Recap

In the time since the last events post (Nov.14), I:

• Went to a Korean “musical”: a traditional Korean story set to traditional music, dance, and drumming.  It was BEAUTIFUL.  I loved it so much I bought the dvd.   It is called “Miso,” and I guess has been running in Seoul for something like 9 years.   At this musical, I sat next to a girl who is a great new friend, Hannah.
• Went Christmas shopping in Insadong with Rebecca.  It was a day so cold we both had to buy cold-weather clothing while out (Rebecca, ear muffs; myself, a scarf).  I am so happy Mom sent my winter coats!  We had a nice day picking out items for our loved ones, and topped it off with Burger King and Starbucks. 
• Created a Thanksgiving of oddments with the aforementioned Hannah.  We had a great time!  It was fun just to have a guest in my home and cook together!  The best and most festive thing on the table was my garlic mashed potatoes!

normal looking on the outside ... inside, PURPLE!  shocking!

• Saw the new Harry Potter film on the US military base 3 weeks before it actually premiers in Korea (it premiered in the US long before!).  Being on-base, technically on US soil, was a fun novelty!  I od’d on popcorn and American candy, and had a giant Dr. Pepper.  The group that went to see it was a fun assemblage of Lisa’s friends from a Scottish Country Dancing group in Seoul.  One actually-Scottish lady was delightful!  Excellent accent and dry sense of humor.  And she had a new baby, so I was excited to talk to her about my sister’s baby and baby things in general, since I am estranged from all that by distance.
• Went to the Hyeri Art Village in Paju.  A trip down architecture-class memory lane!  Unfortunately, only the “oh!  I learned about that once!  But what did I learn…” memories.  I had lots of fun!  Lisa, I and another friend took lots of silly pictures and laughed a lot.  We ate at an Italian place there, which was the school cafeteria from a Korean drama I’ve seen!   

Stairwell down to a kids area in the drama-cafeteria building.  really cool!

 

• Had a lovely Western breakfast in Itaewon, and then Lisa and I went to an adorable cupcake shop in Hongdae.   

festive deer for my Ra.  it's been fun to watch Korea get progressively more Christmassy!

 

 

 

• Yesterday night Rebecca, Hannah and I (my Uijeongbu buddies!) got cheap Korean sushi, watched a Christmas movie and wrote out Christmas cards.  I really only watched the movie with the fat pile of cards sitting in my lap, untouched, but it was fun!  I am happy to have good friends nearby :).

 

Lordy!  I’ve done a lot more than I thought! Hooray :)