Well, the title says the big news. Eric (finally!) proposed yesterday during our ski trip! It was the perfect day for both. It was snowing big fluffy snowflakes- I had the feeling of being inside a snow globe. It was just a beautiful day, beautiful mountains, perfect really. I didn't expect it at all. Well, I mean, I've been expecting it a little, but my mind was on skiing at the time and it came as a surprise. He asked at the very top of the mountain, and my hands were so cold, I could barely feel them, but I was just so happy. We tried to take a picture of ourselves and then a random Korean man offered to take the snap shot for us. Didn't get a close up of the ring, but it's lovely.
The rest of the day was great, too. I had a little bit of fear to get over once we moved on past the bunny slope, but once I got it, I had so much fun! I only fell a few times- but I think Eric got them all on video or pictures- and it was definitely over too soon. That night, we wanted to go out to celebrate, but we couldn't find a nice restaurant, and I was very tired because I've been a little sick and we had only had about 4 hours of sleep the night before, so we had a drink and snuggled up in out little bed at the youth hostel. The next morning we treated ourselves to a very nice breakfast at a fancy hotel next door to the ski lodge. I've been loving Korea so much lately and until Eric got here, I was doing alright without him, but now the thought that he has to leave in two weeks, is just about the saddest thing I can think of. Well, like Scarlet always said, I won't think about that today, I'll think about it tomorrow. Today, I'm way too happy!
The Korean noraebang, literally "singing room," is the equivalent of what we Westerns popularly call karaoke. The difference is that you are in a small room with just your friends, so you can have more fun and not have to worry so much about making a fool out of yourself in front of strangers. It's more like having a karaoke machine in you house and singing at a party. I avoided going to the noraebang for the first few months I was here- despite MiHee's request to do so nearly every time we went out- because I don't- as anyone who know me can testify- have the best voice. But, one particularly difficult day, I made a desperate attempt to get my friends to stay out a little bit longer by suggesting that we go to one. The result? A good time was had by all and noraebangs have since become a part of a typical weekend for me. What's so interesting to me about going to the noraebang is that Koreans use it as a way to get rid of stress. One night when MiHee was particularly upset set all but demanded that we go the noraebang. Last night, my coworker was feeling depressed because she is fighting with her husband, and my director suggested I take her to the noraebang. We did, and when we were leaving, she thanked me for inviting her out and she seemed to have a genuine smile. I don't know what it is- if it's the therapeutic power of music, being able to yell as loud as you want without anyone caring, or simply hanging out and being a bit silly with friends- probably a combination of all these,- but the noraebang certainly seems to have a positive effect on people. It's certainly a more positive outlet than many other alternatives. It seems like such a silly thing, but I highly recommend one anytime you're looking to have a good time!
