*edit* I realize that some of the pictures are cut off on the side, but if you just click on them they will open in their own window and you can see them in their full glory ^___^



So I shamelessly stole this picture from Amy, but I just think it's great. Such happiness. Just how I feel.

Yesterday I actually watched most of the process of the votes coming in because I was home sick. For real, though. Apparently many people called in sick to work in Seoul so they could watch the results come in. I seriously felt like death and couldn't stand up very well! But that didn't stop me from watching all the polls and the speeches and being completely amazed and pleasantly surprised with the result. I have to say, part of me was a little bit wary that after all the hype about his campaign, Obama would come up short in the end for various reasons. But instead, it was one of the most exciting sick days of my life! Hooray!


So, aside from being sick recently, I've also been busy. This weekend I spent Saturday with ETA friends in Pohang, and on Sunday I climbed a pretty intense mountain with my host family. Since my camera's pretty much pooped out on me, I don't have pictures yet...but I promise, I will steal some from my friends! Anyway, here are some other ones that are long overdue:


Here's the Gyeongju Symphony concert!


Closeup of the back of my head...


After the concert, with Matt and one of my co-teachers, Mr. Park, who everyone swears is not actually Korean because he's too timid and nice. The young kid is actually my other co-teacher's son. He's 15 and his English is pretty good. Notice ALL THE FLOWERS I got! It was ridiculous. I felt a little silly because I literally had a bigger bouquet than any of the awesome soloists. That's what you get for being the only foreigner, I guess.

Anyway, here are some from my Seoul trip:


Just adorable. Panda bear like beer.


Awesome large pink headphones that I bough at COEX! Yay!


These are Colby's Yonsei friends at the place we ate lunch: 24-speed ramyun! delicious. Afterwards, we went to Noraebang...of course. And then climbed the mountain where Yoo Young-Cheol buried his victims...in pieces...*shudder*



The entrance to Lotte World! I came here 10 years ago, and I vaguely remember...but it was still like new this time!


Awesome indoor amusement park! See the little hot air balloon ride along the ceiling? We went on that...yay!


Me and Colby on the hot air balloon ride...


View from above! Lotte world is fuuun :)


See the ice rink? I really wanted to go skating....


A band at Lotte World! Fun!


Colby is trapped OH NOOOO


Who knew I'd find pharoah relics in Korea?


I'm just one of the guys.


Throwing sticks in a traditional Korean game, at the Korean Folk Museum in Lotte World.


A model of Queen Seondeok of the Silla, after whom my high school is named! (선덕여자고등학교=Seondeok Girls' High School)


Awesome setup of miniatures in the Lotte World Folk Museum.


Part of the exhibit was about the Japanese occupation of Korea from 1912-1945, which I found really interesting! I think most museums sort of brush right over that, focusing more on the older history.


Lotte World all lit up at night ^__^

Midterm break was fun!