Soul of Seoul

Alright, I had this idea (starting with the last post title) that I should title my post in weird ways so when people do a search for something "weird" they get my blog. I've decided against that. This one was going to be called, "breaking in a virgin" but it had a little more than the intended amount of "weird" to the name. I will explain that title later on in the post.

Yesterday was Tuesday and Evan and I have made it a tradition that we go into Seoul on Tuesdays since we don't have classes. We traveled all over the place. He was setting some things up for when his girlfriend comes to visit in a week and I was setting some stuff up for a trip I'm going to take Grace on. Since Grace checks my blog... I can't tell you much about what I did... and even though I got my hard drive back (with only a few of Grace's pictures :'( in it) I won't be putting up Seoul pictures. This will be another dull post, sorry. But, Evan and I had fun.
Evan can't really handle spicy food so that's why he's in pain in this picture.

For a couple of days I didn't shave. The first few days were just because I was lazy. Then, Grace wanted me to continue so she could see what I looked like. For those of you who don't know, I look homeless if I don't shave. Thankfully, I shaved today and my face feels nice and smooth once again.

OK, time for the big news. I made a purchase yesterday, in Seoul, because I was suffering from withdrawals. I bought a guitar. It's an acoustic that I can plug into an amp and I got a case and a capo with it. Not bad for less than $100US. I know... some of you know more about guitars than others so here's a picture of it. I've never heard of the brand but that doesn't mean much... also, for less than $100US it's worth it to have a guitar to play now, a nice case, and I don't really need a capo but now I have one if I ever do. Take the subway back from Seoul with a guitar and my "homeless" look was really funny. Oh, I almost forgot, the "breaking in a virgin" title was what the guy selling me the guitar said he was doing when he tuned the guitar. I guess it had never been played before.

Well, I have a presentation in a couple of hours that I should continue to prepare for. Sign in and "follow" my blog... then you can leave comments. If I get a comment about something someone wants to hear about or see or something, I'll do my best to oblige.

Twice in One Day

So, today/yesterday (see previous posting for explanation) I got up and talked with my family on Skype. It had been awhile and Josh is at my parent's house for a little while so it was nice to talk with everyone at the same time. The day before I had a meeting with the post adoption service center for Holt adoption agency. I went to try and find out anything that I could about my birth parents. I was hoping to, at least, get medical history so I can have an idea of things I should look out for in the future. But, I had no such luck. They did not have medical history and the information I was given was less than exciting. Although, I am happy that I went and I'm glad I got the information that I did (it's better than nothing) and I have to seriously think about what I want to do concerning trying to contact my birth mother. So, with all of that going on yesterday, my family had just a few questions for me.

Later, I met up with Grace and we got lunch. She had cooked for me the past couple of dinners so I decided I would make her dinner tonight. The original thought was breakfast but for that I would have to get up early and wake people up to get into her apartment and that wouldn't be good/fun/nice. Instead, I made her a breakfast kind of dinner. After lunch, the two of us went to Home Plus to buy the groceries I would need to make the various dishes. Now, one might think that this would be a simple task: go to the grocery store and buy groceries, however, one would be wrong. In Korea certain things that would be refrigerated in a U.S. grocery store are just on a shelf. Other things are not in similar places like the dairy section "milk, cheese, yogurt, etc...." I found the cheese off in a little section, but, to be fair, it was with the butter. I wanted to make her French toast, bacon, pancakes, and an omelet. The store limited what I could make. There was no cinnamon sugar or cinnamon raisin bread... no cinnamon anything unless you wanted pure cinnamon. So the French toast idea had to be changed. The rest was easy enough to make with what we could find.

Once we got back from Home Plus we took a little rest and then started cooking. Her kitchen is kind of small and they have limited cookware so, with one pan and Tupperware lids as plates, I played the role of head chef and Grace helped with prep. I wanted to make this by myself and have her just relax but she wouldn't have that and we didn't really want to wait that long for the food. We ended up making toast, a massive omelet, and bacon. We bought pancake mix and syrup but I'll make that for her another time (and use up the rest of the bacon). The omelet had green peppers, onions, mushrooms, bacon, and cheese. We both like to eat and generally eat a lot so we always end up making more than we're really hungry for (thinking the other will eat it).

Grace and I have come up with a routine where we have dinner together and then watch a movie. We've been doing this for the past couple of days. It has always ended with me leaving just after midnight and then seeing her again later that day (hence the Title: "Twice in One Day"). It's kind of a weird thought that I had on my walk back to the dorm but it makes/made sense to me. So, after dinner we watched a movie, Yes Man. Then, I came back here and here I am (again, sorry about not having pictures).

Sunday and Monday

Sunday:
I studied some more for my mid-term and then went hiking with Grace. We had fun and were actually able to get into places this time. It was really fun. I'll try to put up pictures later (sorry). I realize my blog is very short and dull without the pictures. Grace and I walked through a different university to get to a reservoir. We walked along the reservoir and found some fountains that are synchronized with music. Then we hiked for awhile. I worry about Grace falling when we're walking down the street so this made me nervous but we had fun together. Eventually we found our way back and went to a cute bathroom. Suwon is known for having "cute bathrooms" all around the city. Then we took a bus back to Ajou and had chicken at J's bar. The night ended with us watching a movie and then I returned to the dorm to study some more.

