SHELLY'S SEOULFULL ADVENTURES

After life in Seoul...

2008-07-30T00:27:00.005+09:00

What am I doing here? My year in teacher's college in Canada

The Traveling Teacher I now teach in Abu Dhabi, UAE and have started blogging again

Believing in Beirut I am moving to Beirut, Lebanon to teach in August 2011

So long..and thanks for all the kimchi!

2008-07-27T11:48:00.004+09:00

Well that's it. My 3 years in Korea are officially over. I had a great time, made some AMAZING life long friends, taught the greatest kids on the planet, and damaged my liver just a tad :) I could reflect upon the awesomeness that has been Korea but I don't want to get all teary eyed. I had the best time of my life here and my life will never be the same again.

I had my OFFICIAL last night out in Seoul last night, and after 5 bottles of champagne and a whole lot of silliness I am not feeling so hot today, which sucks cause I have to pack up and get everything done! Here are my last photos I'll post here...

Thanks for stopping by and reading over the years. My new home will be HERE . There isn't anything up yet but once I get back to Ottawa I'll get it going.

Peace out Seoul.

My heart can't take much more of this..

2008-07-26T16:49:00.004+09:00

I woke up at 645am this morning to say goodbye to Raymond before he headed off to Japan. Let's just say it was not an easy moment for either of us. It gives me comfort to know we will see each other again thank goodness.

I spent the day PACKING and CLEANING..and I think I've made some progress. One suitcase is packed and ready. One more to go then about 20 trips to the trash downstairs and some cleaning and all is done.

I'm about to get ready to go out and meet all my dear pals one last time and before I do I thought I'd watch a video that Cam made for me. I haven't been able to bring myself to watch it yet but decided it was time. I thought I was done crying my eyes out but I was wrong..it was so great I loved every single second of it. I'm so lucky to have friends like I do, especially Cammy and SJ. Luckily I know I'll see them again too. I am dreading our goodbye tonight and I guess it will be a quick high five in the taxi when I get out..hopefully lots of love will go around tonight though.

I've really been thinking about how lucky I am to have so many wonderful people in my life and how special my friends are. At times I feel I don't deserve such love, but I'm so glad to have it.

I love you Cammy thanks for the beautiful memory I get to take home with me.

My next post will be my last as I have to give up my computer tomorrow. I'll post my new blog address then. xoxo

2008-07-25T23:32:00.002+09:00

Today was AWFUL. Too many goodbyes, too many tears, too many crying students (that was the worst part)..I'm going to miss everyone so much. xoxo

2008-07-25T08:29:00.001+09:00

I am about to go and teach my last day at LCI. My 3 years at work has come to an end and in 3 days I'll be home. I am feeling so many different emotions I don't know how I feel..I hope I can get through the day without crying.

Don't you ever forget...

2008-07-24T18:09:00.003+09:00

This song will always make me long for my friends and our sing alongs..SEAAASOOONNNSSSS OFFFFFFFF LLOOOOOOVVVVVVEEEE!!!

2008-07-24T01:27:00.003+09:00

Seasons of LOOOOOOOOOVE LOOVE LOVE don't describe how you feel like HOME TO ME.. I love you hate to have to say goodbye..but we will meet again. xoxoxo

2008-07-22T19:30:00.002+09:00

I have to say goodbye to Raymond on Friday night...he is leaving for Japan on Saturday morning. I'm really not sure how I'm going to adjust to him not being in my life everyday.

2008-07-21T09:01:00.000+09:00

It's my last week in Seoul..this time next Monday I'll be heading to the airport..

Overwhelmed by all of the love

2008-07-20T19:57:00.012+09:00

Last night my friends managed to make me feel more special and loved then I think I've ever felt before. Words can not express how truly wonderful and amazing I think each and everyone of you are. I'm so lucky and fortunate to have all of you in my life and to Cam, Eve, Leonie, Chanyeong, and SJ...you really did make me feel like a princess with all the little touches and special things you added to the evening. I love you SOOO very much and will miss you so much my heart aches thinking about it. Thank you to Tony for the awesome slumber party, the wonderful breakfast, and the lounging and movie watching as the typhoon blasted the day with rain!

P.S. I'm sorry I stabbed the cake but Raymond suggested I do so in order to distract myself from crying xoxo

This song is for all of my friends...we will meet again. I love you

Celebrate good times..

2008-07-19T10:16:00.007+09:00

There is a typhoon warning for the weekend and it is raining like CRAZY. Think that will stop me from having a good time tonight?? Hecks no! Me and 25 of my favorite people are meeting up for some Moroccan food tonight then we'll be joined after by about 15 more awesome folks for some drinks at Bliss then head up to Soho where Chanyeong has lots planned. I do know it involves 300 pinks balloons, blown up poster size pictures of me and my friends, pink cocktails and shots, and pink decorations. I loooove pink I'm glad he took that colour and theme and ran with it! I'm so very fortunate to have such wonderful people in my life and I just hope I don't cry tonight when I have to say goodbye to many I won't see next week...I loves loves loves all of you. Let's get this party started!

Went a lil nuts with my cell phone camera today

2008-07-18T20:14:00.005+09:00

My kindy class eatin popsicles and my older kids being goof balls as usual.

Oh I'll miss these goofy boys when I leave. Kyle, the boy in the blue, is gonna come live with me in Ottawa for a few months and do a homestay so that will be rockin!

2008-07-16T18:06:00.004+09:00

Well, it's almost all over..I can't believe it. This Saturday is my going away bash which should be a BLAST..then one week and I'll be home. CrAzY! It also looks like one of my students, Kyle, is going to come to Ottawa for 6 months for a home stay and part of that time he'll live with me. I will be his legal guardian..that seems so responsible haha. Guess I'm going to really have to perfect my Korean cookin!

2008-07-14T20:43:00.001+09:00

2 weeks today and I'll be home..

Birthdays

2008-07-13T14:12:00.004+09:00

Michael and Tony both turned 40 something this past weekend and we had a party to celebrate their awesomeness. We started at Bliss for a bbq and then ended up in Soho where it was hot and steamy cause of the weather and the rain and somehow all the boys ended up in their underwear. Oh goodness..

My Jenny

2008-07-12T14:23:00.009+09:00

I met up with Kim Ji Won (Jenny in English) at 10:30am this morning for our last day of fun together. Although, it took everything I had in me not to cry every time I looked at her, especially when she told me she was crying all morning because she doesn't want me to go. I love this little girl like she was my own daughter, saying goodbye is going to be the hardest thing I have to do before I leave Korea. At least we have 2 weeks left at school to see each other. Her dad was with her when I met up and he was so sweet and wished me well and told me he and his family would miss me. *Tear* He gave me their address which is awesome because I will definitely write to Jenny often and hopefully keep in contact with her for a very long time. I digress though..

