Carley Ferris In Korea

back again....

2010-11-16T19:06:00.001-08:00

Needless to say I think my blog has felt a little neglectedthe past so many days -----

Things have been going well here in Korea. I am happy to saythat it is beginning to look a lot like Christmas here. In front of LotteHotel/Department Store there are lights and snow flakes and an even a hugeCHRISTMAS TREE !!!! I love it! Ihave never been somewhere (big city) that really decorates. I told Zack theother night while walking I felt like I was in New York or something and helaughed at me… One, because I have never been there and two, because I soundedlike a real country Alabamian. LOL

I have been having meetings out the wahhhzooo at work –learning new dances etc. One meeting I found out some parents did not think Iwas so great and another meeting where I found out I was doing great and mydirector was very pleased with me. She said everything she asks I just say,“YES” and do it (serving)!!!! Personally, I would say things are going well. My“little ones” class that ranged from 4-8 kids depending on the day has nowgrown to between 12-15 depending on the day of the week. My 6PM class has alsogrown from 2-4 students to 8-10! Today the director told me that when I cameenrollment was at 33 and it is now at 70 and she is hoping to reach 90 by thebeginning of December!

The other night Zack and I went to an “all you can eat” kindof place --- with tons and tons of (meat) --- it was very yummy, but I got sickfrom eating way too much! I told him we could not go back there for at least 6months … I think it might take me that long to recover.

I have been on bus patrol a little more and usually therides last about an hour or longer now since we have so many new students... Ittakes a little longer getting them all home.

Interesting things since my last blog

- Itried to cook Mac N’ Cheese one afternoon and caught the noodles on FIRE… not alittle flame, I am talking real FIRE here. Zack has limited my cooking togetting tangerines out of the frig and calling McDonalds to deliver. LOL

- Myphoto shoot went really well and it was a lot of fun. I already got my picturesback. The students in their class all had to shoot the same pictures and theywere the only group with a foreign model (me) and the pictures were of a blondeBCBG model… so hopefully they will get a good grade on the group project!!!

- Iam partly Korean… I knock people out to get a seat on the bus/subway…. I fallasleep on every bus ride…. I am NOT ashamed to RUN to catch the bus….And I donot know how to walk in a straight line.

FUNNY FACTS

The other night I was planning on going to HOMEPLUS (kind oflike a Target) and I got off at the WRONG stop… so I started walking and then 5blocks later I get on a bus to head to Zacks and as we rode past the next blockwe passed HOMEPLUS – LOL (I was ticked) --- then after arriving at my stop Iget off the bus and go down to cross under the street and I’m really hungry sothe Krispy Kreme Donuts were not helping --- and the HOOOTTTTTTT SIGN was ON…so I could NOT resist!!! I went in and got 4 --- why not 6 I dunno??? I was sohungry I decided to eat one going home and I get one out and it was COLD ---then I get in the elevator to go up to get Zack and look at myself in theelevator mirror and I realize I DID NOT PUT MY MASCARA ON --- and it is now 8PM….I went all day without it. HAHAHA

Also – Zack and I have been under the weather. Keep us inyour prayers…. Not like we can just run to Primed to get a Shot and a Z-pack.Lol

Love and Miss Everyone Like CRAZY!!!!

SHOUT OUTS

: To myMontgomery AG gang who just had FNO this past weekend. I know it went great andI pray it is the best one yet and that you make history with the amount ofmoney you raised for STL to help change lives across the world. Make me proud -this is the first one I have missed ever!!!!

: To my Crystal/ Krystal(s)

On bus drop off last week Udene looks at me and asks,“What’s your name” and I told her and said you know my name, what is yourname…. and she said CRYSTAL/KRYSTAL…. I wanted to knock that 5 year old out. Iwas thinking you have had that name the entire time and I had to learn yourKorean name. I said you have an ENGLISH NAME??? She said yes and laughed andsaid YES, CRYSTAL/KRYSTAL!!!! LOL

KIDS….. hahaha

This Week: Youguessed it, Bus Patrol again!!!

Before leaving my director looks at me and said that one wassick – she was coughing with a runny nose…. The whole nine yards, I mean allthe kids were really.

We are riding right a long and she is coughing and cryingfor her mom – I’m trying to calm her down while sitting by her. Normally Iwould have picked the child up and held them but this time I just didn’t.Moments later the child PUKES all over herself and me. I am not talking alittle bit. It went all into the seat we were sitting in and into the floor infront of us. I don’t know how that much came out of her little body. I amtrying to yell at the bus driving and he does not understand a lick of English.Luckily “Crystal’s” mother was riding with us. I turn around and explain whathas happened. She helps me take the little girls jacket off etc…. while I tryand take my own jacket and scarf off that are covered. HAHA ---- all the whilethe bus driver just keeps on driving and all the kids are holding their nosesand screaming. It was an adventure to say the least.

I tried to go home and change because once we got to thenext stop and I got out my jeans were covered…. I had been sitting in it theentire time. LOL – the bus driver helped us clean out the seat etc and wefinally got that little girl to her mother. The driver couldn’t take me home,he said he was too busy. HAHA --- back at the school I had to hand wash myclothes in a shower area with conditioner. Zack took my jacket to be drycleaned to following day – thank the Lord!!!

Shirley was a model ---

2010-10-31T07:05:00.003-07:00

Saturday –

So…. Before leaving for the photo shoot meeting – I decidedto cook some Mac-n-Cheese --- and the noodles caught on fire and I almostburned the house down. Close call.

The meeting went really great. I meet 4 amazing women atStarbucks who are college students majoring in photography. They told me alittle about themselves and I did the same and we looked at the pictures thatthey wanted to shoot and they are amazing – I just hope that I do ok. I alsotold them about my friend, Evan Cooper. (free plug – LOL)

During conversation my friend Mike came into Starbucks andit caught me off guard because I am not use to seeing people who look (like me)in the same place that I am. LOL

During conversation with my new friends we began talkingabout what I teach my “little ones” at the studio. I told them simple thingslike numbers, greetings and the weather. We then started talking about theweather and snow. Strange I know --- but it lead Connie to say if they everwant snow at Christmas time they have to “pray to God” --- so this struck up aconversation and opened the door for me to ask her if she believed --- she saidYES, she was a Christian. We then began talking about church and what churchshe attends --- she told me that her and her grandmother go to church together!

