Giving and Recieving: Grateful for Namseon Middle School Students

Reader's of THT should know that Michael Teacher maintained a positive and even casual relationship with his Namseon Middle School students. Often, the Harrington couple would meet Namseon students at the OEC Cafe to enjoy green tea lattes, hot choco's and rounds of Uno (which Michael Teacher had a knack for winning). Not only did Michael Teacher offer his students the opportunity to meet up during his off hours, but multiple mornings, Michael Teacher walked a few blocks to watch his students compete in basketball tournaments.

Therefore, it comes as no surprise the Michael Teacher had a good handful of students whom he knew well and were generous in their actions toward him.

As the end of their two years in Korea came to a close, the Harringtons made their way to the OEC where Melissa would be surprised to receive original watercolor artwork from one of Michael Teacher's students. Readers may not be aware of the man's knack for romantic gestures, yet truth be told the man Harrington comes up with some all out wins in the romance department. Having one of his artistic students re-create a beautiful photo (the work of the beautiful and talented Alla Ponomareva) is just one small example.

Having received a precious gift at OEC, a few days later it came time for the Harringtons to give away a precious gift.

Update: The Short of It

THT has often ran a consistent program of updating readers on recent happenings in the lives and times of the Harrington family.

However, being a blogging format, ran and operated by the Harrington couple, there are times when blogging cannot occur on a regular basis. In the past, that's usually spanned a week or two while the couple vacations or visits family, etc.

Well, now, there's been a significant break in the reporting here at THT and we, the keepers of the news and the blog offer our apologies and an abridged version of what's been going on with plans to expand on the moments which have been bringing life to the Harrington's over the past couple months.

August was filled with packing, shipping, cleaning, eating at favorite restaurants and saying good-byes (or avoiding good-byes) to the land and people of South Korea. Redneck Life saw some game time, kegs were polished off, plum pie was shared and enjoyed, the couch was surfed by a dear friend, Mandy.

Mandy's stay included a first-time visit to a cat cafe, down-town shopping and the beginning of the road-trip/final Korea vacation for the Harringtons. The family and Mandy stopped in Gyeong-ju on the way to Busan and enjoyed fields of flowers and a stroll around the infamous pond. Busan was highlighted by outdoor dining and beach camping, swimming and fried chicken under the parasol. From Busan, the Harringtons left Mandy and continued on to Jeju Island, the 'Hawaii' of South Korea.

While road-tripping around Jeju, the couple hit up some hot spots including Love-land (a post which may have to be censored), beaches, South Korea's tallest mountain/volcano, the mystery road, Asia's newest and largest aquarium, and a good variety of Jeju's edible specialties including 5-layer black pig.

Back on the mainland, Mike said his final farewell to students, while Melissa finished packing and preparing Lady for the upcoming flight and transition home. Good friends joined the couple for their last delivery meal and some of the same good friends even saw the Harringtons off at the airport.

The Harringtons arrived on the 26th of August in LA where they were re-united with Lady Annyeong, Katie and friends-who-once-lived in Korea, Kolt and Holly. The following day they road-tripped to Wyoming and promptly (as in within 24 hours of Laramie arrival) began working for Albany County School District #1.

Since living in working in Laramie, the family is back in their 519 home where they first began married life. The couple has attended weddings, celebrated their anniversary, had their first guest (a friend from Korea no less), enjoyed a family reunion, the acquiring of phones, finding soccer fields, re-connecting with friends, slowly unpacking and dumpster diving among many other good-ole American life activities.

And that's the short of it. With hopes to give more details into all of it in the upcoming days.

Thanks for sticking with us. For ensuring our life in Korea was beautiful and for welcoming us back to the US.

Five Years Ago: Rehearsal's and Vows

Five years ago, the Harrington's woke up on the morning of September 7th after having enjoyed and rehearsed the 'Big Day' the night before.

Throughout the summer of 2007, the couple spent a bit of time planning, addressing and anticipating the 'Big Day' as much as was possible in between guiding campers on hikes, mountain bike rides, horse-back rides, challenge course activities and numerous other outdoor wilderness camp activities which took place at HR Camp where Mike and Melissa successfully worked together two summers in a row.

So, when the evening of September 6th finally rolled around, the couple was overjoyed to be surrounded by friends and family and to walk through the motions of the following day. However, better than rehearsing the wedding was gathering at the home of Mike's godparents/aunt and uncle, Rick and Cassie's home in Cheyenne, WY to enjoy pulled pork and all the fixins' in the company of cherished friends and impressive couples exemplifying successful and loving marriages. As the meal came to an end, the couple split ways and went with their respective wedding party to enjoy unwrapping lingerie, pedicures, riding buffalo statues in skivvies and throwing back a brew or two (we'll let you guess which 'M' took part in each of the aforementioned activities).

The following morning brought with it an indescribable anticipation as the couple worked to prepare the reception hall (or, have their wedding party prepare the reception hall and run other errands) and eventually entered the hours of preparing themselves physically, emotionally and mentally for the milestone which was quickly closing in on them.

In atypical bride fashion, Melissa was shocked to finally realize that her $50 Patagonia dress didn't fit perfectly and could use a few stitches to adjust the shoulder straps. Fortunately, bridesmaids Mindy and Luella were ready and willing to tackle the problem and within minutes Melissa was slipping into a dress she still wears to this day. Dressed and made-up the wedding party and attendees began making their way out on Happy Jack Road where the Harrington's had received permission from the National Forest Service to gather and wed on the eve of September 7th among the aspen and boulders and under a blue sky just before dusk.

