Future Self.

Another one from Reverb 10.  December 21:  Future Self.  Imagine yourself 5 years from now.  What advice would you give your current self for the year ahead?  (Author:  Jenny Blake)


Dear Self,


The year ahead of you will be one of the most exciting, greatest, challenging years of your entire life.  Don't be scared.  Go out into this strange, new world and experience as much as you possibly can.  Keep an open mind.  Don't be so quick to judge others and the way they live.

Five minutes

There a site called Reverb 10 that gives bloggers prompts for every day this month to reflect on the year 2010. Here's the one for December 15 (even though it's already December 16 here): "5 Minutes Imagine you will completely lose your memory of 2010 in five minutes. Set an alarm for five minutes and capture the things you most want to remember about 2010. (Author: Patti Digh)"

I'll admit that I've been thinking about this for well over 5 minutes. I've actually been sitting here trying to remember everything that happened this year and what really stands out. The problem is that I've always been more of a visual creature so when I try to conjure up these memories, I picture certain days or feelings I may have had. Most of the things I most want to remember about 2010 involve events or random moments in time that I can't really put into words.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas..

..and is the case here in Seoul, FEEL a lot like Christmas too.  The weather has been down right frigid the past few days.  There are decorations and lights all over the city.  I was surprised to find out that Christmas is not a family holiday in Korea.  It's a time for friends to get together and party all night long and a time for lovers to have yet another "couple holiday" (as if we need any more of those).  It will be interesting to see what Christmas time in Korea brings this year.


Since I haven't posted pictures in a while, here's a photo blog of some things I've done during the past month..

Last month I went to the Seoul Lantern Festival at City Hall

Seoul Lantern Festival

Seoul Lantern Festival

Deoksugung Palace

Feels like fall...

Then Jessi and Brad threw a perfect Thanksgiving dinner party with actual turkey and mashed potatoes!

Their apartment is so amazing, we were all able to sit together for Thanksgiving..

view of Seoul lights from the top of a mountain at night.

As requested, here is a photo blog of my walk to the gym/Sungshin area.

this entrance that looks like a carwash is what the entrance to love motel parking lots/garages look like. 

view of the other side of the street and the sweet purple love motel

there are two 7-11's on the way

fish restaurant

there's my gym!

stores across the street from the gym and subway entrance to the left..

Lastly, I'll leave you with a couple Christmas pictures..

Christmas tree at the German Christmas market

Christmas lights in Hongdae..there are lights on trees like this all over the city.

AND as I'm sure you've all heard, N.Korea and crazy Kim Jong Il attacked a small island off S.Korea last month.  This message is to tell you, don't worry!  I'm sure you saw way more action on the US news than anyone saw in Seoul.  It was big news the day it happened, but then people went around business as usual.  There's nothing we can do here, but we're safe and sound in our city for now.  N.Korea apologized so there is no war starting or anything.  Believe me, I will evacuate if the US Embassy tells me to.


SO, that's all I have for now.  Two more weeks of school, then it's vacation time!  I'm headed to Hong Kong and Macau for the week in between Christmas and New Years.  It's officially booked!:)

ESL (or sometimes 3rd or 4th)

Living in a foreign country is challenging.  Conversing with people who do not speak English as their first language is very challenging.  Actually, I would venture to say most people would call English their third language (Chinese being their second?)  


Texting with said people is a necessary convenience so that both parties may word what they want to say very carefully.  I find myself speaking in the most simple and grammatically incorrect sentences so that others may understand the meaning of what I am trying to convey.  On the flip side, I receive some pretty hilarious messages as well.  Since my phone has saved every text I've received since I got it, I've decided to share some of my favorites so far for your enjoyment.

one of the first konglish texts I ever received (and definitely one of my favorites):


"i was too cold in sleeping therefore, i take severely to a cold"


"wow! your hobby are abundant! my hobby is listening to music, playing in the club^^"


"you are so kindness!^^"


"have a delicious food n good time"


"its time to dinner!see you!^^"


"im bush day a week and you"
(i think this is supposed to say i'm busy today, and you? for some reason, koreans are trained to respond to questions with this...and you. it's weird.)


"I''m not good at English you want to meet a lot of study will do it."


"Beatiful n shiny weather let me out~!!! go to mountain now^-^"


"Its wind and raining, especially yellow sandy in the night.."


"yeah why didnt you have fun more long time?? did melissa make a boy friend?"


