Best worst idea.

In Korea, you can go to a cafe for tea, and then dress up and have professional photos taken.

So we did.

Currently listening to:  Toxic, Britney Spears.

Tada!

Welcome to Korea Liz!

And a pretty pink bow to boot.

My Christmas tree is particulary adorable this year.  I made all my ornaments from scrap material and backed them with felt.  It's all Dala horses and Matroyshka dolls. 

 Oh yeah, I also made monogrammed stockings. 

 Ridiculous. 

Don't you wish you were going to be sitting around this tree, playing Wii for Christmas?

Currently listening to:  Baby It's Cold Outside; Dean Martin.

Hippo Hero

Happy Hippo 1, originally uploaded by Namey McNamerson.

I've been insanely busy lately. However, my kindergarteners and I are working hard on our Christmas performance piece. This year's song is "I Want A Hippopotamus For Christmas" which is awesome...until 9 or so at night when I can't get the song out of my head. They'll have dance with little hippos mounted on sticks. It isn't as rad as last year's little "Mele Kalikimaka" number, but it should still bring the house down.

Currently listening to: Anything but Christmas music with the word hippo in it.

So I says to the guy...

Look at Kim Jong-Il and his stunner shades.

I bet he just told the best joke anybody had ever heard.

It is hard to believe that this maniac is hours away from my front door.  Despite the recent reveal of a full on modern nuclear weapons making system up in the DPRK, I couldn't be less worried.  People here aren't phased by news from the North.  I'm much more concerned with the state of their people.  They desperately need help, and instead they have this maniac dumping all their cash (what little there is) into weapons and his personal exploits. 

When I was in the states, I would check the DPRK website for their hilarious news stories.  The website is blocked here, but you should check it out-  http://www.korea-dpr.com/. 

Anyway, it's almost Thanksgiving and we already had some amazing pumpkin pie (Costco!).  We couldn't wait.

Currently listening to:  We Used to Wait;  Arcade Fire.

Sweet potato pie.

We went to a sweet potato farm. 

 (The school's name in Korean)

How cute is this?  These boots and tights were cuter than I could even stand.  See how cute the kids' fall stuff is!

Currently listening to:  The Vacationer;  Hungry Kids From Hungary.

Fall.

It's fall in Korea.  The leaves are changing and quickly falling.  Winter is creeping in and will bring with it my awesome house guests and Christmas!  I love the kids' fall outfits here.  Lots of super cute patterns and tons of layers.  On Thursday, we will be visiting a sweet potato farm (I know right?)...so that should provide some adorable fall pictures. 

Currently listening to:  Somewhere Only We Know, Keane.

I love your leg warmers.

Halloween was awesome.

Currently listening to:  White Sky, Vampire Weekend.

I like your ascot.

Happy Halloween

Yes.  We're going to be what you think.

Currently listening to: In Our Talons, Bowerbirds.

he or she.

(source)

I haven't been home in a while, but I have two huge pieces of home coming to me in 8 weeks. I am beyond excited. I love sharing my wanderlust with people I love!

Currently listening to: Lovers In Japan/Reign Of Love, Coldplay.

Isn't she lovely?

Weddings are fun wherever you are in the world. My co-worker got married last Saturday and was gracious enough to invite all of us. Things are done a little differently around here, but it was still a special event.

 

 

On Sunday, we finished off a frisbee filled day with galbi at our favorite local place.


It was a beautiful evening and we could still eat outside which is just awesome. Plus they give me all the kimchijong (kimchi pancake) I can eat!

Currently listening to: Silver Dagger, Dolly Parton.

Hiding behind masks.

The Bride (she doesn't exactly have that bridal glow).



The Flirtatious Girl. Yes I made it.



Andong is a pretty cute little town and home to 안 동 찜 닭 (Andong amazing chicken stew is my translation for you).

Currently listening to: Jealous Of The Moon, Nickel Creek.

lovely locks

I'm obsessed with the locks at Seoul Tower.
(I love how there is a sign telling you to not throw your key away. I think they mean don't throw your key off the tower, but it comes off as "Keep your key...you might need it if things don't work out".)

The Bau House cafe is the coolest place ever created. A cafe full of dogs. Yes.

Little kids in Hanboks never get less cute.


Seoul is fun when it isn't dumping 12" of rain like it did the first day of our trip. Oh well, I was able to get some shopping done. Plus the hotel bed had a sweet down comforter and a soft mattress which is unheard of around here!

Currently listening to: This Sweet Love, James Yuill.

And we're off!

(source)

It's 추석 (Chuseok) which means it is time to get out of town. I'm going to eat as much songpyeong (rad rice cakes filled with sweet stuff) as I can find. Enjoy the holiday!

P.S. The photo link also tells all about Chuseok and has lots of other awesome photos.

Currently listening to: Bleeker Street, Simon and Garfunkle.

Go.

August, 26 2010, originally uploaded by Parker Fitzgerald.

I'm getting geared up for the next big thing.

Currently listening to: the sound of my fan bringing the cool, pre-fall air in.

Of course.

This is part of a window display in a clothing store.



