There and back again: not quite a hobbit's tale by Katie Menezes

Well, once again I have been neglecting my duties of informing the good people of England (and elsewhere) what I have been up to. This post will be quite the instalment (feel free not no read all of it as it goes on for aaaagggeesss) as I visited the green green grass of home (I must stop quoting famous things as I am sure I am in breech of a copyright law)! That's right I went to England!!!

It all started when I found out that there was a national holiday lasting three days from the 30th of July to the 1st of August; these days happened to be a Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and I had two days holiday left. When I looked, if I used my last two holiday days on the Thursday and Friday, these dates coincided with the wedding of my fake big sis, Natalie Robbo (or should I say Mrs McDermot)! So I asked the head of my department (aka my friend San :D) if I could please bend the rules to go home for this week, and being the nice guy he is, he said I could! So the plotting began...

The tickets were booked, but despite my efforts I was unable to get in contact with my Fairy Godmother (aka Aunty Linda, who is also the bride's mother!). In the end I was able to get her e-mail address, and to be sure no prying eyes could see the contents of the e-mail, I entitled it 'TOP SECRET: FOR FAIRY GODMOTHER'S EYES ONLY'. Throughout the whole process of the surprise I had the magic dust of my FGM to help me along. She helped me squeeze my way on to the same table as my Mum at the wedding, informed me that Mum had booked a trip to London the weekend of my arrival (that's right!) and also kept the secret up until the last moment when she had to tell Uncle Derek, as quite rightly she said 'if anyone is going to notice the numbers are out for the wedding, it's an accountant'!

And so the journey begins...
I was lucky enough to have a travel partner for the first stage of my journey; me and my co-worker, Devon, were both travelling home at the same time and so we shared a taxi at half 6 on Saturday morning. I was glad to have him there as the ticket officer said that the bus that we were planning on taking us to Seoul Airport was fully book for the whole day -PANIC! Luckily, Devon was calm and apparently on the outside so was I. We went across to the train station opposite and got a train to Seoul and then took the airport rail-road to the airport itself. We actually got there at a better time and we were able to grab some lunch together. So I then had around a 5 hour to China where I then had a 15 (yes, you read right, 15) hour layover! Previously, when I booked my ticket the company I booked through rang me and asked me to Google if I needed a Visa or not (it turned out I did not)! I had met a lovely girl two days before travelling and found out by coincidence we were going to be in the same airport at the same time, so we arranged to meet at the golden arches (McDonald's)in the airport when my plane got in !!! Anyway I get to China and get told to stay in the tiny cordoned off are (again- PANIC). All of a sudden, all the memories of reading about horror stories where in this same airport people had been put in a tiny room for 10 hours!!! So I asked the lady if I was only allowed in the tiny are she had placed me in, and she replied "No, just wait here for your hotel"...? I hadn't booked a hotel, but I was then informed that they had booked me into one free of charge without telling me! So my plans with my new friend weren't going to happen, but I was relieved at the thought of a bed and a shower. Due to the strict VISA rules I assumed that the hotel would be in the airport, but after an alarming five minutes when someone had taken my boarding pass away, I was on a bus travelling 30 minutes away from the airport, boarding pass in hand. I had made friends with some lovely people and when we had found our rooms we all ventured out into the streets of China to find some food. One girl had to do a quick (and might I say mighty shady) money exchange deal with the doorman, who stepped outside to do it, which makes me think that it wasn't totally above board. After nearly dying from motorbikes and cars, having a lovely meal in a little shack (that to this day I have no idea what it was), seeing the streets of China littered with plastic, and lastly having a lovely chat with one of the girls I met, I went to bed. The 11 hour flight to Heathrow was as you would expect (apart from accidentally cuddling up to an old Korean man in my sleep) and then I was in London, nearly skipping through customs where I got a lovely 'welcome home' from the man. I was beaming just to see Western people en mass (which of course I wasn't used to and through force of habit was smiling at everyone Western as I do when I'm in Daegu), understanding what people were saying and so excited to see familiar faces. I got a train to Paddington, a free ride on the tube (courtesy of a stranger - thank you, whoever you are) and then I caught an earlier train to Darlington as I had allowed two extra hours for the Olympics and wasn't hindered by them at all . One problem, I had no way of telling Aunty Linda I had got an earlier train as for some stranger reason they have removed all the pay phones in Kings Cross! I was able to get in touch with Aunty Linda though, thanks to a lovely Ukrainian woman I sat next to on the train -thank you to you!!!My long journey took me two whole days all in all, and ended in a slow-motion run and hug to my lovely Fairy Godmother!

