Sell It By the Pound

As I made known in a previous post, fall is my time of year. Some unexplainable peace and inspiration comes over me, and I feel more myself than ever. Even on the other side of the world I can sense it. Yes, I am longing for the nights when I can drive my Jeep around with some nice tunes and smell the fireplaces burning when I open the windows; Mom's famous chicken soup cooking in the kitchen; the sight of pumpkins and squash and scarecrows; and the smell of homemade cookies or brownies right out of the oven. Those cravings will intensify, especially with all the Holidays coming up, but just the atmosphere aids my spirit. As Tom Hanks once said, "It makes me want to buy school supplies." I think I could handle perpetually Autumn.
At school we've had a couple rather enjoyable events. Of course it was Halloween, which Korea actually doesn't celebrate but they let us American teachers help organize the day. The kids were super excited to be in their costumes and cuter than ever.
We also went on a field trip to a sweet potato farm where we got to dig up potatoes for the farmer's wife to make us sweet potato curry for lunch. Yum Yum. The weather has been very kind and I've been able to be outside quite a lot. I'm enjoying it while I can.

Sleep Tight

When you're loved, and you know it because someone goes out of their way for proof, it is an overwhelmingly great feeling.
The treasures of my care package(s):
Mixed nuts - cashews, pistachios, almonds, peanuts, walnuts.
Trail mix
Biscotti
Cinnamon bread
Oatmeal
Chocolate bars
Hot chocolate
Marshmallows
Cappuccino
Flavored coffee
Coffee creamer
Coffee pot and filters
Books
Electrical converter
Movies
Cough syrup and drops
Cold medication
Chapstick
Chicken noodle soup mix

Ma and Pa........you rock.

Hello, Frank Lloyd Wright

People often speak about wanting a blueprint or a map for their life, directions for where to turn and where to stop. I realized I am not nearly as concerned with where I'm going as who I am, and I have a much greater need for a blueprint that explains that. It would illustrate exactly how I was built, and why this was put here and that there; it would explain the reason such and such happened and how to react to it; it would tell me which things were connected and where they were connected.
This is why you love the color green and the sound of the cello. This is why you feel most comfortable around children, or why meeting new people makes you feel so vulnerable. This is why Little House on the Prairie or Simon and Garfunkel can suddenly make you long for home. This is why you are comforted by the taste of chocolate or a cup of coffee. This is why running makes you feel alive. This is why you can watch old Meg Ryan movies over and over again. This is why those words left a scar.
I could carry it in my back pocket and refer to it when needed. I could make copies and utilize it like a business card. When I first met people, I could skip all the awkward, difficult in-between and simply pull out my blueprint. "Here, if there is ever a confusing part of our relationship, you'll already know the history and the science. I can just talk and we'll both understand; there would be no struggle to figure it out or even make an impression. Spending so much time in solitude and with my own thoughts has definitely led me to spend much time wondering. Every encounter I have over here forces a new relationship; there is no one who I can just go unload on. No parent, or sibling, or best friend, or co-worker I've known for years. The amount of energy needed is exhausting. Its unlike any challenge I've been faced with..........and probably a good one. One I needed sooner or later. Before I left, a friend who lived in a foreign country for awhile told me that I'll be completely naive, like a baby having to learn things all over again. Some things I wonder if I ever learned to begin with.
One thing is for certain: Autumn is mine!

Do Not Pass Go, Do Not Collect $200

I have never been good with directions, but take away my native tongue, my alphabet, street signs, my own automobile, and its like "Where's Waldo?" I found myself near tears after just not knowing where the hell I was. I was supposed to be meeting up with people for someone's birthday, but ended up on the other side of the city thanks to two subway stops that are only spelled differently by one letter. The right stop would have taken about 25 minutes; the wrong stop took about an hour and 15 minutes, and ruined plans for Saturday night. Shit.
The addresses in Korea are so screwed up, that I don't think most Koreans know where they are or where they are going. There are no street signs in Korea, and the numbers on buildings are assigned as they built........meaning there's building number 14 and right next to it is building 221. That's really awesome, let me tell ya. Apparently, there is a YMCA within walking distance of my apartment, but I can't find it, or an address, and of course Korean directions don't help. Even in my own neighborhood which I have now lived in for a month, I get turned in circles two or three times in an outing. I should have a picture of me in tears to post. That would sum up the way I feel about all this. The best way to make amends with the night: buy a big bottle of red wine and some chocolate to go along with a good movie. Those are three of things you can almost always rely on in a different country.

