Ship THIS!

www.style.com

I finished The Shipping News last night, after a laborious amount of time spent perusing the pages. It took until about halfway into the book to really start to like the jerky stop-and-start style of the author and constant use of verbs in the present tense, but once I was accustomed to it, I quite liked the story. I was sure all along that I had read it before, but I think I read some of it, more than likely succumbing to the desire for an easier read.

I liked it because it spoke of home: of going home; of settling in some new place; of the affinity most of us have for the comfort of our home. Reminded me somewhat of my journey; of my adventure. These images, found at style.com from Ralph Lauren's spring/summer 2010 line remind me of this laid back, sea-loving style.

Some snipits...

Wondered which had changed the most, place or self? It was a strong place.

page 34

Bunny ran up to the house, thumb and forefinger pinched together.
"Aunt, the sky is the biggest thing in the world. Guess what's the littlest?"
"I don't know my dear. What?"
"This." And extended her finger to show a minute grain of sand.
"I want to see." Sunshine charged up and the particle of sand was lost in a hurricane of breath.
"No, no, no," said the Aunt, seizing Bunny's balled fist. "There's more without number. There's enough sand for everybody."

page 111

They looked at each other's hands, proving the eye's affinity for the ring finger; both saw gold. Knew at least one thing about each other.

page 128

"...You know Bunny, that there cannot be a dog that lives in water."
"Dennis says there's water dogs," sobbed Bunny.
"He means another kind of dog. A real live dog, like Warren" --no, Warren was dead-- "a live dog who can swim, who swims in the water and brings dead ducks to hunters." Christ, was everything dead?

page 150

The man had a passion for fruit. Quoyle remembered purple-brown seckle pears the size and shape of figs, his father taking the meat off with pecking bites, the smell of fruit in their house, litter of cores and peels in the ashtrays, the grape cluster skeletons, peach stones like hens' brains on the windowsill, the glove of banana peel on the car dashboard.

page 166

(God, that reminds me so much of my Nonno.) The fish plant man got a word in. "They used to say 'A man's set up in life if he's got a pig, a punt and a potato patch.' What doe they say now? Every man for himself."
"That's right," said Billy. "It's chasing the money and buying plastic speedboats and snowmobiles and funny dogs from the mainland. It's hanging around the bars, it's murders and stealing. It's tearing off your clothes and pretending you're loony. It used to be a happy life here. See, it was joyful. It was a joyful life."

page 200

(reminds me of Stuff White People Like!)

There's two ways of living here now. There's the old way, look out for your family, die where you was born, fish, cut your wood, keep a garden, make do with what you got. Then there's the new way. Work out, have a job, somebody tell you what to do, commute, your brother's in South Africa, your mother's in Regina, buy every goddamn cockadoodle piece of Japanese crap you can. Leave home. Go look for work. And some has a hard time of it.

page 286

(this last one is priceless. "...your brother's in South Africa"...how hilarious is that? And true now. I love it)

Here's wishing you all
good literary experiences
and huge tax returns ;)

Bring on the Adulthood

I found this image at www.dirtylittlestylewh*re.tumblr.com and thought I just had to share it. I remember when I watched High School Musical. I actually wanted to see it, and thought it would be a good night in with Cassie at The Palace. Boy was I wrong. It was more painful than getting a tooth drilled or a fingernail ripping far too close to the wick. I got through about thirty minutes of the torture before I had to convince her it was cooler to shut it off ;)

Luckily, Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens are far better playing the role as a cute twenty-something couple. Adults are great. Too bad they broke up.

Taking Care

On Tuesday nights, the mother of the little girl I tutor always surprises me with a little Korean food to wrap up our time together. This week, she presented this platter of what I used to call "kimbap" (Korean sushi, but it usually contains spam, scrambled egg, carrot, radish, and "crab"). My Little Girl corrected me. She told me to say it more like this, "Gim-beob", and I would avoid sounding like such a foreigner.

Right on, Twisted Sister.

No, the Yellow Dust is Not Gone

As I've already told you, I went for a long run and walk on Sunday afternoon. Probably not the smartest idea, but the sky was deceptively clear. On Tuesday, I developed a cough that has only since deepened and worsened. Many of my foreign friends are complaining of sinus headaches, infections, and similar coughs. Charming. Yellow Dust persists.

