So the new schedule is a little overwhelming. I’m working overtime right now but I’m getting paid a little more so that helps a lot! I just think of the money, especially with how the economy is and the exchange rate. It’s a little aggravating these days. But I’ll be okay. My students are more then my last schedule but I’m getting used to it. My middle school boys are just hysterical! I’m going to take a video of them. One of my middle school boys wrote on the board “I love teacher”. I was touched. They make me laugh so much! I love them and my heart goes out to my students. They study so hard being the education is their LIFE. They don’t have recess like in the states, but at least they have gym class. They’re suffocated so much academically they don’t enjoy it really. And I thought America’s education was bad! American education could be a lot better, but at least its not as bad as Korea’s. I have to be honest and say I’m not to enthused when I heard Obama wants to make the school days longer. That made me nervous for the younger generation. I understand his intentions to keep kids off the street, but then again would the kids actually enjoy school then? Or would that lead to hating it?? For some students, school is easy than some other students, who have to study twice as hard as others to do well in school. I think making the kids join extra-curricular activities will keep them off the street. That’s what I did and I stayed out of trouble. I went to Gyeongju with some friends and through Adventure Korea. It was amazing!  The big mounds are tombs for the kings and queens. The taller mounds are the kings and the shorter ones are the queens. (Wikipedia)The city remains an important centre of Korean Buddhism. East of the downtown lies Bulguksa, one of South Korea's largest Buddhist temples; nearby is Seokguram, a famed Buddhist shrine. Traditional prayer locations are found on mountains throughout Gyeongju. Such mountains include Namsan near the city center, Danseok-san and Obong-san in the west, and the low peak of Hyeong-san on the Gyeongju-Pohang border. Namsan in particular is often referred to as "the sacred mountain," due to the Buddhist shrines and statues which cover its slopes. You can check out this website http://www.gyeongju.go.kr/eng/main/index.aspGyeongju blew me away. It was so beautiful and historically fascinating! I’m going back in the summer. S. Patrick’s Day was quite nice here actually. They had a cool parade in the Seoul area. They also had an Irish band performing. The music was really nice and we saw Irish dancing as well. A lot of people were dressed in green of course. Ha-ha. They also had a Korean pop/rock band perform English songs. They were REALLY good! I went out dancing with some friends that night. This past weekend I went to Saraksan and we took a beautiful nature walk to see Yongso Falls. It was absolutely beautiful!! It took my breath away. I want to go back on my own and paint it. I love the tour groups but there’s also a schedule. So I can’t just sit and relax the way I want to. As usual, this was through the English tour group adventure Korea! Ha-ha! Some of my friends joined me on the trip. It was so much fun. Those of you that know me I’m afraid of heights, so I hiking up this mountain took courage for me. I was shaking so much! But I’m really glad I did it! I can say that I hiked up the mountain. The view was a loss for words of beauty. My friends and I were all SORE as HECK the day after! That night before the easy hike I slept pretty restless. During my sleep I was imagining I was going to fall of the rocks! UGH! My friends and I were joking along the hike and nature walk that we received powers since we reached the top of Saraksan! Ha-ha! My powers are blue vision and power of serenity! Which means I have a gift of calming people down. One of my friends made me laugh so hard, my face turned red! Anyways, that’s in summary of what’s been happening. Planning a trip to Beijing to see The Great Wall with friends on Children’s Day weekend. May 2nd thru the 5th. We got a cheap package deal. My friend Nate might be there which would be cool, but I’m not sure!