Coping Habits

So, as it turns out, Korea is off the list of my to dos for this summer. Seems God is withholding the floodgates of heaven in regard to proper financing. Ah well, it's only three months of my life without my best friend/other half. I'll cope...somehow. I will just work myself into the ground to ward off thoughts of being alone. Or I will drink myself into a general stupor for the whole of summer break. Not really. I have no desire to ever feel that way again. (Note: This is a Christmas break story that should be told at every high school to disencourage students from drinking)

Maybe over Christmas break I can visit his family. I was really excited too! His mother had even offered that I stay at their apartment with them. I felt so touched and blessed. Even though her only son is dating and possibly marrying a crazy white girl who is too tall, has curly messy hair, and cant cook to save her life; she was kind enough to offer me a place to stay. I will send them something really nice. Well, this will be a short entry. I am exhausted from Spring Break, although I thought SB was suppose to cure me of my sleep deprivation. It has only added to it. :( I think hibernation sounds fantastic right about it. Don't wake me until spring!

Gender confusion...only its weather confusion

The weather here in Cleveland, TN seems to be displaying what would be identified as gender confusion, if only weather had a gender. One week ago today, it snowed. Today it was a beautiful 60 something degrees. This is just too bizarre for me. I never know if I will need to wear shorts or a parka people eater. bleh. Not to mention it is the week before spring break and with weather this gorgeous...who cares about school? I seriously have been fighting with my inner self all week trying to justify skipping class to go outside. I ate a really yummy egg concoction tonight at my friend, Jungkyun's apartment. I want to learn to cook it. Kyounghee demands I learn to cook it to become a proper wife. boo. He can cook it himself and then teach me. ;P

Cuteness Abounds

Write write write until I die. That is how life feels right now. If I never wrote another paper I would not be upset. O_o I'm so ready for spring break. Going to St. Louis for an English conference. Exciting, yet terrifying at the same time. yikes bikes. But at least before I go to St. Louis I will be able to go home for a few days. Planning on applying for some jobs for summer while I am home. I'm thinking Borders or possible somewhere in the Old City. Yay for monies! I've already made a list of things I saw at the Korean market to get once I have enough saved.

• A pair of idiot proof chopsticks that were just too cute to pass up!





• Any of the aprons on these guys. They are amazing. I aspire to be this cool.

Korea Town, Atlanta

So Kyounghee and I made an awesome new friend. His name is JungKyun and he is an international student from S. Korea. Last night he took us to Atlanta where there is apparently a Korea Town, where everything is Korean. It was awesome. There was a Korean supermarket, hair salon, restaurant, karaoke, etc etc... It was so much fun! And I ate so much! I tried lots of new things and attempted to be brave in the face of squid tentacles, shrimp eyeballs, and pig intestines.

Pork Soft Tofu Soup<----my favorite

Seafood pancake----> included- shrimp, crab, scallion, and squid tentacles. It was really good!

Then we went to a hardcore karaoke place. I seriously believe karaoke was invented by sadists. I mean, ok, if you love starring on the all-humiliation network in front of all of your friends, or even in front of strangers, then this is the hobby for you, but I want to die. At least I am realistic and fully understand the implications of my singing. You know, glass breaking, dogs howling, children weeping. But my boyfriend and JK really love it. Must be an Asian thing. Kyounghee being camera shy

Jungkyun, always ready with a smile and friendly word.

He is just sooo excited to be singing

This place is hardcore karaoke. I just wanna dance

They wanted to make sure you could see the screen. >_>

It is a proven fact that slush decreases motivation

So lately here in good 'ol Tennessee, it has snowed almost every week on the dot. It let up on us last week so I thought that maybe it was finally saying adieu. Oh no. here we are today. In MARCH. We are going to have to call the break we have in a week Winter Break Part II, not Spring break. *CHO!!!!* (this means cold in Korean)

I'm really hoping that South Korea doesn't snow like this...but it's doubtful as they are more northish than we are. It seems I am fated to live in cold, desolate places.

Oh, one bright spot about the slushy gross weather. NO Ice! Therefore, the trip to Atlanta today is still on. Headed to the Korean market with Kyounghee and Jungkyun. I'm gonna eat japchae!

I really want to learn how to make this. Japchae may look disgusting, but it tastes so amazing. The clear noodles are fresh and the whole taste is very simple. No extravagent spicyness. Add some leeks, seaweed and carrots and voila! Japchae. seems easy enough. alright....
GOAL: Make Japchae this week and succeed to where even my boyfriend thinks it tastes good.

Two very important points to assimilating to Korean culture

• Their delicious food being one ( I'm somewhat obsessed with Korean food. I will become extremely fat, I'm afraid)

• Their adorable clothes that luckily I am small enough to fit into. It would be a tragedy if I couldn't because they are just so darn cute.
  ~~ I'm very hung up on these two facts. Not to mention that the mannerisms in that culture are great. One rule I've recently become acquainted with is the visiting ricebowl rule. I really like this rule. I like it so much I dont mind abiding by it as well. Basically, in Korean culture if you visit anyone that is outside of your own place of residence, it doesnt matter who, you must bring a gift...be it food or material good. Even if that person is your own mother. Bring her food. Now I really like this because the past week I have gained many yummy items in my fridge because of visitors. First, my Japanese friend, Kenichi brought over a huge plate of fried noodles in exchange for proofreading his paper. Then Kyounghee's(my bf) new friend Jungkyun brought over a bag of chicken wings and baskin robbins ice cream in exchange for some food, beer and a cig or two. I really love this culture. I can totally do this too. I love to cook. Brace yourself, my Asian friends, I always repay in kind.

Why having a Korean boyfriend is cool

---The point of this blog is to chronicle my progress into becoming an Asian. This was not something forced upon me, but rather, something I chose to do. The reason is because my future in-laws are old generation Koreans who are extremely homogenous in their mindsets regarding the marriage of their only son. Therefore, I am setting out to embrace their culture open-heartedly and make myself into such a good little domestic that even real Korean wives will be jealous. Anyways- while I start this sucker up, here are a few key pointers as to why Koreans are fantastic....Korean boyfriends to be exact.

• he will introduce you to the most amazing, yet spicy food you have ever had
• he will be randomly sweet and grab your hand or rub your cheek
• his hair will always look cool and stylish, even after going without a shower for days
• he will always be interested in Americanisms that you cant get rid of
• he will force you to go to karaoke with him....but you will end up loving it
• he will be a clean freak(which ladies...admit it...we all like men who can tidy up)
• he will constantly be telling you why Korea is the best country in the world and why you should wish you had been born a Korean
• he will randomly start speaking in Korean, momentarily forgetting that it is not your native language
• one word: Engrish
• Korean men are just hot. hands down..the most gorgeous of all Asians.

**And many more. If you need more persuading as to why Korean men are superior to all others- feel free to send me a message!