Another Cold Day!!

I went back to Myeongdong so I could buy some winter boots--my feet were cold and I was a little worried about slipping on ice too. I found a nice fuzzy furry looking pair--the kind of neat thing is that I haven't really seen them anywhere else either. After the quick shopping trip (where I also bought "smartphone gloves" for my friend and got a discount because the guy didn't have the correct bills to give me change!!) I went to the Bank of Korea Money Museum. It was interesting--a lot of it got into how banks work and interest rates and such. I also liked the part about showing how money is made. Apparently Korean money is made mostly of cotton fibers!

After the museum, I went to Namdaemun to poke around there. On my way out of the market, I stopped and got bulgogi and japchae hodduk (so instead of the sweet inside, it was savory)--very good! I took the subway to Yongsan Station (for soccer) but was early. I went to the EMart in the basement (kind of like a Meijer or Walmart-grocery store and home necessities store); on the weekends EMart and other marts like these have sample stalls all over the grocery part of the store. I walked around the grocery section for awhile, sampling different food items. I ate mandu, bacon, ramen, pork, chocolate, candy bar, and tea! After sampling, I found a place to sit and studied a little.

Finally it was time for soccer. I was dreading going out into the cold weather. We had a relatively large group considering the temperature (it was 10 people). I made another goal! I also had another shot on goal and all the guys called out, "nice shot!".

Then it was on to my last mass at Sogang University. I will miss the priest and his homilies.

Model of the Bank of Korea

Steps in making the money

Coins in the center

Recycled banknotes to make flooring!

Bank-real size

Soccer time!

Soccer and snow?!

COLD, COLD Saturday

It was 19 degrees outside today (that was the high). That is too cold. I do not like it. It was so cold even wearing gloves didn't keep my fingers and hands from feeling cold.

I went back to Namdaemun market and looked for a pair of boots. The stall I wanted to buy them from had the boots, and another pair I was interested in, but the man was not there for me to double check the price. So, I went on to Myeongdong because I had also looked at a store there. I saw the same pair I had been looking at for 30,000W, but the man also suggested another pair that was quite different (fuzzy on the outside and with laces rather than the plastic-y leather of the original pair) and 5,000W more. So now I'm in a pickle deciding which ones to get. Asking my friends for advice (via text messaging) did not help much-each said a different pair suits me more and then one also suggested getting both--which did not help the situation at all because she planted a tiny seed in my head...

Then I went to meet Jung Yoon's brother Chang Hwan at City Hall Station. Unfortunately I didn't understand him when he said he missed the subway and was going to be late--as in, he just missed it and would be arriving almost 30 minutes later...so I stood in the station and the cold for 30 minutes...

We went in search of a restaurant I had looked up for lunch. It was a bit hidden tucked away behind some buildings, but after a bit of walking we found it. We ordered the {giant} mandu soup. It was pretty good. After lunch we kind of just wandered around. Along Gwanghwamun Plaza there was a big rally for one of the presidential candidates. Everyone was wearing red-or had some red article of clothing on--in support. After awhile, I looked down and realized I was wearing my red pants!! Maybe some people thought I was in support of that candidate!! We walked through the King Sejong Museum and the Admiral Yi Museum (both free) and then decided to go get coffee near Cheonggyecheon. I noticed that Chang Hwan was looking pretty tired so I told him I needed to leave to study. He mentioned that he had only slept for 2 hours today!

I returned to my room and actually found a way to listen to Christmas music on the internet (Bing Crosby era/style of course) and did a little laundry, packing and organizing. It's hard to believe I have only 9 days left in Korea! I also chatted with Jung Yoon and then did some studying.

Giant Mandu Soup

Chang Hwan and our lunch!

"Final" School Day Friday

The last day of instruction! We were supposed to take a chapter quiz yesterday, but there wasn't enough time. So today, we took 2 quizzes and corrected them in class so we would have the answers to study from over the weekend. Monday and Tuesday are our Final Exam days!

