I figured today would be a good day to go for a run. The forecast was nice and I didn't go to soccer yesterday.
Work passed uneventful. But I was a little overwhelmed thinking about some of the things I needed to do, with limited time to do it.
When I got home, I changed and went to Bulgwang Stream again to start my run. It was really nice to run along the stream. I enjoyed seeing all the people out enjoying the nice weather. Once I got to World Cup Stadium, I had to go on to the streets to finish my run (I ran to Hongdae). It was a little difficult because I had to weave around more people and wait at stop lights and watch for cars and motorbikes. It also felt a little bit dirtier and harder to breathe. I arrived in Hongdae after about 40 minutes of running, which is a lot further ahead of time than I had planned or expected. Actually, I thought it was kind of interesting because taking the subway it's about 25-30 minutes and this was only about 10 more minutes longer than that. The only drawback to running to Hongdae is that I'm dirty and poorly dressed.
I did some window shopping and waited for Jacob to finish teaching his class. We met up and went to his "Imos" restaurant for dinner. I ordered bulgogi stew and he got donkasu (a pork cutlet) with cheese--I tried some and it was really good. After dinner, we walked back to his area and went to a bakery. I got a croissant with cream and strawberries. It was so good. Then I took the bus to the subway and the subway home.
Monday, April 14, 2014
Sunday, April 13, 2014
Palm Sunday
Another mostly relaxing day at home with Jacob. He came over and I made breakfast sandwiches. I tried to be creative and put some egg into my cookie cutters for a fun shape, but a lot of egg ran out the bottom and then it was difficult to flip and get out of the cutter. I used waffles for the bread and also made some bacon. They turned out pretty good!
In the early afternoon we left to take a walk along Bulgwang Stream, the stream that starts by my subway station and goes all the way to the Han River (I believe). We just walked along the stream to the next station and then grabbed the subway to Sinchon. There, we walked around to look for a place for dinner and decided we'd go back to Seoga and Cook, the Italian restaurant with large portions. The last time we went there, we tried to order a chicken salad and they said "no". We figured because it was later at night or something, but when we tried to order it again, they told us "no" a second time. We were both really disappointed. Instead we got the meat spaghetti again. After eating, we sat and talked until it was time for me to go to church. Jacob had contemplated going, but with the big hill and his "micro-torn" Achilles, he figured it would be a bit too difficult and painful going.
We started mass out in the vestibule and had a "pre-Gospel", sprinkling of water/blessing of the palms and then a procession in with our palms. I forgot Palm Sunday has the really long Gospel! Mass went quite long and I was glad that Jacob and I had had dinner before I went to church. I headed home to relax a bit and prepare for the upcoming week.
In the early afternoon we left to take a walk along Bulgwang Stream, the stream that starts by my subway station and goes all the way to the Han River (I believe). We just walked along the stream to the next station and then grabbed the subway to Sinchon. There, we walked around to look for a place for dinner and decided we'd go back to Seoga and Cook, the Italian restaurant with large portions. The last time we went there, we tried to order a chicken salad and they said "no". We figured because it was later at night or something, but when we tried to order it again, they told us "no" a second time. We were both really disappointed. Instead we got the meat spaghetti again. After eating, we sat and talked until it was time for me to go to church. Jacob had contemplated going, but with the big hill and his "micro-torn" Achilles, he figured it would be a bit too difficult and painful going.
We started mass out in the vestibule and had a "pre-Gospel", sprinkling of water/blessing of the palms and then a procession in with our palms. I forgot Palm Sunday has the really long Gospel! Mass went quite long and I was glad that Jacob and I had had dinner before I went to church. I headed home to relax a bit and prepare for the upcoming week.
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| Breakfast sandwich! |
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| Tulips along the stream |
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| On our walk along the stream |
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| Yummy spaghetti and peach juice from Seoga and Cook |
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| Flowers on Sogang's Campus |
Saturday, April 12, 2014
Friends and shopping
Today was a good day. In the morning I skyped with Lilly! I haven't really talked with her at all since August. We've sent messages back and forth here and there, but not really just talking. It was so good to see her and catch up. I also saw Joel for a little too. She said if I stay another year, she and Joel really want to come and visit. :)
Jacob and I met up and we went to Dongdaemun to look at the new History and Culture Park and do some shopping. We stopped for a late lunch/snack in the Lotte Department Store at a Chinese restaurant. We ordered a chicken omurice (rice with a fried egg) and dumplings. Unfortunately the dumplings had a shrimp inside even though the menu said "pork" dumplings! Luckily Jacob took a bite and saw it before he ate the whole thing.
