Good morning, sunshines!
1. Cheesecake. I've wanted to visit this new place in Hongdae for the past few weeks because they have cake displays in the window. We finally went this past weekend, with an oreo cheesecake slice being one of my rewards for being the best girlfriend ever and caring for a recovering boyfriend. Then, because I'm a fatty and love it, I picked up a couple slices of different cakes for a Monday surprise: mint and another oreo cheesecake. I couldn't even take a photo because he scarfed them down! Okay, fine. I did too.
2. Bus 273. It's the little things, people. I don't know if it is actually faster than the other bus options, but it definitely feels faster. Any time that there are bus options, I go for that one. Bus drivers in Seoul are dangerous, so it's good to know that if I'm going to risk my life, at least it'll be for a shorter time period.
3. Hot donuts. I just got the best fresh donut that I've had in Korea from another teacher. It was delicious and made my 2-hour workday that much more bearable. Plus, it wasn't overly sweet, which is the problem with a lot of treats in Korea. And if I'm saying that they're overly sweet, then you know that that's a lot of sugar up in there.
Off to attempt to do my taxes and get medical insurance (super fun things) x
Tuesday, September 30, 2014
Monday, September 29, 2014
Happiness Project: Day 8/21
It's Monday morning, and it's raining, which is pretty much the worst combination that a Southern Californian can imagine. Therefore, this is the perfect way to start my day: thinking positively.
1. LOTR man hair. I'm not sure how many of you have had the pleasure of watching LOTR lately, but I had a movie marathon this weekend and could not stop commenting about those luscious locks! Maybe I'm just jealous of the effortless waves, but it's not really fair that Orlando Bloom can roll out with that face and that hair. Don't get me started on Aragorn.
2. Green apples. AKA the best apples. I cannot wait to go home and have endless supplies of fruit that are not absurdly expensive. It's a bit difficult to eat fruits in Korea, with the average price of a bag of apples (the cheapest fruits, along with bananas) being 8,000 won.
3. Samgyeopsal. YUMMM. Korean meal of grilled pork belly. Just Google it. The boyfriend and I have a particular restaurant in Sinchon that we frequent at least once a week because it's the best. The prices are good, the pork is fantastic, and the staff are really nice. Plus, the owner knows us and gives us free mushrooms. What's not to love? This is by far one of the things that I'm going to miss the most when we leave.
Happy Monday x
1. LOTR man hair. I'm not sure how many of you have had the pleasure of watching LOTR lately, but I had a movie marathon this weekend and could not stop commenting about those luscious locks! Maybe I'm just jealous of the effortless waves, but it's not really fair that Orlando Bloom can roll out with that face and that hair. Don't get me started on Aragorn.
2. Green apples. AKA the best apples. I cannot wait to go home and have endless supplies of fruit that are not absurdly expensive. It's a bit difficult to eat fruits in Korea, with the average price of a bag of apples (the cheapest fruits, along with bananas) being 8,000 won.
3. Samgyeopsal. YUMMM. Korean meal of grilled pork belly. Just Google it. The boyfriend and I have a particular restaurant in Sinchon that we frequent at least once a week because it's the best. The prices are good, the pork is fantastic, and the staff are really nice. Plus, the owner knows us and gives us free mushrooms. What's not to love? This is by far one of the things that I'm going to miss the most when we leave.
Happy Monday x
Sunday, September 28, 2014
Happiness Project: Day 7/21
I've been quite the hermit lately, trying to be a bit healthier and trying to save a bit of money in the process! All of this basically means that I get to bed on the weekends a bit earlier than usual, which was going to be my excuse for not making my list today. Alas, I talked myself into not being lazy, and here are the results.
1. Messy buns. They are pretty much the solution to all of life's problems. All you need are some bobby pins and a hair tie, and BOOM. Magic. My hair is just getting long enough now for me to be able to put it all up again. I was thinking of getting this lob thingy that everyone is talking about, but I'm pretty sure that means that I'd have to choose between that haircut and this hairstyle. In the Australian summer heat? Obvious choice.
2. Brunch. No explanation. Well, quick explanation: all types of pancakes (particularly CCPs and RVPs). And if those don't suit your fancy, there are just so. many. options. Then there's bacon. Not even going to get started on mimosas and the severe lack of them in Korea.
