Miss Ranew is acclimated.

I believe it is official! I dreamt of getting kimchi recommendations at the grocery store last night, Korean culture has entered my subconscious so therefore I am acclimated. Of course we were speaking English, so I haven't totally converted. I was definitely in a Mega Mart though, not Kroger. So there is that and the fact that my kitchen has only Korean food in it since I have polished off the oreos AND peanut butter Frances sent along (one amazing package that one was). That leaves: tofu, frozen dumplings, soy sauce, pickled radish, kimchi, seaweed, soy bean oil, some odd thick brown sauce that reminds me of Vegemite, green tea, cactus yogurt, chop sticks, spoon, no fork, and eggs of varying sizes that I keep refrigerated unlike every where else in this country. The only "normal" things are salt, corn flakes, bread and butter. While I have attempted to cook traditional food with some success and an equal amount of failures (I haven't mastered the art of cooking rice). One thing I have not taken on is using what I find here to create Western food. Nothing past a grilled cheese at least, which isn't hard to recreate even though the cheese is below par. So that is my next challenge. I guess I haven't cooked it because I haven't been that desperate yet. And I guess before I'll brave buying imported mad cow ridden meat (only kidding) I'll hit McDonald's. While I disapprove of the signs of Western culture taking over I did appreciate one American establishment the other day. I'm over Dunkin' Donuts, I have moved on to the upper crust, Starbucks. I'm on my new schedule now and while the hours are much better, I can stay up late and sleep in later, it is hard to adjust to working evenings. To help me adapt I get coffee. Everything was the same, the decor, the type of people (even though Korean), the sounds and the smell. The coffee was pretty good too. I didn't get what I think I ordered, but that goes for places back home too. Customer service just isn't what it used to be.

I have been up to a lot since the last time I wrote in this thing. For one I went to a Lotte Giants baseball game. Since they are on a winning streak, and like home, games are only exciting when the team is winning, the stadium was packed and the fans were wild. In terms of concessions, which are not ridiculously overpriced, there was dried squid, fish cakes on a stick, dumplings, fried chicken, hot dogs, cheap beer, pepsi (no coke-a-cola!!!!!! but that usually isn't the case), rice noodles, roasted potatoes with sugar sprinkled on top, and kimbop (sushi-esque). We sat third base on the side opposite the cheerleaders, yep at a baseball game. We were right dab in the middle of the family section. The best part is the nineth inning, everyone is given an orange shopping bag which is to be, get this, placed on your head. Can you imagine the lawsuits? Here is a bag that goes over your head, make sure the kid gets one too. But no, this isn't lawsuit land, people are laid back. So you take the bag, blow air into it, tie a knot and place it on top of your head with the handles around your ears. Vuwallah, you look like an ass in two seconds flat. But it's ok, so does everyone else. The beauty of this bag is that they totally distract you from it's real use. When the game is over pick up what you've been throwing around your section for the past few hours then toss the old hat into the pile of other trash filled hats. Although I kept mine as a souvenir.

The other dream I had was that I was back home for only a few hours, this one felt real. I didn't see anyone but I was in my room trying to remember what it was that I missed so I could bring it back with me. The thing was, I couldn't remember a damn thing! It goes to show that you don't really need much, the things I miss are creature comforts and security blankets of sorts which aren't worth remembering. I brought pretty much all I need. However, I do still enjoy packages and I received TWO yesterday! I couldn't wait till next Wednesday so I opened the boxes hoping that the presents would be wrapped. Opps, Dot's wasn't!!!! Haha, thank you so much Dot! I love the book and the vintage stickers. Mom, you did manage to wrap some things and thank God you did because I wouldn't have anything to open on my actual birthday. The paintings from Addie are lovely Aimee, I'll have something to decorate my apartment with. I haven't read the card yet, I'm saving the best for last. And the Ped Egg- it is amazing. Not to mention that you remembered to put in my makeup I left back home. Guess I can't go without some material things. I hope to get packages in the mail soon to y'all, there is so much I want to show you! But that'll wait till I get paid, let the suspense grow until then.

I also ventured to my first Jingibong (sp?), a spa where you walk around naked. But I don't want to give too much away before Kathleen gets here. So I'll wait so she can experience it and then I will fill the rest of you in.