same same...

Sometimes it is a real challenge to write about what we are doing here in Korea.  During the week we have school, of course, and that keeps us pretty busy.  On the weekends, we have settled into a pretty boring routine, and let's face it, when is the last time YOU went to Hannafords with your camera?  Eventually the novelty starts to wear off.  So this past weekend I was like, come on, we have to do something blog-worthy.  Of course what we came up with was not exciting, but here it is anyway...

For the past two years we have been staring at this mountain behind our school.  Perhaps you recognize the lake from the fire helicopter blog a few weeks ago?  See, I told you we have a pretty boring routine... don't get your hopes up, it doesn't get any better.

After about 90 minutes of practically vertical climbing we reach the top of the mountain.

The views were amazing, and make you appreciate just how mountainous Korea is.

Here we are walking along the ridge that we have been staring at...

When what do we find but an exercise area!  And it was packed!  With old people!  Who just hiked up a vertical climb for about 90 minutes, and then decided that they needed to do some chest presses!  I didn't want to get too close with the camera because I was tired and I am sure they could have each whipped my butt.

Nothing like heading to the mountains for a little peace and tranquility.

This week Pooks also played in a basketball tournament. 

She was part of the grades 3-5 girls team. 

The teams scored about 22 points per game, and Pooks scored about 1/4 of those (ok, do the math, 6 points). 

Her team came in second for the whole conference.  We are so proud!

So that is it for this week, I promise that I will try harder next time to live a more exciting life...  Actually in 11 days we are heading to Bali for spring break, so I am sure there will be some good stuff happening then!

By the way... here is some TheOdom4 trivia... the most popular blog post yet is the one titled Sorry, No Nude Photos... we get about 6 google hits per week on that one!  The joke is on them!  :)

Kyungpook University neighborhood

Spring is finally in the air here in Daegu, and we are all shaking off our cabin fever and venturing out into new, formerly unexplored neighborhoods.  This weekend another teacher and I decided that we finally wanted to visit this area that, so far, we have only viewed longingly from a taxi or bus.  So we coerced Gary into dropping us off on his way back to the bowling alley- here, across the street from Kyungpook University.

As you can recall from your own experiences, I am sure, the area around universities tend to be packed with bars, coffee shops, bars, eateries, bars, and shops.  Well, this area had plenty of bars, and a few of the rest.  Don't you want to go here, with the cute Adidas slipper?  I sure do :)

It was Saturday, so the vendors were out selling items.  Here you can see snacks made from various rices.  We were almost tricked into purchasing some, but only by sheer will power and a lot of negative behavior conditioning were we able to resist.

Cooking items.  The item in the top right corner is a bag of corn syrup. 



Doesn't it remind you of getting a sample each Christmas at the Mall of NH from Hickory Farms (and of course pretending that you had never tried it before)?  If the bag wasn't squishy I would have bought it thinking I was getting the Signature Beef Summer Sausage!

This, of course, does NOT remind me of the Mall of NH... Love the smiling pig out front.  He's like, come on in, this is totally fine with me...

Yeah, not the best name for a pizza place, is it?

As we were walking I was making my usual comments about the electric poles (yes I am obsessed, the first step is admitting you have a problem).  And as usual I was saying that it looks like you could just climb up there an hook up a wire without anyone knowing.

Add caption... no caption necessary...

Well, as we were walking we came by the local police station and I had to take a picture of the sign on the door that says, "May I help you?" when what do we see but...

...this guy!  Who I am pretty sure does not work for NHPS or FPL, or whoever does Korea's electricity... notice the complete lack of any work vehicle, safety equipment, cones, co-workers, spotters, vest, anything at all, to indicate that he is an employee out doing some kind of electric work...

Which, of course, leads me to believe (as I have all along) that he just moved in up the street and just came out here and decided to hook up his own power, and probably phone and Internet... and he feels comfortable enough doing it right outside of the police station!  We actually wandered around a bit more and I was keeping my eyes open for some U-Haul boxes to see where this guy lived!

Isn't Korea something?!?

After seeing that guy, there was not much that could compare in the way of pictures, but I do like the deep love. 

And while this is not such a great or funny sign, at least they are honest... if you bring in this picture of Jen Aniston and think you are going to walk out looking like that, well, we need a little magic!  HA!

More hilarity from bad translations

You know how I love little stores and the great things they sell, as well as the hilarious motivational phrases that are on many of the stationary products.  Well, at Daiso there was plenty to go around.  This helpful info is on a package of file folders.

Here's an example from a butterfly an example
that it can lie happy on a hard rock
An example that it can lie on this unsweetened
stone friendlessly and all alone now let my bed
I do not care.

Helpful bowling information.

Loving U
The most exciting thing is not doing it.
If you fall in love with someone and never do it.
it's much more exciting.

(not sure I want this on my notebook...)

Spam singles.  How can this NOT be funny???

"I'm so gorgeous!" 

Said the disgusting green roach.

English Vocabulary
I is not trying
to follow him.
?  ?

Love looks not with the eyes,
but with the mind.
and etherefore is wing's
cupid painted blind

(FYI, etherefore is not in the dictionary)

I am a pig doctor
I can cure all
your problems
with this bandage

Isn't this so cute??? socks for your chairs.  I am taking orders, so let me know!

I will also take orders for this one... who needs a rouleau de frotter? 

While this doesn't have any funny translations or weird applications, check out the incline on this handicap ramp!  I was too scared to even WALK down it!