24 Monday Oct 2011
Posted in Family Ties, Pride and Joy
Our boy Luke turned 10 on Sunday the 16th, and just for him, the sun shone brightly the whole time we were at Woobang Towerland. It beats the year I made him get a flu shot and have soup for dinner, a poor motherly decision that he has not forgotten. I’m hoping that memory fades, and the memories of the day spent on his first rollercoasters takes its place. Check it out!
06 Thursday Oct 2011
Posted in Family Ties, Pride and Joy
I could not have created a more perfect day, weatherwise, for our 10 hour soccer tournament, held in a town called Pohang, about 2 hours away from here. When I told Natalie it would be like going to Portland, she misunderstood and said, “we’re going home?!” Sweet, sweet girl.
The elementary soccer team I’m coaching, with my friend Hugh Cole, is so big we broke into 2 teams to ensure everyone got to play a lot, to build their skills. And play they did! Regardless of the overwhelmingly one-sided scores, they kicked and ran their little hearts out, against opposing teams who looked like professional athletes, or, okay, atleast gigantic middle schoolers. I have one little guy, a 3rd grader, who doesn’t outweigh Natalie, for sure. He ran around that field like a little madman, big ol’ grin from ear to ear. He kind of made me want to get out there and play a bit myself. Now that’s inspiration!
Hugh and Me, coffee in hand, ready for the day
Every weekend here brings a new opportunity to get out and see the countryside and be more of a part of the culture that is Korea. I loved the day. It was long, but filled to the brim with laughter and pick-up side games, parental sharing of snacks (yum!), and overall lighthearted fun. It was all about the kids. As it should be!
At the end of the day, I had earned hugs and ‘thank you’s’ and ‘see you next weeks’ from the players, who, honestly, up to that point, sort of seemed to view me as a big meanie who made them run laps sometimes. I enjoyed myself so much that I signed on to continue soccer as an activity next quarter. It’s a real feeder program now. These DIS Jets will be competetive before we know it!
My guys (in the pinnies) vs. the Giants ! 
27 Saturday Aug 2011
Posted in Pride and Joy
We have successfully completed our first week at DIS! I wanted to include a picture of the kids for all of you to see – their nervousness shines through in the photos.
Don’t their uniforms look sharp?
We took these pics in the early morning, just as staff and students began arriving. The nerves, though normal, were for naught. All three have had no trouble making friends, or figuring out the schedule, the campus, or the rules. Garrett doesn’t even seem to mind that he has both mom and dad as teachers! We are very proud of them.
Teaching is completely invigorating. I have more energy and ideas than I know what to do with. Students are grateful and humbled that we wanted to come from so far away, with our entire family, to teach and learn from them. When they leave my classroom each day, they thank me for the lessons I’ve taught. When they pass me in the hallways they smile, sometimes bow and are always warm and gracious. Things have started out very well, indeed.
Stone's Throw Away 