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Monday, May 23, 2011

Korean Culture: Bath houses

Did you know there are public bath houses in Korea?  I remember giggling in elementary school when I saw the illustrations and read about the Japanese bath houses.  In Korea, you pay $4-$8 to get in.  The spa treatments are luxurious.  The men and women are separate, and I've read that, once you try it, you're hooked, but I'm not so sure about this one.


I'll have to revisit this topic after getting there and discussing/experiencing the bath houses.


Via Wishbone Clever
"Bath houses are great for people who are comfortable with their own bodies and at ease with the nudity of others. I am neither. And yet this is the year I've chosen to be uncomfortable, so off I went."

-Cat Lincoln-

"Discomfortable: Korean Bath House"

Saturday, May 14, 2011

Korean Culture: Dating

I'm pretty bummed; Blogger lost my post on Korean couples from a couple days ago (but Blogger is in the processes of restoring it).  Here's one I'd saved on Korean dating to make up for it:

Please don't think that I'm planning on getting a Korean boyfriend once I get over there, because that is not going to happen.  But, after my last post about Korean culture, I was still interesting the couples and dating scene.  I've done some research and I've got some interesting cultural differences show you.

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Brian MacGregor and his beautiful works

 My family and I took a trip to Savannah to see some of my dad's family this past weekend.  While we were there, Mom and I explored the art district.  We both like looking at the paintings and the photography and all of the other interesting things.  Stopping in at Brian MacGregor's studio and talking with him was the best part of the adventure.

My favorite pieces were paintings of golden roses over sheets of dream journals.  

 Brian MacGregor

This one above is my absolute favorite.  I would like to buy it sometime (or a similar piece).  I think it's so beautiful.  And I love the mixed media, the humanity and imagination written in the pages, the rich colors...

Monday, May 9, 2011

My last day of work

I was getting ready to leave work for the last time last Thursday when Dana came to take my spot at the register .  She said, "You didn't tell me you were leaving," then she added under her breath, as if we were all trying to break out of this prison, "found somethin' better?"
"Well, I'm going to Korea," I answered, hoping this sounded like something better.
"Woah.  That's extreme."
...
"Um, yeah.  That's just how I roll."

------------------------------------------------------------

I have worked at this office supplies store during the breaks of 3 years. I've gone from cashier to inventory to a little bit of the copy and print department, then back through the positions again.  Many customers have given me their business cards while they've been in to get more printed, to get flyers made, or just to promote this book they're selling.  I've talked with some interesting business owners over the years, but this last one takes the cake, the pie, and the ice cream.


This adorable elderly gentleman with navy coveralls, an old trucker cap, and dark aviators handed this card to me as he left, "in case you need a second job.  It comes with checks."




I have no idea how he thinks I'd be able to help out, but I'm not sure I want to know.


I pulled the card out of my pocket to read it during a slow period at work.  I collapsed onto the counter in laughter and knew that this would make a good story.  What's wild?  It gets better.

After work, I headed directly to Dayton, Tennessee, to see some of those college friends of mine before they graduated.  We convoyed to Knoxville for the Thor premiere and got there plenty early so we'd get good seats.  With hours of wait time, I figured it'd be fun to pass around this business card.  My friends stared and asked questions in turn, but I didn't expect to look down the aisle and see Elise on the phone.  I climbed over the theater seats to her just in time to hear her start leaving a message:



"Hello, this is Savannah Cunningham, and I have this here business card for an Ernest R. Soto.  Now, I was wondering if you could help me out with a couple things.  I'd like to get a chastity belt... I don't think I need any uprisings quelled, but I would like to get some of those possum dinners to go, and...  what?  Oh, hello.  ...Oh-okay.  Um, yes, okay, check your books.  All-all right, I understand.  Okay, sir.  Good bye."


I was dying in a fit of giggles, the conversation was getting better and better, but I was all ears when she hung up the phone.  She told her enraptured audience that Ernest had picked up the other line midway and started to tell her he'd have to look in his schedule.  He was pretty booked up, and this was a tall order she was listing off.


I told them that I'd had no reason to believe that this man wasn't completely serious when he'd given me his card.  We all sure beleived him now.