What does it mean to be strong?

As I've told you before, I was bullied when I was younger.  At one point, I distinctly remember deciding that I wasn't going to cry anymore.  When someone was mean to me, I learned that I could stop myself from crying.  I decided I would develop a hard shell so that no one would have the power to make me cry again.  I decided that I was becoming strong after being so weak.  I was wrong.  Later, I realized that I needed to cry sometimes.  I would gauge the depth of my hurt by how many tears came out, then I'd put the walls right back up.  I was accused of having no heart, having a heart of stone, being an ice queen... no one was allowed in.  I tried keeping everyone at arms distance, believing that I was the only one who had my back.  I called this being strong.  I was wrong.

I've come to realize that denying my pain, repressing my emotions, not allowing myself to heal was a kind of cowardice.  Perhaps at one point it was a way to get me through the day - back when I was young and didn't know how else to manage.  However, it hasn't served me well for years.  Keeping things inside, hidden, denied, or repressed, have led to breakdowns when they finally surface.  Unfortunately those breakdowns have jeopardized some of my friendships, talking about them has caused my friends and family to be concerned for me, causing them unneeded stress.  I am sorry for that, but I am glad that I've been able to be honest with all of you.  Mo told me once that I try to make everything seem like sunshine and rainbows.  She's not wrong - for the most part, I try to bring sunshine into other peoples' lives because I know how painful the darkness can be. 

I now realize that it takes strength to allow oneself to feel the nasty emotions.  To acknowledge the cause and the hurt, to allow yourself to cry, then to wipe the tears away and continue on.  Strength is not keeping yourself from crying, but allowing the cry and then carrying on.  Strength to me now is not having a heart of stone, but having a heart that can take the hurts and keep from becoming bitter.  I'm coming to realize (slowly, of course) that all I can do is love people to the extent that I can - I can't demand that they love me back the same way.  It sucks sometimes because some people can treat me like crap, and in those cases I'm allowed to walk away or limit my interactions with them.  Ultimately what matters is not how I was loved by others, but how I loved them. 

The thing is, in order to allow others to love me, I had to learn how to be vulnerable with them.  I had to learn how to let some trusted people see the worst parts of me.   I am happy to say that I have a few really, really great friends who know most of my darkness and who still love me.  I have a few who I can lean on when things become too much for me to handle, and they have helped to prop me up, remind me of my worth, and given me the strength to continue on.  I cherish those people more than words could ever say.  I now know that there is strength in allowing myself to be vulnerable.  There is strength even in tears, as long as the tears don't take over.  Anyway, this is what I've been thinking about for the past few days or weeks or month or whatever.  Mostly because I've been thinking of how hard it is to know that the person I'm confiding in can be trusted.  That process of building the trust has already happened with my people back home - here it takes a while and sometimes seems not worth it - chances are the confidant would be leaving soon.  Thank God for J - He really knew what He was doing, putting us in the same training class and then the same branch of the hagwon.  We really clicked once I realized she wasn't nuts.  Hehe (love you, J).

On the lighter side of life, I'm playing artist person this weekend.  Jess told me about Brian Kesinger's free Penned Dragons coloring book, so I printed off about 4 of the dragons.  I'm heading to Art Box in a few to get colored pencils.  The online classes went well, and we're going to be doing that for at least another week at work.  I think S is settled in and knows what he's doing now.  The hierarchy at work is still kind of topsy-turvy, but frankly I'm not bothered about it. 

So these are the NICEST headphones I've ever had - and I've worked in some call centers!  Apparently they're gamer quality... I wouldn't know that, but they are comfy on my ears and not too loud, and apparently the kids can hear me ok.  

 So this is the cheat sheet that I made for class times when I first got here - I had to laugh because my old boss converted me to the wonders of Excel.  Well, with the extra time that we've had I decided to make a prettier one...

She used to get after me to make the spreadsheets PRETTY!  That's when I found out that I'm more data-oriented, less presentation-oriented.  Eventually I learned how to make them pretty for her.  I miss my GRMC job - we had some good times.  I tell you, having a good boss makes a HUGE difference.

