SICK MUCH?

I've been cooped up in my apartment all weekend sick and I guess the least I could do is write a post. I guess this past month could be summed up like this...

snow

cold weather

jackets

being sick

coughing children

Thanksgiving dinner

planning my trip to China

snow

being sick

being sick

Christmas party

being sick

fried chicken

It hasn't been snowing that much here yet but every time it does I still look outside in pure amazement. The other foreign teachers are so over my reaction but I couldn't care less. Then again, they're not from the land of perfect weather so I guess I could understand. I've had a cold for what seems like an eternity and it has finally progressed into an all out shit show. It's impossible to stay healthy this time of the year with little kids running around coughing on everything and everyone. On top of that, the weather is ridiculous averaging around 25 degrees. I guess I'll save the weather complaints for another day as I assure you this is not the end of them. Christmas will be spent in Shanghai this year and I'm so excited! We'll probably be there for about 3 or 4 days and take a train up north to Beijing for the remainder of our vacation. I've been completely slacking on the planning but I'm not too worried about it. Oh! FYI- It costs a US citizen $160 to get a Chinese Visa. If you're from ANY OTHER COUNTRY it's only $40. Alright I'm done.

side note - Korea knows what's up with fried chicken... really

INSIDE PAUL SMITH

Ok so my birthday post was unsuccessful for now but I'll get back to it later. I'd like to mention more important events that happened this past weekend. Actually, just one import event that happened this weekend. Paul Smith, a famous fashion designer from London, is showcasing his extensive art collection in Korea for the first time. This Sunday I had the opportunity to check it out and my creative senses have been revived once again. His collection ranged from well-known artists such as Shepard Fairey and Banksy, famous photos from magazines and pieces from students. On the third floor he showcased some of his photography as well as his stamped objects collection. For 15 years one of his fans has been sending him completely random objects to his house with stamps. To this day he has no idea who that person is, nor does he want to know. The objects were all shapes and sizes from a pair of skis, a torso form, an ET doll, a mail box... I hope to attend more events like this in the upcoming months as it's getting too cold to anything other than being indoors.

BIRTHDAY/HALLOWEEN IN KOREA

This picture completely sums up my night. I had the best birthday party ever! Pictures and an actual blog entry to follow... soonish.

PICTURE PERFECT

I haven't been that good at posting pictures lately. I don't really have an excuse except for the fact that I'm lazy. I figure I'll just post up some random pictures of the last 5ish months here.

hanging out with the girls at a 노래방 (singing room)

shopping at a local food market

testing out the benches at the Design fair with Vanessa

not too sure what the name of this dish was but it's pigs leg aka Korean style carnitas

my monkey socks and Vanessa's penguin socks after dinner

in Ayuthaya, Thailand with Charis

taking a stroll with Becca in Kanchanaburi, Thailand

had a rough night and decided to take a nap on the subway

taking the tram to the zoo!

Alright, that's it for today. Maybe if I'm feeling productive later I'll post some more.

Design for All

For the past couple of years Seoul, South Korea has hosted a massive design expo featuring professional artists and design students. Categories range from interior design, mixed media, paper goods, furniture design & architecture. I decided to check it out this weekend and there's no way I was able to see everything. I can't wait to go back again. It's being held at the Olympic Stadium till the end of October I believe. When we got there we noticed the baseball stadium was right next door and are definitely going back next weekend for a game! As per usual, it was a rainy weekend so I don't think we got to see the Expo at its full capacity since there were some major parts of the exhibit outside. I was however more than content with what I saw. I've been re-inspired yet again. Korea definitely got some cool points this weekend. Somethings I really just don't get about this country. However, I really appreciate their approach to design. I love its corkiness and the fact that things are made just for the sake of being silly, cute or simply aesthetically pleasing. Sure its fairly simple and at times there isn't much depth but there's nothing to think about. It's a note pad in the shape of a hand giving a thumbs up because who doesn't want a notepad in the shape of a thumbs up? To top it off, it's not outrageously priced. A designer sketchbook, a pocket planner, leather card holder and post-its in the shape of matches were all purchased for the pleasant price of $15.

AGAIN & AGAIN

A couple of weekends ago Vanessa got tickets to a 2PM concert through a friend. The only reason I even knew who they were is because every time we go to a 노래방 (noreabang) with our Korean friends, they end up singing this song. The concert was genius. We were basically the only foreigners there with the exception of maybe 2 other girls. We ended up taking our high school friend Jeff who just moved to Korea from San Diego. Surprisingly enough, he knew exactly who 2PM was and even most of their songs. The concert was everything I hoped for and more. It was cheesy and over the top. They did do some covers of US artists and I have to admit I was pretty pumped to hear a song or two I knew. They ended up covering JT, Usher, Alicia Keys and Maroon 5. Can I just add that those boys are hotties. It might have just been a combination of them being on stage with their 8 packs exposed but whatever. For now they're definitely my new crush/es.




Note - I don't know how to fix the size of the video to prevent it from cutting off. If anyone does, please let me know how.

A LOVE LETTER TO YOU

Happy 5 month anniversary Korea :) I felt it was only appropriate to write a love letter.

I love
your twinkling lights
staying awake till the sun comes up with you
your cheesy taste in music
the friends you've given me
the delicious $1 iced coffees at the mini store

that you recycle everything... even straws

how everything is so much cuter with ruffles and lace
the fact that even though I'll be on the first plane out of here as soon as my contract is over, you still continue to give me free refills of kimchi with ever meal.