Time for a REVAMP!

Zynia can't believe it either!

Indeed, it's about time. What, you're back? The lowdown? Yes, we're back. Daegu it is. And it's parte deux, yo!

So here's the scoop: my 2nd blog-in-waiting, In a Giant Pickle, will house photo opps, pretty things, and whatever catches my fancy. Yes, yes, double yes. Pictures of the kids too!

And (drumroll, please!), I finally get myself signed up with Tumblr. Oh, yes, my little pickles, we're getting this show back on the road with the korean experience at Tumblr. Fun times..

This time, with a little more coffee, kimchi and not to mention, some pickles. Did I mention I love pickles?

It's all slow to come, but don't lose hope! We're gearing up for the holidays.. and there's LOTS of fun to be had!

Enjoy your pickles,

Chels & the kiddos

It may be April 1st, but it's no joke..

C'est le grand adieu!

Well, my friends.. it looks like the time has come! It's been over a year since my last post, and according to my close consultation with the internet (we still discuss, you know, from time to time), it's only obvious that that would put this blog in the dead zone! No updates, no following, yo! So what does that mean for The Korean Experience?! Drum roll, please.

As you've probably seen--or happened upon (thanks to Google)--I've slowly been writing less and less since becoming a momma. Yeah, well, I can blame it on the birth of my son, Ayden, how life takes a huge, dramatic turn (sometimes for the better, sometimes the worse) and us parents know that when you've got a moment to spare, it ain't gonna be updating a blog: it's gonna be sleeping (or breast pumping, or snacking, or finally showering since you can't remember when was the last time you did so...am I right?) Sure, there are mommas out there, Miss Suzie-homemakers, juggling life with a zillion kids, working AND going to school, and yet they still blogged.. but I wasn't one of them! lol. What I was doing was better. I was raising my son and daughter, speaking 2-3 languages daily (counting French, if I was up to the head trauma!), pounding pavement and fighting the local adjummas in the nearby markets for my share of cheap food, healthcare and education-related activities! Oh, and I can list another 100 pages or so of things I settled for, and what I wanted to do but didn't, or couldn't, cuz of some significant 'other' that had his thumb placed on my head for way too damn long.. and now that sweet baby Zynia is nearing 5 months, and my amazing Aydenbear (..still in awe) is almost 2 and 1/2 years old.. I've finally realized it's time to lay The Korean Experience to rest. At least, for now, since...

We're no longer in Korea (wow, I never thought I'd be saying that... so, let me pause a moment and soak that in.)

....and so (deep breath, wipe tear, clear throat), it doesn't quite make sense to continue talking about the experience of living in Korea if we're not there, right? It's almost like the name of my blog was a forethought to having lived in Korea, as if I should be writing about it, about the experience, after having lived there (wrap that one around yer head!) Because, let me just say, the experience was far greater and far more life changing than I ever would have imagined! Thank God for closure. And not necessarily, a closure to an entirely good experience one would consider by 'western thought,' if you will. But that's another great story waiting to be written. Nonetheless, I cannot quite live with the idea of throwing this blog away, either. I guess it would nullify every damn thing I went through; and that, my friends, is not an option!

So here's the plan.

I still can't believe it's been almost 5 years since the inception of this blog (back in 2005, huh?), and there's quite a few resources on this blog that have been/will be useful to future ESL teachers. So, lucky for you, I'm leaving this blog up. AND, I'm extending the invitation for you to write me* (my loyal or passing readers) for questions, concerns, inquiries, wise-crack jokes, or the like (here's your que to slap your knee...) should you choose to do so. Mind you, I was an ESL teacher for nearly 5 years in Daegu, and I recruited teachers as well as networked within the Daegu community (although, once you have kids, your focus on life changes quite a bit, and I migrated to the "not quite a foreigner any longer, but yet not quite Korean either" spectrum of local expats). Sure, there are still 'lifers' in Korea (or about Korea, and my blog has long since stopped ranking anyway), plus a few of the well-known faves, but I'm the *lucky one* who said auf wiedersehen to my Nazi boss and got out (!). You can send all correspondence (and money?!) to kimchiandcoffee (at) gmail (dot) com*.

On the other hand, I will be Vlogging/Blogging vicariously, but where and with whom, is yet to be determined. There is so much to talk about back home in the Pacific Northwest (and man, is it GREAT to be home!), my creative momma skills are just waiting to be put on display for ALL the world to see! So make sure you check back on this post for an update!

To all my experiences, all the people I've met, all the places I've been---and to Daegu, my 'home away from home,'.......

Adieu!

~ Chelsea

Spreading the Word: New Daegu Magazine, Valentine's Day Treat & New Website Look Coming SOOOON!

Hey all...

Wow, a year ago was my last post. Can you believe it? I'm SOOO in need of updating. Pfft!

Ayden bear is nearly 16 months (and working on getting his last 4 Canine's--ahem, that means he's acting like 3, so you can imagine!), I'm teaching now at Yeungjin College Kindergarten (and L-O-V-E it!), I've been frantically getting all my ducks in a row to get going on my Master's....and in the meantime, realized I need to not only update this website, but give it a new look. So where does that leave me? Right in the middle of "shit to do" and "don't know where to start," alley. Yep! So here goes, I'm starting somewhere with the first set of footprints on this long haul...