Speaking of wonderful friends - my friend's dog sent me the above shirt.  "Let the shenanigans begin!"  Hehehe - it's perfect for when I can drink again.  I'm gonna have some Easter margaritas.  :)

So the next week should be ok.  It's another lazy weekend for me, which I do love so much.  I'm gonna be having bbq sausages, baked potatoes, and salad for dinner.  I'm hoping S will bring me pinto beans from Itaewon so that I can make chili when my chili powder gets here.  Sunday I'll either cook or go out to Quattro for pasta and salad.  The only thing that I'd like to have is a cuddle buddy... but my kitty cats do the best they can for that.  :)  Much love to all those who are in self-isolation, we'll get thru this all together my friends and family.  :*  MUAH (long-distance smooches for you)

Living uncertain

I think the strain of not knowing is starting to get to some of us.  It's for sure getting to me.  The not knowing when the Corona stuff with end - when the world will get back to what we consider 'normal.'  I've been talking to a friend on the base, he said they were on lock down this morning - someone was being tested for the virus.  At work, we're grading the online stuff, doing our live classes, trying to keep the kids engaged and interested through the wonders of technology.  I think the Korean staff are feeling the effects even worse than we are.  It's the not knowing that's draining us.  Will things go back to normal the first week of April?  Will we continue teaching online?  Will the world actually get a handle on this?  I feel bad for our new teachers because not only are they hearing 'when the kids come back' but also 'well, this is how we used to do it, but that's changed' and information is coming from 2-3 different sources, changing all the time.  No one really knows what is happening or what we are doing so everyone is trying to do what they can and sometimes it's at cross-purposes.  Information is given to some, but some don't get the same info... it's a mess. 

I know that we are all doing the best we can with the situation, but it's taking it's toll.  I refuse to freak out, but even I am getting to the point were I'd like to go dancing or SOMETHING.  I'd like to be able to hear someone cough and not thing 'corona.'  A song by All That Remains just came on - Madness.  Pretty much.  I'm looking forward to the cathedral opening for one Sunday so that I can go to confession and Mass.  I'm looking forward to Easter and maybe going to the cathedral for that.  I'd like to be able to forget to wear my mask and not feel like an ass for it.  I know that I'm not as limited as some for what I can and can't do, but I still feel like staying home is the best option. 

Today was rough - I was exhausted as soon as I got to work and I know that I wasn't the only one.  I'm  realizing that I didn't prep everything that I needed for the classes that I'm teaching online, so I'm scrambling to make sure that I have all the answers before the kids log in.  Making sure the tech is working (we had to plug my headphones in to my actual computer, not my speakers), getting follow ups from the Korean staff about quiet kids, how they are actually feeling about the programs, etc.  I had a minor meltdown/freak out because I'd missed a memo and that dropped me right back into the 'why was I the only one who didn't get this' hole.  Turns out I wasn't the only one who didn't get the memo, so my minor meltdown/freak out was unwarranted.  J and I had our date night tonight and pretty much broke down how we've both been feeling about everything that's going on and how we're dealing with it.  Frankly I'm glad that I've still got a goal cuz the urge to stress eat is STRONG!  Also, she is remarkable quotable... I'm not gonna share all of them with you but my favorite went something like:
Me: You know I use humor to deal with crap.
J: I know, and it drives me CRAZY!  We'll be talking about a serious subject, and you'll pop off with something to make us laugh!  Can you just be serious?!
Honestly - no, I can't.  Humor (or humour as she'd spell it), sarcasm, inappropriate comments, it's how I deal.  Especially with big problems - gotta break it down into humorous, manageable bits.  Yes, I am a massive mess - but I'm a cute mess!  I have no idea what we're going to be doing for work, but at least we don't have kid germs around!  Yeah, I'm sad a lot - but look how cute my shark is with his fishie!  Gotta be able to find the humor and/or silver lining.  People suck, but you're ok!  Hehe.

Moth by Hellyeah is also really good, FYI.  Funny... 3 different people told me today that I need to stop being so hard on myself.  I've heard "You're human" in some way from each one of them today.  I think I'm sensing a pattern.  My favorite is from T - "Mozart needed piano lessons at one point."  That one made me cry a little - he's so good at saying what I need to hear sometimes.  It's like he knows me!  And now I'm wondering if Mozart learned on a harpsichord or a piano... google says he learned piano.  I will trust the Google. 

Anyway, the trees are starting to get the memo that it's spring... look what is happening to one of them on the way to work!!

Right in central park!  I'll be sure to keep you updated on my favorite tree, too.  It's officially been a year since I've been here - the trees and flowers are back!