The surprises....
The initial plan was to surprise the Robbo clan the next day on the Monday, after picking my Mum up from the station on her return from her London weekend, at a little tea party. I was going to hide upstairs and then Natalie and Jimmy  were going to come up on the pretence of collecting a rather large present (as Aunty Linda said, 'they will go up and Katie will reveal herself'! Haha not literally of course). However, due to my early arrival the bride to be was at Aunty Linda's house, and so I waited outside around the corner for two minutes as instructed while Aunty Linda went in (it was the longest two minutes ever!). I walked up to the house, relieved to see that the blinds had been closed so they wouldn't see me, and I went in. Natalie had heard the door and called 'hiya', thinking it was Stu (her brother). Not wanting Nat to hear my voice, Aunty Linda replied 'hiya' (leaving Natalie quite perplexed). I walked casually round the corner and just said 'hiya' and quite casually Natalie replied 'hiya', immediately followed by a sharp intake of breath and then hugs and tears ensued! It was about ten minutes before I got to say hi to Uncle Derek. The whole journey was totally worth it just for those few seconds alone! Natalie later remarked that the biggest shock was that Uncle Derek had got out of his chair to close the blinds!

Next on the list was Aunty Evelyn: the same set up and the exact same result- like Grandmother, like Granddaughter!

The next one was Mum!!!!! I was so excited. Aunty Linda was due to pick Mum up from Darlington station at 4:00 pm, so after we went shopping for my wedding outfit, we headed over. Those who have been to Darlington station will know that when you get off a train from London, you have to walk along a long railing round to a ticket barrier and then back along the opposite way on the other side of the railing. So, when Mum got off the train, Aunty Linda was stood waving to Mum at the railing and I sat a bit further away, looking the opposite direction. Then as Mum was walking around the railing, me and Aunty Linda went as close to the ticket barrier as possible, with me concealed behind a pillar and Aunty Linda stood next to the pillar. Now, in typical Aunty Linda spy-style (aka secret squirrel), she gets her phone out and pretends she is reading a text message, when really she is updating me after casual glances like so 'I am going to setp to the left and then you step out in ...10 seconds...5 seconds...hi Julie'! I stepped out but I had a piece of paper over my face saying 'FORDY' (idea courtesy of Uncle Derek), Mum started giggling saying 'ee Fordy', believing if anyone was going to be with Aunty Linda it would Natalie. Gently prompted by Aunty Linda's 'who do you think it is?', Mum observed a bit more closely. This, I have been told was her thought process -the hair wasn't Natalie's, the person wasn't the same frame as Natalie... I knew it was you but thought it couldn't have been because you're in South Korea...'Katie...is it Katie?' As she wan't coming closer I pulled the paper down and there was more crying (yes that's right, Fordy cried!) and hugs!

The original idea of the tea party happened, beginning with Stu being told to get Mum's bag out of the back seat only to find me there, and Mum saying 'don't call my daughter a bag'! After the lovely tea party with some amazing wedding cupcakes made by the mother of the bride, we were drove home and coincidently drove passed Shell and Chessy (my Mum's cousin and her daughter). The look of confusion, the pointed finger and the glancing back and forth between the two, had told me that they had spotted us too. So a U-turn was in order and Shell exclaimed 'what are you doing here?', also quickly followed by the worry that I may have been sent home involuntarily!

Special cupcakes :)

Here is where the timing gets a little fuzzy due to my bad memory but I will start with Sarah (big sis)...
Mum goes in first and everyone is whispering because the kids are in bed. Mum is whispering repeatedly 'don't close the door' and Sarah confusedly whispering back 'What?What?'.  When I walk through the front door Sarah looks gob-smacked and can only manage to extend a finger to point at me and then froze. To which I shook to snap her out of it and then I was pulled into the living room where we both bounced around in suppressed excitement!

