New Styles and Joel in Seoul

It’s hard being away from home for so long. Holidays and birthdays seem to amplify that homesickness. And it was time for my birthday... Luckily, I have an amazing boyfriend that planned the best birthday ever for me, which is no easy task in Korea. Don’t worry, Mom…that surprise party for my 18th birthday is a close second!

The events of the day were a mystery to me, so that made it all that more exciting! We started off the day with a quick trip to our favorite coffee shop for lattes and a bagel (doesn’t begin to do the Bagelry justice). After the hour commute into the heart of Seoul we were in Myungdong—one of the shopping Mecca’s of Korea. As you can guess, Scott took me on a bit of a shopping spree. It was great! Although the clothes were fantastic, I think the best part was that Scott lasted well over his 10-minute shopping limit!

After that we were off to our next surprise location. Scott knew I wanted a new hairstyle, so he made an appointment at the renowned (among the expat community) Zen Salon. Coincidentally, it was the same salon and stylist I was planning to book, but just hadn’t got around to it. Thank goodness for procrastination! The salon was exactly what I needed—a little pampering and they even had English magazines, so I could catch up on my celebrity gossip!

Now that I was looking good with my new duds and ‘do it was time for the main event. And was it ever! After one of our classic running through the subway moments and a quick taxi ride we arrived at Olympic Stadium Gym where none other than Billy Joel was in concert. What an amazing surprise! We sang along to Billy’s tunes and even snuck down onto the floor and danced to a few songs. He’s getting old, but you couldn’t have guessed it that night. The concert ended with a solo performance of one of mine and Scott’s favorite songs, Piano Man…and the whole arena joined in.

It couldn’t have been a more perfect day. Scott really outdid himself! I’m already wondering what I’m going to do for his next birthday…in October!! It’ll be a tough one to follow. And of course the cherry on top was all the messages from everyone (and even a couple packages ~ thanks Mom and Marcee). It’s amazing what a little message can do when you’re so far away from home. Thanks again!

Just a little side note as well. Scott wanted me to make sure everyone took a look at his outfit in the caricature above. He's trying out a new style and wasn't sure if the scarf and pink shirt were really him. Be sure to leave a comment with your thoughts!


Much love ~ Mindy

Bungee Jumping, Cats, Weddings and Parties

Mindy and I are reaching the half way point of our stay here in Korea. We think of home often, but in the interim we have been very active and having a blast with our friends and the everything we do.

We have picked up another kitten (see below for the next short post on him) that is the cutest thing since..."cute". He is quite a snuggler (so far) and it looks like he is going to be a long haired one! We are throwing around the name Ziggy because of his small "zig zagging" tail. We have gone bungee jumping! It was my first time and I was terrified, but it was exhilarating. Something I was never sure I would do. To top that off it was a surprise birthday present and I am afraid of heights (or used to be)! For my birthday, and five of my friends with close birthdays, we helped plan a big group birthday party at a bar in Seoul. The band was great and we danced the night away... eventhough Mindy and I left "early" at midnight to grab a burger.

Mindy and I have now gathered a full set of rock climbing equipment and we made some great routes with our friend JP last weekend. We got the climbing bug. I took my first damn big fall that day. It was a 10 foot swinging fall and it managed to scare everyone including the surrounding Koreans. I came to a stop about 5 feet off the ground. If you look at the pictures, you can notice how one of them is blurry. This is because JP took it just as he started running away because, as he told me later, "You weren't looking to steady there and I didn't want to get bowled over." I was yelling for tension and Mindy got pulled right up off the ground. Luckily she was roped to the ground for my climb. It wasn't the vertical fall that was so bad, but the pendulum motion that resulted from me drifting too far right. It was my first big "whipper"! My butt still hurts!

The day before climbing we hit up my Headmaster's daughter's beautiful wedding. It was set in beautiful Olympic Park (site of the '88 Olympics). The food was fantastic and we got to meet some great people.

While I got to go hiking with my school on a day off Mindy's school took her to Everland (Korea's Disneyland). She got the better deal. We have partied all over Seoul, mastered the art of karaoke and met some great new friends.

This weekend I have set up a big group outing for a bunch of our friends for....*drum roll*...more bungee jumping! Thought I would turn jumping 150 feet off a tower into a social gathering. The day before, we will be spending Saturday running through the woods and getting pelted in a fierce game of paintball, or if we change our minds, we will be rock climbing. In early November we want to plan a group camping trip to a great park in Eastern Korea. We might even do some climbing.

As you can see things have been moving pretty fast here and we are thankful for this as we are on the homestretch! Looking forward to seeing you all in six months!


-Scott

Katnapping in Korea

Aaaah. My classes are finished for the day. I can finally relax and get some planning done for next week. I think I'll open the window to catch some sunshine and the last of the cool breeze before the real cold hits. I pick up my pen, flip through the textbook, and begin creating the best English lesson ever when....

Meow. Meow. Meoooowww.

What's that? I've heard that tiny, high-pitched sad little sound before. I am reminded of capturing Ninja (our precious, little, rambunctious , scratch-happy, biting, meowing-all-the-time kitty) not so long ago. It's the cry of a kitten who's lost its mother. Oh! What should I do?!

This is where most people would either ignore these tragic meows or simply close the windows. I, on the other hand, am not most people. Instead, I run downstairs, stopping to change into my 'outside' shoes (one of those lovely things about Korea), and head across the street toward the meowing. They have stopped (of course) so I proceed to do my best impression of a mother cat. And...it works (I had plenty of practice with Ninja). Now I know the location of the little guy.