Trying new things

There was a meme floating around the internet not too long ago about how introverts don't make friends, they are adopted by extroverts who force them into social situations.  I have been adopted by 2 extroverts in Korea - J and S.  Yesterday S, his girlfriend U, and I all went out to a gaming cafe to get dice so that we could start playing D&D (Dungeons and Dragons) with people he knew from his old job, and U's sister T.  The gaming cafe was fun - the proprietor was from Idaho, they had lots of things that I had never seen and yet now I want (A Disney Villains game?! YES, please).  I got a set of dice that are blue and copper and yes, they glow in the dark (it looks like they have stars in them, super cool).  I also got a Cthulhu pin, cuz, you know... Lovecraft.

 So many games that could be fun - I'd be a great Matron Mother of one of the Great Houses of the drow in the Underdark.

 So many pretty dice.

 M&M and I need to play this.

I kinda want to play this one, too.  I need to wear a brown coat when I do.

 My dice that I ended up getting - I almost got pretty purple ones, then the dude showed me how these glow in the dark, and I was sold.

Cthulhu RISE!

Creating a character was interesting and of course I had to call in my favorite King Nerd of all - T from back home.  He helped me with the character sheet, gave me some info on how the game has changed and sent me one of my favorite emails ever - "You're a nerd, Mandi."  Helps if you read that in Hagrid's voice.  (For any who are wondering, I'm a half-elf rouge who used to be an assassin but now apparently I have to be good, so I'm reformed.)  We then played some to get used to it - I am the only noob, so it's gonna take me a couple sessions before I'm totally comfortable being in character.  I'm also a thespian at heart, so I can see how this will be good for me.  The group has a total of 6 people - S, U, T, J, M, and me.  In case any extroverts are wondering - a total of 6 counts as a crowd!  It's gotten to the point where I swear I can FEEL my social battery getting low.  Anyway, we're going to have to be sure to end the sessions early enough that everyone can get home.  J and M have about an hour of commuting time, I have 2 (metro then bus).  I got home at around midnight last night.  So rest assured, in the midst of self-isolation, fears of sickness, and craziness of all kinds - life in Korea is actually pretty well unaffected. 

At work we are going to be teaching some of the higher level students online starting next week.  So we'll be working from 2-7.  We have ensured that all the programs are working properly and personally I'm kind of looking forward to it.  I went over the rules with the kids on Friday, and when it comes to classroom management, I have the ability to mute students who are being disruptive.... hehehe... I solemnly swear that I will only use the mute button for good.  ;)  We are still working for just 70% pay, but frankly I'm happy that we are getting anything.  Also, I can live pretty cheaply and frankly since I gave up drinking, it's been REALLY good for my bank account.  I also have some money coming to me for the food during immersion and the refund for the lantern fest in April (that's right, no lanterns this year, Daegu was hit pretty hard by Corona so they canceled it). 

Otherwise not much is happening.  I was reminded yesterday how tired I am of being the 3rd wheel around couples.  This does not come from a place of jealousy or anything, it's just awkward for me.  I don't mind around M&M or J&D because I have good relationships with all parties involved.  However, when I'm friends with only one half of the couple (and it's the male half), it's just awkward.  As Phil (from All That Remains) puts it - "I can't help feeling like I've read this book before.  Same old story anyway."  It's a recurring theme in my world, and to be honest it's not one of my favorites.  There have been some things popping up in my Facebook about how to be single during times of self-isolation.  I think I've got them pretty well figured out, but I do find myself wishing that I had someone to cuddle and watch movies with right now.  Thank God D left me her squishy kitty (Ford Feline) - he's good for cuddles.  I need to come back with both my cats - and of course my Boss sharkey shark.

The weather is getting warmer and the trees are starting to blossom.  My mental state is still at the top of the spiral.  I got to thinking - maybe the spiral mental health metaphor only really works for someone who lives with depression.  I mean, that's why it's a spiral and not, say, a shallow groove.  Over the years I've trained myself to keep my mental health ball toward the top but sometimes it slips or goes down the spiral so gradually I don't notice in time and I end up where I was last month.  What I want you all to understand is that this is my normal.  I don't know any other kind of mental state - I know that I am going to cycle between 'life is good, I want to hug everyone I love and bring sunshine to those that I don't' and 'Life is crap, I am nothing, I am unworthy of being loved, I am scum, I deserve everything bad that has ever happened to me.'  When I get to that point in the cycle, it's hard to remember that people DO love me, that I have a lot to be grateful for, and that I have a purpose in life.  I laugh at the thought of daily affirmations, but those do help to get me out of the spiral.  Also remembering to feed my soul is important... God I can't wait for the Cathedral to open again so that I can go to confession.  I really need a soul cleansing. 

