"We're gonna do a song that'll take you back to a time when life was simple and there was only one boy band."

And then... The music starts.

We had Performance Theater today, and my kids did "Step by Step" by the wonderful New Kids on the Block. Let's just say, it was awesome, complete with patented New Kids moves and everything. After, John says to me, "You went home and actually practiced that, didn't you? I can see you playing the song at home, dancing around." Ha ha. Not acutally true, but I did think about it. It wsa SO awesome. I didn't take pics, but I DO have a video. Yeah, you're jealous.

How will I top myself next month? I didn't even think about that. Balls.

Hmm, what else? Oh, day off tomorrow! Yay! Going to see the Matisse exhibit with a pal and that's IT. I'd feel bad if I wasted the whole day doing nothing, but I don't want to do too much or I'll just be worn down like I would be if I worked. So... a little Matisse should do me good.

Not much else to say really. Took a cute pic of the dog and then played with it in my photo editor. Here are the results.

I brushed all his hair forward and it looked really cute.

Had pumpkin soup for dinner and LOVED it. Mmmm. I'm gonna have to find a recipe for that stuff because I will miss it BIG time.

Anyway, gonna watch some TV, veg, and sleep for at LEAST the next 12 hours.

Aaaawesome.

Much love.

"When you eat here, do you ever feel like you're on Fear Factor?"

Rachel and I had an interesting night last night. We attempted to eat at a Korean place where we thought we ordered fried squid, eel and vegetable pancakes by pointing to said items on the menu. WRONG! We apparently ordered a plate of tentacles (suprisingly edible and even, dare I say, good) and a steaming bowl of something that resembled meat. I attempted one bit of this "meat" and found a tendon or tendon-like substance in it. Like, no meat, and a huge tendon or something nasty. SICK. I don't even KNOW what it was but I hope it wasn't eel because I never want to eat it again, and I was kind of exited about trying it. And the sick part is that I'm SURE Koreans would mow DOWN on that crap and LOVE it. Gross.

Another lovely moment in the evening was when we were on a street full of strip joints and we were trying to get back to the main street to walk elsewhere, and I asked Rach "Wanna take the dark ally away from Titty Town?" And at that moment I realized: I would NEVER say that back home. Taking the dark ally is pretty much NEVER the best decision. Only in Korea... only in Korea.

I went out this morning and bought a dustbuster and it brought the greatest amount of joy imaginable to my soul. Really. I can't wait til it's charged up and I can use it. :)

Also got to watch three hours of Olympic coverage and it was awesome. My little Apollo won gold and LOVED it. Yay! They're over soon though... :(

Is it weird that every time I see a medal ceremony I tear up? It doesn't matter what country it is... I just tear up. That's SO weird...

Doing a little apartment maintenance like laundry and cleaning currently, and will head to church in a bit.

Talked to the BF today and it was glorious.

Much love.

"Teacher, who is bad?"--Jinni

Well, another week gone by. This one was marked by a fieldtrip yesterday and that's about it. We took the kids to see this cracked-out version of The Wizard of Oz where Oz and witch are aparently two syllables instead of one. Whatever. And my kids were scared of the witch (heck, I was scared of the creepy lion and the dancing bunnies... don't ask), Gracie even had to come sit on my lap. Poor little kid. And Jinni was asking me questions the whole time, "Teacher, who is bad?" "Teacher, who wins?" "Teacher, why is witch bad?" It was so cute... she was really into it. Anyway, it was an okay fieldtrip, and one of my former ESL kids was in the play, so that was cool. But the best part was when John found a SUPER secret treasure on the bus. He found a huge felt movie poster for Legends of the Fall and I took it and now it's mine. It's pretty much AWESOME. WHY was it on a kids school bus in Korea? I have NO clue. But, it was a good treasure.

Speaking of students, Korean school's on spring break now, and I'm seeing my BC kids all over the dang place. Balls.

Took Lancelot to the vet for more shots today. He's got one set left and then he's done! Yay! And then it's castration time.

