A Bird's Eye View

Wednesday's discussion focused on Emma, the second of our novels.  This was my first read through, so I wasn't as confident in my knowledge about this book and its characters.  Regardless, the discussion was fun and I found myself examining each character from a new perspective.  Supposedly Emma is referred to as a "perfect novel", but I'm not sure I buy that one.  Maybe I just need to spend some more time with the book before I see it...at the end of the day I was still a bigger fan of Pride and Prejudice.  Wednesday afternoon was spent sightseeing with Helena.  Luckily she had made a list of must see sights in Oxford and I was more than happy to accompany her to the botanical garden, Magdalen College, and up the tower of the church with our beloved cafe.  The botanical garden was really lovely--in fact, I learned that I really love English gardens.  Although I have what I consider a brown thumb, I think I might like to try to plant my own flower garden someday (don't quote me on that though!).  The back of the garden runs into the Thames and we watched with amusement as some folks attempted punting and rowing on their own.  I think I'll save that for next trip!

Punting on the Thames...this guy was a skilled punter!

And here are the amateurs!

A wonderful example of an English garden...stunning, isn't it?

Magdalen College (pronounced Maudlin) wasn't far from the gardens and it was open for visitors.  It was kind of refreshing to leave the chaos and tourists of Christchurch behind and to get a look at another of Oxford's colleges (I should note that there are more than twenty spread throughout the city).  Magdalen was smaller, but still quite beautiful.

It was almost as if I could hear the conversation going on between them...

...I think the woman looks exasperated and the man is trying to talk his way out of something!

Inside Magdalen College

The chapel

Looking out from the corridor into a beautiful garden.

The Hall at Magdalen College...much smaller than the one at Christchurch.

What beautiful grass...but alas, I cannot walk on it!

As it neared three o'clock it was time for tea!  We made our way to our favorite cafe but before sitting down for scones decided to climb up the tower.  It was a bit more cramped up there than I expected, but certainly worth the hike!  Getting a bird's eye view of Oxford was really magnificent.  Plus, I happen to be quite directionally challenged so it was nice to get the lay of the land and see where we were in relationship to Christchurch.

I couldn't help taking a picture of this!

The Radcliffe Camera from above.

Rooftops of Oxford.

Our garden cafe!

Gargoyles!

Pretty painted shops

Can you see Tom Tower of Christchurch off to the right?

So many steeples...

The evening brought a special treat.  The Georgia Boys choir happened to be staying at Christchurch and performed the Evensong service.  I had never been before, but was really entranced by hearing scripture sung.  The boys have incredible voices and informed us at breakfast the next morning that we should check them out on Facebook.  After dinner myself, Trish, Helena, Mila, and Mila's German friend snuck out of the Christchurch compound and over to one of the oldest pubs in the city.  After chatting up the bartender, who incidentally had lived in the States and made a hobby of skydiving there, we grabbed a table and enjoyed our beverages as we marveled at the number of ties that had been tacked to the wall by students.  I wish I'd taken a photo.  No matter, tomorrow was going to be an exciting day so we wrapped things up at the pub and said good-night!

Rewinding...back to Oxford!

Okay, so I really want to finish putting up photos from my summer trip to England...and I'm feeling quite wistful (in the day-dreaming longing sort of way) about my week in Oxford so hopefully I can get through the rest of the week in one sitting!  On Monday my class in Oxford began and I found myself part of a very diverse group of eleven ladies plus one tutor.  Val (our tutor) spent the first morning leading us through Jane Austen's life, discussing the status of women, and defining a heroine.  Austen's life was really quite interesting and I wondered what it might have been like to live during her time (minus the lack of electricity and modern plumbing).  The morning flew by and before I knew it we were breaking for lunch in the Hall (yes, the same Hall that Hogwart's great hall is modeled after from Harry Potter).  That afternoon Helena and I signed up for the optional tour of Christchurch--we figured that we ought to get a good look around and learn a bit of history about our week-long home.  

The Master's Garden...so lovely!

A really, really old tree!

Cemetery behind Christchurch Cathedral. 

The cathedral is small but beautiful on the inside.

These windows are something special.  They depict the Archbishop of Canterbury being beheaded but the image was quickly punched out when the threat of total devastation came.

A fairly new addition to the courtyard I passed through on my way to the Hall each day.

The olive tree arrived at the same time as the fountain--commissioned by the dean's wife.

Inside the Great Hall...these are all tourists anxious to get a look at it!

Ahhh, Oxford

After the tour I set out to do a bit of exploring on my own.  I found a few cute shops to while away my pounds sterling and headed back for dinner with my new friends.  The meals, by the way, were really nice!


