i wonder how often that happens

Anyeonghaseyo! ^^*

It's a rainy Saturday night here and I've crossed off so many things on my to-do list. "Update blog" is literally the last thing to put a line through so here I am, blogging. This past week has been pretty low key, aside from the fact that I managed to get tonsillitis which wasn't fun. I started feeling scratchy on Sunday and then by Tuesday I was feeling super sickly. Luckily, I didn't have classes on Wednesday so I just took it easy at my desk. Afterward my adviser took me to the doctor. A few things about that:

1.) First of all, they asked for my weight and I had no idea what my weight is in kilograms. So I needed to go weigh myself. Anyway, the scale was in the lobby (yes, in the lobby) where 20 people were waiting. And it wasn't one of those scales where you look down and see a number, it was the kind that displayed the number in big, red, digital clock letters toward everyone sitting down. Seriously, an lol moment. Koreans, Koreans, Koreans. At least I now know my kilogram weight (so do 20 others).

2.) Um, Korean health care is awesome. I have health insurance here, but even if I didn't the cost would be considerably less than USA prices. It's because Korea has a governmental health care program that everyone must contribute to if they work. It comes out of your paycheck (my school covers mine, but it's only 4 or 5%) and makes health care affordable for everyone. Anyway, my doctor visit was 3500 won (About $3) and I had a prescription for 36 pills (4 different kinds of pills to be taken after every meal for 3 days) and it cost 2700 won (About $2.25). My entire medical fees were under $6.

I think the US should adopt universal health care - can you imagine how much people would save if they didn't have such costly medical bills? I mean, for giving birth, for vaccinations, for a common cold.

Anyway, while my adviser and I were waiting at the doctor's office (they call them all "hospitals") we were talking. To make a long story short, she told me that David and I could go home 1 month early. I'll explain a bit: David and I were delayed in coming to Korea by 3 weeks because it took forever to get our visa's. As a result, I started 3 weeks after the new semester started. My school wants the new contract to begin at the beginning of the semester (September 1st). So, after we go to Japan from July 21-28, I have a week off and then begin summer camp which last for 2 weeks. Then I go home on or around August 21st.

Honestly, I'm very excited. Don't get me wrong - I love Korea so much and I will miss it dearly. But when you haven't seen your friends and family in 8 months, seeing them 1 month earlier makes a huge difference. It will also make things easier for last minute wedding plans.

So, we now have 3 short months left in Koreaville that I know will fly by. We're already beginning to talk in "We should do this before we leave" sentences. :D

Okay, enough verboseness. I have a bunch of random pictures that I haven't posted but want to share. They're from the past few months, so enjoy!

Delicious and cute cow cookie from Himond Bakery (the one I always rave about).


Whatsdis?




Bath time.

The rest of these photos are from about a month ago. It was a "house warning" party for Dante who just moved to Hanam! ;D It's always so fun to go to parties/events with foreigners because everyone is so diverse.

Literally, people from South Africa, Canada, Australia, Hawaii, California, England, London...all in one room. And the funniest part: These people from all across the world are the people who I feel are the most like me here in Korea.

The man of the hour is the one holding a Miller Lite.




Vodka is expensive to come by in Korea. Soju, the green bottle with Korean on it, is cheap and plentiful. Too bad it tastes like acetone! That bottle was about $2, though.


Alphabet fridge magnets = cheap entertainment.




Coveted fridge shot.

Okay, one more picture to complete my "random, outdated photos" post. This is a take-out Japanese dinner from a place down the street. Everything you see was less than $10 and very delicious. Yummmm!




Mmk. Peace!
Wendy

i'm wondering if you read that story too

For the past week or so I keep having these random bouts of what I like to call "whoa" moments. I don't know how to explain it, really. But for me, a "whoa" moment is when you're fully cognizant of what you're doing and making observations about what you're doing while you're doing your doings (ha!). For example, I'll be teaching or talking and all of a sudden I become fully aware of the fact that I'm talking. Does that confuse you?

Anyway... I always feel like saying "whoa" after one of those experiences. Especially when I realize that I live in South Korea. So weird. It's been nearly 8 months since we moved to "The Sparkling," but it still feels crazy to be here.

Eight months. That means we have a little over 4 months until we head home. I know 4 months may sounds like a lot, but the time is flying by so quickly and we have so much to look forward to while we're still here. For example, we have visitors at the beginning of June which will be exciting. And then in July we're going to Japan for a week which will be so much fun. We're also planning our wedding (going so well, by the way) and my summer vacation is fastly approaching.

Speaking of our July trip to Japan land, we've purchased airline tickets and will fly to Narita airport July 21 and get back to Seoul on July 28. We're staying in Tokyo for 4 days and then going to Osaka/Kyoto and possibly Hiroshima. We've already booked our hostel for Tokyo (Khao San Ninja - a winner!) and now we're thinking about a capsule hotel for Osaka. Like I said, so much to look forward to.

Oh, in the last few posts I've referred to a field trip that I went on with the 3rd graders. We went to a traditional Korean folk village that was tucked away from the city and so beautiful. It was a cold, rainy day but the clouds created a silvery light that made some of my pictures appear so soft and beautiful. I was very pleased with how they turned out, especially since I expected them to be a little murky. Let me share:

What a pretty smile.


Checking out the architecture.


Making straw baskets.


"Wendy teacher!"




One of my favorites. If you look at the large version you can see all the rain zooming to Earth.


Say, "Kimchi!"


Umbrellas


White sky, tiny children.


So cute!


Oh, spring.


Technology


Lunchtime. Everyone had gimbap!


Charm


Shoes off.


Pretty


Leaving.

Adieu!
Wendy City

i would have whispered all the things i can't tell you now

I cannot tell you how much my hiatus from blogging has overwhelmed me with guilt. Dear, dear readers - forgive?

The honest to goodness truth is that I've been very preoccupied. You see, now that it's warmer outside, I've found that I'm more inspired to walk about and explore. For example, yesterday David and I ventured into Seoul to have a Western-ized lunch (Wolfhound again, for David's late birthday meal) and then went to Myeong-Dong, a district that is renowned for its shopping.

Seriously, they have the biggest Forever 21 store my eyes have ever beheld. I turned the corner and all I saw was the beautiful serif-script accompanied by three very large stories of merchandise. Bliss! I bought a pretty pink bubble hem dress and a black and white, super long tank top. David bought a white shirt. :)

Told you so!

And some pictures from the street...

After Myeong-Dong we met up with Julia and Nathan to check out the Lotus Lantern Festival happenings at Jogyesa Temple near Jonggak Station. The festival took place in honor of Buddha's birthday (Saturday May 2nd, thus my 5-day-weekend vacay) and it was a really interesting event. Many Koreans were dressed in hanbok, the traditional Korean garb, and everyone was chanting a song, lighting incense and bowing to Buddha. The whole city is decked out in colorful lanterns. A very beautiful sight. ^^*

Later that evening, after some delicious bibimbap, we went to the cheongaechung (man made river, like the Indianapolis canal) to see the lit up lanterns there. There was live music and it was so beautiful!



I have quite a few more pictures from a few weeks ago (field trip with 3rd graders and a housewarming party, plus a few misc. shots). Hopefully I can get those up here soon! ^^* In the meantime, enjoy!

Wendy