19.09.13

In true tourist fashion we woke up early and set out for an adventure. We got to the subway when everyone was on their way to work so it was jam packed. This one guy wanted to get on but the doors kept closing on him because he couldn't fit so five of the station workers ran to him and started shoving him in. It was bizarre.

We went to a shrine in Harajuku which was cool. It felt so good to be in nature again. Everything smelt clean and tree-like. I had forgotten how much I missed breathing that bush air.

I decided we take a shortcut on the way back from the shrine because "surely the park is just through there". OOPS.

We walked in circles for over an hour until we finally found the entrance. Once we were riding our tandem bicycles though, it was all ok.

After lunch in a really cute little place with vegan options(!!!), we looked around a bit at all the stores. There were some streets filled with vintage, and then one main street lined with tacky little stores filled with bright clothing, bags, hats, and accessories. It's a really cool area.

We went back to the same place as last night and tried the coffee. It did not disappoint! The waiter who helped us was so cute too. I asked a question and he ran around for a few minutes trying to find out how to say it in English. We saw him zip past a few times before he came back with a disappointed expression, saying it was strong but he didn't know how to explain.

In Korea he would have just shook his head, crossed his arms and said no. Japan is winning on most accounts so far.

More vintage shopping in our area was followed by hometime to get ready for dinner. We ate sushi again at a very cute little restaurant owned by a couple who treated us so well. After some miscommunication, we found out we couldn't choose what we'd get. He made each piece for us with so much care that it was impossible not to enjoy.

Afterwards we found ourselves a gorgeous little bar and I had a cider. The first sip brought memories flooding into my brain of gigs, people, conversations, Summer nights, and good music. I believe cider has magical properties.

Then we went into an even tinier bar under the subway station and an older Japanese man with impeccable English and good manners bought us all a drink. There were only 6 stools in the place and we almost filled them all. It was so cosy.

18.10.13

We flew over patchwork fields and velvet hills as we came in to land in Tokyo. Japan was incredible from the moment I set eyes on it, miles in the air above.

Our flight was full of foreign teachers going to Japan for Chuseok. I sat next to a lovely couple and we talked the whole way. They're my first plane friends ever. How fun!

Nicole was reunited with her sister, Kim when we landed and it was so cute to see them together. They share some mannerisms and words which made it fun to observe for a while.

We successfully navigated the subway but got lost on our way to find the apartment. It was such a cute area though so we didn't mind. It was a web of little streets with cute little two storey apartment buildings lining it. So different from Korea! These were more modern, each unique, and there were so many trees! I fell in love with Shimo-Kitazawa instantly.

Our apartment did not disappoint. Small as it was, it was cute and just what we needed.

We all showered and got ready to tackle the Shibuya crossing and some dinner.

Both things were great. Dinner was an awesome sushi restaurant with computers at each seat for you to order with. The plates zoomed out of the kitchen along these tracks and when you take your plate off you zoom them right back. Such fun!

After dinner we got lost trying to find a bar in one of the guide books. It turns out my map reading skills were completely off once, but with the help of some very friendly, English savvy locals we got back on track only to find that the bar had moved. So rude!

We found another one which was probably ten times better. Great wine, atmosphere, and the promise of amazing coffee!

We went to bed very pleased with our adventures and super impressed with Tokyo so far.

17.09.13

Adventure time!! I wanted to feel stress-less as soon as school was over, but again my time-management skills let me down. Why am I so bad at it!?

I thought I could fit in a workout, shower, packing, cleaning, and a last social media check before I left. Boy I was wrong!

I was absolutely running to the subway with all my things killing my shoulder, only to watch the tail of the train disappear into the tunnel. Once I was on the subway it was torture to see the time tick down and the number of stops to go hardly move at all. I was panicking.

I ran from the metro to the KTX station in record time and made it with ten minutes to spare. Nicole was waiting on the platform, a picture of calm and tranquility, with dinner prepared for the journey.

We made it!

What a healthy dinner too!

16.09.13

Today just had the feeling of a holiday. I know I've still got a day to go before Tokyo, but it really felt exciting to be on the last legs before my big trip.

It certainly made the Monday easier!

In the middle of one of my classes a student started exclaiming about a bird in the library. It was a beautiful bird (Fantail maybe?) and it was terrified. It kept trying to get out of the closed window. But it was panting whenever we came near it so we were afraid of getting to close to open the window. We finally managed to help it escape with stealthy movements to avoid scaring it even more.

