Adventures from Here to There

Back on the grid

2010-09-17T09:31:00.000-07:00

Thank you to the Verizon installation guy. I'm posting courtesy of Mullen's and my very own wifi!!!

Hello TV and internet - I missed you, old friends.

More adventures to come soon.

Adventures in Apartment Hunting

2010-08-11T18:45:00.000-07:00

All of those cliches about finding an apartment in New York are so irritatingly true!

Craigslist is a labrynth of listings. I especially love the trick where the EXACT SAME APARTMENT is listed three times in one day, each time with a slightly different description. I have found a few possible places, both of which were promptly rented out from under me before I had a chance to see them.

Hey, it's life. It's part of living in New York and I accept that. No one is twisting my arm, I don't HAVE to live here. But I want to - I really, really want to.

I passed an Indian textile and gift shop this evening and stopped in for a bit. The owner boasted that she had over 200 Buddha figurines for sale. She enthusiastically pointed out which ones were lucky for business and love and health. I found myself wondering, "Which is the Apartment Finding Buddha?"

Hello?

2010-04-05T21:26:00.000-07:00

I haven't posted anything (original) up here in months. Mostly because I didn't think I was up to anything sufficiently extraordinary.

Then tonight, while looking up an old post about my limited knowledge of Korean, I discovered that some people are still reading (as recently as January?!).

Well, internet, hey! It's been awhile. I took a super long vacation from you - now I live away from California again, and consequently have rediscovered (wasting time) facebook, skype, etc. etc.

So here I am. Still adventuring - only now my adventures are of the domestic travel and job-seeking sort. I live in Brooklyn. I sell books - for now. I'm a walking cliche and I have embraced that. If you have a problem with it, then I will sick the hipsters on you. (Because there are a lot of them, and they can be nasty when they're not busy being cooler than you.)

A Note to Bill Plashcke:

2009-06-28T22:35:00.000-07:00

You should really read Dodger Thoughts.

Another gem by Jon Weisman over at the LA Times:

Manny Ramirez, 'Sports Night' and family

CASEY
It's not like you don't see this in sports all the time.

DANA
I don't see it in my family all the time.

CASEY
The guy's a 240-pound linebacker dealing with a 350-pound pulling guard, Dana, who's probably also souped up. Kyle's just trying to keep himself in the game. He's trying --

DANA
Don't defend him, and don't tell me how to be. He was part of a conspiracy to buy steroids that God knows what side effects and long-term damage could cause. He's gonna get suspended for eight games, so there goes the postseason. He's making just over league minimum, and he's going to get hit with probably a $50,000 fine. And, if the local DA feels like running for something next year, he could also go to jail -- to say nothing of the fact that his name is now also synonymous with everything that's bad about sports.

CASEY
And all I'm saying is, he's got enough people telling him that right now. Papers, talkradio, agents, lawyers, the league, his teammates, his sister's own television show -- and maybe he doesn't need any more guests at that party. And maybe, the best role that you can play right now is as his sister now, Dana. That's all I'm saying.
(pause)
That, and don't be so edgy.

DANA
(walking away)
I'm not edgy. I'm not edgy.

Door slams, window breaks.

-- "Sports Night" ("The Reunion," written by Kevin Falls and Aaron Sorkin)
December 21, 1999

I've been mulling over the frustration that Bill Plaschke has over the fact that it isn't looking like Dodger fans, by and large, are bringing out the hatchet for Manny Ramirez as he returns from his suspension. I don't dismiss that frustration -- but I'm hoping those who share it might see the other side.

Plaschke (and others, certainly) believe that the Dodgers and their fans are rewarding cheating behavior by letting Ramirez off easy. That's a big-picture view, but I think there's an even bigger picture he is missing.

I touched on this in a May 7 Dodger Thoughts post:

For those who choose to cheer Ramirez because they love him, there's no mystery. They love him. When love is involved, it's not easy or even logical to expect that people will use that person to send a grandiose moral message. That's why Andruw Jones gets booed and Ramirez doesn't. And since Ramirez is still part of the Dodger family, at least through the end of the 2009 season, it makes sense that some members of the family will want to help him back on his feet after he has done his time.

Ramirez is going to get it with both barrels almost everywhere he goes, starting Friday in San Diego. He is going to get ripped up, down and sideways. He is going to be subject to taunting wherever he goes outside his home base -- consider this, for example -- and will have the duty to ignore it. It simply doesn't make sense for Plaschke to be so shocked and appalled that Ramirez's adopted family in Los Angeles won't do the same.

Plaschke, obviously, doesn't think of Ramirez as family -- in his mind, Ramirez isn't worthy of being the family doormat. But whether Plaschke likes it or not, thousands in Los Angeles do. And thousands have made their peace with him.

It's not that we can't get angry. Speaking for myself, if proof emerges that Ronald Belisario did drive drunk, you can bet he's going to be in my doghouse and then some. And yet, eventually, I might forgive him, just as I've forgiven DUI two-timer Rafael Furcal. Why? Because a) I'm an irrational Dodger fan, and b) I'm kind of into the whole forgiveness thing, after someone's done their penance.

In other words, I'd be angrier at Ramirez if I thought he were getting away with something. But despite Plaschke's preoccupation with cheers and limousines in Riverside -- as if being suspended from major-league baseball means you should have to travel by Greyhound -- Ramirez didn't get away with anything. He lost millions, he lost time off his career, he probably lost his chance at the Hall of Fame, and he lost whatever peace of mind he might have had in 29 other major-league cities. He was humiliated and will continue to be mocked, perhaps for the rest of his life. The main problem I have with Plaschke's columns on Ramirez is his lack of acknowledgment of this.

And so I ask, does it really matter if most people in Los Angeles don't bring the tar and feathers to the ballpark? If the message being sent is that hometown fans will cheer heroes who screw up -- well, that's a reality that began long before Manny Ramirez came on the scene, and one that he isn't going to change. (Reminder: Barry Bonds was booed in Los Angeles more because he was an insufferable, Dodger-killing, never-suspended Giant than because of steroids.)

If a family member of mine got in trouble, and got disciplined for being in trouble, and was going to be reminded of that trouble almost everywhere he or she went, I wouldn't need to pile on after it was all over. Bill, a lot of us were upset over Manny, but a lot of us got over it over the past seven weeks.

It's fine to think Ramirez wasn't punished enough, but don't try to sell the idea that he hasn't been punished or won't continue to be punished. The world will still have a moral compass even if, in this case, the people of Los Angeles aren't the ones pointing due north.

2009-06-12T20:41:00.000-07:00

"Remember that you are unique. If that has not been fulfilled, then something wonderful has been lost." – Martha Graham

Update

2009-02-12T18:00:00.000-08:00

So I didn't take out an ad in the LA Times, but I did write a "Letter to the Editor" in witty tirade fashion. I found out it will never be published and may not be read because it is over 150 words, but whatever .... I feel better. If your curious what I wrote, it's basically the same, but if you like I will post it in a comment.

Jin-jah?

2009-02-12T11:43:00.000-08:00

It has been nearly six months since I completed my contract at SLP. It has been nearly six months since I had a job. I hate this economy. I am annoyed ... I am whining ... and I think I have earned the right to at least whine. Now, granted, I have not been home or unoccupied for six months ... I have been busy with, you know, life things (and I don't just mean my trip - other things for other people too) ... and I am happy to have done them or helped out or whatever ... but COME ON! If I get one more poorly worded, misspelled, generic follow-up e-mail from joeschmoe@thebestcompanyever.net I might go off the deep end and wind up baracaded in my room Howard Hughs style; only in my scenario I will be muttering about temp agencies and cover letters instead of planes for the US Army and wire taps. But the most frustrating thing is that it's not just me going through this, it's all of my friends too. And not only my fellow globe-trotters trying to adjust back to life sans kimchi ... it's practically everyone I know!! I mean, really ... my friends and I are all well-educated, enthusiastic, creative individuals ... somebody, for the love of all things good EMPLOY US!

I've run the gambit from temp agencies to craigslist to resume posting websites and it's all seriously graining on my last nerve. I know everyone is going through this, and you have to make looking for a job a job in itself and that it's tough for everyone blah blah blah ... AND I also know that I have been lucky in the past in that I have come into work very quickly and easily... but even in knowing all of that, it doesn't make this all any less annoying.

I am not kidding - I am seriously considering taking out a full page ad in the Sunday edition of the LA Times showcasing myself and my generic BS cover letter and all that jazz. I believe that I am at what is commonly referred to as my wits' end.

In other news all of this time spent scouring the internet (and pounding the pavement too - no employment seeking cliches have been spared in this job search!) I've spent some time looking into what I actually intend to be my career (and not my just my j-o-b) and reflecting on the preverbial question that presents itself to head-y actors like my friends and myself: Grad School: to go? or not to go? ... more than ever I am leaning towards going, or auditioning at least (not for a year or two of course!) especially since doing my research and getting the details on this program. Never mind that it is likely the most competitive program in the country: I-want-to-go. No small ventures for this sometimes globe-trotter, adventure extraordinaire. Clearly...

Stuff White People Like

2009-01-31T15:24:00.000-08:00

The latest addition to SWPL definitely hit home for some friends and me. Nothing like a little internet humor to knock you dow a peg or two when you're feeling accomplished! haha.. If you haven't heard of this blog, first crawl out from under that dusty rock you're clearly living under, and then, click here: Stuff White People Like

#120 Taking a Year Off

January 11, 2009 by clander

When someone goes through a stressful experience they usually require some time off to clear their head, regain focus, and recover from the pain and suffering. Of course, in white culture these experiences are most often defined as finishing high school, making it through three years of college, or working for eleven months straight with only two weeks vacation and every statutory holiday (”they don’t count because I had to spend them with family.”)

Though you might consider finishing school or having a good job to be “accomplishments” many white people view them as burdens. As such, they can only handle them for so long before they start talking about their need to “take a year off” to travel, volunteer, or work abroad.

It is most common for the person taking the year off to use this time to travel (see Post #19 for reasons why). Generally, they will start off with a set amount of money that will use to travel for as long as possible. This explains why a white person with an $800 backpack will haggle with a poverty-stricken street vendor about a $2 dollar plate of food.

If you work with this person, be sure to give them a FAKE email address on their last day on the job or you will be inundated with emails about spiritual enlightenment and how great the food is compared to similar restaurants back home. Also, within the first five days following departure, this person will come up with the idea to write a book about their travel experience. Sadly, more books about mid-twenties white people traveling have been written than have been read.

Some of the more enterprising white people will extend their time off by working abroad as a bartender, ski lift operator, or english teacher. Their stories, emails, and publishing plans will be identical to the previous white person but will include additional stories about working and complaints about “tourists.”

Finally, there is the white person who takes a year off to volunteer at home or abroad. Though they are equally likely to write long emails about their experience, these people are often using the experience as an excellent resume pad for their application to law school. This way they are able to put off real life without the crippling derailment of a career or education.

Regardless of how a white person chooses to spend their year off, they all share the same goal of becoming more interesting to other people. Sadly, the people who find these stories interesting are other white people who are politely listening until they can tell their own, more interesting story about taking a year off.

Thankfully, there is an enormous opportunity for personal gain. You see, whenever a white person takes a year off it opens up a valuable apartment, job opportunity or admissions slot. Consider it to be the most pretentious form of affirmative action.

photo by Alex Steffler

Rainy day thoughts: Accountability

2009-01-23T12:24:00.000-08:00

I heard recently that we are more likely to remember painful or frightening experiences over long periods of time than we are likely to remember joyful ones. For example, ask a room full of people in their fifties and sixties to clearly recall a happy memory from first grade, a moment of pride or achievement, and maybe half of them will raise their hands; but ask them to remember a traumatic experience, and chances are that every person will have something (or many things) to share. Why is that? Does it go all the way down to our primal fight or flight instincts? Do we hold on to things that hurt us so that we won't let them happen again? How is it possible that over time our minds linger, caught in unhappy memories while letting the pleasant ones float away. Try it yourself. How often do we forget the sort of Sunday afternoons of life? The trips for ice-cream or to the movies.. We lose the simple joys of our life - the times where things maybe weren't perfect, but they were good - we let them melt into a collage of almost mythic happiness locked away in our past, like some perfect summer of memories, while on the other hand we hold onto those things that pain us most, and let those experiences shape us as human beings. I think about this, and can't help but feel that the details of those happy memories are so important. The jokes you told while stuck in traffic on the way to a baseball game, or the rules of the make-believe game you invented with your friends at recess... they are the details that ground our good experiences in reality. Can you remember all the details of a good day in school? ... Can you remember all the details of a bad one?

In addition to that, I feel like we often discredit the opinions of people who care the most about us. How often does it take a complete stranger to tell us something our friends and family have been trying to tell us too before we truly believe it? That bit of objectivity offered from someone who doesn't have to have our best interests at heart allows us to finally accept whatever it may be we need to hear. Again... Why is that? I don't know. But I think it's true.

Of course that's one reason I think we all need friends, and people to care about us. At least, I know why I value mine. I think a friend can hold you accountable for who you are. A good friend tells you when you're being a schmuck as easily as they tell you when they're proud of you. Well, no, maybe not as easily - it's never easy to criticize someone you care about, is it? But they do it anyway, because they do care. I would always hope that the people I have in my life would know when to let me be and when they need to call me out on something. It's those people who know and love us best that can help us avoid hanging on to the painful memories, because we trust that they'll push us back in the right direction if we're wandering off. Of course, then you also have to trust that they will be able to recognize when that path changes. Because it does, doesn't it? Life is constantly changing. (Oh wow - that sure sounds emo... But seriously.) The lesson I am always re-learning is that we don't all of the sudden grow up and have our act together, the growing up part is in being able to handle things when they don't go as planned. To set goals for yourself, and then go about accomplishing them. But there is something to be said for living life gracefully. It's not easy to maintain one's integrity and I don't think it's an exaggeration to say that those who are able to are courageous, honorable people. Life happens in the little moments and it takes a patient, self-sacrificing person to do it really well.

I've been lucky lately to realize that I have many of these people in my life, so thanks.

I did exciting things with my life once.. I swear

2008-12-07T14:34:00.000-08:00

For all of you out there who might still be checking up on my adventures... Hello! I have loads and loads that I want to share with you all. But it's not going to be in this post, sorry.. I have been back from my year abroad and my round the world trip for about 5 weeks. Coming home has been a trip in and of itself! I have to shout out my kudos to Mullen for saying what I'm trying to with more brevity and eloquence on her blog.

As for what I have left to upload and share with you .. if anyone still cares .. I had planned to devote a week or so of posts to each country I visited to give everyone a chance to see what I was up to. But unfortunately when I was in DC around Halloween I somehow lost my camera along with a memory card full of photos from Cambodia, India and Egypt. Then when I finally made it home I discovered that a few of my packages had been opened in transit and some of my things stolen. Because of that, I haven't really been in the mood to get my few remaining pictures and journal entries in order... As silly as it might sound, but I find it puts me in a pretty grumpy mood to try and deal with it all sometimes.

I am doing well though. I am still unsettled, but doing my best not to stress out and enjoy this time of year. Life continues to throw its curveballs my way, and while I may not be hitting them out of the park I'm not striking out either. I don't want to give up and let this last year disappear as a mythical part of my life. Something that I "did" once, but now I am back to life as usual. I want the experiences I had to continue to be life as usual. As unreal as it all feels to me right now, I recognize that I have a lot of opportunity and potential in front of me.. I know I have options and I want to chose well. It gets tempting to put off all the decisions I have to make and find a new place to live or go teach ESL, or even go back to Korea, just because I would have something to be and something to do every day. But I have (and have always had) goals set for myself and I have to face them sometime. I won't say that I have a concrete plan that can't ever change... but I feel I need to hold myself accountable to the standards I've set for myself. It's strange to think that after all I've been through, that coming home could be this challenging.. but it is. It's just going to take time for everything to play out.

But what about the chronicles of my extravagant (but shockingly normal) voyages?! If you want to read about them I'll just ask you to wait!

Same ol' Bums

2008-10-15T09:35:00.000-07:00

EDIT: It is now October 27th and I am in Washington DC. This blog, for some reason, never posted .. but I never had the internet to realize that! I will have a massive update once I am back in California next week and I have my computer back! For now, here's what I wrote two weeks ago....

I should have figured that the minute I posted about the Dodgers doing well in the playoffs that they would slump immidiately and go down 3 games in a row to the Phillies in the NLCS. Game four is Tonight (in the states) but even if they win and send the series back to Philly... the franchise has never come back from a 3-1 deficite. But there is still SOME hope! So I will think blue.. until we lose. And then I will BE blue. (bahdum-chh! haha) As they say, there's always next year. And the next. And the next.... For the record, if we get eliminated, I will be rooting for the Phillies. I sort of like the Cinderella story that the Rays have been this season ... but I have always liked the Phillies. They are a good oganization ... at least, as good as any cn be when they elimnate your team. Hmmph.

As far as my world travels go, Rome has been great! I went to the Papal audience today and hung out with Benedict XVI. I wasn't ever lucky enough to be in the presence of John Paul II, and I wish I could have. So seeing and hearing the Pope with my own eyes and ears was an experience I won't EVER forget!! Kirsten, Liz and I had a lot of fun trapsing around the city together, enjoying lots of fabulous food whenever we could afford it. We learned to tell the good Gelattorias from the bad ones. If you check the color of their Pistachio Gelatto, it should be an ochre green. If it is, it's good! If it looks like something our of a Craylo box... then stear clear beacuse they aren't making the good stuff!

Seeing the Pope and visiting St. Peter's Basillica are definitely a favorite memory of mine fom Rome... but they are sort of in a class of their own and it may not be fair to compare the rest of the city with them... PLUS the Vatican is a sovereign state, so it counts as another trip!! Haha .. but the highlights of the week have defintely been the Forum and the Musee Borghesse. The Borghesse Museum and Gallery is one f the most popular in Rome and is housed in this family's provate Villa. Because of this you have to reserve tickets ahead of time for a two hour block during the day. It houses some of Bernini's most famous sculptures and an impressive collection of portraits and other paintings (not all of which are necessarily Religious) on the second floor. My favorite was Bernini's sculpture "The Rape of Persephone" ... google it. Now. ..... There, finished? Impressive, right?! Okay ... even if you didnàt look it up .. it is incredible. It is hard to believe that the sculpture is made of marble and that your eyes aren't actually looking at really still people ... flesh nd bone like you and me. There are others of his famous works there ... including his depiction od David from David and Goliath ... that was a favorite of mine too.

Of course you can't come to Rome without visiting the Spanish Steps, or the many MANY piazzas, or even tossing a coin in the Trevi Fountain; all of which we did and enjoyed! Kirsten and Liz left this morning for Florence and I leave tomorrow to meet Rachel in Paris!! I can't wait to finish off the last leg of this incredible trip and get back to share my stories with you all... IN PERSON!!

Till then .. Ciao.

THINK BLUE!!

2008-10-08T13:31:00.001-07:00

I may be enjoying life as a globetrotter, but that could never change the fact that deep down I am still (and always will be) a ravenous sportsfan. This leaves me at an ethical crossroads of sorts. My team ... my BOYS ... the Los Angeles Dodgers, play in game one of the National League Championship Series tomorrow. They are enjoying the franchise's first successful appearance in the post season since 1988. And I am not there to see any of it....

Of course .. it's not as if I am exactly on hard times either .. I am ernjoying the trip of a lifetime!

But, I can't help but lament the poor timing. I of course do not have it in me to root AGAINST my team. I think I am certain that I would spontaneously combust were I to root against the Dodgers. It just isn't in my nature... But I can't help but wish that they would have picked ANOTHER season to finally stop choking.

Whatever the case may be ... or whichever country I happen to be in ... I will always Think Blue. And I encourage you to do the same. I will do my best to find SOME American Sports bar in Rome so that I might be able to see even ONE of the games against Philly ... and hope that my boy pull it out in Philly and make it to the fall classic, THE series!!!!! (The World Series that is.) Whether I am there to witness it or not, history is being made and I am loving every second if it!

Just another day...

2008-10-06T03:55:00.000-07:00

...in the life of a Globetrotter like me.

For the record, I have officially been traveling for over a month!

On Friday I left Cairo with Kirsten and Liz. We flew to Athens and got into the city and to our hostel without much hassle. The next day I spent the morning and early afternoon touring the Acropolis and exploring a few of the surrounding markets before catching my flight to... Rome!

Getting to Legends (our hostel in Rome) was pretty simple as well, and I was glad to finally reach a bed. I crashed as soon as I arrived! That next morning I found the closest church, went to Mass, and spent the day getting lost in Rome. On purpose of course. I walked a lot and saw a lot too ... not sure what I saw of course because I wasn't paying too much attention. haha. After a delicious lunch, I headed back to the airport for my flight to Dubrovnik! I was only supposed to have one layover for about a half hour in Zagreb ... but apparently most flights from Rome to Zagreb have a stopover in Split to go through immigration and to fill up the plane. with other international arrivals to Croatia... so I was startled by the 40 minute detour. The cool thing was that John Paul II flew on the same plane I was on when he visited Zagreb in 2003!! There was a plaque on the plane and everything! So that was awesome... I finally arrived in Dubrovnik and was greeted by the daughter of my host (I am staying at a guesthouse called Villa Elly) and we made the drive from the airport. It was a nice drive, and a clear night! I enjoyed seeing the coast at night and getting to see stars for the first time since I was in the Philippines. It is defnitely fall weather, so after walking the city walls today I will go out and buy a few warmer additions to my wardrobe. The Old City is nice. It is crowded with tourists from cruise shios and souvenirs stores are crammed onto the main street. But escaping into the alleyways for coffee and a sandwich is wonderful... there are a lot of small stores and coffeshops to keep me occupied. I'm off to walk the city walls and then ... we'll see. Mostly I am just enjoying my free time and taking a chance to reflect on the last month of travel!

Haha!! Still in Cairo

2008-10-01T10:12:00.000-07:00

Wow .. you can tell that my last post was typed during my last 5 minutes at an internet cafe... haha. Sorry about that.

To clarify... Everyone involved with our trip to Egypt has been a wonderful. It is clear that this country is proud of their history. Our guides have been informative and and enthusiastic at each sight. Of course ... seeing the Taj Mahal and the Great Pyramids (aka the Pyramids of Giza) within 3 days of each other is mind blowing in itself. We drove around and saw the pyramids from every possible angle, climbed down into one of the smaller ones (it's much quicker than in the main three, and all of the tombs are the same .. and empty, haha) and admired the sphinx up close. It was a shame how crowded it was near the sphinx, though. People got a bit pushy and no one could get a very good picture of it... Still though -- we got to be right up next to it! And forget all of the legends you've heard.. he lost his nose when an Islamic ruler smashed it years and years and years ago. He did it to show the people that it was just a statue, not any kind of true deity. Our last night before heading to Luxor we took a sunset camel ride around the pyramids ... but not before we ate at the Pizza Hut with a view of the Sphinx and second largest pyramid! ... they love their American fast food here ... and because it was still Ramadan (just ended today) the touristy places were the only ones open for lunch! The camel ride was fun. Just another exotic animal I can cross of my list I guess.

Luxor was much calmer than Cairo. We had a lot of free time there so we took a few strolls up and down the Nile riverside. It was all quite pleasant, except for the constant taxi offers and boater's cat-calls... we just learned to say "La shokran" or no thank you in Arabic. That usually impressed them enough that they left us alone. We got a big kick out of the Mc Donalds that was across the street from Luxor Temple, and then of course went in for ice cream. (It was hot!!!)

