Fordpride

...BILL GOLDBERG! (This is the first installment of my "What else don't we know about" segment. Want me to research someone? Let me know! I can Wikipedia anyone you want) Who is Bill Goldberg, you ask? If you don't already know, he is a world renowned professional wrestler. He fought in the WCW and WWE and is basically awesome. He is 43 and I am attracted to him. Or maybe I'm attracted to his muscles. Either way, bam. He looks good. Goldberg is also currently on the hit TV show Celebrity Apprentice and is kicking butt. (Like we'd expect anything less of him.) But what else don't we know about William Scott Goldberg? Did you know that his mom is a classical violinist? And his father was an OBGYN? Who would've thought that combo would turn out such a giant man? Did you know that his mom also breeds flowers and came up with a hybrid orchid, naming it after her son? Yes, this guy has a flower named after him. If you weren't jealous of him bef...

Other than the whole Ricky Martin thing (i mean, wow), there have been some captivating stories revealed around the world in the last couple days. First off, the moon resembles Pac-man . Or maybe Pac-man resembles the moon? The world may never know, but now I'm waiting for photo evidence that Mars resembles a ghost. Or some sort of fruit. ( pic ) Also in the news, a little boy in China has 31 fingers and toes . Yes, 31. Here are his feet. This trips me out every time I look at it. I love the news.

Almost. Turns out this Bon Bon is gay . Just when he's looking better than ever he has to pull a Clay Aiken and shock the world.

On Saturday I headed up to Seoul with my friends for a little cultural gathering called Nanta . It was sweet. It's a performance of these four Korean chefs who make music by banging pots and pans and drumming with knives and while that might not sound super awesome, it is. I was giggling the entire time. It was real funny. A highlight of Korea, for sure. Along with our tickets, we got a free cupcake and sandwich! BONUS. And we got to draw for a random souvenir. I was super stoked to win one of the bigger prizes: a 100,000 Won (think around $100) gift certificate to get my hair did at this fancy salon! Booyah! We all know how I love to change up my hair. So this is where you come in. I'm trying to keep the length in my hair, so what else could I do? Do I change the color? Should I just abandon the length and go short again? Do I go red? Do I do something crazy? These are my questions. Now I want answers.

Can you believe my little mullet is over a year old? Just yesterday I brought it home, unsure at how it would change my life. I was a little overwhelmed but it was the best thing to happen to me. The stats: Currently past my shoulders (65%) Natural color (first time in years) (50%) Desire to cut it back into a mullet (89%) My little baby has changed a lot (see self-absorbed photos above) during the last year and it's amazing to see how different it is today than when it was born. Sometimes when I look at pictures of the younger days I want to go back. I remember that stage of life and it was so serene and easy and fun. But I'm excited to see how much it changes in the future and I know every stage will be worth it and enjoyable in its own way. Currently LOVES: Being pulled back into a high ponytail (its been a long time since this could happen) Being pampered Headbands Currently HATES: Bath-time (we're hoping this changes to LOVE soon) It's been a wild year with a lo...

It all started when my eyes popped opened to a clock that read 7:57am. Uhhhhh-ohhhhh I am supposed to be at school by 8:10am. This was a problem. I jumped out of bed, threw on some pants, put back my hair, and made it to school by 8:15am. So even though I didn't make it on time, I felt good about that. (ps my first class isn't until 8:30am so I wasn't really that worried. and i also threw on a shirt). This never happens to me. I don't even remember falling asleep last night. So this morning I was just not happy. I felt gross and wished I didn't have to teach all day. But universe! You show me who's boss! Today turned out to be really awesome. This week I've been teaching my students "what's up". To go along with this phrase, I also incorporate a new high five and a new handshake. Its been hilarious all week. ME: Class, what's up? KOREANS: What's up? M: No, no, now you say "not much, you?" K: No no not much you? M: OK,...

Let's be honest. I've always been admired for my unique? awesome? embarrassing? fashion sense. Korea has only contributed to this part of my life. Say hello to the ' Cookie Monster '. It's so popular my friends request it to be worn out. "Cindy! Wear the cookie monster!" they say. I oblige. Probably more than I should. But when it looks this good? I can't help it. Best part? It was second hand, bought from a strange man on the street, for only 2oooWon. That's less than $2. And its fuzzy. And I let myself eat as many cookies as I want when I wear it. Bam!

Even though I'm pretty sure I'm not Irish at all (let me know if I'm wrong, Dad), I feel inspired to celebrate St. Patrick's Day every year. This year, I felt extra special celebrating it in Korea. I had Italian for dinner and then headed to a local German pub for some Catch Phrase. Booyah. I'm so international. The real party was on Saturday. Some friends and I went up to Seoul for the parade! It was maybe the shortest and most horrible parade I've ever seen, but anywhere I can go in Korea that has a high amount of English speakers is always fun. First off, we painted each others faces while waiting for the parade to start. In the local KFC. (They didn't really appreciate that.) Then we watched the ten minute parade. And then, of course, everyone wanted to celebrate with booze. As clearly shown in this picture, I stayed close to my mul. Eh, I mean, water. Mul=water in Korean. Gosh I'm so fluent sometimes the languages are blurred together. ...

