Ah! Refreshing Summer Vacation

So this past week was summer vacation. I don't think I realized how much I needed a vacation. I was kind of scared for this vacation because Douchi still had to work and Mell, Janet, and Mariana went out of town. The guys from the gym were still around and San Ha, but I was afraid that I would miss my family too much if I spent too much time alone. I'm crazy I know, but whatever! Hahaha. I'm me and I'm ok with that! This week was definitely refreshing though! I slept in late every day!!!! Hahaha. I did some grocery shopping (I hadn't gone in about a month...there was nothing in my refrigerator). I also cleaned my apartment really well!!!! I hadn't taken the time to really clean in a few months so I know my apartment needed it! I also went to the gym earlier than I normally do; so I got in a better workout! It was very nice. I did better with my Jiu Jitsu because I wasn't completely exhausted from working all day. A couple of days, I met Douchi for "dinner" before my workout. I enjoyed the time with Douchi, but eating before a workout is never a good idea! Hahaha...especially when its super hot outside. Oh well, you live and learn right?

Friday, Douchi and I skipped the gym to go to Seoul for the afternoon. We met up with one of my friends. He met us at Seoul Station, and we went shopping. It was interesting because he was super patient while Douchi and I looked at clothing. Also, I've never met a guy volunteer to go shopping. I told him we could meet up later, but he wanted to go shopping with us. He thought we were crazy though because we split up when we got inside the store! Hahaha. We always do that and don't even think about it, but he was so confused...he wasn't sure what he should do. He didn't know if he should go with me or her. Of course, Douchi and I always meet back up in the dressing room and help each other decide what we want. One of his friends met up with us while we were shopping. So we had not only one but two guys voluntarily shop with us!!! Wow! Hahaha. We only went to one store because we found everything we needed, but we also didn't want to subject them to any more torture. Although, they never would have said anything! Hahaha. They were surprised that we didn't shop more than we did. After, we decided to go to Holly's Coffee to sit and talk for a bit. It was nice. Then, of course, we had to go eat...I mean this is still Korea...you have to eat every time you go out with someone its the law! We got a Korean pancake which has octopus and veggies inside it. It's not too bad. I kind of like it!

After, we headed back to Daejeon. We met up with Song Sok (one of the guys from the gym) at Mr. Chicken and Beer. It's his last weekend in Daejeon for about a month. He is going to training for the army. He's definitely one of my favorite people at the gym. I hate that I won't see him for a month. It's going to suck even more when he leaves for the army next year. I won't see him much at all :(
It was a relaxing evening. We just hung out at Mr. Chicken all night and talked.

It was definitely a good week! I am glad I stayed here. I think if I had gone away on vacation, I may not have relaxed like I needed to!

Summer Vacation Kickoff

Summer vacation officially started at 5:15 Friday afternoon! Of course like the dedicated gym member that I am...I went to the gym for a few hours before heading home. Thursday was Mell's birthday so Friday night we celebrated with a b-day dinner in Dunsan. We were only going to be out for a few hours because I had to go to Korean lessons, and Mell and Janet had to catch their flight for China in the morning. As always, a few hours is never a few hours. I totally slept through my Korean lesson, but somehow Mell and Janet managed to catch their flight. It was a really fun night, and I am glad that I went out. I am not happy that I skipped my Korean lesson, but this is summer vacation and I'm the only one actually spending my summer vacation in Daejeon...so I'll forgive myself this one time.

After waking up late for my Korean lesson, I still had time to catch my Jiu jitsu lesson on Saturday afternoon. I was still exhausted, but I had promised I'd be there so I dragged my lazy bum to the gym. Turns out, one of the girls bailed on the lesson and the other one was running late. Kwangjungnim was really mad that one of the girls had bailed and the other one was late. He kept telling me that I was a good person for keeping my promise even though I was tired. Koreans are really big on promises and commitments. I am so glad that I made it to the gym. After the gym, we went out for some Korean barbecue, I think its called sumgipsal or something like it. I had not had any Korean barbecue since the first week I was here. It was delicious!!!! After barbecue, we went noraebonging. It was fun, but there were only three of us so it was not as fun as it usually is. Then, of course, we ate again. Koreans are constantly eating!!!!!!! I have no idea how they stay so thin; they are always, always, always eating! It's crazy!

Today, Sunday, I woke up in time to go to church for the first time in a few weeks. I've felt so badly about missing church. It has been one thing after another, and I never seem to be able to make it. So I went and I met a few new girls, and I talked to a few familiar faces. One of the girls is studying in America, and she came home for summer vacation. The other girl lives in Daejeon with her family.