"Played on the weekend fun? The weather is too coldㅠㅠ"


"Its true that pains follow funs and funs do painsㅠ.ㅠ"
(in regards to being hungover)


"may be..did you lost moneybag and other importants?"
(when my coat was stolen..other importants haha)


to be continued...

Time is flying.

3 months already.  I don't know where the time is going.  Thanksgiving is next week.  I can't believe it.  I think I am still in the "honeymoon" phase of things here.  I still love (mostly) everything about living in Seoul.  I'm not homesick yet, although I'm sure that may come once the holidays are here. 

It also really helps to have the internet, living 7000 miles away from family and friends.  I was thinking about it the other day.  I still get to talk to friends on gchat, email, and skype while I'm here.  I'm not sure I could do this (living in another country) if it weren't for the internet.^^

Happy Pepero Day 11.11

Pepero Day is here.  I want some pepero that looks like this.^^

Hello November.

Sorry for the lack of updates lately.  I really have no excuse other than I've been keeping busy with life in general.  I can't believe it's already November.  I feel like October just blew by without even realizing it.  


We've had a few cold spells here in Seoul already, and I'm afraid winter is impending.  My school is FREEZING all the time now because they open the windows and there is no heat in the hallways.  I am going to have to get a blanket to sit at my desk with.  The Korean school year is coming to an end next month.  I have just 7 weeks left to finish up the lessons for the year.  


This also means I really need to get on the ball planning my winter vacation.  I have to work 2 weeks of winter camp the first 2 weeks of January, then I can choose when to take my vacation time.  Since the school year runs March-December, this is like the summer holiday in the states so it will be my longest one.  Where should I go??


So even before Halloween last week, Seoul was prepping for the Christmas season.  Since there is no Thanksgiving here, Christmas is the next holiday.  I'm actually excited to see all the lights and decorations around the city.  I can't wait to go see Santa at the stage in Myeongdong.

I snapped this at Doota while shopping for my Halloween costume in Dongdaemun last week

For Halloween, I went with Melissa and Tony to a huge Korean party here.  The photos suggested that people would dress up, but we noticed when we arrived that that was not the case.  There were also TONS of girls, literally more than we have ever seen out before at any clubs anywhere.  Most girls that were dressed up were only wearing very Korean style bunny/leopard/bow ears/headbands.  The best part about this party was seeing Supreme Team perform "Dang Dang Dang" because I love this song.  The Koreans went absolutely crazy when these guys were on stage especially for "Supermagic".  Unfortunately after their performance, a very long techno set began so Melissa headed to Gangnam for the rest of the night (where literally nobody  was dressed up for Halloween).


a cupcake and 2 Korean popstars

A couple weeks ago, I went on a hike up Dobong Mountain with Jessie and Brad.  We anticipated an hour or two hike up and down.  What we got was a 2.5 hour hike up, 1.5 hour hike down.  It started out okay until we started seriously climbing uphill.  It was fairly strenuous and there were rocks everywhere.  Surprisingly, there were a lot of old people with hiking sticks and gear climbing up this mountain with seemingly no problem at all.  Meanwhile, I'm sweating profusely and my legs are dying.  There were signs that kept saying 0.5km to the top, but then we would go another km, and there would be another sign with the same thing.  So it was all a big trick so you actually had no idea how much longer it would take to get to the top or what was even at the top. 

Dobongsan

Dobongsan

Well, my only classes on Fridays are grade 6, and all of grade 6 is on a field trip...assah!  TGIF!:)


2 Months.

I cannot believe it's been 2 months as of this past Sunday.  It still feels surreal.  Although, I am somewhat settling into a routine life here in Seoul, it's crazy to think that I have been away from home, living in South Korea for 2 months.  I feel "at home" now for the most part.  For example:  I'm not scared to go places for fear of getting lost.  I'm learning my way around the bus system.  I'm less scared to go into stores and order food.  I'm completely comfortable with my surroundings and walking around my neighborhood.  I have been mistaken for a "true" Korean on more than one occasion.  I am starting to actually like the men in skinny jeans.  I am making new friends and spending time with "old" ones from orientation.  I feel more comfortable with my lesson planning and teaching.  I am starting to recognize students from each class and which ones are the smart and/or troubled kids.  I like to eat kimchi.  The weather has finally cooled down to perfect fall temperatures and hardly any rain recently.  These are just a few of the reasons I'm thankful to be here right now.  Of course, I still miss everyone back in the states.  I wish I could be there for gatherings, birthdays, holidays, babies, etc.

