The Universe VS. Amanda

In an effort to remind me how small and insignificant I am, The Universe must have felt the need to send some challenges my way. It all started about 2 weeks ago when my computer stopped working. Since I didn't have my Dad here to help me fix the problem, my friend Kenny was gracious enough to fill that role.

On my first trip to HP, I spent $333 to replace my overheated motherboard and data card. In the week following the repair, I continually got the blue screen of death while I was trying to enjoy what I thought was my new and improved computer. By Thursday, I was getting the blue screen so frequently that it wasn't even worth turning on my computer. So I made the second trek to HP...in less than a week...in the pouring rain...without an umbrella. Later that day, HP called to tell me that my computer was working perfectly fine and they had yet to encounter the blue screen. [Insert WTF moment here] Of course, once I got my computer home, the blue screen felt comfortable enough to come out of the hole it hid in during its overnight stay at HP.

[Warning: soap box rant] While technology is amazing, it is not by any means perfect. I, like many others, have become used to the comforts and convenience that technology has to offer. It is interesting to me that I didn't realize how dependant I was on my computer until I didn't have it anymore. So, the moral of this blog is...always back up your pictures and don't always expect technology to work perfectly. [End: soap box rant]

I don't want to leave my readers feeling discouraged and sorry for me, so I will discuss the positive things that have happened in the last few months...

My first Korean baseball game with my friends Julia and Mike.
The crowd did a slow wave at this game and it was one of the coolest
things I have ever seen. I fully intend to start one at a Rockies game.
Who's with me?

We painted this old coffee table for Josh's new apartment.
After several minutes of observation this cute little girl finally joined in the painting.



Julia and me drinking a margarita at On the Border in Seoul. Crazy!



Don't Worry, Be Happy



Absurd Korean Moment #4

Absurd Korean Moment #4: This Completely Defeats the Purpose...

I had to pull some stealth paparazzi moves to get this shot. Yes, those are two dogs in that stroller...No, this is not the first time I have seen this...And no, I do not feel guilty for taking a picture of strangers and using it for my own private use without asking their permission. They lost that right the day they purchased this stroller.

Absurd Korean Moment #3

Absurd Korean Moment #3: The Thong Guy
On the beaches of Busan, there roams a local celebrity known only as The Thong Guy. It is said that he is 50 years old, enjoys foreign women, has no job, and spends all day, every day at the beach. His body has become the color of a brown leather couch, while his face has...well just see for yourself.

It was an interested weekend to say the least. I also made a message for all my friends and family!

Happy Birthday Buddha!

This might be the only time in my whole life that I get the chance to say I have a day off of work for Buddha's Birthday...so I am going to take advantage of it. Spring has sprung and lanterns were hung in honor of this day. The cherry blossom trees were absolutely GORGEOUS and Korea is much greener than Colorado. I am in love with spring time in Korea.

Baby Buddha lantern in Sunae

Cherry Blossoms

Monk at a Buddhist Temple in Busan



Buddha lanterns in Busan



Absurd Korean Moment #1 and #2

After 6 months of observing the strange goings on of South Koreans, I have to decided to dedicate some blogs to the extreme absurdities and oddities that I have witnessed. These are #1 and #2.

Absurd Korean Moment #1: The Man with Half a Shoe
One Sunday evening, while my friends and I were reliving our middle school days as we sat at the mall people watching, the most peculiar thing happened. An older gentleman sitting next to us began to rip the rubber soles from his sneakers...that were on his feet. He continued ripping until the soles were completely removed from the shoe. He spoke with his friend for several minutes and then stood up and walked away, leaving the soles behind...and I cannot begin to think of a rationale for this behavior.

Shout out to Kenny Yang and his amazing iPhone

Absurd Korean Moment #2: The Laziest Man I Have Ever Seen
While on the KTX train, I observed a couple in their 40s. The husband sat there like a two year old invalid while his wife fed him an entire order of ketchup dipped Burger King french fries. It only got worse when she picked his nose for him...I have no words...

Happy 6 Month Anniversary

Folks, I am proud to announce that today is the 6 month anniversary of my love affair with Korea. We have had our ups and downs, and at times I wasn't sure we were going to make it, but we stuck together. I feel as if these 6 months have gone by so quickly and yet so slowly. When I think back to my arrival in this country, I can't believe my feet carried me out of the airport when every ounce of my body and mind was telling me to turn around and buy a return flight home. When my cab driver dropped me off outside of my school, I felt that I had made a mistake for sure. Everything was literally foreign. Being told by my boss that I had an apartment but no furniture only reaffirmed my belief that this was not meant to be. I was wholly unprepared and inept for teaching most of my classes. Yet somehow, I managed. I made it out of the haze that was my first 2 months here. I fully believe that the only reason I made it was due to my zombie-like state caused by shock, jet lag and time difference. The following is a list of things that I have learned about myself during my time here:

1. I love fried foods...in any country.
2. I will not get along with or enjoy everyone that comes into my life, something that was hard to accept.
3. I can find friends in another country with similar likes and beliefs.
4. While some Koreans love foreigners, others highly dislike us, and I finally know what it's like to be the minority and treated poorly for the way I look.
5. It is only possible to live in a country without knowing the language, with several Korean friends who go above and beyond the call of friendship to help me. I will be eternally grateful to them.
6. I will never get my haircut here again.
7. I can commute successfully by bus, subway, or taxi. Getting lost or making mistakes is the fun part of it.
8. Mexican food is my crack cocaine...I am going through withdrawals.
9. Coffee makes me a better teacher.
10. I still have to import some of my American Toilettries. Korean toothpaste, deodorant and gum just won't cut it.
11. This country is a college student's/poor man's dream. Let me explain. The "trash" piles in my town are full of "gold." People throw away the nicest furniture and accessories. I get a rush everytime I see a new heap of gleaming treasures. Just last night we found a barely used leather couch for my friend Tiffany! I look forward to watching movies on that couch...after a good scrub down of course.
12. "Amanda going clothes shopping in South Korea and being successful" is an oxymoron.
13. Pedestrians in this country do NOT have the right of way, and failure to recognize this will result in severe injury or death.
14. The crispiness of an air dried towel is incomparable to a warm towel, fresh from the dryer.
15. I miss my friends and family dearly!

I have another 6 months on my contract, and after that the world is my oyster! (That one's for you Kelly)

Happy Black Day

Black Day is an informal Korean tradition that follows in the steps of Valentine's Day and White Day. April 14th is for those who did not receive gifts on Valentine's Day and/or White Day...hence the "Black" part. If you were unlucky enough to be a part of this lonely sector of being, then tradition dictates that you gather your other single friends and eat jja jang myun - noodles with black bean sauce.

I coincidentally ate this dish on April 13th, with two of my single co-workers, so I think this counts. However, I am still trying to master the art of eating noodles with chop sticks. What this means is that I had to teach my last class with my vest zipped up all the way so the students wouldn't see the black bean sauce I had managed to splatter all of my shirt. I am not exaggerating...I mean all over. My next few sessions with this dish will also be accompanied by an apron.

So, in conclusion, if you are single, use this day to appreciate your singlehood. Celebrate by eating some noodles, any noodles will do, and enjoy being independent!