Desk Standing

I did it!

It took me a full class to work up the nerve, but by my second one today, I was able to infuse some Dead Poets Society desk standing into my final lecture. 

Must say, it was awesome, and it definitely made an impression.

On a side note, I got a lump in my throat while saying goodbye to the students in that class but fortunately was able to suppress the sadness. Barely.

Brow Horror

A picture may say 1,000 words but not necessarily the ones you're intending.

Upon recommendation from a trustworthy source, I set off this morning to get my eyebrows shaped. Armed with two photos (depicting different angles of the same model), I walked into my appointment at the Benefit Brow Bar in Lotte Department Store, Star City. Although the brow specialist spoke limited English, I figured I was in good hands. 

Very clear photos + a solid recommendation = guaranteed success, right?

Wrong. 

Wrong, wrong, WRONG.

During the procedure, my eyes were closed. Once finished, the specialist proudly handed me a mirror to see the results.

Shock, confusion, and horror ensued, followed by outrage.

Ten hours later, I'm still feeling all of the above emotions to varying degrees. However, some positives came out of the experience, and I'm trying to focus on them:

1. Key general lesson:  assume nothing, particularly when it comes to other people interacting with your face. 
2. Key beauty lesson:  photos only work in conjunction with mutually understood verbal communication. 
3. Key spiritual lesson:  to paraphrase Tim Keller, a test to determine what we idolize or desire too strongly is to pinpoint the thing that would make us enraged/inconsolable/sick with fear if we lost it... so I think I've answered that question, and it's clear what desire I need to keep in check.

Additionally, JB and BD were unbelievably effective in helping me calm down. (JB:  truly one of your shining moments; you got me laughing in short order + made me feel so loved. BD:  your empathy + fact-finding mission in search of re-growth tips helped tremendously! Ditto on making me feel super loved.)

In the days ahead, I'll be searching for miracle-producing eyebrow pencils, shadows, and tools. Readers, your suggestions are always welcome.

Choco Pies

Oh, choco pies! How you confound me.

How can something so indisputably artificial-tasting still maintain an allure? Is it your new packaging which appeals to the American patriot in me? 

The cashier at E-mart smiled as she rang up the five boxes I purchased tonight (total pie quantity:  120). Wonder if she thought I was planning to eat them all? 

Hopefully I won't be eating any of them. My final lecture for each of my classes is coming up later this week, and I thought I'd go out with a sweet bang. Depending on whether I can work up the nerve, I may throw in a little Dead Poets Society desk-standing, too.

1, 2, 3, Kimchi!

It's a universal practice that when taking photos over here, one must flash the kimchi sign.

What's that, you ask? Westerners know it as the peace or victory sign, but in Korea it's something else. I've heard it means cute or kimchi , but whatever the case, it's ubiquitous. Kids learn it at a young age, and the practice continues long into adulthood.

These pictures, snapped furtively by yours truly, illustrate the custom.

Step 1:  Getting into Position

Step 2:  Flashing the Sign

the little guy on the right will catch on soon enough...

Giving Thanks

Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.  -Ephesians 5:19-20

Happy Thanksgiving 2011!