LOL

I just remembered when I had the students do "Never have I ever" today it was getting boring so I started doing all the comments. "Never have I ever"...passed gas next to someone I liked (no one stood up for that one). But then they all eventually admitted to the ones like, "picked my nose, scratched my bottom." Only did a few but they were like, "Teacher, no dirty ones." Ha. I guess they didn't like the reality of life.

Great entertainment for me and my Korean co-teacher! Ha. I'm sure the kids loved it, too.

Packed for Thailand

So a 60 L bag is huge! I have room for more stuff but I don't wanna bring just "stuff" to lug on my back. I'm going to throw in some cards and a hair clippy thing real quick.

I read about the island we're staying on for a few days...sounds remote and yeah, remote. The beaches aren't quite like the ones you hear during low tide. But I'm going to find a chair somewhere to lay out my towel and start my skin cancer risk (it's prolly not so funny considering folks get that all the time).


In 24 hours I will be on a plane bound for Bangkok to stay in a room that I booked a few days ago. Then Adam and I will meet Allison (also a Gator) to tour Bangkok a bit before we head to the sleeping trains for the island. I don't know what to expect but if a lack of bugs, creepy crawlies and mosquitoes is part of the mix I will be much appreciative.

I wish there was a way to make camera batteries last for a 9 day vaca that includes a super fun ultimate tournament. Here's to trying! :D

a wee bit warmer

Today I didn't need a hat or gloves! It's going to be the most warm in a while during my visit to Thailand. But...who cares? I'll be in Thailand! Then coolin' down a bit below freezing again when I get back.

Also, my heart is starting to beat more excitedly as I ponder my trip! YAY!!! I haven't played ultimate in a looong time (aka over 3 months). So if my knee holds up I'll be bustin' moves on the field. I hope. Please, knee, survive. :D

Thanksgiving and other things.

This restaurant is Flying Pan Blue. So good. Brunch with 2 girlfriends in Sept/Oct.

Hike with all the teachers from my school in October. Five minute ride away from school.

Two of my Korean co-teachers.

Settlers of Catan. The game I won with 10 points.

Adam and I went on a hike in the brisk November air.


Thanksgiving at my crib.

A small area near Insadong with some historical pieces.


More of Insadong historical area.

Mom's Christmas tree.

The girls.

The fam at Mom's.

Me and Grandma.

Dad's birthday.

Wally and me at Los Amigos to discuss Thailand plans. Adam took the pic.

Another pic from the Namsan hike on January 10.


Adam and me on my apt roof January 16 after I got my backpack for Thailand. Sweet bag.

Winter

This is on a busy street in Gangnam, Seoul.

Pretty high! This was extra snow pushed off to the side of the road. Still fun to put my leg in. :)

Yucky. You can buy this...to eat??!!! In Itaewon.

Free dessert we got from a Thai restaurant. I liked it.

It was pretty snowy for a while. There's still some left on the roads and side streets and roofs but it's slowly fading away.

View of Seoul Tower from a winter's day from my living room window.

Adam and I hiked from my house to Seoul Tower on last Sunday night.

This coming Friday I'm heading to Thailand for a week! Here comes the sun!

What's the obsession with diced onions?

Costco in Seoul makes you forget you are in Korea...minus all the Koreans in there. But there is a high percentage of "white" people inside there.

During my second time eating at Costco for dinner, parentheses with Adam, I realized Koreans loved the diced onions. You know, the kind you are supposed to put on the hot dog, btw my dinner was the hot dog set for 2k won. Well, Koreans roll the dicing onion machine and just let it all flow out onto their plastic plates and then pump on the mustard and ketchup to make a nice chopped onion casserole. Dot dot dot AND they eat it! Just like that! Shoulda taken a photo for evidence. Blegh!

Not to be a snob. I must confess I had the onions on my hot dog set aka hot dog "meal" as we like to say in Americana. I also got some Swiss Miss Hot Cocoa mix and a 6 pack of Kleenex Aloe Plus tissues. Already got a raw nose this season...it ain't even technically winter yet. O, boi.

Temperature

Yesterday's high of 42 F and low of 28 F was a tad better than Monday's high of 38 F.

Today, high of 62 F and low of 52. I don't know how to dress a wee bit less for today...but I know I sweat on the bus when the heater blasted and I couldn't take off my coat with it being packed. Why, Korea? Why torture us with your public transportation methods? Monday I dressed appropriately when the rest of your Seoul natives did not and I suffered in sweat for the 30 min bus ride as your adjumma stole my seat the very last minute as I was crouching down to sit down.

Oh, how my heart deepens and grows by the day for your people of knowledge and kindness.