A lil taste

Well, im sorry it has been awhile.  I will blame it on my health, it knocked me down and i didn't want to do anything.  Not only that, but this past week I had a feeling that I really did not want to be here.  So to talk about Korea was also something i didn't care to do.  Luckily feelings are fleeting, and i feel a bit better about being here.  I had a wonderful Easter weekend.  Friday, i went to a malki and pajohn restaurant.  Malki is like a rice wine.  Nothing like wine at all.  More like saki, but not nearly as strong.  And Pajohn is like a big fried vegetable pancake thing.  That may not sound appetizing, but it is delicious.  Saturday was nice and lazy day and later my church had a potluck!  And boy was it good.  Real pizza, some friend chicken, mashed potaotoes, soft cookies, pie!  Oh my!  So good.  I met some new people and we hung out later that evening too.  it was a nice treat.  And Sunday morning i went to church, and met more people!  And afterwards we splurged and went to Outback Steakhouse.  I dont know how that chain made it to Korea but it did, and it too was delicious.  And after our leisurely lunch a small handful of us met at a coffee shop and had a Bible study.  It was quite refreshing to be in one of those again.  It was also nice to learn more about who everyone is and how they see things.  So overall, this weekend was wonderful and I am beginning to see my purpose in being here more clearly.

So, I am not so good at taking pictures.  I don't always care to take the time it takes to take pictures.  But in knowing that other people want to see what my new life is like, i must remember to do so.  So a couple weeks ago my two new friends and i went to a restaurant called Shabu Shabu.  You get a platter of different veggies, pick a certain platter or meat and depending on what you choose you either grill the meat yourself or you can cook it in this oil/water stuff.  And then there is a bowl with hot water that you put your rice paper into until it softens and then you make your own spring roll.  There are 3 different types of sauces, most of which are quite spicy.  And then, once you have had enough spring rolls you put noodles in the left over water/oil stuff and you make soup!  Oh man, my favorite part is the soup.  You can also put your leftover vegetables in the soup.  Here are some photos of the event that takes place at Shabu Shabu

my soon to be spring roll

meat and veggies

grillin time

Eating here is really an event.  Not only an outing, but an event.  Eating takes time here, and it comes in courses.  Just when you think you are finished more food comes.  But somehow, you never feel "stuffed."  Only rarely have I felt stuffed.  Which i guess is a good thing, but it's not like I'm taking the time to exercise much yet.  It is very different from being in the states.  Things are smaller: plates, bowls, cups.  Sometimes, all i want is a gallon jug of water and all i get is a tiny paper cup :(  So, i was smart and finally bought a water bottle.  

And lastly, here is another photo of where i live.  This is Lotte Department Store:

the lit up cylinder has elevators and they are all clear and they go so fast and so smooth.  

Its the same ferris wheel that i took a picture of before.  This is a huge department store that is very pricey.  The bottom floor has a grocery store (also pricey) and a nice "food court" with many different vendors.  One of them is a very nice bakery shop.  It reminds me of Italy, but with a Korean flare, and they have samples all the time which is always welcome in my book.   Then the building behind Lotte is a book store and more shopping.  There is a huge area in the book store of stationary and such.  I usually am there for at least 30 min before ever choosing or finding something.  Theres just so much to looks at! And then, they have a small section of English books which is refreshing.  Most of the titles are your typical books you read in high school, but then there are some other best sellers.  I was surprised at the large handful of books they do have.  Its very nice.  During the week I definitely loose my ability to speak my own language which seems contradictory because i am teaching English.  But i have to really dumb things down for my students and also for the other teachers i work with.  So my mind feels like pudding sometimes and i cant ever find words to say.  Learning Korean, using simple English sentences and then trying to talk like an average adult gets quite challenging mid week.  So, if i post during the week you might notice the lack of brain activity in my sentences.  So, i figure i will read some while i am here.  Currently i am reading the Count of Monte Cristo which is a wonderful book.  

So thats a bit of my life thus far.  I have been doing some shopping.  Which i should stop doing.  I found a new mustard yellow sweater (which was on sale).  And a delightful "vintage" store near my area.  However, its not really vintage because most things are made in China.  Which means its pretty cheaply made.  But some items are worth it.  Like moccasins!  For some reason, i really had a craving to purchase a pair of moccasins, forgetting i was in Korea.  But low and behold my new favorite store had a pair waiting for me.  Thanks, Lord.  

Thats all for now.  I will add more later in the week.