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31 July 2012


Summer 2012 E/S Trends

Oohh.. Summer has just arrived and it surely is heating up. And summer is bringing in fresh blooming





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South Korea-- A New Adventure

I finally arrived 4 weeks ago. Tired, a bit travel weary but happy I was embarking on a new adventure. Only a handful of people knew I was coming. I wanted it that way. Although, most times people mean well, their negative energy can sometimes screw up your journey, so only my family and close close friends knew I was coming to S. Korea to teach English.

Daejeon Train Station

 I was tired of Houston and although moving to S. Korea meant I had a snowballs chance in hell to meet someone, I had to move. My life was at a standstill and I was becoming a nutter. So in March, I started the paper trail to pave my way to this lovely country in the Pacific. Of course my friend Feather, was the catalyst behind it. She had been trying to get me here since last year. So finally, I decided why not give it go.

Daejeon Center

 First I had to get an FBI Background check which took 8 weeks. Then I had to send said background check back to DC to have it notarized. Oh I forgot I had to get fingerprinted before even sending for my FBI Background check. Then I had to get my diploma and transcripts notarized by my state. While I waited I went to http://www.eslcafe.com to begin looking for contracts.


I already knew that I may run into some problems because it is widely known that Asians have colorist issues but I have never let that stop me before so I didn't let it concern me now. I applied to at least 25 ads on the site. One recruiting agency actually blocked my email address after receiving my photo so they weren't brown people friendly. So, I just kept it moving.

I had over 10 interviews. I received a job but it was rescinded 4 days later. Back to square one. 4 days after that I received two more interviews. One was at a public school in a small town called Jinju and the other was at the school I am teaching at in Daejeon--the 5th largest city in S. Korea and the Science and Technology center of this small country.

My kids are fantastic, travel is cheap, I love my co-workers and I have found out a few things. 1) Samsung is Korean and 2) so is Hyundai and Kia--ok so I already knew this but these things are EVERYWHERE.   I have found myself surrounded by people who look like me but with straight hair and light skin and there are many "stereotypical" likenesses to black Americans, for which I will discuss a bit later.

The other thing that is very interesting is that Koreans are not particularly racist, they just don't like anyone non-Korean. And other then the occasional stare on the street and my kids wanting to touch my hair, no one really notices me. However, the Asian explosion or being surrounded by Asians has sometimes been overwhelming for me and one day I started screaming "Godzilla!" to quickly realize that I was in the wrong country.  :)

South Koreans also have this weird obsession with looking Caucasian. On the streets there are some really bad blonde dye jobs, they even dye their children's hair and put perms on them--curly perms. S. Korea is the #1 plastic surgery center in the world--blepharoplasty is #1. If they are not getting their eyes done to create a more open eye, they wear these freaky contacts to make their eyes seem bigger. Koreans are also #1 in education--children from the ages of 5-16 go to school on average daily and some Saturdays for 10 hours  and #1 in suicide.. I am sure the education expectations are quite stressful.

There is hardly any petty crime and Koreans know how to partay. Most cities are open 24 hours a day. The place is really amazing. I do not feel as if I am in an East Asian country. My neighborhood looks like a city in Europe with Korean signage. It's just cool. My city is surrounded by beautiful mountains, is 45 minutes from Seoul on KTX and 2 hours on KTX away from the beautiful beaches in Busan.



Rain, Korean Actor


My new bike Brooklyn

I am in love with Rain, the Korean actor, kimchi is delicious and I have been enjoying riding my brand new beach cruiser around town. In fact I have already lost 10lbs.

My first meal in Korea: Sambap at the Loving Hut
KFC brought by a student's parent along with a watermelon. Only thing missing was a 40 oz..

  Here's a few does and dont's of S. Korea that I have learned so far: Please note that the above is done with a snarky tone :-)

  And here are a few pics of my kids on a school field trip: 

 

My third graders


I would suggest if you have a Bachelor's degree or higher and you are from the USA, UK, Ireland, S. Africa or Australia/New Zealand, I would definitely give teaching a go for a year just for the experience. So far it has been priceless for me.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me :-). I'll have more pics to share next week since I am going to Seoul and possibly the beach.

Make sure to update your url for Lattes and Lipstick because this is going away. It will now be http://www.lattesandlipstick.com. I am getting a new site in less than ten days :-)



Follow Us On:

FACEBOOK      TWITTER    TUMBLR

South Korea-- A New Adventure

I finally arrived 4 weeks ago. Tired, a bit travel weary but happy I was embarking on a new adventure. Only a handful of people knew I was coming. I wanted it that way. Although, most times people mean well, their negative energy can sometimes screw up your journey, so only my family and close close friends knew I was coming to S. Korea to teach English.

Daejeon Train Station

 I was tired of Houston and although moving to S. Korea meant I had a snowballs chance in hell to meet someone, I had to move. My life was at a standstill and I was becoming a nutter. So in March, I started the paper trail to pave my way to this lovely country in the Pacific. Of course my friend Feather, was the catalyst behind it. She had been trying to get me here since last year. So finally, I decided why not give it go.

Daejeon Center

 First I had to get an FBI Background check which took 8 weeks. Then I had to send said background check back to DC to have it notarized. Oh I forgot I had to get fingerprinted before even sending for my FBI Background check. Then I had to get my diploma and transcripts notarized by my state. While I waited I went to http://www.eslcafe.com to begin looking for contracts.


I already knew that I may run into some problems because it is widely known that Asians have colorist issues but I have never let that stop me before so I didn't let it concern me now. I applied to at least 25 ads on the site. One recruiting agency actually blocked my email address after receiving my photo so they weren't brown people friendly. So, I just kept it moving.