Elicia...
I got Mum to write (so she wouldn't recognise the handwriting)a note I dictated which had her name on the front and the following message inside:

'Elicia, be ready for 10 am for a big surprise. If you are unable to do this put it as you facebook status'

I went round and skirted the drive so they wouldn't see me post the note, and then I legged it!!! I got the go-ahead via facebook.

The next day I then walk round to her house and just ring the doorbell- hugs and tears, to which I said 'if people are going to keep crying at me, I won't come home'!

Aunty Annette and Ashley:
We needed to make sure there was enough room in the car home from the wedding. Mum knocks on Aunty Annette's door and I am hid round the side of the porch. Mum says quite casually, 'I just popped over to ask a favour. Do you think we can fit one more in the car home from the wedding; I've got a guest'. To which the response was, 'Is it Chris?' (I think I had better step out before hopes get too raised haha). I got welcomed in and Ashley comes down from drying her hair and does a few back steps when she sees me.

Andrew:
Elicia deserves a pat on the back for the part she played. Andrew text that he had just parked he car and was on his way to meet her in Starbucks. So she went in and got her drink and sat down first so he had to have his back toward the window and door. I hid in a shop across from the coffee shop and saw him walk in.  I waited an appropriate amount of time for him to get his drink and sit down. Then when I walked in Elicia said to him in typical Elicia style 'Oh my God look at this girl, she looks a state!', so doing is 'casual face' Andrew glances around looks at me (I am told with the thought that 'Oh that girl looks like Katie') and then continued to look for the girl who looked a state. I though at least he didn't look at me and think 'You're right she does look a state'. On re-evaluating the girl he had glanced at he though 'no, that looked too much like Katie' and I was able to see the slow progression of his jaw going from its right place to the floor!

I was also able to surprise friends from work, friends I hadn't seen in some time, my Nan, and great Aunt and Uncle, and of course my lovely niece and nephew, and it was just amazing. Thanks to all the people who took the time to see me and also a big apology to those I didn't get to see. The week went so quick and I would have loved to have seen everyone but there just wan't time, but I hope to have a good reunion when I am back for good (as Take That would say)!


The Wedding:

So the wedding was at Wynyard Hall; I had never been there before and I have to say it was absolutely gorgeous! So me and Mum got there and of course had to check out the bathrooms (I don't know why I have this urge to see how fancy the toilets are in nice places), and then proceeded into the bar and saw many a friendly and familiar face, and everyone looked great! We all then went out and saw the mother of the bride and the bridesmaid arrive in this amazing car:

Next  we walked over to the chapel which was lovely and waited for the beautiful bride to make her appearance. Meanwhile, Jimmy looked very calm and cool; not in the least bit nervous. Then the moment came, the doors were opened and a very proud Uncle Derek walking his daughter down the isle: 

Just after the ceremony

The ceremony was just lovely and when the vows came, everyone could tell that they both meant every word. There was a special dedication to Jimmy's late father, where a beautiful candle was lit for him. After the ceremony the official photographs were taken by a very entertaining photographer and then we took some of our own, not so official pics:

We went out into the beautiful grounds of Wynyard for a glass of Pimms (oh ya darling) and some more natural shots were taken by the photographer.  

The lovely Mr and Mrs McDermot

Me and my Mum

Then came the meal which I was over the moon with as it was a roast beef dinner with vegetables, gravy and ...a Yorkshire pudding!!!!! The starter was a lovely leek and potato soup and the desert was a creamy cheesecake, and of course the drinks just kept on coming. The favours at the table were some delicious fudge. Then came the speeches: first up Uncle Derek's speech that was heart-warming and of course hilarious. Uncle Derek had also prepared some special gifts including, a Natalie and James jigsaw, mugs, autographed merchandise and personalised newspapers, one of which claimed Natalie had snubbed Johnny Depp (it just means less competition for me ). Then an emotional speech from Jimmy, who was helped through  by his beautiful new wife. Lastly was the best man's (Jimmy's brother) speech, where he was true to his word and was kind to his little brother, and didn't embarrass him. Then the cutting of the cake, which was skilfully crafted by Aunty Evelyn (and she was quite rightly complimented continuously on her wonderful masterpiece):

What a wonderful job!

