March 29th, 2009

Aaahhh...It is close to 9p.m. on Sunday night. I am sipping a glass of red wine, doing laundry and realizing that, for the first time ever since I’ve been here, I HAVE NO CLASSES TO PLAN FOR TOMORROW! Woot! Woot! I only teach in the morning now since I recently took over the position of Academic Coordinator at work and am able to enjoy much more time to myself over the weekends. The last two days have been great: on Friday, we had had a goodbye party for a colleague at work, I climbed a mountain on Saturday and saw Confessions of a Shopaholic and…I shopped all day today! Maybe the movie affected me, or maybe spring was in the air but, hey, a girl needs a wardrobe!

Achasan:

I climbed Achasan with my friends Abbey and Laura yesterday. It was an easy climb and the day was beautiful! The sky was bright blue and the weather was brisk and windy, just how I like it! Near the top, we were invited by some Korean men to share Makeolli (a type of Korean rice vodka) and a feast of Kimchi and barbecued fish. They cooked the fish on a grill they kept inside a plastic cooler. Interestingly, it turned out to be quite good. I'd never poked chopsticks at a dead fish staring at me before but I came out of the experience mentally unscathed ;)

Here is a view of Seoul from the mountain's peak:

We happened upon an outdoor gym:

Bus Express Terminal:

The weather is changing here and spring fever is starting to hit. I woke up in the mood for some S-H-O-P-P-I-N-G today. Some Korean friends of mine had recommended I try out a place called Bus Express Terminal. Ladies and gentlemen, I DO NOT KNOW HOW I WILL EVER GO BACK HOME! This place was amazing. Underground shopping alleys, tons of fun, cheap clothes...I am a happy girl. On my way back, I met a random Korean guy who chatted with me in English all the way home (turns out he lives right next to me!). We parted ways...and he kissed my hand. Chivalry isn't dead, and for that, I'm grateful.