We planned on going ice skating on Christmas Eve, but since it took three hours to get to Seoul, and by the time we got there it was absolutely freezing, we just took pictures in front of the Christmas tree and then went to have dinner.
On Christmas morning, Derek and I woke up and exchanged Christmas presents. We actually both got each other the same book. We were both really excited about giving the book to each other so it was both disappointing and funny at the same time. I guess great minds think alike!
After opening presents we went with several friends to Gae Myong Orphanage, which is a local orphanage on the island. They were having a Christmas service and talent show for the kids and invited us to come and watch the talent show then pass out candy. Although we didn't understand the service, it was nice to listen to the Christmas songs in Korean, while I quietly sang them to myself in English. The talent show was cute, the smaller kids danced to music while the older ones sang, played the flutes, drums, piano and violin. They also showed a slide show of pictures over the past year, and although I know it must be hard since the kids don't have families it looked like they had a nice year traveling to places like Cambodia, Vietnam and several places within Korea and are well taken care of. After the service and talent show we passed out the candy bags to the kids and wished them Merry Christmas. When we were leaving they told us that in the sixty years the orphanage has been open we are the first foreigners to ever visit and they welcomed us to come next year as well. If we were staying I would definitely like to become more involved with the orphanage and I am happy we were able to be part of their Christmas.
We had everyone over at our place for Christmas dinner and had a great time eating way too much food and playing Dirty Santa. Derek and I both lucked out and got a bottle of wine and chocolate truffles from the game, which was nice since I usually end up with horrible presents when I play Dirty Santa.
Overall it was a wonderful Christmas, and although it was hard to be away from family and friends, it was nice getting to celebrate it with new friends and to be a part of the orphanage's celebrations. We love and miss you all and hope your Christmas was merry as ours!
Gift tags and candy bags we made for the kids at the orphanage.
Christmas tree and lights in City Hall.
Freezing in front of the decorations in Seoul.
Matching Christmas presents Derek and I got each other for Christmas.
Talent show at the orphanage.
Group shot of the kids, workers and volunteers at the Gae Myung Orphanage.
Food for Christmas dinner. I think I went a little overboard on dinner!
Chocolate cake I made in the rice cooker. It tasted just like the first one, but it looks much prettier now that I now what to do!
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