I officially have 2 weeks left in Yeong-Tong, South Korea, teaching!
I am so amazed at how fast this year has flown by! It only feels like yesterday I was on the plane from Sydney to Korea wondering how on earth I was going to convince these Korean people that I could teach when in fact I had no idea! A year later I still feel like an impostor in the classroom, though trial and error and a few helpful tips from kind fellow teachers along the way have enabled me to master the art of getting 12 or so Kindy kids to stop jumping on their desks and erasing my whiteboard when my back is turned for 3 seconds!
I've definitely had so much fun along the way and met some great people! I'll be sad to leave, but also excited to see what new things await and also to catch up again with my wonderful friends and family in oz for a while!
I've been getting some snowboarding in of late which is awesome, is so much fun! (yet painful at times!!) I've also had a chance to do some more cool stuff around Korea, though I find that -10˚C temperatures a little challenging!
So anyhow random 10 highlights of late!
1) Amy and I getting farted on Lunar New Years Day by a stranger.... so wrong (not sure why this made a highlight - it was kinda funny tho!)
2) Ordering my first home delivered meal!
3) First triple diamond snow plow effort
4) Oliver (student): Ellen teacher! your nose.. it looks like Pinocchio! hmmm thanks Oliver!
5) Reaching 30 paper origami cranes of my intended 1000! Cool only 970 to go!
6) Finding potato twists...deep fried, spiral potato on a stick coated in flavored salt stuff! so so good!
7) discovering that a bizarre sequence of steps can produce everlasting hot showers as opposed to my morning wrecking, 1 minute scalding then suddenly freezing showers I was getting used to! These steps involve a time commitment of around 15 mins, but afford a success rate of well over 80%. What are the steps you ask??? the special sequence??? Let's just say Amy and I call it....Tap dancing...
8) fun nights out at The Now...cards, pineapple soju, twister, Word Dojo, beating Jeff's word Dojo scores and Norrebangs - Obladi Oblada, life goes on......
9)Butterfingers weekly Sunday brunches with the gals.....hmmmmm yummy!
10)Last week my friend Amy and I went to some Hot Springs nearby and bathed outdoors, at night in these -10˚C temperatures! Strangely really warm and relaxing! Only thing is we had to do the Korean nude up thing! hahah
Anyhow some pics of various stuff can be found here (no not the nudie spa bathing!) Countdown Pics
and some more here! Coundown pics 2!
I'm looking forward to meeting Andrew in Japan for a week after I finish work on the 29th Feb. We are visiting Osaka and Kyoto area primarily, we both would have loved to get some boarding (well Andrew some skiing, def not as cool hehehe) in over there but we aren't venturing that far north unfortunately this time!
After that I head to Thailand for some time of defrostation then back to Sunny (or rainy so I hear??) Oz!
Anyhow hope you are all well and enjoying life! Look forward to catching up with many of you soon!
Ellen xxx
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Monday, December 31, 2007
Golly Gosh!
It's been sooooooo so long since I have updated this thing... owing I admit to the ease of use of facebook and it makes photo albums and stuff easy. I don't however get to write much about whats going on on there!
Not sure of when I last wrote exactly (without going back to look - ha so lazy!) but I've been having a great time over here, checking the place out and keeping myself busy!
I've seen many temples/palaces, but I've figured they kind of all look pretty similar and will save you from endless photos of these. I also got home to Oz for a few weeks in October for my brother Johns and Elissa's wedding, which was awesome. (pics can be viewed at (click here!!!)
I lost a few kilos and managed to squeeze into the dress ok, though I did resemble big bertha..hahah not quite, but at least I've lost another few kilos since then! Liss looked absolutely amazing (John did too), my heels hurt beyond pain I've ever experienced before but I danced the afternoon away regardless, barefooted and carefree! Overall my trip back was so much fun, if it wasn't for Andrew still being in Korea it would have been hard to get me back on the plane! The food in oz is too good! Oh and the family and friends are great too! hahah just jokes of course!