We made it back to Cairo without any problems; spent the day at our hotel to take everything in, and then ended the night with a Nile dinner cruise. It turned out to be better suited for travelers a few years our seniors... but we had a nice time anyway. Andrea had to leave for a gnarly early (4:30 am!!) flight home. So we stayed up watching bad movies on Egyptian TV until she got picked up to go to the airport around 1:30.

And then there were three.

We'll miss Andrea ... and we are all a little bit jealous of the comforts of home that she is so close to enjoying!! But we have had today to entirely map out our plans for Europe together, and our feet are getting itchy again and we are all excited to get to Greece!

Greetings from Egypt!!

2008-09-29T08:43:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone! I don't know how to say "hello" in Arabic .. so sorry. We have been in Egypt for the past 4 days and have been super busy! I really really love Egypt. :-) After arriving we were whisked away to our hotel (which has a Nile View!!) and left to recoop overnight. The next day we wasted no time and saw Memphis -which houses the largest statue of Ramses II in all of Egypt, Saqqara - which is the olsdest pyramid in existence and the Giza pyramids. You know all in a days traveling, right?

There is so much more to write about. We are in Luxor right now waiting for our train back to Cairo. Our tour group has been wonderful! Props to Memphis tours ;-). And we are all very relaxed and enjoying ourselves.

I will write more as soon as I have a chance!

Love to everyone!!
Erica

Namaste!

2008-09-24T05:14:00.000-07:00

We have just arrived back in our hotel in Delhi after our week long stay in India. After our trek from Thailand, we spent a day and a hlaf touring Delhi before heading off to Jaipur and Agra. Delhi is definitely a world away! I told my family in an e-mail, it was definitely the first time I have gone somewhere and felt turned on my head. Everyone eased up a bit as we hit the rode with our driver for the week and drove to Jaipur. We stayed in a beautiful guest house and saw the Amber Fort, The City Palace(where the Maja Raja still lives) and Jantar Mantar (which is a massive observatory/astrology center built in the early 1700s), and The outside of The Wind Palace (a famous honeycombed building in Jaipur - it was built so that the women of the court, who couldn't go outside, could look out on the street and see what was going on). Jaipur is called the "Pink City" because at somepoint the Prince of Engladn told the Maja Raja he liked pink .... so everything was ordered to be painted pink! And it still is ... every building is a rusty pink color in the front!

After two days in Jaipur we drove to Agra. We left early in the morning and stopped off at Fatephur Sikri. Fatephur Sikri is old abandoned palace. In the 1500s Akbar the Great moved the Capital there, but was forced to leave around the time of his death because of water shortages. Because the palace was virtually abandoned, it is remarkably well preserved. After exploring the grounds of this Indian ghost town we visited one of India's national bird sanctuaries. We had a very kind guide wo showed us many birds indigenous to India. We were unlucky and weren't able to see any monkeys, and saw only one antelope, but the gorgeous cranes, owls, egrets and even a bird called the "snake bird" that looks like a reptile when it swims for food. After some lunch we arrived at our hotel in Agra and took a break to rest up for the next day. We woke up early in the morning and went staight to the Taj Mahal. I can't begin to try and sum up the enormity of that experience. So I will just say that it made all of the struggles of getting thius trip organized, dogding scammers in India left and right ... and not to mention the past year ... worth it. It was beautiful. We hung out around the grounds for awhile enjoying the scenery and people watching and relished in thr beauty of the Taj Mahal! It was wonderful.

After that we toured around the Agra Fort, which is the most spectacular of them all, supposedly. It was very confusing, so that impressed us, haha. The building was actually converted to a palace, and then a sort of prison when the Maja Raja's son took over and locked him away. You can go see where he stayed, locked away with a view of the Taj, where his wife was burried. The architecture was stunning and the ornamentation of each of the rooms was impressive - especially considering how old it all is, and how little restorations have been done. We were pretty wiped after all that, so we took it easy and ate a quick lunch near our hotel, and bummed around a local mall until dinner at one of the many cheap rooftop restaurants wiwth a Taj view. The entire day felt like a fairy tale!

This morning we got up early again, and stopped off at Sikandra (Akbar's Tomb) to enjoy the natural gardens and to get our last taste of Indian architecture before coming back to Delhi. Tomorrow morning we leave for the airport at THREE AM!!! Our flight to Cairo leaves at 7:30, and they recommend arriving three hours early in India. So that's that, and we'll get to the airport by 4.

A note to all who have been keeping up, India is sorely lacking in the post card department, so I doubt if I will be able to snag any at the airport. I am so sorry! But know I have been thinking of you all this whole time and wish you could be here to enjoy this with me!!!

Much love!

Japan, Thailand and Cambodia - Oh My!

2008-09-13T07:46:00.000-07:00

Well I have been quite the globe trotter (as my brother would say) the past few days. Right now I am at our hostel in Siem Reap. Andrea and I left Tokyo on Thursday, had an overnight layover in Thailand (from our original trip, before we were forced to cut out our island adventure to Ko Phangan) and left for Cambodia the next day.

The rest of our stay in Tokyo was incredible. We took in a lot of the major sights, and revelled in the lush shopping! It is truly an international city and Andrea and I enjoyed finding some of our favorite things from home iterspersed with the Japanese items. Tokyo also seems to host a pastiche of world monuments... their tower is modeled identically after the Eiffel Tower (but is painted red and white), their most famous bridge is called the "Rainbow Bridge" and is a grey version of the Golden Gate in San Fransisco. But strangest, would have to be the miniature Statue of LIberty that they house on a small man-made island in Tokyo Bay calle Odaiba. The story goes (as we heard it from other tourists) that a few yeas ago the French sent their original on a tour of major World cities, and Tokyo liked it so much that they asked for one of their own. I have to say it was pretty surreal to see Lady Liberty holding her torch high above the Tokyo skyline - but hey, that's just me. haha.

We stayed in Ginza - the shopping district, haha - kind of the 5th avenue of Tokyo - and were next to two great subway stios, so we didn't have much trouble getting around. The Kabuki-Za, which is the most famous kabuki theater in Japan, was right around the corner from us! So we visited it often, and took in two kabuki performances. It still blows my mind that I saw it all first hand! The cool thing about both kauki actors and noh actors in Japan is that it is sort of a family business. All of the actors come from acting families, and the art is passed on from father to son (of course, in traditional Japanese drama there are no women on stage... but there are plenty of women acting in contemporary, western style plays). It is not rare for a young Japanese boy to debut on stage with his father while he is still a toddler! Kabuki dramas developed after Noh dramas and were intended for a more of the common audience than Noh, which were meant for the elie classes. Kabuki dramas typically involve themes of the average man while Noh dramas address eternal themes, such as spirtuality and the afterlife. Even today, Kabuki and Noh actors are regarded with high esteem and celebrity, and according to the information at the Kabuki-Za, are treated similar to the way Hollywood TV actors are treated by the Japanese public.

This past Thursday we flew to Bangkok and met Kirsten and Liz. It was so great to finally meet up with them! We left the next morning for our seperate treks to Cambodia. They swugn flights direct to Siem Reap (which I reccommend doing!!!) while Mullen and I flew to Phnom Penh and then hired a car to drive us. The car should normally cost about 50 US dollars and the drive can take anywhere from 4 to 6 hours. The rode was smooth and I imagine had the sun not set so early it would have been nice scenery. So if you have the time it isn't your worst option, I would have just preferred the conveince of getting here -- for future reference.

Siem Reap is incredible. Cambodia is definitely one of my favorite places to have travelled. In general the people have been very kind. We are staying at the Siem Reap Hostel. It is a fabulous place to stay on a budget. Aside from the dorm-style rooms, you would think this place was a 4 star hotel. They cater to backpackers and laid back travelers, so they do a lot to make the place comfortable. They show movies, offer game-boards, have a swimming pool and a stocked kitchen... PLUS they have free internet! A Major Plus :-) Not to mention they are affiliated with a great group of Tuk-Tuk Drivers who have carted us around Angkor Wat the past two days. There is a variety of restaurants within walking distance and it is a short ride to the ruins.... so all in all ... it's perfect! I would definitely recommend this place to anyone coming to Cambodia. As they say in their advertisements, it is a five sandal resort ;-)

I am off to take a swim and wash of the dust and grime from our day .. then it is out for Mexican food for dinner!! Cambodia, sa rang hae yo!!!

Happy Birthday to Me! ... Still in Tokyo

2008-09-09T06:33:00.000-07:00

Andrea and I have been in Tokyo for a week now and are both sufficiently in love with this city! Everything is organized and clean and well-presented... and mostly just overall welcoming! Tokyo, well done. We have been very busy, but I have to fill you in on how I spent my birthday last Thursday. I really doubt if there is any better way to turn 23... for me at least.

I of course spent the day at Tokyo Disney. Being a Southern California Native I have a super soft spot for anything Disney or Disneyland related, and going to Tokyo Disney was the closest to home I was going to get! The entire day felt like a dream for ... well, a ton of reasons. But mainly because evrything about the place was just so familiar! My mind had a hard time accepting it was actually in TOKYO and not ANAHEIM. Andrea was very patient with me as I would pause and just let my jaw hang open in complete disbelief that I was where I was. My first prority after entering the park was to pick up my mouse ears - of course! Tokyo Disney is celebrating their 25th Anniversary, so I chose a pair of special anniversary ears. Japanese Disney-goers seem more interested in odd sorts of hair accessories than they do traditonal mouse ears and ball caps, so they were the best ones. We rode all my favorite rides, and Andrea was, again, extraordinarily patient as I schooled her on the entire history of each attraction. (Or at least its counterpart in Anaheim) We took lots of pictures (that I will post here as soon as I find a good way to upload them) and ate lunch at Tomorrowland Terrace. Sadly ... The Haunted Mansion and Star Tours were both closed for rennovations and there wasn't time for the Jungle Cruise or Space Mountain because we had a dinner reservation at 6 pm.

My parents are amazing and for my birthday I got to eat at Club 33. It was incredible! In Anaheim, Club 33 is located in New Orleans Square, above Pirates of the Caribbean and Blue Bayou, but in Tokyo is in the World Bazzar (which is the same as Main Street, USA at home). We had were seated near the window and could see Cinderella's Castle from our table. (Yes, they have Cinderella's Castle, not Sleeping Beauty's like at home.) The staff were all very kind and were doing their best to speak English. We were surprised, because we assumed a place as nice as Club 33 would have an English speaking staff, because so many other places in the park did. After our first course, the head waiter told me that my "Birthday Ceremony" was ready, and asked Andrea and me to follow him. We went into a side lounge and sat down. Not gonna lie - it was a little creepy - even though I knew what was coming next. The whole wait staff came in and greeted me in Japanese. They took some pictures of Andrea and me and gave me a huge schpeal ... which was in Japanese too .. so I have no clue what they said. Then they sang and I blew out the candles on my small but sweet Birthday Cake. Then of course, the guest of honor arrived: Mickey Mouse! I felt pretty silly considering it was my TWENTY-third and not my THIRD birthday, but it was still fun. The Japansese teenager that was likely playing Mickey popped his (her?) head into the room in perfect Mickey fashion and we posed for a whole slew of pictures ... and then blew my birthday candles out again. Then Mickey had to leave so that he could get to the parade.. haha .. and we went back to our table. While we were gone, they folded our napkins to look like Mickey and Minnie Mouse, and put a rose on my plate. We enjoyed a DELICIOUS meal and were just waiting for them to kick us out when all of the sudden the lights dimmed, they pulled back the curtains, and I saw the Blue Fairy wheeling straight towards me! For those of you who are not Disney-Literate; the Electrical Light Parade began and went directly beneath our window. We could hear the music and watch the parade with the castle in the background! It was so perfect. They let us stay to watch the fireworks too, and gave us some souvenir Club 33 sticker books (well, match books that had stickers inside) that had our names and the date on them. Not to mention the souvenir photos with Mickey Mouse - those were great too! haha.

We left, rode Peter Pan, the Tea Cups and It's A Small World ... and then had to leave to go home (always the saddest part of any Disney day)

It was the most relaxing and happy birthday I think I have had .. in recent memory anyway! And what a wonderful way to kick-start my trip! I of course was thinking of all of you - and wishing you could have been there too. We've been keeping quite busy in Tokyo, and I will update soon if I can. We leave on Thursday to make our trek into Cambodia, and I am sure this is the last reliable internet connection I'll have for a while... so pleae be patient and check back often!

I made it to JAPAN!

2008-09-03T07:27:00.000-07:00

Konnichiwa! (Yes, I am *that* lame and predictable.) I have finally made it to Japan and my vacation/adventure has begun!!

On Tuesday morning Andrea and I flew from Seoul to Hiroshima. Hiroshima is probably the quietest place I have ever been. The airport was practically abandonned.　Ｗｅ　ｃｏｌｌｅｃｔｅｄ　ｏｕｒ　ｂａｇｓ，　ｃｈａｎｇｅｄ　ｏｕｒ　ｍｏｎｅｙ，　ａｎｄ　ｔｒｉｅｄ　ｔｏ　ｆｉｇｕｒｅ　ｏｕｔ　ａ　ｗａｙ　ｉｎｔｏ　ｔｈｅ　ｃｉｔｙ．　Ｔｈｅｒｅ　ｗａｓ　ｎｏ　ｏｎｅ　ａｔ　ｔｈｅ　ｉｎｆｏｒｍａｔｉｏｎ　ｄｅｓｋ，　ａｎｄ　ｚｅｒｏ　ｓｉｇｎ－ａｄｇｅ　ｉｎ　Ｅｎｇｌｉｓｈ　．．　ｓｏ　ｔｈａｔ　ｔｏｏｋ　ａｗｈｉｌｅ．　ｈａｈａ．　Ｗｅ　ｆｉｎａｌｌｙ　ｇｏｔ　ｔｏ　ｏｕｒ　ｈｏｓｔｅｌ　ｆｏｒ　ｔｈｅ　ｎｉｇｈｔ，　Ｊ－Ｈｏｐｐｅｒｓ，　ｈａｖｉｎｇ　ａｌｒｅａｄｙ　ｄｅｃｉｄｅｄ　ｔｏ　ｃａｎｃｅｌ　ｏｕｒ　ｒｏｏｍ　ａｎｄ　ｈｅａｄ　ｆｏｒ　Ｔｏｋｙｏ　ｔｈａｔ　ｅｖｅｎｉｎｇ　（Ｓｏ　ｔｈａｔ　Ｉ　ｃｏｕｌｄ　ｓｏｒｔ　ｏｕｔ　ｓａｉｄ　Ｖｉｓａ　ｐｒｏｂｌｅｍｓ）．　Ｔｈｅｙ　ｐｅｏｐｌｅ　ａｔ　Ｊ－Ｈｏｐｐｅｒｓ　ｗｅｒｅ　ｈｅｌｐｆｕｌ　ａｎｄ　ｑｕｉｔｅ　ｕｎｄｅｒｓｔａｎｄｉｎｇ　ａｎｄ　ｈｅｌｐｅｄ　ｕｓ　ｆｉｇｕｒｅ　ｏｕｔ　ｏｕｒ　ｗａｙ　ｔｏ　ｔｈｅ　ｔｒａｉｎ　ｓｔａｔｉｏｎ．Ｂｅｆｏｒｅ　ｗｅ　ｈｅａｄｅｄ　ｔｏ　Ｔｏｋｙｏ　ｗｅ　ｔｏｏｋ　ｉｎ　ｔｈｅ　ｍａｊｏｒ　ｓｉｇｈｔｓ　ｏｆ　Ｈｉｒｏｓｈｉｍａ　ｆｏｒ　ｏｎｅ　ａｆｔｅｒｎｏｏｎ．　Ｗｅ　ｗａｌｋｅｄ　ｔｏ　ｔｈｅ　Ｐｅａｃｅ　Ｍｅｍｏｒｉａｌ　Ｐａｒｋ　ａｎｄ　ｓａｗ　ｔｈｅ　ｍｏｎｕｍｅｎｔｓ　ａｎｄ　ｍｅｍｏｒｉａｌｓ　ｔｏ　ｔｈｏｓｅ　ｗｈｏｓｅ　ｌｉｖｅｓ　ｗｅｒｅ　ｌｏｓｔ　ｗｈｅｎ　ｔｈｅ　Ａ－Ｂｏｍｂ　ｗａｓ　ｄｒｏｐｐｅｄ．　Ｕｎｆｏｒｔｕｎａｔｅｌｙ，　ｗｅ　ｄｉｄｎ’ｔ　ｈａｖｅ　ｔｉｍｅ　ｔｏ　ｖｉｓｉｔ　ｔｈｅ　ｍｕｓｅｕｍ．　

　　Ｔｈｅ　ｐａｒｋ　ｉｔｓｅｌｆ　ｉｓ　ｂｅａｕｔｉｆｕｌ．　Ｉｔ　ｗａｓ　ｔｈｏｕｇｈｔｆｕｌｌｙ　ｐｌａｎｎｅｄ，　ａｎｄ　ｉｓ　ｑｕｉｔｅ　．．ｗｅｌｌ．．　ｐｅａｃｅｆｕｌ．　Ａｌｌ　ｏｆ　ｔｈｅ　ｐｌａｑｕｅｓ　ａｎｄ　ｄｅｄｉｃａｔｉｏｎｓ　ｍａｒｋ　ｔｈｅ　ｄａｔｅ　ｏｆ　ｔｈｅ　ｂｏｍｂｉｎｇ　ａｎｄ　ａｒｅ　ｅｎｇｒａｖｅｄ　ｗｉｔｈ　ｈｏｐｅｆｕｌ　ｍｅｓｓａｇｅｓ　ｔｈａｔ　ｔｈｉｓ　ｓｏｒｔ　ｏｆ　ｄｅｖａｓｔａｔｉｏｎ　ｗｉｌｌ　ｎｅｖｅｒ　ｏｃｃｕｒ　ａｇａｉｎ．　Ｉｔ　ｗａｓ　ｗｏｎｄｅｒｆｕｌ　ｔｏ　ｓｅｅ　ｈｏｗ　ｕｎｉｖｅｒｓａｌｌｙ　ｈｏｐｅｆｕｌ　ａｎｄ　ｏｐｔｉｍｉｓｔｉｃ　ｔｈｅ　ｓｅｎｔｉｍｅｎｔ　ｏｆ　ｔｈｅ　ｍｏｎｕｍｅｎｔｓ　ｗｅｒｅ；　ｗｈｅｎ　ｔｈｅ　Ｊａｐａｎｅｓｅ　ｒｅａｌｌｙ　ｈａｖｅ　ｔｈｅ　ｒｉｇｈｔ　ａｎｄ　ｏｐｐｏｒｔｕｎｉｔｙ　ｔｏ　ｂｅ　ｕｐｓｅｔ　ａｂｏｕｔ　ｔｈｅ　ｍａｎｎｅｒ　ｉｎ　ｗｈｉｃｈ　ｔｈｅｙ　ｗｅｒｅ　ａｔｔａｃｋｅｄ．　Ｔｈｅ　ｂｕｉｌｄｉｎｇ　ｔｈｅ　ｂｏｍｂ　ｅｘｐｌｏｄｅｄ　ｄｉｒｅｃｔｌｙ　ａｂｏｖｅ　ｉｓ　ｐａｒｔａｉｌｌｙ　ｓｔａｎｄｉｎｇ　ａｎｄ　ｈａｓ　ｂｅｅｎ　ｎａｍｅｄ　ｔｈｅ　Ａ－Ｂｏｍｂ　Ｄｏｍｅ．　Ｉｔ　ｗａｓ　ｕｔｔｅｒｌｙ　ｂｏｎｅ－ｃｈｉｌｌｉｎｇ　ｔｏ　ｓｅｅ　ｉｎ　ｐｅｒｓｏｎ．　Ｔｈｅｒｅ　ｗａｓ　ａ　ｌｏｔ　ｏｆ　ａｒｇｕｍｅｎｔｓ　ｏｖｅｒ　ｗｈｅｔｈｅｒ　ｔｈｅ　ｂｕｉｌｄｉｎｇ　ｓｈｏｕｌｄ　ｈａｖｅ　ｂｅｅｎ　ｄｅｍｏｌｉｓｈｅｄ，　ｒｅｓｔｏｒｒｅｄ　ｏｒ　ｌｅｆｔ　ａｓ　ｉｓ．．．ｂｕｔ　ｉｎ　ｔｈｅ　ｅｎｄ　（ｓｏｍｅｔｉｍｅ　ｉｎ　ｔｈｅ　６０ｓ）　ｉｔ　ｗａｓ　ｄｅｃｉｄｅｄ　ｔｈａｔ　ｔｈｅｙ　ｂｕｉｌｄｉｎｇ　ｗａｓ　ａｎ　ｉｍｐｏｒｔａｎｔ　ｒｅｍｉｎｄｅｒ　ｏｆ　ｔｈｅ　ｐａｉｎ　ｔｈａｔ　Ｊａｐａｎ　ｓｕｆｆｅｒｅｄ　ａｓ　ａ　ｒｅｓｕｌｔ　ｏｆ　ａｔｏｍｉｃ　ｗａｒｆａｒｅ，　ａｎｄ　ａ　ｍｅｓｓａｇｅ　ｆｏｒ　ｔｈｅ　ｆｕｔｕｒｅ　ｓｏ　ｔｈａｔ　ｈｏｐｅｆｕｌｌｙ，　ｔｈｉｎｇｓ　ｗｉｌｌ　ｎｅｖｅｒ　ｅｓｃａｌａｔｅ　ｔｏ　ｔｈａｔ　ｌｅｖｅｌ　ａｇａｉｎ．　

　　Ｔｈｅ　ｍｏｓｔ　ｔｏｕｃｈｉｎｇ　ｐａｒｔ　ｏｆ　ｔｈｅ　ｐａｒｋ　ｗａｓ　ｐｒｏｂａｂｌｙ　ｔｈｅ　Ｃｈｉｌｄｒｅｎ’ｓ　Ｐｅａｃｅ　Ｍｏｎｕｍｅｎｔ．　Ｗｈｅｎ　Ｉ　ｗａｓ　ｉｎ　ｔｈｉｒｄ　ｇｒａｄｅ，　Ｉ　ｃａｎ　ｒｅｍｅｍｂｅｒ　ｍｙ　ｔｅａｃｈｅｒ　ｔｅｌｌｉｎｇ　ｕｓ　ｔｈｅ　ｓｔｏｒｙ　ｏｆ　ｏｎｅ　ｌｉｔｔｌｅ　ｇｉｒｌ，　ｗｈｏ　ｗａｓ　ｄｉａｇｎｏｓｅｄ　ｗｉｔｈ　ｌｅｕｋｅｍｉａ　ａｓ　ａ　ｒｅｓｕｌｔ．Ｓｈｅ　ｗａｎｔｅｄ　ｔｏ　ｆｏｌｄ　ｏｎｅ　ｐａｐｅｒ　ｃｒａｎｅ　ｆｏｒ　ｅｖｅｒｙ　ｐｅｒｓｏｎ　ｗｈｏ　was　ｋｉｌｌｅｄ　ｏｎ　Ａｕｇｕｓｔ　６，　１９４５．　Ｓａｄｌｙ，　ｓｈｅ　ｗａｓｎ’ｔ　ａｂｌｅ　ｔｏ　ｆｉｎｉｓｈ，　ｂｕｔ　ａｆｔｅｒ　ｈｅｒ　ｄｅａｔｈ，　ｈｅｒ　ｃｌａｓｓｍａｔｅｓ　ｆｉｎｉｓｈｅｄ　ｆｏｒ　ｈｅｒ　－　ａｎｄ　ｔｈｅｎ　ｐｅｔｉｔｉｏｎｅｄ　ｔｈｅ　ｃｉｔｙ　ｔｏ　ｂｕｉｌｄ　ａ　ｍｏｎｕｍｅｎｔ　ｉｎ　ｈｏｎｏｒ　ｏｆ　ｈｅｒ　－　ａｎｄ　ａｌｌ　ｏｆ　ｔｈｅ　ｏｔｈｅｒ　ｃｈｉｌｄｒｅｎ　ｗｈｏ　ｄｉｅｄ　ａｓ　ａ　ｒｅｓｕｌｔ　ｏｆ　ｒａｄｉａｔｉｏｎ　ｐｏｉｓｏｎｉｎｇ　．．．Ｈｅｒｅ　ｉｓ　ｈｅｒ　ｓｔｏｒｙ　ｃｏｐｐｉｅｄ　ｆｒｏｍ　ｔｈｅ　Ｈｉｒｏｓｈｉｍａ　Ｃｉｔｙ　Ｗｅｂｓｉｔｅ：

Sadako was two years old when she was exposed to the A-bomb. She had no apparent injuries and grew into a strong and healthy girl. However, nine years later in the fall when she was in the sixth grade of elementary school (1954), she suddenly developed signs of an illness. In February the following year she was diagnosed with leukemia and was admitted to the Hiroshima Red Cross Hospital. Believing that folding paper cranes would help her recover, she kept folding them to the end, but on October 25, 1955, after an eight-month struggle with the disease, she passed away.

