if you must know...

blue mountain, pictures, and satisfied taste buds

The Coffee Pot

so much coffee; so little time

cafedoBrasilpicturedothRagiinterrupt

damn good coffee

"your gang of Jamaican Al Pacinos, drinking Blue Mountain cappuccinos"

blue mountain joe & literature: divine

eenie meenie miney moe

iced cafe latte

damn good coffee

helado & waffle

the end

shears, coffee and a lot of sign language

if there is one thing I love doing in Korea, it is getting my hair cut. I will go get a haircut one day and then only three weeks later, although I don't need to, I will go back. why? you might ask. because getting your hair cut in Korea is AWESOME. if you can get past the fact they always want to style your head like a Korean which may or may not be your cup of tea. in my case it's not. anyhow, an average haircut in a Korean salon (used by both men and women because there are very few barbershops) will go something like this: you walk in and if you are like me and don't know enough Korean to articulate the exact cut/style you want you either take a picture or just say cut and try to show dimensions with your hands. this can be frustrating at first, but unless you get something different the second, third, and fourth times are fairly smooth sailing. secondly, if you are not sure of a cut/style, don't worry, there are plenty of books and magazines for you to peruse. ok so moving to a vacant seat, a beautiful Korean woman anywhere from 26-36 (trust me, you probably won't be able to guess) will come up to you, take your stuff to store it safely in a locker, and ask you would you like coffee or tea. if you say coffee she will even ask how you like your coffee. Now all of this is usually spoken in mottled English, but believe me it doesn't diminish the awesome factor. After drinking your coffee or when the next available seat has come open (whichever comes first) you will be directed to a seat where your assigned stylist will approach you. I say assigned because you may sit in the same seat each time you, but you may get a different stylist each time. during this time, you two will confer (attempt to) on your hair cut/style of choice (it's best to have a picture if you are a woman unless you have really short/pixie-like hair). They will wet your hair with a spray bottle unless it is particularly unruly (like the time I had been wearing a hat all day) and they can't cut your hair. While cutting your hair there will be attempts at conversation which for me can be just as successful as they can be unsuccessful. During the cutting, the lady or gentlemen will periodically take a sponge type square and brush away the fallen hairs that may be tickling your eyebrow/ear/neck. Which in my case is really helpful when she/he is trimming my bangs. after the trim/cut they will then direct you to a sink and chair where they will wash your hair. This is the main reason a haircut in Korea is AWESOME. This isn't just any hair washing, it is a bona fide hair washing and massage. it's about 8 minutes of cranial therapy that really stimulates your head and gets your juices flowing. I often think to myself that Einstein must have had something like this done before he sat down to work. I'm not exaggerating guys, it's really as great as it sounds. After the wash/massage you will then go back to your seat. this is the part where it can make or break your experience. in my case it has made and broken it. the stylist will dry your hair and attempt to style it and it is important that when she picks up the round brush, you cross your hands/arms in an immediate X sign unless you want hair like your grandmother (or in Korea's case: most of the men and the older women all the way up to grandmother). I made the mistake of not giving the universal no (hell no in my case) and received a style that made me two inches taller than I really was. all because she picked up round brush. that time I almost cried (ok I did cry a little when I came home because I thought it was the cut not the style) when she spun me around to see my hair. however, most of the time my hair cut is satisfactory and even when it isn't (like the aforementioned experience), the awesome hair washing I received did blunt my thoughts of saying some nasty words and never returning. At any rate, the stylist could see my discontent and was apologetic, and I've since been back for a second cut. anyways, the cherry on top to this AWESOME hair cutting experience is the cost. In the states a cut or what is really a trim since I have been keeping my hair short for some time now, is usually anywhere from 15-25 dollars. In Korea though my haircut is never more than ten dollars. At the particular place I have been talking about, my cut/brain stimulation/coffee only cost me seven dollars. yes a mere $7.00 when at home it seems they charge seven dollars for just the door opening when you enter. I will end this by reiterating myself: HAIRCUTS IN KOREA ARE AWESOME!!!!

p.s. yesterday I got a haircut and it had only been three weeks ;0)

to go or not to go...for it

Everyone talks even raves about a woman’s intuition. Well sometimes that same intuition or “gut feeling” as it’s often called in more casual conversations, can really come back to bite you in the ass. Only inches from my face, it was impossible to think about anything else but his lips. To go or not to go, with my gut feeling, was the question. However, going with a gut feeling when abroad is a whole new ballgame. I had transplanted myself in a country where I could no longer “read” the men and knew what they were “out for.” Although I stand by the belief that all men are quite the same no matter the culture veil they use to disguise their intentions. I’m not a man hater, just an experienced woman who has suffered her share of men “thinking with the wrong head.” Here an invitation to dinner could (and usually does) sometimes just mean an opportunity to tell your friends you had dinner with a foreigner. Not to mention, the effect is even stronger if the foreigner is pretty, or from the United States. This assertion has nothing to do with nationalism, it’s cold hard facts, tried and true. But what if this is not the first dinner? What if this is the dinner after the coffee, trip to the park/mountain, the small doses of affection delivered, and the numerous late-night “are you awake?” in mottled English text messages? Because despite past occasions when “going with my gut” elicited positive even desirable results, I’m usually just winging it. Hell, half the time I don’t even know what is happening when it’s happening because in all honesty the more I find out the less I know when it comes to men and women in their relations with each other. Of course I must admit, despite my need to analyze even the smallest details, I find myself more at ease if I just let myself welcome the confusion if I do wonder or wander. On the same topic, but different note I often think back to many years ago to when my age still had that horribly embarrassing word known as “teen” at the end; someone told me I thought too much. Yes, according to this person I thought too much and maybe still feel the same way although I’ve not asked them their opinion in quite some time because it no longer matters. Personally, I think one of the problems is that people don’t think enough. Yes maybe I shouldn’t analyze to the depths that I do at times, but I find it very hard to stomach that I should go about my day and never question anything. Really, who the hell does that? Ok, maybe more than half of the population does, but I can’t and won’t. Anyways, that is a whole other can of worms.