Hmm. It seems like I had something else to say, but I really don't. I'm just really feeling the loss of the life I'd built lately. I walked home by myself yesterday and one of the new guys said something kind of bitchy to me and I just kept replaying it over and over and over and I was just like... so this is what it's gonna be like for the next six months. And I was SUPPOSED to go to Oasis on Tuesday, but I didn't because I'm working later now and that just sucked. I did end up satisfying a craving for California (a sushi restaurant) though, so I guess some good came of it.

I have this weird rash on my inner elbows and it's not really getting better, but it's not really worse either. Balls. Strang-e skin diseases are NOT my friend.

Spring is coming here, I hear birds singing in the morning, I've seen two bugs flying around, and I saw kids playing outside. :)

Going to play with Rachel in a little bit. Shopping! Yay!

Much love.

"What IS an Olympian?"--Bob Costas

First of all, speed-skater Joey Cheek is using the money he gets with his medals to help kids in Sudan. If THAT's not Olympic spirit, I don't know what is.

THAT is why this whole Olympic thing is magical. People from all over the world come together, and show us what strength of will, perseverance, practice, talent, and heart can do. I was watching a men's cross country event yesterday, and this guy from Kenya was skiing. A man from a country where snow has probably NEVER fallen, is an Olympic caliber cross-country skiier. Sure, he didn't medal, but he finished the race. THAT's the stuff I love. The triumph of human spirit, the super-human strenght it takes to even GET there, let alone medal. And when I think about what it must feel like to stand up there, and get a gold medal around your neck, and your flag raises in the air to your national anthem... I just get chills and I tear up.

Anyway, I've gotten to watch some Olympics, clearly. JOY JOY JOY JOY down in my heart. Saw my new favorite Olympian, Shani Davis, make history. The boy from Illinois did it! Yay! And people need to shut up about "you look mad." The kid just accomplished is LIFE'S GOAL. Let him compose himself, or say nothing if he needs to. I know I'd probably be a bit speechless for a while...

And my little Apollo (whose teeth, by the way, are AMAZING) got a bronze. Damn Koreans...

Anywho, I've gotta get off to church, but I just needed to post that

I LOVE THE OLYMPICS!

Much love.

"Let me just take a poll: Who here can tie their own shoes?"

What is wrong with this country? Only three of the TWELVE kids in my B.C. class can tie their own shoes.

These kids are TEN!!! TEN! And they can't tie their shoes? What is WRONG with these people? Granted, I had some issues, but I could DEFINITELY tie my shoes by the time I was 7. Max.

That's just not RIGHT. It's not.

People here are strange...

That's all. Depressed about the lack of Olympics here.

Much love.

"So Rodney, who killed the moose?"

I had a pretty chill weekend, spent most of it incubating my disease, which still hasn't decided to either make me sick or not show up and go away. It's one of those feel like crap in the morning and then kinda feel better during the day but still cough. Whatever.

I went to class Saturday morning, then out to lunch with my class. I ate these "black noodles" that you're supposed to eat on Black Day and I guess then some amazing person supposed to show up and sweep you off your feet. Black Day is one of the three Valentine's Day-like holidays they have here. Nice. One is Valentine's Day, where girls give to boys. Then March 14 is White Day, where boys give to girls. Then APRIL 14th is Black Day ,for everyone who's single. Whatever. Clearly I've already been reminded I'm single for two months straight, not to mention the entire Christmas season. I don't need my own day, thanks. Couples are THE thing here. It's sick.

Saturday night I went to Rodney's house for a real Newfoundland dinner cooked by a real Newfie. It was lots of salt and meat, so basically delicious. Corned beef, pease (peas?) pudding, chicken, potatoes and carrots, and moose. Yes, real moose meat. And let me tell you, it was some GOOOOD eatin'. Rodney and I kind of had a heart to heart about the new staff, and how we haven't really clicked with anyone... Anyway, it was a good, chill night, and I was home before midnight and even got up for early church, instead of the 4.

