Big Shoes to Fill

December 7, 2021By Tim SchilstraPhrases

Old Wooden Shoes A few months ago, I wrote about buying the wrong sized shoes. For me, they were too small (mostly because they were the wrong gender). My parents have the opposite problem. They received some shoes that are way too big. As you can see in the picture, it they are wooden shoes. … Read More

Go Home, You’re Drunk

December 6, 2021By Tim SchilstraPhrases

On my way home from playing board games in Daejeon, I stopped at LotteMart. I had to pick up a few things for cheesecake and also for dinner. When I went to check out, a man who had just finished paying for his groceries stopped and asked me where I am from. The way that … Read More

You Made My Day

December 3, 2021By Tim SchilstraPhrases, Uncategorized

Prom Date This morning a trainee stopped me to chat and give me a gift. Random gifts are not uncommon, so I took it and said thank you. It was a memo pad from Jeju. I made some comments and asked about the QR code on the back of the package. She said that I … Read More

Siesta

December 2, 2021By Tim SchilstraWords

My Afternoon Nap I wanted to take the whole day off work today, but I had some paperwork due, there was a meeting and I promised to help a coworker in the morning. I had an idea to climb another mountain but there just wasn’t enough time. However, I was able to take the afternoon … Read More

Break the Habit

December 1, 2021By Tim SchilstraPhrases

Today at lunch we had hamburger steak and pasta. Sometimes when we have this or pork cutlets, the cafeteria workers give us knives and forks. I grew up using knifes and forks, but I have lived so long in Korea that I have forgotten how to use them. It feels strange and wrong to use … Read More

Stack the Deck

November 29, 2021By Tim SchilstraPhrases

My friend is an excellent father. He is going to drive his daughters and friends over two hours to see a show in Seoul. The tickets for this show are really expensive, but he is not going to watch. He is going to sleep in the car until they have finished watching the show. So, … Read More

I would lose my head if it wasn’t attached

November 28, 2021By Tim SchilstraPhrases

Where are my glasses? Yes, I would lose my head if it wasn’t attached. I went for a hike today and half-way up the mountain, I realized that I forgot my glasses. I drove there with my (prescription) sunglasses on and forgot my regular glasses at home. It would be dark by the time I … Read More

Many Hands Make Light Work

November 28, 2021By Tim SchilstraPhrases

My institute does volunteer work at least a few times each year. Last spring we helped a farmer deadhead (remove the flower) garlic. In the summer, we made bread for less fortunate students. Yesterday, we helped deliver charcoal bricks (연탄). It is something that we do every year and the whole institute helps. As they … Read More

The Missing Piece of the Puzzle

November 24, 2021By Tim SchilstraPhrases

Last week my friend sent me a lot of chocolate and a puzzle from America. Actually, he sent me the chocolate to share, but I have a problem and I ate way too much. I had a stomach ache all last week! Well, I also have a little problem with jigsaw puzzles. I am obsessive … Read More

Humble Pie

November 22, 2021By Tim SchilstraPhrases

Eating Humble Pie My friend told me a story about how her student needed some humble pie. There was a boy and a girl in her class. The girl was good at art, but poor in English. The boy was great in English, but not very artistic. My friend played Telestrations with that class. In … Read More