OMG SNOW!

The title of this post is what everyone was saying two nights ago when this happened:



There is about twice as much now as there is in this photo. All the foreigners are going absolutely nuts. The only ones here who have had a real winters are the two Canadians.

I don't get excited because this is what I think of when people say "Winter":



And sometimes this:



The snow certainly jolts me into a certain state of mind. Several days ago, before the onset of the snow, I received uncomfortable looks from my Korean and Western co-teachers when would grab them forcefully by the shoulders and get real close to their faces and whisper intensley:

"Do you smell it!? DO YOU SMELL IT (insert korean or western name)!?!? SNOW IS COMING!"

The snow is fine, but I am now realizing fully that I was born and raised to generate body heat. On average it is about 5-10 degrees F .

I just started to wear my winter coat and still don't use the heat in my apartment. Everyone is seriously getting disturbed. This is a double-edged sword mind you. They like to keep in about 78 degrees in the school and most of the Koreans wear sweaters, some even still wear their coats.
My students are appaled when I tell them : " I just talked to my dad last night and it is -20 degrees in my home town.

Korea will be showing two of the movies I have been pretty excited for, Avatar and The Princess and the Frog.



There is an IMAX screen in my city, which is awesome. However, the subtitles may be an issue. For example, when we went to go see Inglorious Basterds we could understand everything fine....until they were speaking German, Italian or French. There were no english subtitles for those sections, only Korean.

District 9 however, worked out very well, because when the aliens spoke in their insect-bug tongue, english subtitles remained, and the Korean subtitles were moved to the side.

I can only hope to be so lucky with Avatar.





The Princess and the Frog is the first hand drawn theatrical release for Disney since Home on the Range (...that cow movie with Roseane the cow voicing the cow...)

I hope it takes me away! I still remember that every Christmas mom and dad would give Becky and me the yearly Disney movie on VHS.

We are having our staff Holiday party this weekend, so there will most certainly be some fun (and dignified) photos of the event!

New Camera and Two Turkey Days!

"Deep Fried Turkey?!?!"



I love turkey. There was never a horrible fear that I would not be consuming any of it this Thanksgiving. However, when I overheard conversations involving deep fried turkey, my ears immediadely perked up and my heart began to race.

"Can you do that?!!!!!"

"Deep fry a turkey?!!!"

"What does it taste like?!"

"What color is it?!"

"Do you have to buy a special bird?!"

"When can we eat it?!"

All of these questions raced through my churning mind and spewed from my stuttering mouth.

Apparently it's something many people do this time of year. It had just never occured to me, but the notion was very...arrousing.
We were all assigned (or volunteered) certain Items to bring. I volunteered veggies. After several days numerous co-workers agreed that perhaps pizza would be best.



Joe and I enjoyed a little pre-party prior to our arrival. I cooked up several petite steaks for us and we watched some episodes of "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia.

When we arrived just after four (our orignal arrival plan was for 3:30, but Joe and I are lazy. Also, I received a desperate call from the host Kelsey: "Please stop by Lotte we need more OIL!!!") When we arrived in their parking garage, we saw everyone waiting desperately urging the oil to heat up to 170 degrees celsius....it took about another hour and 20 minutes to reach optimal conditions. 160 is pretty much 170...right?



All were pleased at the pizzas that were brought. The pizza along with some rolls and an assortment of wines kept us at bay. The blow of a hour and 30 minute wait was somewhat lessened. I have never seen a more resulute group of people. We all new the grandeur that awaited us!

Some could not brave the cold (or didn't get unhealthy pleasure waiting right by the cooking turkey, smelling every sizzle and pop!)



It was the best turkey I have ever tasted. Even the white meat (I am normally predisposed to dark) was so incredibly juicy and satisfying! There were also two wonderful bowls of creamy mashed potatoes. Stuffing veggies, wontons and fried pork was aslo available.



This was all on Saturday. As you could expect, I had a very full social calendar for the weekend. Sunday was spent with Joe again, but with several teachers from other schools I have met on my travels through this city. We enjoyed many fine meats. The original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie was on the itinerary as well. They were elated to know that I bring it with me wherever I move (seriously, I do).




We spend the day gorging and lying around wathcing other classics. What a fine day to spend my favorite holiday!