A few pre-wedding photos, prayers and deep breaths later the mothers had been seated, the wedding party had made their way down the aisle, barefoot and simply dressed and a single guitar plucked out 'Be Thou My Vision'. With every one in their places, it was time for the bride to make her entrance, escorted by her father and eyes fixed on the one she would commit her life to in a matter of moments.

The ceremony progressed with the groom's father officiating the ceremony and the bride's father performing 'God Bless the Broken Road' by Rascall Flatts and the couple exchanging vows, rings and their first kiss all within a thirty minute window.

Officially a man and his wife, the couple remained at Happy Jack to capture some moments before heading toward the Cheyenne Train Depot where they would enjoy a rockin' good time with music, eats, more friends, brews and a ridiculously decorated car which would hall them to Estes Park for a week-long honeymoon in the Rocky Mountains.

And today, the Harrington's reflect on what living this life together has looked like during the past 5 years and enter the coming years of marriage with eagerness and confidence, hopeful for even more joy, love, adventures and shared dreams coming to fruition.

A Slice of the Everyday

Since landing in South Korea nearly two years ago, the Harrington's have done a number of exciting and adventurous things in Korea and in neighboring countries. They've enjoyed soccer games, road trips, amusement parks, Vietnamese beaches, Broadway Musicals and numerous other singular events.

However, as the days of their Korean life wind down, they're relishing in the everyday moments and everyday people that have made these two years indescribably perfect and beautiful.

This past weekend began with the Harrington's welcoming a slew of friends into their home for a game of Redneck Life and Cards Against Humanity while throwing back some home brews, lasagna soup and peanut butter brownies. The evening included a surprise visit from Hyunhee and Hakcheol and an unplanned sleep-over (name(s) will not be given) which left the Harrington's reflecting on just how deeply they've invested themselves and been invested in over the course of two years.

Saturday brought more of the everyday joys and everyday people beginning with a charity sports event which involved Mike playing a bit of footy with a group of men who have done their best to keep him slim and trim regardless of how often Melissa bakes or how often he grabs a brew from the kegerator.

While Mike continued sweating and playing a bit of soccer, Melissa made her way to a nearby friends house where she was able to enjoy home-made snacks (sandwiches, chocolate muffins and fresh fruit) and coffee with a young mother and sweet friend.

A Jowlin' Good Birthday

Nearly 2 years ago, the Harrington's boarded a plane bound for South Korea. On the same plane sat two gents, one Brian, one Aaron. Although the group was unaware at the time, they would soon find themselves on the same bus, to the same orientation and teaching in the same South Korean town. Brian and Aaron would boldly submit their application for friendship with the Harrington duo and soon settle into a joy-filled, laugh-out-loud, family-away-from-family set of friendships. Brian would re-locate first. The Harrington's second.

But before this next round of relocating, it was the pleasure of a few good men and women, to celebrate with brews and steak the life and times of Aaron Fitzgerald, a man of puns and jokes, musicality and amiability, a teacher, a friend, a guitarist, a lover of green beans and pat-bing-su (but not together), one who prefers stouts to wheats and laughs to tears, a caring goofball of a friend who will be sorely missed...and let's be honest, who wouldn't miss and love men who can make faces such as these?

In the Kitchen: July 2012

As August enters and the Harrington's begin their countdown to their one-way flight out of Korea it has become clear that this will be the last installment of kitchen fare from a tiny Korean kitchen.

Not to imply the Mrs. won't be cooking in August. She will. But not much. There are copious amounts of fantastic Korean foods which must be consumed and their flavors memorized before trekking back to America. There are also copious amounts of foods in the pantry and the freezer that must be used and will most often find themselves being used in old favorites such as Kimchi Bokkeumbap, Kimchi Pancakes, mini-Kimbap and so on.

So, July's kitchen goodness offers the last glimpse at conquering the Korean kitchen and is filled primarily with peanut-buttery goodness in the forms of Peanut Butter Beer Bread, Peanut Butter and Chocolate Banana (n)Ice Cream Pie and the winner of them all, Peanut Butter Brownies. The brownies, served as the 'going away treat' at Melissa's school received rave reviews from the teachers and will likely make a few more appearances in the Harrington kitchen this August before the oven is sold off and the apartment abandoned.

Two other dishes from July that are particularly noteworthy are these Broiled Plum filled Crepes:

A Farewell to Olympians: Korea vs. New Zealand

On Saturday, July 14th, the Harrington's loaded up the car and made the trek up to the big city for the second weekend in a row. Rather than setting out for the 1988 Olympic Park to watch a B-Boy competition, the Harrington's were set to watch South Korea's 2012 Olympic Soccer Team compete against New Zealand before being warmly sent off with the love and support of their nation and a few native English teachers.

Opting to take advantage of the big city, the couple headed out early with intentions to tour some top Seoul sights before the set off for home. However, upon pulling into the parking lot of the World Cup Stadium and realizing there was an IMAX theater showing The Amazing Spiderman in 3D and plenty of other distractions to keep the couple occupied until the games start time, they opted to stay on the World Cup Stadium premises and make the most of the day.