I Think I'm Turning Korean, I Think I'm Turning Korean, I Really Think So...

Hello Peeps!

It's been awhile since my last update, but I've been pretty busy with work. I'm pretty sure I'm sleeping right now as I type this. I'm sleep-typing. Comes with the territory of being a Kindergarten teacher.

Anyway, as I continue to immerse myself into the Korean culture, I find that I am slowly starting to blend in. You know, minus my blonde hair.

The subway maps are no longer cryptic runes, and I am more than comfortable walking down the street and seeing the city as my home.

These streets. This is a typical sidewalk here. The red path is supposedly for bikes, but people walk on them anyway. The yellow strips are what I have been told are for the blind so that they can feel where they are going. They are actually very nice looking walks, and very wide.

Another thing I've noticed is that my style has changed. I wear leggings with baggy sweaters like most of the women here do, with giant scarves. And when I say scarves, I mean the big thick knitted ones. They're amazing.

Also, I've started getting more into make up. I've stated before that I was never one for make-up back home, but now, because of the price I've gotten more into them. Also, one other thing that I forgot to mention....


THE FREE GIVEAWAYS! OH MY GAWD IT'S LIKE CHRISTMAS!!

I've gotten a lot of free things from cosmetics stores, and the more you buy, the better the prize.

BEHOLD! The mighty owl blanket! You wear it as a cape and the owl head can be worn like a hood. I put it on and transform into.... OWL GIRL! DEFENDER OF JUSTICE AND FURRY WOODLAND CREATURES!

No really, I do. I jump around my room squawking like a maniac. I get bored. And let's just say that my walls are very thin....

BEHOLD! The mighty... Okay, whatever, it's a cell phone holder. And I very cute one at that. It's wings are pose-able, so you can lay your phone on the side if you want while it charges, or just use it as a stand. Too bad you can't just buy this one, I already have requests from back home for these.

DO NOT FEAR CITIZENS! OWL GIRL SHALL DO HER BEST!!

Moving on, before I embarrass myself further....

My bunny sleepy mask. I've never needed to use one of these until now. My window is huge, like, half the size of my room, so the sun shines in like its coming at me with a vendetta. So, on the weekends when I actually see the sun when I get up, I use it to a get a few extra hours of shut eye.

It's also one of the cutest things I've ever seen.

I bought a teddy bear. He is big.



This guys name is Rilakkuma, and I believe he originates from Japan. All of the kids over here love him, and he has a ton of merchandise.

He is cuddly, and I love him and I hug him and he is mine.

Another thing I've noticed about Korea is the outrageous prices on electronics and appliances.

This 50" TV is over $2000! That's crazy!

This is a microwave. Granted, it's fairly large, but it's still almost $300.

Lol, this one's on sale! In all seriousness though, not a bad price.

So, after weeping at the prices of appliances, I decided I needed a pick me up, so you know what I did?

That's right, I looked at puppies!

This dachshund puppy reminds me of my old dog Copper so much, it's crazy. This little guy looks just like him! And he rolls around on his back just like Copper did! Adorable.

Another thing about Korea that very different from home are it's advertisements and store names.

Exhibit A:

Umm, what? What a bizarre shoe ad. And I don't know about you, but I don't think I want to own a shoe called "The Streaker". A typical conversation would start out like "Hey, what are you wearing?" "Oh, just my streakers."

Again, what?

This makes me giggle. Why is there a clothing store called "Teenie Weenie?" What is that implying? I see they sell men's clothing as well as women's. I don't see any tiny sausages or wiener dogs.

What is this magical place, and what does it do? 


Well, I guess I'll end this post on a big positive note.

Or, you know a large monthly planner. I love things like this, you know they're honest. It's telling you that it has nothing to hide.

Until next time amigos!



 

Christmas in Korea, a new obsession with nail polish, and "Oh, Wow." moments

So, I've been in Korea for three months now, and the holiday season is upon us. Bells are ringing, carolers come singing at my doorstep, and Christmas music fills the air with joyful merriment.

Except that it doesn't. Christmas here is a lot more muted than it is back home, and I like it. I see the odd Christmas tree and decorations, and the odd song on the radio, but nothing to the extent that it is back home. It's refreshing to say the least. Oh, and no one says "Merry Christmas!" to me every five seconds, and if they are, I can't understand them anyways.

But if there's one things that's wholly unchanged, it's the sales, and they're apparently a big friggin' deal.

I don't know what a "challenge sale" is, but consider is accepted. What, am I supposed to run through the aisles like a raving lunatic, grabbing everything I possibly can that says "sale", "two for one", or "30% off"?

No? Oh, sorry, that's Canada. I went into this department store, and it was fairly tame. No one was trying to push through anyone to get to that must have item. It was, however, a pretty ritzy place.

Behold, the Coach store. And I didn't even have to wait in line to get in. In fact, I think I was the only person in the store.

A sales person followed close beside me as my heart nearly stopped looking at all the prices. If you thought they were expensive in Canada, they're much more here. The average bag ran for about $500.00.

Now it's time for a round of "What's wrong with this picture?" Just take a look at these leg warmers and tell me what's wrong with them. You have thirty seconds. Go.


















Figure it out? No? Well here's a closer look.

Um, what? Yeah, I'm sure these "toe socks" will keep my feet nice and warm.

A nice Christmas ad on the door of a bakery. He reminds me of the classic Pepsi Santa for some reason. I frequent this bakery often. The manager knows me.

Oh wow. This is an ad for jewellery. It reads "We thank you from the bottom of my heart for your concern and encouragement last year. Merry Christmas and Happy new year And we wish you full of good luck and prosperity."




I don't really know what to make of it....

Christmas display in Toys R Us. It's bigger than I thought it would be.

I think these are lights. Seems pretty expensive for a string of lights though. I kinda want some for my room all year round so I can make a more dimmed glow in my room.

This is.... I don't know what this is. I'm honestly flabbergasted. What IS IT? I'M SO CONFUSED!! Is it Thumbelina? Is it Alice in Wonderland? Is it the Rescuers?

This.... is the funniest thing I have ever seen.  You know, I kinda want to buy it just to see what's on it. Is it something completely unrelated to Disney? Is it all three films mashed into one? Either way, this is amazing.

Soooooo, I don't think I can top that. Time for a change of subject.

NAIL POLISH!!!

Now, those who know me well know that I don't like nail polish. But, since coming to Korea and seeing all the different kinds, I've kind of grown a fondness for it.

This is Etoinette, a line of cosmetics from Etude House, a Korean cosmetics store. The line is based off of Marie Antoinette and, her being my favorite Queen, I plan on grabbing as much as I can. These are called "Versaille nails", and the colours are beautiful.

This is a set of "Christmas colours", and I can't wait to try them! These are just from the Etude House line. They have a whole bunch of fun colours, and the prices are amazing. If there's one thing I'll miss about living here, it's the cosmetics.

Well, that's all for now. Be sure to check back for the next entry "Crap that hangs off my purse."