I love eating out in Korea, however I realize this is not a financially responsible thing to do on the daily! My kitchen.. is.. well.. disappointing at best. It's in an awkward area of my house and is really too small to do ANYTHING. My sink smells, regardless of how many times I change the filter in my drain & pour draino down there... I suspect a small animal has crawled down there & died??? Who knows.. yuck. It scares me off of cooking, which is unfortunate because I love to cook.. anyone that knows me knows that I know my way around an oven.
So that leaves me with few options.. snack ramen, or fresh salads. I am totally fine with both of these things, actually. I have started eating fruits and vegetables almost exclusively.. sometimes i crack an egg in my snack ramen & throw in some vegetables. It's exciting business, I know. I'm a bit worried about the sodium but haaaay!
I'm loving how inexpensive tuna is out here, I love tuna. I can eat it solo, mix it in with some rice, or throw it on a salad & it leaves me full. If I'm feeling particularly nostalgic for home I'll cut up some celery & make tuna salad sandwiches.
I've heard a lot of people living abroad become homesick for food items.. I think it's just as well that I came out here so recently after graduating because my University diet pretty much consisted of eggs, tuna, veggies, and whatever my generous managers at work were willing to send me home with at the end of the day. I had a harder time adjusting to living there than I did hear, in regards to food... my mother's cooking skills are unparalleled. The woman is a goddess in the kitchen, however when I returned home we didn't do much as my father could not eat. It would have been unfair to eat in front of him so big fancy meals were so scarce. Food was basic, just as food is basic here. That doesn't mean I didn't venture out for yummy meals every now & again, but hey now.. food wasn't such a big thing in my daily life at that time.
It's true, I do have dreams of warm bread & balsamic reductions... I really miss my olive tapanades! I am a woman who loves pairing wine & finger foods, so if I can find a market here with realistic prices for vinegars, spices, and various fancy ingredients, maybe these will be reintroduced to my daily living. However, for now atleast, I am perfectly happy to enjoy the fruits that are in season.
I never loved yogurt to this extent, but we have become such great friends!
Eating out here is truly an experience though. Any country that allows you to grill your own bacon, beef, duck or chicken at your table is golden in my eyes. My favourite foods are very simple... grilled meat, soups, or rice wraps. I really enjoy the soups, and the fact that most sides are unlimited makes me a happy panda. I am obsessed with bean sprouts, always have been, so when those suckers come to the table you can bet that I will eat as much as the little Korean ladies can bring. I thank my father for his influence in that regard, I have always been obsessed with vegetables. There is so much corn here, Koreans love corn.. Lauren loves corn.. it's a great fit! I can't get into the raw seafood, mind you, I've tried. And don't even get me started with the fishhead that showed up in my shabu shabu. NOPE! Not happening! No thanks! See you never!
I really do like gimbap too.. so simple, filling, and delicious.. however I want to cut back on rice to reduce the carbs intake & what have you.. if I keep that up I'll end up with a big ol' buddha belly to back up the Korean theory that a white girl with breasts like mine & hips MUST be pregnant, because what else might cause that? I blame my Cree heritage, all Douglas women have big boobs. I have several aunts & cousins to back this.. a blessing and a curse! Anyways, no mo' bap!
Wednesday 31 July 2013
Monday 29 July 2013
My Vacation Plans
I'm horrible at making my own itinerary. It's not because I'm lazy or anything, it's actually because I am overwhelmed by the concept of infinite possibilities. Example, when I graduated with my Bachelors of Arts I celebrated for a weekend before promptly selecting my graduate courses. Yep. I did that.
Now here I am in South Korea, with no real responsibility or concrete commitments (aside from one) and I am at a total loss of what to do with my life.