So someone random came and brought Mrs. Kim (pictured above. yes, that is her) a cake today. I didn't really think much of it, because random things like this happen all the time. Turns out its her birthday? She mentioned it like I should've known. I didn't know. But I really, really want a piece of that cake. That is all.

The Sartorialist is one of my many guilty pleasures (along with a dose of Perez Hilton and Donald Trump). This photo is fantastic. I am strangely attracted to this old, cigar-smoking man. I think it's the 'stache.

(maybe the two most unflattering pictures of me ever. but the top one is the last picture i took at home, in my basement, before leaving the US of A. and the bottom pic is me. now. six months later-get it? the 6 for 6 months? yeah. awesome. both pictures also adequately represent what I look like when i haven't had enough sleep) True story. Today (well, now Monday) is the six month anniversary of my arrival in Korea. Wow. I am experiencing a variety of feelings right now. The time is moving too fast, but some days go by reallllllll slow. Its hard for me to believe that I've already been living here for six months. As strange as it is, it has become a home to me. I can mindlessly walk home in the dark without worrying I'll get lost or accosted by a drunk Korean man (they keep to themselves). I can identify most of the foods I eat. I have experienced the most freezing winter of my life. And for some reason it still won't quit. Maybe more impressive is that I...

Today in my after school class (which sucks, btw), I had a slide show of different pictures and made the kids describe them. You know, like this one: I asked questions like "Who is in this picture?" or "What emotion is he feeling?" (HAPPY!) Then I showed this picture: ME: Who are these people? Kid: I don't know ME: Why would these six people be in the same picture? Kids: ... The only answer I can come up with is YMCA. Have you ever actually watched the music video? It's pure gold. (embedding disabled, CLICK HERE NOW ! you won't regret it. and a perfect way to celebrate mustaches-it is March after all)

Last week was a pretty solid week when it came to teaching. I had a most excellent time in pretty much every class. I'm not really sure what made it so special, but it might have been because I taught lessons on random topics. And here, for your viewing pleasure, a rundown of last weeks lessons: 1st grade (7th grade to all your kids in America) -Lesson topic: "About Me" This was the first time I taught these 1st graders. Its always good to teach the young ones about me as a person and someone from a different culture. Basically it's to give them insight into American culture. Naturally I said some basic info (name, where i am from, favorite food, etc), but I also let them know my favorite Korean pop song (bonding moment), how much I hate dogs and cats (and a general shock of the fact that my family has 4 cats and 2 dogs), and then I had them guess what my favorite sport is. After football was eventually figured out, I played a clip for them to see. I loved reli...

First off, you might have noticed the blog background being changed every two seconds. Sorry. I'm playing around with it and am not pleased with any of them. I never thought I was that picky; turns out I am! Secondovely, please let me express deep gratitude for the sun. I am so happy it is coming around more in Korea. The frozen tundra of winter seems to be fading as hints of spring fill the air. I am welcoming this season, and hope the heat of summer doesn't come too quickly. *INSERT* It did snow last Wednesday which is supposedly quite rare here. It never snows in March (or so they say). It even inspired COT to round up some kids (myself included) to go outside for a lunchtime photo shoot. The photoshoot wasn't as great as we were hoping because as soon as we all gathered together in a group shot, the onlookers decided to chuck snowballs in our direction. Not a good idea. We got in a pretty decent snowball fight, and let me tell you, I was on a roll. You know th...

The title says it all. The last few weeks I have had a surplus of awkward conversations with JW's. Always at the train station. And they always make it obvious they are coming for me. At one point I noticed the woman first, so I ran to the ticket line to avoid confrontation. And then when my train wasn't leaving for another 15 minutes I walked back out to get a tasty treat from the local Family Mart and HELLO this woman was waiting for me. Let's just say I'm glad my train left in 15 minutes, because at least it gave me a solid out. I also get stalked on the subway by any man from Nepal/India/Bangladesh/Pakistan. Somehow they find their way to me and somehow they have the balls to start up a conversation with me. Even when I'm obviously avoiding talking to them (you know the look. its a signature cindy glazed over stone cold face). Last night I literally had to mission impossible this one guy to avoid talking to him. Every time I looked behind me, he was t...

