Jason shaving in the kitchen, eating dokgalbi, and my first time shooting a bb gun

A note from me (Julianne): Jason posted this thinking that he had signed onto his own blog--and then when he tried to post it he realized he'd somehow been blogging on my blog. So I just decided to leave it . . .

Julianne and I pretty much spent the day doing nothing but eating (brunch: eggs, peanut butter and strawberry jam on toast, orange juice), then surfing the Net, playing games, blogging, surfing the Net, long nap . . . . and then deciding it was time to shave . . .

I tend to post more pics of Julianne then I do of myself, or of us. Julianne mentioned to me recently that she wants to take more pics of me so I said fine, as long as I get to see what pics she wants to put up on her blog before she posts them. Here's a shot she took with her Nikon this afternoon.

The reason I thought this was 'blog worthy' is that it shows some aspects of life in Korea for us expats. I LOVE my apartment--it's the best one I've had during the entire time I've been in Korea. That being said, there are a few 'issues' I have with it. One is that the kitchen has a door leading to a balcony where the laundry machine is. This door is not well insulated and lets the cold into the kitchen area which also has the bathroom entrance (coming out of the shower tends to be a rather brisk and bracing experience). Add to the mix that the apartment's main door has a draft that can't be blocked and the kitchen area tends to be chilly . . . unless we put one of the two portable heaters in there. You can see the red glow of the heat lamp that is sitting on the floor next to me as I shave.

Why is Jason shaving in his kitchen? EXCELLENT QUESTION! The bathroom does not have any electrical outlets--none. And my electric shaver works better when it's plugged in . . . so, that's why I shave in my kitchen. The bathroom is the only part of my apartment that I wish was different. In Korea to only have one minor issue like that to deal with in your apartment is AWESOME--I've lived in far worse, big time!

We went out for dokgalbi again in Myongdong--it's become the default choice for dinner when we don't know what we want to eat.

This picture was taken using Julianne's Nikon--it's interesting to see the differences between pics taken with her camera in contrast with my Canon.

The settings were not exactly the same so that accounts for some of the contrast, but we also have completely different lenses too. I like elements of both pictures . . .

We went back to the BB gun rifle range. Julianne decided to try shooting for the first time ever . . . I gave her a 90 second tutorial in the basics of how to shoot a rifle . . . she's a natural. I don't know if I should be alarmed or proud or both, lol.

I then took another crack at trying to achieve the high score of the firing range. I beat my old best record of 3000 points . . . and I got 3210.

If I keep it up I'll beat the high score, or match it, within the next 3 or 4 visits. I might try to suggest to the guy who runs the place to have a timed shooting contest where the shooter must fire from a free standing position and cannot use the counter and cushion for a stable firing position. It'd be interesting to see what the high scores are with the higher degree of difficulty . . .

Julianne bought a Korean rice cake dessert to try for the first time. I took one look at it and passed when she offered me a bite. I knew that it has red bean paste inside. That's one flavor that I don't care for too much when it's supposed to be a dessert.

Lately I've been experimenting and practicing a lot with my camera. These shots of myself are from a couple days ago when Julianne and I were reading an online tutorial about aperture and shutter speeds . . .

Near the end when I was getting tired I just started doing random settings and then taking a pic of Julianne . . . it was fun. Julianne was taking pics of me while I was taking pics of her . . . it's kind of a very Korean thing to do (but also not, I'm sure Korea's not the only place that this happens, lol, but it sure does seem to happen a lot more here than I can remember ever seeing back in Canada).

Tonight when we got back from Myongdong I was tired and didn't feel like doing much. Julianne was in the mood to play games on facebook. I picked up my camera and started doing closeups on the monochrome setting.

I really like this picture of Julianne.

Tomorrow we're going to go to Seoul and check out some places that Julianne hasn't been to yet.

And, of course, take more pics.

Happy New Year!
J

Heaven for my feet :D

Back in America there are no heated floor systems and my feet tend to get really cold. I knew before I left America to come teach in South Korea that there are heated flooring systems here so I thought I could use the suitcase space for something else. Unfortunately, I miss my slippers. And, thanks to my dad, I know that there are some slippers that are more comfortable and will keep my feet warmer than others.

I remember growing up that I would put his slippers on (and my dad doesn't have small feet so in some ways I think he found this annoying and amusing) and walk around the house. He always knew that if his slippers were not in their regular spot to call out my name and I would reluctantly bring them back.

I thought about asking my friends to ship my slippers to me here but then quickly realized that to ship my slippers from Atlanta to Chuncheon would be rather expensive (it's about 11,000km from Atlanta to South Korea). So, I looked online and to my wonderful surprise the slippers I love at home are available to purchase online! Of course I knew they would not be exactly the same, I couldn't remember the brand name, if there even is one, on the slippers I have at home. It didn't matter though, the pictures looked great to me and after reading through some of the testimonials I was satisfied with what I could potentially receive.

So, thank you to:

http://www.kiwi-sheepskins.com/

I ordered:

slippers like the ones I have at home

some slippers to wear at school


The slippers are wonderful! They are comfortable, soft, warm, and everything else slippers should be. The cost on the website includes international shipping from New Zealand.

The first pair in the pictures above I intended to use at home and have the second pair as my shoes for teaching in. The schools here like to have their hallways and classrooms walked on only by inside shoes and before now I didn't have any.

What has actually happened though is that Jason is using the first pair of slippers at home and I am using the second pair of slippers at school and at home. lol

I love having the slippers to work in at school. My feet and toes are nice and warm and they are very comfortable to walk and stand in for several hours of the day.

