Long time, no blog

So my last blog posting was back in November? October? A long time ago. I didn't stop for any particular reason, I just got busy and realized I'd have more time if I quit using the internet so much.

Now I'm housebound recovering from a cold, so I guess it's as good a time as any to post an update.

Let's see...First things first, I'm still in Korea, still healthy (well, relatively) and happy. My job has gotten more interesting but not too much more stressful, so I'm more satisfied there. I have a LOT less culture shock these days, and in general feel quite at home with occasional bursts of frustration or indignation or loneliness. My friends and students here have helped a lot by listening, explaining and just keeping me company.

I'm still dating the man I met in Gyeongju about two weeks after I arrived. Surprised? Me, too. He's a sweetheart and we've had some fun traveling to other places together, though not as much as I'd hoped, as he's pretty busy. Here are a couple more pictures.



The beach at Hawhe Village in Andong, north of Daegu:



Love that smile. Note: I made the scarf for Christmas. :D

Besides being a little busier at work, I've been doing yoga and swimming (but less hiking this time of year), learning to play the buk, a traditional Korean drum, and teaching extra English lessons in exchange for the drum lessons. I also hang out with some lovely gals I met at school:



The one on the right, nicknamed Jennie in English, invited me to her house for Korean New Year this week. I helped deep-fry squid and peel chestnuts on New Year's eve, and then went back the next day to take part in the celebration and feasting with her extended family. I wish I had a picture of me looking silly in her grandmother's hanbok, traditional dress, which was two feet two short for me, or lounging on the bed in the "girls' room" with all the female cousins.

Recently, I've been making a lot of travel plans, and it's gearing up to be a busy spring. My brother Kevin is coming to see me Feb. 21st (yay!) and then we're headed to Nepal Feb. 26th, via Bangkok. We'll meet up with Jun, who is headed to India and Nepal earlier this month, for a couple days in Kathmandu at the end of his vacation time (which luckily overlaps slightly with mine). We are invited to a bratabandha (a sort of manhood celebration: picture an early Barmitzvah, but different) for the son of two of my former students from Nepal on Feb. 28th. I haven't seen them in a few years, nor met their son, so I'm looking forward to that reunion. Then Kevin and I will travel around until March 9th, and be back in our respective countries by the 11th or 12th.

In early April I'll attend, and co-present at, the annual TESOL conference, held in New York this year. As a bonus (and more to the point, really) I will get to see my Dad, stepmom and two aunts.

In late April and early May, my mom will come to visit me for two weeks. I'm thrilled, and I think she is too. It's her first solo trip to Asia (she's been with groups before).

Despite my many plans for the upcoming months, I still don't have a clear picture of where I'll be this time next year. Keep tuning in.

Finally, thanks to any and all of you who have been faithful or foolish enough to actually check this blog again after months of inactivity. I'm afraid it's a sort of dry rendition of a rather less dry life, but the best I can do at this point. Cheers and love to you all.