I wanted to take her to an amusement park but she told me she was scared of the rides, then I thought we could go see Kung Fu Panda but she'd seen it, so I decided last week we'd go to Central City and make teddy bears and have lunch and hang out. So we hopped in a taxi and off we went. I never knew making teddy bears was such a process, it was great fun though! We picked out the shells of what bears we wanted but we could have chosen any animal they had so many choices. Jenny chose a pink bear covered in white hearts and I chose a soft, fuzzy, brown bear. Jenny got to help stuff the bears which she thought was really fun.After they were stuffed we had to choose hearts to put inside them. When you pick the heart you have to rub it in your hands to warm it up, rub it on your head so it will have smarts, and we had to hold hands and stand on a giant heart and jump up and down 5 times, and then blow on the hearts for luck. Then the heart is put inside the bear and it is sewn up.

There are TONS AND TONS of clothes to choose from to outfit the bears. I told Jenny to pick two outfits. She chose a bride outfit which was complete with a bouquet and a guarder belt! I chose a taekwondo outfit for mine. Before they were dressed we had to put them in a wind shower and brush them, then off to the dressing table where they were dressed. The last thing we did was to fill out their birth certificates. Jenny named her bear Yuni and I named mine Super Taekwondo Star. Mine was stuffed with love for my moms which she'll get when I get home.

Then off to Outback for lunch. Afterwards we hit ArtBox a store I will MISS! I wanted to get a few things to bring home and I let Jenny pick out some stuff she wanted. We hit Hagen-Daz for ice cream when we were finished. Much to my happy surprise Serena (one of my old kindergarten students who left in March after my teaching her for three years) walked by. She saw me and ran over and nearly knocked me down with her hug. Her parents came over and we chatted. She is best friends with Kaylee whom I mentioned a few posts back. They knew I was leaving and asked for my contact information so I really hope I hear from her and I was so happy to get to say goodbye to her and her family.

The last thing we had to do was get Jenny some nail polish and nail stickers so she can get manicures at home. Usually she comes to my place and I do her nails for her (she LOVES it) I couldn't leave her without supplies to do it on her own.

Then we caught a taxi and headed to her house and I left her at her door weighed down with all of the stuff I got for her. I realized today - there is a reason I don't have any desire to be a mother, it's because I was made to be an aunt. I love spoiling kids and having fun with them and then taking them home :)

Now I'm home and I'm going to clean up and get ready and head out to Itaewon to celebrate Tony and Michael's birthdays. Karen is meeting up with me too tonight which should be a lot of fun. Won't be the usual gang as Cam and SJ are gone away and Joel I don't think is coming, but I will party hard on their behalf.

Have a great weekend all!

Seriously..

2008-07-11T23:22:00.003+09:00

Have I mentioned about 1000 times how much I hate goodbyes? I do. I HATE THEM. Today was my last day with Ben and I did NOT want to say goodbye to him. He has become such a good friend over the last 3 years. Since he is leaving for a 3 week holiday to Canada tomorrow and returning to Seoul after I go home..today was goodbye. It was hard and when I got home tonight he sent me a super sweet message which I need to post so I can remember it..

10 Reasons Why I Will Miss You and Love Who You Are...

1. You are considerate, sweet, and genuine.
2. You have shown me that respect matters, no matter the experience.
3. You have shown me loyalty among those that shared common circumstances.
4. You have been true to me even though at times it may have been hard to do so.
5. You have taught me to be a reflective teacher that is not afaid to lose pride and learn from others.
6. You have leaned on me when you have needed to and I have never been afraid to do the same back.
7. You have been playful to me and allowed me to be playful back without any uncomfortabulness being felt (at least I hope so!).
8. You are generous, sharing, and insightful.
9. You are human, but don't abuse that category--you work hard, thoughtfully, and consider the situations of others...
10. You are truely a biker girl at heart and belong in the front seat!

What else can I say? Alll the best to you, and with all my love, stay safe, find love, and be cool; may the wind be always in your face as a challenge and for you to always remember me by!

Oh Ben...I hope we meet again..love love loves you.

2008-07-11T00:58:00.003+09:00

I spent the evening with Alex and ended up in Soho where Chanyeong proceeded to feed me drinks for free..oh friends who run bars can be dangerous on a school night! We met up with Nathan and Dave and this guy Brian who is in town from Macao..also met a girl who reads my blog..which is always cool but I must state for the record..I am not a fag hag. I don't judge my friends by their sexual orientation and just happen to have many gay friends whom I've met at work..I don't know why but FH really bugs me for some reason...nice meeting you though :)

A day of reflection

2008-07-09T18:01:00.004+09:00

This afternoon on my break, Kaylee, a student I taught for 3 years but goes to another school now, came with her mother to see me and say goodbye. I couldn't get over how much she'd grown since I'd last seen her in January! She has always been special to me. I spent a year and half tutoring her on my breaks for free when she was in kindergarten because she was so much lower than the other students and now she is such a great speaker and reader as a result. I used her as subject in the essay I wrote to get into University. I guess I owe her thanks :) Her mom brought me a lovely gift and she and I played games for about 45 mins while her mom went and had some coffee. When it was time for her to leave I realized that I will NEVER see her again..it was such a strange feeling because I've never felt anything like that before, unless someone I cared for died. As she walked away with her mom I went back to my class and broke down a bit. If I feel this strongly about a child I haven't seen in 6 months..how am I to say goodbye to the children I care so much for that are in my life everyday? This is going to be AWFUL. I know going back home to teach will be easier because it is much harder to develop bonds and attachments with students like we do here. Especially when you teach them kindergarten and they kiss and hug you and tell you they love you all the time. It's more like a little family in my classroom here, home I'll be saved the heartache from all of that.

After work on my way home I looked at the potted flowers attached to all the lamp posts, and the lush green mountains and the sunny clear blue sky and felt a pang in my heart. I watched kids walking alone in the street without a care in the world, beans and peppers on large tarps on the sidewalk drying in the sun without anyone around watching them. It is so safe here..people have respect for others and other people's property. Home isn't like that :( Children can't walk alone in the streets carefree and people can't leave things unattended because someone will steal them. I'm really going to miss Korea for that. It really is a great place to live. Now I'm going to lay under my air conditioner and try to cool off because it is so hot it is exhausting me!

2008-07-08T18:15:00.000+09:00

I feel like an ice cube melting slowing in the blazing sun. MAKE IT STOP!!

