"Enjoy swimming for swimmings sake"

So for those of you who don't know...I am coaching Varsity (high school) swimming at the other Campus. I am technically the girls coach but we combine boys and girls since we only have 6 boys. They are typical high school boys as you can see. A bit full of themselves haha


Yesterday, we had our second swim meet of the season. Our first was on Saturday at SFS (Seoul Foriegn School). It was a LONG meet. I had to be up at 6 so I could meet the swimmers at school by 7 to ride to SFS. The meet was supposed to be over at 1 but ended around 4. Needless to say I was exhausted. Apparently so was Mark :)

The kids did a great job. The girls got 4th overall and the boys got 5th (which is awesome with only 6 swimmers). This is a VAST improvement from last year. The team was new and swimming wasnt a huge thing at our school yet. This year the kids have totally stepped it up and KIS is now competition. We have some really fast swimmers that truly love swimming (one wishes that he was Michael Phelps...does the dive and all).



Kelly, ShinHee (team manager), Me

After the meet, Kelly (the other coach who I love :) and I went out to dinner with Mark (assistant coach) and some of our swimmers. It was nice to sit and socialize with the girls and decompress after such a long day. After some Franky's (awesome deli sandwiches) we headed to Starbucks...the land of coffee (or hot chocolate for me) to have a drink. After that the coaches also went to have a drinks and decide on team captains.

Yesterdays meet was also a good time. It was at YISS (Yongsan International School Seoul). This week is half-day conferences (Wed-Fri) so I left school early to head to Itaewon. This meet was a sprint meet which went a lot faster...we were out of there around 7:30. Our swimmers got 4th and 5th again which is good. As long as we don't move down. There are school with some amazing swimmers...def faster than me haha. I think that this will be a great season and I am so happy that I decided to coach. It is very time consuming and a lot of work but its all worth. I have some great kids.

Oh the places you go...

Well it's official. I am headed to Vietnam for Spring Break. My original plan was Bali but being the procrastinator that I am, I waited till the last minute and there were no seats available. Instead of spending another dreadful vacation in Korea (it wasnt that bad but I am DYING for a beach) I decided to go to Asianna and find the cheapest ticket to one of the surrounding countries. Vietnam was the best choice. I am staying in Hanoi for three days then heading to Hoi An to lay on the beach and do nothing. I am going alone (yes alone people...my family thinks I am crazy) but I am up for the adventure. I enjoy being able to wander when and where I want. After our tour in the Philippines, I have decided I would rather fly solo. So I have been checking out the Lonely Planet but really havent planned anything. I do know that I plan to get clothing made while I am there. Hoi An is famous for all of the tailors. Literally hundreds of tailors that can make you anything you want out of any fabric for CHEAP. I full three peice suit for $20. I am so there. I may also do a day trip to one of the islands for a little snorkeling and maybe some scuba. It's been awhile. After I get back from Vietnam I have a week of teaching then it's off to JAPAN!!!! I cannot contain my excitement. I am going back to Tokyo, partying in Roppongi, shopping in Shibuya and Akhibara, and then seeing Jack Johnson in concert in Yokohama. I have waited sooo long to go to his concert and it never worked out so I decided...what the heck. I'll head to Japan for the weekend. I have taken off the Friday before so I will have a full weekend. I was also heading here alone but my friend Kelly decided that she wanted to join so...watch out Tokyo...here comes trouble. We are spending the first night in a hostel and the second night at a capsule hotel. I figure "when in Japan." It will be nice to go back to Japan and I am excited to show Kelly around. I will be sure to post pictures.