I had to say good-bye to Drew at the end of November, which was sad, he is greatly missed! Will be seeing him soon enough though!
I spent Christmas at the Hilton in Seoul with a few friends which was a great getaway. We ate, sauna'd, ate, spa'd, ate, danced, swam and did I mention ate the days away! Definitely would spend more days there! I did miss my usual family day that has been customary for the last 26 years, and even consoling thoughts of perhaps a white Christmas for once this year were squashed with an disgustingly warm day Christmas day!... so rude! haha (view pics)
I also was part of my schools Christmas "Presentation of Angels" where all the kids sung and danced and acted for their parents. It was a great evening with some of the most hilarious costumes I've ever seen! I was unlucky enough to score the part as Maria in the Sound of Music, thus being forced to deafen the poor unsuspecting audience with my singing. ha! So funny! Sadly enough I'm told that is on video..and no this video shall never leave Korea. (see pics!)
I also last weekend went for my first snowboard for the season with Jeff and June. A great day, packed with falls, stacks, involuntary snoweating and snow-in-pants syndrome.. I did complete my final run perfectly and am now enough back in practice to shred.....the beginner runs! hahah not quite but close!
It is New Years Eve tomorrow and I really cannot believe how fast this year has flown by! I only have two months left for my contract here, even less actual working days owing to Lunar New Year hols! yay! So the countdown is on, will be flying into Brisbane to finally meet in person Andrews wonderful family who have already been so welcoming to me! I can't wait! As for my plans after that? hmmm who knows? Stay in Oz or back abroad, jurys out.... have to wait and see which way the wacky winds of life blow...
Take care, Happy New year, hope you all had a fantastic Christmas season 2007!
Love Ellen xx
Not sure of when I last wrote exactly (without going back to look - ha so lazy!) but I've been having a great time over here, checking the place out and keeping myself busy!
I've seen many temples/palaces, but I've figured they kind of all look pretty similar and will save you from endless photos of these. I also got home to Oz for a few weeks in October for my brother Johns and Elissa's wedding, which was awesome. (pics can be viewed at (click here!!!)
I lost a few kilos and managed to squeeze into the dress ok, though I did resemble big bertha..hahah not quite, but at least I've lost another few kilos since then! Liss looked absolutely amazing (John did too), my heels hurt beyond pain I've ever experienced before but I danced the afternoon away regardless, barefooted and carefree! Overall my trip back was so much fun, if it wasn't for Andrew still being in Korea it would have been hard to get me back on the plane! The food in oz is too good! Oh and the family and friends are great too! hahah just jokes of course!
I had to say good-bye to Drew at the end of November, which was sad, he is greatly missed! Will be seeing him soon enough though!
I spent Christmas at the Hilton in Seoul with a few friends which was a great getaway. We ate, sauna'd, ate, spa'd, ate, danced, swam and did I mention ate the days away! Definitely would spend more days there! I did miss my usual family day that has been customary for the last 26 years, and even consoling thoughts of perhaps a white Christmas for once this year were squashed with an disgustingly warm day Christmas day!... so rude! haha (view pics)
I also was part of my schools Christmas "Presentation of Angels" where all the kids sung and danced and acted for their parents. It was a great evening with some of the most hilarious costumes I've ever seen! I was unlucky enough to score the part as Maria in the Sound of Music, thus being forced to deafen the poor unsuspecting audience with my singing. ha! So funny! Sadly enough I'm told that is on video..and no this video shall never leave Korea. (see pics!)
I also last weekend went for my first snowboard for the season with Jeff and June. A great day, packed with falls, stacks, involuntary snoweating and snow-in-pants syndrome.. I did complete my final run perfectly and am now enough back in practice to shred.....the beginner runs! hahah not quite but close!
It is New Years Eve tomorrow and I really cannot believe how fast this year has flown by! I only have two months left for my contract here, even less actual working days owing to Lunar New Year hols! yay! So the countdown is on, will be flying into Brisbane to finally meet in person Andrews wonderful family who have already been so welcoming to me! I can't wait! As for my plans after that? hmmm who knows? Stay in Oz or back abroad, jurys out.... have to wait and see which way the wacky winds of life blow...
