Change of heart

I have changed my mind and decided to stay in Korea for another year. I think I just wanted to leave in August as I was having a tough time, but I am over it and a better person for it ^^. I know I can't work in Spain next year as the economy over there has hit a all time low. I would be stupid to give up the comfy life I have over here. Plus, I started to get homesick when I thought about leaving Korea.

I asked my school if I could use my holidays together to do a CELTA course in Thailand and they agreed. If I get a CELTA and two years experience after gaining this certificate, I can work in TEFL in the UK! New plan!! ^^

I will miss my friends in the UK but I will be back for my Summer vacation to see everyone!

Saying goodbye (again!) and back to Korea.

I spent my time in the UK relaxing, eating lots of British food, meeting friends/family and stocking up stuff to being back.

I met up with my old work mates from the council one day for lunch. They all looked fab as usual! I miss working with these girls as I would usually just laugh all day with them so work went so quickly. I also met up with Laura and Katy. I sadly didn't get to see them as much as I would like to but I am am happy to have caught up with them. We went for a 3 course meal which was so delicious!! >< After that meal, I became addicted to baileys ice-cream haha!

Laura ^^

With the lovely Katy <3

I also got to see my grandparents quite a few times, which was great. I love my grandparents and great-grandma so much, and when I left for Korea last time it was really hard. The second time around was just as hard. I half didn't want to leave. It sucked because when they moved back to my town last year, I moved to Korea!!

I also got to see Heidi and there was someone else... I have forgotten her name.... Oh yeah, AUNTY Tracey!!! Bwhahahahaha. I am going to be killed when Igo back to the UK :p. It was great seeimg them. They got me a bag of goodies which I am still eating! Yum yum! They came the same day as my mums new sofa. There was a bit of a panic that there would be nothing for them to sit on as the sofa didn't arrive until late afternoon. Then there was a panic the sofa was too big haha. But seriously the sofa is great!! So comfy! You can fit 6-7 people on there easily.

Henry enjoying the new sofa

Comfy!

That was one of the most fun weekends since coming here as my nan and grandad came over and my mum and aunt are so funny together. It's just funny watching them together! ^^

In my last few days, I met up with Donna and Lisa (and the cute Rhys!) for coffee!! Seriously, he is the cutest 3 year old ever!!! ><

I also met with Charlotte and Ella-rose for a carvary! So delicious!! It was nice just catching up with her. She has been one of been my closest friend since year 9. We have had ups and downs like every friendship but now we are older (prehaps not wiser haha) I feel we are closer than ever! I will really miss her :(. Though I will be back one day and I am lucky with my friends as everytime we meet up it feels like not a day as passed.

I just wanted to say thanks to everyone for making my trip so welcoming and unforgettable! Love you all <3

Anyways (I use anyways a lot!), moving on from the mushy stuff. I didn't forget to stock up on food before I left. In fact most of my suitcase was full of food.

My trip to the airport was un-eventful! The food on the plane was disgusting to say the least. I couldn't eat any of it on the short journey to Helisinki. At Helsinki the food was expensive and not that much better. By the long flight I was ready for food but that was disgusting! So I nibbled on my bread roll.  It was the long haul flight that I got sick. I got I full blown migraine so I spent 90% of the journey under my blanket looking weird to anyone who passed my seat. By the second meal I couldn't eat and was sick (thankfully my seat was next to the toliets!). I have seriously have never been so grateful for a journey to end.

So yeah! That was my vacation! Not exciting but I am happy I went back to see that everyone is well :) and to give my mum peace of mind haha.

London baby!! 2012

During my stay in England, me and my mum decided to go down to London. My mum booked everything and I had to to just pay, which wasn't too bad.

The night before London I suddenly felt ill and started getting shivers. Now my mum as lovely as she is and everything, isn't very sympathetic with other ill people (even though she has something wrong with her every other week *cough... don't tell her I said that Tracey!!*). Her response was I should get over it and I better not give it her...... -_-. I would just like to mention, it ended up being a full blown throat infection when I returned to Korea..... Feel the guilt mum!!

I never really slept that night as I had hot sweats and shivers *urgh*. But the next morning we caught the train (just on time I might add as I took us to the wrong platform!). My mum was moaning about the train being too cold during the journey (and for the next 24 hours). To give her credit it was a cold train though.