3. Japan! Yes, the entire country. This time next week, the boyfriend and I will be in Osaka! We went to Japan for a few days in April, but immediately upon returning, felt that we both needed more time there. On this trip, we'll be going to Osaka, Kyoto, Nara and Kobe. How we're going to fit all of that in a week, I have no idea. But it's going to work. Because…it has to. So much planning to do!
Sweet dreams x
Friday, September 26, 2014
Happiness Project: Day 6/21
HAI! Yesterday evening was full of adventures. The boyfriend got two of his wisdom teeth removed and has been drugged up for the best part of 18 hours. Liquid diet for two, please. And by "diet", I mean lots of ice cream, yogurt and cheese. All the expensive stuff, but tasty & worth it.
With that being said, onto day six!
1. Fridays! This one is a given, because who doesn't like Fridays? But I felt that it was appropriate because it is indeed Friday here (but not in the states muahaha). This particular Friday marks the end of the last full week of work here at Pagoda. It's definitely been a roller coaster, but that's for a later post. Anyway. Fridays. Yes.
2. My new glasses. After the (still unresolved) disaster with the first optician in Seoul, the second one was amazing. They were less than a quarter of the price of the first and were completed in about 20 minutes. THESE are the kinds of Korean opticians that I know and love! $20 for new frames and lenses. All about it. And mine are the cutest. They're bigger than my previous ones because I'm becoming more Asian by the second, but I'm okay with it.
3. Starbucks White Chocolate Mocha. You know I'm all about my sugar and creme with a splash of coffee, and this morning was no different. However, because I didn't want to wake up the boyfriend (and if I'm being honest, because he always makes the coffee in the morning because I'm always running behind), I decided to get a cute mini white chocolate mocha deliciousness from the convenience store. Lovely, but I need about a dozen more.
Off to eat some kimbap x
With that being said, onto day six!
1. Fridays! This one is a given, because who doesn't like Fridays? But I felt that it was appropriate because it is indeed Friday here (but not in the states muahaha). This particular Friday marks the end of the last full week of work here at Pagoda. It's definitely been a roller coaster, but that's for a later post. Anyway. Fridays. Yes.
2. My new glasses. After the (still unresolved) disaster with the first optician in Seoul, the second one was amazing. They were less than a quarter of the price of the first and were completed in about 20 minutes. THESE are the kinds of Korean opticians that I know and love! $20 for new frames and lenses. All about it. And mine are the cutest. They're bigger than my previous ones because I'm becoming more Asian by the second, but I'm okay with it.
3. Starbucks White Chocolate Mocha. You know I'm all about my sugar and creme with a splash of coffee, and this morning was no different. However, because I didn't want to wake up the boyfriend (and if I'm being honest, because he always makes the coffee in the morning because I'm always running behind), I decided to get a cute mini white chocolate mocha deliciousness from the convenience store. Lovely, but I need about a dozen more.
Off to eat some kimbap x
Thursday, September 25, 2014
Happiness Project: Day 5/21
Oh, Thursday. You tease. I wake up almost every Thursday jumping for freaking joy and am super excited because I think that it's Friday. And then spend a good fifteen minutes sulking because I have once again been fooled.
With that being said, the list was a bit more difficult to write today. …which may also have to do with two out of my three classes being one-on-one's with unfriendlies.
1. Eyelash extensions. Yes, I've been converted. I got them on a whim last Friday and HEART them. I look fresh to death, flawless. I literally woke up like this. Downside is, they are soooo expensive outside of Korea ($50 first time; about $30 each subsequent visit). I don't even want to look up prices in Australia. … Okay so I just looked. $100. And not even for the most expensive one.
2. Running. I have a love/hate relationship with running, but for the past couple of weeks, I've been really enjoying spending 30 or so minutes hashing it out on the treadmill. It makes me feel like sitting in Pagoda for hours on end isn't messing up my back/body/well-being too much, as long as I finish the workday with a nice run. PS Endorphins make you happy, and happy people just don't shoot their husbands. So I've got that going for me.
