LIVE UPDATE!

Wow! I just got finished teaching one of my favorite classes. Everything was totally in sync! I was on the same page with my Co- Teacher Hye Suek in which I am always in. The lesson was fun and exciting for the students. Our lesson topic was DO YOU WANT SOME MORE? The energy that I brought to that particular class was phenomenal. The kid's payed attention! The game we played at the end of class was like a game show similar to Jeopardy. A year truly isn't enough to fully grasp teaching. I am almost done my contract and I feel as if I am just getting adjusted to knowing how the classroom should be ran and what works well etc...All good things must come to an end. I do realize this as I am moving on to the next phase in my Journey...I will never forget the experience I had here! I had to get my thoughts out somewhere so what better place than my personal space. Until Next time! I hope all is well with everyone reading! If you have any questions about teaching in South Korea feel free to email me lyons.jered@gmail.com...KNOWLEDGE IS POWER!

What I love in a city that I Love

Relive the magic! Enjoy the basketball festival that was held @ City Hall in Seoul, South Korea!

Basketball, has definitely played a major role in my life when I sit and think about it. Without basketball I might not have had the opportunity to teach out here in Korea. Because of basketball I choose to go to Eastern Mennonite University. Where I was required to travel in order to graduate. In the time I spent traveling I discovered a new passion and love for people and culture. These events led me to take a year off and do something drastically different! In the first 6months here in Korea I had a GREAT TIME! I had to share the wonderfull opportunities with others. What good is something if you can't share it with someone else. I told many friends about teaching in Korea. Some laughed. Some listened. and two actually came! Two friends from high school. I have roughly about a month left. When it hits 30days. I will post pictures and videos as I begin the countdown of the SEOULFUL JOURNEY... Until then blessings to all! Annyong Chingus!

Streetball Festival in Seoul!

Wow. Ok its been almost a month now since my last post. So much has happened during that time! Needless to say time is flying by. I sometimes look at my job as a game. Since there are 12 months in a year. The first quarter was the first 3 months. When I first got here it was the first quarter. I was pretty much laid back letting everything come to me sitting back observing how the flow of the year would go. The second quarter is the half a year 6 months. At this point I was starting to really see how the year would go started to get adjusted and accustomed to life here. The same as the second quarter in a game by this point you want to give a great effort to close the half good. Well I am currently starting the 4th quarter. I am making sure I close things right here in SEOUL. Spending time with great people that I have met and will continue to keep in touch with when my time here is done!

The pictures below are of my DAD & My homie Kento from Australia. The Seoul World trade center. Anaya the princess of POCHEON. A shot of a typical building with stores stacked on top of each other. AND of course me repping my city lol POCHEONsi! The city's new logo we unveiled a month ago!

ENJOY PEEPS! HOPE ALL IS WELL!









In the past month

My parents came to visit!
Soju boyz went 3-0
Great offer back home lined up and ready to go!

In the upcoming month

Planning for my vacation
Soju boyz bball games
Another open class
Hana's piano recital
Anna's concert

I remember going on my first trip out of the country like it was yesterday! I remember the look on my parents faces as it sunk in that I was going to a place that they never could have fathom going! Africa! Back to where civilzation started! A rich history from trials and tribulations. I took pictures! I recorded videos of when I was on the safari in Tanzania! A lion literally came with in inches from the car! I have it on tape in the middle of nowhere truly it felt like I was on the travel channel! I came home with many stories and excitement. However ONE CAN NOT TRULY UNDERSTAND WITHOUT BEING THERE THEMSELVES! Since then I have been blessed to travel to GERMANY,SWITZERLAND,TURKEY,GREECE,TANZANIA,ETHIOPIA, AND NOW KOREA! I came home with countless photos, videos, and stories but still it was not the same because my parents have never been to those places!! Well in a few hours that is about to change!! I WILL FINALLY MEET AND GREET MY PARENTS IN A LAND that is foreign to them! They will now be able to share an experience with me! IM EXCITED I LOVE MY PARENTS...All I can hope is that they have a RICH experience!! LG.....lifes good!