She also told me that tomorrow when we finish the shoot shewants to go to a foreigner event that happens the be the “global event” Italked about in a previous blog that ICC – our church is participating intomorrow. She said she wants us to go together. Really excited about today andthe new friendships that were made.

We also talked about family and how I am the same age as herolder sister – she said “I can call you sister!” I then showed them pictures ofmy family and they fell in love with Arden and Jake and said that Mom lookedreally young!! --- I told them she use to model back in the day!!!

Rascal Ridin ---

2010-10-29T19:49:00.000-07:00

(update from coffee)

Coffee with Andrew went well. We planned to meet at 7:30 andhe called around 7:40 and we then realized he was at the wrong Dunkin Donuts –LOL

Conversation was good – we talked about work and travels andfamily. I told him most of my traveling has been done with my church, and hethen asked if I were a Believer… I said yes, and he quickly said I AM TOO –before I could even ask – LOL

We planned a time to meet again for coffee next week.

Wednesday was cold

Thursday was colder ----Winter is here.

Classes went good on Wednesday and Thursday. Thursday nightthe studio closed a little early because they were going to watch some danceperformance somewhere --- but it wasn’t early for me, since I had just finishedmy last class!

Thursday night when I left the studio I was waiting at thecrosswalk where I saw a man riding a RASCAl – (motorized scooter) down thestreet in an actual lane of traffic --- hilarious. I also got to talk to Sisterand Arden and Jake as they were on their way to school and work via Skype onsister’s phone!!!

Yesterday was Friday --- WHOOOOP WHOOOOP --- Yesterday Iofficially survived my FIRST MONTH of teaching!!! So exciting.

When I got to school yesterday my director asked me if Iknew of the TV channel, NBC? I said yes and she told me she wants us to doadvertising on NBC and the NBC people were at the school earlier and reallywanted to meet me – WHAT!!??? LOL

Most schools were having parties yesterday since Halloweenis this weekend, wish my school did too – LOL – but we just danced !!!

Saturday-

Today I am meeting “new” friends at Starbucks – who areuniversity students that want to do a photo shoot with me for school tomorrow.Exciting about meeting new friends! Tonight Zack and I are going to Daegu forthe evening to have dinner with one of Zack’s good friends here and his fiancé!Should be a fun evening. Sunday is church and a type of global event afterchurch. Hope I can make part of it depending on the time of the shoot.

Another week down… Hard to believe that today makes 6 weeksthat I have been living in South Korea!

---So thankful I encounter the Love of God everyday!

Til Next Time.

the third time is NOT always a charm!!!!

2010-10-26T07:45:00.000-07:00

Friday was pretty laid back for the most part --- all of thestudent tried their costumes on and we just rehearsed for the dance performanceopen house that would be held on Saturday.

Saturday – I had to be at the studio around 12PM to startpreparing for the open house that would be held at 5PM. When I got there manyof our students were already there. We began by doing hair and makeup --- ifyou have ever participated in a dance performance then you know we’re basicallyjust doing the typical pre-performance stuff. Before leaving for the school Zack was already sporting hisGAME DAY attire as he called it... a blue button down shirt with an orangetie….. you would have thought he was getting ready to be on ESPN he was soooexcited !!!! haha

By 5PM the dancers were lined up and the studio was packedwith friends and family who had come to watch the kids perform and there werealso people who had come to just “check out” the studio since it just opened.

Me and the “little ones” were up first. I thought they weregoing to dance but I had to suit up as well and even wear a headset and dancewith them and talk in the headset the entire time – LOL – After all the dancershad finished their pieces they broke out the refreshments!!!! When I sayrefreshments I mean (cookies, fruit, chips, eel, cake, all sorts of Koreanstuff -- I had no idea what itwas) and we ate all of it with chopsticks. My director’s mom made a specialplace for Zack and I along with some of the other foreigners to sit. Zack, Josh and Stephen stood out alittle… (3 white men with scruff) People were taking pictures of themthroughout the night. LOL

Everyone just sat down on the floor and grubbed out for themost part… around 7PM we left and headed to Busan --- it took us way longer toget there than normal because of the traffic --- this time of year, GwangalliBeach in Busan has a HUGE fireworks show on the beach at night and everyone washeaded in that direction.

This is who I got to sit by -- he was really talkative!

Sunday --- we went to church and it was a wonderful day.Zack was so pumped Auburn won – he even worn his Auburn t-shirt to church – LOLAfter service Zack and I decided to go different routes for lunch. I ate soupand I don’t know what he ate because I did not eat with him (LOL) --- we metafter lunch for coffee. It was yummy!!!! Zack then had a tutoring session and Iwent to get my hair done… MISTAKE!!!!!

I went to the first place (first being a key word) – I hadan appointment and they spoke English. The salon looked really nice and I justnew everything would be great. Well after everything was done… I came out withORANGE roots --- CAROTT TOP!!!! I tried to stay calm but I was freaking andthey said that was the lightest they could get my roots. So I called Zack and thankfully he tooka break and took me to another place (which also seemed really nice) weexplained what happened and they understood what happened and what needed to bedone to get it the right color – an hour later my entire head was um.. YELLOW!Needless to say I was almost in tears but it was funny at the same time. I wasalso thankful I still had hair with as much color and BLEACH as they used. Shelooked at me and said this looks a little “BRIGHT” and I was thinking DUH???? Iwonder if she really thought it looked bad or if she could tell from my face howawful it looked. Needless to saythe next bowl they brought out looked like tomato juice…. I freaked and sheassured me it wouldn’t turn that color… so all in all they TONED it down a lotand I now have um…. GRAY in my hair ---- Zack jokes that I look like an oldlady and shouldn’t have paid for gray hair when I could get it for FREE in 60years he says. Haha…… it may not look good but it looks way better than what itFIRST looked like and also what it looked like the SECOND time. I wouldn’t saythat the THIRD time was the CHARM but it was way better than the first two. Itold Zack I am going to have to teach him how to highlight my hair at home.What a great BF! LOL

just hanging out while my scalp is burning

Do you need to add some curl.... we can hook you up to this machine...

waiting --- not knowing the outcome would be a BRIGHT one.

