A Semi-Typical Day In Korea

Rephrase: A semi-typical productive day in Korea. Most of my days are highly unproductive.

This morning started out as an epic failure. I’m not a morning person. I’ve never been a morning. And I most certainly don’t pretend to be a morning person. And apparently my friend, LA, isn’t a morning person either.

I’ve officially crossed the line…

I’m admitting it.  I have no shame in what I’ve done. (Well, maybe a little shame.) We’ve all done things that we take great pleasure in but we aren’t completely proud of ourselves for doing. This is mine… I can say honestly that this is the first one of those moments that I’ve experienced since I moved to Korea sixteen months ago.  I’ve long denied that I am this type of person but now I’ve done something (rather, purchased something) that puts me in a situation where I can no longer hide in denial. 

In effort to be honest about what I’ve done below is photographic proof.

Introducing Messi!

I adopted a dog.  I don’t think that comes as a big surprise to most the people that read my blog about volunteering at the dog shelter. He’s a three (ish) year old poodle and his name is Messi. He’s absolutely lovely.

Little Tokens of Wisdom

My hagwon (Korean word for academy) recently started assigning weekly readings that all students have to read and write a short essay about their impression of the story.  I have been given the phenomenal task of grading these little jewels.  The first assignment they were given was a reading entitled “King Alfred and the Beggar.”  Here are just a few of my favorite quotes…

“But, I do not understand the prince. Why did he lose his money and honor? When I had this problem I just selected honor. The 21st century is all about competition.”

“He may seem like a hobo but he acted like a real prince.”

Daejeon Paws

This past weekend I did something that I’ve been meaning to do  my whole year and a half here.  I volunteered at the local dog shelter, Daejeon Paws.

Quick information about the shelter… Ms Jung (who is absolutely lovely!!!) is a pensioner who was forced to relocate herself and her dogs with very limited resources a few years ago.  They have relocated to a small house in Galma-dong, which is about 10 minutes from where I live. She actually lives at this house (which is only slightly larger than my apartment) with all of her animals.  Most of the dogs have been with her for multiple years.  You can learn much more about her and the shelter (and view dogs waiting for adoption!) at their website -http://www.animalrescuekorea.org/animal-shelters/daejeon-paws.

Never Say Never…

I never thought I’d live in a place where the sight of snow flurries dancing in the air (in negative temperatures) would make me smile.

I never thought I’d live in a place where a 2am stroll with Charles (in the aforementioned snow flurries) would include a stop by the local barbeque restaurant to pick up a late night galbi (beef) dinner for the wiener dog.

I never thought I’d live in a place where my most perfect wiener dog would get that same delicious freshly cooked galbi dinner 7 nights a week.

…a place where a 2am walk through a sleeping neon-lit downtown with snow flurries all around could be some calming and peaceful.

…a place where I have made fantastic friends from a handful of continents.  Some of those friends include the owners of the local convenience store, galbi restaurant, and flower shop.

…a place where I enjoy my job, respect my co-workers, adore my friends, and laugh more than I ever have before.  (And if you know me, that says a lot.)

…a place that while I know it isn’t a forever home, I can’t stomach the thought of leaving it just quite yet.

Never say never.