"Welcome to Korea! Do you have bofrand?"

Here in Korea, there is a trend. It's called "having a boyfriend". The basic lifestyle of this trend contains several different aspects. It's as easy as 1, 2, 3...

1. Wearing the same clothes down to the underwear. This may entail a groundbreaking amount of creativity. Sometimes, a couple will go so far as to find the fabric from a girls outfit and try to create it on the guys outfit. As for the underwear, don't you panic. They have his and hers undergarments stores on every corner. For your convenience. If you happen to get in a relationship on two blocks ago, you will soon stumble upon the next underwear store so that you will be able to get your first couples items.

2. Holding hands so tightly that people that would normally need to go through them, must go around the couple. Or else they might be clothes-lined by a couple of Korean lovebirds. Just yesterday I had to duck waiting on my train because a stubborn little set of linked lovers would not simply allow me through the crowded subway.

3. Sticker photos. If you know anything about love, you know the deal isn't sealed until you've spent some serious time in the sticker booths. These booths are great for getting really cheesy portraits for you to cherish for many years to come. My favorite part about these booths is that you can wear all of the crazy wigs and hats. The only problem is that you really can't go by yourself. Thankfully, I got to go with a bunch of my girlfriends a few weeks back. But of course, it is always ideal to have your man by your side.

The thing is, all of this really just keeps me quite humored. It makes me laugh that every time I meet someone who speaks English, their first question for me is if I have a boyfriend are not. Seriously?! I am 7,000 miles away from home and the most interesting thing to know is if I am in a relationship. As I sat and pondered this spectacle, I was reminded of a quote from the fabulous Pride and Prejudice....

"What are men compared to rocks and mountains?"

I suppose having a boyfriend isn't all that bad, but I am sort of enjoying the whole exploring the unknown for the time being.

[celebration]

:::Don't you believe that there is in man a deep so profound as to be hidden even to him in whom it is?:::

- Saint Augustine

I cannot express my joy. I had the amazing blessing of getting to pray with two new friends as they accepted Jesus! Praise God for new sisters.

Inspiration: [the product of freezing cold temperatures]

It is officially 17 days into the new year. I have written 2010 on the board about a thousand times already, but I am getting better at remembering it's 2011. More than anything in the past 17 days I have had a lot of time to myself. To process. To pray. To rest. To create. It has been so incredibly cold. I hear that it is the coldest winter in the complete history of Busan. Naturally, it would happen when little ole me comes to stay for a year. So, in my efforts to start off the new year with as little complaints as I can, I have taken all of the precautions to endure this beast of a winter. I have purchased a Korean "puffy coat", the fake Ugg boots, the sweater tights, and the hat with a pom-pom on the tippity top. Whilst curled up in my floor-heated apartment, I started sneaking through the spastic stylings of Keri Smith through her book on exploration (see above). Thus, I decided it was time to start on the newest creations!

Aside from the warm clothing I have been drinking an embarrassing amount of honey citron tea. It's the most amazing stuff. It looks like jam. But low and behold you place it in a mug, boil some water, and stir. It is made from the Korean citron fruit. It's basically a morphed lemon and orange fruit. Yeah, that's right. Be jealous.

Now, here is a confession. I have not exactly been on the healthiest sleeping schedule in the world. Call me crazy or blame it on my 5 cup a day minimum of coffee. I am obsessed with knitting. I stumbled on this tiny little closet of a yarn store in the market across the street last week and have not stopped living and breathing patterns since. I joined an awesome knitting network site called "ravelry". I highly recommend it if you are a knitter or crochet-er(?).

On Saturday afternoon, a girl from church had some of us over for "crafting day". It was really fun just getting to eat sweets, have good conversation, and create away! Just what my little inspired heart has been needing.

The fruit of my little bit of labor this week was some fingerless gloves. They are super cozy and warm. Perfect for running errands and being able to press the buttons on my non-predictive text Korean cell phone. Unfortunately the high winds took advantage of my exposed fingers in the process. Needless to say: I will wear them when the breeze is not quite so present.

The yarn was super fuzzy and cozy. Just look at those little frizzles!

