The Final Countdown....

23 Calendar days.... 13 days at school... 10 days of classes.... ALMOST DONE!!!!!

Wow, I cannot believe it's almost been a full year here in Korea. At the same time, some of it has felt like it's dragged on and just gone too slow!

I have decided on my job for next year: Bundang, teaching Kindergarten! I will work from 9:00-4:30pm M-F. I will get 10 days vacation and any Korean holidays! This is very similar in terms of vacation/holidays to what I had back at RBC in the states. The hours are a whole new concept! Really 9am - 4:30pm! WOW! The best hours I was 7:00-4:00 at RBC, I had some flexibly in there and could stay late or go early if necessary! I'm really looking forward to the move! I'll live in a really great area, work with some great teachers, at a great school! Overall... it's great! I begin work on January 2nd. My contract will be 14 months, so I will work till the end of Feb 2013. I have a co-teacher and classroom assistant, so 3 adults. We have up to 20 children. I will teach from 9:30am-2:40pm, switching on/off with the Korean teacher. It's a lot like a normal kindergarten back in the states... the kids go to art, gym, computer, and cooking class too! The school has been around for a long time and has a great reputation! Plus I have some friends who work there!

Overall, I can't really say I hate Anseong, just a very strong dislike. And it's me, not you... ha. I am not a small town girl, and am way to high energy, in need of constant interaction and things to do to even consider living in a small town again. I am happy that I survived this year. I know that I will miss some of my students, most of them can't say anything other then "Hello" and "I'm fine how are you" but there are a few that care enough about English to learn it and speak it, those are the only kid's I was able to get to know, and I will miss them!! I will also miss my co-teacher, she has made this year so easy on me!!! I will not miss anything else about this town, not at all. Well, if fruit and veggies are more expensive in Bundang, I'll miss cheap prices, but I'll survive. At least in Bundang I'll get a bit more variety.

So I'll be between Seoul, Anseong, and Bundang for my Christmas vacation. And my small break between contracts might be spent skiing in Pyeongchang (place for 2018 Olympics). I have a lot to do with packing and moving, plus have to celebrate Christmas with my friends here!!

I am still waiting to find out some details about my new housing, but providing it's big enough I'm either bringing Brodie over here or getting a new kitty. I miss my furry friend!

This year I've done a great job of being busy! And the few weeks left of the year are no exceptions! I have my first Korean wedding to attend, a year-end banquet for my run club, the Nutcracker Ballet and some other fun things!! So much to look forward to!

Some news on Tri-training! Although plan was to complete my first Ironman in 2012, depending on when my vacation is, this might not happen. At least not at an Ironman branded event. The official announcement was made that IM Korea has been cancelled. There will be a different organization putting on a half-distance triathlon, (probably as well organized as last year), but there will not be a full distance event. I have my eye on Ironman UK at this point, but will be anxiously awaiting when my holiday will be in July! Fingers crossed I can do IM UK! :)