After wandering Dongdaemun for a little, we headed to Ewha for a little more shopping. I found a nice spring jacket/blazer. It's light blue and fits perfectly. Jacob found a good spring cardigan too. We walked towards Sinchon and went to a cafe I had seen a month ago. It was quiet and cozy with lots of couples in it. Then it was time to go meet Line and her other friends.
Line was having her going away dinner. She wanted BBQ and always picked the same place--Jacob said it was good, but too much money for the amount of meat. So I remembered a BBQ buffet I went to that was only 8,000W/person and suggested that. We went there and I think everyone was happy. Jacob grilled for our table and I enjoyed having BBQ.
We took off after awhile and went to catch the subway. Except they made some announcement and there were no trains coming on the monitor. We decided we'd take a bus to go near his guesthouse, transfer buses and go to the subway to get home. So, we followed that plan...until we got to the bus stop at the subway. We were walking to the station and we both kind of turned and mentioned, "doesn't some of these buses go to Eungam?" Then I see bus 7025 which I KNOW goes to my area and we hop on it. We say oh good, only like 10 stops. Except then I hear the next stop announced and...it's not the right "next stop". We are going in the wrong direction. So, we decided that we'd ride to the end of the line and get a bus going back. We did that and it ended up taking us about an hour and a half to return from Sinchon, which should be about 30-35 minutes. It was kind of funny and definitely something I'll always remember.
Jacob and I met up and we went to Dongdaemun to look at the new History and Culture Park and do some shopping. We stopped for a late lunch/snack in the Lotte Department Store at a Chinese restaurant. We ordered a chicken omurice (rice with a fried egg) and dumplings. Unfortunately the dumplings had a shrimp inside even though the menu said "pork" dumplings! Luckily Jacob took a bite and saw it before he ate the whole thing.
After wandering Dongdaemun for a little, we headed to Ewha for a little more shopping. I found a nice spring jacket/blazer. It's light blue and fits perfectly. Jacob found a good spring cardigan too. We walked towards Sinchon and went to a cafe I had seen a month ago. It was quiet and cozy with lots of couples in it. Then it was time to go meet Line and her other friends.
Line was having her going away dinner. She wanted BBQ and always picked the same place--Jacob said it was good, but too much money for the amount of meat. So I remembered a BBQ buffet I went to that was only 8,000W/person and suggested that. We went there and I think everyone was happy. Jacob grilled for our table and I enjoyed having BBQ.
We took off after awhile and went to catch the subway. Except they made some announcement and there were no trains coming on the monitor. We decided we'd take a bus to go near his guesthouse, transfer buses and go to the subway to get home. So, we followed that plan...until we got to the bus stop at the subway. We were walking to the station and we both kind of turned and mentioned, "doesn't some of these buses go to Eungam?" Then I see bus 7025 which I KNOW goes to my area and we hop on it. We say oh good, only like 10 stops. Except then I hear the next stop announced and...it's not the right "next stop". We are going in the wrong direction. So, we decided that we'd ride to the end of the line and get a bus going back. We did that and it ended up taking us about an hour and a half to return from Sinchon, which should be about 30-35 minutes. It was kind of funny and definitely something I'll always remember.
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| Dongdaemun Culture and History Park |
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| At lunch |
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| Chicken Omurice--so good! |
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| Cafe |
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| A fried chicken place in Sinchon |
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| Giant soccer ball in Sinchon--bring on the World Cup! |
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| At dinner--BBQ Buffet |
Friday, April 11, 2014
Finally Friday!
Work passed rather uneventful. Even though I only had 4 classes, it was still a little hard getting through the day. The last week or so of not getting a lot of sleep has really started piling up.
After work, I hopped on a bus and headed to the downtown area. I had to buy a textbook for level 3 of my Korean class! I got the textbook and met Jacob at California Pizza Kitchen. I was really craving pizza so we decided we'd go there. We got the "taco" pizza or something like that and it was really good. I picked off my chicken and gave it to Jacob. We finished dinner and walked to my class building. Jacob waited in the cafe for me while I went to class.
Class was pretty good. I like the new teacher, but now some of the material is a little bit more challenging. I'm glad that I'm now in the middle/low end of the students. It gave me a lot of motivation to do studying outside of class. I needed something to get me back into the swing of studying and being in a class that challenges me seems to be the ticket. The previous classes, I could coast by with what I already knew, but it seems that I will need to work some now.
When I finished classes, Jacob and I took the subway back to the other side of town together. Even though it was only 2 days since we last saw each other it was good to see him tonight.
