Bloggity Blog Blog Blog

So report cards are due next week and what am I doing? Writing to you all. Feel worth it, damnit. Feel the worth.

That's an interesting thing--feeling the worth. Often we don't possibly understand our own worth because we measure our successes the way we count our credits and debits in our bank accounts. We love to degrade ourselves because it's funny or we think it makes us more humble. But does it really? Are we really better people when we refuse to understand what we are truly worth?

Anyway...

I've made a promise to myself that I am going to keep up with writing this blog, and so far, I've been doing a decent job at it. YAY for self-affirmation! Work is going well--it's almost Friday here and while I will be doing report cards for the bulk of the weekend, I plan on having a skype session with a good friend that I haven't seen since I've been in Korea (10 months, can you believe it?)

Dresden is fine, thanks for asking. I am almost done knitting his hoodie--however I am going to have to frog some of it come Sunday when I have my weekly knitting meet up with Bri because I jacked it up. Knitting patterns can be more difficult to read and comprehend than a Noam Chomsky book sometimes.

It's starting to get colder here, and thank God for that! I was dying this summer--I knew coming into this whole Korean experience that Korea has the winters of Chicago but the summers of Florida, and while I grew up in Hell's bastard brother of a state, I had forgotten some of the cardinal rules of living in humid conditions...like don't even try to wear any kind of make up because it will only melt like a demonized ice cream cone. Oh Florida, how I miss the people who inhabit you, but never you and your muggy self. You rat bastard.

I watched a documentary by Cameron Crowe this week, courtesy of Mr. Pockets, called Pearl Jam Twenty and I must say it was pretty damn interesting. I was always more on the Nirvana side of the "Nirvana-Pearl Jam debate," but in my later years I have been giving Eddie Vedder and Co. more credit than they probably should have gotten from me all along. Oh well, we live and learn, right?

It's been a pretty good week for communication for me too--I've talked to some of my really good friends from Florida as well as Illinois. I do miss home--but that is inevitable. When you're blessed to know so many amazing people it makes the heart ache for older days and yearns for reunification.

I suppose I have procrastinated enough on my report cards. Until the next post, dear readers.

xo
c

One Sassy Store. One Sassy Giveaway! Only from Three Sassy Sisters!

So my dear and lovely friends at Three Sassy Sisters are having another fabulous giveaway to celebrate their 900th sale! These ladies are amazing and so are their pet supplies! They have recently expanded to the dog lovers and have been a mainstay on Etsy for their cat-tastic toys and collars. Dresden actually rocks one of their collars and he LOOOOOOOVES his blazer mice. ^^ Especially since now that he got shaved, you can actually SEE his awesome shamrock collar.





















So how do you enter? Go to their blog and there are many different ways to get in on this sassy deal!

Happy pets make the world go round! ^^

xo
c

Last Post on July 12th?! Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, Shea!

Hiho, Miss Christine here. So sorry about the delay--has it really been three months since my last blog entry?! Good Lord. I feel like I should be apologizing every time I enter onto blogger's site. Ahh negligence, the only true form of procrastin...ation.

So what has happened since July? Things have been busy busy busy at school. I still love my job and my co-workers--the kids are okay. ^^ heheh Kat moved out of our apartment building so I don't get to see her that much anymore. We have new teachers and they're rad. I turned 32. We had a vacation and I did a lot of knitting. I'm writing stories again (AWESOME!) and I have finally have a knitting buddy in Korea. I have done 2 5K's and I'm really enjoying the time that I get to go out and walk.

Yesterday I took Dresden to the Salon (aka The Vet) and now he has a lion cut. I thought they would have left more of the mane but he has this oval-ish face now and it's so stinking cute.

Here is a before shot, the morning of, no less...



And the aftermath....



He is so much happier about the hair being gone. Even when I adopted him on June 4th he didn't care for me grooming him on his back, near his tail. Now he is all sorts of free and quite lovey.

A few months back I had contemplated going home for Christmas and taking Dresden with me and then leave him at my Mom's house and then come back to Korea--that way he'll already be acclimated to "American culture" (har har) and I would be free to travel. I'm glad I decided against it--I don't think I would want to be without him.

