#004 Wrap up: November
The busiest month of the year…
And not in a fun way, but in a looking for a new job kind of way.
I started the month off by going on a film walk hosted by a popular film brand; Cinestill and co-hosted by a popular film lab here in Seoul that I occasionally like to go to. I had no idea this was going to be held, but a friend sent me the announcement and I knew it was something I had to go to. (thank you Meggy!) We walked around an older, industrial part of the city for a few hours, mingled with each other and got some great shots of the city.
The day was cloudy and we even got some rain, which almost led to a cancellation, but the show went on. I met some really nice people, and even had my photo taken by some of them. I am very happy I went and would love to go to something similar in the future.
The weather in the first few weeks of November is always the best, and so is the foliage! The leaves hit their peak coloring around the second week of November, and I had to photograph them ofc! My fellow film loving friend and I had a day where we went around to some of the best locations to see the foliage. We started in Seoul forest, and it was magnificent! Then we went to my favorite palace, Changdeokkung. Which was also stunning, but we didn’t spend as much time there because it was too windy. We went to one more cafe, then made our way over to find a sylvanian family blind box we had been wanting. After we headed over to dinner, which was so so good. It was a perfect fall day!
This month’s film club meeting was at the Botanical gardens in the city. We gathered for some coffee, then headed on over to the park. It was my first time going to that area of the city, and to the park. It was very pretty, the weather was great and the leaves were falling off the trees in a very movie-like way. We met an orange cat. He was shy at first, and after a lot of “pspspspst” and waiting he let us pet him. It was the highlight of the day!
This section is lacking this month for many reasons….but one is that in times of stress I listen to things I already love. Here is my monthly playlist.
I wasn’t able to do much reading this month, but the one book I did read was My Sweet Orange Tree by José Mauro de Vasconcelos. I read it along with my book club friends. This isn’t a book I would have picked up on my own, but I am glad that it was chosen. It’s a children’s book originally written in Portuguese by a Brazilian author. I felt many things reading this book, but overall I felt so much empathy for the main character Zeze, a 5 year old boy who lives in poverty with his family. All I will say is be kind to children. They need a role model more than anyone in the world, and they are much smarter than most people give them credit for. The ending made me tear up and feel so sad! If you want an easy but heartfelt book, read this!
My last media is a great one and one that doesn’t need much introduction. Frankenstein by Guillermo DelTorro. I read the book last month in preparation for the release of the movie. I was excited because I really enjoyed the book, and I love Guillermo’s work! I wasn’t able to watch it in theaters, but regardless it was beautiful and so well made! The storyline was a bit different than the book, but it didn’t detract from the main points. The wardrobe, locations and the scenes were all stunning. I must watch, especially if you like a classic story.
Knitting
My second project for winter is a pair of tabi gloves. It was my first time knitting gloves, and it was much easier than I thought it would be! I love the color combination I choose, and will be using this color again for something to match the gloves. Perhaps a bonnet?
New section unlocked! Life. Hmm… where do I begin? I have been job searching since October and it’s been good and bad all at the same time. I decided to not renew with my school. It wasn’t an easy decision to make, but one I felt needed to be made. I have been at the same school for three years, and I am ready to grow as an educator, get a change of scenery, and find a new home base in this city that I adore so much.
Maybe I was delusional or confident, but I thought I could land a good job fast. Offers were made, but they were not up to my standards… so in part I was right. Alas the search has ended and I have found my next home in Apgujeong!
Job searching took so much of my time! I had countless interviews mostly after work, countless hours spent on job sites, and countless hours spent emailing people back and forth.
The exact stats for those who like that kind of thing:
10 interviews,
4 rejected offers
2 recruiters
7 weeks
1 must have and good to have list
The stress was exactly as you imagine it was, and I am glad that it’s over. I can now focus on finishing at my current school on a good and happy note.
We have made it to the last month of another year…I hope you all have a lovely December!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year :)
See ya in 2026,
Wandering Cherry <3