Shirley was a model ---

Saturday –

So…. Before leaving for the photo shoot meeting – I decided to cook some Mac-n-Cheese --- and the noodles caught on fire and I almost burned the house down. Close call.

The meeting went really great. I meet 4 amazing women at Starbucks who are college students majoring in photography. They told me a little about themselves and I did the same and we looked at the pictures that they wanted to shoot and they are amazing – I just hope that I do ok. I also told them about my friend, Evan Cooper. (free plug – LOL)

During conversation my friend Mike came into Starbucks and it caught me off guard because I am not use to seeing people who look (like me) in the same place that I am. LOL

During conversation with my new friends we began talking about what I teach my “little ones” at the studio. I told them simple things like numbers, greetings and the weather. We then started talking about the weather and snow. Strange I know --- but it lead Connie to say if they ever want snow at Christmas time they have to “pray to God” --- so this struck up a conversation and opened the door for me to ask her if she believed --- she said YES, she was a Christian. We then began talking about church and what church she attends --- she told me that her and her grandmother go to church together!

She also told me that tomorrow when we finish the shoot she wants to go to a foreigner event that happens the be the “global event” I talked about in a previous blog that ICC – our church is participating in tomorrow. She said she wants us to go together. Really excited about today and the new friendships that were made.

We also talked about family and how I am the same age as her older sister – she said “I can call you sister!” I then showed them pictures of my family and they fell in love with Arden and Jake and said that Mom looked really young!! --- I told them she use to model back in the day!!!

Rascal Ridin ---

 (update from coffee)

Coffee with Andrew went well. We planned to meet at 7:30 and he called around 7:40 and we then realized he was at the wrong Dunkin Donuts – LOL 

Conversation was good – we talked about work and travels and family. I told him most of my traveling has been done with my church, and he then asked if I were a Believer… I said yes, and he quickly said I AM TOO – before I could even ask – LOL

We planned a time to meet again for coffee next week.

Wednesday was cold

Thursday was colder ----Winter is here.

Classes went good on Wednesday and Thursday. Thursday night the studio closed a little early because they were going to watch some dance performance somewhere --- but it wasn’t early for me, since I had just finished my last class!

Thursday night when I left the studio I was waiting at the crosswalk where I saw a man riding a RASCAl – (motorized scooter) down the street in an actual lane of traffic --- hilarious. I also got to talk to Sister and Arden and Jake as they were on their way to school and work via Skype on sister’s phone!!! 

Yesterday was Friday --- WHOOOOP WHOOOOP --- Yesterday I officially survived my FIRST MONTH of teaching!!! So exciting.

When I got to school yesterday my director asked me if I knew of the TV channel, NBC? I said yes and she told me she wants us to do advertising on NBC and the NBC people were at the school earlier and really wanted to meet me – WHAT!!??? LOL

Most schools were having parties yesterday since Halloween is this weekend, wish my school did too – LOL – but we just danced !!!

Saturday-

Today I am meeting “new” friends at Starbucks – who are university students that want to do a photo shoot with me for school tomorrow. Exciting about meeting new friends! Tonight Zack and I are going to Daegu for the evening to have dinner with one of Zack’s good friends here and his fiancé! Should be a fun evening. Sunday is church and a type of global event after church. Hope I can make part of it depending on the time of the shoot.

Another week down… Hard to believe that today makes 6 weeks that I have been living in South Korea!

---So thankful I encounter the Love of God everyday!

Til Next Time.

the third time is NOT always a charm!!!!

Friday was pretty laid back for the most part --- all of the student tried their costumes on and we just rehearsed for the dance performance open house that would be held on Saturday.

Saturday – I had to be at the studio around 12PM to start preparing for the open house that would be held at 5PM. When I got there many of our students were already there. We began by doing hair and makeup --- if you have ever participated in a dance performance then you know we’re basically just doing the typical pre-performance stuff.  Before leaving for the school Zack was already sporting his GAME DAY attire as he called it... a blue button down shirt with an orange tie….. you would have thought he was getting ready to be on ESPN he was sooo excited !!!! haha

By 5PM the dancers were lined up and the studio was packed with friends and family who had come to watch the kids perform and there were also people who had come to just “check out” the studio since it just opened. 

