om shakti om

I apologize for my absence in posts lately. I have been extremely busy with work and the stress of life in Korea. All is well...just busy! 

My friend Eric from Indiana came over to Korea for a couple days while in transit to China! It was so wonderful to have a friend visit! His timing couldn't have been better. His fresh set of excited eyes were a huge pick me up. I enjoyed showing him my "home" town, introducing him to my new friends, demonstrating proper chopstick use, and enlightening him with what I know about the culture, food, and language thus far. I am now a prepared tour guide and ready for more visitors!!! 

Eric and I at Dr. Fish

the 3 of us getting our feet done 

The first couple days Eric was here, he spent time with me in Seosan. He was able to visit my school and observe a few of my classes. He was definitely exhausted after entertaining my little students.  We went up to Seoul for the weekend to meet up with Jackie. The three of us met in Kenya a couple years ago when we were teaching and living on the farm in Bungoma. It was awesome to reconnect in a new continent and share updates and crazy stories from all of our recent adventures. 

Jack and Sam-Korea

Eric and Becca prepare for our meter of beer 

Saturday night we took Eric to the norebang for a real Korean experience. We broke out the tambourines and dancing shoes while we rocked out to our favorite songs from the 90's! 

rockstars

Hangin' Tough?!?!

the girls breakin it down

Sunday morning, Jackie and I put Eric on a bus and sent him on his way to China. Then we were off to meet our friends for Sushi Sunday!!!

my sushi!

Come March, I will no longer be a kindergarten teacher...can I get a hallelujah?!?!?! As shocking as this may be, my director noticed that I'm not the best with the little ones...haha, who knew? Therefore, she gave me the option to switch my hours and teach "night" classes once my students graduate in February. My new schedule will be from 1-8 and I will teach students ranging in age from late elementary up through high school. I think I will really enjoy my new schedule. Since I will not have to be to work until 1, I will be able to take pleasure in the morning sun while sitting on my roof reading a book. I'm ready for March!

adaptation

I have now been in Korea for nearly two months. The time is flying. Even though I am still considered to be a "newbie", I have realized that I am rapidly adapting to life in Korea. When I think about some of the strange things I encountered when I first arrived, I chuckle at how normal they have become. At this pace I'll be coming home acting like a huge goober. Here is a list of changes already being made within my first couple months:

I no longer bother picking corn off my cheese pizza.

My apartment is no longer small-it’s quite cozy.

I have graduated from wooden chopsticks, and can now grasp a single noodle with stainless sticks!

What is a fork? Sounds like a foreign object.

I no longer have leg cramps from sitting cross legged on the floor.

I have considering buying a knitted, sequinned, Disney character sweater.

Korean cops no longer look like boy scouts.

I am immune to the smell of "the kimchi breath."

My back is sore from bowing.

I walk down the street holding hands with my Korean friends.

I am no longer frightened when the cab driver makes a left turn looking only to the right.

I look forward to the Lunar New Year.

I realize that it is safer to "J" walk than use a pedestrian crosswalk.

I’ve crawled back into my house to get forgotten items, rather than take my shoes back off and walk on the floor with shoes on.

I caught myself humming the tune the crosswalk signal lights/subways play.

I believe that I can blend into a large crowd of Koreans.

I select shoes based on how easily you can get them on and off.

I answer "Nhe" even when speaking English to non-Korean friends.

I don't freak out when the salad arrives with octopus legs still wiggling on top of it.

I am no longer embarrassed when old ladies are standing in a bus while I am sitting down.

I have a favorite Korean commercial.

Seaweed and beer is a decent combo (although, I have caught myself with a few wine/cereal combos back home).

A roll of toilet paper at the dinner table no longer confuses me.


purse update: The police are aggressively investigating the "case". If they catch the thief and he is foreign, he will be deported immediately. It is becoming an extremely long/drawn out process to replace the money in my bank account.

singing in my lifeboat

Another year over, a new one just begins.... Now is the time to reflect upon the year just gone by and look towards our year ahead. What will I discover, where will I explore, and how will I make positive changes in the life I live. I hope to create an exciting year by following my dreams and desire for adventure.


On New Years Eve, a situation occurred that could have ruined the beginning of the New Year. My purse containing all of my belongings was stolen downtown Seoul. Everything-cash, debit cards, id’s, camera, phone, ipod, house key, you name it. Thus leaving me broke and homeless for a couple of days. The jerk then proceeded to use my debit cards on numerous accounts, and made phone calls from my phone. Thank goodness I have made wonderful friends to help sort this situation out. I have been keeping a positive mind, and looking at the situation as a way to start the New Year completely fresh. Life never presents us with anything which may not be looked upon as a fresh starting point. And I believe in karma...


*because my camera was stolen, all pictures you will see have been taken by Jackie!*


Needless to say, I had a great winter vacation! I spent the week in Seoul with my friend Jackie as we explored the city and enjoyed being tourists. Our first experience led us to Dr. Fish. This is a coffee shop where there are little fish tanks built into the floor. Once you plunge your feet into the tank, the little fishies swarm your feet and eat off all of your dead skin. I was way too ticklish to thoroughly enjoy the experience, but it was definitely worth going!

the fish eating my feet

the fish nibbling at Jackie's feet

Jackie enjoying her pedicure!

After our fish pedicures, we went to an aquarium. This aquarium was definitely the strangest I have ever seen or imagined. They had “fish tanks” made out of anything you could put water in. I have never laughed so much at an aquarium...

fire extinguisher fish tank

fish in a toilet!
 

For New Years Eve, we made our way along with thousands of people to watch the countdown and ringing of the bell in downtown Seoul. It was like being in the crowds at Time Square. There was live music, a countdown, and masses of fireworks to bring in 2010.

we had to take turns to see!
 

Huge crowds of people
 

Jackie and I are both intrigued by Buddhist culture and decided to check out the largest Buddhist temple in Seoul. We definitely felt a bit lost since we did not know the “proper routines,” but there was such serenity in the place that it hardly mattered. It was fascinating to watch people worship and to be completely absorbed in the peace of my surroundings. We were lucky to meet a man who showed us around and explained the symbolism of what we were seeing.

illuminating the evil and darkness of the world
 

sending my wishes up to heaven
 

the 3 Buddhas-each with a specific role
 

ringing the bell to wake up the humans

After the temple, we met up with a bunch of girls and walked around the “wedding street” near the women’s university. The street is lined with over 200 wedding shops full of both beautiful and insanely repulsive wedding attire. We wondered into a wedding café where we drank chocolate milkshakes while modeling old, poofy wedding dresses.

mom-frame this one, it could be your only shot!

bride wars
 

pure insanity

Following that afternoon full of fun and laughter, we met up with friends for drinks and hookah. It was a perfect ending before heading back to the chaos of my job and un-ending attempts of piecing my identity and bank accounts back together.

You only get one chance at life, make it great!