My hair has gotten wicked long--I still haven't gone to get it cut here. I am rather apprehensive about going to a Korean salon because they don't really know how to cut foreigners' hair. Korean hair is pretty thick, so they normally get it thinned out. And while I usually get my hair thinned out because I have so much of it, I would rather just wait it out. Recent picture, you ask? Well, okay.



So yeah. I turned 32. I got fabulous presents from Mumsy, Jess and Jeremy, Joey, Kat, Sarah, Shane, Bri, and Ben. And three birthday cakes! ^^ I bought myself a new iPod Touch, an awesome pair of Ray Bans, and a fabulously fake Le Sport Sac purse.

I'm currently knitting Dresden a hoodie, so pictures will be up of that soon, but I did finish two scarves for my friends Brittany and Shane.

This one is Britt's


And this one is for Shane


Over the vacation I went around and took pictures of Seoul Tower, and hung out with Joey and his girlfriend Sam, who was visiting from Florida.















Most of these shots were taken with my iPod Touch with an app called "Camera +." It comes highly recommended.

So that's about it. Class is about to start so I had better scoot. Until the next three months.

Stay classy, Seoul and beyond. You've earned it.

xo
c

Insane Ramblings...What's A Girl To Do?

Intention can be a funny word...it brings into thought what you ought to do, what you meant to do, what you meant, or should have meant. I don't have many intentions these days. Nothing is done with a purpose--at least, I'm getting lost in the haze that is the process. Perhaps it's just Monsoon Season and I have too much water on the brain. Or maybe not enough coffee on the brain. In either case, my intentions are still lacking.

What my intentions are and what I actually manifest rarely ever align themselves, but at least I recognize this? Right? That's a step in the correct direction, if there is ever a correct direction...right? I spend too much time thinking in terms of right or wrong, as if everything is really that cut and dry, black and white, Edward and Jacob. Wait...what?

Last week was phenomenal. This week, I'm drowning. I'm questioning everything I do, I think, and say. What kind of life is it to constantly sit in inquiry and mull over the things you did, thought, and said? Yay to thinking in inquiry--and a big fat nay for the mulling of things. I know that we can only become better versions of ourselves if we sit and meditate and ask questions of ourselves--searching for understanding seems to be man's "groove." But to rip yourself to shreds is not apart of said groove.

I feel so far away from home right now and I'm not even talking about "family" home. I'm referring to "me" home. Perhaps I should rephrase that, the border patrol might pick me up for sounding like an immigrant. A few months ago I was soooo gung ho about what I wanted and who I was, and I feel like I've fallen into a tiny ravine. I'm pulling myself out of it, for sure--I can see the bright sunlight, hear the birds cheering me on, but I'm not there just yet.

I've noticed that when I am completely dissatisfied with my life, my living space becomes too cluttered--and last night I did an overhaul. Throwing out things that I neither need nor want and I feel 100 times better. So that's a positive thing. My Yia Yia once saw and episode of Dr. Phil and he said on the program that people who are terrible house keepers have something mentally wrong with them. I vehemently disagreed with her. But now I see where they may have a point. Having a cluttered mind translates to having a cluttered living space. You hold onto things that you don't need, because you're afraid that if you let go, then you'll drop everything that you've been holding onto. You know that you're not in any position to pick up anything else, but these things have grown attached to you, and you to them. So you hold on. Look for a bigger space so that you can put more things in places, but in all actuality, you're enabling yourself to hold on to more and more crap. When you just need to let go. Let go of the hurt, the shame, the guilt. Only when are arms are truly open can we receive the things we really want and need, not what we think we want and need.

I've been creating this curriculum for the JR high kids that asks the question, "Are we over medicating our kids?" And I came across a pretty interesting statistic--our brains do not fully mature until we're thirty. THIRTY! So it's no wonder that I don't have all of my shit completely straightened out yet--I'm just now getting to maturity! ^^ Oh humor, you never fail me.