Tuesday's class brought a lively discussion about Pride and Prejudice, one of my very favorite books.  I've read it four or five times now and I always seem to discover something new with each read.  We had some fascinating discussions about Elizabeth Bennet, Mr. Darcy, Jane, Charlotte Lucas, and Mr. Bingley.  I felt like we could have kept going on this book for the entire week, but sadly we wrapped up the discussion just in time for lunch.  Today I met up with Helena and Trish for more wandering about the city.  I picked up an Oxford sweatshirt (and actually managed to get the proper size this time--third time is the charm) and wandered around Marks and Spencers a bit.  The high-light of this adventure has to be Paperchase!  I LOVE stationary stores and this is a good one.  I found all sorts of fun things that I didn't really need, but had a blast doing it.  From there Helena took us over to her fantastic discovery...a cafe that operates out of a churchyard.  It was absolutely perfect!  We loaded up our trays with tea and scones with jam and cream (a daily staple from here on) and sat outside in the churchyard, watching the people pass by.

Yep, I seem to take a new picture of this everyday! 

Hello fish!

Water lily in bloom.

Tonight we skipped dinner and headed out on our own for Italian before my birthday treat.  On Sunday afternoon we had booked tickets to a performance of As You Like It that was playing in the courtyard of the Bodleian Library.  It was a bit of a cold evening, but the performance was fantastic and the lead actor who played Orlando was adorable!

The seating set up in the courtyard.

Pretty cool to imagine seeing a Shakespearean play here, isn't it?

I think my teeth chattered all the way back to Christchurch, but it was worth it!  What a fun way to spend my 29th birthday!

Japan 2010

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Pondering the Future

I just finished updating the blog with photos from my family's visit to Seoul.  In the week and a half since they left I've been completely exhausted and struggling to make it through each day.  I have felt unprepared for my classes (don't get me wrong here, I still plan!), unfocused, and unmotivated.  When I have a lot on my plate I tend to respond by drawing inside of myself and trying to sort things out--this is exactly what has happened.  Add a nasty cold to that and you've got my week in a nutshell.  

Today I sat down with my principal to start talking about next year.  I had received the "recontracting discussion" email almost two weeks ago and had successfully avoided thinking about it because I simply wasn't ready to deal.  My conversation with Kevin today went really well--overall he's pleased with my performance and offered me the opportunity to continue my contract for a term of 1, 2, or 3 years.  All of this is excellent news and not unexpected, but now this officially puts the ball in my court and it is time to make a decision.

It's funny...at this time last year I was ready to sign up for another three year term...now I'm just not sure.  I consider myself to be a very rational thinker.  I am also a first-class planner.  At the moment my rational, planning mind seems to be malfunctioning.  So I am using the blog as a place to put down my thoughts and seek clarity about this large decision.  Here are the facts:

On the job front...

• I am technically still employed by Spokane Public Schools and am on my final year of a leave of absence.  I am not guaranteed a position at Ferris High School (my former school) if I choose to return.  In fact, I may be placed in any open science position in the middle or high school anywhere in the district IF there are any open places.  It is still possible that I will get rifted in the Spring when the district does staffing for next year.  I really did love working at Ferris and I miss my colleagues and students, but life has gone on without me and I have accepted this.
• I am really spoiled here.  I have access to seemingly limitless supplies for my classroom, my class sizes are no larger than 21 students, I have wonderful colleagues, my students are lovely, we have a lab assistant to do lab prep for us...I do not have the same sort of job related stress that came with constant management issues, students with terrible family situations, etc.
• It has been my dream to live and work in Europe at some point in my future and staying abroad opens up so many more opportunities to make connections with teachers and administrators all over the world.  I'm still praying about the timing of this possibility.
• If I choose to return to the States, I will be taking a significant pay cut from the overseas salary and benefits to which I have become accustomed.  On top of this, I'll be paying for my own living expenses again.  I should note that I would be returning entirely debt free.
• I do feel at home in this international community--I love working with people from all over the world who have different perspectives, bring new teaching methods, and who challenge me to grow.  I am also living and working in a spiritual community, which I very much enjoy.  I can explore my faith alongside my friends, colleagues, and students.

On the personal side...

• Having my family come for a visit this month has reminded me how far away 6,000 miles really is.  I can no longer jump on a plane and go "home" for a weekend visit.  Realistically, I get to see my family and friends twice a year.  Is that enough?  I haven't been really homesick since I arrived here, but there certainly are times when I want a break from Korea and long for the familiarity of my home country.
• If I continue working overseas I can afford to travel to anywhere in the world that my heart desires.  I feel like travel has really been my best education in the last year--I have learned what I am capable of, I have met wonderful new people, and I have started to figure out who I am and where I want to be.  I can still travel if I move back to the States, but certainly not to the same extent that I am presently.
• I worry that if I move back to Washington or Oregon that I will allow complacency to set in and I won't be as compelled to challenge myself.  I am a home-body...home is always comfortable and I have to make a concerted effort to get outside of this comfort zone.  Here I see people going, doing, and learning all the time and I am inspired to do the same.  This year I am able to be both student and teacher--I still work full time but have the finances and the time to take the classes I need to maintain my teaching license plus work towards the goal of learning a second language.  My schedule is jam packed, but I have the support I need to manage this schedule.