2008-07-07T11:46:00.003+09:00

The disgusting weather has now begun (or did so a few days ago) it's nasty. I hate waking up and having all the windows in my house totally steamed up. The humidity is CRAZY. Thank goodness for airconditioning! My replacement arrives in 3 days. The thought of it makes my stomach churn. I'm sure she's great but handing my kids over to the care of another person is going to be so hard for me. Oh well. I purged ALOT of stuff from my apartment this weekend. I only have 3 more boxes at the most to pack and them I'm finished. I've sold all of my stuff including my computer so that makes me happy..most of it is to my replacement so I can just leave everything as is and not have to move anything.

Tony called me last night and we discussed the weekend drama (not between he and I). I love ALL of you but I have to say the drama and fights every weekend is getting old and tired. Nothing is worth starting a fight with your friends over especially when it's so petty. I understand some people are having a hard time with things in their lives right now, but it is no excuse to take it out on your friends. We should all just hug and spred love. The good news is that Tony wants to take me to the airport the day I leave. That makes me happy cause everyone will be on holidays and gone and leaving Korea all alone will make it even more sad. I'm really glad he is going to come with me. We can share one last Cass together before I go through the gates.

Lunch is calling..have a great week everyone.

2008-07-06T17:52:00.002+09:00

3 weeks from tomorrow and I'll be in Canada. I'm slowly coming to terms with the fact it's time to go and get school done so I don't have to worry about it anymore. I'm looking forward to sprawling on the grass in my backyard while pouring a Keiths into my mouth..that sounds heavenly right now.

2008-07-06T15:40:00.004+09:00

I'm so lucky I have a friend like Cam who makes sure I have fun even when my wallet is empty. I can't wait till next Thursday and Friday when I'll FINALLY have cash to treat him to a lil fun too :)

This afternoon..

2008-07-05T12:06:00.002+09:00

Since having my kids over for a Christmas party they've been bugging me as to when they could come over again for an afternoon. Since I'm leaving in 3 weeks and a few of my kids are going away for the summer in a week, I figured this weekend would be a good time. So in an hour 7 twelve year olds will be coming over to hang out. They requested rootbeer, mac n cheese, some Star Wars and a game of Monopoly. I'm pretty much the best teacher ever..haha just kiddin.

I stole this from Cammy

2008-07-05T02:54:00.003+09:00

Just cause it's almost 3am and I can't sleep (and I really should because I'm having 7 twelve year olds over for the afternoon!) Songs from my MP3 player right now..

What does next year have in store for me? "There's No Other Way" Blur
What’s my love life like?"The Dumbing Down of Love" Frou Frou
What do I say when life gets hard? "Don't Stop Believing" Journey
What do I think of on waking up? "Alarm Call" Bjork
What song will I dance to at my wedding? "Sparks" Coldplay
What do I want as a career? "Paper Planes" M.I.A.
My favorite saying? "Radhe Radhe" Kula Shaker
Favorite place? "Can I stay" Ray LaMontange
What do I think of my parents? "I love you STOP" Red Force 5
What’s my porn star name? "Rainy Monday" Shiny Toy Guns
Where would I go on a first date? "Just What I needed" The Cars
Drug of choice? "Everyday Sunshine" Fishbone
Describe myself "Do You Realize?" The Flaming Lips
What is the thing I like doing most? "Chasing Cars" Snow Patrol
What is my state of mind like at the moment? "Young Folks" Peter, Bjorn, and John

Acupuncture..

2008-07-04T20:01:00.004+09:00

I have had this searing pain across my lower left side and back for about a week. I thought I had pulled a muscle or something and it would just go away. Well it hasn't so I did what I never thought I would, I went and tried acupuncture today. I have always thought it to be hoky and probably a waste of time but I figured what the hell might as well. One of our student's dad owns a Chinese Medicine Clinic across the street from work so Jenny called and I went on my break. It was a weird experience.

I told him what was wrong and he had me lay on my side. He poked around and asked where it hurt. Then he put these suction things on my back (I couldn't see but I could feel). I was told later by one of my students whose dad also is a Chinese Doctor, that he did the suction and then cut me and let the bad blood out. Um ok. Then he stuck me with all those little needles all the way up and down my left side and on my arm. Then I lay there for a while. His assistant came in and through the glass I could see her coming at me with what looks like a cigarette lighter from a car..you know the ones that are coiled up. Anyway she starting sticking these smoking things all up my back. A really weird smelling incense filled the room as my back started to smoke up. Some got REALLY close to my skin because it got HOT. Afterwards I had to lay there for 10 minutes until she returned and pulled all the pins out. The best part was she took me into a room that had a table filled with water. She told me to lay down and she turned it on. It was a high pressure water massage. It was AMAZING. I was on there for about 30 minutes. Afterwards I felt high and my pain was gone. Now it has returned and I have weird marks all over my back but I think I'd go again just for the water massage. I have all this powder stuff I have to mix with water and drink it for the next 3 days. I'll see if I feel it was affective enough for me to return for another treatment or the massage. All of it came to 10 dollars. Even if it doesn't work it was a very relaxing way to spend my Friday afternoon break time.

I have a question

2008-07-03T18:23:00.002+09:00

When should you decide that a friendship is finished? If you've made an effort to leave messages and keep in touch but it has not been reciprocated (Jenny B this does not refer to you xoxox) when do you just say fuck it the person isn't worth your time or energy anymore? Cause I've just about decided that you aren't worth it.

2008-07-02T19:43:00.001+09:00

26 more sleeps and I have to leave this place. I feel sick to my stomach every time I think about it. I wish I could take everything here home with me..

Happy Canada Day!

2008-07-01T18:10:00.001+09:00

silly kiddies

2008-06-29T21:01:00.000+09:00

The goodbyes have begun..

2008-06-29T14:32:00.007+09:00

Thursday evening the Oh's had a going away party for myself and Justin where we ate, drank, and reminised about the good times we've all shared at LCI. It was bitter sweet because I'm so excited to get the next faze of my life started but I'm going to miss Korea and my friends and students TERRIBLY.

Saturday afternoon I met up with Raegs and we went to Itae to meet up with Ben and Michael at RMT. We didn't see much of Ben because he was on a winning streak in the poker game he was playing upstairs. Michael and I starting ordering shots at random and the day began. For Ben and I, it was our last day of drinking and debauchery and I'm very sad about it because he and I have become great friends over the last 3 years. Ben came down with 100 dollars in RMT gift certificates which covered our bill and we moved on to Nashville where we were joined by Scott..the margaritas were fab!

We wandered up to Soho and Karen came and hung out for a bit and Ben started to pass out (it was only 830pm haha). We also discovered that while sleeping, Ben can smoke a cig through his ear, very impressive! Eve called while we were there and we went to Bliss so I could wish Sam and John goodbye and give them some love before they leave Monday for NYC. Things just got messy (meaning we all got um trashed haha) we were joined by Joseph and Ted hooked up the karaoke machine and the singing began and didn't stop till Cam and I left at 4. It was a great time and I'm going to miss you all so very very much.

