Missiles and things...

The air in Korea is quite interesting these days. Both in a figurative and literal way. First of all, we just had a bout of 'yellow dust' from China. This dust actually blows over from the Golbi desert in Mongolia, but for some reason they blame it on China. (Korea hates China) When this yellow dust comes a few times every spring the Korean's freak out, with fair reasoning actually. The yellow dust colors the air yellow giving Seoul a very eerie glow to it. It can also get into your lungs and nasal passage and cause all sorts of problems. Because of that people usually wear masks. Last year I didn't wear a mask and lost my voice for two weeks because of this dust. This year I have a mask, but I forgot to wear it on one of the dust days. Luckily I only got a cold combined with allergies...making my head feel huge and my nose just as snotty as ever. Better than losing my voice though.

The air has been interesting in a figurative sense because North Korea is about to launch a rocket satellite, which is actually believed to be a missile. Seoul has been running it's emergency sirens on tests just incase we are to be attacked. It's kinda scary though to hear those sirens and see all of the cars stopping in the streets. Who knows now when they run the sires if it's the real thing or just some more tests. I think North Korea is planning on launching this rocket thing on the 7th of April. According to South Korean sattelites, they set it up on Wednesday, but apparently it will take a while to fuel it. Otherwise, it's ready to go anytime. Luckily Korea, Japan and the states are monitering this situation very carefully. I will be very curious to see what happens though. I personally think that North Korea would think this is the perfect time to launch war on South Korea with Obama being president. North Korea probably didn't want to do anything like this with Bush as president because they knew he would just declare war on them, now with Obama though, I can see how North Korea would want to test the waters a bit. Let's just hope it's all a hoax on North Korea's part...otherwise, I could be toast (quite literaly). I must say though, it is a bit exciting to be in the middle of all this. Guess thats the journalist coming out in me. :)

Among lighter subjects I am moving again! Haha, yes...life is always a suitcase for me. My school is moving me to Jamsil, a nice neighborhood closer to the center of Seoul. The apartment is smaller, but it's only 2 minutes from school, within walking distance from Olympic Park, close to a lake with a great walking path, and so many other things. I am thrilled about this move...even if it's only for my last two months.

Which brings me to my next topic...going home! Yay! I never thought I would be so excited to go home, but I am. :) This year has been a wonderful and definitely growing experience for me, but I am ready to finish it up. I need some down time, some vacation time, some time to get my head together after this whirl wind of a year. I booked my plane ticket for the 31st of May. I'll be flying into Charlottesville where I will stay with my Dad and Doro... and apparently my big brother too, for two weeks. Then I'm heading off to Panama with Heather for a three week vacation. It will be interesting to go from living in Korea, to the States, to Panama. Talk about some weird culture shock. Then I'll head back to Charlottesville, Hburg, DC for the next few months. I am more than thrilled to see people, hang with my family, visit friends, sleep in, eat American food...etc.

Until then though, I will teach Kindergarten for two more months and try to learn as much as I can from these crazy kids. Life is a wonderful adventure! :)