Trainer Jake

Well, the machine of body fat tells me I am 17.8% body fat (or around there, I don't actually remember).  Trainer Jake tells me that I am "a little fat."  He wants to know what my goal is and if I can limit my diet to sweet potatoes, chicken, and vegetables and cut out alcohol.  I hate to say it Trainer Jake, but that's just not going to happen.  


Koreans are serious about working out.  They all want "six packs" and they will use that term.  My goal is to feel healthier while eating everything I want to while I'm here.  I'm not sure how this happened because I'm pretty sure I did not choose the "trainer" option when signing up for my membership, but as long as he is still scheduling me, I will keep showing up.  I've gone to see Trainer Jake 3 times now, and my body is in pain.  I could barely walk up and down subway stairs over the weekend.  This is a good thing, but for now, I feel like I have hard core been beaten up.


I also went to "body pump" last night, not to be confused with Les Mills.  I went in thinking it would be the same as what I am used to, but it's not.  (*UPDATE- the pump classes ARE now the same a the Les Mills program back home..ASSAH!)  It's a bunch of Korean ladies sweating it out in their matching grey & orange t-shirts provided by the gym.  


While we're on the topic of Korean ladies, let's talk about the women's locker room.  I have never in my entire life seen so many naked women in one place.  Koreans have NO SHAME.  They literally walk around bare ass naked from young girls to old women.  Maybe they will put on underwear but then stand in front of the mirror drying their hair topless.  It's so ridiculous.  I'm not sure if I will ever become comfortable enough to do that.  I also think it's weird that all Koreans shower and get dressed at the gym.  I'm the kind of person who would only do that if it's completely necessary.  I like to walk to and from and gym and shower when I get home.  I feel like I get a few odd looks during my walks because they are not used to seeing people in gym clothes on the street.  It's actually kind of funny, but I'm okay with it because I will not be showering in the locker room for a long time.


Hm, what other updates do I have...  I went to my first Korean open bar over the weekend for a friend's birthday.  It was at the COEX Intercontinental Hotel and it was a wine buffet so I obviously loved it.  (go to the Samseong subway stop and follow signs through COEX to the Megabox/Aquarium until you find the hotel).  It's all you can eat and drink for like $30.  I finally lasted all night to to take the first subway home in the morning, but that is something I would not recommend doing again.  It's one thing to get in a cab at 5:30am.  It's a totally different story to get on the subway at that time with a transfer to make.  Terrible.


I went to the dentist today because one of my teeth has been throbbing.  I thought for sure I would need a root canal or something, but the dentist didn't really think there was anything wrong so she just shaved a little of my tooth down and gave me some sort of gum treatment for just about 25,000 won.  Now I am just praying it will stop hurting sometime in the near future.  While I was there, the dentist told me she didn't even learn the ABC's until she was 14 years old.  It's crazy how times have changed over the years.  Now, there are pre-schoolers going to private hagwons to learn English before they even start in the public school system.

I joined a gym...

I finally built up enough courage to go ask about joining the gym I've had my eye going to and from school.  It's called Body Star Fitness Club near Sungshin Women's University so it's close enough to walk or take the bus.  The guy at the desk was nice and actually spoke enough English to sign me up for a 10 month membership for 530,000 won, which is just a little less than what I payed at home.  They have body pump and some other classes, and the equipment looks clean.  They also have matching t-shirts for everyone to wear if you so choose.  I have "orientation" tomorrow, but I'm not exactly sure what that means.


Here is the text I got from them:


"Here's body star fitness club.  Tell me about the time to check out the machine of body fat which is ur available time."


Machine of body fat you ask?  I wish I knew the answer.  We will see soon enough.


**UPDATE:  just renewed my membership for a second year at this gym.  Overall, I'm really happy with it.  They have clean facilities, clean uniforms (if you want to wear them), and a range of equipment and classes.  I mainly use the treadmills which DO have programs (like intervals/hills/etc) and they DO incline..which I've heard other gyms in Korea do not.  Also, there are not many foreigners there!  I can pretty much go and mind my own business without anybody knowing that I am actually a foreigner myself.  So..if you've somehow found my blog by searching for this gym, please avoid talking to me if you see me there!^^

Observations About Korea Worth Mentioning..

I've been compiling a little list about Korea whenever new things come to mind, so I figure I'll go ahead and share what I have so far.  I'm sure this list will grow as time goes on.


1.  The food.  Samgyeopsal (and really ALL Korean BBQ), gimbap, makgeolli, and soju.  Korean food is good.    I am even starting to like Kimchi more.  Although, because of the massive rain storms this summer, Kimchi has become scarce, so I load up more than usual during school lunch.

