My last couple of weeks were filled with meals, drinks, shopping, etc. It was a very busy time, with many sad moments too. It gradually started to hit me that I was leaving, and this filled me with both sadness and joy. I was ready to leave and eager to get back to Graham, but I was also very sad to be leaving so many amazing people behind. My year in Korea was fantastic. My job was great, I love the kids that I taught - well most of them! I made so many fa...

The last couple of weeks I have been keeping myself very busy. This is partly to distract myself from the fact that Graham is not here, but also because I know I have so little time left in Korea that I want to see and do everything! Two weekends ago, a Korean friend of mine taught me how to make kimbap, so I can make it when I get home. This looks a little like sushi, but does not contain raw fish. You can vary the contents that you wrap inside the rice and ...

Last weekend some friends and I decided to go on a hike at Geumsung fortress. The day was clear and bright, and about 12 of us took the bus to Damyang and then taxis to where the hike started. We have not had snow for a while, but we could see there was quite a bit of snow on the fortress, and as we found out later, a lot of ice. The hike started out fairly easy, with a few steep inclines, but nothing too difficult. We stopped at one of the gates for pictures...

Last Monday was the Lunar New Year, so Monday and Tuesday were national holidays. After Graham's departure I was not looking forward to the prospect of 4 days without him or work to keep me occupied, but luckily some of my friends came to the rescue. Ever since Graham has left I have been inundated with kind messages and offers for dinner, drinks, etc. I am so grateful to have such good friends in Korea, and it's nice to know that others recognised how important ...

A couple of weeks ago we received the news that Graham had a job interview back in the UK, so would be leaving South Korea five and a half weeks before me. Whilst this was great news, it was very sad to think we would be apart for so long. His departure was pretty quick, so he just had time to have a few drinks with some friends, go out to dinner a couple of times and then fit in a trip to the Hwacheon Ice Fishing Festival before leaving the country. The festi...