Day 10 in Daejeon

Today I was planning on taking a taxi to downtown Daejeon, which is apparently between 15-30min from where I live! Funny that I move across the globe for some new experiences and end up in a city similar to everywhere I have ever lived, about 15-30minutes from downtown. I compare the
living scenario with my Sunset apartment in SF. And I am falling into the same traps I did there, making bad food choices, not exercising and holing myself up in the apartment instead of venturing out.

Well considering I have only been here for a week and was thrown right in to teaching, maybe I should cut myself a break! There are a few factors contributing to my laziness, I don’t know anyone in this area yet, my Korean is horrible, mother nature's gift came early (surprising it made it through customs) , I have a lot of lesson planning to get done, it’s Chesok (similar to Thanksgiving in Korea), and possibly a soju and orange juice hangover. Regardless, I think it’s a good thing I didn’t head that way because when I did leave today EVERYTHING
was closed, so I could have wasted a trip. Besides I am heading to Daegu tomorrow to see a friend from school who lives on the American military base.

I do have to say thank goodness for the internet because I can still chat with my friends, at least the ones that contact me! I can watch TV and movies although both Hulu and Netflix can bite me for not being available outside of the U.S. and how do they know? So, Coco you may have your DVD shipments revoked! Just a fair warning. I am looking forward to tomorrow! One to finally see someone who speaks English and two to hopefully do some shopping. I would venture on purchasing Korean food, if I knew what it was but I haven’t even tried to recognize symbols!

I will say I miss my wardrobe! I realized I packed more stuff than clothes and trying to find clothes over here that fit “muscular” women is not an easy task, although I am surprised at the number of larger people, more than I was expecting. There is no wonder either because around the corner from me are tons of restaurants including a Korean version of McDonald’s, Dunkin Doughnuts, Baskin Robbins and a 7-11! I have yet to find the elusive Subway and Starbucks! Closer to downtown, I am sure.

Tonight is the first night I do not have the AC on, as it is a balmy 64 degrees but raining still! Again flashbacks to SF but with warmer weather, currently. I know the winters can be brutal here. Something to look forward to! I am listening to my new play list, don’t laugh, but for those of you who really know me will! But I spent a large amount of time last evening searching for the music from the waiting area of “Soarin’ Over California” Seriously, I did! Of course the last song is the one I really wanted, the main title from “The American President.” The best part was that I-tunes didn’t have so I had to scour the Internet to find it and luckily I did so I bought the whole album! I have been listening to it all day! It reminds me of home!

I have also been working on a“get-your-ass-up-and-workout” play list as well! Bummer is I don’t have an ipod alarm player. That is no excuse, but having my clothes start to get tight is definitely a motivator! I am NOT going to let all my hard work of losing weight go to waste!!!!!!!!!!
Starting Monday, my new routine: work out at least 30 minutes a day and develop good eating habits! I ask all of you to keep me on track and motivated! I don’t want to fall into the same traps I have in the past with all work and no play and not taking care of myself. So please help me!
I know tonight’s menu of Korean beer and fried pot stickers is not the best start but like I said Monday!