The hotel my mum booked was right next to our station thank-goodness. We un-packed and my mum put the kettle on (she can't last a few hours without a cuppa). We had 4 and a half hours until we had to go for dinner before the musical. I had planned a route out which meant we could see most things but we had to walk a lot mwhahahahaha!! It was revenge on my mum for being mean the night before mwhahahahaha!! And there were no coffee shops anywhere along the way *double mwhahahahaha!!

We first caught the underground (I had to be careful of not saying subway. I have been using American too much since coming back.  I have to use it in the classroom in Korea for my kids to understand what the hell I am talking about!) to London bridge. To be honest London bridge itself, is well.... crap. It is just a boring stone bridge. But, I do recommend going as it offers amazing views of the Tower bridge. At least I can say I have been to London bridge now....

We then walked along the path down to the tower of London. The walk offers some amazing views of the tower bridge, the tower of London and the HMS Belfast (C35). The are also some pretty cool futuristic buildings.

We wandered over to the other side of the river to see the tower of London. To be honest everything is so expensive in London. England even! My mum had to pay 50p to go to the loo at one point!!! And I bet they weren't even nice loos!! Anyways, we didn't go inside due to time and money so we wandered around the outside taking pictures.

Somebody was worn out! Don't worry we still have a long way to walk...mwhahahahaha!!!

We then caught the underground (nearly said subway again!) to Westminster. By this point my mums needed her hourly fix of tea and the loo. But alas! There was no sit down cafes or toliets to be found mwhahahaha! We took pictures of Big ben, houses of parliament and the London eye and set off to Westminster.

Westminster was pretty cool. It was the first time I had seen it. Normally, I just see Big ben and Buckingham palace. It was full of tourist like myself :P. Again, we didn't pay to go inside.

My favourite picture <3 Sums up London

My mum was dying by this point (don't worry she found the 50p toliet as mentioned above) of thirst and her feet hurt!! She should of been nicer to me the night before mwhahaha! Anyways, we could of walked but I decided to be nice and we caught the underground the Buckingham palace. It wasn't that busy but people don't queue anymore! People were waiting to have their picture taken outside the main gates but there is always one who pushes in!!! Blah!

We then WALKED (mwhahaha) to Trafalgar square. But this was jusified as catching the underground would meant going back on ourselves. Plus, we walked that famous road up towards the palace.

Walking towards Trafalgar

We crashed at McDonalds for hot chocolates to warm up as we were freezing and shattered by this point. After a while we looked around Trafalgar square where there were free toliets to my mums annoyance :P.

The 2012 London Olympic countdown

We were going to see Shrek the musical (I wasn't happy when I found out but my mind was changed after watching it!) in Covent gardens. We got the the underground there (after walking 10 minutes trying to find one that was open as the one near trafalgar was being fixed). After wandering around for ages (my mum is sooooo fussy!!), we finally found a resturant that served something my mum fancied (cottage pie). the resturant we did find was sooooo good. The staff were friendly and it was nearly sold out. We were lucky to have gotten a table. We ordered out food and by this point my mum realised the time. We had half an hour until we had to be at the threatre. My mum asked the waiter how long the food normally takes and I think he rushed it for us. Oh my god! The portions!!! I was ill so I couldn't eat much but even if I was well i wouldn't of been able to eat even half of it! It was giant! The taste was amazing though.

In Covent garden market

After rushing our meals we got our tickets and went to the threatre (Not before my mums toliet break. She never actually needs to toliet, I swear. She just sees one and has to go just in case!!

But, OMG, how good is Shrek the musical. Some parts (any part with Shrek singing) made me sleep but everything else was great! The actor who plays Lord Farquaad was amazing. He is just so funny and he goes above and beyond in his acting. I think he was there to make the adults laugh. The costumes were fantastic and the dragon blows your bind. I would recommend this to anyone as it isn't just for kids. Far from it in fact. The only draw back was two seats in front of me was a huugh (wide as well as tall). So the kid behind him kept moving to see, so I was struggling to see and I think the woman behind me was moaning too. Other than that it was great!

Can I just say I hate Covent garden station! You have a choice of 120 stairs of queuing for the elevator.

Country life and why I don't drink wine..

Sooooo... My parents new home is in the middle of no-where! Literally! If you don't dive then well your stuck! I saw some bus stops but never any buses...... To give you a better idea of what I am talking idea, here are pictures..

