So another week down! I am really starting to realize, that despite the language barrier.... well .... almost especially because of the language barrier.. how nice people are here.

There has been at least three times, once mid-run, where people have stopped simply to say "hi" "hello" or "how are you," Totally guessing it's because they want to practice the few English phrases they know. Which I totally know the feeling. Of the three Korean phrases I have learned, (hello, thank you, and 'i don't speak korean) - listed in the order of use from least to greatest - I love to flaunt my 2nd language as well. As a result I also must seem like the most polite American to have ever visited.

A guy really did stop me mid-run though. I had my ipod in and he was like waving at me... like trying to get my attention. So i stopped, took my earbuds out and looked at him. And he was like, "hi."

Also found a toaster for $19. It's a rare and wonderful thing to find something for the presumed "home price," which is the name I have designated for something I would find at my much missed walmart. This was especially exciting because upon plugging it in I knew the days of toasting my bread in the frying pan were over. Hooray!

Slowly moving up in the world. I learned how to change individual track lighting, which will work soon once I get my broken lightswitch working again. Sad day. The ambiance in my apartment is eerily similar to an office building, and when I just want to watch a little illegally downloaded Desperate Housewives, some calming yellow light shouldn't be so much to ask for. I have emptied and de-labeled my empty wine bottles, which have supplied a majority of my decorations for my desks and tables. Now I just need some wall-art, and I should have a pretty respectable apartment.

Speaking of wine, funny story from school today. Iffffff you have been following the few adventures Ive had yet, you'll know soju was a mistake I will not soon make again. The watered-down-vodka-esque taste ... not for me.

Apparently, my 6th grade students agree with me. Disclaimer: I do not share stories from my lifestyle outside of school - at least not the ones that include the effects of beer and soju. Regardless, they seem to know of the general consequences even without my valued input.

One of their vocab words was "Grotesque." They have to define them and use them in a sentence, as well as identify the part of speech. The response appeared as follows:

"Grotesque; (v.). Ugly. Odd or unnatural in shape or appearance.

When normal human beings drink soju, they become grotesque."

Amen.