2008-06-28T12:18:00.000+09:00

One month from today I will be home in Ottawa.

The time is going by toooo fast!

2008-06-28T02:18:00.004+09:00

I have 20 teaching days left in Seoul and I am NOT ready to leave yet (not fully packed, don't have everything shipped, that sort of stuff). I told my kindergarten class today I was leaving, which took a lot of pictures on the board and flipping of my calender and hand gestures. They all got a little bit quiet and then asked if they were going to come to Canada with me as well..oh I wish.. I have to stop and remind myself that 4 out of my 5 kids are 3 years old..they didn't like the idea too much though of my going to Canada. I think they would all fit in my suitcases if I really tried.

I just said my goodbyes to Justin after a CRAZY EPIC Family Mart night. Cops, near arrests, fights, a garbage truck..oh the memories haha. I wish him well with his next journey and am looking forward to seeing him in Ottawa in March.

Tomorrow - or later today depending on how you look at it since I haven't gone to sleep yet, I am spending the day with Ben. Our last day together..makes me sad that 3 years have just flown by so quickly. I'm sure we'll get up to no good :)

Almost 3 years ago..I can't believe it's all over..the noraebong will never be the same xox

Sleep tight all.

I just want to wish...

2008-06-26T23:03:00.001+09:00

My dad (the best in the world I must add) A VERY VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! love love love!

The weekend...

2008-06-25T17:59:00.007+09:00

Ted's 52 B-Day Party - oh..and party I did

North VS South Korea - World Cup Qualifiers. Score 0-0 but best seats EVER!

Double booked

2008-06-21T11:56:00.004+09:00

The end of June and the beginning of July always seem like such busy times. So many people tend to leave Korea during that time so it's always filled with goodbyes and goodbye parties. Today, when I've willed myself to start drinking haha, I'm going to meet up with Justin and some buddies for some farewell toasts. Justin and I have become pretty good pals and I'm sad to see him leave since we've been here since '05 together. He and Karen are moving to Qikiqtarjuaq to teach for the next year. I am looking forward to hearing what life is like a stone's throw from Greenland! I will miss Justin not being in my day..

Then afterwards I'm meeting up with Cam for dinner and then we are heading to Bliss because it is Teddy's birthday today. The big 52! That deserves some celebration! I am sure we will indeed celebrate.

Tomorrow, thanks to the awesomeness of Jenny and her hubby, Cam, Joel, myself, Eve, Leonie, and a few work friends are heading to World Cup Stadium for the World Cup qualifying match between North and South Korea. We were given the tickets by Jenny's hubby and we are 6 rows up from the field! It should be FABULOUS as long as the rains stay away.

대한민국!

2008-06-21T00:39:00.003+09:00

Note to self - Family Mart Crawls are a good way to consume time on a Friday evening after work..if only 7 elevens back home would get on the beer to go band wagon and provide picnic tables and chairs outside where one could enjoy their beer to go if they so chose. I've also been munched alive by mosquitoes tonight..damn having sweet blood can be a real itch sometimes!

2008-06-18T18:20:00.003+09:00

I totally and completely suck at saying goodbye in any way, shape or form. Even on the phone I usually have awkward goodbyes. I'm really not sure why I guess it is deeply rooted in my psyche or something. I either cry, or get all quiet and weird, or give a hi five and run away..I know I'm mental. I'm not sure how I'm going to deal with the amount of goodbyes I have coming my way..but I'm thinking duck and hide?

On a clear day..I can see

2008-06-16T19:39:00.002+09:00

On a polluted day..I can't

For a laugh

2008-06-15T11:50:00.001+09:00

Other Beijing adventures

Oh my head..

2008-06-15T00:36:00.005+09:00

I haven't really been in a party mood the last few weeks and have been low key but that was not the case last night! I met up with Eve and Leonie for some yummy Indian delights then we ended up at Bungalow where we were joined by Cam and Saejin and their friend John. Our group expanded when we were joined by Alex and Nathan and before I knew it I had had far too many shots and cocktails and the sun was up and I was in a cab with Cam on the way home. This evening Cam, SJ, and I went to see Sex and the City. IT WAS SOO GREAT. I loved every single episode of the show and didn't think the movie would be as wonderful but I really liked it as did the guys. Now I'm home and putting myself to bed early(ish) so I can clean my house like a crazy person tomorrow, hopefully pack some more stuff and write report cards. Only 6 weekends left...

OMG

2008-06-11T18:28:00.002+09:00

It's all starting to hit me hard and fast that I'm on my way out of Seoul. I love living overseas and hate leaving. I almost cried on the subway coming home today for no reason other than I don't have many subway rides left. 3 years have flown by I can still remember the day I arrived like it was yesterday. Things are starting to get packed up and I've started promising items to co-workers, my weekends are getting filled up with last time beers *sigh* this actually really SUCKS. I'm thrilled to be seeing my family and friends back home and starting school and I'm glad two of my Seoul buddies will be coming to Ottawa a few weeks after I arrive home. I feel like I'm in a game of tug-a-war with myself. Home vs Korea :( Dad - please make sure the beer fridge is full for my return..I'm gonna need it xo

Beijing 2008

2008-06-08T17:15:00.023+09:00

I needed one last holiday before leaving Asia next month. Lucky me, traveled to Beijing with my lovely friends Cameron, Saejin, Tony, Joel, and Chanyeong. We had an action packed 2 days and 3 nights. We shopped..and shopped..and shopped, climbed The Great Wall of China, visited the Ming Tombs, checked out the Forbidden City and Tienanmen Square, had a very interesting duck meal, consumed some cocktails and laughs and then flew home. It was AWESOME! Thanks for the memories guys xoxo

First Night in Beijing

We checked into The Grand Millenium and we were pleased by how wonderful our rooms were. Cam, SJ, and I in one and Tony, Joel, and Chanyeong in the other. After freshing up we headed to the hotel bar "Havana" and enjoyed the music of The Eleventh Commandment a great band from the US who were playing there for the bar's opening. Great group of people! Then we headed off to some foreigner district and hated the food we had but enjoyed the drinks. We later called it an early night because the following day we were getting picked up by our tour guide to go climb The Great Wall.

