Typhoon Bolaven

Kind of stressing about this typhoon. Supposed to be feeling the effects from this evening until tomorrow evening.

This is from about 12 hours ago. It has since passed Okinawa and is going to skirt the West Coast of the Korean Peninsula. Hooray.

Supposed to be most severe in the morning tomorrow as the center is projected to pass a predicted 100 km west of Seoul.

Have to say I'm glad to not be living in Icheon now.

And to have extensive hurricane experience in order to handle this shit at least sort of calmly.

This is a pretty big storm we've got comin' our way folks... 

Will hopefully have internet throughout. If I can, I'll post a vlog sometime tomorrow!

Gardening... sort of

When I was in elementary school I have fond memories of setting up a garden with my father and picking green peppers, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, strawberries and the like. Granted, I mostly supervised while my father did the vast majority of the work, even though I swore I would pick weeds, water, plant and harvest everything myself because "please please please daddy! All I want in this whole wide world is a garden!"I pretty much just stuck to the harvesting. That's the fun part anyways.

Well, at my school's summer camp, I was teaching an English science class and we learned about plants and seeds and such. All the students got little bean plants to grow at home, and we did some activities comparing seeds to full grown plants. As a result I ended up with about six packs of unused seeds, some planting stuff and one leftover bean plant.

So what did I do? Why naturally I decided I'd get my urban gardening on. I also managed to discover some old planters just sitting under the stairs out on the balcony next to my place. I used one and have planted up some spinach which is just starting to sprout. I've also still got my bean plant, and am working on some four o'clocks (a big decorative trumpet flower that blooms PINK!)

We'll see how this all goes, since it's almost fall. I should have done this earlier I supposed, but I haven't.

Additionally, my boyfriend Jong Hoon is growing watermelon from seeds he spit out from one of the many watermelons his parents bought him and his brother this summer.

In other news, I have internet at my house, and the fall semester officially started today...

I've also decided to try to resume blogging and to make this blog a personal blog about Korea/my life and keep my tumblr to kpop related things.

My awkward body.

This has nothing to do with the "that awkward moment" meme because this wasn't an awkward moment it was just this super awkward body thing I did today. I was walking to the store (all of three minutes, on foot, away), wearing my flip flops and tank top. Perfect weather.

I'm approaching the store, but I have to cross the street. I have two options: 1. wait until the traffic stops and I can cross (it's a small street, but with a fair amount of car traffic, especially on Saturday afternoon) but this could take up to three minutes of waiting. OR 2. At a lull in traffic going one way, dart through the cars. They usually aren't going very fast, so they all generally stop.

Option 2 is the option I usually go for, as do most of the people who live in my neighborhood. It's generally not dangerous.

Why I Teach: Cindy

Today I was reminded exactly why I am teaching in the first place: for the beautiful beings that are children. For their minds. For their futures.

This is how it happened:

My morning was rough, my mind filled with a whole boatload of things I had to get done before I go to Jeju tomorrow for an ultimate frisbee tournament. I also had all my lowest level classes today, for six hours straight.

In my fourth class, grade 2 (elementary school), one of my hardest classes to control, a girl named Cindy came up to me sheepishly and quietly said, in Korean, "teacher today I couldn't do my homework." And I was overwhelmed with other stuff so I kind of ignored her. And then as class started, I began checking the students homework as I always do for the first five minutes of class. When I got to little Cindy I said ok Cindy no homework. You see, this student has never done homework in class. She's a sweet girl and she works hard in class, but for almost a month and half she hasn't done a single page of homework. And as I move to the next student I suddenly realize Cindy is crying. Not a little, but a lot, these great big gulping sobs, and everything stops. The students are drawn like magnets, which I know won't help. So I take Cindy outside and sit down with her for a good almost five minutes and we talk about her homework.

She says to me, again in Korean, I don't know how to do the homework. It's too hard and I can't do it. And so I said to her, if you can't do because you don't know how, I understand. You can come see me any time when you don't know how to do your homework. In the mornings, or lunch or after school. And so I told her we can do our homework together during lunch time today.

But she made some excuses like what if there isn't enough time after I eat, and I thought maybe she was just upset that she couldn't get a sticker because she hadn't done her homework, and that she didn't really care at all. But I told her, just come and we will do what we can.

And then at the end of class Cindy came up to me and she said, as always, in Korean, Teacher, I will not play today after lunch. I will come straight here, and then I will come after classes end too if I have to so I can finish my homework.