After class, I looked up some places to go. I was supposed to meet with my friend Ji, but he was visiting friends and family in and around Busan and due to the snow, his flight was delayed and delayed and delayed. I decided since I probably wasn't going to meet Ji, I would just go out and do my own thing instead of staying in, waiting around and being disappointed. I went to Namsan Park and also went to a free museum about one of the independent movement activist, Ahn, Jung Geun. Most of it was in Korean and I was also not allowed to take any pictures inside the museum, but it was still interesting. One of the first things I noticed when I arrived to the museum was hand imprints and a quote, signature and name by each hand print. I also noticed on each hand, the left ring finger tip had been cut off (so that it was the same length of the pinky finger); I was wondering if it had been some kind of torture that the Japanese had inflicted on the revolutionaries only to find out it was this small group of friends' pact to work for Korea's freedom--it was interesting they believed cutting off their fingertip would symbolize their devotion to making Korea free ( I wish I could have read everything to get a better understanding). The exhibit begins on the ground floor and you travel through his life and move up the building. I ended on the 2nd floor-at the end of the exhibit there are glass windows so you can see outside. I noticed it had started snowing again!

I walked from the museum to Namdaemun Market. I was able to see another angle of gate-the side where they are working on restoring it. Then I walked to Myeongdong and then on to Cheonggyecheon. I stopped at a kimbap shop and ordered omurice, which is basically stir-fried rice with a thin egg (omelet style) on top. I walked along Cheonggyecheon until I got too cold and then headed home.

In Namsan Park, looking at Namsan Mountain

Entrance to the museum

Inside the Main Hall

SNOWING!!

Along the Seoul Fortress Wall

Namdaemun Gate

Cheonggyecheon in winter

Photo scenes set up at the start of Cheonggyecheon

"Family" Time

Class was fine-only one more day of instruction left!!

After class, I headed over to Hwa Sun's house. Jaebin was with his friends, so we visited a little before we met up with Jaebin and the friends. We also stopped at the bakery, Paris Croissant to get some pastries for breakfast in the morning. Jaebin's friend's Mom picked us up and took us all to Yongsan Station/I'PARK Mall (also where I play soccer) to go to the CGV (Movie Theater Chain). I played babysitter for a few hours and watched the movie with the 3 boys while the Moms chatted and shopped. We watched "Rise of the Guardians" in 4D (that means in addition to the 3D glasses, the seats moved side to side, air was blown, the lights in the theater flashed, and sometimes you got "punched" in the back from the seat!). It was dubbed in Korean, and there were no subtitles. Luckily it was an animated "children's" film so it was easy enough to follow even though I couldn't understand everything. It was funny because in the very beginning there were a few basic sentences and I understood them--those were the sentences Jaebin translated for me--or words that I knew. Later he proudly boasted to Mom and Dad, "I translated the movie for Amy Nuna!!" Hwa Sun asked me, "really?!". I laughed saying, "only words or sentences that I already knew"--she laughed too. After the movie we went back to her house and got their car and went to go pick up Hwa Sun's husband from work.

While we were waiting for him to arrive in the parking garage, a lady beckoned Hwa Sun to come help her. In Korea--maybe I should say, in Seoul, cars park basically anywhere they can find a space. So, they leave their cars in neutral in case someone needs to move their car to get out. So, this lady was standing 50m away maybe and was waving at Hwa Sun to come (Hwa Sun said that it was so rude--if she needed help she should have come and politely asked for help instead of just waving her over) at that time, her husband arrived and was able to help push the car for her. Then we were off to dinner. Mr. Ryu wanted to take me out to a nice Italian restaurant. We did something similar to when we were with Amanda in Itaewon--we ordered a salad, a pizza, a pasta and a risotto for all of us to share. Jaebin passed out on the table while we were still finishing our dinner.

We arrived back at their home and got ready for bed. We watched TV for a little before heading to bed. Hwa Sun and I saw a really sad documentary about Tiger abuse in Thailand-several different 'event'/locations doing different mistreatment to the tigers.