Day Two in Beijing - The Great Wall of China and The Ming Tombs

I had arranged a private van and guide for us to take us to The Great Wall and The Ming Tombs. Our tour guide, Kelly, arrived at the hotel at 8:30am to pick us up. After the delicious hotel buffet breakfast we had we were energized to do some walking and climbing, it also gave a chance to check out the city as the wall is about an hour outside. The air was quite smoggy but it was pretty warm outside with a nice breeze. Perfect climbing weather. I must admit I was REALLY EXCITED to finally get to see The Wall in person. It did not cease to impress. It was AMAZING. It just goes on and on and on. Of course not all areas are accessible for climbing due to their poor condition but if you are into hiking and doing lots of walking there is lots of The Wall for you to see. The pictures however weren't as clear as I would have liked due to the haze, so I got some postcards of a haze free Wall (it cleared up in the afternoon). After a few hours on The Wall we went for lunch at some touristy place that had icky food but cold beers! Then off to The Ming Tombs. We didn't get to see as much of the tombs as I would have liked but it was LOVELY as was the spectacular view of the mountains. Worth the visit. We returned to the hotel to freshen up then headed out near The Silk Market (which was walking distance from our hotel) where we had seen restaurants and bars. We had a sinful chicken dinner split between 3 of us while the others had their own dishes. The drinks were cheap and the food was great. Followed by night caps (tea for me) at Havana in the hotel.

Day three in Beijing - The Pearl Market, The Forbidden City, Tienanmen Square, and a famous duck restaurant.

We were tired from the day on The Wall but SJ, Cam, Joel, and I got up and ready and went for breakfast in the hotel. Cam, Joel, and I decided to go to The Hongqiao Pearl Market for some shopping and SJ and Chanyeong were going to visit The Summer Palace later in the morning. Tony was going to meet up with us after he had finished snoozing. So off Cam, Joel, and I went. I just have to say Joel is the KING of bargaining. I thought I was good..haha Joel rocks at it. We got great deals and some great loot from the market. Tony found us in the market and we headed over to The Forbidden City to meet the other boys. We couldn't find SJ and Chanyeong when we arrived so we went in and started our tour of the grounds. IT WAS MASSIVE!! Very beautiful but I found it to be very similar to the palaces here in Seoul. All the same it was beautiful and had a beautiful garden. It was hot as hell and we refreshed with some frozen melon ice bits. VERY tasty! After our tour we headed across the street to Tienanmen Square. It was also very large. It was the 19th anniversary of the 1989 protests two days before and it really brought home where we were standing. We headed back to the hotel for a bit of a snooze then off to a famous duck restaurant for a very interesting meal!

We had our own private room in the restaurant and the food was brought in courses. I tried snail and duck tongue soup (I could only handle one spoonful), tiny little duck wings, duck breast, and the roasted duck itself which you eat in little wraps. It was good but I'm not sure I'd eat duck again. VERY GREASY. We went back to the same little bar we drank at the night before and watched some Swed's get totally off their asses drunk while SJ downed Mojito after Mojito! We stayed out pretty late and only had a few hours sleep before we had to leave for the airport and go home.

Day Four - Goodbye Beijing - thanks for all the duck!

After LITTLE sleep we all headed off to the airport for our flight back to Seoul. Due to over-booking all six of us were bumped up to business class (which suited us all just fine!). A champagne breakfast and a reclining chair was just what I needed. We got back to Seoul safely with great memories and photos to last a lifetime.

2008-06-04T19:47:00.000+09:00

I'm off to China after lunch tomorrow. Catch ya'll Monday!

2008-06-03T19:08:00.001+09:00

I have 7 weekends left in Seoul..holy crap! I have boxes sitting waiting till pay day to be mailed..about 5 more to pack up and send afterwards..friends to see fun things to do and it's all gonna go by so fast!!

It's raining it's pouring

2008-06-02T19:56:00.002+09:00

The weather has been shit today. I wish I could explain the rain storms here in accuracy for folks back home but unless you experience it there is just nothing like it. It seems like it is raining sideways, even with the largest of umbrellas you are soaked through and through. Since it was my way home from work and I didn't care about getting wet I enjoyed myself splashing through the deep, rose petal filled, puddles as the torrents of rain fell hard upon and around me. Now I'm snug in my house cooking up some dins. 3 more days till China! Although I am a little sad that they are having the worst pollution and yellow dust of the year right now and the trees look kinda grey on the news. I guess I'll have to invest in a mask but I'm sure it will be good fun all the same.

2008-06-01T12:31:00.001+09:00

He is NOT my boyfriend!

Be loud and proud!

2008-06-01T02:41:00.003+09:00

Happy Pride to my gay friends here in Seoul. Be loud and proud and don't let anyone let you feel ashamed of who you are. You're all beautiful and wonderful and I loves you.

Attention potential LCI KIDS CLUB SEOCHO teachers

2008-05-31T13:46:00.002+09:00

Alright so there are a bunch of new teachers coming our way in the next month and a half. Ben has been sending people here if they have questions about the school..so let me just say this.

1. Do you get paid on time? YES always and always get paid overtime and anything else owed to you. NEVER problems with payment.

2. Are the apartments okay? YES YES YES I love my apartment and I am hating to leave it. Clean, new, close to the subway and supermarket..good location.

3. Lots of split shifts and long teaching hours? NO SPLIT SHIFTS - you may or may not get breaks depending on your schedule we all have different schedules mine is Mondays until 710, Tues-Wed-Thurs- until 5:30, and Friday until 710. The work day starts at 10am.

4. Easy to teach there? YES we have a very set curriculum it is very easy to follow and there should be no problems even for a teacher with ZERO experience.

I have been teaching at this school for 3 years and would not have stayed if it was a horrible place. Most teachers have been there for more than a year or two. I highly recommend it if you are looking for a position there.

The worst day ever

2008-05-30T19:36:00.004+09:00

I managed to work all day (9 hrs) with a fever of 105 (that's 41 Celsius), body aches, head ache, shaking, chills..I'm pretty sure it's what dying feels like. I'm going to bed right now and not moving for a long time.

2008-05-28T18:44:00.001+09:00

If it weren't for getting to spend a year with my family, I wish I was going here not back to Canada soon..

2008-05-28T08:27:00.001+09:00

There are torrential rains outside my window..could the rainy season be upon us? NO MAKE IT STOP! I hate walking to work (well the subway) in this weather..it means being soaked and sticky hot when I get there..icky.

2008-05-27T18:45:00.001+09:00

I will be landing in Ottawa at 6:18pm, Monday, the 28th of July. There better be peeps around to play with me cause I'm not gonna be sleeeeepy.

It's almost time for Beijing!

2008-05-27T09:01:00.003+09:00

Next Thursday after work Saejin, Cam, Tony, Chanyeong, and Joel and myself are heading off to Beijing for the long weekend. I am sooo excited to finally get to climb the Great Wall and shop my ass off in the Silk Market where everything is so cheap it should be illegal! We are staying at the brand new Grand Millennium Hotel which just opened for the Olympics and we'll be in walking distance from all the big highlights. I'm excited!!