Me and the “little ones” were up first. I thought they were going to dance but I had to suit up as well and even wear a headset and dance with them and talk in the headset the entire time – LOL – After all the dancers had finished their pieces they broke out the refreshments!!!! When I say refreshments I mean (cookies, fruit, chips, eel, cake, all sorts of Korean stuff  -- I had no idea what it was) and we ate all of it with chopsticks. My director’s mom made a special place for Zack and I along with some of the other foreigners to sit.  Zack, Josh and Stephen stood out a little… (3 white men with scruff) People were taking pictures of them throughout the night. LOL

Everyone just sat down on the floor and grubbed out for the most part… around 7PM we left and headed to Busan --- it took us way longer to get there than normal because of the traffic --- this time of year, Gwangalli Beach in Busan has a HUGE fireworks show on the beach at night and everyone was headed in that direction. 

This is who I got to sit by -- he was really talkative!

Sunday --- we went to church and it was a wonderful day. Zack was so pumped Auburn won – he even worn his Auburn t-shirt to church – LOL After service Zack and I decided to go different routes for lunch. I ate soup and I don’t know what he ate because I did not eat with him (LOL) --- we met after lunch for coffee. It was yummy!!!! Zack then had a tutoring session and I went to get my hair done… MISTAKE!!!!!

I went to the first place (first being a key word) – I had an appointment and they spoke English. The salon looked really nice and I just new everything would be great. Well after everything was done… I came out with ORANGE roots --- CAROTT TOP!!!! I tried to stay calm but I was freaking and they said that was the lightest they could get my roots.  So I called Zack and thankfully he took a break and took me to another place (which also seemed really nice) we explained what happened and they understood what happened and what needed to be done to get it the right color – an hour later my entire head was um.. YELLOW! Needless to say I was almost in tears but it was funny at the same time. I was also thankful I still had hair with as much color and BLEACH as they used. She looked at me and said this looks a little “BRIGHT” and I was thinking DUH???? I wonder if she really thought it looked bad or if she could tell from my face how awful it looked.  Needless to say the next bowl they brought out looked like tomato juice…. I freaked and she assured me it wouldn’t turn that color… so all in all they TONED it down a lot and I now have um…. GRAY in my hair ---- Zack jokes that I look like an old lady and shouldn’t have paid for gray hair when I could get it for FREE in 60 years he says. Haha…… it may not look good but it looks way better than what it FIRST looked like and also what it looked like the SECOND time. I wouldn’t say that the THIRD time was the CHARM but it was way better than the first two. I told Zack I am going to have to teach him how to highlight my hair at home. What a great BF! LOL 

just hanging out while my scalp is burning

Do you need to add some curl.... we can hook you up to this machine...

waiting --- not knowing the outcome would be a BRIGHT one.

I really love 80's music but I don't want to look like I am part of the band!!!!

I don't even really know what to say about this....

Oh my!!!

hello --- I promise I'm only 23, but i look 65!

Today is Tuesday and I got a call from Zack this morning saying it was freezing outside and to dress warm today. He was not lying by any means. It is freezing here today. I even have on tights and a double jacket --- i wish i had a scarf, gloves and a hat on too. I dread leaving work tonight because it's going to be so cold.

Tonight I am meeting a "new friend" his name is Andrew. He wants to practice his English -- normally people pay you for like a "private lesson" but he wanted to do a language exchange -- so I agreed to at least meet him tonight --- we will see how it goes. I am looking forward to the Coffee we will have at Dunkin Donuts because I know it will be SUPER COLD tonight.

BABYSITTERS CLUB

Wednesday – “WHAT A DAY!” (LOL)

Yesterday I arrived at the studio changed my clothes and waited for my “little ones” to arrive. Usually they sneak in the door and all yell “HELLO!” – But yesterday I could hear them when they got off of the elevator. There were 8 of them. One was crying and she worked herself all up to where she threw up all over her clothes and then got another one crying (the tiniest one in my class, Park Soo Jin)…. So I put throw up girl in the office with the director and helped the rest of the kids get changed for class. I had to hold Park Soo Jin the entire class while dancing because throw up girl had got her all upset!

After changing them back into their street clothes I was informed I was on “Bus Patrol” LOL –So we all headed down in the elevator and I felt more comfortable this time since I had done this once before…but I definitely had my phone with me incase anything went wrong. Everyone knew where they lived and the bus driver didn’t try to drop anyone off at the wrong home this time… thank the Lord! 

