more Christmas festivities

This is my "card ribbon"... I put a ribbon on the edge of my cabinet and attached Christmas cards to it as they came in.  It's always so great to get greetings from dear friends and families.  Plus, this keeps them out of the way and I can still enjoy them.  Fun.

 This is the stocking I got from a friend last year (thanks, Evelyn!) - and it came with me to Korea so I'd have a little Christmas cheer here.  It is small, but just the perfect size for drink mixes (thanks, Mama G!).  Hooray.

found a white candle for my Advent wreath...

Christmas loot!

Looks like Santa could still find me... even though I moved from SC to Indiana to Korea over the last 6 months.  Here is a picture of my loot from students and a few cards from other teachers.  A couple of my students made me very nice cards - and then I had the notes inside translated, because they wrote in Korean.  Ha.  The chips and candy pictured here were in the large "plastic stocking bag" - a gift from one class to me.  This is sort of a big deal, because Koreans don't really have Christmas.  It is a bit like a quiet, subtle "valentine's-type" holiday - more for couples.  People simply don't send cards or give gifts.

 Merry Christmas to me!  Christmas Eve was a fun day - I had to work normal hours, but we had out Christmas party at school (which was a program - good times, but also a ton of work) and then we had smaller parties, as well.  Pizza and chips and candy ... yum yum.

One of last weekend's projects...

I wanted to give my students something for Christmas.  After a bit of debating, I decided to do what I would normally do "at home" - origami.  Now, I know this might seem ridiculous - me, making origami for Korean children... but I did two things they are not used to.  First, I glittered it!  (It simply can not be Christmas without glitter.)  Also, I made them ornaments - which is different because few people here have Christmas trees.  Even if they don't have a tree, I suggested that they put it on a door knob or something.

 The trees were given to my coworkers - other teachers, receptionists, aids, our boss.

 Stars and trees and hearts and cranes, oh my!

 Each student got a handwritten note and then the younger students also got an origami gift.  For the "littles" (my youngest students) - the girls got these hearts (which I think I used to make with my Grandmother, btw).  I put their notes inside.  They have not seen them before and loved them.

 Lots of origami.  My friend, Anna, helped LOTS.  She is a fantastic origami coach.

O, Tannebaum!

Here is a sneak peek...

 This was my tree "before" -- a friend used it last year.  It was expensive, but trees were difficult to come by here last year.  This year, she upgraded, and gave me her old one.  It had the ornaments glued on, and some of them were broken.  I knew I wanted to redo it, but didn't have time until, um, today.  (Yes, it's Christmas.)  Guess it's a good thing that I leave my tree up at least until Epiphany.

Here is my tree "after" I redid it.  Generally, I prefer the traditional green tree with classic white lights.  However, my tree this year has colored lights... which reminds me of the childhood tree I always had in my own room while growing up.  Fun.

 I got the ornaments (some of which were also used on my wreath) and the red garland while out getting other things.  Of course, my tree has more origami... it just isn't Christmas without origami, right?!

In case you were wondering...

  If you were reading a different post, I'm sure you were wondering what I did with the rest of that green garland... I made a wreath for my front door, of course.

  I really enjoy traditional green wreaths, perhaps with a bit of a theme or twist.  I wanted to include something Korean, or at least Asian, though these aren't really done here.  (yet... I'm sure people will see mine and want to put one up, too)  For Christmas, I do love to incorporate origami.  Also, as a side note, I got some mini silver and blue ornaments when shopping for something else... so it pretty much all came together.  THANKS to Anna, for her assistance with this and where to hunt for things and everything else she does.

A little origami with two of the ornaments.

 The finished project, hanging on my door to welcome those who visit or pass by.

 The center of the bow is, of course, even more origami.  Yes, each 

origami ornament has glitter... you know I just can't stop myself.  I love glitter!!

Home, Sweet Home, Part I

 Many people have been asking about my apartment... so, here is one of my two main rooms.

This is my  bathroom in my apartment in Korea.  I have pretty much "lucked" out with my accomodations... and I am thankful to have been so blessed.  When I first moved in, there were a few mildew/black mold issues... but I have been working on that.  I thoroughly bleached EVERYTHING and used a few things to disable the mold.  When my friend, Eric, was here, he got me some caulk and a caulk gun (um, yeah, total further confirmation that he def. likes me...); so SOON, I shall be ripping up some of the caulk that is there and cleaning under it, then reapplying new.  I'm very excited, just haven't had a chance to do it yet.  At least the area is cleaner, which helps me breathe a bit better.  Hooray.

