Well it Snowed!

Despite all my requests towards heaven for it not to snow for our BBQ, it did. Saturday it snowed all day! Here is a picture of Paul taking out the rubbish in the snow.

It is such a tranquil feeling sitting up in your apartment watching snow fall on the world below. Someone called it the 'silent white' and I totally agree. The city is silent - well that is until all the kids run outside for a snow ball fight, or your daughter insists on building a snow man in 2 cm of snow. Snow is so clean and fresh - for about 10 minutes and then someone walks on it or drives on it and then very soon it is just brown slush. Regardless, I do love it when it snows, there is something magical about the whole thing.

Sunday morning dawned nice and sunny and we did manage to have a BBQ - man it was nice eating meat cooked on the BBQ. Although it felt funny having to wear a tracksuit, gloves, beanie, jacket and all the trimmings to keep warm. Our Australia Day celebrations were topped off with a viewing of "The Castle," munching on Cardbury Dairy Milk and Pascal's Party Mix (thanks Kymmie and Amy!!). Mind you, we needed to have the subtitles on so the Americans could understand it. Nevertheless, it felt good to be an Aussie.

I was sent this message by a friend and I thought it was such I nice thing that I wanted to share it with you.

1. There are at least two people in this world that you would die for.

2. At least 15 people in this world love you in some way.

3. The only reason anyone would ever hate you is because they want to be just like you.

4. A smile from you can bring happiness to anyone, even if they don't like you.

5. Every night, SOMEONE thinks about you before they go to sleep.

6. You mean the world to someone.

7. You are special and unique.

8. Someone that you don't even know exists loves you.

9. When you make the biggest mistake ever, something good comes from it.

10. When you think the world has turned its back on you take another look.

11. Always remember the compliments you received. Forget about the rude remarks.

Have a great week.

Donnah

Christmas Photos

Christmas Morning at the Ciempka's

- Santa found us in Korea!

We spent the morning opening presents, drinking champagne and just enjoying being together for the day. Sarahi a fellow staff member from Mexico shared Christmas with us.

We had lunch at The Castle Hotel in their Western Restaurant. It was wonderful to eat an entire meal of western food!

After lunch we headed home for a well earned afternoon sleep. But before we left we had to have some photos in front of the magical Christmas Tree in the foyer.

* And one very sweet little Angel Gabriel - in the school's nativity play!

Saturday 27th January

Happy Australia Day for yesterday!

I can honestly say it is not fun having to go to work on Australia Day! Although we did make the staff come decked out in Green and Gold, it somehow doesn't feel right celebrating the day in - 2 degree weather. The only good thing is that Korea turned on it's finest for us and we had a lovely snowfall. There is something secure in sitting in an apartment watching the snow fall. However, we were planning a BBQ on the roof of our building tomorrow - looks like it will and indoors one.

As you can see I have started a this blog. I figured it was an easier way to keep you all updated on our life here. I will try to update it regularly with and bits and pieces of our life here.

The photo I have attached is one taken of us when Mum came for a visit - we look happy but it was - 15 degrees that day, yes 15 degrees below 0! I didn't know it was possible to feel that cold.

Mum arrived on 27th December. It was so nice to have her visit. The downside was that she came in the coldest time of the year. We saw all the sights through snow and 6 layers of clothes. It was still great to have her here. Now I am working on Dad to come for a visit.

We are all getting used to the cold and it suprises us that we think it is warm when the themometer goes over 0!. All of us that is except Claudia - she is not a fan of the cold. As you can see in the photo below.

Emily on the other hand loves it and can't get enough of it - especially if it means she can go sledding!

Well I think I should wrap it up for today. I will keep playing with this blog thing and try to work out how to make it look a little more professional.

Donnah

* Just one last shot to show you how cold it is here.

You know it is cold when the birds walk on the water because they can't swim in it!