One Year Goes By

August 21, 2011 marked the one year anniversary for Nathan and I saying our vows. Looking back on this year blows my mind. With our passports filling up, gaining great experience as teachers, living overseas, expanding our family (with Tigra of course), and falling more in love... it's been a good start! We were able to celebrate this day in Malaysia at a wonderful restaurant on the beach called "The Lighthouse". This evening was probably the most romantic and best way we could have wished to celebrate the past year and the many more to come.

We devoured the wine, the food, and the dessert. It was an evening never to forget. I wouldn't mind to go back again someday :).

10 Days In Paradise

Nathan and I had the pleasure of getting out of Seoul for 10 days to enjoy some natural beauty away from all these cement buildings. It was glorious. Here's some pictures from our time in Langkawi, Malaysia.

 So far from the motherland.

 Our resort for the majority of our time. This place was heavenly!

 Lots of yummy/cheap food to fill up on :)

 Nathan's afternoon stroll.

 The view from our room. Couldn't be beat!

 Bright colored fishing boats in Kuah.

 Officer Nathan

 Sweaty waterfall hikes.

 After sweat and blood (thanks to the leeches), we reached the "viewpoint"... there wasn't one.

 Had to do it.

 Nathan getting friendly.

 Cable Car adventure. Scariest 20 minutes of my life.

 View from an unnerving height

 Pretty view of Oriental Village.

 Sunset in Langkawi.

 Happy to be on the beach.

 Nathan discovered some waterfalls on his "joy-ride" through the island.

 Just in case there was any confusion, now you know.

 More shots from Nathan's joy-ride.

 More shots from Nathan's joy-ride.

 More shots from Nathan's joy-ride.

 Swimming in the rain.

 Pool day.

 On the mainland in Kuala Lumpur visiting the Central Market.

 Thank goodness for Starbucks all over the world.

 Their brooms just don't seem very effective.

This is what we came home to... Thanks Tigra!

It's Downhill from Here

Today marks the day that we are in Korea for just 6 more months. We've been away from home for 7 months and definitely feel the side affects.

We wrapped up Summer camp today and we're off to Malaysia this Monday to celebrate our one year anniversary, get away from the humidity, and to lay on the beach with a good book and each others' company. It couldn't come at a better time.

We're excited to start the 2nd semester here and to continue to grow into better teachers. Nathan's continuing to study for his LSAT's exceptionally hard and I am currently researching masters programs to get into once we're back to start my career in teaching! Please pray for the two of us as we face these future decisions. As we both pursue these desires, we've experienced a little bit of fear in potentially failing, but we know God is in complete control and we believe we'd regret not going for it. So please keep us in your prayers as we 'go for it'.

Nathan with his crazy summer camp kids

Chelsea with the little ones

A recent shot in Namdaemun Market

More with Mom

We've got some shots from my Mom's last full day here in Korea. For you Facebookers, we have a lot more on there, so take a peek. The 2 weeks my Mom graced us with went by in a flash. We loved having her out here. Nathan and I both know Seoul is not a number one destination spot, but we tried to show her a good time. It was wonderful to have her visit our classes and spend time with the little ones and to be able to go on afternoon adventures through Seoul. We will miss her so.

Mom at Namdaemun Market

Looking a little scared ;)

Can't leave Seoul without Karaoke

BBQ just outside our apartment

Thanks for coming Mom. Sorry for making you hobble through the subway your last day with a broken foot! Yes, for those of you that didn't hear, my ever so graceful mother fell on the steps just before leaving for the airport. 14 hours later and a swollen black and blue foot, she found out it was broken. At least she left with a story to tell.

Friendly Faces

This Monday we had the pleasure of seeing a childhood family friend. Breanna and my sister Casey were inseparable friends in their elementary years and have kept in touch over the years that have taken both of them many different places. Breanna and her husband along with 4 children now live in S. Korea, so we knew we needed to see them during our teaching stint here. We joined them at the COEX aquarium here in Seoul and felt incredibly blessed to see her beautiful face and meet her wonderful children. We plan to make it down to their place once the holidays roll around, which we look forward to that visit.

Mom getting her fingers nibbled by little fishies.

Breanna and her cute little kiddos (two of which are very camera-shy;)).

SO happy to see her and to be able to spend time with her. From Kent to Korea :)

Typical

This is a very typical Sunday afternoon for us Pogue's. Nathans required afternoon nap, Tigra's obsession with cuddling in fleece blankets, and me probably watching my guilty pleasure- So You Think You Can Dance.

For Namesake

My dad and I have made a crucial impact here in Korea. Here's how...

 We took a stop in Itaewon and shopped around for little knickknacks for my mom to take home, then went on a hunt for some dinner. We were tempted to eat at 'My Chelsea' (mainly for its name), but opted out after checking the prices.

 In Sinsa, near our church, we like to cruise around the higher end shopping area and window shop at all the cute little boutique's. We're normally caught up in the rain on Sundays, so the clear weather was a blessing. Tom N Toms coffee shop is everywhere in Seoul, but we figured we had to snap a shot for my dad.

Some friendly Korean gents.

A Friendly Visit

As many of you know we have had the honor of my (Chelsea's) mom out to visit us here in Korea. The month of August is quite perfect actually and couldn't come at a better time as we're both feeling rather homesick. After just having Scott out for a week, my momma is now here for 2 weeks while we work 3 weeks of half-days, then Nathan and I are off to Malaysia for 10 days to celebrate one year of marriage! We're sad to miss out on all the birthday and anniversary celebrations back home, but this month will keep us rather busy here.

So far we've shown my mom the National Palace, the cute town of Insadong, the crazy shopping center of Myeongdong, a real life Jim Jil Bang, our local Costco, and our very own Culture Street in Nowon. She's also come into work with us a few days this week and seems to be having a great time with the kiddos. We still have a number of things on the list, but we're enjoying just the time to sit and relax in the presence of family.

A shot from the must see National Palace

"Pretending" to be nerds