Merrappy Histolidaymas!

"If you make only one resolution this year, let it be to live boldly" -some living person

The first if only Christmas without my family…

As I am writing this, it is almost 1 in the morning in Seattle on Christmas Day. I remember as a kid back when I lived in a small green house in Virginia on a familiar hill. Sleigh riding with my sisters and playing in the powdery snow until our noses and cheeks were rosy. Tradition, my little sister and I would sleep right next to the Christmas tree on the eve. Back then, the tree was always real, and I could smell the pine in my dreams. The colorful changing of the lights on the tree would put my sister and I to sleep.

What did I do this Christmas?

I had breakfast among good people this morning. Omelets, a sweet potato concoction that can only be described as a goulash made by my wonderful neighbor, Karen; fresh fruit, almonds, and some cranberry mystery bread with strawberry jam. Great conversations and wit flying across the breakfast picnic we ate, cross-legged in her kitchen floor with the sun bursting through fogged windows. Afterward, three cups of hot chocolate, some more laughs laced with goodbyes. Sinatra playing in the background with his merrily pleasant and whirling vocals, I met my slippers at the door and said farewell to my neighbor; Merry Christmas. My cousin and I then went back to my apartment and shut the door.

Discovering a cute café 1.2.3 steps away from my apartment. Café 123 is it’s name and how quaint and cutesy! However, I think if I lived in a storybook life, say like Little BoPeep, her sheep, or Little Miss Muffet and her gosh-darn spider and dare I say…Alice with her epic wonderland? The decorative taste was a bit too busy for me. The walls were all white with what looked like the Muppet babies, Disney, and Aesop’s tales fornicated and gave birth to a caffeinated cutesy monster…3 steps away from my house! YEAH! My cousin and I had a blueberry muffin each and coffee then walked around exploring my neighborhood until our legs went numb up to our knees. We found a stationary shop that was open –HALLELUJAH!- and bought some stationary for letters. So those of you, who gave me your address, look to the west in 7 days and then check your mailbox (that was my odd attempt to mimic Gandalf, nerd, I know...haha). So now that I have caught you up to speed on how my lovely, calm, and uneventful Christmas went, I hope you all have a wonderfully charmed Christmas Day. Seeing as how it will be happening soon.

Now, I am going ice-skating in Olympic Park, right by my apartment…the Olympics were apparently there in 1988. HA! Who knew.

Happy Holidays with love,
Jenn

P.S. I drew this on my chalkboard at work. haha.

7 minutes you will never see again...

Oh and I cut my hair myself. Let me know what you think.

Love,
Jenn

With a Knick-Knack Patty-Wack...

Annyeoung – hasaeyo everyone!

Details from afar…

Holidays are upon us – everything is all skittles and rainbows here, but Christmas is not as big a celebration in Korea as we, depressingly broke Americans, like to spend ourselves silly for the ‘best gift award’. Go figure with all the fashion, knick-knacks, and doodads here – who can really afford to. I am sure all of you saw my makeshift Christmas tree that I made from recycled material – Go Green! -OR- Poor. You choose.

The past few days, for me, have been very eventful! On Thursday of last week, I was generously given that day and Friday off to compensate for having to work on Saturday and Sunday, which was spent interviewing students for a higher level English class – fun, fun. Back to Thursday, I was invited to go with my cousin to attend her cooking class over in Isu (west of Songpa-gu, where I live). The food was delectable, because “yours truly” was cooking. Met some fine acquaintances, some of which have upgraded to the fine friends’ zone, happily. Everyday since Thursday of last week, I have been hiking my little ass off - no complaints.

One of the mountains we hiked up randomly, after the cooking class in Isu, was called Gwanaksan. “San” means mountain in Korean. Although a small mountain among giants, my cousin and I, walked about 4 miles outside of Sadang, a half a mile south of Isu, to walk to the top of this 632 meter high “hat-like” landform. A temple close to the summit with epic statues of Buddha, guarding warriors painted to wood warding off evil, stone fountains - sacred and quenching, it is ornamented well. Chimes on every corner of the temple ‘tinging’ with every slight wind. The air was biting my cheeks and so we made our descent.

My cousin and I had been scouting out potential viewing sites for our Geminids Meteor Shower viewing I’d planned. We found the perfect spot atop Namhansan. This mountain was, like Gwanaksan, also relatively small compared to others, but there were some beautiful lookouts and I definitely could see myself doing some bouldering up there in the springtime. On Tuesday night, December 13th, Tori, Vinh, Andrew, and I hopped on the subway to Macheon. With flashlights, blankets, hot chocolate, wine, Soju and an eagerness to see some shooting stars, we made our way up Namhansan. At 12:30AM, we all made it to one of the lookouts. I climbed a tree and watched for some meteors. We all talked and laughed –hot chocolate – talking and laughter – wine – laughter and banter – Soju – looking up with wonderment as we see needle like streaks from peripheral glances – laughter and laughter and laughter…as the air is so cold it burns our skin.

Hiking, running, climbing, and exploring as always and next a public bathhouse! I am very excited to soak my whole body in nice hot water! In the states how spoiled I was with my very own bathing vessel of porcelain and how easily I took you for granted! Yes, my shoulders and lower back are craving some TLC – a bathhouse will definitely do the trick. Stay tuned. *wink wink*

Here are some pics from the cooking class, hiking, and of random explorations. Enjoy!

Fish Market...What's up Seattle!

Love, Jenn

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like....Red Lipstick...

Below is a pic of the blond hair I am thinking of acquiring. Let me know your thoughts!

Two Weeks & Going Strong

The taste buds have officially found their holy mecca! With a smorgasbord of treats and dishes scattered around Seoul, it has surely earned the holy term. I haven’t tried dog or horse yet, but I am sure to, as the weeks are beginning to roll by with the ease of seconds.

Last weekend, I was going to post these pictures from my venture close to the heart of Seoul, but became too busy with work necessities and sleep to get them up.  SO… here they are for your viewing pleasure!

The photos are of the Namsangol Hanok Village ,“hanok” is the word for the traditional style houses in Korea…

This old village is sandwiched in the modernity of Seoul; skyscrapers, coffee shops, and K-pop paraphernalia surround this historic relic of a site, and yet it doesn’t disturb its quaint charm.

After gallivanting around the village and making papier-mâché mirrors, I made my way up to the Seoul Tower to see Christmas Trees made of wishing locks, Lights, Cityscape views and people covering ever surface of walking space. Dried squid and easy snack stands littering the walkway with their 5,000 won signs and delicious aromas. To the top of the tower, down to the gift shop, purchasing a lock to write a wish for the up coming year.

I wrote my wish and locked it to a tree.