Poopy Pants & Pajama Parties

We are officially past the anniversary of my arrival here in Korea, and I have to be honest: it's been one hell of a month.

To say that my travel and adventure have been thrilling, challenging, eye-opening, rewarding and some days down right frustrating would be a clear and factual understatement. I truly cannot express my varied emotions throughout these last few weeks. Writing has always been a favorite pastime of mine, and I have always had this dream of traveling the world with pen and paper in tote, of course accompanying my other trusty sidekick: my camera. However, with a broken camera (yes my beloved 20D died) I fear my life is rather bleak, dull, incomplete and lost. For some reason, without the ability to snap photos, my mind goes blank, the words cease to trickle forth, and I feel like an idiot most days.

Here I am in a fascinating foreign land with and endless array of food, culture, music, and landscape yet I feel obsolete when I cannot share my daily clicks of the camera with loved ones back home. Ansel Adams said it almost too well, "When words become unclear, I shall focus with photographs. When photographs become inadequate, I shall be content with silence." Truth be told, Mr. Adams, but as a borderline extrovert: I just can't be silent sometimes. This girl needs to gab, share, and vomit my thoughts out into the open space we call a blogosphere. Even if no one compliments me on my writing, my sarcastic wit, or 'SNL worthy' sense of humor, I still need to be connected with the outer world and share my experiences.

This may not form the perfect segue into my recent experience of Korea, but since my camera has died, I have become "that" tourist: the iPad photographer. While I may proudly toot the mini iPad horn of its lesser obnoxious size, I am still rather obnoxious when I whip it out to capture life's greatest moments. I have nothing against those who may be veterans to iPadography, but if I may boldly state: we just look dumb. The iPhone provides a certain slink to street photography, a suave coverup, and you are able to capture interesting perspectives if you are well-versed in the 'sneaky snap.'

For example I trekked to a widely popular are of Seoul [Insadong] this weekend and I have to say, my love of street photography became disillusioned largely because of the moment where I wanted to capture the creativity and unique colors of some Owl antiques but alas, I couldn't discreetly steal the moment due to the tacky size of my equipment: the iPad mini. Cover blown! I was noticed right away and the adorable Korean vendor marched right over to me and sternly shouted, "No pict-chah!"

Oh boy, you really don't know who you are talking to, do you? 

BOOM! 

You may be oddly scratching your head, thinking, "You captured the photo after all, what is the fuss all about?" 

Principle. Even though I am a brash dare devil that mocks the rule book, I just wish I had the ability to not look like a dork. Yes, I strongly realize that I am a white girl in Korea...a combination bound to turn heads no matter what, BUT I am at least trying to lessen my chances of embarrassment.

Other than photography woes, I am learning the ins and outs of Korea like a true native. 

For instance,

I read all the bus stops in Hangul on my way to school. 

I bought seaweed paper to make my own kimbap [a delicious staple to any Korean or Foreigner].

I excel at handing money with TWO hands [a polite gesture]. Seriously, it's an art.

I was able to mildly translate that one of my students accidentally [a loose term, literally] pooped his pants. Okay, the smell gave it away 99.9% but I still understood the vague gesture and snickering from his peer. And perhaps the small stain from his behind...

I no longer felt like the new kid after we had someone come to observe our school branch. I was also able to get her to to a bar that my coworkers were meeting at for a birthday celebration. Okay, so I was late because I technically became lost while trying to find her, BUT, I did turn myself around, retrieved her and made it to the bar...eventually.

I can ride the Subway all by myself, say what?!

My chopsticks skills are improving and my kids no longer point and laugh at me. 

I bob and weave through Korean umbrellas like Pac-man avoiding ghosts.

I am attending my first Korean pajama party at school tomorrow. I plan to load my students up on sugar, tell them lots of ghost stories, and then leave them in the hands of my Korean co-teacher as a special treat for abandoning me last Friday during lunch; to which my students had a mini-riot with Legos. 

Just kidding.... or am I? 

Here are some photos to fancy your cyberstalking. 

Puppy Dog Cafe! A cafe devoted to canines and friends! (and one feline!)

                                            Look Teach-uh!                   

                                         

 

A fancy Korean Marching Band! Puts your days of marching to shame...

Seriously the prettiest women around.

I have adapted my grocery staples, but as you can see, I refuse to give up peanut butter even though it averages $5.50 a jar. What can I say? I'm my father's daughter. 

More on Korean cooking adventures later!

 I LOVE this kid. Everyone proclaims him to be lower-performing, but I see a potential hiding in him somewhere. He and I share similar humor and he will try to make me laugh when I'm upset.

I look forward to many hikes with these beautiful ladies. Baegundae Peak was certainly grueling and challenging but it felt so darn rewarding to finally reach the top. I felt at peace again among the mountains.

Until next time, 간 배! Cheers!