Happy Halloween

One of the goodies in the box my sister sent. I really tried to make Mr. Potato/Pumpkin Head look more threatening, but his smile really makes it difficult! He's now sitting on my coffee table.

Halloween Memories:

Trick-or-Treating in the snow
Kerri and I having matching costumes
Carving pumpkins
Dressing up for the school Halloween party


I don't take these childhood memories for granted. At least not this year. You see, Koreans don't celebrate Halloween. My sister sent a box of Halloween goodies to me about a week ago, and I had it open on my counter when my realtor, Jee, came to the apartment. She was FASCINATED with the Halloween candy. She inquired all about the holiday, and she thought it was hilarious how the bag of M&Ms is decorated differently for Halloween. She couldn't believe the color of the M&Ms was different for Halloween, too. Apparently, she's only seen the traditional M&M colors! She was also very impressed that the candy had come "all the way from the States." I think she asked me twice where it had come from - like I was making it up or something! I had her take a couple of Ziploc bags home filled with chocolate goodness for her two daughters. I hope she snuck a few pieces on her way home!

Happy Halloween, Everyone!!!

Great Expectations

I decided to get a massage. I was a little (OK, a lot) on edge about the move, finding an apartment, finding a car, and starting a new job; I wanted some stress relief and relaxation time. Unfortunately, off-post beauty shops are off limits to Military for the suspicious happenings that take place "in the back." Luckily, there are a few salons on-post that are available to use. I happened to stumble on one in the hotel where I was staying - perfect! I walked in and made an appointment for the next day at 5:00pm. I was looking forward to my one-hour full body massage. In fact, I couldn't wait!

Day of Massage:
Red flag #1: I knew something was wrong when the masseuse (a Korean) walked me into a room where someone else was already getting a massage. There were three massage tables in one open room!

Red flag #2: She asked me to undress down to my underwear - but didn't leave the room to give me privacy. So, I undressed in front of her, the other masseuse, and the other client. WEIRD! I should have left then.

She had me lay face-up, slathered (and I mean that) her hands in lotion, and started rubbing my chest - boobs and all. I giggled, and giggled, and giggled some more. She thought I was ticklish! WRONG! I just couldn't believe what was actually happening! After what felt like 20 minutes, she moved on to my stomach. Also something new to me, but at least not as weird! The rest of the massage was pretty uneventful, but even the technique was very different from back in the States. I was lucky I didn't have any bruises the next day - this woman BEAT the stress out of my muscles (sometimes she smacked me so hard that the crazy amount of lotion she used flew into my face).

Needless to say, I didn’t relax during the entire hour.

If the Shoe Fits...

Crystal, one of my friends I met in Hawai'i, and I were in Itaewon (the town right outside of post) window shopping one Monday afternoon. People were packed on the sidewalk, scooters were zooming by, and traffic was its usual stop-and-go. The stores sell just about everything - from clothes to souvenirs to food. I spotted a shoe store. I spotted a pair of shoes in the shoe store window that I LOVED. In I went. I asked for the patent-leather grey flat in my size - American size 8. Now, I never thought I had overly large feet. In fact, they're quite average for a woman. The sales associate brought me a size 240mm (what they claim is equal to an American size 8). I tried it on, but the shoe was a little snug. I tried on another style of flat - this time a leopard print faux fur with a clip on the toe. It also did not fit. What is the natural thing to do? Ask for the next size up - so I did. Here is the response I got:

Sales Associate (in Asian accent, mind you): Oh no ma'am. That too big. We have to special order anything over size 8.

Discouraged, I left the store. I finally came to the realization that I will not be clothes or shoe shopping here. Most Korean women are the size of one of my legs. Apparently, their feet are tiny, too.

This time, the shoe just didn't fit.

Heart and Seoul

The Seoul Tower view from my hotel on-post.

Moving halfway across the world - $10,000. Taking language classes to learn Korean - $100. Having a realtor that cares - priceless. Let me explain. Upon arriving in Korea, I was given temporary living quarters in a hotel on-post. My adventure of finding an apartment started shortly after arriving. I faced the reality of cleaning my own place and making my own bed once again. Jee, my realtor, was recommended to me by my sponsor, and she was determined to find a placed that I LOVED. And she did. The lease was signed, I received the keys, and my household goods were delivered. She came to sit with me when the cable and internet were being hooked up, in case a translation was needed. Ends up, I needed more than that. As we talked, she asked how I was adjusting to life in Korea. Uncontrollably, my eyes welled-up with tears. I explained that I had no complaints, but I just missed everyone at "home." She listened and gave me a bear hug. She gave me another hug before she left. And she called me the next day to see how I was doing. A realtor? Yes, a realtor. But more importantly, a friend. Maybe I'm in for a surprise. The Korean people might actually capture both my heart and my Seoul.