Welcome Back!

For the past three weeks, I’ve been sun-burning, swimming, haggling and eating on the sunny beaches of Thailand.

It’s been so enjoyable, in fact, that a return to Korea seemed almost impossible.

The cold, the snow, the job, the kimchi! How could I deal with any of it after Thailand’s warmth and massaman curry?

Well, first, by sleeping for 15 hours. And then, by trudging to my favourite downstairs CU mart for pineapple pop.

“Hi!” the saleswoman called to me as I entered, a friendly smile across her face. “Long time no see! Husband and I … miss you.”

I tried to explain that I’d been on vacation in Thailand – away, time off, no school – but all she could understand was that I hadn’t eaten Korean food in a long time. True, I suppose, but slightly off topic.

No matter.

There was at least one person in Wando who had noted my absence and was happy to have me back. With this knowledge, I no longer felt like a lonely foreigner, alien to all those around her, but rather, like a valued member of an ever-expanding community.

I was – I am – somebody here.

This simple fact makes my return to Korea so much easier and, even more importantly, so much happier.

So now I say, to myself and to all those reading this blog, welcome back! Korea’s got some wonderful things to offer us all … including samgyeopsal, which, quite frankly, beats pad thai any day of the week.

Happy reading and, if you’re lucky, happy eating!

Sunny Delight

Today’s cafeteria lunch featured, amongst other things, two ripe tangerines.

After finishing his meal and bowing goodbye, my vice-principal slipped me one of his with a quick wink and a playful smile.

I was delighted.

A girl couldn’t ask for much more than kindness and vitamin C … especially on a Monday.

Me Want Cookies!

One of my students gave me a box of chocolate-covered cookies today … just because.

It could be the sugar talking, but oh my god, these girls are so friggin’ sweet sometimes.

I’m one lucky waygook.

And one happy cookie monster.

Beachy Times

I camped on Myeongsasimi Beach this weekend.

After staying up most of the night, sipping Korean beer, meeting fabulous and fascinating new people, and ogling the beautiful starry sky, I awoke to this view.

It could be all that sand in my ears, but something’s telling me life is finally and exactly as it should be.

I couldn’t be happier.

La Cucaracha

The theme of my lessons this week was strange food from around the world.

After showing my Grade 7’s a picture of bugs on a bed of guacamole and tortilla, I explained that, in English, we call them cockroaches.

The smallest, loudest and cutest boy in the class thought about that for a second. Suddenly, and with an excited curiosity, he asked, “La Cucaracha?”

“Yes,” I said with a laugh.

Nodding his head knowingly, he hummed that song’s tune for the rest of the period.

Spanish in Korea: who knew?

Bloody Hell!

Today for lunch, my school’s cafeteria served blood sausage.

How’s that the happiest moment of my day, you ask?

The answer, quite simply, is that because I’ve tasted the disgusting, intestine-filled mass, I’ll never feel any obligation, desire or curiosity to do so again.

Indeed, this makes me quite happy.

With A Glowing Heart

As my Sunday afternoon treat, I decided to get a delicious, pepperoni pizza.

After ordering and then sitting down to wait, I heard Nickelback’s “Burn It To The Ground” come on the restaurant’s television set.

Let’s be honest: the band sucks and so does the song.

Nonetheless, I couldn’t help smiling. It’s nice to know that, no matter where I am, Canada—and all the things that make it so wonderfully familiar to me—are never too far away. Thanks for the reminder Nickelback.

Don’t forget though: I still hate you.

The Odd Couple

I have a highly specific childhood memory that, unsurprisingly, involves food:

One quiet Saturday afternoon, I was watching Sailor Moon with the desperate envy of any tween girl—after all, Tuxedo Mask was a complete hunk and I was a slave to my then-raging hormones. During that one particular episode, Serena, the main character, sat down to lunch with Mercury and Mars (my favourite Sailor!), and started eating a delicate triangular-shaped sandwich.

In that moment, my world stopped. I had no idea what Serena’s foodstuff was called—and sadly, without the advent of Internet, wouldn’t for years—but I knew I wanted it. Looking down at my sloppy, microwaved cheese bagel—a sad excuse for a meal if ever there was one—I thought, “I’ll never love lunch again until I know what that triangular masterpiece is, and until it’s resting tastefully on my plate.”

Today, ladies and gentlemen, was that day. I fell back in love with lunch and it was a beautiful thing. Triangle Kimbap—as the masterpiece is commonly called—was every bit as novel, delicious and fun to open as I’d dreamed. I savoured every moment of its existence before finishing and immediately anticipating the next (which I will have tomorrow…and the next day).

How will this love story end, you ask? Happily and deliciously, is my guess. Relationships are nothing without dedication, and when it comes to food, you can count on me day or night. Just call my name, Triangle Kimbap, and I’ll be there.