By the time I got back to the school --- the 4:30 class was almost over --- so I just watched them rehearse for Saturday’s Open House. I then had a little break and went and had some cheese sticks and water and chocolate chip muffins!!! Before my 6:00 Jazz class my director tells me the youngest one doesn’t like the ballet class and she thinks its boring (I’m thinking well yeah you have to be dedicated to take it --- even at a young age) ----long story short my director wanted me to try playing games, so that’s just what I did. We danced for about 10-15 minutes of the class…. The rest of the time we played (duck-duck-goose, red light-green light, hide and go seek, tag, teacher (Simon) says, 3-6-9 and musical chairs) I think she enjoyed the class a little more – LOL (I think I did too)

Once classes were finished I met Zack for dinner and before we were finished I had to use to restroom. In this place you have to take the key – walk down an ally – and unlock  the 3rd door on the right to get to the restroom. As I was getting ready to lock the door back and head back to the restaurant... I noticed through another door it looked like “PEDICURES” were taking place – I got so excited. Once I made it back to the restaurant I told Zack that were walking a different way home than we came. We walked around the corner and thank you JESUS --- it was a massage place.  What I thought were pedicures were actually foot massages.  I got a 40-minute leg/foot massage for a grand total of $15.00…. I mean where else can you find that. They also offer facial, whole body and shoulder. I cannot wait to go back to this place --- I have a strong feeling I am going to become a regular customer and they will see me at least once a week …maybe more (LOL)!!!!!

of course they make you soak your dirty feet ......

Thursday - - -

I had to once again come in early for advertising. Basically to pass out flyers and stand out like crazy in a crowd and draw attention to the dance studio information booth we had set up! Thank you Jesus for all those AIM trips where I had “tract hand-out practice”.  I’m not sure I would be making it with out that prep-time.

I got to the dance school about 12:10 (considering how late my director was last time, I figured she would be late again.) So about 12:45 she calls and says she is “running late” and the manager of the studio is coming to get me. A few minutes later Young Do comes in the door and we walk about 4 blocks to a local park --- the new location for our advertising. There were a ton of people that came through the park --- we were able to pass out hundreds and hundreds of flyers, it is probably the best location by far!

I saw several of my students walking through the park heading from one school to the next and they ran up and hugged me! It made my day so much brighter!!!

Many parents seemed interested in classes for their children and hopefully many will sign up – there was a small special needs little boy and he was loving the TV we had set up that was playing dance videos. We rocked out to “head, shoulders, knees and toes” in the middle of the park – he already knew all the motions and everything. He was loving it and he was also lovin’ his chicken on a stick that he was tearing up!

Classes went well this afternoon and the night ended with another trip to the foot massage place.

4,000 WON ???

Yesterday was Monday and the day started out with me not feeling my best. Zack tried to get me medicine from several different pharmacies and they all said that I needed a prescription --- Most times you do not need a prescription at the pharmacy, you just tell them what is going on and they give you medicine from behind the counter --- and there are pharmacies located everywhere --- like sometimes there are pharmacies located next door to one another – LOL

At this point it was early afternoon and I had to head on to the dance studio – but thankfully the Lord gave me the perfect amount of strength to make it through the day and teach all of my classes. We had decided that I would just have to go to the doctor’s office early the following morning (Tuesday).

 Well… last night after I finished teaching I was headed to catch the bus – which I missed by the way. I was thinking “Man… I just missed the bus :(!!! “ --- But I decided while waiting for the next bus that I would walk into another pharmacy and just “TRY AGAIN”.

I typed in my phone what was wrong with me and my phone translated what I typed into Korean --- the pharmacist did speak some broken English so that really helped. Needless to say “missing the bus” was actually a BLESSING.

“Watch closely, or you just might miss HIM at work!”

The pharmacist immediately knew what I needed and got me two prescriptions right away!

I was SHOCKED

--- One, that he understood what was going on 

---Two, that I did not need a prescription 

--- Three, I did not have to show any form of insurance

--- AND Four, both medications cost me a grand total of 4,000 Won --- roughly $3.50 :) LOL

 I was super happy. It was around 6:30AM in the states when all of this took place and I was so excited I had to call mom and tell her.

Today Is Tuesday :)

Since I was able to get some medicine last night I didn’t have to get up and go to the doctor this morning!!!!!

I had to come into work early today because we are doing some “Studio Advertising” before we begin our afternoon classes.

I was supposed to be at the studio today at 12:00 and I was here at 12:00. It is now 12:31…. And my director is nowhere in sight. She is always late!!!!