Sadako's death triggered a campaign to build a monument to pray for world peace and the peaceful repose of the many children killed by the atomic bomb. The Children's Peace Monument that stands in Peace Park was built with funds donated from all over Japan. Later, this story spread to the world, and now, approximately 10 million cranes are offered each year before the Children's Peace Monument.

Ｓｅｅｉｎｇ　ｔｈａｔ　Ｍｏｎｕｍｅｎｔ，　ａｎｄ　ｔｈｅ　ｃａｓｅｓ　ｏｆ　ｐａｐｅｒ　ｃｒａｎｅｓ　ｓｅｎｔ　ｉｎ　ｆｒｏｍ　ａｌｌ　ｏｖｅｒ　ｔｈｅ　ｗｏｒｌｄ　ｗａｓ　ｓｔｕｎｎｉｎｇ　－　ａｎｄ　ｅｘｔｒａｏｒｄｉｎａｒｉｌｙ　ｆｕｆｉｌｌｉｎｇ！　Ｉ　ｃａｎ　ｒｅｍｅｍｂｅｒ　ｌｅａｒｎｉｎｇ　ａｂｏｕｔ　Ｊａｐａｎ，　ａｎｄ　Ｈｉｒｏｓｈｉｍａ　ｆｒｏｍ　Ｍｒｓ．　Ｃｏｂｌｅ　ｓｏ　ｃｌｅａｒｌｙ　－　ａｎｄ　ｔｈｉｎｋｉｎｇ　ｈｏｗ　Ｉ　ｗａｎｔｅｄ　ｔｏ　ｇｏ　ｔｈｅｒｅ　ｓｏｍｅｄａｙ．Ａｎｄ　ｎｏｗ　Ｉ　ｈａｖｅ！Ｉ　ｄｏｎ’ｔ　ｋｎｏｗ　．．．　ｉｎ　ｍａｎｙ　ｗａｙｓ　ｉｔ　ｆｅｌｔ　ｓａｃｒｅｄ　ｔｏ　ｂｅ　ｓｔａｎｄｉｎｇ　ｔｈｅｒｅ．　

Ａｆｔｅｒ　ｓｅｅｉｎｇ　ｔｈｅ　ｐａｒｋ　ｗｅ　ｃａｕｇｈｔ　ａ　ｔｒａｉｎ　ｔｏ　Ｔｏｋｙｏ　ａｎｄ　ｗｅ　ｂｏｔｈ　ｐａｓｓｅｄ　ｏｕｔ！　ｈａｈａ．　Ｉ　ｈａｄ　ｂａｒｅｌｙ　ｓｌｅｐｔ　ｔｈｅ　ｐａｓｔ　ｆｅｗ　ｎｉｇｈｔｓ，　ｈａｖｉｎｇ　ｌｅｆｔ　Ｋｏｒｅａ　ｉｎ　ｓｕｃｈ　ａ　ｗｈｉｒｌｗｉｎｄ，ｎｏｔ　ｔｏ　ｍｅｎｔｉｏｎ　ｈａｖｉｎｇ　ＷＯＲＫＥＤ　ｔｈｅ　ｄａｙ　ｂｅｆｏｒｅ！　Ｗｅ　ｆｏｕｎｄ　ｔｈｅ　Ｍａｒｒｉｏｔｔ　ｗｉｔｈｏｕｔ　ｔｏｏ　ｍｕｃｈ　ｔｒｏｕｂｌｅ，　ａｎｄ　ｗｅｒｅ　ａｂｌｅ　ｔｏ　ｃｈｅｃｋ　ｉｎ　ｏｎｅ　ｎｉｇｈｔ　ｅａｒｌｙ．　Ｉ　ｄｏｎ：ｔ　ｋｎｏｗ　ｉｆ　ｔｗｏ　ｐｅｏｐｌｅ　ｈａｖｅ　ｅｖｅｒ　ｂｅｅｎ　ｈａｐｐｉｅｒ　ｔｏ　ｓｅｅ　ｃｌｅａｎ　ｓｈｅｅｔｓ，　ａｎｄ　ａ　ｈｏｔ　ｓｈｏｗｅｒ！！！　Ａｆｔｅｒ　ａｌｌ　ｗｅ　ｈａｄ　ｂｅｅｎ　ｔｈｒｏｕｇｈ，　ｓｔａｙｉｎｇ　ｉｎ　Ｔｏｋｙｏ　ｔｈｉｓ　ｗｅｅｋ　ｈａｓ　ｂｅｅｎ　ｔｈｅ　ｍｏｓｔ　ａｍａｚｉｎｇ　ｖａｃａｔｉｏｎ．　Ｔｈｅ　ｐｅｏｐｌｅ　ａｒｅ　ｋｉｎｄ　ａｎｄ　ｈｅｌｐｆｕｌ．　Ｔｈｅ　ｃｉｔｙ　ｉｓ　ｅｘｔｒａｏｒｄｉｎａｒｉｌｙ　ｃｌｅａｎ．　Ａｎｄ　ｏｆ　ｃｏｕｒｓｅ，　ｔｈｅ　ｆｏｏｄ　－　ａｎｄ　ＶＡＲＩＥＴＹ　ｏｆ　ｆｏｏｄ　－　ｈａｓ　ｂｅｅｎ　ａｍａｚｉｎｇ．　Ｔｈｅｙ　ｅｖｅｎ　ｈａｖｅ　ｏｎｅ　ｏｆ　ｍｙ　ｆａｖｏｒｉｔｅ　ｃｏｆｆｅｅ　ｓｈｏｐｓ　ｆｒｏｍ　ｈｏｍｅ　（Ｔｕｌｌｙ’ｓ　Ｃｏｆｆｅｅ）　ｒｉｇｈｔ　ｎｅｘｔ　ｔｏ　ｏｕｒ　ｈｏｔｅｌ！Ｔｈｉｓ　ｉｓ　ａ　ｓｐｅｃｔａｃｕｌａｒ　ｗａｙ　ｔｏ　ｂｅｇｉｎ　ｏｕｒ　ｔｒｉｐ！

Ｔｈｅ　ｄｏｍｅ　ｙｏｕ　ｓｅｅ　ｔｈｒｏｕｇｈ　ｔｈｅ　ａｒｃｈ　ｉｓ　ｆｒｏｍ　ｔｈｅ　Ａ－Ｂｏｍｂ　Ｄｏｍｅ

Ｔｈｅ　ｂｏｍｂ　ｅｘｐｌｏｄｅｄ　ａｂｏｕｔ　160 meters / 490 feet away and 580 meters / 1968 feet above　ｔｈｉｓ　ｂｕｉｌｄｉｎｇ．Ｔｈｅ　ｄｉａｇｒａｍ　ｓｈｏｗｓ　ｔｈｅ　ｏｒｉｇｉｎａｌ　ｓｔｒｕｃｔｕｒｅ，　ｔｈｅ　ｄａｎａｇｅ　ａｆｔｅｒｗａｒｄｓ，　ｔｈｅ　ｒｅｉｎｆｏｒｃｅｍｅｎｔｓ　ｍａｄｅ　ｔｏ　ｋｅｅｐ　ｉｔ　ｓｔａｎｄｉｎｇ，　ａｎｄ　ａｎ　ａｅｒｉａｌ　ｖｉｅｗ　ｆｒｏｍ　ａｐｐｒｏｘｉｍａｔｅｌｙ　ｔｈｅ　ｅｘａｃｔ　ｐｏｉｎｔ　ｗｈｅｒｅ　ｉｔ　ｅｘｐｌｏｄｅｄ．

Ｔｈｅ　ｂｕｉｌｄｉｎｇ　ｗａｓ　ａｎ　ｉｃｏｎ　ｉｎ　ｔｈｅ　ｃｉｔｙ　ｂｅｆｏｒｅ　ｔｈｅ　ｂｏｍｂｉｎｇ　ａｎｄ　ｗａｓ　ｕｓｅｄ　ａｓ　ｂｏｔｈ　ａ　ｔｅｍｐｏｒａｒｙ　ｍｕｓｅｕｍ，　ａ　ｃｕｌｔｕｒａｌ　ｃｅｎｔｅｒ　ａｎｄ　ａｎ　ｏｆｆｉｃａｌ　ｇｏｖｅｒｎｍｅｎｔ　ｂｕｉｌｄｉｎｇ．　Ｔｈｉｓ　ｉｓ　ａ　ｐｉｃｔｕｒｅ　ｏｆ　ｉｔ　ｎｏｗ，　ａｎｄ　ａｓ　ｉｔ　ｌｏｏｋｅｄ　ｏｒｉｇｉｎａｌｌｙ．

Ｃｈｉｌｄｒｅｎ’ｓ　Ｐｅａｃｅ　Ｍｏｎｕｍｅｎｔ

Murphey's Law

2008-08-30T01:36:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure why I expected everything to go smoothly ... b/c when you're taking on a trip as ambitious as we are, there are bound to be a few hang ups. SO - long story short - I am leaving Korea on Tuesday morning without a tourist visa to India. This means I need to ammend my itinerary and stay in Japan long enough for my visa application to process there. Which means ... I have to say annyong to Thailand. Not gonna lie, I am more than a little bit disappointed. But I have fumed, and complained, and accepted it, and now I am over it. I am grateful for the perspectove top recognize that ... poor me... I have to spend a full 8 days in Japan. boo hoo.

Other than that, work has been - work. And I have been trying to ignore it and enjoy my last days with my students. Their mother's are extraordinarily generous and I have received very kind notes and gifts from them saying they'll miss me and wishing me luck on my trip. Some of my kids are pretty bummed - and in a strange way I am grateful for that. I was so worried that they wouldn't care when I left. But Niki, my replacement, is wonderful and I know she will do great with them! I think my students will warm up to her in no time. She has the same hair color, so my kids are glad for that too. haha. :-)

We are experiencing technical difficulties...

2008-08-26T05:42:00.000-07:00

...That meaning, I don't have a computer anymore.

I am going to do my best to keep updating, but right now I am quite busy because I leave Korea in a week!

No worries though, the adventures will continue.

Stay Tuned :-)

Beijing huan ying ni! ...The Olympics

2008-08-14T03:41:00.000-07:00

Okay, so maybe I am not in Beijing, so I shouldn't tell you 'Beijing huan ying ni' (which means 'Welcome to Beijing') ... but I am really into the Olympic Mascots, and their names spell that sentence out. So that's what you get.

Sorry for the one week hiatus, but life has been super hectic since Summer Vacation. (As I guessed it would be.) I was able to watch the opening ceremonies - twice! I watched them in Korean last Friday night on KBS, and then watched them when AFN broadcasted them the next morning. I thought they were stunning, both times. My favorite part was when they recreated traditional Chinese images with giant (human) printing blocks. But overall I was mostly impressed with the Chinese's ability to synchronize thousands of people into such intricate designs and choreography. It was beautiful! Since the games have started I have been keeping an Olympic medal count on the board in my classroom. I love to see the kids get excited when we update it together in the morning. Koreans are very competitive and it's so fun to be here for the games. Other than Beijing, I imagine Korea is one of the best places to watch the Olympics this year. They are doing very well in the overal standings, and everyone is very excited for the games. It's interesting. I have never been in a foreign country for the Olympics before. And for me, seeing the enthusiasm Koreans have for the Olympic Games emphasizes the real point of them... international competition and friendship. It makes me glad.

And in other news, my parents are in Korea. We're in Busan for the weekend ... but I will update with details of their trip another time.

GO USA!

Boracay...

2008-08-05T06:48:00.000-07:00

...was amazing. This was one of the best vacations, ever, period! For so many other reasons than the sheer beauty of the island too.

We had an *interesting* night in Manila (sleeping on benches outside of the closed airport) while we waited for our connection to Kalibo. Once we got to Kalibo it completely set in - we made it! From there, a friend we met on he plane helped us to find affordable transport to Caticlan where the folks from Frendz were waiting to pick us up. Once we got there, it was just one more short boat ride to Boracay. The boats are so small they just pull right up to the shore and you climb on in! Once we got to Boracay, we took "trikes" (a motorcycle with a sort of passenger cart on the side that seats 4) to our hostel. Frendz was full of other teachers from Korea, and we ade a lot of quick friends. It was great! I guess that's expected when EVERY hagwon in the entire city has the same week off for Summer Vacation.

We did a lot of relaxing. The food was wonderful - it was so nice to have so many choices! Most of the places we ate for dinner had tables set up right on the beach so you could eat with your toes in the sand. : ) The storm that was expected to hit the Philippines went off towards China instead, so we had excellent weather (considering it's rainy everywhere in Southeast Asia this time of year!) for the whole week. Other than just laying on the beach and soaking up the glorious sun, the four of us went island hopping and snorkeling, and I spent one day at a spa. (Which was wonderful, of course - i had a view of the ocean from my room!!) The views on the island hopping trip were stunning. And the company was great - a big group from Frendz came too, and they were very, well.. friendly! Sadly the snorkeling was sort of a disappointment. Most of their reef is completely dead - and they don't seem to have too many laws in place to protect it... some of the other people on our boat pocketed two starfish and one beautiful and giant shellfish. It was nearly as big as my face! When we urged them to put them back, the Filipino guide discouraged them, and told them the shellfish was yummy... so they kept them. Sad.

The beaches were truly breathtaking though. I have never seen sand that was so fine and so WHITE! Really.. some say it looks like cocaine - I'd like to say flour, thanks. haha. I mean, when you look at the pictures it doesn't do it justice. The best thing about our "resort" was that it was just 2 minutes from the best beach on the island. Not too far from the restaurants and bars etc ... but far enough that you don't feel hounded on the beach. I felt so in my element, sitting on the beach with my journal at sunset letting my mind run miles a minute. It was perfect. Especially with my year in Korea winding down (really, can you believe it?), I feel like I have a lot of possibility ahead of me, and a gorgeous beach at sunset isn't exactly a bad place to sort those things out. I thought about my goals and my dreams and about the person I am becoming - and that was all really exciting. And that's a big thing for me because I don't really do change well; to say the least. Being in Boracay on a REAL vacation for the first time on my own in my (gulp) adult life was so surreal. Thinking about all my friends and I are about to take on, being surrounded by other people our age doing the same things as us, meeting people from all corners of the world who are stopping over in this paradise before heading back to reality and real world jobs... I can't imagine going from Boracay to your new gig as an accountant in Manchester. But hey! That's just me. But all together, the thought of it all -taking it all in and just relaxing into my thoughts for the week- made me feel so alive. I'm excited for what's about to come... in so many ways my 'adventure' is really just beginning.

Some kids playing on the shields (?) they put up to protect people from the rain/wind at night.

Me and Liz at dinner on the beach.

Swimming during our island hopping trip.

So lucky to be there!

Out for Indian food (so good!) on Mullen's last night.

As always, stay tuned. : )

Teaser

2008-08-04T05:16:00.000-07:00

So looking back on this, some of my posts are uber long -- do you all EVER finish those ones? If not - let me know.

Also, it came to my attention that you might not all know about my grand travel plans that set into motion in a mere TWENTY EIGHT days. so for the record: Andrea, Kirsten, Liz and I are traveling together (you did know that much, right?) for about 2 months. I will be setting foot in the following places (if everything goes right): Japan, Thailand, Cambodia, India, Bahrain, Egypt, Greece, Croatia, Italy, France, Ireland, and now maybe England because my sister pointed out that the Chargers play the Saints in London (long story) the day we leave Dublin -- it just so happens that those are my two favorite NFL teams. So there may be a detour if I can afford it. After that I will spend Halloween in D.C., shoot up to New York to see a few friends and Equus before flying home on voting day. So there - that's the story.

And yes, a post on Boracay is coming soon -seriously soon- I have to upload my photos first, but stay tuned. It's coming, I swear. Keep reading ... even the long ones! lol

Summer Vacation!

2008-07-25T11:46:00.000-07:00

Summer vacation has finally arrived! Tomorrow night I will be headed to the infamous white sand beaches of Boracay!!! I have been looking forward to this trip for a long time, and am so grateful for the time off. Work has been hectic for all of us Seoulites (per usual - it is called work, right?) and a week relaxing at the beach is just what the doctor ordered. Even if it rains everyday we are there (it's the rainy season in all of Southeast Asia), I know that nothing can ruin this vacation! After we get back to Seoul, my parents come for a two week visit, and then before I know it, it will be September and we'll be heading off for our round the world adventure! But this week, I am not going to think about everything I need to do or get in order - I am just going to RELAX!

See you in a week!! :-)

The Lost Blog: Skiing, Seoraksan and Spring Break

2008-07-24T08:53:00.000-07:00

Recently, a coworker was asking about visiting Seoraksan over Summer vacation. I wanted to tell her how much I enjoyed it - and so I thought I would show her my blog. I logged on and GASP! I actually never really wrote about the details of our Lunar New Year Trip!! Considering this was one of the most insane weekends of my LIFE... I couldn't believe I managed to forget to write about it. So here, 6 months later, is how the trip went:

We booked through Z Travel Bug instead of Adventure Korea, because they were both offering similar packages, and Z Travel Bug's was a bit cheaper. I preferred the trip through Adventure Korea because they had one more day of skiing, but others in our group liked that the Z Travel Bug trip was spending time in Seoraksan National Park, while the other was just heading to Sokcho (the province where Seoraksan is) and going to the beach (IN FEBRUARY?!) In hindsight it's sort of a toss-up whether we made the right decision... Let's make things clear: I am *not* recommending Z Travel Bug to anyone in Korea. Our bus was always late, and cold, and broke down... twice. The meals that were provided were inconvenient and unappetizing. And the overall trip was a few jello shots short of a disorganized Spring Break. But, we met a lot of crazy people, and made a ton of great memories. Having taken other Adventure Korea trips - I can vouch for them. They have their act together and deliver on what their trips offer. And as for those people who are opposed to tour group travelling, I say, give it a chance! Especially in a place like Korea where if you don't know the language well, you're pretty much stuck to Seoul. ANYWAY - back to my trip...

We spent the first 2 and a half days at High One ski resort in Gangwando. Our condo was at the base of the resort and was all around fabulous! Really fancy ski lodge rooms, a television that got plenty of English channels (including BBCnews and CNN!) and a nice view of the mountain. Of course there was one small detail that was fudged by our tour guide: by 4 people sleeping to a room ... he meant 10 people sleeping to a "two bedroom" condo. Only one of which had beds, there was one couch, one room with Korean sleeping mats, and the floor of the living room to sleep on other than that. Which, under most circumstances wouldn't be all bad. But unfortunately, some of our "roommates" were the type to stay up drinking ALL night - and some of us on the trip aimed as getting out to ski by 9 am when the lifts opened. That might have been the worst night's sleep I ever had in Korea. But all in all it wasn't too bad, and once our guide got to the resort to pass out our lift tickets by eleven the next morning, I was finally on the slopes, and happy! High One was definitely the smallest resort I've been to, and I have to say that I don't think I qualify as an expert skiier anywhere but Korea, but the runs weren't crowded at the top, and the snow was nice quality. Koreans ski much different than we do in America. Most of them don't start till late afternoon and then opt to night ski. The lifts are open all day and all night (most places at home take a break before night skiing, or only run one lift at night) and you buy your ticket for a set number of hours. Also, the lift ticket is actually a plastic card you keep in your pocket and swipe at the gates. Then -for the cherry on top- instead of snow on the ground at loading area of the lift, they have a conveyor belt! You don't push yourself up to the loading point.. you just stand, and wait for the chair to catch you. Also, they are very strict about lowering the safety bar, and snowboarders generally take off both bindings and just carry their board to the to of the run. STRANGE! It was nice skiing though. And it was a very clear day, so it was prety scenery on the way down. If I could only ski one day this season, it was a good one!

The next 2 and a half days, as I said, were spent in a city called Sokcho, shooting of fireworks at the beach and going to Seoraksan. Sokcho - while in South Korea (obviously), is actually above the 38th parallel ... so that's cool. Of course, Seoraksan definitely didn't disappoint. As you enter the park you are greeted by a sprawling valley surrounded by sheer mountain peeks. If you can endure the pungent smell of beondegi and the souvenir hawkers, you can walk just past the main base area and see the giant bronze statue of Buddha. There are two (maybe more?) Buddhist temples in the park. From what I learned, there was a monk who visited Seoraksan years and years ago on a personal retreat, and he found it so peaceful that he decided to stay. I can't say I blame him, the scenery was beautiful. I imagine it's stunning in the spring when all of the snow melts and the rivers, streams and waterfalls fill up again. We hiked to Ulsanbawi - one of the most famous peaks in Seoraksan. Unfortunately, Mullen and I aren't exactly skilled mountain climbers, and weren't up to climbing 800 stairs to the top. Especially when the stairs were covered in ice. We got within .8km to the top and called it quits, so that we could have time to play in the snow and meander down the trail, before heading back to our tour bus. It worked out great because the sun came out just as we got to the bottom, so we were able to take some really gorgeous pictures of the peaks, and of the bronze Buddha. Not to mention we had enough time to pose with the odd ice sculptures near the souvenir shops. That is, if we were willing to fight for a chance to take our picture! None of the Koreans wanted to wait in line ... everyone was just slipping and sliding theif way into each other's pictures! The only let down was that everyone was wet and cold after our hike - so we were all pretty miserable at dinner - where there was no heat. We could see our breath at the dinner table - no joke. And then on the bus the heat seemed to only be working in the back of the bus. So half of us froze while the other half baked... no good.

Skiing in Korea!

Conveyor Belt Lift Loading... So Bizarre.

View of the Casino and the Base from our Resort

So they had all of these strange glowing inflatable things... After we saw them all over Seoul for Buddha's birthday we realized that they were just Korean paper lanterns. Still, there were some strange ones. Here's a few of the best.

You're ET? NO WAY! I'm ET!

Andrea's messing with the giant Ajushi. What else is new?

1985 - Kudos to the year of the Ox!

First shot of the East Sea at Sokcho

A famous fresh fish market street in Sokcho - I didn't commit the name to memory, because I really don't eat fish ... This night I had a delicous dinner consisting of sesame lettuce leaves and rice... now I know how Andrea feels.

MMMmmm Breakfast! Soft tofu soup, rice, kimchi, and seaweed. Can't you imaging chowing down on this while watching Batman cartoons on Saturday morning?! I sure can...