Korea is so weird sometimes. I have no doubt Coco Chanel talked about constipation and other things while she was clearly drunk...

Currently listening to: Ottoman, Vampire Weekend.

paints

Body painting is quite the art.


However, all I could really think about was what if they needed to go to the bathroom...

There were students from a local art college doing portraits at the festival too.



I've never seen someone so delighted to have their portrait done. Maybe she was just disappointed because she had come to be a body paint model.

Currently listening to: The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, Lauryn Hill.

A dozen green apples

My favorite fabric market never ceases to provide me with fun fabrics that are begging to be turned into something. So what did I do with this hot glue gun and green apple extravaganza?



Why I made a bag for my yoga mat. That's what.



It even has a little cinch at the top to hold my pretty pink mat in there tight.

(Of course that is my ultimate fabric find in the background.)

Making things is my ultimate stress release. I get so focused I can't think about anything else. Korea has given me an endless plethora of crafting options, and I've gotten elbows deep into it. It's amazing.

Currently listening to: Hills and Valleys, The Rocket Summer.

fabulous.

I need these for the opera house.



We went there this weekend to see the Choi Trio (three amazing, young, talented ladies who can play the piano, violin, and cello like nobody's business). We sat in the nosebleed seats and I would have rocked the house with old school opera glasses. I wonder where in Korea I can find them...

The summer is quickly coming to an end and there is still so much to do! Sorry to those I've been missing on Skype so much lately. Once the weather turns, I'll be home on the weekends more :) (maybe).

Currently listening to: Cello Suite No. 1, Bach.

Look Dad!

After a scavenger hunt for the ingredients, I attempted my Dad's famous no bake cookies. While I didn't achieve quite the perfection, they are awfully close. I'm quite pleased.

Currently listening to: Waltz (Better than Fine), Fiona Apple.

Warm sand on my toes.

The South Pacific is an amazing place in the world.




Quiet. Mostly untouched. Glorious. And I barely scratched the surface. There are a hundred other islands waiting for me.

Currently listening to: First Train Home; Imogen Heap.

holiday.

White sand. Blue waters. Sunshine. Heaven.
Be back soon xo

Currently listening to: You Can't Always Get What You Want, The Rolling Stones.

an extension

A few more things I've learned:

1. It is possible to have a job that you love and make enough money to live on and save.
2. Things are not always what they seem.
3. I can read Korean which makes subways, buses, menus, and other basic tasks way easier.
4. Body language and hand motions can get you though most situations. If all else fails, smile.
5. Don't feel bad about something failing after you put your heart and soul into it.
6. Take compliments humbly and with grace.
7. Get out there and do stuff. As much stuff as you can.
8. An afternoon is well spent on a cafe patio playing cards.
9. Most things can be figured out with a few phone calls or an internet search.
10. I'm thankful for more than I could begin to list.

So, May 2011 will likely come as quickly as these first 8 months have passed.

currently listen to: Ambivalence Avenue, Bibio.

요가

A few things about Korean yoga:

1. Blocks are for quitters.
2. Your downdog can always be deeper.
3. If you aren't sweating, you aren't doing it right.
4. Language is no barrier.
5. Just when you think you can't, you can.
6. Go with the flow.

I love it. It is one of the best things I've done here for myself.

currently listening to: Somewhere Over The Rainbow, Judy Garland.

She sells seashells

This woman was on the beach in Busan. A traditional Hanbok and tennis shoes. On the beach. Love.

This summer has already been filled with amazing things. Summer goes quickly after the 4th of July (which I honestly almost forgot about...). Still 4 weeks till vacation!


currently listening to: The Dress Looks Nice on You, Sufjan Stevens.

War

We took a field trip to a local Korean War museum.






How do you explain war to kids?

currently listening to: Hey Ya (acoustic cover), Matt Weddle.

A born star

My amazing friend Wayne is competing for his own show on Oprah's new network. He needs all the votes he can get! He puts his heart and soul into everything he does which I admire more than anything. This project is no different for him. He deserves his show and will do great things!




Click on the link to vote!
http://myown.oprah.com/audition/index.html?request=video_details&response_id=11426&promo_id=1

Good luck Wayne! Love you!

Soccer and goodbyes

Korea is taking the World Cup very seriously, as they do with any competitive activity (reading, writing, testing, skating, etc.). I didn't realize how amazing it would be to watch the Korea VS. Greece game surrounded by Koreans. Every little movement on the screen evoked gasps and cries. People blocked the streets and stopped traffic in order to get a glimpse of the Tvs showing the game all over the city. We stood outside of a bar and watched from the street.





On a sad note, this weekend we had to say goodbye to Lisa. She insisted on going back to Denver. We sent her off in style.


currently listening to: Crosses, Jose Gonzalez.

dark rooms

Goodbye, originally uploaded by Mr&Mrs Suhaimi.

I miss using film. My poor TLR is in a box (or possibly being used as a decorative item in my sister's apartment...). I would love to dig up an old TLR here and turn my bathroom into a darkroom on Sundays. There are few places in this world that are more relaxing than the darkroom. Meanwhile, I am using my digital and learning to appreciate it for what it is. But, it isn't film.