bring on the care packages

My Thai trip is officially canceled. My travel buddy backed out, which is understandable given the recent political upheaval, but extremely frustrating for me. Anyone interested in Cambodia? Ech, as much as the idea of staying in Seoul for my only 2 week vacation sounds relaxing, I'd rather pass.

I'm sure it will all work out for the best, and if I can get my money back from the travel agent I'll at least have some more money for travels after Seoul.

Now if you will excuse me I have to look into buying bricks of gold before I lose all the money I'm making here to the horrible exchange rate. Bahumbug.

Oh, before you all think I'm about to throw myself off a bridge, I saw Jens Lekman this weekend and realized life is worth living. The venue was small and packed, but we got a great spot and after the show he hung out for a while.

According to the Korean newspaper, Jens not only brought a great show to Hongdae, he brought some "indie cred", too. Indie cred. Indie. cred. Did I mention Korea's top notch journalism.

And now, for the man we have all been waiting for...Jens Lekman...the man responsible for bringing hipsters to Hongdae:

Rubber Seoul

I will be volunteering with The Little Travellers organization here in Seoul for World Aids Day. Tessa introduced them to me and I'm pretty excited to be helping out. The event is in an area of Seoul called Hongdae, the university area, and we will be joining another great organization called Grassroots Uganda.

Here is some information from their website:

The Little Travellers HIV/AIDS Initiative is orchestrated by a group of ordinary people, who really want to do something to ease the burden of HIV/AIDS & poverty in Africa. This is a true grassroots project: the initiative got its start at the University of Manitoba in 2005 after a few curious beaded dolls - lovingly made at the Hillcrest AIDS Centre in South Africa - were discovered to have stowed-away in the luggage of an unsuspecting volunteering returning from the Centre.

The dolls, affectionately named "Little Travellers", were recognized as an opportunity to raise money and awareness for the plight of the crafters, all of whom are affected by HIV/AIDS, and others that the dedicated staff at the AIDS Centre work tirelessly to help.

State of emergency

State of emergency at Bangkok airports

Thailand's government has announced a state of emergency at Bangkok's two airports where thousands of anti-government protesters are camped out.

The Thai government has declared a state of emergency after thousands of protesters took over both Bangkok airports yesterday. About four months ago the Peoples Alliance for Democracy (PAD) began protests in an effort to pressure Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat's government to resign.

A state of emergency gives the government the right to restore order, suspend civil liberties, ban public gatherings of more than 5,000 people and control some media reports, specifically those it believes would cause panic. The government is insisting that the military will use only peaceful means to remove protesters.

There is also rumors that a military coup is being organized. The Thai army general made a plea to the government to hold elections to end political protests but was denied. Now, reported tank movements within the city, as well as the use of the air force and navy, raised speculation that the army was preparing to intervene against the government.

The reason I post this is that I have, for the first time in my life, bought myself a Christmas present. Guess what it is. Come on...I bet you can't guess!

A ticket to Thailand! My present to myself was a 2 week vacation on the beach with nothing but a hammock, a book and the ocean. I had no idea when I talked to the travel agent that he had included a nicely wrapped hand grenade.

The trip is in three weeks and I'm sure by then the airports will be open. I'm told the government has already taken steps to move flights, which are currently non existent, to another city.

Yesterday Grace threw up on me during lunch. I will go to Thailand, even if I have to kick Wongsawat's ass myself.

Well, him and his army.

Note: Don't freak out. I won't go if it's too dangerous. But I expect a lot of care packages if my trip is canceled, people.

Halloween

GDA Halloween: Left to right, maggie, meghan, naz, me, jill, katherine, pajai, adam, craig and daryl.

Snow white for Snow White class, Lion for Lion King class, and a little princess kitten.
This is Sally. I am putting her in my suitcase and taking her home with me. That is an eyeball in her hand.

It's Party Time: I was in charge of the dancing game. I played the music and we all danced until I stopped the music then everyone had to run and find a number to stand on. I picked a number from the box and that person got a prize. Everyone got a prize, and no one seemed to notice that I was looking at the numbers as I chose them. They were all just as shocked as the next that they WON!
Superman.
Skeleton.
Bunny.
Yeah. I don't really need to comment here.