Krabi, Thailand... what can I say except it is heaven on earth.

the private beach just steps from the hotel. hammock and bean bags for relaxation on the powdery sand.

I LOVED the decor of the hotel. They had real orchids (?) everywhere in the room including the shower. aren't those bottles cute? i bought a couple for myself on the off-chance that I have my own place someday.

Some famous beach... I forgot the name. But it was warm and beautiful and just fantastic.

it's kinda freaky swimming underneath the rock monstrosity. who knows if one of the pieces will break off and fall right on top of you, probably splitting your body in half.

those are my feet.

kayaking through a crack in one of the islands

kayaking in a cave whose floor is made of mud. If you tried walking on the mud, you'd sink in to your hips. really gross, but squishingly satisfying.

ancient drawing of a fish on a cliff.

kayaking thru the mangrove forest. It was always a nightmare/sadistic dream of mine to kayak thru a mangrove forest, ever since I saw a national geographic special on the Florida everglades.

Typical Thai beach with white sand and clear water.

my uncle's dog, Dori. Isn't he cute? I normally HATE small dogs, but I have to say, he's this super cute puffy cotton ball dog who LOVES me : )

What am I doing right now you ask?

I'm sitting on the private beach of my hotel, enjoying a pina colada and... unfortunately, trying to get some work down for the four classes I'm teaching next term.

If you're jealous right now, please don't be, because a man just walked past my giant bean bag on the sand wearing turqouise speedos. No one, save an Olympic swimmer should ever wear them, and even then, they should only wear them during competitions.

I had the most wonderful massage today, even though the masseuse pulled the sheet down over half my butt. No one, except maybe my gall bladder surgeon, and my parents (when changing my baby diapers) has EVER seen my pasty, white, celluloid butt. I felt really bad for her, but then I thought, "dude, I'm not the fattest person to have walked the earth. I'm sure she's had fatter Americans as clients." It was wonderful.

Tomorrow I'm going kayaking in the mangroves and then getting another massage and then heading to the airport for my flight back home.

PLEASE, anyone who'se listening/reading, PLEASE visit Thailand and stay at the Tubkaak Boutique Resort. It is seriously, the most incredible place in the world. THE WORLD! I will post more pictures of the resort and my adventures in island hopping yesterday later, when I don't want to just curl up on the warm beach and read my guilty pleasure, (US Weekly).

Peace out.

I'M COMING HOME IN AUGUST!

I just bought my ticket home. My trip to australia is on hold for another year or two, and instead of suffering the humidity in Korea, I'm going to suffer the hellfires of a Chino Hills summer.

I'd like to soak up the peace and quiet of Orange County and the more pronounced etiquette and manners of non-Korea.

But until that glorious day, I have Thailand and friends to look forward to : )

And fruit waffles at Cafe Ima...

don't worry, I didn't eat it all by myself, I shared it with Robin, and we still had some leftover.

Bonnie, one of those waffles has your name on it : )

I have something to tide me over each month except july. paul and pearl are coming tomorrow and staying til june, then bonnie and jeannie are coming in june (yay!) and then in july, the monsoon season will make appearance, and in AUGUST, HOME! August 4-29th.
Then, home again in October for a very special occasion, and then home again in december FOREVER!

Hola Amigos!

It's finally spring! The cherry blossoms have arrived! Though not as nice as my memories of cherry blossom tree strewn Wooster Square in New Haven, it's still nice to walk out of my apartment building and see:

When I finish teaching at 10, I take the back gate back home, and I always pass three beautiful trees with huge, white and purple flowers. With my ipod blasting good music in my ears, I have about 1 minute of peace and quiet until I hit the main road where I'm confronted with traffic, motorcycles on sidewalks, and cars that would run me over in a heartbeat.

In Korean class, we have these weekly listening and speaking tests that we record on tapes. The best part is that we get to wear really cool headgear:

With JuYoung

This past Wednesday was a national holiday cuz it was an election day for the national assembly. Korean politics has instilled within me a new sense of... pride? less jadedness? appreciation? for the American political system and history. I still had to teach that night, but since I had the day off, I got to lunch with some friends at my favorite Indian restaurant in Myeong-dong. We ate, we shopped, we drank coffe at Caffe Pascucci and griped about Korea. It was really nice.

Me, Anne, Kamonthip, and Robin. Three of us have German surnames. By "three of us" I mean "not me." I felt a little left out.

In less than two weeks, I leave for THAILAND!!!! I was considering Phuket, but my Thai friend recommended Krabi instead. "Much less crowded, commercialized, touristy, and stained by western human activity." It's supposed to be one of the more beautiful regions of Thailand. I CAN'T WAIT!