DAMN! It's hot! 30+ degrees and HUMID

2008-05-24T14:47:00.004+09:00

I just returned from brunch with Jin and her husband, Justin, Karen, and Scott. We had a really nice time catching up and Jin looks so cute pregnant! I can't wait to see her little girl when she is born. I got a ride home on the back of Scott's motorcycle which I always love and it gave me a little breeze because the air is still, heavy, humid, and HOT HOT HOT. I guess we're back to bad hair days, hot sticky weather, and non-stop air conditioning. Going to sit on the patio at Bliss tonight and enjoy cocktails with my dear friends.

2008-05-24T09:34:00.001+09:00

A very happy birthday to the greatest lady alive..MY MOMS! I love you lots and wish I could be there to celebrate with you. LOVE LOVE LOVE XOXOXOXOXO

Pics Pics Pics

2008-05-23T19:54:00.004+09:00

2008-05-21T19:01:00.001+09:00

I can't say I dig the way you said what you did...but now that you've said it..you're going to make it harder for me to go.

2008-05-20T08:31:00.000+09:00

I'm going to be back in Ottawa in 68 days.

2008-05-18T15:04:00.002+09:00

Last night my friends and I met up with Joel and his parents for some kalbi at Don Valley. The plan was for a few drinks afterwards, I was a good girl I had two Long Island Iced Teas however a wealthy Italian friend of Ted's asked me if I wanted a bottle of wine. I don't drink wine and thanked him but Ted mentioned my deep love of champagne (thanks Ted..not!). The bubbly started flowing, bottle after bottle, so my few drinks turned into many and the poor guy had a monster bill. Oh well thanks for drinkies - and the MONSTER headache I have today.

2008-05-17T13:52:00.005+09:00

Cause I haven't in forever..

1. What was your first thought when you awoke? - what should I pack

2. Who knows you best in this world? Samaa and my brother

3. How would your mother/father describe you? A pain in the ass? haha

4. What's something you've said to someone you wished you could take back? I love you

5. What are the three top qualities your friends like about you? my sense of adventure, my intellect, and my compassionate nature.

6. What is one of your secret pleasures that might surprise people? I like drinking alone.

7. What's something you don't want to live without? My hairdryer.

8. If you could tell someone off, who would it be and what would you say? there are a few people.

9. Do you believe you have a destiny or is life just random? undecided on that one.

10. If you could only choose one favorite sense...touch, taste, smell, sight, or hearing? Hearing.

11. If your friends had to name an animal to describe you, what would they choose? an elephant or snake.

12. What do you want to accomplish today? Not a heck of a lot.

13. Who do you dream about the most? I'll never tell.

14. What makes you happy? My family, friends, and my students.

15. What makes you sad? Assholes, racists, hypocrites, homophobes, ignorance, poverty, suffering, death, war, I could go on and on.

16. What's one question you would like to ask the person who sent this to you? You need to find better things to do with your time.

17. What occupies your mind most of the day? The future.

18. How do you want to die? When I am very old in my sleep.

19. How do you want to live? I want to live life to its fullest potential, I want to see the world and not feel tied down to a desk or a particular lifestyle, I want to be free to roam and explore.

20. Who do you hope is always a part of your life? Other than my parents and family that would be easy: Samaa, Jenny, and Andree, Cam and SJ, The Ninja Bojis, Joel, Tony, Raymond, Raegs, and my little Jenny.

2008-05-17T13:29:00.002+09:00

I'm so glad this week has finally made its way into the weekend because I had about as much stress as I could take. Getting MASSIVELY screwed with deductions on my last pay has left me pretty much house bound for the next month (except for tonight because we are all meeting Joel and his family for some kalbi in Itaewon) I'm actually going to forgo the usual cab ride and take the subway there (ick). I have had a fairly successful morning packing and have put together bags of clothes for a fellow co-worker who has expressed an interest in taking it all off my hands. Next up - try to find someone to buy all of my things. Stereo, my computer (which I am in love with and tear up when I think of having to get rid of it), microwave, stair master, TONS of appliances, dvd player..*sigh* If you are moving to Seoul or know anyone here in need of stuff PLEASE CONTACT ME - good stuff for a low price (you can't take the computer until the 26th of July though). I am feeling really uneasy about moving home but it's inevitable so I have to deal with it I suppose.

Well I'm going to spend the afternoon sorting through things and giving myself a pedicure then I have to head to Dream Depot to have my alien card photo copied and I need to get some passport shots taken so I can give it all to Saejin tonight because he is going to get our visas for our trip to China in three weeks. I'm so glad I have that to look forward to!

2008-05-15T22:26:00.003+09:00

I've finally started to pack up my apartment and it makes me want to cry.

Around and around and around Seoul with Tony

2008-05-14T20:50:00.007+09:00

Tony (whom I love to bits) and I met up for lunch on our holiday Monday with plans to spend the day together, doing what we just weren't sure. We wanted to see a museum but realized they were all closed. Tony had yet to see the festivities in Insadong for Buddha's birthday, and seeing as how it was the last day for them, I told him we should go so he could take some pics. So we headed over there and walked around for a few hours and had some coffee and chatted. We then walked over to the Cheonggye Stream because I don't have any photos of it (terrible since I've lived here 3 years including when it opened!) so we went over there. Then decided we should walk to Myeong-dong but we weren't paying close attention to where we were going and ended up walking in a gigantic circle and ended up right where we started. It was a great day and the hours of walking were fun. Especially with a great Kiwi along for the trek :)

The WEIRDEST thing I've seen in a while. A tree IV??? Just how sick is this tree and what are they giving it????

A day in the park and a bbq at Leonie and Eve's

2008-05-13T20:54:00.006+09:00

Here is the start of all the pics I have from the last 5 days..

No one can walk in circles better than Tony and I

2008-05-12T18:33:00.002+09:00

Unfortunately all the museums are closed on Mondays (I think I actually knew that) so Tony and I met up at IPARK in Yongsan for lunch and then decided to head over to Insadong because he had yet to check out the festivities for Buddha's birthday celebration. So we did just that. The crowds were INSANE which is always expected. We stopped in a lovely tea house (and drank coffee) and decided to walk to Myeong-dong and catch the subway home. Clearly we suck at our directions because we walked to the stream and checked that out and walked in circles for a good two hours. Neither of us had to rush home so it was a fun day walking and we bought several DVDs along the way. You really can't go wrong with the 4 dvds for 10 dollars. I took over 150 pictures but am just too tuckered out to post them. I have so much to post from this weekend and will get around to it tomorrow. Now I'm going to watch some of my new movies and snooze early tonight. Happy Birthday Buddha!

