How We Got Here

If you read my earlier posts, you may remember that I mentioned that my husband and I are currently teaching English in Daegu, South Korea.

                                                        (Our trip to Suseong Lake)

I would like to share with you the story of how we came to be in South Korea.

In 2009, my husband and I were dating. He took advantage of the opportunity to teach in Changwon, South Korea for one year. Before the year was out, we were engaged and I spent my summer vacation visiting him.



We married in 2010, moved to PA and tossed around the idea of moving back to South Korea pretty continuously.

In 2013, we were seriously considering either moving to sunny SC or back to South Korea.  One day, Mike looked at me and asked, "Tell me what you want to do. South Carolina or South Korea?"

Instantly, in my gut, I felt that I should answer South Korea. However, I spoke out of my own desire to move back to my home state.

Before bed, I did a Bible study in my Charles Stanley Life Principles  Bible. Throughout the Scriptures he highlights consistent life principles. Throughout my study,  one principle kept standing out. Basically, it said that to obey God means to obey the initial promptings of the Holy Spirit. (Side note: if you don't have one of these Bibles I highly recommend it. He explains things so clearly.)

I started to feel as if I should have gone with that "gut feeling" and told my husband we were going to South Korea. I prayed and asked God for a sign that this was the right decision. I turned to the next page in my Bible, and there it was- the same principle again!

The next day, I told my husband we should go to South Korea and explained why. We started looking and applying for jobs.

Nothing was coming through, yet we still felt this was what God was calling us to do. So, we put in notices at our jobs and with our landlord.

We packed up and moved out.

The day after we moved out, my husband found and applied for a particular job. Within days we had interviewed and accepted the job.

And, here we are 1 month into our second year's contract.

Korea Eats

I may have mentioned that the hubster and I spent a little  time in South Korea. One of the things we miss is the food...especially the Korean barbecue.

So, when I was offered the chance* to check out Koreatown by Deuki Hong and Matt Rodbard I jumped at the chance. The hubster was pretty excited too as he liked Korean food a lot more than me because a lot of it was spicy!

I tried quite a few recipes out of this book. One the first night I made bulgogi, bok choy kimchi, sigeumchi muchim (soy and seasame spinach) and Kongnamul muchim (crunchy seasame bean sprouts).

The bulgogi was the best part of the meal that night. Although it didn't taste quite like bulgogi it was still very flavorful and delicious.

 I asked my husband what he thought and he gave me his verdict with his thumb-o-meter:

The bulgogi:

The bok choy kimchi:

The kimchi looked so good and he was sooo excited for it but it tasted like a long dead fish. I used less fish sauce than the recipe called for because I knew we both aren't fans of it and it still came out too fishy. He said the spiciness was dead on but he couldn't get past the fish flavor. Neither could I, so the whole jar went straight into the trash!

The second night I made bibimbap:

I thought the bibimbap was a good way to use up the spinach and bean sprouts that weren't especially good on their own and the bibimbap sauce turned out really well too. Mike enjoyed his but didn't agree with my verdict that it was better than any bibimbap I ate in Korea. I said that mainly because there are a few "veggies" thrown in that I usually didn't like and a lot of times bibimbap is served lukewarm and I really hate eating lukewarm food. Give it to me hot. Give it to me cold. Or don't give it to me! :)

The bibimbap verdict:

The overall Koreatown experience?

I think that this cookbook makes Korean food accessible to the masses. It tells you were to find items that aren't traditionally found in a Western grocery store. There are a lot of pictures, which I liked. I also liked all of the stories and side notes. I feel like I will make more recipes out of this book as I found a good many that I want to try. 

There's also a "fusion" section with recipes like Korean sloppy joes or a shrimp and grits style pajeon.

*I was given a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Korea Calling!

In case you haven't heard...the hubby and I are trying to move back to South Korea where we will both be teaching English.

Mike taught there while we were engaged and I was fortunate enough to visit. We have most of our paperwork lined up and have applied for many jobs.

Now we're just waiting got the right job, in the right city.

