the Dam and Castle in Jinju.

They have VERY nice buses here!

About a million steps to the top to view the dam, but darn it, I MADE IT!!


Rice fields below.

The beautiful Nam River, just above the Dam.

Photos of the Nam River Dam, the first stop on our field trip.

The photos below were taken at the dam.

Class photos in front of the museum.

above, Wendy and Susan, who made sure I learned their names in the first few days I was at the school.
The beginning of the 3rd grade field trip at Jinju Castle and Museum.

Above, a lone fishing boat in the Nam River.
A striking statue of the leader of the battle.
A tablet that tells about the battle at Jinju.
Below is Father Pig in the 3rd grade play for the talent show coming up.

Jinju is famous for being the first place the Japanese tried to invade, however, Jinju won the initial battle. The castle, museum, parks are all along the Nam river. Quite a beautiful place and in my 3 times there, I discover something new every time.
Some old war cannons.

Touring the museum.
Wendy and Susan below, my little buddies.
The front of the museum.
Ancient arrows below.

The Jinju Emperor of the Joseon Dynasty and period costumes.

More very old stuff!

At the museum, a model of a typical war ship used in the invasion of Jinju in 1592, below- a screen/map.

Above, the Nam River, Below, some 400 year old pottery in the museum (this is for you Mom)

Below, the Nam River, the same place the Light Festival took place.

Lunch in the park in front of the museum.

Lunch in the park in front of the museum. Below- all the third grade teacher's. They are who I spend most of the morning and afternoon with at school. The one in the back, Sally, speaks English quite well and is very nice. The one in the pink cap is Jenny-she comes to my "teacher's classes". And the one in the white visor(on the right) is Myeong-Hee, she is the lead teacher for the 3rd grade and is my buddy.

This is the bell at the history museum. Below, is Su Hyung's little brother. Su Hyung was my 5th grader that took 2nd place in the speech contest, also in Jinju. I've been to Jinju 4 times and will be going again Nov 5th for the foreign teacher's Cultural tour!

Hey ya'll!. It's Friday again and that always makes me happy. After a rough week with a combo of stomach-flu, a cold, and I guess dehydration, I am feeling much better.
While getting an IV of fluids in my arm on Wednesday, I met a 30yr old Canadian, who's been here quite a bit longer, so, as he was getting the 3-4 hour fluids IV drip as well, we had a long time to talk. Very nice guy! I found out that there is a Mexican food place in Changdon (here in Masan) and all other kinds of places to go/visit/shop, etc....
One of my 5th grade students is participating in an English Speech Contest tomorrow. I was asked to help coach him. He's 12 yrs old and spent the last 4 living in North Carolina, so he speaks very well. I'm having to coach him only to slow him down and NOT speak so naturally so that the Korean judges can understand him. I wasn't asked to go, but he isn't nervous around me for some reason. I asked him if he'd feel better if I was there and he said :YES!!! PLEASE!. The contest begins at 10am and I'm about 1 1/2 hrs away (incl bus and taxi) so I'll have to leave Masan by 8:15 or so. His last name is LEE, so his turn will pop up just before or just after lunch. When he finishes, I'm heading back to Masan to eat at the Mexican restaurant with Jeong Yun (my coteacher) Because I KNOW my student, Su Hyung will WIN 1ST PLACE!!!!
Then after our "LINNER" or "SUPPER", I'm gonna finish setting up my Master's office and files and settle back and start doing some reading and checking as to when I can get a slyabus.
Miss you all. The best time to find me online is 5-7am M-F, 5-11am SA/Su and between 5-8pm at night (my time-night,) Remember, I'm 14 hours ahead of Texas in summer (GMT+9
) and 15 hours ahead after DSTchanges in October.
Fall has fallen. It's low to mid 60's at night. Today was the first day in a week that broke 70. The leaves are starting to change. bnt the humidity isn't budging yet!
Next summer, I plan on taking my two week vacation in Texas, so I'll need to catch everyone in town at the same time for 2 weeks.
In November (the 7th?) The Province Gov't is sending all the public foreign teachers from Masan, Jinju and Changwon (over 2 days) on a tour of Jinju (the "BIG" city around here), A huge palace/temple some 3 hours from Masan, buying us lunch and getting a chance to network. I'm looking forward to that.
I'll be too busy to catch or talk to without preplanning in 3 weeks , so get your calls in now!! Wendy

