Happy Thanksgiving!



I had each of my classes make a
"I'm thankful for__" Turkey. 
They turned out great!

 Happy Thanksgiving Friends!  I am missing home, just a little but I am not missing having to smell and look at turkey!  That is a plus!  This is my first year not being home for any holiday and I thought it would be more difficult.  Turns out, when you are in another country that does not have the same holidays, the time just passes and you almost miss that the date reprsents such a significant day to your home.  None the less I managed to remember, and share a little of the history behind all the tradition with my co-teacher, new friends, and my students.

I wanted to make a traditional treat to take to school and share with my colleagues and principals.  Seemed like a great idea, the only problems were: One, I have no oven (so no baking).  Two the ingredients here are bare minimum of what I am used to and what most of my reciepes call for.  However, there is always hope! I made Orea Balls and Peanut Butter Balls!  They turned out great!  I used a cookie that is similar to Oreos and had no problem finding peanut butter or cream cheese! It was so fun getting to share an "american" treat that I was used to back home with the people in my life here. 

Here are the recipes I used:

Crunchy Peanut Butter Balls

12 Oreo cookies
1/4 cup milk
8 tablespoons crunchy peanut butter
spoonful of honey
Crush the Oreos in a bowl. Add the milk and mix. Add the peanut butter and honey. Roll into balls Refrigerate on a plate for at least 30 minutes.

Oreo Balls (white choclate)

Ingredients

• 8 ounces softened cream cheese or whipped cream cheese
• 18 ounces package of Oreo cookies, crushed (crush the entire cookie- don't remove the filling!)
• 2 cups semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips
• 1 tablespoon shortening

Directions:

1.  Mix the cream cheese in with the crushed oreo cookies and chill for atleast two hours in the freezer Then roll cookie mix into one inch sized balls. 
2.  Melt white chocolate chips and dip orea balls into the chocolate completly using tongs or a toothpick.  Put them on wax paper and keep in the refrigerator.

Making the News

Hi Friends! This is not my favorite post :( South Korea made the news concerning a very sad situation invlolving the shelling of a Island here. News sure does travel, some of you knew before I did!  Well, I want to let you all know I am ok and provide you with the latest information.The shelling was on an island approx. 75 miles from Seoul.  I have attached a link to a map so you can see where the attack  was in relation to where I am (Shelling- Yeonpyeong Island, Kate- Anyang).  I will also include a link to The Korea Times.  There are several articles that can be read including the latest information involving the topic.  All are in English.
No need to worry about me, I just thought since it made the news I ought to let you all know I am ok!
Korea Times
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/index.asp

USA TODAY:  "N. Korea fires artillery onto S. Korean island; 2 dead"
http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2010-11-23-korea-artillery_N.htm?csp=hf

Map
http://drben.com/Koreas_Report/Sources/Korea_Maps/South_Korea-Maps/Map-South_Korea-1-Big.html


Love, Kate

GEPIK Orientation



My room at orientation



The orientation took place in this building about
 55 minutes or so into a more rural area of Korea.

   
Hi Friends!  I am finally catching you up on all that I have done thus far in Korea. Well, one thing at a time.  My first few weeks here were busy, actually they have not slowed down too much yet.  My first week it was holiday and I had my two friends visit, then I went to orientation for my new job and would then start my job shortly after. That leads me to this post.  I need to tell you all about the orientation! 

For starters I should let you know there are three English programs I know of in Korea, SMOE (? not sure if that is right but it is for Seoul area) GEPIK and EPIK.
Gyeonggi English Program In Korea
English Program In Korea
 My two friends are teaching through EPIK whereas I am through GEPIK.  The main difference is that GEPIK covers one huge province , Gyeonggi.  EPIK is the general program and you could end up anywhere in Korea. Both are neat, I just wanted to give you a little info.  ;)



Adrienne was my first friend at orientation
We met on the bus and chatted the whole way there!

 

This was my roommate Ashley

  As for orientation.  It was great!  Those who know me, know, I love learning.  I was thankful to actually have my orientation right before I started work.  Turns out I was the only one there who had yet to teach as well as the "newest arrival".  I met fellow teachers right away which was great. I met a girl who also lives in the same building as I do, how great is that?  We have plans to meet for dinner since we live so close to each other!  I also met a nice friend named Sarah, turns out we both had the same recruiter, which made it fun remembering our process getting here and finding similarities.  I loved meeting people but also enjoyed a little down time to read and focus on what I would be doing for my new job ;)
The orientation began with a opening ceremony of traditional Korean dance and drummers.  I enjoyed the performance.  We then went into our sessions.  I learned about teaching in Korea, got a few ideas for teaching with the curriculum, created and taught a small group lesson to my fellow peers, took a beginner lever Korean language class, and ended the orientation with a closing "fun" ceremony where we played group games and laughed a lot!  That sums it up, stay tuned for the next adventure!