Tuesday, May 31, 2005

Butterflies

Brahms Requiem, a glass of wine, the windows wide open, what a lovely evening. Contacts out, chunky nerd glasses on. I had a boyfriend last year who hated my black-rimmed glasses. Now I wear them whenever I please, which usually ends up being after a long day at work. Tomorrow is June, which begins summer on my calendar. On this last day of spring I am reflecting upon the past three months that I have been living in Korea. Let's see... what can we surmise so far?... I have a great job, but I do not enjoy teaching. And while most of the time I've felt far too fragile, I must be getting stronger. In the first month I found myself reaching instinctively for a cell phone that wasn't there, reaching for arms too far away and too occupied to hold me, reaching for any sort of distraction from my new life here. I wanted to disappear. In emails and phone calls from friends I tried to hide the fact that what I was really saying was, "Please find five minutes for me. I'm here on the other side of the world, and I feel so small." You'd think it was the first time I'd been away from home... Maybe it's the first time I've been away with a heart no longer able to be stonelike. I don't have any use for masks anymore. Pretty soon everyone figures out that they're just paper faces anyway.

So I get this email from American Express with a title in huge bold letters: Share the Love. "Adding someone to your American Express Account can do wonders for Any Relationship." Wow, I had no idea. ;o) Has this romantic spring burst even fiscal love into bloom? Could it be? Can we buy relational wonders now? I know the dollar is getting stronger, but surely, it can't be that strong. Alert all the American girls you know: American Express now buys dates with John Mayer. I wonder what the interest rate on that one would be? :o) My time in Korea has bought me one indispensible relational secret- the pain and power of resolve. Being far away from all that is familiar, you have ample opportunity to see how myopically you've been living. You're finally able to say those things that you weren't strong enough to say before, things like: Please dont kiss me like that unless you intend to keep me. or I don't want to play anymore. or I'm no longer afraid of being with someone else. or You may not recognize me when I come back.

A conversation between me and my co-teacher today:

"Jay, where are the butterflies?"
"The what?"
"The butterflies. Do you have butterflies in Korea?"
"Yes, of course."
"Where are they?"
"It's not easy to find those things."

He's right. If he spoke better English, we would have had a very metaphorical discussion following that observation, but he continued to moniter the students' homework while I stared out the window.

Take all your big plans

and break 'em
This is bound to be awhile...

Monday, May 30, 2005

Way Right, baby...

Good Evening, dear friends. I've just been informed earlier today that I will be having a five day weekend coming up starting Thursday. My students are away on a trip to Jeju-do and I am not expected to come to school while they're gone. Plus the national holiday on monday- together that makes five days. I've started the fun early, thanks to politicalcompass.org
This is an entertaining survey. I'd like to add a few of my favourites: Alan Greenspan, Ayn Rand, and Jonah Goldberg, but I'm afraid it's nearly bedtime. So here ya go:


Sunday, May 29, 2005

valpolicella

Saturday afternoon- I had been up for ages. At 5:15 my body wanted to hop out of bed and start the day, but I made myself go back to sleep until 6:30. After a shower, a large cup of coffee and several hours of laying around the house, I ventured out to find a quiet little coffee shop where I could spend some time writing. No such luck. Korean coffee shops don't tend to be open early in the morning, for some odd reason. It defeats the purpose of espresso, if you ask me. I settled for one of those little places where you can get fruit and ice deserts, because they had large comforbable chairs. I ordered a cappucino and something that I wasn't quite sure what it was. It turned out to be a glorified bowl of Fruit Loops! I was far too amused to roll my eyes, and there seemed to be a lot of fruit in the bowl. I wasn't complaining. For quite some time I was the only person in there, surrounded by the most ostentatious, overtly splashy decorations you can imagine with saccharine Korean pop music floating through the air. I felt like a doll in some kind of satirized, Asian dollhouse, on the other side of the world, far away from home. Still, the place was all mine for a good half an hour. Then a group of ten year olds came in, followed by a herd of loud, chatty women. When I heard, "Ooh, look, foreigner," accompanied by pointing and staring, that was my cue for the sunglasses to go down and me to get up and take my leave.

