Happy 2009!

My time home was wonderful. It made it hard to come back, but I think I'm getting adjusted again. I got new classes on Friday. I lost my junior high class and gained a new one, hopefully they will be better and more willing to learn. One of the new classes I got is a basic level. It's going to be a little bit more challenging to teach because these kids are young (but adorable) and their English isn't nearly as advanced. I kind of like this level more though, because their is a lot more to explain so the class is filled up with a lot more.

We lost a lot of students this month so my biggest class is only like 8 students now. I like the small class size better because they're easier to manage even if
they have a lot of energy and I get to know them better, I think.

I celebrated my 23rd birthday tonight with my co-workers and friends and it was a pretty good time. The girls went out and got manicures, my friend Marina paid for me as my birthday gift so that was sweet. :) Then we went out to dinner at Outback Steakhouse. You know how in America you get like a free dessert for your birthday normally? Well, this was very different here. First of all, all the waiters came and sang a Korean song to me (not the traditional "happy birthday" song I'm used to) and then gave me a loaf of bread covered in jam. It was definitely original!! Afterward, we went to Dr. Fish again and got the unconventional pedicures. My friend Julia had never experienced this before so it was quite entertaining watching her reaction. All the Koreans in the cafe were watching us and laughing.

All in all, it was a pretty good birthday. Low-key, but nice. I kind of forgot about my birthday since I was on the airplane all day but it was still nice to celebrate it with friends.

Seven months left in Korea. Then...who knows? We were supposed to be going somewhere for the Chinese New Year at the end of this month, but now we're either not going to do anything or go to North Korea (crazy, I know). It costs about 330,000 Won to go so I'm not sure yet. Anyway, I think if my parents don't end up visiting in August I am going to go to China and Taiwan before I come back home. Those are the two other countries on my "must see" list before I leave for Asia, especially China. We'll see...who knows when I'll be back on this continent though?

Love you all!