 This is my "shower".  It is the whole bathroom, just a shower head on the wall above the sink.

 Notice the drain on the floor under the sink.  This is where all the water from my shower goes.  I pretty much just pour bleach down it every few weeks to keep it flowing quickly.  Otherwise, you end up with a few inches of water sitting on your bathroom floor after every shower; which is not my fav.  However, I am quite thankful that I have running water, that I now know how to operate the hot water and usually have it, that I have my own bathroom, etc.
  Yes, the floor is VERY slippery when wet.  I usually place one towel in front of the sink to help me avoid falling.  Then I put one towel by the door, so that I can go into the bathroom whilst getting ready and then dry my feet at the door before exiting.  This means I also can't put on my socks (or tights) until just before I leave unless I am done in the bathroom... a slight inconvenience. 

 This is the bathroom "fan"... Yes, it might also look like the window.  The Koreans love to open windows to "help circulate the air and keep you healthy"... I have yet to see the windows in the bathroom at school shut; no matter what the temperature is outside.  Often, I put my coat on to go to the bathroom at work.

After I took my first shower in Korea, all the "toilet paper shields" that I kept seeing suddenly made sense.  This is the counter running from my sink to the wall by the door.  Everything in the bathroom can and will get wet when you shower; so it doesn't really make sense to me to even have a counter here - you can't really store much on it.  Also, the towel rack is directly across from where the shower head is.  When I questioned this, I was reminded that it was probably put there because that is where "it is supposed to be" - like someone saw it in a magazine or something, so that is where they put it; never mind that it should be placed where it will be able to best function.

How do you celebrate Gaudete Sunday?

"REJOICE in the Lord always; and, again, I say REJOICE." -- Psalm 100

  As the third week of Advent begins, I finally finished my Advent wreath!  This is no small feat in Korea, mind you.  First, we had to find something for the green wreath part.  There are some Christmas wreaths in Korea - they are already decorated (um, not quite the way I would do it, to put it nicely) - and the embellishments are glued on, so there is no help for it.  Oh, did I mention that a SMALL (ugly) wreath, if you know one of the few places to find it - would be around $75 here.  Um, no thank you.

  So, as I was out and about doing other things, I was also on the hunt for a decent wreath, or actually just for some greenery so I could make my own.

  Finally, we found the Christmas section of the Electronics Mart and "talked" (which is more interesting since I do not know Korean yet) the lady into just selling us two bundles of greenery.  (for about $4 each, hooray)

  Candles are also not as readily available or decently priced here.  Additionally, I wanted specific candles (three purple, one pink, one center white...).

  This is what we (my friend helped me hunt for items) came up with.  I actually do have a larger almost white candle, but there wasn't room for it so I'm just using this yellowish one and pretending it is white.  I had to use paper Korean dixie cups for holders (hey, it was either that or old Jagger. shotglasses, which somehow just didn't seem appropriate), but it works.

  I can still use this as a reminder to prepare for what Christmas is really all about - that Jesus came to earth, to be my Lord and Savior; to live, die, and rise, for me and for you.  What a time for rejoicing!

December brings a new haircut...

  Last weekend, FINALLY, I got a long-overdue haircut. More than that, I got it straightened - which seems silly because I have always had fairly straight hair.  However, this is seriously changing my life.  I am def. a low-maintenance kind of girl.  This permits me to continue in my lazy hair ways, and still look presentable.  It's fantastic!  The straightening is like a "permanent" un-permanent.  I also got about 3.5 inches cut off... which I am still on the fence about.  It is easier and even my students say it looks better.  Hooray.

  Meanwhile, Gwangju, which doesn't really celebrate Christmas like they do in the "West" -- they put up a Christmas tree made from light strands.  On top is a lighted world, then a lighted cross.  It is interesting and so Korea...  As we were doing a bit of shopping downtown, my friend took my pic.  New haircut and city tree.

Advent Blessing from Pastor Harrison

   As you prepare for Christmas, don't miss the season of Advent.
Take a moment and check this out.  Keep watching.

      http://vimeo.com/17382359

"O Come, O Come, Emmanuel!"