I headed over to the grocery store and was delighted to find the stemware that I had been looking for. So I picked up some wine- a 2002 valpolicella, a variety which bears good memories for me. Some people would rather drink mud mixed with grape juice. Robert Parker goes so far as to call it "insipid industrial garbage." I'm not quite that picky, so I think it should do nicely. Saturday afternoon I met Rochelle in Hongdae and we shopped at the outdoor art market, where I bought earrings. :o) Ah, what makes a girl happy on the weekend? Protein, wine, and shopping. This should be a proverb. Later on we met up with another American girl named Sarah and had shabu shabu at a restaurant near my apartment, then to TGIFridays for a drink. Gramma was sleepy and wanted to go home afterwards, and yes, I'm referring to myself, so I called it a night.

I'm spending sunday afternoon sitting around the house, eating soup, sandwiches, oreos... every time I eat oreos I try to take a bite without causing the cookie to fracture into several pieces. I don't know why I'm mindful of things like that. I guess it's the way our brains our wired? All day I am keenly aware of the fleeting nature of this life. Few things will remain. Time falls involuntarily forward, and we all go with it. As everything that surrounds me is fading away, I seek feverishly to surround myself with the glory of the eternal, with the King of the Ages, to be lost in the beauty of Jesus, who holds all things together- this world, the fabric of finitude, the orchestra of the stars vibrating in space to the sound of His voice, the most intimate thoughts of my heart, and the hope my perfection. I didn't know how difficult it would be to be living and working here in Korea. I wasn't aware of how homesick I would be. I'm starting to realize that it's for more than my home in America but for the home of my spirit...

When you go out looking for your old adversaries
you won't find them--
Not a trace of your old enemies,
not even a memory.That's right.
Because I, your GOD,
have a firm grip on you and I'm not letting go.
I'm telling you, "Don't panic.
I'm right here to help you.'

(Isaiah 41:12,13 The Message Bible)

Thursday, May 26, 2005

Labor and Delivery

My freshman conversation lesson this week is on ordering a pizza for delivery. I teach it 16 times, so after awhile it becomes dull and I like to add little interesting sidenotes. "By the way, class, did you know that in America many people sell drugs out of their pizza delivery cars? Yes, it's true." One of the boys says to me, "Oh, teacher, really? Mary-Juana?" Yes, yes. And he continues, "Very delicious?" Ah, yes. "Teacher, have you ever smoked marijuana?" What am I to say? If they spoke English, I would reply, "I doubt that the present administration of Kyunggi-do education would look too favorably upon my answer, and I am therefore not at liberty to divulge that information to you." So, smirking and blushing, I replied, "It's a secret," and moved on to the next conversation drill.

Since I was not given a text book for any of my classes, I am required to create the entire curriculum from scratch. Most of that I did at the beginning of the semester, but as the students progress, I am forced to re-design some of the lessons I had planned. I worked quite zealously today at solidifying all of the lessons for the next two weeks so that I will have nothing pressing to do with my free time. The students are going to Jeju-do next week and then there's the holiday the week after and some extra exams that take all day, so all in all I will be working a total of six days in the next two weeks. I know, I must sound like the biggest whiner judging from some of my more recent posts. *sigh* Let's just chalk that up to the seemingly never-ending PMS. In order to pass the time of June more quickly into the summer holidays, I am considering hosting a candlelit wine-tasting party, by no means tame, in my apartment. I don't live in a shoe box, so no cause for alarm. Suggestions are welcome.

