My Hair Journey in Korea

From when 1st decided to come to Korea until now a lot of women ask me "What do you do with your hair?" or "Who does your hair?". I know its hard to believe but believe it Koreans do my hair. They have put twist in my hair, and they have washed and pressed it out for me.

I must admit my 1st trip to get my hair braided turned out to be terrible, I went to an African braiding shop and it was as my students say "it was NOT fun". I am not even sure where I should begin, I arrived at 7am to the shop. When I got there they were really rushing while doing my hair. They had a lot of appointments that day and they had a tight schedule to keep but that was not the issue. Issue number 1. when I go to get my hair braided I DO NOT want to work! This is what I am paying YOU for, don't ask me to separate the hair because 9 times out of 10 I will be doing it wrong. Furthermore how am I to enjoy a good book if you have my hands occupied??? Issue number 2. I am not African nor did I grow up in a French speaking country, so STOP TALKING TO ME IN FRENCH! I had to tell her 3 times I speak English! and Issue number 3. Why is my ponytail so scraggly? Why do I have a million braids but only have 3 strands of hair in my ponytail?

The 2nd time I got my hair braided I went to the Koreans and they did a GREAT job. I was so shocked, those who know me know I have really THICK hair and these Koreans got with it. The only complaint I had was I didn't think they gave me a good deep condition. Other than that they had me looking and feeling good feeling great AND I had a full ponytail :D.

Recently I decided to give my hair a break from braids as to insure the survival of my edges, because being with out edges is NOT cool. I mean who wants to be a bald headed scalawag not I said the cat lol! My hair is currently natural so I was a little nervous to say the least about what the final project was going to look like. I was told about a shop called Ms. Kims and that she does a great job. I made an appointment and once again the Koreans have surprised me. They really care about healthy hair and that's important to me too. They gave me a moisturizing treatment and pressed me out and I was bouncing and flowing when I left there. Like a Pantene Pro V commercial!

Still Seoul Searching...

Kpop

So recently I have been listening to a lot of Korean Pop songs better known as Kpop. I have no clue what they are sing about except for the random English words here and there. The story is the same every time, my students say "Teacher do you know?" and I say "No" and they say " We show you" lol it never fails. After they show me the latest Kpop songs, with the music video and what ever the dance that goes with it I find myself singing along. Do I know Korean you ask??? Of course not, but do I sing along YES, I make up sounds that I think can pass for Korean and gets to singing lol. Posted below are a few songs that have become my Kpop JAMS! Don't judge me just listen and get addicted like me :)

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving day in Korea was super strange, I had to work, and it was just a regular day nothing too special really. In fact for dinner I ate waffles, self proclaimed gourmet 3 cheese eggs and bacon, it was tasty but not for Thanksgiving.

Please can someone tell me why people from home really think Koreans celebrate Thanksgiving, Korean Americans maybe, but Koreans born in Korea who have NEVER been to America, yeah NO THANKSGIVING! I had to tell mad people "Yes, I have to work its an American holiday", Koreans could careless about the pilgrims first meal with the Indians on November 26, 1621! My mom called me at 1:30am "HAPPY THANKSGIVING" all I could do is laugh, because when she called me it was Thanksgiving in America but Thanksgiving day was already over in Korea.

The team decided to cook on Saturday following Thanksgiving at a friends house because there was an oven there. Most Korean apartments do not have an oven so it would make it rather problematic to cook at one of our places. We had a friend who is in the military go to the grocery store on base, to get the essentials for a true Thanksgiving feast. With a list in hand he went to the store and got "everything on the list" and a feast is exactly what we had. We had Turkey (we named him Herb), curry chicken, greens, green beans, corn, mac n cheese, stuffing, mashed potatoes, yams, rolls, corn beard, brownies and cakes. Everything turned out SO good, I really forgot I was in Korea because we do not have access to this kind of food on a regular basis. It was a good time with great people and great food.
Still Seoul Searching...

"I can BUY you"

So recently Korea has been a blast and I am enjoying every bit of it however it has been hard to if that makes sense. I think because I am on the down hill side of things I am getting excited to get home. I have less than 100 days left in Korea can you believe it?! Lately I must admit, I have become "so over" some Korean ways.

Today in class we where having a conversation about things we can purchase I say "Ok class what are some things we can buy?". A student raises his hand and says "You teacher, black people, you know slaves", my jaw dropped! The student is one of my better English students and speaks well and often translates to the class. The thing that mad me so mad was the fact that he knew exactly what he was saying and what he meant. I then proceeded to say to the student "SHUT your mouth before I slamm you for free 99, also you just bought 100 push ups, how you like your change?" in my mind I was thinking, I guess you are my slave now huh?

Korean can be so crazy, and you would think I would be used to it by now but somethings I just can not get used to. Often times, Koreans think its ok to say what ever they want at any time. Now, if I mentioned the treatment of Koreans during the Japense occupation that would be a HUGE problem. I understand I am in a new culture and some things are NOT going to be like home, and thats becasue it is not home, but come on! You know what they say when in Korea do as the Koreans...right????

Beyonce

So yes, its true I have been neglecting you and I am sorry. So let me catch you up on my life in Korea lol. We went to see Beyonce and it was GREAT! We had great seats and had an even better time. Now, normally when 12 women get together one may question whats going to happen. Well we had a BLAST! All I can say is Beyonce is a BAD chick, her show was just like her videos, with no breaks in between. Here are some pics of the concert.

Mass Freeze in Coex Mall South Korea

Teacher You Nike Airs are a FAKE!

So, I decided to dress down one day last week and I wore a pair of sneakers to school. I normally dress rather casually but I never wear sneakers to school. I guess I was being a rebel this day lol. It was not until my second period class when a student keeps looking at my sneakers.

I did not really pay that much attention to the student until he started making funny faces. He then proceeds to raise his hand, I call on him and this was our convo.

Me: Yes, do you have a question?
Student: Yes, teacher your Nike air's are a FAKE! You get in Korea?
Me: Ummmm no they aren't, I got them from America, from footlocker.
Student: No, teacher let me see ( with his hand extended)
Me: OK, here ( as I give him my shoe)
Student: OK, teacher these are good, they are AHSA (awesome in Korean)!

So, I guess I was a bit flabbergasted more a fe reasons, 1 being IF i really did have some fake shoes on, did my student just try and blow up my spot???? and 2 how and WHY, does this little dude know how to tell if Nike's are real or fake??? I guess the world may never know lol
Still Seoul Searching.....