제 새 하숙집 My new place

So back in December, I found a place to live through the help of my fellow adoptee friend Katie. I came to see it and after deciding it was pretty decent, I made a deposit. I moved in the 2nd of January. It is located about 5 to 7 minutes from my school (so nice since I am definitely a morning person) and is pretty reseaonable. The only thing is it is in the basement so there really isn't much sunlight cuz I have these tiny weenie windows....but I figure for the price, I don't mind. I won't really am not there except at night anyways....
But turns out I'm really lucky because the meals are great! Yummy! Unlike some of the other boarding houses, this one has a woman who is there soley to cook and clean! Yeah!
So yeah my room is pretty big. The room came with a bed, desk and a bookshelf. The floor is heated so even during the cold winters, the room is toasty warm, almost to the point of shorts and t-shirt temperature.
I share a bathroom and breakfast and dinner are provided. Most of the days the lady has a whole different meal. The side dishes are pretty much the standard side dishes and I have grown to really like Korean breakfasts. I think I'll miss the a lot when I leave...
I think one of the best highlights of living here though is that I have the chance to interact with Koreans. The lady who owns this boarding house and the lady who cooks both can't really speak English so I really have to try and use my Korean. Everyone is really nice and helps me with my Korean. When my friend Nick came they even let him stay.
About 30 people live here, most of them being college students either at Ewha University or Yonsei University. I live in the basement in the section with three other guys and the cooking/cleaning lady. In Korean we call her 아줌마 so I don't know her real name.
The guys next door are both Chinese and their Korean is really good. I think both of them are working now so sometimes the bathroom is pretty busy in the mornings. The other guy is a Korean who can speak English really well. I enjoy talking to them in English as sometimes I just want to talk...we have still yet gone out all together but a couple times one of the Chinese guys and the Korean came out to drink. The cooking lady is really nice too and I enjoy living here.
The only bad thing maybe is that the windows are pretty much obsolete and since I live near the highway it gets a little noisy...but now I'm used to it so it okay.
I get internet and cable! When I first moved in though my computer, for some reason, couldn't get hooked up to the internet so both Rick and Ill Gang helped me. I ended up having to reboot the whole thing and loose things but it's all good.

Nami Island YONSAMA!

Well my friend Yoko really likes Yon sama, the actor who was in the Korean drama "Winter Sonata" so we decided to take a trip to a place called Nami Island. This is one of the places the film was shot. Yoko came back on the 6th so we decided to travel to Nami Island to see a little more of Korea. I asked my homestay sister how to get there and she looked up how to get there on the internet. We were supposed to go to Cheongyangni and from there take a train. It was pretty nice and easy to get there. We had a little bit of a late start because Yoko had slept in so when I got to Sinchon she still wasn't there. I rang her up and woke her up. I don't blame her that she was late cuz she just got back the day before. She apparently had a lot of luggage with her and because she lives on the 4th floor, she had to lug it all up there by herself. Anyways, we got there a little later but it was still good. We had fastfood breakfast and then got on the train. On the train Yoko ordered some eggs from the man who walked up and down the aisle with food. There was a white package in with the hard boiled eggs but we didn't know for sure if it was salt or those little packages that keeps food okay (but you're not supposed to eat) so we asked the guy if we could eat it...he must have thought we were hilarious because after probably really rude people, it was a nice change to have some stupid question asked very seriously. Yes, it was salt....ha ha ha.
So anyways we took the train and got to see some scenery outside of Seoul. We arrived and got in a taxi who took us to the Nami Ferry Terminal where we took a ferry to the island. It was probably a ride less than 10 minutes. I could already feel my lungs expanding and breathing in deeply because the air was so much cleaner. Although the sun had come out, it was still cold so the top layer of the lake was frozen. As we made out way to the island, we were breaking ice. Was neat!
Once on the island we walked around and saw all the lines of trees. It must be so green and open during the summer. We went when there wasn't snow so all we got to really see was the line of trees. It was really nice though just to be out of the city. For the time of the year (without any snow) there were a lot of Koreans there and quite a few couples. I guess that is the place to go. Koreans are sooo funny about poising for their pictures. It was hard to stiffle a laugh then they look like they are trying to be on the cover of the next fashion magazine. ha ha ha
Yoko had a great idea of renting a bicycle. We just didn't have the luck though. We decided to rent the bicycle for two...or rather the "couple" bicycle as they advertised it. The first one we got had a flat tired so we had to wait until he pumped it up...then that bicycle as we went down a hill the chains fell off so we had to wheel the bicycle back and get another one....finally we could ride. Mostly I sat in the back and let Yoko do the navigation. I did some and it was hard. Pluz, you have to work more in the front. I was pretty tired by the time the hour rolled around...but it was fun being on a bicycle again.
We had some time left so we decided to head on to Chuncheon. We took a bus there and then walked around. We hit some of the sites that were also in "Winter Sonata" and had dakkarubi...the famous food there. It was good but a little spicy for me...
We were pretty tired after a big day so we moved out train up to an early time. We headed back and on the train we mostly slept. It was definitely a nice day trip. Pretty cheap and a great chance to get out of the city. I think Nami Island would be good to visit on other occassions when there is actually some green....