Then it was free and it soared to a tree on the other side of the courtyard. Man that would have felt so good! I felt lighter just watching it.

15.09.13

Michelle is gradually showing me all the cool places around Daegu. Tonight we had some wine in the cutest little place. We got our own little cubby hole with a little curtain. Inside we chatted away the night. I don't know how we do it!

Also, I made a new friend from church and she's really cool. Her name is Jess and she lived in Australia a lot of her life so we have common ground. We bonded over our love of lamb.

14.09.13

A Dirty Dancing inspired Elvis party happened this evening with Shanna. It was great to have a partner to bop around my room with. I actually feel sillier by myself. We had a great time bouncing around to Blue Suede Shoes with all sorts of crazy movements.

We also made these amazing cupcakes and they aren't that unhealthy either!

13.09.13

Today was  really good day. Every class got a point for good behaviour, even the one I had written off, thinking it'd never get one again.

Perhaps it was the promise of cooking dinner and watching a movie with Nicole today, but I guess I was just in a good mood.

As soon as my alarm went off, Rebecca Black started singing in my head and I knew it was a positive sign.

I told a group of students in my favourite class that I was going to Japan for Chuseok and one of the boys told me somewhere I really should go. The girl next to him shook her head and told me not to. He then insisted I do because, "there is an angel there".

I'm pretty sure he was sending me to a strip club.

12.09.13

Tonight I found myself squatting outside my door in the dark, blowdrying peanuts in the alleyway.

A one-step process was turned into an absolute mission because I decided to buy the cheap, unshelled peanuts for my peanut butter.

Step 1: Shell them. This resulted in very dirty, very sore fingers, broken nails, a huge mess, and two hours wasted.

Step 2: Do a lot of research as to why these peanuts taste a lot like raw beans. Conclusion - they are raw and a weird variety from Virginia or something.

Step 3: Roast them. For a very long time, making sure to turn them and burning your fingers every time.

Step 4: Read on a blog that the skins just fly away if you blow on them.

Step 5: Try it. Get peanut skins in your eyes, mouth, down your top, all through your hair.

Step 6: Get resourceful. Plug in your hairdryer, close the door as best you can and shield your face from the onslaught of skins. Smile at passersby.

Step 7: Decide after 15 minutes that you can't be bothered anymore. Your rep in the neighbourhood has been damaged enough already and the peanut butter can be a little shelly.

Step 8: Dump it all in the blender and watch with satisfaction as the nuts get what they had coming.

Step 9: Grow increasingly frustrated as you find after the initial chop, all nuts manage to miss the blade and need to be scraped off the side after just one pulse.

Step 10: Repeat Step 9 about a hundred times until the mixture is smooth enough for the blender to cope with.

Step 11: Add coconut oil, salt, and a little agave to taste and repeat Step 10.

Step 12: Coax it out of the blender, not leaving any of the precious stuff behind because it has literally cost you blood, sweat, and tears. I'm not exaggerating. All of those things will happen.

Step 13: Taste the heavenly mixture and know that it tastes so good because of the physical exertion and passion involved.

Step 14: Curse the blasted peanut butter for wasting hours of your life and leaving you no time to work out before you fall into bed.

Step 15: Resolve to buy shelled, pre-roasted peanuts next time even though they cost about 50 times more.

 

I also made this heavenly thing. Pumpkin, swiss chard, rosemary, and garlic tart with an almond meal crust.

11.09.13

Lucy had some goss to share with me and texted me as I was on my way home from Kiwi hangs with Michael. I love getting texts like that. It makes me feel like I'm still part of life and thoughts and the action back home.

And Lucy makes it so much fun.

As soon as I stepped in the door we jumped on Skype and unloaded all our secrets. I have missed it! She's so much fun to giggle and squeal with.

These helicopters looked lik giant dragonflies crossing the sky.

10.09.13

I had a lot of big plans for this afternoon involving avocado muffins but I was out of almond milk so they fell through. Life's tough when you fail to plan ahead.

Anyway, Shanna came over and we had a good time. It's nice going deeper with people. I'm not that good about surrendering up my emotions too soon so it was nice to have a little weep in front of her. A happy weep. 

I was just balancing the scoreboard

This little boy was so cheeky

After this he held out his mum's credit card for me to take. An ahjussi laughed and we bonded. Beautiful moment.