I also made these little flowers. I don't have a picture on here but on my facebook page you can see them! The pattern was so simple and they took like 5 minutes to make each one!

Snapped Photos: Click here to see the first, and here for the second!

Ah yes, well this is the news of the week. Aren't you all proud of my updating passion in the blogging world? I am probably talking to myself -- but we'll just view it as a form of therapy for the soul.

One last thing. I have 13 minutes left of Monday and I want to leave you with the "Monday Quote". My fabulous sister got me the complete poems of Emily Dickinson. She is my absolute favorite female poet. Here is a tidbit of wisdom for you to start your week off with:

The Bird her punctual music brings

And lays it in its place --

Its place is in the Human Heart

And in the Heavenly Grace --

What respite from her thrilling toil

Did Beauty ever take --

But Work might be electric Rest

To those that Magic make --

Brilliance, aye?

Good books,

like good friends, are few and chosen;

the more select, the more enjoyable.

-- Louisa May Alcott

Wisdom from the author of the wonderful little novel Little Women. It brings me to ask, what are the "good books" in your library?

I have to say my favorite books over the past year or so have been:

1. Life of Pi

2. The Book of Lost Things

3. Peter Pan

All are brilliant, imaginative, and they suck you in before you know it. Which, in my opinion, are the best kind of books.

FMD. Run for your mouths!

Well, if you haven't heard -- FMD (Foot and Mouth Disease) is rapidly spreading throughout the livestock of South Korea. Before you go off and disown me completely, here are a few things you should know:

-- The outbreaks have been near Seoul, across the country from Busan!

-- It is completely harmless to humans and I don't eat beef all that much here anyway....

-- With outbreaks in 2000, 2002 ....and earlier last year, the Korean livestock has made it through such dire circumstances. And by golly, they will do it again.

For further inquiry:

http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr

Have a happy and restful weekend!

Happy Thursday!

Hello friends.

Here are some pretty pointless tidbits for you to read over:

1. Got a tumblr for the more random blog posts: beyondmanyseas.tumblr.com

[yes, I realize I am really reaching for the stars on this New Years resolution...so be it]

2. My Christmas tree remains intact and is not coming down any time soon.

3. My favorite kid, Helmet-head Ted (aka - Teddy Bear) is no longer at ILS. My heart breaks again every Tuesday and Thursday he is not in my class.

4. I am recruiting people to come visit me. What are you really doing with your money and time?

5. Nutella is currently the most excessive part of my diet. Finding international markets is always a bit of a mistake.

6. I have had a total of 3 epic dance parties alone in my apartment in the past 4 days. I recommend it to all of you who have a little groove in your heart.

7. I keep getting the sweetest thoughts and messages from wonderful friends at home. I have to say I have been feeling very thankful for the people in my life. How exciting where we all are!

8. I miss peanut butter m&ms. If you feel so inclined, my address is posted at the bottom of this message....

9. I am now reading manuscripts for independent novels. Anyone need a freelance editor??

10. I find myself listening to old school, good for the heart, music -- on repeat this week.

This includes: 100 years: Five For Fighting; There She Goes: Six Pence None The Richer; Drops of Jupiter: Train; Banana Pancakes: Jack Johnson.

Have a fabulous day -- and don't forget to do a little dance. Lord Byron once said:

“On with the dance! Let joy be unconfined”

Spider-free living

A story to give you statesiders reason enough (as if you don't have enough reason already) to visit me in Korea:

As I was putting on my extremely fashionable red polo for work, I looked down and saw a black something or other. Being the experienced Texan that I am, I immediately went into anti-spider combat. I busted out my Walker Texas Ranger moves only to find it was just a black fuzzy from a sweater. Upon this experience I soon realized that it has been months, literally -- MONTHS, since I have actually seen a spider. In fact, the only spiders I have seen in Korea have been on hikes.

At home, I would say I saw an average of 5 spiders/week. I have to say, this is not something I miss about home and definitely something I love about Korea.

So how about the most random blog post ever? Just trying to give you a little incentive to find your way across the ocean....