Since I started blogging so much, now I feel guilty if I don't keep posting often. This is ironic because most of you people only post maybe once every 2-3 weeks, if that (ahem, Nicki, Paige).
As a general update, Monday night-Tuesday morning I had food poisoning, which pretty much laid me on my ass for about 20 hours. I didn't go to work until about 11:45, and then taught one class and came back home, and passed out. Went to dinner at a donkkasu place (friend pork cutlet) and got udon noodles and ate roughly 6 noodles and drank the miso broth that the 'rents got with their meals.
And this is the newest Epik High music video. It's pretty inspirational, at the end. Epik High is basically my newest obsession:
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Monday, March 8, 2010
My Family is here y'allllllll!
So my family is here, and it is AWESOME. They got in Saturday evening, around 6 o'clock. After hugs and a bit of dunkin donuts at the airport (peanut crunch donut anyone?), we headed back to my apartment. Because each visiting member of my family brought gigantic bags (my dear old mom topping off the list with a goliath box on wheels of a suitcase), we had to take a deluxe taxi, which might have just been the best deal of my life, because it had t.v.s lots of space, and they METER the drive. Jackpot.
Anyways, we went to White Castle Motel to get Mom & Dad a room. If you remember from a previous post, in which I locked myself out, the White Castle Motel is where I laid my head to rest after my first traumatizing korean experience. Of course, me saying that I wanted the room for 7 days blew their minds because, well, who stays in a love motel for 7 days? Why, my parents of course. They didn't have a room ready yet, so we went to get dinner and left mom & dad's luggage there.
So we headed to dongincheon station to try to find some kalbi. Finally found a kalbi place (after one mis-step where I took them to a restaurant that did NOT have what I wanted). Dinner was quite tasty, wang kalbi, kimchi, the whole nine yards, plus melly and I shared some mul nangmyeon to finish it off. Moms and Pops found the kimchi and the subdubu jjigae too hot to handle, and they did NOT like the nangmyeon. It was also at this first dinner that I realized just how non-adept my family is at using chopsticks.
So yesterday, my family and I headed into Seoul to see Gyeongbokgung (the largest of the five palaces in Seoul) and Insa-dong. We took the subway, which rocked mommy to sleep, helping her to fit right in amongst the other sleeping ajummas on the train. After getting off the subway, clearly I looked like enough of a local (??!!) that some Korean person visiting from elsewhere decided to ask me how to use the general one-way tickets. Score one for waegooks korea-wide as I patiently explained the process and the woman thanked me profusely.
Family loved the palace, in spite of the cold, windy weather. I had been there once before, but discovered whole previous unseen areas of the palace grounds. Went inside to the national folk museum, which was more fun the second time around. Pictures from the palace and the museum:
The left, and walked along that lovely area just ouside the folk museum with all the little boutiques and coffee houses. Moms and Pops were hungry and I told them we were looking for food, but I didn't really know where I was going, so I just kept following the road in hopes of eventually finding insa-dong. Luckily, I managed to get up to the traditional korean homes area in Jongno-gu. Really pretty look outs from traditional houses out to cityscapes. Then walked down to insadong area. Managed to follow random signs and a crappy map to find insadong.
I will chronicle our lunch/dinner experience in my next post, after I get to upload my video to youtube. It's going to be an instant classic, I think. Really, it's pretty awesome.
Went shopping. Mom & Pop got a spoon for their collection. Mel & I got coffee. We headed home.
Today I am at work, and the family will be heading out to Seoul to see Gwanghwamun plaza and Chonggyecheon stream. Then I will meet them and maybe we will go to dinner somewhere in Seoul and come back home. Who knows what the evening will have in store. Hopefully not a ridiculously expensive dinner (yes, that is foreshadowing for my next post).
xoxo,
A
So happy my sissy is here! At the airport
Anyways, we went to White Castle Motel to get Mom & Dad a room. If you remember from a previous post, in which I locked myself out, the White Castle Motel is where I laid my head to rest after my first traumatizing korean experience. Of course, me saying that I wanted the room for 7 days blew their minds because, well, who stays in a love motel for 7 days? Why, my parents of course. They didn't have a room ready yet, so we went to get dinner and left mom & dad's luggage there.