Finding our inner outdoorsy-ness at the entrance to Seoraksan National Park.

Bronze Buddha and a Signal Bell at the Temple.

Andrea and I being impressed with Ulsanbawi.

I am meant to climb those stairs? An-i-yo.

Stop motion snowball fight. Much more fun than scaling a mountain!!

I have to say it was one of my favorite things we've done this year. The other people on the trip definitely had different priorities for their weekend off from work, but even if we were out of our element, Andrea and I had a nice time. And it's always nice to get out of Seoul for a weekend every now and again. Which I am about to do again! On Saturday night we head out to Boracay for the week, and I couldn't be more excited! There will be some rain, but hopefully only for part of the day. It's definitely time for a real vacation!!! I don't know if I will have internet access - but if I do, I will post some photos while I am gone. I will try to post some of my photos from Buddha's birthday back in May (I realized I forgot that one too! >_<) But either way -I won't forget to blog about this next trip!

The Good, The Bad, and the Weird

2008-07-22T07:41:00.000-07:00

Last week Andrea found out that the CGV in Yongsan shows Korean movies with English subtitles! It would have been nice to have known this eleven months ago, but hey... better late than never! On Sunday we went to go see the latest Korean blockbuster, "The Good, the Bad, and the Weird." (called noomnoomnoom by Koreans) Dubbed The Kimchi Western by a Canadian film festival, it's the story of three bandits in 1930s Manchuria. They are all after a secret map supposed to lead to treasure from the Qing dynasty. It stars Jung Woo Sung, Lee Byung Hun, and Song Kan Ho, three of Korea's most popular actors. Song Kang Ho is to Korean cinema as Morgan Freeman or Samuel L. Jackson is to Hollywood -- he just seems to be in every single movie, ever! He he played the father in The Host, and Tae Goo, or the weird, in The Good The Bad The Weird. He was my favorite part of the film I think.

Overall, I liked the movie. It really is a Korean take on the old fashioned Spaghetti Western movie, albeit with slightly more cinematic credibility. The characters had clear, strong relationships with each other - aided by great performances given by the leads. Their play of each other was both comical and terrifying at times. The action scenes, while sometimes quite far fetched, were awesome and often gruesome. It couldn't be a good western without a few good old fashioned gun fights, could it? And of course a hijacked train robbery - which opens the film - in which all three bandits, Tae Goo, Do Won and Chang Yi are involved. The Japanese official that is carrying the treasure map (which the Japanese army is after so that they can continue to fund the war) is on the train. Tae Goo (the weird) successfully steals the map, but without realizing its value. Chang Yi (the bad) is after the map as a hired thief and assassin with the bloodiest reputation in Manchuria. And Do Won (the good) is after Chang Yi - because he's bad - and the map, because he's still an outlaw after all and needs money as much as the next exiled Korean. After Tae Goo's brother explains what the map is, all three embark on a goose chase to the "buried treasure."

A few other characters are thrown in to keep things complicated, and for sheer comic effect (the granny is the best one in the whole movie!), including a rogue camp of Manchurian warriors (or something - I couldn't tell...) and the Japanese army (who were continually foiled by one of the three leads, leaving them in the dust cursing -- it kind of reminded me of a sort of Indiana Jones/Nazis thing).

Not gonna lie, it wasn't the best movie ever. But I enjoyed it. And it was so great to finally see a Korean movie in theaters! I imagine if we'd known about it sooner, we might have learned a lot more Korean... eh, c'est la vie I suppose.

I'M FAMOUS!

2008-07-14T07:11:00.000-07:00

Sort of. ... When Matt was here and we went to a Baseball game an American journalist approached us and asked a few questions about the game. We never did find out why he was actually in Seoul ... but he talked with us, gave his card and then went on his way. And I kind of forgot all about it. Well, while trying to escape hours of boredom and the vicious Korean humidity I was surfing the internet tonight and googled myself (Don't judge, you know you've done it). And after a few hits about some lawyer from Boston, and my facebook page, I saw something about Korean baseball... I clicked and found this:

(find the original article at: http://www.fallight.com/entry/Baseball-Korean-style-more-exciting-for-fans-than-players?category=0)

ATLANTA INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Baseball, Korean style, more exciting for fans than players
Rhythmic cheers, sing-alongs, jumping in the stands all part of the game

By KEN HERMAN
Cox News Service
Published on: 06/27/08

SEOUL, South Korea - The fans on the first-base side of the stadium are on their feet, singing and dancing and generally having more fun than one should have in public with strangers.

It sounds and feels like the bottom of the ninth, tie score, seventh game of the World Series.

But it's not. It's an early-season contest, not much at stake. And this is during a rain delay.

Welcome to baseball, Korean style.

"It's just pure craziness," said Matt Tennyson, a San Diego archeologist visiting his sister here and attending his first Korean Baseball Organization game.

It's the home-standing Doosan Bears and the visiting Lotte Giants on a Thursday night at Jamsil Baseball Stadium, and it's constant, controlled pandemonium.

The excitement greets fans outside the gate, where vendors hawking local delicacies compete with KFC's "Home Run Box" and Burger King's "Happy Together" promotion.

There's a short line leading to a friendly attendant at the ticket window who hands over a ticket. Ten thousand won (about $10) gets you a reserved seat, but there's nothing reserved about the fans in those seats.

Other than the team logo, the only English on the ticket is this year's Bears' team slogan: "2008 Jump! Hustle Doo!"

And doo they ever jump and hustle — the fans, that is.

A half-hour prior to first pitch, the Bears fans, whipped up by their male cheerleader, are well into the action, though there is none on the field.

Same deal in the third-base stands, where the Giants fans are also getting into it as their male cheerleader — sporting a team shirt, white gloves, white pants and white, lace-up knee-high boots and moves that bring to mind late Queen front man Freddy Mercury — exhorts them.

It continues into the game as it becomes clear that the fans are getting far more exercise than the players. In addition to rhythmic cheers, there are songs, including some recognizable tunes that span the spectrum, including "The Battle Hymn of the Republic," "La Cucaracha," "If You're Happy and You Know It," Twisted Sister's "We're Not Gonna Take It" and the rousing strains of "Mary Had a Little Lamb."

In addition to the lone make cheerleader per side, each team has four females who work from their seats and occasionally jump up on the stage with the male.

The difference between Korean cheerleaders and American cheerleaders? Korean cheerleaders actually lead cheers.

Many of the rhythmic cheers include the player names, a task made easier by the fact that every player on both teams (as well as just about everybody in South Korea) has a three-syllable name — save, of course, for the two Americans allowed per team.

Former major leaguer Karim Garcia, a first-year player here and the leading vote-getter in fan balloting for the Korean all-star game, is hailed by Giant fans with a song that repeats Gar-ci-a over and over again.

Also in the Giants' dugout is former major leaguer Jerry Royster, who, as the Giants' skipper, is the first American to manage a Korean team.

"I'm having a blast," Royster said. "I'm having an absolute blast."

Royster loves the enthusiasm and respect in the stands but is trying to get his team to play more aggressively, which is somewhat out of character in Korea.

"The approach that the players have here is quite different than what we are used to in the United States. It's not very aggressive baseball and they are very respectful of each other. That comes into play quite a bit on double plays. They don't break up double plays. And when guys get hit (by a pitch) there is somewhat of an 'I'm sorry' kind of attitude for hitting you," he said.

The Korean league, now with eight teams playing 126-game schedules from March through August, was formed in 1982, long after baseball was brought to the nation by U.S. missionaries in the early 20th century. In 1994, pitcher Chan Ho Park became the first Korean to play in the U.S. major leagues.

On the field, the play is solid and entertaining, but nowhere near as intriguing as what goes on in the stands.

It's four hours of wonderment for Tennyson, his sister Erica and her two American friends, who, like her, teach English here.

"I'm a big fan of the cheerleaders and the guy who actually leads cheers," Tennyson said. "That's a great job. We need that back home."

"They all know every song, every dance move," Erica Tennyson said as fans around her sang and danced.

Could this work back home?

"It would be amazing," said Andrea Mullen, a Greenville, S.C. native. "I would go to more games if this happened."

Asian baseball fans make hyped-up Yankee bleacher fans look like slackers, and ill-mannered slackers at that. There is no booing here. And there is polite applause — led by the cheerleaders even when a hometown player strikes out — for all efforts.

There is no screaming between the fans. When the Giants are up, so are their fans. When the Bears are up, so are their fans. They do not cheer simultaneously.

In addition to their lungs, most fans are equipped with home-made pompoms they fashion out of newspapers, a potentially positive sign for the future of a once-great industry now in decline.

Embedded in the unfettered joy of the cheering is solid commercialism. Doosan is a company — a mega-conglomerate involved in everything from heavy equipment to the KFC and Burger King items sold outside the stadium.

Ditto for Lotte, a Korean-Japanese conglomerate that sponsors the Busan-based Giants. In Korea, the teams are named for their sponsors, not the cities they represent.

Same thing in Japan, which helps explain the world's greatest name for a baseball team — the Nippon Ham Fighters. The Ham Fighters do not fight ham. Nor is it a team of rabbinical students battling the forbidden meat.

The team name is the Fighters, and Nippon Ham, a meat-packing company, is the sponsor.

The sponsorship deals — combined with the organized cheerleading — guarantee that the sponsor names are seen, sung, shouted and chanted for nine innings or more (though no more than 12, the maximum allowed in Korean baseball before a tie is declared).

It's the equivalent of a U.S. baseball team wearing uniforms with General Motors emblazoned across the chest or fans repeatedly chanting "Bed, Bath and Beyond."

On this night at Jamsil, the corporate names of Doosan and Lotte filled the air for four hours. The excitement continued until the final out as fans of the visiting Giants held up lighters, much as concert-goers do when they don't want the show to end.

But end it must, and the Bears — fueled by a six-run fifth inning — prevail by a 9-4 score that sends the fans out the gates and to the Korean form of tailgating, post-game food and drink on mats outside the stadium as the excitement continues.

Jump! Hustle doo!

Too bad he writes all about Matt! Oh well, I guess Andrea and I didn't say what he wanted to hear. ..,and for the record, I DEFINITELY prefer MLB to Korean baseball. It's fun to go here - but seriously - it's not *baseball* ... it's just not.

Shawshank Redemption. In a minute or so...

2008-07-11T03:40:00.000-07:00

This is one of the best things I have ever seen! Haha. I posted it on my other blog, but I thought I would post it here too because I want EVERYONE to see it! (Note: made by Jib Jab, not me)

Shawshank in a Minute
Uploaded by JibJab

In other news, my parents are the most amazing people ever and have found a way for me to go to Club 33 at Tokyo Disney with Andrea on my birthday! They took my whole family to the one at Disneyland (the *Original* ^-^) for my 21st birthday and it was unbelievable. I never dreamed that I would get to go again, let alone in Tokyo! Just another one of many exciting surprises in life that I'm still getting accustomed to. What a ride... !

Lessons in Hangeul

2008-07-09T05:05:00.000-07:00

So it's really no secret. I don't speak Korean. A lot of people, myself included, come to Korea with the assumption that simply living abroad for a year would result in learning the local language. If only cultural immersion were that easy. If there's one thing I have learned in my 10+ plus months spent here in Korea, it's that the expat life is not for the casual adventurer. Tackling the land of SK demands a confident, open-minded, patient person. And learning Korean is no different... plus, so many people in this country speak English that unless you are seriously committed to it, it's really difficult to learn. However, I have noticed that in our warped ways of communicating with each other (read as: scathing insults, fantastical references to all forms of universal pop culture and dry sarcasm) my friends and I have picked up many Hangeul (Korean for 'Korean') terms and mannerisms. We often like to chat about which ones have fixed themselves permanently into our vocabulary and which ones we'll lose after leaving in a few months. I thought I might make a list for you all, so you won't be confused by all of my awesome Korean-ness (right Mullen?) when I get back to America, or wherever the next place you encounter me is. I suppose you can consider this an urban dictionary of sorts for my mad Konglish skills.

1. The mini-head bow: When in doubt ... bow. Okay so this is really the only mannerism I have picked up - the rest of the list is words.... but really, this one is basically permanent. There's no hope for any ESL teacher in Korea. Whether you're bidding "annyong" to your local Family Mart clerk, thanking a cab driver, or apologizing for being bumped into on the subway (yes, you read that right) the mini-head bow is an enduring outward symbol of politeness. It doesn't take long for expats to learn the mini-head bow; simply hunch your shoulders and quickly (it's got to be quick, or else it gets awkward) bow your head -similar to a chicken, or pigeon- and try to hide your face. If you get a crick in your neck, you're on your way!

2. Wheygook/Migook/Youngook/____gook (way-gook/me-gook): n. (or sometimes an adj., hey, why not?!) a white foreigner, or more specifically, an American or Enlishman, or *insert nationality here* ... Completely non-p.c. to say anywhere but Korea, the ____-gooks have a good time. As in, I thought I saw you out in Kangnam last night! But, it was just another person of wheygook persuasion.

3. Ne (naaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay): interj. yes. As far as I know Korean is the only language where the word 'Yes' sound like 'no' ... it also covers 'You're welcome' and you have to elongate the e-sound for close to 18 minutes to really sound Korean. As in, Did you hear what Tina just said to Cindy? / Ne! It was nearly a Korean teacher catfight.

4. Aniyo (on-knee-o): interj. no. If your Konglish isn't up to par and the Korean you're talking to doesn't get it... holding your arms in a big X in front of you never fails. (Actually, I lied before! This is a mannerism I don't think I will EVER be able to break! lol) Anni works for no, too (No, not Darth Vadar's boyhood name). As in, Oooh. Preettty lady, come to my home/ ANIYO! ... also, Do you like my new Korean sunglasses? / Uhm, sorry, that one gets the big aniyo.

5. Kamsamnida (kgam-sahm-knee-da): .. ?.. thank you. It's an important one to learn. Koreans thank each other a lot. And since their politeness is reflected in their speech, about every other word you'll hear in public ends in some sort of "mnida" sound. It's imperative you learn to catch the thank yous, but if you can't hear the difference just watch for the mini-head bow you've already mastered, since they're usually paired together. Also, bonus points if you can say it with the same sing-song voice as a Korean and not sound like a cartoon character. As in, Hey I brought you a 6,000 won a watered down drink from Coffee Bean. / Ooooh. Kamsamnida. :)

6. Annyonghi Kaseyo (on-yong-khe-caw-say-o): interj. Goodbye. While there are five full syllables in an/nyong/ha/se/yo you'll be lucky if you catch 3... but if you listen for "a-ajksd;hfaehfakdsjf;adsh;fas-yo!" you should be just fine! As in, Annyonghi kaseyo, thanks for coming. No, seriously, please leave.

7. Annyonghi Kyeseyo (on-yong-khe-key-ay-say-o): interj. Goodbye. Ooooooh... tricky. This is the one you say if you're leaving. #3 is what you say if your being left.... As in, Annyonghi kyesayo, thanks for the ride.

8. Annyong Hasseyo (on-yong-hah-say-o): interj. Hello, Good Morning, Good Evening, etc etc. Yes it sounds almost exactly the same. But luckily just saying 'Annyong' covers them all! But only with friends - otherwise it's rude. (Wouldn't want to offend the ajjushi passed out drunk in your neighborhood park!) As in, are you kidding? You're still reading this? Go to the next one!!

9. Jusseyo (juice-say-o): n./v./adj./the million dollar word!!! err... billion won word? Either way - this one basically means 'please' ... but it can also mean "Bring me _____ please" or "Take me to ______ please" More or less, this is the Konglish-speaker's way to order food or get around in a cab. As in, Yogiyo! Mul juseyo! (Hey! Water please!) ... which sounds rude, but not in Korea!

10. Chingu (cheen-goo): n. friend. As in, Hey chingus! What's happening!?
Essential to most general weygook gatherings ... We'd all be lost in Korea without our chingu-chingus!

Fourth of July!

2008-07-06T16:46:00.000-07:00

I am a big sucker for traditions, and consequently, a big fan of holidays. I love getting together with friends and celebrating - anything. And if it involves any sort of pomp and circumstance, all the better. I've had an irrational love for Fourth of July since a young age. I'm not sure why, but I can always remember getting really excited for it each year. I used to stand out on my parent's deck wearing a paper Uncle Sam hat and sing patriotic songs to people as they walked to beach. I don't know why, exactly, but I did!

Anyway... Needless to say spending the Fourth abroad was never something I imagined. It's strange not to be home, but I was determined to celebrate in style anyway. Luckily, a coworker of mine goes to Taekwondo with a sergeant from Alabama who was able to take us on the Army base on Friday! First of all, being on post was a strange experience anyway -- seriously, it felt like America, we might as well have been in Virginia somewhere. There were stop signs! And what's more, they were OBEYED! It was surreal. We found where there was music and food and enjoyed the night. There was an army band that played during the fireworks show, but we couldn't really hear them because there were squealing Korean children next to us drowning them out. (Oh well!) The fireworks show was literally right over our head! So fun. :) The whole night was really wonderful, and I am very grateful to have been on base for Independence day. It wasn't just like home, but we did get a taste of America on the Fourth, and even were given US dollars as change! So strang-ee.

Here's my video/slide show of the fireworks. You can sort of hear the music over the screaming Korean children. I mean, it's no A Capitol Fourth! hosted by Jimmy Smits, but hey... Enjoy!

Matt's Visit

2008-06-18T07:06:00.001-07:00

Alright, I have been meaning to post this one for awhile, but it's taken some time to put together. But as a consolation.. this one is SUPER long. So, enjoy!

So for the record -- it was almost a month ago, eek! -- Matt's visit was wonderful. I continue to be so grateful to him for coming. Not only was it good to see family for the first time in six months (wow!) my brother and I generally have a lot of fun together, and I'm always up for that!

On the first Friday of his visit SLP had the day off, so we decided to visit the Korean Folk Village in Suwon. Minus the fact that it took FOREVER to get there (Seriously, Suwon folk: how do you manage getting to Seoul every weekend?) we had a great time. It wasn't very crowded so we had free reign to tour the homes etc. I finally got to see a complete traditional drum show after 9 months of living here - so I was pretty stoked about that. It's pretty easy to run across a drum show here ... if you hang around any of the temples, or near City Hall you're likely to see a group of volunteer performers drummin' away. But I had yet to set any of the hardcore drumming acrobats that were at the folk village. These guys have what remind me of ribbon dancers on their hats, and beat on the Korean equivalent of a tambourine. "But Erica-Teacher! Why must they be so ornately decorated and mobile?" you ask. Only because they FLIP IN THE AIR WHILST DRUMMING! ... Yeah. I'm a fan. And I was really happy to finally get to see them.

Matt outside what would have been his house - the Scholar's living area.

Can you say "whip lash" anyone?

My sad attempt at catching them mid- barrel turn.

We watched the see-saw acrobats too. -- another type of traditional Korean performance.

On our way back to Seoul we stopped and I introduced Matt to my favorite Korean street food: Teok Bokki (dock-bow-key). It's korean rice cakes smothered in spicy red chile paste sauce and other goodness. Really - it's yummy!

If you're not in Korea, I don't know if you've heard about it. But South Koreans are freaking out about the looming possibility of importing US beef. I know it's made international news, but between the Presidential Election and blood curdling gas prices, it's not exactly a front page story. Basically - Koreans are convinced for various misguided reasons that if they eat US beef their brains will turn into sponges and they will die. There has been a number of HUGE protests over it downtown the past few months - one of which Matt and I stumbled upon.

Protestors in front of Deoksugung Palace

My Hangeul skills are not up to par.. I think this says someone's name... Ahn Ha .. ?

Matt and I at the Cheonggyecheon

On Sunday we were going to visit Seoul Forrest, but it was raining. So we opted to see Kung Fu Panda with Mullen! I laughed because I was trying to be a good tour guide and pack Matt's trip with lots of events or whatnot, but we ended up falling into my typical routine anyway. Plus, Kung Fu Panda was an awesome movie - so I'm glad we saw it.

Matt was able to visit my school one day, and then ended up coming along on our field trip to the War Museum the next week. As far as Mars and Libra class are concerned, Matt is a rockstar .. or maybe more appropriately: a giant, red-faced monster of rockstar status. haha. I loved watching my students give my big brother a hard time though - it was really funny!

Since 'time off' is an alien concept to most workers in Korea, I couldn't really get out of work when Matt came. For the most part he bummed around Seoul during the day - and then we found something to do when I got home from work. I took him to Insadong and showed him where I bought everyone's Christmas presents. We went to Rocky Mountain Tavern and watched the (pitiful) NBA finals. And we ate a lot of kimchi mandu.

Seoul Tower ... near Insadong.

This is a popular shopping market in Insadong. It's less cheesy and touristy than many of the other stores... there are a lot of small shops full of Jewelery and a few finer souvenirs.

On Thursday Matt and I hit up a Korean baseball game with Andrea and my coworker Sarah. Really, Korean baseball games deserve a post of their own, but let's just say Korean Baseball fans are passionate, to say the least, and the game -despite the less than superb baserunning and defensive skills- was a lot of fun! They have cheerleaders and a kind of super-leader-dancing man that leads the fans in cheers for the entire game. I'm not kidding! They don't stop cheering together for a single at bat. It reminded me of the student section at some crazy NCAA college football game.

At the baseball game. Doosan Beas vs Lotte Giants... Think Blue! haha

Not even the rain delay could stop these fans!

On Friday I got my classes covered and Matt and I walked the 'Between the Palaces' walk that's in my lonely planet guide. ... the walk turned out to be not what we expected, but it was still nice. It was in this artsy part of town near the Blue House where there are a ton of shops, restaurants and galleries. We had an expensive but delicious lunch and visited the Owl Museum! Note to Seoulites everywhere: The Owl Museum is not so much an Owl Museum as a room in the back of some lady's house where she keeps her collection of over 2,500 owl statues (and other kinds of memorabilia). I got a kick out of it. Matt was creeped out. haha. I took Matt on a tour of Gyeonbokgung Palace (which I already wrote about) and then we went back to Insadong to pick up some souvenirs.

Kickin' it at Wangsimni

Matt pretending to sleep on the subway. Silly waegook.

*yuuhhhm*

At the Owl Museum!!!
I want to do this with my grandmother's collection of elephants.

I like how you can see the throne room reflected in our glasses.

Matt and me each standing in the Queen's doorway - apparently to eternal youth and beauty.

The sun got in Matt's eyes, haha.

All in all it was a great visit. My friends and coworkers and *especially* my students were very glad to meet Matt! haha. And I guess I felt lucky to have him visit. :)

Gyeonbokgung: Palace of Shining Happiness

2008-06-09T08:19:00.000-07:00

Back in May I visited the largest palace in Seoul with Kirsten, Liz, and their co-worker Leah. It's been my favorite palace yet, but that also may be because we had a private tour guide! They offer guided tours in English, Japanese and (of course) Korean at various times throughout the day. It worked out that the English tour was starting about 5 minutes after we arrived, so we figured we'd wait and maybe follow the tour for a bit - before wandering off on our own. Well, five minutes passed and we were the only 4 who had shown up! The guide was kind enough to still take us around, even though we were the smallest group she said she'd ever had! She had great English and a ton of knowledge about the history of the palace - as well as the Joseon dynasty in general.

This is the main gate (first of 3) and entrance into Gyeongbokgung. Gung means palace, and gyeong bok literally means shining happiness.. ergo: palace of shining happiness. It was originally built by King Taejo in 1395 and in its heyday was said to rival the Forbidden City in Beijing. However, like everything in Korea, it's unfortunately been burnt down more than once and had to continually be rebuilt. Only a dozen or so buildings remain, but according to our tour guide they are in a constant process of trying to rebuild and replicate the entire palace.

