Maybe it's the hair bow???

Today I have had 5, yes 5, Korean strangers come up and start conversation with me. I have heard other friends say this has happened to them but in my 5 months time I have yet to have that experience. (Minus the drunk ajushes, old men, who can't typically walk straight and start to slur and drool.) The only thing I can think of why this phenomenon would occur is because I look Korean today. Of course not my actual body, but my attire.

Koreans dress up...to the nines! They love what they love, for example, every Korean owns or wants to own something North Face and I'm really not sure why. Most women from their 20's to their 50's wear high heels or boots or boots with heels. This always astounds me! They clomp around in at least 3 inches like it's nothing. It's not like wearing heels in America because unless you live in NYC you don't have to walk or take subways and buses everywhere. These women balance on the public transportation and then walk miles, and they even did this when there was a foot of snow! Converse and high tops also seem to be popular shoe wear in Korea. Both of these things are highly acceptable with pantie hose or tights. The rest of the ensemble is up to one's own discretion. If you feel like wearing Uggs, purple tights, plaid shorts and a fox fur wrap that's fantastic! If you add some hair bling that will make the outfit even better.

The guys are no slouches either. Often times when I think the women are super thin I glance over and see a man who puts her to shame. Often times the frames of the men are easy to detect because they too are wearing skinny jeans suctioned to their legs. Most men seem to go for the super prep look dawning a button up, sweater, and pea coat. The colors don't' really matter and the brighter the better. Even the men's suits here are made of some sort of material that gives off a shiny tint. It's like little bits of angel dust are lovingly sewn in to every suit...and tie for that matter! No need to be ashamed. Real men aren't afraid to wear the rainbow...and when you enter the men's part of department stores that is exactly what you see!

One last style category is the ajuma. Ajumas are older Korean women...full of spunk (which can for sure be mistaken for rudeness) and definitely mold casted. Almost every ajuma has on some form of hiking attire. Wind suits, walking poles, orthopedic shoes, a backpack, and a sun visor. Whether or not they go hiking every time they wear this is still a mystery to me. Often times these women tend to come across as crotchety and unpleasant, but on occasion one will flash a smile or insist you sit in the empty seat reserved for elderly and you know they all aren't so bad! When you get ajuma love your day is a million times better!!!

In conclusion, I think maybe people approached me today because A) I wasn't wearing jeans but a dress, tights, and knock-off Uggs and B) I had a gigantic flower like hair bow on my head.

And now...a taste of Korean fashion...hit it mannequins!!

(Sorry, I only have female things and I did get caught eventually and was asked to stop taking pictures.)

Our first standout is a black velvet button up cardigan accented with gold beads, a powder pink sequin skirt (don't be fooled into thinking those are flowers, they're iridescent sequins), black lace leggings, and brown leather ankle boots! H.O.T.T.!!! The look is much nicer if you can perfect a fro...icing on the cake!

This trio shows a more casual style in their diverse apparel.

The model to the left displays the hot tight/short combo. (And when we say short, WE MEAN SHORT!) A trendy 3-quarter sleeve P-coat to stay somewhat warm in, a fashionable animal print scarf, and a artsy beanie to keep that head warm.

The model to the right displays tight white jeans and tie up blue ankle boots...those are so hot right now! Her upper half veers to a more comfortable spot with a baggy coat, sweater, scarf wrap (giving the illusion of a scarf but really just a scarf circle) and another artsy beanie.

Our center model really has a grasp on fashion with her tight coral shirt, feux fur vest, shimmering silver leggings and slouchy ankle boots. Sadly, she is bald with no need for a hat...I offered her one but she waved it off!

Not sure if these boots were made for walkin...

Pretty sure this was a costume used in my dance recital as a kid.

They ripped it off of a Paula Abdul music video or something....

Koreans bedazzle too!!!
Barbie helps show Koreans what's fashionable!!!And flats are okay too as long as they're cute-E!!!

Why didn't I think or mustard colored thigh highs and a felt animal broach??

Our next model is displaying a retro glam look.

Start with a long sleeve flower child print dress, add some argyle print knee highs, and finish the look with a feux fur vest the hits just below the boob. Stunning!!

Last, but certainly not least, is a look any woman would die for...

Another hippie inspired sun dress, complete with afghan (as in the dog) hair wrap, leopard print shoes, hat and handbag (that doubles as a picnic basket...how convenient!)

Hell of a week...

I wish I could say it was for good reasons, but no.

First, I have a nasty mold infestation and the scare of finding my own place fitting the crazy stipulations my school was putting forth. (Although, come to find out, the school was wrong in what they were saying my apartment needed to be.)

Then, I find out I will not be getting a spring break like many other SMOE (Seoul Ministry of Education) teachers get. That the next 3 weeks will be spent wasting away my at my freakishly cold desk in the office.

I am also losing some really good co-teachers while the not so helpful are remaining at the school.

And to top it all off, there is a strong chance I will not get to use my English room this semester. So after a month and a half of everything working in my classroom , I will have 7 months of nothing working! Awwwwesome!!!

Literally, my students are the ONLY reason I am not getting the heck out of dodge and applying somewhere else. Though the thought is still in my head, not going to lie.

In a month I'll be looking back on the good ol' days of fall semester.