My thoughts on teaching. I believe teaching is so powerful. I never thought in a million years I would be an English Teacher. I always try to come to school with a positive spirit! With over 1000 kids many of them don't get a chance to interact with me. So when some see me I want to give them some sort of interaction that they can remember. That's just the type of person I am. Recently, we had Teacher Appreciation day. Usually, teachers are swarmed by gifts and candy from their students thanking them for the candy they gave or a fun game they played during the year. I didn't get many gifts or candy. However I did happen to receive warm felt letters that let me know that I am doing a good job. Many students came up to me and gave hugs (I know awkward from western standpoint but in Korea it is typical) None gave candy. And two gave letters. I wasn't really expecting much but it definitely felt good to be acknowledged. It reminded me of a story in the Bible I grew up reading. Jesus had healed ten lepers and out of that ten! Only 1 came back to say thank you. So I def appreciated the letter! Just wanted to share that! Hope everyone that is reading is well and in good spirits! LG...LIFES GOOD

It's been awhile since my last post! First, I want to start by saying that all is still going well! I am enjoying my school and co- workers. I don't have much longer on my contract

It's crazy how life works out sometimes! My cousin had a layover in Seoul so I had the chance to spend the day with her! Doing some touristy things around Seoul as well as catching up with her and life! It def was the highlight of my week and month! So thank you Bethany!

My parents are coming to visit me in less than 3weeks so I am preparing for their arrival! I already know what spots I want to take them and sites I want them to see. There is nothing like family! We have never traveled outside of the country together so I am interested in how it will turn out! I hope they are excited! ASIA IS VERY DIFFERENT FROM WHAT AMERICANS are used to.

Teaching in Public School's in Korea you get all NATIONAL HOLIDAY'S OFF! So Saturday Was Buddha's Birthday so we had off on Monday and Tuesday Was Children's day. So I haD OFF SCHOOL from Friday to Wednesday! In that time me and the crew went to many places! We went to TEMPLES, PALACES, ART GALLERY'S, Korean Theme Park!, Basketball Tournament, Restaurant's, Dinner with TEACHESLKOREA! and capped off by Mexican food on Tuesday Night! It was a great mini vacation!

Just wanted to let everyone know what I was up to! I hope all that ARE READING are well!! As always LG! LIFE'S GOOD!

In the past couple of months. I have recieved many emails from friends and people inquiring about Teaching English in Korea. This past weekend I finally got a digital camera so I am really going to get back on my game with posting pictures and video's and giving feedback on my time here! This weekend is a full weekend because of the National Holiday's. Today is Buddaha's Birthday so we have off on Monday for that and Tuesday is Children's Day a chance for Parents to spoil their kids with a fun filled day! LOOK FOR PHOTOS AND VIDEO'S....I hope all is well with everyone!

WOW what a treat! A lunch that was 1. Edible 2. Delicious. 3. Worthy for Seconds. It has been a long time since I have enjoyed a school lunch. Usually, during the course of a 5 day work week the lunch is edible 2 times out of 5. The other 3 are what I call "RICE DAYS". This is a term I adopted meaning nothing on my tray is edible but RICE! Now to some this might be complaining, rude, or being closed minded. However I would like to call it "I'm just being Honest". I do believe I have the spirit of going and seeing new places but when it comes to trying new foods my taste buds wont allow it. If the meal stinks most likely it tastes how it smells! Like garbage haha! So this means out with the Kimchi lol...Anyways I do give credit when credit is due! So with that being said here is a picture of the LUNCH that I had today that was DELICIOUS. It was Little Chicken Breasts Breaded in a Mandarin Sauce. Rice (of course...Just as sure as the sky is blue there will always be Rice served) Cucumber Salad with a spicy sauce and Seaweed chips coated with a sugar coating...This is my lunch Update! Hope all is well with everyone reading!