On the suggestion of My Korean Mother, I visited the school nurse who has quite the set up: a whole classroom to herself, set up with beds for sickly teenagers, an examination station with all the gadgets that were nouveau in 1955 (I'm not kidding...it's creepy), and many an anatomical model for what I can only imagine would be an awkward conversation.

When I arrived, she was checking a student out thoroughly: examining her ears, taking her temperature, giving her some vitamins (not like the "vitamins" that Mr. Shue's wife gave the kids on Glee...these were the real, well, Korean version of the real, ones). When she was done with the rugrat, I stepped up to be examined too.

She asked what was wrong and I told her I had a cough. I even helped punctuate my symptom with a little example of what I was suffering from. Before I could sit down and feel the healing powers of this adorable woman, she opened a teeny tiny drawer (honestly, it looked like something from Alice in Wonderland) and gave me a bright red capsule. No questions asked, and a warm smile to excuse me. Well then. No extra care for me.

I promptly swallowed said pill.

And now I'm high.

I just went to the bathroom: my pupils are the size of dinner plates. Class should be an interesting adventure, eh?

I never take cold remedies because of this thyroid condition. I've been told all along that any sort of ephedrine product could send my heart into cardiac arrest, so I've basically steered clear of them (naturally, right?) for the last twenty years. There have been rare occasions (like the time my university roommate [in the dorm] were so sick, we couldn't move for days. We both took NeoCitran because we were pretty sure we were knocking on death's door. I thought my heart was going to beat out of my chest and I would surely die. After half a mugful of NeoCitran! You can understand my hesitation.

Alas, in Korea, I don't care. If I'm sick from their lousy Yellow Dust, I'll take any old thing they give me. I'm sure I'll survive. I've survived Asia for crying out loud.

So there you have it...me...rambling...and under the influence.

Nice-uh.

Number Two

I'm not one to traditionally talk about this subject, as I think a lady should keep some things private. However, this story begs to be told.
Last night when I was tutoring The Little Man Who Changed my Korean Life, he asked me a strange question, punctuated by an even stranger remark.

"Teacher, can I go to the bathroom?"

"Uh, yeah. You don't have to ask to use the restroom. Just go."

"I'm ask [I would have corrected this grammatical error, but it was just too awkward] because it's this (motions to his rear end), not this (clearly points to his private parts)."

"Um, yes. You can still go. Please don't ever do that again."

Keep in mind that the kid likes to hang around in his boxer shorts. Sure, he's only 11 or so, but it's still very, very strange at times.

Oh Korea...maybe you're a little too free with your bodies.

The Proverbial Sh*t Hits the Proverbial Fan

www.imgfffound.com

Tuesday was quite the day. I told Black Dress at around 11 that I had to talk to her at some point in the day, if possible, about my contract. Left it sort of up in the air about what exactly I had to say. After my class was over, she wanted to talk about it straight away (who can blame her? She is responsible for replacing me if necessary), but I had to eat lunch. I was being a bit of a brat. I was feeling more than frustrated after the day before. I constantly feel attacked by her: and I was going to explain exactly why I feel attacked, but my conscience urged me against it. I realized just how judgmental I was being...and no one needs that kind of negative energy. Suffice it to say that I'm really sick of the way she conducts herself. So yeah, I was being a brat. Enough said.

After lunch, we finally did talk about it. I asked what the school would offer me as far as salary goes if I did decide to stay. She said (I'm serious), "Oh, well what is your salary now?" She's my boss for all intents and purposes. So she checked "the book" and decided that the school would give me what translates to $100 a month pay increase. This is what they have to give me by law. I told her this.

"Oh, well we'd give you two extra weeks of vacation". Again, the school is obligated to give me this too. I was getting frustrated again at this point. The tipping point?

"The school will also pay for your round trip airfare back home."

I looked at her and said, "You realize the school has to pay for that, right?"

"Yes."

Oh, so you're not offering me anything. You are giving me what is already owed to me. See how those are different? I was about to say it when she interrupted my thoughts...

"So you decided to stay in Korea?!" Oh, yeah, because I can see how you would get THAT message from my apparent and obvious mounting anger. This is why life in Korea is so difficult: why can't they read the unspoken language?