So we headed to dongincheon station to try to find some kalbi. Finally found a kalbi place (after one mis-step where I took them to a restaurant that did NOT have what I wanted). Dinner was quite tasty, wang kalbi, kimchi, the whole nine yards, plus melly and I shared some mul nangmyeon to finish it off. Moms and Pops found the kimchi and the subdubu jjigae too hot to handle, and they did NOT like the nangmyeon. It was also at this first dinner that I realized just how non-adept my family is at using chopsticks.
So yesterday, my family and I headed into Seoul to see Gyeongbokgung (the largest of the five palaces in Seoul) and Insa-dong. We took the subway, which rocked mommy to sleep, helping her to fit right in amongst the other sleeping ajummas on the train. After getting off the subway, clearly I looked like enough of a local (??!!) that some Korean person visiting from elsewhere decided to ask me how to use the general one-way tickets. Score one for waegooks korea-wide as I patiently explained the process and the woman thanked me profusely.
Family loved the palace, in spite of the cold, windy weather. I had been there once before, but discovered whole previous unseen areas of the palace grounds. Went inside to the national folk museum, which was more fun the second time around. Pictures from the palace and the museum:
There are all these little statuettes of various animals. I liked this one, of a rooster/eagle. Right, Melly doing her thing with the fancy camera while I create grainy pictures with my point-and-shoot.
Left, someone's house, not the kings. Right, Melissa in front of what I continuously referred to as the dance hall.
Left, view from the garden area behind the Queen Dowager's house. Right, pretty painting and details of a home, I think the Queen's.
Towards the very back of the palace, this was built with heavy chinese architectural influence. It was built after a fire severely damaged much of the main palace area.
Melly giving kissies!
The left, and walked along that lovely area just ouside the folk museum with all the little boutiques and coffee houses. Moms and Pops were hungry and I told them we were looking for food, but I didn't really know where I was going, so I just kept following the road in hopes of eventually finding insa-dong. Luckily, I managed to get up to the traditional korean homes area in Jongno-gu. Really pretty look outs from traditional houses out to cityscapes. Then walked down to insadong area. Managed to follow random signs and a crappy map to find insadong.
The side of a building in Jongno-gu. So many crazy artsy things here. This is all metal, from cars.
Left, view from Jong-no traditional area. Right, doors on a house in this area.
I will chronicle our lunch/dinner experience in my next post, after I get to upload my video to youtube. It's going to be an instant classic, I think. Really, it's pretty awesome.
Went shopping. Mom & Pop got a spoon for their collection. Mel & I got coffee. We headed home.
Today I am at work, and the family will be heading out to Seoul to see Gwanghwamun plaza and Chonggyecheon stream. Then I will meet them and maybe we will go to dinner somewhere in Seoul and come back home. Who knows what the evening will have in store. Hopefully not a ridiculously expensive dinner (yes, that is foreshadowing for my next post).
xoxo,
A
Saturday, March 6, 2010
My Hello Kitty obsession hits a new apex
So last monday, Christi, Miranda, SY and I went to Hello Kitty Cafe in Hongdae, Seoul. It was quite possibly one of the greatest things I have ever experienced in my life. Seriously, I don't know what is wrong with me, but in the last 3 weeks, my hello kitty obsession has hit new heights, leading me to buy all kinds of ridiculous kitty paraphernalia. The weird thing is, I freaking HATE really cats (although my love of hello kitty has tempered this hatred mildly), but can't get enough of kitttttty!
