Public Transportation

We move
angrily in clumps,
tender shoots from the same seed.
God help us
find
a
seat
alone.

Elixir of Love

We've found it! It's white, lowfat, warm and has the reminiscent flavor of texturally neutral tapioca fluff. The best part about this elixir of love is its perfect abundance in Seoul. Need some in the morning before work? Try the Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf on the corner of Insadong and Nagwondong. Need some in the evening before a lengthy bus ride to Osan? Try the Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf in the train station. Need it in the middle of the day because you are addicted and think of nothing but texturally neutral tapioca essence all through the live long day? Try the Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf located in the cockles of your heart (because I'm sure they've staked a claim there too next to burger king and dunkin donuts)

Evidently, True LOVE can be purchased for a mere pittance (if you consider 4,500 won and your soul, a pittance). WARNING: may cause some facial distortion and sexual nightmares.

ps. why I am the only one with wiley nostrils? I've got to stop having friends with such straight, lovely, un-flaring noses.

Another historical moment brought to you by the letters S and B.

Nota bene is a Latin phrase meaning "note well," coming from notāre—to note. It is in the singular imperative mood, instructing one individual to note well the matter at hand. (The pluralis form is notate bene.) In present-day English, it is used to draw the attention of the reader to a certain (side) aspect or detail of the subject on hand, translating it as "pay attention" or "take notice". It is often written in the abbreviated form: N.B.

does it get any cuter? Seriously.

Sometimes, you're just tired

Going To Bed Early

Nine below something Celsius
Christmas in three days
First, I think about you, strange country that is not strange
(but will be in three months)
And my gut is too twisted from
(too many vegetables at dinner)
thousands of unknowns pushing themselves up against me
(or just something I ate)
I see the clock says 7:16
And I remember that it’s actually 7:08
(I set it eight minutes fast because doing math wakes me up faster than alarms)
I know it’s too early, but nine below
a good book
and maybe a vision or two when I close my eyes
It’s enough.

A Crush Is Born

Take note:

1. Smart Boy requests that I send him music.

2. Smart Boy then listens to every song, taking note of structure, possible connections between songs and why and how each song may have captured my ear/heart.

and as if that weren't enough to lay me out...

3. Smart Boy sends me a poem that includes the words, "my head exploded" to describe his listening experience. The poem has a RUBRIC (!!!!!) on how to unlock the layered meaning.

Excuse me, Smart Boy, but I'm pretty sure I'm the one with the exploding head.

New News Now!

I ate at Bennigans!

(This is Misook Werner from Pennsylvania! She knows my Nan and Pap! We ate a BROWNIE!)

It Snowed!!!

(this is where I live! There was a pony! I knew this was a magical place, and then that PONY!!!)

(we love the snow!)

I sang! I was on a poster and everything! LOOK!

BAM! Crush UP! Crush Down!

May I introduce a few new concepts to your vernacular?

B.A.M. Boy Attention Moment (noun) A (pathetic) replacement for real dating and relationships meant to make you feel the soaring leap of hope necessary to prove to yourself that you are not slightly socially autistic.
usage
friend: Um, were you crying during church today? I would have handed you some tissue to clean...well, you know...but I was kind of on a sacrament date and I couldn't really stop in the middle of the rub-down portion... I wanted him to ask me to Sunday School. You understand, right?
NB: Oh, yeah, no problem. Well, yeah, it was a rough day, but it's ok because tonight at the Break The Fast, ______________ (insert boy name) totally gave me a BAM! Like eye contact and everything. I think he wants to marry me.
Friend: excellent.

Crush Up (verb) moving your crush to level 2 (level 1 = facebook stalking) by making real life contact in some written or verbal form.
Usage: I totally crushed up on ________________ after blogstalking for many months and I think he really liked my comment on his facebook status. I think he wants to marry me.


Crush Down (verb) Taking your crush back down to level 1 shortly after a failed attempt at crushing up.
usage: I guess I will have to crush down as it appears ______________ was unimpressed with my comments on linkup, facebook, friendster and myspace. Do you think the unsolicited chat on gmail was too much?

Credit where credit is due...crush up (or is it crush down? I can't remember!) is a trademark of Bottari