I am a little nervous about this week. Everyone is either working or going away for the vacation; so I am probably going to have quite a bit of alone time. It will be good for studying Korean and cleaning my apartment, but I'm not sure how much of that I can stand! Hahaha. This may be a test for strength of character. Hahaha.

Relaxed Weekend?

I had a fairly relaxed weekend this weekend. By relaxed, I mean that I went to bed before the sun came up. Hahahaha. So, Friday night Douchi and I just chilled at our regular spots. At our "End Cap", we heard some guys at another table practicing their English on each other. I kept waiting for them to come over and start talking, but they didn't. It wasn't until we walked past their table to leave before they said something to us. It was cute! Korean guys are so shy! Hahahaha. Douchi and I went home fairly early because I had Korean lessons at 1 on Saturday.

Mell and I went to Korean lessons, and we got our textbooks!!! I think that it is going to help a lot. We've already started practicing reading. I practice with San Ha because she is really good about telling me what I'm pronouncing wrong. I've also started practicing with some of the guys' names at the gym. It's pretty cool.

After lessons, I had my one stripe Jiu Jitsu test. It was so hard! I only had an hour to eat, get to the gym, change, practice and stretch before the test. It was definitely not enough time for my food to settle. Hahahaha. I almost vomited! San said she felt like vomiting too, and she didn't even eat. Maybe it was just because we were exerting so much energy for a long time. The first part of the test was the techniques. I was so nervous about the technique because he is watching to make sure you do it perfectly. It's hard for me because I miss some things because he is speaking in Korean, and I can't always see everything. But I did okay on that part of the test. The next part of the test was the sparring. We had to spar with so many people!!! I lost count! It was one after another with no breaks. It was hard! But I think we did well. All of the one stripe testers passed. Only two out of the four two stripe testers passed, the three stripe tester and the four stripe tester failed. After the test, everyone went out to eat. It was a lot of fun! I love hanging out with the guys after events. It's always fun getting to know them.

After dinner, I met up with Douchi to celebrate her birthday. We went dancing at Cocoon. The music sucked this weekend. I am not sure if it was because we got there too early or what, but it was all techno junk which is okay for a song or two but not the entire night. I was tired anyways after testing so I headed out early.

Then today, Sunday, San Ha came over, and we went to get my haircut. I got the magic straight perm, but they had to put some sort of clinic treatment on my hair to strengthen it. It looks pretty good; it's not as straight as I would like it, but we'll see how it is after I wash it. I can always straighten it with an iron. I really just wanted something I could wash and go with. Also, I have to go back next weekend to receive another treatment, and the girl said that if I was unhappy with anything she would fix it then. We'll see!

2nd visit to Seoul!!!

So, this weekend was pretty amazing, but that's nothing new right??? Friday night was definitely chill. I stayed at the gym pretty late, but I had a really deep conversation with one of the older guys there. He went to university in Texas so his English is really good. He is a counselor at Taejon Christian International School as well as a counselor to rape victims. We talked a good bit about Psychology, Sociology, and deviance in general. We also talked about the cultural aspects of Korea. He was telling me that Korea was becoming more and more Westernized, and how much it had changed in the past ten years. It was probably the first in depth conversation I have had with a Korean since I have arrived. It was really good to hear a Korean's perspective on life in general.

Saturday was NUTS!!!! Mell and I decided to sit outside the GS25 (a convenient store with a few patio tables outside my apartment). I had a Seoul date with Douchi at 9am on Sunday so I kind of wanted an early night. Well, some way or another we ended up changing clothes and going to Dunsan Dong to eat at a restaurant. While in Dunsan, we decided to stop by the foreigner bar, Sponge. We stayed until about three. We had fun dancing and chatting with the other foreigners. We got a few numbers and said goodbye. We caught a taxi that had the undercarriage glow (possibly a mistake on our part). Anyways, we start heading back home to Mannyeon Dong in this Disco Taxi when he starts playing some serious dance music. We are about to turn onto our street when Mell and I look at each other and decide that we need to go dancing. Hahaha. Wow, so we had back to Dunsan to the dance club Cocoon. We dance for a few more hours, get a few more numbers, and then finally, head back home! K-RAZY since I had to get up at 8 in order to get to the bus station by 9.

I went to Seoul on Sunday with Douchi on only 2 hours of sleep. We were shopping for our outfits to wear for her birthday dinner on Friday, and her birthday dance night on Saturday this coming weekend. She found some really cute dresses at Forever 21!!! She has such a cute figure so everything she tried on looked gorgeous!!!! I also found a couple of dresses for the weekend. I am so excited for her birthday!!!!!

