Kimchi, not for me

I was just thinking that it seemed like it's been awhile since I'd had a dark, gloomy, rainy day (speaking of the weather, of course). Today has been the perfect dark, gloomy, rainy day. Incidentally, I don't find dark, gloomy, rainy days gloomy or depressing at all. I wish it was because I had some kind of overall concept of the "big picture" that is aware of the need for rain. I'm not that well-rounded or aware enough of life beyond myself. I just like rain. And I've found that I like rainy days when it's cold (provided I'm not out in it) more than hot and humid rainy days.

An interesting thing about Valentine's Day - yesterday was what Koreans call Red Day. On Red Day (AKA, Valentine's Day) girls are supposed to give chocolate to guys. On White Day (March 14) guys are supposed to give candy to girls. And then April 14 (I am SO not making this up) is Black Day. This is the day when all singles get together and eat this food affectionately termed "black spaghetti." I cannot pronounce, let alone try and transliterate the Korean name of Black Spaghetti. But that's really how it works around here. Quite funny, huh? My sixth grade class is made up of 6 13-year old boys. When I walked in, they said to me, "Where's our chocolate?" I only responded with a bit of a scoff. I did give them this horrible plum-type flavored candy, which they were wise enough to at least pretend to enjoy.

I had to work late last night, because we missed a class just before the Lunar New Year, and had to make it up. So I spent Valentine's Day at school. I left at nine o'clock, went home, and made something that might as well be called "dinner." I have to say though, that by the grace of God, I did not spend the day revelling in self pity and angst. It's been quite delightful, actually.

Part (a major part) of why the day ended on such a nice note is because I got to talk to my dear friend Jessica Faircloth. She's very pregnant, been on bed-rest for two months, and is just as hilarious as ever. She told me a story that is EASILY one of the top five funniest stories I've ever heard in my life. I was laughing so loud and so hard that I was afraid my neighbors were going to come yell at me. Oh gracious, I'm sitting here chuckling like a moron just thinking about it. I know that not everyone who reads this knows her, but I think I'm going to ask her permission to post it. Seriously...SUCH a funny story. Talking to her was amazing. It did leave me with a bit of a bitter aftertaste though - having nothing to do with her. I've realized recently that babies are not bad, and embarrassingly enough, I've been having somewhat of maternal type feelings. I wouldn't go nearly so far as to mention a biological clock, but I will say that I am experiencing an interal reprioritizing. Does that make any sense?

Anyway - I have class in about fifteen minutes, and have a few things left to do before then. I also wanted to say thank you to the anonymous-but-not-really-anonymous commenter on the previous post. You know who you are (and so do I!) and I appreciate the encouragement. :) I was talking to one of my friends and was sad because I thought that Daive's perspective on Korea was at least mildly clever, and was hoping someone would identify with my semi-morbid and definitely crude sense of humor. When no one didn't, I just felt a bit dumb. Anyway, thanks to you - and of course to everyone - for your support and encouragement! :)