Candy

April 3, 2013. 

On the way to pick up our ARC cards. An aunty sits beside us (Daphne and another) on the subway, and I notice her look over at the small group of foreigners sitting to her left. She reaches into her bag and takes out a pack of mints or candies. Still don't know what they were. And she nudges me and puts three in my hand while pointing to Daphne and buddy as though to share with them. So I thank her in Korean and pass along the candies. After tasting, I told her it tastes good in Korean, and she gets all impressed and asks if I speak Korean. I tell her I'm a beginner and that I'm here studying on exchange. She then asks me how long I've been here. “One year?” she asks. “No, just one month.” And she's all happy and impressed with my Korean, tells me that I'm good. I thank her again. When we get up to leave aunty says bye to me in English. haha so cute. Almost every time I talk to someone older in Korean they finish with either a thank you or goodbye in English. (Thank you if I'm buying something from them.) I love it.

I'm really happy this happened cause I was a little put off by all the ignorance I had to listen to during lunch. haha Let me leave it there.

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You Need To Stop

***I typed this up over eight hours ago and I've had it sitting on queue just in case I think I'd regret posting it later. But fuck it. This needs to be said.***

"I didn't sleep last night. You probably shouldn't talk to me today."

This was my fb status this morning. Unfortunately someone didn't get up early enough today or didn't check fb before leaving for school. I'm already in a shitty mood. Was up all night stressing, crying and trying to figure a way to never have to go back to Canada. Then I get to class and I get schooled on my own life. wtf This isn't the first time either. So I was just about ready to smash something.

I will be the first to talk about how much I don't like Canada. If you're foreign to Canada and want to know about all the country has to offer, I'm NOT your person. I usually only see the bad. And it's difficult not to when I'm always seeing it or hearing about it. 

So today in class I make a comment about a very real safety issue in Canada and was literally laughed at. ಠ_ಠ Are you fucking kidding me!?! Who the hell are you? Then to go on and tell me about what life's like in Brazil. What the fuck does Brazil have to do with anything!?! We're not talking about Brazil and we're not comparing. You wanna know why we're not comparing? You've never been to Canada and I've never been to Brazil. So I have no right to talk about your country and you have no right to talk about mine. You have no fucking clue. You can listen to stories and read stats all you want, but you've never lived there. You cannot tell me about what life is like in Canada. You cannot tell me what MY life is like. Know your fucking place. Why some people so damn keen to talk about something they have no experience with?

I have never doubted anything you tell me about Brazil cause I am in no position to say anything about it. Outside of soccer, plastic surgery and hot weather, I know nothing about your country. So how would you like it if I come to you and start talking about issues in Brazil? How would you like it if every time you told me about a problem you have, I laughed in your face and went on to talk about how much worse it is somewhere else? That's fucking rude. That's disrespectful. You really can't see this?

Do you really think I just sit around all day and think of terrible things to say about Canada? You think I'm that bored with life? I wouldn't say these things if they weren't true and you have no right to laugh at my lived experiences. And the sarcastic comments and the end of the conversation... This one really necessary is it?

At the end of the day, you don't know me. So don't think it's ok to try to teach me about my life. You really don't know how good or bad I have it, so stop your nonsense. 

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Three Weeks

wtf These past three weeks have been crazy. Starting from my birthday. I had a really good time, but I lost my phone. Next day wasn't much better, getting really shocking news. Then dorm stress again. And I was sick and had to deal with doctors and hospitals. Shit! I have have to make my insurance claim. >< And then I had to take a crap load of medication that messed up my sleep. I could barely stay up during class and ended up drinking multiple coffees during class. Still useless. 

