Hi all... I wanted to post some pictures of Jeju-si, Branksome and some places that I have been so far.   Enjoy!

This is Windsor Castle (our apartment building).  We therefore call ourselves the princesses of Windsor Castle.  Even the head of the junior school jokes the princesses have arrived when we get off the bus in the morning! 

Our street in the city!  Beautiful trees!

These are from one of the pedestrian streets just a few blocks away from the apartment.  There are some really great shops and restaurants there!

The school I'm working at... it's pretty unreal/unbelievable!  

As a faculty we were able to be guests at a K-Pop concert!  It definitely brought me back to my Nsync/BSB/Hanson loving days!!  

I have to say... I didn't hate my first K-Pop experience.. but after a VERY long day, we were all exhausted and ready to head home when the concert was over!

Today, we got to go to a traditional market in Seogwipo... plenty of fish/dried fish (things I hate) just laying there!  I have to admit, walking through the smell was pretty bad in some places.  I did find some great chocolate though (Jeju Cactus is my new favorite)!

Down the street from the market there are some AMAZING art/jewelry shops.  These artisans are so talented!!  Above, is a three person band.  I wanted to stand in front of them forever... the music was so beautiful/peaceful!

Flame thrower on the pedestrian street on our first night out in Jeju!  So cool!

Night!

Nice to know Boston isn't really that far away when I need it! =)  It's pretty awesome, you can also get US at just about every convenient store (ie hersheys, oreos etc.).

One of our first nights here... we went to this golf course called Castelex (we called it our second castle).  Really amazing... the owner was so excited to have us there he put on a fireworks show just for us! Cheers to Jeju/new friends!

I'm really looking forward to the many new experiences that will be arising in the year to come.  This place is so different... but in really great ways!  I'm trying to experiment with new foods and drinks (ie soju (like a vodka (not my favorite) and makoli (rice wine... which is really good))!  However, some things I have seen I am definitely not ready for!  

Everyone that I have met so far has their own unique story which really adds to the journey!  I'm excited to meet more new people and embrace Jeju just as the people here have embraced us!

Love, 

K. 

I have been in an absolute whirlwind since arriving on Jeju.  There seems to be so much to do here... and I can't wait to start checking activities off the to do list!  Branksome has had us pretty busy with the necessary meetings, paperwork and training involved in preparing us for the new school year.  I'm excited to start my new job as a 2nd grade co-teacher and residence teacher don!  Branksome is an absolutely amazing and beautiful school full of knowledgeable people from which I know I will be able to learn a great deal.  

I'm hoping to post pictures tomorrow, but I thought I'd share a poem I wrote on the airplane on my way here from Boston.  Enjoy!

Breathe

You get on a plane and you hope for the best,

 Feeling inside jumbled nerves and unrest.

An eager anticipation burns from within,

Excitement ascends with thoughts of places we haven’t been.

You leave behind family and you leave behind friends,

An adventure you’re starting that you hope inspires and transcends.

Your body exhausted and your journey is long,

Fingers crossed for a place to belong.

You descend with great speed and you may start to shake,

Asking did I make some kind of mistake?

And then you think, and you think a bit more, 

And realize the journey isn't such a terrible and laborious chore.  

You put one foot in front of the other and look with eyes open wide,

You take a deep breath and enjoy what this big world has to provide.

2013

Love, 

K.