Krabi

I'm staying at the Tubkaak Boutique Resort and Spa which is a "five-star, award-winning resort ideal for romantic getaways and relaxing vacations." As romantic as it can be with just me, I plan to focus on the "relaxing" part. I've decided to get a back/neck/shoulder massage all three nights. I'M SO EXCITED!!!

Tubkaak Boutique Resort and Spa

If anyone has been to Krabi and has any recommendations, let me know!

I'm just a little nervous about travelling alone for the first time. But I seriously need to get away from people and just be by myself for a couple days. Im realizing more and more how much I DESPISE and DETEST cities: the crowds, the noise, the traffic, the pollution... For all its good points (and there are many), I feel so overwhelmed and just grossed out in Seoul. Several of my friends here have travelled alone cuz they said they had to get otu of Seoul to be alone, and I totally understand what they mean now. I don't think I can ever live in a city.

Ooohh, I want strawberries.

BTW, has anyone received any penpal e-mails yet?

Hello friends!

Thanks for everyone who volunteered to be a penpal!  I need just one more person!!!!  Anyone interested?  Korean socks?  choco pie?  Just  reading 2 emails and writing 2?  No correction of grammar necessary?

so far, the following saints have volunteered (in case you forgot, I'm reminding you : )
debbie, bonnie, janet, joyce (thanks sisters!), mia, jane r., eunice, beks. and um, una, if you're not busy, can you perhaps be a penpal for this really cool nursing student who's going to start her phd at univ. of maryland this fall?

So, I'll be e-mailing you all soon with info regarding the penpal thing.  Thanks again!!!! Just wait til I come home in August or October... I will shower you all with Korean crap!

Spring is almost here... but not quite yet.  I'm dying for it!  I'll post pictures asap of the newly blossoming flowers.  This Sunday is the Yoeido cherry blossom festival that I can't go to cuz I'll be discussing The Bluest Eye with my three boys... whom I ADORE!  if I had a little sister, or a younger gay brother, I would SO be playing the yenta right now.

I got into a fight with my parents last night cuz I told them I was planning a trip to Phuket by myself.  My dad (who once scolded my mom when we first moved to Placentia with, "Lock the door! We're not in Mission Viejo anymore!"  By the way, this was at 6pm.  The sun was still shining brightly) freaked out and my mom called my very busy professor aunt who let me know that she would be more than happy to use her precious (my insertion) vacation to go with me to Phuket in the middle of her semester. 
I reluctantly agreed to look into Korean travel agency group tours : (

I guess I can just ditch them at the hotel. 

Has anyone stayed at the Le Royal Meridien Yacht Club hotel?  Or anywhere else in Phuket?  Where would you recommend?  My Thai friend recommended any hotel on Andaman Beach, but I'd also like the perspective of a foreigner's experience there.

I think I'm going to quit my Korean classes.  Last week was HELL, and in every class (both as teacher and student), I was asked if I was sick.  Everyone takes one look at me and tells me I look like I'm going to die.   I guess that happens when you're as lazy as I usually am and suddenly have to live off of 4 hours of sleep/night and a maximum of 2 hours of downtime each day in which I'm constantly stressing about work I haven't done.

I always thought teaching at a university was a cushy job.  and it is for sure, but i never realized how much work and effort goes into preparing lectures and whatnot.  I have incredible respect for all teachers now.  Seriously, it's hard! 

Granted my contract stipulates full-time status as 11hours per week, but THEN i have to take my work home.  jane, jemi, susan, i must say that you three are INCREDIBLE. 

oops, class is about to start, gotta run and show a wonder years episode to my junior program class to kill 20 minutes... I mean to illustrate America during the vietnam war....

***VOLUNTEERS NEEDED****
So um.... does anyone want to maybe be an e-mail pen pal for like 3-4 e-mails? I'm trying to teach some 10 of my students email etiquette stuff and introduction stuff, and well, it would be nice if they could practice on real english speakers who aren't me. If you want your e-mail address private, I would use mine as the hub. if you're interested, please let me know!!!! i'll buy you korean socks!

Thanks to everyone who wished me a happy birthday! It was happy indeed.

My friend Kamonthip cooked me the most delicious dinner at her apartment which overlooks Namsan. Not only did I get to gorge myself on authentic, home-made Thai food, but I was also able to nod vigorously during a conversation between U.N. researchers about the Parliamentary Government system vs. the Presidential Government system. I had no clue what was going on at first, but they were all really kind when I asked the most basic government questions seeing as how I was educated in the public school system. Honestly, I know nothing of government or grammar.

