Mom's B-day Present #1

#1
#2

#3 This one looked like a Korean vineyard picture!

#4

Hi mom,

Let me know which tapestry you like and I'll pick it up next weekend.

A Korean Romeo or Juliet

In my freshmen class, I'm teaching Romeo and Juliet. To prepare, I had my students make a list of physical and personality traits they'd look for in their "perfect mate." Here are some of my favorite responses, in their own words:

Boys' Responses

• Shorter than me--168-172 cm
• Not obese
• Someone who wouldn't only look at my looks
• Not short hair
• She must be pretty and have a balanced face
• Not too picky when eating and good at cooking
• Who is Korean
• Long hair (passed their shoulders a bit)
• Her job as a model
• Has a mid-wealth family and parents are very nice
• Good body (S line) and V-line for face
• Small
• Quiet, soft voice

Girls' Responses

• Tall, over 180 cm
• No double eye-lids
• Double eye-lids
• Thick grey eyebrows
• Good at singing and dancing
• Not watching nor wanting any other women
• Read newspaper
• No mama boy
• Who laughs a lot (not too much)
• Can't be my mate if he is bald or fat
• No mean mother-in-law
• I want him to be good looking, but not as much as so the other ladies would be drilling (I think she means drooling!) over him.
• Someone who can shop with me
• Who isn't Korean because of the traditions that are annoying for women
• Who is Korean
• He must be taller than me but not skinner (sp).
• Should not be notorious
• Has lots of money, is able to buy me a pink limo
• Christian, although I'm athiest--Christians tend to drink/get wasted less
• Likes the Rolling Stones

Snowy Seoul

On my way to the gym at school in the snow.
The tiger statue and the fish pond under the snow.

Early morning in the neighborhood.

Kim's Compound

Last week it snowed in Seoul. It was nice because not only does it make Seoul look more attractive, but it also warmed up a bit. It had been super chilly here, so I was happy it warmed up to close to freezing. This weekend it's way warmer...spring may be on its way!

2nd Annual Egerton Cup

Francie, Heather, and I enjoying some Thai food.
An action shot during the game.

This year's shirts.

It was just over a year ago that John Egerton, an SIS teacher, was killed in a motorcycle here in Seoul. In honor of his favorite sport, we had the 2nd annual Egerton Cup where people played soccer. Afterwards, there was a Thai food buffet, which was one of his favorite types of cuisine. It was a nice way to remember and honor John.

More Guam Pictures

A monument to American soldiers at Asan Beach, site of the American invasion of Gaum against the Japanese.
Me on Ritidian Beach.

One of the many Catholic cemetaries on the island.

Looking out over the Philippine Sea.

Some of the many varities of Spam available at KMart, including the Guam exclusive spicy Spam!

A tropical Thanksgiving

A Guamian Santa being drawn, not by a reindeer, but by a ox (I think that's what that is!).
A left-over Japanese gun from WWII.

Some rain clouds rolling in over the Philippine Sea.

A tropical Nativity scene.

This Thanksgiving I decided to spend the long weekend in the tropics, so I flew to Guam, in the Northern Marianas Islands. It's only a 4 hour flight and is one of the easiest trips I've ever taken! I rented a car and got to drive which was a lot of fun and spent the weekend. Guam's beaches are beautiful and so empty compared to Hawaii. I did some hiking and swimming, along with a lot of shopping, including at the world's largest K Mart! It was a great trip and I'm really glad I got the chance to go.

Ice Bar

The bar made of ice.
Me in my parka.
From left to right, Sandra, Lindsay, Francie, me, and Heather, along with an ice version of The Thinker.
Lindsay getting suited up for the bar.

On Friday a group of us went out to Hongdae, a neighborhood in the northwest part of Seoul. It's a university neighborhood and one of the many bars in the area is an ice bar, where everything is made of ice: the bar, the glasses, the walls, etc. Part of the $15 cover includes a parka and gloves, and boots if you want them. We only stayed for about 45 minutes, but in the bar there were pictures of people who had stayed for up to 13 hours!