After work, I hopped on a bus and headed to the downtown area. I had to buy a textbook for level 3 of my Korean class! I got the textbook and met Jacob at California Pizza Kitchen. I was really craving pizza so we decided we'd go there. We got the "taco" pizza or something like that and it was really good. I picked off my chicken and gave it to Jacob. We finished dinner and walked to my class building. Jacob waited in the cafe for me while I went to class.
Class was pretty good. I like the new teacher, but now some of the material is a little bit more challenging. I'm glad that I'm now in the middle/low end of the students. It gave me a lot of motivation to do studying outside of class. I needed something to get me back into the swing of studying and being in a class that challenges me seems to be the ticket. The previous classes, I could coast by with what I already knew, but it seems that I will need to work some now.
When I finished classes, Jacob and I took the subway back to the other side of town together. Even though it was only 2 days since we last saw each other it was good to see him tonight.
Thursday, April 10, 2014
Soccer and Groceries
Work went pretty fast today. The 4th graders took a test and then played a heads up 7 up spin off game so it was easy.
After work, I headed home and had to leave almost right away for soccer. This week our game was at 6pm. Jacob, because of his injury and a work meeting wasn't able to come. It felt weird to go to soccer without him and not have anyone to warm up with since I arrived early. Ray and Stefano showed up a little bit later and asked about Jacob and his heel. We played the bottom team in the league. They needed to borrow a few players, but we still ended up beating them. The final score was 8-1. The last 10 minutes or so, I switched with John so he could come out of goal. In goal I had 2 really good saves.
When we finished the game, they asked if we wanted to join in and help any other team. I was considering it, but I knew I wanted to get some things from the HomePlus store so I decided I would pass. I went to HomePlus and I was there for an hour. It was nice to just wander and see if anything caught my eye. I picked up a few kitchen items I needed, in addition to the groceries. I took a backpack with me and I almost couldn't fit everything in the backpack. It was heavy, but luckily I didn't have to travel too far.
I came home and unpacked all my groceries and relaxed for the evening.
After work, I headed home and had to leave almost right away for soccer. This week our game was at 6pm. Jacob, because of his injury and a work meeting wasn't able to come. It felt weird to go to soccer without him and not have anyone to warm up with since I arrived early. Ray and Stefano showed up a little bit later and asked about Jacob and his heel. We played the bottom team in the league. They needed to borrow a few players, but we still ended up beating them. The final score was 8-1. The last 10 minutes or so, I switched with John so he could come out of goal. In goal I had 2 really good saves.
When we finished the game, they asked if we wanted to join in and help any other team. I was considering it, but I knew I wanted to get some things from the HomePlus store so I decided I would pass. I went to HomePlus and I was there for an hour. It was nice to just wander and see if anything caught my eye. I picked up a few kitchen items I needed, in addition to the groceries. I took a backpack with me and I almost couldn't fit everything in the backpack. It was heavy, but luckily I didn't have to travel too far.
I came home and unpacked all my groceries and relaxed for the evening.
Wednesday, April 9, 2014
Whirl Wind and FULL Wednesday
What a roller coaster day! I didn't get much sleep again. I was up late thinking about my contract and whether to renew or not. It's been on my mind a lot as I only have a few more weeks to make the decision.
The 4th graders did a role play of our textbooks version of "The Three Little Pigs". They were so cute. They really enjoy the role play activity and it's interesting how much difference a year makes, knowing my 5th graders would NOT do that or enjoy that activity.
In the afternoon Jacob met with his social worker to talk about information she had regarding his birthmom. He called me after the meeting to tell me what they talked about.
When work finished, I took off for Hwa Sun's, my "unni" (older sister). I haven't seen her and Jaebin since the end of January. It was great to catch up with her. Going to her house always feels like coming to a second home. Her youngest brother and his wife had their second baby. There were some complications so her parents were taking care of their toddler. So, Hwa Sun was taking care of the parents' dog. Pass the dependent, haha.
Anyway, Hwa Sun made dinner--we had bulgogi, kimchi cheon (kind of like pancakes) and soybean paste stew. I talked with her and Jaebin did his homework. It's sad these days when I go visit Jaebin now he's doing homework. A little bit later, Hwa Sun's husband came home. He had stopped at the grocery store, so we had strawberries. It was good to see both of them and talk with them.
I headed home around 9. On my way, my good friend Emily messaged me. She is thinking about coming to visit in July, if she had the funds to do so! How exciting! I was lucky enough to catch Amanda on skype when I got home and we talked for almost an hour. It's been awhile since she and I have talked. Afterwards, I talked with my Mom and Grandpa. I was very glad to see both of them and talk with them about making a decision whether to stay another year or not. I still haven't decided and I only have another week or two to make that decision.
