David

This is David. He's a Korean raised in Brazil. He works as a barista and knows how I like coffee. Plus he has a house and is always open to having guests. And so, I just had to go cook.

Ma Po To Fu. I was so disappointed I over salted it, because beyond that the flavor was good. It just needed some of our home chillies. I should've brought some seeds here and planted them!

I used my flash for these pictures. Helped a lot, the lighting is sufficient. (Unfortunately this blog lowers quality so you can't really tell.)
Dessert was vanilla ice cream floats. Oatmeal cookies didn't quite fly because ingredients were hard to find and expensive. Oatmeal isn't very popular in Korea (nor is baking, most people's definition of cookie is probably packaged crap) so raw oats were just outrageous. It was too late to think of something else by the time we found them so I just decided to do something simple. The ice cream was better on its own though... Meh next time I'll do better! David said we could come every weekend if we wanted, and he lives only a 10 min bus ride away so looks like I got me a kitchen! I'm still used to all the space and equipment from home but hey, gotta do with what you got. (For example, opening a can with a knife since he had no can opener.) I was worried I wouldn't find a gas stove in Korea but so far I have so that's good too.
Anyway here are some more pics.

Yes you don't need to point out that I have Pacaya and Santiaguito on my nose, but I was too lazy to photoshop.

It's great to know someone who works at a coffee shop. I have to say the freebies haven't been few, and he's taught me a few things about coffee. I understand now why I was rather unsatisfied with coffee in Korea, its because they make it so weak. David makes 'em double shot upon request, much better. Plus, their coffee shop is actually run by Brazilians so they have a few Brazilian treats on the menu I've been able to try. I swear I only went to this place first a couple weeks ago and now I've been there more times than I can remember. (Ok I exaggerate, it's only been about 5-6 times.)
Though he doesn't look it, David is a whole 5 years older than me. He's always very interesting to talk to and has a lot of educated things to say. He's taking a 3 week trip to China this July with some friends and invited me but sadly this year isn't the best for travel for me. ): His housemate is Chinese so he planned the whole trip out for them costing only $500 for the whole 3 weeks (per person I'd imagine), except the flight tickets which they got under $200 round trip!
I need a job. Unfortunately they didn't need anyone to scrub toilets at the coffee shop. Haha.
So that was this weeked!

Next weekend is the SISF (Seoul International Student Forum) general assembly, an overnight stay at Seoul Global Center HQ (I think). Unfortunately I didn't make president position for the forum; but then again I didn't really have things going for me. I'm one of the youngest in the group, most people are in their 20's (some look like their 30's but I couldn't really tell) and have experiences that qualify them way more than me. I said all I could during the interview but the lady was like "I don't know what to ask you, you're still 19!" (Well according to my Guatemalan passport I am) I need more of a background. Nevertheless, during the group interview I like to think my contributions were as valid as other members. Oh well, next time! Tomorrow our subgroup has a pre(?)meeting so I bet I get to meet a bunch of foreigners again. Har har.

And that's all for now, bye!