I’m Sorry to Those Who Receive Automatic Updates When I Post Something New, I Really Am Sorry

Last night I had a dream about the sewer rats. We were all hanging out at a bar and some girl commented that it was brave of me to hang out with outside of work, and wondered why I would want to, I wondered the same thing. She asked if I had a boyfriend and I showed her a picture of Bryan on my iPod. I wanted to leave because I felt awkward (as I would in the waking world too) but one of the guys was about to buy a round of shots, I was reluctant to leave. Even in dreams I am drink whore. Free Booze? I’m there! Shortly after, the dream transitioned into a strange Desperate Housewives plot that included me riding a bicycle around Transcona trying to thwart a plot to kill Bree. I don’t know what this means.

Today left my apartment shortly after 9:30 am with a goal of finding a real latte. In slightly under one hour I was sipping a latte in an American coffee shop reading an essay by Umberto Eco, the epitome of cliché. Later I wrote in my journal that which I am relaying to you now. I hope someone saw me being sophisticated. The point of the trip was not really to find a latte but rather to ride the subway alone and not get lost and get back again. Little things that I was able to accomplish without a hitch, almost.

I walked to the subway station near my place, usually I take a bus, it is a least a fifteen-minute walk, which is nothing in Canadaland, but here in Korealand, you take the bus. Today was lovely so I walked. I got on the subway headed towards Myeong-dong. I had been in this station and I knew that a number of coffee places would be within easy distance of the subway station. I had to ride for about 10 or so stops. The subway was full; I had to stand the whole time, the whole time beside cute Korean boy. There are so many, with their well-developed sense of fashion, skinny legs, and extremely feminine purses.

I got off at the right station, paying attention to where I excited. I picked a street and walked. I am pretty careful, when by myself, to stick to straight lines. You can’t get lost if only walk in straight lines; all you have to do is turn around an go back the way you came. Streets all begin to look like each other. Close to where I live, I have certain shops and buildings that I use as familiar markers, but even so, I occasionally second-guess myself when walking in familiar places. I walked along, keeping Seoul tower to my left and eventually found a suitable coffee shop. It was great, the menu even had English, I didn’t think to check at the time, but I would not surprised if the Korean on the menu is just English phonetically translated into Korean. Even the word for coffee is kopie. They don’t have an f sound. I was able to order a large latte just like I would at home. Unlike at home, I stuck around, sitting and sipping and reading. It was the best latte I have had in a very long time. It was also regular, not skim or soy like I normally order.

On my way back to the subway station, I walked into a underground shopping mall and accidentally ended up on the wrong side of the street, this was the only hitch and it was easy, but somewhat embarrassing, to turn around (mid-step) and go back the way I came. Eventually I found the subway, Seoul tower on my right this time. I had to make sure that I got on the subway going in the correct direction, fortunately, the Seoul subway is the easiest subway in the world to navigate, all the signs are in English and they are plentiful, plus there is a voice from above letting you know when the train is coming and where it is going.

In all, the excursion took about three hours, I was in the coffee shop for a while. I prepared for the trip last night. I made my supper for school, I prepared the vegetables I was going to put in my omelet for breakfast and laid out all my clothes. I wanted to leave as soon as possible and just in case something went wrong it took longer than I wanted, I would have everything ready for school. Somewhat unnecessary, but at least I have time to type this all up.

Also, last night my neighbour finally came home. I was starting to worry about the newspapers that were piling up and the collection of door flyers from Pizza Etang and Chinese food restaurants that were left hanging. I thought maybe he was dead and rotting inside. Yesterday the landlord collected the newspapers and flyers and left a note on the doorknob. I couldn’t read the note, obviously, but I guess it meant that the landlord was also a little concerned, or at least noticed the pile of papers.

Then, last night, very late or very early, I heard some very loud and drunk noises on the street below my window. Noises that entered the building, and stumbled up the stairs and seemed to be headed right for my apartment. The light in the hall turned on (they are all motion activated in the halls, very cool) and it seemed as though someone where trying to get into my apartment. I quickly realized that it was my neighbour, who, after a moment of struggling, finally got his door open. He stumbled and stomped around for a bit. Eventually there was silence. I smiled to myself and soon slept again.