2008-05-11T23:37:00.000+09:00

2008-05-11T23:21:00.003+09:00

I just got home from a lovely dinner with Joel and his parents (who are really wonderful people) and Tony who was sweet enough to treat all of us. Now I'm gonna hit the hay because I am beyond tired. Tomorrow Tony and I are going to meet up and go to a Museum which should be fun. Happy Mother's Day to my moms..love love loves you.

I'm all over you like egg in bowl of bibinbap!

2008-05-11T16:46:00.004+09:00

I love the Colbert Report but had missed this episode and Cam told me to check it out. Stephen Colbert vs Rain (a Korean pop singer for those who don't know). It's hilarious!

2008-05-11T16:20:00.003+09:00

So we are lucky enough to have another long weekend this weekend. I started it off with dinner at Petra with Raymond and Cam on Friday night followed by our usual cocktails and the usual places. Yesterday Cam and I met up at Baby Guinness for a few drinks before we headed over to Eve and Leonie's for a bbq. It was a beautiful sunny afternoon and we were surrounded by great people. What followed was a lot of laughs and lots of singing (mostly Eve and I belting out Barry Manilow songs at the top of our lungs). And today I'm meeting Joel and his parents along with Tony for some Greek food which should be delightful. I'm looking forward to meeting Joel's folks, who are in town for the week. Tomorrow I'm planning on nothing but resting, movies, and naps. Will post all my pics later.

On another note..any teachers out there in Korea who have had increases in their medical insurance payments?? Last year a few of us got screwed with retroactive payments and had 500 dollars taken off our paychecks..well we were told this wouldn't happen again but what do you know? I got fucked hard on my paycheck this month with the same crap (couldn't have come at a worse time actually). No warning this was going to occur either shady fuckers. Only 2 months to go so I'm just going to suck it up because I really have no choice. So please don't bug me about money right now it's a sore subject.

Beijing!

2008-05-08T21:16:00.002+09:00

Can I really afford it? Nah not really but am I going? YES! Me and the boys are flying out to Beijing on the 5th of June for a few days. I MUST climb the Great Wall before I leave Asia otherwise I'd hate myself with it being so close by. It's gonna be GOOD FUN!

I hope to visit here..the summer palace.

Laterns and Lotus, kids and stuff

2008-05-08T09:06:00.000+09:00

Here are pics from the last few days...

2008-05-07T21:34:00.002+09:00

I have TONS of pictures from the Lantern Fest and the weekend to post..they will come..eventually. I got some good news this week, turns out that I am placed at the elementary school of my choice for the next year. The first half of the year I'll be with 2nd graders and the second half will be 4th graders. I'm really excited about being in the On Site program because it will give me an opportunity to spend the ENTIRE year at the same school and I'll be required to spend very little time at University. What is awesome is that the school is like a 7 minute drive from my house, talk about an easy commute! I also have a friend who is a teacher at this school so it will be nice to see her everyday too.

Since I am coming home soon it has me thinking of life before I came to Korea and the things and people I left behind. Most of which are still a part of my life and I have regular contact with. One in particular, I don't. For some reason they keep popping into my head as of late. I know what I once thought was..clearly wasn't but for some reason I am kind of hoping they'll show up on my doorstep and all will go back to the way it was. Although that may anger my fam...the silly optimistic side of me wishes it would happen. I know it won't but I guess I'm just a whole mess of feelings at the moment.

Speaking of home..JENNY B I GOT YOUR LETTER I LOVE LOVE LOVES YOU and can't wait to take you up on the Dance Dance Revolution challenge! Check your mail box in the next week or so baby!

With that..I'm off to sleep..which I just can't seem to get enough of these days. Another long weekend is almost here and I can't wait!

Get this song outta my head!

2008-05-05T19:59:00.002+09:00

My 5th graders have turned me onto this band BIG BANG. They are HUGE here in Korea and my students love them and I hear this song every time I'm in Soho..I admit it's not my style of music cause I normally hate hip hop and RnB but this song gets in my head and won't leave!

The song is called Lies if you happen to dig it.

2008-05-05T10:37:00.000+09:00

2008-05-02T07:46:00.002+09:00

I love starting off a Friday with good news! I had applied for the On Site program at my University which means I only attend classes on Fridays (except for 7 weeks spread throughout the year that I need to be on campus) the rest of the time I am at an elementary school teaching. They only had limited space available. Yipeeee!!! I don't get a spring break which kinda sucks cause I have to teach through it but I actually get to teach for a year instead of sitting in a classroom all the time at University. Sweeeeeet.

2008-05-01T18:09:00.002+09:00

Have you ever had one of those days or weeks when you've felt like one of these? I actually really love sloths but they are the slowest animal on the planet pretty much and I feel like I have the energy of a sloth this week. I just can't get off my ass or get motivated to do anything but catch up on Grey's and Gossip Girl and the shows that have just come back on TV. I hope the long weekend ahead will be different. Tomorrow night I'm going to meet up with Cam for cocktails and then Saturday I'm hoping will be a day of rest. Sunday will be the Lotus Lantern Festival which has become a tradition of mine each year then out with great folks afterwards. Monday sleep sleep sleep and hopefully that will recharge my batteries until our next long weekend which is the following weekend. Two in a row, I can't complain.

Good weekend..

2008-04-27T18:41:00.002+09:00

I had a great weekend all around. I already mentioned Friday night, yesterday Cam and I decided to meet up for dinner which ended up being us on the hill drinking all night..haha un-planned but fun all the same. Today Jenny came over to hang out. I love her so much. She always comes with gifts from her dad who is a big wig at Universal Korea. She brought over a TON of cds for me one of the cds was the new release from Mariah Carey and I guess she has put out a new perfume too because I received a bottle of it (M) and it smells really nice. I love getting new music although I have so many cds from Jenny's dad I'm not sure how I'm going to get them back home to Canada haha. Now I'm going to cook up some dins and pass out! Back at it again tomorrow.

Oh what a night

2008-04-26T14:54:00.002+09:00

Met up with the boys for some delicious Greek at Santorini..then we went over to Bliss where the evening started off wonderfully but ended with fights and drama. I really hate when that happens. I am happy that I wasn't part of it for once because I was distracted. I hope my friends make up because fighting is never good. I do enjoy a good sleepover and lazy morning though...lots of reasons to smile today.

Almost the weekend..I NEED IT.

2008-04-24T18:04:00.002+09:00

Seriously...with feeling like CRAP all week I haven't been able to have any fun! Thank goodness the weekend is almost here for that! Dinner and drinks with people I loves tomorrow night (and what looks like me making good on a bet with Mike) and then my dear little Jenny is coming over on Sunday for what may just be our last girls hangout Sunday before I leave Korea :( I hope everyone has a great weekend too! My voice has somewhat returned if you like the husky smoky sounding type.

