Ski Season

Paul is so excited that it is ski season. He has already taken the girls skiing and sledding. Emily had her first ski lesson last Friday. She seemed to really enjoy herself and wants to go again. She has a nice set of scratches on her nose where she walked into the back of Daddy as he was carrying his skis. He claims he stopped for someone to take a photo - I think it was to have a perve at some woman. Anyway we will never know. Anyway, they both returned exhausted.




Paul and the kids also went sledding on Christmas Eve. I was greatful for the peace and quiet as we had 18 adults coming the next day for lunch - a whole different post. Claudia told me she liked it, except for the fact that she had to climb the hill each time before she could sled. It is wonderful to see the girls enjoying the snow as who knows where we will be next winter? COuld be somewhere tropical where there is no snow - please?

Wishing you all a merry Christmas and a blessed 2008.

Goodbye Soccer Season.

It is with much sadness that I inform you the soccer season has finished. I finally get my husband back on the weekends!!!!!!! Hooray - I think? Paul's team played their final game on Sunday and as they were leaders in the competition they only needed to win that game to win the comp. Well they did 11-1 to be exact. I played duitful wife and came and took some shots of the action. Needless to say Mr C is very happy with the win. Mind you if he doesn't stop talking about it soon, he will not live to face another soccer season. It wasn't that cold on the day, maybe 1 or 2 degrees, but Claudia was freezing, you can see by the pictures, she need just a few layers of clothes.

Emily turns 7

Well Miss Emily turned 7 on Friday - how did she get to be so grown up? To celebrate her birthday she had a princess party (no boys allowed!). We held it at school as it was the only spot big enough to hold 13 girls. I decked out my art room with pink everything and the girls had a princess afternoon tea. They then made Princess photo frames all decked out in jewels. The afternoon was then finished off with a viewing of High School Musical 2 - on the big screen (my classroom projector), popcorn, birthday cake and then goodbye treats. I was exhausted, but Emily was so happy. She then had two friends stay over for the night. I am very glad birthdays only happen once a year.

Christmas Concert

We had our school's Christmas Concert on Thursday night. It was a big night for the Ciempka's.

Emily and Claudia performed with their classes and then Claudia's ballet class also danced. My drama class did some plays as well.

I wish I could lay claim to these photos, but my friend Jospeh took them. I was too busy chasing students to pick up my camera.

You will also notice that we had Emily's hair cut short, I much prefer it shorter, and I so do the nieghbours... No more morning creaming session to get it in a ponytail for school - apparently I hurt when I do hair.

The dance of the sugarplum fairies and my little fairy - very much out of time, but very cute.

More Stunning Winter Headwear.

The Ciempka's can't help themselves with all the winter hats.

Mind you neither can my students!

Snow Time

We had our first snow for winter last night. It was very light, but there was enough snow to make things slippery and cold. With the cold weather come the winter fashion. Now Korea is not know for its fashion - the following photos are proof.

Here are two of my students with their winter hats on. And of course the consumate professional I am, I had to have a photo in the hat too!

More shots from the Weekend.

Last night I couldn't upload all the photos I wanted, so I will try again.

Soccer Sunday

We are trying to get as much of the gret outdoors while it is still warm enough. We tagged along with Paul to his soccer game on Sunday. Got one or two shots of Paul, but spent more time photographing the girls. I had a minor heart attack this week when I realised that it is November and I have nothing organized for Christmas. It really throws me being here and it being cold at this time of the year. It happened last year as well. Christmas just sneaks up on me. Anyway if you get your Christmas card in January, please forgive me. Things have been a little hectic here. I mentioned in my last post that we were moving on. Well with that comes the job hunting process. Something I hate. Many late nights have been spent filling in applications to job fairs and to schools world wide. Keep us in your prayers a job in an exotic locale with a full time house keeper and a huge pay cheque would make all my wishes come true. Oh and somewhere where the girls can have a pet. Silly me promised them a pet as the trade off for not coming home to Australia. And you all know how much I love animals.

One last item before the onslaugh of photos. Paul finished his Masters - yay!!! I still chuckle to myself, but my husband is now a Master of Education.

A Saturday Outing

Paul and I have decided to not renew our contract here in Korea, we will move onto another school. So I decided that as this was my last autumn in Korea, I wanted to take some photos. Paul graciously looked after the girls and I headed into Seoul with some friends for some photo taking. Most of our time was spent at Gyeongbukgung Palace - the King's main home. Then there are some random shots from the streets of Seoul.

Insadong Art Street

It is orange and season

Korean Fashions

Yummy street snacks

At the Palace