I really love 80's music but I don't want to look like I am part of the band!!!!

I don't even really know what to say about this....

Oh my!!!

hello --- I promise I'm only 23, but i look 65!

Today is Tuesday and I got a call from Zack this morning saying it was freezing outside and to dress warm today. He was not lying by any means. It is freezing here today. I even have on tights and a double jacket --- i wish i had a scarf, gloves and a hat on too. I dread leaving work tonight because it's going to be so cold.

Tonight I am meeting a "new friend" his name is Andrew. He wants to practice his English -- normally people pay you for like a "private lesson" but he wanted to do a language exchange -- so I agreed to at least meet him tonight --- we will see how it goes. I am looking forward to the Coffee we will have at Dunkin Donuts because I know it will be SUPER COLD tonight.

BABYSITTERS CLUB

2010-10-21T19:49:00.000-07:00

Wednesday – “WHAT A DAY!” (LOL)

Yesterday I arrived at the studio changed my clothes and waited for my “littleones” to arrive. Usually they sneak in the door and all yell “HELLO!” – Butyesterday I could hear them when they got off of the elevator. There were 8 ofthem. One was crying and she worked herself all up to where she threw up allover her clothes and then got another one crying (the tiniest one in my class,Park Soo Jin)…. So I put throw up girl in the office with the director andhelped the rest of the kids get changed for class. I had to hold Park Soo Jinthe entire class while dancing because throw up girl had got her all upset!

After changing them back into their street clothes I wasinformed I was on “Bus Patrol” LOL –So we all headed down in the elevator and Ifelt more comfortable this time since I had done this once before…but Idefinitely had my phone with me incase anything went wrong. Everyone knew wherethey lived and the bus driver didn’t try to drop anyone off at the wrong home thistime… thank the Lord!

By the time I got back to the school --- the 4:30 class wasalmost over --- so I just watched them rehearse for Saturday’s Open House. Ithen had a little break and went and had some cheese sticks and water andchocolate chip muffins!!! Before my 6:00 Jazz class my director tells me theyoungest one doesn’t like the ballet class and she thinks its boring (I’mthinking well yeah you have to be dedicated to take it --- even at a young age)----long story short my director wanted me to try playing games, so that’s justwhat I did. We danced for about 10-15 minutes of the class…. The rest of thetime we played (duck-duck-goose, red light-green light, hide and go seek, tag,teacher (Simon) says, 3-6-9 and musical chairs) I think she enjoyed the class alittle more – LOL (I think I did too)

Once classes were finished I met Zack for dinner and beforewe were finished I had to use to restroom. In this place you have to take thekey – walk down an ally – and unlock the 3rd door on the right to get to the restroom. As I was getting readyto lock the door back and head back to the restaurant... I noticed throughanother door it looked like “PEDICURES” were taking place – I got so excited.Once I made it back to the restaurant I told Zack that were walking a differentway home than we came. We walked around the corner and thank you JESUS --- itwas a massage place. What Ithought were pedicures were actually foot massages. I got a 40-minute leg/foot massage for a grand total of$15.00…. I mean where else can you find that. They also offer facial, wholebody and shoulder. I cannot wait to go back to this place --- I have a strongfeeling I am going to become a regular customer and they will see me at leastonce a week …maybe more (LOL)!!!!!

of course they make you soak your dirty feet ......

Thursday - - -

I had to once again come in early for advertising. Basicallyto pass out flyers and stand out like crazy in a crowd and draw attention tothe dance studio information booth we had set up! Thank you Jesus for all thoseAIM trips where I had “tract hand-out practice”. I’m not sure I would be making it with out that prep-time.

I got to the dance school about 12:10 (considering how latemy director was last time, I figured she would be late again.) So about 12:45she calls and says she is “running late” and the manager of the studio iscoming to get me. A few minutes later Young Do comes in the door and we walkabout 4 blocks to a local park --- the new location for our advertising. Therewere a ton of people that came through the park --- we were able to pass outhundreds and hundreds of flyers, it is probably the best location by far!

I saw several of my students walking through the parkheading from one school to the next and they ran up and hugged me! It made myday so much brighter!!!

Many parents seemed interested in classes for their childrenand hopefully many will sign up – there was a small special needs little boyand he was loving the TV we had set up that was playing dance videos. We rockedout to “head, shoulders, knees and toes” in the middle of the park – he alreadyknew all the motions and everything. He was loving it and he was also lovin’his chicken on a stick that he was tearing up!

Classes went well this afternoon and the night ended withanother trip to the foot massage place.

4,000 WON ???

2010-10-19T06:40:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was Monday and the day started out with me notfeeling my best. Zack tried to get me medicine from several differentpharmacies and they all said that I needed a prescription --- Most times you donot need a prescription at the pharmacy, you just tell them what is going onand they give you medicine from behind the counter --- and there are pharmacieslocated everywhere --- like sometimes there are pharmacies located next door toone another – LOL

At this point it was early afternoon and I had to head on tothe dance studio – but thankfully the Lord gave me the perfect amount ofstrength to make it through the day and teach all of my classes. We had decidedthat I would just have to go to the doctor’s office early the following morning(Tuesday).

Well… lastnight after I finished teaching I was headed to catch the bus – which I missedby the way. I was thinking “Man… I just missed the bus :(!!!“ --- But I decided while waiting for the next bus that I would walk intoanother pharmacy and just “TRY AGAIN”.

I typed in my phone what was wrong with me and my phonetranslated what I typed into Korean --- the pharmacist did speak some brokenEnglish so that really helped. Needless to say “missing the bus” was actually aBLESSING.

“Watch closely, or you just might miss HIM at work!”

The pharmacist immediately knew what I needed and got me twoprescriptions right away!