Because of Buddha's Birthday and the Hi Seoul festival they had a ceremonial changing of the guards... which I have come to accept as basically the same in every city in every country in the world (that I've been to, anyway). Basically: there's a signal that the replacement guard is coming, there are some people sanding guard to be sure there's no foul play, some dudes exchange notes and passwords etc. and update each other about whatever it is they are guarding, someone hits a drum or blows a horn to let everyone know that the guards are changing and to basically call "all well," and then they go home. You now never have to watch a changing of the guard again - at least not a historical reenactment of one.

This is where the King held his parties. His guests entered from the gates in the wall to the right. There were three they could pass through - depending on their social status of course. The pillars supporting the "party hall" are designed for good feng shui. The outer pillars are square (representing the Earth) and the inner pillars are round (representing the sky/heavens). It's cool to see how intricately these details are included in the designs of the palaces. Everything is designed to compliment the king, both to flatter his ego (one could say) and to ensure his health, safety, longevity of life, and a (male) heir.

The animals one finds on the corner of roofs is another favorite trademark of mine in Asian architecture. There is always an odd number of animals on the corners of important buildings to protect the inhabitants and invoke blessings - you could say .... they basically served similar purposes to gothic gargoyles. From what I have learned, the Koreans were very superstitious and odd numbers were better than even ones. You can tell which buildings are most important because they will have more animal protectors. The typical numbers you will see are 5 and 7 .. on important buildings there could be 9 and on places imprtant to the king likely there would be 11 or 13.

Our tour guide. She was really sweet. :)

Me in front of the main throne room, where the king would receive guests etc.

This was the king's main throne room. The painting behind the throne is a folding screen and it was moved to wherever the king was going to be. It incorporates a lot of traditional Asian imagery, including mountains in the background for strength and protections, water in the foreground for a clear mind. There's also significance to the number of things and the colors in the picture ... but I can't remember what they are. haha.

Images of a mythical dragon-type creatures are typical of Korean royal decor, but this one is unique in that it has seven talons as opposed to five or three. It is the only one they have found to be that way - but Korean historians don't have a clue as to what its significance is because all of their written history has been lost to one fire or another during the time of Japanese occupation.

They hung the doors of the buildings up on these bars to store them during warm weather. In the winter they hung them up and attactched hinges so that they could be pushed open and closed, kind of like accordions....or something. The point is: instead of windows or worrying about summer and winter insulation - they just took the doors off.

This was just some pagoda that was on the grounds - I'm sure it's some sort of meditation spot or something.

I really enjoyed this palace and would reccommend it to anyone visiting Seoul. It's the largest one and has a great sample of Korean architecture, history, etc etc. I'm going back on Friday to show Matt around, and get a better view of the Blue House (Korean Presidential residence) than I did before and to visit the Folk Museum, which I didn't get a chance to do. So I will post more pictures and info next time.

By the by...

2008-06-07T04:00:00.000-07:00

... Matt's in Korea.

My brother got here on Wednesday and is in town for a week and half. We'll be hitting the mean streets of Seoul so all those in the land of SK - watch yo'self.

It's been great having him here and getting to show what life is like for us Seoulites. Plus, him being here finally makes it real that I am here - and life has gone on for the last nine months... that everything hasn't just been put on pause while I'm having this crazy dream. Wow. I live in Korea - it still gets me.

Geomundo: Part Duggae

2008-06-06T07:05:00.000-07:00

So.. the adventure continues! Our first night in Geomundo is one I will never forget. We'd had a fabulous day and were all really relaxed. Not to mention, thrilled to be out of Seoul for the weekend! After dinner, and some coffee, we went to the convenience store and bought snacks and beers. We took our goodies back to the beach and had our own chill-out beach party. It was so great! We all decided to call it a night and headed back to the main part of the island when we passed the biggest group of singing/dancing/drinking ajumma and ajushi ever! Haha. Really though, they were some swell old folk and had better moves than any of us posers! We chatted it up for a bit and then went our separate ways, when a few in our group decided that we ought to bring them a couple beers.. you know.. because. When we showed up again, and brought presents, we were invited to hang out with them. They sang for us and the gauntlet was officially thrown down. We sang (poorly and out of tune) for them - and it became a full fledged sing-off.

We were going to hang out with them the next night too, but there was a CRAZY rain storm... so pretty much everyone on the island stayed inside. We did see them on our hike during the day though! Before the rain hit it was a nice day. The sun was patchy but that was a good thing since we hiked the whole Island!

From the top of the mountain you could see the entire village - it was a fabulous view! We hiked to the top of the first 'hill' really quickly.. and sort of took our time exploring after that and slowly made our way to the lighthouse at the tip of the island. If we looked left we saw the village, and to the right - Nothing! Just cliffs and the ocean. As we pressed on we came to a part of the isalnd called "Wizard Rock." To get to it, we climbed down the stairs on one part of the mountain, and then up the side of this random cliff. I felt like a real kid again because we had to duck around trees and hold on to plants to climb from rock to rock, and make it to the top.

Wizard Rock - the point of view of the people who stayed on the trail.

Zoomed in photo of Dean, Jen, Kirsten and I on the top!!

Scale a mountain in Korea? CHECK! (haha)

I took this after climbing down Wizard Rock, and before climbing back up to the trail.

The light(house) at the end of the tunnel! (or..hike.)

CUA 007s - We're trying!

The last day of the weekend we left the island and headed home for Seoul. On the way though, we stopped at Namson Folk Village - which was PACKED for Children's Day. The weather was great, and we spent about an hour and a half touring traditional buildings, and watching demonstrations of traditional Korean culture. And of course - took plenty o' pictures.

Andrea getting schooled on some Korean music.

Dean really enjoyed this part of the day.

The village's signal bell. These bells are in all Korean cities and were rung to make announcements, warnings and on various.celebrations.

I'm low on the Totem Pole of life.. haha. I like it there.

Everyone say "Kimchi!"

This was the sign on our way out of the village.. everything in Korean tourism is so HAPPY. lol.

haha - Oh Korea.

One last shot of the country from our bus as we left.

It was a great weekend - definitely one of our best all year. Erica Teacher says: Adventure Korea Travel company and Geomundo Island - plus two stickers for you! ;-)

Geomundo Island

2008-05-27T07:29:00.000-07:00

Over Children's Day weekend, us Seoulites escaped the city and ventured way down south to a tiny island for a bit of an island getaway. Geomundo is located halfway between the Korean penninsula and Jeju-do. It's pretty small, and very secluded (there isn't even an ATM on the island) and that made it the perfect place to chill out and forget about being a kindergarten teacher for awhile.

We left Seoul on Friday and rode a bus through the night. We got to the coast around 6 am, ate a quick breakfast and then boarded the ferry to Geomundo. Along the way we took a tour around the Baekdo Islands, which are a collections of over 100 small islands that are just chilling out there in the ocean. They all have creative names and great stories about their history - but the guide only spoke in Korean so we just took pictures and revelled in the bright blue water and clear sky.

Once we got to our hotel we had lunch at a local restaurant and then bummed it on the beach for the rest of the day. There were about 40 people that went on the trip - all English teachers of course - and we spent the afternoon getting to know one another and relaxing. Not many people swam, because the water was pretty cold. I thought it was refreshing - but it was too cold for most everyone else. (I can't lie, that made the Southern Californian in me a bit proud - I miss the Pacific Ocean. That night we shared dinner at another local restaurant. I ate rice since the main course was random fish soup and crab. Of course by crab, I mean those tiny 2 inchers we used to catch with bologna on a string in science camp as kids. They served them up whole, shells and all. Everyone just popped them in their mouth and crunched away. I passed and grabbed a coffee after dinner.

Here's a few photos of the day... I'll post more about the awesome Korean folks we met and our hike tomorrow. But for now, enjoy!

Two sunkissed blondies.

Dean-o was owning Ultimae Frisbee.

The girls on the beach. :-)

This was our home for the weekend... I miss it!

Sunset in the evening.

This was the main drag of the island. I loved the reflection in the harbor.. If it wasn't for the neon Baz Luhrmann cross, you might forget you were in Korea!

A typical Korean ajumma avoiding the sun like it's the plague.

Some of the 100 (I said the were small) Baekdo Islands...From the back of the ferry.

Very Lord of the Rings, right?

It was pretty windy on the boat.

So wonderful..

Seoulland

2008-05-15T03:54:00.000-07:00

A few weeks back we took a trip to Seoul Land and to celebrate Andrea's birthday! I am really sorry it has taken me this long to write about it.

There are three major amusement parks in Seoul: Seoul Land, Everland and Lotte World. Everland is supposedly the nicest, but it's kind of hard to get to without a car. Seoul Land and Lotte World are both great too though! Lotte World is in the middle of the city and has both an indoor and outdoor park, plus a department store. Seoul Land is a bit further out and has an amusement park and a zoo. Admission is about 15 bucks if you don't want to go on any rides, and about 26 to go on all of them. Even though I am too young to remember, it reminded me of the old E-ticket system at Disneyland! Although, I think all of Seoul Land's attractions would have only been A-tickets. haha.

There were your typical carnival rides. Good junk food. A few big and fast roller coasters - and a whole host of things that make you think, "Only in Korea." The strangest thing was probably the sexual education museum. Yes. You read that correctly. On a list of things recommended for families to do on a rainy day (which it was), the sexual education museum was first. It offers a fun and interactive way to explain the iracle of life to your kids --- or you know, tramautize them with a trip to an amusement park. Seriously, I am surprised we don't have this at home! Can't you just see it - next to Toon Town a special place where Goofy and the gang find out where babies come from! Oh, and don't forget the end where we learned about sexual health and STDs. yeah. AWKWARD.

Almost everything was completely ripped off from Disneyland in some way - including the souvenirs they sold! That made me pretty homesick. They even had an 'Old West' shooting gallery! Except that in Korea you don't shoot tombstones and trains ... you shot Native Americans. So completely normal. Right? But overall it was a great day. The sun came out. We ate ice cream We rode strange motorized stuffed animals around Tomorrow Land. Good times were had by all.

At the entrance to Seoul Land!!

Is that Epcot? Oh no .. Seoul Land has one too. How original.

Oh hey Peter Pan. In Seoul?

Tinkerbell :-)

Look familiar? - Oh you know, flying elephants are a very common ride. Or not.

Waiting for the roller coaster

Kirsten and Me

The Sex Ed Museum: Before

The Sex Ed museum: After

The shooting gallery I mentioned before. I couldn't believe it!

Me and the Birthday Girl!!

Everyone hanging out in Tomorrow Land .. seriously - give me a break.

Riding the giant plush animals.

It's a GIANT man! He reminded me of Legolas.

Freaking out on the first - and scariest - ride of the day.

The whole gang.

Crash! BOOM!

2008-05-10T17:43:00.000-07:00

That was the sound of me falling back on the face of the Earth. I sort fell off for awhile - sorry. The good news is that I have lots of fun things that have been keeping me busy, mostly including celebrating birthdays, escaping Seoul on the weekend, partaking of a festival or two and planning lots of family visits and vacations! I will update soon, so stay tuned!

Circle Time!!

2008-04-21T07:31:00.000-07:00

I took this video to show you all exactly what I do everyday. I'm not really a morning person, so having to teach hyper 7 year olds first thing every day is rough sometimes.. but I deal by trying ot make it as fun as possible. Actually, that's how I deal with teaching pre-school in general. Otherwise, I don't think I could handle it... haha! I sort of put on an uber hyper cartoon persona, and the kids have fun, and I get a chance to sort of check out of being me and become - well basically, a Blues Clues character. I have considered adding SLP to my resume when I get back to the states - Production: Preschool, Role: Coked out Disney Princess. No kidding. Here's your proof:

The Flying Pan

2008-04-18T04:52:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago, Mullen and I ventured to Itaewon to visit Xanadu. She had a few things to do for her trip to China, and I tagged along so we could get some information about our summer vacation, and our trip at the end of our contracts. After talking to the agent, we decided we'd get some lunch to kill some time before we met kirsten and Liz; who were on their way to meet us. It was a cool, rainy day - just the perfect kind to sit in a cafe and listen to the raindrops. Itaewon is the place to go to get good foreign food, so we were in luck! We decided to check out a place we've often passed but never eaten called The Flying Pan. Its name is a play on the difficulty that Asians have pronouncing their R's. It's tucked away beneath a few other restaurants near the Hamilton Hotel and is, secretly, one of the most popular restaurants in Itaewon. If you plan on going for brunch on a Sunday, you better call ahead, or be prepared to wait for an hour or more. It's a small place, so the manager will take your name and your cell number, and give you a call when your table is ready. Luckily, for Andrea and me, it wasn't too crowded and we were able to sit immediately.

I would say it has a very New York Bitsro feel to it. All of the tables and chairs are mismatched, and there are linen drapes lining the walls in some sections. there is very soft and natural lighting, and the whole place feels casually fancy. When we were there, they had bouquets of azaleas (my favorite flower) placed on the larger tables. The menu is a bit pricey depending on what you order, but all of the food is absolutely to die for! I had a lunch set which cost me around 9,000 won and included a cup of soup, a garden salad and the most delicious ham panini (with hummus, ACTUAL HUMMUS in Korea!). I didn't even finish everything because it was so much food. Andrea got the banana french toast (a signature dish) which was also very good, but more expensive. The staff was friendly and the presentation was perfectly thoughtful. The atmosphere was full of charm and quite welcoming - perfect for our rainy day excursion! I enjoyed my meal so much that I met Kirsten there for brunch the next day! This time I ordered their famous eggs benedict (the only one I have heard of in Korea) and basically went to brunch-heaven. It may have cost me 15,000 won but it was worth it! They have skilled baristas and offer a wide menu of coffees and teas. Kirsten's latte and my mocha both came individually designed. Kirsten's said 'love' and mine had a flower made out of the foam on top of our drinks. Kirsten got a good picture, which I will post when I get a copy. I spoke to the manager, as he remembered me from the day before. He was a very nice man, with great English! (I suppose you have t to own a place in Itaewon.) He gave me his card and said to call the next time I came so that he could get me a table, which I definitely will! I hope to go back there soon!

The entrance to the restaurant... just go down those narrow stairs.

From just inside the door.

Yumm!!!

My picture doesn't do the place justice.. but I felt like I was bothering people with my camera, so I didn't want to take any more pictures. The place is really very cozy!

Gamsam-nida, Anyong Hasseyo!

2008-04-16T03:13:00.000-07:00

These guys are my heroes. hahaha. I don't even know if their still in Korea... but their video has made its way through the English Teacher circuit (probably more than once), but I haven't shared it with anyone from home yet. Mostly, b/c I don't know if it will make sense! But anyway, if you're in Korea, I am sure you've already watched this, but if not... It's hysterical. It's a music video about life in Geumchon, Korea à la the Andy Samberg SNL Digital Shorts.

WISHES!!

2008-04-13T06:27:00.000-07:00

Whenever I needed cheering up at home I would go to Disneyland with my sister. And why not? It IS the Happiest Place on Earth. Well, Disneyland isn't exactly accessible from Seoul, but this still does the trick (almost).

Enjoy!

First reactions.

2008-04-11T03:07:00.000-07:00

So I've been in my new apartment for about an hour. I have kind of run the gambit of emotions.

I had an entire rant ready to post... but there's nothing positive in that. Please, PLEASE pray that I can get through this and act my age. I know I'm throwing somewhat of a hissy fit... but I don't do change well. Especially not stupid pointless change for no real reason.

I miss AFN. Damn cable companies! ARGH.

That's it! This move makes me feel like Charlie Brown. Good grief.

Moving Day! ... et cetera.

2008-04-10T06:03:00.000-07:00

Tonight is my last night in this apartment, as I am moving
at 9:00 am tomorrow. I've had enough time that I have gotten used to the idea, and even though I will miss my view(tear!) I am okay with it. I am sorry for the lack of updates lately but with the arrival of Spring, life as a Seoulite has become very busy! First, I thought I would post a few pictures of the apartment I will be leaving.. since I never did. Woops! It's a pretty normal aparment... but it has become a home to me. That may be because I covered the walls with pictures of everyone from home!

To bid my apartment farewell, I had a bit of a get together last Friday night. It was very casual, just a few friends and coworkers came over. We each had a bottle of wine (or two) that we'd been given by our bosses, and no one want to drink that on their own. So we swapped hagwon stories over Cabernet Sauvignon. I have to say, I really meshing my SLP life with my *other* Seoul life - and finally being able to introduce everyone to everyone. The hostess in me LOVED every second of it.. even though 'hosting' in Korea consists of buying tortilla chips (what a splurge!). Kirsten brought a strawberry cake from Paris Baguette - which was a huge hit, and there was lots of new friends being made all around. Lots of people started showing up (because I am kind of a big deal) so we relocated to the roof of my building so as not to bother my neighbors. Hanging out on rooftops in Korea, enjoying a spectacular view of Dongdaemun, so normal. What a great party it was! We definitely have to do it again.

A few weekends ago we all went out to celebrate Dean's birthday. Dean-o wanted a chill night with lots of friends... and what better way to do that than BBQ and a night out in Hongdae! We found a nice restaurant that had a lot of atmosphere for a BBQ place, and everyone ordered up plenty of Samgyeopsal, Cass, and Soju. After dinner we headed to Gab Bar, which is sort of becoming a regular haunt of ours, and had cheap drinks and no crowds. The fifteen people there for Dean's birthday were easily 2/3 of the people in the bar. Of course we shared in another Paris Baguette Strawberry Cake - another new obsession of mine! I want to find one back in America. After that we went to Bar Boom because you get free drinks for not being Korean. No kidding.. if you go there on a Saturday night, and you happen to be a foreigner, free drinks for you! We ended the night at FF (Funky Funky) dancing the night away to good old fashioned American Bar music.

Me and Dean-o on his birthday '08

Eating Paris Baguette cake with chopsticks. So Korean.

The CUA crowd headed to FF.

There's lots of news and many more fun things to look forward to for the rest of April, but I will leave those for a later post. This weekend I will post my pictures of the Cherry Blossoms, since I am hoping to go to a park or two this weekend and get my SUN. I can't wait to have my Rainbow tan back - I am ashamed I've lost it!

Till then, enjoy the weather (and Baseball!) wherever you are.

Still learning...

2008-03-28T12:13:00.000-07:00

I just want to say ... recently, I've had many an opportunity to remind myself: I am still learning. Seriously, I am not exactly 'old' ... twenty-two is actually quite young, and because of that I am still learning. We all are ... and that's okay. Just as long as we remember to embrace our lessons, accept the humility we are struck with, and do our best to stay POSITIVE! I think optimism is the best gift anyone can ever give. And let's face it, we all know it's contagious. I challenge you and myself -- stop complaining; find the silver lining, and relish in it. Life is an ADVENTURE! (Right, C. Smith?) And we all must learn to take what we're dealt as it comes.

Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

And... I have to move.

2008-03-25T03:38:00.001-07:00

So I was told today that I am going to have to move. I'm not exactly happy about that... I don't love my apartment, but I do like its view. I currently look out West onto the Dongdaemun skyline. I have a giant window and I get a lot of natural light. It's not a stretch to say that it's one of the things that has helped keep me going. When I get stressed about life here, or have a less than stellar day - I just look down on the street, or out to the city skyline take a moment to remember where I am living and what I've taken on. I know it's not the worst thing in the world, but I am really, really bummed out. I tried to tell my boss that I don't want to move, but they don't seem to care. I thought if I had to move, at least I could move to the apartment building where the other teachers live - but no. I am just moving down to the 6th floor (right now I am on the top floor) and to the other side of the building... so I will face ...more apartments. I am trying to be positive. And of course this all came about when I've just started to feel comfortable in my apartment, which could bum me out (and - as you can tell - kind of has) or I can see it as a gift of subtle humility, a new challenge, a sign or an opportunity to take some bad news and react with some semblance of grace. Ugh...we'll see how I do.

ALLELUIA! We made it. :-)

2008-03-23T05:50:00.000-07:00

I'm pretty much a dork about everything in my life, but I am a huge dork for my faith... and for a Catholic, it just doesn't get any better than Holy Week. During Holy Week we celebrate the holiest events of our history, and commemorate the institution of the Church itself. Even better, after forty days of Lent (when we do our best to live humbly, and work on our relationships with God, and each other, and basically just try to do better) at Easter we kick of FIFTY days of celebrating! A lot of people forget that part... yes we 'punish' ourselves for forty days (not exactly, but okay.) but after that, we reward ourselves and party for fifty!

I was looking forward to this time, since it is basically the best week of the year. Let me tell you, Korea did not disappoint! Granted, the services at my parish were much different than the traditional Catholic community I was blessed to grow up in, but they were beautiful none the less. After Easter Vigil on Saturday my friends and I all met up at a benefit to support the Bill Kapoun Burn Fund at the Wolfhound (which raised, I hear, at least 7 million won... but maybe over 10 million won! or $10,000). It was so fitting that in this time when we are celebrating the newness of life that one be remembered with such passion, love and generosity. Those of us who never knew Bill have been lucky enough to be a part of his life, and what he wanted his life to be -- it really was a miracle witnessed. To see the compassion and love shared by everyone in the cramped and crowded bar, remembering a friend, making new ones, and living out every moment of the gift that is life. AMAZING! And then of course a few of us splurged and met up for a DELICIOUS dinner at Syd n' Mels tonight. Eating a good hearty meal and laughing with friends - sometimes I think that there is nothing better in life. I couldn't imagine a better way to spend Easter! Surrounded by friends, celebrating love and life, and being happy with the paths we're on... and learning to enjoy the journey.

I wish you all Happy and Holy Easters ~ Alleluia!

St. Patrick's Day in Seoul

2008-03-19T02:55:00.000-07:00

You never would have guessed it ... but the place to be on St. Patty's Day, outside of Dublin or Donegal, maybe, is Seoul, South Korea! The Koreans hosted a spectacular prade and festival downtown that was organized by the Irish Association of Korea and the Wolfhound Pub. There was plenty of food, drink, and dance - and of course lots o' green. Andrea and I made it to the party and met up with a bunch of people from our notorious Lunar New Year trip. We enjoyed the afternoon, and made friends with the most awesome woman in Korea. This crazy ajumma (or, old woman.. basically) joined our group and danced, and DRANK the day away. She didn't speak any English, but that didn't stop her! She actually force-fed us Korean cookies. I can't say that having Korean old lady hands in/anywhere near my mouth was on my life-list, but I can check it off none the less. After dinner at a Thai place (we didn't want to wait anywhere else) courtesy of Richard (Thanks again!!) we all headed over to the Wolfhound where the party was just getting started. We met up with Kirsten and Liz, their co-worker Leah, and were later joined by Carla, and some other mutual expat friends. Basically, one way or another, nearly every person who I know in Korea was in this bar, AT THE SAME TIME! The whole day/night was a lot of fun. I had been looking forward to St. Patrick's Day because it really is one of my favorite holidays. Themed Parties aside, a day that promotes just being happy and friendly for the sake of it is all good in my book! And I felt so lucky to be spending it, with my fellow CUA alums, and a mess of new friends; in -of all places- Korea. What is my life!?

Erin Go Braugh! and Happy Holy Week.

Cheonggyecheon Plaza

The Cheonggyecheon is a stream that runs through Seoul. It has a gorgeous walking path with a bunch of fountains, murals etc. Cheonggyecheon Plaza is where the stream starts.

Andrea and the Irish flag/collage-thing. You could write on a post it and add it to the flag.

Being a good Irish Catholic; I chose green ;-)

From across the street as the festival died down... There were banners all over showing the Korean and Irish flags. Actually, I think my friends stole one.