With a little help from my co-teacher, Bruce we are able to go into the neighbors gated yard to find the kitten. You might be wondering, 'Couldn't it be her kitten?' Not likely. Koreans don't really like cats, especially strays and especially black ones (bad luck). She's happy to have us potentially rid her of this kitten. We see the little guy under the stairs and hold out a can of cat food for him. Again, remembering the Ninja ordeal I never thought the scared, little cutie would get anywhere near me. Well...I was wrong. He's so hungry that he barely notices I'm there. So, I take the opportunity to snag him.

Now what am I going to do? I hadn't planned on having another cat, and what's Scott going to say? He's still dealing with his allergic reaction to Ninja. I'm sure another cat will really help that situation! I call Scott and tell him what happened. We decide I should bring the kitten home and we'll take it from there. We can always find someone to take him, or possibly give him a big meal and put him back in the country (ya right).

* * *

Well, it's been almost a week now, and we still have the kitten. He's so adorable. We love him! I'm not sure Ninja feels quite the same way though. We have to keep them separated until Ninja gets neutered, and HOPEFULLY calms down a bit. Until then, Scott and I will try to keep them apart and quiet (nearly impossible), as our landlord doesn't know we have cats (or so we like to think)!

So, that means that Scott and I now have three cats. Two in Korea and, of course Sage back home (who I miss soooo much!). We're about one away from becoming crazy cat people! Luckily, the weather is getting pretty cold here in Korea, so there will be no need to have my windows open. No way to hear the Korean kittens that need rescuing. It's very sad, but we can only do so much!

---

Why, Why, Why Would you Vote for this Woman?

This will not turn into a political blog, but this just has to be seen.  I was reading about Palin in an opinion column the other day and heard about this interview.  This is what Sarah Palin thinks about the recent, but failed, bailout from Congress.  Do NOT vote for this woman or her ticket. She will be second in line for the most powerful position in the world.  This is the most nonsensical spew I have ever heard from a person running for office. Not to mention the second most powerful position in the world.  She is unfit. Period.

"Sports Day", Choreographed to Music

A few weeks back my elementary school had what every Korean elementary school has, a Sports Day. I was really looking forward to seeing the kids run around and sit, essentially, in complete silence as I can't speak with anyone.

For those of you wondering why Mindy and I can't speak conversational Korean yet, it is a combination of many variables including: 1) Motivation is low when you are a couple and can get by just fine with miming stuff 2) Laziness. Self-explanatory.

I assumed Sports Day would involve, you guessed it, sports. What I learned was that sports were a very small part of the entire day. In reality it was more of an opportunity to bring honor to the school by showcasing the school's ability to manipulate boys into wearing insanely effeminate (yes, these are pictures of boys) clothes; march students around in a fashion that was only a tier below goose-stepping; and their ability perform choreographed sports.

[By the way, if you want to see the pictures of my extremely cute students just click here or under "Picture Albums".]

The day started with me showing up, much to my own behest as all other English teachers I knew didn't have to attend theirs. Honestly, I was, as usual, happy that I didn't listen to whining. The kids were so happy to see me and excited for me to assume the position of photographer.

Thirty minutes later the "sports" began.

Side note: I'm listening to Barry Manilow's Coppa Cabana. "...the hottest spot north of Havana...music and passion were always the fashion...have a banana".

It started out with all the kids lining up by grade (six grades, 120 students. A very small school), measured two arms length apart, all wearing white t-shirts.

Not too bad yet.

The administrators introduced the "VIP" guests, which included the town's mayor, a local school's principal, some provincial administrators, and a very wealthy financier. These individuals sat in the shade of a tent and where served tea, juice, and snacks.

Ok, this is getting a little aristocratic and Roman Coliseum on me.

What happened next was something out of McCarthy's Red Scare tactic films. The administrative dignitaries stood on the raised podium, about 10 feet above the field, and started to talk to the students with great vigor. After a brief speech I heard the popping of the speakers. Soon after, emanating from them was the indistinguishable sound of a trainer giving brief instructions then counting in Korean (something I can do). Something to the effect of

"1 and 2. 1 and 2. 1 and 2...."

The students counted in unison; stretching, squatting, twisting and turning. What topped it off was scratchy record like sound. It was a scene: Kids in matching shirts, doing choreographed stretches, on a dusty field, with flags flapping in the wind, and dignitaries looking on nodding their heads in satisfaction. I was trying to keep an open mind. I thought, hey when they get to the sports this will be more of an actual sports day then a presentation.

Side Note: I'm now listening to the Bee Gees' Stayin' Alive. "You can tell by the way I use my walk I am ladies man..."

Following the stretches, the classes filed out to the blowing of whistles that was timed to their marching steps. They were moving to their next designated destinations and doing so in an orderly fashion. The youngest classes where brought to the starting line where they raced, while the most Baroqu-esque of music was playing, in groups of 3 to 4. A teacher motioned and they took off down the dusty lanes of the race track. Once crossing the finish line the 1st-3rd place finishers where grabbed, literally, and directed to stand behind the posts marked either 1st, 2nd, or 3rd. Every student raced and was lined up like cattle behind the previous race's placer.

After that event was finished the students were marched off the field, via direction of a choreographed flag waver, to prepare for a dance routine. Within 15 minutes the students participating in the dance were back on the field in the appropriate matching attire.

To keep this post from being redundant and too long, the day continued like this. Dance, sport, dance, dance, dance, sport. I had no idea the spontaneity and visceral nature of sport could be stripped away so quickly. Did the kids have fun? Of course they did.

You know, some Koreans may question my musical taste. Well, I question some of their passion and spontaneity.

....Where it began. I can't begin to knowing. But than I know its growing strong. Was in the spring and spring became the summer. Who'd a believed you came along. Hand touches hand! Reaches out touches me touches you...!