I've started the "what the hell am I going to do after Korea" talks and I'm still at a loss. I yearn for stability and discipline but I can't seem to get my mind to understand that just because I have discipline doesn't mean that I can't have creativity. I'm working on this concept and it seems really easy to understand but I've had this block against discipline for so long that it brings Pink Floyd's "The Wall" to a whole new level.
The saga continues I suppose.

Who's up for some pictures?



This is a plate my sister can appreciate. ^^



Sandrich anyone?



This is the Starbucks in Insadong--it's the only one I know of that the sign is written in Korean. Holla!



Because we all need a little style...or styl even.



Does this font look familiar? Hello pirated Disney font!!

Sigh. Okay. I feel a little better. I'm seeing Harry Potter after work tonight so it's time to say "expelliarmus" to these crummy feelings.

xox
c

Holy Bloggerton, Batman!

Hoy Hoy Dear Readers,

All three of you... hehehe I keeed I keeed.

You know, I started this blog out with the intention of writing more and more, and lately it just hasn't been the case. In a matter of 4 days, yes, 4 days, I will have been in Korea for 7 months. SEVEN MONTHS! Can you believe it? Where has the time gone? Certainly not to blogging about it...Perhaps I should start again....

Why hello there, Dear Readers!

Much has been going on--most of it in the teaching area, but it has kept me from writing to you all. Apologies and beers all around.

School has kept me pretty busy, but I really enjoy it. I'm fairly certain I will be signing up for another year after my contract ends in January. It's an easy job (relatively, anyway) and I can make some pretty good money to pay off these pesky student loans. In the 7 months I have been here, I have been a play, helped a couple of causes that I believe in, worked out more, tried all sorts of different kinds of foods, experienced life in a different culture, been approved for an American Express card (Hooray! I'm Somebody!!), and I am currently undergoing the dreaded monsoon season. It's sunny right now, but the rain will come later tonight. Then we will have thunderstorms every day until Monday. Hooray? I don't dislike the rain, I just don't like it to rain EVERY day. We all deserve a little sunshine now and then. I'm told that when we get into the thick of Monsoon Season that the rain won't really cool anything off--it's just a hot, wet mess. ugh. There is a reason why I left Florida...hehe At least there aren't any alligators here, right? Right?! ^^

I haven't travelled anywhere as of yet--although many of my co-workers go to Japan, Vietnam, Thailand, and Malaysia for our holidays. I have been venturing in to Seoul and checking out the many different places. I even adopted a cat, which makes it a little harder to go travel for a week. In September we have another holiday (Chuseok--The Korean Thanksgiving) and we get an entire week off...I have decided that I will undergo lasik surgery so that I do not have to be dependent on my glasses and contacts anymore. I'm told that it will take a week to recover so it's a good thing that I will be doing this over the holiday. I do plan on going to places though--Vietnam is first on my list. I would also like to go to Cambodia and Japan, but Vietnam first.

In other news...I will be participating in my FIRST 5 K on July 17th!! Wish me luck! Granted, I will be walking it, so I may not need THAT much luck, but kind wishes are always appreciated. ^^ I live near Seoul National University of Education and they have a track that I can walk on at night. Because It is going to rain tonight, I just may go to the gym instead--but I seriously need to stretch my muscles. My best friend, Kat, and I went to a boot camp workout yesterday morning and BOY am I ever sore. Tuesday was "cardio" day and I nearly had cardio-failure. ^^ My calves, thighs, and obliques are KILLING ME. I still want to keep this momentum going though. I've gone down a pant size already since I've been here but I need to do more. ^^ Korean food is actually pretty heathy stuff so that is always nice. I generally don't eat foreign (i.e. American, Greek, Mexican, etc) food because well, for one thing it is expensive. You have to pay a VAT tax when purchasing meals at restaurants. Another reason I don't really dig the foreign food is that it simply isn't AS good as it is back home. I've adopted my Yia Yia's mantra of "why bother?" ^^ Of course, she would say this when she saw minimal christmas lights up around the neighborhood. :)


Anyway...it's time for some pictures, yeah?







The first is of the latest addition, Dresden Baptwo Shea--My friend Erica brilliantly quipped that I should post this picture around town with the words, "Dresden Disapproves." I love this face.