Here is a list of things I hope to accomplish while I am on my 7 day break from work:
1) Friday, I am subbing for my friend Joel so that he can participate in a DJ competition on Haeundae Beach *** I mentioned one concrete commitment, this is about it
2) Clean my apartment. It's not messy.. it's just.. chaotic. There IS a difference. I don't have trash strewn around, there is no old food. There is no sand, or dirt on my floor. But there are clothes EVERYWHERE. In North America, when you do your laundry it's a 3 hour ordeal. You seperate, you wash, you dry, you fold, you put away. In South Korea.. You separate, you wash, you hang to dry. It's very humid, it can take DAYS for certain things to be wearable again. It's a multiple wash a week kind of situation for me, as my summer wardrobe is limited so I have to put my clothes in rotation and pray to the high Gods of the universe that the weather doesn't change on me leaving me naked. Due tot his fact, I have a lot of items hanging in various places that can probably be retired to my closet now... there's just so much and.. i don't wanna :( My mom is painfully familiar with this habit of mine.. I leave laundry in baskets for weeks. It's frustrating.. now it's even more frustrating when my room is my entire apartment. I must fix this. * Healthy Home
3) Find a gym in my area that I like, preferably with air-con. I've decided that, given the recent bombardment of criticism of my physical form, I should probably start working out. I'm not doing so to impress anyone, I actually want to. And endorphins make a happy Lauren. * Healthy Body
4) Finish reading Life of Pi. The first time i read it I loved it, but I don't think I really appreciated how beautiful a story it really is. The depth of emotion kind of washed over me, so I am taking my time with this one. I began reading it on the beach at Namhae and I am hooked. * Healthy Soul
5) Try to skype my mom. I have yet to do so with opposite working hours, it makes me feel so detached from my life. * Healthy Heart
6) Go on atleast two hikes. It's cathartic. I talk to my dad on hikes, and I haven't done that for a while either. It's time for me to put my big girl shoes on, blast some Gordon Lightfoot and Zepplin, and meditate. * Healthy Conscience
more to come.
Now here I am in South Korea, with no real responsibility or concrete commitments (aside from one) and I am at a total loss of what to do with my life.
Here is a list of things I hope to accomplish while I am on my 7 day break from work:
1) Friday, I am subbing for my friend Joel so that he can participate in a DJ competition on Haeundae Beach *** I mentioned one concrete commitment, this is about it
2) Clean my apartment. It's not messy.. it's just.. chaotic. There IS a difference. I don't have trash strewn around, there is no old food. There is no sand, or dirt on my floor. But there are clothes EVERYWHERE. In North America, when you do your laundry it's a 3 hour ordeal. You seperate, you wash, you dry, you fold, you put away. In South Korea.. You separate, you wash, you hang to dry. It's very humid, it can take DAYS for certain things to be wearable again. It's a multiple wash a week kind of situation for me, as my summer wardrobe is limited so I have to put my clothes in rotation and pray to the high Gods of the universe that the weather doesn't change on me leaving me naked. Due tot his fact, I have a lot of items hanging in various places that can probably be retired to my closet now... there's just so much and.. i don't wanna :( My mom is painfully familiar with this habit of mine.. I leave laundry in baskets for weeks. It's frustrating.. now it's even more frustrating when my room is my entire apartment. I must fix this. * Healthy Home
3) Find a gym in my area that I like, preferably with air-con. I've decided that, given the recent bombardment of criticism of my physical form, I should probably start working out. I'm not doing so to impress anyone, I actually want to. And endorphins make a happy Lauren. * Healthy Body
4) Finish reading Life of Pi. The first time i read it I loved it, but I don't think I really appreciated how beautiful a story it really is. The depth of emotion kind of washed over me, so I am taking my time with this one. I began reading it on the beach at Namhae and I am hooked. * Healthy Soul
5) Try to skype my mom. I have yet to do so with opposite working hours, it makes me feel so detached from my life. * Healthy Heart
6) Go on atleast two hikes. It's cathartic. I talk to my dad on hikes, and I haven't done that for a while either. It's time for me to put my big girl shoes on, blast some Gordon Lightfoot and Zepplin, and meditate. * Healthy Conscience
more to come.
Friday 26 July 2013
my closet sucks
I'm having one of those nights where I can't decide whether or not I want to go out. I feel like I should because my vacation has just started and my friend is leaving for the US tomorrow.. so I should go say bye.. but I hate every item of clothing that I own and feel like a massive whale.