So after spending a good bit of the day in Seoul, we came home in just enough time for me to shower and meet Mell, Kwanjungnim, and Alice Teacher for dinner. Because somehow, someone got the idea to set Kwanjungnim and Alice Teacher up on a date, and then somehow another person got roped into going on the first outing with them because in Korea you don't do blind dates. I was so tired, but it was fun. I am not sure how well it went. I will have to ask Kwanjungnim tomorrow. It seemed to go well, but what do I know; the entire thing was in Korean!

So another good weekend, here in Korea has come and gone. And I am left to start the work week once again exhausted but content! I am excited about the birthday celebrations this week!!!!!

Seoul

Man, what a great weekend!!!! Mell and I went to Seoul on Saturday. Seoul has a lot of foreigners so some of the popular stores from back home have opened stores there. We went to Forever 21 and found some really cute dresses and shirts. We also looked at H&M, but couldn't really find anything there. We also went to Insan dong, a traditional Korean area that sold a lot of nice souvenir type things to send back home to family. I think Douchi and I are going next weekend to shop for outfits for her birthday party. I am super excited!!!! She said she might even get some heels!!! Yay!

When we got home from Seoul, it was still pretty early. So we met Douchi and Trevor at Mr. Chicken and Beer for some Cajun Chicken Salad. I know we go there way too often but seriously you gotta try this salad. Its the most amazing thing you have ever put in your mouth!!! Then, we hit up Kwang Min's for a bit, but he wasn't there and we wanted to go dancing. So we headed to Dunsan Dong to some of the foreigner bars. Sponge was dead when we first got there so we left and went to a restaurant down the street. We didn't get to dance but still it was so much fun. We sat next to three Korean guys that were about mine and Mell's ages (age is very important in Korea if I haven't mentioned that lately, that and blood type, weird). Anyways, I started talking to them because I noticed that they kept staring at us (I think because I was the only one dancing in the entire restaurant...hahaha). They were really nice guys. It was funny because then Mell told them that I was single. Then, they told me to choose one of them. Maybe I am weird but I have a hard time telling people that I like someone better than them. I don't want to hurt their feelings :(. Anyways, they had to meet some other friends so they left. Then, Mell got it in her head to get me a boyfriend that night. So she dared me to go over and talk to this seriously cute Korean guy on the other side of the restaurant. Hahaha. I figured that I had nothing to lose. It's not like I am going to see the guy everyday if I get shot down. Hahaha. It was hilarious!!!! Douchi and Mell told me to ask him if he had a girlfriend. Douchi told me how to ask in Korean. So I did. Hahaha. He said that he didn't. He and his friend both spoke English very well. They invited me to sit with them. So I sat and talked with them for a bit. The hottie's name is Kim Tae Young and his friend's name was Go Myeong Young. They were college friends. They went to Incheon University near Seoul. Kim Tae Young is from Seoul, and he's a civil engineer. Go Myeong Young is an architect. Both guys were really cool, and before I left, I got Kim Tae Young's number. I am crazy, I know! I haven't heard from him yet, but I was the one to ask for his number so am I the one that is supposed to text??? The Korean Dating Game is so weird! Anyways, we left and went back to Sponge because some of the other girls from work were going there. We hung out at Sponge for a minute to dance a little before Douchi and I headed back to Hannam to finish the night at another one of our fave restaurants. Another fun weekend here in Korea!!!!

I can't wait to go back to Seoul next weekend with Douchi!!!

I am getting really bad at this!

Sorry, I am getting really bad about not updating this thing. I am just so busy. I don't remember my life ever being this full back home. It's like I am trying to keep up with everyone here and back home at the same time. Hahaha. I guess its a good thing right? I am definitely not complaining because I am really enjoying life right now and definitely living it to the fullest. I never imagined that Korea would be this amazing. I remember talking to Amanda about teaching overseas. I really wanted to teach in Europe, but she suggested Korea because it paid more. I remember thinking, Asia??? I was afraid of what I would find here, but what I found is an amazing culture that is totally different from what I grew up in. I absolutely love it. I have seriously fallen in love with everything about this city and this country!!!! I love my friends that I have here. Friends are considered family. You are only called a friend if you are born in the same year. If you are not born in the same year, you are a brother or a sister. I have formed some amazing relationships with the people I workout with. I consider them my Korean family. We are really close. I love the school that I work at because I have amazing hours. I talk to the other foreign teachers that live in our neighborhood, and they have horrible hours. I love that I have time to go to the gym everyday after school. I love that I have time to hang out with friends on the weekends. I talk to some of my Korean friends, and they work so hard that they don't have much time for anything else. I talk to my friends back home, and they are working hard just to keep their jobs and make a little money. I am very thankful for my life here in Korea.

