the week is OVER

Today has brought new meaning to Thank God It's Friday. Having Halloween Day completed exhausted me and it appears the kids have been on a major sugar high since receiving candy on Tuesday. Everyday they're bringing in suckers, candies and chocolate. Not that I mind that part because they give me candy everyday :) But Tuesday was just a very tiring day attempting to take care of 12 kindergartens and then meeting their parents as well as doing high energy games for the rest of the day took its toll. Who knew teaching was so draining? Well I guess Ian and Tina (my teacher brother and so to be sister also a teacher) but other than that I doubt people understand how thoroughly exhausting this profession is. Mothers obviously but they experience tired on a completely different level than this. I guess in a way this preparing me for the exhaustion I will feel when/if I become a mother. Hahaha I gotta say, I'm not looking forward to it, being so drained I mean :) Mothers and teachers are saints...lesson learned.
I'm just waiting for Louise and Amanda to come over and do our ritual Friday of watching the new episodes of Grey's Anatomy and Lost.
I woke up this morning and got a chance to talk to my sister, brother-in-law and my nieces for the first time since I've been here! God what a great feeling that was. I definitely became emotional after talking with my sister then having conversations with both my nieces...but a really good emotional. It was incredible hearing their voices, I can't believe how grown up Alex sounds and how much Calista's vocabulary and speech is improving as she grows older. I'm going to return and they will both be little women, I can't wait to spend time with them. Listening to Alex ask me "when are you coming home?" and hearing Calista say "come by another day okay?" made me miss them so much and made me so excited for when I get home and get to hug them for the first time. Probably one of the greatest things about this entire Korea experience is how much my sister and I have talked. I look forward to her emails and blog comments so much! It's been an amazing feeling knowing that we're growing closer and closer even though I'm the furthest away from home I've ever been. I love hearing updates on my nieces but not only that, I like hearing about what is going on with my sister. I feel like we're really getting to know each other better as women and I really love the woman my sister is. And the mother she is.
I also really look forward to getting my mum's phone calls. Hearing her voice is the most comforting thing I've got here in Korea. I guess this whole overseas experience is not only learning things about myself (which I'm definitely doing everyday), but realizing what's important in my life. My family and my friends. More than ever I'm realizing how lucky I am to have such an incredible family. My mum, brother, sister, nieces, nannie, aunts uncles and cousins, and so to be sister have given me the most love and comfort since I've been away. Their voices, emails, comments and messages make my day. I can't wait until my brother's wedding and we can all be reunited again for such a wonderful celebration. I don't ever want to take my family for granted...and after being away from them and missing them more than I thought possible I don't think I ever will intentionally do that. I feel the same way about my friends, their messages and emails are what keeps me going on a day to day basis. The funny messages, little inside jokes, and lengthy emails are like a source of oxygen for me here. They keep me living, pushing on, and make me so excited for the day I return back to Canada.
Well this started off as an email about my week and how tired I was but it definitely turned into something else. Isn't that always the way? Anyway I'm just really thankful and appreciative of a lot of things right now and feel really blessed to have the people in my life that I do.
Well the girls should be here soon so I'm going to wrap this up. Until another day.

Alex: I can't wait to see your pictures! And I want to see a photo of you in your cool Barbie glasses. I bet you look beautiful! It was wonderful talking to you on the phone. I miss you so much and love you so much!!!
Calista: It was so nice talking to you on the phone. I can't wait to see the pictures you draw for me. The pictures you and your sister drew are on my fridge and I love them. I miss you and love you munchkin.