A must-read for the Ladies

WARNING (for the DUDES): In this entry, I'm going to be talking about things like PERIODS, TAMPONS and PADS. My advice is to skip it altogether. You can try reading it, but if you throw up in your mouth a little, you can't blame me, because you had fair warning. onwards...

Ok ladies, this entry is dedicated to the promotion of a little something called The DIVA Cup. If you know what it is and are current;y enjoying it's role in your life, then CUDOS! If you know what it is, but aren't using it: What are you waiting for?!? And finally, for you clueless folk, here's word:

The DIVA Cup is an amazing alternative to pads and tampons. We all know the disadvantages to using pads - they basically feel like diapers and you're constantly aware of the fact that you're leaking through your vagina. Not a pretty or sexy feeling, eh? As for tampons, which admittedly are more convenient than pads, have their own set of problems. The most obvious one is the fact that you're shoving bleached, packed cotton up your hoo-hoo. Your body absorbs some of that bleach which, evidently, is not a health benefit. (No, Asian ladies, it's doesn't help to bleach your skin. and it won't steal your virginity either.)

And now I shall sing the praises of The DIVA Cup.
It's a silicone cup that you insert into your va-jay-jay. Over the course of up to 10 hours (12 if you want push it), it collects the blood, then you take it out, empty it, wash it, and put it back in.

• It's completely fine for your body, as it is made from soft medical grade silicone.
• In certain cases it can ease cramps.
• It's good for the enviroment because there's no icky, bloody waste of the wad of cotton variety. (sidenote: an OBSCENE amount of waste is create every year due to used pads and tampons.)
• It's good for the pocktebook as you undoubtedly pay about $30/month on pads and/or tampons, whereas you spend about $40 on one DIVA Cup which will last for about 2 years.
• People with heavy flows can use it (just empty it more often).

Admittedly, there is an icky factor. If you use the DIVA Cup you have to be very comfortable fishing around in your nether regions. But let's be honest here. You're a woman and you SHOULD be comfortable with your body. Trust me, it's worth it!

Success story!
When I went on vacation last winter i was expecting to get my period while in Cambodia. From what I'd read, it's not the best place to be on the rag. To Cambodia's defence, however, the public washrooms there were comparable to those Korea and well beyond those of Beijing. Anyway, Those 5-6 days of periods were barely a blip on the radar. I was able to go out, tour around and not even think about it. Had I been wearing tampons, I would've had to worry about leakage and changing the tampon every few hours. It was truly liberating. (not that your period is something you need liberation from...it's the tampons you need liberation from :D)

In closing, I hope this blog has inspired some, if not all, of my female (younger than menopause) readers to at least look into getting a DIVA Cup.

here's a website for further reading!
www.divacup.com

Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes

Turn and face the strange ch-ch-changes!

Hey y'all! The news is in...I'm changing my gig!

As of the end of August, I'm leaving Boseong and moving to the big city! I decided to take the job of coordinator at the Yeonsuwon (educational training centre). Mike, a super cool guy, realised he wanted to go back to only teaching. He is really well respected and loved at his job, so I gots me some big shoes to fill *yeesh*. Anyway, here's a run down of my new life:

Mondays and Fridays I'll be in an office at the Yeonsuwon in Tamyang. If you're confused, it's the same place I go to when I'm at the teacher camps. It's a lot like Boseong in that it's in the middle of nowhere.

Tuesday-Thursday I'll be teaching at Tamyang Boys' Middle School. BOYS! That'll be a change, eh?

Anyway, I'm currently in the middle of a teacher camp, so not much else has been happening. This past week we went on a field trip to Seoul, so naturally, everyone was beat by the time the weekend rolled around. This gave Carol and I the perfect excuse to have a weekend we've been talking about for a long time. Yesterday and today, she, Mel and I did nothing but sit around and watch all three Lord of The Rings movies (extended versions). Wowsers, it was a feat, but let me tell ya, it was nice!

Forth Eorlingas!!!