I can't believe it's Wednesday night already, this week has gone by quickly. Last Saturday I met up with some people for a Spanish group and while I didn't speak nearly enough Spanish, I met some really cool people. In fact, this coming Saturday I will be going to a Latin American art exhibit with a few of them. I'm pretty excited about that.
As many of you may know, I have healthy obsession/addiction to gum. I have been an avid gum chewer since 2003 and I show no signs of stopping. Until now. I came to Korea with a box of Stride gum from Sam's Club and I have one piece left. A whole box lasting almost 2 months is a HUGE accomplishment for me, I have cut down considerably. However, with one piece left I have to find a Korean gum to chew. Today I bought my first pack of gum and while it holds it flavor for quite some time, the taste resembles that of a mentholated cough drop (the Halls kind). It's not unbearable and maybe if I have a sore throat or a cough it will be suppressed by a single inhale. I miss my Stride already, but my brother is coming in November and he knows to bring me a box of gum.
While sitting down to my usual bowl of mandu guk yesterday, I encountered a man who spoke to me in English. Something was on TV about Cambodia and he was translating for me and then he told me the history behind my mandu guk. Thanks. Anyway, he also mentioned that the area I live in is really nice, things are close and also that there are many gyms near us. Normally, I wouldn't think anything of it, but since he is the 5th Korean to tell me about the proximity of gyms in my area I began to think. My students have no problem pointing out that I am not of normal Korean stature (i.e. I'm fat), but maybe the adults while thinking the same thing like to point out that I can work out. It's pretty subtle, when only a few people tell you that, but once the number starts to increase it's a hidden message. Anyway, I know I have a free gym in the basement and I do plan to use it. However, I am lazy and I have no problem admitting that, but I do want to start working out again, not to quell the snickers or the comments, but so I can be fit and healthy. I don't mind how I look right now so I figure I should just get in and stay in shape.
On another food note, I tried kimchi bokkumbap (kimchi fried rice) the other night and it is the spiciest thing I have eaten so far. It was delicious, but like I said, spicy. I think by the time I leave Korea I'll be a pro at eating spicy food.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Friday, August 22, 2008
Thoughts
I've been reading a few things about North and South Korea and also Korea's image to the rest of the world. I find it very interesting because I don't know a whole lot about either topic. Although I currently live in South Korea I'm still unaware of many of the things happening around here. Not to mention my lack of knowledge of Korean history. I can remember sitting in a class during middle or high school and learning about the Korean War and the dividing of the country, but I couldn't even come close to locating Korea on a map (and I always confused Korea for Vietnam, thinking there were rampant jungles and giant mosquitoes). I can find Korea now, but up until the beginning of the year I would have had some trouble.
I read an article, as mentioned before, about Korea's Image to Outside World and the overwhelming consensus was that most people didn't know anything about Korea. It wasn't just Americans, but Canadians, Australians and Japanese. I wonder if it is a lack of education on the part of these countries or a lack of information provided by Korea itself. I know Korea had been shut off, but in the last 50 years or so Korea has risen to a powerful nation, 11th in GDP. Why so little knowledge? I knew more about North Korea than South Korea before I came here, bad things of course, but now I've learned that it is gorgeous and the natural beauty is astounding. It's a shame that nobody can experience the North, but of course this makes me want to go more than ever. I wonder if it is up to the nation to educate the world or if the world should inquire. Obviously what we know about North Korea is information provided by someone else because I doubt they would advocate the negative aspects. I think we need to meet each other half way, maybe the world would be a better place with a little more education.
According to another article, this year at the Olympics the North and South marched in separately unlike the past were they would come in together under a unity flag. People are concerned that this means unification is farther from reach. Also, the two Korean leaders exchanged handshakes, no words or smiles and basically refused to sit at the same table. However, on a positive note, another article mentioned that North Korea should try to adopt China's method of capitalism under communism in order to become a more successful nation. The paper here normally has mention of plans for unification, but obviously this is a long way off and would take a lot of work. But it could happen.
Part of the reason I chose Korea was because I too knew nothing about it. I was intrigued by the mystery of a split nation, the history and the culture. I think one of the reason we have hate and injustice is because we don't know anything about our fellow world citizens. Just today my grade 2 class told me they don't like black people, I can't help but wonder if it is because they have never been exposed or if someone or something is telling them to not like blacks. I was astounded, but at the same time interested in finding out about where this started. It's hard for me to understand why someone wouldn't like someone else because of the color of their skin or something else (I've always had trouble with this). Sure there are people I dislike, but more often than not it is because I find them annoying. I just wish we could all truly find it in our hearts to forgive and move on, stop war and petty fighting and embrace the lives we were given. Take a note from the Discovery Channel, the world is just awesome, but how are we supposed to enjoy it if we keep blowing things up and killing each other.