Anyhow, this will just be a picture dump because it is really difficult to express in words the sheer joy that came with going to the hello kitty cafe. Seriously, it was one of the best things I've done in Korea thus far (and I've done/seen some pretty neat things). I think the only thing that easily tops the Hello Kitty Cafe is the Dream Concert, because, until next year's Dream Concert, nothing will top it.
So without any further ado, the Hello Kitty Cafe:
Anyhow, this will just be a picture dump because it is really difficult to express in words the sheer joy that came with going to the hello kitty cafe. Seriously, it was one of the best things I've done in Korea thus far (and I've done/seen some pretty neat things). I think the only thing that easily tops the Hello Kitty Cafe is the Dream Concert, because, until next year's Dream Concert, nothing will top it.
So without any further ado, the Hello Kitty Cafe:
The outside of the cafe. It is super tiny and they said we could expect a wait of an hour (but it only took 20 minutes) And me being silly in front of the cafe!
I kept this one kind of big because it's a really really good picture of me and Miranda, AND hello kitty in the background is so perfect.
The walls have cut out silhouettes of hello kitty, and the chairs are hello kitty tooooo!
I got a waffle and iced americano for about 5,000 won, which is pretty good for a specialty cafe like this. Also, the kitty in the corner of my plate is chocolate dust. omg. love it.
Caramel waffle, hot chocolate, ice americano, strawberry yogurt, fully decked out in hello kitty style. More chocolate dust kitty on hot choco
So effing happy!
Even the bathroom was decked out with hello kitty. Also, this is the chocolate cream cake I bought to eat at home. *^__^*
So, that was my trip to hello kitty cafe.
xoxo,
A
p.s. OMG MY FAMILY WILL BE HERE IN 2.5 HOURS! pinch me, I must be dreaming! *^^*
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Lately...
Things have been going great! I had a wonderful weekend, my family will be here in 4.5 days, my whole month is mostly planned, meaning all I have to do is make my powerpoints and prep class materials, school is back in session which means I get to see my stuuuuudents, I'm getting a new phone, Korean class is generally going well, and I'm happy.
Here are some pictures from the last few days. My next post will be dedicated to my Monday, which was glorious, but for now, everything else:
Hopefully everyone else is enjoying themselves as much as I am. I still sometimes can't believe I'm in Korea. Gosh, I sure am a lucky person, being able to travel as much as I have been, and meet as many new exciting people as I have, work at such a wonderful place like I do.
Also, I booked my plane ticket to Jeju Island, for the savage nines tournament going on there in May. I'm really really excited! Also, that link above is to an English language site, so check it out! I know many of my links are to Korean sites, so I'm throwing a bone to you foreigners. *^^*
xoxo
A
Here are some pictures from the last few days. My next post will be dedicated to my Monday, which was glorious, but for now, everything else:
Fog seems to be so common here. In Florida, it's mostly an early morning thing, but this was taken at 6 p.m.
Monday was a national holiday (according to my Google Calendar, it's Independence Movement Day) and there were flags EVERYWHERE. I liked it.
On Friday night, I met a new friend, SY, who is amazingly cool and friendly. This Friday I will be learning how to make chopchae (there isn't a good way to write it in english... grrr) at her house from her mom. Seriously. I love this girl. We had coffee at Holly's Coffee and then met my friends for dinner.
It was SY's birthday on Saturday so we got her an ice cream cake. SO DELICIOUS!
We loooooove cake, birthdays and SY!
We also love kamikazes!
Hopefully everyone else is enjoying themselves as much as I am. I still sometimes can't believe I'm in Korea. Gosh, I sure am a lucky person, being able to travel as much as I have been, and meet as many new exciting people as I have, work at such a wonderful place like I do.
Also, I booked my plane ticket to Jeju Island, for the savage nines tournament going on there in May. I'm really really excited! Also, that link above is to an English language site, so check it out! I know many of my links are to Korean sites, so I'm throwing a bone to you foreigners. *^^*
xoxo
A
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