Wow! 6 months already? Jhinja?(Really) Man time fly's. I knew that once I got settled in I would have the time of my life. However from the day I landed to the time I am writing this Post I knew that it wouldn't change. Sure, I have most definitely had my ups and downs but it's always been the good out weighing the bad. I am in a great situation at my school. I have Co- Teachers that not only treat me with Respect but they have extended their friendship beyond the classroom. In someways making me apart of their families. The greatest part of it all despite meeting all the great people I have had the chance to build relationships with the reason that I am here is what will make it hard leaving. THE KID'S. This week my Co Teacher has begun to ask me if I plan on returning next year and that the offer is on the table if I do decide to stay! In the past week I have been wrestling with the idea of what to do next year! However I do have some time to decide but on the same token I do want to make sure I make the right decision

Wow! What a weekend! I got a chance to attend the John Legend concert. I got to hang out with great friends. Also a chance to meet new ones that I know I will keep in touch with! It was good getting to see the Legend up and close in person interacting with fans. However this is not the purpose of my post. Wow! Ok through lifes journey there are times when I meet someone that reminds me of another person. It might be that they actually look like the person, or similar personality. For whatever the reason may be they just remind you of that particular person. Well thats what happened this weekend! I was reminded of a person that influenced me while I was growing up. This is something that she wrote before she passed! If you have time take time to read thanks. I call her AUNT DAWN.

Jesus My Tower of Strength

Wow! Has it been fifteen years already since my diagnosis of cancer? I am a cancer survivor. Here is a tidbit about my journey. My opportunity for great praise began in 1993. Somehow cancer found a way to invade my body. I was a triathlete, vegetarian, regular-exercising Christian young woman. Cancer was the last thing I suspected would be my malady. I was diagnosed with breast cancer, and after the initial shock passed, what began to matter to me most was not “Why me?” but “How can I use this challenge to bring glory to my God?” I was the one singing with exuberance: “I Am on the Battlefield for My Lord,” “Victory Is Mine,” and “We’ve Come This Far by Faith.”

I talked to God about my survival. He asked me how much survival time I would be satisfied with if He granted my request. I asked God to please be kind to me and allow me to see my youngest child graduate from high school—she was in the third grade at the time. A reasonable request, don’t you think? I have three children and wanted the privilege of rearing them in a loving, happy, God-fearing home. God said to me, “I will do that for you.” My faith latched onto His Word. I was cured. I took the recommended medical and herbal treatments and kept on living life with gusto and praise.

My daughters and I went skydiving. I left all my troubles in the sky with God. We had a blast! We went on family Caribbean vacations and frequent skiing outings. The children grew to know and love God. We were active participants in the church school and church youth programs. I focused on praise parties. No pity parties were allowed. Laughter and living life to the fullest was the family’s agenda. Our family built memory after memory. I especially remember my fiftieth birthday party and twenty-fifth anniversary cruise. We had high school graduation celebrations for my son and eldest daughter, and then my youngest daughter. The celebrations were grand.

Two months to date, of my youngest child’s graduation, I felt bone pain. The cancer had resurfaced in my hip bones. My faith grew like an oak tree in the spring. God had given me exactly what I asked for. He answered my prayer. He kept His word. If He never does another thing for me, I know He answers prayer. When He asked me again how much time I wanted, I gave Him full reign to do what?ever He wanted. I was assured of His love for me. I was also sure of His promises, knowledge, and ever-present helpfulness to me through every challenge, health or otherwise.

He is there with sustaining strength for trials, and to regulate the mind. When I was diagnosed with cancer, like many survivors, I had to keep positive thoughts; if not, death threats would take over. There is concern that every ache or pain could be the cancer again. There are thoughts of loss of life and funerals that can frequently creep into the mind. These thoughts and concerns must be avoided like the plague. Being aware of the body’s responses to treatment and medication is necessary, but figuring out how your family will survive minus you is not your territory of concern. Why take God’s job away? He can do it all. I had to get that straight.