"I decided not to renew my contract," I said, finally, after taking a few deep breaths.

"Oh." She did not seem surprised nor disappointed. "Why?" was all she had to say. The urge to say, "You" was strong, believe you me.

I told her then that I had to go home. This is apparently what is the polite thing to say, as opposed to saying that you want to leave. They read into that and think you don't like Korea, don't like them, and even, gasp! that you don't like your co-teacher. I'm smirking at the thought.

I then advised her that I had found someone I believed to be a suitable replacement for me. I met her at the gym, knew her somewhat from our public school orientation, and since she also teaches at a vocational high school, thought the fit would be good. Since she hadn't yet told her school she was planning on leaving, I had to tell Black Dress this, but didn't get the chance before running off to a class. Note that at this point she knew about my leaving for about 20 minutes. I told her we'd talk about it more when I got back from class.

She then called the school at which the girl still works (the school that isn't aware at this point that she's leaving) and does an impromptu reference check on her. When I returned from class, she was confused and asked me why the co-teacher told her that this teacher was staying another year.

I lost it. I told her this was unprofessional and irresponsible, not to mention unkind.

This story basically lasts all day and the remaining details are not worth telling. Suffice it to say that by the end of the day, she had apologized to me about a thousand times, asked about this other teacher and how she was doing just as many times, and got about twice that many dirty looks from Yours Truly. She even went so far as to call the school again and ask that this incident be ignored. Riiiight, we'll just sweep it under the rug and pretend it didn't happen. That's functional.

When I took a step back, I realized that she simply panicked and called the school to get a reference only to replace me. I stuck strictly to the facts, not to her motives, and endeavoured to simply accept this, not agree or disagree with it. I decided to choose peace over anger. Is it really a choice? And then the bomb was dropped.

Her final comment of the day haunts me still and punctuated the tale. At the end of the day, she told me her rationale for making the phone call. Here is pretty much what she said:

"Alexis, I don't know you very well. I have only known you a short time. So I can't trust that who you recommend for a job will be okay. So I had to call a Korean person to make sure she was the right person for the job. This is why I called that teacher."

Oh. Wow. Way to say something that definitely did not need to be said.

I refuse to believe she is in any way indicative of the country, of the culture, or of the traditions of the education system here. She is merely a glitch in my overall positive experience here.

Serenity now!

As SOON as I get home...

Pretty much as SOON as I get back to the Great North (well, after I say hello to all of you and share some huggin' and lovin'), I'm headed here...

(the Lululemon on Bloor Street) to pick me up some loot.

I'm thinking a pair of these...



and one of these...



I can't wait!

Thanks, Lululemon!

Dreaming of Eating

image from the Food Network

Lynn Crawford has just opened a new restaurant. I watched her for years on Restaurant Makeover and just loved her kick-ass-take-no-prisoners style. She's hard, but she produces (or at least it looked like it. I didn't ever make my way to the Four Seasons to test her food out).

Anyway, you can check out Ruby Watchco here when the site is finally up and running, but for now, check out Toronto Life Magazine's review. I say $49 for a fixed menu of appetizer, entrée, cheese course and dessert sounds pretty, pretty amazing to me.

Hmmm...it's east of the DVP though. That might be too far to travel, non? Might have to settle on Lee for lunch. Toronto Life says it's great! Oh my god...we are going to eat this summer!

Music to my ears

I'm posting this again because now I can and I think we should all hear it again and love love love it for the second (or fourteenth) time around.

Sweet Song

pockpicket:

andrewdetorres:

taylorcthomas:

mpolinar:

(kina grannis) melissa polinar + alyssa bernal + jennifer chung = fun.

Happy Valentine’s Day (Weekend)!

This is precious and so very amazing!

Ahhhh! This is the first successful embedding I've ever done with a You Tube video. I'm a genius! Thrilled...just thrilled!

Anyway, check this video out. Could these girls get any cuter? No. No they couldn't. Love technology right now.

...someday

image courtesy of media.onsugar.com via Lovely Bones

I'm happy and I am complete.

But I never, ever go a day

without you.

I might...someday.

But not today.

it was a Pike Place kind of morning

There is nothing, I tell you, NOTHING better than getting through a workout with the promise of a rich, hot cup of coffee waiting for me at home.

