Day 153

I just finished washing a load of laundry and became frustrated with the thought that my socks are never clean! The floors are always dusty and my socks are like a swiffer duster that can not be replaced cheaply. I continue to buy new pairs and now I am left with a bundle of dusty socks. Thank you for allowing me to vent on this matter from time to time. Today was a -10 degrees Celsius adventure, along with yesterday's -10 degrees treck around town. I managed to get my hair cut short by a lovely young Korean girl that spoke no more than 3 English words but we communicated beautifully using pictures and facial expressions. I called it my little boy cut until I was literally called Sir at Forever 21 this afternoon. I wasn't upset. In fact it was humorous to me but I later found out that my friend with long blonde hair was also referred to as the same name which proved that the girl with the name calling simply didn't know to say Miss to females.

Everyday Korea makes me smile. The couples here like to dress not only in similar attire but identical articles of clothing. I have not felt unsafe, not for one minute, unless I am in an area full of military men from the USA. That feeling really brings into perspective why I have always wanted to leave the states. My ideal life scenario = Pick up all of my loved ones and move them to another country, preferably one warmer than Korea. But it really is a comforting place even if the people are not as smiley as I am.

I have never lived alone and I was coming to enjoy it until this weather set in and I feel trapped. Now I find that I can stare into blank space for hours just wasting away my time. For this, I wish I weren't living alone. I also wish I had a bigger kitchen because making Polenta this evening would have been easier in the oven.

I am on day 153 and soon my friends will finish their contract and I will be faced with making new ones. I continue to read and I have even purchased my first Korean language guide in an attempt to communicate a little more with the people surrounding me. My next purchase will be a Korean cookbook and before long I will be back in the states making Bibimbap and Kimchi for my friends and family. Only kidding about the Kimchi. Unless I can make a less stinky version.

Koh Samui Island Adventures

My friends and I spent New Year's on an island off of Thailand. We took a bus and a ferry there and back after a five day stay. Some things that I learned during that time-

• they drive on the left side of the road,
• people are never on time and they rush you to hurry after showing up 30-45 minutes late,
• Australians love to party like the Jersey Shore,
• it is easy to bargain with a little experience, and
• never let a hungry monkey play with your jewelry.

A Very Merry Bangkok Christmas

Street workers, selling all kinds of goods, work until the sun comes up.

Even the elephants are trained to charm!

Climbing into a bunk bed past the age of 10 proved to be quite a challenge.

Tuk-tuk rides

I am usually willing to try something new to eat but bugs...never! Yuck!

Nap Park Hostel (highly recommended)