I'm still doing bad in class. Korean is so difficult. But in a I-told-so kind of way, I'm happy. When I was last learning French, everyone told me that I wasn't putting an effort into it and they thought the only reason I did really good in Japanese and not French is because I didn't want to learn French. According to them, I took up Japanese fast cause I wanted to learn it. wtf Has it ever occurred to you that maybe Japanese is just an easier language to learn? For three years I've been trying to explain to people that Japanese is super easy compared to French. I don't need to relearn an alphabet I've known my whole life, vowels never change and pronunciation is super easy. (Also, I find learning kanji [Chinese symbols] really easy cause you can use them as a crutch and don't have to worry about spelling.) But no one believed me. Well suck it!!! I really want to learn Korean. I travelled half way across the world to learn it. But I suck at it. haha Ok, not really funny. Sad if anything. But I must find the silver lining to this sad situation right? I was right. It's a Taurus thing. Deal with it.

I have a new phone now. I went to Lantern Festival. I'm off all the meds. School festival, Teacher's Day and Buddha's Birthday was all this past week. I went a jazz festival yesterday and met a lot of really awesome people. Wow, I have people to make dirty jokes with now. haha 

Still some shitty things I must deal with, but I'm feeling a lot better. And semester is almost finished. Good and bad thing. Good cause I finally get to go to Gwangju and see old friends again. Bad cause I'm going to have to start saying goodbye to people soon. 

So I guess the point of this post was to explain why I haven't been blogging. haha So much on my plate, but it's clearing up. As crazy as the past three weeks have been, I have still managed to NOT hide in my bed and feel sorry for myself like usual. (Although I still sometimes am feeling sorry for myself.)  I have met so many people and experienced so many new things. (I got to meditate with some Buddhist nuns. So cool.) Also finally made it to Hello Kitty Café. Pretty sure I had planned for that to be one of my first stops in Korea. haha Thank you John for putting up with that.

Ok, proper posts on all that I've done to come. Still got stories from early April. wtf

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파전 / 해물전

March 30, 2013. 

This was a good day. I went for lunch with Daphne. We decided not to go to one of two restaurants that we frequent often. I had every intention of taking a picture of what we ate, but we were both so hungry that we forgot. It was good. I had some kind of fried fish dish. I think it was the first time I had fish in Korea that wasn't in the form of fish cakes. 

After that we headed to a drug store (Olive something), kinda like Shoppers but without the drugs? And wow, I found tampons. I was so tempted to buy them cause I currently hate my cup. But the fact that you can't flush anything down the toilet in Korea kind of defeats the purpose, and makes tampons look less appealing. Ah well. Also found some Sally Hansen nail polish in this store. I don't know what Koreans think SH is all about, but someone needs to speak up and let it be known that this is NOT a $16 a bottle brand. What is that? haha Anywho, we were in there for a long time, literally looking at everything in the store. It felt a little too much like a store where you just go to buy beauty products and whatnot, so we found the little snack section by the entrance kind of amusing. Didn't buy anything there though. 

Then we headed to this store where Daphne had picked up some cheap nail polish recently… 

1000won each, and good quality too 

We got back home after six and I got ready to meet John (우중). We first met in Newfoundland cause he did and exchange at my school last semester. I was so excited to finally see a familiar face. When we were making plans I suggested we go to Hongdae (홍대), but then I remembered back in NL I told him that I really like pajeon (파전) and he told about a famous place to get some. So I brought it up to him and he laughed cause apparently this place is about five minutes from where I live. -__- Well don't I feel dumb. I literally told him to forget about Hongdae, I wanted pajeon. What a fatass. lol The place is super close to Hoegi station (회기역), in case you ever want to go, and this area is full of jeon restaurants. Never seen such a thing. Like you would expect a whole bunch of restaurants selling a similar product would want to spread out to maximise their earnings, but not here. 

So we go into one of the restaurants and the place was packed. Good thing it was only the two of us. I'm really bad at ordering food and if there isn't a picture menu, it's not happening. So John orders and whatever, I trust whatever will be out in front of me… 

haha wtf The food just kept coming. Like how this can be for two? 