It is because of Christ’s birth into this world that I know He understands my pain, debilitating pain. It is because of Christ’s birth that I can identify with someone who stood bravely through the unfairness, viciousness, and deadly grip sin tries to place on God’s people in the world. Jesus came here to teach me how a child of God can go through tough times and still have joy and happiness. Since Jesus did it, I can follow Him and do it also. Right? If you are in a similar challenge, so can you.

Thank God for the birth of His Son here on earth. He is truly my Tower of Strength! When I die, and we all will one day (this is not a practice run), I will rest until I rise with a cancer-free body. If I am faithful and develop His character, with His help, I will live eternally with Jesus— pain-free, cancer-free, and sin-free.

Thank You, Jesus for Your birth on my behalf. I love You, Lord. I glorify You, Lord. I will praise Your name for evermore. You are worthy of all my praises and thanksgiving. Thank You for keeping me alive seven more years already from what I originally asked for. Awesome! Proverbs 9:11 says: “For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased.” You gave me that promise, Lord, and I am giving You one in return. I will praise Your name till I die. I will never give up my faith in You. When the time is right, You will gently lay me to rest. Psalms 116:15 says: “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.” Until that time I’m going to be Your shadow. Give me strength to walk like You. I also have to deal with developing a Christ-like character along with this malady. Help me to accept the threatening words people send my way, just as You did. Help me to know when to speak and when to keep silent, just as You did. I’m learning, Jesus, that the center of my life is You, not my cancer. My response to life’s trials will be praises to You. It is all because of You that I can stand and face each day with joy. Thank You, Jesus, for sustaining me. Psalms 3:5 says: “I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the Lord sustained me.”

It is because of Christ’s birth that cancer, like any other challenge, is just something a soldier can and must overcome in this life. I decided to comfort other soldiers along the way. I decided not to complain or discourage others. I decided to upload all my blessings from God and to download my praise to others about every blessed experience. In doing this I help to bring glory to my Commander and Chief, Jesus Christ.
“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11). That is, bar none, the best Christmas gift ever.

DAWN DAVIS is a retired registered nurse and recently relocated to Orlando, Florida, from Maryland. She has been married for 30 years to Kenley Davis, M.D., and they have three children. She is sharing that she has metastatic breast cancer that has spread to the bone, lung, brain, liver, and kidney. She has lost sight in her left eye due to a tumor. She presently attends Patmos Chapel in Orlando. She says the favor of God is what keeps her going. On May 12, 2007, God gave her the strength to get out of her bed, after having been there for several days, to be the Women's Day guest speaker for her church.

December 10, 2007
Dawn Davis went to her rest on December 6, 2007. She, because of her hold on God’s unchanging hand, remained faithful to God throughout her 15-year battle with cancer. God honored her request and gave her seven years more than she asked for. The night before her death, she and her family had a praise and worship service. What a beautiful way for her to have ended her life—giving praise to God because of His faithfulness. She is awaiting the call of the Life-giver, Jesus Christ, when He comes in the clouds of glory to take His faithful ones home to live with Him for eternity. What a glorious day that will be! I Thessalonians 4:13-17. The question for us is: are we eagerly anticipating Jesus’ return with what is in our hearts, as well as by the way we live? He is going to take the faithful with Him. God help us all to be in that number.

I really need to step my game back in on posting! This is getting ridiculous. I have so many thoughts racing through my head and I need to get them out through my blog! Ok it is MARCH 23, Wow! Time has flown this is crazy. I know I say that in every post but I promise you it's like time does not exist here. I find the weekends extremely difficult sometimes. I say this because you meet so many quality people its hard to be at many places at once. This weekend I had the great opportunity to chill and hang with the people that I will keep in touch with beyond KOREA. Saturday night we had a game against a team called the "DEARS" they had a couple of X-KBL players they were a tough team we split out of two games. Anyways My schedule coming up looks like this.

Opening of OUR ENGLISH VILLAGE
Concert with the LEGEND
Basketball Game
Learning to play the FLUTE at School (random I know)
Week training for all ELEMENTARY SCHOOL teachers.

