Feeling more at home...

I have a hair dryer.  That was a big problem for me,  and I was really struggling going to work last week with crazy humidity hair, but problem solved.  This weekend was wonderful.  My friend Mariko, who essentially got me my job here in Korea, and some of her friends and I, all went down to another part of the city (really couldn't tell you where... there was a McDonald's :) ) to have some drinks and hang out.  It was really fun, and so refreshing to have friends to hang out with.  

On Saturday Mariko and Christine and I went to an area of the city called Itaewon.  It is fabulous.  It is the foreigners hangout, and I felt much less conspicuous walking about there.  We went to a salon to get haircuts, etc., and although I was not planning on getting anything done, fate intervened and I was introduced to Michelle - my new absolute favorite hairdresser.  He is wonderful, and cheap.  So after a new haircut and color, and a little eyebrow wax, I felt much more prepared to take on a city that has more fashion that I have in my pinky nail.  After lunch at a great little pita shop, and some browsing through store after store filled with fake Coach and Burberry and Louis Vuitton, the next big trip was Costco.  Yes, as in bulk haven.  It is quite an experience, and so comforting to see many of the same brands and products that I might find at home in any Costco.  Funny the things that just make you feel a little better when you are across the world in a country where everything seems foreign.  

Today was also an adventure, as I am hoping most weekend days prove to be this year.  This time, Mariko and Brandon (her husband) took me to Samsung plaza.  It is a huge shopping area that is the next stop down on the subway.  We went to the grocery store, Lotte Mart, and went to lunch at this great Indian restaurant.  I have yet to truly eat at a Korean restaurant, but I suppose I have a lot of time for that.   This evening I went for a walk at this fabulous park across the street from my apartment building.  The park basically runs a long a river, and has running and biking paths that stretch for miles.  There were so many people out, even at 9:00 on a Sunday night.  It was great.  

So, more to follow, but I am so tired.  Work tomorrow.  I think I am getting things down at school, so it should be a good week.  Check out the photos in the scrapbook, those are the first photos from the trip!