I really loved the corn. So simple but really tasty. And I love the tteokbokki (떡볶이) as usual and of course the jeon was amazing. It was pajeon for half and seafood one (해물전) in other half. Seafood is my favourite kind. But the unexpected star of the show? Konbbang. haha these little snacks at the back of table beside of the alcohol. So yummy. They're covered in sugar but it took me a good 20 minutes to realise it was sugar and not salt. (Had this problem from kindergarten.) And apparently they aren't usually sweet one. I haven't found any with sugar in the stores yet. Also drank makgeolli (막걸리), cause you can't have jeon without it. It was pretty good. 

John taught me how to ask for more of whatever. (Why hadn't I learnt this one in class yet?) The Aunty was super nice. And then she was telling John that she sent her son abroad to learn English, and he comes back but her English still better than his one. Waste of money she said. ahaha And later John is reteaching me to ask for more of something cause my memory is shot, but I took so long that next Aunty hears the whole thing so as soon as I call her she just gets what I was going to ask for. >< 

And then something strange happened. Never would in Canada unless you knew the owner of a place. John had to pick something up at the store so he tells one of the Aunties, we get up and leave to go to the store. She wasn't pleased, but whatever she trusted we’d come back. HOW!?! How this can happen? He fully left his bag there and we walked out of the restaurant to go to the store. Obviously we went back. But I was really in shock about this. I was so amazed by the trust Korean people have in each other. And it's not just with things like this. Shopkeepers and stores leave their merch out on the side walk unattended and no one takes anything away. People leave their bags unattended all the time and it doesn't get stolen. Why can't Canada be more like this?

So by the end of the day I was super full. We didn't finish everything. But I brought home konbbang. haha It's so good. Most people take their leftovers home from a meal, but I ask for more snack. Really happy about this day. One of my favourites in Korea so far. 

Thank you Daphne and John for such a great day!!! ^_^

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On My Mind

I am so tired and I'm feeling a little sick. 

Midterms are starting in two days and I feel like I'm nowhere near ready. But flashcards are proving to be useful for the first time ever. 

I've been having problems with some people, and am trying really hard not to punch anyone in the face. But I'm happy it's not Koreans I'm having problems with. haha I still love it here, and the longer I stay, the more reason I have not to go back to Canada. 

I've been having dreams about my summer session in Gwangju. Really excited for that. 

I finally finished watching Big Love two days ago and I can't deal. Stupid idea to finish it so close to exams. 

I don't like pooping when someone is close by. Difficult one to deal with when living in such a small apartment . 

I want a dog. Been feeling lonely lately. I've been backing out of group things like they'd kill me. Just need one on one time with people.

I really like seafood.

My birthday is this Saturday, and I don't know what I want to do yet. 

Buddha's birthday is coming up. I'm finally going to do something related to my major. Also thinking of doing a temple stay soon.

I miss watching Family Guy.

I met someone from Mongolia yesterday and freaked out in front of him when he told me. haha I want to go there next.

I really want to come back to Korea to do my Master's, but I can't see how that can happen without KGSP. Need to set my beliefs aside and marry rich so I can afford it.

Been getting a lot of traffic to my blog lately and I'm really touched. I honestly appreciate everyone who takes the time to read the nonsense I post on here. I may not know you, but I take comfort in knowing that people actually care to listen to what I have to say. I don't usually get that feeling in person. Thank you. ❤

Got plenty of posts on the go, but no time to work on them. So sorry. I'll post again on Sunday, assuming I'd be in good condition after my birthday.

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365: 50 - 63

Let me take a break from talking about my beloved PSY and get back to the 365 challenge posts that I'm still trying to catch up on...

Day 50: Why you are doing this challenge? 

I really don't know. I can't remember why I started it and now I don't want to continue cause so many useless and irrelevant questions. haha But I started and now I must push through.

