This week has been eventful with another attack from North Korea. It is sad that it is a fairly common thing around here, most Koreans don't even flinch when things like this happen. Living in a country and having a hostile neighbor for 50+ years gives you time to adjust to acts of war. When I first got here I thought the monthly invasion drills, amount of military, and sirens were a bit ridiculous, but after this event I guess they are all necessary precautions. When we first got here we asked a lot of questions, but my co teachers insisted it was fine. We would often say "This is strange for us because no one really hates Canada. That is why tourist sew Canadian flags on backpacks even if they aren't from Canada." Living abroad has made me thankful, and proud to be Canadian.

It is sad how much knowledge Korean kids have of war, military, and weapons. This week in class while discussing the North Korea attack with a group of 10 year olds; I had a child explain to me the chemicals used to make a nuclear bomb. Since military is mandatory here for males when they reach their twenties, a lot of my students also pray to be from another country so they don't have to do service. When I asked some middle school kids how they felt about it, they would answer "It is so terrible, I don't want to be a solider I want to play soccer and computer games." For now life goes on as usual, and I am glad I don't live near the boarder.

Farewells are still happening weekly here. This weekend there are 7 foreigners who will say goodbye. My co-teacher has also left my school, so there are a lot of changes happening soon. I am heading to China this week, so I am really looking forward to that. Caitlin and I have booked a tour and are going to hit up all the major tourist attraction in Beijing before she heads home to South Africa. I will be sure to update when I get back!

To keep busy I have started to plan a trip to Beijing. I feel while in Asia I have to see the Great Wall, so I have taken some time off to check that out in December. It will be a short 5 day trip, but I plan to hit up the major sights in Beijing and do some shopping as well. I thought Thailand would be my last vacation while here, but now that I am staying I will get to see China, Japan and possibly a couple days in Hong Kong on my way home.

After being here for 10+ months my goodbyes to friends have officially started. Since most people sign a year contract, many of the great people I have met are now leaving to go home. For the next month it will be pretty consistent with one goodbye a week. I have decided to extend my contract for 3 months, so my goodbye wont be until the end of March; but it is still hard to see good friends leaving. The people I have met here are from all over the world. It has been a wonderful experience with a wide variety of people. I am very thankful to have had the opportunity to meet everyone I have crossed paths with here.