I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas! Korea is the only East Asian country to recognize Christmas as a national holiday, so that means I had the day off, yay! It was a little hard being so far from loved ones, but I managed to enjoy my day anyway. I had brunch with a few friends, then I spent the rest of the day relaxing and watching movies.

My apologies for the lack of posts lately. I’ve been a little under the weather and have been a bit lazy…more posts to come soon! In the meantime, here are a few photos from the past few weeks.

On the last day of classes for the semester at my small school, I had the students make Christmas cards for their parents and homeroom teacher. They surprised me by making them for me instead. So sweet.

I was showered with holiday love from my students.

My living room was quite cozy on Christmas. The previous teacher that lived here left a tree behind for me to decorate and get in the Christmas spirit.

My living room was quite cozy on Christmas. The English teacher that lived here last year left a tree behind for me to decorate and get in the Christmas spirit.

The great thing about my small school is having very small classes. The third graders are the cutest.

The great thing about my rural school is having very small classes. The third graders are the cutest.

Here I am with the fifth graders. We decided to have a photo shoot on the last day of classes.

Here I am with the fifth graders. They love pictures.

I have much larger classes at my main school. This is one of my 4th grade classes. They all wanted to stand next to me in the picture so I got squished in the middle.

I have much larger classes at my main school. This is one of my 4th grade classes (the smallest of the classes at this school). They all wanted to stand next to me in the picture so I got squished in the middle.

Its been very cold lately. It was 8 degrees on this particular morning. I hate the cold but must admit the dusting of ice and snow made the view that morning quite beautiful.

Its been very cold lately. It was 8 degrees (Fahrenheit) on this particular morning. I hate the cold but must admit the dusting of ice and snow made the view that day quite beautiful.

This is the view from my office. I had no idea it was going to snow so often here.

This is the view from my office. I had no idea it was going to snow so often here.

I went on a temple stay last weekend (more on that later) and this sign was on the door of my room. I have yet to see any "wild animals" in this country.

I went on a temple stay last weekend (more on that later) and this sign was on the door of my room. I have yet to see any “wild animals” in this country.

Palsangjeon in the sunlight at Beopjusa Temple.

Palsangjeon in the sunlight at Beopjusa Temple.

Beopjusa Temple

Beopjusa Temple, Songnisan National Park

Beopjusa Temple

I’ve been to this temple multiple times. Winter seems to be the only time it’s not cluttered with people.

Look at the size of those icicles!

Look at the size of those icicles!