Korean Food & Food in Korea

Krispy Kreme donuts, rasberry cheese ice cream, golden kiwi, and mochi!

So far I've had a bunch of different food ranging from traditional Korean to Korean versions of Westernized food. Here is some of it.

Modern World

I'm in Seoul now, and I'm all settled in the Yonsei dorms. After two days, I finally have internet!

It's amazing what a hassle your life can be without internet. It makes me feel very dependent on technology, and I still feel a bit naked or strange without my cell phone, and especially without my palm pilot. Apparently the dorms at Yonsei are not well equipped for anything but XP, so those with macs or vista have a bunch of problems.

The dorms are nice though. I have a double in the SK global house, and I have a nice roommate. We have our own bathroom, but there is no door on the shower part of the bathroom, which is kind of weird. It was kind of strange that they were not at all furnished, not even toilet paper...well except for blankets, but they are still nice. We have a nice view from the sixth floor, and really fantastic air conditioning.

The people in SK global house don't have fridges, but the ones in International House do. At least we have real pillows though! ...they have ones filled with straws, yes STRAWS, not straw. We have our own bathrooms too.

As for food, the food is wonderful and cheap as always. Yesterday we went to a restaurant in the Shinchon area and had noodles for lunch and also spicy octopus for dinner. The restaurant owner seemed to like our pathetic attempt to order the food, which was all in Korean without any pictures. He seemed to admire our attempt and gave us free soju.

There's definitely some strange food out there though...

Today was a series of long orientations, but at least they gave us a cute boxed lunch, a nice zip up folder, and a hat, even though I don't wear hats.

I can go to Korea & Turkey! Hurray!

On Wednesday my Turkish visa & passport came! Hurray!

I had to do it late because the Turkish University I'm attending sent it late, and then it somehow ended up in the EAP office of Santa Barbara, but it's here now! :-)

I was really worried about that, but like $100 in shipping fees later, it's here!

No changing my flight or getting a second passport! :)

That is such an incredible relief to me!

The Turkish Consulate of LA was a really big help to me, and very speedy.

Impatient Waiting

I leave to Seoul in one week!

...assuming the Turkish Consulate gives me my passport back in time. ~Inshallah~

I can't wait to go back to Seoul. I can still see the glow of the Han river bridge's lights at night, shining like Gatsby's "green orgiastic future." The smell and taste of homemade kimchi resonates in my mind. It's going to be good to go back. I miss my friends: Heejung, Mogi, Sean, Crystal, Chansoo, JP, etc. I can't wait to go shopping and get some new dresses.

Currently I am registered for Korean economics, Industrial Organization, and Korean.

I'm really excited for all three classes. I always love a good economics class, and I really enjoy east Asian economics. It's going to be really nice to have formal Korea class for once. My friends and tutor did a great job of teaching me, but I feel my writing and reading skills are rather weak.