Saturday, November 14, 2009

Those things left unplanned...


Well, the weekend didn't turn out quite as I had expected. To start, the trip to the palace was cancelled due to rainy weather. Booo...but it was raining like crazy and sightseeing in crummy weather isn't exactly the best.
So Julia, one of the teachers in my office, asked if I wanted to join her to play badminton on Friday. What a random thing to do. I met her about 15 minutes away from my house and we played badminton for two hours. I played in high school, but with the tenacity of wallpaper. And the badminton (if you can call it that) that we play up at the camp just does not count when each player has a drink in one hand and the raquette in another. Plus, with the uneven ground up at Algonquin, we are far more likely to fall down and start a giggling fit than to actually run around (shoeless, of course), fighting for the chance to hit the shuttlecock (hehehe).
It was a riot, surprisingly, I was super sweaty, also surprisingly, and we made plans to do it again. I think the highlight of the night though was riding on the back of Julia's bike down a hill, Korean styles. Here they pile way too many people on a bike: sometimes three or even FOUR (kids) and all without helmets, the whisk through the streets and onto the sidewalks. They defy death for some unknown reason. It's like they are cats with nine lives. Anyway, there I was, screaming, "Ohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygod!" on the back of the bike, burying my head into her back, clutching her small frame for dear life, until we stopped. She was laughing like crazy at me...hadn't I ever done that before? Uh, no. Reminder: I'm an only child. I didn't do death defying stunts. Never needed to: I got all the attention I wanted. Here's "Hanging on for Dear Life":

http://worldwidephotowalk.com/

Low and behold, the long ignored math class reared its very ugly head this morning, when I turned down an invitation to go to the kimchi factory with my friends. Sigh...funds are low: I sent too much money home last payday. Luckily for me, pay day is on Tuesday so I'll be a high roller again. Yippee! My hair drastically needs a do. I logged onto the website for the math, only to find out that the project I thought was due in December is due in two weeks. A 15-lesson unit plan is due in precious little time. I panicked, since I had picked the topic in haste, not really giving any thought to what I would plan for the lessons. What a dork. I spent most of the day working on that AND the group project that's due next Saturday (argh!), then had to get out of my apartment. I went to the Land Where Dreams are Dreamed: Starbucks. Unfortunately, every single Korean couple was also there, touching each other and annoying me. Couples...who needs em? I got a lot of work done, thankfully, and made quite a few observations while I was there (post to follow).

http://motiongroove.com/

I want to comment about Christmas in Korea. I am happy to report that there is a Christmas tree up in the front foyer of 2001 Outlet (the pseudo-department store a block from my house). So at least one place is definitely celebrating. Also, as if I could forget, Starbucks is the place for Christmas. Duh! There are mugs for sale, the Christmas coffee, Christmas decorations, and, of course, the Christmas Wish cups. Funny how I just love corporation when it brings me a little closer to home ;) So yes, there will be a Christmas in Korea. Phew.

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