Day 51: Describe your future wedding…

If I continue to be smart, there will be no wedding. But just in case, I've had a dress picked out from I was in grade ten. Don't know why though, cause if I did get married I would just go to city hall. No need to spend so much money on a dress that I'd only wear once.

Day 52: If you didn't have an age, how old would you think you were?

46. Older but not old. 

I'm always complaining about the state of our language and how the young ones are ruining it. >< Other than omg, lol, smh and gtfo I don't really know all these stupid abbreviations. Such a headache to learn them. I'm always going to urban dictionary cause I can't keep up. That being said, I don't use proper English on this blog. Never using proper paragraphs and frequently leaving the subject out of the sentence. At least I think it's called a subject. We don't really learn about grammar in Canada. I blame this one on learning Japanese. Subject is usually implied and makes life so simple, but it doesn't work well with English. So yeah, I'm old enough to be stubborn about the language changing. But if English didn't change, it would be dead. I'll live with it.

Also, I can't stay up all night anymore. This started when I was 20 and I thought that it was too soon. haha Makes me feel older for sure. I have a lot of older friends. Things like Katimavik or going on exchange made/makes me nervous cause there would obviously be a lot of young people. Young people who want to party. O.O What to do? How to connect with them.

Day 53: Your day, in great detail…

Well since I'm catching up on these posts, there's no way I can go back in time and remember what I was doing on February 22nd. I know I wasn't at work, and it's possible I was packing. Really don't know other than that, nothing's on my phone. 


Oh!! Wait, I found out what I was saying on that day… 

And about that last tweet that shows up as the first, Audrey replied me on twitter!! I remember how happy I was cause now all three of my favourite bloggers have replied now to me. 

And the first four tweets (from bottom up) were done in a Second Cup. I was waiting meet my friend to get all dolled up for the upcoming MK Makeover Contest.


That's as much detail as you're going to get.

Day 54: Your definition of love… 

Butter chicken

Day 55: A passage from a book that has touched you…

“I faced the gaudy sunflower on her canvas bag -- it looked hand-painted and at last my eyes fell into hers. I said, 'Thanks for the card.' Her smile put the sunflower to shame. She walked off.” 

Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli

I had to find something from the net cause I don't have any of my books with me. Stargirl is one of my favourite books of all time. Still must read Love, Stargirl, but I'm afraid it won't be as good. When I first read the book I wanted to be Stargirl. I still dream of having a pet rat. This desire was more enforced by the movie Willard. Don't mess with me man.

Day 56: Something you did as a child that other people remember you for… 

You would have to ask people who knew me as a child.

Day 57: What is your definition of happiness?

Butter chicken

Day 58: Places you want to visit, and why…

Japan

So that three+ years of studying the language doesn't go to waste. Also to find Asano Tadanobu and Crystal Kay and have dinner with them both. But not at the same time cause I don't like group things. Let's make this happen.

Mongolia 

Been a dream of mine for years, and who wouldn't want to visit the land of the biggest empire in human history? I wanna chill with the Nomads for a year. Learn the language. Learn how to put up and take down a ger. I want to know how to take care of animals.

India (maybe not any time soon) 

Butter chicken. Seriously though, I've got some Indian blood running through my veins, so I guess it would be really cool to go. See where some of my ancestors came from. Eating Indian food and wearing saris every day. Plus I hear how it's so diverse landscape wise, culture wise too I'm sure. And it's the birthplace of Buddhism, so it'd be good to go there to learn more about it's history. Maybe I'll get to do some fieldwork there.

England 

Tom Hiddleston. It really does all come back to him. Life ruiner. Anywho, I've got family over there. And my tumblr bff!! OMG!! I really want to meet her.

Other Countries

Germany, New Zealand, Italy, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Scotland, China, Hawaii, Laos, Ireland, Brasil, & Egypt 


Day 59: What colour are your favourite pair of flip flops?

I only have one pair, and they're for the shower. Flip flops are stupid. I don't want to fuck up my feet.

