Krystle and more time with Jacob

I met Krystle for lunch today in Hongdae. Her friend from Vancouver was in town (today was her last day here) so I got to meet her too. Krystle wanted her friend to try dak galbi (the spicy chicken stirfry) so I lead us on a hunt for one in Hongdae. Jacob had told me there was one near a certain store I knew, so we walked over there but I couldn't find it. Then, we saw on the 2nd story a dak galbi restaurant. I don't think it was the one Jacob had told me about, but we decided to try it anyway.

We sat down and one of the workers brought some eggs and started talking to us quickly in Korean. I think I understood what he was saying, but I wasn't completely sure so we asked if someone spoke English. He brought over another worker and he explained the menu and the eggs to us. I had understood it all; so I was glad I knew what they were saying! So the eggs were for us to crack into the pan while we waited for them to cook the chicken (usually you cook the dak galbi by yourself in front of you, not the kitchen cooking and bringing it to you!). That was a nice interesting touch. Lunch was good and I think this place used a lot more vegetables than other places I've been to. After we ate, we walked around a little. Since it was Krystle's friend's last day, they had other things on their schedule so they headed out. I walked around Hongdae a little and then Jacob came and met up with me. We had to stop at Hoya's again because the delivery man mixed up Jacob's meal boxes with someone else and he got some seafood dishes so he had to get new side dishes.

 After stopping at Hoya's, we went into Mecentapolis Mall. We saw a sign for a foot massage shop that have fish nibble your feet for a pedicure. Actually when Phil and Kristin were here, they considered doing that but we ended up skipping it. Anyway, we saw another shop offering that. We went in to check out the price (30,000W for the fish nibble, plus a foot/lower leg massage) but they weren't "open" between 2 and 5. It was 3pm. We went to HomePlus to look for a healthy snack Jacob could have. While we were there, we ran into an adoptee Jacob knew and chatted with her for a bit. Even after all that, it was still only 4pm. We decided it wouldn't be worth it to try and stick around for another hour PLUS playing soccer tomorrow, so we headed back to my place. We planned that maybe Tuesday we would go.

Back home we had our dinners (I've been buying lettuce and other veggies for salad) and Jacob had his kimchi dinner box. After dinner we watched more TV on my computer.

Krystle and her friend, plus our delicious dak galbi!

Korean Memorial Day

Today is Memorial Day in Korea. A lot of Korean flags were on the street, but most stores and restaurants were still open.

Jacob and I finally caved into the whole couple-set or "matchy-matchy" (as Phil and Kristin called it) deal here. We both wore navy blue shorts and black tshirts. It was kind of fun to do, even though I never thought I would dress alike purposely with someone!

For lunch, Jacob and I went to Hoya's cooking studio. He needed to have a lunch and also pick up his dinner. Hoya was sweet and pulled out some extra sides and put together a small lunch for me as well. It was really good!

After lunch, we walked to the Han River and sat along the river for about an hour, just talking. It was hot out so we didn't get to do our original plan of going for a bike ride. When we got too hot, we headed to Myeongdong so Jacob could look at soccer jerseys. We stopped at Pita Pit so I could get a sandwich to take home for my dinner.

We had dinner at my place and then watched a movie on my computer. It was another nice relaxing day and evening.

Food from Hoyas--delicious!

Along the Han River

Couple set in navy shorts and black t-shirts

A Thursday that feels like a Monday and Friday!

Back to work for one more day. What a strange Thursday--it felt like Monday coming back in to work again, but it also felt like a Friday, knowing that it was the last day of the week. A strange combination!

In the afternoon, my internet wasn't working so it made doing some work a little bit difficult.

When I finished work, I got some groceries to make dinner for myself and Jacob came over. We had a relaxing evening and just watched TV on my computer.

X-MEN and Old COT

I had a relaxing morning. I've been keeping tabs on the construction across the way. It seems that it takes them about a week or so to move up one floor. They're currently on the 9th floor; the advertisement for the building looked to be about 16 floors, so the outside construction noise should be halfway through! I can make it!

I met my old Co-teacher in Hongdae for lunch. I haven't seen her since February. I did run into her on the subway once back in March maybe, but we didn't get a chance to chat much. It was good catching up with her and I realized I missed her a lot-she was a good person to work with. We went to Oodle Noodle for lunch and she enjoyed it. Then we walked around Hongdae and browsed through an interesting artsy shop. She suggested coffee, so I said we should walk to Hapjeong and go to the Starbucks there. I also was meeting Jacob around 1:45 there and said it would give us more time if we were at Hapjeong already. We got our drinks and Jacob joined us for a bit.