Shalaina went all out and sent me a pound of Starbucks' Pike Place coffee (my all-time favourite), three Big Cookies, loose leaf peppermint tea, chocolate bars, and the nicest card. I was beside myself with glee last night when I got home.

Though Mr. Kim (remember him? The old man "security guard" at the main floor of our building? I'll have to get a picture of him before too long) made me practically beg to be handed the package, I did eventually get it home. My after school class was canceled (good thing too, because I was in quite a mood yesterday), so I got to come home at 4:30 and was greeted with so many beautiful things.

Here's my morning coffee a-brewin'...

And this is the beautiful card she sent as well. What a sweetheart!

In addition to all of this, on Saturday night we were at Katie's house for a little socializing. Her parents had sent Salt Water Taffy as a sort of Easter gift, and she had it all out on the table for us to try. What a hostess. I guess I smuggled a piece out into my bag (what a louse), because I found it this morning. Delicious Second Breakfast of the week: banana Salt Water Taffy. It's going to be a good week...I can feel it.

Here's Hoping

The Mother Hen posted this poem on her Stresschat blog and I just fell in love with it. Thanks, Mom.

The Girl I Used To Be

She came tonight as I sat alone,

The girl I used to be.

She gazed at me with her earnest eye

And questioned reproachfully.

"Have you forgotten the many plans

And hopes that I had for you?"

"The great career, the splendid fame,

All the wonderful things to do?"

"Where is the mansion of stately height

With all its gardens rare?"

"The silken robes that I dreamed for you

And the jewels in your hair?"

And as she spoke, I was very sad

For I wanted her pleased with me...

This slender girl I used to be.

So gently rising, I took her hand,

And guided her up the stairs

Where peacefully sleeping, my babies lay

So innocent, sweet, and fair.

I told her that these are my only gems,

And Precious they are to me.

That silken robe is my Motherhood

Of costly simplicity.

And my mansion of stately height is love,

And the only career I know,

Is serving each day in these sheltered walls

For the dear ones who come and go.

And as I spoke to my shadowy guest,

She smiled through her tears at me

And I saw the woman I am now...

Pleased the girl I used to be.

~Rowena K.Lewis

I'm sure one day I'll have little munchkins sleeping in some fairytale nursery.
Until then, here's hoping I'll be this proud of them.

YOUR Yellow Dust

Korea is a nationalist society. They are proud as can be about their people, their superstars, their culture, their food, and their traditions. So much so that they think that other nations are as impressed with the country as they are. Sure, they make some good food, but what do you really know about Korea?

If you'd asked me about nine months ago, I'd have said, "nothing".

To be fair, if you ask any other nation how much they know about Canada, you'd be hard pressed to find someone from, say, America, who could name the provinces (or even that we have provinces), our Prime Minister, and three flagship recording artists. When the Tragically Hip play here in Korea, it is only a small handful of people who bob their heads to the folky melodies. Herein lies the hilarity.

When Canadians are faced with an international human who knows nothing of his or her culture, the Canadian sort of makes fun of his or her own nation. Of course you don't know who the Barenaked Ladies are ("is that some nudie bar in New Jersey?") and that our capital is Ottawa ("no it isn't. It's Toronto."). And we're okay with that. In fact, if you do know about the fact that we have provinces, we are actually thankful that you paid attention in that one hour-long class about "international relations" in your high school history or government class.

Koreans don't do this, however. They ask, quite seriously, if I know who G-Dragon is or some even more obscure Korean pop artist. Uh, no. Because the music is smarmy pap that no one actually likes, but listens to because it's everywhere.

The most recent example of this laughable trait the Koreans have is in regards to the Yellow Dust. I have been asked about ten times this week alone if we have Yellow Dust in Canada. Um, Canada is the cleanest, most awesome place on EARTH (that might be stretching it, but I really like my home). So no, we don't have Yellow Dust. Because we don't have a desert nearby. Sure, we are polluted and Canada (ahem...Hamilton) is pretty gross at times, but come ON.

So no, Korea, we don't know who your singers are.
We'll learn, but we don't know fresh off the plane.
And no, we don't have Yellow Dust where we're from.
Not even close.
Good day.

Oh Korea...