Tuesday, May 24, 2005

arcana imperii

I brought my own coffee to work, because what they call coffee here is mostly sugar mixed with a couple of instant granules. When I arrived in Korea, I bought a coffee maker. The first time I used it, to my dismay and confusion, it leaked all over, thanks to Korean craftsmanship. I took the thing apart and now use the strainer and filters to make my coffee cup by cup. Brewing and drinking coffee must be a traditional American ritual, calming the soul and loosing the muse to whirl and dance and make lively in the mind. I'm holding it in my hands like this very cup is tantamount to survival. What else? Bubble baths... have you ever had cognac and candles while in the bath? My word, you've not yet lived... ;o)

It's been a rough week. And it's only Tuesday! Something's trying to crash the party of my destiny. So I pray, Tuck me away somewhere, far away, inside Your closest pocket. Hide me, shield me, and send Your hosts of armies to fight for me. Yesterday I had major problems at school and wanted to give my notice immediately. I cried for two hours before going to bed unreasonably early. Every day battling the oppressive spirit conformity is starting to wear on me. I thought that because I enjoy public speaking I would also enjoy teaching. It isn't so. I enjoy life in Asia, but I'm not a teacher. Public schools here seem to systematically stamp out any spark of creativity or independent thinking. It grieves me to arrive at school every morning to see lines of uniformed students being inspected by a head teacher for any small difference in their physical appearance. They'll be there from 8 until 10 PM with no time to play, all youthful imaginations being crushed in the wake of a clumsy, mindless authority structure. It's soul-numbing and passionately defended by those who have never been taught to think for themselves. I don't know that I'm cut out for this...

Now... much later. I'm drowning my PMS-induced irritability in Straberry "Berry Very Good" Ice Cream from the Home Plus. I think I could eat this whole carton. No self-control when it comes to ice cream. I want to work for Starbucks quality assurance department, traveling and tasting the coffee of the nations. If anyone knows of such a job, please let me know. Until then, I remain Asia's capricious schoolmarm.

Sunday, May 22, 2005

Dustbuster Weekend

Sunday evening and I'm waiting for my nails to dry before I head up to bed. We had a little Dave's ESL teachers gathering on Friday night, and here are pictures. I promised I'd post some. The first one is Dan hugging me and Rochelle. He likes to get pictures of himself hugging people. hehe :O) He was on his way back to America and was stopping through Seoul. A very sweet, quirky guy with an unusual sense of humor but very genuine. He ate the leftovers off of my plate. I had a dear friend in college who would eat off of people's plates, and for some reason I find it so endearing. It's interesting, you'd think you would meet a lot of foreigners like that here in Korea who are confident and unafraid to just relax and be themselves, but that's not usually the case. It makes me a little sad, because far too often the ones I meet are full of insecurity and issues, and I just wish I could gather them up and feed them tuna melts at my place and make them feel safe in the world. I know that's ridiculous. But anyway, friday was refreshingly different and there were some really kind, interesting teachers there. The second picture is of all of us at the table.







So thanks guys for a great time. :o) You're all very sweet. In other news, I bought a used dustbuster this weekend! I was so excited, because Korea is so dirty and I find myself wanting to clean my place every ten minutes. Saturday I met Rochelle in Kagnam and we took the dustbuster with us to eat mushroom/proscitto pizza, then to Bupyeong to have white chocolate mochas at Starbucks. We went shopping at one of the ubiquitous make-up stores in the area and bought several items. When we left the store we were so conscious of how much we were beaming and how buying that stuff can really lift your spirits. It's not easy to be two little ladies in a foreign country. I know that my God protects me, but sometimes I feel so vulnerable here. Doing things that we would do back home is really good for the soul. Next weekend I kind of want to stay in the neighborhood, sleep in, buy a whole chicken and have wine and soup and croissants. Is it possible to know what mood you're going to be in next weekend?... We'll see. :O)

Thursday, May 19, 2005

Unexpected Public School Vacations

My lesson this week for conversation class is called: "Come to My Party!" I wisely chose to omit the statement that would naturally follow up if it were my party... "There will be jello shots!" We talked about different kinds of parties and what happens at them...slumber parties, New Year's Eve parties (they all hooted and howled when they heard that we kiss at midnight :o), frat parties, bachelor parties, and bridal showers. My classes are mostly boys and girls separated. Imagine explaining a bridal shower to Asian high school boys. I asked if they knew what it was, and one of them said, "A party where all the women take a shower together?" HAHAH. Don't you wish, you naughty kids. Later on I gave a listening/speaking performance assessment test using an interview style. Two students came at a time to my office. They were so sweet and a little nervous. I was suprised and pleased with their candor. I asked, "What is your personality like?" One girl answered, "I'm very outgoing and narrow-minded." Another, when asked what thing she would like to try for the first time, answered, "I want to try a diet, because I'm fat." So the students have been a delight this week. One boy comes to my office every day and performs a little magic show for me with cards and rings and clown noses.

