So bad...

So I see it's been awhile since my last post...All I can say is that I've been keeping myself busy, and have pretty much adjusted to life over here. Let's go over the last two weekends!

First, Saturday before last, I started the weekend off right with ICE SKATING! You'd be proud Tim, I didn't fall once, no little children were harmed, and I actually helped some friends out. We had quite an eclectic group of friends there; It seemed that either people were some kind of professional ice skaters, or they had never been on the ice before in their life. So it was fun. (and when I told one of my coteachers at school I went, she asked, "Oh, figure or speed?" I tried not to laugh). Since this was for one of my friends birthdays, we then went out afterward and celebrated accordingly.

This past weekend was also fun-filled; It began on Sat with a day of shopping...literally. 10am to 5pm. We started off in Naemdaemun Market, which is a series of side streets clogged with shops and vendors. I managed to get by with just buying a hat (though it is quite the amazing hat). I also found art supplies! Yay! My apartment will soon be covered in charcoal dust...Then we went to lunch at a place called the Wolfhound, an awesome Irish Pub; I had a beef and mushroom pie, and fully intend on going back someday to sample the full english breakfast. After that, we hit up a bookstore and some little western grocery stores. We made a stop in a bakery for some Canadian Butter Tarts a friend had been craving (did I mention all three of the other girls were Canadian?). And, finally, went to Yongsan, which has a giant electronics market, where I got some new movies. Whew. (needless to say, I didn't go out that night, but stayed in bed and watched those movies).

On Sunday, I attended my first Korean wedding. Disapointingly, it was a regular Christian service. That is, until the singing began...right in the middle of the ceremony, two Korean men got up and belted out a duet to the wedding couple. It was pretty amazing, especially since they were definitely not trained by any means, just two of their friends...Then, the groom got up and sang to the bride; which would have been really sweet, except I kept picturing them in a Korean Karaoke bar...

I did get to participate in the free buffet lunch, and, what amuses me most is the idea that hiding amongst their wedding pictures and video, there will be one random white girl that they don't know...

:)

Anyang Art Part and Adventures in Korean Medicine

Saturday I decided to go find the Anyang Art Park before the temp. really takes a turn for the worst (this coming weekend its supposed to be high 30's). The only possible hiccup was that I couldn't find out online just exactly where it was...so, I got off at the right subway station and decided to explore. Thankfully, every so often there were signs posted for it, and some were in English! So I was in luck. It was a little bit of a walk to get there, and the actual "park" is more like hiking up and down a small mountain...so needless to say, I got a good amount of exercise, in my non-walking/hiking boots, that is. Some of the art was pretty cool. My favorite was called "Elements House" and was this house made out of wood, metal and glass in the middle of the forest. You could go in it and everything, and different rooms had different views of the forest.

Sunday was another computer-TV day...

I've been feeling kinda sick (which partially fueled my sunday tv day), so today (tues) I went to the doctor. I get health insurance as part of my alien registration, so it wasn't too expensive. The doctor even spoke English (not amazingly, but good enough). I don't have H1N1, thank god (so many kids here do); I think its just a sinus infection. But when he asked about drug allergies, and I said amoxicillin, he just kinda stared at me...I did get some medicine (3 pills, 3 times a day, except at night, when its 4 pills !) I have no idea what they are, as they come in little plastic packets instead of a prescription bottle with labels and warnings...though I wouldn't be able to read those anyway, I guess. So tonight after dinner, packet #1. And we'll go from there...and hope no amoxicillin is involved...

Koreanisms

Koreanism #1

The Man Purse

Koreans take the man purse to another level. Or, maybe they just take it to the women's level. I'm not talking about leather satchels; these men carry full on Louis Vuitton, designer purses. I want to know what crap they fill it with, cause I don't think it's makeup and tampons...

...and here's the picture of the day!

Let's talk about...

Pencil cases. Yes, pencil cases. I don't ever remember taking one to school, but all the korean kids use them. And there's an amazing variety, let me tell you. In some cases (no pun intended, ha ha), I believe they act as an excuse to carry toys to school. Some of these pencil cases are basically gutted stuffed animals; in one class (6th graders, mind you) this boy had a teddy bear case, and it looked as worn as a security blanket. At several points, he was actually hugging the thing. Another one I've noticed, that gets me pretty excited, is one shaped like a long box of Oreos. I kid you not; the first time I saw it, I thought he had brought cookies to class. I was sadly disappointed...So pencil cases, that's the thought of the day, and here is a picture, completely unrelated (and that's the way I like it):

New Weather, New Room

So, Halloween is behind us. Sadly, I didn't feel very halloweeny, and when I tried to talk to my kids about Halloween, all they wanted to know was if I had candy for them (which i did not). I did go out, and had fun, but I will enjoy Halloween at home so much more. Halloween night, however, (possibly the morning of Nov. 1) heralded the oncoming winter. I was a little cold coming home, and then stayed in all day Sunday (watching Supernatural, 5 episodes of the Simpsons, and Fringe...), and this morning I foolishly left the house in a long sleeved shirt and sweatshirt...so, so wrong. It was freezing. I have also learned how wrong it is to have your bed pushed up against a cabinet that houses a vent...a vent that never really closes...subsequently, a second blanket has been purchased. While I was out, I also got some giant, cool stickers for my wall (they're giant daisies). Thus, there is the new weather, and the new room...My apartment is feeling a lot more homey, and I am proud to say my fridge is moderately full as well. Though I really spent too much money, I feel good, and it's almost home, so oh well about the money.

And everyone knows what November brings...Christmas Decorations!! I almost came home with a little xmas tree, even though its only Nov. 2. So there, I drew the line somewhere, and didn't spend the money (yet).