Reflections....

Okay... so I know its a completely cliche saying, but I have been watching a lot of "Mulan" in my cinema class, so reflections it is! I have now been in Korea for almost 5 months. And I just looked back at my previous posts, and laughed, fully belly, body shaking laughs! Oh how naive I was about this country and this culture!

I am pleased to report that I since my "First Impressions" my eyes have been opened (though not surgically), and my heart and mind has been overwhelmed with the details of this country, that you can only experience by living here.

I no longer crave the warm, soft pillow of heated floor that I did in the winter time. For a while there, I though everyone was lying to me, there was no sign of Miss Spring showing her warm face anywhere. But gradually, those chilly nights, and tear forming winds, have turned into a lovely spring. Almost overnight- literally- the dull, drab brown tress grew leaves, and the whippy wind turned into an almost humid breeze. Stay tuned for thoughts on summer- apparently it gets pretty sticky!

My apartment is still the same. Small. Small. Small. But being only one person, I really don't need the luxury of more than one room. I have learned that many things can double up, and well, at least I have a separate bathroom. You have to look for the good, right! All of the food, toiletries, and random things Trevor left for me are almost gone. Yes, I have gone 5 months without having to buy toilet paper- which really is quite a long time, considering the size of my bladder. And there is something so embarrassing about buying toilet paper- really. I finally found all of the statues from his Doritos bags, hiding on top of my air conditioner, and have donated all his left over hair products to a friend who was in dire need of a hair makeover (meaning he just needed some gel to do it).

I still maintain that the floor is comfier than my bed, because, well, my bed is like a giant 2x4. And at least there is a little bit of cushion on the floor. I will return with a back that looks like a question mark, and the ability to sleep on a board made of nails. You know, just in case I ever had to!

Finally, I will admit, kimchi, like most Korean food, has grown on me. It is serve at almost every meal, and in all different forms. My favorite is "oiesobagi" kimchi, that is made out of cucumbers. The longer I am here, the less I am craving food from home. I love to eat chamchi-kimbab, which is almost comparable to a sushi roll, but made with Korean ingredients (like radish, ham, roots, etc..), and even have had a hankering for
dak -poki, a saucy mix of spice, rice cakes, and fish cake. I know- if you told me when I first arrived that I would be craving this, I would have said, you are crazy!!! And...it has finally happened. I love spicy food. I couldn't even handle some hot chicken wings when I was back home. Just last night I had chicken so spicy, my nose started to run, my lips were burning, and not even beer could sooth the fire! But I found it delicious! Maybe, lack of options has led me down my love for spice, or simply, the overwhelming flavours...whatever the reason, I have been reborn into a spicy food lover.

Throughout these past few months, I have realized how generous and open Korean people are. I have met so many wonderful people from this country, some for only a few hours, while others have become good friends. This country is a different kind of friendly- people don't smile at you on the side of the street- but they will pound your back if you have a coughing fit, or go out of their way to find you a band aid two minutes after they meet you.

Of course, while Korea has so far been beautiful, I think of home everyday. I crave a Victoria breeze and walk along the lagoon everyday. I am missing my family, and friends, and I sometimes think, wouldn't it be great if they could all come on these adventures with me? But, being here by myself has allowed me to really take a look at the person I have become. And these experiences are part of the milestones that build my life. On a completely unsentimental note- if you can believe it or not, do you know what I am missing most lately? Baby spinach. I know. You thinking, really, out of all the foods, that is what you crave? But there is no baby spinach here, and oh what I wouldn't give for a hearty homemade baby spinach salad right now.

Alright- off to lunch. Kimchi of course, seaweed soup and whatever else is on the menu today!

Annyeonghigaseyo for now!!!!!