We will most likely be taking a couples position at the same school. The school will provide our housing as part of our contract.

We'd appreciate your prayers as we start down this journey.

Lessons in Gratitude

Being here, in South Korea, has taught me many things. One of the most important lessons I've learned has been gratitude.

The water here isn't potable without being boiled or treated first. When we first moved here we purchased a pack of six 2 liter bottles each week. In an effort to save money, I started boiling drinking water for us. It was very time consuming to boil enough water for two people and a dog. I can't imagine boiling it for an entire family. Something that, according to a friend, is fairly common. Thankfully, we were able to rent a water machine that filters water for us.

 

In addition to not being potable, hot water isn't available with the turn of a spigot. For hot water, we push a button on the thermostat and the water will heart. It doesn't take long, maybe 5 minutes or so.  However, this means when you take a shower in the winter, the hear turns off until you signal for the thermostat to stop heating the water.

 

In the winter time, out bathroom is freezing because we must leave the window open to prevent mold. There is no other ventilation and because of the bathroom's design, the entire room gets wet when we shower.  Likewise, the kitchen window stays cracked because that's how case, cable and other things are run into the house.

 

Some smaller, random things come to mind, like food safety and hygiene. Many restaurants don't have soap or towels. I've seen a waitress drink from a soup ladle and then return it to the pot.

 



 

 

As I've mentioned in a previous post, I've come to be more grateful for the smaller, everyday, blessings in life and I see God's hand in them. This past Christmas I was overjoyed to receive a box of American toiletries. The Christmas before, if they same person had given me toothpaste and deodorant, I would have believed them crazy or thought that they didn't care enough to purchase  a more personal gift. Not that you can get more personal that armpits and tongues.

 

Slowly, I've learned to be more grateful for what God has given me and for where he has allowed me to call my home. I've never been more thankful that I was born an American. ( I realize the environment and living conditions in Korea are not the worst in the world and that saddens me.) I  still think that as a country we've made some bad decisions and have wandered off the path. But now, I truly know how blessed we are and I hope we are brave enough to hold on to it.

 

 



 

Inspired by a Mama Kat Prompt

O is for Organized!

This past week has been so busy!

But, thanks to my organization skills it was as painless as possible.

Before I left for South Korea I packed for college and made a list of thanks that would need doing right after I got home. A few weeks before coming home, I scheduled dentist, eye doctor, florist and catering appointments for last week.

My last week in Korea, I added to my to-do list (things like make smore brownies) and created a list of things that needed to be shortly after I moved back onto campus.

Because of my lists, and the fact that I packed most of my things before I left for the summer, I was able to take a second trip to the caterer, volunteer at Girl Scout's twlight camp and visit with both sets of my grandparents.

Check out all of mail I sorted this week:

I unpacked yesterday, and knocked out a good deal of my errands this morning (one of which was sending my engagement notice off to the paper), so now I have the afternoon to relax before classes start in the morning.

Thank goodness for lists!

C is for Changwon, South Korea

 Thats where I am right now. I've been here since my Sunday night- USA Sunday morning. There is a 13 hour time difference between here and South Carolina.

For letter C, I'm going to blog about a few things I've noticed so far.

1. Chopsticks. (Another C! go me!!) How did I forget that I would have to use chopsticks? I totally should of practiced. Remember A is for Accident Prone? It could just have easily been filed under Coordination (Lack of). I am not adept at using chopsticks. No where close. First, I'm left handed so having our friend A show me how to hold them took a bit. And then I had to learn how to actually use them. I think she told me they use their back 3 fingers to move them, but Mr. Groom holds them more like pencils. Silly me, the first thing I tried to practice on was sushi. Note to self: sushi is very soft and will break when squeezed.

2. I had a bit of trouble yesterday getting around because I'm used to using signs and words as my markers. But, while there are some English signs they are few and far between. And I am not familar with Korean characters so I don't recognize them when I'm walking. So I've learned some basic landmarks: Bank, tennis court looking field, wind tunnel parking lot, cross the double street, restaurant with piles of wood outside, pharmacy.

