Kirsty in Korea: Happy New Year

Happy New Year!! or Se-he bok ma-ni ba-du-se-yo (in Korean).

Christmas went well here in Korea. I recieved some nice presents from Gil and his family. I didn't expect anything from them and I only gave them a few small things. But I think they appreciated the gesture and wanted to give me something back in return. I think the most lavish gift was from Gil's parents. We went shopping with Gil and his mum on Christmas Day as his parents really wanted to buy me a special clothing outfit, like a good coat and even a skirt and shirt. I felt uncomfortable about it at first as I didn't expect this but wasn't sure it was something I could refuse either??. In the end, Gil explained to me that this was a part of their parents considering me a part of their family and he assured me that it was something I should let them do for me.

I was a bit worried about it and wasn't sure we'd even find anything to fit me. We tried on a few different styles and Gil's mum kept insisting I look at the fur coats!!! Luckily Gil and I were able to tactfully say I didn't need something so lavish and besides the style is not flattering for my figure (makes me look huge). In the end we found a really good fitted navy coat, that was a classic cut and fit me perfectly. (It was XL size in Korean of course). It looks and feels stunning and I'm sure it'll last me for many years to come.

I can see Gil's family is treating more like their family now which is lovely and also still a little scary because I still struggle in communicating with them.

For those who don't know, Gil and I are planning to come to Australia in August this year and celebrate our engagement (we're not officially engaged yet....but it's coming). It'll also depend on whether Gil is able to get time off work?? At the worst case it might be that he'll only be able to fly in for the weekend of the party!! Argghh. Anyway, we'll cross that bridge when we come to it.

We're thinking about having some kind of casual celebration at the Rocks Riverside Park. It's a good location and pretty central to everyone. As for dates....I'll have to give a more final answer once Gil get's a job and we know more about whether he can get time off?? But I'm thinking either the Sat 23rd or Sun 24th of August will be best. Anyway, something to look at as it get's closer.

OH some more big news from me. I've applied to study a MA TESOL degree starting at the end of Feb 08. I'm waiting for an answer as to whether I'm accepted or not next week. It's an online course with Victoria University in Wellington NZ. Some of the benefits of this course are:

* I can do it online!

* I can do it part-time (takes about 2 years to complete)

* I can take up to 4 years to complete the course

* The course runs in tri-mesters (March - June; July-Oct; Nov - Feb).

* I pay the same as a NZ resident (which is about $1,000 per course so around $6,000 for the full degree - which is very reasonable).

* I will be qualified to teach university positions in NZ, Australia and overseas.

* I'll have extra time at work to do some study (as I've already done all lesson plans and created materials for my lessons for next semester)!!!

Anyway, I'm very happy with the benefits this course will give me and I'm excited about having a new goal to achieve. It'll be very hard work and I plan to only do the first trimester this year (Mar-Jun) then I'll take a break until 2009 as the next two trimesters will be busy with Gil and I getting engaged and then married.