Good news today! I found out that June 2nd-4th the students are going to Jeju-do for a field trip, and there will be no classes. I will probably have show up at school anyway, but I won't be teaching any classes. Today there are no classes all day because of an exam that they are taking. The same thing is scheduled for June 8th. Last week I arrived at school on wednesday to witness perhaps one of the most bizarre things I've ever seen...There was opera music blaring across the courtyard, the Marriage of Figaro, if I'm not mistaken. The students seemed to be marching into the school, or maybe it was just the music that made it appear that way. A large mobile home was pulled up right next to the school doors. It said: Korea Catholic University Holy Family Hospital. When I sat down in my office, the teacher next to me informed me that there would be no morning classes. The students were being given their physical exams that day. Public School is so great like that... so many unexpected days off. What a pleasant start to the weekend...

Tuesday, May 17, 2005

Conquering Kisses

Spring is here, ladies and gentleman! Wander about outside for ten minutes and you'll see... fresh-faced couples holding hands, trees bursting into showtime, people bustling freely in the evening hours instead of scurrying home in the cold, ...lovers everywhere, conquering each other's hearts with sweet kisses... *sigh* I bless that. My dear friends, this spring let us not begrudge tenderness, nor let us adopt the cynicism of a long-jaded world. Glance quickly away and blush, if you must, but keep that scowl from your face. :o)

In the words of our dear Dave Matthews:
Spring sweet rhythm dance in my head
Slip into my lover's hands
Kiss me oh won't you kiss me now
And sleep I would inside your mouth

Don't be us too shy
Knowing it's no big surprise
That I will wait for you

I will wait for no one but you


"Where one drop of blood drains a castle of life, so one kiss can bring it alive again." -Sleeping Beauty

Sunday, May 15, 2005

Friends, Neighbors, and Lovers

Have you tried the new "European" Pringles? Oh baby, you've got to try them. They are Fresh Tomato and Garlic flavour, and they're not joking about the fresh tomato! I sampled some this weekend while shopping at the Home Plus (basically the Korean version of SuperWalmart, but a bit nicer). I also bought a whole chicken and picked its bones tonight to make chicken and croissant sandwiches while singing old Heart songs at the top of my lungs. The neighbors must think there's some kind of looney in their building. :o)

It's now sunday night and I'm feeling well after a quiet weekend in the neighborhood. Friday night I met another English teacher who lives in my neighborhood and he and Rochelle and I had dinner at TGIFridays. Afterwards we relocated to the Goose bar, which is a short taxi ride from my place. There we met with a couple of my dear korean co-workers pictured below. Erin, me, Mae, and Rochelle.


This evening I sit quietly, desperately cultivating a much-needed spirit of patience. The remnants of spring are being woven into a summer that I will never forget. I'm contemplating the nature of true love. It's expensive. What is great love? Since I was a child, I was taught that Greater love has no one that this, than to lay down one's life for his friends. Tonight as I stare out the window into the pollution-filled skies of the greater Seoul area, knees drawn up to my chest, I am far away, being further and further grounded in the knowledge that I am my beloved's, And his desire is toward me. [song of solomon 7:10] What painful destruction I deserve for the uncontrollably deep darkness of my soul without Him. Who am I that He should know my name? But I hope in this great love and in it I know my freedom.