And you know what? She did just that.

She came at lunch and worked on her homework in class with me and her classmate Sally who is even more of a beginner at English than she is. And then the moment class ended she came to my classroom door with her books in her hand looking at me like, let's start!

And we did. We did one whole chapter of the workbook, which is a lot (about two and a half weeks of homework almost) and she just worked her little butt off. And then after a whole hour of just me an hear looking at her workbook, I had to tell her it's time over and I had to work. And she said to herself, "oh I don't want to stop," and then looked at me and said, "I'll come tomorrow at lunch."

I don't think I've ever felt so fulfilled doing what I'm doing that I did at that moment when she showed me just how bad she wants this, and how much she trusts me to help her get there. Her English is not bad. She is probably much better than the rest of her class. But her confidence in English is no good. I will make that change 100 percent. She will be the class star by Summer vacation.

Mark my words.

I bought this today:

Chef Wally

I've been cooking a lot lately.

I made almond chocolate chip brownie cupcakes, which are DELICIOUS, and from a box (well, I added the chocolate chips and almonds and, in a stroke of genius, put them in a muffin pan).

I also made this soft tofu soup. Sarah, if you are reading this, this is what I made when I was back in Gainesville with you. This is what it's supposed to look like. It's not nearly as spicy as the stuff I made in Gainesville. You (sarah, and everyone else) should definitely give it a go. I posted a recipe on www.reallywally.tumblr.com

Here is a picture:

Brownies, Refrigerators, Hulu

Well, it's been a roller coaster end of 2011, and here we are going through another breath-taking corkscrew and 2012 is only a couple weeks in.

On Friday, I discovered that my refrigerator had broken, and that the inside of my refrigerator was no longer cold. I also discovered that the chicken breasts in my freezer had dethawed and spilled chicken juice all about my freezer's insides.

It was then I went down to my landlord and, all in Korean mind you, expressed that a problem had arisen in my apartment, involving my refrigerator. And when my landlord remained unmoved, I knew I was in for a treat. It was at that moment that I realized the refrigerator was in fact my refrigerator, which I bought along with all the furniture in my apartment (including a dresser, microwave, sofa, dresser, t.v., water dispenser and the fridge, apparently) for 200 US dollars.

2011 in Review.

It was a year of LOTS of changes. Here's my recap by the month.

January: Watched Korean Dramas: My Princess, Boys Over Flowers, Secret Garden. Enjoyed my last winter vacation at Incheon.

February: 14th: my first Valentine’s Day with Hoon. Making peppero (pocky) all by myself. 16th: Kitties. 24th: BigBang Album 25th: My First Big Bang Big Show. 

March: 14th: White day with Hoon. (Big Box of candy and Hello Kitty make-up bag!!!) 27th: Seoul Fashion Week

April: 8th: BB Special Edition Album Release. 17th: Angel Price Festival w/ BB. 29th: Best. Birthday. Ever. Se7en's Chicken Restaurant 30th: The time I met Big Bang.

May: 24th: First trip to YG Building 

June: 1st: Daesung’s Car Accident. Heavy online hate from Daesung fans for translating Korean news articles. The end of Big Bang Promotions

July: 13th: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows 2 (aka the end of my childhood)  20th: 1 year anniversary 29th: last day of my Middle School Teaching job 30th: Moved to Seoul

August: 8th: narrowly skirt typhoon and get bumped to business class on flight to USA 9th-26th: America with Hoon. HARRY POTTER WORLD. 26th: narrowly skirt hurricane and barely make it back to America 30th: begin work at new hagwon

September: 1st: first day of Korean classes at Sogang.

October: 20th: Old Middle School’s Festival day, visit. Mid Terms. Visa Run to Japan.

November: 11th: Sogang first quarter finished! All A's! 20th: My grandmother passed away. The first person in my family I've lost while abroad. Probably won't be the last.

December: 1st: Sogang Korean Winter Term Starts! 2nd: Hoon & my 500 day anniversary. 4th: YG Family Concert 22nd: Sogang Classmate White Elephant Party 24th: Pre-K closes, lose job 29th: Get new, better job. Must quit Sogang. 31st: New Years Cocktail Party. HAPPINESS.

That Time I lost my job on Christmas.

It's been literally ages since I've posted on here, but this is big.

So here begins one of my most depressing stories from my time in Korea.

