Adventures in Odd Places to Stick Your Head...

This is a picuture of Catticus' latest favourite spot. When I'm working (or playing) at the computer, she'll leap up ontop of the CPU (?), turn her back on me, and stick her head down between the wall and the back of the computer. She'll stay that way for up to an hour. I can't tell if she's looking at something or sleeping. Whenever I try to peek, she turns her head and meows at me. Occasionally, she'll sit up and lick the pictures of my niece and nephew, then stick her noggin back down the crevice. Do you think I should start looking for a cat psychologist?

Adventures in biking...

Since spring has (sort of) arrived, I've been riding my bike to and from classes. It's nice to be out on the road with the wind in my face. It's not nice to be wearing sticky lip gloss and winding up with a swarm of little flies stuck to my lips when I get to the bottom of the hill.

Adventures in (ahem!) Spring...

After a few days of warm breezes, warm sun, and warm yellow dust I was convinced that Spring was making its way across the Korean peninsula.

Today, a gentle rain shower greeted me at 7:35 a.m. as I headed out the door. I took a large umbrella, but didn't throw on a jacket over my business suit. I figured I would be warm enough. I spent the next three hours staring out the window of my classroom wishing my classes a "Merry Christmas!" as impossibly huge snowflakes filled the air. Unbelievable. I think I might postpone the scavenger hunt I was going to do with my classes next week.

On a brighter note, today was my first day back at pottery class since last semester. It was nice to get my hands dirty again.

Adventures in Acupuncture Part II...

So here's the scoop. A friend of mine here is going to an acupuncturist on a regular basis to relieve some pains she's having. I went with her earlier this week, mostly because I was curious. I had a little crick in my neck and thought I'd see what could be done about it. (Since then I've learned that you can also get 'diet acupuncture' which might be worth a shot!) Anyway, the doctor speaks as much English as I do Korean, but I managed to tell him what the trouble was. He recomended hot packs and massages (what a nice treatment plan!) then led me into the treatment room.

My friend's procedure was already underway as I positioned myself face-down on a vacant treatment cot. The doctor then stuck me with pins; I didn't feel them go in at all. It was entirely painless. Then they put a nice heat lamp on me; similar to the ones they use to keep chicken burgers warm at fast food restaurants. After about 20 minutes, the nurse took the pins out and pulled over an octopusesque contraption with little suction cups all over it. She stuck the cups to my shoulders and I twitched and spasmed merrily for several minutes. Finally, the doctor came back and pinched and tweaked and karate chopped all the sore spots. That was the end of my acupuncture adventure. I'm going back tomorrow to see if he can do something about the pain in my feet (stupid work shoes).

Adventures in Acupuncture...

Part I:

I went for my very first acupuncture treatment! I'd tell you more, but it's bedtime. More details will follow in Part II.

Adventures in Dreams Coming True...

2 Years ago, at the beginning of the semester, I had a dream that my class started in 5 minutes; however, I was in a gas station in Saskatchewan and was a little frantic that I might be late.

1 1/2 years ago, at the beginning of the semester, I had a dream that my class started in 5 minutes; however, the Art building had been remodelled to resemble the catacombs. I couldn't find my class in the warren of wet stone walls lit with torches.

Last semester I had a dream that I showed up on time for my class, but was expected to teach Phys. Ed. (right.)

This morning at 11:40 as I was preparing to head to my 12:00 class I got a phone call from my boss...my 12:00 class actually starts at 11:00. Oops. It turned out to be a scheduling error (my schedule said 12:00, the student schedule said 11:00). Nonetheless, after 2 years of dreaming about it, I finally missed a class.

And so the semester begins.

Adventures in 3000 readers...

I just noticed that the next person to visit my Blog will be my 3000th visitor. Congratulations to you!!! Leave me a comment and tell me who you are ~ maybe I'll send you a postcard to commemorate the occassion. (Yes, I know I have way too many m's and c's and s's in the 3 words before my bracketed aside began. Even though recognizing my poor spelling in no way justifies it.)

Adventures in the demise of a Vacation...

Yup, tomorrow the intrepid and courageous teachers of DaeguDae start another semester. Last night we had our staff orientation dinner (fabulous buffet) and everyone got caught up on everyone else's vacations. Today Mike Peacock came to visit and we hung out downtown. After he left, I treated myself to a great manicure (with little white flowers painted on the ring-finger nails.) Then, to top off the evening, a group of us gathered around for Jen's Bacardi Rum Cake and Bahama Mama's ~ directly from Nassau iteself. We also looked at her pictures from the Bahamas and Karin and Angelika's pictures of Cambodia and Vietnam. Everything looked so warm and tropical and sunny. Now, I'm wondering why on earth I'm in Korea. It snowed here this morning. Anyway, we all bid adieu to our vacations and are gearing up to start classes tomorrow morning. I can't believe I've been at this job for 2 years already.

So, farewell Winter Vacation, and hello Spring Semester.