Making Rice Cakes!

I decided to take a nice little walk to the outdoor market by my place this afternoon.  It's one of my favorite things to do, especially on the weekends.  As I was walking by the rice cake store, I noticed that there were 2 women in the back, making them on a large steel table.  I've always been intrigued with the process, and have wanted to learn to make them, but have never had the chance to do it... Today was my LUCKY DAY though!   As I was standing there, outside the store, watching them add ingredients and smoosh them together with their hands, one of the ladies motioned for me to come over!  I was shocked, but super excited at the invitation.

As soon as I walked over, I stood over her shoulder and began to watch.  Before even 3 seconds passed, she motioned for me to get my hands dirty and make some along side her!  She also yelled for her 7 years old son to come over and help (and practice his English with me!)  The 4 of us made rice cakes together for at least 30 minutes!   Noah, her son, was one of the most adorable little Korean kids I've met to date. 

The rice cakes on the tray were the ones WE made! :)

Me and Noah!  

*** As a side note... She never asked me, or Noah to wash our hands before we started making them... Kinda made me think!!!  I wonder how many other places don't care about having clean hands before touching food!   eeehhhh

So Sweet

I walked by the Library this afternoon and peaked my head in to say "hello" to Susan, our school librarian. Susan is a really sweet single mom of 3 children at Gamjung School. Her 6th graders are twins: Travis and Jenny, and her youngest son, Scott, is in 3rd grade. She is an avid attender of my English for Parents Class, and in the past 8 months we have become good friends... Well as good of friends as you can become with a substantial language barrier between you. Anyway, all that to say, she motioned for me to come over to her desk. She humbly handed me this pencil carrier, and said "Everyday, everyday, thank you! I make for you Alexis. I love you!"

Everyday I am reminded of how loved and supported I am here... and how lucky I am to work with such wonderful, giving, and appreciative people. I am blessed beyond what I deserve!

Korean Pupps... All Dressed Up!

If you live in Korea and you own a small dog, chances are, your small dog has it's own personal wardrobe!! Don't believe me.... just look! FYI: The pictures below are pictures I personally took of dogs on the street with their owners. These are my neighbors...

"Does this green shirt make my muscles look bigger?"

"Isn't my sundress soooo cute?! I got it on sale last weekend!"

"Do I look like the bunny on my sweatshirt?  I think so!"

"It's real Burberry!  My mom doesn't hold back when it comes to my wardrobe!"

"How cute are my new shoes?!"

"I'm a poodle... We are bread to walk around looking prissy and wearing cute pink outfits! Why are you so surprised?!"

"I'm a straight A student... I follow the rules... and I always wake up early to iron my dresses!"

"Yea, I'm wearing a raincoat!"

"I was hoping this cute outfit would takes people's focus off of the nasty brown circles under my eyes! What do you think? Did it work?"

"Don't be jealous of my 9.25 silver Tiffany necklace and flower barrette! I'm a DIVA."

"I'm not walking... are you kidding me?! I'm not a dog... I'm a princess!"

"I went to the salon this weekend... What do you think?"

"I didn't think the dogs should have ALL the fun... So I convinced my mom to let me dye my tail! I think I look hot!"

I was able to get these dogs pictures by saying, "Aaahhhh geeyupta" (oooh, cute!) Their owners love, love, love that, and always stop to make sure I get a good picture of their little prized possessions pupps!

This is one of the greatest videos ever... (Thanks to Aaron for taking it!)

**** I LOVE MY MOM! This was what she wrote me after she read this blog "Isn't it funny how some Koreans revere their dogs and others eat them?!" Touche, touche mom!

Rock, Scissor, Paper...

Rock, Scissor, Paper (or in Korean, "gawi, bawi, bo") is the most common way to solve a dispute in Korea. I have been at restaurants where tables full of adults play the game to see who will pay for the meal. My students play it to break a tie when we play games in class and I've seen my co-workers do it at teacher dinners to see who has to take the next shot of soju.


Today, however, I saw my kids playing a whole new style of Rock, Scissor, Paper. 2 girls were playing the game together. The loser had to do a semi-split. They played it again, and again, and each time a person lost, they had to go further down into the splits! The person who ended up doing a full split was the loser! It looked painful... especially when the boys started joining in!

The Piggy Sickness...

It hit my school and 2 of my students have it... YIKES!!! :(