Anyhow... that's the news from across the Pacific.  There has been no panic buying of TP or groceries, but there are a lot less people around in Seoul.  Everyone wears a mask out in public, unless of course they are eating, and while life isn't totally normal, there is some semblance of it here.  Now I'm going to make a roast for an early dinner - I just need to figure out how I want to do the potatoes and what other veggies to go with it... do I want a baked potato?  Roasted ranch potatoes?  Mashed?  Put 'em with the roast and enjoy that way?  What about a salad?  Or roasted veggies?  Do I want bread?  OH THE POSSIBILITIES!  I must go to the store to see what they have in the way of vegetable sides.  :)

Stay safe my friends, my family, my loves!!  <3

Top of the spiral

I've been listening to a lot of Uncle Kracker lately.  He's my happy music.  I am grateful for the time off that allowed me to take a hard look at myself, and finally get better.  I don't think I qualify for bi-polar disorder (DSM-V standards), but I do have a feeling those wily woman's hormones may have something to do with my mood cycles.  Anyway, the good news is that I'm feeling much, MUCH better.

So we've been decorating our classrooms for the day when the kids come back (whenever THAT will be) and here are the colorful posters I made... stole most from the internet, but the backgrounds are all me.

 Had to do something about the parts of a story, so that's what the red and black one is.  Using the 3 little pigs to show the problem and solution.

We are going to be teaching online classes for a while until it's safe for the kids to come back.  So I guess I can add 'online teaching' to my resume.  Lord, let me come back with a job!!

It seems like Tuesdays will be the days that I have dinner with S - we went to Outback.  Yeah, I know, but it was interesting to see what they have here versus in the US.  No bloomin' onion.  And the salad I had came with THREE different dressings already on it.  It was... odd.  Good, but odd.  Beef is EXPENSIVE here and the prices reflected that.

Anyway, we wandered around Metapolis after dinner and ended up at Daiso where I had to be strong and NOT get a cute little Darth to come home with me.

 However, we then went to Artbox where they had my favorite little Galapagos pal - BOSS!  So I went a little nuts... I already had the ring for the back of my phone (but I may need to get another one before I leave... you know... for my next phone), but I needed a little pouch for the dice that I'll eventually get when I start playing D&D.  Then S showed me the pen, which will be good for journaling, and I would eventually NEED a new journal, so I HAD to get that one, and the stuffy... well, look how happy he is with his fishy!!

S laughed at me... a LOT.  However, it was nice to be able to be goofy Mandi again.  I hadn't been like that even when M&M were here - I was too sad that they would be leaving.  I resisted getting a big stuffed Boss cuz, you know, I already have 2 cats that I'm not sure how I'm getting home with, so another big stuffy seemed like a bad idea.  

I need to say thank you to everyone who reminded me that I am loved and missed back home, thank you to those in Korea who took care of me when I couldn't take care of myself, thank you to those who tried to bring me out of my darkness, thank you to those who shared their own struggles, and thank you to those who are my silent cheerleaders.  I'll do my best to remember that I am loved, even when I don't feel worthy of it.  I'm sorry that I scared you, but I am so grateful that you didn't write me off.  I can't really describe the place that I was in, except to say that it was deep, it was dark, and it was painful.  I resolve to keep myself from getting to that place again - it's me, so I can't really make any promises, but as I heal I'm hoping that the dark won't be as deep (if that makes sense, honestly I don't have the words to express all this crap - unless you've also struggled with depression, it's hard to explain).  I feel like I have my spikes back... the worst of my voices have been duct taped. :D

Life in a spiral

I wondered today, while talking to Dad, if mental health is always a case of being in a spiral, just being in different areas of it.  Like, picture your mental health as a ball, now put the ball into a funnel that is wide at the top, narrowing to a black abyss at the bottom.  Now imagine your mental ball has the ability to not only go around the spiral, but to jump from one area to the other, and travel not only down but up.  It's an interesting thought exercise, and one that I think has merit.  You see, my problem is that my mental health can start down the spiral so slowly that I don't recognize that anything is wrong until it's REALLY wrong.  Sometimes it enters some sort of MC Escher-esque area where I think it's good, but in reality it's BAD.  I think what I'm struggling with is recognizing where I am in the spiral and what is causing the ball to go down.  Then I need to focus on the only thing that I actually can control - my response and thoughts about the things that are causing the downward drop.  I need to stop focusing on 'I deserve to be treated like XYZ' and instead focus on 'I am not being treated well, what can I do to either change this situation or come to terms with this situation/person AS IT/THEY ARE instead of how I think it/they SHOULD/COULD be.'  In other news, water is wet and the sky is blue.  LOL.