Enemies of God with no excuse
Knowing what was right we turned from You
Given up to sin, condemned to die
Even then You chose to give us life

Jesus thank You for the Cross
For the blood that sets us free
The crimson stain of all our sin
Washed away in Your mercy

Everyone of us deserves to die
But You save all who hope
In Your great love
(vineyard - "thank you for the cross")

Friday, May 13, 2005

Free the Grapes

Good news, my friends! Texas becomes the 27th state to allow interstate, direct to consumer shipments of wine. There are 24 states that still prohibit consumers from purchasing wines directly from out-of-state wineries. This is something I feel very strongly about and have been inconvenienced by these undue restrictions in the past. Last year I joined an organization called Free the Grapes, because I was living in Oklahoma and was directly affected by the prohibitions. I contacted my legislators urging them to oppose prohibitions on interstate, wine direct shipments and to support positive legislation that serves consumers and their state governments and regulatory agencies. They wrote me back, quite promptly, and agreed, although they got my name wrong in the letter. ;o) That's okay, as long as they are aware of what needs to be done.

Here's a quote from their recent newsletter: “We should all toast the Texas legislature, who stood up in support of consumer choice in wine,” said Jeremy Benson, executive director of Free the Grapes!, the consumer and winery grassroots coalition (www.freethegrapes.org). “The bill opens Texas, the fourth largest state for wine enjoyment, to direct shipments and strongly supports Texas’ family wine farms,” he added.

So now the whole state of Texas is wet for shipments! My dear friends in Oklahoma and other dry states, you can help by joining Free the Grapes.

Thursday, May 12, 2005

We're Being Watched

Thursday evening after a long and stressful day. The principal, vice principal, some supervisors, and the first and second year English teachers came to watch my conversation class today. Jay, my korean co-teacher, was a bit nervous. I felt nothing of the kind, as I rather enjoy public speaking and was very much in my element. Having an audience took the drudgery of the mundane out of the task of teaching, and I welcomed the opportunity. However, later in the afternoon our roles were reversed when we had to attend a meeting about our teaching skills and the lesson plan. We all sat in the conference room, and it started to feel so very formal. Everyone was dressed up and they all took seats far away from me, which made me feel like I was on display at the circus. When Jay walked in the room, I patted the seat next to me and said, "Hey, sit by me. I'm scared." He laughed and everyone else had a good chuckle. I wasn't kidding. These past couple of weeks I've been under the gun in several areas of my life. Having everyone gathered around to assess me was slightly unpleasant. The vice principal began a long speech, which no one bothered to translate for me. People nodded solemnly, and looked very respectful. I looked at Jay to see if maybe he would whisper a translation of what was being said, and he glanced at me as if to say, "Not now." *sigh* Patience....

After the vice principal left, everyone gave their own critique. Most of them said that they were, "satisfied with my class" and that the students seemed to be happy. Then they offerred their suggestions, all of of which were valid. Someone asked me if I have all the objectives mapped out and if I've used those lessons successfully before in my teaching. I was as honest as I could be. "I've never taught any of these lessons before, never had any teaching experience, and have no map of my objectives." So that was the main thing that they want- an articulation of my objectives. No prob. I just didn't know they needed one ;o) Jay is a real teacher, and a damn good one at that. I'm spoiled rotten to have him as a co-teacher, because he's the best Korean man I've ever met. (and that's really saying something, as I'm not a big fan) He quiets the students and tells them to listen to me when they're getting out of line. He lectures them when they need it. We're so completely opposite. He never eats breakfast. I eat it religiously. He loves karaoke. I hate it. He's tranquil and patient. I'm not. But I'm working on it! One day the students were so incredibly lazy, and I was getting exceedingly frustrated. When the bell rang, I was out of there in a flash. He came to my office and asked, "Is there a problem?" I went off about how the students don't want to learn and how I didn't come from the other side of the world to be a freakin babysitter, and on and on, most ungraciously, I'm embarrassed to admit. After I had said everything and too much, he was silent for a few moments pondering what had happened. Then he spoke one sentence: "Sarah, you have to mold them." That's all he needed to say. All the frustration melted out of me and was replaced with regret for having been such a lame-o, so immature. This guy knows what he's doing with young minds and he puts up with all the trouble of having an impatient, inexperienced, American girl around, not only at work but also living in his building. "Jay, my coffee maker won't work. Can you come over and see what's wrong with it? I can't read the instructions." On our way back from the immigration office, "Um, can you pull over? I need to eat right now." :O) God bless him, for reals.