Three Strong Boys!! Jaebin, KangMin and new friend

I have 3 dates!!

You might be able to notice Mr. Ryu at the front of the car, pushing it for the rude lady

Time is flying!

The week is already half over! Class went well-during one of our breaks I noticed it was snowing! Not just a little bit of snow, but quite a lot. It continued for most of the day too. It was funny because many students were out and taking pictures-it seemed as if they had never seen snow before! (Most coming from Japan or China I'm sure that they have though) I think the first snowfall really brings out the child in all of us-it seems a bit magical and special.

After class, I stopped at the school 'stationary store' and bought a Kyunghee University t-shirt for myself. For whatever reason, Inje University did not have any apparel or other items with the college name on it.

I went to go meet Bohye (this is how she romanizes it, but I feel that "Bohae" looks more like it actually sounds) at the university front gate and we went to a Korean restaurant near campus. I pass it every day, but have never stopped in. They have a simple menu and the price (5,500W) posted on a sign outside and I look at it and think about it, but never went. I thought it would be a good place to try with a friend. It was pretty good--although they seemed to use a lot of ginger-in both of the dishes we ordered; a little bit overpowering and too much for our liking. After lunch, we went to Dunkin Donuts and got coffee too. We talked for a bit and she told me our plans for next week have changed again. From what I understand some relatives are either visiting or we are going to visit them, but it is about an hour away by car. They will pick me up from my residence (and I will give them my luggage to keep since they are also taking me to the airport) after school and we will travel to this other city together.

In the evening after Bohae left, I did some studying and went to get dinner. I got ddeok mandu guk (dumpling and rice cake soup) and kimbap to-go. This time, I was not as successful in transferring my soup from the bag to the bowl and lost a fair amount to the sink.

I chatted with Jungyoon and now I have lots of homework to get to! Aiygo! (Korean expression for "oh my" kind of "ugh")

First big snow in Korea!!! Kyunghee University Campus

Bohae and our lunch!

Tuesday means Min Kyung!

We had a quiz to start class. Then we continued working on giving directions and started the next chapter. After class, I met with my teacher to have our little chat. I found out the average from my midterms was a 77%. It was a little shocking to me, as I have never really been a "C" student! But it is to be expected since the material is more difficult for me and I knew the scores of all the tests. My teacher told me that it wasn't a very bad score and since I'm not returning for the winter semester, it is not a problem (even if I were, I would not want to move to level 3, rather I would be content to retake level 2...).

In the late afternoon, I went to Insadong to buy some gifts. I think I have finished all of my shopping now. It felt like a shopping spree! After the sun went down it got really, really cold! I met Min Kyung around 6:30 and we went to her eye doctor's for a quick appointment. Then we went in search of a restaurant I had found. I wanted to eat bibimbap (rice and vegetables with a spicy paste). It's funny because Min Kyung said she would prefer to eat pizza and pasta and she doesn't think bibimbap is delicious! (She ordered something else...) After dinner, we went to Tom n' Tom's for Honey Butter Toast and coffee. I practiced speaking Korean--in some ways it's easier for me to speak Korean when I have a native speaker fluent in both languages, and sometimes it's actually more difficult. How can it be more difficult? Well, instead of me actually having to think of the word, or how to explain it, I can just say it in English and the speaker will understand exactly my intent. I don't have to try as hard. Maybe difficult isn't the right word... Anyway, as always, I love my conversations with Min Kyung. I feel so lucky to have her as a friend.

Min Kyung and our feast!

Bibimbap!!

Honey Butter Toast from Tom n' Toms--one of my favorite things!

2 Weeks Left!!

Class went alright today. We are working on giving directions and it's pretty difficult!

After class I did some homework and then went to meet my Korean American friend Katie. We met at COEX mall. We walked around a little and then went to find where to eat. We ended up going to the department store food court and splitting a salad and got blended fruit drinks. It was nice catching up with her--she went home to Chicago for about 10 days around Thanksgiving, so I hadn't seen her in awhile.