Samgyeopsal pork belly goodness

Good Karma

On Friday, I had a Bukbu School District workshop where all the Native English Teachers and their co-teachers had to attend to watch an open class (which is just a class that is "open" for others to watch).  That is not the important part of this story.  The more important thing is that somewhere between my school and the open class school, I seemed to have misplaced my cell phone.  


I realized this and frantically told my co-teacher that I thought I may have left my phone back at school.  She called Jinhee to see if she could check in the drawer, but it wasn't there.  She called my phone to see if we could hear it anywhere or if it was somewhere at school.  Miraculously, she received a phone call from a BUS DRIVER who had my phone.  The bus driver left my phone at a Morning Glory stationary shop right next to my bus stop so I could pick it up later that evening.  WTF.  I love Korea!


The whole point of this is that at home, in America, I NEVER would have seen my phone ever again.  I would have had to cancel my phone, get a new one, etc.  I have no idea who found my phone and handed it over to the bus driver of a DIFFERENT bus than the one I was on, but THANK YOU kind sir!  Karma will repay you.


After the meeting on Friday, I headed to explore a new area with Jessi and Brad.  We ventured all the way up north to the Nowon stop.  I didn't think Nowon would really have much to offer, but it was actually a pretty busy area with a lot of shops, restaurants, and bars.  I definitely want to get back there again.  I guess it was a weekend for new areas because we also tried out the Konkuk University (Kondae) area last night, and I went back there for dinner tonight.  Konkuk is a really lively place with tons of bars and restaurants and lots of neon lights (much like any other street in Korea).  The university areas seem to be the best places to go.  I'm lucky because I live a 5 min walk to Korea University and about a 10 min walk to Sungshin Women's University.


I feel like I'm learning new things and discovering new pockets in Seoul all the time.  I'm so grateful to be living in such an incredible city and having this experience.  Sometimes it's weird to think this is my life.

Happy Chuseok

Well, it looks like Sunday is my day to update lately.  I got home yesterday (Saturday 9/25) from a great trip to Busan.  The first day there, we arrived to pouring rain and strong winds so I was a bit pessimistic about the weather for the rest of the trip.  We were able to spend Wednesday afternoon relaxing at the hostel, taking in the scenery, and visiting the Busan aquarium so all was not lost.  I also got to see Mo who went to college with me since we were both staying at the same hostel, and we all went out for dinner around the Kyungsung University area.


Luckily, we woke up Thursday morning to gorgeous sunshine and milder temperatures, perfect for hitting Haeundae Beach!  Our hostel, Chan's Guesthouse, was in the perfect location, right in the middle of Haeundae Market, less than a 5 minute walk to the biggest beach in Busan.  The beaches are located on the Sea of Japan so they are not huge, and the water is super salty.  The water temperature and waves were fantastic.  It's funny because the only people swimming were foreigners who were clearly vacationing.  The Koreans on the beach were fully clothed taking pictures of themselves (per usual) or swimming in their clothes which is just weird.

First day of beautiful weather at Haeundae Beach

View from other end of Haeundae Beach

 After spending the day swimming and lounging around Haeundae, we headed to Gwangali Beach to catch sunset by the bridge and check out the fish markets.

Gwangali Beach with Gwangali Bridge in the background

Gwangali Beach starting to light up in the evening

So this is what we saw when we walked into the fish market we chose for dinner.  Jaehee from our hostel wrote down suggestions for types of fish to get so we showed the woman the paper and she dumped some fish in a bucket.

Our dinner flopping around in the bucket

Our dinner on the table

 Then, the nice lady led us upstairs with our bucket where she dumped the fish in another tank for the chef.  We were seated in an adjoining room (with traditional korean seating, on the floor) where we were served all of the side dishes.  Then our plate of very fresh (literally) sashimi came out with the fish we had chosen downstairs.  After dinner, we wandered around the little amusement park, and then headed back over to the Kyungsung area.  We went to a bar called Long Island Iced Tea which was the best decision ever because the bartenders put on shows throwing bottles and fire.  It was a solid night topped off by a little norebang (karaoke room) of course.

Our favorite bartender (Alvin?) throwing some fire

Overall, it was a fantastic trip filled with basking in the sun, swimming, spending time with friends, meeting new friends, and eating lots of delicious food.  Jaehee and Chan, the two people who ran our hostel took us all to a little Mexican stand that had the best burritos I've had yet here in Korea.  It was really authentic and local with lots of little post its written by people from all over the world who have visited for some tacos.