I was SHOCKED

--- One, that he understood what wasgoing on

---Two, that I did not need a prescription

--- Three, I did not haveto show any form of insurance

--- AND Four, both medications cost me a grandtotal of 4,000 Won --- roughly $3.50 :) LOL

I was superhappy. It was around 6:30AM in the states when all of this took place and I wasso excited I had to call mom and tell her.

Today Is Tuesday :)

Since I was able to get some medicine last night I didn’thave to get up and go to the doctor this morning!!!!!

I had to come into work early today because we are doingsome “Studio Advertising” before we begin our afternoon classes.

I was supposed to be at the studio today at 12:00 and I washere at 12:00. It is now 12:31…. And my director is nowhere in sight. She isalways late!!!!

(Sound like anyone you might know??? – LOL)

Well – she just arrived and we went to a different advertisinglocation today – this was located across from like a market and yet she saidthere were not enough people – so we moved back to the original location!!! Sheloaded her little car down with 4 chairs – 2 posters – 2 stands – a computer –20 cords – an 8ft table – and a huge flat screen TV. . . . and 4 people!!!! IMPRESSIVE!

So ---I only had to teach the “little ones” today!

No one showed for the 6PM class – so I headed to Busan fordinner :)

As I was getting ready to get off the bus I was reminded whyI am here.

Everyone stands up before the bus even stops because theyall want to be one of the first ones off because I guess where they are headedcant wait 2 minutes.

I was getting off and I noticed a lady on the second row andno one would let her off --- I wasthe last one off! (Show Love, Plant Seeds) It’s the small things that count!

Random Thoughts ---

I really enjoy the bus rides I take ---I have time to just think and pray and I like it
I miss Ixtapa reallllly bad
Someone needs to Flock SHIRLEY MILLER’S House!!!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TERRY GREEN.
I am sooo PROUD of ARDEN for SINGING at church in front of everyone…. Remember that time --- JANAURY would not sing at the piano with Ronnie Freemon???? LOL
I really miss my family!!!!
I need to find somewhere to get my BLACK ROOTS colored!!!

Korean Pink

2010-10-17T04:53:00.000-07:00

Hello Readers :::
Last time I visited Korea... I bought a shade of PINK nail polish. This polish became my all time favorite polish :) I loved it and so did my mom and January and Arden.... needless to say... it is almost gone and I have been searching for it since I got back to Korea.

I found it Friday !!!!!! They only had 3 bottles --- so I bought them all. :) I mean where can you buy good polish for only $1.00 each ????

Between my dance classes on Friday --- we had manicures!!!!

I have really been missing Mexican food since I arrived in Korea!!! Zack took me to a "hole in the wall Mexican place" and it was great :) I was sooo excited. You went in and ordered and ate and then had to leave because people were waiting outside to come inside and order ---it was small, very small. There were sticky notes everywhere --- people could leave a little note while eating there ---- :)

Later we enjoyed ... PAPA JOHNS and walked on the BEACH !!!

Yes --- that baby is sleeping!!!

Today we went shopping at a mall and watched people ice skating. They all have to wear a helment and gloves. We saw all ages of people from children to men in suits.... we even saw one kid with a pair of gloves on that were attached by a string in the middle --- pretty funny!!!!

I found Hamburger Meat and we had TACOS for dinner ... AGAIN!

Hope everyone had a great weekend.... tomorrow begins another work week!!!!

I hope you know where you live....

2010-10-14T06:54:00.000-07:00

Yesterday started out pretty normal for the most part until the end of my first class. My director looked at me and told me to take the "little ones" down to the bus. Normally her sister takes them down to the bus, but her sister was not at the studio yesterday. I said "just take them to the bus?"
.... her response was "yes!" ---- I said...... "I ride the bus?" and she said "yes."

So.... we headed to the elevator and down to the bus we went. We got outside and I opened the school bus door (which are more like small mini vans here) .... the bus driver looks at me and I look at him and we then take off! All the while I am thinking that I really hope these 4 and 5 years old kids know where they live because I sure as heck do not have the slightest idea.

We first pull into a brand new apartment complex and it was "ballin" to say the least.
It was sooo NICE! The bus driver turns around and looks at the little boy and they chat for a minute in Korean..... then he spots his mom and I let him out of the bus. Then his mom chased down the bus because he forgot his backpack (which he left at the dance studio.... he had hidden it in a dance locker and it only took us like an hour to find it) ..... first kid at home ---CHECK!

We then headed out on the main road again. While we were riding YunSul Yun and YuGee Won are chatting it up with me in Korean and I just keep laughing because I have NO IDEA what they are saying to me and they just laugh back at me. We pull into another apartment complex and YuGee Won and the driver get into a heated chat (keep in mind she is only 5 years old) ... she turns to me and says NO YuGee Won... NO NO !!! I then understand this is NOT her house and he is dropping her off at the wrong home. We then go across the street where he tried to drop YunSul Yun off with a ton of mothers at a small store on the corner and come to find out she was to get out where the driver tried to make YuGee Won get out.... SO, back across the street we go again. This time YunSul Yun gets out and we say bye...... second kid at home ---CHECK!

We then head to YuGee Won's home but she wanted to take a few pictures on the way :)

We finally made it to YuGee Won's house and her mom came out to meet her and I tell her bye and then shut the bus door...... third kid at home ---CHECK!

The driver takes off out of the complex and I wonder where we are headed next. Around 10 minutes later we arrived back at the studio and I quickly jump out of the bus and tell him thank you !!!! I am so glad these kids knew where they lived because I had no idea. It was a great adventure though!!!!

Today my first class was the "little ones" again. We are getting ready for a dance performance on the 23rd this month ---they are performing for their parents and friends at the "studio open house!!!"
I taught them what it meant to be HAPPY, SAD, ANGRY, COLD and HOT today. We then pretended to be sleeping on the dance floor and ended the class with caramel candies from another student :)

I am now watching belly dance and then my next class will begin which is suppose to be advanced ballet (HA!) more like beginner ballet for elementary school aged students! LOL

The last class of the day went well. They decided half way through the ballet class they wanted to do some jazz --- so I gave in. After class one of my students came back in the studio crying because she thought she had missed the bus and I walked back outside with her and made sure that she got on the right bus :)

The night ended with soup from TGI Fridays and coffee from Angels In Us with Zack.... while enjoying coffee --- we saw a mother let her child pee in a cup in the middle of the coffee shop --- I guess she didnt want to stop chatting with her friends who were sitting with her to take her small child to the restroom??? LOL

Well... That's all folks... Good Night from Korea.

