snack time!

This is one of my kids all-time favorite snacks- fried ramyeon noodles flavored with seasoning.

It comes in a few different flavors- chicken, sausage, spicy and what looked like steak. I tested out the chicken flavor...

First, you have to break up the noodles- it's easy to do between two hands but some children like to violently beat the bag on a chair or desk. Once the noodles are broken you add the delicious, sodium filled flavor package. And last, you close the bag and shake it up so the delicious powder is distributed evenly. There are many times when I walk into the classroom and there are noodles and powder everywhere from the process of putting this snack together.

before

after

Every time we go on a field trip, the kids always bust these snacks out of their bookbags and start ferociously shaking them up and passing microscopic pieces of noodles out to their friends. The noodles are pretty tasty and addicting, but I wouldn't say it was worth the 410 calories per bag.

today.

In-spite of the current events (which are just a little bit unsettling...) I made an incredible dinner. I love cooking, but it has been really difficult cooking here without an oven and with only a small pot and a pan. I've been aching for some soup (one that is not flavored with octopus, anchovies or small dried shrimp) and recently purchased a massive amount of beans at the foreign food market in Itaewon. I bought lentils and split peas. So tonight, I whipped up some lentil stew. It was supposed to be soup- but I forgot how much lentils soak up all the liquid...guess I added too many?

the end result

It turned out better than expected. Sometimes, there is nothing better than a hot bowl of soup (or I guess stew?) and bread for dippage.

The new time change is really making it difficult to talk to everyone at home. It's 11PM now and only 9AM in Maryland and I'm already exhausted and could barely make it through skyping with my mom and dad. I didn't realize an hour would make such a difference!

night everyone! xoxo

woof.

Yesterday, Haley took me to a cafe called Bauhaus in Hongdae. This was not your ordinary cafe. Bauhaus is a dog cafe. You walk inside and you think you are stepping into a kennel. Walk through the puppy fence and you have at least 20 dogs barking and running towards you. You sit down in a big, comfy booth and are immediately attacked by dogs of all sizes. This would totally not fly in the US.

There are about 15 or so dogs that live in the cafe but people often bring their dogs to Bauhaus to hang out and play with others. The cafe also has babysitting.

Entrance to this cafe is free but you are required to order one drink. I got a peppermint tea but was way more excited about being around dogs for the first time in 9 months. At first, it made me a bit homesick and I was really starting to miss my dogs at home. Then I looked around and realized 1. there are dogs running around on the tables 2. people are eating and drinking while dogs are peeing on the walls around them (no worries- employees immediately cleaned it up) and 3. these dogs don't understand English. It was weird to see that the dogs in this cafe didn't recognize "good boy" or "sit." I wonder if they realized we looked different?

Dog cafe-such a great concept, and was worth every slobbery second.

When In Doubt...

My dinner tonight (thanks to Trish for the idea) it was so quick and easy!

Stir fried tofu, oyster mushrooms, red pepper and onion with a peanut-garlic-chili-soy sauce. YUM.

The picture doesn't do it justice, I could have licked the pan.

Twin Day

black&white apples

green kiwis

Pepero Day!

Happy Pepero Day!

It's Pepero Day, people! Pepero (빼빼로) is a cookie stick coated in chocolate. Pepero Day is a bit like Valentines Day, but instead of cards everyone gives pepero to their friends, families and teachers. The special date 11/11 resembles four sticks of pepero.

Weeks before this glorious day the stores became packed with pepero of all shapes and sizes-gigantic pepero, pepero dipped in pink chocolate, heart shaped pepero and all of them are decorated with lovey dovey phrases like "I'll never find someone like you. I'm promise, It's true. Just your smile." (not a typo.)

Alrighty then.

My kids gave me tons of pepero today, and as of right now I'm in a pepero coma. I think I'll be staying away from it for the rest of my time here.

hair

Many of the kids at school get perms. Even the 6 year olds. Their hair goes from being pin straight to luscious waves. In Seoul, fashion/beauty is really no joke- it starts at a young age. Heres an example:

Before the perm...

After...already resembling a k-pop star

Moo.

Happy Birthday Moomoo! Wish I could be there to celebrate with my favorite Chip + Dale. A few kids wanted to wish you a happy birthday...

"Happy Birthday Hannah Teacher's grandmother!" love- Kiwi Class

Only a few short months until I will be home! Enjoy a pint of Hagen Daz for me :)

Love you and miss you so much!

big hugs and kisses ♥

Ramyeon

I've always been a huge fan of ramen. Its fast, cheap and delish but my love for it has extended since living in Seoul. Ramyeon 라면 is found EVERYWHERE in this country. There are at least 20 different kinds at any variety store. Usually you can find people eating ramyeon in and out of these convenient stores at all times- including breakfast. At every store there is boiling water, so you can eat your ramyeon instantly. At the grocery store there is an entire isle dedicated to the noodles. Although it's loaded with calories and sodium, its hard to resist late at night or after a long night of drinking. Most of the ramyeon is spicy but you can find a variety of flavors including beef, chicken, kimchi (of course), spaghetti, and my latest discovery... CHEESE. May be even better than kraft dinner. looove.