Unfortunately, summertime in the ROK does not look like this...
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| Original photo credit to my father, Carl. |
This last week, and the week before that, and a few days before that, have brought with them the onset of 장마 (Janngma), Korea's monsoon season. This being the case, I've been pretty much trapped in my classroom/office/apartment all week. I've been perpetually wet or sweating and feeling that heavy sense of lethargy so often attributed to grey, rainy, humid weather. In the hours of apartment solitude, I've had plenty of time to bond with my latest book purchase and spend inappropriate amounts of time dreaming and scheming with regards to my future travels. I have certainly found ways to pass the time; yet, with the weather and a bout of what I am now assuming was food poisoning, it's no wonder I've also spent a fair bit of time dreaming of summers under the Wisconsin sun. Laying in the lake on a sunny day, phone and computer (and walkie-talkie) nowhere in sight, is just about as good as it gets.
One day, my friends. One day.
On that note, I bring you a few nuggets from what was not one of my favorite weeks (but which had a few glimmers of hope none-the-less) in the ROK. ^__^
- Some of you may know this interesting tidbit about my apartment situation, others may as of yet be out of the loop. My washing machine is in my bathroom, so that's cool. There is also a drain in the floor of my bathroom, if not quite cool, this is fine. What is not really cool or fine the purpose of said drain.: When my laundry is squeaky clean, all of the dirty clothes water rushes out of a tube on one side of the machine, literally filling my bathroom floor with murky water. This would be fine, albeit a little gross, if the water didn't sit on the floor for a good twenty to thirty minutes before completely draining away. This causes some serious problems, and the need for awkward object island hopping if, for example, I really need to pee. Korean Washer +1, Emily - All the times I've been stuck in this situation this year.
- No pressure. Just a friendly reminder to myself, that my contract is pinishee on September first and that it would be realllly nice to know what I am doing with my life in 8 WEEKS!
- evidence of the laundry (and other apartment chores) that literally piled up during my period of lethargy/plague.
- My mother is cringing in shame right now ^___^
- Coffee fueled travel mania. I'd like an IV drip. Please and Thank You.
- After some casual bagel discussion with a friend, this member of the tribe needed her fix. Cue homemade bagels. This recipe was pretty fab; although, I did have to make some Korean modifications and I think I am going to need a bit of technique advice from Erin Rap.
Ok friends, I wrote about my wah-wah week on Friday, just before a real gem of a weekend. I've decided to post it regardless; but, never fear, there's a pretty rad post coming your way when I get around to it. There is actual sunshine in the forecast the next few days, so I am not promising anything until the 장마 returns (hopefully never??). In reality, I'm sure it wont be too long. For now, I will leave you with the following preview and trivia question.
Who scored 11 holes-in-one the first time s/he ever played golf?
Anyeong[hikheseyo].
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