Confused Casey

Being a fan of Stumble I came across this website. As soon as I started to play around with it, my foster cat, Casey came up to investigate. She didn't know what was really going on (Make sure you turn the volume down because there are a few screechers):

My Girl Wants to Pension All the Time

Last weekend, for Buddha's B-day (Happy Birthday, Big B!), I made it to Deok-Jo Do for my first stay at a pension. The throngs of foreigners at this tiny island made it seem like some weird purgatory (this doesn't feel like Korea, but this doesn't feel like home). We went to also celebrate Angelique's birthday and so there was a mish-mash of Speakeasy folks (me, Liz, Charlie, Gina, and Andrew) and "Non" Speakeasy folks (Neville, James, Kate, Charlotte, J.O., Marc, Cailyn). I was kind of hoping for a Sharks vs. Jets rumble the first night but we just ended up making s'mores. We all got along just dandy and we dined like kings for every meal.

For those not in the know, a "pension" is a type of house similar to a villa. They sprout up in tourist destinations and allow westerners to get out of their city boxes and pile into rooms with no beds. It's like camping inside a big room. Our pension also had a mart/restaurant attached to it.

We took an hour ferry to the island and arrived on Friday afternoon. The sun was out and we were able to enjoy the beach for the afternoon. And then the rain came. It kept on coming until we boarded the ferry to go back to Seoul on Sunday evening. Regardless, it was an epic weekend.


These kiddies came with the pension. They look sweet and cute but they are REALLY good at dishes, cleaning toilets, and making beds.

Despite what it appears, these patio chairs are actually coated with 24k gold lacquer.
After 6 hours of Trivial Pursuit I did not end up on the winning team. DAMN YOU SOPHIA LOREN!!!!!
The Groeschen Cream Cheese Olive Family Dip is like heroin. I felt like I was back home in Plano. Aw. Liz's last name is not Groeschen Cream Cheese Olive, fyi...
No weekend getaway is complete without an airplane ride from Liz. Note Angelique's jealousy from afar.

Oh yes. I also witnessed some chickens get slaughtered.

On the Bus

After a chilly field trip today at Yongsan Family Park, I decided to bus it home after work. I was sitting next to the window, zoning out, listening to my iPod when I felt a tap on my shoulder. I looked over my shoulder and saw a Korean man gesturing. I assumed he wanted me to press the button to let the driver know to stop. Then I realized he was pointing out that I had something in my hair. We were outside, it was windy, and I thought I got most of the floating seeds and flowers out of my hair earlier.

I then let a total stranger groom me. He wasn't creepy or anything. He plucked out a few seeds, laid them in my hand and we continued on our way.

At my stop, I got up, beeped my transit card and as the doors opened, I turned back and bowed, "Kamsahamnida!"

Men vs. Women: Ramen

No subtitles for this but you'll get the gist. This is from a show that I watch on TV sometimes, pretty funny stuff, I really want to find the Men vs. Women: iPhone because that pretty much sums it up perfectly. Still I saw this one a few months ago and thought it was spot on as well...

[HD] The Treme Song - John Boutté (Treme's intro song)

RIP iPod

3 continents, 10 countries, 3 years of daily use... it was a good run.



O hai iTouch!!!!!!!!

1 Down, 1 to Go

Those who have the security of knowing where you will be in the following year may not understand the feeling I had when my director asked me what my thoughts on re-signing for another year were.

This past year has come and gone, and I've now marked my year stint back in Seoul. I had a lot of factors to consider in making the decision to sign away one more year of my life to Korea. Family, friends, and the comforts of home are very tempting to have just gone and called it a day. However, I know that the reality and state of affairs back home are not the most ideal conditions in which to come back. So, with mixed feelings, I have signed on for just one more and final round.

I am happy here. I am secure here. Knowing friends and loved ones are just a Skype call away has made it so much easier than the first time around. Being able to download my favorite shows hours after having aired in the states and seeing a movie released the very same week as back home has made the lag of being halfway around the world hardly noticeable.

I'm spoiled living in Korea in the 21st century. I still can't imagine my father (who lived in Seoul while training for the Peace Corps) having to trek into the city for his McDonald's hamburger (a rare luxury for him back in the 70s) once a month. Heck, I bought a bag of Doritos at the Super Mart next to my school!

So to my readers, your humble blogger wants you to know she will STILL be Getting Chiggae Wit' It for another year!

Although, to my great anticipation, I will be coming back to Texas in August for a sweet stint so mark your calendars, and send me some suggestions on places to see and things to do.