I know I'm not a whale. I just don't like how things fit.. they're too baggy, or still just a tad too snug to not look like a hooker (boobs suck). If I were a cup size smaller, and twenty pounds lighter I think I'd feel much happier leaving this apartment.
I do have to leave, eventually, as I have to eat and I have no fresh produce in my fridge.
dhfbsmkrhgbkwkehbvskkf
/endrant.
----
And did I ever leave... part of me is glad that I did, but another part of me returns to Busan from Namhae completely deflated. I did go out to see my good American friend, Clint, and at some point in the evening I was lured by my departing Irish coworker Claire to a karaoke place.. where we drank & sang until well passed sunrise. At some point during our night out, not one but two men (read: grown ass men) made comments about my weight. I talked about my feelings with the bottom of a soju bottle. I got home around 7 am, just in time to pack my bag for some camping. I figured fresh air would make me feel like self-loathing. This was correct until around 2:30 am when it started to rain, and I realized I had no shelter in which to sleep. I hung around my friends' new Korean posse for about 10 minutes before one asked me if I was pregnant.
AWESOME TIMING BRO.
I left pretty quickly to find myself a room in a pension in which to cry myself to sleep.
I realize that this is a passing phase, and that I went through a very traumatic year and a half. One does not always have time to self-love when they are struggling to grasp at the love you hold for someone who is fading away. Losing my father broke me, and now I am rebuilding. Being abroad is a wonderful thing, and perhaps I can turn this.. constant criticism of my physical self.. into motivation. I came to quite possibly the most superficial country on this planet to learn to love myself again- I appreciate my inner beauty so much more... but I still wish I were thin.
Let's see how this pans out?
PS- Namhae is beautiful. photos to be uploaded soon.
I know I'm not a whale. I just don't like how things fit.. they're too baggy, or still just a tad too snug to not look like a hooker (boobs suck). If I were a cup size smaller, and twenty pounds lighter I think I'd feel much happier leaving this apartment.
I do have to leave, eventually, as I have to eat and I have no fresh produce in my fridge.
dhfbsmkrhgbkwkehbvskkf
/endrant.
----
And did I ever leave... part of me is glad that I did, but another part of me returns to Busan from Namhae completely deflated. I did go out to see my good American friend, Clint, and at some point in the evening I was lured by my departing Irish coworker Claire to a karaoke place.. where we drank & sang until well passed sunrise. At some point during our night out, not one but two men (read: grown ass men) made comments about my weight. I talked about my feelings with the bottom of a soju bottle. I got home around 7 am, just in time to pack my bag for some camping. I figured fresh air would make me feel like self-loathing. This was correct until around 2:30 am when it started to rain, and I realized I had no shelter in which to sleep. I hung around my friends' new Korean posse for about 10 minutes before one asked me if I was pregnant.
AWESOME TIMING BRO.
I left pretty quickly to find myself a room in a pension in which to cry myself to sleep.
I realize that this is a passing phase, and that I went through a very traumatic year and a half. One does not always have time to self-love when they are struggling to grasp at the love you hold for someone who is fading away. Losing my father broke me, and now I am rebuilding. Being abroad is a wonderful thing, and perhaps I can turn this.. constant criticism of my physical self.. into motivation. I came to quite possibly the most superficial country on this planet to learn to love myself again- I appreciate my inner beauty so much more... but I still wish I were thin.
Let's see how this pans out?
PS- Namhae is beautiful. photos to be uploaded soon.
Thursday 25 July 2013
STEEELLLLLLAAAAAAAAA!!!!!
Today I found out that one of my favourite students would not be returning to SLP after the vacation.. it was my last class with her. I was VERY sad, and actually teared up a bit when she came up to give me a hug goodbye. Her name is Stella & she is 11. Her English is... not the greatest.. but she tries and she always completes her homework. At 11 kids are way too cool to hug their teachers.. so yeah, she did it after her friends had left the class.. whatevs. It was still super cute. I'm tearing up just writing about it.. I don't know what I will be like when I have to go home to canada & leave my babies behind.
Stella made me a little card, which I'm pretty sure Mimi helped her with because there were no mistakes. It was purple, with little heart shaped leopard print stickers and it had glitter, they know me so well. She signed it "From your star of the sea" because last week we learned about name origins. I'm really happy she remembered that, and glad to have had her in my class for the time that I did and I will miss her sweet little face.