Jacob and I went to go see X-Men: Days of Future Past. It was pretty good. It's been awhile since I've seen a movie, especially in a theater. After the movie, we went to What's Pide and I got a sandwich to bring home for dinner. Jacob had his boxed meal to eat. We had dinner and hung out before he headed home.

It feels like a Friday

Yesterday was so HOT and pretty miserable with all the kids suffering in the classroom. Today, it was rainy and the rain really cooled things off. It was a bit chilly which was a nice change after all the heat (I'm not ready for Korean summer!). Tomorrow is election day, so we have the day off. It was nice to have an extra "Friday" thrown in the middle of the week. After our 5th period class, the principal came in and said they were going to be taking our old TV screen out and replacing it. So we had to go to the homeroom for our final class. After the last class, we stopped in the ER (English Room) to move the desks for the after school program. The TV is much smaller, but I'll be happy if it just works. I can't believe that as it is now June the TV problem is fixed (this issue started way back in November--that's almost 8 months of dealing with it before the solution of just giving us an old screen the school had lying around...)

When school finished, I headed home and did a little bit of grocery shopping. I got some stuff to make a salad for dinner. Jacob came over after he finished work. He started a kimchi study program, so he has boxed meals for the next week or so. He brought his meal along and he ate his dinner and I had mine. After we ate, we watched a TV show on my computer before he headed home.

Back to Work

It was tough heading into work--I had a long busy weekend (not to mention month!). May was a good month, but I'm ready to keep moving forward. All visitors have left and none are currently on the horizon.

Work went alright. Nothing too special or out of the ordinary--just another Monday. After work, I stopped at home for a bit of a break. I usually head right to Jongno area and window shop and walk around before class, but I was tired of doing that. It was a nice change to have an hour or so at home. I took the bus to class; class was the usual too. This teacher doesn't give us a break, but lets us come and go with breaks when we're doing exercises or practice which is nice. That means we normally wrap up a little bit before 9, which is really nice. I still get home around 9:45, but still.

27th Birthday

Wow--the big 2-7! In Korean age, I'm now the ripe age of 28. Korea sure has a way of aging you!

Jacob came over and we skyped with my Mom and then Grandpa which was a nice treat. When we finished our skyping, Jacob headed to Hapjeong to see our friend John. I went on to meet Phil and Kristin downtown. They already toured City Hall, Cheonggyecheon again and a little of the surrounding area before I got there. Then the three of us went to the King Sejong Museum and Admiral Yi Museum. From there, we walked to Myeongdong and Jacob met us at School Food for lunch. We ordered a type of ddeokboki (rice cake), kimbap, bibimbap and noodles. Phil's favorite was the ddeokboki. After lunch we walked around Myeongdong a little and I showed them the Cathedral. We went to Cacao Green/Red Mango for Triple Chocolate Bingsoo. It was delicious and everyone enjoyed it. After dessert, we headed back to our area stopping off at Ewha (Women's University), Sinchon and finally Hongdae. We parted ways before dinner to take a break. Jacob and I went to a coffee shop and hung out until 6. Then we went for jjimdak (chicken stew) for dinner. Min Kyung and Bora were there as a surprise arranged by Jacob. After dinner we went to Xylophone so Phil and Kristin could try soju. Bora bought a cake roll that we shared and they sang happy birthday to me. It was a fun evening.

After we had our drinks, Bora and MK left. Jacob and I walked Phil and Kristin back to their guesthouse to say goodbye. I was sad to say goodbye and see them leave. It was a short but good visit. I really wish they had had more time here.

Phil, Kristin and me at the King Sejong Museum

Phil and Kristin in front of the Turtle Boat

Triple Chocolate Bingsoo!!

Phil and Kristin in Myeongdong

Jacob and me

Kristin and me at Ewha Univeristy

In the red tube mirror at Sinchon

Jacob, Phil and Kristin at dinner

MK, Bora and me at dinner

Phil and me after dinner

My birthday cake!

Group shot; Bora is hiding!

Jacob and me

Jacob, Phil, Kristin and me

Birthday Cards and presents--so lucky!