Love Will Change the World: Global Citizens Program 2014

Also late...but, as always, better than never...

Last spring I got the opportunity to chaperone an international service trip called Global Citizens Program (GCP) to Tellunas, Indonesia with 28 high school kidlets. We spent 24 hours traveling there with plains, trains, busses, and a few types of boats. Every minute was worth it when arriving to our accommodations...

 We did a few days of service work with a local village by hauling sand, building some well walls, and taking care of children. My students made me SO proud and really jumped in to serve this community.

 I got to do a home stay with five of my girls at the home of an amazing family. They made us feel so welcome and it was an emotion departure. After our service days and home stay, we did a jungle trek and stayed overnight! It was beautiful and hammock sleeping in the jungle was amazing. I actually woke up in the middle of an Indonesian island jungle on my 29th birthday - wow!! My students even made me a surprise cookie cake with an elaborate drama to get my to the 'surprise party'. They were amazing!

 This is Will and Yaya...what a pair. It is moments like this in teaching when you realize that all you have to show students is that Love will change the world. It's love of others that will transform lives. I could not be more blessed to be in this career with these kids. The future looks pretty bright to me. 

I'm On a Boat! Spring break 2014

Better late than never, right??

No running water, no wifi, no phone reception, no email, no electricity (well, sometimes a few hours from a generator)...sounds like a little slice of Heaven! After a few flights and a cozy hotel in Manila, I got on a boat for a week with five co-workers, one long time friend, and Tyler's parents (Tyler is a co-worker with very brave parents). I could not have asked for a more amazing trip! Snorkeling, playing in the water, walking beaches, fishing, bon fires, naps, reading, relaxing, fresh food, and awesome friends. 

Thanks to the suggestion of teachers who were at APIS before my time there was even a dream, we embarked on a TAO trip. This was one week of being on the boat and at various base camps between Coron and El Nido in Palawan, Philippines. It was fanominal and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys the simple life, full of beauty but not electricity :). 

Each morning we would have breakfast and then snorkel to the boat. We would then go island hoping, fishing, swimming, snorkeling, or just cruising. Around lunch time we would stop and swim while the chef whipped up something amazing in the tiny kitchen on the boat. He was AWESOME! Fresh fish, calamari, fruits and side dishes I had never seen. The food was delicious every single time. Then we would do more of the above list and settle at a base camp about two hours before dinner. We would explore around, have an island cocktail, and relax. Some evenings we played games or watched the beautiful sunset before turning in for the night. I can only describe it as paradise. 

I distinctly remember thinking to myself, as we floated past an uninhabited tropical island, that I couldn't be more thankful for the life that God had provided for me. Never in a million years did I think this would be my reality.

I got the opportunity to go on a discovery dive (SCUBA) before our boat trip which has me hooked! I'm hoping to get my dive certification soon so that I can keep exploring the underwater world. I also caught the first fish on the boat - much in the way I caught my first fish ever...after taking over a line from someone named Matt. Thanks to the Matt's in my life for the fishing luck :) As it turns out, I also have a natural aptitude for blow dart guns...who know. Thanks Philippines, I'll be back!

Moving to Korea

A year ago, I was going into 'reverse nesting' mode...starting to figure out how to prepare to leave my old life behind, and start on a new journey. Here is the fun part - I had never been to Korea and I was trying to figure out how to prepare for living there. It is not that I hadn't done that before (moving to Ireland in my early 20s), but it was different to move across the world as a professional. Here are a few lists for those of you who might be in the same boat. Some of these things are specific to Korea, some are specific to teaching,  but some of them are just geared toward moving across the world. 

What should I have packed that I didn't: 
1. Spices - I was warned that Korean spices were very different and I didn't pay enough attention! I thought I would just learn to use the local spices pretty quickly and I was wrong. I have learned some, but it is nice to have the spices I am used to using when I want to make a familiar meal! 

