I love it when something truely unexpected happens!

Well I'm just sat here minding my own business (which means flitting between my Korean lesson and looking on the Internet). I'm also listening to Dev on Radio 1, who I've started listening to before I go to work - which starts at 4pm today :D And I decided to email in for his little feature on people living in different parts of the world listening in. I totally didn't think I would hear my name!

OK so I know this is sad...but it just brightened up my day and then 'You're not alone' by Tinchy Stryder came on. Today is going to be a good day!

Laters taters! x

Thoughts of a lone thinker.

Yesterday was a bit of a bum day. I found myself sulking for no reason, maybe even pouting a little bit. I know, I know, I'm juts being silly. But sometimes 'just being silly' is just what the doctor ordered I've decided. I have come to decide that I'm in a very small place in the world, slightly isolated from these wonderful Korean people, who chat to me as I walk past, but all I know is 'Hello', 'Thank you', 'Goodbye', and a few other phrases. Ask me a question and I panic! Tell me something and I cringe. I can't go around not understanding these people for as long as I'm here right? So last night I decide to visit livemocha, a website designed to help people learn different languages. I sit there, listening, watching, writing, thinking...I should be able to get this, come on, come on. If only there was a language school nearby that I could go to and learn the wonders of the Korean language. By no, where I live, in the middle of nowhere, there is no need for a big language school or even class to be set up. I know it'll take time, but I plan to learn it - I need to learn it. I feel a bit of a deep underlying need to understand and be understood.

I really can't complain! I've been here 2 weeks now, and I can read Hangeul (the Korean alphabet) for the most part. I have picked up words here and there. I just need more. I think that's why I was feeling all sulky last night. I think that's why I sit at home of an evening, not knowing what to do (thank God for Grey's).

I feel a need to clean. Is this normal? It's like I'm nesting. Waiting. And then I remember that this week a box should arrive. A box full of joy. This sounds silly, but it's true. Since I've been here, I've been living on clothes, a small stash of chocolate, my laptop and one or two other luxuries. I'm in need of my teddy, my books, DVDs, clothes and whatever else is in that box. Well, I don't need them, but it'd be so nice to have them.

Anyway, this is a pointless blog entry, but sometimes these are ok, right!?

Love, Kat x

School is a wonderful thing...

...and somewhat strange. I find it hard to believe that life is fair when my favourite class gets cancelled, when I would have enjoyed having the class before off - for no other reason but I actually don't like that class. I think that maybe they pick up on my frustration when I teach, or maybe they are just typical teenagers who see no need in learning English. If they're anything like me they'll do the lessons (ok so maybe I enjoyed languages) but won't take much in, or forget what they learn, and don't see much point in learning.

So, my point is that my job at Junchul Hogwan is to teach and encourage speaking English. Since I started, just over a week ago, they've been bored and uninterested - I was told they were amazing and the best of the students! Instead of enjoying laughing and enjoying playing games, they sit there sulking. At the end of class I ask them what they want to do, so that I don't spend my time thinking of new games and ideas to make learning fun. Do you know what they said? And I quote "Study, study." I said, "What tests and learning, with books?", "Yes teacher, this book, we want study". Well, I'm pretty happy to let them read a book and study it, no games. No games. Did I mention: No games? I was speechless...

Anyway, good night!

Love, Kat x

Walking, running, sightseeing and chatting...

So yesterday Denice and I trekked up to the top of a small mountain that we're going to start walking up and trekking down everyday from now on. I really enjoyed myself and enjoyed hearing all sorts of stories from Denice. I'm not even sure how long it took to get up there but the views were amazing. The picture on the left is the beginning of the trail. As you can see it's uphill (duuur!) but this isn't the steepest bit.

We take the trail at a medium pace. We knew that if we took it too slowly we wouldn't be looking forward to our morning walks when it got harder. Along the way I grabbed a few snapshots of what we can see from the trail.