When Katie and I went our separate ways, I decided to go say hi to Mr. Lee again since I was so close. I also thought it would be a good way to verify our plans for Sunday--it is always easier to communicate with a person face to face rather than over the phone when you don't speak the others' language--body language is pretty easy to understand. As I was leaving I noticed it was snowing! My first snow in Korea!!! I showed Mr. Lee and he made me take an umbrella with me even though the subway station is not that far from the guesthouse.

Return to Seoul and Soccer

Sunday morning I woke up and visited some of the saunas and spas before getting ready. I walked back from the jjimjilbang to Nampodong to meet my friend Chulwoo (Oppa). I was waiting for him to arrive at the McDonald's, but there are two doors. He was waiting for me inside! We lost 10-15 minutes waiting in different locations for each other. :(

He took me to one of his favorite Korean restaurants in the area. He said he first went there when he was in middle school or high school and the price was very cheap, but over the years the restaurant has become more famous and popular so the prices have gone up. It was also kind of cute because he told me the day before he hadn't eaten any 밥-bab = rice (but can also be a general word for food, in this case he meant rice) the day before and he reeeally missed rice, so he 1. wanted to take me to this Korean restaurant and 2. he ate 2 bowls of rice with his meal.

We then took a taxi to the train station where I also met my friend Jeong Kwan. He was my study helper when I was at Inje University. Many Monday afternoons we would sit on the benches outside and he would help me with my work and practice speaking with me. It was sad because Oppa and I were late so I did not get to see him for very long. They walked me to my train and we said our goodbyes. Oppa told me not to cry because if I did, that means we will not get to see each other again. (I cried anyway)

I slept most of the ride back and arrived at Seoul Station a few hours later. I took the subway to the soccer fields and was 30 minutes late, just like I had figured. I had a really good goal! It was also approved by the other guys. I know this cause there was a unanimous "wooooahhh/wooow" exclamation from all of them after I scored it. :)

This week I took the subway to church. I had all my heavy luggage from traveling over the weekend and I didn't want to have to walk with it. I was a little disappointed because there was a different priest having mass, but he was also pretty good.

The sign for the spa as I was leaving

Oppa at lunch

Saying bye to Oppa at the train station

Saying goodbye to Jeong Kwan at the train station

Nativity set at Sogang University, where I go to church

Dec 1!

The first day of the last month of the year!!

I woke up a little early and did some homework. Jihye woke and cut up an apple--we chatted for awhile and then it was time for me to go meet Bumsik. I was sad saying goodbye to Jihye and she told me she hoped to see me again soon.

I met Bumsik on campus and we went to the restaurant he wanted to take me to. The only problem was that it wasn't opened yet. So we walked to another place and ordered Haejangguk (I think). It was beef (on the bone!!) with other vegetables in a spicy soup. It was pretty good. I had a nice chat with Bumsik and found out he will be going hiking in the Himalayas next month--by himself! After we ate, he took me to the bus stop and we went our ways-he had to go to his tutoring job.

After an hour and a half commute, I arrived in Nampodong (neighborhood/area) in Busan. I did a little bit of shopping. I was passing a central square and saw lights etc being put up, I stopped to read a sign and a middle school/high school event staff said that the festival was starting at 6pm. I went to Yongdusan Park and watched the sun set behind the mountains. The park is up on a hill, so there is a nice view of the harbor and part of the city. I went back to where the festival was being held and got a seat. It reminded me a bit of the lantern festival in Seoul. There were a few different groups singing-the first were older women singing Christmas carols, then a group of elementary students sang some Korean songs and finally a group of 3 musicians played some Korean instruments. It started raining a little, but it was so cold I was surprised it wasn't snow! The VIP's arrived and a few gave some speeches. Then they all came on stage and pressed some buttons and *bling* all the lights came on!