The crazy ajumma right after she pulled Mullen into the circle o' dancers.

Sporting our green and enjoying the day!

St. Patrick's Day would not, nay, COULD not be complete without a Guinness, and I got this one for free!! Thank you Wolfhound.

Some friends from the Lunar New Year ski trip

I feel like this picture belongs on the wall of a bar somewhere - So happy!

Kirstin is lame and didn't wear green.

Everyone at Wolfhound.

Woo Jae

2008-03-14T09:43:00.001-07:00

woo Jae is one of my new students in Libra class, and he is adorable. He wears suspenders with his uniform, but not the "kid" kind... so he looks like a mini-stock broker or something. And he is constantly wiggling his nose like a rabbit! I couldn't help myself and caught it on video today while we were practicing writing our names. Enjoy.

Public Enemy Number One!!

2008-03-12T07:17:00.000-07:00

I found this gem online before going to bed tonight and had to share it.

Clayton Kershaw is one of the Dodgers most exciting prospects. It's not likely that he'll make it to the starting rotation this season, but hey, he's just 20 years old so that's not all that bad. That clip makes me smile. I'm an old-school baseball fan. I love small ball games and pitchers duels. Homeruns may be exciting, but I'd rather see extra base hits and smart base-running win my games. Kershaw's curve is killer and hearing Vin Scully (a god amongst men) call it makes it all that better.

I love this time of year!! When the weather begins to warm up. When the days begin getting longer. When Baseball's Spring Training is winding down, and everyone is dusting off their baseball gear for the coming Summer! When Holy Week is upon us, and we have one final week to dedicate to our Lenten promises before commemorating Christ's Passion and celebrating His Resurrection!

I guess you could say I have Spring Fever. I am so affected by the seasons and weather... it's crazy. Maybe it's because I was lucky enough to grow up in Southern California ... where we never really had seasons, and the sun shined most of the year. But it's no secret, that when the winter comes, I'm irritable. I don't like being cold. (But Erica, don't you love skiing? - Yes, I do. But I like to visit the winter. Enjoy it. And then go back to the beach where I belong.) The weather in Seoul has really warmed up the past week. And knock on wood that it continues to do so! It even broke 60 degrees today! Not even the dreaded yellow dust can break my spirits. Even though I won't be able to go to any Dodger games this year...sigh.... I am still excited for baseball season. I'll watch the games online - I'll be good. Aaaaand, professional baseball in Korea started up last weekend and I plan on going to many-a-game. I'll be rooting for the Doosan Bears... b/c the other Seoul team is the Giants and that's just against my nature. good news is the Bears' colors are blue and white!! So I can still say - with a new double meaning- THINK BLUE!

My High School has QUIDDITCH Team!?!

2008-03-10T06:41:00.000-07:00

So I've heard through the grapevine that the high school I went to for my freshman year has started a Quidditch team. hahah! The news is old enough that none of the local news articles will load, but from what I gather when I google "Rosary High School + Quidditch" a few Seniors have a league, complete with all four Hogwarts houses. I find it funny that they use the Hogwarts houses as their teams, as Hogwarts isn't the only place they play Quidditch... in the 'Wizarding World' it's like any other sport with professional clubs and leagues ... so essentially, these girls could just make their own teams up. Oh, well. It's obviously a club sport and apparently is the most exciting thing to happen at the school "since there were streakers a few years back." ... You see, Rosary is an all girls Catholic (no, with a name like Rosary?!?) school with one brother school and one sister school. (As an almost Rosary Royal I will say that the Servite boys like Rosary Girls better than the Connelly ones.) A group from the boys' school crahes Rosary's campus... probably every three years. It happened when my sister went there, and it happened when I went there... I remember when I was a Freshmen and three guys in just their jockeys (you'd think they would have the guts to REALLY streak!) came running through campus. There was more screaming than at any boy bands' concert, I'm sure. The entire school just started screaming and running around like the clowns were Brad Pitt and George Clooney .... ugh, I was really embarassed!

Anyway, they have a quidditch team.. that's cool. Good for them.

A Rough Week...

2008-03-09T06:42:00.000-07:00

I regret to write that a foreign teacher and his girlfriend, who were friends of a friend passed away this past week. I didn't know them, but I feel for their friends and his family. From what I have read and been told I've learned that they were amazing and an inspiring individuals. Please keep them and their family and friends in you your prayers. I am sure they are in a better place.

This news also comes on the heels of some other personal losses that I would rather not elaborate on out of respect -- but please, whatever your beliefs, just take some time this week and keep those lost, and those they left behind in your thoughts.

Eternal rest grant unto them oh, Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them.
May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

On a Happier Note - SLP Graduation

2008-03-07T09:09:00.000-08:00

So much has happened in the past weeks I haven't had a chance to write about SLP... but a lot has gone on at work too! February 25th was graduation for the IP (intensive pre-school) students. The kids had been practicing songs that we taught them - most of them were Disney songs or pop songs with the lyrics changed to be about finishing pre-school. I taught Libra class for the month of February, and we sang "At SLP I Grow Up" to the tune of "Under the Sea"

We learned many things last ye-ar, there's so many things we know.
Our tea-cher taught us last year, so now it is time to go!
Oo-oh! At SLP! .... I gro-ow up! ....
Now I can SPEAK! Now I can READ! Now I can WRIIIIIIIITE!
Now I can sing a lot of songs, and I can make a lot of friends; Listen to me! I have a sto-ry! In SLP!!!

It was cute. And I got to teach them cha-cha dance moves, so that was fun. But even MORE fun was Mars class' song. I didn't teach them so I wasn't supposed to pick, but the other teachers weren't sure what to do - and since I taught them to sing every 60s pop song I know... I helped them re-write Do Wah Diddy to be about graduating and going to elementary school. I didn't mind because it's no secret that I liked Mars class better. (Don't feel bad or judge me - Libra class were the ones that BIT each other!!!! read my posts from November.) Anyway, I knew that the kids loved Do Wah Diddy because we sang it every week in Music, and listened to it every day at lunch - so it was a sure hit:

For one year I have come to SLP; Singing Do Wah Diddy-Diddy dum Diddy do!
I have learned to write and I have learned to read; Singing Do Wah Diddy-Diddy dum Diddy do!

English! (English!) Is fun! (Is fun!) English is fun, and the fun has just begun!

The students seemed to have a lot of fun singing it, which was the main point anyway. Of course, no ceremony is complete at SLP without all the pomp and circumstance.... LITERALLY! The preschool completion certificates! (Well technically I had to sign 17 because one parent sent it back to school because she didn't like how Kimberly and I wrote our names... she thought it was too faint. ?!) At the end of the ceremony all of the teachers went on stage and spoke about their classes. Some of the teachers who have been hear a year got pretty emotional ... I just told my kids to always have fun, to never lose their imaginations (something Korean kids are SEVERELY lacking in my opinion) and when things got tough; to always remember to just "Hang Loose" and kids wore velvet caps and gowns and walked the stage receiving diplomas! I had to sign 16 say "No Worries!" .... then I told them 'hasta luego' ... like we said at the end of every day. :) If I accomplish anything while I am a teacher, it will be that my kids HAVE FUN and have a sense of humor about themselves. Being able to laugh at my troubles has saved me more than anything else I ever learned at school.

I have had new students for the past week at work. And I have to say, I've missed the old ones a lot! But more about that next time, in a few days. This post is already pretty long.

Min Jeong - I love this girl.

Do Wah Diddy!

You Eun and Su Hyun - They're way overwhelmed..

Young Seo, Bo Hyun, and Min Jeong - They look so grown up!

PS: Thanks so much to those who have sent their prayers and support for Will. It really means a lot. XOXO

So I had a gun pointed at me today.

2008-03-02T01:50:00.001-08:00

Every Sunday I go to mass at the International Parish in Hannam, and then usually head to Itaewon to get food and read for a few hours. I was walking to a foreign book shop in after brunch at RMT and this Korean guy (looked to be in his mid 20s) was walking around with his friend aiming a gun at people!!! He pointed it right in my face! I am hoping that it was maybe just a toy or a lighter or something ... but it really looked real. I was terrified. He pointed it down this hill and acted like he was going to shoot it, cracked some joke with his friend, and then stopped and pointed it right in my face! I froze and then he kept walking away from me.... I have no idea what he was doing, but seriously, what the heck? People scare me.

Snowstorm

2008-02-15T23:20:00.000-08:00

Winter in Korea is really long and it sucks. I am tired of being cold!!! As I have said many a time: I like winter, I like to visit it and then go back to the beach! :-) I am just really spoiled and grew up where during the winter you can surf and ski in the same day, if you wanted. A few weeks back there was a ginormous (yes, it IS a word) snow storm in Seoul, and I was not pleased. I shot this video to share, and then never got around to it. Maybe if you watch it, Spring will come. One can only hope.

2/18 EDIT: I got it to upload on youtube... now I'm on youtube. awesome... or not. anyway hopefully it works now!!

Namdaemun

2008-02-11T06:04:00.000-08:00

In Korean, 'namdaemun' (nahm-day-moon) literally means 'south gate.' Late Sunday evening, the South Gate of Seoul, regarded as Korean National Treasure no. 1 (literally, they number them) partially burnt down. Saddest of all is that the authorities suspect arson. The gate dates back to the beginning of the Joseon dynasty, constructed around 1395. It became a huge symbol of national pride after the Japanese destroyed the city walls around Seoul in the early part of the 20th century, and then when it suffered major damage during the Korean war. From what I have read, it's going to cost about $21 million and take about 3 years to fix. Major bummer. For those in the US, it basically equates to Capital dome smashing in. Yeah. Luckily I got a few pictures of it before Christmas.

So here it is, as it was:

And now:

I really hope they find who did this, although, to be honest - I am afraid for what may happen to them.

UPDATE: 2/12, they caught the arson.. and it was an old man in his 70s!! I guess he was doing it as some sort of statement because he was unhappy with the government. I guess most people are less mad with him than they are with the lack of protection the gate had given all that was needed to burn it down was a ladder and a few cigarette lighters. Still... super upsetting.

Jim Jim Bang???

2008-02-08T01:05:00.000-08:00

I'm hanging out in the lobby of the "hot spring" our tour is visiting over Lunar New Year. But as far as hot springs and Korea go - I'm 0 for 2. A hot spring here is not outside surrounded by the beautiful mountains and scenery with boiling natural water... it is more of a glorified public shower. Known in Korea as (and I am guessing on the spelling here) a Jim Jim Bang. I skipped out b/c I already took a shower today. I thought I'd just chill with Andrea and watch strange Korean game shows instead. To each his own Korea.. to each his own - but when it's a public shower, tell the westerners it's a public shower, not a "hot spring" ... because it's not.

Lunar New Year!

2008-02-06T07:46:00.001-08:00

Happy New Year! (again - unless you are in an Asian country) We have a few days off from work so of course all of us expats are taking the chance to do a bit of traveling! While some of our friends have ventured to Beijing, Japan and Thailand; Mullen and I decided to go on an adventure! We are currently in a part of Korea called Gangwando (North Eastern part of the penninsula) and at a fairly small but really nice ski resort called High 1 (?) - we are in condos and sleeping 8 or 9 to a room... which isn't all bad and gives a great chance to meet new people! We went night skiing tonight and have all day tomorrow to ski as well. The resort is a bit small but not bad. They have decent snow and nice curving runs! You barely have to turn at all, just follow the run down - so it's really easy to pick up a lot of speed! I am hoping that it's not too crowded tomorrow so that I don't take any poor Koreans out!!

After tomorrow we will go to Seoraksan which is supposed to be, like, the best National Park in Korea. Supposed to be really really beautiful... unfortunately my camera battery is dead and I haven't found an LCD charger!!! :( I will have to buy a Kodak funsaver tomorrow and depend on Mullen for photos this time around. I am a bit nervous because our hike sounds like it might be ... intense ... and I don't have any hiking boots. I didn't want to shell out 50 bucks for one trip so... hopefully my Asics will do. Cross your fingers that I don't slip off the mountain! And everyone enjoy your Lunar New Year's!!

Erica

PS: February 7th is my Grandmother's 93rd birthday. She's amazing and all around cooler than you! So, Happy Birthday Grandma!!

Blue Diablo

2008-01-27T03:27:00.000-08:00

I am cat-sitting fro Jen and Dean who are back in the states for a few weeks. They teach at public schools, so they didn't have the same vacation dates as the rest of us who teach in hagwons. But that meant that they wouldn't have to try and board their cat while they were gone, because I volunteered to take care of him. I really miss Amelia so I thought it would be nice to have a cat around, and I'd be doing them a favor .. so win, win, right? Not so much. He is a DEVIL!!! Jen named him Blue Diablo, and he really lives up to it. I now understand why some people aren't cat people, and miss Amelia a lot more!! He's still a kitten so he is reeeeaaaaaally hyper. He attacks my hands and my arms whenever he gets a chance and he's just destroying everything he can get his little claws on. Even right now, he is ATTACKING me.. I am kind of afraid to go to sleep tonight.

Jen, come back to Seoul soon!!!

My Thoughts About Heath Ledger

2008-01-23T01:18:00.000-08:00

As I am sure everyone knows by now, the actor Heath Ledger was found dead in his home earlier today (or yesterday, if you're not in Korea). If you haven't heard, read about it here.

I know that there are a lot of people out there that think "So what? He's just another celebrity... there is a lot of suffering in the world that deserves your attention more." If you're of that mind, that's fair, but you ought to stop reading.

Fact is, he was an artist, a father, a mentor to some (no doubt), and most importantly, a person. So the subject should be treated with at least respect if not reverence. As an actor I find his death extremely tragic. I admired his career and as you all know have been eagerly waiting to see his performance in 'The Dark Knight.' I am deeply disturbed that the cause of his death appears to be an overdose of sleeping pills, considering how impressed I was with the fact that his character work for the Joker apparently resulted in insomnia. He was a tremendous actor with what critics called a very promising career. To the public he seemed extraordinarily genuine and, honestly, happy. It is sad that we'll miss out on what would have continued to be a brilliant career. But it's definitely sadder to think of his friends and family that are personally touched by this loss. WB hasn't made a decision on if, when, and how they plan on changing their marketing of the latest Batman movie, which has so far been focused primarily on Ledger and his character.

Heath Ledger 1979-2008

San Diego 12 - New England 21

2008-01-21T22:09:00.000-08:00

Well, as almost everyone expected, the Chargers were defeated by the now 18-0 New England Patriots on Sunday in Foxburough. It's more than a little disappointing that the Chargers were held to only 12 points - ALL of which were field goals. But the shocking part is the new revelation that Rivers was playing with a partially torn ACL. He underwent some mini-surgery on Monday, didn't practice all week, and then played - really well, considering.. I guess - on Sunday. We had a slim chance of winning as it was, but with a beat up quarterback and no LT, I can't say I am surprised we didn't win (as much as I would have LOVED to throw it in the face of sportswriters across the nation!!!). I have to give it to New England; they played really well, and actually DIDN'T run up the score (although I don't know if I sould see that as class, or an insult).

The real upset came in the NFC game with New York winning in overtime with a 47 yard field goal. So it will be a rematch of the regular season finale for the Pats and Giants as they face off in the Superbowl in 2 weeks. I am conflicted. Who to root for? The team that makes the game seem so easy and (in my opinion) doesn't play with much passion or humility? Or the underdog, with a Manning (who insulted San Diego in the '04 draft..) for a quarterback. Which is better? Eli Manning winning before the Chargers do - but also insulting his brother by doing it much earlier in his career and ending the Pats' run at perfection on top of it? Or watching the rich get richer, seeing Eli Manning cry like a baby and waiting around till next year? ... rock and a hard place my friend, quite the rock and hard place.

To die-hard New England fans I have to say this: Congrats, and shut up. Tom Brady is a Yankees fan.

And for everyone else, there are 7 short little words that can cheer up any sports fan the day after their team is eliminated from the post season: 3-1/2 WEEKS TILL PITCHERS AND CATCHERS REPORT!

Think blue, baby.

San Diego SUPER Chargers!

2008-01-20T01:48:00.000-08:00

The Chargers face off against the Patriots tomorrow to battle for the AFC Championship. The Chargers had a sort of rough season, especially compared to their 14-2 performance in 2006. We struggled early, going 5-5, but ran the table and finished the season 11-5; entering the playoffs as the #3 seed. But in all sports, your regular season record doesn't mater much if you can't get the job done in the post season. And this year, Norv Turner and the Bolts finally got it done, rallying to beat the Titans in the Wild Card Round and upsetting the Indianapolis Colts in the Division playoff. Now they're set to put up a fight... and it's clear which team the media will be supporting tomorrow. If you have caught any sports news lately, they won't tell you about how the Chargers defense caused the most turnovers in the league this year. They will play up the Chargers record and compare it to the Patriots' undefeated one, but conveniently leave out the mid-season acquisition of Chris Chambers - who was still playing for Miami when the Chargers and Patriots met in week 2 - and the major affect it had on the team. All we've heard this week is about how Phillip Rivers is immature, and how the Chargers don't have a chance. The only reason people are attacking Rivers for smack talking on the sidelines is because there isn't anything else to criticize him for it. They make it sound like he is picking fights with fans instead of focusing on the game - and that's not the case. He just plays with a lot of heart, and gives the fans right back what they give him. It doesn't bother me at all, and I like that he has a sense of humor about it!

Long story short, I'm sick of no one - ESPN especially - giving San Diego the respect they deserve. Instead of reporting how the team fought back from a rough start, they're just a soft, warm-weather team, that doesn't have a snowball's chance in hell in Foxburough this weekend. I'm not an idiot, I'm not predicting a win for San Diego. The Patriots are a really good team, but so are we!!! I am predicting that it will be a good game, and hoping we win.

GO BOLTS!!

Stay Tuned, Folks!

2008-01-18T01:36:00.000-08:00

There two posts that I have been meaning to write, but haven't becasue first, I am lazy, and second, I've sort of had a social life (GASP! I know). I want to write about the way the Chargers have played during the pat two weeks, and the ever-present problem of band wagon and fair-weather fans... so that one will come soon. (I want to write it before the game on Sunday.) The other one is to chronicle my cutest day yet at SLP which was yesterday. Photos and (God willing) some video are coming soon too - so despite the lack of Korea-realated updates, don't go anywhere!!!

That's all.

The Dark Knight

2008-01-09T04:58:00.000-08:00

PS: If you know me then you know how excited I am for the next Batman movie. Batman is by far my favorite (and the best) super hero, and I have been a fan of Christian Bale for as long as I can remember. (Newsies, anyone??) On top of that, The Dark Knight looks like it's going to be an amazing movie. I love the direction that Christopher Nolan has taken the franchise in and I'm eager to see what he does next. At the end of 'Batman Begins' we were left with a teaser of the next installment, when GORDON (thanks Matt) lets the caped crusader know that Gotham's latest villain seems to have followed his lead by creating a theatrical alter ego and leaving a calling card... The Joker. (Only one of the best villains ever!)

Now any Batman fan could be nervous by this ambitious move, because who can ever come close to Jack Nicholson's brilliant performance? I've always had faith in the casting of Heath Ledger (his mouth is gigantic, so he's got the creepy smile down), and I've only grown more confident in his performance as previews of the movie have come out. But after reading the following, not only do I admire Heath Ledger even more, but I am positive, if nothing else, fans will not be disappointed by a "poor man's Nicholson"-like performance:

The Joker's character is based on his first two appearances in the comic books, as well as his portrayal in the graphic novel "The Killing Joke." To prepare for the role, Heath Ledger lived alone in a hotel room for a month researching the character and developing his performance, which he claims is based upon Sid Vicious and the character of Alex in A Clockwork Orange (1971). Ledger found the role extremely difficult, and suffered insomnia as a result.

Wow. Major dedication. I bet he does a really good job. How can you NOT be excited?!

I'm a Barbie Girl, apparently..

2008-01-09T03:27:00.000-08:00

Sorry for the lack of updates since I've gotten back to Korea. The flight was fine, the bus ride was ...ok, and getting back to work has been normal. Two exciting things (you could say) happened this weekend, and I realized that I seem to be a hot commodity in Korea (well, as long as the Koreans are drunk or crazy. Or both.)

Last Friday night the CUA crew met up in Itaewon to exchange Christmas and New Years stories over dinner at Santorini's (a VERY good Greek restaurant). After dinner we were walking to a bar to for a drink and this drunk Korean girl comes from behind us and shouts "Hello Barbie Girl! Happy New Year!!" ... So I waved and said hello thinking she'd leave, no harm done. Nope. Then she came up, shouting "Wow! Beautiful! Really Barbie. Really!" And then asked to touch my hair. Thinking it would make her leave I had a moment of weakness and said sure.. she SCRATCHED my head, gave me a hug, and started kissing me on the cheek. She wouldn't leave till I kissed her on the cheek. yea. It was strange to say the least. But hey, she was happy.

The next day, I was walking to the bus stop to meet Andrea, Kirsten and Liz at a travel agent. While I was waiting to cross the street I noticed a scruffy looking Korean man sort of twirling on and off of the curb. So, as one does with strange people on the street, I ignored him. Well, that seemed to really amuse him and, I kid you not, he began to follow me. And I don't just mean he went to the bus stop and hung out. I mean he was like my SHADOW. I believe he really was harmless but if nothing else it was so aggravating. He was in my face and shouting God knows what at the top of his lungs. I don't know why, but none of the Koreans around me were even trying to stop him. I missed my bus because I was trying to avoid him (you really have to flag them down here) so that meant I had another 15 minutes to spend with him while I waited for the next one. Well he really loved that and sat right down next to me. It got to the point where I couldn't hold it in and I finally yelled "Ka!!" which means go in Korean. That only got him more excited and he shouted some more. I actually tried to shoo him... which didn't work. One younger girl did try to help me and distracted him when my bus came, but he noticed, and GOT ON THE BUS AFTER ME! I wasn't too shocked when he got off at my stop, he'd come this far already. I couldn't help but laugh when I saw my friends and told them, "So here's the guy that's following me." It was so awkward. He was sure excited to now have four girls to follow around and started playing shadow again. I knew that just going into a coffee place or something wouldn't work because he was likely to just sit down next to us! So we went into a police station and explained our situation to the officers, which they found pretty amusing. We waited a while and when he didn't leave, the cops told us that we could go, and they would make sure he didn't follow us. The whole time we were inside the crazy man was standing outside with a huge grin on his face, seemingly pretending to be on of the cops and standing in rank with them ...?! As two cops held him back while we left he shouted back at us, I'm sure saying goodbye or something .... strange.

Both of these incidents are only more funny when you factor in that they happened to me - the person who hates making friends with strangers. I'm sorry, I don't know you, nor do I care to, I don't feel obligated to chat with you while we both wait for ... anything. And these two whackjobs I met only SUPPORT me in that decision as they were both crazy and best to be avoided. Good grief. Only in Korea!!

2007: Hasta la Vista

2007-12-29T17:42:00.000-08:00

I'm not usually one to celebrate New Year's (and I didn't really celebrate because I was on a plane, flying over the Pacific..) but so much has happened in 2007 that I feel some of it may warrant a reprieve. Looking back, I can't believe all that went on the past twelve months, I certainly was busy. I'd say it has been a good year, not with out struggles - or smiles. I've been faced with challenges on many levels, admired my friends as they faced their own, officially said good bye to my childhood and moved across the world. My 2007 was filled with new things: new cities, new theaters, new beginnings and new friends... not to say that I don't still have a place for all the old ones too! I guess the year could sort of be divided up into thirds; with my last semester of college, my summer (cross country trip with Kirsten, South Coast Rep, PAWS summer camp with Mark and Tom...) and then Korea! It feels like it couldn't all fit into one year.

