Sogang Level 2

So here we are, several weeks into Sogang Korean classes, but at the frenetic level 2 pace. Back in the day, I blogged about how difficult Level 1 was... and now I find myself longing for those days. Yeah, level 2 definitely kicked it up a notch (or 10). The teachers don't spoon feed the information to us as much, definitely speak a lot faster, we don't get to practice new grammar and vocabulary nearly as much. They kind of teach us what we need to know and assume we'll learn/memorize it on our own.

This semester, Mark and I got put in different classes. At first I was kind of nervous to be in class without my support system. But as time goes on, I can see that it's definitely better for both of us, as it forces us to meet and mingle more with our classmates. Plus, we have the opportunity to make twice as many friends.

Speaking of classmates, our classes are still pretty diverse. Mark has South African, Malaysian, German, Turkish, Thai, and Japanese students in his class. I've got a far less diverse class, with half of the class coming from Japan.

One thing I've noticed this semester is that our classmates can speak SO much better this time around. A lot of them didn't attend Level 1 at Sogang, so came in with varying abilities. I know I can be overly modest at times, but I am dead serious when I say this time around I'm without a doubt at the bottom of the heap when it comes to speaking ability and vocabulary.

The semester is going okay, but it requires even more studying this time, which I didn't even know was possible. There are many days that I honestly feel like I'm barely treading water. But I'm not complaining. I came back to Korea to learn the language and it's not a pretty process, but that's what's happening.

More pictures next time. And now back to the never-ending task of vocabulary memorization.

Introducing my step-brother

I met my Korean step-brother, Kim Ju-Yu, today. Here we are together!

The typhoon strikes

Well, the typhoon ended up being a lot of hype over nothing. In the morning, there were some pretty heavy (loud) winds, but it definitely wasn't as bad as the word "typhoon" sounds. We still had school and now I can proudly say that I attended class come hell, high water, or even typhoons.

On the way to the subway, there was a bit of chaos as a huge neon sign was dangling from one corner in the wind. There were policemen and ajummas directing the traffic lest anyone have a sign land on their head.

Also, we saw this... beware of flying telephone booths.

Telephone booths are pretty much everywhere, which is so weird to me since cell phones are basically like another appendage on Koreans. When you buy a phone, they provide you with a back-up battery. And if that's not enough, if you ever find yourself with a dead phone, you can pay about $1 at a convenience store for them to charge it up for you. And honestly, I've never actually SEEN anyone use a pay phone... Guess that's one Korean mystery I'll never figure out.

Typhoon?

Email from the US Embassy... Hmmm... It IS awfully windy and rainy... Hope I don't blow away on my way to school.

The U.S. Embassy in Seoul is transmitting the following information through the Embassy's Warden System as a public service to all U.S. citizens in the Republic of Korea. Please disseminate this message broadly to U.S. citizens.

This warden message is being issued to alert U.S. citizens residing or traveling in the Republic of Korea that the Korea Meteorological Administration has issued alerts for a Category 3 storm, Typhoon Kompasu. As of 1230 (local time) on Wednesday, September 1, Typhoon Kompasu was located approximately 263 kilometers or 163 miles southwest of Cheju island and traveling north at 33 km/h (20 mph). It is expected to turn in a northeast direction and pass very near Seoul at approximately 1500 (local time) on Thursday, September 2.

The Korea Meteorological Administration reports that the maximum sustained wind speed in the storm is 157 km/h (98 mph). While Typhoon Kompasu’s winds are expected to decrease over the next 36 hours, sustained maximum winds when the storm reaches Seoul are still predicted to be as high as 150 Km/h (93 mph).

Mark's big 2-9

Last week officially ended the three-month period that Mark can refer to me as the "older woman." Another 9 months of being the same age before it starts up again. I can only imagine how bad it's going to be next year when he can tell me I'm in my 30s and he's still in his 20s...

Anyway, on his birthday, we both had to work in the evening so we planned a fun little day out.

When Kevin & Alicia visited us, Birth Father took us to a total hole-in-the-wall restaurant that had the most amazing grilled beef and kimchi bokembap ever. Actually, that seems to be a common theme I've noticed here in Korea... the places that look like total dumps that you wouldn't take a second look at, seem to have the best food. Anyway, this isn't really a place we can go regularly now that we're back to being broke students, but it was a special occasion so we went for it.

So this restaurant seems really old school, and they start by giving you a cast iron skillet over a flame with a piece of fat in it to grease it.

Since it was Mark's birthday, I assumed the responsibility of cooking so he could focus on stuffing his face.

And here's the birthday boy looking soooo excited to dive in.

The meat is absolutely delicious, but I must say the kimchi bokembop (basically fried rice with kimchi) is my FAVE.

They start by cooking the kimchi, then they add the rice.

Then they mix it up and spread it out so the bottom can get all crispy and brown... mmmmm... Wish I could eat it every day.

As we were finishing our meal, out of nowhere, the blue sky turned gray and it started to absolutely pour. We had no umbrella, so we sat around and waited and waited for it to let up. But it wasn't happening and the subway was at least a 5 minute walk away. When we went to stand at the door to make a dash for it if there was a little break, the ajjumma who owned the restaurant came up and handed us an umbrella. She said to just take it with us. I have to say, that's one of the things that I love most about Korea. Every now and then people will just do the kindest, most unexpected things to help you out.

After we made it to the subway station, we went to a theater to see Predator. (See, I told you the day was all about Mark...)

Then the following night we met up with some friends, and Mark got his party hat and cake.

Mark's hanbok fitting

Here's the video of Mark getting fitted. How teeny tiny is the lady measuring him!??!

Hanboks

I can't remember how much information I've posted about Emily and SangKwun's wedding. So, at the risk of being repetitive, I'm going to share it again. SangKwun and Emily will have their Korean wedding ceremony on October 3rd at the Sheraton Walter Hill. Then on they will have their Chinese wedding in Emily's hometown (a little outside Beijing) on October 16th. And we're going to get to attend both weddings. SO exciting!

For the Korean wedding, Mark and I are both going to be wearing hanboks (traditional Korean clothing). So last week we went with Emily and SangKwun to a hanbok-maker and all of us picked out the fabrics, colors, and styles we want. We probably won't get them for another month or so, but I have to admit that I'm e.x.c.i.t.e.d. These hanboks are beautiful.

It's really overwhelming trying to choose - there are so many options.

Here's the hanbok-maker. And check out the samples behind her.

Mark was very sure that he wanted NO pink on his hanbok, so he and SangKwun ended ordering the exact same colors and very similar styles. The navy will be the pants, the cream is for the top and the light blue is the vest.

Emily and my hanboks may be somewhat similar too, but we chose a few different colors. If you can look at the picture sideways, that's Emily's design. And the guy's hanbok is almost exactly what SangKwun and Mark's will look like.

Then here are my colors. Unfortunately, I don't have the style picture, but it won't be that much different from Emily's. My skirt is going to be the pink color, and the top is white with a navy blue vest to match Mark's.

Pretty exciting stuff, right? I have an amazing video of Mark getting measured that I am in the process of uploading and will post shortly. :)