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!