A Lady Gaga Halloween

I have always been a huge fan of Halloween. Over the years I've had some pretty awesome costume. Whether I was a bag of jelly beans, Tinker Bell, or the Hamburglar, I've always had a good time. But I've also had some not so great ones in the mix as well (aka the year I dressed like an old man). Well this year, I think I nailed my costume right on the head. You can be the judge.

I've never been one to master a celebrity look-a-like. I've been told that I have similar features to a Madonna with her 80s retro glam or a Scarlett Johanson (which I really don't see). But nevertheless, nothing remotely remarkable. So for the past year, I have been planning on being Lady Gaga, the latest pop/dance sensation to top the charts. The artist known for her extreme, over the top outfits and super catchy dance mixes. Of course I waited until the last minute to pull it all together, but I honestly don't regret any of my decisions. My biggest worry of the night was if people would know who I was. I really didn't want ANYONE second guessing my costume and who I was trying to imitate. Well to my surprise, EVERYONE I came across was like, "HEY! It's Lady Gaga! Sweet Costume! I can't believe how much you look a-like. You look EXACTLY like her!!"

I've honestly never been asked by so many strangers for my picture before or to pose with them in their picture. Crazily enough, I was even asked for my autograph! Everyone was like you really do look like her...it's incredible!

So thanks to my new super-bleached blonde hair (which everyone thought was a wig and still do for that matter as I stroll through the streets) , blunt-cut bangs, my zebra print stilettos, fingerless black lace gloves, awesome shiny pink-metallic hoodie from American Apparel, black sunglasses, and simple black tights, I mastered this Halloween like never before. It's going to be tough to top this next year.

So Tired of Saying Goodbye

Good chingu's Dan and Krista recently said their goodbyes with a huge Galbi feast and soju cocktails. Although this popular couple is coming back to Korea after they tour around the U.S. and Australia, many of us will be gone before their return. I'm really sad things ended as they did, but I wish the best for them and a very safe trip on their travels. Hope to see you again in a few months friends.

My Month Long Binge of Fun

My first and closest friend in Korea leaves at the end of the month and I'm not looking forward to the passing of each day. Unfortunately for my liver, Sarah and I decided to spend every free minute together before she heads to America. Because we both sleep until we work and then we work together, our free time somehow always led us to some bar or another until closing time which then led to noraebong hours later.

As tired as I was this past month and as much money as I spent, we had a crazy good time. Lucky for us, both our families are based in Rochester so we'll be able to run into each other again down the road.

Good luck to you and maybe we'll both be back here teaching again together.

Taking the Dive

All Sarah wanted in her final days in Korea was to go bungee jumping and pay a visit to Jessica's Kitchen, an excellent buffet restaurant. So why not make a going away party of it! We met at Yuldong Park on a Saturday afternoon to take part in the festivities. Of the 10 + people that showed up, only 5 of us were brave enough to take the plunge.

The bungee tower is only 45 feet high and located over a small lake. But I swear, once you reach the top, you feel as if you're in the clouds. I was the last of the 5 to take the jump and boy was it ever scary. I decided to be bold and jazz it up a bit so I stood at the edge of the platform, took one last look down, then backed up and did a running leap towards the horizon. It literally only took seconds and everything seems like a blur. But it was the most exhilarating, heart pumping, adventurous thing I have ever done. We were all scared out of our minds, but once our feet reached the ground, we all said we would totally do it again.

As the sun was setting our tummies were hungry for great cuisine at Jessica's Kitchen. We all jumped on a bus together and headed straight to AK Plaza. Surrounded by plates full of food and cheap beer, we parked for the next 3 hours or so. Beer after beer and plate after plate of amazing food, we were all stuffed to the max and ready for some Dublin-time.

At first, everyone was in a food coma, not talking a ton and quite sleepy. But once everyone got over that, we had a "killin" time. We practically owned the bar...well because we were the only ones there. Mikey and I played every throw back song we could think of and everyone seriously rocked out. DJ even set up a live microphone for all of us to use. After we closed the bar, we all headed to noraebong for some classic fun time. For once I was actually one of the first to leave and at around 7am (due to some bullshit fighting between a co-worker and army boyfriend). I believe everyone else partied well into the early afternoon.

God damn. I'm ganna miss you Sarah. Always a good time. Love you half heart.

And I'll never forget...

...True love waits.

New Bling!

Considering getting a tattoo is never a good idea when you know that you will someday return to the unforgiving corporate America. Plus I don't see myself loving a tattoo forever. It's one of those things I'd love for a few months and then regret in the long run. So in effort to keep my skin ink-free, I ordered custom made jewelry. A "blinging" gold ring band that spells out CASS-AH in Hongul and a shiny gold necklace that spells out "Sarang" which means love in Korea.

I like to think of each piece as my "Carrie" necklace, as something I can always have to remember my time here. Perhaps someday I'll change my mind about a tattoo. But for now, all I need is my bling.

Quote of that Week

Sarah: Mikey! I leave in 3 weeks...can you believe it!??!
Mike: Wow...3 weeks. So Cass, when do you leave cuz that's ganna be a sad day.

To stay or not to stay...that is the big question

I am at the point where I literally change my mind everyday about whether I will stay here another year or go home and try to find a job. I keep thinking why am I living my life by a piece of paper (aka my resume).

I just need to do what's going to make me happy. I just don't quite know what that is yet.