Monday-kinda:
So, the day isn't over so this will be short and theoretical. I started by getting up and studying while eating the last of my gram crackers and nutella. Then I met up with someone from my class and studied a little. We walked to the class and took the Korean 2 mid-term. I felt good about it but then I remembered I should know more than this... now I don't feel so good about it. On the bright side, I've taken Korean 2 at UWM so this grade really shouldn't do anything and won't mean anything. Then I walked to Grace's. It's raining and cold and a little windy... so it wasn't fun. She had gone out so I returned to the dorm. That's where I am now (writing this). I am supposed to meet with her for dinner tonight. So, all the bad-ness of today should be washed away in the rain since I have a meeting with Holt adoption agency tomorrow. I hope to finally find out some stuff about my birth parents and myself. Wish me luck.

KBS

So, today (really yesterday but I haven't slept yet so I count it as "today" still), I got up, showered, went downstairs to buy crackers, ate crackers while studying, met Grace, we ate, set out to find the Korean Broadcasting System: Drama Center. When Grace and I eventually found the place we weren't allowed in. We had to make an appointment but we could make one in person, for some odd reason, it had to be online. So, Grace and I walked around the place and she kept pointing out how low the fence was and how easily we could jump over and be inside. I, on the other hand, did my best to keep Grace from going over the fence since I didn't feel breaking into KBS would end well for a pair of foreigners that don't speak Korean (well enough to talk our way out of being arrested). So, we went looking for a "PC bang" (a place full of computers you can use) so we could set up an appointment. When we found a computer we started searching and couldn't find how to set up an appointment. Even the Koreans that owned the place could figure it out. So, Grace and I headed back to KBS where Grace, once again, pointed out how easily we could get over the fence. Now, I'm sure this sounds like I'm complaining... and I might be... ever so slightly... but it was cute how "little kidish" Grace was. Eventually we walked to a park and sat down for a little while. We tried to get into an area of the park but that place was closing and we weren't allowed in (not the best day for us to see things). So, we walked back to Ajou University and got some food. Grace and I talked for awhile and made some plans for today (the real "today" since it's past 00:00). We'll see if they workout or if we won't be allowed onto the mountain (like we weren't allowed in KBS and the area of the park). Wish us luck.

~ sorry, no pictures... Grace is copying all of my pictures and promised to give me all of hers... so... once I get them from her I'll try and put some up.

Black Day

So, yesterday (April 14Th) was Black Day. The day for single people. I... do not fall into this category so I really don't have much to write about (Thank you, Grace ^__^). I spent most of the day on the roof of the dorm, enjoying the nice weather (finally). Later, I met up with Grace. We hung out, watched some of the Apprentice Celebrity addition, and went out for dinner. So, this really isn't an important post... I just felt I should put something up about Black Day since it's Black Day right now for most of the people following this blog (I said "most" not "all"... that doesn't include you, Ya Ya). Well, single people... go out and have fun.

Good Friday and Saturday

So, on Friday, Evan and I met up with a friend of Evan's, Jenny, and her cousin, David, in Seoul. We went to David's parents house on Kang hwa do, an island. We had to drive for a little while and then take a ferry to the island. David's father is a minister on the island and David is currently studying to become a minister. So, we went to David's father's church for Good Friday service. We ate at the parent's house but slept in a little hotel/motel a little ways away.

Saturday, we all got up for breakfast and then went mountain climbing (the four of us, David's parents didn't want to come). We hiked/climbed for a while and it was really fun. I kept thinking that it would've been nice to be there with Grace (top of a mountain looking towards China). But, alas, I wasn't able to bring anyone with due to space issues. After the hike, we returned to the parent's house for lunch and then off to the beach. We had ice cream at the beach and walked for a little while. When the tide was low there were people playing in the mud. It was "interesting" to see.

After the beach we returned to Seoul in crazy rush hour traffic. Evan and I were dropped off at a subway entrance but decided to walk around for a little while and then go get some food in Seoul. After dinner, though, we returned to Suwon because we were both too tired to walk around Seoul anymore. There is always a long line for the bus to get back to Suwon but it gave me a chance to buy some flowers for Grace. Once we got back to Suwon we noticed Naomi was on our bus so we talked for a little bit and Evan and Naomi walked back to campus and I stopped over at Grace's apartment to give her the flowers.

It was a really fun trip!!! ^_^

4/8 and 4/9

These are pictures of the campus that I took with Grace on Wed and Thur. The Cherry Blossom's are in bloom and they're my favorite "flower". So, it was really nice to walk around the campus to see special flowers with a very special, young lady. I'd write more but there are too many pictures for me to try and organize the pictures with a caption. So... enjoy the pictures. ^_^

Ocean World Weekend

We were to meet by the "Ice Cream Man". I met up with Grace and we waited for awhile. Most meetings here don't start when they should. We were to meet up at 10:00 and leave shortly after. We ended up leaving close to 11:00. Then there was a bus ride. We stopped and had lunch at a half way point. Once we arrived at the place we would be staying, we unloaded our stuff and messed around for an hour. Then we left for Ocean World. We got there around 15:00 (3:00pm) and would stay till 19:30 (7:30). I would have picture of the place and other things (like Grace in her swimming suit) but electronics and water don't seem to get along as well as I'd like. She was pretty as always. We spent the time at Ocean World by going down water slides, relaxing in various hot baths, saunas, and water massage seats. In Korea, you have to wear a swimming cap if you want to be in the pool. Again, sorry I don't really have any pictures. Once we got back to where we were staying, we had a BBQ. There were 32 people that went on this trip and we all stayed in a little 3 bed room, one living room, one kitchen... house. So, it was packed. Since the majority of the group was wild and drinking, sleeping wasn't really an option until it was time to get up. On the way back most of the people slept. Once we were back at Ajou I walked Grace home and then putzed around the dorm for awhile. I met up with Grace at the gym later that night... I'm convinced she's trying to kill me... "more"... "more"... She's lucky she's so amazing. After the workout, I walked Grace home again and we picked up some milk and orange juice on the way. Mmmm... orange juice...