Take care, Happy New year, hope you all had a fantastic Christmas season 2007!
Love Ellen xx
Friday, September 21, 2007
Return to Oz!
Yay! Am sooooo excited, the workday countdown is over!! I'm flying back to Australia on Monday for my brother Johns and his fiance, Elissa's wedding! I can't wait, I am a bridesmaid and all to plan hopefully my dress will still fit despite putting on a few (or 6) kilos. Bugger! I have hot shoes though so will be fine!
Things have been going along nicely here...just cruising! I will have to get my act together and compile some pics for the old blog.. just seems to be much of the same really tho - don't want to bore you all too much!
Anyhow have to run, stuff to sort and pack! Hopefully catch some of you in my visit back!
Take care...Ellen xxxxx
Things have been going along nicely here...just cruising! I will have to get my act together and compile some pics for the old blog.. just seems to be much of the same really tho - don't want to bore you all too much!
Anyhow have to run, stuff to sort and pack! Hopefully catch some of you in my visit back!
Take care...Ellen xxxxx
Thursday, August 16, 2007
5 months! Time flies when you are having fun!
Hey ya all!
News from South Korea....... hmm not too much going on still, just working, playing, sleeping, having fun where I can!
Work has been good, still really enjoying the Kindies though they can be hard work! There is always something funny going on, the most recent incident quite...hmmmm...how can I put it....interesting? For some reason kids in Korea find it highly amusing to butt hole poke... yep you read correctly. They put their hands together like they are praying (but pointed forward, not up) and at any opportune time attempt to poke you in the butt. The funniest (yet most disturbing) incident of this was on Monday. One little kid Jeff, was on his knees in a ball having a pretend tantrum in class, Jay the little loud trouble maker noticed Jeff cheeks were parted, beckoning a poke... he seized the moment and struck...I have never seen a boy move so fast in my life! The whole class was laughing sooooo hard! As I said disturbing behaviour but strangley amusing! Jay has recently been the subject of curiosity... last week he was wearing a neon yellow slapband as a collar around his neck (think mardi gras style), today he had fire engine red lipstick which he applied to himself (surprisingly well, in fact probably better than I could do myself!) then proceeded to run around kissing all the boys to leave a mark! hehehehe was so funny as the lipstick didn't come off too easily! Before that he used to steal the girls puffy headbands and wear them!
Last weekend Andrew, Tania, Jeff and I joined some other friends on a trip to the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone - border of Communist North Korea and Republic South.) The tour was guided by a US Army officer and we all had a great time, despite the heat and rain and learnt a lot of interesting stuff about the history of the North and South.
After a long day we met up with some other friends for dinner and a few drinks to celebrate Erins birthday! Andrew, Jeff, June and I are also going whitewater rafting this Saturday and perhaps bungee jumping if I get past being terrified??? Can't wait to be in water that isn't a pool or my shower!
Anyhow, must post these pics and get to bed!
There was a lookout that allows you to see where North Korea meets South. Not too bad a view really, you can see quite a distance with the binnoculars...however you can only take photos of the view from a 'photo line' from where unfortunately you can see nothing!
This is a photo of propaganda village, North Korea's fake village in the DMZ, where they used to broadcast propaganda constantly. Noone actually lives there apparently and the lights are switched off at the exact time each night.. The flag you can see is huge - over 30 metres long and requires 80 men to raise it.
All decked out in US Army get-up!
This is the door that leads to North Korea..we actually stood on North Korean land.....These soldiers are Black belt kung-fu tae kwon do experts, they looked really scary. Their job is to guard this door at all costs... Jeff was plotting his escape....
This man the poor bugger, sits up at this window and watches...and watches...just in case.
North Korean Military watching us.