Chuncheon...and their famous Dakalbi...

The random pig heads we discovered in a back alley.

This is harder than it looks! But bundles of fun!

Another ice sculpture...we slid around on the ice near this one

The famous lane seen in "Winter Sontata"

Amazing Ice Sculptures

Yoko and I on the boat ride over

One of the many lanes between rows of trees

Happy Warm me...

Nami Island...the famous Island....

It was cold enough where the water in the lake was frozen. Pretty neat!

The boiled eggs Yoko bought....the salt...

The remains of the Roman Candles....

Some more....

Another group photo...

Some of the Roman Candles in action

Group Photo! Ready to join the crowds!

Yummy Mexican....Dos Tacos in Gangnam.

Happy Times on the last day of 2005!

Marc in Seoul and New Year's Eve

Okay after the girls left...I had unexpected visit from yet another friend I met in Japan! Marc was actually coming to visit Steve, a fellow X JET. Steve had to work during the days so Marc and I hung out and caught up. It was nice to hang out with people who have the same experiences as you and can relate. It has been quite awhile since I last saw him but meeting him I recall how easy it is to get along with him. I think I met him through a mutual friend but had talked to him occasionally online. We watched King Kong and went to Insadong as well as have some good Mexican food. We also hung out together for New Year's Eve. We ended up not going dancing on CLUB NIGHT cuz I wanted to save my energy for New Year's Eve. My homestay family also planned a day trip for New Year's Eve. We went to a place where KING SEJONG was buried and where there is a famous Buddhist Temple. They rented a car and the father drove! It must have taken about 3 or 4 hours! I felt bad cuz it was two days before he was going to leave and driving is sooo exhausting. We made it back to Seoul around 8 and then had dinner before I headed out to meet Marc and Steve's friends to welcome in the new year.
We met up around Chungmuro and drank some at this Irish Pub. Ha ha ha...It reminded me of Thailand when we were also at an Irish Pub back in 2004. Anyways, we walked over to the BIG place where there was a count down. There were definitely a lot of people. What there seemed to be more of was the ROMAN CANDLES that were lite off as it struck 12. It was crazy! The air was full of smoke and I was seriously afraid that I was going to get holes in my clothes. There were sparks coming down a lot, just like the Nozawa fire festival. Anyways, it was a good old time. We lost track of some people but eventually met up with some in Insadong before heading to Sinchon where we drank in the mushroom bar. It was crazy fun. We drank a lot of juice soju. I think we went through a two or three big pitchers. It was about 5 or so when we got out so we all caught the subway back. I headed back and slept a few hours before heading to church. I was tired but I was happy to spend time with nice friends.

