Planting potatoes

I didn't know this before, but our school (The Forest of Rousseau academy and kindergarten) has 3 different branches between Yongin and Icheon. Spring and summer are a great time for us, because the kids are taken on many field trips and excursions. Last week and this, they were taken to the Icheon branch of the school where there is a plot of land which is used to plant veggies that the chefs at school then use to make our lunches! I was amazed and chuffed to see/hear this.

I think that's kid of cool. It is little things like this that make me love my school and where we live, and what helped me to make the decision to extend our contract for one more year.

Today was Stella's class' turn to go, and clearly she loved the outing as much as I did!

Birthday celebrations

Lily teacher and I were born exactly 1 day apart, and we didn't know it until the last minute! So we went out for dinner after school last Tuesday to celebrate at one of my (and Stella's) favourite places here near Yangji.

Blowing candles

Special friends

Movers and Runners

It's graduation week. It's been emotionl, as these things are.

For the last 10 months I have been teaching and supervising 2 English kindergarten classes; the Movers (6 years old) and the Runners (7 years old), who are entering elementary school in March.
Sadly, many of the students have left already and only a handful remain. It has been an adventure watching these kids grow over the last year.

Last week, we had the annual concert and watching all the kids in action was super fun and entertaining! I also teach across at the Korean kindergarten, and I was so proud of all the kiddies. They were adorable ^^

Stella so badly wanted in on the action, but unfortunately her class is still to young to be included. I look forward to next year when she can join too!

The Movers

Andy - Sweet and innocent

Jacob - Dinosaur fanatic

June - Impossible!!

Saebom - Sassy :)

Sally - Drama Queen

The Runners

Seah - Hip. 

Marie - Quiet, yet sweet.



Alice - Little genius.

Alvin - Mischief!

Clara - Quiet but cool.

Daniel - Mathematician in the making.

Jessica - Tall!!

Kevin - Good artist, GREAT dancer!

Steven - Mischief's sidekick.

The Movers getting ready.

The Runners getting ready.

Nerves.

I'll be there.

Some of the other Korean Kindergarten classes getting ready.

 



"We love you Daddy, you're the best!"

Me, Lilly Teacher, Angela Teacher, Stephanie Teacher, Pauline Teacher - our special friends <3

Funding in the Philippines

The Philippines was hit by Typhoon Yolanda last year in November, causing widespread devastation and killing 6 201 people. It was the worst typhoon the Philippines has ever experienced.
I was very eager to help somehow, so I contacted my Filipino friend Annabeth, who lives here in Korea. She knew someone living in the affected area. She also knew a pastor living and doing community work there, so we all donated some money through Annabeth, to send over to them. I am very weary of just handing money over to charities, because let's face it...do we ever really know what is being done with our money?

So it was really heart-warming to receive these photos from Annabeth's friend today. They have acquired some materials to start rebuilding their homes and businesses.
What I wish now, is that I could pop over to physically help with the building! If only...

Things to do in winter...

It's pretty difficult finding things to do in this cold weather...well it's hard to find places that are not absolutely cram-packed with every Korean in Korea anyway.

I looked up the Gyeonggi Children's Museum and decided to head there with Stella on Sunday, and as usual, it was really busy. That, and the fact that there is TOOOO much to do, we didn't get to see everything. But what we did see/do was pretty fantastic. I was really impressed, and am determined to take Stella back to the rest of it.

Running away from me, as usual.

Picking and pasting fruit.

Picking and planting veggies.

Milking a cow.

Cars and things that move.

Sitting in the 'Poli' car. The Korean animation story about Poli and his other public servant friends has firmly overtaken Pororo as Stella's favourite show now.

Bikes.

Dance floor.

Sliding out of the lighthouse.

The water-themed area was my favourtie. Pity Stella was a little too short to reach all of the activities.

The body.

Mouth.