As a parting gift to my beloved Stella I showed the class this clip:
<3
It seemed so very appropriate.
Stella made me a little card, which I'm pretty sure Mimi helped her with because there were no mistakes. It was purple, with little heart shaped leopard print stickers and it had glitter, they know me so well. She signed it "From your star of the sea" because last week we learned about name origins. I'm really happy she remembered that, and glad to have had her in my class for the time that I did and I will miss her sweet little face.
As a parting gift to my beloved Stella I showed the class this clip:
<3
It seemed so very appropriate.
Tuesday 16 July 2013
I'm meeeeeeeelting!!!
If my Hagwon did not have AC I would die. Actually. Dead. Gone. Byebye!The trek uphill to my apartment everyday ends with me standing in a puddle of my own sweat, ripping off all of my clothing and jumping into my wet room-shower thing into some ice cold water. Somedays, I put clothes back on.. otherdays, I crank my AC for about 30 minutes to defog my apartment. Then I hang out on my wetroom floor with my laptop propped up on a mini laptable until it's realistically chilled enough for me to crawl to my bed. somedays I eat dinner, somedays I pass out.
I am a huge sissy when it comes to cold water, so for me to want to put my feet in anything less than luke warm is surreal. Mom, I promise you.. it's worse than Winnipeg! HAHA
My hair is going all frizzed out.
Work is kind of cray, somethings really bother me.. but I'm glad I have friends. Jen is amazing, we had so much fun on our girls' night out on friday. I was having a real stressed out week worrying about my brother, so it was good to go out & just be ridiculously silly. If places had stronger AC I'd give it a 10, but with the dripping heat in certain places I'd give it a solid 8. Still goodtimes ;)
I've also befriended two really cool ladies, Jenny from Ireland and Simone from South Africa. Wicked cool ladies, I cannot wait to get up to more shenanigans. It's fantastic to be able to just be myself, and get to know like-minded people. I'm glad Adam introduced me to these ladies.
Speaking of Adam, what an amazing friend. It's nice to have someone who I can text whenever about whatever & he gives the most sound advice. I'm glad he'll be around after Joel & Johann are gone in the fall - that's going to be rouuuuugh. What will I do without my two favorite tall people? It is to be seen. I also got to hang out with Mark a bit this week, which was great as he is such a social butterfly that he's a hard one to catch a minute with. He sent me more comics... hero much? Cool dude.
Yeah, I'm meeting more and more wonderful people so the homesickness is not as intense. It's a nice change of pace for sure..
Work has been interesting as of late.. I feel like I'm really getting the hang of this teaching bit, and my students are really adjusting to my style. They are really improving and I am really happy to be the one facilitating them. I came into orange class (my baby babies) last week only to be greeted by 6 little ones running and hugging me, pulling at my hands and skirts, saying "Lauren Teacher! I love you!!" sometimes they get so excited by my little songs or rhymes that they'll run up to the front to get teacher cuddles. I have to tell them to sit down, but really I just want to pick them up and praise them. It really makes it feel worth it to hear those things. I imagine that is how a parent would feel, I really should let my own mama know how much I love her more often. Such a great feeling!!
I find I am liking the lunches less and less though.. and being given more extra things to do during my breaks by my coteacher that at the end of the day I just want to sleep. I feel sorry for my block 5 primos because come 5:30 I am so hangry, hot, and tired that they don't get as many stickers as they did in the less hot, sweaty, and calorie starved month of May.
In other news, the mudfest countdown has begun.. in 3.5 days I will be so ridiculously covered with mud! Everyone from PJ 2003 would probably be amused.. as the mud pit there was of my own doing. My dad would have loved it I'm sure. I seriously can't wait to throw mud at people, is that childish? I also heard it's great for your skin & hair.. but I really just want to wrestle. I'm such a child.
SO EXCITED! Bring on the busride, and the mud, and the weird hotel hall thing. It will be like one gigantic field trip.
eeeeeeee!!! mudddddd!!!!
