And thus starts a new year...

Well, hello.

It’s been a long time.

And who’s fault is that?

Well…..mine.

Yes, I’m back. Finally. Maybe some of you wondered where I’ve been in the blogosphere for the past, oh, six months. I started last year so strong….Ah, well. Life happens, and mine certainly happened with a vengeance. So in summation, I’ll fill in everyone on the happenings of my life. Most of you already know these things, but I believe there are a handful of people who don’t really know all of the details.

So, with that: the grand entry of my life for the past few months.
In April, Chaz and I made the decision to renew our contracts and stay another year at our same schools in Korea. Some of you may be wondering why I didn’t switch schools….frankly, I wonder myself. All I can say is I think I had a few really good weeks at my school, renewed my contract, and then things went crazy. By the time I completed my contract, I was half-bald, bare-bones, and blind with rage and frustration with my students, and some administration. But another contract I did sign, so I look for the best in the coming year. I figure I renewed with my school for a reason, so I must have some work to do here. I know I’ll be used in ways I can’t fathom yet, so I am looking forward to that.

The rest of the semester before summer break went by quickly. April, May, June, July. Really, once June hit, it was “goodbye, summer!” My mom came for a visit to the ROK for two weeks in June, and we had a blast! I can’t tell you how wonderful it was to have someone (especially my mom) come and visit. We got to show her our home, our school, our friends, our life, and our city in Korea. I believe after she left, she had a clearer understanding of why we love our life here and want to experience it for another year.

Two days after my mom left, it was time for another wonderful visit…STEVE & KIM! Our married-hetero-life partners! Around the time we decided we wanted to renew our contracts, Steve and Kim decided they’d like to join us teaching in Busan. A few months after beginning the process of teaching in Korea, they were here. Actually here. In Busan. The great thing: they live a mere 15-minute walk down a mountain from us. A city of 3.6 million, and they’re 15 minutes WALKING away. So great. Besides the addition of Steve & Kim, they brought with them a delightful Iowan named Kayse. Now, in our repertoire of Iowa girls in Busan, we have Kate, Kim, Kelly, Kat, Kayse. Apparently, “K” names are standard for girls in Iowa.

Mid-July finished the first semester of school (remember, Korean schools begin the school year in March, not in August), and then brought on Summer Camp. Like Winter Camp, it promised to be a blast. I had a class of 10 boys (and an incredibly adorable 8-year old girl who had better English skills than all of my students), and we decided to do a challenge of a camp: TOEFL. To any of you who don’t know, TOEFL is the test that non-native English speakers take to assess their understanding of English in the classroom. My students would have the option of taking this test later in life in order to study overseas. With my low-level students, we had to adapt the curriculum a bit, but I was so proud of what they accomplished. I also noticed that some of the students had been holding out on my during the school year…..I promised them they would not remain invisible (as they liked it) anymore!

After a month of showing the newest arrivals the ropes, we were looking at the completion of our first contract, and a month’s vacation of home. When leaving, I wasn’t sure I was ready to go home yet, but as soon as I saw that beautiful Iowa landscape, I was home. My heart was stirred by the space and the sky and the GREEN. Probably the most shocking cultural transition occurred on the plane. We began our journey in Seoul, and then flew to Japan on Asiana (my favorite airline). In Tokyo, we transferred to United for our flight to Chicago. In Asian airlines, they are about comfort and respect for their passengers (I’ve flown Asiana, Korean Air, ANA…all wonderful). I was used to quiet, calming voices, and smiling faces. As soon as we boarded United, it was another story. “Sit down and shut up!” Was basically the rule. It was shocking to hear the brash, commanding voices, and see the unpleasant faces. Oh, America, how I missed your ‘tude.

Once we got over that shock, the rest of the trip felt like we hadn’t left home. I frequently had to remind myself that a year really had passed and my friends and family had experienced a lot and changed as much as I had. A birthday party of our nieces, Chuck E. Cheese, and Adventureland packed the first week. (I haven’t mentioned how ADORABLE our nieces are yet, have I?) Then, the farm, cookouts, shopping, and relaxation filled the next. The rest of our time home fluctuated between Chaz’s fam, my fam, Ames, Chaz’s fam, and my fam. The trip to Ames was awesome…we both had stirrings of love biking down the streets we used to. Great Plains, Hickory Park, and Stomping Grounds were much-needed meals. And Harvest Vineyard. I cannot describe the joy I felt walking into the presence of that church family. Tears were definitely brought to my eyes, and I was just so incredibly happy to be there. I also want to give a shout-out to my brother and his roommates, Joe and Dustin, who made us feel so welcomed and loved through our weekend spent with them. I smile just thinking about it.

The final cookouts with our families (Chaz’s on Tuesday night, mine on Wednesday) were great. It was wonderful to see everyone one last time, and basically re-live our sending-offs from last year. We look forward to seeing our family again next year.
Now here we are, a month into our second year in Korea. While I’m still struggling at school, and this school year is bringing even more challenges to handle, I look back at where I was a year ago, and know that I’m so much more prepared for them. While I’m still finding my way as far as teaching goes in Korea, I’m optimistic that I’ll have much more success this year….even though I anticipate failures as well. I just keep telling myself that it will only get better from here, and this is how I know I can keep going another year. Looking forward to sharing another year’s worth of adventures with you!

(and I really will try to maintain my blog this time…try at least.^^)