2009 was supposed to be the tannest year ever..... I had some really tan moments, so maybe I achieved that bronzed goal.
Sorry I haven't posted in a while, not much is going on to be honest. It's the same daily grind, same routine, same everything. I don't have anything new or exciting to share. Christmas came and went without much notice. I got a kitten (Jack) who has made me totally sleep deprived, but he is pretty damn cute.
So it's New Years Eve..... 2009 is toast. I did a lot this year. It was a pretty good one. It had it's wonderful moments and it's shitty moments. I feel like 2010 wont really count.... I'll be in Korean 90% of it. If I'm not with my friends and family.... it doesn't really count. Sure, I'll have some new experiences, I'll see some stuff.... but mostly I'll be working in a job that my heart isn't in, to pay for my student loans. I will be a year older, but still not totally sure what I want to do with my "life."
Every time I think I've got it all figured out...... life throws me a curve ball.
I realized recently when I get back to the states I'll be 26, with a college degree that doesn't help me much in the real world, with not a lot of real job experience. I think ASU did a pretty crappy job preparing me for a real career..... and I have many other friends that went there who feel the same way. I went and saw a career counselor, and you know what he told me? Follow my dreams, open a business. Who tells someone that is almost 30k in student loan debt to open a business in a terrible economy, that has no business knowledge? With a brilliant idea like that he probably went to ASU himself. Don't get me wrong, I loved my time at ASU, I learned a lot about a lot...... just not a lot about what to do with the skill set I paid for.
sorry to end the year on such a moody note...... but I don't feel like 2010 will really be the "best year ever."
My plan is to make a plan so I go back to AZ with some new goals and a lot more research under my belt about career options.
Is it awful I paid over 30k for a degree, but I'd really love to be a cosmetologist? or go back to confectionary school and learn to be a baker? Maybe college should start in your 20s..... when I started at 17 I had NO idea what I wanted out of my life.
Well, Happy New Year my friends..... I promise my next entry will be more uplifting. Maybe I'll even make some resolutions that I won't stick to hahaha.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Changdeokgung and Jogyesa (Insadong)
So, it was a pretty quiet week around here. Super busy at work.... and getting back into a routine at home with an additional person here. I think we've got a nice little schedule going. It's good that I get home an hour before Nick, it gives me time to start dinner, pick up around the house, throw in some laundry if needed... and unwind from work! Quiet time is good. :-)
This weekend however, was not quiet!! We kicked off the weekend with a work party. This entailed going to a restaurant that had food Alicia and I hated, so we proceeded to go shot for shot/beer for beer with everyone.... with no food in our stomaches. This set the pace for a long night haha. After the work party we went over to Kondae with the other teachers to get some more drinks. It was really fun! Nick showed up after a while and had a few beers at Miller Time (an "American" bar) with us. We played some Korean and some American drinking games, which never fails to be amazing entertainment. After quite a few beers we decided to go to bar Yuki, our favorite bar in Kondae. It started off normal enough, Alicias friend Matt being funny and making friends with Nick, while us girls chattered and hung out. Before long, DJ MissMissy took over my body, and I decided I was going to be the guest DJ for the night. It started out me just telling them what to play, but before long I took the controls and was making playlists. What does good music, drunk people, and good times equal?,,,, a dance party!!! We programmed some awesome music and danced out booties off!! We got the whole bar dancing, including the bartenders and the stuffy looking koreans. Around 3am we decided to call it a night.... and walked home. On the way home Matt (awesome Korean guy) decided to jump the barrier on the road and run to a taxi.... we were so busy watching him and laughing we all failed to notice the giant puddle of vomit on the sidewalk. I then proceeded to slip in said vomit. It only got on my shoe, but I hyperventilated and frrrrreaked out over it. We then thought it would be fun to chant about my "dirty boot" which I took off and made Nick carry. We were quite the sight heading home..... I can only imagine what all the Koreans thought about the spectacle we were making haha. This "dirty boot" thing is going to haunt me for a while I'm sure haha. Thank goodness for good friends like Alicia who cleaned my dirty boot and brought it back to me today! Not only did I get my boot dirty from falling, I took all the skin off my knee and left a grapefruit sized bruise. It hurts! Boo for vomit on the sidewalk!