The cutting of the cake.

 In between the day and the night dos, we investigated Aunty Linda's room that she was staying in. It was fabulous! It was huge and had a special magic mirror that made everyone drop a dress-size! Then the night celebrations began. The first dance opened the dance floor:

The first dance to the Cardigans

Then all the couples we invited to join the dance floor:

The bride and groom, mother and father of the bride, the brother of the bride and his girlfriend

The party went on into the night and I had a great time and even got a picture with the lovely bride: 

I got to see Taff and Tamla at the reception, who were to be wed only a week later. We all had a good dance together (although Taff was devastated the DJ cut away from the Grease mega-mix, which I think is a DJ first!) to classics like The Conga, The Shoop Shoop Song and Let's Twist Again. My brilliant brother, Chris, couldn't be there as he is in Qatar, however for a moment I thought that he was able to make it as his friend Kirtley was at the reception doing a great impression of him:

 A great time was had by all, and I am so happy I got back for their special day. Congratulations Mr and Mrs McDermot!

Don't mind doing it for the kids!

Yet again I have let the weeks fly by without updating my blog. It could be my aversion to technology, or it could be the more preferred reason that I am very busy ( however I feel it may be the former haha)!

I will start with the beginning of June when my friend asked me if I would like to go and help out at an orphanage with her. I have never really done a lot of volunteering, but I was willing to give it a go.  So we travel to the end of the subway line and meet a girl who was co-organising this trip and another volunteer. It turns out we were taking the kids to watch a baseball game, with our local team the Samsung Lions. So we get to the orphanage and we don't really have the time to spend with the kids and so we are put in a car and taken to the game. When we get there is was packed and it was all a bit hectic. When we got in the stadium, we had lost the organiser who worked for the orphanage and the kids were leading the way, not really taking any notice of the strange foreigners that were following them. They all sat down in one place (there were no seat numbers or any indication where we were supposed to go on the ticket) and got all the food out. Then we got told we had to move to the 'free-seating' area, which we did and the kids again wandered off and sat down. The place was packed and we ended up standing at the back while the kids were sat at the front. In the end no time was spent with the kids, but we watched the baseball game which was good, but the day didn't turn out as charitable as I had expected. Still a good time was had by all, there was pizza and coke and the Lions won which was great. The atmosphere was really energetic, there were Mexican waves and even a hilarious slow-motion Mexican wave!!! There were these inflatable things that you bang together and it makes a considerable amount of noise! By the end of the game I sort of knew what was going on and we are hoping to go again for our friends leaving do, I am definitely going to get myself some bangers (that's what I have been calling the inflatable noisy things, although it either sounds like some sausages or some well placed plastic surgery!).

On the evening we went to this lovely Indian restaurant called Maya. I do miss my Indian food and this place is delicious! It is owned by Indians and so the food is really authentic and the man is so friendly, whatever we ask he is like 'for you pretty ladies, I do'! We have now been back there a couple of times!

The next day we were off to Busan to the sand festival, which was a really good day out. We got there and there were loads of stalls and some amazing sand sculptures!!!

Of course as we are in Korea there was a Hello Kitty one!!!  There was a place where you could make your own sand sculpture and there was a really good concert. It was lots of different Korean bands that did some songs, but then we realised it was also a competition to see who could do the best rendition of Poker Face, because every band sang it at some point. There was this fantastic band that also did a great version of Rolling In The Deep (although that song is on everywhere here, it was still nice to hear a different version).


While we were there we thought we would make the most of it and go to the aquarium; it was great, there were loads of crazy fish and we got to see the sharks and penguins get fed (separately obviously hahah).

There was also this boat ride you could do in the shark area; the boat had a glass bottom so you could see the sharks up close. This seemed a bit terrifying to me, but I was going to pluck up the courage and do it, but they said there was a long waiting list. I was a little relieved that there wasn't going to be another jaws situation but also a little bit sad that I had missed the experience. All in all it was a great day in Busan and had changed my mind about the place (if you remember me and Mum did not have a great time there), the weather definitely improves visits to the beach!

