The New Doogie Howser(s)?

 

My students all dressed and ready to administer check-ups for our hospital project.

Foreign Policy as explained by Star Wars

“If you’re not with me, then you’re my enemy” -Darth Vader/Anakin Skywalker

“Only Siths deal in absolutes!” -Obi Won Kenobi

I’ve finally figured it out… GW Bush was a Sith Lord!!!

(yeah I really need to rein back in that inner nerd and stop watching the ongoing Star Wars marathon)

Vinyl

Oh it’s love. Vinyl, a little stand in Hongdae, Seoul that sells juice bags with an adult twist. Sit inside in the tiny cozy space or enjoy the comfort and freedom that comes with Korea’s open alcohol policies. Lovelovelove Asia.

postcards from home

some visual excerpts of my recent trip to the United States. More to come as I edit them…. These are some of my favorites from my hometown in Michigan

Summer evenings

My recent bicycle purchase coincided with my decision to stay another year in Seoul. I’m loving the change of perspective. Seeing the city from a bicycle makes me feel so much more a part of it. The Han River has a very well developed bike trail along either side of it, which has made for lovely summer evening rides, and some great photo opportunities as well!

Teaching kindergarten is funny.

I came in from lunch today to find my co-teacher scotch taped to a chair with her hands and feet taped together. It seems as though she allowed the joke to happen for a minute, then found herself incapacitated.

…I had to cut the tape off of her to free her. Moral of the story? We have the best students ever.

Also, managed to dye my hands pink today while trying to dye clay into various colors. Alicia Teacher : 0, Kindergarten : 1.

In other news, the ink is dry on my contract renewal. Korea and I are lined up for one last dance.

Viewing Abroad

I’ve always been funny about tv. I don’t tend to watch too much of it (in fact don’t even know how to work the one I’ve got now) but I do get stuck on a few shows, and I love being able to chill out in my apartment and watch my favorites. It’s a constant source of frustration to me, though, to see the message on the screen “This Video Is Not Available In Your Region”. Gahhh. If there was one thing I’d change about all the lovely new online programming, it’d be that damn message. I want to watch me some good ol’ American television online in Korea! It’s a global world, let’s make that happen!

Anyway, that started as a rant but will end with a rave, because I have discovered online PBS broadcasts that work in Korea. Rejoice! Not only television, but EDUCATIONAL television. Will let you know how many hours I spend in my apartment since this discovery, it’s sure to be a bit pathetic.

I’m currently watching “Jesus in China” about underground Christian churches trying to worship freely without the Communist government telling them how to do it. Pretty interesting I must say.

Anyway, watch and love.    http://www.pbs.org/video

Vacation all I ever wanted: Muui-do

Long weekend due to Children’s Day (May 5, kind of stealing the Cinco de Mayo thunder there, Korean kids!) I headed to Muui-do with some friends, which is an island a stone’s throw from Incheon Airport island. We rented a beach hut, brought an obscene amount of Carlo Rossi, and spent the entire glorious weekend playing frisbee, exploring mud flats, singing to strangers/new friends guitars and generally having a lovely time. I came back to enjoy too much card playing mania at Rocky Mountain Tavern in Itaewon, then an extended Tuesday playdate in Hongdae with my friend Athena. Good times, all around.

And now because pictures are worth a lot more than words…

Lotus Lantern Festival

….more to come. My computer is running out of space for all the darn RAW files, hah!

Cherry Blossom Festival

Headed to the Cherry Blossom Festival in Yeuido this weekend. Didn’t really take part in any festivities (if there were any, aside from an increased amount of street food vendors^^) but concentrated on practicing with my camera!