Oh, and the cold snap didn't last like I thought it would... it's warm out now! I might just take my bike out next week! :) YIPEE!!!

I'm happy to report that although I had a minor setback, I had my first squash lesson last Thursday! I though it was 20,000 won a month (about 19 bucks CAD), but as I went to sign up on Tuesday they informed me that it was actually going to be 41,000 won. With our tight saving budget what sounds like a little money actually puts quite a dent on our spending, so I had to reconsider and figure things out with Curtis before joining. I felt kind of silly, but I was so disappointed that I started to mist up when I was discussing it with the counter lady. I'm such a baby!

Otherwise this weekend, it's been a bit emotional. I'm missing friends from back home more than ever because my birthday is coming up soon and I'm not sure what to do. Usually going out with good friends is right up my alley, but I don't really want to organize something like I did last year. It was fun, but I had to go by 10 pm because the room was getting unbearably smoky. Anyway, I'm going to have desert and nore-bang with co-workers after work on Thursday and we'll see what happens on Sunday and Saturday just got filled... literally filled with random other plans. I'm sure I'll be too busy to remember it's my birthday! Does that mean I can stay 27? Lol...

Also, I don't want to mention details, but I've been feeling a bit down lately for other reasons too. Even though I'm working out and in the best shape of my life (hehehe) I still have some confidence issues to solve. Please don't use this as an opportunity to compliment me, that's not what I need. I just wanted to archive this so that when or if I'm feeling low again, I'll remember that it was just a time and that it passed. I'm confident that I'm riding the tail end of this tsunami as we speak. Please don't worry! :)

Cold Front Coming Through

I got up this morning and took my time getting ready. I already peeked outside to see that it was sunny enough to ride my bike, so I didn't mind leaving a few minutes late. I knew it was getting cold lately so I got a bit more bundled with a scarf and some mittens.

I get outside and my street seems a bit more chilly and I think about parking the bike and catching a bus. I decide that any good Canadian worth her salt could handle a chilly morning on a bicycle and head out on my way to the pool. I FROZE!!! It was so cold! The weather hadn't been that bad last week for sure. I even went for a run on Tuesday without too many problems.

Here's where it gets tricky. We already know from experience that when bad weather comes, it stays. Yep, winter has officially begun. This wouldn't be too bad except I've been doing so good with my running and staying fit. I have a solution though. I'm going to learn how to play squash! I'm pretty excited, but nervous, I've never played before. I get an instructor though so it should be interesting what with my amazing Korean skills (bah). Does anyone have any pointers for a beginner? Does anyone know any Korean vocab for squash that I should learn? I'll keep you posted on how I'm doing!

New Haircut!

So, I've decided to go short again. I've been thinking of it for a while and especially with swimming and running lately, thought it would be a good move for saving time in the morning and still looking like a million bucks. Whaddya think?

Happy Halloween!

Last Halloween, we had mandatory holidays which ended up being lucky because Curtis ended up going to the hospital. It wasn't a big deal, just something that was getting worse that he needed to get taken care of. Well... did we ever go all out this year! Check out our digs!!

We wore costumes to work on Friday and then after work went out to a pub in our area called Ole. It has a Spanish/Mexican feel with soccer player and flamenco dancer murals painted on the walls. They had a bit of decorations and we just chilled out and had a few drinks. Some highlights (in no particular order): Juliet using her finger puppets as good conscience and bad conscience all night, Dave winning a chugging contest and coming second in another, getting a door prize of a Scream mask, yummy appetizers, meeting Karen and Tim (a couple from Indiana who dressed up as cow people), meeting a confused and frightened Carrie on my way to the bathroom who suggested another public toilet as this one had a man in it, and generally having a great time.

Kenny

So, I mentioned Kenny's Birthday when Anna came and I just thought that you deserved to know who Kenny is. Also, Kenny deserves a mention on my blog because he's been our friend for about a year now with no mention. Please forgive me, Kenny!








Anyway, soon after Dave and Kate came to our school in Sept 2008, we went on a trip together. It was in October and we went to Seorak-san. It was beautiful and we all had a great time. The love motel that we booked was awful though and since it was only two days, none of us showered. It was that sketchy. I totally accept all the blame as it was I who found and booked it. I should have known by the title, "Buckingham Palace." Ok, please laugh at my foolishness. HAHAHAHAHA!

We went hiking, chilled out around the town, went to an outdoor jaccuzi park, rode mini motorbikes, and had a great time, here are some photos.

Well, on our way home we were tired dirty and looking pretty rough, a 6'2" Korean with a barel chest approaches us and starts to ask about where we're from and why we have back packs. We find out that he has amazing English and is a bit lonely because he has been living in the Philippines for the last 12 years with his family. His only family in Korea are in Busan and he doesn't know many people around. We also see that he's friendly and really kind. He returned to Korea to do his manditory military service term because he wants to keep his status as a Korean Citizen even though he's been living away for so long.

We exchange numbers and over the year go to movies, hang out in pubs, and get to know Kenny. Now, he's like a brother and it's great having him around. He always lets us know if things are heating up at the border and keeps us educated about Korean history and culture. We've also met a few of his friends, mostly other guys who are also from the Philippines doing their military service. One friend is actually Kenny's mentee, which also atests to his character. We've also seen Kenny help out perfect strangers who are in need of a steady hand (too much Soju can have a hell of an impact on balance.) Here's to Kenny!

Hongik University Art Market

After going to Dongdaemun to check out yarn (see the previous post), I met up with Curtis and Juliet and we went to Hongdae together. Hongdae is the area of the city that surrounds Hongik University and it is famous for it's night life and it's shops boasting handmade products. Every weekend there is a market set up by current art students who display and sell their art. I've wanted to go check it out forever, but finally made a plan with Juliet and went.

It was so cool and there were many different things. Lots of jewlery stalls, but some paintings, ceramics, leather products, and something in particular that caught Curtis' eye, clocks. There was one guy who put a clock face on his paintings. He had some cutsy designs but the one we liked best was this dark one. What do you think? Is it a bit tacky to put a clock on a painting? We love it because it's practical and beautiful. Also, our current clock was broken and we'd been living between 12 am and 12 pm for almost a whole month!