Hey family and friends,
My latest post is the Festival of Lights in Jinju. There are around 80 photos! The weather is stormy today, bad enough to keep knocking out my satellite TV. I think Fall is about to fall because the temp is supposed to drop almost 10 degrees F in the next two days (71 high/60 low). I'm certainly looking forward to that.
I took a long walk to a couple of stores near the bay, and although very humid, it was a nice, easy walk. My legs are getting strong and I'm making it up the 3 flights of stairs to my apt with almost no effort at all! I am finally feeling somewhat recovered from Mom's visit (we walked a million miles in 3 weeks!) and I think I'll be back into my daily routine by the end of the week.
I start my online classes the beginning of November. I'm both excited and nervous-I've been out of school a long time (what's a footnote, again?). But I am well prepared and will have plenty of time...I think.
I already miss Mom. We had a great visit and a lot of fun. I've dropped a little over 6 lbs since Mom left and I imagine I will continue to drop eating (free) Korean food for lunch in the school cafeteria.
If anyone wants to send me a gift, SEND 5MIN OATMEAL!!! It looks like I may have a harder time finding it here. I've arranged to get Lil Girl fixed next month a big-time vet across the street and put both of us out of her misery! Only a few odds and ends to find places for in the apt and it'll be looking great!
I miss you all terribly and hope to hear from you soon, Wendy

Saturday, Oct, 6th, Jeong Yun took me to her home town, Jinju, which is a sister city of Masan, about a 50 min bus ride away. We went to the 12th annual Festival of Lights. They have lighted paper lanterns all along the riverside as well as floating in the river. I missed the fireworks, which they only did on opening night, but it was just beautiful. The sunsets here and in Masan are almost as fetching as a good Texas sunset. It was a very enjoyable evening as Jeong Yun and I get along very well and there was lots to see.

We arrived at the Festival of Lights about 6pm, so I got some photos before dark.

This is Jeong Yun, one of my coteachers, she just looks different because she doesn't wear her contacts on the weekend. This is the only photo she would let me take of her!

The flowers are for you, Mom.

The palace at the top of the mountain.

Above-a giant incense pot. Below- the ceiling of the main palace.

The entrance to the main building in the palace, which was up on concrete stilts.

The temples and palaces have beautiful hand-carved, painted ceilings, just lovely!

Above- a kicking, smoking dragon. Below- Me with my yearly Zodiac, the Ox. (I was born in the Year of the Ox, ironically, my birth month Zodiac is Taurus!!)

One of many peacocks above. Below, a dancing water fountain that changed colors. The kids were running thru it until I got there.

Lots of peacocks everywhere.

This is the best view I could get of the lighted foot bridge across the water.

The blue lights on the river below outline a footbridge that people were lined up for hours to pay a buck to walk across.

These paper lanterns were made by the middle and high school students of Jinju. There were some really great ones!

NOTICE THE STATUE OF LIBERTY IN THE BACK!!

The picture below is a little smoky because of people shooting bottle rockets off over the river, but above-in the background, you can see the lights leading up to the shrine on the top of the mountain.

Hi ya'll,
Just finished my 3rd week at school and am loving it!! Unfortunately, I'm trying to recover from my extended WALKING VACATION with mom. Tonite, Jeong Yun and I are going to the Jinju Festival of Lights, so look for some beautiful pix in the next couple of days. A very happy Wendy, signing off!

This is part of Valencia and Changdong Shopping area. There is ANYTHING you could imagine for sale here. The shop we were in is making me a customized mattress cover for 35,000 won. She is a really nice lady, too.

There was about a 4 block area of Hanbok-making shops. They were endless!!! The lady below (quite elegant) was kind enough to pose for a photo (very unusual!). I think I will have to have one made for myself eventually.