Saturday in Seoul at a craaazay ass market!

So, this picture....Can everyone see that this bar is named "Ozzy"? *L* Apparently it's never open, but it has a cool name! We stood there for a couple minutes takin pictures for our dad's! *L* This on'e for you dad, you classic rock FREAK!

I really thought mom would enjoy this picture....It's one of the side shops in the market and had really unique dresses. Nothing I would EVER buy, but they were really pretty and something I think only my mother could appreciate! I know if she was here, she would have ooohhed and ahhhed over them *L* Love you mom!

Yup! U saw it!! An I-G-A!!!! Well, it's an IGA-Mart, but I thought it was still neat! Who would have ever though,eh? And it's even the same logo as our IGA. Weird!

Oohhhhh.....here it is Kristin!!! Krispy Kreme!! Can u wait to dig into one of those puppies when you come out here? The line up for these donuts were outside the door by the time I finished taking this picture....It was funny to see.

Just another picture so you all can get an idea of this market. When I took the pictures, I made sure there was no one right in my face....so you don't really get the idea of how many people were there. But believe me! There was soooo many!

So, I spent my Saturday afternoon in Seoul with a co-worker named Sebestien. He showed me the ropes and gave me some good advice on where to go and what to do. It was a very eventful day! We started in Youngson (u will see a pic in the next post) and then walked to this craaazay market on side streets in Seoul. Sebastien actually "stumbled" upon it in the summer time and said he HAD to show it to me. Boy am I glad he did as it was my first REAL experience of Seoul! People, people, PEOPLE!! I thought I was going to have an anxiety attack with all the people pushing, shoving and coming at you! It literally made me dizzy and I had to close my eyes. There is just merchandise everywhere and people in a frenzy over it all. It's kinda funny to see them feen for $2 shirts! hehehe We spent the day in and out of shops, then retired back to Ilsan by 8pm. Boy was I pooped! I even stayed home Saturday night to relax after this crazy day!

Seoul Market and Youngson

This is in the crazy market in Seoul. This was all candy! Yup, candy! I couldn't get over the amount...it made for a cool lookin picture also!













OOhhhhh, look at all those purses....I have been here for a month and have already bought two, woopsie! heheh So, I love my purses! Just wait until I get PAID! Uh-oh...













So, we began our escapades in a place called Youngson in Seoul. It's the electronic market and is sooo overwhelming you're not sure what to do! There's aisles upon aisles of digital cameras, video cams,mp3 players, laptops... you name it! I had no idea what half of the things even were for! This is going down the escalators as I was too emberassed to whip out my camera with all the many salesmen loking at me! Atleast u can get a teeny tiny taste of what it was like!






On our walk from Yougson to the market, there was this gate that was built in the 14oo's. It was one of the first gates going into Seoul many years ago. It is weird to have all these modern buildings around you, then smack dab in the middle of nowhere is an old structure like this... It was really beautiful and had great architect on it up close. Sorry you can't see it! But you can see ME! hehehe And one of the new purses I bought in LaFesta for 5000 won ($5!)



Sorry about the bad lighting...I'm still learning how to use my camera! *L* In the market, there's many open vendors and you just pull up a seat and they cook for you. I haven't dared try one yet...I don't really like the idea of meat sitting outside like that all day, then eating eat. All the Korean's can handle it though! They love that stuff.

Beautiful, Beautiful Lake Park!

To get into Lake Park, you have to walk up all these stairs (which you can't see). It's kinda weird cause the green strip down the center goes all the way down to the bottom street, and is flat for bicycles. The two brown strips on either side turn into stairs for people to walk down! Does that sound right? Hmmmm...

A nice picture off the walking path I was on. It's of the bridge across the lake....this is where I came from....I kinda start walking there, then circle all the way around and back. It's about 4km.
This is a neat lookin sculpture right before heading up the stairs to Lake Park. I thought it'd look cool with the cotton candy kiosk in the picture! *L*

This is just a huge flat area in Lake Park especially for bikers and rollerbladers. It was SUPER busy this day also....I'm not sure why there looks like there's nobody there!

A pretty man made little "cove" that I think looks really nice! It's cool to see non frozen water also in January!

A surprise for me, and my school.....

MY FIRST PACKAGE FROM HOME!!!! I was so excited when I received this box fuul of precious goodies from home, let me tell you. It weighed about 30lbs and I had to take a taxi home with it! A co-worker took the duct tape and wrapped the box to make a "handle" so it could be carried out to the taxi! WHat a package it was....full of coffee, tea, towels, stuff I couldn't fit into my suitcases, kraft dinner, sour soothers...you name it, it was in this box! I appreciated it sooo much mom and dad, but u already know that! Love you....