If you’re wondering, I didn’t go with my gut feeling. Instead, I turned and continued the conversation in a direction that could relieve me of my thoughts of leaning in once more. Because in all honesty, I don’t even think I like this guy at least not in the sense that I should be kissing him and risk implying more than I want to. If that isn’t enough reason, I’m leaving here in less than four months, and returning is only a fleeting thought that enters my mind when considering my options and I become scared I won’t be able to find a job upon returning home. I know for some of you the worn out phrase “friends with benefits” has come to mind, and indeed I’ll admit I considered the same. However, there comes a time when this gets old, and now is that time. Maybe it wouldn’t be so worn out for me if I were someone who say didn’t have resources at hand. But I do and it’s not all it’s cracked up to be, at least not anymore. So despite the feeling of loneliness that I admit, is sometimes quite overwhelming; a quick feel-good is no longer what I’m “in the market” for. Now if you were to put the “what do you want?” question to me, I may not be able to answer it to your satisfaction because sometimes I’m not even sure. However, I know what I don’t want, and in my opinion that is just as important as knowing what you do want.

in the know

Monday night I watched Star Wars for the first time in all of my 24 years. Yes, I repeat the first time ever. For years now I've taken verbal beatings and berating because I've never seen Star Wars (especially the Next Generation tv episodes). Furthermore, it never seemed to help that I loved Star Trek and could talk endlessly about the Romulans and Klingons or about how awesome Captain Picard is. You may noticed I used the present tense there because Captain Picard is awesome. Anyways, my coworker, being so patient, put me in the know. We watched part of The Empire Strikes Back and all of The Return of the Jedi. I must admit, it was quite an enlightening experience. A pivotal moment in my adulthood. Not because Star Wars is awesome (I probably won't ever watch again despite my partiality to the ewoks), but because now I get it. I understand every reference, metaphor, "may the force be with you" moment, a friend's cat being named Jedi, another friend likening me to R2D2 (although I'm not sure it was an insult or compliment, I do think R2D2 is pretty cool). All this time it people around me have been speaking Star Wars lingo and all I hear is static. Not anymore. I've seen the light, thanks to my coworker who even took the time to explain that in one scene Jaba the Hut licks Princess Leia even though it has been removed from the version shown on Korean air. What a friend. ;0). However, I'm going to stick to my Captain Picard.

we mean business

this past weekend I hung out with a Korean friend and his friends, and I made the observation (once again) that: Koreans are serious in most everything they do. While I was aware of this fact before; this weekend made me realize that it's not just a seriousness about one or two things "korean," it's a seriousness about all things. When I say serious I don't necessarily mean someone who is rather stern, and concerned about work/important matters (whatever those may be). I mean a ballz to the wall serious. Just a few examples:

hiking the mountain: instead of your average Carolinian (for lack of better comparison) with some old hiking or work boots, a trusty backpack, and some regular but sturdy clothing that won't be bothered by burrs, thorny branches, and whatever else lurks low, you have the average Korean who has went to Northface (which is uber expensive here) or the Korean version such as Kolon Sport. This hiker is ever so ready for the trek and it's ok that he hasn't told you he's anticipating it because you can look at him and tell. With high performance pants, jersey shirt (and I'm willing to be they're wearing under armor) an anorak or other like waterproof jackets with enough pockets that even a squirrel would be confounded, trekking poles, backpacks looking like they are ready for a hike up and over Mount Everest, THE shoes, and even head gear. so yes Kumoh Mountain is a little steep, but that isn't the point. The point is these are Koreans and they are serious damnit.

drinking with dinner: the average American or at least those that I know, if they drink will maybe have a drink or two during dinner (wine or beer) and then if there are festivities after they will proceed. Others follow the road most traveled order from the "beverage" list that includes water, soda, or tea (sweet tea in my case). however, in Korea there seems to be two types of people with very little "shades of gray." You either have the "drinker" or the "non-drinker." most Koreans (male and female despite popular belief) fall under the former category. anywhere from 2-5 bottles of Soju can be found on the table while Koreans are eating, along with a bottle of baeksaeju (rice wine?) or maekju (beer). now maybe I'm not being fair since soju is usually drank out of shot glasses, but 5 rounds of soju leaves this argument almost undisputable. once again these are Koreans and they are serious damnit.

taking pictures: this weekend for example a Korean friend of mine, his friend and myself make plans to travel. naturally I bring my camera. Starbucks coffee, three tickets and 15 minutes later we are on the train (standing because there are no available seats). They also tell me they have brought their cameras. Some hours later in Daegu after eating lunch, coffee at Starbucks/Kyobo Bookstore, and some walking around downtown we head to a park. All this time, mind you, I've been taking random pictures on and off with my digital camera. However, once at the park and we decide it's "picture time." These guys pull out cameras that have prices with decimal places that make even my paycheck look like pocket change.

Koreans are also very serious when it comes to learning English (because the President said so), but the blog is long enough and I won't even open that can of worms.

Budda's Birthday Parade

starbucks and the park