Today one of the kids at our school brought in the coolest show and tell ever:
Not just cute, Korean shit cute
Later, there was a fire downstairs, but the two incidents do not seem to be related–for now.
Thinking November 15, 2008
Thinking, originally uploaded by Jake & Kristin.
This little family was hanging out in Tapgol Park enjoying the beautiful fall afternoon last weekend. The dapper fellow in the blue hat was busy contemplating the pigeons, trying out going up and down stairs, and generally looking quite thoughtful.
As miserably hot and sticky as the summer was, autumn has almost made up for it. Today was cloudy, crisp, and a little rainy. Delightful. Maybe tomorrow we’ll trek up the hill to the University and get a few pictures of the fall foliage.
Great Hunter August 21, 2008
Seagulls, originally uploaded by Jake & Kristin.
This was one of the many seagulls that were attempting to catch and eat the passengers aboard the ferry we took around Daecheon. We were unaware of the danger when we signed up for the trip. Some of them, like this one, got within feet of us. Fortunately, the Koreans on board knew that the gulls could be fended off by throwing a steady stream of squid-flavored crisps at them.
In spite of the danger, we couldn’t help but be captivated by the sight of these birds flying so close to us alongside of the boat. They’re really quite pretty.
Train Tickets August 13, 2008
After being told it was easy to book tickets online for the BIG TRAIN to Daecheon Beach, we were hopeful that we would be able to handle this small task on our own. And we did–if you consider requiring the help of two different computers, several colleague attempts, and finally the Korean boss doing it for you over the phone on your last day before vacation “on your own.” Ah. So. We got the tickets and are heading down there on Friday afternoon, back late on Sunday. Late.
In other news, it is still bloody HOT here. We finally got bank accounts and check cards so let the spending spree begin! Or, OR…we could pay off a credit card or student loan (*yawn*). But I am trying to consider this expedition as an extended vacation. So that when we get home and end up not going anywhere for several years I can think back to the year-long vaykay I just returned from and just shut the hell up.
We have so far (hint) received two care packages. Thank you thank you thank you. Today, from Jen and Chris and Co. we got soup fixin’s, peppermint soap, Annie’s(!), and organic puddings for Jake’s b-day! So I’m off the hook which is AWESOME. Last month we got cookies and flips and paper towels from my Ma and Co. which was also AWESOME. Next month? Let’s see…we will need some rice milk to go with those cookies and hoppy beers to with the Mac and Cheese. Great. Thanks. Just kidding, people. We are eternally grateful for the gifts. We love and miss real cheese you very much!!
O.k. “pizza” just arrived with my husband Jakewhoisalmostthirty so I gotta go. Besos todo y’all.
p.s. the above picture is a tribute to something we could barely get ourselves to WALK by in America, let alone pause by for a photo op. Funny, our alliances are completely retarded (in the classic sense) in this country. As in, “Yea! A f*&#ing Popeyes!”
The Semi-Daily Photo August 13, 2008
Pups, originally uploaded by Jake & Kristin.
We’ve been woefully inadequate lately about presenting you, gentle reader, with a daily photo of our lives so that at least one of your senses may be delighted. For this regrettable behavior, we apologize.
However, we would like to point out that on your computer screen, somewhere to the right of these words is a vertical strip of three photos. These photos represent a link to a series of photos that we have placed on a website called Flickr. If you would like to serve your eyes with a bountiful feast, click on one of the images in the strip, or on the semi-daily photo, and peruse our photo album at your leisure. Also, feel free to comment here on our blog or on Flickr.
Subway Ride Home August 10, 2008
A Calm Afternoon…, originally uploaded by Jake & Kristin.
Guess what? As of today, we’ve been here for two months. Crazy. More later….
Emergency Footwear August 5, 2008
Emergency Footwear, originally uploaded by Jake & Kristin.
So while we were in Seoul we did a lot of walking around. One of us did it in flip-flops, at least for a while. Once again, Converse saved the day. The best part is the FUBU socks someone picked out for someone else. Notice how cute someone’s feet are, even shod. Just saying.
Butterflies and Butt-kicking August 4, 2008
Good Sport, originally uploaded by Jake & Kristin.
This is Brian, one of my older students. As you can tell from the belt, he’s at the top level kids can obtain at his Tae Kwon Do school until they get a bit older. He’s a good kid, but very much the tough guy. Further, his class is at that age when, just for example, if you happen to read Sleeping Beauty out loud together as a class and get to the part where the prince kisses the princess, they loose their minds and turn into writhing, giggling, little monkeys for the next five minutes. They put a great deal of effort into being either the most boyish of boys or the most girlish of girls. So I was very proud of him for being a good sport and agreeing to color a butterfly for me.
I want to decorate my classroom a bit, but am too lazy to actually do a lot of work myself, so I had all of my kids color a butterfly. I’m going to stick pictures of their faces over the butterfly heads, cut out the butterflies, laminate ‘em, and hang ‘em up with fishing wire. It’s going to be totally awesome.
Into the Neon August 3, 2008
Into the Neon, originally uploaded by Jake & Kristin.
At the end of a long day wandering around Seoul we passed by this busy side street near the Namdaemun. Even though we had already walked down plenty of other similar streets we couldn’t resist going down one more. As it turned out it was well worth it. We got to see some seafood stalls with piles of unidentifiable pink intestiny looking stuff, a few more suicidal delivery moped drivers, and, most importantly, some very drunk businessmen giggling like children as they stumbled down the street.
The Namdaemun August 2, 2008
The Namdaemun, originally uploaded by Jake & Kristin.
A little while before we were going to leave for Korea, some guy burned down this ancient city gate in Seoul. We were pretty sad that someone would destroy such an amazing relic of human history. Also, it meant we wouldn’t get to see it. Jerk. Anyway, we wandered by the site anyhow, just to see. It looks like it isn’t the end of the story for the Namdaemun.
We’ve got a few friends over tonight, and I’m being antisocial, so it’s time to go dispose of a beer.
K
J