Busan fake robot!

Busan shinanigans

A couple of weeks ago we had to go and present ourselves in a meeting for potential students' parents. The boys had to wear suits and I had to make myself look a bit more presentable (haha) and we all filed in and stood in a room with a lot of parents looking at the foreigners. As I have probably mentioned, as foreigners get stared at a lot anyway, this was a bit like a zoo situation with organised staring. Anyway my boss, Mr Lee, was saying something in Korean and then said my name (I had been warned I would need to say a little something to the parents that won't understand what I am saying). So, I stepped forward and said I was from England and I teach speaking and writing, I have a degree and whatnot. After my colleague, who can speak Korean told me what introduction Mr Lee had given me; it consisted of  me being the newest foreign teacher at Honors and that I had nice red hair!!! I thought this was an excellent reason for the parents to choose our hagwon!

The following weekend there was more charity work to be had. We went to the summer carnival which was held in a sports hall and there are different tables with different activities for the kids to do. So we go in and set up our table which was a name art station. Here kids can get their name translated into the English spelling and make a name plate for their door, we also tried to do a bit of origami but the kids turned out to be way better at it than us!!!!

One of the many concerts we have stumbled across

Egs of our origami at an impromptu concert

So after setting up we all sat down and the kids did a little dance for us which was so lovely! Then we all played that game where you have to get into a group with a certain amount of people in it and then sit down. The kids were so friendly!!!!! There was this adorable little boy who was loving hiding a pen and me pretending to look for it and then pulling it out from behind his back! There was also an older kid who liked to come up and scare me with vampire teeth in haha! The kids were all having a great time and it was amazing to see how happy it made them. There were loads of other stations like nail art, face painting, shooting basketball hoops and lots more. After we all sat together and had pizza and chicken. I met some really amazing people and some beautiful kids.

This was the cutest little boy!

This day was followed by a variety of people all going for pork BBQ and having a night out leaving me not too healthy the next day!!!

I know I don't talk about things that happen at school a lot, but there are many funny or lovely things that do happen. One such event was that we were answering the questions who makes us happy, and one of my cheeky (naughty but adorable) elementary kids stopped messing around and looked like he was thinking hard. He slowly and carefully formed a PERFECT sentence ... 'teacher...you...make ...me ...happy'!!!!!! I was so happy (and obviously a little bit choked up). Some of the kids I teach are amazing and makes everything so worth it!!!


Love to England!!!!!!

3 weekends worth of fun!!!

So (that 'so' was for my sister who as observantly informed me that I start a lot of paragraphs with a 'so'), I have been lax again and not updated the UK about my last three weekends!!! Sorry this is going to be a bit brief.

Weekend 1:
I actually went to Busan on a sunny day, and it turns out it is a great place with the right weather and when things are open. This day made up for the terrible, rainy day I had in Busan earlier on. The fun began at the very beginning when we encountered the tiniest sink in the world:

For our first port of call, we went to the modern history museum and learnt all about Busan, mainly about how the Japanese had oppressed the Koreans. However we managed to make this stop more upbeat by getting excited over the mini village they had:

 Then we went to the UN cemetery and saw all the graves and memorial fountain.

This is the Canadian memorial statue, the amount of national flowers  signify  the amount of unknown soldiers found.

We also got to see the changing of the guard:

After that we hit the beach!!!

 When it started to get dark we went to the largest department store in the world, its a Lotte department store and has a Guinness World Record!

On the night we all went on a night out and had a cracking time and introduced my friend's friend, who was visiting from England, to drink in a bag!

The next day we were going to go to the baseball  game with our local team, the Samsung Lions (that's right, everything is Samsung!), but it was sold out. So instead we decided to go to Duryu Park, where by chance there was an amateur baseball game on, so we stayed and watched that. We actually saw someone get hit in the face with a baseball at full speed but was fine! On the evening we went to a hookah bar, where they serve nice wine and cheese(both of which are hard to find in Korea).

Weekend 2:

This weekend was a pretty good weekend activity-wise, on the Saturday we went to an amusement park which is pretty close to us called Woobangland (or E-world). It was amazing and the highlight of the day was when one of my friends lost his hat on the roller-coaster -epic!!!

