cravings.

as i’ve almost been here 4 months (well in 10 days), i’ve really started to notice things that i’m craving or just downright missing.

1. bagels. they exist here but they are nothing like ones from back home.

2. good chinese/japanese food. does this exist here? i have yet to find it.

3. shopper’s drug mart. yes, it’s annoyingly huge chain but it was always there when i needed something quickly.

4. tim horton’s. i don’t even like tim horton’s particularly, but it’s pretty comforting. also i hear there are boston cream timbits now.

5. home cooking (especially when it’s cooked for me). yes, mother (and father)! your cooking!

6. my bed. the one here is large but pretty much rock solid. it squeaks.

7. driving.  the public transportation system here is wonderful and super cheap, but sometimes a nice drive in the car is just real enjoyable. especially down the 407 to hamilton.

8. my friends and family. of course i’ve met some lovely and wonderful people here, but sometimes you want people who know you like the back of their own hands (and probably know mine too).

9. a dryer. my washing machine leaves something to be desired, meaning hot and dry clothes in a machine that can fit more than 9 items.

10. whole grains. white rice in various forms is just not the most healthy or satiating thing out there. i never thought i’d long for 12 grain bread or brown rice, but here we are.

what have i grown to love/rely upon?

1. korean food. it’s (for the most part) delicious. the galbi (bbq) will be greatly missed when i go home. it’s just not the same there. i will definitely have to venture down to korea town to see what i can munch on there.

2. the transportation system! like i said, it’s amazing. i can get ANYWHERE very easily. the subway costs a basic fee of 900 won (under 90 cents) and charges you by distance. i’ve never paid more than perhaps 1300 won to go on the train for over an hour. downside: i closes at 12:30 on friday and 12 on saturday.

3. cabs. korean cabs are dirt cheap. a 45 minute cab usually costs around 25,000 won. ridiculous.

4. everything being open all the time. there are numerous 24 hour restaurants and most stores stay open until at least 10 pm for unknown reasons.

5. cute things. korea is full of cute things. whether it’s someone dressed up in a cat suit dancing outside the subway, to strange advertisements with bokchoi that has a face on it or just the 100% adorable children (under 6), this country loves cute stuff.

7. hangul. by that i mean JUST the symbols of the korean language. they really are quite easy to learn and read. i can easily read and write by now. i just don’t know what any of it means.

8. korean people. for the most part i have had only positive experiences with koreans, in general. of course there are some bad ones which can leave a bad taste in your mouth, but most koreans treat foreigners with courtesy and curiosity. if they can speak english they will probably try to use it on you. if they can’t, they will try to talk to you in korean.  if you can answer, they will undoubtedly love you (if they can understand what you’re saying).  the one exception to this is cab drivers. they are usually quite grumpy and rude. they often ask me how to get where i want to go. firstly, i’m in a cab, so i don’t know. secondly, you’re korean. thirdly, you’re a cab driver. fourthly, look at the GPS that will 195% be sitting beside you, not in use.

9. cell phone cheapness. i know there are problems with foreigners not being allowed to get iphone contracts (ahem discriminatory), but i just have a regular flip phone with no real capabilities (except i can watch tv, but it’s in korean and this is totally normal for all phones). my basic plan is 13,000 won per month (which is including caller id, voice mail, call waiting etc. etc. and 100 text messages). that might not seem like a lot, but all incoming calls and texts are free, and calling out is like 18 (or is it 180? oh well) won  every 10 seconds and each text is under 2 cents to send. international texts and calls are also dirt cheap. i think it’s about 13 cents to send a text to canada. note: i can use my phone in the subway, and like everywhere else.

10. korean culture. YES i have had problems coming to terms with a lot of korean culture. must i bow to everyone all the time? must i say hello to everyone i pass? yes. i must. why is there a hierarchy? blame Confucius. either way, there is a lot to admire. the culture is very generous and giving. this might belong under the korean people category, but i am constantly receiving little presents from my co-workers and even landlady (apples on my doorstep? yes, please!). they love sharing food, which although isn’t that sanitary, really shows how CLOSE they are in general.  when i share food with my co-workers (sometimes even off my plate), i know it shows that i am comfortable with them and that they feel the same with me. of course, i am now completely used to linking arms with my co-workers, and feel a bit slighted if they don’t do it for some reason. i’ll probably do this to all my female friends back home.

i probably have more i could say but i am going to get ready for bed!

more later.