3. My typing skills. Mad skills. Mad stacks yo. I've always been a pretty abled typist, but I've definitely improved since my laptop has become attached to my being. I can type with my eyes closed, while having a conversation, while reading a transcript. I'm proud of it, dammit!
Four more workdays to go! x
With that being said, the list was a bit more difficult to write today. …which may also have to do with two out of my three classes being one-on-one's with unfriendlies.
1. Eyelash extensions. Yes, I've been converted. I got them on a whim last Friday and HEART them. I look fresh to death, flawless. I literally woke up like this. Downside is, they are soooo expensive outside of Korea ($50 first time; about $30 each subsequent visit). I don't even want to look up prices in Australia. … Okay so I just looked. $100. And not even for the most expensive one.
2. Running. I have a love/hate relationship with running, but for the past couple of weeks, I've been really enjoying spending 30 or so minutes hashing it out on the treadmill. It makes me feel like sitting in Pagoda for hours on end isn't messing up my back/body/well-being too much, as long as I finish the workday with a nice run. PS Endorphins make you happy, and happy people just don't shoot their husbands. So I've got that going for me.
3. My typing skills. Mad skills. Mad stacks yo. I've always been a pretty abled typist, but I've definitely improved since my laptop has become attached to my being. I can type with my eyes closed, while having a conversation, while reading a transcript. I'm proud of it, dammit!
Four more workdays to go! x
Wednesday, September 24, 2014
Happiness Project: Day 4/21
Hump day at its finest. I definitely needed a list like this to get me through this rainy Wednesday.
1. Black clothes. Because black goes with everything. Nothing is the new black. A couple people (myself included) have made it a point to wear all black everything to work. Basically, black clothes are life, and I have Ms. Erica Li to thank for it. Never forget where you came from. Hashtag Drake.
2. Yogurt. Frozen. Greek. Strawberry. Lots of toppings (please send me granola). I recently posted a photo on my brand-spanking-new Instagram account of a new yogurt place near my apartment. It's expensive, but tasty. Ahhhhh, the costs of western food! But for real, I'd like some Yogurtland deliciousness at LAX when I arrive, and I don't care if you think that "it doesn't taste good" with the In N Out that will be accompanying it.
3. Okay, so the original #3 is going to have to wait until tomorrow because I got a fantastic email today: MY AUSTRALIAN VISA APPLICATION HAS BEEN APPROVED. I know. As my boyfriend lovingly reminded me, they didn't actually have a reason to not approve my visa application, but still. He got his a week before me—what gives? Must be an American thing. Regardless, I will officially (and legally) be saying hello to Australia in mid-October!!
Off to watch some Sherlock x
1. Black clothes. Because black goes with everything. Nothing is the new black. A couple people (myself included) have made it a point to wear all black everything to work. Basically, black clothes are life, and I have Ms. Erica Li to thank for it. Never forget where you came from. Hashtag Drake.
2. Yogurt. Frozen. Greek. Strawberry. Lots of toppings (please send me granola). I recently posted a photo on my brand-spanking-new Instagram account of a new yogurt place near my apartment. It's expensive, but tasty. Ahhhhh, the costs of western food! But for real, I'd like some Yogurtland deliciousness at LAX when I arrive, and I don't care if you think that "it doesn't taste good" with the In N Out that will be accompanying it.
3. Okay, so the original #3 is going to have to wait until tomorrow because I got a fantastic email today: MY AUSTRALIAN VISA APPLICATION HAS BEEN APPROVED. I know. As my boyfriend lovingly reminded me, they didn't actually have a reason to not approve my visa application, but still. He got his a week before me—what gives? Must be an American thing. Regardless, I will officially (and legally) be saying hello to Australia in mid-October!!
Off to watch some Sherlock x
Tuesday, September 23, 2014
Happiness Project: Day 3/21
I know, I know. This post comes practically immediately after the former one (time-wise...and location-wise, I guess). But I've got a date with the gym that I cannot afford to miss. Day three comin' at you!
1. The color lilac. Ridiculously PRETTY. I'm not really a girly girl, but I talked the boyfriend into getting a lilac shirt and one of my students rocked up to class with a lilac bag. New nail polish color? YAASSSS.