Post its at Taco Senora

Delicious burrito in Busan

To top off Chuseok break, we went out in Hongdae last night once we were back to Seoul.  We went to Bar Zen again and then headed over to Cocoon (after reading about it online) which also happens to be the "Sexy Party."  The place is ridiculous.  I wish I had pictures to show what it was like inside.  It's basically just a huge club inside and people are jammed in there shoulder to shoulder dancing like crazy.  It actually turned out to be a lot of fun, and I had another early bedtime of 6am.

The Sexy Lady Party at Cocoon

Well, I'm off to catch up on the new episode of Glee.  Back to school tomorrow!

One Month Anniversary

I've officially been in Korea for one month now from August 17-September 17.  It's been such a crazy month starting with the flight into unknown territory, EPIK orientation, making new friends, settling into life in Seoul, teaching for the first time, eating A LOT of food, and having a little fun in between it all.  Here's to the rest of the year being just as great as the first month.


A couple weeks ago, I had my grade 6 classes write some sentences in the past tense and draw pictures to go along with them.  What resulted were some hilarious sentences.

This one was my favorite for obvious reasons.  "My leg fell in the poo-poo basket yesterday."

FYI:  For some reason, Koreans don't always flush their toilet paper.  So, at school, there is such a thing as a poo-poo basket because, well there is poo in the basket.  I'm not sure if it is actually common to accidentally step in the basket or not, but either way, just imagine...squat toilets, toilet paper not in stall, poo-poo basket.  Not pretty to say the least.  UPDATE:  video on youtube about this exact thing.

On another note, I went to Lotte World yesterday!  Lotte World is a big indoor/outdoor amusement park inside the city of Seoul.  It's just about 35min. from my house, accessible by subway so I definitely plan on going back multiple times this year.  It's so weird that this huge amusement park is just sitting in the middle of a huge city.  We went on a ride called the Gyro Drop where you could see the whole park, a phenomenal view of the Seoul, and the surrounding mountains as well.  They have a huge indoor portion of the park with a roller coaster and ice rink as well as an outdoor part called Magic Island.  We had a great time there, and it was probably my favorite Saturday in Seoul so far.

In front of the castle on Magic Island @ Lotte World

I'm headed off to Busan this week from Wednesday-Saturday with Melissa to celebrate Chuseok.  We have off school Tues-Fri because Chuseok is like Korean Thanksgiving, and everyone goes to see their families during this time.  So we're taking advantage of our time off to explore another part of Korea and relax at the beach (crossing our fingers for good weather).  Until then, my friends!

I can't stop thinking about food

I had the best Greek meal tonight at a place called Santorini in Itaewon followed by Cold Stone of course.  I swear I eat so much ice cream here, and I'm not really sure why.  I just crave it all the time.  Hence, why I need to find a gym STAT.  I eat the school lunch every day and then I find myself famished by dinner, just day dreaming about what I'm going to eat next.


We went out in Hongdae again on Friday night to celebrate Brad's birthday.  We made it all the way to 5:30am! I'm pretty proud of us.  We were so close to staying until the subway re-opened but just didn't quite make it.


Saturday we went to the FC Seoul soccer game vs. Daegu at the World Cup Stadium.  It was "foreigners day" so there were countless white people and other foreigners which was strange to see.  Seoul won 4-0 so it was a good game.  Today, Sunday, I made the trek back out to Incheon Airport to return my rental cell phone since I will hopefully be able to pick up my actual cell phone by Weds. this week.  It took 2 hours to get there by subway which is just awesome since it pretty much took me all day to get there and back.  That's it for my weekend.  Now, the wait for next weekend begins..then Chuseok break!

girls out in Hongdae at our new fav Oversound

So, I said I would have some interesting stuff this time.  The topic:  man purses.  It is appalling how many men carry the "murse" around.  Not only will they carry their girlfriend's purse but so many men have their own purse as well!  I tried to capture some of them at the Hongik University subway one day, but these pictures don't do it justice.

Exhibit A- fanny pack as a purse?

Exhibit B

Exhibit C- the business man murse

Update: There are 2 western style toilets in each bathroom at school.  The toilet paper is still on the outside of the stall.

Week 3

"THE 20S ARE LIKE the stem cell of human development, the pluripotent moment when any of several outcomes is possible. Decisions and actions during this time have lasting ramifications. The 20s are when most people accumulate almost all of their formal education; when most people meet their future spouses and the friends they will keep; when most people start on the careers that they will stay with for many years. This is when adventures, experiments, travels, relationships are embarked on with an abandon that probably will not happen again."

