I'm bored out of my mind. 미치게 심심해...
At work, with nothing to do. Started at a new school yesterday after my company's contract expired with the previous one. The teacher I'm replacing is here until Wednesday. I don't teach until Thursday. Bored...
Sadly, that's what it seems to take for me to type an update these days. It's not that I don't want to blog, because honestly I do. Time has just been short. Anyway, with everything else that's been going on, I guess we have a bit of catching up to do...
Last month marked the three-year anniversary of my arrival in Korea. I could go on and on about how that's two years longer than I originally expected or about all the things that I have done since then, but you already have nearly 200 posts that explain all of that. Instead, I just wanted to acknoweldge the passage of time and to thank everyone who has kept me here. Yes, it's not what I'd planned, but no, I'm not 'stuck.' I don't regret a single day of my time here. I've learned to love Korea, and I've learned a lot about myself.
That said, I have an announcement. I will be getting married soon (next month, actually) to the most wonderful girl in the world! Maybe this isn't news to many of you, as I have hinted at this a few times in previous posts, but it is the first time that I've stated it here as bluntly as that. I was a little hesitant to say too much about my personal life on the Internet, but hey, that's what blogs are for. And just maybe someone else out there can learn a thing or to about the Korean wedding experience.
I guess, with the wedding only a month away, we're already pretty far along in the planning process. As far as I can tell, it's been pretty straightforward. With the church picked out and wedding planner hired, it's been mostly a matter of choosing all-encompasing packages, nodding repeatedly, buying suits and hanbok, pulling out the wallet when necessary, making arrival plans for my parents, and figuring what we can do to mix things up and break out of the mold of standard local weddings. One thing that differs significantly from weddings back home (we'll have one of those, too, a little later) is the pre-wedding photos.
In Korea, photos are a big deal, and none are bigger are those that come about a month before the wedding. In addition to those that come on wedding day, couples in Korea usually dress up for a day-long affair of studio photography, wedding dresses and all. Although some couples go a bit overboard with the cheese on matching outfits and elaborate props and scenerary, we decided to keep things simple. I haven't seen any of the finisihed ones yet because they're currently in the Photoshop, but I expect that they'll turn out well. We liked the samples and no one asked us to wear life-sized angel wings.
Honestly, the photo shoot wasn't bad. The hours went by quickly, since the photographers kept things fun and did whatever they could to keep us comfortable. The only hard part for me was sitting for three hours in the wedding salon, as my better half was made-up. Although I don't know what kind of places we have in the States, though I can't imagine that this was any different from any other hair and make-up shop. What set it apart, however, was that it was for weddings only. Only for weddings. In fact, I think that it could best be described as a 'bride factory.' Dozens of young ladies go in and hang around in all stages of transformation. Out come brides. All the while, future husbands tap away nervously on their iPads in the waiting chairs of death. Weird. It's quite amazing, in a way. But still weird. What I can assure you, however, is that mine was the prettiest one there.
Can't wait to go back. Next time for real.
Anyway, it's probably time to wrap this up. It's finally getting toward the end of the day. This post has already gone on long enough, and probably isn't too coherent. I'll try to keep you up to date, as things progress toward the wedding, but we'll see. I'm sure I can find time if I really try.
By the way, honeymoon's in Bali!
Thanks for reading
Unitl next time...
-스티브
At work, with nothing to do. Started at a new school yesterday after my company's contract expired with the previous one. The teacher I'm replacing is here until Wednesday. I don't teach until Thursday. Bored...
Sadly, that's what it seems to take for me to type an update these days. It's not that I don't want to blog, because honestly I do. Time has just been short. Anyway, with everything else that's been going on, I guess we have a bit of catching up to do...
Last month marked the three-year anniversary of my arrival in Korea. I could go on and on about how that's two years longer than I originally expected or about all the things that I have done since then, but you already have nearly 200 posts that explain all of that. Instead, I just wanted to acknoweldge the passage of time and to thank everyone who has kept me here. Yes, it's not what I'd planned, but no, I'm not 'stuck.' I don't regret a single day of my time here. I've learned to love Korea, and I've learned a lot about myself.
That said, I have an announcement. I will be getting married soon (next month, actually) to the most wonderful girl in the world! Maybe this isn't news to many of you, as I have hinted at this a few times in previous posts, but it is the first time that I've stated it here as bluntly as that. I was a little hesitant to say too much about my personal life on the Internet, but hey, that's what blogs are for. And just maybe someone else out there can learn a thing or to about the Korean wedding experience.
I guess, with the wedding only a month away, we're already pretty far along in the planning process. As far as I can tell, it's been pretty straightforward. With the church picked out and wedding planner hired, it's been mostly a matter of choosing all-encompasing packages, nodding repeatedly, buying suits and hanbok, pulling out the wallet when necessary, making arrival plans for my parents, and figuring what we can do to mix things up and break out of the mold of standard local weddings. One thing that differs significantly from weddings back home (we'll have one of those, too, a little later) is the pre-wedding photos.
In Korea, photos are a big deal, and none are bigger are those that come about a month before the wedding. In addition to those that come on wedding day, couples in Korea usually dress up for a day-long affair of studio photography, wedding dresses and all. Although some couples go a bit overboard with the cheese on matching outfits and elaborate props and scenerary, we decided to keep things simple. I haven't seen any of the finisihed ones yet because they're currently in the Photoshop, but I expect that they'll turn out well. We liked the samples and no one asked us to wear life-sized angel wings.
Honestly, the photo shoot wasn't bad. The hours went by quickly, since the photographers kept things fun and did whatever they could to keep us comfortable. The only hard part for me was sitting for three hours in the wedding salon, as my better half was made-up. Although I don't know what kind of places we have in the States, though I can't imagine that this was any different from any other hair and make-up shop. What set it apart, however, was that it was for weddings only. Only for weddings. In fact, I think that it could best be described as a 'bride factory.' Dozens of young ladies go in and hang around in all stages of transformation. Out come brides. All the while, future husbands tap away nervously on their iPads in the waiting chairs of death. Weird. It's quite amazing, in a way. But still weird. What I can assure you, however, is that mine was the prettiest one there.
Can't wait to go back. Next time for real.
Anyway, it's probably time to wrap this up. It's finally getting toward the end of the day. This post has already gone on long enough, and probably isn't too coherent. I'll try to keep you up to date, as things progress toward the wedding, but we'll see. I'm sure I can find time if I really try.
By the way, honeymoon's in Bali!
Thanks for reading
Unitl next time...
-스티브
2 comments:
Most sincere congratulations to you both! I can't wait to see the photos!! (I hope you'll post them somewhere for your blog's superfans?)
Thanks, Adrienne, I will. And congratulations on YOUR one-year anniversary!
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