** iherb.com can be a life saver in this case - they ship to SO many countries!

2. Bedding - I brought sheets, but I didn't worry about a blanket or comforter. I happen to get a decent deal on a blanket at eMart (love that place!) and winter wasn't crazy cold this year. Thank goodness my parents were able to bring my comforter over when they visited at Christmas. Of course you can get one here - they just cost about $200.00

3. Shoes - I have big feet...size 9 is almost impossible to find here. 8 - 8.5 you should be ok, but not much bigger than that. We do have a payless inside our eMart and I was able to get a few pairs of sandals there. Sandals became SO important when my feet started to swell from the heat at the beginning of the year. I was not prepared for that and my shoes were awful!! Also, my running shoes were dead about half way through the year - next year I will bring two pair!

4. Posters - I wasn't sure what I was walking into in my classroom and it would have been nice to have some things that made it look like 'my' classroom. Again, my parents are amazing and shipped some to me. I can requisition them from school, but that was low on my list of necessary items. 

5. Clothes for the weather - Coming from Colorado, I wasn't prepared for the humidity. My cotton t-shirts were even too thick! It is CRAZY hot and humid here - I didn't know what that really felt like until I arrived and it was too late!

6. A laptop- I brought my iPad which is super convenient for traveling etc. but a pain to do work on! If you are all laptop savvy, this might not apply...my skills are not that good on the iPad. 

Things I am really glad I brought:
1. Pictures and blue tac - I had a whole wall collage of pictures of things that were important to me. Places I had visited and lived, some of my hometown, my friends, and my family. It was nice to put them up right away so that my apartment felt like home! Blue tac sticks to almost all surfaces and it was a great purchase for my move!

2. Clothes - plenty of clothes that I was used to, that I felt comfortable in, and that I could do my job in. I would have liked to have traveled a bit lighter, but it was nice to not have to try to find clothes to fit right away!

3. VPN - Not that you 'bring' this, but it was really nice to purchase one. I know a lot of people who get by without, but for things like pandora (music) and netflix (TV/movies) it really comes in handy. 

4. Rain boots - They were heavy, and I have only used them a handful of times. That being said - they have been really handy the few times I have used them!

5. Vitamins and Medicine - I like to know what I am putting in my body and that is really hard to do here! Also, I was warned that cold/flu medication wasn't as strong here, so it was nice to have some 'American strength' medication in my cabinet! Also, things like pepto and allergy medicine have been handy!

6. Books/Magazines- I have acquired some books and magazines (thanks Kim!) through the year and it has been really nice. My school has an area where teachers can leave books and pick up new ones and there is an English book store that is in the foreign district (just a long way to go when all I feel like doing is curling up with a book). I can also get books for my iPad, but I am a true fan of the paper version! The magazines were really nice (from Kim) since they are wickedly expensive to get here!

7. iPod - When it gets overwhelming to be in a crowded subway (which is actually not that bad here compared to anywhere else I have ever been), a crazy supermarket with people yelling adds into a microphone, or on a crowded street, it is nice to just put in my ear buds and go into my own little world. I know that it isn't safe to do that so much in some other countries, but Seoul is awesome for being one of the major cities that doesn't have much crime. 

What I didn't/haven't done that I wish I would have:
1. Travel more in Korea- I have been to Busan, but there are so many other places that I want to see in Korea. Next year I have a few islands in mind!!

2. Camping - Camping is easy here and I have wanted to go the two times I have been invited, but timing has been bad. 

3. Learn more Korean- I started taking a class once each week with one of our Korean teachers, but then had to stop when I started coaching. I've hit a plateau in my skills and I am really disappointed about that. 

4. Join a group like WINK (When In Korea) to do more adventure/traveling/making friends. There are always groups for expats and I encourage people to try them out - including myself. I am excited to try some of the WINK activities next fall. 

Things I am glad I have done:
1. Get outside- I am most comfortable and at peace when I am outside. Korea has some great hiking trails and they seriously helped me feel balanced and not go crazy early in the year! The Dobongsan and Suraksan stops on line 7 have some awesome trails!

2. Meetups- I have only done a few of these - I'd like to do more- but it is nice to meet people outside the bubble of my school and neighborhood! It is also a great way to try out things you haven't done before or find people who share your hobbies. www.meetup.com 

3. Church- Thank goodness for my friend Dawn who already attended a church regularly and was happy to invite me along. It has been a great place to worship (not at my school - not that my school service is bad - its just nice to get out of the bubble!) and a great place to make friends! The one I go to is in Gangnam which is also a nice place to adventure around. I love New Harvest Church

4. Subway Roulette - This is something that my group of single ladies made up. One evening each week, we would ride the subway on a random line, to a random stop and then explore. We found fun places to eat, weird art, great people watching, and most importantly, we learned to use the subway like pros! T-Money cards are a must if you are trucking around Seoul! 