Ok, is hard to see but this plaque says:
On July 27, 1953, in the small building approx 1000 meters to the front of this marker, representativesof the United nations Command, the Korean People's Army, and the Chinese Peoples volunteers signed a Military Armistice Agreement that brought the Korean War to a halt. From the initiation of hostilities on June 25, 1950, until the Armistace the war cost the Korean people untold treasure, anguish and the lives of approx 150,000 members of the Republic of Korea armed forces. UN Command forces suffered approx 40,000 casualties in the fight for liberty. Thanks to these sacrifices the Republic of Korea is a free and democratic country.
This is the table where the Armistace was signed. The right side of the table is North Korean, the left Soth Korea.
Birthday Girl Erin!
1,2,3 Cheers!
Me, Jeff and Ginny
Stan, Susan and Andy.
News from South Korea....... hmm not too much going on still, just working, playing, sleeping, having fun where I can!
Work has been good, still really enjoying the Kindies though they can be hard work! There is always something funny going on, the most recent incident quite...hmmmm...how can I put it....interesting? For some reason kids in Korea find it highly amusing to butt hole poke... yep you read correctly. They put their hands together like they are praying (but pointed forward, not up) and at any opportune time attempt to poke you in the butt. The funniest (yet most disturbing) incident of this was on Monday. One little kid Jeff, was on his knees in a ball having a pretend tantrum in class, Jay the little loud trouble maker noticed Jeff cheeks were parted, beckoning a poke... he seized the moment and struck...I have never seen a boy move so fast in my life! The whole class was laughing sooooo hard! As I said disturbing behaviour but strangley amusing! Jay has recently been the subject of curiosity... last week he was wearing a neon yellow slapband as a collar around his neck (think mardi gras style), today he had fire engine red lipstick which he applied to himself (surprisingly well, in fact probably better than I could do myself!) then proceeded to run around kissing all the boys to leave a mark! hehehehe was so funny as the lipstick didn't come off too easily! Before that he used to steal the girls puffy headbands and wear them!
Last weekend Andrew, Tania, Jeff and I joined some other friends on a trip to the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone - border of Communist North Korea and Republic South.) The tour was guided by a US Army officer and we all had a great time, despite the heat and rain and learnt a lot of interesting stuff about the history of the North and South.
After a long day we met up with some other friends for dinner and a few drinks to celebrate Erins birthday! Andrew, Jeff, June and I are also going whitewater rafting this Saturday and perhaps bungee jumping if I get past being terrified??? Can't wait to be in water that isn't a pool or my shower!
Anyhow, must post these pics and get to bed!
There was a lookout that allows you to see where North Korea meets South. Not too bad a view really, you can see quite a distance with the binnoculars...however you can only take photos of the view from a 'photo line' from where unfortunately you can see nothing!
This is a photo of propaganda village, North Korea's fake village in the DMZ, where they used to broadcast propaganda constantly. Noone actually lives there apparently and the lights are switched off at the exact time each night.. The flag you can see is huge - over 30 metres long and requires 80 men to raise it.
All decked out in US Army get-up!
This is the door that leads to North Korea..we actually stood on North Korean land.....These soldiers are Black belt kung-fu tae kwon do experts, they looked really scary. Their job is to guard this door at all costs... Jeff was plotting his escape....
This man the poor bugger, sits up at this window and watches...and watches...just in case.
North Korean Military watching us.
Ok, is hard to see but this plaque says:
On July 27, 1953, in the small building approx 1000 meters to the front of this marker, representativesof the United nations Command, the Korean People's Army, and the Chinese Peoples volunteers signed a Military Armistice Agreement that brought the Korean War to a halt. From the initiation of hostilities on June 25, 1950, until the Armistace the war cost the Korean people untold treasure, anguish and the lives of approx 150,000 members of the Republic of Korea armed forces. UN Command forces suffered approx 40,000 casualties in the fight for liberty. Thanks to these sacrifices the Republic of Korea is a free and democratic country.
This is the table where the Armistace was signed. The right side of the table is North Korean, the left Soth Korea.
Birthday Girl Erin!
1,2,3 Cheers!
