Christmas and medical test.

Last weekend was Christmas! (yay!!) My friend I was going to meet on Christmas eve had to cancel, so I spent most of the weekend eating and enjoying my wine ^^ Just as Christmas should be. On the actual day I ate a 3 course meal! Oh man! I could not move all day and I was still full today I swear!

I got a some dresses and a new watch off my mum and dad. I also got a cool cat hat ^^. It was nice watching my family opening presents back in the UK.

Anyways back to reality sadly today. Winter camp started today plus I had to go for my medical test for next year. Thankfully, one of the teachers at my school took me otherwise I would be clueless... But on the downside I couldn't eat or drink today ><

The medical test were the same as orientation except they took less blood and did a weird heart rate test where I had things all over me. It only took 20 minutes and cost 80,000 won. I will get my test results soon hopefully ^^

Least I have new years to look forward too :D

Pointless SMOE trip.

On Friday, all teachers resigning with SMOE had to go on a day trip with SMOE. I heard there was left over budget or something so they decided to take us native English teachers on a trip. But seriously the trip was around Seoul to all the places we had aleady been. Korea is not that big so it would off been better to take us even a bit out of Seoul. It was also one of the coldest days so far in Korea (-10 degrees that morning!). Other teachers in my school were off or just cooking in the nice warm office!! :(

So needless to say I was grumpy in the morning! It didn't help that they made us go to meeting point at 9am but we didn't leave until 9.40!!! The first place was Changdeokgung palace. Due to already the fact most of us had already been there, we were not the most happy bunch. Thankfully, I brought some handwarmers to keep me warm.

Next on the list was (I forgot the name!). I hadn't been there before so it was nice to see somewhere new but my feet were bloody freezing even through my boots and bedsocks! It was so cold that the lake had frozen over! Some crazy adjusshi decided to show off for us waygooks and ended up falling over the rope on the way out. He left rather red faced with his mates laughing haha!

Crazy adjusshi

kimchi fridge

The rest of the tour went quickly thankfully! 2 people escaped around this point but I think they were called back later on haha.

We then went to a tradtional resturant. I heard of a co-worker that this place is quite expensive so we were luckly to go there. The bibimbap there was delicious. It was the highlight of the trip. Plus, I spoke to 2 guys who have been here 2 years and were made to go on this trip. It made me feel less sorry for myself and also worry for next year ><.


After lunch we went to the teddy bear museum which was bizarre. It had 2 sections, old Korea and new Korea.

Namsam tower was the same as always. We were set free after where me and a friend went for some Christmas drinks and cake. I am eating too much this month!

Christmas party and snow!!

Last night I had a Christmas party with my friends from work. There was 7 of us in my small apartment by it was cosy rather than crowded. I also invited one of my friends who lives near me. We arranged a secret Santa last week so we put the gifts under the tree (though it was already full from gifts from home haha).

It was a really good night even though we couldn't drink as it was a work night. I think we got drunk on all the sugar! Oh my there was sooo much food. We were all worried there wouldn't be enough food but everyone had doggy bags to takes home and I had Sarah's left over lasagna this morning. It was the best homemade lasagna ever! Now I have an oven I can cook dishes like this!! I made chilli and jelly (not together) and Mina/Minji/Sue brough a selection of food from kimbap heaven. Craig and Juhee made cupcakes(though Juhee's were more fancy! :p).

We also had loads of chocolate and snacks! We ate so much that Craig couldn't take for about an hour after. Plus everyone loved my friend. They all got along so well! ^^ At one point they were discussing his scottish accent and Sarah tried to copy but ended up crying from laughter!

There was also some dancing which was funny in my small apartment. I love Christmas it just brings people together.

We opened some crackers that my mum sent us (don't worry mum! Not the homemade ones). It was the first time pulling crackers for some of my co-workers which was fun to see!

The winners!

Christmas next week! ^^

So, on Saturday I started my Christmas celebrations. On the actual day I am not seeing anyone as I have already done the celebrating with friends on Christmas and I enjoyed it but it didn't feel like Christmas. I few people have invited me to join them but I just want to watch Christmas movies, make a 3 course lunch and phone my family for a few hours.

This Saturday I was going to have a mini Christmas party with two of my friends whom I have known since I have come here. Sadly, one of them was sick so me and my other friend decided on a movie and dinner. But since we can't use our cards to pay through the CGV website we couldn't book tickets and the movie was sold out. That really annoys me though. My co was telling me that most websites will not allow us waygooks to pay online. I mean WTF! Single us out or summit. When people come to the UK they get the same card rights as everyone else! Blah! Just annoys me that I have to get my Korean friends to pay on their cards sometimes and I transfer the money to them.

So back to Saturday.... Me and my friend decided to splash out and go to a fancy resturant. It was so delicious! His face when he saw the steak was priceless haha. There was also a family celebrating a 1st birthday in there.The whole family was so cute and he was dressed in tradtional clothes! It felt like a proper Christmas meal. I got tipsy on some Sangria (The glasses were huge!). We then popped over to my mates house and watched two movies about drag queens. We even started dancing at one point. Oh wine! It was 2am when I got home. I haven't stayed out that late for ages but I didn't even notice the time at the end I was having such a laugh.

I actually feel really relaxed and happy at the moment. No-one making me feel bad for not wanting to go out. It's also Christmas next week and I get to see my family in a month. ^^

Yesterday, I just cleaned my apartment for my Christmas party and recovered from the previous night~~ I managed to download the Royal family Christmas special! So funny! I left my dvd of it back home :'(

Anyways off for shabu shabu later! Busy this week having mini celebrations with friends :D

One more year in Seoul!

I've just re-signed my contract for one more year in South korea. So far the process has been easy. My school just got me to sign the application last month and today my contract came. They are now sending it off to get stamped. I have to get my medical checks next month and then get my visa. There are a group of us who need medical checks so we will probably go together.