Somethig About Highlights

My last words to my mother on February 24th, 2003 were "Don't worry, I'm only going for a year." That was at Pearson International Airport just before my flight to Vancouver and eventually, Seoul. Well, one year turned into two, two into three, which brings us to my four year anniversary since arriving in Korea (while I left Canada on the 24th, I didn't actually arrive in Korea until the 25th). Here are some highlights of the past 4 years:

Year One

• Trip to Kyung-ju
• Trip to Japan
• Trip to The Philippines
• Given the finger by a grade one student
• Trip home to Canada
  

Year Two

• Trip to Beijing
• Trip to Singapore
• International Christmas at Daegu University
• Recieving my precious baby Venus for Christmas
• Trip home to Canada

Year Three

• Trip to Hong Kong
• Trip home to Canada
  
• BLEC Reunion (in Canada)
• Buying a video ipod
  

Year Four

• Trip to Vietnam and Cambodia
• Trip home to Canada
• Buying a new laptop
• Winning 3rd prize at a Korean speech contest
  

So this brings me to year 5. So far my only plans include making the move to a university. Beyond that, God only knows. I do plan to actually be home for Christmas, but that's still up in the air.

Something About The Holidays

In case I haven't sent you an e-card by now, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all!

Something About Assumed Birthdays

While I'm not certain about the exact date Venus came into this world I'm pretty sure it was around the first of December. I've appointed December 1st as her birthday. I can't believe she's already 2 years old! She's still very tiny. I haven't told her that 20 minutes away from the apartment the Korean government is killing tens of thousands of chickens, dogs and cats in an attempt to curb bird flu.

Something About November 10th

The following are some key historical events that have happened on November 10th:

• 1836 Louis Napoleon banished to America

• 1963 Gordie Howe takes over NHL career goal lead at 545

• 1969 "Sesame Street" premieres on PBS TV

• 1989 Germans begin punching holes in the Berlin Wall

In a much smaller event, a screaming woman in Woodstock, New Brunswick Canada gave birth to a screaming baby boy. 32 years later he is still screaming and is still a baby boy (at heart and in mind). Yes, it was my birthday on Friday. My celebrations started Thursday night when my adult class took me out for dinner. On my birthday a few of my classes had cake and presents waiting for me. That night I went out to Pizza Hut with my high school class. I tried to explain to Venus that is was my birthday but she was more interested in her tuna. Finally on Saturday I went to TGI Friday's with some friends. After 3 long days I am exhausted and will probably do nothing on Sunday.

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Something About the Letter "T"

My flight to and from Toronto can be summed up with the letter "T"

T is for Toronto, the place that I love to go.

T is for tornadoes, that stopped me in Chicago.

T is for the typhoon, that hit Japan 'round noon.

T is for turbulence, that put me off balance.

T is for tomorrow, when more info will follow.

Something About Comin' Home

In case you haven't heard, I'll be home in Canada from September 22nd to October 6th. While I'm excited about going back to Canada, the trip home is going to be a bit crazy.

My train leaves Ganggyeong at 7:31 Friday morning and will arrive in Seoul at 10:00. I then take a one hour bus ride to the airport, which leaves me with 2 and a half hours to check my bags, go through immigration and grab some lunch. My flight from Seoul to Tokyo will take 2 hours, after which I have a 2 hour stop over before my flight to Chicago. My flight to Chicago takes about 12 and a half hours, after which I have a 4 hour stop over before I leave for Toronto. My flight to Toronto is an hour and a half. That puts me in Toronto at 10:35 p.m. Friday night. To better put this into perspective, let's keep the times as they are in Korea: I leave Ganggyeong at 7:31 a.m. Friday morning (Korean time) and arrive in Toronto at 11:30 a.m. Saturday morning (Korean time). That's 28 hours of travel!

Despite the chaotic travel schedule I can't wait to get home, even if it is only for 2 weeks. Woo hoo!