3. Speaking of pharmicies, hospital patients here don't have to stay in the hospital. They are free to go about their daily lives, pushing their IVs around with them

4. Sunglasses. A says the older generation hates them and tends to think people are sleeping when they wear them. So instead they carry umbrellas or wear HUGE visors. I think I might want to buy a korean umbrella- they are very pretty- but I can't tell if the ones the ladies carry in the sun are not water proof parasols or double duty umbrellas.

5. Lets talk food. Yesterday, my first Korean meal was a fried porkchop paired with a bunch of other things. There was a rice porridge type thing (very oatmealy- not my cup of tea), several types of sushi which I tried for the first time. It had an okay taste, because it was mostly rice, but everytime I thought "raw fish" I'd start to get queasy.  So I had to force my self not to think about it. There was also kimichi (sp?), or spicy cabbage, which wasn't too bad.  Next to the sushi, were some vegetable looking things. I tried one- pickeled radish. And Mr. Groom pointed out that the other things were garlic, so I didn't try it. The fried porkchop was the best though. And it was easy to eat with the chopsticks. Today I walked with Mr. Groom to work and he ordered us both Lunch Club sandwiches. I had  slightly spicy Sun chips and lemonade. Best damn lemonade ever.  Go figure. The Lunch Club had bacon, lettuce, cheese and egg, and maybe turkey. And two different sauces that of course dripped all love me. I'm going to feast on vegetables when I come home Oh- and today I learned that there is a western grocery store. I got very excited when Mr. Groom told me about it. I was dissapointed to learn that is very expensive- $7 for peanut butter. I think if I was here alone I'd deal with those prices for a block of cheese and some peanut butter. We're suppoused to go grocery shopping tomorrow, so I'll have things for dinner-because he eats dinner at work.

6. I have a feeling I might lose most of my vocabulary while I'm here. For example, Mr. Groom ordered our lunch this way "Lunch Club. Two (holds up two fingers). Cola. Lemonade. Here (points to the ground). I'm just thankful that as many people speak English as they do- it reminds me a bit of my visit to France, where a lot of the restuarant people spoke enough English to get your order. I always say thank you, even if I'm pretty positive I'm not understood. I should learn how to say thank you in Korean.

7. I don't know why. I really have no clue. But I am awfully tempted to speak Spanish. It would probably do me less good than English, but everytime I don't understand (like in the airport) something, I am tempted to give it a go in Spanish. Korean and Spanish don't even share a similar alphabet. What is wrong with my brain?

Stitchfix Shopping Trip

Y'all, when I was in South Korea I drooled all over my screen as I read review after review of Stitchfix, so I saved up my money for when I came back to the States and could splurge.

We moved into our apartment in January and I scheduled my fix to arrive at the end of February. It turned out to be perfect timing because I accepted a new job that I will start next week and need to dress business casual for.

Stitchfix is basically a remote personal styling service. You fill out their style profile which allows you to share your likes, dislikes and wants. You can also link up your style Pinterest board.  (Here's mine.) Then, they send you a box of 5 clothing items that they think you will like. You pay a $20 fee upfront, but if you make a purchase, you receive the $20 as a discount. If you don't make a purchase, they keep the $20 for the service. You keep and pay only for what you want and return the rest in a prepaid envelope. You can then leave feedback on what you liked and didn't like and why. From there, you can decide to schedule another box. You can schedule boxes or "fixes" as they call them anytime or on a set schedule.

I chose to forgo the reoccurring box but I do plan on scheduling another fix around June or July for some summer items. I really enjoyed shopping and checking out my clothes in my own mirror and with the opinions of my sister and husband, both of whom would not normally be in the mall dressing room with me!

Now, let's check out the clothes!

They came nicely wrapped in a cute box. Also included was a note from my stylist and a style card showing you different ways to style each piece.

I hated this top but I tried it on anyway. The print isn't bad but the colors are baby blue, black and light pink. I felt like I was impersonating cotton candy. Also, something with the cut was off. I returned this.

