Hello Everyone. First, we want to apologize that we haven't blogged in awhile. We have been busy with daily life - posting grades, conferences, PD and our first visitors from the states!

Two weeks ago, Andrew went to Kobe Japan for professional development on the Middle Years Programme in IB. He had a great time and tasted Kobe beef (my family will be drooling!)...He attended the conference during the day and explored by night. He wasn't feeling very good (coughing/conjestion) prior to going and his condition only got worse when he was there as he pushed himself to explore. Today he actually went to the "Happy Clinic" (no lie - although Andrew said they weren't very happy there....hmmm...) He got some antibiotics and is on the mend - FINALLY>

While he was off in Japan for 5 days, Mary Kleis and her friend Jennifer came for the weekend on their way to China. It was wonderful to spend some time with Mayr (college roommate and very good friend) and it was an opportunity for her to see our life here in Korea. I hope she and Jennifer had a great time. We even experienced our first Jin Ju Ban (sp???) Korean bathhouse together - this was an extreme cultural experience - complete with multiple soaking baths at different temperatures, various saunas and ice houses as well as a Dr. Fish pool. Yes, we soaked our feet in a pool with tons of little fish who swam up and ate the dead skin off our feet - it was a hair-raising experience and I screamed most of the time - Mayr and Jennifer were much braver than I - A 'must do' if you come to Korea!

Last weekend, I went to Seoul for the weekend for a KOTESOL conference (Korean TESOL). This was exciting. It was much better attended than in MinneTESOL - I haven't been to the National Conference, but I imagine it was something like that. This was for the PanAsian countries - very cool! We went to lots of sessions, learned about some Korean traditional games- which my co-worker and friend Michelle and I played and won! - And also did some shopping. Seoul has some really GREAT SHOPPING - VERY CUTE clothes - it was fun!

While I was at KOTESOL, Andrew went with the kids to a soccer Jamboree in Suwon. This is a city about 1.5 hours away from Daejeon. They had a great day - They played teams from all over Korea -as far as the results for their team: TCIS UNITED - Well...they weren't as good as they hoped (they won one)- let's just say the Koreans are GOOD little players! Ail played goalie and of course Lukas blamed her for the loss - this wasn't the real truth - Andrew said she has talent in this area -but it didn't help when the other team had over 20 shots on goal per game - Can we say Defense!

This week Andrew and I prepared for conferences. These took place yesterday starting at 12 - 8:30 (we taught for first 1/2 the day) and then again today from 11 - 3. We both felt they went well. At the high school level, they set up the tables in the gym as private/individual teacher stations with linons (white and black) with glass bulbs on each table - name plate in plastic - etc.... It was very professional and well attended. I think I have 30 total students (my classes are quite small)...and I had 20 parents attend - this was a good turn out! All my students are in 10th grade - usually the numbers dwindle as the kids get older. Andrew had an even better turn out - but middle school didn't have quite the presentation as the high school. Most of the TCIS students come to this school for their high school years (due to the tuition costs). The parents were very professional - extremely respectful - greatful...They want their kids to get an A - and want to see how they can help make that happen. It was a great cultural experience.

We now have a long weekend. We are really happy about this little break. We have PD on Monday and Tuesday again focusing on the Middle Years Programme -This time, our focus is on assessment. It is a good overview for all us newbees to the IB system or framework.

Anyway - the weather here has been gorgious! Sunny almost every day and in the 60's. We all are very greatful for this warm weather coming off of the monsoon season. We can't believe it is almost Halloween time - one of our favorite. We will miss hosting our annual Chili feed and constume party. We will be thinking of all you! We haven't decided what we will do here - I think it is much mellower here - we may go to Seoul as there are quite a few festivities there - we will keep you all posted. I hope all is well - missing you! LALAL A