(Sound like anyone you might know??? – LOL)

Well – she just arrived and we went to a different advertising location today – this was located across from like a market and yet she said there were not enough people – so we moved back to the original location!!! She loaded her little car down with 4 chairs – 2 posters – 2 stands – a computer – 20 cords – an 8ft table – and a huge flat screen TV. . . . and 4 people!!!!   IMPRESSIVE!

So ---I only had to teach the “little ones” today!

No one showed for the 6PM class – so I headed to Busan for dinner :)

As I was getting ready to get off the bus I was reminded why I am here.

Everyone stands up before the bus even stops because they all want to be one of the first ones off because I guess where they are headed cant wait 2 minutes.

I was getting off and I noticed a lady on the second row and no one would let her off  --- I was the last one off! (Show Love, Plant Seeds) It’s the small things that count!

Random Thoughts ---

1. I really enjoy the bus rides I take ---I have time to just think and pray and I like it
2. I miss Ixtapa reallllly bad
3. Someone needs to Flock SHIRLEY MILLER’S House!!!!
4. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TERRY GREEN.
5. I am sooo PROUD of ARDEN for SINGING at church in front of everyone…. Remember that time --- JANAURY would not sing at the piano with Ronnie Freemon???? LOL
6. I really miss my family!!!!
7. I need to find somewhere to get my BLACK ROOTS colored!!!

Korean Pink

Hello Readers :::
Last time I visited Korea... I bought a shade of PINK nail polish. This polish became my all time favorite polish :) I loved it and so did my mom and January and Arden.... needless to say... it is almost gone and I have been searching for it since I got back to Korea.

I found it Friday !!!!!! They only had 3 bottles --- so I bought them all.  :)  I mean where can you buy good polish for only $1.00 each ????

 Between my dance classes on Friday --- we had manicures!!!!

 

I have really been missing Mexican food since I arrived in Korea!!! Zack took me to a "hole in the wall Mexican place" and it was great :)  I was sooo excited. You went in and ordered and ate and then had to leave because people were waiting outside to come inside and order ---it was small, very small.  There were sticky notes everywhere --- people could leave a little note while eating there ---- :)

Later we enjoyed ... PAPA JOHNS and walked on the BEACH !!!

 

Yes --- that baby is sleeping!!! 

 Today we went shopping at a mall and watched people ice skating.  They all have to wear a helment and gloves. We saw all ages of people from children to men in suits.... we even saw one kid with a pair of gloves on that were attached by a string in the middle --- pretty funny!!!!

 

I found Hamburger Meat and we had TACOS for dinner ... AGAIN! 

Hope everyone had a great weekend.... tomorrow begins another work week!!!!

I hope you know where you live....

Yesterday started out pretty normal for the most part until the end of my first class. My director looked at me and told me to take the "little ones" down to the bus.  Normally her sister takes them down to the bus, but her sister was not at the studio yesterday.  I said "just take them to the bus?"
.... her response was "yes!"  ---- I said...... "I ride the bus?" and she said "yes."

So.... we headed to the elevator and down to the bus we went. We got outside and I opened the school bus door (which are more like small mini vans here) .... the bus driver looks at me and I look at him and we then take off! All the while I am thinking that I really hope these 4 and 5 years old kids know where they live because I sure as heck do not have the slightest idea.

We first pull into a brand new apartment complex and it was "ballin" to say the least.
It was sooo NICE!  The bus driver turns around and looks at the little boy and they chat for a minute in Korean..... then he spots his mom and I let him out of the bus. Then his mom chased down the bus because he forgot his backpack (which he left at the dance studio.... he had hidden it in a dance locker and it only took us like an hour to find it) ..... first kid at home ---CHECK!

We then headed out on the main road again. While we were riding YunSul Yun and YuGee Won are chatting it up with me in Korean and I just keep laughing because I have NO IDEA what they are saying to me and they just laugh back at me.  We pull into another apartment complex and YuGee Won and the driver get into a heated chat (keep in mind she is only 5 years old) ... she turns to me and says NO YuGee Won... NO NO !!! I then understand this is NOT her house and he is dropping her off at the wrong home.  We then go across the street where he tried to drop YunSul Yun off with a ton of mothers at a small store on the corner and come to find out she was to get out where the driver tried to make YuGee Won get out.... SO, back across the street we go again. This time YunSul Yun gets out and we say bye...... second kid at home ---CHECK!