Sorry if this is a bit discombobulated, it's 2:30am!
I read an article, as mentioned before, about Korea's Image to Outside World and the overwhelming consensus was that most people didn't know anything about Korea. It wasn't just Americans, but Canadians, Australians and Japanese. I wonder if it is a lack of education on the part of these countries or a lack of information provided by Korea itself. I know Korea had been shut off, but in the last 50 years or so Korea has risen to a powerful nation, 11th in GDP. Why so little knowledge? I knew more about North Korea than South Korea before I came here, bad things of course, but now I've learned that it is gorgeous and the natural beauty is astounding. It's a shame that nobody can experience the North, but of course this makes me want to go more than ever. I wonder if it is up to the nation to educate the world or if the world should inquire. Obviously what we know about North Korea is information provided by someone else because I doubt they would advocate the negative aspects. I think we need to meet each other half way, maybe the world would be a better place with a little more education.
According to another article, this year at the Olympics the North and South marched in separately unlike the past were they would come in together under a unity flag. People are concerned that this means unification is farther from reach. Also, the two Korean leaders exchanged handshakes, no words or smiles and basically refused to sit at the same table. However, on a positive note, another article mentioned that North Korea should try to adopt China's method of capitalism under communism in order to become a more successful nation. The paper here normally has mention of plans for unification, but obviously this is a long way off and would take a lot of work. But it could happen.
Part of the reason I chose Korea was because I too knew nothing about it. I was intrigued by the mystery of a split nation, the history and the culture. I think one of the reason we have hate and injustice is because we don't know anything about our fellow world citizens. Just today my grade 2 class told me they don't like black people, I can't help but wonder if it is because they have never been exposed or if someone or something is telling them to not like blacks. I was astounded, but at the same time interested in finding out about where this started. It's hard for me to understand why someone wouldn't like someone else because of the color of their skin or something else (I've always had trouble with this). Sure there are people I dislike, but more often than not it is because I find them annoying. I just wish we could all truly find it in our hearts to forgive and move on, stop war and petty fighting and embrace the lives we were given. Take a note from the Discovery Channel, the world is just awesome, but how are we supposed to enjoy it if we keep blowing things up and killing each other.
Sorry if this is a bit discombobulated, it's 2:30am!
Thursday, August 21, 2008
US Beef, Loca and Puppies
As a lot of people are aware, Korea has been caught up in anti-US beef protesting. Honestly, it doesn't bother me, the US exports beef elsewhere and if Korea doesn't want it because of Mad Cow Disease, thats fine by me. However, when an 8 year-old tried to tell me that the beef was ok, but in 20 years she would lose her mind it made me laugh and also a bit upset. I don't really know too much about the controversy and because I don't eat red meat it hasn't effected me in anyway. I know it has something to do with a bad cow awhile back and the president saying that they would not import US beef anymore. Like I said, I don't know much or even if what I know is true and to be perfectly honest, I don't want to spend time researching it as it has very little interest to me. The little girl who was adamant about "going crazy after eating cows from America," made me more patriotic than I have ever been. Of course I had to try to defend US beef and tell her she would not go crazy or die if she ate US beef, I assured her that Americans eat their own beef and are perfectly fine. I can't believe I had to defend America (myself) to an 8 year old!
I did redeem my uber-patriotic self an hour later by proclaiming that I would love to tell George W to shut up. This was after a 9 year old told me he wanted to tell Lee Myung-bak to shut up so I felt justified. It's no secret that I am not a fan of George W and this particular little boy likes to remind me how much he dislikes the American president, as you can tell, this student has a piece of my heart (he actually is one of my favorites). His class likes to call me Molly-loca after I told him one of my other students gave me that nickname. However, when the name was coined the student was unaware that "loca" is "crazy" in Spanish, but after telling him he was more than thrilled that he called me crazy. They also know that I worked at McDonald's and they love hearing stories and telling me how much they love McDonald's, "way more than Burger King."