Me, Jeff and Ginny
Stan, Susan and Andy.
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
I'm sorry Mum, it's been a while!
Well, I haven't been so regular with my blogs of late, mostly as it is wet season, extremely hot and I've been getting lots of R and R. For the moment I am content not to be running around like a crazy woman seeing lots of stuff! However here is a little summary of what I've been up to!
First, at school we had a kindy PJ party, which was a lot of fun! June and I dressed up for the occaision; me being a Kangaroo, June a Hamster. The kids loved it but it was sooooo hot inside the costume!
Me with little Eddy and Olivia from Turtle Class.
Me, Jeff, June and Eddy.
A few weeks ago I got my hair straightened using a Japanese process called Magic Straight Volume. The humidity here finally took it's toll and being fed up with uncontrollable frizz and looking like I've had my finger in the power socket every morning, I took the plunge! I was so scared! The results??? You be the judge, though my sanity was reward enough for the 6 hours spent in the hairdressers!
Everyone has to have a real dodgy "before" photo..unposed..no makeup, blemishes, bad lighting etc etc.....here's mine.
And......... then came........
Straight with my first bangs (fringe) since I was about 8!!! Big step!
One of the other teachers from ECC, Eddy, completed his contract and has moved on. For his farewell we had a fantastic dinner and also visited a really funky Hookah Lounge. Was pretty cool and chilled out as you see in the pics. There were lots of bongos, guitars etc lying around for you to pic up and play, a few quiet drinks, a DJ who looked like a little weasel, good friends and of course hookah! Overall a top night!
Today Tan and I visited the Korean Folk Village. I've already been there, however Tania hadn't so I didn't get too many photos. Here's a few!
It was sooooo hot today that we invested in little umbrellas to shield our delicate complexions from the harsh rays..Man we felt like Nanas but hey it worked a treat!
Anyhow, things are going great at the moment with everything, there are some changes in my schedule at school which means I will do slightly less hours and get to go home at 2:15 Tuesdays and Thursdays which is cool! In a bid to lose some kilos I have started swimming in the mornings for an hour 3 or more times a week. The old Koreans think I am an olympic swimmer or something as I am so tall and swim laps with reasonable ease and speed (big feet are good for something!) Tan and I had an interesting introduction the the Korean swimming pool experience. Lets just say there was nudity, involuntary blasting with water and red faces!
Better get some zzzzzzzzzz's,
Smile, laugh and dance in front of the mirror in your undies to whatever music makes your hips wiggle!
Miss y'all!
Ellen xxxxxxx
First, at school we had a kindy PJ party, which was a lot of fun! June and I dressed up for the occaision; me being a Kangaroo, June a Hamster. The kids loved it but it was sooooo hot inside the costume!
Me with little Eddy and Olivia from Turtle Class.
Me, Jeff, June and Eddy.
A few weeks ago I got my hair straightened using a Japanese process called Magic Straight Volume. The humidity here finally took it's toll and being fed up with uncontrollable frizz and looking like I've had my finger in the power socket every morning, I took the plunge! I was so scared! The results??? You be the judge, though my sanity was reward enough for the 6 hours spent in the hairdressers!
Everyone has to have a real dodgy "before" photo..unposed..no makeup, blemishes, bad lighting etc etc.....here's mine.
And......... then came........
Straight with my first bangs (fringe) since I was about 8!!! Big step!
One of the other teachers from ECC, Eddy, completed his contract and has moved on. For his farewell we had a fantastic dinner and also visited a really funky Hookah Lounge. Was pretty cool and chilled out as you see in the pics. There were lots of bongos, guitars etc lying around for you to pic up and play, a few quiet drinks, a DJ who looked like a little weasel, good friends and of course hookah! Overall a top night!
Today Tan and I visited the Korean Folk Village. I've already been there, however Tania hadn't so I didn't get too many photos. Here's a few!
It was sooooo hot today that we invested in little umbrellas to shield our delicate complexions from the harsh rays..Man we felt like Nanas but hey it worked a treat!