Finally, tomorrow is Friday. Welcome, dear weekend. Stay as long as you please. :o)

Monday, May 09, 2005

In Coffee City

Everyone's changing
I stay the same
I’m a solo cello
Outside a chorus
I’ve got a secret
It’s time for me to tell it
You’ve been keeping me warm

To sweet beginnings
And bitter endings
In coffee city
We borrowed heaven
Don’t give it back
I’ve never felt so wanted
Are you taking me home?

You tell me you have to go

In the heat of the summer sunshine
I miss you like nobody else
In the heat of summer sunshine
I'll kiss you
And nobody needs to know

Why do I love the Corrs? I'll tell you. :o) They're an adorable group of siblings who make all of their own music, and they have that Irish band spirit about them.... I've only ever seen them perform on DVD, but the look in each one of their eyes is as if they are saying, My body was made to do this. This feeling I've only ever experienced twice: in Taekwondo sparring and in the summer of 2003. Someday I want to see them perform live in Dublin. Wanna see the video? click here, buddy

Today's Schedule: Morning classes only. Free afternoon. Tomorrow: Afternoon classes only, free morning. Public School rocks.

Sunday, May 08, 2005

Cult Cinema in Shinchon

After making quite a late night of Saturday, Sunday in Shinchon was very mellow- the same kind of mellow that you get after an entire day of crying, almost anesthetized, knowing that imminent exhaustion is at hand. How else to spend one's youth? :o) I woke up around 11:30 or so to find Rochelle already awake reading the newspaper. Crazy kiwis ;o) We took off to meet they guys had korean food at a place that provided us with red bibs. After parting ways with the boys, we wandered around Shinchon aimlessly until we decided that we should just go to a DVD room and watch a movie. These rooms are actually designed for couples to come and watch a DVD on a moderately sized screen in a private room that has bed slightly angled up so that you can almost sit up and watch the movie. ;o) Perfect for a sleepy sunday afternoon. Rochelle chose Point Break, insisted that it was a classic and that everyone must see it. I couldn't disagree and wasn't feeling particular. I laughed so hard! But it's really not meant to be a comedy. Point Break, 1991, Keanu Reeves and Patrick Swayze- a wildly cheesy movie about a group of surfers who are also seasonal bank robbers. One of the main characters is called Bodhi, the Bodhisattva. Bodhisattva is a term in the Buddhist religion meaning an enlightened being who, out of compassion, forgoes nirvana in order to save others. Bodhi means "wakefulness." It also means a very young, rugged Patrick Swayze pretending to be a guru of spiritual surfing. :o) hehehe. If you haven't seen it, just imagine Keanu Reeves saying, "Dude, I'm with the FBI," and you've pretty much got the gist of it. Apparently, this movie has quite the little cult following, at least in New Zealand anyway ;o) I have to say that it was very entertaining, and Keanu Reeves does end up saving his girl's life in the end... I love that kind of hero story, even if it cheeze ball central.

Cult cinema is an interesting thing to study. Blockbuster should have a section just for that. Last year my boyfriend at the time introduced me to the Evil Dead movies...I'm not a fan, but there's some funny stuff there :o) Watching Point Break far away from home in Asia made me a little homesick. I'd give just about anything to be able to run in to Blockbuster, pick up a handful of these movies.... maybe
Ferris Bueller's Day Off, The Big Lebowski, Office Space, and Strange Brew... with a large bottle of yellow tail shiraz, a 7-layer burrito (no rice), a large quilt, and a cuddle buddy.

What are your favourites? My sister likes Donnie Darko. If anyone says Labyrinth, I'm afraid we can't be friends anymore ;o) And no, Fight Club doesn't count.