Joni Mitchell and The Counting Crows

I am one to complain about something, and then have an epiphany regarding that same thing's perks or benefits. As soon as something takes a 360 degree turn, I find the not-so-awful aspects of that predicament. I can skip from mood to mood like a stone skips across a lake. Suddenly,things weren't so bad, or could have been worse at the moment. Even getting up at 5am, or being underpaid, or having a Friday night with no plans, or parents who are "over-involved" can have attractive qualities when they are no where in sight. My true weakness shines through when I have to take charge of something; I've sadly always had someone to do it for me.
I have quickly realized what a baby I am What do you do when someone is trying to screw you over? You tell Dad. What do you do when you can't find a good deal on a cellphone? You tell Dad. What do you do when you need a table and chairs? You tell Dad. What about when you're drain is clogged? Or your bathroom needs re caulking? Normally, you would tell Dad; or you do it yourself and slice three fingers open because he's on the other side of the world. My philosophy through life has long been "Daddy will fix it." I've been rather spoiled with parents who can not only come up with good ways to solve things, but are willing to go out of their way to do it. Of course, I'd like to think that I'm becoming stronger and more independent without them, but its rather terrifying to be honest. It is what it is right now. I'm sure I'll fail many times, and I guess that's okay, but I'm not sure I'll ever get out of that habit of leaning on my parents, especially when I return home. Maybe deep down my father appreciates it.
So Mr. Pacer of the Carpet-Let's Make This Perfect-Throw My Back Out-Open My Wallet-Wave My Finger in Your Face-Guy", this Bud's for you.

Veni, Vedi, Vici, Soju

I'm still recovering from my weekend hike. Desperately needing to get out of my tiny apartment and kill time, I decided to climb Bukhansan Mountain. I was a bit intimidated when I noticed my company decked out with hiking boots, backpacks, gloves and poles, mats, sweat rags and handkerchiefs but decided to give it a whirl anyway. The more difficult it got, the more I was telling myself that it couldn't be that much longer; I was this far into it I might as well go all the way. I was glad I did, not only because it was an amazing view but because most of Saturday was then over. Time over here has been painfully slow. I've been struggling for interaction and things to move the days along. When I reached the bottom once again some old man gave me a bottle of Korean vodka for a dollar. Who can beat that? I've been to the mountains before, but only one other time did I actually hike up one, and that was in Ireland. This one was a bit steeper I believe, but Ireland won my heart over for good.

Bloodthirsty Koreans

So today I was supposed to "give a little bit of blood for a drug test." 5 vials of blood, a cup of urine, an eye exam, a blood pressure test, and a chest x-ray later I was good to go. Except I completely missed my first two classes of teaching, almost lost my passport, and felt like I was going to pass out. I got a free latte out of it though so an even trade I guess. Hopefully my ARC card will follow shortly so then I can participate in the perks of Korean society - a gym membership, a Costco membership, a cell phone, and a bank account. All things I'll have to budget for but may be a rather invaluable plus. Could make my life over here easier. I'm kinda surprised they didn't ask me to do all that before I came over here...
I was also teaching kindergarten this morning and wrote the word "window" on the board for a word that starts with W. I asked them what that word was and with both hands raised Jason yells out "Pizza!" I almost peed my pants. I think that might be the only English word he knows. I think he's my favorite, even though he's quite the handful. My mom told me I could bring him home. I'll think about it.