Odds & Ends

I don't eat pancakes THAT often in Vancouver, but it's nice to have that option. I guess one of the biggest struggles I've had in Korea is my option with food. And of course when that option is taken away you start to want it more. I finally made it out to one of the more well known pancakes house in Seoul. It is called Butterfinger Pancakes at Gangnam. 

Kristen and I went after our wonderful Lady Gaga concert. I had an omelet and Kristen had the waffle platter. Since we are eating foreign food the prices are more than what you'd expect for a Korean meal. The prices on the menu run between 10 000 - 35 000 won depending on what you are getting. Most of the standardized meals are about 12 000 - 18 000won. This is just what I am recalling from memory, don't quote me on it... Thinking about it the price I paid wasn't more than what I would pay at home after tax and tip so I wasn't too heartbroken since the food was great!

Of course if you are used to your 5 000won Korean meal you might feel bad paying 16 000won for a meal these days. However, if its only once in a while I don't feel it's that bad to splurge!!! Next time they have this great waffle platter with 6 different types of ice creams and about 10 different types of sauces and syrups that I MUST try before I leave!

On a very random note, in Korea it is hard to find Lemon Ice Tea. For some reason they have a huge fascination for Peach Ice Tea and it's everywhere. Most places only offer Peach Ice Tea...I'm not a big fan so when I finally found Lemon, I was too excited I had to take a picture.

 Now that I have been here for over a year, I think my mentality and actions are very routine like. I haven't been as adventurous and sometimes I really just want to stay in my dorm room and sleep. I know I should be out and about since I have less than 2 months left, but I can't help but feel like I live here.

One Sunday (May 13) I met up with my food friend from Vancouver, Tiffany, who happens to me in Seoul as well. We went wandering around Hongdae and found this small place Moi (pronounced Mo Ee) that served great fusion food. They also had some wonderful side dishes! Not your traditional Korean side dishes but SO delicious none-the-less.

Lastly it is graduation photo season! I love this time because I get to see all my friends get dressed up and look gorgeous. This semester I seem to know even more people graduating. Including my wonderful roommate. She took her photos this year because she's technically not graduating till August of next year, not February like everyone else, but they don't do another batch of photos for August graduates. Just the standardized February graduates. So she got all dressed up and took them this year!

Although we're not experiencing the normal weather this semester, I am enjoying this spring. That is because it is cooler than what I remember last year. At night time it is still quite chilly AND I am not complaining because this definitely reminds me of Vancouver! I can still go for a run at night and it feels refreshing, not suffocating. I will update about Sports Fest, the Dream Concert and Spring Festival soon!!!

Born This Way Ball Kickoff

Kristen convinced me to purchase tickets to see Lady Gaga in concert in Seoul. At first I was a bit hesitant because I like Lady Gaga but I wasn't sure if I wanted to see her live. However, after looking at how reasonable the prices were I decided to go. I was very happy I went, I realized I actually know a lot of her songs so I was able to sing my heart out. Even though we were quite far from the stage it was still a nice party. I also found out the Seoul concert was the kickoff to her World Tour! She is a fabulous performer and I thoroughly had a really good time. I'm glad Kristen decided to persuade me to go.

Countdown

Recently when I think of counting down days, I feel I should be looking forward to something. Obviously that is not always the case, but more often then not, people tend to countdown to things they are looking forward to. However, for me, this particular countdown is not pleasant. I'm not consciously counting down my time left here in Korea, but it did hit me recently that I have less than 2 months here at SCH and less than 2.5 months left here in Korea.

My heart now has two homes. My last year and a bit here in Korea has been amazing. I truly cannot really point out too many down points. Maybe it's because I'm a positive person or the fact that the down points weren't that bad to begin with. Whichever, it's good to know I have such a positive time to reflect on and look back at when I am older.  I will never be able to forget my time here in Korea. Although I want to stay longer, I definitely feel this experience has run it's course. And as much as I'll hate leaving, it's also time to return home.

I will miss my new family here in Korea dearly, but I know sooner or later I will be back...
As this chapter of my life is closing, I will prepare for the next stage in my life...
I am looking forward to where life may take me next!

Cherry Blossoms at SCH

Once again it is that time of the year where until the rain comes, I have been taking pictures like no tomorrow of the Cherry Blossom trees on campus. I have been informed this year that not only are there Cherry Blossoms on campus, we also have Japanese Apricot treas and Magnolias! I am a bit sad this year because my classes are so far from Phoenix Field I cannot see the kindergartners run around everyday. Luckily I was able to catch one batch of them! When there is a festival, our school's campus seems more alive. Normally it's bustling, but a new type of energy definitely is in the air when a festival is going on. I cannot wait for the school festival to arrive at the end of the month!


During the Cherry Blossom Festival friends will have picnics together on Phoenix field. They will eat, play games, take pictures and drink makgoli (a type of Korean Rice Wine) together. During the festival the picnics are the most prevalent, but since this indicates that Spring has arrived from this point on more people will be eating and drinking in the fields.

Since the weather has been cooperating I have also been out and about taking pictures and having a relaxing lunch on the field. I heard my school is one of the luckier ones since we have Cherry Blossoms on campus. We don't have to travel very far to enjoy this time!

My favourite sophomores, Annalee and Seong Tae =)

 My roommate and one of her best friends, Sae Rom and Hae In

 Even during exchange sessions everyone wants to go outside. Recently many people have been meeting in the lounge, due to the lovely weather the lounge has been empty! As it should be...

My lovely exchange partner Cha Hee

 And I discovered we also have a rabbit sharing the campus with us. This isn't my first time spotting the rabbit actually, but today I was able to get a better shot!!! Ain't he cute?

My classmate Yu Yong.

 Kristen rocking the "I've got allergies, but I so don't care..." look.

The KINDERGARTNERS! Such cuties.

During my Friday morning exchange, my partner and I crashed my previous semesters Korean Speaking Teacher's Korean class. Since the weather was so beautiful they had an outdoor class =) How perfect.

 My exchange Hye Seon and I =)

We heard the rain was coming on the weekend, so at the end of the day we just enjoyed the very last moments of the weather and scenery before calling it a night and going to dinner.

Some stronger Cherry Blossom trees were able to survive the rain that did come that weekend. Now our campus is lush and green! Although I enjoy seeing the campus look so bright, the bugs have also invaded =( It's time to prepare for the invasion. Here at Soon Chun Hyang, because it's the country side, there are SO many different types of bugs...I'm definitely not a fan. I hope they stay away for a long period of time...maybe?