I was just rushing back from the gym, looking a bit like a gangster, garnering some dirty looks from the older Koreans, when I ran into one of my students. She was so thrilled to see me, she ripped out her earbuds, took off her glove, and shook my hand fiercely. Then she said, "a-nick-gga!". Not quite sure what that means, but the smile on her face told me she was happy to see me.

Korea...just when I think it's done me in, it throws me a line.
Hope you're having a good day.


Blogger update: Erin (my eternal fountain of knowledge here in Korea) informed me that my student told me, "Don't go!". How cute is that? Now I'm even more in love with her. Loving Korea right now.

GORGE!

I'm loving this wallpaper long time. Everythingfab is right!

Loving this look...

image courtesy of f*ckyeahnicolerichie.tumblr.com

And yes, I do have a bit too much time on my hands. But don't you just love this look? I wonder if my hair could bouffant like that???

News from the North

www.armybase.us

I know many of you are curious about the impending threat of attack that seems to be reported continuously about North Korea. Truth be told, we hear pretty much nothing about North Korea on a day-to-day basis. Save Friday. Here, CBC reports on what little they know so far about the sinking of a Korean naval ship near the border of North and South Korea. Scary stuff.

From what Mrs. Lim says (my fountain of all knowledge), we are safe. Matt and I have a plan just in case: we'll walk to the airport. We'd get there in about a day, and then fly the eff out of here. Yeah, not really a solid plan, but we've thought about it at least ;)

The Sacrifice is Over!

Lent ended on Sunday and I spent the better part of my outdoor excursion yesterday trying to recall what Palm Sunday was all about. Like, what happened? I'll have to Google it, embarrassingly, because I still forget. Being that lent is now officially over, I have reached the end of the SELF regime. I feel wonderful and I think the old bod has changed quite a bit in forty days.

http://fotosa.ru/stock_photo/ITStock_JI/p_354483.jpg

This weekend was fabulous. The weather was great, the company I kept was even better, and I got to talk to both of my parents. Great all around. Though, I still don't have a computer, so I've had to rely on the generosity of Matt to lend me his. Good thing we get along so well.

Even though I spent more time socializing this weekend than I normally do, I was also the most physically responsible I've been on a Saturday and Sunday, running both days and not resting once. It's pretty sweet when all the hard work I've put into building my cardiovascular strength pays off.

We went to a party on Friday for our friend, Jim, who is leaving South Korea. He's a staple here: one of those people who gave me a warm hug whenever I saw him, and reminded me of my father. This is what happens here: people leave. New people come and new friendships are forged, but man, is it a strange life. There is only temporary consistency, if that even exists. There's a big part of me that will miss Korea, the friends I've made, and the life I live here. It's easy; it's simple; it lacks responsibility. But that alone isn't enough to make me stay: it's time to move on.

The Texans stayed overnight on Friday. You know how I feel about sleepovers...love love love. Saturday morning, Michelle and I went for some gabbin' and sippin' at Starbucks. Nothing goes down better than a strong cup of coffee on a cool spring day.

The quote at the top of this picture says,
"Life happens over coffee".
And how.
Thanks, thehostess.files.wordpress.com

Matt called to advise us that he'd made a Southern Breakfast and to expect gravy. Damn Americans...what's with them and their gravy? I'm shuddering at the thought.

What else is new? Oh, Laura reported that Carolyn's baby "dropped" (I can't imagine that that feels very good), so we are going to have a new babe sooner rather than later. I'm so excited to see Little Lolli...it's amazing that people I've known since childhood are starting to become parents. Too cool. Here's a picture of Our Baby. Though it's two years old (can you believe it?), her beauty is still poignant and has only grown since this day. Love love love this child.




Speaking of which, here's an odd moment I'd like to share. Remember when you were about 12 or 14 and your parents said, "Cool", to you, as punctuation or to relay the "right on" message? Remember how violated you felt that they took your word and used it (even though it was originally theirs...it hardly matters)? The Mother Hen still does this and it weirds me out every single time. New oddity: when Black Dress says, "Cool". Very, very strange indeed. Koreans don't say "cool". They say, "okayokay" quickly and as all one word. They say, "Neeeahhhh" (rhymes with "say"). They don't say, "cool". The violation is back.

