What's Around the Corner

Back in Canada

2005-09-11T08:10:00.000-07:00

Well, I made it safe and sound. I have finally returned to my home country after 3 years and adjusting very well. Korea was a great experience, one that I won't forget, but I just knew it was time to pick up here again in Canada. Still trying to get used to the chillier weather, but that will come in time. Not missing everyone staring at me one little bit. I rather enjoy blending into the crowd. Well, until I have more news, hang in there, I am.

Yes, I am still alive!

2005-03-14T23:29:00.000-08:00

I know it has been forever since I last wrote. Well, there was a time when I was trying to finish my couple of university courses before my vacation started in February. So that meant doing assignments and exams in a frantic panic. Then it was off to Thailand for 12 days. What an amazing time I had. Elephant trekking, kayaking, diving and spending a day at a luxurious spa. That was certainly the life. I started at Ko Samui on the east coast and travelled to two smaller islands from there, Ko Phagnan and Ko Tao. The people, the places and the food were totally unbelieveable. Then it was off to Bangkok for a short stay before returning home. Or should I say back to Korea. And what a shocker that was, as I immediately felt isolated and missed the wonder Thai culture. It seems like everything has been downhill from there. Our teaching positions for the new semester aren't what they were suppose to be, our dormitory has enforced tighter security which is just a pain in the butt and I want spring.....Now! If it is any consolation, I am looking forward to going home. That means job hunting soon though. And well....next month is my birthday, last one in Korea. I am looking forward to reuniting with friends and family once again. So that sort of gets you up to speed with me. If it is any consolation, I got a really great adolescent course that I am doing right now and enjoying it!!!

Ok, here's a funny one, and even I had to laugh!!

2005-01-17T03:14:00.000-08:00

I know it has been a while but my Korean friends have gotten into skiing and they steal me away every chance they get to go skiing. I am not complaining, it is fun and we have a great time and mid as well enjoy it while I am here. But really, this weekend is for me, I gotta get some work done.

So tonight, I even made myself laugh out loud in the supermarket. Well, here in Korea when you buy fruits or vegetables, you bag what you want, then give it to a clerk nearby so he weighs it and puts a sticker on it, so the girl at the counter can just type it in. Well, I bought some tomatoes, which I will shortly make a toasted tomato sandwich for myself, and then proceeded to walk around the store to continue my shopping. I had this feeling that someone was following me and I tried to lose him in the store, going down different isles. Finally he cornered me around a pole and reached for my tomatos. I realized I hadn't gotten a sticker on them. I apologized in Korean and had to laugh. I am sure he didn't think it was that funny. Oh well, that is another day in Korea!

It's been a while!

2005-01-08T16:24:00.000-08:00

Well, New Year's has come and gone and what a blast! Went on a 2 day ski trip with 13 of my Korean friends. None of them had skied before but what fun we had. They really picked it up easily and thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Maybe except for the one time they got cocky and wanted to try an advanced hill and I pulled them out of the bushes. But we all survived.

Grace, you should probably be in Singapore right about now and I am missing you in addition for Debbie. I just can't imagine you two apart. But hey, when I finish my masters from USQ, we will have to come for the graduation ceremony. How does that sound? I know it was probably terrible leaving. I will have to do the same in the summer when I have decided to go home but we have to relish in the experiences we've had and look forward to all those to come.

Plugging away at my readings for my courses. And happy that Deb, you are back online. We can get caught up and tell holiday stories. Also got my Thailand trip planned for Feb......12 days. The university even encouraged me to take a couple of extra days if I was going and not to worry about our prep schedule, so that is exactly what I did. I cannot tell you, how terribly excited I am. Starting to pack already.

Well, gonna run for today. I have just been enoying the weekend relaxing, cleaning, and reading, recovering from a little bit of a cold from the ski weekend last weekend. It has been sooooo nice. Catch you later. Waiting to hear about Grace's adventures.

Sigh!

2004-12-28T23:28:00.000-08:00

Well, I just finished my last report for a month or so now. Time to catch up on readings. What a relief. Thank goodness for the extra automatic 2 week extension around Christmas time.

Well, Christmas has come and gone and missing snow and the real season of Christmas back home, but New Year's is still on the way. It was kind of nice to know that there are bigger and better things to look forward to next Christmas season as they are a little dull here if you don't have a foreign social group.

Ski trip ahead this weekend. I can hardly wait. Even bought new ski pants for the occassion. Wanna be warm, stylish and just having a good 'ol time.

I know that everyone is enjoying their break right now. So kick back and take a load off with a nice cup of hot chocolate to warm your inards.

Talk to ya in 2005!!!!

You wanna erk me at Christmas Time?