09.09.13

The park was alive with music, children, and bright spinny toys as I walked through it tonight. It had a Christmas in the Park vibe and everyone was bopping and smiling.

It was the perfect Autumn night. No cardigan necessary. Everyone was celebrating. 

I love community gatherings like that. Even in a completely different country, the feeling it gives is still so familiar.

08.09.13

Dongshin pulled together another awesome service today. There were certainly Holy Spirit tears and smiles all round.

Afterwards I just talked to some people and it was so natural. I felt so at home, like I could go up and chat to anyone and they'd be happy about it.

It was a really nice feeling. So secure and warm. 

It was like I really could claim to be part of it all. I am a slice of the church now.

As I was leaving, one of the guys asked me if I was coming to dinner with the group. I had to decline, but it was so good to get a personal invitation. It was like they really wanted me to go.

Church should be like that. It should be tough to get out the door because of all the people who you want to talk to, and who want to talk to you.

07.09.13

I forgot how much I enjoy getting ready to go out somewhere. The outfit decisions, putting on makeup, doing my hair, it's all so reminiscent of going to gigs back in NZ. I just love feeling a bit fancy.

I put on my jeans and a sparkly top and felt ready to go somewhere nice. Putting in the effort really makes me happy.

This occasion was an art show and dinner with Michelle. I never actually made it to the exhibition because I went to the wrong place, but the rest of the evening was so good. 

We talked solidly from 7pm until 1:45am and our throats were hoarse by the end, but it was good quality banter and completely worth it.

I made this today! Yes, the date is wrong.

I also made these super healthy cookies.

We saw this guy outside a sushi restaurant and figured any place with advertising this cool must be pretty delicious. We were right.

06.09.13

I had a really tough class today. Second to last. That's not a fun schedule, but luckily my last class is the best and we have a lot of fun.

They laugh in all the right places, perk up when I start talking, and leave wishing me a good weekend. 

It's amazing how their positivity makes me feel so much better. I love them a lot and I hope I can learn from them in that area.

The lights of the cars outside Costco reflected off the wet ground and it looked really cool. This photo is a very bad representation of that.

05.09.13

Tonight Dani and I had so much fun, as per usual. We had dinner, drank some wine, and watched Pitch Perfect.

She hasn't seen it before so I watched it from her perspective. It was funnier than it ever has been. 

I don't know how, but we always manage to have so much fun. And she encourages me to be better at eating right and learning about things. I really am blessed to have her. 

04.09.13

After another reasonably anti-climactic dentist session I found a little tea shop to kill some time before girls bible study.

The tea was delicious (I accidentally ordered black chai tea thou so no sleeping tonight!) and the service was adorably formal. He'd obviously been to England. It was great accompaniment to the 19th Century world of Dorian Grey. 

I was lost in another, peaceful world for half an hour, and it was delightful.

03.09.13

Rebekah bustled into my office ten minutes before class this morning with a bagful of boiled sweet potatoes. She handed me one and started peeling her own.

It was just a really nice gesture and it felt like she was taking good care of me. They were delicious, and much welcomed energy for our classes today. 

I am most definitely a gifts person!

02.09.13

This Monday was made 500% better by the promise of meeting Fiona for dinner. She is Lucy's friend from Ireland whom I'd snapchatted multiple times.

I knew we'd get on, but it was more than that. It was as if we'd been friends for ages. From the moment she walked up to me and gave me a big hug it was just easy. 

I love that! Instant connection. 

I got to take her to some of my favourite places and it felt really cool to know stuff. 

I see a beautiful friendship blossoming!

~~~~~ Fiona, I know you'll read this. Soz but not soz for being creepy and too friendly! ~~~~~

Pretty soon this is all going to be brown. I'm just appreciating it for now.

01.09.13

It felt good to be singing again today. I have decided I much prefer backing rather than leading. It has been a much needed break for me this year and I'm learning so much.

I just said much three times. Did that annoy you?

But I really am grateful that I can part of it and I think it affected the way I connected with God today. During worship my voice cracked because I was thinking about how great he is. 

And then the sermon really was so good. I love being part of this church!

After church I met up with one of my students and she took me to a teahouse to interview me for the school newspaper. Secretly she just wanted to hang out and was so cute about everything. She taught me about tea and translated for me.

There was dancing in the street as wee walked home.