These were electronic and you could ride them!!!!

This was pre-coaster, before the hat was lost!

Me on the swinging ship!

Mystical smoky drink!

I met the Hulk and got all shy!

My friend's friend jumped off this tower!!!

Trick art seems to follow me!

Must be love!

On the evening we went for a lovely meal for one of my friends leaving the following weekend, and also for one of my friend's birthday. It was lush and I have been back to the same place a couple more times because it was amazing.

After that we went to see the new Johnny Depp film, Dark Shadows!

The following day I got to experience a Korea wedding which was a little different from a western wedding. All colleagues are invited to as Korean wedding and so we got there and it was in a massive building called the Prince Rooms, which is where there are many rooms and photo rooms, so numerous couples can get married at the same time. Guests are required to give money to the couple at Korean weddings, but my work paid for us. We went up to a photo room to see the bride getting her family photos, and she was nice enough to let me have a photo with her as well. She looked gorgeous:

 Then we went down these stairs to the room where they got married, which had a little catwalk type thing and the flower baskets hanging from the ceiling, that lowered during the ceremony. The groom walked down the aisle and did some bows, as did the parents of both sides.

 

The close family members wear the Korean traditional dress called a Han-bok. 

 

The bride then descended from the photo room. During the ceremony, people do not make any effort to stay quiet, people were talking, on their phones and wondering in and out of the room throughout.



After the ceremony a close family friend stood a very short distance away from the couple and sang at them. I thought this was quite strange, but what added to the situation was he was singing 'This is the Moment' (from Jekyll and Hyde for those of us who love musicals) in Korean. What was even better is that he was so nervous that the performance took a hit, and so later on, when there were less people, they did a second take which went much better. 

Another mystical drink in waterfall form!

The cafeteria

After this, there were a lot of photos, one of which I was in as they get everyone in one massive picture! There was also a few attempts at getting a photo of the bride throwing the bouquet to a designated recipient! That's right no brawl for the bouquet! Then everyone went upstairs to eat at what I can only describe as a very nice cafeteria, the food was lush but a bit of a strange situation for a wedding. I think all the different guests from all the different wedding go to the same room? 

The couple in their Han-boks in the cafeteria!

 While we were eating the family members go with the couple to do a traditional wedding ceremony in their Han-boks. So then after you eat you go home. It is a very short experience, I think I was out the house about two hours, but it was an experience I thoroughly enjoyed.

After that I met with my friends for a little dinner, which was lovely.

Weekend 3:

This was the weekend I had been dreading, one of my closest friends was leaving on the Sunday, so I slept over her house for the last two nights. On the Saturday we all went to the army base, they were doing an open day for people to go and see the vehicles, there were also traditional performances with swords and even some Zumba to watch!!!!

Traditional sword performance.

In his element!

An 'oo' reaction from nearby Koreans!

Fire engine!

The Americans feeling right at home

I don't think the soldiers do Zumba in the field but it was fun to watch! The food was amazing, especially the corn on the cob, sounds strange but I don't think its as nice in Korea. Then we went for a delicious meal at a Shabu-Shabu place, where you basically boil everything in a pot in front of you. You get very thin beef strips and it cooks in the water, it was lush!


On the way to the restaurant we passed a parade in honor of Buddha's birthday, which is on the 28th (so we get an extra day off-woop!). It may have severely slowed our taxi ride, but it was worth seeing:

It actually breathed real fire!

Then the day was upon us, my friend had to go and we took her to the airport early in the morning. After that I got some sleep and then went on a shopping trip for some retail therapy. I also got the chance to go to a cat-cafe for the first time!!!!That's right- a cafe where you can just pet some cats while your there! Then more eating at that nice restaurant!!!! Just when we were going to wonder round downtown aimlessly, we stumbled across a live singing competition along with performances from (apparently) semi-famous groups! It was amazing! I love Korean pop!!!

So that concludes my last three busy weekends! Apologies for the terrible spacing, but me and technology do not mix and it's the best I could do! I hope you enjoyed it! Lots of love back to home!!!