So, for you to either enjoy or envy or hate...here you go:

Once we got to a pretty high point we saw a work out area - probably better than most indoor gyms I've ever been to, you can see those pictures of facebook, or let me know and I'll post them on here! The picture above is of two hula-hoops suspended by a branch. These are always here and people actually use them. The big black one is HUGE, and on the way down we saw a lady using it. Not if I could hula I would love that thing! Apparently it gives you bruises! Think I'll give that a miss!

A bit further up and a view between the trees shows the difference between Yeonghae and the fields. It's crazy to think that Yeonghae is such a cluttered place, with building everywhere and not enough room to swing a fat cat, but if you walk 5 or 10 minutes down the road you're in quiet countryside, and the views are fantastic!

So we make it to the top, a little out of breath, hot and slightly sweaty, but when we sit down and look out at the views, I know it was totally worth the walk! I am slightly speechless - and not just because we trekked up a really steep bit! It was the 1st time I've seen the sea in Yeonghae and it's making me itch to pop to the beach, in time I know I will :)

A bit more of the view from the top! It's awesome.

So, this morning Denice and I woke up early and met at our point of meeting at 6:30am, ready for a hike and jog. Fast paced music and a few minutes later we're at the bottom of the mountain, hyped up for a good walk. The sun is up and there's a breeze. Arms swinging, saying hello to all the people walking up and down the mountain, we work our way up. It was so refreshing! We got much further than either of us thought we'd get, had a minute break before jogging back down. It was so invigorating. Denice said "You never regret getting up for a walk." And I truely believe that. Granted I went back to bed for a couple of hours when I got home, but that won't stop me from going tomorrow!!!

Here starts my 30 day hiking challenge! I'm going to try and hike everyday for the next 30 days and see how I feel. It's getting colder and soon it'll be getting darker in the mornings, so this is a proper challenge :) bring it on. Some mornings I'll try and take my camera, especially when we make it back up to the top, so you can all see the amazing views from the top!

Right, last lesson planning bits to prepare so I'd better go.

Love Kat xx

Oh, and did I mention?

I know I've written an insanely long blog today already, but I thought you should know:

Last night I walked to one of the local restaurants, waited patiently while the lady served someone else and then politely asked for tuna sushi...in Korean. Those of you on facebook will know this, but those not on there will only know now! And the best part of it is...she understood me, and when she asked me a question I understood and answered correctly...I can do this, I can learn some korean to at least get me by while I'm in Korea! YAY!

Love Kat x

A long awaited, and very long post...enjoy!

As I write this I am in Frankfurt airport, sitting at departure gate B23, waiting to board my flight to Seoul. I feel like this is some very momentous moment, and I’m sat waiting. Hahaha...maybe it’s just because I’m used to running around after things so much, I’m still getting used to just sitting and waiting. I have to admit that Frankfurt airport is massively boring. I thought Dubai was dull when I went to Indonesia, but I can safely say, Frankfurt is worse :D They have one restaurant and then one ice cream stall, everything is majorly overpriced and there’s not really much of a friendly atmosphere (I sound like some sort of critic, don’t I!?). I decided to find a quiet place in the airport so that I could read my book/listen to some music/fall asleep. Instead I got a relatively loud, busy passageway, but at least I had a seat! I was sat, minding my on business, watching a film on my ipod, watching the world go by out the corner of my eye. This one guy caught my attention. Not for any other reason, apart from the fact that he was wondering up and down this particular stretch. Not looking too dodgy, but not looking normal either. Then in a quiet moment, he sits a couple of seats away and just says, “Hi!”. I laughed to myself, just my luck. I’m going to be stuck talking to this guy, when all I want to do is nap! As luck would have it (I know I’m mean!) he couldn’t speak much English, and as I can’t speak German he briskly got up, nodded and walked on. I thought it was funny anyway!

Right now, I’m sat across from the grumpiest guy I’ve seen all day, and whenever I look up he’s watching my intently. So every time I look up I smile broadly at him. Slowly but surely he’s starting to smile before I even look up. Sweet! Now, I don’t want you all getting the wrong idea here, I’m not hitting on anyone, and I’m not letting anyone hit on me, kapeesh!? But apart from those two, there was a really cute guy (think a New Zealander – HOT!!!) sat next to me on the London – Frankfurt leg. Hazel eyes that could melt snow caps. Anyway...I digress...

