Adventures in Bangkok, Thailand

Hello everyone and welcome to 2011!

I have safely returned from the beautiful beaches of Thailand to find the streets of my city of Pohang filled with snow.  The snow (to us midwesterners) wouldn't be enough to close down schools or most transportation, but Korea is a completely different place.  Pohang never gets snow so it was completely unprepared for what appeared to be about 7 inches of snow throughout the day.  Imagine a place like Tennessee with 7 inches of snow.  Shut the state down.  In this case, those 7 or so inches allowed me an additional two entire days away from Kids College and a winter wonderland I have been dreaming of since arriving in Korea.  My first day back from the beach were spent making snowmen, regailing friends with stories of our epic adventures and falling back into the comforts of the routine that is my Korean life.

Now how was Thailand you may ask?  Where to begin.  I spent an entire week in paradise.  We rode elephants.  Played with tigers. Rode in open taxis which are called "tuk-tuks." Ate amazing Thai food.  Did more shopping than most people do in a year.  Slept for two nights in a hammock where I realized the intense appeal and the despereate need to find one as soon as I return stateside.  Went swimming multiple times in the clearest ocean water I have ever seen.  Ate freshly caught mackerel at a beachside cafe that would give a 5 star restaurant a run for its money.  Lounged around with my friends.  Got a new tattoo.  Rode on the back of a scooter around the beautiful beach and mountain scenery.  The list goes on and on.  I feel like the pictures from my trip will tell my story better than I ever could on here.

For my friends and family back at home.  I hope you had an amazing Christmas and that you rang in the New Year in a fantastic way.  Even though I was in paradise, you were still on my mind and constantly in my thoughts.  For the new year, I wish you all one that is filled with happiness, prosperity and love.  Living in Korea has changed my perspective on so many things and those three are ones that I have grown to truly believe in.  I hope you all spent time with those that mean the most to you and that you made the most of it.  Being away from family and friends during the holiday seasons truly make you realize what's important in life.

I made the most of my Thailand vacation with some of the most amazing people I have ever or will ever have the good fortune to meet.  Here are a few of my favorite pictures of our trip to give you a small look into the week long vacation that was my 2010 Christmas and New Years.

Until next time.

The lights of Bangkok.  The month of December is also a big
celebration for the King, not Christmas.  

Our first harrowing Tuk-Tuk ride. 

Tim with the coolest iguana 

The view of the Bridge Over the River Kwai

An old car that I just knew my father would love

And another

When in Thailand...

Group shot with the crazy iguana

The Bridge over the River Kwaii

Group shot on the bridge

The inside of our train to the tiger temple

Beautiful

With two sleepy tigers.  I know I don't look scared but terrified
doesn't begin to describe it.

Our group, a baby tiger and a monk

Casual elephant riding

Virginia and I took the afternoon for girly things like pedicures

And the best massage in existence

This is pad thai.  If you haven't tried it, stop reading and go to the nearest
local Thai place and try it out.  If you are disappointed in it then I am disappointed in you. 

Merry Christmas Eve

Merry Christmas Eve.

It's officially Christmas Eve here in Pohang, South Korea.  It's that time of year for caroling, Christmas cookies and my Mom's famous heart attack casserole.  Unfortunately for yours truly, this year will be a little different.  Christmas Eve for me will consist of playing with the  cutest kids in creation, eating Korean food and riding a bus to the airport for a beach vacation with some of my closest friends.  Not exactly a down home Christmas, but one that will definitely be remembered.

It doesn't exactly feel like Christmas.  Without the snow and the familiarness of home it just isn't the same.  Maybe that is the reason why I am not feeling more homesick than I am.  Of course reading the Facebook statuses about a winter wonderland Christmas or singing Christmas carols in a language I actually understand make me homesick, but somehow it doesn't seem real all the way over here.  When I don't see all of the reminders of what I am missing I almost forget about it all.  Of course I remember and miss my family and friends, but the fun of what I miss is somehow replaced by the fun and memories I am making.

This time tomorrow I will be on a bus and headed for the airport.  My duffel bag is packed full with tank tops, flip flops and sundresses.  The weather is forecasted for 92 degrees on Christmas day in Bangkok, Thailand.  A far cry from the blankets of white snow that has been covering the the majority of the midwest during the past few weeks.

