I decided it may be easier for me to start an online journal than fill all of your email boxes with my non-sensical ramblings- this way you can't complain I was boring you to death- you came here of your own volition. For those who had trouble receiving previous ramblings, you'll find they're here as well, if you're at all interested.
Month 1 in Korea has officially come to an end, and here we are at the beginning of month number 2. I don't know if this is extremely drawn out jet lag, or if kids are in reality this tiring- but I have been quite a bore this week. Gone straight home from work everyday- I find them exhausting!!! Although I have been finding myself quite productive at home. I have been pretty good about picking up my guitar for at least half an hour every night - oh yes, I don't know if I mentioned- I found a guitar in the street my first night in Seoul. I took it as a sign, threw on some strings, and I'm already getting caloused fingers- which is further than I've gotten in a long time in my attempts to start playing.
November 11th marked Remembrance Day in Canada and Veterans Day in the States. In Korea, it was Pepero Day- I was given quite the nasty look by the Koreans at work when I said we had it in Canada, and we called it Pocky... Apparently Pocky is the Japanese version of Pepero (long, thin biscuits coated in chocolate) and there is some argument as to which came first- the Pocky or the Pepero. (Below you will find the Pepero mascots). So what is Pepero day? As a show of nationalism, you are expected to give Pepero to everyone you know and love. My kids at school were none too impressed when I told them I didn't know it was Pepero Day because I don't read Korean... apparently this was no excuse. My kids felt annoyed and ripped off- and I assume I'm expected to make it up at Christmas. Regardless, I arrived home weighed down by every imaginable type of Pepero (and still can't see the difference between Pepero and Pocky- but shhh, don't tell anyone).
Much of the shock of being in Korea has worn off- but there are still things that I'm trying to get used to. I still avoid walking through the fish market in the morning- because it's just too early to smell that much fish. I still have to walk by an anchovy stand, but somehow it's not as bad. The gender differences continue to amaze me. The girls at work were shocked when I said I used to play soccer and that I rollerblade. Despite the fact they all work with young children, they arrive at work in skirts and high heels every day. And spend their money on designer purses. It amazes me- and even though I feel totally under-dressed at work, I just can't bring myself to dress like that to play with kids. In other news, I mentioned in a previous email that it is frowned on for women to smoke in public. You may be interested to know that the count for Korean women I've seen smoking is at two. Women's washrooms always smell of smoke, as they sneak a cigarette with friends in a stall, but apparently few can tolerate being glared at in the street. Apparently smoking makes a women a whore, or so I'm told. I don't quite understand it, however... In other gender-related news, my boss is quite traditional and apparently deems it a sign of a weak relationship if the woman is not home cooking and cleaning for the man. This is a topic I believe I should avoid with him- as clearly I wouldn't rate too highly in this area. And I'm not too sure where that would place Fred in his books...
And with that, I will bring to an end my Korean update for the week. The camera is working out great, and I would have included pictures of my palace trip today, but I forgot everything at home- so it'll have to wait until next time!
Take care & Keep in touch!
Love, Steph.