As I had written not so long ago, I have been working for a pre-school academy part time since September. I loved my students and my co-teachers, even if there were some things that were annoying and stressful and not so wonderful about the job. Plus, it gave me a visa and a salary which was/is critical for me to continue living in Korea and studying Korean.

My visa was slated to run until early November of 2012, but it looks like I won’t be using it for quite that long.

My Hostel in Japan

It's Japan!

Last minute before moving

It's 10 pm on Friday.

I will move tomorrow around 6pm.

I am a little annoyed that it is so late, but I don't really have much of a choice.

I have all my clothing packed (except the stuff that is still drying from my laundry yesterday).

I have all my bathroom stuff packed.

I packed everything in my bedroom (essentially).

My kitchen, however, is a freaking disaster.

I can't pack up kitchen stuff because I just don't know how. It's totally over my head.

Also, I ran out of boxes (I have one left and all my kitchen stuff left to pack)

But, I am way better off than I was in the last move.

Plus, I got word from the part-time job that she will pay for the visa run IF I get my fbi background check by the first week of September. That gives me one month. LET'S GO FBI!

Please, everyone, fingers crossed please. I really need this job. Like seriously really need it.

Moving and Tears

I move to my new apartment on Saturday, which I'm sure I've mentioned like 600 times.

Tomorrow is my last day to come to Shinheung Girls Middle School. Next week I have an English camp at another nearby middle school.

Today I have to move a bunch of my boxes and stuff from my office.

Yesterday I had my last dinner with two of my co-teachers (the two I am by far the closest to)

We went to the same place where we had our first teacher dinner, mostly just by coincidence.

It was fun and talk-filled, but seriously, it was so so so so sad. Seriously. I cried like a baby. We took some polaroids and ate and chatted, and we all cried. And they gave me this beautiful pair of earrings from J.Estina and I just can't tell you how thankful I am to them.

They have helped me when I didn't know enough Korean, or when I didn't know where to look for something, or when I needed to sneak out early to go to the post office or bank, or when I just wanted help with anything. They have so much stress as homeroom teachers and with paperwork and discipline and extra classes I never could understand how they managed it, but they always did everything they possible could to make my life that much easier.

It's not like I'll never see them again, but I won't see them in the same capacity, and it's just so crazy.

A huge chapter of my life is closing. And a new chapter is opening. It's exciting, but bittersweet.

I'm no longer in the beginning of my Korean life.

Stress in Korea

I'm continuing to have a moderately stressful time here in Korea. I am two days into my final week at my middle school. I am packing things up in boxes and praying I don't forget anything too important here at school.

I officially move on Saturday July 30. No, I have not packed a damn thing in my apartment yet. I haven't really had time to do any packing. I'm hoping to really buckle down on Thursday and Friday.

Today I have to go to the Immigration Office again to attempt to file my visa extension. So far my visa extension experience is as follows:

• Call Immigration Office for information. Get convoluted answers and the response that to get personal information I must visit immigration office in person.
• Go to Incheon Office of Immigration. Deal with an idiot who has no idea what is going on (partly because no one has any idea, including myself, what the rules are)
• Call Immigration Office. Am told I will probably be required to go on a visa run because they cannot process visa applications in advance (one month is too much notice???)
• Call Immigration Office again. Speak to helpful woman who reassures me that I should have no problem extending my visa anytime from now until I leave for America. She reiterates that I will have to return to the Immigration Office after my vacation in America to fill out some additional paperwork. No problem
• 7/21 Call Immigration Office again to confirm required documents and procedure. Am told that I may be able to file my employment transfer form at the same time (if I am lucky).
• 7/22 Go to Seoul Immigration Office with the following items: visa appointment reservation ticket, passport, Alien Registration Card, apostilled and notarized diploma copy, my current school contract, new hagwon contract, hagwon's business and teaching licenses, 30,000 won, and completed immigration forms 34 and 38-3
• Wait until my appointment time. Go to appointment desk. No one is there. Get help from a not very nice looking employee who offers to serve us since there is no one in the appointment booth. My new Korean boss explains why we came and what we are looking to do. Without so much as looking at any documents checking a computer or doing anything, she says I cannot file for my visa extension until within 15 days of my visa expiration. Unfortunately, I will be in New York City, Philadelpha and Florida at that time. My Korean boss explains this, and the women says I must bring in my airplane tickets to show I will be gone and then they will process it early. I have already explained my whole situation on the phone with immigration help a total of five times at this point and there was never, ever an instance in which I was told I needed plane tickets. 
• Return home defeated.
• Discover in my mailbox a letter from immigration. It reads: Your visa will expire soon. If you plan to extend your visa please go to the nearest immigration office and complete the necessary paper work to do so.
• WHAT. THE. FUCK.