(i am also lazy) Today I've had the worst case of the Monday's. Ever. Its terrible. Yes I'm still alive. I don't like my new blog header, so I'll be changing that back soon. I came to school early today to finish up a few things for my lessons this week. And then bam! COT comes in and tells me that school is being moved up 10 minutes. So there goes my being early to finish up my lessons. Fantastic. (how do they just decide to do this the morning of? i do not get it) And then bam! She tells me that I will start teaching after school classes. Starting today. So there goes my free time on Facebook and Gchat. Ugh. Gosh. Working at work is so hard. hahaha JK. But really I was super annoyed to hear this. Good things come though, like I get paid overtime for teaching the after school classes (not a lot, but i'll take it). And also this means lunch is 10 minutes earlier, so I guess thats cool. (except lunch is not that cool. the best part of today's...

Ode to the 2 Bus Oh you 2 bus, you tickle my soul, as you wind all around, a tad out of control i love you for bringing me to where gold fish are sold but sometimes i hate standing there with only my hand to hold. the bars are too high, sometimes they're too low and everytime you stop, i think "i'll die this time, fo sho". But despite your bad driving, and causing some strife I love you for helping me and owe you my life. (ps, the following two songs were playing on the bus while i created this ode in my mind. inspiring.)

The first week back at school was a declared success. I only taught 1/4th of the classes I was scheduled to teach, which meant a pretty smooth transition from doing no work to doing some work. I use the word 'work' loosely. The first day of school included an assembly of sorts. All the students and teachers had to go to the gymnasium for a presentation, which I think was supposed to be mainly for the parents of the new students. I'm pretty sure only 30 parents showed up (for over 600 kids). It also involved some kind of pledge from the students and them singing two songs. And when I say sing, I mean they just kind of mumbled and it was really awkward. The student who was leading the music was really fun to watch though. All the teachers were presented to the room as well. In groups of about 10 teachers, we walked onto the stage, our name was called, and we stepped forward and did a little bow. I was hoping for some louder claps, but I tried not tying my self esteem ...

OK Just as my obsession is maybe getting pathetic and embarrassing, this has to happen... Have you heard? THERE IS GOING TO BE A BACKSTREET BOYS CRUISE. hahahaha its so lame but so fantastic. Yes, four days spent on sea with the boys. Could it get any better. Do I just do it? I need your advice.

After almost six months, I was finally invited to dine with my coworkers. You see, most of my friends here were taken out to eat as a welcome gesture, or on a consistent basis. Its kind of weird how my school doesn't really go, or if they do they don't tell me. I choose to believe the former. We went straight after school to this dried fish restaurant. All the teachers were there to celebrate the start of the new school year, and boy did it get wild. Ok, not really that wild, but it was entertaining to see my Vice Principal enthusiastic with the soju. And the cute little librarian can put it down for a Korean lady. The best part, hands down, was when we got up to leave. COT and I were headed towards the door with a couple other teachers, when the VP ran up to us and said whatever he said in Korean (I'm guessing "Why are you leaving? Stay and drink more!"). He then proceeded to grab COT's jacket by the hood and start shaking it, like a child. He just ke...

It's that time of year again! How exciting. I counted and I saw 44 movies that were released in 2009. You'd think this would give me a pretty good understanding for the film industry. It doesn't. Most movies I see go unnoticed by the Academy...and when the movies are Ghosts of Girlfriends Past and the likes, I understand. Anyways, here are my predictions for this years Oscars! Best Picture: Avatar Actor in a Leading Role: Morgan Freeman, Invictus Actor in a Supporting Role: Christoph Waltz, Inglorious Basterds Actress in a Leading Role: Sandra Bullock, The Blind Side Actress in a Supporting Role: Vera Farmiga, Up in the Air Animated Feature Film: Up Documentary Feature: Burma VJ Foreign Language Film: The White Ribbon (Das Weisse Band) Music (Original Score): The Hurt Locker Best Adapted Screenplay: An Education Best Original Screenplay: Inglorious Basterds And that's that. Someone let me know if I win, because I'm pretty sure I'll be teaching i...

this will never get old.

that i'll start blogging more frequently starting tomorrow (actually probably starting right now because i seriously need to finish some last minute lesson planning...perfect timing) why, you ask? well, because tomorrow i go back to class. i go back to school. the last two months have been full of a whole lot of awesome free time. but tomorrow, tomorrow is when that changes. i have a stronger resolve to be a better teacher, so we'll see how that goes. i'm sure i'll scare some of the new kids, but they'll get used to it. not going to lie, but i've missed the little rugrats. they make me laugh. also, i heard from cot today. she called me. its the first contact made since the beginning of january. she called to tell me that tomorrow the teachers will be presented to the parents of the incoming 7th graders, so i should not 'dress casual'. like i would even think about doing that. (i really wanted to wear my new gold shoes, but i guess that will have t...

there are many reasons why you should be jealous of my style: there are plenty more where these came from (also, proof I shave my legs now. it was a new years resolution)