2. Dresses. Particularly flowy dresses or those with pockets. Korean dresses are...different. They have weird cutouts (at the shoulders), are meant for people with less in the breast area than I, or are stupid expensive. So the dresses that I currently have (not the ones that my sisters keep stealing!) have a special place in my heart.
3. Doing the dishes. Didn't see that one coming, did you?! I LOVE doing the dishes. I don't know what it is about them. It's relaxing; it takes 20 minutes; and when you're finished, the mess is gone! I once had a dream that at a big family meal, everyone else sat down and talked, but I went to the kitchen to wash up and cleaned the dishes sans dishwasher. But please don't ask me if I'll do yours. No. Obviously. And yes, the boyfriend is ridic lucky.
Gym time x
1. The color lilac. Ridiculously PRETTY. I'm not really a girly girl, but I talked the boyfriend into getting a lilac shirt and one of my students rocked up to class with a lilac bag. New nail polish color? YAASSSS.
2. Dresses. Particularly flowy dresses or those with pockets. Korean dresses are...different. They have weird cutouts (at the shoulders), are meant for people with less in the breast area than I, or are stupid expensive. So the dresses that I currently have (not the ones that my sisters keep stealing!) have a special place in my heart.
3. Doing the dishes. Didn't see that one coming, did you?! I LOVE doing the dishes. I don't know what it is about them. It's relaxing; it takes 20 minutes; and when you're finished, the mess is gone! I once had a dream that at a big family meal, everyone else sat down and talked, but I went to the kitchen to wash up and cleaned the dishes sans dishwasher. But please don't ask me if I'll do yours. No. Obviously. And yes, the boyfriend is ridic lucky.
Gym time x
Happiness Project: Day 2/21
Okay, so I kind of cheated. Semi. I didn't have a chance to go online yesterday to type this all out because I've been working on a freelance proofreading assignment. BUT. I did write it down. Girl Scout Honor. List below!
1. That first coffee in the morning. Yes, sugar & cream & all. It's even better when it's at SEVEN AM. Errrr. At least it keeps me awake.
2. Talks with people back home. I'm like a kid on Christmas when I make plans to speak with people, whether that's friends or family, phone or Skype. I miss you guys.
3. Lip Smackers Strawberry Chapstick. I'm sorry, but Burts ain't got NOTHIN' on this. It's been my favorite chapstick (probably since birth), and it's not changing anytime soon. Thank you, Lip Smackers, for keeping the dream alive. Even if my mother does have to send it from the states.
See! I can be productive on a break! x
1. That first coffee in the morning. Yes, sugar & cream & all. It's even better when it's at SEVEN AM. Errrr. At least it keeps me awake.
2. Talks with people back home. I'm like a kid on Christmas when I make plans to speak with people, whether that's friends or family, phone or Skype. I miss you guys.
3. Lip Smackers Strawberry Chapstick. I'm sorry, but Burts ain't got NOTHIN' on this. It's been my favorite chapstick (probably since birth), and it's not changing anytime soon. Thank you, Lip Smackers, for keeping the dream alive. Even if my mother does have to send it from the states.
See! I can be productive on a break! x
Sunday, September 21, 2014
Happiness Project: Day 1/21
So I'm working on a freelance proofreading assignment, and there's a blurb discussing happiness. The overall concept is that happiness is learned. The quote says that if you write about what makes you happy for 21 straight days, then your brain will become conditioned into paying more attention to what makes you happy. Unfortunately, I'm going to be running around SE Asia before the end of this mini project, so I'll do what I can. But with that in mind, here are the three things that made me happy today.
1. Red lipstick. I don't know how I lived without it for so long. It instantly makes me feelsexy. sexier.
2. Macaroni & cheese. I have less than two weeks in this Seoul apartment, and the pasta has been stocking up. So, this week will be a lot of pasta. And to start it off with a bang, Sunday night dinner will consist of mac & cheese with bacon and mushrooms. YUM.
3. Last full week of work. Today is the start to my last full workweek at Pagoda. My last full week of waking up at 5:30AM, at least for awhile! Cue outrageous dance music (i.e. Party In The USA).
Lots of love x
1. Red lipstick. I don't know how I lived without it for so long. It instantly makes me feel
2. Macaroni & cheese. I have less than two weeks in this Seoul apartment, and the pasta has been stocking up. So, this week will be a lot of pasta. And to start it off with a bang, Sunday night dinner will consist of mac & cheese with bacon and mushrooms. YUM.
