School dinner

Last night the director of my school took all of the teachers and employees out for sushi. I'll be honest, I'm not the biggest fan of sushi, but you can't refuse a free meal. And besides, I'm always up for new things. The meal started out fine, I ate some raw fish, some was not too bad, some was really strange.

All was going well until the director put a plate right under my face, and whatever was on it was still moving. I may have squealed like a little girl - okay I really did squeal like a little girl. I couldn't help it. I wasn't expecting it, and really, how often do you see your food still moving? All the Koreans laughed at me and then I started laughing. It was funny after all. It turns out it was really fresh octopus. I refused to try it for a bit, but then I finally sucked it up and put a piece in my mouth. It was . . . interesting. That's the best way I can describe it. The moving on the plate settled down after awhile, until someone prodded it with a chopstick and the moving would start again. Disturbing.

It's also a phenomenon to see typically serious, straight-laced Koreans (including the director), come loose with some alcohol. The director even made the employees play a drinking game that I will call "down the beer in one gulp." He'd pour them a glass of beer and they'd have to drink it as fast as they could. He tried to talk me into doing it, but after I refused three times he finally said, "Okay, I respect your decision." Although I had a sneaking suspicion that he didn't really - more disappointed. Ah, life in Korea is grand.

My two boyfriends and my new roommate

Introducing the two men that completely own my heart here in Korea.

My first love is Gong Yoo:
See how lovingly he smiles at me (please ignore the pretty, skinny, Korean girl in the background - she means nothing to him). I'm the only one for him. He just doesn't know it yet. I've had a crush on Gong Yoo for awhile now; I knew about him even before I came to Korea!

My new crush is Choi Si Won (pronounced Chay She Won):
He, apparently, does not know of my existence, but I'm hoping that changes soon. He sings beautifully, has a killer smile, and awesome abs. And I think he speaks English, which is highly beneficial for our soon to be blossoming romance.

I'll keep you posted on my progress with these two. Now on to my new roommate.

His name is Louis:
He's a manly man, but not afraid to wear purple (or pink, depending on the lighting). He brings color, youth, and vitality to my drab little apartment. Thanks Louis!

Noises

A couple days ago my refrigerator starting making this weird gurgling noise, almost like someone's stomach growling. Truth to tell, my refrigerator is probably hungry - there's not much in it.

Last night the noise changed to a poing-poing sound, like someone jumping on a pogo stick in a puddle. Maybe I should be concerned?

And yet it only does it at night, when I'm trying to sleep. Suspicious...

There is also a cat outside my window (again only at night) that is either being murdered every night, or is in desperate need of company of the opposite sex. I would like to put this cat out of its misery, but I'm too lazy to go find it.

I like spring and my friends

On Thursday morning I took a nice stroll through the Children's Grand Park. It's a lovely grand place with lots of walking paths, some zoo animals, fountains, playing fields, and a small amusement park. The sun was shining, the flowers were pretty, and the cherry blossoms were gorgeous. And it's only one metro stop from where I live. Pure bliss.


Behold the beauty. I forgot to mention the pretty statutes, but there they are.

Saturday was also a lovely day, which started out shopping in Insadong - this little artsy part of Seoul. I got a necklace, a skirt, and a hat. Then we headed to Myeong-dong - the fashion district of Seoul. We had tickets to Nanta. I'm not exactly sure how to describe this show other than AWESOME! It's about four chef's trying to get ready for a wedding banquet, so there's mass chaos in the kitchen. They drum and chop with real knives and other cooking utensils. And it was hilarious. I was laughing so hard my stomach hurt and my eyes were watering. Good, good times.

Korean Folk Village

A couple of friends and I decided to get away from the city on Saturday, and headed down to Suwon to the Korean Folk Village. The weather wasn't the greatest, but luckily it didn't rain. It was so nice to away from the city, to see some nature, breath fresh air, and experience Korean culture.


Man on rope. He did some cool things like hop on one foot, sit down, and bounce on his bottom.


Drum group with super awesome hats. Really, I want one.


Friends on swings. These were kind of hard to use because you hand to stand up. It took too much arm strength.


Friends on rock in the stream.


Pretty.



My attempt at creative photography. I kind of like it.


Vicious warriors!


Cool horse stunt guys.


Pretty.

Korean kids say the funniest things in English

I'm teaching the kids biology. First of all science is my least favorite subject (after math). Second, teaching science in English to Korean kids can be really boring. But every once in awhile it can be entertaining. For example the following exchange:

Me: We're going to talk about the parts of a cell.
Students: Okay
Me: What does the cytoplasm do?
Students: Protects the cell.
Me: What does protect mean?
Students: Uhhhhh???
Me: Protect means to keep safe.
Boy student: Teacher, so the cytoplasm is like a nuclear bodyguard?!?
Me (laughing): Yes, exactly like a nuclear bodyguard.

The funniest lunch ever

There is a teacher at work, Mr, Soh, who seems very proper and reserved. So proper in fact that I don't even know his first name - hence I call him Mr. Soh. But Mr. Soh has a quirky sense of humor once you get to know him. I was eating lunch yesterday with Mr. Soh, Chriss, and Alice (all Korean teachers), when Mr. Soh started coughing. I told him, "Don't die." A little later I asked him how his weekend was and he said, "I was dying." He's good and picking up on things like that. Then Alice told me that Mr. Soh was sick. I turned to him and said, "Oh, you're sick?" To which he replied, "Yeah, I'm really SICK." But the way he said it and his facial expression implied that he didn't mean heath-wise, but personality-wise. I looked at him, and he blushed, started laughing, and turned his face to the wall. I was lost, I was laughing so hard I had to cover my face to try to keep it in. Retelling this story does not do it justice - you had to be there.

Anyways, the director Simson (aka my boss) and manager Yang also happened to be in there eating lunch. When my laughter subsided, Simson explained why pronunciation in English is so vital. He said, "For instance you want to say important man, not impotent man." I started laughing all over again. I then thoroughly explained that you do not want to say impotent man. That situation could get ugly.

I went to the DMZ...

...and I survived. There was no shooting, but lots of soldiers and lots of restrictions. It was an interesting experience - one that is hard to describe fully. They say pictures are worth a thousand words, so enjoy the pictures.


Freedom Bridge (or Preedom Bridgee as our tour guide liked to call it), where North Koreans fled into South Korea during the war.


A bombed out train, evidence and effects from the war.



Wishes that South Koreans have made and posted on the dividing fence, in hopes of seeing family and friends from the North.


I'm in North Korea!!! With a South Korean soldier. Our tour guide says they wear sunglasses all the time so they don't "eye fight" with the North Korean soldiers.


The line dividing North and South Korea. Such a small barrier, but one that seems insurmountable.


Hannah, me, and Jess hanging out with some South Korean soldiers. I love a man in uniform...