Day 60: A YouTube video you absolutely love and describe why… 

But seriously, y'all need to stop asking to touch my fucking hair.

And let me just put the second one here too, cause wow, the relevance...

As for the why, they're painfully and hysterically accurate.

Day 61: One of your most prized possessions… 

My baby blanket. This thing goes everywhere with me. And when I travel, it's in my carry on. Sometimes I'm really paranoid that I'm going to lose it. Like wow, I feel like my life would be over. I'm kind of like DW from Arthur. Pretty sure she never washed hers. Ok, I wash mine, but rarely. I can't stress enough how rare it is. There was a time when I thought it was a health hazard. But it's aged so much and I'm scared it might fall apart in the wash. So now when I do wash it, it has to go into a pillow case and on gentle cycle. Wow. Good thing I don't want to get married, cause I just threw any chance I had out the window. lol

Day 62: How many keys are on your keyring?

No keys. My key is a card and I only have one.

Day 63: The song with the most number of plays on your iTunes…

Apparently Media Go doesn't keep a record of that and I haven't used iTunes in years so I won't go by that. Sorry

questions from here

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Gentleman: The Aftermath

Remember when I said that I wouldn't care about any negative reviews or comments aimed at the new song and video? I lied. I can't handle it. 

Before I even get to the song and video reactions, I'll talk about the fools that were making comments during the show. Cause I think they're the ones who broke me down. I know the fools exist, but I honestly didn't think they'd actually take the time to sit and watch the concert of someone they don't care for. Like really you have nothing better to do with your time? The racism was rushing through their veins last night and I couldn't handle it. It's so unnecessary. And I don't even see the point, cause you say all these nasty things about someone and they'll probably never see. It's that person's fans that you're hurting. And I know some people just say to brush it off and don't mind them, but I can't. Not with PSY. He's one of my favourite entertainers of ever. While watching the show I was so overcome with emotion. Very overwhelming feeling, like I was witnessing something extremely special. And I believe I was. This must be what religious people feel like. That’s some strong emotions, cause look at the history of nearly every religion and what they've done when people don't agree with them. haha So that's how passionate I feel about PSY. That's why I can't just brush it off.

Still don't understand? I really love BIGBANG, but you can criticise them, and I’d think about it and come to the conclusion that there's always room for improvement. Or if you say something bad about them, I'd just walk away and curse you. But when people say something negative about PSY, I will cry. It’s like a knife to my heart. I cannot handle it. And I was stupid to think that I’d gain a thicker skin over this past year when he became world famous. This is why I always fear for him and worry about him. You'd think I'm in love with the man the way I'm going on about him. But I'll move on now. 

x

About the video, it has been getting more positive views than I expected. I think I figured people would be too much on the sensitive side and take it too seriously. But I'm seeing a lot more good than bad, and this makes me happy. But when the comments aren't in PSY's favour they're usually really unnecessary. I've never liked a video that Beyoncé has done, but I have never gone out of my way to leave any comments on them. What’s the point? But this thinking isn't universal, so I must find a way to deal. People will forever say that PSY's trying too hard, and I'll never get it. Is it really that difficult to look up his old videos and see that this is what he does? Always at loss for words when I first see any of his videos. He’s not trying too hard. He’s just doing what he's always done. Then people comment on everything from his looks to his weight. This is really that important to you? His looks? What does that have to do with anything? It’s so annoying. And then again with the racism. It’s never ending with these people.

"Why don't you just stop reading the comments?" 

Valid question. For a solid year I did, cause there wasn't anything happening in the music world that was worth me getting stressed over. Many artists I like released new music, but none of them as important to me. When PSY does something new I read the comments because from I first learned about him, they were positive. Unfortunately now that the world knows about him, he has attracted the attention of everyone, including the haters. Despite this, I still read on cause as I said before, there's more good than bad.

So that’s it. I'm a big baby when it comes to PSY.

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