People on the Subway

I had to share "drawing time" once more! I suggested Kei draw the Seoul metro with me. It turned out pretty cool. Recognize the pop culture icon? (No, people, not almighty ajuma.)

Korean Text Messages

My Nana informed me that there is no point to this post. She said there is no context given to the text messages and therefore, who cares? I agree with her to an extent. Text messages are the most common means of communication for Korean youth, so for those who have never sent/received a msg., it gives a peak into the cell phone culture.

To: Eva

From: Koreans

"I just wanted that u were eating more tasty. HAHA"

(the guy who insisted on wrapping my samgyupsal rolls.)

"What do you like singer?"

(Who's your favorite singer)

"Thank you for your kindness last evening I want to know your name"

(At a restaurant, she was embarrassed

when her little boy walked over to show me

his pet snail in a jar.)

"Tonight I'm making chicken stew. All of a sudden I think about you. You must miss this in strange country, Korea. I'll make this for you someday."

(Chicken stew? Really?)

"Happy Sat Tomboy"

(See, told you I was a tomboy in Korea)

"I thing you might be angry Don't be angry."

(a total misunderstanding!)

"I wish... But couldn't. I was too beaten."

(she means beat- tired)

"It is easy to me. Don't get me wrong girl."

(Tae Hun on the doctor's order not to mix meds and alcohol)

"Okey Doke"

Seductive Seoul

Drawings by Kei

Note the sharks circling around Elephant Island. He isn't going anywhere.

Coca-Cola Flavored treat for 20 cents. Really? 1950's America comeback?

Emulating his own art.

Arthritis strikes the ant colony.

The elephant, pooped out today, like Kei who is in peak exam time

Mouse soup anyone?

And he went to Hawaii to relax...

Yawn.

I'm at the school from approx. 10:30 AM - 9 PM because of intensives. It's not like sitting at an office desk, answering phones. That's a lot of teaching.

Overtime paired with the unceasing rain is making me a little tired and cranky. All I want to do is read in a stranded cottage somewhere, wrapped in a quilt.

Min invited me out in Seoul next Saturday night, so I'll let loose and take some scandalous club photos. I teach adults "free talking" from Mon-Sat now, and my list of topics is interesting. Should provide some good material for the blog. Happy Monday everybody! Stay tuned. And ya, ya that recipe's coming.

PS- Keyword searches that brought people to Stranger in Suwon today:

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Double Dakgalbi

I'm on my way to Seoul (late Sunday!!) but here are some photos, in the meantime:

After going out Saturday afternoon, Tae Hun and I found ourselves at the restaurant where we were first introduced. Skimming the menu he asked, have you ever had 닭갈비Dakgalbi (spicy stirfried chicken), and I said yes. Then it hit us. We had been there before.

Our nostalgic food was cooked on a metal plate, over charcoal, in the centre of the table. The waitor stirring our food was nice and jovial. If somebody has to hover over you as you eat, you may as well like them, right!?

The chicken (7USD ea.) was sizzling hot, tossed with white cabbage, onions and rice cakes (log form) . We ordered our DAKGALBI + cheese "hot" (although my taste buds argued it was medium-spicy). People always underestimate the white girl's tollerance for heat.

The cheese was a yummy addition, but I prefer it without. By the way, I tried cheese 김밥 (kimbap) today as an alternative to chamchi kimbap and it was good, processed cheese and all. It's 2USD at most Kimbap Heaven restaurants.

The men in my adult class gave me a warning. They said I should buy "expensive" kimbap because the cheap stuff includes low grade, dirty rice imported from China. They also told me to choose carefully the restaurants from which I get 자장면 (Jajangmyeon) because, "it is black for a reason." They have found hairs, flies and other delights in the dish. They totally ruined my 'Black Day' food for me. It's like those people who warn you that everything causes cancer. Don't chew gum with Aspartame! Don't leave open cans of food in your fridge for more than a day! Don't bake in the sun until you look like beef jerkey and have skin cancer. Ok- I agree with the last one.

Above: My dramatic love-hate relationship with Dunkin Donuts. Yes, you are warm and sweet, Dunkin Original, you give me a jolt during my 6 day workweek, but you burn a hole in my wallet. 2USD for a regular coffee? I'm addicted, you're cruel.

Any other foreigners have secret Dunkin Donuts addictions?