Snowy daze and crazy cats

Last night was the first snowfall of the season!

I had had my doubts as to when or even if it would snow here...living last winter in Ulsan, I wasn't exactly sure how much of the white stuff we would get this far north.
But when I awoke this morning, everything was covered in snow!
It was beautiful!
By late afternoon, most of the snow had partially melted and turned into ice - but the air was crisp with the scent of winter!
Since I've been complaining that I have had a cold for weeks and never seem to leave my apartment I was determined to get outside in the sunshine and cool air for some much needed shopping and socializing.
My coworker, Whitney and I were to meet for coffee and catch the subway to a local department store - I figured it would be a good chance to check out some Christmas sales and also pick up a few books that I wanted to get.
It is difficult to find English books in my area - and there is a great book store at Samsung Plaza that has a pretty substantial English section.
As I left my apartment, I saw Whitney coming up the stairs...and running up the stairs ahead of her was the cutest, smallest kitten I have ever seen. Whitney told me that she found it on the first floor. It was obviously a stray cat that had wandered into the warm hallway of my building. There are thousands of cats all over Korea - I am sure they are kept to keep down the rodent population, since most Koreans I ask say they hate cats, but being the cat-lover that I am, I called to it and finally got close enough to pick it up. Not the smartest thing I have ever done....and as it turned out a rather painful decision.
The little thing attacked me like it was fighting for its life (although to be fair, it probably thought it was). It bit my hands and scratched me until I let it go. It ran down the stairs and I (bleeding) ran back up to my apartment to wash up and vowed never to touch another stray cat again.
So much for small acts of kindness!
Since I was fine, and not foaming at the mouth yet....we decided to go shopping after all and spent a great day at the mall checking out the not-so-cheap-sales, drinking lattes and buying some books.
Not a bad day (minus the crazy cat).

The wound


I was all smiles after the cat-attack


Whitney taking in the winter sunshine