2004-12-21T01:49:00.001-08:00

Well, I have been running around almost as much as Grace has, just trying to get gifts together for my Korean friends. Since they don't really celebrate, it is a wonderful time to show my appreciation for their thoughtfulness throughout the year, without them expecting it! Also just having so much fun wrapping too!

Yesterday, my Korean friends dropped the bomb on me, they no longer want to go to Thailand with me on vacation in Februrary. Can we say "TICK ME OFF AT CHRISTMAS TIME!" I don't really know why I should be surprised, as this seems to be the norm, but come on.....They just don't realize that Sanata may not be very good to them this year in such a case. Well, I don't know, maybe it is meant to be. I can do what I want, when I want and maybe I will find some really cool people to travel with along the way. Gotta look for the bright side, and hey....it is Thailand!

These Korean friends happen to be apart of the group that we are going skiing with next weekend. And what a coincidence.....I happen to be the only one of the 14 that actually skis. Could be an interesting weekend. They may become very sorry that they backed out of Thailand when they are going down the ski hill backwards will no instruction. Oh I am so mean! Or they could be a replicate of "Brigit Jones: On the Edge of Reason." I haven't howled so loud or for so long!!!! If you have no clue about the movie, then it is a must see!!! Maybe it was all that much funnier because I was watching it with Koreans that didn't get most of the inside jokes. Crystle, stop it, you are soo bad!

Kay, gonna run and kick some butt at taekwondo. Maybe even those deserving might just happen to get in the way by.......mistake!

I am catching it for not updating again! Ooops!

2004-12-14T05:47:00.000-08:00

Ok, everyone, I really don't think that many are interested in my blog and I just use it as a venting tool, but I am finding out otherwise obviously....nice to know. Holly man one whole week since I blogged last, I am really sorry.
The reason being, I have had my head in the books trying to finish the gosh for saken paper for one of my masters courses. I am not particularly fond of the prof so that is not helping in my motivation either. I haven't been able to finish all the readings either...still plugging along. But got the majority of it done today, now just for some referencing. Then to throw off my motivation even more, one of the guys from our course sent me his assignment to share ideas, and oh my gosh, is he a keener or what! So I was panicing and fretting instead of using that energy for my own paper. NOTICE TO UNIVERSITY STUDENTS: Do not look at others papers thinking that it will help you, do your own thing and be happy that you used your own brain. It is not worth the energy to get freaked out over.
The weekend was eventful. Met a friend for lunch, but she was an hour late because she bought a pair of shoes so 3 minutes later she wanted to return them or get a refund and the saleslady wouldn't do it, so she called the police to enforce some action. Korea..........So I knew that this was all going on, but she wanted to look after it herself so I waited patiently and did my Christmas card shopping which I am way behind in sending. They will have to be New Year's cards, but some of them are really pretty and cute. It will be worth the wait everyone. So once I met up with my friend, we did Pizza Hut. I had been dying for pizza. We tried the new Italian one, go figure and it was pretty good, thankfully no crazy corn that they put on everything here in Korea. Then we watched The Bridget Jones Diary movie, On the edge of reason, part 2. I haven't laughed so hard. My stomach was literally hurting for a day. There were so many jokes that I am sure were not translated for the Koreans, so I was in constant laughing mode. Heee Heee. I would definitely give it 3 thumbs up if I had 3. So after that, I was to meet my dear friend Dal Bong E for dinner. We went to his favorite Korean restaurant that is so totally Asian with such a serene setting, gold fish and beautiful lighting, and at least 3 levels. A nice weekend. Didn't feel like I had much time to rest or work unfortunately.
So now, Christmas is closely approaching, need to pick up some fruit baskets or something for some of them and we are intensely looking forward to New Year's big ski trip with 10 other Koreans that don't know how to speak English very well most of them, never mind never having skiied before. Always an adventure, therefore the title of my blog. So that fills you all in for now. Gotta get that paper done and sent away in 3 days. Wish me luck. Back to baduk lessons tomorrow afternoon to see what little child I can play against and make them angry at me. !!!

Just One of Those Days!

2004-12-07T05:33:00.000-08:00

Today was one of those days when you want to yell at everyone, throw anything and you just want the world to stay out of your way. It seems that lately here on campus, we have had thousands of high school students visiting the university and I just can't take any more of the say hi, hello and just wanting to get your attention. So I escaped campus today and just went downtown. Not before picking up a Christmas present from our friend Mrs. Gladden. What a way to turn a day around. So many neat and interesting things to enjoy...including Smarties!!! But having a hard time keeping my appetite in check with all the goodies and chocolates. Really out of wake mentally... probably because of all the sweets so I am going to have to put them out of sight, out of mind. Then after taekwondo tonight thought I might just stop by my favorite Korean food tent for a little bite QUIETLY but then the owners wanted to try to have a conversation, Why? Today is not the day to try my patients!!! Well, at home now, gonna have some tea, a shower and enjoy my bed with some reading. Let's look forward to tomorrow. It's gotta be better.