So I'm going back this afternoon, with all those documents, my plane tickets, a big innocent help me smile, and I'm going to find the youngest, nicest looking male employee and inquire with him about my appointment and pray that he helps me and lets me apply in advance. Because this is just getting absurd.

After the immigration office I am paying my apartment deposit and buying all the furniture from the current tenant.

At least I have an apartment, right? The only problem is that I am not sure if I'll be legally permitted to live/work here.

lol

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows 2

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows 2 was great.

I cried approximately 4-5 times (including one moment when I’m pretty sure I was the only one crying, but I was sobbing because this is my entire childhood ending)

Hoon loved it as well.

Actually, Hoon I think liked it better than I did.

Most of it was awesome. Most of it.

Spoilers (but not really as I don’t give anything away, especially if you’ve read the books) below:

Sorry

I feel a little bad because I've let this blog kind of fall by the wayside a little, which is unfortunate. I've been really busy with the other blog and giveaways and stuff (if you are into kpop, check it out here)

Plus tumblr really is a much easier platform, and nicer on the eyes.

Nonetheless I will try to recap the last few weeks, but it's been a haze in a lot of places.

I tested 650+ students for speaking exams. Every student at my school grade 1-3. Grade one had a dialogue which they had to translate to Korean and memorize. The dialogue was pretty simple. But the students had real trouble memorizing it, I noticed. And grade 2/3 received three questions. They had to choose one and prepare a speech answering the one question. This went better than the dialogue, but not that great. Grading was the most difficult thing as I got no guidance regarding the division of grades (I am under the impression that ideal distribution would be like a bell where the largest number of students got a middle score. I was later informed that 20-30% of all students should receive a 10/10. lol My grading scale had to change quick.

Then I had my open class. Open class is a period when your class is open for your principal, other teachers from your school, teachers from other schools (foreign teachers and native teachers), and district supervisors to come in and watch and evaluate your lesson. Then there is a open discussion afterwards. Luckily, I knew most of the people who came in to watch and I got great feedback. Also, my class was PERFECT. So that was a relief because the class I had tends to be crazy talkative.

Now, exams are all finished, and I've got 6 more days of school left (I think it's only five days of classes, if my memory of last year serves me right). Today was my first day telling my students that I won't be around next semester. It was actually really really sad. I had some not very good classes today, and it was still sad. When I have class with my grade ones, and the grade threes (who are the only students I've taught the WHOLE time I've been here) it's gonna be super hard. I didn't cry today, but I almost did.

Well, what's next?

I have been accepted to study Korean at Sogang University (not a big deal, the acceptance, they accept everyone; the big deal is what level I test in to). I will be attending Korean classes Mon-Fri 9a.m. to 1 p.m. no breaks.

To help pay for this little endeavor, I've also secured (well, contract isn't finalized, but I've been offered) a part-time job at a pre-kindergarten hagwon (private after school program). The students are super young, 24 months to 4 years, and really adorable. I've visited the pre-k before and my good friend works there. I've currently been offered a job Tues-Fri 4-6p.m. so 8 hours a week, with a possibility for the addition of Monday and/or Saturday classes (up to about 15 hours/week). I'm really excited about this job and how great the timing works into my schedule (it still leaves evenings free for studying and plenty of time in the afternoon for lunch and class prep/studying.

The problem?

a) Housing: It's really difficult finding housing in Seoul. Especially without a ton of money. You see, monthly rent is often quite cheap (consistently less than 600usd/month, usually close to 450-500usd/month for a furnished studio in the middle of the 5th biggest city in the world is pretty damn cheap). However, Korea has key money, which is basically a gigantic deposit. I'm used to a first and last month's deposit policy. Here, however, it's not uncommon to pay 5-10,000 US Dollars in a deposit (which is returned at the end of the contract assuming no damages are incurred) before the contract starts. This policy stems from the 전세 system, which is this crazy idea to pay an enormous deposit (25,000 usd+) on an apartment and then pay absolutely no rent for the next 12 months and receive your original 25,000usd back upon contract termination. Basically free rent (the landlord profits from the interest earned on that deposit typically). Ten-fifteen years ago, this was almost the only system in place. THese days, they are moving to a 월세 system, or monthly rent system. But, still, the huge deposits are a result of the previous area of monster deposits. Needless to say, I don't have a spare 5-10,000usd hanging around for me to use on a deposit, so I'm super limited. Add my two beautiful kitties to the mix, and it's been tough. Hoon is looking at a place tomorrow, and I'm checking a place out Saturday that hopefully might work.