Friday was "White Day" which is another version of Valentine's Day. It seems that there is some sort of couples holiday every month here. I refuse to partake... unless someone gives me chocolate or candy... or....

Dental Floss, which was a White Day gift from one of my dental students.

I still haven't gotten over my cold from february, so I had planned on resting Saturday, only to be thwarted by family. I went to lunch with my 2nd eemo's family to celebrate my and my cousin LJs birthdays. Although a year older than me, I still have plenty more white hairs than LJ. When he pointed that out, my aunt graciously informed me that they looked more like highlights than white hairs.

Later that night, I hung out with LJ and his friends at a salad bar restaurant (souplantation-esque, but not nearly so drool inducing) then at a smoky bar, Castle Praha. We ordered a huge lineup of beers that was delicious.
All his friends are super nice... but they all smoke like chimneys... and drink like fish... and eat sausage.

I do believe that rich hung out with some of them last summer: hey, do you remember the CEO guy (son of the buddhist monk), the Korean hip hop artist : ), and the TV producer? If i remembered their names... but I don't cuz with Korean names, in one ear and out the other.

I had a lot of fun with them, even though every two minutes someone would say, "shut the f*%# up!" in a super thick Korean accent.

Korea's been treating me well, and I have no complaints... except that something really must be done about China. With all the crazy pollution (not to mention human rights violations and the crackdown on Tibet), there was a duststorm here in Seoul. There's all this yellow dust from China that flies around and is supposed to be really bad if you breath it in. Hmmm... I have to go buy a mask soon. If I return to my glorious home with an extra eye, or an ear growing out of my shoulder, you'll know I didn't buy a mask in time.

Peace outside.

I'm back in the motherland.  Safe, sound, and freezing.

The plane ride was wretched as always, but at least I finally got to watch No Country for Old Men.  It was good, and I enjoyed it... much more than Mr. Magorium's Magic Emporium which, despite Jason Bateman, was pretty dang snore-inducing.

I started both my Korean classes, and my English classes.  I leave every morning at 7am to stuff myself into a subway car packed full of Koreans who just had bap and kimchi for breakfast, for a 30 minute commute to a bus stop where I meet my classmate Rich, and catch the 5528 that somehow manages to hold 1000 koreans in a space meant for 30 max, for another 20 minutes to the front gate of SNU.

I really like my Korean class though.  Although 4 hours long, it can be fun, and my classmates are great.

Jooyoung who happens to be special friends with a guy named Ernest Park from UCLA whom I believe is friends with debbie and knows kevin.  is this true debbie and kevin?  I tell you, the Korean-American community is teeny tiny... or "teeny-weeny."

I LOVE my students this term!  They are fantastic.  After Korean class, I get home by 3pm and I have to leave for my office by 5pm to teach from 6-10 on Mon, Wed, Fri.  I'm usually exhausted, but my students totally energize me.  By the time I get home and get ready for bed, however, usually by 11pm, as soon as my head hits the pillow, I'm out like a light.... till 4:16am, when I've been waking up every morning. 

It's weird going from student to teacher in one day, but somehow it's been working out okay.

I miss everyone back home, but I'm having good time here... but not so good that I no longer want to come home.  That desire is ever-present, but God has graciously granted me blessings that help to maintain my sanity.

It snowed like CRAJEE on Tuesday!

Peace outside yos!

In just 1 1/2 days, I'll be coming home for three and a half glorious, above freezing temperature weeks!

Some things I'd like to accomplish whilst home:
1. SLEEP SLEEP SLEEP

2. Get my foot checked by Dr. Hose

3. Go to Disneyland

4. Eat at Rutabegorz

I really do have to get my fill cuz I won't be home again until Mia's big day in October. But, I do plan on travelling as much as I can as long as I'm stuck in the motherland. If all works out,

Thailand in April
Vietnam or Cambodia in June
Australia and New Zealand in August

Anyone wanna join?

This past sunday I had a delicious waffle:

I'm not much of a waffle person, but I have to say that this one was pretty mouth-watering.

With cousin/apartment mate Miran

With Juhi

I got my bangs butchered... and now I look like a squat korean boy. I considered pinning it back permanently, but just as Anne looked at herself in the mirror every day after she died her hair green, I will also do penance by leaving my bangs just as they are.

A couple weeks ago, it was super super cold. It snowed for two days, and then the snow melted, but then turned to ice. My mom warned me to be careful when I walked around cuz I might slip, fall, and hurt my foot again. My response, as it usually is, was, "mom! I'm not stupid! I'm always careful!"

