nice surprises

i just overheard my dad's conversation & him saying, "anyone that can speak two languages cannot be dumb," reminiscing about how much time he spent in the philipines but was never able to grasp tagalog. i just feel really good about hearing him say that. ive encountered so much non-north american bashing during my time in korea, and to hear something positive for once makes me feel good,and i feel extra good that it's coming from my family. i love you, dad.

boo-hoo

hope floats is on tv right now. i used to have the biggest crush on harry connick jr.

the first time i saw this movie, it was on tv in 2000... or 1999... it was after marc broke up with me. i remember this clearly b/c there was one scene in the movie where sandra bullock comes home, she's drunk, sitting in the dark on the bathroom floor crying. her mom comes in, and she tells her mom, "oh god, mom, i miss bill... he used to call me baby. never in a million years would i have thought i'd be the kind of woman that liked that, but i did...from him."  AAAAAAAAND i started bawling bad, like boo-hoo crying. *phew. anyway, breaking up sucks.

whatevs

me on the phone with a friend that's a boy. we were talking about something completely unrelated when all of a sudden:

him: so, what are you looking for in a man?
me: uhm... huh? what?
him: it's ok, you can tell me. what do you want?
me: are you girlfriend hunting? where is this coming from?
him: c'mon, just say, just tell me.
me: uh... well... there are some very specific things i want in a partner, some logical things... so yeah...
him: so an unemployed bum loser like me cant apply, huh?
me: youre not a bum or loser, im not employed at the moment either.
him: but still i cant apply?
me: uhm... uh...
him: oh, i get it. youre just picky.

guh. what a JERK. what's with men? they're quick to call you something when you dont fall all over yourself for them. and no, man, you cannot apply. *tsk

little alters everywhere

1. this little pink bear was given to me by kwang bok, a lovely korean boy i date briefly.
2. bracelet, gift from a former student, Saint.
3. when you pull the tab and let go, the string draws up and the little boys legs kick. given to me by kevin.
4. a keychain given to me by Handsome Alex Oh, it's a korean mask.
5. a happy bunny air freshener that says, "Hey, you made me throw up a little." Catherine from red envelope gave it to me. lots of good giggles between her and i.
6. this empty beer bottle... i dont remember... from a night with a boy, im sure, but i now cant remember who or when.
7. this flower given to me by kwang bok. he would say i sounded so cute and sexy when i'd speak korean^^
8. this is a mirror i bought during my trip to ghana in the year... uhm... 2004? i was in the bus, some guy at the window kept trying to sell stuff to me, i kept saying no, but he was so persistant. i finally said, "ok, i do need a mirror." so he found this and sold it to me. the picture is a sign for a hair salon in west africa, i saw many like it during my trip, tho this one in particular i found on a google image search.
12. is not numbered here, but just want to say that this picture was taken in the kitchen of my apartment in songpa, seoul, near jamsil station in south korea.
9. my friend jane (from cdi pyeongchon) brought me this back from her trip to south america.
10. this postcard is from cdi, my first efl job in korea.
11. this is one of 5 clocks i had in my apartment. i was late for work all the time, so i hung a clock on each wall so i'd always be mindful off the time.

gift from danica

my lovely friend danica brought this back for me from her trip to thailand. god, i love this sister so much, she has been an incredible friend to me. i had a hard break up with a an old boyfriend and while i was working out what to do with the relationship, she would listen patiently, never judging me, never speaking badly about him, just listened. when i needed advice, she would always give honest, rational feedback. when i'd say something ridiculous, she'd say "eat my butt" and took it just as well when i'd tell her to eat mine. she's the woman i want to be, i really look up to her. she's overall awesome. we all should have such wonderful girlfriends. she's since left korea and im still here, but we're fb friends but damn i really miss her.

someone wrote (and then deleted) on bssk, "so many women in this group! poor guys." Nall, LUCKY MEN! kkkk And a related story: once i met a brotha, and tried to talk to him and asked him if he had fb (b/c i was going to tell him about bssk as i do with all fam i meet in korea). he never stopped his stride while walking, was only half listening to me and said, "i have a girlfriend," and kept it moving.

0:15-0:18, 0:50-0:52, and 1:17

this always always always makes me smile.