b) Visa Oh My God. Immigration is the most obnoxious thing ever. You see, I am currently here on a teaching visa, and actually my part-time employer has offered to sponsor my visa (same kind) which is very kind (part-timers often don't get visa sponsorship... without a connection at the place, I'd never have had this kind of support). However, I am going to be in America at the time of my current visa's expiration and Immigration seemed to have no idea how to handle this situation and the prospect of extending my visa, claiming I couldn't file to extend my visa until the very day it is set to expire. They repeatedly said to me, well, just come back on the 25th of August. As if it is feasible for me to change my non-refundable plane ticket and all my plans at the drop of a hat. When I said that wasn't possible, they just sucked air through their teeth and said, well that's a problem. Then they indicated that I would have to go on a visa run. To those of you unfamiliar with this term (almost everyone who isn't currently teaching abroad) a visa run is when you make a trip to a foreign country in order to apply for a new visa (this is if you currently are not on any teaching visa, only like a tourist visa) because you cannot apply in Korea for that visa. Most people go to Osaka for this procedure, and typically your employer will cover it. However, I don't know why I'd have to do a visa run if I am here now ready to submit all the required documentation a month and a half before my current visa expires. They are telling me to just let my visa expire and then travel abroad. When I will be in America, abroad, for three weeks. Right, sure, no problem. WHAT? WHY CAN'T I EXTEND MY VISA BEFORE I LEAVE? That's crazy.

Finally I found someone with a brain who told me that actually all I have to do is go now to immigration once and then again to the same office after I return to mark a change of workplace. Welp, that's simple enough. Why didn't someone tell me in the previous 5 hours I spent trying to figure this situation out???

Now I'm at a cafe, and it's getting late and I should hit the sack.

The reason I can't write at my apartment is because the kitties managed to chew the ethernet cable (the little plastic part at the end). They bent the plastic just enough to make my internet non-usable. So I cancelled my internet and go to a cafe twice/week to get the wifi. The rest of the time I only use my phone or my work computer to access the internet. It's cheaper this way anyhow. I'd probably be going to a cafe this often anyways. and now I don't have to pay the 38,000 won/month that my internet cost.

Thanks for listening to this ramble.

This weekend a follower of my tumblr is coming to town and I'm looking forward to meeting up with her. Also, wish me luck with my doggone housing search!

xoxo
Wally

The Egg & Spoon Race

[Disclaimer]: I love Korean food as much as the next girl. In fact, if I had to choose, I would say about 80% of the time I’d pick Korean food. A lot of people bemoan the lack of choices within Korean food culture. I am of the firm belief that these Korean food naysayers are confusing the commonality of kimchi and rice for a lack of choices. In spite of the inevitable service of kimchi and rice at a restaurant, I can choose among sweet, salty, mild, spicy, meat, vegetarian, soy, soup, steak, bbq, porridge, stir-fry, noodles, cold, hot, warm, and everything in between. There is not shortage of variety in Korean food, just a shortage in a person’s desire or confidence to try that variety.

That being said, there are days when I crave American food that is next to impossible to find. The most common cravings:

• pizza that has neither corn nor sweet potato on it or in it.
• garlic bread that isn’t topped with sugar
• red velvet cupcakes
• chewy cookies
• granola
• quality sandwiches
• burgers that aren’t from McDonalds
• American Breakfast (eggs, bacon, french toast, pancakes, waffles, omelettes, proper juices)

I have found suitable substitutions for many of these things. The problem is they are usually really pricy. A delicious, juicy burger from Smokey Saloon (no fries no drink) can easily run you over 9,000 won. A brick oven pizza for two from someplace other than dominos/pizza hut can cost in the ballpark of 25,000 won. My favorite brunch place to this day is Flying Pan Blue in Itaewon. However, one omelette and coffee will run you nearly 20,000 won. 