Just barely surviving!

2004-12-05T02:49:00.000-08:00

So yesterday, I swear Gwangju was a scene out of Gorillas in the Mist. You could hardly see your hand in front of your face; it was so foggy. I got the chance to go out with a older adult student of mine. She is such a lovely lady. We went out to a country restaurant that I had once been to. It is such a beautiful log cabin, quite unusual for Korea, that contains many wood carving that the female owner does herself. I just love the atmosphere but I don't think anyone really likes it as much as I do. The loft is a tea room where soothing music is played. There was a place where you could write special little notes and post them in the loft, so of course we did. I must say that Koreans are not the best drivers when they aren't talking, but when they talk it gets worse and when they concentrate on talking English...oh my gosh. And add some heavy rain on top of that. I really do wonder how some of them ever get their licence
After dinner, in which the food did live up to the atmosphere however, I was to meet our diving group for a get together. Once I found the clan, we ended up at a huge tent in the middle of no where where we sat inside on picnic furniture and ate shell fish on top of shell fish. I could not believe how much we had. They told me that it was going to cost about 30,000 won ~ 30 dollars, but if we were to order that back home I was certain it would have cost over $200. They were floored when I told them this. And the food was so rich, and of course I ate little and slowly but that still didn't matter how I felt today....totally sick. I don't know what is happening, My body just can't seem to handle the seafood, and it was even cooked. Just so rich. So I suffered terribly today, cancelled all my plans and just stayed in bed, between my trips to the bathroom, and watched tv. Just starting to feel a little human right about now!

What to do?

2004-12-03T17:13:00.000-08:00

Well, today I woke up to foggy clouds in the mountains and slow trickling rain. Many people may find this relaxing, I find it depressing.
Today, as of now, my taekwondo instructor is doing his big test and no, I am not watching. He couldn't give me a specific time, so I didin't want to make 4 hour trip one way, to chance missing him perform. I just wish they learnt about organizing and setting times here in this country.
Then other friends that I am suppose to make travel plans with can't get their sh** together, so that just is adding to my frustration. It is boring travelling alone, but yet sometimes it is not worth the hassle to have company!
Well, I know that I will be doing more of my wonderful reading today and then trying to decide whether to go to a sauna (which are packed on Saturdays) or go downtown and get out of the house and just do some small Christmas shopping or have supper downtown. Maybe if I am lucky, it might clear up later today.
Had a nice breakfast with some eggs and toast and just slept in today a little, because I could!
Tomorrow will be a day of kimchi making. Kind of looking forward to that, especially since Dal Bong E made the point of inviting me.
Better get the day going, before too much of it passes me by!

Thursday Already!

2004-12-01T19:22:00.000-08:00

Where has the time gone? I guess it flies easily when you got your nose in a book most of the time. I am determined to get that darn reading done for those courses of mine. Sure all you university students can relate.

Well, had a good day at Baduk lessons yesterday. Seemed to be nailing all my problems in my workbook.

Somehow developed a sore lower back from taekwondo. And I will not let the age thing catch up with me!!!!

I am kind of envious of the snow you guys first got. It looked so fresh and clean. It is just not cold enough here yet for snow, even though the Koreans complain of the temperature as they walk around with their jackets open and bare legs under skirts!

Still waiting to be invited to watch the taekwondo test this weekend. Maybe it is time I just invite myself. There are two days remaining and I am not going to miss it.

Dal Bong E also invited me to his house on Sunday afternoon to take part in the annual kimchi making at his house. Sure it will be a great time for photos.

Well, it's lunch time and I am cooking up a storm. Should run before it burns!

Christmas is a coming!!!!

2004-11-27T20:22:00.000-08:00

Well today I figured it was time to put up my Christmas decorations. So the tree, garlin and extra little touches have been made around the apartment. A bit of my procrastination from doing some reading.

Friday night, some of my classes ended so one of my classes and I went out for a nice dinner. They are a real talkative group of adults so it makes it that much more enjoyable.

Yesterday, I went to visit a Korean teacher that I used to work with at my first school here in Korea. Her little girl Ji Eun and I always have a blast playing together. We went out of lunch, played chess and went for a mountain hike, within a 9 hour time span. I was going to make it a nice short visit but Su Cheong wanted me to see her husband after he was finished working at 7 pm.