I've been told I'm drummin' away on the school's homepage. Sure enough...I am. Oh Korea.

I teach a supplementary class for two hours tonight. I have some activities all ready to go (thankfully), so it should run smoother than the last one did. AND someone brought in Korean rice cakes today...it's been a pretty good day so far. More pictures from this weekend to follow.

Stay classy, San Diego.

Smoochin'

Before I left for Korea, my Dad's side of the family got together for a little Father's Day celebration, Nonni styles. My grandfather firmly believes that the children should do the dishes after Nonna has cooked for the family, so here I am teaching little Mia how it's done. She's just priceless. You may remember her from such blogs as The One Where She Sings Superfreak and The Story about Sarah.

I have a feeling this smooch may have been posed, but who cares.
How cute is she?
Adorable.
THAT'S how cute she is. Swoon.
Can't wait to get back home!

Drums!

As promised, here we are, drumming last Friday.

This is my favourite co-teacher. He's like a parent with the students: has super high expectations, then loves them like mad. He's wicked.



This man always says, "Good morning!" to me as we trudge up the hill to school. Sounds pretty insignificant, but when I hear only "Annyong Assayo" (spelled somewhat phonetically here: it means "hello" in Korean), it's nice to hear my native tongue in the morn. He was the SWEETEST. Check out that headband! He removed it before anymore pictures could be taken of it. Adorable.

Yours truly, looking like a dweeb. That was part of the uniform: a backwards hat and glasses. Except no one else did it. I'm a tard.

This is another teacher in my office. He doesn't teach English, but rivals the abilities of most of the teachers. Sigh.

After the performance was over, there was a game of trivia with the kids. They were so happy to be on stage with us. Obviously.



More kids. These are playing Rock Paper Scissors to determine who went first. Or in Korea, something like, "cow (as in the animal)-y, bow (as in take a bow)-y, bo (as in Jackson)!"

Black Dress:

This is Mrs. Lim's best friend. She's adorable. After the drumming and the trivia were over, we were instructed to "just dance". Sure. She was givin' er and I was loving her.

Quite possibly the worst picture ever of me. But there you have it: I was over it and still in the spirit. With nearly two thousand little faces staring at you, what else is there to do but close your eyes and just sway a little? Oh brother.

Did that brighten your day a bit?
It sure did mine.

Happy Friday!

I'm going to BE somebody

I'm fortunate enough to have found a way to watch Season 14 of America's Next Top Model here in Kooorea. Though it's not the same without Joelle, Diti, and our baby, it's still a pretty fabulous show (despite the fact that Tyra sings all the time. Stop it already).

The Girls and I use to watch the show together: the first time (yes, we watched it more than once in one night) to simply see it while we ate salad and bread and drank wine (swoon); the second time to critique who we thought should be voted off. Now I'm forced to do all this work on my own. Rough life, I know.

thanks, Amazon!

Anyway, the special guest judge this season is none other than Vogue's Editor-in-Chief, André Leon Talley. His comments so far have been priceless. Stumbled upon his blog on my travels today. Check it out here if you have the time...it's pretty, pretty fabulous.

I was struck though by a phrase uttered by the first girl to be voted off Our Show. It's common enough to be said at least once in some cliche about success, but I find it very strange indeed.

"I'm going to be somebody."

Hmm...one has to wonder, aren't you somebody already? Isn't it funny how much we value success? Or at least a certain kind of success? What are we, who are we, if we aren't a somebody?

I was a pretty privileged child with a pretty amazing set of parents. They never stopped telling me how fabulous I was, even when I was no more than mediocre. Nice eh? Though sometimes it's given me quite a large, unwarranted ego, it has also instilled in me a sense that I'm already a somebody. So in case you didn't know...

thanks, strobelightsandblownspeakers!

Sharing Shoe Horror

This is the cutest post on The Hip Paris Blog (love it). The weather is very springlike today in Korea, though cold, and I thought this matched my mood: light, funny, and happy happy happy that the weekend is here!

Oh, some new news. I've been talking to some recruiters in England. I might do a stint there to get my proverbial foot in the door in Europe. It might make my transition to Italy easier. Don't worry, vacationers. You all want to visit in the spring or summer. I'll be there by then. Rest easy...your Italian vacation still awaits you.