American Thanksgiving

This year our school did not have Thanksgiving day off (in the past they have had Thursday

and Friday off, next year we're going back to that).  It was a bummer and I definitely could have used the mental break, but the school ordered an American Thanksgiving from the US Military base which was delicious.  

On the ride home (we have yellow KIS buses) we had a very fun sing-along led by our MS/HS Chorus instructor, Jack Brown.

White Gloves and Stolen Pictures

My friends, Nalisha and Jay, are getting married next summer and Nalisha invited a few of us to join her for some dress shopping recently.  

Did you know that people actually pay just to try dresses on?!  I'd never heard of that in the US (and I've attended A LOT of dress shopping excursions), but apparently this is happening.  Whaaaa?!?!  I can't wrap my head around that.

But I digress.

We went to Vera Wang, mostly for the experience.  It was quite an experience.  They give you white gloves and watch you like a hawk (no pictures!).  Also, Nalisha could only try on five dresses.  

Wait.  Let me get this straight.  

I have to pay to try on dresses but I can't try on every single dress in the store if my heart so desires?!  

Despite my bafflement at the aforementioned points, we had a lovely time.

Nalisha, Diane, Jasmine (outside pictures were acceptable)

 Snuck one shot before the hawks flew in.

Are reflection photos ok?  (At this point I was about to get tackled by a petite Korean woman.)

We headed to a great lounge for some celebratory champagne (she didn't purchase anything but we were celebrating nonetheless).  Despite my slight fear of open flames, I love this candle tree.

Tricky Chicken

Recently, a group of us were heading to a Bundang Social Club event (a group that puts on expat activities throughout Bundang and Seoul) at a local pub.  Being the responsible drinkers we are, we felt it'd be best if we started with a hearty meal.  

Unfortunately, we were running late which left our wonderful friend, Jason, in charge.  He was easily swayed by an attractive young Korean woman who convinced him to go to the restaurant bar club in which she worked.  

When we arrived our group was easy to find.  Because we were the only foreigners, you say?  Oh no.  We were the ONLY people.  See, clubs are generally places that "pick up" in the wee hours of the night.  Also, they are not known for their cuisine.  

Jason was swayed by 2,000 won beer and 5,000 chicken.  

Fried chicken is very popular (and very delicious, albeit unhealthy) in Korea.  We figured, eh, a plate of fried chicken would probably serve us well before we head off to the pub.  

Weeelllll....

We received chicken carcasses!!  Mmmmm...

Actually, it was quite delicious - served with salt, pepper, and mustard.

The trick was eating it with chopsticks.  

Everyone We Know Is Giving Out Candy?!

My favorite Halloween book is Jerry Seinfeld's Halloween.  I read it every year and connect it to my writing lessons on voice.  This year, it felt more like propaganda.  

"Everyone we know is giving out candy?!"  

"I gotta be a part of this!"

Koreans don't celebrate Halloween, but we do at our "American" international school.  If you haven't read this book, check it out - or you can listen to it on youtube.  I always read it aloud, then play Jerry's stand up version.   

The Korean moms here do not mess around.  They go all out decorating for holidays!  

I don't hate Halloween, but I don't love it.  I think mostly because of the time, energy, and money in putting a costume together (obligatory as an elementary teacher).  I do love, however, when it all comes together on the cheap.  I picked up some striped legwarmers (which are coming in handy now!) in a subway shop (subway shopping is awesome here), the apron from a dollar store type place (Daiso), and the wig at one of the few Halloween shops in Seoul.  All under 20,000 won.  Pippi Longstocking!  I loved how many Koreans knew Pippi!

Free candy?!  They're on board.

Free Market and Free Parking

I finally went to the Free Market (a market where various local artists sell their goods) while Mentha and Christy were here.  I bought my first pieces of art for my house.  The market had a mix of ceramics, jewelry, knits, paintings, and other craft goods.  I had a successful trip, but it does change each time and it's probably best to go in without an agenda.  

 Grace took Mentha, Christy, and I to a wonderful lunch at the Millenium Hilton.  We were exiting the parking lot and this sign caught my eye.  Is this chivalrous?  Sexist?  Where are we going with this?  Discuss.

New Strategy

I'm finding that the difficulty in blogging is directly related to how much I am enjoying life.  More fun = less blog time.  No complaints here, although I am otherwise from across the pond.  :)  Of course, it's on my list (trying to keep it short this year) of New Year's resolutions, so here's hoping.  I have decided I should at least start posting short clips here and there  and the longer ones will just come when they do.  My hope in having Chuseok finished before my big holiday trip will probably not come to fruition, but here are some random clips from the last few months.

September

 My students (missing a few stragglers who were still changing) wearing hanboks for the Chuseok holiday.  I LOVE hanboks, they are beautiful and practical.  I mean, look how flowing and forgiving they are...a perfect choice for a Thanksgiving meal!  

I went to see Swan Lake with some fellow KISers just before the Chuseok holiday.  It was performed by the Moscow City Ballet at the Seoul Arts Center.  Culture squared!  It was exquisite.