I had over 10 interviews. I received a job but it was rescinded 4 days later. Back to square one. 4 days after that I received two more interviews. One was at a public school in a small town called Jinju and the other was at the school I am teaching at in Daejeon--the 5th largest city in S. Korea and the Science and Technology center of this small country.

My kids are fantastic, travel is cheap, I love my co-workers and I have found out a few things. 1) Samsung is Korean and 2) so is Hyundai and Kia--ok so I already knew this but these things are EVERYWHERE.   I have found myself surrounded by people who look like me but with straight hair and light skin and there are many "stereotypical" likenesses to black Americans, for which I will discuss a bit later.

The other thing that is very interesting is that Koreans are not particularly racist, they just don't like anyone non-Korean. And other then the occasional stare on the street and my kids wanting to touch my hair, no one really notices me. However, the Asian explosion or being surrounded by Asians has sometimes been overwhelming for me and one day I started screaming "Godzilla!" to quickly realize that I was in the wrong country.  :)

South Koreans also have this weird obsession with looking Caucasian. On the streets there are some really bad blonde dye jobs, they even dye their children's hair and put perms on them--curly perms. S. Korea is the #1 plastic surgery center in the world--blepharoplasty is #1. If they are not getting their eyes done to create a more open eye, they wear these freaky contacts to make their eyes seem bigger. Koreans are also #1 in education--children from the ages of 5-16 go to school on average daily and some Saturdays for 10 hours  and #1 in suicide.. I am sure the education expectations are quite stressful.

There is hardly any petty crime and Koreans know how to partay. Most cities are open 24 hours a day. The place is really amazing. I do not feel as if I am in an East Asian country. My neighborhood looks like a city in Europe with Korean signage. It's just cool. My city is surrounded by beautiful mountains, is 45 minutes from Seoul on KTX and 2 hours on KTX away from the beautiful beaches in Busan.



Rain, Korean Actor


My new bike Brooklyn

I am in love with Rain, the Korean actor, kimchi is delicious and I have been enjoying riding my brand new beach cruiser around town. In fact I have already lost 10lbs.

My first meal in Korea: Sambap at the Loving Hut
KFC brought by a student's parent along with a watermelon. Only thing missing was a 40 oz..

  Here's a few does and dont's of S. Korea that I have learned so far: Please note that the above is done with a snarky tone :-)

  And here are a few pics of my kids on a school field trip: 

 

My third graders


I would suggest if you have a Bachelor's degree or higher and you are from the USA, UK, Ireland, S. Africa or Australia/New Zealand, I would definitely give teaching a go for a year just for the experience. So far it has been priceless for me.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me :-). I'll have more pics to share next week since I am going to Seoul and possibly the beach.

Make sure to update your url for Lattes and Lipstick because this is going away. It will now be http://www.lattesandlipstick.com. I am getting a new site in less than ten days :-)



Follow Us On:

FACEBOOK      TWITTER    TUMBLR
30 July 2012

Cafe in S Korea (Taken with Instagram)

29 July 2012

The Golden Rule…

22 July 2012



Heart shirt / Hedonia denim shorts, $53 / Jeffrey Campbell shoes / Oasis box clutch, $16 / Flower jewelry / Tom Binns jewelry / Gucci heart sunglasses, $275 / MAC Cosmetics lipstick / Nail polish / Zirconia jewelry





J.Crew anchor dress / Hot pink tight / Sandals, $105 / Cross body shoulder bag / Zoe & Morgan tattoo jewelry, $230 / Coach ring / Yochi dangling jewelry / Make Up For Ever bright makeup / Urban Decay waterproof eyeliner / MAC Cosmetics lipstick / Tarte eyeshadow / MAC Cosmetics / Nail polish

lovesss


Love

21 July 2012
Love, the four letter word that we all seek but many never find and some hide from.

Love makes life less dark, it lights our hearts and makes it harder for us to let go when it's all said and done.

Love is a drug, that gets you high and once you start you cannot stop.

Love is a warm hug, its a balm to our wounds, an experience we must shout from the mountain tops.

 by: TanishaShu


In light of the massacre in Aurora, I want to send my condolences to those who lost family members and urge us all to embrace and celebrate love. Humanity to me is like a wounded animal that is lashing out at the moment but if we would all just concentrate on loving instead of judging each other, we'd be amaze at what could change.

Remember no matter or race, sex, religious creed or sexual orientation we are all on this planet together. We are all in this together. Love a little more, hate a little less and that includes yourself.

Just want to spread a little love today, all the way from South Korea.















Follow Us On:

FACEBOOK      TWITTER    TUMBLR

Love

Love, the four letter word that we all seek but many never find and some hide from.

Love makes life less dark, it lights our hearts and makes it harder for us to let go when it's all said and done.

Love is a drug, that gets you high and once you start you cannot stop.

Love is a warm hug, its a balm to our wounds, an experience we must shout from the mountain tops.

 by: TanishaShu


In light of the massacre in Aurora, I want to send my condolences to those who lost family members and urge us all to embrace and celebrate love. Humanity to me is like a wounded animal that is lashing out at the moment but if we would all just concentrate on loving instead of judging each other, we'd be amaze at what could change.

Remember no matter or race, sex, religious creed or sexual orientation we are all on this planet together. We are all in this together. Love a little more, hate a little less and that includes yourself.

Just want to spread a little love today, all the way from South Korea.















Follow Us On:

FACEBOOK      TWITTER    TUMBLR
20 July 2012