Weeellllll.... turns out... I am stupid.

I was walking to school at 6:45 am, so it was still dark out, which meant that I didn't see the ice patches. I stepped in one, and slipped, and fell awkwardly on my butt in front of a bus that had it's headlights spotlighting my shameful tumble. And of course, I tweaked my foot again. I almost considered taking my mom's advice of tying rope around my shoes to gain traction. I guess I'd have to have a matching belt of twine, or maybe a spare electrical cord. The height of fashion.

YAY for HOME!

Hola from a warmer and more hospitable motherland. It's back in the 30s, thank goodness. Last week was hellishly cold, and I swear I nearly suffered frostbite on my upper lip. You know, I've always thought that mustaches were repulsive. Any man... or woman even, who had a bushy mustache earned my disgust. Mind you, I said "bushy" because as one who does not wax her upper lip, I myself have a mustache that I'll often feel for with the tip of my tongue.

After my first encounter with the frigid wind chill, I really, really, really wanted a huge, explosion-of-hair, handlebar mustache.

Not a petit handlebar, but a genuine handlebar mustache (by the way, when saying "handlebar mustache," the "mustache" should be accented on the second syllable, and the "ache" part should be pronounced "ahsh."

I suppose one such as General Ambrose Burnsides' would be quite suitable, considering the amount of surface area coverage.

Joyce, this could indeed be a life-saving trend.

Recently...

I don't think I've ever had herpes simplex 1 (mouth sores), but recently, I developed two blisters on the corner of my lip and so I either burned my lip there, and didn't realize it (quite possible actually), or my stress has released this virus : (

Like the trooper I am, I didn't let my virus/burn stop me from going on with my life.

At the Van Gogh exhibit with Jen. Pictures weren't allowed in the actual exhibition, so... a pic at the shop.

Hanging out with Juhee

Dude, can I say how much I Arrested Development???!!!

I recently finished the first season, and there were many moments of gut-busting laughter. I just ordered the 2nd and 3rd seasons from amazon... and I can't wait! I'm already sad that there are only 3 seasons

Several students in my upper classes asked if I could teach them pronunciation for wines. So, I did a little research, and put together a lecture about the grapes from which wines are made. I felt very inadequate, seeing as how I don't really care for wine... or alcohol in general. As mia and jane can tell you, I prefer my rum and coke to be substituted with root beer and ice cream... speaking of which, when I'm home in february, I could really go for a root beer float.

I just started reading The Old Man and the Sea. I've read about 30 pages, and I'm already sad. Thanks brother, for telling me the ending.

My mom just finished reading Marley and Me, and I think I may have made a mistake buying her that book, cuz now she doesn't know if she can handle getting another dog again. The thought of having to lose another dog makes her really, really sad. I think she plans on getting an English lab (as opposed to the more energetic and crazy american labs... aka august) when she's older so that she can outlive the dog. I vaguely recall her mentioning that plan once.

From 4 pounds to 75 pounds... she was a lovely beast. I swear, my mom bought august more toys than she did for me or richard.

Just 11 more days till I come home where I can spend 3 1/2 glorious weeks in not-frigid weather and sleep until the sun rises!

It's been a crazy week... and the crazier thing is that i think i may have inadverdantly agreed to go to a nightclub with a friend where they have "meetings." but i have two months to come up with excuses about why i can't go : )

I FOUND SOUR CREAM!!!! i was having lunch with daniel craig and his wife : ) and i told them how i really miss sour cream and guacamole. apparently, there is a delivery service from this dairy company and they DELIVER VATS OF SOUR CREAM!!!! AND an american costco card works in korea! so many possibilities now.

it's been FREEZING this past week. my face feels like it's being ripped apart by icicles. and my ears... jack frost doesn't nip in seoul, he devours.... ears and those little snail things in our ears. sometimes it feels like my ears are going to implode from the cold. in fact, this morning i was at the gym using a treadmill. it was like rubbing salt into a wound... LITERALLLLLLY. my face is all chapped from the cold cuz i don't want to wear those bird flu surgeons masks. and when little rivulets of salty sweat ran the course of my face, it stung "like a mother" to quote my mom.

classes are still good. it's getting harder to wake up in the morning though. i haven't been sleeping early, and when i wake up... it's so stinking cold that i want to wrap myself in a blanket, shrivel up into a little bean, and be refried in some HOT oil.

BIDEOS!

1. Learning how to dance like Charles Barkley

2. New and upcoming "artist," Joyce, with a "real" microphone.

3. singing... and i use the term very loosely.