Adventures in (ahem!) Spring…

After a few days of warm breezes, warm sun, and warm yellow dust I was convinced that Spring was making its way across the Korean peninsula.

Today, a gentle rain shower greeted me at 7:35 a.m. as I headed out the door. I took a large umbrella, but didn’t throw on a jacket over my business suit. I figured I would be warm enough. I spent the next three hours staring out the window of my classroom wishing my classes a “Merry Christmas!” as impossibly huge snowflakes filled the air. Unbelievable. I think I might postpone the scavenger hunt I was going to do with my classes next week.

On a brighter note, today was my first day back at pottery class since last semester. It was nice to get my hands dirty again.

Adventures in Acupuncture Part II…

So here’s the scoop. A friend of mine here is going to an acupuncturist on a regular basis to relieve some pains she’s having. I went with her earlier this week, mostly because I was curious. I had a little crick in my neck and thought I’d see what could be done about it. (Since then I’ve learned that you can also get ‘diet acupuncture’ which might be worth a shot!) Anyway, the doctor speaks as much English as I do Korean, but I managed to tell him what the trouble was. He recomended hot packs and massages (what a nice treatment plan!) then led me into the treatment room.

My friend’s procedure was already underway as I positioned myself face-down on a vacant treatment cot. The doctor then stuck me with pins; I didn’t feel them go in at all. It was entirely painless. Then they put a nice heat lamp on me; similar to the ones they use to keep chicken burgers warm at fast food restaurants. After about 20 minutes, the nurse took the pins out and pulled over an octopusesque contraption with little suction cups all over it. She stuck the cups to my shoulders and I twitched and spasmed merrily for several minutes. Finally, the doctor came back and pinched and tweaked and karate chopped all the sore spots. That was the end of my acupuncture adventure. I’m going back tomorrow to see if he can do something about the pain in my feet (stupid work shoes).

Adventures in Acupuncture…

Part I:

I went for my very first acupuncture treatment! I’d tell you more, but it’s bedtime. More details will follow in Part II.