This navy shirt and black and white skirt both came in the box. I fell in love with shirt at first sight. It is easy to dress up or down. I was skeptical about the length of the skirt as it almost hit on my knee and I like skirts to hit just above the knee.  But, I thought it paired really well with the top I knew I was keeping so I kept both.

I wanted to love this cardigan. I like the chevron pattern and the cut of the cardigan itself but I'm not a pink girl. I tried to convince myself to keep it but I couldn't see spending money on a piece I didn't love, so I returned it.

They also sent a pair of jeans that I loved and I thought looked very flattering on me but they did that weird back gap thing and were a tad too long, so I'd have to have them hemmed and taken in. They were listed at $88 and for that price I wanted them to fit a little better.

My total was a little over $80. If I would have keep everything, my total would have been $214 because if you purchase all of the items you get a 25% discount!


What do you think? Should I have kept the jeans and cardigan?


PS: If you decide to schedule a fix, please use my referral code. Stitchfix gives you a shopping credit for each referral! If you're not sure about ordering, still create an account because they do run promotions. For example, I was able to take advantage of a free styling fee credit. This meant that I paid nothing upfront AND received the $20 discount.

Our Way

Due to a long history of disagreements and abuses from my family, as well as a recent falling out, Mr. Groom and I have decided we're taking matters into our own hands. When I move to South Korea to be with him and work, we'll get married at the consulate and after a few years of work and saving we'll plan and pay for our own "renewal of vows" celebration-possibly in the Grand Canyon with a party after or a church ceremony with a party after. Wish us luck!

Recap and Resoultions

So, I haven't hadthis blog for a year so don't have a lot of posts to link back to but I'm still going to flag up some great things that happened this year.

Its Christmas Time!

I spent the day in NC yesterday at my mom's parents. M grandad just had knee replacement surgery, there were 2 extra kids as my uncle recently gained two stepkids and my grandmother got me the same jacket she got me last year.

I did get to talk to my fiance today though. Its Christmas day in South Korea- very early Christmas day. I feel bad that he is spending it alone. This is the third Christmas since we've known each other that we haven't been together. That means we haven't spent a Christmas together yet. Back in the spring we made a bet as to whether we'd be together now. I bet we would, he bet not. He won. 

I'll update you on the Christmas goodies tomorrow. I hope everyone has a very merry Christmas!

Cast of Characters

I blog about the people in my life all of the time. Sometimes I feel like I just mention them haphazardly and leave you to figure out who the heck I'm talking about. So I thought I would do a run down of who everyone is:

Mr. Groom:

He was born and raised in Pennsylvania, but acts more like a southern gentleman than any man I know. Maybe, its because he's traveled a lot, maybe its because he was in the Army. He's a sports ADDICT, and loves to make people laugh. If we believed in reincarnation I'd say he was a stand-up comedian in a past life. He is a certified teacher and has a degree in Sociology. Currently, he's teaching English in South Korea.

"Lyric"

We met my freshman year of college and roomed together last year. We are both rooming with K10  this year. She's very artistic and wants to be a teacher. I call her Lyric because thats what some Facebook app said her name would be if she was born today

"Hot Glue/MOH/bestie"

I met this hot lady my junior year of high school and we've gottten closer every year. She goes to my college's "brother college". She is the Maid of Honor in my wedding. She loves penguins and Disney and has a boyfriend who does a kickbut impression of Captain Jack Sparrow. I call her Hot Glue because of an inside joke a few summers ago that I can't quite remember. And no alcohol was involved during the joke's conception. Go figure.

"K10"

K10 is Lyric's Red Devil Little Sister and our future roomate. I'm so glad the two of them got paired together because, although I've only known her for less a year (oh! I just realized that), we've become really close and I can't imagine being without her friendship.

Mother

Mommy dearest. She's my mom and for that reason I love her, but she doesn't make being around her very easy.

