Entertainment These Days

Nothing too exciting going on here lately in the ROK, so I'll just share some random happenings that I find amusing.

First off, I had posted this thing on Pinterest a long time ago about different ways to tie a scarf. I wanted to check it out today since it's cold as shit here now, and I currently only one way to wear a scarf. Anyway, the link was broken so I typed "different ways to tie a scarf" into google, and one from Women's Health magazine came up..."9 Stylish and Easy Ways to Tie a Scarf." It is literally the most useless article I have ever seen. The first option suggested getting a super skinny "scarf" with jewels on it so you look like you have a "rockstar necklace." This was the second option:




Umm, what the hell is going on here? First, who would EVER wear a scarf around their head like that? Second, maybe it's just me, but I want to know ways to wear the scarf around my neck since it is FREEZING outside and that is what scarfs are for...keeping your neck warm. Not your forehead. And last, seriously, wtf is going on with that denim shirt/vest. Heinous.

The third option was to tie it around your wrist. I don't know who is making these articles over at WH, but I think they are confused about what a scarf is. Or maybe it's me. My scarf collection is pretty limited, but no scarf of mine is small enough to be worn around my wrist. The next option was more useful, but the model was wearing a scarf with shorts and a t-shirt. What kind of weather would you wear such an outfit in?

Next was to wrap it around a belt, and after that, "tie a handkerchief around your boot, and voila, a brand-new mood!" Using the term "scarf" pretty loosely, I see. The next was another headwrap situation, telling you to make a casual, headache free headband. Then there was this...



No words for this one. The last one was even worse, something about wrapping two scarves around each other. Seriously, what is going on over at WH? Who thought these were helpful suggestions??

Anyway. That was my Monday night adventure. Very exciting. For some other entertainment, my class told me things they were thankful for today and the list was pretty hilarious. Sausage, koalas, Jesus, flight attendants and eating ham all made it on there. I love this job so much, it's ridiculous. The kids make me laugh so hard. I did paper hand turkeys at the ESL school in LA a few years ago and it was also pretty funny. An ESL Thanksgiving is always a good time.

So that's how I've been entertaining myself lately....scarf tying and 5 year old thankfulness.

Dream big people!

Silliniess

People are totally ridiculous. Myself included, but elections really bring out the best kind of ridiculous. Seriously people, do you really think America is "DOOMED" with Obama in office for four more years? Seems a bit much.

Lately, I have tried to keep my mouth shut about political issues. Mainly because, for the most part, I really don't know what is going on. Most things I hear about the election come from fb, SNL or friends. I have other things to worry about. I realize this makes me a pretty terrible American and slightly ignorant, but luckily, I live and work in Korea, and the majority of people I interact with could care less about what is going on in America. Interestingly enough, I've had quite a few non-Americans ask/talk to me about the current election. I find this somewhat surprising since I could not tell you one single fact about Korean, Canadian or really, any other countries elections. This might be another testament to my ignorance, but I like to think it's more of a testament to America's impact around the world. Also, most of my international friends on fb seem pretty pleased about the outcome. I don't think I could even tell you the names of their presidents. :/

I don't have much to say about the results other than my original statement: people are ridiculous. I obviously can't speak for other people, but my life has improved drastically in the last four years. Is that because of Obama? Probably not...I'm just saying the last four years weren't so bad, I doubt he is going to have that much of an impact on my next four.

I realize a lot of people vote against him citing "economic policies," which I literally have no clue about. But I kind of can't get on board with people who put economics above the rights of people. Plus, I don't have enough money to be that concerned about economic policies. Maybe my idealistic views and naivety come from my lack of money, but I really believe there people are the most important part of the country. People need help, people should have the right to make their own decisions about their bodies and people should be able to marry whoever they want. Money comes and goes.

Actually, I guess have a lot to say about things. But, I'll stop. Ok, last thing. A friend posted this: "Republicans lose while many libertarian ballot measures win across the country. Time to drop the hate from your platform or risk extinction. Your move, GOP." 

For real. Stop wasting so much time telling other people how to live their life and worry about other issues. Please and thank you.

