Lots of pictures ahead:

First, Seoul Lantern Festival along the canal near our church

 

 
 Second: We had Sarah over for dinner. She's on winter break from JBU and is here visiting her family in Seoul. So great to see Sarah in her home country. Her mom sent an incredible traditional Korean feast. It was delicious. Pork, rice, kimchi, seaweed wrap, japjae...a sort of beef and noodle dish with carrots, a tofu-like yummy side dish, and finally- pumpkin soup! What a great time.

 
Third: Indigo dying lessons with our neighbor, Miss Michelle. Learning the local ways! Jordan and I dyed some towels and socks... although in the end Miss Michelle really did all the work. It was quite entertaining. And look at the beautiful blouse she designed and dyed. She gave it to me as a gift- so thoughtful and generous.

 

Fourth: Teacher trip (Kelsey's school only) to Incheon. We went to a science museum, the beach (it was FREEEEZING) to watch the sunset, and ate fresh seafood (live octopus and sea cucumber).





Finally: PIRATE WINTER CAMP:
Term ends and the text book takes a rest. Every kid designed their own pirate ship and wrote their "Pirate name"(Captain + their English name ---keep in mind that most of these kids are choosing an English name for the first time. They had lots of fun with it) Some were more creative than others. My favorites so far: Captain John the Black Tooth, Captain Dead Spin Alan, Captain Ghost Sword Lucas, Captain Starfish Carol, and Captain Black Heart Leah.

 

 

 

Above: Ol Black Tooth and Dead Spin pose behind the pirate ship we finished making that morning. Check out their sweet pirate flags!

 
Above: I know we're not supposed to have favorites- but I love these twins. Carol and Leah have been delightful all year.

 

Above: "Captain Roony" adorns his sails with soccer balls

It's been a good couple of weeks with pirate camp. But it's been wicked cold here in Korea. Just yesterday we had snow again. It's time to go to the beach! This time next week Jordan and I will be lounging in the sand on Koh Samui in Thailand. Can't wait. Jordan is out shopping for a bigger SD card for our camera, so I promise we'll share lots of pictures of Jordan riding elephants through the jungle and along the shoreline!