Is this what I'm doing in Korea??  I like to think I will look back on this time with many of those thoughts.  So, What Is It About 20-Somethings?  Check out the whole article.  It's pretty interesting, and I have a feeling a lot of my 20-something friends can relate, at least on some level.


Well, it's now Week 3.  Although I've technically only been here in Korea for 17 days and in my apartment/room (more on that later) for one week.  It's safe to say that my sense of time is all messed up.  It feels like it's been so long already, and we're not even one month in.  


I feel like I've known the friends I made at orientation forever, and in reality, we spent less than 9 days together before we moved out on our own.  I think we are all just clinging to one another in an attempt to feel normal, which I'm certainly not complaining about.  Just for scale, after meeting Tara, we were sitting in my dorm room at orientation freaking out about whether we would be placed near each other and planning sleepovers in case we were far way.  We had met 8 hours earlier.  Yes.  Best friends for life after a wonderful medical exam and lunch in the cafeteria.  That's how it works here.  I went to dinner with some of the girls last night at a Mexican restaurant at the Yeouido stop called Casa Loca, and for a second, I felt like I was back in America, hanging out at Plaza Tapatia.  


This has been the first full week of school at Wolgye Elementary School, and I could not be happier that tomorrow is Friday.  I have semi-started teaching, but I think my co-teacher is hesitant to let me take control.  I can't blame her.  She translates pretty much everything for the students so I'm not entirely sure how this will work for me.  I think it will just be a learning game to find a sort of rhythm that works for us and a lesson planning style we both like.  I think both of my co-teachers are open to letting me come up with my own lessons because they tell me to plan something, but then one wants to see a script which I don't really plan on making.  Hopefully she'll realize that is just creating more work for the both of us.   Other than that, I think I am lucky in the sense that I will actually be co-teaching in all of my classes rather than have a co-teacher who doesn't help me at all.  I also get to teach a parent's class and an after-school reading class with only a few of the smarter students so I think those will probably end up being my favorite.


I just realized this is a super boring post, but I promise I have some interesting stuff to write about next time.  For now, here are some pictures I snapped on the first day of my tiny studio apartment/officetel.  It's definitely not spacious by any means, but it is home now.  It is beginning to feel more comfortable, and I am sure to acquire more things to make it feel like mine.

Shoe closet when you walk in.  I guess it's probably a good thing I don't have all my shoes bc they would never fit in here..  and it is a shoes off Korean household.

Bathroom door to the right of the entrance and my cushy hearts toilet seat

Sweet shower that was to be expected..hey, at least it's not attached to the sink!

Cabinet space in the bathroom..check out all that deodorant!

My kitchen.  Yup, that's it.

Desk area with a sweet pull-out kitchen table

My sad little bed.  Don't worry, I also have a trundle underneath so visitors are welcome.

My dollar store MD flag that I haven't been able to hang yet

A major downgrade from here.  Looks like I will need to do some shopping on pay day:)

Things..

I have experienced my first "non-western style toilets."  My first one was at the subway, and I found out on Friday that my school also has these hole-in-the-floor squats.  I saw one western toilet on the first floor, but I can't remember where it was.  Well, it's not so bad.  After all..it's just like popping a squat outside, but with a little bowl that flushes.  I don't really see how one would go number 2 though...let's hope this scenario never comes to life.

Speaking of the subway, the Seoul subway system is super clean and really big.  There are 12 lines that stretch across the city.  My apartment is on line 6 at Bomun station, just outside city center, in Seongbuk-gu which isn't a bad location for getting around.  The seats that are reserved for old people are literally always open for the old people.  No young people sit in them ever which is a nice change of pace I suppose.  It's nice for me since I look/am Korean because the people on the subway don't stare at me or try to speak English to me.  I can just blend in for the most part which I'm thankful for.

Subway car on line 6

Koreans also pass out everywhere, especially on the subway, but also on the streets and in public places.  Check out Blackout Korea for real evidence.  I can't wait to get my non-rental cell phone so I can start taking pictures for this website and posting them on the blog too.

My last thought for today is on Itaewon.  It is everything they say it is.  Touristy, white people, western bars, etc.  It honestly feels like you're in multi-cultural city in the states, and it is totally bizarre.  I will, however, definitely be making my way back there for my fill of western food.  I hear they have brunch and Mexican and all kinds of other delicious stuff!  

Welcome to Itaewon!  Home of the Taco Bell.

the view from the rooftop of my building at night