The tasty and reasonably priced places usually have nothing at all by way of atmosphere, waits out the door, or horrendous service.

I’d like to share a delicious brunch discovery I made just yesterday near Ewha University Station on line 2: The Egg & Spoon Race.

Inside Egg & Spoon Race

 This tiny outpost of western deliciousness boasts a variety of big three egg omelettes, homefries, a full drink menu (juice, coffees, espresso drinks), belgian waffles, thick sliced bacon, and french toast. They also have a full lunch/dinner menu that looks lovely as well (some people ordered up some pasta while we were eating and it looked great, and they make some of their own salad dressings I believe).

The service was fantastic. The servers speak Korean and English, although Korean is definitely recommended as the menu has little by way of English. Waitresses responded quickly to requests for syrup for my coffee, and a fresh fork and knife when I dropped them clumsily. They also were able to readily answer questions regarding the menu quickly and helpfully (at least in Korean). Everything was prepared fresh. And while the seating was limited and quite cozy, it never felt too noisy or cluttered (maybe everyone was just enjoying their food that much).

I went with my friend Mina (wordsrundry). I ordered the waffle set after asking what the waitress recommended. Mina ordered the Potato Omelette set.

Waffle Set

The waffle set comes with a big Belgian waffle topped with plenty of powdered sugar, scrambled eggs, salad and bacon and sausage. I don’t particularly like sausage, and they were happy to substitute and extra order of bacon for the sausage. The maple syrup was quality. The eggs were fluffy, but I found they needed a bit of salt (Koreans either make things salt-less or super salty… there is not much of a middle ground), but came topped with fresh cracked pepper. The salad was nothing special, mostly iceburg lettuce with sesame dressing (there were 4 dressing to choose from). The bacon was thick and juicy. The waffle was the perfect texture, and the flavor was just right. My iced americano was nice and cold from the moment it arrived at my table and never got watered down.

Potato Omelette Set

The potato omelette, which was recommended on the site that I randomly found out about the restaurant on, is a three egg omelette filled with cheese, tomatoes, and a generous portion of spinach. You have to option of including the potatoes inside the omelette or outside as homefries. Mina ordered them separate, although I probably would have had them inside. The omelette also came with the same average salad. But, who needs a salad when you have all that delicious brunchy goodness? Mina reported that the omelette was delicious and she was happy that they didn’t skimp on the spinach. She also seemed to like the orange juice, but I didn’t taste it.

Our drinks: Iced American (L) Orange Juice (R)

I would definitely recommend this to anyone living in Seoul or anyone visiting who has a craving for real breakfast (a hard to find treat here).

Each of our meals were about the same (the waffle and oj were more expensive than omelette and americano, respectively). Waffle set and Americano came out to 14,500 won, about 13.50 usd and the omelette and oj were 14,000 won. Without the drinks, the prices were right around 10-11,000 won, or under 10usd.

I was stuffed for about 6 hours after eating.

Directions:

Line 2 to Ehwa University Station (이화대역)

Go out Exit 3 and head straight. At the second street turn right.

It’ll be on your right side, Spoon Race will be written in big letters.

It is small (maybe can seat 15 people MAX) so it’s easy to miss.

There are lots of other amazing looking coffee shops and restaurants in this area, so if you can’t find it, try any number of the other places in the area!

If you go, lemme know what you think!

2 Weeks.

Seriously, this has been the best past week and a half ever. Seriously, ever.

I will review.

May 20th: My best friend got married. Even though I wasn't there to see it, I'm basically freaking out I'm so happy. Also, Hoon's cousin had his schools festival and it was fun to watch heckle.

May 22nd: Everland. Everland is a huuuuuge amusement park outside Seoul and it's simply amazing. It's just awesome. I will post about Everland (pictures included) soon.

May 23rd-25th: No classes as grades 1&2 were on a school trip and Grade 3 had an exam and a class picnic.

May 23rd: Language Cast. I spent an hour in the Korean-only room, and it was awesome. I really like Language Cast. Like, really really like it.

May 25th: I went to the YG Entertainment Building. I delivered my (and my students') birthday gifts/letters for Taeyang via an awesome suited man and in spite of the mean old security guard who was attempting to block my delivery in every way possible.

May 26th: finalized all airplane flights for trip to America in August

May 27th: Hoon's university. Meeting Hae-gun until 10 p.m. It wasn't exactly what we had planned, but it was really fun nonetheless.