Birthday Parties - Being Famous - Muffins

2010-10-12T20:19:00.000-07:00

Monday - I was walking to school and this is what I saw as I was getting ready to walk the cross walk..... I mean really..... It is NOT Valentine's day.... You see girls carrying things like this on a regular basis. Usually their boyfriend WON this for them at an arcade! LOL I am still waiting on Zack to bring one home for me as a SURPRISE.... NOT hahahaha ---- can you imagine trying to walk home with this as a surprise for your girlfriend.... EVERYONE would see it coming.... Big Surprise Huh?

Monday's classes went good. Just kicking it with my students!!!

Monday night I knew I had made plans to hang out with my friend, Hyu Jung. When I got to work Yun Jung told me it was her birthday and they were having a birthday party! I told Zack he should come but I knew he was tired so I figured he wouldn't come. After work I called him to tell him I was on my way home to get ready and he said he was in my city at the bus terminal.. SURPRISE! I was sooo excited and it made my day sooo much better. I walked and met him halfway and I told him it was getting late and we needed to get something to eat for dinner before the birthday party. We started to walk to find a "chicken place" --- there are not many western places in my town :( Then, Zack looks at me and says .... OR, you can have this double plain cheeseburger and DR.PEPPER I brought you!!!!!! Can we say that this made my night :) !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Later that night we went to a small birthday party of close friends for Hyu Jung! My director was there as well and as they lit the birthday candles she was carrying the cake and decided to be funny and do a high kick and zack had to catch the cake as it almost landed on the floor. LOL Pretty funny! Here birthday cakes are really expensive and they put 2 pieces on a plate with like 6 forks (or chopsticks) and everyone shares. LOL ---HAPPPPPY BIRTHDAY to my new good friend, HYU JUNG!


Please notice the roll of potty paper in the background. Here they had a SQUAT Pot and you have to take your own paper with you --- there is NEVER any in the restroom.

Tuesday - was a good day but I was tired from being out late at the Birthday Party.

I had to be at work early for some advertising. We set up outside in front of a bakery with a table and laptop and banners and a HUGE TV. I felt like I was on an AIM trip passing out tracks (getting ready to set up for John 10:10) but it was just "Dance Studio Flyers" HAHAHA!

Later that afternoon I taught a few classes ......

BELLLLLY DANCERS!!!!!!!


This is a GIANT Chocolate Chip Muffin and Yes, I ate 2 of these !!!! They were soo Yummy.

---- Also, I found out where to get hamburger meat from!!!!! WHOOP WHOOOP :)

Can we say --- tacos, spaghetti, chili and hamburgers are coming to a house near ME soon !

I CANT WAIT !!!!!!!!!!! Thank you Jesus!

I hope everyone has a blessed week! It is already Wednesday for me and the weekend cant get here fast enough. Watch "Him" at work - - - Or, you just might miss something amazing.

Til Next Time.... XOXO

I REALLY REALLY

2010-10-10T22:15:00.000-07:00

I really really MISS HER.... OH HOW I MISS HER!

I Love You Ardie .... Aunt Carley misses you sooo MUCH!

Fish Tanks, Old Korean Women, and Aqua-"palooza"

2010-10-10T08:27:00.000-07:00

Thursday was a fabulous day...... I went into work at 3:30 and got off work at 4:45.

A pretty good work day --- if I do say so myself :) I headed to the big city of Busan for a lovely meal at Pizza Hut with Zack. Thank you Crystal Mason for a lovely bag to carry my dance stuff in !!!!!!

On the way to the bus terminal I saw a truck --- Not just any ordinary truck, but a truck where the bed of the truck was a FISH TANK! You could walk right up the the back of the truck and pick out what fish you wanted to take home for dinner .... soo funny. Reminded me of something at a state fair.

On the bus to the BIG CITY ...... Everyone takes naps ..... It is Korean Way !!!!

Friday was a good day --- I finally got internet at my house!!!

Friday night I was exhausted after a long week of teaching dance .... so nothing too big took place.

Saturday was a good day. It consisted of "SLEEPING IN" :) and a little shopping.....and of course MCDONALDS!!!

If you are planning a Saturday out with friends.... make sure to bring your backpack along with you !!!!!

While sitting in Mcdonalds a little boy came up to us and began speaking lots of Korean and was holding a newspaper and kept moving his hand like he was writing on it. When we walked away I asked Zack what he wanted and he said that the little boy wanted my autograph. The Pusan National Film Festival is taking place here this week and it is not uncommon for "STARS" from the states to be here.... and he thought I was famous! Bless his heart! LOL

We also watched older ladies hand out advertisements! In the states most older ladies want to become a "Wal-Mart Greeter" here they want to pass out "Advertisements". The more they pass out the more they make, but they usually do not hand them to us because they know we cannot read the korean.

She sees them coming and she prepares herself....


They pass her by and she is not happy.

Later, we went to Nampodong where we walked around a lot just looking at things for sale on the street when we saw that the "NEW LOTTE AQUA MALL" was completed. Last time I visited Korea it was being built. . . . it was neat to see it finally finished.

While inside Lotte we noticed they had a water show that happened 11 times each day. This evening they happened to have a special show with all kinds of special acts from men flipping on trampolines to balancing acts, etc. It was really neat to watch.

The night ended with us finding "Auntie Annies Pretzels" in the mall. It made me feel right at home ---eating a pretzel and cheese at the mall on a Saturday. I felt like I was at Eastchase with mom and January eating a pretzel and cheese at the Cookie Co. I was a Happy Girl. It was a great end to a great day.