Anyways, I'm being a misery as I am ill. It was actually really nice living there, I was just house bound for a few days as I can't drive.

But Saturday!! Oh Saturday!! I went drinking with friends. I didn't even drink that much and I was as drunk as anything. I am guessing jet-lag and wine don't mix well. All I remember is playing pass out but I was too busy talking and kept missing my turn haha. Then Rhys, who has started talking full sentences since I last saw him, came in. OH MY GOD! He is soooo cute!!

We then ended up at Wetherspoons where my memory goes! I just remember stealing Charlotte's chips mwhahahaha.

It was a great night! I have the best friends ever <3 It is so strange how I don't see them for a year but it feels like only a day has passed!!

Oh!! The hangover the next day!! This is why I hate living with parents. They won't let you die in peace >< Anyways, I had my first Sunday dinner since coming back. With parsnips and everything!

Off to to see the family! England 2012

I went back to my hometown in the UK for my holiday. My suitcase was empty on the way there as I wanted to fill it with food for the return journey hehe :P. So I left around 5am!! Ouch!! But the journey only has one transfer so it's not too bad. After check in, I naturally went to duty free as I always save up money to treat myself to some make-up <3. I ended up hungry in starbucks, so I ordered some food and a chai tea latte, which I have become addicted to thanks to my friend Julia ;).



Oh I forgot to mention the best bit. For the first part of my journey (the 9 hour flight) I had been upgraded to a business class seat!! You know! The seats that lie down and everything!! I still couldn't sleep though haha. I never can sleep on planes. Luckly, I ate before as the food on Finair is pretty crap. Turns my stomach thinking of it.

There were some good movies, but as they normally change the movies month to month and I was returning in February not January, I thought I was safe to watch them all. How wrong I was!! On the return journey I was ill so it doesn't matter. Though I am skipping ahead here haha.

Oh! I forgot to mention about the air hostress! If you ever watched when the little Britian guys made the program about the airports and there was the first class airhostess which was snobby to economy passengers. Well, our air hostress was the same. In her section, I think it was only economy passengers and only one business class passenger. If any of us asked a question she pulled a face but she kept going up to the business passenger and asking if he needed anything while throwing everyone else dirty looks haha!!!

My transfer airport was cool. It was Helsinki! It felt like a winter wonderland!! Snow everywhere!!! Plus it had free wi-fi. Again, the food selection sucked!!


The second part of the journey was worse even though it was only 2.4 hours! I was next to these women from the UK. One in particular did not shut the hell up for the whole journey. She moaned about not having a tv (for a 2 hour journey!!). Then she moaned about the food (yeah it sucked, I give her that). But after listening for a while (you couldn't help but listen at her volume) it turned out it was a company trip so I doubt she was even paying.

Anyways, I arrive in Manchester on time. I had told my mum not to come after the Heathrow incident (running across the banister, having a panic attack etc...) haha. By the time I arrived at my parents home I had not slept for 24 hours but my dad had to give me a tour of the new house and how to turn the heating on etc.....

Exciting news!

Booked my ticket to go home for one month!! Yay!! England watch out! I'll be home on the 10th January feeling pretty jet lagged haha.
I was in Yongsan for the Jimjilbang. My friend had to cancel coming so I went by myself. I actually liked it a lot. Of course I like going with friends but I also really like going by myself and relaxing. I finally managed to go in the hottest bath! yay!!! And because it is cold outside, the outside baths feel much warmer and refreshing. I also got a whole body massage. She put cucumber on my face and gave me a head massage! It was great!! I will make my mum go when she comes to Korea even though she says she won't!!!

1 week!

I can't believe I will be catching my plane in 7 days!! I've read it's snowing in South Korea at the moment. Noooooo!!! It's only just stopped snowing in Stafford! :(  I've prepared my winter coat and boots for the plane as it's going to be freezing over there. It also saves putting them in my suitcase, as I only have 23kg for my luggage!


On Saturday I said goodbye to my closest friends. I have to admit I was too drunk on Saturday to be sad/emotional, but now I'm starting to realise I won't see them for at least a year!! :( I'm going to miss them all so much! >-< If any of you fancy a holiday in Korea...... ;) I'm going to miss Lisa's hen nights (haha can't wait to see the pictures!), Lisa's wedding (remember Skype me!! :p I bet you will look beautiful) and Ella-rose and Eva growing up :( I just want to say thank you all for a great night out. I won't be having vodka jelly again anytime soon :p And thank you all for being such great friends.