I am a huge sissy when it comes to cold water, so for me to want to put my feet in anything less than luke warm is surreal. Mom, I promise you.. it's worse than Winnipeg! HAHA
My hair is going all frizzed out.
Work is kind of cray, somethings really bother me.. but I'm glad I have friends. Jen is amazing, we had so much fun on our girls' night out on friday. I was having a real stressed out week worrying about my brother, so it was good to go out & just be ridiculously silly. If places had stronger AC I'd give it a 10, but with the dripping heat in certain places I'd give it a solid 8. Still goodtimes ;)
I've also befriended two really cool ladies, Jenny from Ireland and Simone from South Africa. Wicked cool ladies, I cannot wait to get up to more shenanigans. It's fantastic to be able to just be myself, and get to know like-minded people. I'm glad Adam introduced me to these ladies.
Speaking of Adam, what an amazing friend. It's nice to have someone who I can text whenever about whatever & he gives the most sound advice. I'm glad he'll be around after Joel & Johann are gone in the fall - that's going to be rouuuuugh. What will I do without my two favorite tall people? It is to be seen. I also got to hang out with Mark a bit this week, which was great as he is such a social butterfly that he's a hard one to catch a minute with. He sent me more comics... hero much? Cool dude.
Yeah, I'm meeting more and more wonderful people so the homesickness is not as intense. It's a nice change of pace for sure..
Work has been interesting as of late.. I feel like I'm really getting the hang of this teaching bit, and my students are really adjusting to my style. They are really improving and I am really happy to be the one facilitating them. I came into orange class (my baby babies) last week only to be greeted by 6 little ones running and hugging me, pulling at my hands and skirts, saying "Lauren Teacher! I love you!!" sometimes they get so excited by my little songs or rhymes that they'll run up to the front to get teacher cuddles. I have to tell them to sit down, but really I just want to pick them up and praise them. It really makes it feel worth it to hear those things. I imagine that is how a parent would feel, I really should let my own mama know how much I love her more often. Such a great feeling!!
I find I am liking the lunches less and less though.. and being given more extra things to do during my breaks by my coteacher that at the end of the day I just want to sleep. I feel sorry for my block 5 primos because come 5:30 I am so hangry, hot, and tired that they don't get as many stickers as they did in the less hot, sweaty, and calorie starved month of May.
In other news, the mudfest countdown has begun.. in 3.5 days I will be so ridiculously covered with mud! Everyone from PJ 2003 would probably be amused.. as the mud pit there was of my own doing. My dad would have loved it I'm sure. I seriously can't wait to throw mud at people, is that childish? I also heard it's great for your skin & hair.. but I really just want to wrestle. I'm such a child.
SO EXCITED! Bring on the busride, and the mud, and the weird hotel hall thing. It will be like one gigantic field trip.
eeeeeeee!!! mudddddd!!!!
Monday 8 July 2013
mmm... cake...
Today was the best. Actually. My kids were all little angels, the weather was warm and sunny. My coworkers were in good spirits for the most part, and I even got gifts!!
Kitty, one of my favorites, brought me an entire cake from Paris Baguette.
THE CHILD BROUGHT ME AN ENTIRE CAKE!
I have never been so excited in my life, I gave her one of those pick 'em up and spin 'em hugs.. then all of the kids wanted one (naturally) and now I'm poppin' robax, whilst eatin' cake. I'd put my back out for glorious cake anyday.
This may or may not top the time that Ricky brought me chicken & coca-cola. Maybe, maybe not.
My kids are so cool.
It's nice to know that they love me as much as I love them.
ALL. THE. FEELS.
<3
Kitty, one of my favorites, brought me an entire cake from Paris Baguette.
THE CHILD BROUGHT ME AN ENTIRE CAKE!
I have never been so excited in my life, I gave her one of those pick 'em up and spin 'em hugs.. then all of the kids wanted one (naturally) and now I'm poppin' robax, whilst eatin' cake. I'd put my back out for glorious cake anyday.
This may or may not top the time that Ricky brought me chicken & coca-cola. Maybe, maybe not.
My kids are so cool.
It's nice to know that they love me as much as I love them.
ALL. THE. FEELS.