May 28th: Cirque du Soleil: Varekai. The best circus ever, and Hoon's first ever circus visit. It was awesome. I will also post separately reviewing this performance.

May 29th: Frisbee

May 30th (today): confirmed my application to Sogang University's language program was received.

I hope things can continue to go this well for me.

Also, I have (counting today, which has hardly started) only 30 more days of teaching before the semester ends. a full 4 of those days will be after exams are finished (which means MOVIE) and another 5 of those days will be review for the English exam. Plus, 3 will be independent study days (there is a three day break between exams... students just spend every moment studying. That means only 18 more REAL days of teaching. YES.

Holy. Shit. 2

Where did all my pictures go???? WTF?

Korean Indie Music????

This is called me getting in touch with my pre-kpop roots.

I saw this duo last Friday at Hoon's cousin's university festival.

Let me explain. Every university has an annual festival. Sometimes it is in the fall, and sometimes it is in the spring. It depends on the university. For example, Hoon's uni festival starts tomorrow. His cousin's ended last week. But Hoon's older brother's university was last October. The festival is a little bit like homecoming, except without the alumni coming back, and also without a football game. So actually it's not anything like homecoming except for the alcohol consumption. Basically all freshman are required to perform in some music/singing/dancing/cultural performance. Plus some singers come and perform. Sometimes it's a very famous singers, and sometimes it's a less famous singer. If you go to a very good or famous university, you get a good famous singer. Ex: Hoon goes to one of the best unis in Korea (yes, I am bragging right now, i don't even care). On Friday, 2ne1 will perform. Sometimes, even if a school is not particularly famous or good, if it has enough money it can bring a famous group/singer. Ex: Hoon's bro goes to a not so famous school. But it's private. They had B2ST last year.

Anyways, the student groups also set up tents for drinking and snacking, and sometimes there are games to play. Mostly though, they cook you shitty 안주 and serve you a ton of beer, soju and other adult beverages. On campus. For three days.

It's pretty freaking awesome.

I love university festivals.

Anyways, at Hoon's cousin Daniel's university festival, this duo came to perform. They are called 10 Centimeters (the difference between the two members' heights) and they are SO awesome and fun. I feel like this is something my non-kpop followers (i.e. all my friends back home) could seriously enjoy even in spite of the language difference.

Take a moment to listen. You might be surprised!

Children's Day 2011 - Hello Kitty Cafe review

I love Korea. Why? Well, because their are so many awesome holidays.

Like Children's Day, which is a national holiday on May 5th.

Yesterday, being May 5th (I forgot it was cinco de mayo) I met up with my friend Mina and we went to 대학로 for coffee and shopping and sightseeing.

I had been to this area one other time, back when I first arrived in Korea, and I had no idea where I was. I went with a Korean friend and she just showed me around. 대학 is the korean word for university. 로 is one of the words for street or road or lane (just like in English, there are lots). 대학로 is near the best university in Korea, Seoul National University, and is also located really close to 성균관대 (Sungkyunkwan University) which you may recognize from the wildly popular k-drama 성균관스캔들. Anyhow, this is also the biggest theater district in Korea, and the home to about million adorable cafes and restaurants and some of the best and most varied architecture in Seoul (not saying much, Seoul sucks as far as architecture and urban design is concerned).

I am so happy to have rediscovered this area. It's beautiful and I HIGHLY recommend it as a place to visit.

Now, why, exactly, did we pick 대학로? Well, because on April 29th (coincidentally my birthday), a brand new branch of Hello Kitty Cafe opened there. And, well, Mina and I both love Kitty, so we HAD to go. Also, I had to buy some new TOMS shoes because my old ones were getting raggedy, but you can't buy TOMS just anywhere here in Korea. 10x10 is an AMAZING store, by the way. Definitely check out if you are in Seoul. Also, if you are in Korea and looking for toms, tweet @TOMSKorea and they will totally tell you how to find stores that sell TOMS wherever you are.

Old TOMS (left) New TOMS (right) - I'm not gonna stop wearing the old ones.

And, let me tell you, Hello Kitty (henceforth HK) fans, it's a must-visit. If not the one in 대학로, you can also go to the one in 홍대 (Hongdae) or the one in 신촌 (Sinchon). They are all amazing, all the the 신촌점 is my favorite.