3. Last full week of work. Today is the start to my last full workweek at Pagoda. My last full week of waking up at 5:30AM, at least for awhile! Cue outrageous dance music (i.e. Party In The USA).
Lots of love x
Saturday, September 6, 2014
Final Month at Pagoda
It feels strange being so nonchalant at work. Being so indifferent to the lack of students and the severe lack of hours.
This month, I'm working MWF 7am-4pm (with a couple breaks in between), which makes for a pretty decent work day. Then, we get to TTF. 7-9am. That's it. Two hours. I'm waking up at 5:45am for two hours of work. Granted, it's PBA 2, one of my favorite courses (and textbooks), but come on. The boyfriend is working a (basically) normal schedule, which means that I have officially been placed in charge of errands, cooking, cleaning, and all other housework-y chores to fill my time.
Hahaha. JUST KIDDING. Semi.
To try and keep myself busy (aka not wanting to pull my hair out from sheer boredom), I've arranged a couple things:
1. Gym time. Last month, I was going to the gym 2-3x/week. Seeing as how I can't even convince myself that I don't have the time/energy/blahblahblah for September, I'm going to amp this up to 3-4x/week. Yes, I know, I'm dedicated.
2. Codeacademy. Now, I've only been testing the waters with this for a couple weeks, but it's really cool. Seriously. COOL. And plays on my OCD tendencies to have everything ready and in its correct place. I've been interested in website development ever since one of my favorites (ahem, Krisleen) started her first HR job, met her husband, and then told me all about how she took a coding course to try to gain more background info on it. Long story short, here I am. Learning how to make airbnb's website.
3. Google Analytics. To be honest, I haven't really started this little adventure. But, I read Dave Davis' LinkedIn post and it got me thinking that understanding analytics would be not only a useful skill, but also a useful, marketable skill. So I've begun. Starting from the bottom.
4. edX. I was deciding between a couple courses on this site focusing on globalization and sociology, and a course on Python on coursera. I decided to go with my gut. Web dev and analytics are new enough as it is. Plus, I just think global sociology and globalization are so captivating. How is someone not interested in these concepts that affect us on a daily—even hourly—basis?
All on top of moving to a new country in one month. EEP! x
This month, I'm working MWF 7am-4pm (with a couple breaks in between), which makes for a pretty decent work day. Then, we get to TTF. 7-9am. That's it. Two hours. I'm waking up at 5:45am for two hours of work. Granted, it's PBA 2, one of my favorite courses (and textbooks), but come on. The boyfriend is working a (basically) normal schedule, which means that I have officially been placed in charge of errands, cooking, cleaning, and all other housework-y chores to fill my time.
Hahaha. JUST KIDDING. Semi.
To try and keep myself busy (aka not wanting to pull my hair out from sheer boredom), I've arranged a couple things:
1. Gym time. Last month, I was going to the gym 2-3x/week. Seeing as how I can't even convince myself that I don't have the time/energy/blahblahblah for September, I'm going to amp this up to 3-4x/week. Yes, I know, I'm dedicated.
2. Codeacademy. Now, I've only been testing the waters with this for a couple weeks, but it's really cool. Seriously. COOL. And plays on my OCD tendencies to have everything ready and in its correct place. I've been interested in website development ever since one of my favorites (ahem, Krisleen) started her first HR job, met her husband, and then told me all about how she took a coding course to try to gain more background info on it. Long story short, here I am. Learning how to make airbnb's website.
3. Google Analytics. To be honest, I haven't really started this little adventure. But, I read Dave Davis' LinkedIn post and it got me thinking that understanding analytics would be not only a useful skill, but also a useful, marketable skill. So I've begun. Starting from the bottom.
4. edX. I was deciding between a couple courses on this site focusing on globalization and sociology, and a course on Python on coursera. I decided to go with my gut. Web dev and analytics are new enough as it is. Plus, I just think global sociology and globalization are so captivating. How is someone not interested in these concepts that affect us on a daily—even hourly—basis?
All on top of moving to a new country in one month. EEP! x
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