It's T-Shirt Time!

Yes, I'm posting about the tackiest show on television. Jersey Shore. Hate it or love it, it's absolutely hilarious. Scripted or not, these people are ridiculous, and I have to admit, it's one of my new favorite shows. Honestly, who could hate the fake tans, dirty mouths, sky high hair and fist pumping? I. can't. stop. watching. Enjoy some of my favorite episodes.

Chuseok

Chuseok is one of Korea's most important holidays. Known as "Korean Thanksgiving," it's usually a 3 day holiday, leaving the streets of Seoul completely empty. Most Koreans visit their hometowns to pay respects to their ancestors. They play traditional folk games and eat lots of traditional foods.

Songpyeon (송편) is the most popular food eaten during Chuseok. Songpyeon is a type of rice cake made out of glutinous rice. These treats are crescent shaped and usually filled with sweet fillings like sweet red bean paste or sesame seeds & honey.

Lucky for me, my school put together another 'Cooking Day' and the kids and I made songpyeon in class. The rice dough was already steamed and the kids had the option of stuffing their songpyeon with beans, raisins or sweet potato. They ate this as their snack and washed it all down with a glass of milk.

Happy Chuseok!

Hello Kitty

Before moving to Korea, I never thought I would develop such a large crush on an animated character. Yes, people, I have come to love, and not just love- obsess over Hello Kitty. Before moving here, I was never a huge fan of the cat and always judged my friends (cough, Lucy) who had Hello Kitty memorabilia.

I've always been a Nijntje (Miffy) fan- I was exposed to the character by my little cousins in Amsterdam. I even brought a stuffed Nijntje back from Holland, so lets be honest, my love for Hello Kitty, came as a shock.

Teaching 6 year old Korean children has really gotten the best of me. I now own a Hello Kitty fan, markers, ball point pens, notebooks, stickers, stamps and have purchased 3 cell phone charms. Currently, there is a large Hello Kitty face, dangling from my cell phone.

I print out coloring sheets everyday for my kids- and yes 80% of them are Hello Kitty, but the kids love them and so do I, so I figure, why not embrace the cute cat with the perfect bow?

Today in class we talked about dreams. I asked my class what they dreamed about and whether their dreams were good or bad. One of the girls told me that she often dreamed about Hello Kitty and how her dreams were always very good.

The cat does wonders. (But Nijntje I still got your back!)

Konglish

English can be found everywhere in Korea. English phrases and/or words are printed on almost everything- but a lot of the time, the phrases do not make any sense. I'm grateful for these ridiculous phrases found in restaurants, on clothes, food items, and signs- it's quite amusing.

Napkin from Han's Deli-which is actually not a deli at all...not a sandwich in sight. Best part about this place: everything is made with love.

Countdown

18 DAYS UNTIL MS. AMY E. DAVIS ARRIVES IN SEOUL!

Thinking Of You

Oh heavenly day, all the clouds blew away
Got no trouble today with anyone
The smile on your face I live only to see
It's enough for me, baby, it's enough for me
Oh, heavenly day, heavenly day, heavenly day

Tomorrow may rain with sorrow
Here's a little time we can borrow
Forget all our troubles in these moments so few
All we've got right now, the only thing that
All we really have to do
Is have ourselves a heavenly day
Lay here and watch the trees sway
Oh, can't see no other way, no way, no way
Heavenly day, heavenly day, heavenly day

No one at my shoulder bringing me fears
Got no clouds up above me bringing me tears
Got nothing to tell you, I've got nothing much to say
Only I'm glad to be here with you
On this heavenly, heavenly, heavenly, heavenly
Heavenly day, all the trouble's gone away
Oh, for a while anyway, for a while anyway
Heavenly day, heavenly day, heavenly day

Patty Griffin- Heavenly Day

This song is just lovely and I can't stop listening to it. Apparently, James loved this song too. Thinking of you! xoxo

Plastic, please.

Food Stall in Namdaemun Market

Everywhere you go in Korea you will find plastic food. These beauties are found in restaurants, markets, and food courts. The plastic dishes are a major help when there is no English menu-- so you can just point to what looks good and know exactly what you are ordering. The artificial food is so legit, it almost looks edible. Every grain of rice is perfectly crafted and intricate. But, honestly, how much money is Korea spending just to produce plastic food?