My friend Rachael and I were walking home from work tonight when I saw this in someone's trash. Just like Nanny, I went dumpster diving and snagged it. I'm not sure what I am going to do with it, but I thought it looked cool and wasn't ready for the trash. I had to save it! Is that what Nanny says? Oh goodness. Someone stop me.
(Sorry for the pose. I've been watching WAY too much America's Next Top Model, but there aren't that many English options!)
As I was looking through my Suriname pictures for my last post, I found this one. It is too good to not share with the world.
I laughed so hard when I took this I think I wet my pants a little (and I haven't even had children yet). I think the whole table wet their pants. We all definitely had tears in our eyes. Regina would be SO mad if she knew I posted this, but I'm pretty sure she can't even figure out how to get to my blog. I love this woman. She used to always tell us her name meant queen in some language. She's definitely a queen to me!
It's hard to imagine that a year ago I was sweating it out waiting for all the Diwali candles to burn out in Nickerie, and now I'm eating gourmet coffee and cheesecake in a Daegu cafe. (I am still trying to figure out how I managed to gain 15 pounds eating out of LEAVES! And I can keep it off now even though I'm eating GOOD food???)
Some days I wake up and wonder where my mosquito net went and why the temperature has suddenly dropped. Other days I wake up and think about going to the Gap, but then I remember it's the crazy-expensive Gap, not the Outlet I'm used to. I am a very confused girl, but I am glad to have a few constants... Jen is one. I love having her here. I guess it's more that I am here for her since this is her "neck of the woods." I don't think that say that in Korea.
I am also thankful for my iTunes, taco seasoning, my Wii Fit, having a washing machine, high heels, Baskin Robbins, all my fav earrings, friendly Koreans and Jesus. He goes with me everywhere.
My student's mom invited me to a lunch group today. The lunch was really nice with lots of traditional Korean foods. The woman next to me wanted me to try her silkworm cocoons. They call it Beondegi. I tried it, and it wasn't that bad. I am not going to make it a regular snack, but I am glad that I was adventurous. Now I can always say I've licked an ant's bum AND eaten a worm cocoon.
Oh wait. Yes it does. I'm just out of the country when it happens. Ty Pennington and the crew show up and I'm off somewhere...Australia, Suriname, who knows where. And then Christian Bale decides to drop in and I'm in Korea. What's the point of being from a small town if you are never even there during the semi-exciting moments? I am so jealous of all you Starbucks and Price Tower workers that got to see Batman.
I have to say welcome four times because there is a new four-story Forever 21. It is shopping paradise! I like Forever 21 in the States, but it is always really unorganized and there is too much to sort through. Here it is beyond organized. Everything is hung up by colors and sizes. Each floor has a different style of clothing. The best part is the prices are the same--cheap. Sadly, it's in Seoul so I can't go there all the time. I'm sure that it will be one of my regular stops when I do go to Seoul though.
I got to spend this weekend with Jennifer. The last time we were together (below) was in April in Suriname. We both were a little bit tanner and sweatier and I was 15 pounds heavier! It was nice to finally spend time together in a well-developed country--without all the sweating.
We also went to the Passion World Tour. It was so amazing! It was at the Olympic Park Gymnastics Stadium. There were a lot of people there. Apparently Korean Christians like to jump around. Jennifer and I sat a little higher, so it was fun to watch everyone.
Chris Tomlin was there. Our camera wasn't cooperating, but this is him. He sang the chorus to "How Great is Our God" in Korean. It was awesome.
And this is me eating a baby squid. I really did eat it. Ask Jennifer if you don't believe me!
Every year Nikki and I try to go to the Tulsa State Fair. We always spend way too much time and money on this stupid coin game. I'm sure you have seen it. You drop coins into the machine at a certain time and it pushes coins off of a ledge. The prize is never worth the amount of money we spend; I don't know why it's so addicting.
I have found a game in Korea that's even better. It drops out candy! There is one that is just chocolate. I could become an arcade-addict because of this game.
I'm not really sure what I was thinking when I bought these fabrics, but I guess the great thing about covers is you can change them out easily. I am enjoying making these anyway.
I always have these ideas that I want to blog about, but it's never important to blog about just that one thing. So here is a post full of unimportant information...
1. I would first like to mention that Britney's song, "Womanizer" hit number one on the iTunes charts today. If that isn't proof of miracles, I don't know what is...
2. My camera is dying. I apologize for the lack of photos lately. Hopefully, I will be buying a new camera soon. Once I have the new camera, I plan to incorporate an "interactive" section into my blog. Stay tuned.