Saturday we had plans to head out with Alicia to Insadong to see Changdeokgung Palace (the Palace of Prospering Virtue) which is the oldest palace in Korea. It was absolutely breathtaking. I was shocked at just how huge the palace grounds were. We literally had to hike to different parts of the palace. They had buildings for raing silk worms, eating, sleeping, making babies, sitting, entertaining.... and so on. It was so rich in history and culture, I love it. The tour was in English and the tour guide was so funny, but she wasn't trying to be. She kept getting flustered and saying things like "why am I getting so defensive?" hahah. It cracked us up.
After we went to the Palace we all wanted to see the Jogyesa buddhist temple. It was equally as breath taking. It was nice on the outside, but the inside (we only saw through the glass wall because service was going on) was like nothing I'd ever seen. I can't do it justice, but I'll post a picture that gives a little idea what it was like. The temple grounds were really nice, lots of statues and an area where the monks were drumming and chanting. They also had an area that had hundreds of lanterns hung, it sounded beautiful in the wind. I want to go back there for sure. We were interviewed by a newspaper while we were visiting. They wanted to know what we thought about the temple, and what we know about temple stays. I really want to do a temple stay, but i've heard it's the hardest thing many people have done in their entire lives. I think I would be worth it for the experience though, ya know? Hmm, I'll think that one over some more.
Our last stop of the day was Insadong where the streets are lined with stores and restaurants and whatnot. I found where I am doing all my shopping for souvenirs for myself and other people. So much beautiful handmade Korean stuff. They have some amazing antique stores (out of my price range!) as well. I was very impressed by the whole experience. The day reminded me how rich the culture is here, and how much there is to learn about Korean history. I'm looking forward to experiencing more temples and palaces.
Today was my typical mellow sunday! We started off the day by going to emart to pick up our groceries for the week. After shopping the three of us went to eat some Korean sushi for lunch, then went to the local little coffee shop to sip some carmel macchiato and reading our books. Two hours had passed before we knew it so we all headed our separate ways. Nick and I cleaned the house, which needed it! Things get sooo dusty here. If I dont sweep and mop 2-3 times a week we get a rather large dust bunny population in every corner of the house. It's gross. I also have to dust and clean every surface in the house a few times a week or it looks like no one has inhabited this place in years. Annoying! I miss my mopping and dusting once a week routine. Once the house was clean I cooked my first American style meal (and first time cooking meat in the two months I've been here). It was SOOO good! I made sauteed chicken breast, mashed potatoes, corn, and stove top. I'm not typically a Stove Top fan, but it tasted sooooo good! Yummy! It was worth the premium cost. Oh, I also took off the whole corner of my pinky with the new potato peeler. It was not my weekend!! I had a little first aid kit, but hours later my finger is still throbbing. Ouch, again!
For anyone interested in Korean Costco, I'll post the link. They deliver everything, but it's really expensive! check out the prices!!! Keep in mind these prices aren't for American size costco things, it's for one box/can/unit of each thing unless specified that there are two units. I am ordering the tortillas, but not sure about anything else on there. I am finding a lot of produce/veggies/meats I can cook meals out of once my mom ships me the box of seasonings and spices.
