Costco

I went 11 1/2 months without going to Costco. I went this whole time with very few cravings for the western food I've been missing (really only Mac N' Cheese and banana bread). I woke up with the biggest craving for Nutri grain bars I have ever had. I can't stop thinking about what I'm going to buy next time. Stupid Costco...

Also, I went to Mudfest last weekend. It was rainy and muddy. That's all I have to say about that.

Efficiency

Koreans are nothing, if not efficient. I told my employer about all the issues with my apartment and they've had a guy fixing things for two days now. Lights and water were up and running yesterday. He even had the forethought to check my washing machine too, which was broken by the way. Apparently that was fixed today along with my speakers, monitor and modem. Apparently the electric company is reimbursing everyone for all repairs needed. All the is left is the blender, but when put in perspective I'll go buy a new one. I got it for free from a friend here anyway. =) Score one point for the good old ROK.

Hots Dogs and Kimchi

Happy Birthday America!

I celebrated with a meet up group trip that included these firsts for me:

• white water rafting - it was tame
• walking along /in /swimming down/ being carried by the current through some tiny natural water slides in a river for about 5 hours
• jumping off a rock into a semi dangers whirlpool of water
  
• seeing tadpoles with legs
• eating asparagus, muenster cheese and hot dogs off the grill in Korea
• doing karaoke on a moving bus - all the tour buses here are equipt with it, just hadn't been on a trip that had broken it out yet
• gone on a trip without taking more then 10 pictures...it's not well documented, but I have hopes of stealing some

Meanwhile, back in Seoul, when I got home from work yesterday I had a light fixture explode over my head as I was taking off my shoes. I continued into the apartment to turn on more lights and they were much much brighter then before. Then, they too burnt out, just not quiet as dramatically. Within a few minutes my power was turned off completely. Apparently the was on purpose, in order to fix the problem. My whole block was out of power for about 2 hours. Once the power was back on I found that many of my appliances were blown from the power surge including:

1. three light fixtures: entrance, kitchen, bedroom
2. heat/ hot water control
3. blender
4. external computer speakers
5. TV screen size external computer monitor: good-bye movie and LOST parties
   
6. modem: no internet for me at home
   

Stupid Korea.

In Memoriam

Another one bites the dust. Claire's last day at Kid's College was June 30th, the day before open house. Sure she was a little stinker, but I like to think we had developed a bond by the end. I was really starting to enjoy her. This just leaves another open spot for some new kid to come in and mess with the whole dynamic again. I swear it's like starting over ever month around here.

In other new, open house went well. I went to Outback Steakhouse that night to celebrate it and Canada Day. Good times and good ribs were had. We even told the restaurant it was Suzie's birthday because she was dressed in red and white (purposely trying to look like the flag) and they brought her a dinner roll with hot fudge on it. We all sang (we American's attempted) the Canadian national anthem instead of Happy Birthday.