3. I had a nine year-old student tell me she wants to learn English because she wants to be a diplomat like Ban Ki-moon. Another nine year-old in the classroom said, "Oh, yeah me too." My reaction, "You want to be a what?" The whole classes response, "A DIPLOMAT, TEACHER!" I can say without a doubt that I did not know what a diplomat was when I was nine. And the only reason I know who Ban Ki-moon is now is because of Jennifer.
4. I was watching a Made for TV Movie the other day. Apparently, it appeared on CBS a couple years ago. It was called Category 6: Day of Destruction. I vaguely remember when it aired, but I had to IMDb it to be for sure. It's about a huge storm, so a part of the storyline was based in Norman at the Weather Center. They call one of the field agents and he says, "I'm just south of Bartlesville." How cool is that? I'm watching a totally random show in KOREA and they mention my hometown.
5. One of my older students has decided it's funny to call me "granny."
6. In one of my listening classes, we listen to a CNN news clip every week. We were listening to a clip about young people in India trying to live like Americans. I asked my students what it meant to "live like an American." The first answer: wearing your shoes in your house. So true.
Here are the church pictures I promised. This is Jason, the English translator, and an English teacher who refused to speak to me in English, but wanted to get a picture with me. I blame her for starting the photo shoot. Here is just a sample of all the pictures I had to smile through.
I am not sure who this man is, but that's Jason again. We moved outdoors to the "flower garden." It looked like wild flowers to me, but they were very proud of it.
She flew into Seoul last night. I really don't have anything to say about it...I'm just SO excited! Saturday we are going to the Passion World Tour together. I'm happy to have my friend close. :)
Last Sunday, I went to church with my friend Roxie. We went to the church that shall remain nameless. It is an English-speaking church that claims to be non-denominational. It's not. I am going to be nice and not say the denomination they are tied to, but I will say that I most likely will not be going back.
They were having a revival Sunday. At one point the pastor stared me down, and said that some people in the room had "hardened their hearts to God." I don't think holding back laughter was the response he was looking for. I think my favorite was when he compared the devil to computer virus protection software...what?
This Friday, Roxie and I went to the army base for a chapel service. She heard through a friend about this "modern church service for young singles." I told Roxie I had sworn off the church singles group at the age of six. She was a little hesitant also, but we decided it would be a good chance to meet people.
We had a really hard time getting signed onto base. The chaplain was supposed to let us on, but he didn't answer his phone. We finally got on (late) and walked into a room full of young families. I think we were the only two without children. They were eating an American dinner though, so I can't complain too much.
We met some nice ladies who have a Bible study. We may try that, but we can't go to the Friday service anymore because of work. (This Friday was a holiday; I worked in the morning instead of evening.) I am not too upset to miss out...except for the food.
Today, I went with my friend Swan and her dad to a Korean church. She is a Korean-American from Florida. We were roommates in training. She actually lives in Busan, which is about an hour south of Daegu. Her dad is here checking on their vacation house. They drive up on Sundays to attend church.
I was the only white person. I think I have spent too much time abroad because that felt more normal than being at the English church. The church broadcasts online in Korean, Japanese, Chinese and English. I sat with the English translator, Jason, in the sound booth. He was very nice, but it was a little difficult to follow the sermon. I was also distracted by the man getting acupuncture in the room right in front of us. I think my favorite part about the church is that the pastor sits at a desk in a high back chair. It reminds me of parliament or something.
After the sermon, they open the mics for testimony, announcements, singing, etc. Swan's dad wanted me to go up and introduce myself. I told him I didn't like to talk in front of crowds. Then Jason went up and did it for me. I didn't even see him go up there and then I heard "Oklahoma." I knew that couldn't be normal. Swan said, "He's telling you to stand up now." I looked up and the entire church was waiting for me to stand up. Then everyone came to welcome me; they were so sweet. Some women even gave me their babies to play with! They made me go outside and take pictures with some people. (Hopefully, I'll get copies and post them later.)
After the service, Swan and I went with some of her friends to a traditional Korean restaurant. It was all really good, except for the cold noodle soup. Apparently, I can't do cold soup. Sorry, Korea. Overall, it was a great day and I'm sure I'll go back because the people were so nice...even if I don't know what they are saying.
It started as an old, beat-up red chair.
And turned into a what-was-I-thinking-when-I-bought-this fabric, but I-made-it-all-by-myself chair.
I only have one more chair and a couch to cover. Then I'm thinking of doing a building cover. What kind of material do you think they use? I bet it will take me longer than a couple of days for this one...
