the pack

so this past week has been a very interesting one as it brought the first of a few goodbyes. as the end of the summer rolls around everyone's contracts are up. its hard to believe some people have been here for only a year. it seems longer at times, and much shorter at other times. but lets just take a review of the posse as it is about to change and evolve.

in this picture from the left you have:

SALLY. the lovely, frank, strong, individualistic (shes teaching me alot) girl who went to high school with sarah. she just resigned in July and will continue working at her same hagwon for the next year.

LISA and DAVE. Canadians. haha.....our married couple friends who are always up for fun and craziness. they were coworkers with sarah and it was decided that they were on the level and cool enough for us to hang out with. :) they both signed a new contract in august and have after school public school jobs (which is one of the sweetest ways to go, i think) working 12 to 5 every day. oh yeah.

MIKE. aka Big Mike.houghton alumni and good friend of chris. fun, loud, beer loving teddy bear who doubts the legitimacy of "the Golden Compass" book series due to some run ins with polar bears. he has headed back to the US and is waiting to see what turns up, if he will head back to korea or stay in the states.

RYAN. houghton alumni and close friend to chris. married to carolyn, who is in the front row in the orange tank top. their contracts ended and the just left on monday back to the states. there they will stay for a year or so as they raise support in order to work with Food for the Hungry in Indonesia at the epicenter of where the tsunami hit. what will they be doing? developing an english language curriculum for the indonesian children. ...the irony. :) or providence?

ME. still here until February of next year. then well see what happens.

(front row) SARAH. otherwise known as nesbitt. houghton alumni, my university roommate for more semesters than i can count. i think ive actually shared a room with her more than my own sisters. :) in july signed to work at my school with me. hehe. so the two of us are working at Avalon and living near Sungshin Women's University maybe 500m apart. we have plans to dissect all of the restaurants, coffeeshops, hofs in sungshin. and perhaps posting our experiences. :)

CAROLYN. married to ryan. was houghton roommates with sarah and i. soon to be in indonesia.

now in the picture to the left you have :

D. another beautiful canadian. we met her through sally, as they were coworkers and sally decided she was cool enough to hang out with us and we all agree immensely! cute, with a quick wit and an obsession for books and hanging out.sadly, her contract ends in october, so we just celebrate as much as we can and don't think too much about it. but she hopes to return soon with bryan once he finishes his degree. maybe next march or september.

CHRIS. houghton alumni. goofy good friend to the houghton alumnis. his contract ended and he just headed back to the states this morning. there are whispers he will return soon as his brother and sister in law are making plans to do so. but well see.

so thats the group that ive loved for the past year. as the new year starts for almost everyone but me. (i just celebrated my year and a half in korea anniversary on friday) there is no way to know who will join us, who will return to us and what mischief we will get into. all i know is that i love the adventure that is and the characters ive had the pleasure to meet along the way.

~amber