Bali Bali Bali

So we are in Bali, and it's freaking sweet. Wish you were here,... well I wish that some of you were here, and that the other random people that dont know us were... well.. they could come too I guess. I hope that you are almost relaxed as I am. I don't think that you could be more relaxed, unless you are on some illicit substances. Here are some pictars to look at. May the new year find you all well!

Six months and we're outta here!

Well, at least for a week or so! ;) Bali, here we come!!

Last week, we hit our 6-month mark of teaching in Korea! The good news is that we're not ready to pack up and get out (permanently) and we're growing fonder of Korea with each day, even with its occasional peculiarities and lack of neighborhood Christmas lights during December. (Downtown department stores do a good job of lighting up the trees and decorating their shop windows; it's just the familiar neighborhoods with their festive lights and big Christmas trees in the windows that we miss.) The best Christmas present this year is going to happen late on Christmas day when Dan and I fly into the airport in Bali, Indonesia!! Everyone in my family save my younger sister Jo (miss you, Jo!!!!) will be there. We'll stay in Bali for a few nights and then head to Jakarta, where my parents have been living and teaching for over a year. We get to see their home, the university where they work, and their neighborhood they've told us so much about. We get to spend New Year's Eve there and we'll return to Seoul January 4th, the day before we're back to work! I can't think of a better way to bring in the new year or mark our halfway point here.

Back with Dad!

Back with Mom!

Back with Chris!

Back with Jen and Dae Ho!

We'll miss you so much, Jo!~

Melly Curisumasu!

I'm pretty sure we're the only apartment in Nowon with Christmas lights on the balcony. I guess they haven't thought of that style of Christmas cheer. I miss all the Christmas lights in the neighborhoods back home!

Ever looked for an Asian Snowman? Seek no more. Ye have already found. (look up)

The view looking down from the 15th floor of our apartment building.

Dan's favorite shot of the night (above).

Can you find our apartment??

Asian snowman - side profile.

Setting up for Christmas!

Dan opening the package from his parents at work - he just couldn't wait!

Look at all those gifts!! They arrived in a ginormous package last week - even pre-stuffed stockings. They have been lovingly placed under our tree waiting to be opened on Christmas (eve?). THANK YOU to my Spicer and Brownell family!!!

Video Smorgasbord

December has come and we all know what that means - time to post a few videos! That's what December means to me, anyway. This first little clip has a big bang. This is the B-Boy group, whom we had never heard of but are now crazy about. (to the extent that I will post this on my blog.) Our boss notified us that we had to attend a mandatory foreign language teacher seminar in Seoul last weekend. 9 am Saturday morning rolled around, and we stumbled up the stairs from the subway station and followed the "hey, you American idiots, walk this way" signs to a nice auditorium somewhere near Yeouido. We weren't thrilled about being there, but it was our curiosity that kept us somewhat alert. We were all sitting slumped in our seats until the cheerful Korean MC announced in English that we were about to watch a dance show of sorts by the B-Boy group. My ears perked up, my eyes focused from the red velvet seat in front of me to the brightly lit stage. A handful of Korean dudes were bouncing around the stage and swinging their arms in hiphop style. The music started to thump, and then the formerly sleepy foreigners were in for an incredible display of Korean breakdancing. I particularly liked the guy with the long, flowing hair. He seemed to incarnate an anime character... see for yourself!

Next... though the quality of the video is less than professional, listen carefully to the conversation the students are having with Dan. Really funny... basically the students are helping Brian come up with ways to threaten the lives of all of Dan's family (including me, 'his Julie'). This video shows the escalation of a three-minute session. It started with, "My mother will kill your mother"... "My grandfather will kill your mother" ... "My dog will kill your cat"... to chickens and octopi. Watch it to believe me.





Our friend and former colleague, Kate, got married a couple of weeks ago. As a surprise for her brand new husband, she broke out into song right on stage in front of all the guests. It was priceless, really. I couldn't resist posting it.