Thursday, May 05, 2005

umbrella sharing

This afternoon I went to visit some friends in Ansan, about an hour and a half away by subway. On my way home the skies turned unfriendly and it began to rain quite heavily, which was somehow a welcome conclusion to a week that has left my heart heavy and tired. After getting off the subway I have to catch a taxi to my house. I made my way to the long queue and stood listless under the sky without an umbrella. Do you ever feel that your heart has been unwillingly cracked open by the circumstances of a careless world? In such times you are far more open and exposed than you would like to be but have nowhere to run. That was me tonight. I felt like a doll left out in the rain. Then, to my utter surprise, someone put an umbrella over my head. I looked up to see a young couple, the man reaching out his umbrella to cover me, too. At first his girlfriend put on a pouty face and looked as though she might become angry. Korean girls are often sensitive to their boyfriends giving their attention to anyone else and are very suspicious of flirting. I said thank you. The boyfriend responded so patiently to her, though. He quietly said the Korean equivalent of, "Hey, come here," and put his arm around her. Instead of being annoyed at her reaction, he was reassuring. So kind, so gentle. Why should they care about some foreign girl getting soaking wet? I didn't even desire to be umbrellaed. That's one sweet thing about Koreans- they look out for each other. Then to witness their precious interchange... a huge sigh escaped my soul. Small acts of kindness like that can completely undo you when you're already being unravled on the inside. When they got into their taxi and pulled away, I started to cry, knowing that the rain would disguise my tears and hide me. Someone put an umbrella over me, and I could feel my God covering me and whispering....Hey, come here...

Monday, May 02, 2005

Daegu Interlude

I'm back from Daegu, a city about four hours south of Seoul. I have to come in to work today to teach a class for the first year English teachers. Everyone keeps saying, "You look so happy!." or "You look so good!" and "How was your vacation?" Well, dang, I guess it was a better vacation than I thought! The shopping in Daegu was unexpectedly pleasant. I know you must think it very shallow, but as long as the shopping is good, I can be quite content. I went with my kiwi pal, Rochelle, and she said that now she knows if I'm ever glum, all you have to do is take me shopping for an hour and give me a piece of meat and I'll brighten up in no time. I cannot get enough protein here!

We took the bullet train, which is supposed to be super fast. Rochelle thought she was going to be sick, but the whole time I felt like we were crawling along. "It must be able to go faster than this! I want my money back." ;o) The train stewardess came by and kept repeating, "Volume down, please, volume down." Apparently, many drunk Korean men were trying to sleep on that train, and we were too noisy. When we arrived, it was after midnight. We checked into a what is known as a love motel, where one goes for an evening of passion, I suppose. There's a basket of condoms right there at the reception desk for the customer's convenience. What a zany place! Our bed was round-shaped with a red light above it and the shower was a two-seater. hehehe :o) The next morning we took a bus up to the mountains and walked around the parks and temples. Here are some pictures from that visit.






Saturday night we went out with some other English teachers from Daegu, one of whom Rochelle had met in Japan (also a kiwi), two Scottish guys, and some American girls from the west coast. At one restaurant we had the most sensational Thai chicken and cucumber soju. We moved around to different places and met a number of interesting characters. The highlight of my evening was dancing at Daegu's little Latin club. None of us knew how to dance like that, but we all tried. (I want to learn! Where's my salsa partner when I need him?!? :o) Unfortunately, we may have killed the atmosphere of that place, because there were some very good dancers there and here we are, a bunch of clumsy westerners... still, it was a lot of fun. Sunday we went wake boarding on a nearby lake for the afternoon. When we finally arrived back at the train station, the KTX bullet train was sold out. We had to get tickets for the slow train, and there were no seats left. Four hours of sitting on the floor next to the bathrooms was completely exhausting, and I found myself daydreaming about my shower. Rochelle jumped off the train somewhere near her apartment, and I rode it a bit further to catch the subway back to my place. Merlin was so starved for attention when I arrived home. He loves to jump up on your lap and throw his cat arms around your neck... I've never known a cat to hug like a human before! I slept for 10 hours after my shower, and I'm glad to be back home to the city. Daegu was a little bit country compared to Seoul and very, very humid. However, it was nice to breathe clean air up in the mountains. The rest of this week should be a breeze... no school until Friday. woo!