A really good day.

Today started out like most days do, my alarm went off, I groaned, rolled over, and hit snooze. It went off again, I swore, turned it off and embraced lethargy for a few moments. Lately the days at school have been dragging. This week I am teaching in the mornings, but the last few weeks I haven't had any classes. The afternoons are generally the same. They involve the sort of boredom that makes me fantasize of smashing my head into my desk repeatedly. Today was a little different though.

At school my kids arrived and were in a particularly cheerful and playful mood. Making the most of it, I hammed it up in class, eliciting cheers and exclamations of, "Teacher! You are so funny! Most funny teacher!!" They especially liked my impression of every TV announcer ever and my fake Brooklyn accent.

After entertaining myself and the kids all morning, I decided to keep the moment and pay some bills. I was mildly shocked and pleased, when checking my balance pre-bill pay to see I had managed to save some money this month, despite sending a lot home and going on a ski trip. Bills paid, it was time to head back to school, a chore to which I did not look forward. Luckily for me, two friends were online to help kill the boredom of an hour or so.

Fast forward to the end of the day, my school friend Minhe met me and we walked home together. I confided in her my deep fear of ordering take out, and my desire to overcome said fear. The walk turned into a tutorial and by the time I reached my destination I felt slightly more confident.

Upon reaching my apartment, I realized I was out of coffee. Thank the deity of your choice I caught this tonight, because there were have been a lot more than the usual morning swears tomorrow had I not noticed. Back out I went into the balmy night (oh yes, did I mention the weather has warmed up considerably, making the outside a happy place?) and off I went, while pretending to take an evening stroll near the Mediterranean, to Starbucks. While downtown I even remembered to pay my phone bill before it was cut off for non-payment.

Back home once more I pulled out my payed off phone and a take out menu. I stared at both for about 5 minutes, took a deep breath and dialed the number. Hooray for Minhe and her tutorial. I managed to order what I wanted, give my address and tell them I lived near a temple. 30 minutes later I was sitting on my floor, eating the best Andong Jim Daak I have ever had. It was for 3-4 people, so I will be enjoying it for days.

And THAT was a really good day.

More teaching pics

These are from the citywide English camp.

What goes up must come down

My knees are black and blue, my ass is sore, and that is just from hiking. This past weekend I went on my first ski trip in 15 years. Despite the bumps, bruises, and losing battle with gravity, I had an amazing time.

The trip started on a bus to Seoul. Too excited to sleep, I felt every hour of the long ride. The plan was to meet my friends in Seoul on Friday night then head to the group meeting point in the morning. Finally, at 1am I made it to the hostel where we would be spending the night. After a shower and a chat with my travel buddy Marie it was off to bed for a few hours sleep before the trip. The next morning started with confusion and Marie's smiling face, letting me know we had about 10 minutes to be on our way. Luckily I just had to throw on some clothes, struggle with my boots, henceforth to be called the Boots of DOOOOOOOOOOOOOM, and head out the door. We were meeting the rest of the group in Itaewon, which is the westerner part of Seoul. Itaewon is lovely, they have coffee and yogurt there. Coffee and breakfast in hand we met up with everyone in a surprisingly tiny van. Then it was off to Gangwon-do for some fun in the snow.

Of course, I should mention that this was Lunar New Year. It is a time when everyone in Korea heads home to be with family. This made for slow going on the highways. We spent about 5 hours in the van before finally reaching our destination. We made a few stops along the way where Marie introduced me to the wonders of rest stop potatoes. Those things are wonderful. Eat them whenever you can.

Once we got to the town with the ski resort we had a traditional Korean lunch and dropped our stuff off in our rooms. Marie, Naomi and I were sharing a room which meant 3 in one bed. Poor Marie would come to regret choosing the middle, after Naomi and I ate our weight in garlic at dinner. Around 4 e met up again to hike a small mountain near our hotel. Not knowing what to expect I put on the Boots of Doooooooooooooom once more, my heavy coat, gloves, and hat. Had I a pair of water proof pants and knee pads, and the gift of foresight, I would have worn those as well. The hike started innocently enough, pretty snow, pretty icicles, pretty trees, then wham! Down I went. Ok, no big deal, I will just get up and wham! The rest of the hike up consisted of me doing my best Flintstones impression (you know, when they ran but didn't go anywhere) and getting propped up by Marie and Naomi. Those two deserve a medal for not leaving me to die in the snow. We never made it to the top, it was getting dark and we didn't want to be stranded on an icy mountain with more snow coming in, especially with me, the girl who couldn't stand up. We turned around and started heading back down the mountain, which was faster, if not easier. My Boots of Dooooooom held no more traction heading down, and I nearly broke Marie's shoulder as she tried to help me stay upright. Frankly, it was easier just sliding down on my tuchas, though probably less safe. I was so embarrassed by my performance, I didn't feel how cold my body had gotten on my slide back down the mountain, though I felt it later. Finally at the base the group loaded back on to the van and headed to the sauna at the ski resort. Do you know what the best thing in the world is after sliding ass first down an icy mountain? A sauna. I refused to come out until no part of me was cold to the touch, which took about an hour. One of the other girls and I actually lost track of time and only just made it to the group at the appointed hour.

