I'm back from vacation

Hawaii was the perfect trip. It was vacation and it was home at the same time. I went to a luau, went snorkeling, hiked a volcano, ate at Subway (3 times), and shopped at Wal-mart.

I'd never been to Hawaii before, and it was everything I imagined. Our hotel was across the street from the beach, so we went every day. The waves on our beach were tiny, so we didn't surf, but we watched a lot of other people try. They mostly paddled and sat. We took an island tour one day, which included the Dole plantation, swimming in a waterfall, eating free macadamia nuts, and learning more than we ever wanted to know about all the movies that were ever filmed in Hawaii. I should have counted how many times our driver said "Forgetting Sarah Marshall." We went snorkeling and saw lots of big colorful fish. I ended up with a lot of salt water in my mouth. All week long the weather was a perfect 85 with no humidity.

I think the thing foreigners in Korea miss most about their home countries is the food, especialy the cheap, unhealthy fast food. And I got  my fill of it during those 10 days. Everybody asks me what Hawaiian food I ate, and besides the luau, I didn't have any. Oops. Being able to communicate with the cashiers and waitresses made me feel like a real person again. Small talk is definitely one of those things you don't miss until it's taken away from you.

Coming back to Korea was hard. Not only is it not paradise, but I had to say good-bye to my family and one of my best friends. And then 2 days later people's contracts ended, so I had to say good-bye to more Korean friends. And then I had to go back to work. I haven't actually taught a class yet, but I still have to show up and sit at my desk. My co-teacher had her baby while I was gone, so I'll meet her replacement soon. I've been told she's an old high school teacher. Yay. But, Ashley reminded me that if I didn't live here I wouldn't have gone to Hawaii. So thanks for the vacation Korea, let's do it again soon.

A conversation with my co-teacher

"Breann, you will teach some classes tomorrow."
"Ok, how many classes will I teach?"
"I'm not sure, maybe 3 or 4?"
"What grades will I teach?"
"I don't know, maybe all of them?"
"Together? In the same class?"
"Yes, maybe."
"Ok...how many students will come?"
"I'm not sure. Maybe not that many."

Well, this should be interesting. I have no idea how to prepare for this.

USA

I
LOVE
the
Olympics

I always have. I love sports, I love my country, and I love the world...perfect combination.

I woke up at 5 AM Saturday to watch the opening ceremony with some friends. And we watched it in Korean. That, I tell you, is dedication. I may have slept through parts of the ceremony, and I may have been confused at times because I was listening in a foreign language, but I think I saw all the good stuff. I am in love with the torch.

I've been leaving work early this week (shhh) and by the time I get home NBC is re-playing the Olympics for nighttime TV, so I get to see what America is broadcasting. Korean TV focuses on their people, obviously, and the sports they're good at. That mostly includes taekwando and badminton. Not my favorites. What are the summer Olympics without gymnastics and swimming?!

So I try to avoid the internet all morning, because every website talks about the results and I like to be surprised. I sit on my bed and yell at the computer when it buffers, which is always at the most important moments. Yesterday it happened right at the end of a swimming race, and I had to try to figure out the results based on everyone's celebrations. Sometimes I get excited, sometimes I cry (Jordyn Weiber), and sometimes sing along with the national anthem. So great. And there are still 11 days left :)