Otherwise things are good.  We are continuing to be in a constant state of 'no one knows what is going to happen,' so that's been interesting for your favorite control freak to handle.  Good news is that since I'm not drinking for Lent, I'm saving money because otherwise I'd be going out and having at least some drinks.  So if I can just stay off Amazon and Holy Clothing, I should be ok with the saving $, especially since I'll be working for only 70% of my paycheck while the students aren't here.  I gotta say, teaching without the students has been AWESOME.  It's allowed me to take an extremely needed break to deal with what's been going on in my head.  Between that and the fact that the sun is shining and the weather is warming up, I'm happily at the top of my mental health spiral right now.

As for Corona - well, we have plenty of TP.

I'm wondering if the response in South Korea is less of the hoarding of the rest of the world because of the 'we' versus the 'me' culture.  Don't worry about me, I've been avoiding people and crowds for most of my life, so I feel like I had the cheat codes for social distancing all along.  :)
Mandatory PJ days are my favorites.  Hehe.

Also, I think the computer is officially kaput. 

The good news is that I still have my chromebook and on USA Jobs I at least can use their resume building tool and start applying for jobs now.  I told Gma and Gpa that I'm coming home in 2021 and Gpa at least intends to hold me to that.

On that note, I have come to realize one again how blessed I am to have such great family and friends in my life.  I need to hold to no matter how bleak and dark things may seem at any time, I am loved and cherished on the other side of the world (and by like, maybe 3 people here).  No matter what lies my demons try to tell me, I can hold on to that truth.  I love and miss my people so much, and I did have the thought that no matter where in the US I get a job, it's going to be within driving distance of SOMEONE I love.  :D

Terminology is important

So my counselor had me fill out a worksheet about my 'triggers' then casually mentioned that I didn't really do it right.  I knew that I didn't, because I don't think in terms of 'triggers.'  When I was talking to S, I figured out why.  To me, a 'trigger' is something that causes an automatic reaction.  If I have an automatic reaction caused by a 'trigger' it's because of a deeper issue that has been building slowly over time. For me, it makes more sense to talk about the snowflakes that are innocently falling on a mountain until one lands in the wrong place and the whole side of the mountain slides down in a devastating avalanche.  (I also like the avalanche metaphor better than the 'repression' that Jess and Ana usually call me out on - repression is an act of will, avalanches are 'triggered' by otherwise inconsequential events when conditions are right.)

Have I noticed this before?  Yes, of course.  I'll snap at someone who doesn't deserve it because I'm pissed about something else.  I'll have a totally over-the-top reaction to something that doesn't warrant that much of a reaction because of the stress that's been building over time.  I think this last event was caused by a combination of feeling disrespected by the kids, being told one thing and then another at work, feeling like no one would listen to me if I wanted to talk, going along with people when I really didn't want to and then feeling manipulated by them, the dumpster fire that is trying to date from a shallow pool of English speakers, and how all these events picked away at existing insecurities until I felt like I was basically a mummy wrapped in razor wire bandages (it's an apt visualization of my emotional state).  So how am I now?  Well, I think the razor wire is gone.  Or if it's still around, it's not touching me anymore - like it's gone from wrapping me like a mummy to going to a shell-like protective structure while I try to heal.  I am hoping to get the tools to cut the wire and leave it behind.  The good news is that my counselor even said that I sound more upbeat and positive than I did - I'm coming back ;)

How does one deal with the small things throughout the months to keep things from blowing up when most of this crap is happening at a subconscious level?  I guess you have to bring it to the conscious level, don't you?  In order to do that, I'll need to spend more time in silence... no netflix, no music, no books - just me and God.  That is something that I've been avoiding for a long time... probably part of the reason why the avalanche built so big.  I am really looking forward to when the cathedral is open again and churches go back to their usual schedules.  I need to go to confession, then Mass, then spend some time in adoration.  Jesus is a healer, after all.

Thanks to all who have reached out, thanks to all who have said some prayers for me, and all who have been silent cheerleaders.  I love you tons and I can't say thank you enough.  I'm sorry if I've caused you any pain in the past, and I thank you for not giving up on me.

On an unrelated note, F8 by Five Finger Death Punch is a really good album. :)  I've been listening to a lot of Demon Hunter (Christian heavy metal) as well.