Going to church early was a little key because I had the whole day to play with Lancelot and hang out (and get a MUCH needed hair cut and wave-uh perm-uh). But it was kinda hard too because it was the first time I went to church officially by myself, and I sat by myself, and no one talked to me, and I had this complete and total feeling that I was alone here. I serioulsy almost cried at church like 5 times thinking about it.

Balls.

PLUS, I've been trying to watch the Olympics and have failed miserably. AFN CLAIMS that they're playing Olympics 24/7 but they are nasty, dirty, rotten LIARS. >:(

Much love.

"Let's never come here again because it will never be as much fun."Charlotte, Lost in Translation

I just finished watching Lost in Translation. I saw it once before, and I wasn't really, like, that into it. But now, having lived in Korea for almost six months, I SO get that movie on a whole nother level. (Is "nother" a word? Anyone? Anyone?) I teared up at the end, I'll admit it. Anyway, it was a great re-watch. It was awesome, a joy in my soul. Of which, I've needed a few lately.

Let's just say I cried in the bathroom at school yesterday. Yeah, my day was THAT good. I don't even know HOW it got to that point, but it did... Yesterday was just a bad day and I'm glad it's over. A new leaf has been turned over. I think it was just a freak-out that was coming anyway, because of all the change and hitting my 6 months and just... everything. But I feel like it's done now, for the most part, and I'm happy again. :)

So in other news, it snowed here the other day, like two inches overnight and it was a little bit magical, and as I was walking to school, I saw this. If you can't read it, the sign says "Summer Event." Clearly a summer event is now in progress.



What. The. Heck?

I have this cut on my hand, my palm, and it's HORRIBLE. I can't wash it, and it gets dry and hurts and AHHHH! Balls. It SUCKS. I am falling apart, I think.

Picked up my glasses after dance today and they are a little bit awesome. :) Clearly, more pairs will be forthcoming.

The Olympics start today!!!!!! Yay!!! Hopefully AFN will cover it and I'll get my fix.

K. That's it for now.

Much love.

"How do you say "sunglasses" in Korean?"--me "Sunglasses."--my supervisor

I'd just like to say I bought a pair of perscription sunglasses and a new pair of glasses for the equivilant of about $150. Suh-WEET! That pretty much rules. I can see myself buying several pairs from here on out. :)

I have this evil sore of death in my mouth and I don't know what to do about it. It's almost like a canker sore, but not really. Anyway... It's SUPER ouch. :(

That is all.

Back to 24... Only 3 episodes left!

Much love.

"Been spending most our lives living in a gansta's paradise.."--Coolio

So last night I went to see this play that my friend Mark's been working on at his school. I pretty much didn't understand a WORD of it, but it was magical for the moment when, like, 10 Korean kids start busting out kareoke style to "Gansta's Paradise." I pretty much laughed for about 5 minutes straight. It was TOO much. WAY too funny. But the play was pretty decent (the story anyway) and I was glad to go to support Mark.

It was a little weird hanging out with his Korean girlfriend all night, because he was busy with play stuff, but she's really sweet and we have quite a bit in common. Turns out, she's a little rock star--she plays drums in a band. How fun is that?

Speaking of fun, lemme go back a bit and mention this: before Lunar New Year, our dance teacher gave us all a little notebook. Our picture was on the front, and a personal note with all our songs was inside. A sweet gesture, I have to say. But here's the best part: my note.


Ha ha HA! The best part is the P.S. "Somebody helped writting acutally I can't speak English." Awesome! It was really cute, and both The J and I appreciated the effort.

Moving forward in time, let me discuss today. Today I had planned on writing a monthly plan (Keep in mind that the people at school are up my @$$ about writing a montly plan when I don't have a copy of the books and neither do the kids... It's fine. Clearly, I'm a magician as well as a teacher.) and going to church. Well, Lindsay messaged me around 11 and we decided that her, John, AdamandChrista and I would go see this Resissance/Baroque art exhibit and get a little shopping on. So we headed out and saw the exhibit (cool DaVincci stuff, some cool paintings) and I proceeded to buy jewelry and a cool art book. Then we headed out to Apgujeong to get some nose studs for Linds. Here is where we went.