Last night I got approximately 3 hours sleep. I got off the phone to Julz at about 10:30 and packed the last few bits, before going upstairs to sort out my room (which was left very neat!). I meant to only read a bit more of my book, deciding if I could skip to the last chapter, but it got interesting and so I spent until 1 reading more, and then tried to skip bits, but it got really interesting. So I gave up at 2am, but only because I would have stayed up reading it until 5am had I not had a plane to catch. I left the book at home though. Somewhat disappointing really. So if anyone knows what happens in Olivia’s Luck (don’t know the name of the author), then please let me know :D ).

Because of my lack of sleep last night, I hope I sleep well on the plane, but if not I think there are some good movies on offer, and a 6 hour drive the other side.

I’ll write more when I get the chance...

The flight was super boring – nothing to report there, but when I landed it got much more interesting!!

So My first experiences of South Korea...

Well I got to the airport and decided I needed to straight to the toilets so I could change my top before meeting John and sitting in a car for 6 hours. So I get in there and they are HUGE! I felt like I was at Harrod’s or something! And then I go into the actual cubicle and they are like small bathrooms! But the loo seat is covered in plastic and you have to press a button so that it gets cleaned/discarded/something like that before you sit on it! Crazy! I think I might have giggles a little bit when I saw that.

Once I met John, it was straight into the car and driving towards Yeonghae. Incheon was impressive I am sure, but I just remember feeling like a very small being with everything towering around me. I didn’t think I was tired, but not long after we set off I was sound asleep, only to be woken for loo breaks and lunch. The services are MASSIVE!!!!! That is all I can say. I’ll try and remember to get a picture of one next time I leave here.

So we carry on driving, stopping every now and again for the loo or coffee, and then I suddenly wake up in this built up area in a small street that we’re stopping on. Two thoughts run through my mind: here? Seriously? So John opens my door and I’m still blurry eyed – I meet Mr. Kwon, my director of studies, and then get whisked off to the apartment quickly. I’ve not taken anything in just yet. I meet Neha and Makeba, dump my stuff and meet Denice. Straight back to the apartment and then to dinner – the night was a bit of a blur! So we eat some traditional bulgogi type dish (I think) and then off to the Beer Bank – to drink obviously. It’s good to meet everyone, but I’m so overwhelmed I can’t take it all in.

Back at my new apartment on my own, I have the rest of the night to ‘sleep’ but what with the time difference and all that’s gone on I just lie there motionless. Then I sit up. Take in my surrounding. I want to cry. I can still go back home. No one will notice if I just leave in the middle of the night. It’s no big deal right? I look at the walls. An off white colour with pink swirly flower type things and a pale silver detail. I look at the sofa covers. Some dark purple, pinky colour. Terracotta floors. No wardrobe, just a hanging rail. I just want to cry. What have I done? Did I really need to move half way across the world just to teach English. I leave the light on and somehow manage to get some sleep. I’m mortified at what I’ve done.

The next morning I accidentally sleep in late, waking up 2 mins before I need to go to lunch with Denice and Neha. Whoops. Feeling a little bit better, I dress and head out. Lunch was good. Chat was good. I felt a little bit better :) I went to class with Neha that day too and by the end of it I was feeling normal. I can do this. All is ok. Wednesday night was spent with the girls, and then Thursday we went to Yeongdeuk to exchange some money and catch up with Keba. Lotteria for lunch – their fast food...hahaha! And back in time for class. Party time. Out for dinner and drinks on Thursday night, where I met Jay and Terry, who are both part Korean. We have a really good time, and then head to some karaoke bar. It was pretty fun to be honest. No pressure, just loadsa fun. Then Friday saw an emergency trip to Yeongdeuk for Neha which I tagged along on so I could be sure of where I was going when I have to do it on my own. More partying in class and last goodbyes. It was nice to meet all the kids before I started teaching them – and see their nice sides :) On Friday night we went to Yeongdeuk again, but for Shabu Shabu and drinks – where I met Natasha and Rob, Canadians. They were lovely, and we went back to theirs for drinks and chatting. They have a wii! And their apartment is amazing!

