Ulsan..I am back!

I went to Shanghai for Chinese New Year and I have to say it was one of the most amazing things I have ever done. Even though I feel like every time I come back from a place my account of it seems rather boring..I thought it was amazing. The pearl tower..the Bundt, two temples which kick ass in seeing a culture. Plus the customs they have remind me terribly of the Catholic church..( when I say this I'm not meaning to insult anyone) I've always thought that all world religions are based on the same basic premises and have much more in common than they think or lead themselves to believe. And going to the temples kinda proved that. I love incense too.
I will post some pics up here later..I'm kinda being lazy at actually uploading them. As always, my friend has FAR better pictures and I'll get those when she's done editing and stuff. I bought gifts. I also bought something that should say double happiness..however..I don't trust people to translate correctly so the lovely Steph Cheung will be checking that for me.
I think I might be a bit happier snce I've been back. Obviously, only time will tell, but China made me realize some things I enjoy about Korea. Like the money system is far better than the Chinese money system..at least for my head that chooses to do as little math as possible.
Also I trust people far better here. I'm not scared people are going to screw me over, take my money. Though I truly enjoyed bargaining people down on prices..that is purely amazing.
By the way, when you think of the color of China, what comes to mind? COMMUNIST RED..

Pescetarian

So, I haven't told many people about this because I've thought about it awhile and am scared at failing at it. However, about a month ago I officially decided to become a pescetarian. ( I think Sarah might be wicked happy about that. ) I had considered it many times before, but Saturday officially makes it 4 weeks of not eating meat. I do not miss it at all and feel a bit healthier about it, I think.

On that note, I haven't personally had many problems about not getting meat. I learned the phrase to ask for no meat. But sometimes Koreans just don't understand. Yesterday prime example. My friend Alicia is a vegetarian and ordered spaghetti. We double checked annieyo gogi. and then when it came it had little bits of meat. Of course. They don't understand spaghetti and pizza, etc do not need meat in it. You do not have to put meat in it. Sunday, we tried to order spaghetti at a place..and we couldn't get the cheese oven spaghetti without meat.does that even make sense? Cheese Spaghetti. And they had a different option of meat spaghetti. Then we tried to order a vegetable pizza...We had to painstakingly explain to them how to make a pizza and that all you had to do was NOT put the meat in it. STUPID......But I'm over it.

I'm headed to Shanghai for holiday and am wicked stocked. Also, just so people know, when President Obama was sworn in and gave his speech..I was sitting at a bar until 3 am with many Americans, a couple Canadians, and Brits that were so silent as he spoke. It was one of the best feelings in the world. Where were you?

We were boxing, you were swinging for Mars

It's been awhile since I've written. I feel like I am horrible at updating this. I think I treat it almost like a censored diary and I never was good at keeping a consistent diary.
Well, since I've written, I've had to teach an extra 3 hour class every MWF along with prepping it. Though this class is much more relaxed and it's actual books...it's been keeping me busy. I am basically at the school for over 12 hours minus maybe an hour break somewhere for lunch.
I have also started making myself go to the actual gym on all the other days (except Sunday..the gym is closed then). It's annoying waking up, but as soon as I actually get up and ready, going there isn't a problem. It was interesting today. There's a side room I like to go in and do sit-ups, etc. It's such a big room I decided to try a little bit of a dance warm-ups. At one point I was practicing my turns because God knows they need work and I realized there were these men watching me. A bit sketched out I kept going. Then, they decide to talk to me and tell me I'm a beautiful dancer. First of all, no. I am WAY out of practice. Second, why would you ever go interrupt someone in the middle of dancing? or working out or anything..I'm pretty sure it was quite obvious I was not there to talk to people in English or in Korean.
I have also started to take Korean lessons. I have a friend who meets with me for about an hour every week and has started to teach me Korean. I wanted to learn more one day. I was getting annoyed with not knowing what people were saying as I walk anywhere. So, I am learning, slowly. Hopefully it will work out. My goal is to have a fullblown conversation in Korean instead of speaking in little phrases and pointing.

Portrait

One of my kids, Jack, is a very good drawer. He's kind of crazy and not very focused which is the only thing that keeps him back. He speaks pretty good English as he spent a year, I think, in America. One day during class, he decided to draw this particular picture. And even though, I don't think I really get that angry at my kids...I love this picture..So much that I had to hang it on my wall.

Happy New Year!!!

from Boston perspective I am tomorrow.

from Korean perspective Boston is yesterday.

sahe bock manhi bong doseyo!

much love!