Months Later

So, I realize it has been quite sometime since my latest blog, but I assure you, these stories will be worth the wait. It is hard for me to believe I have been in Korea for 6 months now. The time here just seems to fly by. It's a good thing and a bad thing. I love it here and time goes quickly, but at the same time, I feel like my life is just passing by so quickly! I leave for The Philippines next Saturday and am extremely excited about that. I will have some amazing pictures to share with you.

So, starting on the good stuff. I believe I was a victim of a hate crime...no really, but don't worry, I got her in the end. Jenny and I were on our way back from our Korean lessons and stepped on the escalator when a psycho korean girl (late 20's) got on and grabbed my arm extremely hard and was mumbling in korean. She was shaking my arm and then punched me in my arm! YES SHE DID GIRL, YES SHE DID! I was in shock and confused as hell as to what was going on. I was like, what is going on!? I was moving over to the side to let the people pass and this woman was crazy. First of all, I am clearly bigger than all the Koreans over here. If I were going to pick someone to start something with, it definitely wouldn't be me! So as Jenny and I were standing in shock, last minute I kicked out my leg and kicked her on her way down the escalator. Now...I didn't kick her as hard as I wanted to, because she was on her way down, but I did kick her. I couldn't believe it. I was like really? I looked around to see if anyone else noticed this crazy lady and the two old men standing behind us were like crazy lady. I was like I know right!

Even telling that story gets me all fired up! Onto the next story...for two weeks I covered for a friend who teaches kindegarten in the mornings because she went on vacation. The kids were so cute. I had one little girl come up to me confused the first day I came in and said to me in korean. "I don't know...teacher's face should be white". But the way she said it was like, 'are you ok?" She was so confused. So I told her that it was ok and that we come in all different colors. I gave her a high five, and she moved on. Adorable! So the next time I was in class helping the same child, she couldn't help herself...she took her little hand and rubbed my skin to see if the color would come off. After it didn't she was like...well I guess it's ok! hahahahahaha! So innocent and so cute. She just genuinely didn't know. I am the first black person that many of these children have ever come into contact with. I am like a celebrity in Korea!

Then I had a sort of pseudo-stalker. He didn't know where I lived or anything so thats what keeps him from being a real stalker. He was more obssessed with my cousin than he was with me...but he would keep sending me text about foot rubs and stuff. He was a fan of Boston College which is where my cousin played football...when it was about to be draft time he started textimg me hardcore. We met one time at a very busy bar and had a conversation. Then he asked, after a month of not talking or no contact if I wanted to go to a formal event with him. I didn't even make up an excuse...I just told him I would pass. Might sound harsh...but really. BTW, my cousin did get signed to Kansas football team! Anyhow...I am sure I will have some fabulous stories to tell you when I get back from the islands! Love you all and I promise not to wait so long next time!

It's been a while!

I realize it has been quite sometime since my last blog. So I should have lots to tell you shouldn't I! I feel like things are becoming quite normal here. I am getting over seeing people dressed like animals and the heads of dead animals on the streets I guess. I don't know if that is scary or a good thing!

I had a Valentines Day here and it was fine...nothing unusual. I have to say though that last year was the best V-day I have ever had...it could have something to do with the fact that I was with a guy that I wish was the one for me, but sadly know I am not the one for him. This V-day was ok though. I hung out with my friend Matt, and then there was Bruno. I don't know if you remember the initial story of Bruno and his dancing. Yeah...on V-day he was actually told that he was disturbing the other dancers! It was HYSTERICAL. I told that joker to stop spinning on his knees and what not.

Oh...just two days ago I saw the oddest thing and looked around to see if anyone else thought it was odd, but they were just chillen! I was waiting at a very busy intersection to cross the street when a guy on one of those rotor rooters (you know the motorized wheel-chair-like things) pulled up to the red light and stopped. He was in the street! Using it like it was a motor vehicle. I was like...ummmm, sir, I'm pretty sure you should be on the sidewalk. Thats just me though. At least he was following the traffic laws!

Nothing too exciting to tell though. I have been doing well, and having fun. I am on a serious health kick and am happy to report I am down 17.8 lbs. Of course tonight I made some chicken parmesean so that could all change tomorrow. I should have more interesting stories soon since the weather is getting nice. I will have some awesome pictures to post as well. Next month I am going to the DMZ which is the border between NK and SK. No worries! It's a tour...but how much you want to bet I will be the only black person? Yeah...I know.

Being in SK has really opened my eyes to lots of different things. It shows me that I can be independent. As much as I miss you all, I am really grateful for this experience. Not to say that I don't get lonely because that has always been there and will probably always be. But, the fact is, I can be surrounded by friends and family of those who love me and I love, and still be lonely. At least I am here doing something for me, and am having an experience of a lifetime. I love you all and promise to try and stay on the ball in my writing :) xoxo

Ski Trip and Daegu

Let me just start out by saying, that I had a wonderful time...and the saga begins (cue music of dread).

So the day began just like any other day...except for the fact that I had stayed up too late the day before and had to get up early to catch my ride to the mountains. The drive was way more complicated than necessary because thats just how Koreans do things. Instead of following eachother they decided to pick random spots on the highway to pull over on the side of the road and say hi. Why you may ask? I still don't know. Anyhow, after trying to RE-sort out ski boot sizes (I say RE because we had already done this before we left, however it made no difference, because we did it again upon arrival) we head to the mountain.

It was beautiful...I wish I could say it was breath taking, but I was so afraid one of the Koreans would just run into me like they normally do in the grocery store with their shopping carts, that I didn't want to risk standing long enough for it to take my breath away.