Well it's now 2008, and I am back from my AMAZING trip home to finish off the last 9 months in my contract. Now that I have fully adjusted to life as a Seoulite, I feel like the time is really going to fly. But that doesn't mean I won't miss everyone at home - so Best Wishes to all of you, talk with you soon, and Happy New Year!!

Happy Birthday Jesus!

2007-12-25T14:36:00.000-08:00

I hope everyone is having/has had a nice Christmas. Christmas in California has been spectacular! My first meal back was a delicious dinner at Paco's Tacos in LA - yum! We had Christmas Eve at my brother's house and everyone exchanged gifts. The weather today is a brisk 68 degrees (Fahrenheit of course) and without a single cloud in the sky... just as it should be. Now we're off to our traditional Christmas afternoon movie - this year it's National Treasure. Merry Christmas!!!

Korean War Memorial and Museum

2007-12-15T00:37:00.000-08:00

It's been a busy time for us Seoulites, as Christmas (and trips home for most of us) is right around the corner! I wanted spend this weekend doing a few things that I have been meaning to for four months, but haven't yet, so that I would be able to share them with friends and family back home. On the top of that list was visiting the Korean War Memorial and Museum. It's credited as the largest war memorial in the world and noted as one of the top five things to do in Korea.

Liz and I went to the museum this morning and the whole experience can best be described as impressive. The Museum is very well organized and hugely informative; as well as interactive! There a lots of animatronic displays of famous battles and projected videos explaining their history. The museum fee was about 3 bucks and an audio guide was 2. They had guides in Korean, Chinese, Japanese and English! Basically, if you follow the plan (which is marked with arrows every 100 feet!) you circle up three floors, across the top, and then around the bottom three again. The first floor is all about Korea's history of warfare - which is mainly with China and Japan. The next two floors are dedicated to the Korean War; one tells the history of the war, and the other shows what life for Koreans and soldiers alike was like during the war. The exhibit ends with a combat simulator and a series of videos featuring veterans and survivors of the war (which were all in Korean). The combat simulator appeared to be closed - but that was okay with us. The rest of the museum gives information on Korea's involvement in other wars since the Korean War, and also has an extensive exhibit on the Korean navy and Korea's contemporary weaponry.

The most amusing thing was that many of the documentary-type films had famous movie soundtracks as their score - we heard Pirates of the Caribbean, Jurassic Park and Indiana Jones. That, or maybe the painting depicting the Koreans defense against Japanese pirates where in the corner one pirate definitely had a sword for an arm (sort of trumps Captain Hook). The most moving thing was an exhibit called "The Drop" which is a sculpture of a tear drop encircled with thorns of barbed wire and is made out of around 1300 ID tags of fallen soldiers. Also to the left of the entrance is a walkway listing all of those killed in action and what State or Province and Country they were from. Above it a quote from the Korean War memorial in D.C. is inscripted; "Our Nation honors her sons and daughters who answered the call to defend a country they never knew and a people they never met." .... Sort of sums up the sentiment of an American expat in Korea.

In front of the museum are a number of monuments dedicated to the nations who fought for the Republic of Korea (even though South Koreans still feel slighted that troops pulled out before unification was achieved), and to all Koreans, and many expressing sadness over the loss of their brothers to the North.

It was a great museum and a great day! We found out while we were there that the Dead Sea Scrolls have just arrived, and will be here till June! I had wanted to visit this exhibit when it was in San Diego and never got the chance, so I am very excited to be able to go after Christmas! Visiting the museum, I feel like I really learned a lot about Korea and definitely have a bit more perspective on the culture. Now it's out to (where else) Itaewon for some good Western food at an Irish pub called Wolfhound with Andrea, Carla and a few others. Tomorrow night we have our Secret Santa gift exchange amongst the CUA kids and then it's only 5 short days till I go home for Christmas. Can't wait!!

The Best 7-year-old EVER (with photo)

2007-12-10T05:19:00.000-08:00

For vocabulary homework my older kids have to write sentences for about 5 new words a class. The sentences that were due today were mostly titles: Mr., Mrs., Miss, etc. As I gave them their quiz and corrected their homework I nearly died from how adorable my student, Ji Su's sentences were.

Not only am I so proud because 3 months ago when I started teaching him, he could hardly read, let alone write a sentence, but how sweet is that?! I love him, I'll try to snap a picture on Wednesday so you can all see what a cute kid he is.

Season's Greetings!

2007-12-09T03:00:00.000-08:00

Hope you all are enjoying the Holiday Season , wherever you might be. Here's a quick video I shot walking to the subway last Wednesday night. Enjoy!

I don't know if it's Christmas magic or just the anticipation of being home SO soon, but the past week or so has been going really well. Christmastime in Korea is nice! All of the stores are really festive, and of course SLP is going all out with their celebrations. Really. Would you expect anything less?

That's what all the people say.

2007-12-02T01:04:00.000-08:00

I don't know quite what to make of the past few weeks other than that they've made me very thoughtful. Coming here has been an experience that I will carry with me forever. I haven't met many people, but the ones I have are wonderful and I hope to know them for a long time to come. I feel I ride a roller coaster up and down within each month, week, day, etc. here. Life as a Seoulite is so unpredictable! I guess it's sort of like in old school WB cartoons when out of nowhere the character would get hit over the head with a frying pan... you know that reaction they have? That mix of mostly confusion, with a bit of bewilderment, anger and pain; and resulting in frustration is what sits at the lows of my roller coaster life in Seoul. But there are great highs too! And sometimes the rides down to the lows are exciting and fun - and sometimes they make you want to puke ... but either way, I know the roller coaster is going to go back up again.

Today after church I went for coffee and then did some Christmas shopping in Insadong. One American guy came up to me and asked if I knew where he could get guitar strings, and I actually knew! When you're new to somewhere, it's always great when someone thinks you look comfortable enough in your surroundings to ask you for help. Then, shortly after, this random Korean man with very good English really wanted to chat with me. He was walking along and really interested in what I had with me. ?? It was pretty bizarre. After that four Korean college students approached me to take a survey for their class. I figured what the heck, and went along and they ended up being really cool and friendly! Then they took turns taking my picture - VIP status over here!

Some other not so amusing things happened too- which would be the frying pan to the face part of my day. But what can you do? As Frank would say, THAT'S LIFE!

MMM BAH PAH!!!!

2007-11-29T04:44:00.000-08:00

So this one time, the class of 2007 made a movie for their Gilbies, and it was awesome.

It's our way of poking fun at how insane a drama major/actor must look to any non-theater person when we play games, warm up or gather in large groups in general. Jen played the role of the outsider, and we played the role of monkeys. (A la Jane Goodald and her apes).

Basically, I get really bored at night in my apartment and live on my computer. Miss you '007s!!! If any of you see this I hope you got a good laugh.

Oh, Korean Kids

2007-11-28T05:13:00.001-08:00

The topic in class today was "Life on a Farm." We talked about raising crops and raising animals. and the difference between the two. Then when I asked them to name some livestock animals; they answer.. "Chicken. Cow. Sheep. .... Dog."

FEEEEAAAST!

2007-11-26T01:08:00.001-08:00

The title of this post is inspired by those AWESOME snickers ads. I think they're hysterical!

So, a belated Happy Thanksgiving and an early Happy Holidays to all of you! Naturally, as any American expat would be I was more than a little homesick last Thursday. But that's no reason to forget about what is truly one of my favorite holidays! The usual suspects (meaning Andrea, Jen, Dean, Kirsten and Liz) and I were able to get together and celebrate what turned out to be a really enjoyable Thanksgiving dinner. A bar in Itaewon called Geckos hosted a buffet dinner + one drink for 35,000 won - which is about $35-$40. They had some sort of yummy tomato dish, salad, pasta, two kinds of soup, salmon, cranberry sauce (not from a can either!) grilled chicken, pot roast, roast beef, AND - of course - turkey, stuffing and lots of gravy. There wasn't any pumpkin pie; but beggars can't be choosers! I ATE SO MUCH!!!! I couldn't help myself. I think I probably ate more than I would have at home even. Most important though, was that we were all in good company, eating a hearty meal and sharing a lot of laughs last week. Which is really what Thanksgiving is all about, right?

I still miss everyone from home of course, but it's not long till we are all going home for an all too short, and much needed break for Christmas. We've even all started our Christmas shopping ... shh!

FEAST!:

STORMWATCH '07

2007-11-19T06:27:00.000-08:00

Just one more tiny update before I go to bed... IT'S SNOWING! I guess it's officially winter... grrreeeeaat... :-$

15 years later

2007-11-19T01:48:00.001-08:00

As inspired by Jen's recent facebook note, I have decided to make a list of things in my life that are the same now, as they were in 1992 when I was 7.

I still...

...admire my older siblings and aspire to be like them more than anyone I know.
...never bother to clean my room.
...sleep with my stuffed animals.
...close my eyes when I brush my teeth.
...wonder if I am as important to others as they are to me.
...want to be the person someone depends on.
...am shitty at painting my nails (but love to do it).
...have my ears pierced.
...pick at annoying scabs on my ankles (so gross, I know).
...have a really hard time saying goodbyes before I am ready (Mom you'll love that one).
...talk too much.
...cry at the end of The Little Mermaid.
...find joy in the miracle of my faith (although I wouldn't have been able to tell you why as well then).
...fear judgment when going to confession. (I lied the first time I went b/c I didn't think I had enough sins!)
...think too much about the past and future and not enough about the present.
...love Newsies (it came out in April 92 haha!).
...watch cartoons.
...am indecisive.
...enjoy going out to a movie, or getting dressed up tp go to dinner and/or the theater.
...am VERY ticklish.
...look forward to donuts after church.
...love to go to Disneyland.
..."ooh" and "ahh" at fireworks.
...think my Daddy is invincible.
...call my dad Daddy. haha.
...get giddy from Halloween through the Epiphany (Jan 6th).
...count how many Valentines I get and compare with my neighbor.
...love to dance and to be on stage.
...want to be an actress when I grow up.
...LOVE my family and my friends.

What about you?

And the Days Go By

2007-11-15T04:46:00.000-08:00

The work weeks are so jam packed here that the weeks are really starting to fly by! I guess that's a good thing - but it's sort of alarming too! I need to make sure I don't let time get away from me.

For those of you who asked our girls' weekend away from Seoul was great! We ate a lot of junk food, did a bit of hiking and hit up the hot spring that was in our hotel. Let's just say that was an interesting experience and leave it at that, ;-). We spent most of our time in a town called Suanbo and were clearly the only white people for MILES! When we went hiking a few kids we passed seemed really excited to see us, and as soon as we passed them ran after us down the road. The views were really pretty and we were lucky to get a gorgeous sunset. We met friendly people all weekend and had a lot of laughs. Aside from a 4 hour bus road home through traffic, the whole trip was quite relaxing.

The plan from now till Christmas is to try and take it easy. I want to save up my money to bring it home and I need to do my Christmas shopping! I am anxious to get home for Christmas - it's only six weeks away! Can you believe it? I feel like I have been here for so much longer than two months - it's weird to think I still have 10 to go! If you have a minute - check out Andrea's blog this week - it's very good!!

Love to everyone at home - I think about you all the time!!

Peace.

Girls' WEEKEND Out and Happy Birdog to Carla :)

2007-11-09T00:34:00.000-08:00

-The Birdog is for you CUA kids. Miss you!-

I'm headed out of the city for the weekend! Carla, one of Andrea's coworkers, has invited us to go to Cheongju for a girl's weekend to celebrate her birthday. From what I have heard, Cheongju is in the "lake district" in Korea and fall is supposed to be the best time to visit. The plan is kind of up in the air, but I think we might hit up a hot spring while we're there... ?! Anyway, have a good weekend - I'm off!

NFL and The Dodgers

2007-11-06T05:40:00.000-08:00

This past Sunday in Minnesota the Chargers FOLDED to the freaking Vikings. Antonio Gates and LT were essentially eliminated from the game and we lost 35-17. .... and I bothered to wake up to watch the game live online at 3am. And then of course there was that other big game this weekend between New England and Indianapolis. A quarterback I hate with a team I'm indifferent to, or a team I don't like and a quarterback I respect .... who to root for? I opted for the best of both worlds and rooted for the defense. I just hope that Indy isn't so pissed that they come to San Diego and beat us next week --- Next Sunday the Chargers better show up, that's all.

ALSO - My Dodgers have been making headlines with the signing of their new manager Joe Torre. While people seem to be either loving or hating it, I am simply pleased. You could tell at the end last season that Grady didn't really have his heart in managing any more, never mind he hadn't had his head in it for years. So while he quietly retired the Dodgers snapped up Joe Torre weeks after the Yankees let him go (although if Joe Girardi hadn't gotten the job with the Bronx Bombers I feel that he might have been donning the Dodger Blue today instead.) Torre brings with him bench coaches Don Mattingly and Larry Bowa which means that this is just the first of probably many changes to come before next season. Of course I'll be here, but I am sure I'll keep up - and I will get home just in time to see the Dodgers in the playoff!!

Halloween at SLP

2007-10-30T08:55:00.000-07:00

Ok, Korea doesn't celebrate Halloween - but that doesn't mean that the hagwons don't! And my hagwon has the reputation as having the BIGGEST Halloween party among its chain. Basically, Halloween at Songdong SLP is the shit. Every inch of the school was covered in something creepy, crawly or just plain terrifing - right down to the headstones of Jason, Freddy and Pinhead at the front desk! (No joke)

Halloween is one of my favorite holidays so I was really anticipating the party we were going to throw at school. And then I stayed at work until 12:40 decorating my room... and I wasn't so excited anymore. Plus the bulk of the decorating fell on the shoulders of the foreign teachers since it's a western holiday... major bummer. In all honestly, it was all worth it b/c the kids really loved it, and would have never gotten a Halloween otherwise. But here's the rundown of our TWO day Halloween party... just for shiggles.

Wed, 10/31: IP (intense preschool) Students' Party from 10:00 to 1:00 - This part was pretty easy.. we just took the kids outside and they "trick-or-treated" for their parents. Which basically meant that they walked in a circle getting candy from their moms. Then we shuffled them from room to room and helped them play games... after that we had kimbap for lunch - and other than Jun Hyuck eating so much that he almost choked - the morning went smoothly. I dressed as Minnie Mouse, as did You Eun (one of my students). So my kids called me Mommy Minne Mouse all day and got major kicks out of it. The kids costumes for the most part fell in one of 4 categories: there were a lot of Snow Whites, a lot of Power Rangers, a handful of Harry Potters and a few Angels - and most importantly 150 happy preschool students that went home EARLY. Then came the afternoon students...

Wed, 10/31: AP (afternoon preschool) Students' Party from 2:40-4:10 - This was the kicker. On Mon/Wed/Fri at 2:50, about 180 kids come for English lessons at SLP... each of these kids were allowed to bring a friend. This meant that in the space of two and a half hours about 300+ kids came through my room (the skeleton room) and every other room at SLP. This wouldn't be quite so daunting except that only 1/2 the kids are SLP students, which means only 1/2 the kids speak English. Then add that these kids are older, mostly too cool to dress up and could care less about Halloween and more about the free candy and games and ... well yeah. It was exhausting to say the least. THEN...

Wed, 10/31: JH (Jump High) and Grammar Students' Party from 4:20 - 6:20 - ditto to above. Luckily these kids are a bit older, so most of them weren't into our "easy" skeleton relay race and cared more about the haunted house, so we weren't quite as busy. But of course our room ran out of candy and the kids practically revolted. At 6:40, I closed our room, didn't bother washing of my Minnie Mouse make-up and went straight home ... I was asleep by 7:00. It was great, haha! THEN...

Thurs, 11/1: We did it ALL OVER AGAIN!!! Except for IP, luckily. But we did have another short day! So Kimberly (my coteacher) and I taught Mars and Libra together and then sent the kiddies home at 1:00 again. The kids couldn't really focus because they were still hopped up on sugar and all of the Halloween decorations were still up - not to mention the teachers had to come in costume again, so that didn't help. Then we had Halloween for the afternoon students who come for Tues/Thurs classes (can't gyp them!) ... we were supposed to stay until 7:20, but I wanted to be sure I got to mass for All Saint's Day which was at 7:00, so I left when we had our break from 5:30-6:20... by the time I made it back to SLP the clean up was finished so I got off the hook there! Good karma I guess. I was so out of it I went home and crashed again...

I have never been so tired of Halloween in my life. But, like I said, it was worth it because the students really loved it, and I was truly able to spread the spirit of Halloween!! haha.

Peace,

Erica

It's Autumn, YAY!

2007-10-29T04:54:00.000-07:00

This past weekend we took a much needed mini-vacation from the city. A coworker/friend of Kirsten and Liz's put together a pig roast up in the local mountains. It was really great! There was plenty of food cooked up for us, lots of fresh air and scenery, good music and of course great company. We finally got a taste of fall with chilly temperatures (eh) and turning leaves. Those who felt festive dressed up in costume and some sported awesome wigs... Overall it was just a chill time. (Which was sooooo welcome because of the week I had.) After we got back to the city we went out for some good old fashioned Halloween havoc. Korea doesn't celebrate Halloween so for once the strange looks we got on the subway/metro bus were waranted. But the typical "foreign hangouts" had a few parties so we spent our night split between Itaewon and Hongdae. One place in Itaewon actually had pumpkin sugar cookies and goodie bags for everyone! I think the prize for best costume for sure goes to the guy at Rocky Mountain Tavern that was dressed as kimbap. (I'll be sure to post pictures of the best ones we saw soon.) And waht's more? I get two more days of celebrating because we have to do Halloween for all the kids at SLP... (Some students only come on Tues/Thurs and we don't want to shaft them!)

The gang - Happy Halloween!

Peace,

Erica

???

2007-10-26T02:19:00.000-07:00

You might think I am exaggerating when I say my kids are monsters. Well, this morning You June bit Jun Hyuck on his face. Why? Good question. You June brought sticker sheets for his friends today, Jun Hyuck took two, and wouldn't give one back... So You June bit him. ON THE FACE. ... He left teeth marks. I don't know how long he chomped down on him but Jun Hyuck had bite marks on his face all day. Charming.

Desiderata

2007-10-22T09:50:00.000-07:00

The following was written by Max Ehrmann, the history is highly speculated - most accept that it was a diary entry. I've always found it a comfort during new and hard or challenging times, especially the past few weeks.
Go placidly amid the noise and haste and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others; even the dull and ignorant; they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexatious to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in oyur own career however humble; it is a real posession in the changing fortunes of time. Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals; and everywhere life is full of heroism

Be yourself. Espacially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul

With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

Peace,
Erica

Swing low sweet chariot...

2007-10-21T06:57:00.000-07:00

Who knew that the classic gospel/slave hymn Swing Low was the song for the English National Rugby team? And their fans sing it with such passion... it really was heartbreaking to watch England lose in the finals of the 2007 Rugby world cup last night. It was a close game, which made it exciting for me, but a few new friends who know the game infinitely better tell me it wasn't the best they've seen. I guess it lacked action, but don't the championship games always? I find that the playoffs are typically much more exciting and dramatic, and then everyone plays it safe for "the big one" ... At any rate: for the third weekend in a row Mullen and I (and Kirsten and Liz too) dragged ourselves out to Itaewon in the middle of the night to watch England play in the Rugby World Cup. A coworker of Andrea's is from England and rivals me for most impressive/dedicated female sports fan. (For those of you who have seen me at a Dodger game - you know that's impressive). Mostly it was just amazing to be in a competitive sports atmosphere and to root for a team with your (new) friends. And even though the boys couldn't pull it off in the end (South Africa played an impressive game) I still enjoyed the night. The cheering, the singing, and the traditional breakfast at McDonalds as the sun comes up. Good times and good sports with good new friends. But next time it's Monday Night Football and MY team.... ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL?

Peace,

Erica

Feeling Sentimental

2007-10-19T03:08:00.001-07:00

China Day 1, Part 3

2007-10-18T07:09:00.000-07:00

So I may not be so great at updating this site - sorry. But for those of you who are curious, here is the next part of my trip to Beijing - which was almost a month ago now. (Wow.)

Okay, so after we went to the Great Wall, our day wasn't over.. oh no, on the smash and gab tour of Beijing our days were PACKED! We left the wall and drove about 50km back into the city ... the whole bus had a nice power nap to gear up before our (1) hutang tour, (2) visit to a traditional tea house and (3) dinner!

After our bus driver impressively navigated the narrow Beijing back streets, our bus unloaded into what looked like a dirt parking lot behind some temple-ish landmark that we never learned the name of. Still a bit groggy from my nap, it took me a second to take in the situation. Parked in front of us were about 15 rickshaw carriages, each with their own smiling Chinese driver. So we loaded our rickshaws two by two and started off on what I like to call the parade of the white people.

A hutang is really just a narrow alley. These alleys date all the way back to ancient China and the beginning of the city Beijing. That's about all the information we got beforehand: A hutang is a narrow alley. We're taking a rickshaw tour of them. Once our tour began I realized that they're not so much "ancient alleys" as the same kind of alleys that were always there... and not so much a tourist destination, as a Chinese neighborhood. We road (because cars don't fit) past groups of old men playing card games, mothers sitting outside with thier babies (and encouraging them to wave to us) and generally just people stopping and staring as approximately 30 strange white people took pictures of their houses. Just when I thought it was over, we got out of our rickshaws and were escorted into someone's house. Our host for the evening was a Chinese woman who - I guess - entertains tourists for some extra money ... ? (Not like that, get your mind out of the gutter! -- although the prostitution parallel is definitely there because her house is one of 5 that shares the same courtyard that once belonged to the dragon lady.) Anyway, then all had jasmine tea in her living room (we barely all fit!) and listened to a translator tell us all about the woman's family and the history of her house. After that, we got back on our rickshaws and rode to the bus. I don't know, it was definitely a unique ezperience - but completely bizarre at the same time. I guess I can say I've experienced 'real' Beijing... ? We drove about 30 minutes and visited a tea house before going to dinner. The restaurant was a typical Chinese restauant, but the chef's signature dish was his AMAZING mongolian beef. MMMMmm so so so good. (I definitely liked it better than the peiking duck, sorry Beijing). We spent about an hour at the tea house and tried 6 or 7 traditional Chinese teas, learned the best way to brew them and the proper way to drink each one. I have never visited a winery, but I imagine the experience was a similar to a wine tasting. We all bought way too much tea - most people bought it as gifts for friends from home. I opted for oolong tea because it's supposed be good for people who easily scar and also be anemics. But the big hit was pu-erh tea, which I hear increases health, cures the common cold and balances your checkbook! Okay, just kidding - everyone uses online banking now, how could it balance your checkbook....

Peace,
Erica

Spoke too soon.

2007-10-11T22:47:00.000-07:00

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand lunch was definitely octupus today.

So much for feeling like a master of Korean food.

How the mighty have fallen.

2007-10-11T05:09:00.000-07:00

The following is taken from a joint interview Michael Cain and Jude Law did for MTV promoting the upcoming release of their remake of Sleuth. Law is playing the same role Cain created in the 1972 original.

MTV: When you look at Jude's career, does it remind you of your own?

Caine: It's all a different ballgame for everybody. You do what you do, and that's it. I always said, when I'm an old man I want to sit there regretting the things I did, not the things I didn't do, because it's terrible to sit back and think, "If only I had done that, I wonder what would have happened." Well I did it all, and I know what happened. [He laughs.]

MTV: How is it that I have two of the most notable English actors working today and neither of you have appeared in a "Harry Potter" film?

Caine: Nobody asked me.

Law: Yeah, nobody asked me either. We're running out quick, aren't we?

Caine: It's not my sort of film anyway.