I have to post this picture because a mutual friend of my brother's and myself posted it on facebook. I'm not in it but my bro is and he looks about 14 years old which makes this MANY years ago)! There is beer in the pic so I'm guessing no..hmm or perhaps yes he'll have to fill me in. Hope he sees it!

The sickness

2008-04-23T18:20:00.002+09:00

Seriously..since December I don't think I've ever had more colds or felt more crappy in my entire life. I'm not the only one, others at work have been hit with many ailments as well. I wonder what is causing it?! It's not like my body is adjusting the pollution or air here I've been here for 3 years. This time around I have stomach flu symptoms and I haven't been able to talk since Saturday night. This is getting on my nerves! I haven't eaten since Monday, although I'd really like to! I hope this goes away by Friday cause I'm having Greek with my boys after work and hopefully having some cocktails afterwards. I know seriously I should just rest and not go out but lets face it. I am going home in less than 100 days and life is going to be dulls-ville once I get there..I have to enjoy all the fun times while I can!

2008-04-21T20:21:00.001+09:00

I found out today that my replacement has been hired. I suddenly had this really strange feeling about it all. I have to leave..but do I really want to? What am I going to do without my kids? What am I going to do without my friends? How am I going to go back to a tiny town after living in Seoul and being spoiled by its awesomeness for so long? I think I need to brace myself for a complete and utter breakdown once I get back to Canada. It seems like it is going to be inevitable.

2008-04-21T08:17:00.001+09:00

It's Monday morning, the week has just begun and I have laryngitis! I can barely squeak out any words yet I have to teach all day. This week is going to be rough on my vocal chords..

Fun in the sun

2008-04-20T12:43:00.003+09:00

Yesterday I met up with Liz and Lizzy at Bliss in the early afternoon to prepare for the big BBQ Ted and Liz had planned. I don't think I've ever chopped that many veggies! It was gorgeous outside and lots of good people showed up for eats and beers. The day stretched into the next morning and I somehow find myself today with ZERO voice but I had a blast last night! And who knew it was actually going to be big haha Mike might owe me 5 bucks.

Things/People I love

2008-04-19T11:18:00.003+09:00

I love getting up on a Saturday morning, making some coffee, and calling home to Ottawa to talk to my friends. I often get answering machines but this morning I got to talk to my best gal Andree and my bro (who I've been dying to talk to for like EVER). This week for some reason I've really realized just how special and wonderful and awesome the people who are closest to me in my life are. Whether it's my dear friends and family back home or my wonderful family here in Seoul..I'm a very lucky girl.

This afternoon I'm going to spend the day in the gorgeous, 30 degree sunshine, bbq'in with my Seoul family and it is going to be a GREAT time :) Hope you all have a great weekend too.

Some people I love love love

2008-04-17T22:24:00.001+09:00

Not that I wasn't aware..but I have some really amazing friends and people in my life. I just want to thank them all for being such wonderful and supportive people and love them all.

Girls on Film!

2008-04-17T21:43:00.001+09:00

Raymond is soooo cute. He went to see Duran Duran tonight with Cammy (I wanted to go - but alas too poor) but Raymond called me on his cell and held up the phone so I could share in the experience. How sweet is he?? Very I say.

2008-04-17T19:58:00.002+09:00

I'd just like to say THANK GOD for my Korean friends because getting a police record check here, then getting it translated, then notarized..is quite the process!!!

I should never wear cowboy hats - er take people's cowboy hats

2008-04-17T08:28:00.001+09:00

2008-04-16T18:43:00.001+09:00

anybody out there know if a Korean Police Record check comes in English???

Taylor makes me happy

2008-04-16T17:59:00.000+09:00

2008-04-15T21:16:00.002+09:00

alright I hate complaining but seriously - I went back to Aveda because my friend Jenny called and screamed at the manager then told me I had to go back and get it fixed..I love Jenny. Anyway I went back tonight after work and these are my thoughts - if you are going to charge 250 + for highlights in your salon you better be able to show results. I'm not yellow blonde pumpkin girl anymore but I am not sure if what is going on now is any better other than it's darker...oh how I wish my Jenny B were close by cause she could fix it and make it pretty again.

2008-04-14T21:35:00.002+09:00

After talk of it this past weekend and a call tonight from Saejin - I'm getting excited about our upcoming trip to Beijing. I'm usually a solo traveler so it will be a nice change to go with some good pals. June 5th can't come fast enough :)

2008-04-14T20:01:00.001+09:00

I'm curious to know how people find their way here by googling "Seduce the babysitter" and "Girl's scary sleepover" bunch a weirdos.

2008-04-13T18:47:00.002+09:00

I haven't accomplished very much today - It's been a laid back kind of Sunday. I watched Stranger than Fiction which was one of the best films I've seen this year and I watched P.S. I Love You which I had forgotten that I had downloaded. I am not usually one to watch a romantic film but I actually really like this one. After vegging and watching movies I surfed around looking for teaching jobs in Dubai. There are so many kindergarten jobs open at International Schools..if only I could just go there now!! Hopefully this time next year I'll be on my way there. Tax Free virtually all expenses paid living in a beautiful warm locale..oh I dream!

Karma

2008-04-13T14:17:00.004+09:00

Karma really is a bitch sometimes..you break someone's heart and they in turn drop an iron table on your foot and the irony is neither acts were intentional however, both people ended up getting hurt.

2008-04-13T12:04:00.001+09:00

hmm

2008-04-12T14:40:00.002+09:00

So everyone around me loves my hair...I am still not loving it and am not used to it yet. Anyway I guess I'm blond for now..

Went out last night with Raymond and Mike for some delicious Mexican then went to Bliss where Raymond fell asleep next to me - that's what you get for staying up until 5am on a school night the night before...so much for the date night we had planned. I ended up out with people I don't usually hang with and had a blast all over Itaewon.

Tonight drinks at Tony's house (where I will attempt NOT to profess my undying love for him although I thinks he knows by now haha) with Cam and Saejin and hopefully Joel then out for some Thai goodness then cocktails. Then I might make good on the 5 dollar bet I made with Mike..we'll see. Have a good one everyone.

hairtastrophy

2008-04-11T09:03:00.002+09:00

Maybe it is because I worked in hair salons for 4 years but I am soooooo picky when it comes to my hair. Last night I went for highlights and low lights at a reputable salon and came out with orange and yellow locks. Shoot me now - and I got this gorgeous look for the low low price of 250 dollars. AVEDA in Express Bus Terminal SUCKS ASS! I should have stuck with Toni and Guy - the price would have been the same but with MUCH better results. I am going to start investing in some hats real quick.

Cause someone asked

2008-04-09T19:12:00.001+09:00

This is Emma talking to me on her banana phone.