We get up before 5am on Saturday morning to go up to Seoul for the weekend. I think this is crazy! But it’ll be worth it!! The bus ride is nothing special. Oh I should tell you that the buses are nothing like the ones in England! They have leather seats that recline, and foot rests at come up. They are pretty spacious (and coming from a Westerner who’s not as small as the locals – think what it must be like for them!!). So we all kind of slept on and off one the way up. As soon as we got to the station we headed it Itewon to dump our bags at the hotel and then grab food. The burgers we had were HUGE!! Anyway, onto Gyeonbokgung, the Palace. Was a good day out. Back to the hotel to shower and get ready before heading to the restaurant. Meeting more people, which was nice, and then out on the town. A good night was had! In bed after 4, up at about 11, ready, food and then back on the bus by 3:30. When I got back to Yeonghae I was so tired I just collapsed. Ate some food and went to sleep. Luckily on the bus I had time to think about lesson plans for Monday and Tuesday, but I still needed to prep everything.

So Monday comes and it’s off to the Hospital in Pohong (an hour away) to have a check up before I can register as an Alien! It was a busy day. We stopped at a couple of places on the way home and it was good to see some more places. Back home in time to pick up a couple of bits for class, and up I go. Classes were pretty good – it taught me a lot about teaching and the kids. But I’ll tell you more about that some other time. This post has been far too long already. All you need to know is that I really enjoyed working at the Hogwan this week, and long may it continue. It’s probably the biggest challenge I’ve had to face in a long time, and I’m really up for it. So more updates on that soon.

Love Kat x

1 last sleep...full English, suitcases, scales and fish dinners!

Oh. My. Gosh! I have one last sleep and then I'm off to South Korea! Aaaaaagh! Today has bee very stressful, but good non the less. It finally dawned on my today that I'm moving to South Korea. I'm moving half way across the world to teach English. Something done my many people all over the world everyday, but suddenly I feel a little bit scared! I know as soon as I get on the plane I'll be alright, and there are so many wonderful people for me to meet, but it was just a sudden realisation! the main stress of today was my packing weight. Unlike uni and moving in general, I have only a small weight and a lot to take. To save you the stress of it all I ended up with the right amount in my suitcase and hand luggage, but 20kgs extra in box for sending over and more to be sent at a later date! Much tea was consumed and three biscuits in mouth at once to stop myself from screaming!

It was all worth it in the end when we ended up in Lock Fyne, a fish restaurant in the Hub (yes I know I'm going to be eating a LOT of fish and veg in SK, but I do love my fresh fish :D I had proper salmon sushi for starter, and it was orgasmic....yum! The whole meal for me was so good, but I think the rest of my family had good and bad bits, shame :( Apart from food there was a lot of good chatter and teasing amongst us, I'm really glad! I'll get to remember tonight and smile for a very long time :D

Right, off to chat to Julz before sleep and flying! Scary! Wish me luck...

Love, Kat x

ps I know there hasn't been a fact today, but you'll be fine without one, I'm sure! x

2 sleeps...coffee, shoes, cooking and cinema...

...what more could you ask for in one day?

Well after last night I thought a quiet, chilled out day was in order, until I realised I have 2 more days before I move to a far flung place, and I STILL haven't packed!!! Whoops :p Today started with a tea and Cinnamon Swirl from Starbucks courtesy of Chris, over a nice chat about moving (he's moving to Brum tomorrow) and saw Kat D at work, was lovely! Oooh, and I got more presents, Chris got me bluetack, a pencil case and stickers!!!! It was pretty exciting, I feel so lucky getting such nice things from nice people...can't wait to use all my new stuff!

