Spousal visa success

Relief and joy. They were the overwhelming feelings today in Seoul. We headed there early to get the results of her spousal visa application. And my wife now has a two year visa for the UK. I was pacing the corridor as my wife was in the Visa centre opening her package and we got the result we were desperate for. Much to our surprise the visa was processed within 24 hours of it arriving in Manila. Now we can plan ahead for our future. We've already started looking at flights home.

So, two months to go. Time is slipping away very quickly and I'll be back in the North of England in just a few weeks from now. In truth I am happy to go but know I will miss the place which has been my home for over five years a lot. I have taken my job as far as I can as things stand. I am tired of the work and need a break, need a challenge and importantly a change of scenery. We're both very happy with today's result and can now move on to stuff like sending things back to the UK. But I don't think things will take too long to sort out. I think my next few weeks will be a lot of fun. How can they not be with this beautiful weather?

Some wedding anniversary snaps

We spent our weekend celebrating our first wedding anniversary in Seoul. We pushed the boat out a bit for the hotel. It wasn't cheap but we went for a nice package deal at the Novotel in Gangnam, an area I'd never been to and quite liked whilst there.

The first thing we did when we got to Seoul was go to Itaewon for some food. We headed to Suji's restaurant. We'd never been there and I'm glad we went. Although pricey our meals were tasty and filling. I wish I could get a Reubens sandwich in Daegu - or any decent sandwich here to be honest.

I was stuffed and my wife was full up too so we got the subway to our hotel. Our package deal got us quite a few things for free thrown in including free drinks for two and a half hours. Needless to say I enjoyed this part. It was also the first time I'd worn my suit since our 'wedding celebration in May'. After drinks we ate in the hotel restaurant which again was expensive but the food was very good.

The next day we had no real plan so after the wonderful hotel breakfast we walked around Myeongdong window shopping because eventually going to Itaewon again, this time to the Wolfhound pub. I find myself going there every time in Seoul. We both relaxed and had dinner and beer before heading home to Daegu. I wonder what is in store for us next year.

First wedding anniversary

Today is our first wedding anniversary. I can't believe it's been a year already. Like every couple we've had our ups and downs, with some differences in culture and language those are inevitable but there's already been some great times with lots more in the pipeline. I can only wish that we continue to have a very happy and prosperous life together. Meeting my wife was the luckiest break I've ever had and being married to her makes me immensely proud and full of love and happiness. We're going to Seoul this weekend to celebrate. I can't wait.



It seems like I am always talking about and planning our future. Looking at the date I have seven months left working in Korea. The countdown is in full swing. It will be a bit of a wrench to leave - because the money is good - but it's for the best for both of us and we are very excited about or future in England together starting next year. Hopefully my work doesn't start to slide making me become a lazy presence in the classroom.



Further good news for me. After making some enquiries it turns out there was a payslip mistake for my bonus. They didn't pay me enough money for the days that I didn't use for vacation. In my next wage there will be close to 600,000won extra. Times like that you really appreciate working Korea. What a great start to October.

Cheering up

Being from the UK I am honour bound to talk about the weather far too much. Summer is over now, temperatures are down and from last week people are walking around in shirts, jackets and coats. In fact for weeks and weeks now to my dismay my students have been almost begging me to turn off the air conditioner.

It's amazing how much the weather affects my mood here. I'm more used to it than newcomers but Summers heat is much too intense for my North European disposition. Temperatures of 35/36°C are all too common in those nightmare weeks with the Feels like temperature sometimes being over 40°C. I don't know how the locals in Daegu put up with it all their lives. It's over and I feel like I've survived something.

Now the air is cool and the temperature is what it is and it's perfect for me. Being outside is not a burden now and work is less of a chore. There is no discomfort moving. No air conditioner on at home nor fan. There are no two or three showers a day (due to taekwondo), no sweating and no outrageous night time humidity that makes you feel like you can actually touch it, so thick it is because of pollution.

If the weather was like this all year round I could stay longer but it's not and I'm not going to do. I can enjoy the rest of my time in Korea and I'm really looking forward to the remaining months. One of my ex co-workers is leaving in a matter of days and it reminds me that my time will be up sooner rather than later - though I keep saying that! Time to enjoy the good things about Korea rather than dwell on what I don't like.

Taekwondo black belt success

We did it! Just seven months after first starting taekwondo classes we have all passed our black belt test. Today our Master casually told us that Diana and then his wife had passed. He then told me I had not but he was teasing me.

I couldn't be happier with how things have gone. To be honest it's not sunk in or doesn't seem real yet as I won't get hold of my new belt for a few days. Till then I'm going to have to be content with just being really happy.

