Happy Holidays

I do realize this is well past Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years, but I've finally found the time to do it! December was a wild mess of open classes, lesson plans, monthly comments, interviews, planning, travelling, social gatherings, shopping, and the list goes on. It's finally the new year and a (slightly) fresh start of school. So, let's start with Thanksgiving. Not only was I lucky enough to go to OEM's Thanksgiving dinner, but my base parents invited my friends and I to their house for a lovely meal! I think we all really appreciated the food (it was phenomenal), but more so the love and warmth of being in a comfortable house with great company... just like in the States.

Girls. 

Using OEM's free selfie stick. :D

Happy eyes.

Happy tummies!

My adorable director was also in the Thanksgiving spirit and bought fried chicken for us. She may have gotten the wrong kind of bird, but man, it was tasty!

In the spirit of Christmas, my friends and I went to see The Nutcracker at Seoul Arts Center. It was performed by the Universal Ballet Company. I've never been to a ballet before and really wasn't expecting much ... I was so wrong to ever doubt it. I wish I could go again and again. Everything about it was simply stunning. I'm definitely a fan now. 

Entrance. 

Lobby. 

Picture with the Rat King. 

Silly friends. 

On Christmas Eve, Justin came to visit Dongtan. I enjoy having friends come to my sweet, little town. We went to see Into the Woods and eat jjimdak. He helped me discover this adorable cafe afterwards that I didn't realize was in Dongtan. 

They had a small upstairs that made for a fun place to hangout. 

There was also a giant teddy bear! My heaven! 

Oh. Yes. 

On Christmas day, I got to spend a lovely morning with the Whittens. We opened presents and had an amazing brunch. I had never been to the international Christmas service for foreigners, but this year I planned on going. There were SO many people there! Thousands. It was exhilarating praising Christ's birthday with so many brothers and sisters in Seoul. 

AND, the day after Christmas, we had our SLP Christmas party. I got to hang out with Giraffe Class all day. We made cards for a wishing tree, Christmas cards for mom and dad, soap, and performed our Christmas carol dances. 

I

love

them. 

Giraffe ready to make soap. 

Elephant ready to make soap. 

James. 

Dana and Tia. 

Andy and Leah. 

Victor and Ahra. 

Caleb, Jessica, and John. 

Julian and Tobias. 

Luna and Kaylee. 

I taught Giraffe Class "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" by Mariah Carey :D

and "Up on the Housetop" by Reba McEntire to Elephant Class... my southern roots came out :)