Some Korean Fun

Dana and I went shopping in downtown Daegu a few days ago so we would have something to wear in Seoul other then our work clothing.  Jackpot!!

Dress for next night out. The shoes go with it.

Heading Out Of Daegu And A Crazy Day Of Photos

The Lunar New Year is a big deal in Korea.  We get two days of work, everyone goes to visit their grandparents to pay respect, and there are celebrations.  To celebrate the Lunar New YEar, and to take advantage of the four day weekend it has given me, a co-worker and I are heading to Seoul for four days.  We are staying in a hostal there called Hongdae Guesthouse 2.0 or, more affectionately known as The Yellow Submarine.  If you check out the link, you will see where it gets it's nickname.  It is actually super affordable and right in the middle of all the stuff we want to see there.

So far our itinerary includes a trip to Seoul Tower, a stop at Dragon Hill Spa, a visit to the Korean War museum, and most definitely and long time spent shopping.  I will probably have a long post about it when I get back.

Last weekend, Dana and I headed to the Trick Art exhibit at EXCO here in Daegu.  It was around last year so several of the teachers here had already gone and recommended it highly.  It was pretty much amazing.  A ton of fun, and we didn't even get a chance to see everything.  Here are some to the pest pictures we got.

Pumped For The Week Ahead

The last few weeks have begun to drag a bit.  They have started to morph into one very long week where nothing changes and things seem to drag on forever.  When the new year began, I decided it was time to make some changes to my dull week.  The first week of the new year, this was a failure.  This coming week however, promises to be very exciting.

First and most importantly, I finally get my ARC card back from my school, which means I will be fully registered and finally legal in this country. I know this doesn't seem like this is that big a deal, but getting my card also allows me to shop online and several other things I couldn't do before. Such as.....

Get a cell phone.  Finally.  One of the most exciting things for me this week will be getting a phone and signing the contract.  Finally I won't have to use Facebook to get ahold of people.  Super excited.  I thought about getting a smart phone, but I have now decided that i am getting whatever phone comes with the plan.  I just want a phone.

I also get paid this week.  This is exciting because it marks the first time I will send money back to my bank account in the US, so my savings will start to build from now on.  It is also exciting because I am going to do a little shopping and find myself some nice clothing.  Already picked out about three things I am going to buy.

Also this week is day 2 of my korean class.  I am actually excited to go and I have practiced this weekends several times.  I can't wait to understand how to read signs and how to communicate with more then one word sentences.

It promises to be an exciting week.  Also to come is a birthday party at work, possible date, and of course wednesday friends-day galbi.

What I Learned in 2011

Last year, like every year, I learned a lot of new things.  However, I feel like in 2011 I learned a lot of things that either other people already knew (public transportation for 400 please) or that I learned a lot of information I never knew I would need.  Here is a short list of the things I found most interesting from my year.

1. to use a subway
2. to use a taxi
3. to fly
4. to use extensive body language and hand signals to express myself.
5. to convert Celsius to Fahrenheit in my head
6. to think using the metric system 
7. that I have the ability to wake up to an alarm clock
8. I bruise much more easily then most people
9. to can my own pasta sauces and other vegetables from my garden
10. to rewire christmas lights that have a short
11. that it is possible for me to learn a new language
12. that steampunk is amazing
13. acting like a five year old at the museum is okay in moderation
14. to use the public bus system
15. to put out a fire in a women's restroom garbage using only one bottle of water
16. that Gatorade in a can does taste better then Gatorade from a bottle
17. to downsize my belongings into three suitcases
18. just how much I love clothing
19. just how awesome the Stuff You Should Know podcasts are
20. That I remember a lot more from physics, chemistry, and economics then I thought

I think twenty things I learned is plenty for now, though I learned a whole lot more (how to shuffle and a new love for karaoke.) Thinking back on everything I managed to squeeze into last year I feel so much more excited for this one to come.  Over the chinese new year I think I am venturing out of Daegu and heading up to Seoul for a few days.  Maybe I will hit up a spa if I can get get up the courage to strip off all my clothing in front of a room full of Korean women.  The DMZ I think will have to wait for it to be a bit warmer out, but maybe it will be nice that week.  I am of to finish cleaning up the apartment, work on some of my stuff for Korean class, get a workout in and to go buy a new pair of heeled boots down town.