Merry Christmas!

Hello all...time for another installment to update on how the holidays were spent here on the other side of the world. Fortunately, it ended up being a much merrier Christmas holiday than I expected. A little extra time off to spend with new friends and "family" that I have made since my arrival in Korea 9 months ago. I am still finding it hard to believe that so much time has passed already and that there are only 3 months left to my contract, and another 3 more after that until my return to my homeland for a much needed rest and catch up session with my "Canada People" :D
I just finished a 3 day weekend, which is a nice change from the usual 1 day off a week. Last week was a bit of a whirlwind, spending time doing some last minute shopping and holiday baking. You would not believe how hard it is to find baking ingredients in this country! It took me a week and 5 stores just to find coconut and rice crispies! Can you believe it!? I will say though that having a lovely boy in my life at this time of year did wonders in making this holiday season much brighter than it would have been under other circumstances. The holiday baking was to make some chocolate mice for his stocking this year..just like granny Squires used to make...well, maybe not just like, but a reasonable Korean facsimile anyways...it was well worth the effort though, as they did turn out edible in the end...after much hassle with the chocolate coating. They just don't do parowax here in Korea. But a burned batch and a few experiments with melting later and they were done...at the very last minute I might add...
The weekend was spent with a romantic and delicious dinner at one of the 2 local Thai restaurants (my favourite :D) and the exchange of lovers tokens, and then it was off to Daejeon for my whirlwind of visiting. Amazing how at the end of a holiday you feel more tired than when you started! However, it was great to see Kerri and Chris, my Korean family, 2 fabulous people from Scotland and Oz respectively. Being as they are so far away, I don't get to see them nearly as much as I would like, but it is always time well spent when we can make the journeys required to enjoy each other's company. We spent the day Monday shopping for secret Santa gifts and then went to a party with the Daejeon teachers crew. Good times were had by all, no small thanks to Chris and his party games, pictures of which can be seen on Facebook. We ended the night at a bar ironically named Santa Claus for some dancing and general reveling in the holiday spirit. Fun times :)
Monday it was back to Busan for Christmas dinner at the Seaman's Club. A rare treat to find a turkey dinner in this country and it was enjoyed by all in attendance (except for the OYSTER stuffing, EW!) Otherwise it was a great meal enjoyed with good friends and a fantastic way to round up the holiday festivities.
Today it is sadly back to the grind, but only for a few days and then it's another 4 day weekend to ring in the New Year. Plans are still not solidified, but the main thing is to spend time with the people you care about so I expect this year's celebrations will be very enjoyable regardless of where the evening takes us.
That's about all the news this week but I will be back with more updates in 2008. Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and all the best in 2008! Can't wait to see all the folks from home...the summer is not so very far away. Lots of love from Korea! xo