I am determined to eat all of my favourite foods this week, especially food I know I won't find in Korea. These include Caribbean chicken, lasagna, cottage pie, English steak (the steak in Japan was from Australia and was sooo soft! I like chewy steak!) and chilli con carne. As you might of guessed, I really like food :p 

Things I have to do this week include:

• Eat!!!
• Get a haircut! (I haven't had my hair cut for ages so it's in really poor condition and I don't know when I will be able to find a English speaking hair dresser in Korea).
• Say my final goodbyes :(
• Eat!!
• Finish my packing.
• Finish packing my box of food (my mum will send it to me when I know my address in Korea).
• Eat!!
• Iron the clothes I will be wearing on the plane.
• Double check I have everything!

So, apart from saving goodbye to everyone and eating more than the normal amount, I really don't have much to worry about for my final week in England. I've done 80% of my packing and everything has been booked. So scary! I can't believe I have been so organised.

6 days 19 hours and 30 minutes until my flight!!!!!

5 Weeks to go....

I fnished my job today! I have never been so sad to leave somewhere before :(. I've worked with some great people before (Hayley, Laura, Kat, Katy etc) but I have never worked anywhere where I everyone was so nice and with whom I got on so well with!! I will 100% be keeping in contact with everyone!

We went out for lunch today and my manager made a speech and as I get embarrassed very easily, I went bright red! I actually very nearly cried  and I am not crying type of person at all. They presented me with a card and gifts, one of which was a pandora bracelet. The charm on the bracelet was a suitcase to remind me of everyone while I am travelling! It's the best present ever!! Thank you! I also got given a huge bag of chocolates and sweets, which I bet will be eaten by the end of the weekend :p

I just want to say thank you to everyone for the gifts and thank you for helping me in the last year!

I've now got 5 weeks off before I got to Korea. I don't know what to do in the next 5 weeks. I really should start learning Korean again as I only know the very basic greetings so far.... what to do...what to do......

Happy New Year!!

Happy New Year! Hopefully 2011 will be a great year and I'll be working in Korea by March!

Last night, I went to a mates cocktail party for new years. We all had a laugh and enjoyed all the free displays of fireworks going off around her house. Thanks Lisa!!

Anyways I think it's time to think of New Year's resolutions!!

#1 - A simple one to start with! - Move to East Asia (Hopefully Korea!)

#2 - Links to #1 -Learn Korean (Though if I don't get accepted by EPIK, this is void!).

 

#3 - Don't plan every little detail! - I am a planner so I can't just randomly go on a trip. I have to plan the trip out for at least a few weeks - EVERY DETAIL! - So this year I am going to try and be more spontaneous!

#4 - Be more positive! - I will go to Korea, I will go to korea.....

#5 - Cut out the junk! - This year I ate more fruit and less junk food. My skin is more clear and I didn't get the flu this year, touch wood (first tme ever!). Though the Chinese tomorrow doesn't count as we planned it before 2011!!

#6 - Save Save Save - I need to stop going on oasis.com and spending money that I need to save for Korea. They have my size out there so I should be ok!

I think that's enough! Wish me luck that I don't fail at least two by lunch time

New Years Eve

So cold!!

It was -8'c on my way to work yesterday! I can't describe how cold it was but my knees and face were numb after 2 minutes. The sky is still white and full of snow, so it's showing no sign of stopping. On the good side, it means a white Christmas this year. On the bad side, I will fall over on my bum soon. The pavements here are pure ice so unless you have snow boots then you are going to fall over. It was only 8 months ago since we had our last snow, in which a girl from my office fell over and broke her leg (I told you the pavements are dangerous!).

But it's not all been bad...today we collected our Christmas tree! Only 21 sleeps till Christmas! I have asked for nothing this year, as I won't be able to ft it in my suitcase, but I'm looking forward to the Christmas films on TV (sad I know!). I was so depressed when I was Japan and didn't have a real Christmas.

My office has been decorated in pink and purple tinsel...I didn't choose the colours before you ask...and we are now decorating our tree (red and gold). It's starting to feel like Christmas at last. All I need now is to hear off EPIK then it would be perfect.