A Fishy Fish

A few weekends ago I got the chance to do something I've wanted to do for some time now. I had learned before coming to Korea that Koreans love to eat raw, still wiggling, octopus legs. I had to try it.

After a short subway ride from Bucheon, I arrived at Nolonggin Fish Market. I walked through the market for awhile, scoping out the different sea creatures and delicacies that were being offered. It wasn't long before I found what I was looking for. I bought a couple baby octopi and headed to a local restaurant to have the legs prepared.

A couple minutes later the plate of moving appendages was placed in front of me. I picked one up, dipped it in a red chili sauce, paused for a quick pic, and inserted the still squirming piece into my mouff. I tried to chew vigorously as instructed by my friend, but I guess I didn't get the job done cause almost instantly I felt the little bugger attach itself to the inside of my check with its suction cups. I chewed faster and swallowed. What an experience! It was the first time in my life I had eaten something that was still moving. What a strange and exhilerating experience!

Pre-bite

Life Lesson #14: Chew vigorously.

Rough Week

I have been so sick lately. I caught a cold from one of my students and then a few days later I came down with a stomach virus. My cold is still going strong too. I went to the doctor and got some medicine already but not feeling too much better yet. My total bill including doctor's visit and meds was about $8 US. Not bad if you ask me!

In any case I still haven't gotten my new computer yet. I went and looked last weekend but It was cheaper online so I ordered it today. Should arrive tomorrow or the next day.

Also, I started Korean lessons last week. I am tutored by a friend every Tuesday and Thursday from 11am-1pm. I've already learned a lot and am looking forward to my next lesson tomorrow. We meet at a local coffee shop down the street and she helps me with my speaking and writing and then gives me a bit of homework for practice. We looked for some Korean language books to use but decided to just learn some basic stuff before buying anything. I'll be fluent in no time!

• Life Lesson 13: Take care of yourself when you're sick.

Spring is Coming!

Today was beautiful in Bucheon. It was the fist time I walked to work without a jacket in about 3 months! It has certainly been a long cold winter her in Korea. In January Seoul had the worst snow storm the city has seen in 40 years!

I have been keeping very busy the past couple of months. For the month of January my school was doing winter intensives and I was working about 13 hours a day Monday through Friday. This certainly didn't leave me a lot of time to blog. Also, at the beginning of February my computer broke so I've only been able to use the school's computer but with my heavy work load, I have no time to write!

In any case, I'll be headed out this weekend to search for a repair shop as there isn't a Mac store in Bucheon. I've got plenty of pics and stories to share once I get my 'puter back! Stay tuned!

Life Lesson 12: Bring warm winter clothes to Korea.

Morning blues

I've got a solid morning routine. Every morning I wake up, brew myself a cup of red tea and enjoy it while doing some light reading. After that, I take a quick shower and start getting ready for my day. I've a got a small medicine cabinet that contains my vitamins, razor and shaving cream, deodorant, toothbrush, and so on. The medicine cabinet, is not so strategically placed though. It is right above my toilet.

Now just imagine all the possibilities here. You're opening a bottle of vitamins and trying to segregate the day's pill...above the toilet. You're taking the cap off of your deodorant...above the toilet. Your taking out your toothbrush and toothpaste...above the toilet.

I've been keeping track of the things I've lost to my thoughtlessly designed bathroom. So far I've lost 7 allergy pills, 3 centrum vitamins, and 1 medium bristled oral b toothbrush. I've dropped other things in as well. Things that couldn't be replaced so were quickly fished out and thoroughly sanitized.

I know what your next thought is, "Why don't you just learn to put the toilet lid down?". Well, that's a good thought, but learning to put the seat down took me 3 years, learning to put the lid down. I don't know if I'll ever learn to do that.

• Life Lesson #11: Some lessons are never learned.

Welcome to the gun show!

Well, I finally broke down and got a gym membership. Running and exercising at the park next to my place was becoming too difficult in the winter weather. The gym is really small but It has all the basic things I need to stay fit so I'm happy with it. Gyms in Korea are really expensive. This was by far the cheapest one I could find at 99,000 won/3 months (about 27.ooUS). I've seen other places that are around 80,000/mo. And with a name like Rodeo Gym, how could I pass it up?

My official membership card.

• Life Lesson #10: There are no cowgirls at Rodeo Fitness Club.

Going Up?

During my breaks between classes I like to read the news on bbc.com. It seems like every week there's something new concerning North Korea. Recently there was an article about the US going to N. Korea for some high level talks. The idea of which are to convince the North to return to disarmament. Fearing this recent contact with the North is going to set them on a war rampage, I've found myself staring up at the sky on my walks to and from school. Kim Jong Il isn't going to catch this guy unaware of a sneak attack!

While looking for enemy aircraft I've noticed something about Korea that I haven't gotten used to yet: Businesses in Korea aren't all on the first and second floors. In the spirit of adventure I've been checking some of these places out. Sometimes by going into the lobby and checking out the list of businesses on the wall, and sometimes by just blindly taking an elevator to a random floor that looks interesting. I'm not particularly searching for anything, I just want to know what I've been missing. So far I've found a couple of good restaurants and a few gyms!

As I'm approaching the end of my second month here, Im starting to have an expanded view of Korea. Learning a little Korean, meeting new people and finding new places has all played a significant part in this. The biggest part though, has been taking the time to look up.

• Life Lesson #9: Keeping your eyes peeled for the enemy can have more than one benefit.

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday to my little sister! I decided to be the first one to write "Happy Birthday!" on her Facebook wall so I waited until 12:01am on 11/30 Korean time to post it. Looking at her wall later today, I think this may have lead to others not in my time zone to prematurely send birthday wishes. Ooooopppps!

• Life Lesson #8: Being first isn't always best.