After coffee (or tea in my case) we popped into the city for what I think is going to be my last proper, panicked shopping trip. On today's shopping list were two simple things: shoes and shoes! Yes, more shoes. After discovering that I can't wear my outdoor trainers to the indoor gym, and my decidedly average English feet are like giant's feet in Korea, I decided it best to get me some indoor trainers. I was quick, decisive, and got some girliness in my trainers. Yes, you are correct in thinking they are white and pink! Shocker I know. But they will be covered by my long trousers so all will be good! Apart from that some standard black shoes were required, and that took mere minutes to sort out. Phew! I'm getting good at this shopping lark :D

After that my day consisted of sorting out my car...dad's car...which I will miss so much. Ever since I passed my test in March I have loved driving Connie the Corsa, and she has seen me through near misses and one small accident (not my fault) and has become a small haven for me. When I'm mad I drive it out (don't worry, I'm not a blind rage driver, just getting in calms me), when I see my friends, I drive. When I need to shop, I drive. Holiday, drive. Driving, drive. Basically, I love to drive, and more specifically, I love to drive in Connie. Anyhoo...I cleaned out the car and it looks almost as good as new, so as reluctant as I am to pass her back to dad, she's done me proud :D

OK, so after that I did some jewellery and make up sorting, reading and waiting. I think mum is worried that I might not have any food out in South Korea because she has been making mini feasts every meal time. Last night was the South African food (mmmm!) and tonight was a FULL roast. It was soooo good, but I feel completely stuffed and think I could do with a nice slice of cheese on toast tomorrow, but will still look forward to the family meal out tomorrow instead. I don't mind, it's good to be around my family before I leave. I think it's starting to dawn on my that I'm actually going.

Than cinema with Rich, good to see him and very good film. The Invention of Lying. Funny and controversial. What more could you want!?

Apart from that I know you are all waiting for the main feature in my last week of blogs.....

Fact of the day #6: You cannot reach South Korea by land.

There is a Demilitarization Zone between North and South Korea that is effectively a No Man's Land. No one is allowed to cross over the border, so when you travel to South Korea you either arrive by boat or plane. How crazy is that!? It's kind of an island, but attached to mainland!

Anyway, I'm tired and I have a big day of packing ahead of my tomorrow, so good night and God bless.

Love, Kat x

3 sleeps to go, good bye my wonderful youth!

Fact number 5 (I think!): South Korea has a Continental climate with hot humid summers and cold, dry winters.

I think a few of you out there think that Korea is hot all the time...it snows in winter and I plan to be FREEZING! Hehe...

Well today has been long but

fantastic. It started with shopping with dad, followed by saying goodbye to more people (Siemens) and then some more shopping wit

h dad and a trip to the cinema including 3D glasses and popcorn! Check us out :D

After that we came home and tidied up like good people, before mum arrived with presents for me to take away! I love it when she gives me South African food, so I got super excited when she got me quite a lot to take away with me :D We even had some SAn meat for dinner with home made chips :D After dinner was time to get ready for my last Friday Frenzy for a while. Before I stared I looked like this...

After I'd finished I looked a bit like this...

Yes I was blue from head to toe, but it was so worth it to go out on a bang! The girls in my photo are my youth, who I'm going to miss so much!!! We had a great evening being rowdy and having fun, and they gave me some nice bits! I love Friday Frenzy :D Anyway, it'll be hard to not see them at least once a week. I guess my job as a youth leader is officially resigned for the moment. Never say never though. Lex, the girl taking over is even more crazy than I am, so the youth are sure to LOVE her! I hope they do...think I would if I was staying on...heck, me and baby Jesus monkey love her already :D

You might like to know what I look like after washing (yes I did wash as soon as I got home...didn't want to turn up to the airport on Monday morning and get strange looks and questions! It would have been bad enough if the Police had stopped me for a routine check or whatever and had the looks from them :p). Well I turned the bath blue just by getting in it. I decided on the bath so that I could get a good scrub going...it ended up with having to get mum in the bathroom to help me get all the blue off me! I felt like a five year old being scrubbed! I guess it just continued from earlier in the evening when mum and dad were stood in the lounge with sponges in their hands patting me down with blue body paint while I giggles away to myself about the fact that they were doing it and the thought alone was hilarious and also because I am

insanely ticklish and couldn't keep still! Good times. So I look normal again, apart from the wet hair and tiredness!