It truly was phenomonal though. The snow was perfect, it was smooth and not too icy...I didn't fall once! woo hoo...of course last year when I wiped out, that should cover at least the next three years since I rolled like 8 times before I stopped. The mountains and skiing were perfect. Oh yeah...I also got to see some people dressed up in halloween costumes again. See the photos!

Then we move onto the evening hours where drinking and craziness ensued. We stayed at these places they call pensions. I thought we were staying at a hotel because the manager said he was going to get two rooms...one for girls and one for boys. So I am expecting to walk into a hotel room...ummm, nope! It was exactly what he said! A room! with a floor. ok so yeah, they did have a mat and a pillow for you to put down, but I am home now and I have never been happier to see a bed in my life. One of the guys who I have deemed 'Godzilla' snored SO loud that it was nearly impossible to hear anything else. Not to mention the rooster that decided to crow at like 5 am.

I am getting ahead of myself though...let me back up. We cooked and we ate and were merry (drinking goes without saying). Me and my friend David decided to amuse ourselves at one point and made up a game where you had to stack these cheeto like things on a beer bottle like Jenga. Who knew it was going to be a hit! Yeah...eventually everyone wanted in. I want royalties!

There was a love like triangle going on between a few people and I just needed some popcorn and a lawn chair so I could be ready. I felt fists might be thrown in the drunken stupor. Fists DID fly but not by the love triangle...by the married couple! What the hell? Where am I again? The wife punches the husband in the face twice...they leave...next thing I know I am outside and he is trying to leave and she is screaming like he has her by the hair. I go in to get the guys and they come out...Lord have mercy. I'm thinking to myself...thats my ride! Where are THEY going!? hahaha...no seriously, I shouldn't make light of the situation because I was quite disturbed. The way they were yelling and causing a scene was embarrassing because the next morning everything was hunky dory! oh yeah, they were acting like none of it happend. Apparently this is something that goes down in Korea...lots of drama. The guys are like no they are fine...its just part of the relationship! HUH?!

Now you know, if you heard MY boyfriend yelling at me or I was yelling at him...you guys would step in to find out what was up. Not here! They let them handle it. My friends would have been by my side and not listening at the door to hear what happened next. Anyhow, after all that drama I had to go to bed only to have my 'floor mates' snoring along with 'godzilla' next store. Again...so happy to be in my house! It was quite a weekend!

I hate to get long winded here but I never told you about Daegu. That was last weekend and it was a blast. There were random things that were so odd that I had to take pictures of it...a pigs head was on the sidewalk with the trash...a real pigs head...the whole thing. again...HUH? Do they just have pig heads to put out? SK also has FUBU...why? AND, there was a totally inappropriate display of mannequins. Of course I have to post these photos for you because they are unbelievable. The entertainment was fun though! Until next time!

New Years and Such

I find my self looking at life differently these days. I have no idea where it came from. Was it the New year bringing in such feelings and thoughts, or is it this ridiculously pretentious book 'Eat, Pray, Love' that I have been reading. To be honest, I haven't gotten through the first 30 pages, because the writer really gets on my nerves. But seriously the one thing I have taken from the first 20 pages of the book is to look at the world with your heart instead of your head. Kind of hard to do since I have to look with my eyes which are in my head, but I get it!

Let's start with New Years. I had a blast. Good friends, too many drinks equals a good time and a new rug for my apartment since apparently that night I woke up and missed the trashcan. I will save you those details. Anyhow, we had to work New Years day, but it wasn't so bad. That night after work I came home and just sat and was truly grateful. Grateful for the opportunity to have an amazing experience, for my friends back home, for my friends I met here, and for my family who I couldn't possibly do this without. This is where seeing the world with my heart comes in.

It's helpful for me to look at things this way because when I play 'chicken' (as Jenny calls it) with the Koreans to see who will get out of the way, normally I get frustrated. They just walk right at you like you are supposed to move. I want to be like, um, 'scuse me, you don't own the world! Now it doesn't bother me at all...I just don't move :) So if they want to go around they have to move. I am bigger than them after all...I win. Since I am on the topic of Koreans...let me tell you something else. They walk around in the tiniest skirt that would serve as a headband for me and some tights and then talk about how cold it is! What the hell...put on some clothes! Then maybe you won't be cold....silly Asian. Ok, I digress, I am supposed to be talking about seeing the world with your heart.

So I will tell you...in the past I would never have gone to a restaraunt by myself or a coffee shop, but I can do it now, and am completely secure with doing so. It feels nice. I know that I came all the way to Korea which some of you may think shows a sense of independence and bravery, but I really think that me being able to sit in a restaraunt alone is a new level for me. I am not worried about who is looking at me or what they think. I just bring my books to study or a book to read and don't heed anyone around me. It really is an amazing feeling to be completely comfortable, and nonjudged.

On another note, my students this unit are adorable. They are the smallest things I have ever seen, and so cute that I just want to tell them to sit on my lap for the whole class. I swear the kids here come out from the womb and look like walking fetus'. They are too little! I think I will adopt a Korean on my way home and then I will be just like everyone else in America who now has an Asian kid...maybe I will name him Maddox the second.

I have also decided that Korea is the city for fashion and high heels. I really don't know how the girls here walk around in the shoes they do. I realize this comment makes me sound like I am 40, but I am seriously perplexed! These shoes are outta control! I would be on the ground. I honestly don't even know if I will be able to walk in high heels ever again since all I wear is flats. It makes me feel like less of a woman since these little Koreans can walk around in heels all day and if I put them on for thirty minutes I'm ready to sit. Whats their secret? I don't know but if I find out I will let you know! Love you guys and until next time...Annyeonghegasehyo!