Sunday ended the weekend with a meeting at the studio with my director where we went over an advanced ballet class I will begin teaching this week. . . While at the studio my director showed me huge banners she had made for the "Studio Open House" and my name was ALL over it... FAMOUS?

And Zack bought me some FANCY hair clips for BALLET!

Dinner anyone????

TIL NEXT TIME.....

Peace. Love. Ballet/Shapes/Colors/Numbers/Belly Dancing/Etc.

2010-10-06T07:20:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone!!!

It's that time again..... Time to blog!!!
Things here have been busy lately. Since my last update I have been offered a tarot card reading, had blood drawn, and walked around 10 miles! LOL

Monday started my first full week here at the studio and I have made lots of friends and leave work exhausted each day! When I came in Monday there were tarot cards on the studio office table and I was then offered a free reading.... I kindly said "NO THANK YOU"..... It is very popular here!!!! Monday was a good day - we danced danced danced.

(IF YOU NEED TO REACH THEM JUST CALL 666-6666)

Yesterday I went with my director to the hospital to get my health check done. They had to see how tall I was, take my blood pressure, take blood, eye examination, and a chest x-ray. This was all done in like 10 minutes at the most. I was thinking it was super fast. If I were in the states in a hospital I would still be sitting there today waiting for the next test to begin. (LOL) We then went to the police station to fill out paperwork but they were gone to lunch. I was then able to go home and take a nap before I began the 30 minute walk to school.

(BREAKFAST BEFORE A HEALTH CHECK IS ALWAYS IMPORTANT)

Yesterday's class schedule was different and I taught the small kids jazz. These are the same kids that are in my ballet class. We also learned numbers 1-10 and learned the colors --- red, purple, yellow, blue, green and pink!!!! After my class was finished they had a belly dancing class. All the kids were decked out in belly dancing attire. It was really neat to watch ----I did not dance this class --- only because I did not want to make any of them look bad with my dynamic belly dancing skills... NOT - LOL ... Maybe I will try it at some point. I got to leave early yesterday because there were no more classes. So --- I worked only an hour but was in the studio about 2.5 hours. After work Zack and I wondered into a new Apple store ....and we were looking at the computer and Zack asks..."Do Macs come in Pink?" And they quickly said NO! And He had to pull it out of my bag and show them that they really do!!! They were .... AMAZED!!!

Today we went back the the police station to get the proper forms filled out to take to immigration next week and then we went and got me a bank account set up! We then ate lunch and my director wanted me to come on to the studio with her. The studio is where I find myself now typing on my blog --- sitting on thecouch --- WHY am I here soooo early???? Wish I was taking a nap :)

TODAY ---- Here are lots of pictures from the day --- I think it sums it up!!!

LEARNING OUR SHAPES AND COLORS

PINK IS HER FAVORITE COLOR

THIS IS MY TINIEST STUDENT!

This is my director, YunJung!

ME AND MY LITTLE ONES

It is Wednesday night here and our studio is located next door to a church on the 6th floor of a building. The church is held in a room they rent for services... reminds me of churches in Argentina! I sit and wait for my next dance class to start at 7:20PM when I hear from next door ....

"Hallelujah Jesus is alive death has lost its victory
And the grave has been denied
Jesus lives forever. He's alive He's alive
He's the Alpha and Omega the first and last is He
The curse of sin is broken and we have perfect liberty
The Lamb of God has risen. He's alive! He's alive"

Well... til' next time...

Hava Nagila ---

2010-10-03T08:09:00.000-07:00

Annyonghaseyo (Hello in Korean):::

Today was a great day :) Zack and I went to the beach and sat on the boardwalk and watched people walking on the beach. We then went to have coffee down the street at "Angel -in - us- Coffee"! We sat on the second floor out on the terrace across from the beach and just sat and talked and watched cars go by and the waves come in.

Later we walked more on the boardwalk where we saw 4 coffee shops in a row ..... people here LOVE some coffee. We also saw a 3 piece band playing on the boardwalk. We stopped and listened for a while with others and watched people dance and enjoy the evening. Then I heard a familiar tune..... that's right, they played "Hava Nagila" lol

We then walked a little further where we saw the worlds largest flower pot, seriously. It was a museum sort of thing on the water. We walked about 3-4 miles tonight. Then we rode a bus to another area where we just walked and looked at things for sale on the street and we decided to go in a new bakery to see what they had for sale and I could not believe what my eyes saw...... yes, DR.PEPPER!!!! So.... of course..... I bought all 7 of them !!!!!

Tomorrow starts my first full week at the studio and I am looking forward to it very much!!!!

Thats all for today... Gotta get me a Dr Pepper... Til next time

45 minutes later....

2010-10-02T21:47:00.000-07:00

Update Time ----

Friday was my first day teaching and it started off to a "good start"... the sound equipment went out on us. The class started with my "beautiful" voice (lol) having to sing all of the songs to the kids. Needless to say, enrollment dropped drastically. HA! They were so cute and so tiny. They came decked out in their ballet attire. One little girl had on tights, a leotard, a skirt, a sweater and leg warmers :) precious!!!! Most of them knew very very very little English. When they left they had learned what their eyes, nose, mouth and ears were though!!!

Later that afternoon I meet a few people that came by the studio and then we had 3 jazz classes - and I must say that I have now mastered the dance by "Rainbow" LOL - One dance class had a party and they brought Tapolki - and YES, I tried it and I liked it. Oh Yeah -- all my students call me "Carley Teacher" LOL

Later that night Zack and I met some friends in Changwon - Where Hyu Jung bought me a necklace and earrings and she fell in love with my favorite ring --- so I gave it to her :)

We then headed back to Jangyu in a taxi that was suppose to cost us $18.00 but the taxi driver's card machine did not work so we were not charged :)

Today Zack and I explored my city. First we started off on foot --- just walking all around seeing where different places were located and such. We saw around 5 churches within blocks of each other. It made me feel like I was in Montgomery with a church on EVERY corner! Oh, and we found Noah's Ark... its been in Korea all these years!

