Sewing Machine and Mexican Brunch

I have been meaning to post, but somehow I always get sidetracked. On Friday, I ordered a sewing machine from Gmarket because after a previous trip to the fabric market, I realized something was missing from my life. I didn't know it was sewing, but for one reason or another, I missed the hum of my mom's sewing machine and the thrill of picking out fabric for projects that may or may not be completed. After my purchase (from the English version of the Korean website) I knew I had to go back to the fabric market. On Saturday I woke up early and headed over to Dongdaemun once again. This time I really did get lost, but I found some great stuff. I got 6 different fabrics, 2 pairs of scissors, pins and thread for about 40,000W or $27. I do need some other things, and I do plan to buy them this weekend.

After the market I went to Lotteria for a quick snack and a quiet reading of the Korea Times (it reminded me of my father who every weekend heads to Hardee's for breakfast and a USA Today). I hadn't been to Korean class in quite some time so I also decided I'd go to class on Saturday. Megan and I decided to meet before class adn grab some lunch. We finally caught up (after her trip to Canada and my party which she couldn't make) over a bowl of kimchi jjigae. Class is becoming difficult because I have jumped into the level 2 class and we are conjugating verbs and stringing together sentences for conversations. All of this was of no help to me today however. I got a text message from the delivery guy saying my package was with the security guard (this too was in Korean so I had to forward it to my friend Aerin and she translated) and after work I went to pick it up. The security guard and I stared at each other for a few moments and then luckily a guy about my age walked in and I asked him if he spoke English. He spoke PERFECT English and was a great help to me. I got my package (the sewing machine!) and thanked him about 100 times. I need to learn Korean especially since I am planning on a second year here. I can't always gets lucky and have someone with perfect English to my rescue.

Sunday was an awesome day at Loren's apartment for a Mexican brunch. He had taco meat, guacamole, sour cream, cheese and tortillas. I had decided to make some Mexican rice and also made pico de gallo. It was incredibly tasty and I'd have to my favorite (Western) meal in Korea. We have decided to do fun stuff (like housewarming parties) every weekend or so. Each of us will host and we'll eat delicious food. I am so happy in Korea and I mention this quite frequently, but seriously, I have been blessed with amazing friends and great company. I honestly thought I'd come here, do my year and move on. However, I can't imagine leaving in July. I have so much more to experience and the more I think about how much I've grown, I can't wait to continue on this journey.

Fabric and Fondue

On Saturday, I met Loren in Dongdaemun so we could check out a fabric market. The building the market is housed in has 5 floors of fabric (including silks and laces), bedding, ribbon and beads. Everything needed for creating clothing, quilts, crafts and jewelry. We spent about an hour and half there, but I fully intend to go back this weekend and spend a lot more time there. I found some really fun fabric I'd like to buy and possibly make a dress out of. I would really like to find a sewing machine somewhere so I can start sewing. My mother would be proud of me, but I also need to learn how to sew better so when I come home I'll need some lessons (hint, hint mom!). I ended up buying a green fabric for a table cloth and I also bought a few other things as well. My plan this weekend is to buy some beads and make some jewlery. I'd also like to buy the aforementioned fabric so I have it in case they don't have it later. After the fabric we headed our seperate ways (but not before buying some sunglasses at one of the street carts). If you are in Seoul, the fabric market is at Dongdaemun Stadium station exit #14. Walk past Miglore, Doota and over Cheonggye Stream. It is in a large building to the left of the stream.

When I came home from the market I had to start preaparing for my fondue party. I went and bought the last minute things (wine and strawberries) and then got everything set up. I ended up meeting Ashely in Jamsil for lunch at TGI Friday's and then we came back together and finished preparing. I made three different kinds of fondue including, chocolate ganache, dark chocolate peanut butter and cafe mocha. We had strawberries, oreos, bananas, pound cake, pineapple, nilla wafers, oranges and brownies for dipping. I had asked everyone to bring a bottle of wine and everyone did. We had reds, whites and pinks. Eight people (including me) showed up and later my neighbor popped in because we were being quite loud, but she was happy to hear English. All in all, it was a great time with great friends and I can't wait to host another party. After we drank all the wine and had enough chocolate, we headed to a noraebang to finish the evening. We were there for about 2 hours singing and having a great time. When we left the noraebang, snow was falling and the bright lights of the wee morning hours faded. Ashley and Mikel stayed at my apartment because it was about 5:30 when we decided to call it a night. I got about 2 hours of sleep on Saturday night, but it was incredibly worth it.

Sunday was spent having tea in Gangnam and then a lazy afternoon at COEX. I had lunch at my favorite, On the Border and then I went to see He's Just not That in to You. The movie was quite good, it followed the lives of a few couples and I love when movies have many characters. I would reccomend it and I would dare to say it's not entirely a chick flick. I hope everyone has a great week and I'm going to try to start writing more.