Jingle Bell Rock

This is just a little picture post from the festive period at school!

Christmas is nowhere near as big over here as it is back home. When I asked the kids what they did for Christmas Day there were a lot of different answers, some kids stayed at home with family however others went shopping, to the cinema or even to an amusement park. They also ate pizza, hamurgers and many an ice-cream cake (I hate ice cream – all ice cream so much this gives me the boke.)

It was really different, I tried make the best of it all the same but I think for 2014 I may be heading home for my favourite time of year, unless I get a boyfriend, then I might just stay put, lol! J

Christmas stationery for a dollar! Love it!

My desk at work, some paper decorations that I made everyone for their desk and also some Christmas pom pom clips that I made for all the girls in work with their initial on ... they really liked them! 

My mum sent me this mini stocking that she knitted with hairband, teddy and candy canes inside along with my other presents. isn't it the cutest!

Santa pictures that we made in class, a card one of the kids wrote to his parents, sook and some of the things the boss bought us. We all got a Santa pen and a hairband. Mine are the little Santa clasps, I love them!

My wee cuties got to write Christmas wishes on decorations and put them on the tree, there were a lot of requests for LEGO!!

My Christmas make-up and nails that I painted, not too much for me but the kids made me feel like I was someone from Panem...

           I hope you had a lovely Christmas whatever you did and wherever you are in the world Xx

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! From Katrina in Korea

메리 크리스마스

Cold uh

It’s December and it is bloody freezing! Luckily I am used to this as Scotland isn’t exactly the most tropical of places. It’s about minus -2 here at the moment. I take no joy in the cold whatsoever, I would much rather be too hot than too cold. The good thing is that even though it is cold and snowy the sky is usually blue so it’s nice change to the grey winter skies of home.

I also love the fact that when some people come over to work in SK it is the first time they have ever seen snow in real life!!

Our boss treated us to lunch the other day to welcome our new foreign teacher and also say goodbye to one of the Korean teachers.  We ate pork galbi at a traditional Korean restaurant. When you first walk in the door you have to take your shoes off (Korean custom) then you all sit on the floor around a large table with grills integrated into the table top. It’s a really interesting and tasty way to eat. There are always tons of sides and courses so most of the time there is always loads of food left.

I wish I had taken better pictures of the table but I will next time...

Pork Galbi and sides

Welcoming our new teacher Harmeet

Saying goodbye to Michelle *cry

Me, Joy and JY being daft

About fifteen minutes into lunch the first snow of the year fell. One of the foreign teachers I work with hails from San Diego, California. Dubbed the Golden State you may be able to guess what kind weather he is used to! He has however been to Switzerland therefore experienced some form of snow but the other day was the first time he has ever seen snow falling from the sky. He was so fascinated and excited it was rather fun to watch. The little things eh!

Snow starting to fall outside the restaurant 

Cameron's first snow fall experience!

The walk home that night. Luckily my mum posted me out my Dr.Marten boots so I was prepared for it!

It has been snow, snow, snow, non-stop at the moment so I imagine it will be a white Christmas this year.

  

Annyeonghaseyo

So from the title of my blog you might’ve guessed it - I’m Katrina and I’m in Korea :D

 I’m sure when most of you hear ‘South Korea’ you instantly think of PSY and his viral video for ‘Gangnam Style’. And you wouldn’t be wrong, it is a world full of crazy and random people, outfits, mannerisms and so many misinterpreted English sayings that we foreigners like to call it  ‘Konglish’.

So if the notorious Psy and ‘Gangnam Style’ have previously sparked your curiosity to find out more about a country that in the last five decades has risen from poverty to become to become one of the world’s wealthiest countries,. Leading the way  in education, technology and culture then please read on. I can bet you one million won there is a lot more to this fascinating place than you would initially presume ….

I am originally from Scotland and visited Seoul in South Korea in 2009 with my university. I had no idea what to expect as I had never even heard of the place before. I was so apprehensive about my first trip outside of Europe but once I got over my initial homesickness and culture shock I  completely fell in love with SK. I only spent one month in Seoul but by the end of it I really didn’t want to go home. Fast forward 4 years later and I eventually came back to live and work as an English teacher and I have to say it is the best decision I have ever made in my life.

In the past ten months that I have been here I feel like I have grew dramatically as a person, young woman and adult. I have learned so much, met amazing people, made friends for life and had some fantastic experiences.

First ever Korean photo booth experience - I am now addicted!
One of the best nights and memories of my journey so far...

It was my intention to start this blog when I got here but everything has been so overwhelming and wonderful that the time has flew by so fast .I just never got round to it. So here it is a blog of things I have done so far and the things I want to do in this wonderful country in the future.

Also some general mince that I like to talk too, enjoy!