It has cooled off weather wise. One day people were wearing shorts, the next it was winter jackets. Sounds more like Canadian weather to me.

I am looking forward to this weekend when I should get to see my taekwondo instructor test for his 6th degree black belt. I am quite sure it will be a weekend with much adventure.

Needed to share some weather!

2004-11-25T06:23:00.000-08:00

OK, ok, in the midst of all my rage, I must admit that today we had lovely weather for the 25th of November. Really unbelieveable actually. It was 19 degrees C and people were in t-shirts and shorts (even though some of them are crazy all year round anyways) but I even took off my sweater today to enjoy the warm air. When I finished taekwondo, I came outside and for a moment I was shocked because it felt like summer that I remembered from back home. The air was warm and dry and I couldn't believe what month it actually was. Sorry for everyone back home who is getting rain or snow with temps well below zero. Please forgive me?

Can I Scream!!!

2004-11-25T06:11:00.000-08:00

We got our holiday schedule today and I don't know why on Earth I am surprised at all because I am still in Korea and if you are going to have complications, they happen here.
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!
Our wonderful department decided to include the Korean New Year's as a week of our vacation time instead of giving us another week. Totally typical. So instead they cut one of our programs short which is fine, but then they want us around a week before the new semester starts for preparation. What the heck are we going to prepare for when we never had an hour of preparation before as a faculty. URGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG!!!

My Exciting Baduk Lesson

2004-11-25T06:07:00.000-08:00

Ok, so yesterday was my traditional baduk lesson. I was in a much more patient mood to be taught in broken English. Then I got to play against this cute little girl that was only 5 years old our age, 6 Korean age. I thought that I was suppose to be playing a good game because usually everyone I have played so far has kicked my butt, but when Kwang Jung Nim seen how far ahead I was, he just said, Crystle, Jeon Jeon Hi, (slow, slow) This girl is really small. And I said, ok, but usually everyone kicks my butt so I was having fun being able to beat someone. Either this shows you how difficult this game is for me to be so happy about beating a 5 year old, or I have a really lame life!

Tuesdays....

2004-11-22T21:34:00.000-08:00

It has only been 2 days since my last entry. Not bad eh? Debbie and Grace.

A slow day today, in all departments. Tried to explain to my freshman class of computer boys how the final exam was going to work next week and they all sat and stared at me with blank looks. So...We not only read the example I gave to them, we made another on the board and then did they understand, No! So finally I asked one of my better students if he understood and he said yes, so I said, please tell them in Korean. It was even tough getting him to open his mouth. Phew! Things you got to do. Then only the brave ones came to ask questions afterwards.

Headed to do some grocery shopping. My house had no goodies and just needed to clear my head after that class. All I can say, is good luck to those that got explanation in class because of 39 students only 12 showed up. Maybe it will be a short exam with only 12 students. Don't know where the others have been. Maybe it was their time to get shipped off to the army, not quite sure.

Well, I bought sum yummy chicken and probably ate to much because I was over hungry, then made a banana shake, so got to let it all settle before I go and lift a few weights downstairs before taekwondo this afternoon.

It was neat last night at taekwondo when I arrived. Kwang Jung Nim was practicing his pumsae for his test in a couple of weeks. I am definitely going to watch him test whether he likes it or not. If he doesn't let me go with him, I will take the bus myself and head over to the taekwondo headquarters of Kukkiwon since I have been there before.

Sunday night, went to visit some friends. We had some great Korean snacks and some wine. Then I got sent home with me loads of persimmon fruit and special rice that they bought out in the country. So I bought some cabbage today in the hopes of making a few little cabbage rolls. Gotta keep life interesting!!!

Ok, Ok, here I am updating!

2004-11-21T19:59:00.000-08:00

I hear ya, both Grace and Debbie. Thanx for the big push of encouragement to get updating.

Well, this weekend was time for celebrations as I received my scuba diving license. Our group got together for a nice dinner, bowling and some live music afterwards. Of course, the night could not be had without events of surprise happening.

At the restaruant, when I went to the washroom, it was co-ed. No big deal for this country and those of you in rez. I didn't think twice. So when at the bowling alley, there was the sign for mens and womens washrooms so I opened the first door I came to, went in and did my thing, being the only one in there. Then when I came out there was a man washing his hands and then one of our diving members at the sink. He looked at me and said, "Crystle......" That is when I understood that there must have been a woman's washroom further down the hall. I just told him to be quiet as the other man didn't flinch since my short hair always allows me to pass for a man. Needless to say, no one said much more about he incident. It didn't phase me much but I can just imagine what my Korean friend was thinking, do foreign women always go to men's washrooms? Well, I say, if you can do it and pull it off, go for it, eh?