Father

My dad's a hunting and fishing kinda guy. He's a part of the local Duck Unlimited group and has a "Duckaholic" sticker on the back of his gold Expedition. I guess "aholics" run in the family. For the most part, he's a better cook than my mom, but don't tell her I said that.

Sister

She's younger than me but a whole lot tougher. You don't want to get into a wrestling match with this gal. Beach lover, softball player, IGA clerk. She's headed to USC-B.

Throwback Thursday: January 2015

Last January, I was in South Korea reminiscing about where I'm from and griping about where I lived. This January, I moved back to my hometown.

Last, January, we took a trip to celebrate the new year. This January, we celebrated with dear friends and shot off fireworks on the cul-de-sac.

Last winter, we were having snow and a cold, windy winter. This year? Last week was the first week it was actually cold!

So many more things have changed. We've moved continents. We sold and bought a car. We moved back to my hometown. My husband got a non-teaching job. I'm looking for a non-teaching job.

We went from living above a school to living within one. We are so much closer to our friends and family.

We can read the labels at the grocery store and we have learned to read them.

We went from living in a tiny apartment to living in apartment with a walk-in-closet that is roughly half the size of of the former.

We have an oven.

Lots of good and exciting things going on!

What about you. how has your life changed in a year?

*This post was inspired by a Mama Kat prompt.

Wedding Inspiration Search

Since I'm spending my summer in South Korea I can't actually DO a lot of  things for the wedding but I can look for ideas. Here are some ideas I've been tossing around.

Programs: I'd been thinking making wedding programs  that look like passports. But I've found a less time consuming and much simpler idea that still ties into my travel theme.  I want to make them look like luggage tags. I can make them luggage tag sized like a little book or I can make one bigger luggage tag.

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Fauxtobooths:  Back when I was planning a Spartanburg wedding I wanted to have a photo booth. Now, a "passport photo booth" defintely fits into my theme. But now its not in my budget or geographic location. So I've been inspired by these pictures and am tossing around the idea of making my own booth. Have any of you done this or seen it done? I think my dad could easily rig something up and that I could convince a few of my cousins or sisters friends to hang out and take the pictures. I really love the idea of having props like the picture frame and chalkboard.

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Now this one is super cool:

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Shoes: I want my shoes to bring a (realitively hidden) pop of color. Mr. Groom wants me to stick with the classic white. I'm thinking about compromising with these babies:

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Additonal Thank You Cards: I won some free Thank You cards from Vistaprint, but unless only 1/6th of the people I invite get us a gift they won't be enough. So I'm thinking about buying these airmail inspired notecards:

Stamps: I've been working with the Paper Nickel Stamp Company to find vintage stamps that give the feel of travel. They've put together some great combinations at great prices. I'll share them with you once I pay for mine.

Out of Town Bags: Since my wedding is travel themed I think it would be appropriate for me to have little souveneirish treat bags for my guests that have to come from out of town. But I have to decide this a little closer to the wedding to make sure my budget will allow. I'd want to include driving directions, restaurant information, homemade cookies, hot chocolate packets and preferably Carolina Gold grits or rice. I'd like to keep the bags simple and design them with this in mind:

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If you have any suggestions relating to my travel theme or recommendations for any of the above items I'd love to hear it. And I'd appreciate it very much if you wanted to send me a blank postcard from your city/region/state/province/country for us in my wedding guest book-just leave a comment letting me know and I'll get you my address.

K is for King

God is my king, and I am one of his daughters.

Being in South Korea has led me to grow spiritually in quite a few ways.

I've developed an improved pray life and my trust in the Lord has grown stronger.

I know he has a great plan for me and Mr. Groom and I'm excited to find out what it is and delve right in.

Being a Christian, I believe in the ABCS. The ABCS is the way I was taught in VBS how to tell someone how I believe you are "saved".

Ask God to come into your heart.
Believe that Christ died on the cross for  you.
Confess your sins.

While the ABCS are quite simplified, its the best way I feel like I can tell you what I believe on the blog. I believe many other things and try my best to keep the commandments, pray often and lead a life of faith. That doesn't mean that I am always successful.