Yes, the Rodeo Drive of Korea. Kinda strange-e but funny all the same. Anyway, expensive shopping but cheap nose jewelry. Key.

After that, Christa needed jeans so we went to Dongdemun and hit up Migleore. It was KEY because I FINALLY found a dang plain black long-sleeved shirt, and it was a little bit awesome. I'd almost given up hope. Also bought a fancy lookin' school bag that my computer will fit in (it's time to let the backpack rest!) from a guy with tons of tattoos. Now, at home, this isn't a big deal, but in Korea, no one has tattoos or peircings. I wanted to be his friend, so I bought his bag. It's fine. Also met a guy named Kyle who's in town working with Grease! (he worked backstage). He's like, "Are you here on vacation?" and I'm like, "I work here. Teaching English." Which is so funny because, if you're a foreigner here, that's what people pretty much assume. NO ONE thinks you're on vacation.

Anyway, while wandering around Dondemun, I found this shirt.


Is that offensive to anyone else? I mean... is it? That's so wrong... I didn't even know what to say.

So yeah, got home, rocked a lesson plan and now I'm watching some 24 before I pass out.

It might be too cold in here to sleep, though. :(

Much love.

"We are not allowed!"

The J is somewhere between here and Canada, probably closer to here, heading home. She came by this morning to bring me her DVD player (um, score HUGE) and I had to make the rule that we couldn't cry. I just can't be all crying and stuff and then have to walk to work, although I did sniffle until I ran into Lindsay/Crista/John. But still... I don't think it's hit me that the person I've seen almost literally EVERY day since she got back from Canada in October isn't gonna be around anymore. It's not real yet. And let me just say, it's a damn good thing I had to get off to work this morning, or the whole goobye scene would've been dragged out forever and I'm just not into it. So... She's gone and a new era begins.

It's a damn good thing she left, too, because yesterday I witnessed THE most ludicrous thing I might have ever seen. Afternoon classes start at 3:00. At 3:15, kids were still wandering around without a single CLUE as to where they should be. I THOUGHT I was teaching one class of kids, after I'd been asked which class I would prefer to teach, and so I'm trying to gather them up and get them going while I'm trying to figure out where my ESL class has got off to, so I can give their new teacher the test I made for them. Then this whole group of boys is standing outside my room (NOT the class I thought I was teaching) so I direct them to the room I THOUGHT they should be in, and oh no... I was wrong. Someone changed my class without even THINKING about telling me. Awesome. Plus, before this whole ordeal, I was supposed to have a brief meeting with Liz to talk about what I was supposed to be teaching for the next three hours, and did she show up? No. By the time she was ready to talk to me, the bell had rung and I had to go pull three hours worth of work out of my @$$. Sweet. I have 20 minutes a day to talk to someone, and they're not even around to tell me what the hell is going on. Again, awesome. I'm pretty sure every Korean I work with has an IQ so low that Forrest Gump is a genius in their eyes.

And if this small story wasn't proof enough, today at lunch, as I'm heading to eat, I see three tiny little boys running in the hallway. Now, lunch has JUST begun so there's no way they were done eating. So I chase them down and manage to decipher that they need to use the bathroom. So we all go to the bathroom together, and somehow another kid shows up and joins us, and I get them all peed and washed (these kids have a day and a half worth of English at this point) and back in line, and we go to their room (one was even directing me, so cute!), but one crazy kid (I really think there's something wrong with him...) runs off and went his own way, but we all ended up at the same place. I open the door, and the lunch teacher is just serving food like the kids weren't even gone. It's a class of 7. Four were gone. And she didn't seem to notice. And even if she LET them go to the bathroom, a)they'd just been about 5 minutes before to wash their hands for lunch so they shouldn't have had to go and b) you don't let four 4 year old boys go to the bathroom by themselves in one group. ARE you retarded? Really. Seriously. And let's just say it's not even functionally retarded. Just plain STUPID. I don't know if I can handle another full year...

Anyway, I'm just gonna keep on keepin' on and doing the best I can. Really, what else can I do? And the new kids are REAL cute. It's a little bit awesome. :)

Much love.