Alright now on to the update...so World Cup has been going on for the past few weekends right? So the obvious is that Douchi and I went to the sports bar to watch the games on Friday night. Saturday, I went for a massage. It was amazing as usual! I didn't go out on Saturday night even though Korea and the US played because Sunday I had to get up at 5 am to go to the Jiu Jitsu Tourney. The tournament was so much fun!!!! I was thinking that our gym would be the only with foreigners because that's how it was at the kickboxing tourney, but I was wrong! I think because the tournament was close to Seoul that it was more of a countrywide tournament. Anyways, we walk in and almost immediately we see all of these big US Army guys. They were very good looking ;D Anyways, we sat with the gym that Kwanjungnim trained at. The guys were hilarious!!! The master of the gym told us that he had an English nickname that his friend had given him. We were thinking that it would be something like the nicknames we gave the guys at our gym (Dandy, Sweety, Cutie, Flowerboy, Pandy, Good Music Guy), but no. He said his nickname was "Sex Machine". Douchi, Mell, and I looked at each other and busted up laughing. And of course, everyone in the gym turned to look at us because girls aren't supposed to laugh wholeheartedly like we were. Korean girls giggle; they don't laugh. Whatever, it was so funny!!!! Anyways, our guys did really well in the tournament. Two of our guys got silver medals for their weight class in the gi competition, and one guy got the gold medal in the no-gi competition. Only one of our guys didn't place in the tournament. He was up against the gold medalist in the second round, but he did really well; they tied so it was the judge's decision who advanced to the next round. After the tourney, we headed back to Daejeon and had dinner with the guys before heading home. We had a really good time!!!! I am definitely looking forward to the next tournament. I am kind of nervous because Kwanjungnim wants me to compete in the next tournament. I am not sure if I am ready to compete yet. I will have to see how well I train before the tournament before I decide if I want to compete. It's kind of a bit of pressure because there is only one other girl that will compete for our gym at this tournament. We will see!

This coming weekend, I am going to Seoul with Mell on Saturday, but no other big plans so maybe I will have time to update this thing on Sunday??? We'll see! Hahaha.

World Cup

So I skipped my post last weekend because it was super busy. So here's what happened. On Friday, Douchi and I hung out with Simpson again. We stayed by Hannam and watched some of the World Cup soccer match that was on that night. We had a fairly early night. Then, on Saturday night, we went to the gym to watch the Korea vs. Greece World Cup match. Korea won which was pretty sweet. So we all went out afterward to celebrate. Kwanjungnim, the gym master, even came out with us. It was a lot of fun! We went noreabonging and just hung out and had a good time! We stayed out until the buses started running again. I had on a Korea Red Devils t-shirt, and I was sporting a Korea tattoo on my cheek so the bus driver loved me! I have no idea what he was saying but I think he was asking me about the game and telling me what a good game it was. It was funny! He had a huge smile on his face. I ended up falling asleep for a couple stops and when I woke up he was looking in the mirror at me and he was still smiling! Hahaha. On Thursday, we watched the match at the gym. This time Korea played Argentina and lost. Everyone was so upset! Most people just wanted to go home, and I had to work on Friday so we called it an early night. Then on Friday, we went to the zoo with the school. I really enjoyed it with the kids. While we were in the monkey exhibit, I was trying to point out a monkey to the kids because he was swinging on the vines. Apparently, one of the other monkeys didn't like it very much because he jumped on the glass right in front of where I was standing, and it scared the crap out of me. The kids thought it was so funny, and the helper teacher was so freaked out she made us leave the exhibit. Hahaha. On Friday night, I just hung around the house because I had some things I had to get done. It was still an interesting night because Mellissa called me at about 11ish to tell me that some guys had been fighting in the walkway by her house and one had fallen on the ground and wasn't moving. She said he was laying there for 10 minutes and people kept walking around him as if he weren't there. She asked if I would come with her to check on him. So, we went to check on him. However, he did not want or appreciate our help. He told us to go home because it was his life. In all seriousness, the guy was in his forties wearing a polo shirt and dress pants, laying on the sidewalk while bicycles were nearly running over him. I think he needed some psychological help, but whatever, like he said it's his life. So last night, Saturday night, Douchi and I went out with several of the guys from the gym and one of her friends from out of town. The guys finished their finals this week so we wanted to hang out with them to celebrate. It was a lot of fun. We don't really get to hang out much with some of those guys because they are always studying, but they were hilarious! We found out that they like to dance; so I think we are going dancing next time! Yay!