There are so many things swimming around in my head, but these are the main thoughts that keep coming to the surface and that I've got to sort through before I make a firm decision as to what the next few years of my life will look like.  I have been prayerfully considering my options, and I am certainly open to thoughts/comments/advice from all of you who know me!

Final Days with the Family!

It amazed me how fast the time with my family went!  On Friday while I worked mom, dad, and Daniel ventured out for the first time on their own.  I had heard about the music market from friends and told Daniel about it.  Being a guitar player always on the lookout for pretty new guitars, Daniel decided he had to see this for himself.  We had Paul circle the location on a map of Insadong and I wrote detailed instructions for catching a taxi and telling the driver where to go.  Thankfully they did manage to make it to the music market and Daniel was in guitar heaven.  It's a good thing his budget is small so he couldn't take home a guitar, but I imagine he'll go back if he visits Seoul again.  Apparently there are just rows and rows of instruments!  After school let out everyone joined me back at school to watch some of the girls and guys volleyball games.  There's nothing better than seeing students doing what they love outside of the classroom!  Dad was pretty impressed with the guys team and decided to start calling their prime hitter "The Hammer", which indeed he is!  As dinner time approached we headed through Yonsei to my favorite little crepes restaurant for some goodness on a plate!

Buckwheat crepe with bacon, potato, and cheese.

Buckwheat crepe with ham, cheese, and egg.

The La Celtique--caramel-apple crepe with vanilla ice cream.

Daniel had to have dessert--fruit and creme crepe with vanilla ice cream.

Before we knew it, the second weekend of their stay had come and it was time to say good-bye to Daniel.  

Bye-bye Daniel... :-(

The obligatory brother/sister shot.

We all walked Daniel down the hill to the airport bus stop on Saturday afternoon to see him off, then mom and I caught a taxi to Dongdaemun fabric market.  Even though I wasn't feeling well, I knew that mom really wanted to see this place since she's an avid sewer and crafter.  We didn't quite end up at the right spot, but nothing a quick ride on the subway couldn't fix!  Once inside the market I took her up to the 5th floor where all of the "goodies" are.  I found some fun fabric for kitchen curtains and mom just took it all in.  Since we went late in the afternoon many of the merchants started closing around 3, so this first trip was just a quick one.  I know she wants to come back and spend more time fabric shopping next trip!  Another taxi ride and we were back in Yonhi dong to do some shopping at the china store.  I had my eye on a set of new dishes (I've been on the lookout since I arrived in Seoul) and mom found a beautiful tea set earlier in the week.  We got a great discount on our purchases and returned home happy shoppers!

Mom amongst the bits and pieces of fabric and notions at the fabric market.

Sunday rolled around and the reality that mom and dad were leaving the next day hit me hard.  While they worked on getting their suitcases packed up and ready for the flight back on Monday I prepared lessons for the upcoming week and cried (this seems to be an involuntary response whenever my family leaves).  That afternoon we took advantage of the change from summer weather to fall, and the beautiful clear day, and headed out for a hike up the mountain behind the school.  I've only hiked the mountain once with Steph but thankfully we managed to make it to the top without too much trouble.  Here's what Seoul looks like from Mt. Ansan...

Proof that mom and dad made it to the top!

A panoramic view of Seoul.

Mount Namsan and Seoul Tower...it looks so close, doesn't it?

The buddhist temple

The long sort of building in the middle of it all is Gyeongbok Palace that we visited earlier in the week.

A little sweaty, but glad to have made the hike!

Dad hiding in the trenches left from the Korean war.

Mom and dad in the pagoda on our way down the hill.

I just came across a few of mom's pictures that I thought I'd add too...

The final stretch up to the top...I wasn't sure we'd all make it!

This gives you an idea of how massive this city is...and it's a clear day!!

A nice picture of mom and dad!

Debi, if you're reading....this is for you.  This is part of the path you hike up on the route to the top.

If you turn your head sideways, you can probably see us on our way down the mountain.

During my planning period on Monday I drove mom and dad down the hill to catch the bus to the airport.  It was definitely an emotional day and I was reminded just how far away I am from my family.  I've spent the last week and a half recovering from all of the sightseeing...and a nasty cold.  Now the countdown until winter break really begins...12 weeks until I'm on a flight back to the States for Christmas!