crappy crap crap

I've been hit by a very intrusive bug.

It stole my voice, it's attacking my eyes, nose, throat, head...

This morning I walked across the street to the pharmacy and while I was explaining my symptoms like a game of charades, I started crying. It was pretty sad. She even gave me a hug.

a new treasure

Ever have those weeks where things just seem off? Like you're just not totally in your groove? Well, this past week was quite funky for me. It was a struggle to find energy at the appropriate times, I was cranky with my students, the class material was boring, and the weather was weird. Even more, I felt like every bad social habit of the Korean culture was illuminated! Now, I'm not exactly proud of some American social habits, but seriously... Korean's could win a prize for frustrating social inappropriateness! For example, Koreans spit, ALL the time. You know that sound you make right before you're getting ready to hock a big loogie? Well if Korea had a national sound to add to their list of national flags, flowers, birds etc., the sound would be the "hocking loogie" sound. Walking down the sidewalk, everyone knows that you have to keep your eyes down to dodge piles of slimy saliva. In the States you dodge dog poo, or gum on the sidewalk. In Korea you dodge phlegm. Well, this week I was waiting for the bus and this old man standing beside me was prepping for a big spit and leaned over to spit onto the ground but the wind carried the slime and it landed right on my shoe! I was so disgusted!!! And the man didn't even apologize!

Also, Korean's push! I think there are just too many people in this country and the only way you can get anywhere is by pushing your way through the crowds. And that's fine, I can get used to that. But this week it seemed like people were pushing me around for no reason at all! One old grandma pushed me aside on the escalator just so she could stand one step in front of me. It's not like she made it to the top any faster!

By the end of the week, I just needed something fresh and inspiring. I read about this cool Design Cafe and figured it would be fun to find and a great place to sit and write. So I wandered around looking for it. I wandered for quite a while and was about to give up when I noticed this little tourism booth. I walked in and there was this sweet Japanese man sitting behind the counter. He was so lovely and was extremely helpful and when I thanked him for the directions he bowed and said "Oh, it was my pleasure!" It was such a precious little moment!
And then... and THEN I found the cafe! Oh my gosh, I think it is quite possibly my favorite cafe in the world! And maybe it's the coolest one in the world too! I fell in love.

aA Design Cafe, part of the aA Design Museum.





All the things I love about design, the things I've learned to appreciate and admire, the colors and trends that make my heart happy... this cafe was the total picture of it all!


I enjoyed an amazing fresh mozzarella and tomato focaccia panini. It was THE BEST sandwich I've had in Korea and it reminded me of Panera bread back home in the States.

Everything was kissed with design.





Those are the moments that redeem my cultural frustrations. I figure, I'm very blessed to be here and to be exposed to these differences. Not everything we discover in life is delightful (like loogie hocking Koreans) but I love being surprised by treasures.

a friend to man

The House by the Side of the Road

Sam Walter Foss

THERE are hermit souls that live withdrawn

In the place of their self-content;

There are souls like stars, that dwell apart,

In a fellowless firmament;

There are pioneer souls that blaze the paths

Where highways never ran-

But let me live by the side of the road

And be a friend to man.

Let me live in a house by the side of the road

Where the race of men go by-

The men who are good and the men who are bad,

As good and as bad as I.

I would not sit in the scorner's seat

Nor hurl the cynic's ban-

Let me live in a house by the side of the road

And be a friend to man.

I see from my house by the side of the road

By the side of the highway of life,

The men who press with the ardor of hope,

The men who are faint with the strife,

But I turn not away from their smiles and tears,

Both parts of an infinite plan-

Let me live in a house by the side of the road

And be a friend to man.

I know there are brook-gladdened meadows ahead,

And mountains of wearisome height;

That the road passes on through the long afternoon

And stretches away to the night.

And still I rejoice when the travelers rejoice

And weep with the strangers that moan,

Nor live in my house by the side of the road

Like a man who dwells alone.

Let me live in my house by the side of the road,

Where the race of men go by-

They are good, they are bad, they are weak, they are strong,

Wise, foolish - so am I.

Then why should I sit in the scorner's seat,

Or hurl the cynic's ban?

Let me live in my house by the side of the road

And be a friend to man.

he who practices hospitality entertains god himself

This weekend I had the extreme pleasure of hosting 2 CouchSurfers- Heather and Sherry. They are from Canada and are teaching English here in Korea, but they live several hours outside of Seoul. We spent less than 24 hours together but it sure was a joy to meet them and I am already making plans to visit them in Busan.
CouchSurfing, if you're not familiar with it, is a hospitality network. It's a way for people to travel affordably by staying with other CouchSurfers instead of in hotels and hostels. I might add that the benefits are more than just monetary. Staying with other people allows you to feel more connected. Meeting new people will always open your eyes to new things. And it's such a gift to be both on the giving and receiving side of hospitality. It's called "community" right? Such a beautiful thing!

We three girls shared some delightful conversation. We ate a very yummy American-style breakfast (I had peach pancakes!) and then we did some much needed clothes shopping. Good times!

I'm hosting again in 2 weeks and I am so excited! I also plan on CouchSurfing my way through most of Australia this summer. I'm so glad that I'm able to make hospitality part of my life no matter where I am. Check out the website! www.couchsurfing.com

When friends are at your hearthside met,

sweet courtesy has done its most

if you have made each guest forget

that he himself is not the host.

--Thomas Bailey Aldrich--

Let me live in my house by the side of the road, Where the race of men go by; They are good, they are bad; they are weak, they are strong, Wise, foolish,--so am I; Then why should I sit in the scorner's seat, Or hurl the cynic's ban? Let me live in my house by the side of the road, And be a friend to man.
--Sam Walter Foss "House by the Side of the Road"--