Ice cream chu-se-yo (please)

My favorite cutesy/cheesy TV ad (for Cyon-LG mobile phone) that gets stuck in my head on a daily basis. Enjoy!

Helen

A couple months ago Helen started working at Swaton as the kindergarten helper. She wrote me a letter asking for my e-mail address because she was interested in improving her English. The day after I gave her a slip of paper with my gmail account, I had donuts waiting at my desk with a note that said, "Thank you for being my friend"...and so the gift giving began. I know it's normal in Korean culture to give gifts, and I try to always exchange the courtesy, but at times it makes me feel like a jerk when she's consistent (my favorite gift so far has been a Soju pen), and I start slacking by snagging an ice cream bar or coffee on my way to work.

Helen e-mails me frequently, and a few weeks ago I had dinner with her and her sister at their apartment. It was my first time actually being in a Korean home. They were so cute and gracious, and between Helen, her sister, the English translator, hand motions, and lots of giggles we were able to communicate.

Helen's Sister: "Do you like bear?"
Me: "A bear? The animal?"
Helen: "Yes, B-E-A-R"
Helen's Sister: "Hite-uh, Cass-uh..."
Me: "Oh beer! Yes, I like beer.
Helen & Sister: "Yes, yes! Beer Beer!"

They started stuffing me with food the second I walked in the door. First we had rice cakes and strawberries, then pizza, then Chinese food (I bravely ate noodles with squid, clams and whole crabs), and then we topped off the dinner with walnuts. I love that we ate dessert first, but the highlight of the night was when the mom brought Helen's 5 year old son into the living room to pee in a cylinder container. I tried to act nonchalant like everyone else during this occurrence, maintaining a "whatever, I see 5 year old boys peeing into cylinders on a daily basis, psssh" attitude. Oh, Korea, you continually amuse me.

I hung out with Helen again on Tuesday, and this time we hiked "my mountain." She took me to an area that I had never been to before. This time conversation was a bit lacking and a tad awkward since her sister wasn't there, but it was still a good time. However, I can't shake the feeling that Helen is unhappy and searching to fill a void in her life. I wish I could talk to her about it, but our communication is very basic. I guess all I can do, is just continue to be her friend...and throw in the occasional ice cream bar along the way.


Down down down into the pines.
Picnic area. Helen says every second Saturday a concert is held here. Rad.
Coolest thing. This is a library...on the side of a mountain. Awesome.


Dorky
Old swimming hole


I invested in a new and improved camera: a Canon G9. Let's hope Korea doesn't eat this one and I'll be careful not to drop it in something vile and disgusting. Three's a charm.

Excitement

As the weather is getting warmer, my life is becoming an amazing whirlwind. I'm so excited for the next two holiday weekends and all the spring/summer plans that keep building up. Lately I've been finding myself in a state of awe and disbelief that this is really my life. Most people hit a 6 month slump, but I feel like I just hit an awakening.

A couple weeks ago I bought my tickets for the Mt. Fuji Rock Festival in July. The line up for last year was incredible. So far out of all the artists listed I'm most excited about seeing Kate Nash and CSS. Ahhh, ten days in Japan. It's going to be amazing. Now if only my camera would reappear.

CSS- Off The Hook

Kate Nash- Foundations

Theories

Here are my thoughts on who the mystery maid could possibly be:

1. My landlord. Maybe she came in to check something in the bathroom, or maybe she was trying to prove a point because lately my apartment has been looking like a bomb exploded inside. I should not live alone.

2. Mr. Lee. The "handy man" from my school. He has a spare key and was the one who set up my Internet, cable, and landline. I've actually walked in on him in my apartment, unaware that he was at my place fixing something. Perhaps he needed to check out my washer and hung up my clothes in the process?

3. My favorite theory: "The heavenly mothers" as we like to call them. They're a group of women who are Jehovah witnesses. They roam the streets constantly, knock on my door daily, and I've even had one lady jump out of her car mid-intersection to talk to me. Anyway, one time when I was at home I ignored their persistent knocking and "hello's" and I swear they tried to open my door. Also, after the incident occurred, I went to my friend's house because I was freaked out. When I came back, sure enough, the heavenly mothers were hovered outside my door. Possibly, they hung up my clothes in order to fulfill their good deed for the day. Yea, I have no idea. I'm grasping.



Also, I can't find my camera. If it is truly gone, it's my own fault for never locking my door. I should have been more cautious after a local convenient store was robbed at knife point. Man, what's happening in Daejeon? There's not supposed to be crime in Korea. Now convenience stores are being robbed, clothes are being hung up...it's shaking my world.

In other news, today marks my 6 month anniversary in Korea. Thoughts and reflections coming soon!

Mystery Maid

Since my time in Korea, I've realized this country is one of the safest places to live. Children roam the streets without their parents, even after night fall, and I hardly ever lock my door (partly because I can never keep up with my key). At the most, I'll pretend to put the key in the door when people are outside (seriously). Crime just isn't an issue.

Today I didn't even think twice about leaving my door unlocked when I went hiking. Later in the afternoon when I came back, I noticed my front window was slightly opened. It freaked me out a bit because lately I've felt like things in my apartment have been a little off...like someone has been inside. I know, I know, you'd think I'd start locking my door. Anyway, I shrugged it off and took a nap. When I woke up, I stumbled into the bathroom and noticed that my washing machine lid was up. I looked back into the other room and saw my wet clothes hanging on my drying rack. When I left to go hiking they were still in the washing machine.

Ree ree ree ree (scary noise).

Apparently, in Korea when people break into your house (technically not "breaking in" since the door was unlocked), they like to hang up your wet clothes and drape the previously drying ones nicely on your couch. I also noticed that some of my clothes in my dresser had been folded. Weird, weird, weird.

I'm tempted to keep my door unlocked to see what my mystery maid will do next. I do have a blown light bulb in the bathroom. Maybe I should leave a note...or maybe I should start locking my door.

Only in Korea.

"Kimchi, kimchi, it is good for you and me."

The video that has swept over the SoKo English teaching community and is quoted/sung daily:



Enjoy.

TIKI Tuesday: Korean Baseball Rain Gear

Protection from the mid-game drizzle.




***In an attempt to be more consistent with the random Korean tidbits/sightings, TIKI Tuesdays will occur once every two weeks.