Eggs Sunny Side Up

Hello All!

First of all, Thank you for the posts last week! It is helpful to know someone is listening and cares. After reading them, I decided I needed to concentrate less on the negative and focus on the attainable and present.
With positive-proton thoughts in mind I decided to travel to Busan during my vacation week. It was a refreshing trip and I am glad that I ventured out of Cheongju. Busan is the second largest Korean city, so it is very metropolitan. I used the trip as an opportunity to indulge in some Western food and plenty of people-watching. Things I observed: A million cute-Korean couples like the others that seem to spill out of the streets. There is a curious waffle and ice-cream trend that appears exclusive to Busan. Busan also offers these ultra-ornate italian restaurants, which teem with the previously mentioned couples. In other news: I am now a coffee drinker.... During the trip it seemed appropriate to have cup of coffee, which I discovered to be quite delectable. Following that first cup, several more followed, and have added fuel to my caffeine addiction.
The remainder of my vacation-week was spent relaxing in Cheongju. I did go to the bar for a Halloween party, which was thrown primarily for the small foreigner population residing in Cheongju. I was stoked to dance to the bad garage rock music and interact with other humans. The evening was enjoyable, but ended poorly due to some sleazy middle-age man's inappropriate behavior.
I am happy to report that meal preparation remains as a primary source of entertainment. My abilities and culinary adventures are broadening and have culminated to this evening's Thyme-roasted Duck breast with vanilla red wine sauce accompanied by roasted sweet potato and poached pear (Thank goodness for comfort-packages and online shopping). I am very impressed with myself:) Finding recipes and cooking is comfortably reminiscent of home and provides me with a creative outlet. I hope my Grandma Bingham would be proud.
In closing here is a list of things I like about Korea:
1) The yellow, red, and brown leaves that litter the streets and I kick as I am walking
2) Little kids playing outside at night without supervision, because safety is not an issue
3) Teaching my classes
4) Genuinely friendly sales clerks
5) self-sufficiency

Sending all my love,
-Holly-