This weekend however, was not quiet!! We kicked off the weekend with a work party. This entailed going to a restaurant that had food Alicia and I hated, so we proceeded to go shot for shot/beer for beer with everyone.... with no food in our stomaches. This set the pace for a long night haha. After the work party we went over to Kondae with the other teachers to get some more drinks. It was really fun! Nick showed up after a while and had a few beers at Miller Time (an "American" bar) with us. We played some Korean and some American drinking games, which never fails to be amazing entertainment. After quite a few beers we decided to go to bar Yuki, our favorite bar in Kondae. It started off normal enough, Alicias friend Matt being funny and making friends with Nick, while us girls chattered and hung out. Before long, DJ MissMissy took over my body, and I decided I was going to be the guest DJ for the night. It started out me just telling them what to play, but before long I took the controls and was making playlists. What does good music, drunk people, and good times equal?,,,, a dance party!!! We programmed some awesome music and danced out booties off!! We got the whole bar dancing, including the bartenders and the stuffy looking koreans. Around 3am we decided to call it a night.... and walked home. On the way home Matt (awesome Korean guy) decided to jump the barrier on the road and run to a taxi.... we were so busy watching him and laughing we all failed to notice the giant puddle of vomit on the sidewalk. I then proceeded to slip in said vomit. It only got on my shoe, but I hyperventilated and frrrrreaked out over it. We then thought it would be fun to chant about my "dirty boot" which I took off and made Nick carry. We were quite the sight heading home..... I can only imagine what all the Koreans thought about the spectacle we were making haha. This "dirty boot" thing is going to haunt me for a while I'm sure haha. Thank goodness for good friends like Alicia who cleaned my dirty boot and brought it back to me today! Not only did I get my boot dirty from falling, I took all the skin off my knee and left a grapefruit sized bruise. It hurts! Boo for vomit on the sidewalk!
Saturday we had plans to head out with Alicia to Insadong to see Changdeokgung Palace (the Palace of Prospering Virtue) which is the oldest palace in Korea. It was absolutely breathtaking. I was shocked at just how huge the palace grounds were. We literally had to hike to different parts of the palace. They had buildings for raing silk worms, eating, sleeping, making babies, sitting, entertaining.... and so on. It was so rich in history and culture, I love it. The tour was in English and the tour guide was so funny, but she wasn't trying to be. She kept getting flustered and saying things like "why am I getting so defensive?" hahah. It cracked us up.
After we went to the Palace we all wanted to see the Jogyesa buddhist temple. It was equally as breath taking. It was nice on the outside, but the inside (we only saw through the glass wall because service was going on) was like nothing I'd ever seen. I can't do it justice, but I'll post a picture that gives a little idea what it was like. The temple grounds were really nice, lots of statues and an area where the monks were drumming and chanting. They also had an area that had hundreds of lanterns hung, it sounded beautiful in the wind. I want to go back there for sure. We were interviewed by a newspaper while we were visiting. They wanted to know what we thought about the temple, and what we know about temple stays. I really want to do a temple stay, but i've heard it's the hardest thing many people have done in their entire lives. I think I would be worth it for the experience though, ya know? Hmm, I'll think that one over some more.
Our last stop of the day was Insadong where the streets are lined with stores and restaurants and whatnot. I found where I am doing all my shopping for souvenirs for myself and other people. So much beautiful handmade Korean stuff. They have some amazing antique stores (out of my price range!) as well. I was very impressed by the whole experience. The day reminded me how rich the culture is here, and how much there is to learn about Korean history. I'm looking forward to experiencing more temples and palaces.
Today was my typical mellow sunday! We started off the day by going to emart to pick up our groceries for the week. After shopping the three of us went to eat some Korean sushi for lunch, then went to the local little coffee shop to sip some carmel macchiato and reading our books. Two hours had passed before we knew it so we all headed our separate ways. Nick and I cleaned the house, which needed it! Things get sooo dusty here. If I dont sweep and mop 2-3 times a week we get a rather large dust bunny population in every corner of the house. It's gross. I also have to dust and clean every surface in the house a few times a week or it looks like no one has inhabited this place in years. Annoying! I miss my mopping and dusting once a week routine. Once the house was clean I cooked my first American style meal (and first time cooking meat in the two months I've been here). It was SOOO good! I made sauteed chicken breast, mashed potatoes, corn, and stove top. I'm not typically a Stove Top fan, but it tasted sooooo good! Yummy! It was worth the premium cost. Oh, I also took off the whole corner of my pinky with the new potato peeler. It was not my weekend!! I had a little first aid kit, but hours later my finger is still throbbing. Ouch, again!