Brandy In Seoul

So Satomi came but I was fortunate enough to have another wonderful friend visit. She's my angel and has been with me through some tough times. I not only got to know her because she is my sempai but because she listens to my problems and is there when I need her.
She came on Christmas Eve and her plane came in on time so we meet up with Satomi and Chris for a late dinner. I hadn't seen here for about 5 months or so. She looked very nice and very "feminine" when I saw her! We embraced in a hug and then took the bus. We had samgyeopsal which is like bacon-type pork. Afterwards, we all headed to NOREBANG or Karaoke. We sang Japanese songs and American songs. It was good to hear Brandy sing again. She has such an amazing voice....Satomi had to leave the next day so we parted at the motel before Brandy and I made our way to my church. We enjoyed our service and then headed to Myeong-dong and Namdaemun Market. We both had dressed up so we were both quite tired by the time we got to our motel. We changed our shoes and rested up before heading out to meet my homestay sister and her boyfriend at Insadong for dinner. Before having dinner Brandy did some shopping for her family. We had some traditional noodles and then had dessert at a place called RED MANGO that serves really yummy yoghurt. I am now sooo hooked on that stuff.
Anyways, the next couple days I showed her to my school, we went to a Sauna...a first for me in Korea. We got these amazingly orange t-shirts and shorts that made us look like convicts....while Brandy was getting her AKA SURI, basically a semi clad women using this scrubber to scrub off all your old skin....I waited and met this girl. She and I started talking. She didn't understand much English so I had to pull out all the stops on my Korean. It was really neat talking to her and hearing her story. Her and her boyfriend are having a baby. Her family knows but his doesn't. Um...I hope things turn out okay for them. She was younger than me. She was really happy to have the baby though but I think a little scared...I guess who wouldn't be? Anyways, after that we felt refreshed. We had yakiniku at the "yakiniku" place I usually go to with Yoko. The people kind of know me by now but since I haven't gone there for awhile they probably have forgotten me. We visited the palace and headed to COEX mall the next day before Brandy had to head off. We visited my homestay and I took her to the airport. I have to give her soo much thanx because I was dead tired by the time she left. She was really cool about the whole trip and allowed for a lot of down time which I must say is from a REAL FRIEND. I thank her so much for coming and visiting. I can wrap up the trip with one word....HOTTOK!

 

Satomi in Korea

Okay so this is about two months late but figure late is better than never. So Satomi, my dear friend from Japan came to visit me in Korea. It was a visit I knew would take place even before I came since we both studied Korean at Ina sei. Anyways, it was a good chance to meet up PLUS for her to actually use her Korean outside of a classroom. I was going to meet up with her at the airport and then we'd have a couple of days to hang out before she would head back to Japan on Christmas Day. Things were going according to plan UNTIL.....I arrived at the airport and oops! Her plane was delayed due to bad weather. I was like, Okay...I should have checked the progress of her flight before I left...oh well. I'll wait the extra four hours....but after the four hours it was pushed back even more. So it was going to be a 8 or 9 hour wait at the airport. I came shortly after noon and didn't leave the airport until after 9. So yes, I was tired already before this visit began...but I couldn't complain because I knew Satomi had gotten up early that morning to go from Takato to Nagoya Airport and then had to wait at the airport too. NOW that is hard! So yeah after a delayed meeting, we finally did meet up. We caught a bus back to near Anguk Station where I had made reservations for a motel. It was the motel Karen and I stayed at after our backpacking trip. I didn't have much problem staying there and it seemed like it was decent so I had booked a room there again. It wasn't as good as I had remembered it....plus it was a little loud the first night but I really didn't care at that point. It was a bed, the room was warm, and we had our own toliet. Plus, why pay a lot for a room when you will only be there only to sleep? We slept in a little and went downstairs to make breakfast...toast and eggs. Then we headed out and enjoyed Seoul. In two days we went to Insadong, Namdamn Market, Myeong Dong, Gyeongbokgung Palace, Yonsei and around. It was a lot of walking and it was pretty cold so I think we were both pretty exhausted from just walking from one place to another. On the 24th, Satomi had made plans to meet her penpal Korean friend Chris. She came to the motel to meet us and then we headed to Apgujeong where we spent a couple of hours at a nice coffee shop where you can get refills free but its 12 dollars for cake and coffee.
Afterwards, Satomi wanted to buy an electric dictionary so we headed to Yongsan and then headed near Namgsan Tower to have lunch before I took off to go pick up Brandy at the airport.
We made plans to meet up later that evening to have dinner together.
I am so blessed to have such a dear friend. When I lived in Japan we'd meet up at least once a week for Ikebana and sometimes Korean or just to have dinner. She and I went to Johnny Concerts....SMAP, TOKIO, and KINKI KIDS. She was one of my close friends in Japan who helped me when I needed help. I hope that we continue to be friends even after I leave Korea....

