I'm here! I'm here! Llegue! Llegue!

 

Edmonton is a balmy +6c and I'm happy about that. When I left Korea, it was about -10c... brrrrr. My niece is soooooooooooooo big! She's talking and laughing at just about everything. How cute! She's also a bit of a parrot and repeats everything you have to say... so I have to watch my tongue sometimes! I've visitted with my family but unfortunately I haven't much more time... I leave early Saturday morning and tomorrow is Tuesday already. Where does the time go.

 

Shopping has been great. Who knew I could spend that much money in only a few hours??!!! Scary!

 

I wish every one reading a very happy new year. My brother-in-law is having a New Year's hall party that I will miss, but I get to decorate the hall anyways! Lucky me! How did I get suckered into doing that on my last night in Edmonton, exactly?!

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! FELIZ ANO NUEVO!!

That's right people! I have one week left until I head for the little city that my family calls home. It's going to be cold but I plan on staying indoors with my family anways. Six days of eating home cooking, shopping, giving cuddles and receiving them. My niece is walking and talking now so it'll be fun to see her again after eight months.

 

Our school is having a Christmas party next week so it'll be hectic for me this last week in Korea. But I'm looking forward to enjoy my time in my native land. Did I mention shopping? Did I mention being able to speak to people and exchanging niceties? Yup... can't wait!

 

All the best to you all this holiday season. Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas, Happy Kwanzaa, etc. And the best to you all in the new year!

 

Me queda una semana antes de volver a mi pais natal. Donde voy a poder hablar con las gente y poder ir de compras donde la ropa me quede. Son muy chiquititos estos Koreanos... y yo no soy nada de chiquitita! Mi sobrina esta caminando y hablando entonces va ser un choc verla despues de ocho meses. Que rico poder regalonar y abrazarla. Voy a comer la comida hecha en casa y volver a toda la familia loca dentro de la semana de visita! Que bueno tener familia!

 

Feliz pascua y que tengan un lindo ano nuevo. Que todo sus deseos se cumplan.

The thing is you see, that when you live in a strange land you tend to meet strange people. Since I'm a strange person in a strange land, I have met many other strangers who have since become my friends. Unfortunately, they eventually move away again in search of greener pastures or a regular life in their native lands.

 

Last weekend, a good "amiga" of mine left to go back to Canada. Shannon is one of the most genuine people I have ever met and it's no wonder people love her to bits. She was surrounded by friends until the moment she boarded the plane and I was glad to have been able to spend time with her before she left. Korea will never be the same. Although it was sad to see her go, she is off to spend the holidays with her family in Vancouver and will then tour Asia for an undefined period of time. I will be meeting up with her in Thailand in February where we will head over to Cambodia for a few days.

 

On Wednesday, I have another friend of mine leaving for Australia for a few months before heading back home to England. She started Hapkido only a few weeks after I did and understands what that's like. Now I'm the only foreigner left in class... and a girl to boot! On Wednesday, we toasted our last class together along with the people from class. Our teacher loves the soju and thought it a good idea to drink that up over some bbq! Any reason to drink works for me!

 

I leave for Canada in a few weeks where I will see my family in Edmonton. I can't wait to go shopping for new clothes, shoes and comfort food! I can't wait to be able to speak to the salespeople and tell them exactly what I'm looking for, too! WOOHOO!

 

Tengo familia en Chile que esta mirando este blog y espero empezar a escribir mas en espanol. La semana pasada se me fue una amiga canadiense de vuelta a Canada pero la voy a ver en febrero en Tailandia donde nos vamos de viaje a Cambodia. Ella es una super amiga - loca como yo y muy buena gente. El miercoles, se me va otra amiga... ella es inglesa pero se va a Australia unos meses antes de regresar a Inglaterra. Es dificil vivir en un pais extranjero y hacerse amigos que luego se van. Pero bueno... cada experiencia en la vida nos demuestra algo y asi aprendemos, no?!

 

En tres semanas mas me voy a Canada a ver a mi familia donde voy a poder comprarme ropa, zapatos y comida conocida! Lo que quiero mas es poder comunicarme con los vendedores y decirles lo que estoy buscando exactamente. Es dificil aqui cuando uno no habla el idioma!

 

Photos are attached of last weekend's party and of the soju party with the Hapkido instructor. Las photos de la despedida de mi amiga estan al lado.