From December 25th-Janurary 2nd I will be in a country where there are a million things I want to do.  In Thailand I want to ride an elephant, go to the tiger temple, lay out on the beach and so many more.  I have a vague list of things I want to do but if they don't get crossed off it's ok.  I'm honestly just excited to get away from Pohang.  Get away from Kids College.  Get away from my itty bitties.  An entire week of sun, relaxation and fun with some of the best people I know.  I consider myself blessed.

To whoever is reading this, I hope you have a merry Christmas and a happy and fulfilled New Year.  Thank you for coming with me on this journey through the ups and downs in Korea.

See you in 2011.

Fan Death, Sashes and Whiteness

[I'm not quite feeling the Christmas post that should be written by now, so instead here are a few new Koreanisms that surprise even me.]

#153.  In Korea there is such thing as "fan death."  Koreans actually believe that if someone is sleeping with an electric fan turned on in a sealed room, they will die.  Not "could die" but will die.  Here are just a few of the many ways a fan can prematurely end the life of someone risky enough to tempt fate with a fan.  It can cause the temperature of the room to cool down enough to cause hypothermia.  Another study suggests (yes there have been actual studies done of this) that the fans use up oxygen and create fatal levels of carbon dioxide.  My personal favorite is the notion that a fan can actually suffocate you by creating a vacuum around your face.  Clearly they have never stuck their heads out of a moving car.  Yes, this idea of "fan death" seems to be one of the most far-fetched isms i've posted thus far, but it's true.  If you don't trust me do a quick google search for yourself and find out about the "death by electric fan" phenomena that has swept Korea.

Death by fan

#154.  Koreans wear sashes for important events such as business openings, political campaigning or merely as a marketing tool for a new product.  Think of the sashes that Miss America wears only with Korean lettering and worn by men and women of all ages and for various reasons.  When I asked my coteacher about this she informed me that it is to make a person "look nice."  When she asked what we wear I told her that when we are attempting to look nice we wear a nice outfit paired with some classy jewelry.  She didn't understand.  She says this about the sash,"it helps us look to important."  Sure sure.

#155.  If you see a pregnant Korean woman drinking milk in mass quantities, she is most likely trying to lighten and brighten the skin of her unborn child.  Such a nifty trick.  

My Weekend in Pictures

My weekend in Pohang was loaded up on Christmas spirit.  With less than a week until Santa comes to visit, life is hectic to say the least.  Between the holiday parties, Christmas'fying the school and readying it for the arrival of our two new teachers, end of semester parties with the kiddos, figuring out plans for my Thailand beach vacation...there is lots to do.  I spent my much needed weekend away from the Kids College at various Christmas and birthday parties around Pohang.  Included were an ugly Christmas sweater party and a quadruple "Funny Hat" birthday bash for Justin, Will, Ryan and Tanya.  Fun times were had by all and I am pretty sure the pictures prove that for me.

Enjoy. 

A big group picture with our sweaters and rudolph noses

The rudolph nosed ladies

I love Christmas

My fabulous co-worker Heather

Cheesing it up with Teddy and Raechal

Rudolph noses make hugging awkward

My girl Virginia

With Will, my BSU buddy and birthday boy extrodinaire

When the waygooks go out, a guitar is always nearby

Tim and Molly

Teagan, Jitae and Leigh

With Miss Molly

With Miss Molly

Wordless Wednesday

Just a few pictures from the past week.  Included are the pictures from the trip to the fossil museum with the babies and the cartoon themed birthday party for one of my favorite ladies of Pohang, Miss Nadia.  Enjoy!

Laughing about something with Hansu

Future husband and wife, Prince and Christina

With my little girl Christina

Picture with some of my babies during the field trip

Virginia, Zanel and Molly during the cartoon party

The birthday/Anime inspired/scary painted eyelid woman, Nadia

Two of my favorite ladies

Harley Davidson and Adoptive Korean Moms

Where to start.  I had quite the weekend that ranged from a movie night with friends to a solo adventure around and about Korea.  Here is a quick recap for those loyal readers out there.

Friday night was movie night.  A bunch of us decided that due to the fact that there were no other decent films out (and we all not so secretly wanted to see it) we would see the new Narnia movie.  It ended up being quite the kiddie film but the amazing features coupled with stellar graphics made it quite the Narnian experience.  Here is my review.  If you have the option to see it in 3D don't miss the opportunity.  The graphics and flying dragon alone will be well worth the hefty ticket price.  If it is just playing in the regular theaters wait for it on DVD.  It's a well crafted film but loses some appeal for the older audiences.

