Do you like apples apples?

Bon gia!

That's hello in portuguese, fyi! :D

This past weekend was really nice. David and I went to the Korean traditional market on Friday evening after a stop at the hospital (I had to get a check up for my ID card) and on Saturday we lounged around. Sunday was nice because we bought a bunch of groceries at E-Mart and had a delicious supper! Fresh calamari and spaghetti!

Speaking of E-Mart, we found a PET STORE in there! I guess we missed it the last few times we went. You see, it's got all these different levels as I described before, but we kept skipping one! And this level is the BEST so I'm especially glad we found it! It's like a best buy with all the TV's, computers, gadgets and house supplies (washers/refridgerators, etc). It also is like a Bed Bath and Beyond because of all the home goods. Then it's like a cosmetic department with all the different cosmetic booths set up! And, of course, there is a pet area which had me so excited.

David and I found two hedgehogs that we are thinking about buying. They are kind of expensive, but they are SO adorable I can hardly stand it. There are other animals, too. They have the sweetest little bunnies. I found one that looked as if it were made of the softest down-like fur ever. It was pristinely white except for splashes of soft brown that looked like chocolate milk splatters. It was hopping around in its little cage and wiggling its nose better than any thumper I've ever seen. I nearly died from its overwhelming cuteness.

Anyway - the pet thing is something to think about, especially with my first paycheck so close! :)

Next week I have this training session thing. It's for all native english teachers who are teaching in Gyeonggi-do and it lasts from October 21 - 24. Mrs. Lee (who is very good with her English) told me that she thought I'd be staying in a hotel or resort for the duration of the training. I'm excited to meet some more English-speakers and hope that I can learn some great techniques to bring back to the classroom.

Speaking of learning techniques, for our English genius club (for students who excel in speaking English), I am teaching about Newspapers. I am really excited that I can add that to my resume. I think that the fact that I have taught Children in a foreign country the 411 about newspapers (and we'll produce a newspaper or 2 as well) will help give me an edge over my journalist competitors when I come back to the USA. Last week they wrote various articles and for this week they are typing them up and making corrections.

Next subject: Wedding!
That's right. I know I haven't talked about it in FOREVER but David and I are obviously still planning a wedding. The date is October 17th and it's a twilight wedding. Ceremony will be at Shalom Mennonite and the reception of the historic Benton House in Irvington (5 minutes away from Shalom).

The officiant is still Shalom's pastor, Dagne Assefa (born in Ethiopia) and we'll have live performances from my sister (gospel) and my Aunt Grace (classical/opera) while a friend from church plays the piano (Linda!). Another woman from church has offered to play the harp and so that's what we'll do!

Bridesmaids are my sister Jessica (M.O.H), Amy Korbe, Amber Garrison and my cousin Laura Rhine who will be wearing ???! :)

Groomsmen are Josh Mill (B.M), Chris Foster, Kyle Walke and Adam Coppens who will be wearing all black suits (like resevoir dogs). NO TUXES at David's request. :)

The photographer is Sarah Whitfield.
The colors are chocolate and cream with green accents.
My dress is purchased, I'm wearing David's mom's veil and I'm buying some FABULOUS couture shoes from South Korea!

The reception will be a dessert/champagne extravaganza a la 18th century. The cake will be made by Franklin College's VERY own Pat (who makes the desserts at FC) and will be 4 tiers, white on white.

Music inside the Benton house will be live piano and outside for the first 2 hours will be a string quartet, followed by a mix of funky fun. :D

I'm VERY excited, as I'm sure you can imagine! I've got most of the work done, it's just little details now. Hoorah!

Anyway, I promised that I would update with pictures from the market. That will be in the next blog so look forward to that. <3