Happy Thanksgiving!

There are many things out there to be thankful for, so hopefully those of you near and far are finding appropriate ways to say thanks.

We here in Korea demonstrated our thanks by coloring pictures, making hand-turkeys, and eating roasted chickens--many, many roasted chickens. Our school doesn't have an oven, so I'm not sure how or where the chickens were cooked, but we ate them nonetheless along with many other treats put together by our wonderful cook. The lunch tables were set with white paper covers and center pieces, and the kids had been asked to wear 'clean and nice costumes' (at least that's what Julian told us she told them). They all looked very cute and we had a great time celebrating American Thanksgiving.

Email to Emily regarding yesterday's teeth cleaning

well, i still have all my teeth...but i really don't think i got much for my $30. the doctor opened my mouth, looked at my teeth, expressed his amazement at my excellent oral hygiene, then passed me to the assistant who scraped around my teeth with water and a metal pick, sprayed them with a baking soda like powder, had me rinse, then sent me out the door with 'your teeth are very clean and white. i envy you.' and that was it. and they don't feel very clean. oh well.

Afternoon drive, November 12th

Yesterday afternoon turned out to be a perfect afternoon for a drive down the coast. Morten and I headed south down Highway 7 to Haslla Art World and Jeongdongjin where I had taken my kinder kids a couple of weeks ago. The seaview was spectacular in the crisp, clear fall air. In Jeongdongjin we frowned, shrugged at each other, then took pictures of the ship-hotel on the hill.

Cabbages

The restaurant just opposite my building provides me with endless entertainment, and yesterday it came in the form of an ineffably large pile of cabbage being sorted and stacked and cut. It would be impossible for any restaurant to use that much fresh cabbage before it spoiled, so my guess is that it's kimchi making time. Yum!

Chiaksan National Park, October 28th

In front of the templeThe temple sound system--say what?Man in pink scarf and jacket poses for his picture