We got on different buses to see where they would take us. We got on a bus that would take us close to my apartment, but we decided to ride it a few stops further thinking the bus would circle back around and 45 minutes later we were surrounded by rice fields ....... then a few minutes later we look out and saw an OUTLET MALL :) We thought we had arrived at the Foley Outlets! They had Polo, Burberry, Guess, you name it --- they had it :) They also had amazing places for kids to play and a huge painting done on a set of steps that made it look like you were standing in a waterfall!

This lady was sitting in front of us on the bus and I think from the looks of it --- she gets her hair highlighted too :)

I got to skype with the family while they were having the yard sale yesterday and everytime someone would ask how much something was I would shout out on the computer "give them a discount" Hahaha - Shirley was working those sales and January and I were laughing laughing laughing !!!!

I am thinking today is going to involve a trip the ........... B*E*A*C*H !!!!

By the way .... ROLL TIDE ROLL !!!

Til Next Time.

Purple Tutu

2010-09-30T22:52:00.000-07:00

I teach my first class in one hour and I am so nervous but yet sooo very excited. I cant wait to see and meet my students - - - and get to dance and have fun with them. Here are a few pictures from my walk to school and getting ready for class to start.

These are a few things that students can purchase for class :) Precious!!!!

I will update later on how today went.

XOXOXO

30 Minute Walk....

2010-09-30T05:35:00.000-07:00

Well Hello Again :::

It has been a few days since my last post. It is now Thursday in Korea and I have no internet in my apartment. I either have to use the internet at the dance school or go without. Hopefully I will have internet soon. I walk to school each day and it takes a good 30 minutes or so to get there.

Tuesday I did not have class so I got to come to Busan! While here I got to eat at my two most favorite places.... YES, Mcdonalds and KFC :) I do not have either one of these in my city :(

This week I have learned different combinations that I will be teaching starting tomorrow, October 1st. Tomorrow I will be teaching small children ballet and then I will be teaching 2 jazz classes :) I even have a purple tutu that I get to wear :) Im excited about that. So tomorrow starts the official FIRST DAY!!!!

Yesterday I was at the studio learning different things that the director wanted me to teach.... certain songs and movements like.... "Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes" - "How's the Weather" - "The Alphabet" - etc!!! I also danced with a jazz class as well as watched my director teach two classes.

When the entire class hit a center split and put their chest flat on the ground in front of them while still in the split.... Well, I begin thinking --- I might be a little rusty???!!!??? LOL

This was the dance that the jazz class learned yesterday - dances from music videos are VERY POPULAR here.

Today when I was walking to the studio I saw a store called ...... BANG BANG!!!!!

HAHAHAHA - Some of you will know what this means and it will make you bust out laughing as much as I have been !!!!!! I also saw flyers that she had been posting around that had my name on it - haha - here goes being famous!

I also found out what time buses run from Jangyu to Busan .... so that will be super helpful!

**** Mom got good news from T-Mobile **** she can call me straight from her cell for the same price that we get on Skype and Call2 ---VERY HAPPY ABOUT THIS :) :) :)

Well now it is time for me to PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE :)

Until Next Time!!!

Excited tomorrow starts the weekend and "LOTTE" has a home baseball game this weekend :) :) :)

im gonna be famous!!!!

2010-09-27T19:45:00.000-07:00

Well yesterday was interesting to say the least. We went to eatlunch at Lotteria and i think i got a BUGOLGI burger bymistake....yikes!!!

Then i watched a Korean Businessdeal go down about putting an ad on a city bus .... which would be apicture of me teaching ballet ! LOL .... can we say FAMOUS? hahahahaha

Wethen went to my apartment and a man came and set up my bed and broughtme a microwave...... and then we went shopping with my director and hersister - and i found out that my directors sister - is a hair stylist:) ----highlights ??? YES!!!!!

We went to Lotte Mart and got a closet that we put together for my apartment - lol

i felt like i was in Ikea.

Laterin the afternoon i was able to unpack everything and it was a littleoverwhelming ..... I was able to stack my luggage under the closet anduse it for a shelf ... thank goodness because i had no room for pantsor shorts or jackets.

well.... here is my home !

After getting settled in .... i took a taxi to the bus terminal and then took a subway to come see my best friend on his birthday - we went to eat Italian... his favorite. . . Pizza Hut :) Of course i wanted him to have a cake but I got here so late because of traffic and there were no cakes left in the bakery so "little debbie" came to the rescue.

found dr. pepper ....

2010-09-26T18:01:00.000-07:00

Well.... I find myself waking up this Monday morning in my director's home. My bed is not arriving until today, so she was going to put me in a motel for the night but her and her roommate decided for me to just stay at their house...very kind. Yun Jung and her Roommate Hyo Jung are so KIND. . . . I really think that Hyo Jung is the Korean version of me... Scary! LOL

Yesterday we went to see my apartment which is a different one than the first one we looked at... imagine that - LOL but still nice. I am on the first floor this time. I think i could walk to the school but i might get a cute bike with a basket instead... i live near a bike shop - - so i may go check that out today. After viewing the apartment we went to the school where they were doing a few renovations "knocking down a huge wall" LOL and Yun Jung taught me some moves for class.... it is very popular to teach dance videos.... i wonder how i will do at that? LOL

OH YEAH - when we moved all my 500 bags to my apartment... Zack and I found ourselves in the backseat of a car with 2 of the 3 bags..... hahaha!!!! we were just a tad bit CRAMPED! LOL

They had us over for dinner last night and we ate SPICY seafood spaghetti. Then we went out on the town for a while going from place to place where i was introduced to all her friends. We played pool several times and i must say i was looking like a pro last night... i wish i had video from it, i couldn't believe some of the shots that i made. After ending the night with a pretzel from Tom and Toms Coffee - - - we headed to take Zack to the bus stop - where he barely made it in time to get back to Busan.