After warming up we headed back down to the town and tried on some ski equipment and got some dinner. Korean BBQ is the best thing to eat when you are starving and recently defrosted. Just stay away from the garlic if you are sharing a bed with Marie and want her to be your friend in the morning.

The next morning it was time to ski. I was nervous, but kept reminding myself that I had already embarrassed myself to the max the day before and there was no where to go but up. Even knowing that I only stayed on the baby slope the whole time. I am the master of the baby slope now. Maybe next time I will try the bunny slope... maybe. The day was filled with skiing on a tiny bump in the landscape, eating, drinking coffee, and heading back to the sauna. It was all capped off with pizza in a gondola (the best way to eat it.)

The next morning we all piled back in the van for a slightly shorter journey back to Seoul. Once back in Itaewon we were treated to snacks and drinks by the trip organizer and headed off in our own directions. Marie, Naomi and I went in search of kebabs. Actually, not just any kebabs, the specific kebabs I had eaten with Marty the last time I was in Seoul. Never forgetting the location of a good meal, it was found quickly and Marie and I had two each. I am still a little full. Naomi had eaten at a bun place the last time she was in Seoul, so we headed there next, the walk peppered with window shopping, a run in with my friend Dave, and people watching. When almost all hope was lost we found the bun shop, had a bun and some more coffee and then made a mad dash for the subway to catch our various transports home. I managed to make my bus just in time, although Marie said she was not so lucky with her train. Finally settled into my seat, earbuds firmly planted in my ears, it was time to go home. Bruised, battered and happy.

Japan Slide Show

The internet is great because you no longer need to invite people over to your home, which means cleaning and cooking, to show them your stupid slide show. Enjoy!

Pictures taken by Polly and Jenn.

When I went to Andong

I had an extra week of vacation after I returned from Japan. I had this grand scheme of going somewhere new every day and exploring the country. But then it was cold. And I sent a lot of money home. And then I booked a ski trip. So I went to Andong. Andong is in my province and about 2 hours away by bus. They are known for their mask festival (Which was canceled this year because of the flu), and well preserved traditional villages. They even shoot tv shows and movies there because the houses are so well looked after. Book in hand I was ready to sight see while spending as little money as possible. I made it to the bus station 2 hours later than planned, bought my ticket and sat down to wait for my bus. Upon closer inspection I noticed my ticket was actually for Angong. I have been there, and aside from the lovely EPIK teachers who live there, there isn't much to see. Back to the window I went for a "who's on first?" style conversation to get my ticket changed. Thankfully I noticed just in time and managed to make it onto the bus just before departure.

I got to Andong much later than intended but it was fine, as I only had my own schedule to deal with. After a quick trip to the tourist office, where I was greeted by a woman who looked thrilled to see me, I went off on foot to see the 7 story brick pagoda and traditional village. Did you know that a 7 story brick pagoda isn't as big as it sounds? It was nice but a little underwhelming. The best part was a stone carving that looked eerily like Buddha Yoda. After reaching my goal of the village I sight saw for about 30 minutes before hail came to ruin all my fun. "No problem," thought I, "I will just cab it back to the city center." Except no cabs would stop for me. This is something I notice in Korea. If a lot of my face is showing, and it is obvious I am white, I often have a hard time getting a cab. It sucks. Back through the hail I travelled, finally getting to the city center. I had packed extra clothes in my purse, in case I wanted to stay the night and continue looking around the next day, but by that time I was sick of Andong and just wanted to go home to warm up.

At the bus terminal I bought my ticket back to Pohang and sat down to wait the 1.5 hours until my bus arrived. Now, given the ticket buying experience on the way to Andong, you would have though I double checked my ticket before leaving the window. I didn't. I just sat there, eating gimbap, waiting for my bus watching Korean tv. About 45 minutes later I heard Pohang announced and though, "Huh?" I went out to investigate, and that is when I noticed my ticket was for Pohwai. I thought it seemed cheap. I played charades with the bus driver to hold the bus, ran back in, fixed my ticket, and jumped on the bus. I was one of only two people on that bus, and the other guy could not stop farting. I was quite pleased to get off in Pohang, go home, and crawl under the covers of my warm bed.