It has definitely been quit the weekend! Saturday morning I woke up late (10 AM), had some "good morning" coffee, prepared for my lesson later, showered and shaved and took a half hour subway ride and meet my friend by 11:30. I met him in the famous shopping area in the center of the city (the biggest in Korea) andn it is a cool place to be but like always lots of people. Well I got paid the day before and I was feeling okay and got enough cash to shop on I thought. Well, we ended up in the Lacoste store and if you don't get my emails, you can't see my purchase. Well, needless to say old habits are hard to break and I freaked out at the price of this sweater that I really liked and put it on the credit card my parents pay!!! I felt very guilty and text messaged my parents who are in Chicago this weekend having fun too. My dad said no problem, which was a huge relief! The only thing is that my friend didn't mention to tell me at the time of purchase that Lacoste is not the "in-brand" right now and Koreans don't like it so much. Whatever - I still love the sweater jacket I brough even if it isn't the "in" thing, it will still look good on me. Sometimes I feel like people are very into what the trends are and feel a sense of materialism here that I haven't quit been around before.

Then Saturday night I met one of my Korean friends at a American style bar. We had a good time and a very good conversation that makes me think a lot about things. Could be good and could be bad - but I had a good time.

Today I went to the Korean Church after I got to sleep in, but I didn't have a restful sleep exactly. My mind was still full of thinking from the conversation at the bar and some wacky dreams! Someday I will get a normal sleep schedule. Anyway, church was fine but no English translation today on songs and then I left right after the service. I had to meet my friend from Saturday night again in my neighborhood or district and he was going to come to my apartment.

I met him and he was going to come and help me with the information I would need to know to use the dry cleaners here and what to say, etc. Great, got that accomplished but when he walked in I could tell he was not impressed. I mean my place isn't exactly upscale and as a foreigner here I am doing okay and could live better I guess. If I stay maybe I would like to move to a better place - sure! But he totally came in and started making a mental note of things that I needed or could use! Then we walked to Jamsil, which is a very nice area of Seoul where Lotte World Amusement Park, Lotte World Hotel, Lotte Department Store, and Lotte Mart are so we could get some things. We ended up eating Chinese or what reminded me of Panda Express but nicer and sit down. We ordered too much food and it was kind of expensive, but hey I am making money and it was delicious. Then we go to Lotte Mart, the biggest supermarket/Walmart type place I have ever seen with more people than I have ever seen in a grocery store before. It was crazy ~ and my friend helped me find everything I needed since it is all Korean which was a huge help. I spent about $65 which is expensive for me I think, but maybe I have been pretty thrifty when I didn't have as much money.

I feel like there is almost a sense of trying to keep up with the norm or standard of living here, which I am not as used to. I have always been kind of the "trendy" guy or whatever, but here its like everyone is. . . GRR! Anyway, then we walked back here with the bags of stuff which was quit heavy, it was a muscle work out ~ but he wanted to show me the streets. Then he stayed for probably another two hours and we talked and had a beer and chips, etc. really nice guy. And he lives in Jamsil so it is good, it is easy to hang out.

Then he left and I started cleaning the kitchen cabinets and kitchen area. That was a work out too all the scrubbing and everything, but it looks the best it has since I have been here. (The people before me didn't do much cleaning before they left I guess - - boo to that!) There is still definitely work that needs to be done to this place to meet it to maybe having guests over standards. But at the same time I could use more space - but then that would mean more cleaning.

Also, by the way an extra bonus tonight was buying nice smelling fabric softener. My friend even showed me how to do it with a load of laundry - I think I understand, but he had to call his mother too, haha! So now my clothes won't dry to be stiff as boards, but feel like actual clothes again - - - YEAH!

Oh, I need to go to bed soon. . . tomorrow starts another crazy work week!