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!