As far as Jason wearing the first pair . . . I don't mind, I'm glad they fit him actually. I ordered the first pair of slippers in a few sizes too big for me. The ones I have at home are too big on my feet and that's how I actually like them. I think Jason wears a size 10 so having the size 11 is great. Because of all the wool that is inside the slippers you really need to order one size larger than you would normally.

The website has more than just slippers. Anything you could want warm and fuzzy you can get. Car seat covers, a bed for your dog, a steering wheel cover, mittens, you name it! If it is something they don't make you could probably e-mail them to find out if it is a possibility.

So, if you are anywhere in the world and your toes are cold during autumn and winter then I would suggest getting some slippers from http://www.kiwi-sheepskins.com/ if you don't have something similar already. :)

I have happy feet.

Christmas Tree Time!

I'm very excited! Jason and I went to Emart on Friday and got a Christmas tree and some ornaments. I know it is a little bit early at this point to put up a Christmas tree but it's the middle of November so why not? :D

Tree in box . . .

Tree out of the box . . . (please note, there are Korean instructions to help me)

Christmas in a bag! How awesome is that?!

Putting together the tree. I am such a happy camper right now.

Making the tree look like a tree . . .

Foreigner advertising Christmas Twinkle Lights
(note foot outstretched behind the tree (I'm keeping it in the splint, I'm so good)).

Lights are on! Woooo!

Jason having fun with the camera . . .

The glass ball ornaments came with gold and silver strings instead of the hook things I am used to. Some of the strings were tricky to get through the top part but I managed.

Decorated Christmas tree!

When more ornaments (if we get any) and presents are under the tree more pictures will be taken. :)

I am very happy it is the holiday season. I wish I was back home with the fam to celebrate and eat delicious food with them but I know I will get to talk to them thanks to Skype and see them if my sister gets a webcam (go Sis!).

Trip #2 to the Foot Doctor

Foot update:

Let's begin with the fact that Jason and I live on the 5th floor of this lovely building. You might think, that's not so bad... just take the elevator. Well, there is no elevator. I had to walk down all five floors to walk out to the front of the apartment complex to get a taxi.

The fun begins . . .

Half-way down . . .

Jason was having fun with the camera as I thought he would. :)

We took a taxi about 5-6 blocks and then got out here. I have walked past this place dozens of times but never noticed that an orthopedic surgeon keeps shop here.

Across the street . . .

I made it to the door! Wooo!

Inside it looks somewhat similar to a doctor's office back home but things run a little differently here. Luckily the nurses are really nice and when I look at them dumbfounded when they speak to me in fast Korean they do what they can to help me understand what's going on.

Waiting area. . .

I find this first poster especially amusing. For those of you 'foreigners' living in Korea, I think you'll know why.

During my first visit to the doctor I had x-rays taken of my foot. Luckily there were no broken bones (yay!). I like this picture.

Because it has been fairly difficult for me to move around even just in the apartment I asked the doctor for some crutches this time. When your options are putting all of your weight on one hip or using crutches for a few days . . . I'll take crutches, thanks. :)

Jason and I were both really hungry after the doctor visit so we walked the two blocks to Olive Garden. The picture below is of one of the intersections we got to cross rather quickly (especially while on crutches) to get to Olive Garden.

On crutches distances take on new dimensions . . . ugh.

Unfortunately, they were closed when we got there (we found out today that they close for a couple hours between lunch and dinner time).

On the way back to the street to catch a taxi Jason wanted to have his picture taken in front of this truck. It's amazing how tiny they are here! Imagine trying to put the two of us into one of those things . . . that would be a funny picture!!!

Since Olive Garden was closed Jason and I decided to go to VIPS. VIPS is amazing and always has good food. Nom!

We got to VIPS and they were still open. Wooo! Nom Nom!

In the lobby downstairs this little scene greeted us as we walked in the door. To me it looked like a baby shower for a boy was going to be held. There was no one nearby (let alone someone who spoke English) to ask so we went on our merry way.

After we stuffed ourselves with delicious food we headed over to Emart (a major department store in Korea--essentially Korea's version of Walmart) to look at some video games and whatever else struck our fancy. We ended up not getting any video games but after walking around a little bit we came around the corner and saw: Christmas!

We got to choose from a lot of different ornaments to go with our new Christmas tree. :)

So of course we purchased a Christmas tree and some ornaments. I love Christmas and it will be really fun to have a Christmas tree here in the apartment. I also got a little wreath to put at my desk at work. I think the other teachers in the office will find it amusing for a bit to see a mini-Halloween pumpkin candy holder and a Christmas wreath in the same space. lol

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Now, anyone who has ever had a broken foot or something similar where their circumstances required you to have a cast or splint on your leg will understand the 'interesting' and 'entertaining' venture of taking a shower without getting your cast or splint wet.

Step 1: Place your foot inside a large enough bag to cover the cast.

Step 2: Have boyfriend take slightly embarrassing photos so you can laugh at yourself later.

Step 3: Tie the bag above the cast to help keep water from entering the bag and ruining your cast or splint.

Step 4: Take nice, long, hot shower. :D

(Sorry--pics of that are "restricted.") :)

So instead Jason suggested I post this,

Please note: bag used to take a shower with is a garbage bag. Gotta love that!

At the end of the 3 minute visit with the doctor we set up a third appointment for next Wednesday. He told me I should wear the splint for another few days, and to use ice on it (didn't really specify length of time or anything--hmmm).

So . . . watch for an upcoming post about Trip #3 to the Foot Doctor next week.

One other thing: it's going to be 'real fun' to teach on crutches and/or sitting in a chair . . . more to follow on that topic next week too.