<3
Friday 5 July 2013
Losing my bank card was the best and worst thing that has ever happened to me.
There have been many times in my life where I have allowed myself to be careless and misplace certain important items... like house keys, car keys, bottle openers (those are important, guys), driver's licenses, credit cards, homework, student cards, bus passes, passports, backpacks, clothing... BANK CARDS!!! Last week, I bestest myself! I lost my bank card, which is conveniently also my transit pass, in a foreign country.
This irresponsible act lead me to have a very budgeted.. very stressful week. BUT it was budgeted! It was frustrating, yes, but I was forced to actually clean my place. I read, I draw, I wandered around with my camera & snapped some sick shots... and I spent less than 50,000 kw. BAM! For me, that's amazing.. and know that I know that I can do it. I stress about money constantly, but I can be pretty bad with it. I have been known to buy a lot of things that I don't need when funds are available but I really have to focus. I have to pay off my debts and if I can do this sooner than later there will be money to play later :) It's actually really nice to feel like I have a handle on this.. I always say I'm going to do all of these things & be this adult but I rarely do it. Now I know that I can, and that feels great.
Losing my bank card was a good scare, it put things in perspective for me. I'm really glad I had good friends around to let me rant and spot me subway funds though - you guys are awesome.
I also had a lot of time to sit and catch up on my favorite guilty pleasures, like oreos & the bachelorette! I'm all caught up now.. pretty sure two of the front runners are gay, but it makes for great television!! I've also discovered this terrible TV show called "Princesses: Long Island" that follows the lives of near-30 jewish girls in long island that are roaming the region looking for potential husbands. It. Is. AWFUL. Naturally, I've watched every episode up to date and am counting down the days until the next episode airs. GIMME! reality television makes me less homesick, and makes me like myself THAT much more.
I've also had a lot of time to draw, and work on my photography. Im really enjoying manipulating my polaroids - I take pictures with different coloured film, with different light exposures then I sketch on them with sharpies. If I can get a hold of a scanner I will post them, if not you will all have to wait until I am back in the Great White North to see them. It's my new favorite passtime. Having real hobbies again is so nice.. this year has been a rough one but I feel like I am starting to find myself again.. making new friends is great, but I'm starting to make friends with my own self again at the same time. Pretttttttty cool! I think my family would be really happy about it.
This irresponsible act lead me to have a very budgeted.. very stressful week. BUT it was budgeted! It was frustrating, yes, but I was forced to actually clean my place. I read, I draw, I wandered around with my camera & snapped some sick shots... and I spent less than 50,000 kw. BAM! For me, that's amazing.. and know that I know that I can do it. I stress about money constantly, but I can be pretty bad with it. I have been known to buy a lot of things that I don't need when funds are available but I really have to focus. I have to pay off my debts and if I can do this sooner than later there will be money to play later :) It's actually really nice to feel like I have a handle on this.. I always say I'm going to do all of these things & be this adult but I rarely do it. Now I know that I can, and that feels great.
Losing my bank card was a good scare, it put things in perspective for me. I'm really glad I had good friends around to let me rant and spot me subway funds though - you guys are awesome.
I also had a lot of time to sit and catch up on my favorite guilty pleasures, like oreos & the bachelorette! I'm all caught up now.. pretty sure two of the front runners are gay, but it makes for great television!! I've also discovered this terrible TV show called "Princesses: Long Island" that follows the lives of near-30 jewish girls in long island that are roaming the region looking for potential husbands. It. Is. AWFUL. Naturally, I've watched every episode up to date and am counting down the days until the next episode airs. GIMME! reality television makes me less homesick, and makes me like myself THAT much more.
I've also had a lot of time to draw, and work on my photography. Im really enjoying manipulating my polaroids - I take pictures with different coloured film, with different light exposures then I sketch on them with sharpies. If I can get a hold of a scanner I will post them, if not you will all have to wait until I am back in the Great White North to see them. It's my new favorite passtime. Having real hobbies again is so nice.. this year has been a rough one but I feel like I am starting to find myself again.. making new friends is great, but I'm starting to make friends with my own self again at the same time. Pretttttttty cool! I think my family would be really happy about it.
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