I really like teaching the 2nd and 3rd graders, they are so fun and they know enough English that I can make jokes and they laugh. The kindergarteners don't quite understand jokes or sarcasm so it is a challenge to make them not feel bored in class, but then again, they run around and talk in Korean 30 of the 40 minutes I have them. Luckily they are cute or I'd probably be bald from all the hair pulling. Today, the newest kindergarteners (Earth Class) decided to be puppies in class and one of the girls was the master. Normally this would be annoying, but today we were learning the difference between give/gave and get/got so I just kept telling the "puppies" to give me their bones (pencils) and then they "barked" "I gave teacher my bone." The get and got was easy too because I made them get things from their cubbies and then I'd say "you got the (insert item here), thank you." Sometimes I have to improvise on the spot, but I actually find that those days are more effective for teaching and learning because it's like I'm making up a game as I go and all the kids love games.
Sometimes I see shirts with English on them and have to shake my head because I don't think people know what they actually say. One of my students had a shirt on today with an orange on the front and it said "Fresh B.S." on it. I have no idea if the B.S. was supposed to stand for what I figured it to stand for, but it made me laugh and all the other teachers as well. And I leave you with this, an Olympic cartoon portraying obesity in America from the Korea Times.
I did redeem my uber-patriotic self an hour later by proclaiming that I would love to tell George W to shut up. This was after a 9 year old told me he wanted to tell Lee Myung-bak to shut up so I felt justified. It's no secret that I am not a fan of George W and this particular little boy likes to remind me how much he dislikes the American president, as you can tell, this student has a piece of my heart (he actually is one of my favorites). His class likes to call me Molly-loca after I told him one of my other students gave me that nickname. However, when the name was coined the student was unaware that "loca" is "crazy" in Spanish, but after telling him he was more than thrilled that he called me crazy. They also know that I worked at McDonald's and they love hearing stories and telling me how much they love McDonald's, "way more than Burger King."
I really like teaching the 2nd and 3rd graders, they are so fun and they know enough English that I can make jokes and they laugh. The kindergarteners don't quite understand jokes or sarcasm so it is a challenge to make them not feel bored in class, but then again, they run around and talk in Korean 30 of the 40 minutes I have them. Luckily they are cute or I'd probably be bald from all the hair pulling. Today, the newest kindergarteners (Earth Class) decided to be puppies in class and one of the girls was the master. Normally this would be annoying, but today we were learning the difference between give/gave and get/got so I just kept telling the "puppies" to give me their bones (pencils) and then they "barked" "I gave teacher my bone." The get and got was easy too because I made them get things from their cubbies and then I'd say "you got the (insert item here), thank you." Sometimes I have to improvise on the spot, but I actually find that those days are more effective for teaching and learning because it's like I'm making up a game as I go and all the kids love games.
Sometimes I see shirts with English on them and have to shake my head because I don't think people know what they actually say. One of my students had a shirt on today with an orange on the front and it said "Fresh B.S." on it. I have no idea if the B.S. was supposed to stand for what I figured it to stand for, but it made me laugh and all the other teachers as well. And I leave you with this, an Olympic cartoon portraying obesity in America from the Korea Times.
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Busan
I'm back from Busan and I had a great weekend. When I got into Busan I had to find a place to stay, after checking a backpackers hotel I was informed that I probably won't find any hostels with vacancy because of the holiday weekend. So instead of riding the subway forever, I called the places in my Lonely Planet. I found a place right next to the train station for 40,000W a night. A bit more than I wanted to spend, but still way cheaper than most places and I had my own bathroom. I was far from the beach, but that wasn't a big deal, it still only took about 45 minutes by subway. The hotel was nice, had a coffee shop on the first floor, the staff spoke
English and were helpful with any questions. Also, it was nice being able to sleep until 10:30 and still catch the train this morning. After I settled into the hotel I decided to head to Gwangalli beach to take in the sights and sounds of coastal Busan. This beach is not nearly as crowded as Haeundae beach, but there were still a lot of people on the beach and in th water. I stayed there until nightfall because Lonely Planet said it sparkled at night when all the buildings were lit up and the concrete diminished.
On Saturday I decided to check out Beomeosa Temple. I had to ride the subway for an hour and then catch a bus to the top of the mountain. The view was absolutely gorgeous. When the bus got the the top I still had a climb ahead of me and my new Birkenstocks weren't the best shoes to be wearing. The climb was magnificent, I could hear the stream roaring down the mountain and birds chirping. It was probably the most peaceful thing I have ever experienced. The temple itself was beautiful, pretty much un-restored and left to its natural beauty. A lot of the buildings housed Buddha statues, candles lit up the rooms and it was intriguing to watch the men and women kneeling and bowing before the golden statues. I wanted to take a picture, but out of respect, I refrained. However, I did take multiple pictures of the temple and the surroundings.
