Year of the Rabbit
I just finished reading Stieg Larsson’s first book in the trilogy – the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. I couldn’t put it down. I was so grateful for my holiday last week, as I definitely dedicated much leisure time to reading. Ahh. I have the second one with me, but I think I may read something else before I move on to the next, just to change things up. I’m happy to be back in the habit of reading more though. I’m much busier here than I was in Poland so I hadn’t been reading as much here as I thought, nor compared to Poland. Books are such a great escape.
Spring is in the air…! Sort of. Or at least last week anyways. The snow has melted and the temperature has been about 5 or 6 degrees each day! (Today it’s only going up to about 1 or 2.) Wednesday was my first day off, and it was a perfect one. I had a total “me” day. Besides getting some laundry done, I cooked a delicious green curry and coconut milk-based soup with some spices I brought back from Thailand, I took a lovely walk (in the SUNSHINE!) along the river and ran into two of my students, I went for a coffee date with my book, and I (unexpectedly) went shopping. It’s not every day that three dresses look good!
Thursday and Friday were exploring and sight-seeing days. Jennifer and I went to Seoul on Thursday. It was a ghost town, due to the Lunar New Year. It was a really nice experience! Personal space! We started off at Namdaemun Market, checking out all the different vendors. Red ginseng and clothing and dried fruit…lots of fun things to look at. After that we went to Namsangol Hanok Village, a traditional Korean folk village. So THAT’S where all the people are! It was PACKED! Traditional dancing, drumming, kite-making, writing blessing, and games took place. People were wearing their costumes as well. And oh the food vendors lining the streets up to the gates. I had my first mystery meat on a stick. I think it was chicken. It was good! After that we went to Myeong-dong, a neighbourhood with lots of fun shopping. We ran into some people we know from Anyang! A delicious BBQ dinner, a little more browsing, and a good night’s sleep.
Friday we ventured to Suwon to see the Fortress. After getting distracted by the markets, we found the fortress entrance and meandered around. It was actually kind of confusing to navigate, but we eventually found the dragon trolley that brought us to the archery field. It was super impressive how far some of the locals can fire those arrows! I received a text message “you’re looking sexy on that tram”…turns out another friend of mine was there and saw us go riding by. It definitely made me laugh. After a day of walking, we stopped for coffee and honey bread. I had Jejube tea…it may have been the best tea I’ve ever tasted. I think it helps that it was organic and loose-leaf. It tasted like honey, or dessert-y, yet not too sweet. The honey bread was almost like French toast. Mmmmm. After that, we hunted for Galbi, another Korean dinner. We did some more browsing in shops along the way. It was my first experience with Galbi, and WOW, it won’t be my last. It’s yet another communal Korean meal where it is prepared at your table. It’s a meat and cheese and vegetable mixture, in which you can add rice to towards the end, to clean up all the good stuff. 
Saturday and Sunday were relaxing – reading and errands and catching up with friends. I got so much sleep over the holiday, I am still feeling refreshed now!
I can’t believe it’s Thursday already! I don’t know where the week has gone. I am slightly overwhelmed with social obligations this month. Because February is the end of the school year, many teachers finish their contracts at this time. This means good-bye dinners and farewell parties. Plus, I know about four birthdays all happening NEXT weekend! Eesh! I know it’s all good things, so I’m not complaining. Just bare with me if I’m not as in touch this month! In addition, finishing the school year here and prepping for the start of next year has me very busy at work, too. I will likely have TWO kindergarten home room classes, instead of just one, so that’s double the preparations!
I’m looking forward to the weekend. A friend of mine is in a Shakespeare performance on Saturday in Seoul so I’ll be heading to that with some other friends! It’s been a while since I’ve gone to Happidus on a Friday as well! I did make it there on Monday for a quick pint with a friend that’s back in town. He was looking for some familiar faces to see!
Hope you’re having a good week, wherever you are! xo
Spring is in the air…! Sort of. Or at least last week anyways. The snow has melted and the temperature has been about 5 or 6 degrees each day! (Today it’s only going up to about 1 or 2.) Wednesday was my first day off, and it was a perfect one. I had a total “me” day. Besides getting some laundry done, I cooked a delicious green curry and coconut milk-based soup with some spices I brought back from Thailand, I took a lovely walk (in the SUNSHINE!) along the river and ran into two of my students, I went for a coffee date with my book, and I (unexpectedly) went shopping. It’s not every day that three dresses look good!
Thursday and Friday were exploring and sight-seeing days. Jennifer and I went to Seoul on Thursday. It was a ghost town, due to the Lunar New Year. It was a really nice experience! Personal space! We started off at Namdaemun Market, checking out all the different vendors. Red ginseng and clothing and dried fruit…lots of fun things to look at. After that we went to Namsangol Hanok Village, a traditional Korean folk village. So THAT’S where all the people are! It was PACKED! Traditional dancing, drumming, kite-making, writing blessing, and games took place. People were wearing their costumes as well. And oh the food vendors lining the streets up to the gates. I had my first mystery meat on a stick. I think it was chicken. It was good! After that we went to Myeong-dong, a neighbourhood with lots of fun shopping. We ran into some people we know from Anyang! A delicious BBQ dinner, a little more browsing, and a good night’s sleep.
Friday we ventured to Suwon to see the Fortress. After getting distracted by the markets, we found the fortress entrance and meandered around. It was actually kind of confusing to navigate, but we eventually found the dragon trolley that brought us to the archery field. It was super impressive how far some of the locals can fire those arrows! I received a text message “you’re looking sexy on that tram”…turns out another friend of mine was there and saw us go riding by. It definitely made me laugh. After a day of walking, we stopped for coffee and honey bread. I had Jejube tea…it may have been the best tea I’ve ever tasted. I think it helps that it was organic and loose-leaf. It tasted like honey, or dessert-y, yet not too sweet. The honey bread was almost like French toast. Mmmmm. After that, we hunted for Galbi, another Korean dinner. We did some more browsing in shops along the way. It was my first experience with Galbi, and WOW, it won’t be my last. It’s yet another communal Korean meal where it is prepared at your table. It’s a meat and cheese and vegetable mixture, in which you can add rice to towards the end, to clean up all the good stuff.
Saturday and Sunday were relaxing – reading and errands and catching up with friends. I got so much sleep over the holiday, I am still feeling refreshed now!
I can’t believe it’s Thursday already! I don’t know where the week has gone. I am slightly overwhelmed with social obligations this month. Because February is the end of the school year, many teachers finish their contracts at this time. This means good-bye dinners and farewell parties. Plus, I know about four birthdays all happening NEXT weekend! Eesh! I know it’s all good things, so I’m not complaining. Just bare with me if I’m not as in touch this month! In addition, finishing the school year here and prepping for the start of next year has me very busy at work, too. I will likely have TWO kindergarten home room classes, instead of just one, so that’s double the preparations!
I’m looking forward to the weekend. A friend of mine is in a Shakespeare performance on Saturday in Seoul so I’ll be heading to that with some other friends! It’s been a while since I’ve gone to Happidus on a Friday as well! I did make it there on Monday for a quick pint with a friend that’s back in town. He was looking for some familiar faces to see!
Hope you’re having a good week, wherever you are! xo
Writing good wishes
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