Such an eventful day~
The 4th graders did a role play of our textbooks version of "The Three Little Pigs". They were so cute. They really enjoy the role play activity and it's interesting how much difference a year makes, knowing my 5th graders would NOT do that or enjoy that activity.
In the afternoon Jacob met with his social worker to talk about information she had regarding his birthmom. He called me after the meeting to tell me what they talked about.
When work finished, I took off for Hwa Sun's, my "unni" (older sister). I haven't seen her and Jaebin since the end of January. It was great to catch up with her. Going to her house always feels like coming to a second home. Her youngest brother and his wife had their second baby. There were some complications so her parents were taking care of their toddler. So, Hwa Sun was taking care of the parents' dog. Pass the dependent, haha.
Anyway, Hwa Sun made dinner--we had bulgogi, kimchi cheon (kind of like pancakes) and soybean paste stew. I talked with her and Jaebin did his homework. It's sad these days when I go visit Jaebin now he's doing homework. A little bit later, Hwa Sun's husband came home. He had stopped at the grocery store, so we had strawberries. It was good to see both of them and talk with them.
I headed home around 9. On my way, my good friend Emily messaged me. She is thinking about coming to visit in July, if she had the funds to do so! How exciting! I was lucky enough to catch Amanda on skype when I got home and we talked for almost an hour. It's been awhile since she and I have talked. Afterwards, I talked with my Mom and Grandpa. I was very glad to see both of them and talk with them about making a decision whether to stay another year or not. I still haven't decided and I only have another week or two to make that decision.
Such an eventful day~
Tuesday, April 8, 2014
Reunion
Work went okay. The 6th graders finished their presentations and the 5th grade classes were pretty easy. At the end of teaching 6 classes, I was feeling pretty worn out. I wrote some letters to people back home for the rest of the afternoon.
I stopped at home to get envelopes before going to the post office. When I got to my building, the doorman gave me a letter from my Great Aunt. It was great to get a letter from her. I also thought it was such a coincidence that I got a letter from her the day I was sending one to her!
I went to the post office-since it's in the new location I had to backtrack almost all the way back to school. Then I walked back to the subway to meet Jacob as he was coming from his work. We went to Sangsu Station and walked to Hongdae from there to meet his friend Line and her boyfriend. He met Line last spring--she was adopted to Denmark and is like a big sister to him. We met in the Hongdae park and chatted for a little before moving to Burger B for dinner.
We ate and they reminisced. After we finished eating, Line pulled out some macaroons from a shop she and Jacob went to often. They were really, really delicious. Line asked Jacob if he had taken me there and I said no. She was shocked and Jacob protested he must have taken me at some point. I insisted no and then it dawned on him he hadn't because we've been exploring so much and finding a lot of other good dessert places. He likes cronuts better than the macaroons (which surprised Line). We all walked back towards Hongdae station and said goodbyes for the evening.
On the subway, I was squished against the door because it was so crowded. I was afraid I wouldn't be able to get off at the next stop for my transfer, but luckily a lot of other people got off there too, so the car emptied out and I just had to push a little to get out.
I stopped at home to get envelopes before going to the post office. When I got to my building, the doorman gave me a letter from my Great Aunt. It was great to get a letter from her. I also thought it was such a coincidence that I got a letter from her the day I was sending one to her!
I went to the post office-since it's in the new location I had to backtrack almost all the way back to school. Then I walked back to the subway to meet Jacob as he was coming from his work. We went to Sangsu Station and walked to Hongdae from there to meet his friend Line and her boyfriend. He met Line last spring--she was adopted to Denmark and is like a big sister to him. We met in the Hongdae park and chatted for a little before moving to Burger B for dinner.
We ate and they reminisced. After we finished eating, Line pulled out some macaroons from a shop she and Jacob went to often. They were really, really delicious. Line asked Jacob if he had taken me there and I said no. She was shocked and Jacob protested he must have taken me at some point. I insisted no and then it dawned on him he hadn't because we've been exploring so much and finding a lot of other good dessert places. He likes cronuts better than the macaroons (which surprised Line). We all walked back towards Hongdae station and said goodbyes for the evening.
On the subway, I was squished against the door because it was so crowded. I was afraid I wouldn't be able to get off at the next stop for my transfer, but luckily a lot of other people got off there too, so the car emptied out and I just had to push a little to get out.
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