We then head to YuGee Won's home but she wanted to take a few pictures on the way :)

We finally made it to YuGee Won's house and her mom came out to meet her and I tell her bye and then shut the bus door...... third kid at home ---CHECK!

The driver takes off out of the complex and I wonder where we are headed next. Around 10 minutes later we arrived back at the studio and I quickly jump out of the bus and tell him thank you !!!!  I am so glad these kids knew where they lived because I had no idea. It was a great adventure though!!!!

Today my first class was the "little ones" again. We are getting ready for a dance performance on the 23rd this month ---they are performing for their parents and friends at the "studio open house!!!"
I taught them what it meant to be HAPPY, SAD, ANGRY, COLD and HOT today. We then pretended to be sleeping on the dance floor and ended the class with caramel candies from another student :)

I am now watching belly dance and then my next class will begin which is suppose to be advanced ballet (HA!) more like beginner ballet for elementary school aged students! LOL

The last class of the day went well. They decided half way through the ballet class they wanted to do some jazz --- so I gave in. After class one of my students came back in the studio crying because she thought she had missed the bus and I walked back outside with her and made sure that she got on the right bus :)

The night ended with soup from TGI Fridays and coffee from Angels In Us with Zack.... while enjoying coffee --- we saw a mother let her child pee in a cup in the middle of the coffee shop --- I guess she didnt want to stop chatting with her friends who were sitting with her to take her small child to the restroom??? LOL

Well... That's all folks... Good Night from Korea.

Birthday Parties - Being Famous - Muffins

Monday - I was walking to school and this is what I saw as I was getting ready to walk the cross walk..... I mean really..... It is NOT Valentine's day.... You see girls carrying things like this on a regular basis. Usually their boyfriend WON this for them at an arcade! LOL  I am still waiting on Zack to bring one home for me as a SURPRISE.... NOT hahahaha ---- can you imagine trying to walk home with this as a surprise for your girlfriend.... EVERYONE would see it coming.... Big Surprise Huh?

 Monday's classes went good. Just kicking it with my students!!! 

Monday night I knew I had made plans to hang out with my friend, Hyu Jung. When I got to work Yun Jung told me it was her birthday and they were having a birthday party! I told Zack he should come but I knew he was tired so I figured he wouldn't come. After work I called him to tell him I was on my way home to get ready and he said he was in my city at the bus terminal.. SURPRISE! I was sooo excited and it made my day sooo much better. I walked and met him halfway and I told him it was getting late and we needed to get something to eat for dinner before the birthday party. We started to walk to find a "chicken place" --- there are not many western places in my town :( Then, Zack looks at me and says .... OR, you can have this double plain cheeseburger and DR.PEPPER I brought you!!!!!!  Can we say that this made my night :) !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Later that night we went to a small birthday party of close friends for Hyu Jung! My director was there as well and as they lit the birthday candles she was carrying the cake and decided to be funny and do a high kick and zack had to catch the cake as it almost landed on the floor. LOL Pretty funny! Here birthday cakes are really expensive and they put 2 pieces on a plate with like 6 forks (or chopsticks) and everyone shares. LOL  ---HAPPPPPY BIRTHDAY to my new good friend, HYU JUNG!

Please notice the roll of potty paper in the background. Here they had a SQUAT Pot and you have to take your own paper with you --- there is NEVER any in the restroom.

Tuesday - was a good day but I was tired from being out late at the Birthday Party.

I had to be at work early for some advertising.  We set up outside in front of a bakery with a table and laptop and banners and a HUGE TV. I felt like I was on an AIM trip passing out tracks (getting ready to set up for John 10:10) but it was just "Dance Studio Flyers" HAHAHA!

Later that afternoon I taught a few classes ......

BELLLLLY DANCERS!!!!!!!

This is a GIANT Chocolate Chip Muffin and Yes, I ate 2 of these !!!! They were soo Yummy. 

---- Also, I found out where to get hamburger meat from!!!!! WHOOP WHOOOP :)

Can we say --- tacos, spaghetti, chili and hamburgers are coming to a house near ME soon ! 

I CANT WAIT !!!!!!!!!!! Thank you Jesus! 

I hope everyone has a blessed week! It is already Wednesday for me and the weekend cant get here fast enough. Watch "Him" at work - - - Or, you just might miss something amazing.

Til Next Time.... XOXO