Anyhow, things are going great at the moment with everything, there are some changes in my schedule at school which means I will do slightly less hours and get to go home at 2:15 Tuesdays and Thursdays which is cool! In a bid to lose some kilos I have started swimming in the mornings for an hour 3 or more times a week. The old Koreans think I am an olympic swimmer or something as I am so tall and swim laps with reasonable ease and speed (big feet are good for something!) Tan and I had an interesting introduction the the Korean swimming pool experience. Lets just say there was nudity, involuntary blasting with water and red faces!
Better get some zzzzzzzzzz's,
Smile, laugh and dance in front of the mirror in your undies to whatever music makes your hips wiggle!
Miss y'all!
Ellen xxxxxxx
Saturday, July 7, 2007
Not much to blog about really!
Hey all!
I haven't written anything for what seems ages! I guess because nothing too exciting has ben going on. The wet season is starting over here now so I'm told it pretty much rains everyday for a bit over a month! Ahh how depressing! It has been raining a fair bit already and it is sooo hot as well! Very humid and the air is hot and heavy.
As I said nothing too much to report, just been chilling out trying to not get sick anymore (hmm hasn't worked) I have had some health problems which doctors here are trying to get to the bottom of. I have been experiencing quite bad chest pain - kind of a stabbing pain that comes and goes. On getting a checkup at the clinic for this they discovered that my blood pressure was really high at 180/100! ECG was normal however so they have started with blood tests etc to see what they can uncover! I have more tests next Thursday and hopefully at the same time may get some results from my previous tests. Fingers crossed! Would definitely appreciate prayer for this!
Also, does anyone have any tried and true weight loss programs??? (hmm I know...... exercise and burn off more fat than goes into my body.. ) I need to get into a a bridesmaid dress that I purchased before I left Australia when I was around 5-6kgs lighter! oh and by September! I'm so stuffed!
Anyhow, other than this things are going good! Keeping myself amused! Good news also that Andrew is extending his contract for another two or three months! yay, I don't lose my partner in crime so soon after all!
Better run, will write more soon!
Miss you all!
Ellen xxxx
I haven't written anything for what seems ages! I guess because nothing too exciting has ben going on. The wet season is starting over here now so I'm told it pretty much rains everyday for a bit over a month! Ahh how depressing! It has been raining a fair bit already and it is sooo hot as well! Very humid and the air is hot and heavy.
As I said nothing too much to report, just been chilling out trying to not get sick anymore (hmm hasn't worked) I have had some health problems which doctors here are trying to get to the bottom of. I have been experiencing quite bad chest pain - kind of a stabbing pain that comes and goes. On getting a checkup at the clinic for this they discovered that my blood pressure was really high at 180/100! ECG was normal however so they have started with blood tests etc to see what they can uncover! I have more tests next Thursday and hopefully at the same time may get some results from my previous tests. Fingers crossed! Would definitely appreciate prayer for this!
Also, does anyone have any tried and true weight loss programs??? (hmm I know...... exercise and burn off more fat than goes into my body.. ) I need to get into a a bridesmaid dress that I purchased before I left Australia when I was around 5-6kgs lighter! oh and by September! I'm so stuffed!
Anyhow, other than this things are going good! Keeping myself amused! Good news also that Andrew is extending his contract for another two or three months! yay, I don't lose my partner in crime so soon after all!
Better run, will write more soon!
Miss you all!
Ellen xxxx
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Hat-tastic!
Just had to post some pics of the groovy hats the kids wore to a class picnic today... sunglasses built into the hat! So cool! hehehe
Too cool for school!
Little Amy from Turtle class.
Today was Junes first lesson on how to ride a bike. She rode unaided for 3 seconds! She da bomb! heheheh
We're aiming for 5 seconds next lesson...
Too cool for school!
Little Amy from Turtle class.
Today was Junes first lesson on how to ride a bike. She rode unaided for 3 seconds! She da bomb! heheheh
We're aiming for 5 seconds next lesson...
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