Picture two depicts some Korean kitty litter-- notice how the homeboy kitties are whipping it out--and checking each other's junk out...classic! "Oh Korea..."



This is a busy street in Myeongdog--a tremendous shopping area in Seoul.



This was taken around Buddha's birthday celebration. All of Seoul was covered with paper lanterns. It happened to rain on his birthday so many of the celebrations were cancelled.



This is a building that promises "viewtiful views!" heheh Gotta love the Konglish!


Anywho...I hope all is well with you and I will try to post more often.

xox
c

Korean Alleyways...Kalleyways?

Two blogs within 4 days of each other? Who knew I had it in me? I'm just full of surprises.

I had a pretty decent day at work--the last 20 minutes dragged though, so there is always that. My good day could be attributed to my having two grande Americanos at Starbucks this morning/afternoon. Does coffee count as "medicating" yourself? Let's hope so. ^^

I thought that I might show you all some pictures of Korean alleyways...

Alleyways have always fascinated me, especially pictures of them. There is this element of surprise with them...a spirit of unknowing what is lurking there. Perhaps I've spent too much time in Chicago. Anywho...here they are for your viewing pleasure...

Food Glorious Food!

So this weekend marks Memorial Day weekend...and I only remembered this because a friend on Facebook asked, "What are you doing for Memorial Day?"

This is essentially what it is like being an expatriot. You forget things. Things that are supposed to always remember. I nearly missed Mother's Day too--a friend here was telling me what she ordered for her mom. I even got the day wrong--when I placed my order, I made it for the week AFTER Mother's Day. I told my Mom and my sister the mistake I made, and they were fine with getting their gifts a week late. However the fabulous people at Edible Arrangements allowed me to change the delivery date and they got their gifts on the Saturday before Mother's Day.

I am always early on birthdays--mostly because of the time difference but I have been known to wish someone a happy birthday in Korea and have it not even be their birthday. I'm losing my edge, so it seems. ^^

I have been taking quite a few pictures here and a lot of have made it to facebook. I'm going to try to put some on here as well...let's start with food ^^ Why food? Because if there is one thing I have learned from David Sedaris, it is if you can't talk about the celebration of holidays, you talk about food. Bon Appetite!













The first picture is of panchan...panchan is not a particular kind of food--it is the side dishes that comes along with every meal. Consider it to be the bread in a restaurant. You will mostly find the Korean table staple: Kimchi. I have loved Kimchi since I was an angsty teenager. It's a spicy fermented cabbage and it is delicious. ^^

The second picture depicts the wonderful mean called Shabu Shabu. This is also known as hot pot in China. Shabu Shabu is a better though. You start off with a large pot on the table and you make soup. Yes, you go out to dinner to make your own dinner. Bear with me, my story gets better. They aren't asking you to do the dishes. ^^ So you start off with a tray full of veggies, a pot of boiling broth and then you add thinly sliced pork or beef to your soup. There were also some quail eggs in the one we had here. You can keep adding veggies to your broth and when you're done eating the soup, a guy will come by and either make a rice porridge for you or fried rice. Martha Stewart would certainly call this meal, "A good thing."

The third picture is actually a home cooked meal, made by my best friend's mother. I went to Kathryn's parents house for Christmas and this was our Christmas dinner. The pancakes are actually made of squash and they were so amazing! The main dish here is called Daktoritang (Dok-dori-tahng). It's a spicy chicken and potato stew. Del-ish. There was also some fish on the table but I didn't try any of it because I really don't care for fish. There is also some nori on the table---Nori is dried seaweed sheets. ^^

The last two pictures were taken at the same meal. You have probably seen them on my facebook pictures. Kathryn and I went to a noodle house on my second day of being in Korea. My noodle dish had rice cake (looks like the mushroom) in it and I really enjoyed the flavor of the bean paste sauce. The other dish was what Kat had ordered. It had a little squid in there and some clams. I never thought I would even try something like this, but let me be the first to tell you that it was AH-MAY-ZING! Loved it!

I'm going to post more food pictures later, as well as some pictures I have been taking of Korean alleyways, which completely fascinate me.

Allow me to be early again and say Happy Father's Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, and Halloween. That should do it for now.