When I arrived here in April, Gwangju was late in shaking off the winter's chill. I donned my coat and scarf for a good few weeks, and kept the floor heater running all day. Soon, though, Spring caught up. Flowers and green things suddenly appeared against the grey city's construction and traffic flow. Ladies broke out their bright and high cut sundresses and children climbed out from their Kenny costumes. Then it was summer, and it was hot- let's not gloss over that fact. We complained about the heat. And yet, we were not cold; and that will be remembered soon enough as a fond memory, I'm sure. And now, timely as you please, it looks like Fall has arrived. This is weather perfection. Soon leaves will join in the fun, and the smell of the air will change: I cannot explain this, but I know it to be true. Today was September 12th; my sweet mother's 65th birthday (happy birfday, Mom)... the day felt around 73ยบ, there was a kind amount of sun and constant cool breeze. Everyone was out, and they were all talking about the weather. At least, that's what I'll assume. I still don't know much Korean.
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Kevin and I had breakfast and pilsners around 3:00PM, at the Alleyway. Ian and Heather (an adorable Canadian couple we've met here) happened to join us, and it was a nice surprise, as that those two are al-right in my book. I then dashed to meet MiEun, my boss and buddy, in front of the YMCA. We bought cold lattes, and tickets for the 5:00 showing of Killers, then clothes shopped until the showtime: MiEun bought a sharp jacket. I helped her pick it out. The two of us have gone shopping together several times now, but I always feel guilty if I'm the one looking to buy, because I like to browse and think and compare and decide slowly- I enjoy the process. Whereas MiEun is the single most decisive person I've met in my life. I admire that. Anyway- the movie was kind of dumb but fun, and we had pasta afterward in a place decorated like the inside of Barbie's dreamhouse, then she had to go. We didn't get our fortunes read this time.... but as she pointed out, they always say the same things every time, anyway; which, by 8ball standards, would equal 'outlook not good' for her love life. It makes me so sad to see lovesick women... not so much because they don't have their love, as that the absence of someone they've never met is preventing them from truly enjoying what an awesome life they have.
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But I definitely digress.
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Point was- things are going swimmingly.
Kevin's parents are going to be here in just a few days- and we're anxious to have them here! We'll have 12 days off to play, and we have lots of ideas as to how we can spend our time.
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Meanwhile, I just completed my online TEFL course. I fooled around and lost track of time, and wound up in deep waters struggling to finish the thing before expiration. In order to truly focus on the 6 tests I was taking simultaneously, I moved into 'The Gramy Motel', just around the corner from our place, in order to work in seclusion and without distraction. The hotel was seedy as they come, but you know it only makes me love it more. And anyway, the plan worked- and though I got little sleep, I enjoyed the challenge a lot, and learned the material in the process (though I do want to keep studying to make sure I retain it). Now, I have a little bit of knowledge about what the heck I'm doing with these little communicators.
After the intense session was through, I was mentally and physically drained of every drop. I slept very well for many hours, and I must tell you I had a very long work dream. Throughout my adult life, work dreams have almost always been miserable experiences, if not simply unpleasant. I am running up and down flights of stairs, balancing heavy trays of drinks and food on both hands with my apron slowly sliding to the floor as customers are either being cruel or just taking all of my time and patience as I explain for a third time the only difference between the cheeseburger and the hamburger. However, I just experienced my first work dream featuring a large (much larger than reality) group of little koreans, and dude-- it was a blast! We were laughing and I was doing a good job teaching them, and they didn't want to leave for recess, and I didn't either, so we decided to play English games through the break. It was a glorious, glorious work dream. How bout them apples?!
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SIDENOTE: Previously, on Wendy's in South Korea-
I played guitar with Mr. Cho at Cafe Province for hours as Korean jazz talent, Youn Sun Nah, met with her fans. Then, this amazing local artist also wondered in (the one whose work I showed pictures of on FB already- female forms, sewn pictures on silk), and hung out with us. She even sketched me with my guitar. Fabulousness.
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But enough about me: let's talk about you! What have YOU been doing?