When I'm at home, I love attending Morningside Baptist Church. I feel like a part of the family when I'm there. I've never felt so drawn to a church or felt like I fit in so well.

I have lately become curious about Judaism and things that I've read about on other's blogs like the Levitican diet. I'm taking a class in the fall on the New Testament and Early Christianity, which I think will be interesting.

Things I Want to Bake Before Moving to South Korea

As I am a list maker by nature, I have been thinking of things I would like to bake before we head over that great big ocean.

My list includes:

• Avocado Truffles....the second part of my challenge on Hot Glue Baking
• Macarons  ....are these as hard as they look?
• Boston Cream Doughnuts...my husband asked challenged me to make these for him)
• Fried Cupcakes...these have been on to my "to do" list for sometime now- they even made it on my 101/1001 list.
• Mini Chocolate Soufflés
• Coconut Macaroon Cupcakes....after seeing this mouthwatering picture on pinterest how do you NOT want to?

 

Pic from http://www.gigiscupcakesusa.com/coconutmacaroon

• A Cupcake Project Recipe...any suggestions? I'm leaning towards either the Ultimate Chocolate or Wine and Cheese........perhaps I can use the ultimate chocolate recipe as the base for my coconut macaroon cupcakes instead of the devils food it calls for. I'm liking this idea...
• A Brown Eyed Baker recipe....I'm thinking Cinnamon Raisin Walnut Bread
• And last but not least, Francine Bryson's Chocolate PB Bacon Pie

What's on your baking "to-do" list? Do you have any good recipe suggestions for any of the things I'm looking to make?

PS: I'm on the lookout for a good fruit pie recipe

Wedding Planning = First Thing Off The List

I'm still working with the caterer to get a price for my dessert reception. But I have gotten some things done since I've been in South Korea. Today I ordered my wedding invitations from American Wedding! I didn't order the satin ribbon with it because I thought it was way overpriced so I'm going to try to find some ribbon half off at Hobby Lobby, and if not I can easily order some from American Wedding when I begin addressing envelopes and have it delivered by the time I'm ready to tie them up and seal them.

 I also broke down and purchased my wedding earrings. They cost more than I think earrings should ever cost but they are very lovely and match my dress perfectly. And because they cost a bunch I'll always have an excuse to wear them (I like to think of things in terms of per use costs).  I got them here, at etsy, of course. And guess what? *GASP* Buying/Making my wedding earrings is #74 on my  101/1001 list. So yay! I'm making progress!!! Woot!

Photographer Search Woes

I'm trying to book a photographer over the next two weeks before I leave for South Korea but for some the prices are ridiculous, and for others I just can't get the coverage I'd like.

Here is my dream photography package: I would love getting ready pictures, posed pictures of all of the bridal party, ceremony pictures, pictures of guests dancing at the recption, picures of our entrance and first dance, pictures of the faughter daughter and mother son dance, pictures of  the cake cutting, bouquet toss and garter toss and of our sparkler lined exit. I'd love to have a bridal portriat taken too. Preferably all for less than $1000.

The real deal?

The first photographer I talked to was someone I'd worked with before. She's taken my senior pictures and has taken family portraits.She's willing to be there from when I get ready until the end of the  But she wants close to $2000. And on a $5000 budget thats not happening.

The second has a basic package starting at $900. The price sounds great. Its a minimium of 125 pictures and 3 hours worth of coverage. Sounds good -if he could be there for two hours, leave for an hour and then come back. I don't want  pictures of the middle of the recpetions as much as I do the special dances at the beginning and the garter  and bouquet toss at the end, as well as our exit through the sparklers.

I've got another appointment on Monday with a photographer friend of my dads. Guess I'll see how that goes and then make my decision. I may have to prioritize my "shot list" and work from there According to the phone book, there is another photographer in ther area but he isn't answering the phone.

