The Long Walk Home

So, tonight, I went shopping at Nampodong Market.  I ventured over there by myself, because Kevin was at a friends house for dinner.  When I was finished shopping, I looked at my watch and realized it was only 5:30pm.  There were no good movies to see at the theater, and I had already had dinner, so there was no reason for me to stay in the Nampodong area, but I wasn't ready to commit the rest of my night to sitting on my bed and playing on the computer, so.... I decided to walk home!  (7 subway stops)  Yes, I walked home from Nampodong to Goejeong, through the Daeti tunnel and everything!  3 hours later, I made it home, safe and sound, with 1 blister, 2 tingly legs, and a huge smile on my face knowing that I could tell Kev I walked home from Nampodong!!  I can't wait to see his reaction!     

Who wants my leftovers?

Tonight, Kevin and I went to the Wa Bar, a couple subway stops from our apartment to watch the Korea national team vs. the Saudi national team soccer game! When we got there, we ordered some fried chicken, which is fairly uncharacteristic of us, but it looked so good on the menu!

We ended up eating all but 3 pieces of the fried chicken, so naturally (well, it was natural to me), I picked up the 3 remaining pieces, placed them in a napkin and proudly walked them over to the table next to us. I thought it was completely normal, and generous of me to give my extra food to my table neighbors... but when I saw the looks on their faces, and realized they weren't all that interested in my fried chicken, I gave my best smile, handed them my "gift" with both hands, and pretty much wanted to die! Seriosuly, why do I do this stuff? And why in the world do I think it's normal?!!

Kev said it's because sometimes my heart is bigger than my mind. I'm not sure that's such a good thing, but I appreciate the encouragement!!

Koreans say the darnest things!

This afternoon, I was reading my friend Christine's blog.  This is Christine....

She is also an English teacher in Busan.  She wrote a blog about all the outrageous things her co-teacher has said to her, and I thought it was so hilarious, I had to share it with you guys! ENJOY!

"My co-teacher, Park, is a very nice woman, who can be helpful and has helped a fair amount for adjusting here in Korea, or at least is always nice and trying to help, even if she is not.  However she #1. thinks she has much better English than she does, and #2. says whatever comes to her mind. This combination makes for some very awkward moments where I actually have to bite my tongue not to laugh...

* Do all women in Canada get fat when they get old?...like in the US?


* Is your Mom fat?


* Your face is so small, you must save a lot of money on make up.


* (I said) I left my window open and a huge bee came in my office. (she said) Oh did you bite it?


* 3 shots of soju is my limit when I am driving.

* Outside all kids are cute, but in the classroom, I don't like any of them.

* I saw a black man on the bus do you know him?

* You are so beautiful from far away...up close, not so good. "

My journey to work!

Many of you have asked about my commute to work, so I decided to take some pictures to show you just what I endure every morning and afternoon! So, enjoy... This is my journey to school.

I forgot to take a picture of the 5 flights of stairs I walk down at my apartment, so we'll start at the alley outside. Kevin and I have nicknamed this alley, "The Poop Alley." It's a significant shortcut for us to get to the subway and bus from our apartment, but as the nickname clearly reveals, it smells like poop!

Alley Part 1 (Right next to the tree with no leaves is a small garden where the old lady is growing corn and other vegetables!)


Alley Part 2


Alley Part 3


Alley Part 4 (The door on the right of this alley, with the red border, is actually a mirrored door. I'm not going to lie... I always stop here to make sure I look okay for my day.)

On the left is a dry cleaning shop. Every morning, the owner is steam cleaning suit jackets in the window and we say hello to each other and wave!


These are the 5 flights of stairs I walk down to cross the street! I actually go down into the subway station to get to the opposite side of the street.


This is part of the stairway that I climb up to get back outside.



This is outside the subway, and I'm almost to my bus... just one more block! I always smile at the lady who works at the restraurant on the right. She's always making kimbob in the window!


At exactly 8:12am, my bus comes! Yeah for bus # 1!



I always say "Anyonghaseyo" to my bus driver in the morning... and I always sit in the front seat so I can see everything! I am a creature of habit!


This is my favorite part of the journey. This is the village I work in, which is called Gamchun. It's usually bussling with people walking to work and or opening their tiny shops along the street.


This is the crosswalk where I see my first students of the morning. There are 5 of them that all get on the bus here. Jackson, Seth, Julie, Brandon, and Nicole.


Around the turn ahead and 30 minutes from my apartment, I've finally made it to work, and am proud to have lost another 100 calories along the way!!

Sharing is Caring... and sometimes kind of gross!

Yesterday, I was sitting on my bus, waiting for it to leave the bus stop after school, and one of my 5th grade students ran up to the window with a big smile and said, "Teacher, here. See you tomorrow!" and handed me this half eaten cookie! 

She had actually been coughing all week, so for the sake of not getting ANOTHER cold, I thanked her profusely and quickly slipped it into a plastic bag I had in my purse. I've never been given a 1/2 eaten cookie before!