So, this is at the school I work at. It's our staff arean that we live in when we're not teaching! As you can see, we have our best friend the photocopyier machine to your right....on your left we have our wonderful "breakfast" table which consists of 2 loaves of bread, a toaster, peanut butter, jam, and knives for spreading *L* Above the table on the wall is our big calendar of events, meetings, etc and a board for current events, job postings, and such. That long window in the top left is actually my classroom! The door in theback leads out into the hallway where the bathrooms and elevators are to exit. And the 2 computers come in handy for school work and when I don't bring in my laptop. And that's the full tour of our staff area! I'll have ot get a picture in the other direction, as it's all the books we use to teach and our cubbies for our bags. It's a neat little area. I'd get pictures of the front, but the counsellors are always workin so hard I don't wanna disturb them to take their picture *L*

So, I was shopping the other day and I saw this velcro dartboard game and a mini basketball net! Now, on our 2 hour break and 10 min breaks inbetween classes we don't have to sit and stare at each other anymore! It's game time for the teachers *L* It kinda gets our mind off of the shitheads on the other side of the wall! hehehe I'm apparently the "favorite" teacher now for buying these.

Here's a nicer picture of my classroom. I have stuff on the walls now and it actually looks like a taught in class! There's pictures of aliens on the left from my young kids, and paragraphs about where on earth my older class would love to go to and why.....Straight ahead is of course a map of the world and surrounding it is posters of sports from around the world from my older kids. I didn't want to teach them any more grammar, so they got to make posters...boy am I nice some days *L* The purple poster on the far left is of hockey in Canada. I gave it to these boys that really appreciated drawing it! It turned out pretty good.

Getting my first package from home this week made me almost crap myself (as you can see!) I was so excited that i couldn't help but take pictures of myself with it hehehe This was the best feeling ever.....and I probably won't be feeling it for a VERY long time as it cost over $200 to ship to me!! WOWZERS...

I'm still alive!

Hello everyone!! Just a quick note to let you know I have been havin some trouble with my pictures from my camera, and that is why I have not posted in a while. I am still thinking about everyone and hope u come back soon to see more pics I have taken. I DO have more to post u know!
And as you all can see, Jenn has done a WONDERFUL job on prettying up my blog spot. I appreciate it Jenn and am proud to show off such a beautiful banner!
Take care everyone and I am slowly workin on gettin back to e-mail's as well.....talk to you all soon!

My home made banner from Jenn....Thanks Jenn!!

So, a wonderful, wonderful person (Jenn) made this beautiful banner for my blog. I'm posting it so everyone can see the great work she did, and soon with Jenn's help I think I can put it as a part of my blog (near the top of the page). Jenn, I think u should start a side business up and make people pay for these! Well, except me of course :o)
I love it and I hope other people will too!!

Ricky's Goin away party!

Here's Sam, myself and Ricky posin for a pic!

You can't see this very well as the setting on my camera was weird, but this is Fritz dancing on he table we were sitting at *L* The night just got messier and messier.

Here's myself (do you think I have a big enough smile?!) and Monique feelin pretty good! That's Sebastien in the background (I work with him also).

Here's Erin and Emma......drinking WATER!!! HAHAHAH. The minute we all got there, water is what they ordered! Too many drinkin games and booze at Erin's before!

Ahhhhh......Mike passed out! I swear we were all in mid conversation, and then he was like this! hehehe Told u it was a messy night!

After dinner we all headed out to a bar called Torro's. Lemme tell you....we were all feelin pretty damn good before we even got there! Damn Soju *L*
It was a good night, and as you'll read in the next post....it was an late night also!

The bottom of the next post will explain more on who people are and stuff ike that. Sorry it turned out like that! I'm still an amateur at posting pics I guess!! *L*

Mexicana at Erin's!!

Here's Ricky and Travis munchin down on some great mexican food!

Here's the guys linin up and fighting over who goes first! Sam is on the left, Fritz is fighting for a spot in line and Keith is takin a gulp of his drink.

Here's me, Emma and Mike (he looks like a deer caught in headlights!!)
We're havin some appetizers and drinks before dinner was served.

Here's Travis (he's from Korea), Erin (who's house we're at) she's from Michigan, and Keith (he's Korean-Canadian....he's from Vancouver). He's actually here helping his dad run the bar Torros we go to and were at for Ricky's goin away party. His dad owns the bar.

He're Erin, Me, and Emma enjoyin dinner! I'm chowin down and was tryin to show the camera my delicious dinner in my mouth! heheheh

So, saturday night was jam packed with funness! I was invited to this girl Erin's officetel for Mexican food. MMMmmmmmm! Lemme tell you, we were all feening for the cheese! Cheese is not really sold out here, and if u find it u pay a lot for it. They do sell processed cheese though...EEwwwww, right uncle Ken and Auntie Kim!!?
Her mom ent her taco seasonings from the US and Emma and I went early to help her prepare. There was chips and salsa, tuna dip (not very mexican, I know hehe) these homemake spring rolls made by fritz and Keith with sweet chili sauce! Mmmm.....they were stuffed with chives, mushrooms, cheese and bacon. Then for dinner we had soft tacos (chicken or beef) with all the fixens, it was soooo good. After many drinking games, a couple bottles of soju and many liters of sangria we hit up a bar called Torros for Ricky's going away party. Ricky is the guy I replaced and left homeless until he heads to Japan next week! It was a great night, but lemme tell you I don't feel very good at all today. I haven't moved from bed (well except to puke) all day. The bars don't close here so it was an early morning! It's kinda funny to be walking home at 5 am and having the streets swarming with drunk people heading to a different bar! It's now almost 5pm and I have to atleast get my butt up and do laundry! I think I'll lay off the soju the next time we go out....eating only bread and water the next day isn't fun! *L*