Top of my list, the new Daegu magazine called "Daegu Pockets" which promises to be filled with loads of information, bilingual in Korean and English. What a neato thing, eh? It's about time! Foreigners realizing their presence here in Daegu, for all the world to see. Check it out!

Second, the Alliance Francaise de Daegu (which I'm geekily apart of) here at Kyungpook National University will have a little "Gouter Saint Valentin" for all you French speakers. Starting at 330pm, there will be refreshments and cake for those who come to sing or recite a poem about love. C'est merveilleux! So come out and support the French Alliance of Daegu, and practice your French, meanwhile :)

Last, but certainly not least.. I'll be updating this website with a new look here shortly. I've played around with some varieties, pictures, new gadgets, but alas.. this website was last updated when I was a single, free-wheelin' chic, scootin' on my buddy's hot-rod (my Daelim is still kicking, though barely!) and well---I no longer fit that profile (tragic..) Now I visit the local Korean public bath for kicks, and hang out with the family at HomePlus and eMart on Saturday nights instead of partying all night at the local club. What a life change, yo.

Okay, enough for now. Time to head out and get some exercise I promised myself at the beginning of the year (not to mention, W160,000 less in my pocket for 3 months!)

Ciao, et a la prochaine! See ya next time :)

~ Chelsea

Our little Bubbly Butt!

Finally a moment to sit and relax with my cappuccino mix!

After I dropped Ayden off at the daycare, I sped home to clean up the house and do some laundry before I was off to work. Our little guy was just drifting off to sleep, as he usually does when we take him in the car. It's hard dropping him off to be cared for, when of course, I'd rather keep him to myself all day long. On the positive side, I get a few hours to do stuff I normally can't do when I'm taking care of Ayden.

Workwise, I don't have quite the inspiration that I used to have at FLI, especially knowing that I'll most likely be transferring to either the kindergarten or the college side after my contract is up. I just don't want to deal with ever-fluctuating schedules, last minute changes and of course, ENGLISH CAMP! Ugh.. I told Ahsan that I'm through with English camps. No more. Done! Now I'll be looking forward to summer and winter vacation, free time and travel---no longer burdened by a discombobulated camp season!

I've been taking so many videos of Ayden, I feel a bit overwhelmed by what I have and how much I want to upload for the family to see. So I just put it off another day, especially since Ayden has gotten so busy-body; he's very fussy, he always wants to sit upright, and when I leave him for a second to roll on his own, he gets very vocal and lets me know he doesn't like it! I feel a bit drained for energy, but definitely a lot better considering that I had spent the latter part of February and now March being sick--combo between a mild cold and allergies. Not fun stuff!

Here's a few of my favorite pictures of Mr. Ayden, taken between February and March. These are the "firsts" that I'm most proud of!

Ayden's first roll-over on his own!

The first quirky little home family picture (Ayden has a new sleep outfit!) We actually took a family photo in December, so this is the official second family photo. Aren't we just cute?

First family trip to the zoo!

First trip to Homeplus with the carseat
(my hands were getting tired holding Ayden all the time!)

A not a first, but one of many beautiful pictures of our boy sleeping: actually we went "walking at the park" for the first time, and as expected, Ayden slept the whole time!!

Ahsan and I have coined another lovely nickname for him. So instead of "pumpkin noodle" it's now become "bubbly butt" (which is quite funny because Ahsan's family name is "Butt"--and I've long since told him he needs to spell it like "Baht" or "Bauht"--considering the English spelling, of course. I personally don't want to be called Mrs. Butt: so, thankfully, Ahsan's family gave him his mother's last name, Manzoor, which is a thousand times better!)

So here's to our little Bubbly Butt, Ayden. We love you! Momma and daddy are so proud.

By the way, I posted NEW VIDEOS of Ayden at my YouTube site. Ayden is just too adorable!

Ayden is getting SO big...

Our little punchkin (fusion of "munchkin" and "pumpkin", cute huh?) is growing like a weed. Literally. I was browsing through some videos~just a few of the zillion I have taken~and realized just how behind I am at updating everyone.

This particular video was taken when Ayden was 3 months old~ January 11th. So for the next few posts, I will refer to pictures and videos uploaded on both Flikr and YouTube sites, seeing as I have so so many pictures and videos now...honestly, our little boy keeps me oh-so-busy, I barely have time to shower and think about what's going on tomorrow, let alone update my blog and various communication devices! lol.

Motherhood has definitely blossomed for me. I feel like I finally understand what my mother went through, taking care of my brother and I~ particularly how she may have felt being a single mom, managing her work schedule, taking us to/fro school, coordinating when we went to see our dad, and just dealing with the ins and outs of daily life. That's exactly what I'm going through... and my husband just loves that I manage to not only work, but keep the house clean, take care of our little guy (to and fro daycare, too!), and somehow get a little sleep all within a 24 hour period. Quite a transition from my life just a year ago!

It's surely not a walk in the park.. but I love our little punchkin more and more each day.

Well, looks like I have 30 minutes of--OMG--free time before I pick up our little bun from daycare. And yes, I will eventually talk about daycare here in Korea, because it's long overdue. Gawd, where the hell have the past few months gone? Little Ayden is ALREADY rolling on his front, he always wanting to be upright, and he's now babbling up a storm. Isn't this little guy precious?



I don't mind not sleeping, but I need my freetime to exercise my stress off! So.. I'm off to get my heart pumping...

Until next time!