Not bad eh, from white to black in seven months.

My wedding day in pictures

Our 'wedding lunch celebration' day turned out to be great. A special day for my wife and I to remember always. Here are some pictures taken of us, my new family and our friends.

After being introduced I was asked to say a few words

I had to write down my thoughts because I didn't want to make any mistakes

Here we are waiting for my wife's mother to say a few words

My mother in-law said very little but was very, very happy

The cake arrives and we have to blow out the candle

The cake was still defrosting so it was difficult to cut it, despite them giving us a sword

My wife and I amazed that the cake was so rock hard

My co-workers, Sang Hee, Sung Young and Nick

My wife and I enjoying the day immensely

Another co-worker shot of Sung Yong, Nick, Ivan and Jong Bae

Jong Bae, Diana and Sung Yong

Our friends, Hannah and Mark who are also set to get married

Big assembled family shot. Can you spot me?

My wife and I, with her mother and her brother

Another picture of my wife and I with her mother

Here is my mother in-laws sister and husband, and her children and their spouses

At this point my jaw was starting to ache a little but we continued - those are genuine happy smiles though!

More photos? OK, just one more

My wife really wanted to throw her bouquet and her friend caught it

Now we could sit down. Next to my co-worker, Jong Bae

Here I am with my partner teacher, Sung Yong

My mother in-law starting to relax a little

Baby loves oranges?

Baby doesn't love oranges

Two of my wife's cousins. The one on the left speaks a little English

Now my mother in-law really starting to enjoy the occasion

Cheers to a successful day!

Special thanks go out to my co-worker and friend, Ivan who took most of these pictures and of course to all those who helped make our day so memorable.

Korean evening blossoms

Right near my apartment. I see these every night as I walk home. I think they look better here than they do in the daytime.

The match that started my fire

Today brings me up to the six month mark of my marriage. I remain as happy as I've ever been and it's all because of my beautiful wife.

"Ton cadeau s'appellait desir
L'allumette qui porte ma flamme"

End of year post. 2009 highlights

Like most people, the past decade has been full of surprises. I could never have predicted what has happened to me. Overall it's been a very good time with more ups and downs. Living in Korea for four years has been a true experience. I have also been lucky enough to have travelled to many wonderful countries too. I also managed to get my degree at the start of the decade which is one of the best moments of my life.

This last year in particular has been a very significant for one thing specifically. Before writing this post I felt that apart from one huge that, perhaps not too much had been going on in my life but on reflection that's not been the case. It has been a very good year. Here are some of the great things about my 2009.

1. I got married. I love my wife and feel I am an extremely lucky man.
   
2. Got my 2nd Dan hapkido black belt. I feel very proud of this achievement especially as most of my training has been spent on my own. I worked hard and made many sacrifices but it's all been worth it.
3. Travelled to Hong Kong and Macau. Had a good time there and would love to go back and see what we didn't have time to get around to.
4. Managed to go back home to England and see my family. Hadn't seen them for some eighteen months and felt much better afterwards.
5. Started taekwondo. I hope this will last because I have had a great time so far. There's a real family atmosphere and it's going well right now. Getting a third martial arts black belt would be fantastic.
   
6. I've managed to save a decent amount of money. Never a bad thing to be able to put the pennies away. I am lucky to have a job that leads to my outgoings being so low.
7. Continued to stay debt free. For over a year now there has been no debt above my name. It's a great relief and release that so many people don't have the luxury of enjoying.
8. I've been happy for most of the year. I also haven't been homesick very often. Most of the credit for that belongs to my wife.
   
9. Bought a DSLR camera and seen the benefit of much better photographs. I really enjoy this technology and love my camera.
10. Signed a new contract at work which gives security for both myself and my wife. In a time of Worldwide problems it's good to be in employment and allows me the chance to save a bit more for my future.
11. Worked with and met some good people. People come and go but memories remain.
12. Against expectations, most work days have been full of fun, laughter and good times. I enjoy my job and wish more people felt the same way about theirs.
    
13. Went to the DMZ. A day I will hopefully never forget.
14. Moved into a significantly better and larger apart and live here happily with my life. It's nice to have more than one room and some actual natural light for the first time in a long time.
15. Downloaded, watched and listened to some great films and music that I wouldn't have been able to in the UK. God bless Korea's Internet.
16. I remain healthy and optimistic for my future.
17. Enjoyed the thrill of Liverpool's challenge for title. Despite coming second, at times it was very close.
    
18. Closer to leaving Korea, closer to travelling and coming 'home'.

I wish anyone reading this a very Happy New Year.