Don't be so CRABBY! hehehe

Take a LOOK ato the size of these crabs! Dad, these crab pictures are for you....I know how obsessed you are with huge shellfish! Monique and I couldn't get over how big these suckers were! I bet they tasted pretty good slapped on someone's plate! Right Kelly? hehehe

So, it's a friday night ritual to go have BBQ at this restaurant called Galby's. It is pretty much attached to our apartment block so it's easy, good, and foreigner central! Our tables get so filled with food we have to layer the extras on stools beside us! It's sooo good and you cook all the food on the table on the BBQ. The workers always come and change our bbq as it gets dirty from the meat, veggies and potatoes. They have the hot coals to heat it outside in an open fire pit waiting to be used by customers. And the writing on the walls? A classic at Galby's....I have yet to sign my name. A whole bunch of us got together and it was a great opportunity for a pic. From left to right there's Ricky (the guy I replaced), Sam (who I work wth), Fritz, Emma (who I work with), Mike, Erin, Monique, Mike and Richard! They are a great group of people and have been so welcoming. I think I'll make some good friends while I'm here.

This is a picture of the crab tank outside the restaurant. Sorry the pics aren't in order.....they never end up in order even of I try. So, when someone orders one, they head ouside to catch their dinner in huge nets. Atleast you know your dinner is fresh! Poor guys all in there fighting for their lives *L*

So, Monique and I went grocery shopping on Saturday and headed out to E-mart, which bought out Wal-Mart (can u believe that?!) I'm kinda obsessed with the escalators with no stairs that hold your cart in place and take u up to different floors. Everything here is built up as there's not too much room. There's tonnes of floors and coming down is even better cause there's just ramps with curbs at the bottom of each if you let your cart go by accident *L* What a workout it is!

So, dad, this pic is officially for you! I got down by these big suckers, held my breath and got a picture taken. Hope u like it!! hehehehe

Taking pictures around here when you're a foreigner is just too funny. People walk past you thinking you are NUTS because you are taking pictures of the stupidest things! The look on a guys face as Monique was takin a picture of me with the crabs was priceless. He couldn't understand why I would want a picture of that, as seafood in tanks outside of restaurants is sooooo common here.
And the picture in E-mart was pretty good also....people were pointing and laughing at us!

Sunday in Seoul Part 1

So, this one is for Kristin! Devote One's Life Too Shoes!! *L* It's so true out here. Some of the woman's heels are AMAZING! And there's always stores with shoes outside you can buy....I love it! Can't wait to get paid! I'm sure u can't wait till I get paid either Kris!

A picture of the side streets we were walking up and down looking for a place to have lunch. They are pretty tiny and crammed with many stores, scooters, people and more!

So, this guy is actually making noodles in the window!! He puts on a show and tosses the dough in the air and flings it around. It reminded me of something u would see in the movies!

Well, another one for Kristin :o) Clothes everywhere! Especially on the streets. I really can't wait to get paid!

There's ME! I just thought it would be a nice picture with Happy New Year in the background. It was a concert hall where plays, movies and attractions happen.


Pictures from throughout the day in Seoul on Sunday!

The Gyeobbi%$@@&% Palace

A picture of outside the palace which we never got to go see as we were late! It's not that great of a picture, but there were other people taking pictues as u can see....sorry!

The site map of the palace! Which, we didn't get to see *L* So I took a picture of the map! Can u ssee the name of the palace? hahaha

A picture from outside the walls of the palace. The museum, palace and everything is on the other side of that big wall!

Ahhhhh......a picture of the outside of the palace....which we didn't get to see inside of *L* We DID get to see the museum, we just couldn't take any pictures!

A view from the museum's steps. Really pretty.


So, while in Seoul we did some sight seeing. We went to a Palace (see spelling in the title of this blog!!) and it was beautiful. We saw the museum, but were too late to go look at the actual grounds of the palace. Everything closes early on a Sunday, go figure!

Subway ride on the was home from Seoul!

Okay, we were already half way down these escalators when I finally got out my camera to take a picture....It was SOOOO high and I felt like I was drunk on them! I was so dizzy when we got to the bottom I had to stand up against a wall! *L*

Just a picture of the subway going by....It's downstairs (underground) and you can see a little bit of the board where it tells you what subway is coming next. It says it in english too....thank god!

hehehe Funy face Chris! By the end, our legs hurt so much from walking so we opted for the easy walk escalator. It was so nice and made us happy!

Sooooo.....I really had to go pee before we left, so I thought I could run to the bathroom so I didn't have to wait until we got home.....Hmmmm. I opened up the door....and THIS is what I saw! A freakin Squat Pot! All's I could do was laugh, take a picture, and hold me pee until we got home! Chris couldn't stop laughing. I don't know how those little old ladies that were in there could do it! I would have pee all over my pants *L*


So, my first time on a subway....what an experience! It was cool and I enjoyed that it was clean, safe, and fast!