Saturday was spent in Daegu where a simple "Girls Day" turned into a seven hour solo adventure of finding  the elusive Harley Davidson store.  Why would I go on an adventure to find this particular shop?  Anyone who knows me knows that I am not exactly the typical leather chaps, Harley Davidson wearing, biker babe.  However,  I am the daughter of a wanna be biker dude who settles for t-shirts from foreign countries.  His only request is that his tshirts have the name of the country they were purchased in.  Sounds simple enough right?  WRONG!  The only shops in Korea are in Seoul (a solid 5 hours away) and the one near Daegu (almost 2 hours).  Clearly this would mean that ordering it online would be the most logical option.  Apparently logic hasn't hit the Korean website yet because while they do have plenty of American tshirts there was not a single one to be found with the "Harley Davidson Korea" sentence he has been jonesing for.  Now after realizing that the little shop was not in our location it was decided that it was time for me to break apart from the group and go on my first solo outing in Korea.

My girls of the day

The ever elusive Daegu Harley Davidson store

Now anyone who knows me,or knows of me, knows that I am one hell of a navigation fuck up.  I end up in different states.  I get lost in my own hometown.  Directions just aren't my forte.  To keep this story as short as possible, just know that the ONE hour bus ride to get to the magical shop of Harley Davidson turned into a SEVEN hour long ordeal.  I went the wrong way on the subway (first time riding it alone), got on the wrong bus (also the first time riding a bus alone), found out it was too late for a bus back to civilization after finally finding the shop and the shirt and eventually got the last train back to Pohang (my first train ride.)

My ticket to Hyeung.  It was only 2,000 W so it should have been a fairly
short trip.  "Should have been" are the key words here.
Notice the newly painted nails!

Clearly it was an interesting day full of wasted time and aggravation but I did it.  All by myself.  Plus, Dad will finally get the shirt that he has been asking for during the past 10 months.  It'll all be worth it to see his eyes light up when I see him open up that present and have him proudly show off  his new Daegu Harley Davidson shirt.  I sure hope I got the size right.  Wouldn't that just be the icing on that crap cupcake of a day if it didn't fit him.

Sunday

I woke up with um...women problems.  Unfortunately, I had to go to a lunch at the house of a student with my coteacher Heather.  We arrive to find a spread of delicious traditional Korean food complete with my favorite side dish, kimchi!  I end up having ridiculous cramps and ask the Mom (we named her Kelly due to our goal of using all of the names from the Saved By The Bell cast) to take me home at her convenience.  She motions the "why?" question and I motion at my stomach and she finally gets it.  She runs out of the room only to come back with an entire bag of pads (big sizeuh she says), female medicine and ANOTHER bag of pads (small sizeuh she says.)  She begins to put blankets on the couch to make me a bed so I can rest. She eventually gets the drift that I need to go home and she prepares a huge bag of sweet potatoes, muffins, medicine and enough pads for the entirety of the female population of Pohang.

Kelly has been deemed our Korean mother and she has filled the role quite nicely.  She feeds us.  No, she literally feeds us. Like snatches up food with chopsticks, says "AHH" and shovels it into our mouths.  She brings us breakfast to school.  She kisses us goodbye and tells us to have a good day.   Everyone always says that you find your Korean Mom when you get to Korea.  It only took me 10 months but I finally found her.  And while she is a good option for a Mom while i'm here, there is no replacing the real thing waiting for me in America.

Nope. There isn't anyone who could replace my 미국 엄마  (America Mommy)

Wordless Wednesday

This "Wordless Wednesday" is devoted to our fall open house that was performed a few weeks ago.  The drama for fall semester was the "Rabbit and the Turtle."  Yes, yes I know.  The proper title is "The Tortoise and the Hare" but the kids couldn't pronounce those words correctly and the rabbit is first in the title because he is the fastest.  This is Korean logic, not my own.  I hope you enjoy the addition of a monkey, squirrel, giraffe and bear to the play.  They really take this classic tale up a notch. 

Wendy and Sally prior to the play

Pileup!

Prince was getting annoyed at Matthew for not being able to
keep time.  Drums are hard when you're 5!

The rest of the kiddos with their xylophones, castanets,
tambourines and even a triangle.

The squirrel and a bear

A giraffe with attitude

Monkey, Bear and Giraffe

My poor little turtle

[Not pictured is Sunny, our rabbit for the day.  He was a little camera shy during the photo shoot]