Jen's Summer Travels

It's a shame, but Cory and I joke about someday getting to travel back to the U.S. TOGETHER. Since I moved to the International School a year and a half ago we have not really had coinciding vacation time. We did go to Taiwan for a week in January, but we have not been able to go the States together since ... Christmas of 07??? Tell me it isn't so!!!

A few of the Larkin ladies out for brunch in celebration of Jenn and RD's engagement!

Anyway, I was able to travel back to the US for RD and Jenn's wedding a few weeks ago. It was so fun to be with them for this special event, get to spend time with family, and meet my nephew for the very first time!

THE cutest nephew ever!

Joining Uncle Bobby and Aunt June in celebrating their 25th Wedding Anniversary!
Can't miss out on an opportunity to take Grandma out on the 4 wheeler!

Josh with Uncle Gregg, Grandma, and Pup Pup
praying for Josh as he has been deployed to Afghanistan with the Marines August 2010The ladies decorating for Jenn and RD's wedding reception
Mom and I at the reception

In an Attempt to Keep you Up To Date ...

Mr. Dyck and Steph
Cory participated in a VBS/Summer Bible Camp with some of the kids we taught in Guam a few weeks ago. It was really fun to see Steph, Moo Bin, and their family again! It's really fun to see our Guam kids here - we are living in their country and they are living in ours!

Starting out with the basics

Small group time w/Moo Bin

The Latest

Hey folks, I figure it's time to let you in on what's been happening around here. It's been a while, so I'll start with....say....March?

March was the beginning of my two year Master's Degree in International Relations. The program is actually called Graduate School of International Studies at Chungang University. It happens to be the same university I've been working at since November of last year. The job is good, and the classes have been very good. I had an intermediate Korean language class, Microeconomics, Introduction to International Relations, Introduction to Political Economy, and National Security and Intelligence. In spite of two weeks out of class in April to take care of my wife, I was able to get at least an A in every class. Enrollment for the fall semester starts in a couple more weeks, and I'll find out at that point what classes I'm gonna get to take. I have a feeling I'll be in Macroeconomics and Advanced Korean language, but I don't know what the other three classes will be.

During the semester I was working at the university and the international school. The uni bit is fun, and it gives me a little time to study for classes, and the CCS job gave me an opportunity to make some lasting changes to a small Christian school that will hopefully make it a little more efficient and competitive in the market over here.

My projects lately have included converting an entire school's database to a comprehensive software solution that eliminates redundancies and allows parents to have more control and communication in their child's education, overseeing the launching of our church's new website, participating in a mock G20 summit exercise as a member of the US delegation, entertaining parents (Jen did most of it) during their two week visit in June, preparing for my new responsibilities as the IT coordinator at CCS, and trying to learn how to use two different software programs for maintaining to different websites.

Jen on the other hand has had a shorter list, though not an easier one. She has been helping with the parents' visit as well as preparing for the next school as the new principal of CCS. I'm proud of her and the new job she has been entrusted with. I must say that I'm afraid she's gonna be even busier than she was as a 4th grade and head teacher.

During the last two weeks Jen has been out of the country attending her older brother's wedding in W.Va. I've missed her. I've tried to keep the house clean. I've had some extra time to get things done and do some of the things I don't usually do when she's home, and I've gotten to hang out with my buddy Emmanuel a lot. It's been good, but I'm DEFINITELY ready for her to be home tomorrow night. I'm planning to drive our new SUV over to the airport tomorrow to pick her and two of our returning teacher's up after work. I can't wait! Someday she and I will go on vacation together.

Visitors from America, Part I

Riding the bus to Suwon

Mom and Dad Dyck + Mom Larkin in front of the National Museum of Korea

Mom and Dad Dyck + Mom Larkin at the Korean War Museum

Moms helping me shop @ New Core Department Store in Ilsan

Jen trying to make pottery - not a very good student ... but happy!

Jen taking off into the "parking garage" trying to find the rental place

Mom and Dad Dyck + Jen in Jeju

A Fly-By Summer

It's almost embarrassing how much time has gone by since our last update ... but so it goes. Life has been normal and these days normal = busy. It almost seems funny to me ... what is it going to be like when CHILDREN enter this Dyck household?!?! Don't get too excited, we're not ready for that just yet!

We've got some exciting news, though. Cory finished his first semester of Masters classes with all A's, I (Jen) have received a bit of a promotion at school, we had a few of our family members visit Korea last month, and we just bought a used car last week! That's just a taste of what has been going on lately.

Don't get me wrong, life is not always a 'bed of roses' but why not focus on the blessings? It sure seems like we've been blessed over and over again lately.

During the month of June Cory's mom and dad and my mom came for a 2 week visit. Here are a few of my favorite pics - more to come!

Jen's Most Recent Top Ten

(written by Jen)

These days I am the only one you'll get to hear much from. Cory is overloaded with work and school, plus an awesome opportunityI will have to have him tell you about soon. So for now, you are stuck with me.

Today I was tempted to throw myself a party. A pity party. I was thinking of all the things I CAN'T do. Shall I give you my list?

Just as I get started I am interrupted! It must be the Holy Spirit, because I am reminded that there is so much I CAN do. So why can't I focus on being thankful for all those things?

1. I woke up today.
2. I can breathe easily, on my own.
3. I can get out of bed myself.
4. I can "walk" (assisted by my lovely crutches) on my own.
5. I can use the bathroom without any assistance!
6. I can shower standing up (still kind of balancing on the left leg, but it's so much better than sponge baths)!
7. We have a desk chair on wheels I can use so I don't have to stand while rummaging around in the kitchen!
8. I can feed myself with almost no mess!
9. I can almost dress myself. It's just the right sock I can't quite manage.
10. I have a wonderful husband who has filled in all the blanks for me.

How quickly we forget how blessed we are.

You Have Been Neglected

I'm not really sure exactly who "YOU" are, but if you once checked our blog regularly, I wouldn't blame you if you'd given up.

It's funny, I enjoy keeping up with the blogs of others but never seem to make time to write on ours. Other times I just can't think of what to write about. Life is so busy these days, how can I not have anything to write about?!?

All I've got for you tonight is a picture of my 2 favorite "people." Cory has started his Masters program and Snickers LOVES to bother him while he's studying.


Hope it makes you smile!