And... A VERY SPECIAL HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my best friend, Zack! I hate that we are in different cities on your birthday. Thank you for all your HELP and SUPPORT over the past week... couldn't have done it without you :) <3

TODAY.... not sure what today holds.... Yun Jung tried to tell me before bed but i dont think i understood everything everything. I know we are going to the dance school but thats all i really know .... oh and i get furniture today !!!!!!Until Next Time... XOXOXO

Lolli Lolli Lolli Pop

2010-09-25T06:29:00.000-07:00

So.... Today the day started out with video chatting with Mom and Dad and Arden and Jake and Sister :) It was then followed by a 4 hour nap. LOL Later this afternoon Zack and I went out and about just killing some time really. We got some coffee and walked through the streets looking at different things that were for sale.

We then decided to go look at cell phones :) We knew i couldn't get a phone without a few documents from the school and that wouldn't take place for prolly around a month out. We went in and Zack was able to pull a few strings and GET ME A PHONE :) Its called the LOLLI POP 2 .... its baby blue and the front lights up :) I am pretty excited to say the least. I can even watch TV on my phone for FREE!!!!!

Now we are about the watch a movie that we rented --- "The Holiday" .... Zack even got me some sour candy at the store to eat while I watch the movie :) ---HAPPY---

Tomorrow will be a long day --MOVE IN DAY --- and we are going to have dinner with NEW friends!!!! Looking forward to it :)Until next time.... XOXOX from Korea.

It's a SMALL world after all . . . .

2010-09-24T04:54:00.000-07:00

Today was the day.... My director, YunJung, and her puppy, Gilto, picked Zack and I up around lunch time and took us to see my apartment.....the ride was interesting and we talked about all sorts of things.

My apartment is BRAND NEW and i will be the first person to live there. I will live on the fourth floor of a small building. The apartment is small but very modern and clean....it almost looks like a long hallway. My school is about 5 minutes or so away from my apartment by car --- so more than likely will get a bike and that is how i will make it to and from work each day, unless i get a car.

After looking at the apartment we then went to the dance studio and took off our shoes and put on glitter house shoes.....drank coffee and orange juice and chatted about my class schedule, work times, etc. I will work each day from 3-8 :) I will teach 2 dance classes and assist 2 dance classes each day.

The dance studio was very nice and is on the 6th floor of a building....I was VERY impressed!!!!

After visiting the Dance Studio my director and her friend KJ took us to Kraze Burger :) After enjoying a yummy burger and chili cheese fries we went upstairs to have coffee together. My director's roommate came to meet me... she spoke really good English. She also brought her boyfriend along who is an American from...... ALABAMA...... yeah that's right!!!! He is only about 45 minutes out from Montgomery.... can we say SMALL WORLD AFTER ALL????

After finishing our coffee and conversation we decided it was time to leave. My director took us to a bus station and we caught a bus back to Busan. My move in date will be Sunday and Sunday evening we will have dinner at my director's house. I will not start teaching until October 1st. So i have all of next week to get settled into my "new home!"

I now find myself looking at the buses that run in my area and routes to and from Busan.... i am also considering becoming a KOREAN DRIVER.

Whats in the Rice Fields....

2010-09-23T05:15:00.000-07:00

Tuesday was a SKYPE day! It rained most of the day and Zack and I Skyped with Friends and Family for most of the day..... not to mention Zack cooked me breakfast and lunch :) We went out later that evening for some coffee in the rain followed my McDonald's!!!! Normally i get chicken nuggets but this time we tried to explain "PLAIN CHEESEBURGER" and we got the message across - WHOOO HOOOO, so i was able to enjoy a lovely cheeseburger while we sat upstairs in the 2 story McDonald's and people watched!!! (such fun) Later we ventured out into the evening and walked along the streets and just enjoyed the chilly night and ended the night watching The Office on Korean TV!

IN THE RICE FIELDS....... Today I got to meet one of Zack's (elderly friends)....Frank! It was so great to finally meet him after hearing so much about him. After that we did a little window shopping and I found some "street" sunglasses for 5.00 :) ..... Then we went to another LARGE shopping mall where they had all sorts of glamorous items.....

After we finished shopping we went to look at PUPPIES. We ended the afternoon with coffee and looking out over the city from the 38th floor of a building. Tonight's dinner consisted of ..... RIBS... from TGI Friday's :)

Of COURSE -- ALL of these things in today's journey were found in the "RICE FIELDS OF KOREA" LOL ....Til Next Time....

Shop Til I Drop....

2010-09-21T06:17:00.000-07:00

Hello Friends :

Today was a wonderful day. The day started off with a skype date with my mom followed by a nap .... lunch at Pizza Hut and SHOPPPING! It is Chuseok Holiday here in Korea this week so EVERYONE is out shopping. There are gift sets everywhere for people to buy.... for insance maybe your loved one would enjoy a nice SPAM meat gift set (that is pretty popular) or maybe a FRUIT gift set, or even maybe a TOOTHPASTE gift set. HAHA!

Zack and I spent all day just about in Lotte Department Store just walking around looking at EVERYTHING from clothes to shoes to house hold items to electronics to hiking gear. We looked in Louis Vuitton....Coach......Tiffanys...... you name it we saw it!

Later we bought ESSENTIAL items like peanut butter and jelly :) We also went to EMART which is like Walmart Target Ikea on Crack. It was 3 floors full of anything and everything I need and didn't need. lol To say the least i am super tired after such a LONG but WONDERFUL day!!!!!!!!

Day 1...2...3

2010-09-20T08:38:00.001-07:00

Well.... I Made It : )

I arrived in Busan on Saturday night with 3 suitcases loaded down with vacuum packed bags full of clothes and all the shoes I could squeeze in.

Sunday - we visited a local church service of about 250 people (50) Americans and then had lunch at Costco. . . later that afternoon I found myself sick in the streets and throwing up in drain. It was a great first day to say the least. LOL

This Morning - (Monday) - I woke up and went to a local grocery store to purchase a few items. Thank goodness for my church bag from Mrs. Valerie (it helped me get my groceries home) - i bought some milk, cereal, bananas and chips. I came back and got to skype with the family and shared my grocery store experience.

Then tonight we ate dinner @ mcdonalds and on the way to eat we walked through the subway area and they had baby bunnies for sale! Not to mention after dinner we saw a store that i have NEVER seen here and i cant wait to shop here.