5. Vacation- I have been to Japan, China, Indonesia, Australia, and the Philippines this year. This is one very big perk of my job and my location. Where ever you are, don't be afraid to travel to close places and get out of the country! Vietnam is already booked for fall break! Part of why this job rocks is the travel - make it worth your while :) 

Any other additions my well-traveled friends?!? Please feel free to post them to the comments! 

Home for the Holidays

Although I love curling up by my parent's fireplace with a mug full of hot coco, this year I traded in my snowy white Christmas for a sunny warm Christmas! My parents came for a visit (4 day whirlwind of Seoul...more on that later!) and then we all boarded a plane down to Australia for my Christmas holiday. It has been 9 years since I've had the chance to spend winter down under. It was so great to spend time with my mum's family and catch up with cousins and extended cousins that I haven't seen in years. 

Part of me feels like a total tourist when I am there, but part of me also felt very much at home spending the holiday season in Oz. Some of my favorite places on the planet are in Australia and I have very strong emotional ties to the memories I have of spending time there while I was growing up. Who knows, maybe Australia is where I will end up settling down...if I ever settle down :)  Here are a few pieces of my trip!


Not in chronological order...

The reading room in the Victoria Library

I got to spend  a few days in the City with my cousin Mark - what a blast! I absolutely love Melbourne and it was so nice to spend time with my cousin! I stole his entire day off and we trekked around and around and around the city. The weather was beautiful, the people were fun, the food was awesome ( I even got some Mexican...ish food), and the city was everything I remember it being. 

What beautiful old buildings! {National Library}

Because everyone rides Rhinos in the city...right?

Sadly the clock was under repair, but the mall still has the same old charm. 

{Local Art}

One of my favorite views of the city with Flinder's Street Station and the skyline!

This is the view from a pub...that's right...a pub!

Flinder's Street Station - this makes me heart happy <3

Lunch with my cousin Skye - amazing lady and an awesome lunch spot in Little Collins

I spent my last day of vacation at St. Kilda beach [then returned to snow in Seoul - no fun!]

We started out the trip with spending time at my Aunt Jen and Uncle Brian's home in Bendigo. Its a great little town with some open spaces and loads of shopping!! I think I bought the country out of shoes...Asia just doesn't seem to cater to large footed foreigners ;) 

Mum & Dad on an evening walk

Walking around the lake - enjoying the view and feeling blessed!

This town is ADORABLE!

{All the food...spoiled, spoiled, spoiled}

Mango on my ice cream? Yes, please!!

Its a real place...

After a few days in Bendigo, it was time to go see Uncle John and Aunt Robyn...bonus...my cousin Mel was there, too!!! Bairnsdale is a great town and is close to my two favorite places - Lake's Entrance / 90 mile beach and Fairy Dell. These are where some of my strongest childhood memories came from and I always feel a bit at home here! 

Lollies isle at the supermarket {translation: CANDY!!}

Lakes Entrance view from the lookout point

90 mile Beach - My favorite place on Earth!

Aren't they the best! Thanks for teaching us what loving someone forever looks like!

POTATOES + Grease + Salt + Vinegar = Fat and happy!!

Gum tree is in full bloom!

What a set of siblings - they are the best!

Where's Matt? :(

Getting artsy with the old rails

TIM TAM TIME!!

Fairy Dell - Second favorite place on Earth!

Look what Mel spotted! Echidna! 

I want a baby wombat - end of story.

 Our last stop was Melbourne / Werribee to see Maureen! We got some shopping time in, a bit of sight seeing, and even a Safari adventure!

My navi skills were a bit rusty but we figured it all out! What did we ever do without smart phones?!?

Day at the market!

10 points for the word Brekky...

 It is always a blessing to get to see family at the holidays and it was so nice to be in Australia during my break for a change! Stay classy, Victoria...see you next year!