Home again home again

Well I'm back! Did you miss me?! I have loads to tell you from last week but I haven't had time to write about it yet, so until such times as the piles (NB plural) on my desk disappear, the 40 emails have been answered and the 17 voicemail messages returned you can make do with this. It made my day that little bit brighter so I hope you think it's funny too!

Seoul baby!

Tonight is my last night in Korea, this time. Bring on July! I think my life is going to get a lot more stressful between now and then, there is awful lot of work to do.

I’m sure it will have escaped none of you that tomorrow is St. Patrick’s Day. I will have the longest Paddy’s Day ever, 38 hours. Our flight leaves at 10.00am, and gets in at 9.30am. We arrive before we leave, how cool is that?!

I imagine I'll write a full account of our time here next week when I’m home but I saw this and thought it was appropriate for tomorrow.


Well I thought it was funny anyway.

Right must go and pack. I love being away, seeing a new part of the world and all that but it’s always nice to be heading home!

Seoul: Colder than Michigan

Who would have thought it was possible that there is a place that is colder than Michigan but Seoul did it. Apparently it’s unusually cold for this time of year but that isn’t much comfort. It snowed today and temperatures are well below zero. Oh I am such a southern girl now!

Things here are…well…interesting. I’m having a laugh through it all so that’s always a good sign. There are loads of things to talk about, I think I’ll be blogging for the next month on this trip. And happily for you there are plenty of photos to show. I’ll make a start with these.


I can’t actually believe I’m in Seoul. Everytime I remember I smile. One of my associated thoughts I have of the South Korean flag is of P4 and I was in Miss Nixon’s class. It was 1988, the Olympics were in Seoul and we had a whole month of special Olympics activities. One of those activities was colouring in the flag. I cannot believe I am here. Colouring in the flag I never would have guessed that one day I would be here.


I went out for an explore this afternoon. I don’t really know what this building is but thought it looked typically oriental.


As do these men. I don’t know why they are dressed like this, I just passed them on the pedestrian crossing. They look like they’ve escaped from an Olympic Opening Ceremony.

Yup, I've a feeling I’m not in Kansas anymore.

PS The time as I publish this is 21.15 on Monday not whatever it says down below, couldn't be bothered to change it. My brain is having a hard time working what time it is everywhere, especially when I am used to being behind everyone. Nine hours back for Ireland and fourteen hours back for EST. Much too much maths there.

So long, farewell, auf wiedersehen, goodbye (well kind of)

Tomorrow we go to Seoul on a recce for the conference. When I first heard about having to go on this trip I was so excited. George told me when we driving from Atlanta after he picked me up from the airport when I first arrived. But now, the day before the trip, I’m not sure I’m that excited.

Well, I am and I’m not. I’m excited to go to a different country in a continent where I’ve never been before, I’m excited I’ll be the first B. to cross the International Date Line and I’m looking forward to experiencing a totally different culture. In term of work, I’m looking forward to seeing where the conference is going to be and getting answers to all the questions we have. But I am not looking forward to the politics.

If you know anything about Korea, you’ll know there is fair bit of politics (if you don’t, think M*A*S*H*). But that’s not the politics to which I refer.

It’s church politics. Why is it with churches there is always politics? I really don’t think that what Jesus had in mind. Church politics is responsible for turning people off the church and sadly all that entails.

So if you pray, please pray for us. Pray for safety as we travel. Pray that we’ll, well more George, will have the words to say. Pray that we’ll deal with situations knowing God’s heart and looking to execute his will, not ours.

South Korea, being an Asian Tiger (knew that International Economics class would come in handy…some time) it is entirely possible that I blog from there, although I highly doubt it’ll be everyday. But no doubt there will be a fair few stories upon my return. Maybe even a photo or two.

As for your dossing time on tinternet during my absence, might I suggest the BBC website, always good stuff there, especially the Magazine and the Neighbours website. Or you could read old blogs, some of my favourites are here, here, here, here and here.

Pre-mouse this was the most exciting thing of last week

Last week when I was coming back from the Michigan I stopped off at the shops by the airport. I discovered just a few weeks ago that there is in fact an Old Navy in the Asheville area, it was new though so they can be forgiven for not letting me know. I imagine the email was on its way when I saw it for myself. (Old Navy is reason enough to abandon your principles and shop on a Sunday. Well that and the fact it’s about 30 miles away and I knew I wouldn’t be able to get back any time soon.)

While I was there I also checked out the other shops. I went into a shop called World Market, which upon first entering was like some sort of supersized Earthworks/Au Natural cross breed. But at the back of the shop there was an international foods section including lots of stuff from home.


It looks just like the Spar doesn’t it? Recently I was given some American Cadburys chocolate. Disappointing doesn’t even begin to cover it. The clue was on the back though, it was made by Hersheys. But World Market’s stuff was made in Britain. I checked!

The best news of all was they also had Thai Sweet Chilli sauce.