Fashion

Its the weirdest thing. Since I got here, I've become very concerned with my appearance. It seems to me that Koreans dress very well. They have great style. Then I think about my wardrobe and I want to revamp it. I've already made a few purchases - some of which I'm not totally happy with. Part of it was just to buy something, then I don't really wear it. But I've always done that as long as I can remember.

Another thing I read recently from MSN.com was that within x number of years, one on three Americans will be overweight. That made me look at Koreans more. Even though some of the older people have a few extra pounds, they don't look really fat. In fact most Koreans seem a healthy weight, if not thin. Attribute that to a vegetable-rich diet and very little of the processed foods we love in the states. However some of the younger generation is getting fat.

I think back to college, and remember seeing many girls with that extra weight already accumulating around their waist. Its hard on the eyes; these girls who don't exercise at all and eat the typical American diet and don't seem to care that their rolls are falling out of their shirt, or they show it off like they're proud of it. Really, who's proud of fat rolls?

So, in keeping with this focus on health, I've started going to the gym more often. Its so easy, it takes 5 minutest to walk there. Already that little pudge I had at my belly is pretty much gone, and the diet helps the fat from accumulating. I'm working on putting on muscle that has atrophied for the past year. I want to look good in those tight shirts. Is that vain? :-)

Snail mail

Well I received my first letter from the United States today. Thanks to my aunt and uncle, Nancy and Gary. They sent mail from Arkansas on Oct. 14 and it arrived here, Oct. 24. So thats how long it will take you to send me letters of love and money.

On another note I decided that I really need Korean lessons. My director told me a couple weeks ago where I could learn, which is close by, but its on the weekends Sat Sun 4pm-6pm. At first I thought that sucks, but now I realize, what else do I have to do that is more important than learning Korean? Of course, any time that I might make plans for the weekend I may miss a few classes. But as long as I make some effort, its better than just looking at my book that I bought and never use :-)

Subway

This weekend i was riding the subway and I was reminded of the videos they show. There is a video monitor that shows commercials and stuff. Whats interesting is that it also shows you how to perform a new hip-hop dance move every week. They map it out slowly at first, then go to full speed. Its funny at first to see, then after a while I watch it and try to remember it so I can practice it at home. lol But I haven't tried that yet...

I also figured out how to meet more foreigners - go to bars! But certain bars. A guy I met last night told me where to go Friday night and Satuday night. Both places are kinda far away, but if I get to meet people and get their phone numbers, it'll be easier to make plans with people. Also these places are where the English-speaking Korean women end up, at least some of them. So thats a plus.

At the club last night I saw these tools walking around, dressed like hip-hop boys, in jerseys and bandanas (American). Then they got up and started rapping onstage. I was laughing. But they actually started rapping in Korean also. I was impressed with that, but only a little. I was glad when they were done, so the next DJ could come on and play her same breakbeat tracks she plays every week. Man I miss my turntables! If I can manage I'll try to get up to Seoul some weekend and check out some clubs there. In Busan there are no more than 5 choices for dance clubs. If I can manage to get my laptop DJ ready, that would open up some possibilities and some more fun for me :-)

More pics from Mt Hwawang

Mt. Hwawang

Hiking

This weekend was another holiday in Korea, National Foundation Day. I have no idea what that means, I guess when the country was officially founded, but we got Monday off. I went hiking with a fellow teacher, her minister, her family and a few friends. Much of the time everyone around was speaking Korean, so I just tuned it out unless I heard English. That's what I do most of the time now, just ignore people.

I took many pictures, so I will post them in the next few days. That girl I met is leaving for Japan in 3 months, so we'll just be friends. No big deal. I realized I need to really learn Korean to be successful and happy with the locals. Otherwise I have little to communicate and they struggle trying to speak English.

A funny note: I talk online MSN. If you have, my email is pixpak at hotmail. So I was talking to a Chinese girl and mentioned I have allergies to dust. I asked her if she had any and she said no. I called her a lucky boob. She liked the name, so I told her to change her screen name to lucky boobs and she did. In Chinese boobs means pigs, but I am laughing my ass off! At first she wrote luck boob, but I said No, if you're writing English it has to be lucky boobs. So if u see her name do not explain it to her.

Speech Contest

Friday we had a speech contest for out students, a test of their memory and speaking ability, basically. I decided I would take the opportunity to dress nicely today, so I wore a tie and nice shirt and pants. They all seemed to like it, and some students said "Very handsome!" It was funny. But I felt fine, because I'd rather be overdressed than underdressed.

So I finally got a picture of my fellow teachers. From the left, they are: Belle, Isabelle, Katy and Elle. Like the names? Its a little ridiculous, but it didn't take long for me to figure them out. Katy and Elle are pretty good at English; I can usually speak at my normal pace with Elle, and usually with Katy. I've been out drinking with all but Belle, she is a bit older and has a family. Katy spent a year in the states, so she is becoming a very good friend, and is kinda setting me up with her best friend, Jenny. So I'll keep ya posted on how that works out.

Also this is a picture of a Buddhist temple. I thought it was a swaztika but apparently its a backwards swaztika. But I took a picture anyway. I think they're secret Nazis, promoting consciousness and well-being as they brainwash you to believe that Koreans are the master race. Its all over TV, Koreans are very proud of their country, much more than Americans are of the US. Koreans have much national pride and they want to be seen as a positive country weith much to offer.

One thing I love about Korea is most places have heated floors, hence they prefer to sit on the ground for most things, especially eating. I don't care for eating on the ground, but it feels good when my place has a heated floor, because my feet and calves always get cold first. They invented heated floors back in the 1400s, or maybe earlier. Its much more efficient that the western system of a fireplace or HVAC. I watched a documentary on it. And once again, the Koreans boasted about their founding of this wonderful system. It is great, but its still humorous to watch their pride.