In other news, I have started making a book for my class (it's a requirement) and I'm actually quite excited about it. The rough draft I've come up with is pretty cute. I am just hoping I can buckle down and do the work it's going to take to make it look great. It's going to take a lot of work but I'm hoping I can get it done.

Also, I decided tonight I don't think I'm ever going to be able to live in something that is bigger than a one room apartment. I feel like all I do is clean and I'm soooo sick of it and my "house" is legitimately the size of my mom's bedroom at home. Maybe smaller. I don't know how people keep normal sized houses and apartments clean. And how do parents do so much laundry? Eesh...a dryer probably makes things easier but doing the laundry of one person is enough to drive me crazy!

Oh! And I started playing squash at the gym. Thanks to years of tennis, I'm not terrible. I impressed many a Korean. I won't lie...I mainly did it to spend more time with the super cute guy that works at the gym. But my plan backfired since it turns out he's not the squash coach. So I guess now I'll just do it for exercise. Which is also good, though, because I freaking hate the gym and want to kill myself on the treadmill. Squash is actually fun and exciting, so I don't hate going as much now. Saying I look forward to going might be a stretch, but I've now gone two days in a row, so I think that's an improvement.

Anyway. Things are still fantastic here. The weather is currently bearable and I'm hoping it stays that way for a while. Oh, and feel free to send any Christmas goodies my way. Being away from family on Christmas is quite sad. Mail would ease my pain.

Dream big people!

Excited Panda

Another good weekend! Started off a little rocky, but improved 100% when I bought a ticket to JAPAN!!!! Woooooo, that's right! Going back to the motherland for Christmas. So excited, it's going to be fabulous. Plus my friend from LA is going to be there and I am so so excited to see her!!!!

Whoa, let me back up. Haven't posted since Halloween and that was some good times. The party at school was super fun and, of course, the kids were precious in their costumes. All the girls were princesses, except for one, who was a cat. And most of the boys were superheros except for a power ranger, 2 wizards and a knight. There were two Captain Americas but one thought he was Superman so it turned out ok. It was a really exhausting day at school but the kids were really pumped about the my panda costume. "Jacky teacher is panda!" It was pretty funny. My coteacher surprisingly dressed up as well and she was kind of a strange looking pumpkin, that they also enjoyed. We watched the Charlie Brown movie about the Great Pumpkin that day as well. I had never seen it in it's entirety before, and I will be just fine if I never see it again. It was freaking weird! The kids had no idea what was going on but they thought some parts were funny, mainly when Snoopy is dancing around. But then it got weird when he started crying. I don't really know what was going on, but whatever.

Anyway, that night my friends and I all went out in our animal costumes (there was also a giraffe and a lion) and we ran into about 20 other people dressed up in animal costumes, including 2 other pandas. No Koreans were really dressed up, so we got some strange looks on the subway, but we fit right in at the foreigner bar. The panda suit is super warm and I am strongly considering using it as my new winter gear. I don't really like getting stared at, but if it gets cold enough, I don't think I'll care.

This weekend I went to the other big amusement park in Seoul, Lotte World. It was fun, but super crowded....as is everything in Seoul. We only went on a few rides, but the whole day was a lot of fun. It ended with dancing so I was happy. The weather was super nice as well. The next day was not as nice but I finally got to play tennis! I have been looking for a court/partner since I got here and I randomly met one on Halloween. He was actually dressed as a tennis player, so I asked if he knew where we could play. Lucky for me he didn't think I was a crazy person, even as a panda with a tiara on, so we played yesterday. My arm is sore today, but it felt really good to play again. I'm not sure if we'll be able to play much more since it's getting so cold, but I'm hoping to find an indoor court.

Other random stuff going, but I'm super tired so more about that later. Overall, another fantastic weekend. Really looking forward to Japan. I'm also really happy I booked that trip because now it means I won't be totally sad and lonely on Christmas. Being away from family on Christmas is tough stuff so at least this way I'll be with friends, and I'll be surrounded by my people, haha. They probably won't realize it, but I will!

Dream big people!