50 Things to be Thankful For: No. 2...

Impulse Shopping Gone Wrong

Hi, my name is Kathryn and I'm a shopololic!

OK, so I admitted it. That's the 1st step right?

Then it's all about seeking help.

Well I think I truely learnt my lesson yesterday while shopping in Pohang with Natasha.

The story....

I've wanted a DOG for a very long time, and was thinking of getting one while I was in Korea. But the more I've been here the more I'm torn. My apartment is the perfect size for just me. No one or nothing else. I would love to go running with the little beauty and cuddle and all that, but I know it's a big commitment. Adding to that the thought of taking her back to England and putting her through months of isolation and prodding and poking. Also, I'm not thinking of settling on one spot for too long, so the poor thing would either be left at home with my parents (who would love a dog, but they want more space) or have to come around with me to different countries and all that jazz. So I'd almost given up on an animal, apart from maybe a fish.

Natasha and I were in HomePlus in Pohang doing some home shopping when we popped over to see the animals (because you can't have a home store without animals right!?) We were looking, and Natasha planted a seed of longing for an animal - it was going to be a beta fish, but they didn't have any. The tortoise was too expensive and I don't have enough space in my apartment. The turtles were sooo cute, but they'd need a lot of investment. The odds were against me. I was going to give up.

And then we saw them.

The cutest little critters I've seen in a while.

White. Black. Yellow.

It was colourful. Beautiful.

They were so small and cute.

"Go on." Natasha said.

So, an even longer blog post story short, I decided to get one.

ONE!

"But they look so cute cuddling, and one'll get lonely!" Came the cute little Canadian voice that seemed so right.

So at 4,000 won each I got two, and all the bits that go with them. Happily we were on our way home.

We thought up names on the way home, and watched them snuggle in their new home.

Cute as can be.

HA!

Cute and cuddly that was until they settled.

And then, you ask....

And then they attacked each other (ok, more one attacked the other one repeatedly) until we separated them!

So this morning I had to travel all the way back to Pohang to get the naughty one a cage. So that I don't have a dead hamster and a bully. Because how could I live with that?

So, meet the newest member of my little Korean Family:

Luigi Macaroni Montgomery (or L.M.Montgomery or just Monty!)

Isn't he cute? OK, I'll try and get a better picture for you all soon :) And when the other one arrives I'll show you him too.

So, as you can see impulsive shopping doesn't always pay. But all in all I am very happy with my two little boys. They'll keep me company with their cute squeaks and fun in the ball!

BUT, and it is a BIG BUT (don't laugh :P) I will think thrice before impulsively purchasing next time.

My mother will be proud :)

A small catch up in the world of catching up...

So, I have a lot to tell you all I think. There's Busan last weekend, Pohang this weekend, the bit in between, my kids, my new package, my running, umm...so where would you like me to start? I surely can't tell you about all that in one post, you'd die of lack of food and water if you didn't move, and you might miss something good :p

I was thinking of going all the way back to last weekend, but then I thought that you'd miss this weekend, or even today, but then I really want to write about last weekend before I forget. So which would you like?

Last weekend it is then.

Last weekend I went along to Busan with a couple of Canadians, one of whom was running in the Busan marathon - OK slight lie, she ran the 10k with someone else in the group and then 2 others in the group ran the 1/2! We trekked down there, sitting on buses, enjoying the views as we passed them, chatting about their impending month long holiday to the Philippines (so jealous!!)and what they're planning to do while they're there. I can't wait for winter vacation! Only 2 month away!

Anyway, we got to the bus station, disembarked and got on the subway. An easy feat you might hope, except I made a complete fool of myself by trying to do something with the ticket gate and holding a whole bunch of people up, and made people laugh! Silly English girl, silly blondie! Aaaw! But we got on the subway - so much bigger and cleaner than the Underground in London. We sat there for almost an hour, changing a couple of times, but we got to the stop we needed (I found a cash machine that I could actually use my UK card in, yay!) and we walked to the hostel.

Now, when I say hostel, what do you think of? A small, probably slightly run down sort of a place. The beds are 'clean', the room 'fresh', etc? That's what I thought, because most of my hostel experiences have been roughly that. This place was HUGE!!! Gigantic even, and the room was really nice :) there were 11 of us staying in total, and there was room for a couple more if we wanted.

When a couple of others arrived we took a walk to the beach, Haeundea Beach (there was a film made about it once, look it up!) which was good. There were slide rides, an Hawaiian man in a thong, Korean 'sunbathing' and all sorts.

Then at Burger King (because there are only a few times I'm going to be able to eat Western food while I'm here - big cities.) I showed how British I was by getting confused by lever pushing for straw dispensing. OK, so maybe more blond than British, but you get my point. I don't think I've ever been somewhere where I have to push a lever to get a straw! Have you?

Then we wondered round before dinner at TGIs and the we all went to the cinema to watch 2012. IT was so bad it was funny. I wish they would make an end of the world film where the world actually ends. Then I might not laugh. Then I might be caught out! Go on, I dare you!

We got back to the hostel late and then tried to settle down for the night. We all had to be up early to get to the race, which started at 9. So we attempted to go to sleep while a bunch of Korean's were partying down the hall. For a quiet and conservative bunch, the Korean's know how to party, and party hard! At about 2:30am we'd had enough and so one of the guys went out and shouted so loud and scarily that they left. All I can say is sorry and thank goodness!

Waking up at 6:30am after a major lack of sleep wasn't anyone's idea of fun, but we did it. No one spoke, zombies roamed the halls between the dorm and the bathrooms. Until it was time to leave. Then rush and panic ensued.

At the race a couple of us looked after the bags while the runners got ready and then started the race. It was bitterly cold, but the atmosphere was warm and bubbly. I think I fell in love with competition meets. I only wish I'd run is all. Joining in would have been awesome! Instead we valiantly cheered while the runners ran, and jumped for joy when everyone had finished their race! All of them beating previous times and the times they wanted.

On the way home a nice Korean guy helped up to the subway terminal and then we were on our way to Pohang (where we change to get back home). We stopped off in HomeMart for some well needed house supplies and Christmas stuff. I was a little overwhelmed by all the stuff - it seems that being away from CMK for only a short while has almost quashed my shopping habit. But fear not trusty reader. I bought some nice things for the house and all are being used so I don't feel one iota of guilt :D So neeeer :p

Getting it all back to mine was a mission thought, and I had to ask a nice Korean gentleman to help me with the bookcases to the taxi. After the taxi driver helped me back at mine, I thought it only right to tip him, and that made him smile :) Everyone was happy!

I was glad to be home, in my own apartment, safe and sound. After a long but very good weekend!

Isn't it funny how at home I feel? I mean 6 weeks ago I looked around and wanted to cry and get on the 1st plane home. So, looks can be deceiving, I'm happy and smitten in my own little apartment, with my new stuff and friends to bring the place to life!

So, I hope you've made it this far. But aren't you glad I didn't tell you everything all at once?

I am nice to you, I promise!