Book Review: Falling Into the Sun by Charrie Hazard

I won this book from Skirt! magazine  and it had been on my "to read" list for a long time. So I thought, what better time to read it then when I'm hanging out in South Korea with little to nothing on the immediate "to do" list. One of the first things I noticed when I recieved this book is that, on the front cover, the book is praised by my Janterm poetry professor Peter Meinke.

And the praise was well deserved. I loved this book. I could not put it down. I did not want it to end. The story is complicated and intense.

Hazard carefully weaves a tale of a woman living her life as a professor, coping with the stumbling upon the  suicide of a neighboor  (Michael) and her teenage son's violent outbursts. The main character, Kate, deals with these stresses through advice from friends, minsiters and therapists. Kate's story parallels  with the journey of Michael's soul (the neighboor).

The book explores ideas found in Hinduism, Native American teachings and Christian traditions. I especially like the image Hazard provides of a laughing God. Definitely gave me something to ponder.

Hmmm...that description does not do the book justice. It is a truly beautiful masterpiece. You must read it. That is all.

Get your copy here:



Have you read it? What did  you think?

Five Question Friday.

Happy Friday everybody!

1. What is your favorite thing about summertime?


The excuse to have lots of icecream. And trips to the beach



2. What is your ideal retirement location (if money didn't matter)?
I would have many homes across the USA (east coast mountains and beach) and Europe (Scotland, Italy) as well as Australia. I


3. Do you live in the same town you grew up in?
I'm a college student so sort of. Currently I'm in Changwon, South Korea, in August I'll be in the Upstate of SC and in December I might be in PA

4. What nervous habit did you have as a child that you kicked to the curb before becoming an adult?
chewing on my hair....thank goodness...its totally gross!

5. What is the most embarrassing thing that happened to you while on the job?

Hmmmm. This is a toughie. Got it. Dropping a salad in a mans lap and then trying to clean it up. Yeah, I never wanna wait tables again.

Midnight Madness Abounds or The Curious Case of the "American Snowman"

A little before midnight, my husband and I decided we would sneak outside and build a big snowman in front of my school for the children to enjoy. Once outside we discovered that the snow was very light and wouldn't pack enough to make a snowball, much less an entire man.

So we thought about it and decided to make a big mound of snow and then shape it into a snowman, An hour later, we had a four foot mound of snow, starting with a wide base and tapering off to a head. We plucked a carefully carved carrot into make a nose and decorated the rest of the features with black stones. For finishing touches, we tied an old sweater around the "shoulders" and topped it off with a paper birthday hat from my work party.  We were excited and happy with our creation.

When I walked into work the next afternoon, my boss gestured to the snowman and declared that she know my husband made it because it was "American style". I asked what she meant.

"A Korean snowman is made of two big balls and has a black hat."

I explained the problem with the snow not packing and how we cleverly maneuvered around the problem. As for the hat? It was the only one I had. She smiled as nodded as she usually does when I am speaking.

As each student, parent and bus driver arrived they asked about the snowman's lack of a defined body or black hat.  I fumed silently as each student was given the explanation that the snowman was "American style".

After about the 10th explanation, a light bulb went off. Unwittingly,  my boss was actually giving me a compliment. 

The sameness culture pervades South Korea. Everyone does everything the same way and if you don't you are questioned and asked to explain yourself. Sometimes, this place reminds me of a scene from A Wrinkle in Time, where upon arriving on a new planet, Meg and Charles notice that each is  identical and that in each driveway is an identically dressed child bouncing a ball to the same rhythm. Each Korean snowman probably DOES have exactly two balls and is topped off with the same, Lottemart bought, black hat.

My snowman, however, is American. In the face of a challenge, my husband and I rose above by putting our American ingenuity to use.

We thought creatively.

We overcame.

We built a snowman, despite all odds.

 

You, Mr. Korean Snowman, would have given up when you realized you couldn't make proper snowballs or didn't have the requisite black hat.

 

But not us, the Americans. We thought for ourselves. And we persevered. Long live American ingenuity!

 

 

Meet Gene. He's visiting from America.