So, a very good day, and when I calm down and am lying in bed I will start realising all those I'll miss! Also, a special thank you to Chelsea who made and decorated a cookie for me...and to Ricky and Tracy (sorry you had to meet me when I was blue, but it was lovely non the less!) for the fruit cake and card :D can't wait to tuck into that :D :D Josh for the card, and the Keira too! And all of Friday Frenzy! Anyway, I could go on but instead I'm going to leave you with one last photo before going to make a cup of tea and going to bed!

Love, Kat x

4 sleeps...aaaaaagh!

One sleep less than yesterday (although I did have a nap today!) I didn't really do anything exciting today, so not much to write. I did go to house group, which is always interesting and we ended up talking about Terry Prachett and killer wasps - last week it was ranting about post office queues, whatever will it be next week!? I'm not sure I'm ready to part with house group just yet, so I think I'll be joining them next week for a 4am chat (Korean time) on spiritual discipline! Sounds scary!

On a more Korean note:

Fact of the day #4: Soju can get you drunk fast!!!

Basically Soju is 20% alcohol and they drink it like shots, quick and often! So, being a lightweight I think I might suffer a lot! All I can say is Thank God I only teach in the afternoons, although some dodgy lessons plans might occur! hehehe!

That's all for tonight, but hopefully I'll have an awesome account of tomorrow for you, maybe even a picture or two :D

Love, Kat x

5 sleeps...

Although I'm coming to realise 5 might be more than I actually get! I'm contemplating an all nighter on Sunday night so I can sleep soundly on the plane...hmmm, we'll see!

Long awaited fact #3: Korean Taxis are colour coded. Grey or white Taxis are pretty basic while black ones are a little more luxurious. It's also not uncommon to have the taxi driver watching TV while driving!!!

Shocking news :D I think I'm going to have to close my eyes while out and about.

Today saw me waking up and promptly going back to sleep as soon as the car pulled out of the drive (I wasn't in it don't worry!). Trundling downstairs I found a new module of my coursework unlocked, yipee I said to my self as I sat down. My course is close to running out (I think I might have written that last night, but tiredness wins out!) so I need to get on with them, and I think this takes me down to 2 modules to go, as long as I pass this one that is. Fingers crossed.

Anyway I sat chatting to Sarah on Skype. I love the fact that she's in Gaye Parie! Not because it's far away, just because it's exciting! Thinking about how much I wanted to go to the cinema. I'd almost decided that I was going to go, when I spoke to mum and common sense prevailed (boooo!) so I stayed in and worked on my course. Today it was about video and audio lessons, the topic: ANOREXIA! I don;t know why I'm so shocked by this, but I guess I think that there are so many topics they could have chosen, but this is a bit controversial. I mean girls with anorexia get tips from everywhere and everything, and something as simple as a lesson on how people became anorexic and what they did to stop themselves eating might not be appropriate for a teenage class. Anyway, the more I watched (about 2 hours worth in the end) the hungrier I got, and I did feel a wee bit guilty when I ripped open my huge bar of Fruit and Nut and had a few pieces. I guess I was just eating for them! I know it doesn't work like that but still!

Apart from that, more sorting out of clothes and room. While I was bringing down my box of clothes, half way down the stairs the bottom of the box gave way and all my nice, neatly folded and stacked clothes fell to their unmaking on the stairs. I didn't know whether to laugh of cry...that'll teach me not to be too neat :D I also started sorting out my room, it's going to be nice to see me room all neat and tidy, probably for the best I won't be living here any more! I al

so made yummy brownies, dinner for my family and then went over to Fiona and Paul's for dinner. It was a wonderful Jamaican dish of rice and peas, jerk chicken and upside down pineapple cake. It was soo good, I now have a food baby and will be very happy to curl up in bed and sleep it off.

That's all for tonight, but as promised you still have 4 more solid days of me writing to you (poor things) but at least you'll have something to read while bored at work, when

you can't sleep or while on the loo!

Happy sleeping :D

Love, Me x

ps I found this while looking for my fact of the day and thought you

might like it...it's some art work in Korea...

6 Sleeps...

Wow...it's getting closer! I'm not sure how I feel at them moment, maybe I'll figure that out as I write this blog.

