Schlakum

First off, I wanted to start out by figuring out how much I spend on food - right now, as we speak.

This next part might be kind of boring to you, but not for me!
So, I eat cereal for breakfast everyday, so each bowl (including milk) is probably around $0.75. I eat lunch everyday for free provided by the school, so M-F lunch money is n/a. During the week for dinner, I usually have cereal or a PB&J... mmm. Each of those sandwiches are around $1.50.
SO - from Monday's breakfast until Friday's lunch, I am spending about ~ $10-13 max. Purty good I would say.
Now the weekend is where this changes dramatically. Friday night's meals out with "Big Spender Jothin" are like $15 on average. Saturday morning is cereal and lunch might be around $10. Saturday night's meal might average $15 again. Sunday morning is cereal and lunch could be $10. Sunday night could be $10 or cereal or PB&J, so we'll just say $5 dinner.
So, I guess I'm averaging $75 on food a week. That sounds kind of high. I think this week might have been more about $100... I'll try to cut down on those expensive meals.

So, I got my first bill this week. It was for electricity, gas, and water. Since I only turn on the heat to use the shower, and rarely use the lights, my first monthly bill was $18! haha I've been checking my meter box against my next-door neighbors, and theirs outputs 3X's the amount of kilowatts than mine.... girls.

This Friday, Jopim, Kristie, and I went to this performance called, "Nanta" which was extremely humorous and entertaining. They actually pulled me on stage to help them. It was pretty sweet. Check out their website. We then went to eat at this place called, Butterfinger Pancakes, and their pancakes rival my favorite, Cracker Barrel.

One of Jo'm's friends are leaving Korea to voyage back home for a while, so we had dinner at this place called, Tutti Matti. I don't know if I mentioned this place in a previous blog, but an Australian owns it, and J and I were given a tour of the place by the owner, Locklin several weeks ago. Well, we finally go and check out his place and bring in some customers. Now, you've got to realize I live in Apgujeong... the richest part of Seoul (that does not mean I make huge wads of money, I just teach their children)... thus, the shops are expensive. I forgot the meal's name, but it was amazing Australian steak meat with noodles that was $27 + a $10 glass of house wine. So that was my most expensive meal so far in Seoul.
Later that night, we all went to a Jimjilbong. Jimjilbongs are known for saunas, massages, and overnight sleeping. The co-ed part (saunas) are clothed, but the separate facilities are bare booty.... anyway, it was sweet. I would tell you all about it, but I'm tired.

On Sunday, we went to this market, and I got a backpack... haha... wow this sounds totally boring. We did much more than this, but I don't feel like writing about it, sad day.

Korea is pretty sweet. The exchange rate kina stinks because when I do send money back, I'll lose about $300 to ever $1,000 I send.

Alright, someone leave a comment already.. .just so I know I'm not just writing this for fun, because fun is not allowed. Hope whoever (or whomever?) reads this is doing well!!

Slokes 'n bomes

Well, I guess I'm a little behind on the updates.
Last weekend, Jonathan, Kristie, another couple, and I went to the cherry blossom festival in Yoidi (a small island) in Seoul. On the way, we saw some police decked out in their full-riot gear regalia because of a transportation protest nearby. On this warm day, I decided to bust out my red bandanna for such an occasion. Anyway, as we walked by the riot police, I noticed many of them staring at me - I presumed my foreign fashion looked silly to them... so I stared back, unbeknownst to the reason for their watchful eyes! As we got closer to the protest, I noticed that all the protesters were wearing a little special something on their heads.... YES, a red bandanna! lol I have this entire thing on video, too - the stares, the realization, the laughter.
On Easter Sunday, we went to the Yoido Full Gospel Church, the largest Christian church in the Milk Way, what-what. Jonathan, Foster (a Canadian), and I, aboot, did the cherry blossom walk again and threw the ole foosball around.

This weekend, I went to Costco and E-Mart and bought some stuff, including my first frying pan! I can now almost make spaghetti (I just need a pot to boil the noodles). I am planning on buying a convection oven soon so I will be able to bake cookies and lasagna. I also bought a dresser and other knick-knacks paddy whack give a dog a bone.
Yesterday, I also bought some draino stuff at E-Mart because the drain in my bathroom sink was slowly draining. I let it work its magic, and then when I pushed down on the "drainer-majig," the entire pipe under the sink collapse and the best smelling stuff made its debut. It was splendid. I relieved the pipes of its clog - hair and gunk basically. My next-door neighbor, who works with me, had the same problem, and she said the landlord replaced all the pipes in her bathroom, so... here's to hoping.

Oh, a Korean teacher at my school will soon be teaching me 'the language' starting in May. As of right now, I can read it, but usually have no idea what it says.

I'll post pics and videos when I have time. Such a busy bee in KO-rea. Oh, here's my cell phone number: (806) 589-0127. Since it is a Lubbock area code, it won't cost any of you Me-gooks (Americans) a thing, only me... remember I'm 14 hours ahead.

List

So here's what I did this week:

-Went to a Korean Folk Village (Korean life 150 odd years ago). It was pretty interesting.
-Walked around the "Great Wall of Korea", ha not really known by that name, but it was a massive, long fortified wall
-Had a sweet meal on the floor
-Visited the biggest (member) church in the world: 650,000 members? They had special headsets that were translated into English, Russian, Japanese, French, Spanish, and perhaps Vietnamese... no love for my Germans
-Went to this sweet aquarium where I saw Nemo, Dora, and that totally rad Turtle
-Damaged North Korea's missile with my slingshot

I'll post pics lata... peace