I was so cold from sitting outside in the rain that I was shivering as I walked. I went to the mandu soup place I have been to before and ordered my favorite soup. After I ate, I walked to the jjimjilbang (sauna/spa place) I had looked up--I also talked to two Koreans and both said it was a good jjimjilbang. There were not as great a variety of spas as some of the other places I have been to, but this place also had a nice view of the harbor. I soaked in the hot tubs for a little and then went to explore the saunas. They had 2 really unique rooms-the first was a hot salt rock room-with small salt rocks on the ground to lay on; the other was similar but had smooth black stones. Other than that, I think there were only 2 other sauna rooms and the typical cold room.

My friend Bumsik and me at the bus stop

Start of the sun set; Busan harbor on the left

Yongdusan Park

Christmas Tree Festival! The big "tree" just lit up!

Me with the Christmas tree

Last Day of November!

Wow-hard to believe it is the end of November already. This year is flying by!

After class I hurried to the student building so I could use a computer and printer to print my train tickets. After printing, I came back here, gathered my bags and got kimbap for the road. Then off to the train station. I made it with plenty of time. I sat next to a 할머니 (halmoni=grandma) who tried speaking some Korean with me. She slept most of the way and I studied and journal-ed.

Finally I arrived at Gupo Station! Outside the station they were decorating the trees and courtyard with Christmas lights. It was pretty. I hopped on the subway and then transferred to the light-rail system. I got off the light-rail and got on the infamous 128-1 bus. This was the bus ride I remember--slamming on the brakes at the last second, swinging wildly left to right and forwards and backwards; even the most avid and experienced bus rider would have trouble keeping balance. Literally if you do not hang on, you will fly around and fall down--no exceptions. It's really a love-hate relationship with the 128-1. One of my friends later remarked, "it's like an amusement park ride, right?" Ha, ha, how true! Well, I safely arrived to the front gate of Inje University and went to the main building to meet Jihye as earlier directed. Earlier in the week she had been asked to move her office into the main building. I arrived and met her new co-worker, Yoon Jung (kind of funny because it is my roommate from last year's name, backwards!) Jihye apologized for not checking the hours of the hair salon and suggested we check there in the evening-then she said, "oh! Let's go and get our hair done tonight!" We convinced Yoon Jung to also get her hair done too! First though, dinner. Jihye asked me where or what I wanted to eat-she said "think carefully, this is very important". Ha, ha. I hesitated only a second before answering "mongshili" which is the bibimbap and handcut noodle soup restaurant (I went there when Amanda was in Gimhae with me). The other ladies agreed and off we went. Jihye was sweet and paid for dinner. It was as good as always. After dinner, we went to the hair salon. When we arrived, I recognized the lady as the one who did my hair last year. I showed her the pictures I had and what Jenny had told me to say to her. She first trimmed and layered my hair-she did it really quickly, but it looked so good I was the tiniest bit tempted to say-actually, I'm good with just this! Ha! The perm turned out really nice! She had an assistant working with her and he washed our hair and gave a really (hard!!) head massage--Jihye said that he asked her if it hurt and that she wanted to say yes, but didn't. The cost of the perm went up a little bit from last year, but I think it is worth it!

After we were ready with our new hair styles we went to a coffee shop together. One of my radiology students, Daeguk, from last year came and met us. He and I chatted for awhile. He brought me 2 oranges as a gift. Daeguk was probably my lowest level student, but he tried the hardest. He said that he and the other students miss me and he even brought up the activities we had done together. After he left, another one of my friends, Bumsik, came and met us too. He only stayed a short time before heading back, but he made plans to meet me for lunch the following day.

When we finished our drinks, we said goodbye to Yoon Jung and Jihye and I went back to her home. She made kimchi cheon (which is kind of like a pancake) and we watched some dramas on TV. When her husband arrived home, we went to bed.

I'm ready for my trip! I have kimbap, my ticket and my textbook!

Jihye and my new friend Yoon Jung

My student Daekuk and me

Jihye cooking kimchi cheon!