An Old Married Woman

Well, I am back. I am really coming back to this blog. I miss it. I miss writing my thoughts down and keeping track of my weight loss and I miss books.

I got married in April 2010. It was a beautiful wedding. My parents, brother, and future sister-in-law flew up from Washington. One of my best friends from high school flew in along with some friends from Japan and Thailand. It was a crazy mess of photographers canceling three days before my wedding to extra guests with not enough seats. Trying to blend a Korean and an American wedding was absolutely crazy and fun. My dress was beautiful. It was great fitting into it and not feeling fat. I felt beautiful and loved. I am still not skinny. I will never be skinny but I am okay with that. I teach aerobics twice a week and go to the gym two times a week. I joined a roller derby team that keeps me skating on the weekends. I feel good when I move. Moving keeps me happy and healthy.
I have decided that I will continue writing here and post updates at least once a week.
Tomorrow I will give my two year update on my weight loss surgery. :-)

Another update

I feel so badly that I have been neglecting this blog. It was such a big part of my life. I went to Ulsan to get fitted for my hanbok last weekend. It was a blast and not as uncomfortable as it usually is when I visit bf's family. My Korean is actually a lot worse than it was two years ago as I am not doing any studying or taking any classes. I keep trying to make excuses but with everything that I have been doing, I don't have time to take classes. Everyone tells me that one day a week we should only speak together in Korean, but my conversation would be limited to the weather and food. It will happen after I finish my Masters degree. I will not be doing the school yearbook next year either. That has taken all of my time.

My wedding dress came in the mail yesterday. I tried it on and it's VERY tight. It was a custom fit but all the reviews told me that I should give myself a half an inch since it's pretty tight. I didn't because I am still losing inches, well I was, I am kind of stable right now only because it's so cold. I can afford to lose another 5 pounds and I will be able to sit with the dress on.

My parents, brother, and best friend from high school will all be here in one month for my wedding! I can't wait.

Alone in Kuala Lumpur

In August AirAsia, a budget airline had a huge promotion to celebrate their introduction to flights direct to KL from Incheon. When I saw that the cheap flights I decided to go with a friend during the Thanksgiving holiday. I work for an American school so I get American holidays. At the last minute my travel partner could not go and I would have to go alone since these were super discounted prices and totally non-refundable, non-changeable tickets. I have traveled alone before and while it's not my favorite thing to do, I don't mind it. I just wish I had known she wasn't going with me before I booked the hotel because when traveling alone it's better to stay in a guesthouse or a hostel so that you can meet people. I stayed at the Hotel Equitorial, a five star hotel with views of the Petronas Towers. It was a nice stay but it was a business hotel. I always find business hotels so impersonal. The Indian bellhops made my stay worth it as they were quick to help me out with any kind of travel question. I could tell they felt sorry for me.
The best and worst part of Kuala Lumpur? The food! I love the food there. I love the blend of cultures and all the different types of food. The food was the problem too. I have a tiny stomach and I was alone. I would go to a restaurant and order food usually the waitress or hostess would come to the table and talk to me since I looked so lonely eating alone. After taking a few bites I would be full and they would always ask me, "Oh, you didn't like it?" I would reply that no, that I loved it but was full. They all gave me a look that they didn't believe me. I felt so bad like I was insulting them, but I couldn't just tell them about my surgery. It's too weird. I often feel like I have to explain myself to everyone. It's difficult.

Here is a picture of some curry and toast:

Before:


I'm full:


Oh, and I made sure that my Coke was almost flat...

Almost Normal Weight

It's almost time to change the name of my blog. I am a couple of pounds from being normal weight. It's very exciting. I have been really bad about exercising with all that is going on in the school. I am teaching in the classroom, yearbook sponsor, student council co-sponsor, and trying to finish my MA degree. I will start up at Sogang again in December to continue on with my Korean studies.

I really do better when I am busy. I really feel that way but I need to make sure that I continue working out to keep my sanity. I miss my walking partner so much because she would force me to go out and walk with her. I live so close to Namsan. I decided that I will start this week walking up to Namsan at least two times a week and will continue on with Chad's Zumba class on Monday and Wednesday.

Tonight I am going to the Seoul Lantern Festival. I can't get over how cold it has been. It has been a strange couple of months, weatherwise.

Weight Loss Support Group in Seoul

I am super interested in starting something like this in Seoul where we meet somewhere once a month and talk about our experiences. I keep getting emails from people who have had surgery in the states or here and I think it would be great to meet up. If you are interested email me using the button on the side and I'll see if I can set something up.

Size 8 and weddings

I love it. I am down 78 pounds now and in a size 8. A real size 8, not like a vanity sized Old Navy size 8, although I fit into those too. I really need to buy some new clothes and the truth is I don't see myself losing THAT much more weight. I would love to be in a size 6 at my wedding in April.

Speaking of weddings, we spoke to people at the Dragon Hill Lodge and found out our options for dates. We will be bussing his family up from Ulsan to Seoul so we need to make it a early afternoon wedding. MJ said he would ask his favorite college professor to marry us, in Korean, I am assuming and then we will have a translator. My family keeps bugging me to pick a date but I am waiting for us to go down to Ulsan to have HIS family pick the dates. It's a pain because I want to pick the date and be done with it.

The Dragon Hill Lodge on Yongsan is a beautiful place to have a wedding. I am just a little worried because the open bar will not have Soju and the Korean food on base is not the best. I hope MJ's family will enjoy it. We are doing a Korean-style wedding and an American reception. I do want our first dance to be a Salsa song, though.

Here is a new picture of me at a wedding:

I mentioned that I am back to teaching in the classroom. What the HELL was I thinking? I LOVE it but I forgot how much work it is. The kids are amazing, smart, and so much fun. 5th grade is really such a great year. I truly love each and everyone of my students. I was lucky because I taught about half of them 2 years ago as their 3rd grade Spanish teacher. I knew everyone's name by the 2nd day. It's way easier to learn 25 names than 250 names as a specialist.

Making Samyangju (Korean Liquor)

I keep telling myself that I need to get a hobby. I have been meeting new people lately and have been stumped when they ask the obligatory, "So, what do you usually do for fun?" It's not a difficult question. I could easily lie and say running or hiking, or just go with reading and watching movies, which is true. I don't know why I get so tongue-tied with this question. I really want to get into crafting because that is what a soon-to-be married women do, right? Anyway, I have all this time off and I got an email about making Korean liquor next week. I like drinking, although, unfortunately I don't drink as much as I used to due to my tiny stomach. I like cooking and baking so making alcohol sounds like a fun thing to do. I remember going to parties where my friend's "cool" friends would bring their own homebrewed beer. Tasty! There was even a party where a guy brought his own moonshine! That was so gross.
Anyway, the class is in English, so it is especially for foreigners. It is at the Susubori Academy. I have never heard of Samyangju before. MJ doesn't really drink liquor so when we go out we usually just drink beer. I am really excited about the class. 50,000W is a great deal considering you get 4 sessions and you get to take the liquor home. I'll update the blog once the classes start next week.