For anyone interested in Korean Costco, I'll post the link. They deliver everything, but it's really expensive! check out the prices!!! Keep in mind these prices aren't for American size costco things, it's for one box/can/unit of each thing unless specified that there are two units. I am ordering the tortillas, but not sure about anything else on there. I am finding a lot of produce/veggies/meats I can cook meals out of once my mom ships me the box of seasonings and spices.
Monday, December 7, 2009
Finally a quiet moment...
Sorry for the blog absence, it's been a whirlwind since Nick got here. Getting him unpacked, settled, and everything he needed from various stores has been a full time job. I didn't expect us to go right back to normal as quickly as we did. It's like no time passed in some ways, but a lot of time in other ways. I got really used to my little routine. I got used to having everything clean and put away where I like it. I got used to living alone. I'm adjusting to having another body (and all the luggage that comes along with another body) in the apartment, but it's hard not to have my house clean and orderly.... to my standards. Considering he hasn't even been here a week I think we have things pretty well unpacked and stuff, it's just a matter of finding a little more storage space so things are lying around.
Anyway, the weekend was wonderrrrful. I attended my first Korean wedding on Saturday. I feel badly for Korean brides. I felt more like I was watching some crazy Asian reality TV show than a wedding. First of all ,you invite EVERYONE you've ever met to you wedding, which results in half of your guests standing out in the doorway. The wedding, from start to everyone finishing the meal and leaving takes well under 2 hours. You pretty much HAVE to rent out a wedding hall, Koreans don't see it as optional... which costs at a bare minimum 40,000 dollars. So the ceremony starts, there are lighting effects and music going. After the quick vows we hear singing.... yes, the groom was SINGING (very poorly) to the bride. It was painful to watch. The sining stops and we hear cheering...... the groom was doing pushups with the bride sitting on his back!!! WTF! Meanwhile, people are coming and going from the wedding hall, everyone is talking and socializing, and half the guests are on cell phones. I felt like there was nothing sacred or special about the day. If I were a bride I would feel a little shafted as far as having that "special day.
After the mess they call a wedding, we (Nick, Alicia, and myself) took a cab over to Technomart. Technomart is any geeks HEAVEN. It's a huge building.... 8 floors of nothing but electronics. Each floor has a theme... 8th floor computers, 3rd floor cameras, 2nd floor cell phones, 5th floor navigation and other car electronics.... and other floors full of other electronics. It was a little overwhelming.... it's hard to tell where to start! I found some GREAT cameras, and now I can't decide if I want thing amazing little camera called the Mirror, it has a touch screen, HD video recording, and a screen on the front so you can take pictures of yourself. :-) I found some DSLR's for a great price as well. I'm really torn between a nice smaller camera, and the DSLR of my dreams! Eeep! I have some bills I want to pay off first, but maybe I can leave Korea with both in the end.
Once we finished the madness of Technomart we stopped at a few street vendors (it was sooo cold out, well below freezing) then hopped on a bus to Kondae. I couldn't wait to show nick Kondae, and I'm happy he was impressed. First we went and got some dalk galbi for dinner, which is probably my favorite Korean food. That's the dish I put pictures up of a few entries ago. He loved it as well! After dinner we decided to head down to the hookah bar, since it had been a long time since Nick and I got to smoke hookah together. He loved the hookah bar as well, and we all agreed it was delicious. A few beers and a cashed hookah later we ventured back out into the freezing and did a little bar hopping. We walked into Bar Yuki (my fav bar) right as they were starting the fire show. This is comprised of bottle of booze being tossed and juggled, table being set on fire, and fire breathing. All this while they turn up the music and turn on the strobe lights and such. Nick liked it all, but I think it was a bit much to absorb for one day haha.
By this time we had been out and about for like 7 hours, and we wanted to call it a night..... but not before going to emart, my korean favorite! What started out as a quick trip turned into almost 3 hours of shopping. There was so much to show nick! He bought a dapper new winter coat, and various other things. I was happy finding some new western foods... they tend to rotate things in and out. I didn't pick up the peanut butter pretzels, so I hope they have them next time!