And now for something COMPLETELY different... look at what I found on the streets of Dongtan!!!

I may have a new dream car ;)

Just for fun

So S and I decided to go to the Trick Eye (or Trick Ai) museum in Seoul last Friday.  A good opportunity to get out of the apt and do something fun.  We had to download the app for the place because it's an augmented reality (AR) interactive art museum.  I didn't really know what to expect, but it was a good time.  I am not able to share the videos here, so sorry about that.  They are fun, FYI.  If you know me, email me and I'll send 'em to ya.  There was also an ice museum... I can now say that I've been down an ice slide... that only kinda reminded me of the ice luge at a certain Halloween parties back in the day... LOL.  Nothing so boozy this time around. 

 I'm going to try to do this the way we went thru the museum, but I've got pix from my phone and S's phone, so bear with me ok?

 Commentary on our times?

 She kinda scared me... but the sheeps are cute.

Be very, very careful :)  This was at the entrance.  Go from fire to water!!

 One of the illusions in the first room.  I almost didn't even notice it.  BTW - heights don't scare me.

 I'm pretty chill for about to be eaten by a sea monster.  In the AR version, the serpent flames me.

 The unicorn you can get a pic of riding.

I rode a pegasus!!  And yes, I did it sidesaddle... not sure how it would work otherwise with the wings.  My greek mythology dreams finally came true!

 Nice little seascape... the AR had a dolphin that swims around

 It took me a while to get used to the AR stuff, not gonna lie. 

S and I both opted for NOT riding the sharkies... but aren't they FUN!?

 My own Alice in Wonderland experience... too big...

 And too small.

Not a fishy you really want to meet... 

 I was running away... hehehe.

 Snakes, why did it have to be snakes?

 Another of the AR pix - gotta love the killer whales (or as I like to call them, sea pandas).

Look, Mom - WY!!

What does a woman have to do to get ahead around here?!?  (Groan, I know... too much influence from my BIL.)

 I got to ride the turtle...

The shark and fishies upstaged me.

Another fun thing on the ground... Dracula just wants to... you know... stay non-alive... or undead.

S can sleep when the kitty cat is on guard.

Enjoying a day with my new pet... who can name the artist?!

 Of course we have to go with the skulls and books... it's like they were waiting for me the whole time!!

 With the AR, the candles were flaming and you can kiiinda see the skeletons that were fighting

 Scrooge getting more generous.

 Money for all!!

Trying to pose can be a pain... sigh... there were bats and stuff, too.

S taking his turn.

On to the ice!

 It was cute... and cold.

 S going down the ice slide.

Me on the ice slide.  So they had these mats that you were supposed to use to go down, and in the scootching and trying to get myself to where I could go down, I ended up adjusting weird and... well... I went down on my hip.  However, with all that ice, and my boots, I still didn't fall - so I considered this a win. 

 I was the conductor!

I don't know who the artist was, but they did good.

Never hurts to advertise... 

 but not everyone agrees. 

So cold... so, so cold.

 For those of you who love shoes... and heels.

 We were twinsies!

 An ice room.

 Kitchen

 Toilet... seems like bad planning to me, but what the heck.

 I... I can't get to the food... where is Mario and his fire balls when you need them?!

 I did not sit, lay, or stay here long.

The piano didn't work!!

On the way out, we got this one... I can cross a raging river on a few boards, nae problemo!

Now, this museum is in one of the more student-centered areas of Seoul.  So as we wandered around the area we stumbled upon one of the BEST hours of operation signs I have EVER seen.

 I mean, 3pm - 10:30am are some weird hours, but I can just imagine the rage that came behind "DO NOT ASK ME AGAIN."  Apparently I'm not the only person who does not like having to repeat herself.

Since it was Friday and during Lent, I offered to S that we could split the octopus and beef intestines meal.  I figured he could take the intestines and I could take the octopus.  For some reason, he opted for McDonalds instead.  So I waited until we got home and got a cheese pizza from Dominoes.  Hehe - I had considered that this might be the most Korean sign ever... but perhaps I'll find another like it.  Could be a fun album - signs that just SCREAM Korea... on the other hand, I still like my idea for bad English translations.  Hehe.

So that was a Friday fun day.  As some of you know, I went back into isolation on Saturday and had limited interaction on Sunday.  Monday we went back to work to learn what our shortened schedule for the week would be, and it's a good thing because I'm needing new TV shows to binge.  (Locke and Key, and Altered Carbon are on the list.)

As for my mental state - it's getting better.  :)