MY schedule keeps me MAD busy so on the weekends its def nice to just chill out. CATCH up on my emails and calls something in the month of MARCH I have not been good at. Anyways I have been vibing out to old school tunes for the month of March so thought I would mix it up and get a different style haircut!! lol hahahha so I went vintage on em!

Its been awhile since I got on here and let everyone know how I was doing out here in Korea. I guess it's been about a week since I have posted something last. I just wanted to give a quick update of how I was doing.

The new semester started last week! Things have been going great! I have two Co-Teachers and things have been running and operating smoothly. For the majority of the day we are in are office talking and getting to know each other. It is funny because before coming here I knew I would get to know my Co Workers. However I TRULY believe that my relationship with Soon Joo will carry on as my time closes to an END here. Last week a buddy on my basketball team brought back two bottle's of HIDDEN VALLEY RANCH and gave me one! So that was def an highlight of my week. They have ranch here but it does not taste close or the same to the ranch back home. Last weekend we had another basketball game. We played well everyone played with energy we smashed them to say the least hahhaahha. However it was good being on the court. On the 29th! IM GOING TO SEE JOHN LEGEND! so I am excited about that. On April 1st i'm going to see NORTH KOREA VS. SOUTH KOREA soccer match or shall I say FUTBOL match. I am really excited about that! I always tell people that each week and weekend that goes by is def going to be harder for me to leave! It will truly be BITTERSWEET! until then I am going to keep on TEACHING! hOPE everyone that is reading is well! Peace! Lg life's good

Fresh START. My School is being Upgraded!

Stepping Up

Wow! This has definitely been a good week. I came back from having some time off for the past couple of weeks. When I left they had started construction on the English Zone (the section of the school that is designated strictly for English purposes). I honestly don't know if this will improve the kid's English but I hope so. If anything else I think it will generate an excitement for the kid's to be excited to learn. I know that just being around the whole process has created excitement for me. I feel that I have to step up to the plate now and really deliver. Taebong will have state of the art facilities, resources, and equipment. Before all I had was a book to teach from and limited materials. Now sky is the limit. I also feel like I need to step up to the plate and deliver. My school has involved me alot with the planning and construction of the zone. I have given valuable input of what things should be added or taken out. I have given names to certain areas in the zone as well as hand pick inspirational phrases that will be posted throughout the zone. Also this week my school told me that they want to hire another native English teacher as well to be in charge of the after school programming. Even though I have many teachers at school with whom I talk to on a regular basis. It will be nice to have another native English teacher with me there as well. Here are some photos of what the zone is looking like so far

Lighten up on the BUS!

Last night my friend and I wanted to get out of our city just for awhile. So we hopped on the bus and went to the next city over and met our other friend. The three of us just hung out and basically talked the whole night until about 12 or so. We talked about life, home, and Korea etc. Anyways as we are on the bus coming home we are talking on the bus. We are not talking loud! We are not using profanity or talking about anything inappropriate. We are simply having a casual conversation until an older lady turns around and motioning us to be quiet. I found this to be EXTREMELY RUDE! I sat to myself thinking no this lady did not turn around and shhh me! I sat there I didn't respond back to her in anyway. I simply pretended that she didn't exist. As I go on talking the bust driver starts FLAPPING AT THE MOUTH. hahhaha I have no clue what he is saying but I know he is telling us to be quiet! Now I don't know if it was because I was a foreigner or if he was in a bad mood and didn't want to hear noise. Either way I thought it was very disrespectful and rude. I could understand if we were so loud that we were disturbing the ride of others. However we weren't! We were sitting right across from each other talking in a calm tone. I have noticed KOREANS are uptight when they ride public transportation. It's as if everyone is mad at the world. I know for a fact they always talk about happiness and being happy. Geez!! they even have a WORLD KNOWN COMPANY! in LG where there slogan is LIFE'S GOOD!! Wow? that's interesting if LIFE'S SO GOOD do me a favor and LIGHTEN UP ON THE BUS! just thought I would share that with everyone...Hope everyone is well peace