Yesterday (sunday) Alicia and I took nick down to the open air market, which if you've been following you know is my favorite Korean place so far (well.... maybe a tie with emart). It was really cold, so we only stayed out maybe an hour... but he got to see a lot of the vendors and shops. We bought a few other things we needed for the house, then spent the rest of the day cleaning and relaxing around the house. It was a wonderful weekend indeed. I have big plans already brewing for next weekend, so hopefully it isn't as FREEZING as this weekend so we can venture further from home!
Mwah.
Anyway, the weekend was wonderrrrful. I attended my first Korean wedding on Saturday. I feel badly for Korean brides. I felt more like I was watching some crazy Asian reality TV show than a wedding. First of all ,you invite EVERYONE you've ever met to you wedding, which results in half of your guests standing out in the doorway. The wedding, from start to everyone finishing the meal and leaving takes well under 2 hours. You pretty much HAVE to rent out a wedding hall, Koreans don't see it as optional... which costs at a bare minimum 40,000 dollars. So the ceremony starts, there are lighting effects and music going. After the quick vows we hear singing.... yes, the groom was SINGING (very poorly) to the bride. It was painful to watch. The sining stops and we hear cheering...... the groom was doing pushups with the bride sitting on his back!!! WTF! Meanwhile, people are coming and going from the wedding hall, everyone is talking and socializing, and half the guests are on cell phones. I felt like there was nothing sacred or special about the day. If I were a bride I would feel a little shafted as far as having that "special day.
After the mess they call a wedding, we (Nick, Alicia, and myself) took a cab over to Technomart. Technomart is any geeks HEAVEN. It's a huge building.... 8 floors of nothing but electronics. Each floor has a theme... 8th floor computers, 3rd floor cameras, 2nd floor cell phones, 5th floor navigation and other car electronics.... and other floors full of other electronics. It was a little overwhelming.... it's hard to tell where to start! I found some GREAT cameras, and now I can't decide if I want thing amazing little camera called the Mirror, it has a touch screen, HD video recording, and a screen on the front so you can take pictures of yourself. :-) I found some DSLR's for a great price as well. I'm really torn between a nice smaller camera, and the DSLR of my dreams! Eeep! I have some bills I want to pay off first, but maybe I can leave Korea with both in the end.
Once we finished the madness of Technomart we stopped at a few street vendors (it was sooo cold out, well below freezing) then hopped on a bus to Kondae. I couldn't wait to show nick Kondae, and I'm happy he was impressed. First we went and got some dalk galbi for dinner, which is probably my favorite Korean food. That's the dish I put pictures up of a few entries ago. He loved it as well! After dinner we decided to head down to the hookah bar, since it had been a long time since Nick and I got to smoke hookah together. He loved the hookah bar as well, and we all agreed it was delicious. A few beers and a cashed hookah later we ventured back out into the freezing and did a little bar hopping. We walked into Bar Yuki (my fav bar) right as they were starting the fire show. This is comprised of bottle of booze being tossed and juggled, table being set on fire, and fire breathing. All this while they turn up the music and turn on the strobe lights and such. Nick liked it all, but I think it was a bit much to absorb for one day haha.
By this time we had been out and about for like 7 hours, and we wanted to call it a night..... but not before going to emart, my korean favorite! What started out as a quick trip turned into almost 3 hours of shopping. There was so much to show nick! He bought a dapper new winter coat, and various other things. I was happy finding some new western foods... they tend to rotate things in and out. I didn't pick up the peanut butter pretzels, so I hope they have them next time!
Yesterday (sunday) Alicia and I took nick down to the open air market, which if you've been following you know is my favorite Korean place so far (well.... maybe a tie with emart). It was really cold, so we only stayed out maybe an hour... but he got to see a lot of the vendors and shops. We bought a few other things we needed for the house, then spent the rest of the day cleaning and relaxing around the house. It was a wonderful weekend indeed. I have big plans already brewing for next weekend, so hopefully it isn't as FREEZING as this weekend so we can venture further from home!
Mwah.
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