Fact #2 about Korea: The currency on Korea is Won (KRW). But you cannot get Won outside of Korea. They do however accept USD apparently! (I'll tell you how true that is when I get there!)

Today started off well when I received an email telling me that I could do my next module on my TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) course. I toyed with the idea of doing some other, less productive things but as my course expires at the end of this month I really thought I should spend most of the day doing it. So I turned off the TV and got to work, finishing after 4pm, but satisfied with a job well done. With any luck I'll have passed this one and I'll only have 3 more to do in as many weeks. I did chat to Denice, one of the teachers out in Korea, who is lovely, and I can't wait to meet, so as long as she doesn't mind I'm going to use that as part of my excuse for not finishing earlier.

I did find out that anyone over the US size 2 (UK6) is seen as huge...which for me will take a bit of getting used to. I know I'm not huge by UK standards, but I definitely will be by Korean ones. I'm hoping this will be a great motivator in my new health and fitness regime, but we'll see! I love my food, especially food from around the East of the world, so I might have to encourage myself to exercise! Also because I am a size 6 in shoes I won't be able to buy any shoes in Korea :( I think my bank balance might be happy after teaching there though! It will be a really good opportunity for me to become one with my whole wardrobe! I'll have to!!!

I made one of the last meals I'll be making my family in a long time, sweat and sour pork. Was yummy. Will miss cooking for 4 instead of just one, but I'll get used to it :D and that means I can have spicy food much more often!

Tonight I popped along to a pub quiz in the Slug and Lettuce, it was hilarious! Ross is a genius when it comes to team names and tonight was no exception...if you say this out loud please don't say it around anyone who offends easily - and if you offend easily, just don't say it out loud. The Big Fact Hunt. Yes you heard right!!

Anyway...moving swiftly on...so I chatted to a couple of friends, said good bye again and came home to go to bed. Oh did I miss out the bit where I'm taking out all the items that I've bought/folded ready for packing/aquired/been presented with and putting it in the spare room on the floor so I can see what the next year holds in terms of my life!? I can't wait to go shopping for my little house, but scared that I'll be packing up all my stuff and that's what I'll have! No more shoes, clothes, straighteners, makeup...well maybe...

I'm tired, and you're no doubt bored, so sleep well and look forward to your next Korean fact of the day tomorrow :D

Love, Kat xxx

7 sleeps...

Well, I officially have only 7 sleeps to go before I will be leaving the comfort of my own home in the UK, and going to the exciting and some what different South Korea :D In lieu of this fact I thought I would write everyday with an interesting fact for you all!

Today's fact: Korea's favourite meat dish is bullgogi.

I'm not sure how true that is because I've heard on the grapevine that it's actually Kimchi! I guess I'll tell you soon :)

This last week has been epic! Last Monday I saw a couple of uni friends who are wonderful. We all went to Sutton Hall in Macc and ate in the most wonderful place. We ate in the library which had hundreds of original first editions of the great classics. Ami almost stole one just to keep at home for a rainy day! I think we almost had to drag her away!

Then on Tuesday I popped up to Durham to see Cay and Mia. It's amazing to see how much Cay has changed and Mia is so big! We had a really nice laid back day, ending with Mia falling asleep drapped across me! I then drove home via Chester, to see a couple more people.

I did a few others bits and pieces during the week, which included breaking down a bit when I realised how stressed I was because of going away. It kind of hit like a ton of bricks, but I got over it and had a good weekend, inviting lots of people to a leaving party. It was great to see so many people and spend an evening running around trying to catch up with them all :D It did end with me being told ff by one of the ladies at church for not seperating all the rubbish out before putting it in the bin...whooops :P

On Sunday I went to church with family and friends and had a wonderful time. There was a short South Korean presentation talking about the different food and cities, and then I popped into the Sunday School where I was surrounded by all the kids and given some presents. But I'm going to miss all my kids, it's been a great 18 months teaching them, and they're more than students!

So, crazy times. This week involves packing, sorting, repacking, washing, seeing more friends and family, and what not!

I'll let you know tomorrow how I'm getting on :D

Love, Kat xxx