Walking into Spider Webs

We checked into the Zebra Apartments on Monday night and our host was the lovely, Cindy Crawford. Yes ladies and gentlemen, Cindy Crawford.



 After having a much deserved rest after two days of straight travel, I woke up on Tuesday feeling slightly more optimistic about my stay in Taiwan. This won't be too bad I thought.

As I rolled over to turn on the light, I saw something creeping along the stark white wall underneath the top bunk about 2 feet away from my head. What. the. hell. is. this.

I had a staring contest with a spider. And I know we were staring at each other because I could see ITS EYES!! I COULD SEE ITS EYES!!!

Now we were both still enough for me to think, "do not panic and freak Mindy out" because I knew should there be a huge commotion, it would give Aragog a chance to scatter away. I leapt out of bed and began to whisper, "Mindy. Mindy. Spider. Spider."

Mindy promptly leapt out of bed and said, "OOOOH SHIT!"

We grabbed each other as I pointed to the wall where that arrogant arachnid just smiled defiantly and said, "Whatchoo goin' do bout it?"

The only logical thing I could think of was:

a) grab a camera
b) proceed to document the following events

Do you see that little reflective spot? That's right, those are the EYES! I tried to get some scale into this picture, it had the span of the palm of my hand.

All cute and dead now.

So a few days later, Ms. Crawford comes strolling in and was all, "So sorry, I hear about spider. So sad!"

Mindy and I look at each other quizzically and Cindy continues, "Yeah, I see her in there a few days ago so I just scoop her out and put her on tree outside."

I hate nature.

Hello Mudda, Hello Fadda

Happy Birthday Mommy!

"Thirty years have flown right past
Her daughters' starin' at all the photographs

Of her mother, and she wishes she could be like that"

Love you so much!! Hope you have a wonderful birthday!!

Trials and Tribulations in Taiwan Pt. 1

So, remember how I said I would be off to frolic in Taiwan for Chuseok? Yeah, that never really happened. Instead, Mindy and I battled a typhoon, a gigantic arachnid, trains, cab drivers, strange night markets, and Cindy Crawford. All in all it was an interesting trip, though not what we had in mind. Lessons were learned along the way, friendly faces were met, and an assortment of memories were created. I'll be blogging in detail further along but here's just a smattering of what's to come.

Happy Chuseok

You've terrorized me enough little ones... I'm off to frolic in Taiwan for a few days!

A Chocolate Love Story

"An amusing and sweet love story with chocolate."

Yes, you could say this is just a typical love story. I ran into the unexpected love of my life at a 7-11 stop in the subway. I saw you instantly and couldn't take my eyes off of you. You had everything I could ever ask for. Some would call you rich and smooth, others would be drawn to your effervescence and bubbly attitude. I was drawn to both aspects of you.

My first taste caught me off gaurd. It brought waves of nostalgia and the excitement of the unknown simultaneously. But I wanted- nay, needed- more. My friends just wrote you off as a fling. A one time affair. But I knew it was different.

Then, I had to leave you. And what a long 5 weeks it was. I capriciously flirted with Cherry Coke and Cream Soda. Carelessly going through each one. But in my mind, I just thought of you. Only you, baby, and of that rush I would get once I had my hands on you again. How you would taste when I would get back.

I came back to Korea and you were patiently waiting for me. And since I've been back, Chocolate Flavor Sparkling, it's only been getting better and better.

What I Taught Myself

We Now Return to Our Regularly Scheduled Programming

After a month of R&R, I came back to Seoul refreshed, revitalized, re-energized.

The first day back was swell. I wasn't terribly jet lagged, my students were absolute angels and they missed me, I enjoyed my first wing night back with Mikey teacher. And then I went to my apartment.

I opened my purse. I could not find my key. I called Stephanie teacher (who at this moment was still cat sitting for me) and told her she'll need to board two Caseys that night.

The next day and 70,000 won later, I have a new key along with a brand new lock on my door. Yay. Welcome back.

The day after that, Typhoon Kompasu decides to shake things up. I wake to shrieking wind, and as I look out my window, roof tiles spin by and the satellite dish next to my window is knocked over. I take a minute to breathe a sigh of relief that these thick steel bars over my window will prevent anything from crashing in and shattering glass everywhere. Although, these same steel bars would seal my fate should I have a fire preventing my only exit out of my apartment. Back to apocalypse:

At 7:30 receive a txt from the boss lady: " u can come to school today at 11 because of typhoon"
Score. Meet Mindy and Steph at Coffee Bean in Gangnam to celebrate because, coincidentally, as soon as boss lady sends txt, the skies clear, the winds die, and the typhoon just makes an abrupt and quiet exit.

So this has been my first week back.... it's like I never really left.

My Texas cat, Bosie, thanks you for your time.