Be prepared for a heavy dose of pink, and a whole lot of cuteness when you walk through their sliding glass doors. It's just bursting at the seems with Kitty paraphernalia, which didn't bother me one bit.

The stairwell between 2nd/3rd floor. SO MUCH PINK

The 대학로점 is located on the second floor across from the CGV (go out exit 4 of 혜화 station). The sign is big and pink and on your left. You should be able to find it pretty clearly. You should definitely find a seat before you order because there weren't a lot of available seats (unless you go during dinner time). Otherwise, you'll order your drink and get bounced really fast.

It doesn't look that crowded but TRUST ME. It was full of people, Korean, Western, Japanese and Chinese!

 We sat on the third floor which was a bit quieter, but just as pink. You have to order your drinks at the counter on the second floor the menu is typical of most cafes, except with extra kitty touches. If you order a waffle, like we did, you can expect it to come out shaped like Kitty's head, complete with a waffle ironed bow. On the tops of some drinks (NOT caramel ones... mostly lattes) they will dust images of Kitty. My vanilla latte had her whiskers and eyes and nose, a cafe mocha I think has a side profile, and the green tea latte has the MOST ADORABLE dusted green Kitty bow. Everything comes out in specialty cups and plates emblazoned with a pseudo-hello kitty image logo(the cafe is not actually Sanrio certified, so they can't use kitty's real image in their logo). But, all the decorations are HK inspired, and they sell *real* HK dolls & accessories for relatively reasonable prices.

 Food

 My Vanilla Latte

The waffle was decent. Nothing to write home about, but it was cute. One negative was that when you order the waffle they give you only a fork to eat it. With some waffles this is fine (belgian waffles especially), but this waffle is not Belgian and it as nearly impossible to cut with our forks. We had to ask for a knife. The taste was pretty average for a waffle. But, the price was pretty average too. Luckily, this is a theme cafe that won't cost you an arm and a leg. The choco banana waffle we had was 3,500 won. The drinks are also not too spectacular, but they aren't bad. In my experience, the Americano is quite good (I've had it at the other locations, where they used mini mini ice cubes which I loved) as are the caramel drinks. The vanilla latte I had needed more vanilla and less sugar, imo. But the dusting on top was cute indeed. Also, they offer frozen yogurt with a pureed fruit topping, which is really good, but very sweet. Also, they sell mini HK cakes, which are delicious AND adorable, but a little on the pricey side, at 10,000 won for a cake that might serve 2-3. The waffle is a better deal, but that cake is heavenly. I got one once at the Hongdae shop, two thumbs up.

 Left: Mina Right: Kitty goodies and a kitty wall!

 Kitty on display!

Even the bathroom was decorated to the hilt with Kitty, from the mirror to the soap dispenser to the toilet paper cover. Kitty-tastic:

Clockwise from top L: Toilet Paper Holder; Bathroom Door, Me posing in Bathroom mirror shaped like HK

My favorite thing? The warning signs. I only took a picture of one: 머리 조심! (Watch your head!), but all of them (don't write on the walls, wifi is available, please bring your plates to the 1st floor) were adorable. Those and the chairs were freaking cute:

 Sad hurt head kitty. BOWS ON CHAIRS!!

Anyways, if you don't care about Hello Kitty at all, I wouldn't bother coming, but if you are interested in HK, have a daughter (or son!) who likes HK, or you just want to beat the heat of the fast-approaching summer in a pink paradise, the Hello Kitty Cafe is your place.

Oh, and we drank smoothies at Smoothie King!

Mmmm Mmmmm Good!

Directions to 대학로점:
Go to Hyehwa Station (Line 4- 혜화역).
Exit 4.
Go straight down the main 대학로 road.
On your right, after about 50-75 meters you will see a CGV.
Across from the CGV, on your right, is the Hello Kitty Cafe on the second/third floors.

Directions to 홍대점 (Hongdae Shop):
Go to Hongik University Station (line 2- 홍대입구역)
Exit 9.
Go straight until VIPS.
Turn left.
Walk straight until on your right hand side you see a make up store: Tony Moly.
Tony Moly is sandwiched between two roads, one with a lot of restaurants (right side, looking to Tony Moly) and one with a lot of little stores and coffee shops (left side).
Go down the left side one (you will have to cross the street first).
Walk maybe 50 meters, maybe a little less, maybe a little more.
On your left, tucked behind some stores is the PINK hello kitty cafe storefront.

Enjoy!!