Long weekend? Already?

I'll take it!

The 2nd semester only just started, but I have Monday off b/c no classes, hurray! This is definitely a huge perk of being the foreign teacher on a separate contract from my Korean counterparts. Way less work. Way less responsibility. Way more flexibility. I don't know if I make more or less than they do, though.

Actually I should amend that previous paragraph to say it's a huge perk of MY JOB. Not all foreign teachers have this kind of flexibility with their schools. In fact, most don't. Especially considering I don't work for a university (yet). But God likes me a lot, I think, so I often end up in great living spaces and now great workplaces too.

Heavily edited photo of me looking somewhat smug.
Ironically, I'm at work in this shot.

Also, here are some cool photos I took recently, just because I'm trying to use Facebook less for important things. Like random photos..... Anyway here:

Cider at this place called Galmegi I think

Fried Chicken Curry....with cheese. It was good!

Lavender around all the trees in my neighbourhood.

Monday Funday

It was a good day, I just wanted to say that.

I now start late every Monday, which means a much more relaxing introduction to the work week for the rest of the semester. Especially great as the days get shorter and the mornings get darker.

Also, the earliest I will be starting on any given day is 11:30 (an hour later than the previous 10:30). Pretty sweet.

Also, on the way home, there was a food truck selling churros!

Pretty clever name, yes?

Of course I bought some.

For those of you on the other side of the planet, I hope your Monday is as good as mine was!

Angel xo

I Dreamed a Dream.... and then it happened. Kinda.

So I've been experiencing some dream realness lately.

Exhibit A

The night of Aug. 6. I dreamt that I received an envelope I was waiting for from Air Canada, but instead of the cheque for $400 that I was expecting, it was a gift certificate to some store for $280. I was frustrated and bewildered. The next day, I received that envelope and instead of a cheque for $400, it was a NOTICE of compensation. In other words, an I.O.U. I was frustrated and bewildered.

Exhibit B

The night of Aug. 7. I dreamt that I received a cheque from my alma mater for $13,000 because I had such a high GPA. I remember saying, "Now THAT'S what I'm talking about!" I felt elated. The next day, I didn't receive money BUT there was a sale at the Shoe Company and I got 3 pairs of shoes, all shoes that I'd been meaning to get for a WHILE, for less than $150. I felt elated and said something like, "YES! THAT'S what I'm talking about!"

Exhibit C

Last night. I dreamt that I had a conversation with Sammy, a family member who passed away earlier this year. I don't know if it was a visitation dream, because we didn't talk about much, except going out for dinner. He wasn't eating (didn't need to anymore), but was happy to go with us and chat and drink tea while we ate. Mostly I remember him just looking at me and smiling. This morning, my first day of work for the semester, I'm in the final stages of getting ready to go and I get a text from my Korean teacher liaison and he tells me that there's been a schedule change and today (and every Monday now) I only have 2 classes and don't start until 4pm (rather than 4 classes and starting at 10:30am). His English name.... is Sam.

Mind Blown

That is all. Enjoy your day!

Eau Canada!

This post is not about water, but I thought "Oh Canada" would have been too unoriginal. So just give me a tiny clap for my tiny piece of creativity in that title

*waits for tiny applause*... Okay moving on.

I went to Canada! From July 31st to August 11th I was really quite blessed to be present for the wedding of a great friend of mine from high school and also to see friends and family in Toronto. And now I'm back! People had asked me early on in my time here in Busan whether or not I missed Toronto. And I started to miss it after a while, but at first the only response I had was "I miss my family. I miss my friends. I don't really miss Toronto." I do love Toronto, but it was really the presence of my mum and dad; my brother and sister-in-law; my friends that made this trip great.

PARKSVILLE, VANCOUVER ISLAND, BC

Jana's wedding was BEAUTIFUL. She was BEAUTIFUL. The day was BEAUTIFUL. And that whole weekend was just..... you know. I felt so loved and even though I wasn't in the bridal party I felt like I was a part of it all. It wasn't my day, so it wasn't about me, but I'm the protagonist in the movie of my life and in this part of the movie all I felt was joy for Jana and Craig and also for myself, because I felt so included. I don't know how Jana did it. I suspect she is magical. Leenie and Cierra think so too. Speaking of Cierra and Leenie (and also Izzy), THANK YOU for the long ass ride from/to Comox airport. Also thank you for listening to my rant about that gosh darn taxi driver. It was a good story hey?! Chad, another good friend from high school, was the awesomest roomie/wedding buddy ever. And I got to reconnect with/meet Andrea (also from high school but we didn't really talk). It really was all quite perfect.

All packed and ready to head out the door. July 31, 2015

FINALLY in Parksville and hanging out the night before Jana and Craig's big day.

Chad and Leenie

The beautiful bride, Jana

Andrea!

Wedding Day!

Teehee!

Maude/Betsy 

I was SO happy to eat this breakfast. It was SO tasty and now I want to eat it again.

Cocktail time!

We're so good looking.

But she's just gorgeous!

First dance as a married couple!

Leenie and Cierra (just cuz they're awesome)

L-R: Leenie, Cierra, Some girl.

Their room had a gorgeous view!

TORONTO, ON

My week in Toronto was chill (literally and figuratively. HA!) and pleasant and I didn't do everything I had initially planned to do, but I did the important things, and I did them fully. I got to spend some really substantial time avec ma famille and got to see some of the friends I'd been missing while here in Busan. Thanks for making time for me (in order of appearance) Matt, Sarah, Leona, Keith, Letesha (plus Praise!), and Najla. I had a blasty blast with you all! Thank you to my Mama and Papa for all the great food and for letting me stay with you in your new home! It was great to see my cousin Kay-Dean and my Uncle Evon at the BBQ (on one of the few Sunny days while I was in Toronto womp womp).

Flavoured soju = Victory!

She's so cute.

They have a pool!!

Christening the new BBQ master chef!

Siblings!

D'awwwww

Hangouts with Friends

Brunch at Insomnia!

With Sarah!

Poutiiiine at Smoke's

With Keith and Leona!

Time for some BIG DRANKS!

Awww yis

Also dessert and colouring. It was tons of fun.

Albion Falls, Hamilton

We almost bought the same shoes!

Here's an unobstructed view of the falls.

And a cool rock face/wall thing.

House Warming BBQ

Najla holding Praise

Letesha!

When the photographer makes you laugh then snaps the pic.

Me with Mama and Baby!

My brother dons Praise with his hat.

She likes it!

She also really likes chewing on bottles, apparently.

My cousin, Kay Dean, going for a leisurely climb.

She seems to be having fun.

Then is unsure of how to get down.

With my mom's help, she makes it down!

And stays seated for the remainder of the BBQ, safely on the ground lol.

The first smile I got out of Praise!

I was very pleased with myself haha.

Shout out to Air Canada. Just kidding I low-key hate you.

Bye!