Last GIC tour

We have had a great time volunteering at the GIC and participating in their tour groups.  Our last trip with them was awesome and memorable.  We started off at a Buddhist temple, which has some of the oldest original buildings from the 16th century.  This is unique because many temples were destroyed during the Japanese invasion at the time.

Entrance to temple grounds

Walking to temple

Lotus pond

One of the oldest buildings.  The sign said it was built without any nails!

A newer pavilion with lanterns

Looking out of the pavilion over the monks' dormitories

The main sanctuary; one of the older buildings.  The paint is nearly gone but the woodwork was exquisite.

Shutters

Main Sanctuary

Ceiling woodwork

After the trip to the temple, we went to a nearby national park, and hiked to a waterfall for lunch.  Beautiful views!

Our friend Christina

After our hike, we headed to a nearby beach.  I didn't get any pictures there because we were too busy swimming!  We have loved our trips with the GIC.  They helped us experience so much more of Korea than we would have on our own.  What a great organization in Gwangju.  Just another reason why we loved our city so much!

Last day of the semester at Songwon Elementary School

We had our last day of real teaching last week.  It was bittersweet.  We said goodbye to so many wonderful students.  We got lots of nice letters, hugs, and love.  We were so fortunate to find jobs at such a great school.  We really had such a positive and enriching time here.  Some of you know that we SERIOUSLY considered renewing our contract another year . . .  while I am happy with our decision to come home, there are definitely going to be days that I will think back to my time at this school and really miss the kids.  Here are some pictures of some of our classes and students:

My morning class, grades 5-6.  We met 4 days a week, English was their morning elective.  From left to right, Helena, Justin (obsessed with Batman and Iron Man!), Jennifer, Christina, Anna, Alice, Clara, Daisy, and Sue

Bradley's morning class, grades 2-4.  From left to right Jason B., Jason S., Kevin, (back): Star, Loren, (front): Amy, Heidi, Alice

Jack Sparrow; a fifth grader who lived in Boston for a year, and was fluent in English.  He always wanted to chat with us, and he was such a sweetie.

left: Elisabeth, right: Julie

4th grade

6th grade

One of my CRAZY 6th grade classes.  This is how these boys were everyday!  Poor Clara in the back, the only girl in class . . . 

Loren

Jason S.

Amy

Loren and Star

2nd grade

Sandy

Bradley's 3rd grade

Same 3rd grade, jumping!

Carrie's 3rd grade

Cindy and Sandy

Sandy drew us a picture 

Daniel, 2nd grade

Eric, 2nd grade

Joanne, 3rd grade (taken in the cafeteria, see our cool reusable lunch trays!)

Carrie's 6th grade

James, 2nd grade

2nd grade

Carrie's 2nd grade

Bradley's 4th grade

Carrie's 4th grade

Bradley's 1st grade

1st grade

Bradley's 2nd grade

Lay and Daniel

Bradley's 3rd grade

3rd grade

5th grade

Bradley's 5th grade

3rd grade

3rd grade

James, John, Julie, Jenny, 2nd graders

2nd grade

Bradley's 5th grade

Carrie's 5th grade

same class, with me!

Bradley's 4th grade

Carrie's 4th grade

2nd grade

Carrie's 2nd grade

Student's reactions to Bradley's new haircut . . . buzz cut is not too common here!

These were only some of our classes . . . we had about 300 students each.  We had so much fun with all of them.  Before we left, we gave them our email addresses.  I have gotten a couple emails already.  We are now teaching 15 days of summer school, and then we leave Gwangju . . . I can't believe how the time has flown.  What great kids we had, and such an awesome and fun job!