Lunch at Yonsei with my Language Exchange friend Jeong Woo

Our first time....at a Sauna...and the "jail uniforms" we had to wear.

The NEW river....

Visiting my homestay...two girls I LOVE!

The changing of the guards

Xmas in Korea!

The mountain Brandy took liking to....

Xmas Dinner...traditional Korean noodles at Insadong

Beautiful Korean architect at Gyeongbokgung

The night life....we sang Karaoke or ???  

Our Christmas Eve dinner of ??? (Bacon type pork) 

When Satomi came to visit we visited Unhyeongung right by the place we stayed 

The only Starbucks written in Korean in Insadong 

Get together with Chris, Satomi's SMAP friend 

The Xmas party of GOAL with Suhee 

Picture with "Korean" Santa...her first time meeting Santa....?? 

The "points of energy" ritual 

Homestay

Okay....so back to blogging my life....
For the month of December I stayed with a homestay arranged by Yonsei. From what I get, the matcht was quite a random thing but I was fortunate to get a nice family. They have a son but he is in America right now studying English. They have a daughter who is 22 and sweet as a pea. The mom can also speak English as well as the daughter so there weren't any BIG miscommunications. As I was living with them, however, I realized many different subtleties in culture. One big thing was maybe I didn't eat as much as they did in the mornings....
Another I noticed was how they treated someone who was sick. I came to the homestay still recovering from the flu. I relapsed and wanted just to sleep. Instead, they wanted me to eat and move my body. I just wanted to sleep and sleep and sleep and had NO appetite so I had to force myself to eat....
Eventually that was good because it gave my body enough energy but really what I wanted to do was sleep. Anyways, during this whole ordeal...I got to experience this natural heating ritual. They place these little heating things along your hands or your "energy points." It really did warm up my hands and you did feel good after....
I mostly went to Yonsei and just hung out trying to write my Xmas cards that did eventually go out to people but were probably a few weeks late as it takes about 10 days to send from here....
I went hiking to a Buddhist temple behind their apartment....(they have an awesome view as they are on the 18th floor....) and to the National Cemetary. It felt nice to walk and get some fresh air as I really feel my lungs are taking a toll living here in Seoul.
Their dad is currently working in Indonesia and came back for a little bit. I got to hang out with him a couple days but also my friends came to visit from Japan so it was maybe a total of 5 days I lived with him. My homestay sister gave me the impression he was strict but when I met him I thought he was nice. He had a kind look about him but I could see maybe where he would be strict when it came to certain things.
New Year's Eve they rented a car and we took a day trip to Kyonggi Providence. They wanted to visit a Buddhist temple before Dad left again for Jakarta. They had visited the temple before but it was such a great experience that they were able to take me along. I felt bad because Dad drove in Seoul traffic both to and from....on the way back there was a traffic jam too....we slept while he drove.
Anyways, it was a good time. I was happy to get a sister and experience living with a real Korean family. At night we would talk and watch CSI together. Even after I moved out we email and occasionally hang out.

King Sejong 

His resting place