MTV: They've never approached you, Jude?

Law: No. I was a bit old for Harry.

Caine: I haven't read the books. I haven't seen the films. They're children's films. I don't watch children's films.

I just lost some of my respect for Michael Cain. (Even if he IS Alfred opposite Christian Bale.) Oh you don't DO children's films? And for whom, may I ask Mr. Cain, did you make The Muppet Chirstmas Caro l for? Plus, why do people have to be so closed minded about Harry Potter?! Seriously, it's just FUN people. Can't adults have FUN? And right after that whole bit about regrets...

More of China to come this weekend.

Peace,
Erica

Oh Cultural Assimilation, you know...

2007-10-10T21:51:00.000-07:00

Ha. You know you've officially past the "new to Korea" point when you eat the lunch at your school and clean your plate. I actually enjoyed the food today, ate everything but my kimchi. (I have eaten it, but the kimchi at the school is disgusting.) Granted, yesterday I didn't touch the food (fried squid, spicy bean sprouts, fish soup and pickle kimchi) ... so I haven't changed too much. But I did use my chopsticks with tremeandous skill today.

Cages or wings, which do you prefer? Ask the birds! ...

2007-10-09T06:23:00.000-07:00

...Fear or love, baby? Don't say the answer, actions speak louder than words.

[Jonathon Larson, Tick, Tick, Boom!]

You know, I am pretty sure that I check this blog more than anyone else. Sometimes I wonder why have a blog, when I can just do the mass e-mail list-serve thing? (Especially b/c people can't avoid their inboxes, while they actually elect to visit this site.) But you've got to admit that there are other ways to keep in touch. Why do I post it, and why do I check back? Maybe it's that this the closest thing to a tangible link to everyone I love who is far away. ..If you've gotten an e-mail from me recently, then I apologize because this is likely to be most of the same ramblings.

Living in Korea is not easy. That's the best way I can say it. The philosopher in me wants you to read that sentence very carefully. It's not "hard" but rather, "not easy." Make sense? This year was going to be hard no matter what. But it's such a strange thing to live here. Over the last four years, I was able to - for the most part - know what was coming, always. I had class syllabi (syllabuses?) for the immediate future, the Hartke season was set, any important dates or events or even just vacations were already scheduled 2 years ahead on the CUA calender. I planned my courses with all of my four years in mind, so I roughly knew that in 6 months I would be taking such-and-such a TRS course, some Philosophy in area I, drama classes X, Y, and Z and had room for however many electives if I wanted to have Fridays off from classes again. I knew I had a job in the department if I wanted it, and I knew that there would be a number of directing projects, class performances, and student shows that I would have the opportunity perform in throughout the year. ---Take that in for a minute. --- All at once I knew both all to well, and had no idea how secure my life was. And now, I am living in a sort of reciprocal of that existence. (Quite fitting since I am on the opposite side of the world.) In many ways my life is even more predictable. I work at SLP Monday through Friday with the same schedule every week. The material I am teaching isn't nearly as stimulating as the material I was taught in college (I mean, they are six.) so there's no variety there. The curriculum is standard at every school, so I basically just follow the directions in the Teacher's guide. And SLP has fewer holidays than even CUA did so if I wanted, I could sit down for a few hours and write down exactly what I will do for every work day until my contract ends in 2008. ... So one could argue that my life is more secure now than ever. My rent and bills are paid, I could very easily just show up to work and tick the days away ... but then again I could also drive ice picks into my eyes, but I am not about to do that. And I wouldn't say my life is secure either. My job is secure, my well-being is secure. But my life? That's as unpredictable as it has ever been. After 5pm I have no clue what my life holds, or what my "purpose" is. (Oh how Avenue Q ... apologies) I don't know if I will get the chance to act here, although I highly suspect that I will. I don't know who I will meet - or even if I will make any lasting friendships. I can't know what my definition is. For nearly 22 years I was a "student" and now? Well we definitely know I'm not about to check "Teacher" with any sort of universal pride (no offense to anyone who is...) and if I can't find a theater here, would I really check "actor"? And while that can all seem very overwhelming, I believe that it's the best situation I could be in. College was the place that I learned what I want and practiced how to get it. It was hard work (note: not 'not easy') to get through and because of that we were rewarded with more play time and the social acceptance of debauchery. But real life doesn't work in such a simple way. It is much more sophisticated in the way it unfolds. "Real life" (if there is such a thing) doesn't force you to see the opportunities it gives you. In college you know they will come, and then you are beat over the head with them. Real life takes much more patience and faith. To achieve what one wants, or even; to live the life one is fated for, one must keep an open mind so that he or she is able to see the chances presented to them. I love that subtlety ... to me it makes every day more exciting. A lecture by a professor at Carnegie Mellon University named Randy Pausch has been circulating youtube. In this "Last Lecture" he says something that I know I will be quoting for the rest of my life and that's that, "Luck is where preparation meets opportunity." I don't know ... just some food for thought.

Peace,
Erica

Day One, Part 2 (and The Hills? - I don't know, just go with it...)

2007-10-07T02:08:00.000-07:00

*Cue some sort of Chick-Rock Empowerment Music and a montage of aerial views of Beijing and various shots of my friends and I laughing...* Previously on this blog. Mullen and I adventured to Beijing. We were having the time of our lives and despite shopping detours, we eventually made our way to the Great Wall of China. After buying jade souvenirs, we were on our way - we weren't going to let any more drama ruin this. --- Oh. Wait. Sorry. There's been an MTV reality show marathon going on here and for I moment I forgot myself, and that even though they're insanely addicting - everyone I know is (or appears to be) leading a much more fulfilling, exciting and all around better life than 1/2 the people on those shows. I know its an impromptu rant, but being abroad and from Southern California makes me realize how much I resent the way the rest of the world perceives "California Girls." I resolve to become famous and show them all what we're really like.

Okay, rant over. The REAL point. This post is the second part of our first full day in Beijing. So after the Jade City (where I bought 2 items - a very sweet cross pendant and a "happy family sphere" for my grandparents), the Ming Tombs, Chinese soju and lunch we were finally headed for the wall. When we were 1/2-way there, our guide pointed out a partially built amusement park on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere. He told us it was supposed to be Beijing's Disneyland but they lost funding and just quit the project. Nobody bothered to demolish it and so it's been there about 20% complete for nearly ten years. Now, I don't know if he just translates "theme park" as "Disneyland" or if it was official. There was a good size castle being built though so, who knows?! I took pictures as the bus sped by for everyone at home. WISHES! Of course, as much as I love Disney, I am pretty sure the Great Wall trumps anything they could come up with. The drive to the wall was really strange for me. It was so - normal. I am not sure what I expected but it seemed so surreal to be speeding through the suburbs of Beijing towards one of the most famous landmarks on Earth! And then, before we knew it, our bus was weaving through the curved roads, and if you looked up the side of the mountain, you could barely make it out. Immediately the cameras started flashing, our fist views of the Great Wall!

The "North Pass" of Juyongguan pass, known as the Badaling. When used by the Chinese to protect their land, this section of the wall has had many guards to defend China’s capital [Beijing]. Made of stone and bricks from the hills, this portion of the Great Wall is 7.8 meters (25.6 ft) high and 5 meters (16.4 ft) wide.

When we got there it was much smaller than I expected - not that it wasn't enormous. But in my mind I had built it up to be massive, and it was actually quite narrow at some points and very, very LONG. So - with that, sort of unceremoniously, we began our climb. And I'm not joking when I say climb. I feel that the Republic of China should change the name from the Great Wall to the Great Stairs because, man alive, my Rainbows and I were not cut out for it. In my 6 weeks of being here, I haven't regretted forgetting my Tevas at home more than that day. It wasn't only that it was a steep climb, but that the steps were completely uneven. As you climbed higher, of course it got progressively more difficult. The banister on the side didn't so much reach your arm, as your ankle, and instead of walking up stairs, I felt like I was climbing a ladder. Some steps were nearly 20 inches high and only about 6 or 7 inches deep! One had to look just at the step in front of them to avoid vertigo. Of course, Andrea and I stopped every chance we got and snapped pictures of the scenery. Everyone on our tour was taking pictures for everyone else and double checking they turned out perfect -after all, this isn't a picture you'll get to take again. And thanks to digital cameras, we could all be a little vain and make sure we looked our best. After we'd been climbing a fair amount of time, we found the spot we knew we wanted to take THE picture. If the Great Wall were a landmark in the states, this is where you would have found the "Kodak Picture Point" marker. Our first attempt at our picture was no good because the Chinese men we'd asked to take it wouldn't get out of the shot. Another man walked by and translated for us as I was trying to get my camera back from them saying, "They are saying they would like to take many more pictures of you..." Yeah. Skeevy, what?

Anyway, after that we were invaded by Korea. Seriously. A Korean Taekwondo team came charging up the wall behind us, in uniforms and all, with their director leading the way with a giant Korean flag. They were shouting "Korea!" as the ran - yes RAN - up the wall. Next thing we knew, Andrea was trying to take my picture and a number of Korean boys were surrounding me sporting either peace signs or their best spidey-poses. So we played along and posed for some pictures with them. It was really hysterical, they were so enthusiastic! One of the girls on the trip was at the watch tower ahead of us and caught an amazing aerial photo of the incident. After we felt confident that we had snapped the shot that Andrea and I will frame forever, we proceeded to climb on. The views just grew more and more spectacular as we went. We reached a watch tower that we were able to climb up to the to of - so we did. This was probably the most difficult part of the climb though. The stairs were super steep (CUAers, think of the stairs leading up to the catwalk by the projection room - okay now steeper than that, and with no handles). In addition, the stones were worn down so much that they were very slick and actually curved in the middle where they had been walked upon for at least over 1000 years! The Chinese man who followed us up and later, down them was concerned, and yet very amused by us silly white girls attempting this in flip flops. After taking the bird's eye view of the pass, and the whole valley, we climbed back down and continued.

If we'd realized how close to the top we were, I am sure we would have pressed on. But because we only had a half hour before we were supposed to be back on the bus - and we did (ironically) want leave some time to shop for souvenirs - we climbed up to what we believed to be another watch tower. When we reached it we realized it was a refreshment center and toilets, but hey, whatever. We took a few photos and some videos and began to make our way down. Some of the other people on the tour had caught up with us and we found out we were only about 5 or 10 minutes from the top but we still elected to just head back. (Whatever, it just gives me a reason to go back! Shanghai, anyone?) Walking down proved just as difficult as climbing up and I nearly fell once. It was pretty amusing, actually, because I caught myself and was fine. - If anyone did though, I would be the person to fall down the Great Wall of China. Right? - Going down the stairs was also trippy for me too because my depth perception was off because of my cold. It got to the point where I just put one shaking leg in front of the other, and tried to just keep my head up and walk down. It felt just like dancing or even being on stage in general. Just walking down the stairs without looking, and trying to use my core to keep me in one piece. And, because I have no shame, I carried my arms in second position whenever there was room to help keep myself balanced. All in all it proved to be quite the workout! Everyone had jelly legs after we'd reached the bottom. If anyone stood still on their feet for two long, you noticed their muscles just start to spasm as if to say "Are you kidding me? Give me a break!" So, we did! We bought postcards, and more ice cream to celebrate; took some old bottles of water and tried to wash the filth from climbing off our hands and feet, snapped our last shots of the wall and went home.

Climbing the Great Wall: completely normal day. Yeah, right. I could probably write or talk about those 3 hours of my life for 3 years. Aside from all the fun memories made with Mullen along the way, there were so many emotions (shocker) that I felt. It was almost like I went on auto-pilot for awhile and just climbed without thinking. In visiting and climbing the wall, I became part of something so much infinitely larger than me. People have been climbing Juyong Pass for 2,000 years. I am one of millions to have walked there. When we stopped on top of the one watch tower I just tried to imagine who had been there before me; what the man who in the dead of winter 2,000 years earlier patrolled that tower to protect his kingdom was like and what on earth would think if someone told him that one day some 22 year old in sunglasses and flip flops would pose as Mary Jane for a bunch of Korean taekwondo students in a spider-man picture... All joking aside, do you think he would have ever believed that his post would become a tourist destination? How many people have climbed there before me, and how many still will after me? That wall has seen more than you or I could ever comprehend - and to me that just seems - je ne sais crois! It's like there's a part of me that's always going to be there. The Chinese call people who climb the wall heroes, (and if you like, for about 10 bucks you can buy a souvenir certificate that officially proves you are one) and I feel that it's fitting.

Peace,
Erica

Day one, Part one.

2007-10-01T08:06:00.000-07:00

Okay. So, Our first full day in Beijing what else would we do but go to The Great Wall of China? Well a few things, actually - shop, a lot, and see the Ming Tombs. But first we had a sweet "Western Breakfast" at our hotel. They actually had half and half. I could have cried from the joy. I miss good ol' American drip coffee and cream more than I ever thought I could. Our tour loaded the bus at 7:40 am, sharp, and headed off towards our first stop, the Ming Tombs. To my surprise we the bus made a detour. I hadn't realized that a tour of the "Jade City" was our official first stop. We spent about an hour total at a jade factory and learned about the qualities of jade. The purest jade actually begins white and turns to green as it is worn. The body heat and the circulation of the wearer cause this to happen - that's why pendants are typically worn long enough to hang over the heart and bracelets are always worn on the left hand. I resisted temptation and didn't spend all of my savings in the discounted store, but indulged and bought a cross I am very proud of. Some people went nuts though. There we were, having not even SEEN any of China yet and people were dropping major sums of money on souvenirs and knick-knacks. I couldn't believe it. After too much shopping some slightly irritated travelers got back on the bus and rode to the Ming tombs.

Now first off, I couldn't find a landmark brochure to save my life, so I had to go old school and actually follow to tour guide. As David told us, the tombs of the Ming dynasty are located about 50 km north of Beijing at the foot of the Jundu Mountains. There are only two tombs open to the public and we visited the larger one (belonging to Chang Ling). The spot was chosen based on its natural feng shui - the mountains to the north keep out evil spirits and the arrangement of the valley did something to capture good fortune, guaranteeing a good afterlife or reign and whatnot for the emperor buried there. In both Chinese and Korean cultures (and I'm sure many more) one's burial place is incredibly important, and would be moved if after your death your family hit hard times in hopes of placating your likely unrested spirit. I have to be honest, we really breezed through the tombs because we were only able to stay there about 40 minutes, and being the first thing we did on the trip, I wasn't totally aware of everything I was seeing because I was still so overwhelmed! It's sort of awful to say and I bet it's going to kill my karma or something. but I feel like the Ming Tombs were a warm up for the whole tour of Beijing. They were spectacular none the less.

After the Tombs we stopped for lunch and low and behold MORE shopping. This time around it was at a copper factory and we were able to see some Chinese copper vases being carved and painted. Plus they had cheap gelato and it was starting to get hot. We had another delicious meal and were treated to complimentary Chinese soju. Now for those of you reading this from Korea, you should know that the Chinese definitely one up us on this one. While Korean soju has some kick (and isn't my favorite drink..) it does go down smoother than some "western" liquors, Chinese soju is 56% alcohol and definitely earns its nick name of "fire water." I wasn't going to pass up the opportunity to try some (when in Rome...) but I chickened out and had only 1/2 a serving (about a 1/4 shot), but it still got the job done. My sinuses cleared, I was forced to give a bit of a cough, and I was pleased because it all meant I was actually able to taste our lunch that day. (I got a cold they day before we left. Andrea can attest, it made me pretty grumpy...) We finished up lunch, Mullen and I splurged and topped it off with the forementioned gelato (a trend most of our bus followed, and we'd like to officially take credit) and set out for another 40 minutes to Juyong Pass... also known as one of the oldest parts of the Great Wall of China.... !

You'll have to stay tuned for stories from the wall though because this post is already really long, and I want to do the experience justice. But following are a few pictures to tide you over, go nuts.

China? Yes, Please!

2007-09-30T02:59:00.000-07:00

Alright. So I've had a chance to recuperate from the trip and am ready to attempt telling you all about it. As you may have read on Mullen's blog, our Chinese vacation got off to a bit of a bumpy start. But the second we landed, our awesome tour guide, David, took the reins and the trip ran very smoothly. If anyone is looking to travel from Seoul, I definitely recommend using Xanadu. Typically it's a bit difficult for foreigners to get around Beijing because their public transportation leaves much to be desired and so few people speak English, but every detail of our trip was taken care of for us - including three meals a day!

When we first left the airport we were running behind schedule because of flight delays (again, Boo Air China!) so we had to push back the Temple of Heaven and went straight to the Peiking Duck restaurant (so delicious). And for the record, to everyone from college that I ever ate Chinese food with that didn't order communal dishes. I have now BEEN to China and Chinese food is MOST DEFINITELY served FAMILY STYLE!!! So I was right (no shit, Sherlock) and you were wrong and I hope you have all of that wasted food hanging on your consciences nice and heavy-like. From there we went to a Chinese acrobat show that our tour company called a circus. I was expecting it to be sort of similar to the atmosphere of a luau in Hawaii...sort of folksy and cultural. However, this "circus" really ended up being more of a recital type show for some random acrobat school for teenagers. While it was impressive, I felt awkward being there. There was an audio-visual section of the performance that told us a story behind each performance, which was poorly translated into English warranting phrases such as "Watch how the umbrellas booms with floweriness." One of the highlights of this performance was definitely the warning before-hand letting us no that smoking, pirating and waging nuclear warfare were strictly prohibited.

Then of course there was the 10 year old tight rope walker. Saying this kid was impressive is an understatement. After he got his balance on the rope, he took to swinging it side to side and riding it like a wave. After he'd gotten that down he started to do the splits - on a tight rope up in the air, he did the splits! And then finally he started flipping on it - big deal... ! After he'd finished he flipped off and then at the last moment gave a shooter/thumbs up to the audience. Mega cute. Other than that, I'd have to say the final act took the cake for me. It was a trick bike riding segment - but don't think BMX. Like 10 kids all came out on to stage and started riding bikes in circles.... then, one by one, they all stood up and balanced on their seats, and still managed to keep their bikes under control spinning around on the stage. After a bunch of variations of that, one of the riders continued to ride in a circle, while each of the other acrobats climbed on to some part of his bike. By the end, he was riding around in a circle with probably thirteen or fourteen people configured into a pyramid on his back. Crazy impressive. After they'd finished that, all of the acts came out, the MCs asked us to "give them our hands in clapping" and sang a song called "Number One!" while jumping around on stage. It was eerily similar to "Can You Do It..."

After the circus we just went to the hotel - which was the nicest Best Western I've ever stayed in. I would say it was more comparable to an Embassy Suites. - and hit the sack so we could be up bright and early for the next day of our trip: Ming Tombs, "Jade City" (jade factory), The Great Wall, and

Anyway, Chinese circus. Check.

Stay tuned for details from the rest of the trip, probably a post a day but I'm not making any promises.

Peace,
Erica

PS: And for those of you wondering, I have fully mastered the art of using chopsticks and am not offered a fork at any dining establishments.

See? (Dinner at a Szechwan restaurant - SPICY!)

Chuseok in China - The Cliff Notes

2007-09-28T07:20:00.000-07:00

Trying to sum up the last seven days of my life is sort of a challenge. When I try to put it into words I almost don't believe it all myself... So, I guess I'll just stick to the basics for now.

This past Tuesday was the Korean National Holiday of Chuseok, which is similar to Thanksgiving in the US. Because of that, we all got Monday through Wednesday off from teaching - and we consider ourselves extra lucky that Chuseok fell on a Tuesday this year because that meant we got 5 consecutive days off from work. Perfect for a mini-vacation! So, after being in Seoul for just about a month, Andrea and I opted to spend our five days off traveling to China. We booked a tour that spent 4 days and 3 nights (Sunday through Wednesday) in Beijing and included all our meals as well as the typical tour guide-y stuff. The trip was nothing short of spectacular. It got off to a bit of a rocky start because our flight was delayed and customs was a mob scene, so we missed most of the first day. But our Chinese tour guide (David) and our Korean travel agent (Jenny Lee) were awesome and adjusted the itinerary so that we would still be able to see everything we'd planned on.

China is a really wonderful country and Beijing is awesome, of course. The sites were gorgeous and the entire city had a sort of mysterious feeling to it. I really had to pinch myself. We visited a bunch of things over our four days there - each of which I will detail in its own post. ... anyway, more details to come later but that's all for now!

Peace,
Erica

High Times, Hard Times...

2007-09-21T08:45:00.000-07:00

My title describes the life of any sports fan... and for sure any sports fan that follows sports in Southern California.

This post has little to do with Korea - but hey, we all need a break now and then. I had an easy Friday night with Mullen consisting of dinner at Fridays and coffee at Starbucks. If it weren't for the grape flavored dinner mint or the tiny portions we might have forgotten we were in Korea! On our little excursion we passed the MLB store in Meyong-Dong (shopping district) which I ran to like a kid on Christmas... only to find it A) closed and B) filled only with Giants and Yankees gear. I threw up a little in my mouth at that point. Anyway, when I got in tonight I caught up a bit on my sports teams. I've been following the Chargers, but football season just started... and the horrible record of the Dodgers as of late has made me not want to read the team news. So I was just browsing dodgerblues and reading the asshole of the moment section and I read that Brett Tomko is a Padre...? WTF? When did that happen? Not that I care, he pretty much blows. But seriously, it's so weird to be out of the loop.

I miss sports, so much. And I'm not lying when I'm secretly pleased that the Dodgers are going to miss the post season. I would die if they won the world series - or even made it TO the world series and I couldn't be in at least the US, if not LA to watch. Football is another story altogether - I can't watch any of it here and I miss it so much - but I want the Chargers to contend this season. I don't want them to win it all, but I don't see that happening in Norv Turner's first year... but I feel like the Chargers are just starting their climb to dominating the NFL and have no doubts that I will be in the US to watch their dynasty unfold and to throw it in the face of every Oakland. Raiders fan. LT for life, San Diego SUPER Chargers baby!!!

Peace,
Erica

Boo Air China! BOO!

2007-09-18T21:30:00.000-07:00

I just got an e-mail from the travel agent that Mullen and I booked our Beijing trip through and apparently Air China over-booked our return flight. So I get a 100,000 won refund and one day cut off my trip.

Boo Air China... BOO!

First Round of Pictures

2007-09-18T02:08:00.001-07:00

As promised, a few pictures from the past three weeks.

One last good, strong cup of coffee for awhile. "Venti" doesn't exist here!

Killing time at LAX during while our flight was delayed.

Patrick served as official ipod holder while Mullen and I watched Prisoner of Azkaban.

Uhm, we're in KOREA!!?!

Leaving the airport.

Ladies and gentlemen,

...my...

... view.

WOW!

Movies in Korea are crazy cheap.

And, they have churros too.

This is where we went for dinner on my Birthday.

Best gift ever (from Mullen) -- they really love California here.

Coffee Bean for dessert

Liz and Kirsten bought me a (DELICIOUS) cake from Paris Baguette

Mullen and I found Greek food in Itaewon

The food was so amazing -- it warranted a picture.

At a "Western Bar" called Gogo's ... they played Sublime here!

Just in case you thought it was a fake one

Would you like some waffles with your coffee? Because you get them.

This is one of their malls. (This sign made me think of Tolmie)

A 'musical fashion show' started behind us at 10 pm on a weekday...

And then there were fireworks, but Mullen and I thought they were gunshots.
(No Joke)

(no caption needed)

This is Korean BBQ -- so good.

Soju, it's ike Korean vodka., and they drink it A LOT.

This was supposed to be an "early night" ... yeah, right.
.

much love - fin!

Hope you liked them, stay tuned for more.

Peace,
Erica