I also went to Haeundae beach on Saturday. This place was filled with people. It is apparently Korea's number one beach, but with all the people I don't know how it could even come close to being relaxing. I opted to walk around for a bit and take pictures. I found a market and I bought some rather disgusting corn on the cob and a surprisingly delicious pork skewer from a street stall. I saw all sorts of sea creatures for sale, some dead, some dried and some still squirming about. The thing about seafood restaurants here is that you can pick which creature you want to eat. Most restaurants have large tanks outside filled with crab, fish, eel and all sorts of unidentifiable things. On Gwangalli beach the predominant creature was crab on Haeundae it was eel. I decided on the pork mentioned previously.
The train ride was nice, not too long, and it provided a view of life outside of Seoul. The countryside is gorgeous and full of hills and mountains. Rice paddies and greenhouses dot the landscape and farmers wearing big straw hats work in the fields. People were fishing in the streams and rivers and life without high rises seemed simple and native. It was nice to see traditional Korean homes from a distance and simple streets and green everywhere. Unfortunately, I have no pictures of this, but when I venture outside of Seoul again, I will try to take some. I have more pictures from the Busan trip on Facebook and more will be posted to Flickr later this evening or tomorrow sometime.
English and were helpful with any questions. Also, it was nice being able to sleep until 10:30 and still catch the train this morning. After I settled into the hotel I decided to head to Gwangalli beach to take in the sights and sounds of coastal Busan. This beach is not nearly as crowded as Haeundae beach, but there were still a lot of people on the beach and in th water. I stayed there until nightfall because Lonely Planet said it sparkled at night when all the buildings were lit up and the concrete diminished.
On Saturday I decided to check out Beomeosa Temple. I had to ride the subway for an hour and then catch a bus to the top of the mountain. The view was absolutely gorgeous. When the bus got the the top I still had a climb ahead of me and my new Birkenstocks weren't the best shoes to be wearing. The climb was magnificent, I could hear the stream roaring down the mountain and birds chirping. It was probably the most peaceful thing I have ever experienced. The temple itself was beautiful, pretty much un-restored and left to its natural beauty. A lot of the buildings housed Buddha statues, candles lit up the rooms and it was intriguing to watch the men and women kneeling and bowing before the golden statues. I wanted to take a picture, but out of respect, I refrained. However, I did take multiple pictures of the temple and the surroundings.I also went to Haeundae beach on Saturday. This place was filled with people. It is apparently Korea's number one beach, but with all the people I don't know how it could even come close to being relaxing. I opted to walk around for a bit and take pictures. I found a market and I bought some rather disgusting corn on the cob and a surprisingly delicious pork skewer from a street stall. I saw all sorts of sea creatures for sale, some dead, some dried and some still squirming about. The thing about seafood restaurants here is that you can pick which creature you want to eat. Most restaurants have large tanks outside filled with crab, fish, eel and all sorts of unidentifiable things. On Gwangalli beach the predominant creature was crab on Haeundae it was eel. I decided on the pork mentioned previously.
The train ride was nice, not too long, and it provided a view of life outside of Seoul. The countryside is gorgeous and full of hills and mountains. Rice paddies and greenhouses dot the landscape and farmers wearing big straw hats work in the fields. People were fishing in the streams and rivers and life without high rises seemed simple and native. It was nice to see traditional Korean homes from a distance and simple streets and green everywhere. Unfortunately, I have no pictures of this, but when I venture outside of Seoul again, I will try to take some. I have more pictures from the Busan trip on Facebook and more will be posted to Flickr later this evening or tomorrow sometime.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Busan and Bibimbap
I have tomorrow off and I am going to Busan. I booked my KTX tickets this afternoon and as of right now I don't have a place to stay. However, I was informed that this won't be a problem and I have a few places I will check out as soon as I get there. I plan to find a place to stay, chill on the beach and eat some delicious food for the entirety of Friday. Saturday I'll probably check out some of the sights and sounds of Busan and if time allows, chill on the beach. I leave at noon on Sunday because I wanted to back in Seoul at a reasonable time. The train only takes 3 hours, but I still wanted some time at home before work on Monday. Part of me is worried about not having a place to stay, but I'll figure it out. I can always try my Korean and ask around.
Last night I went to dinner with Lindsay and Jesse and since they paid last time, I treated. Only 11,000W for the three of us, you can't get too much better than that. I had bibimbap and it was really good, in fact I went back tonight for dinner. It was different tonight, spicier and a couple of different vegetables, but still good. The first picture is what it looks like before you mix it all together. It has egg, seaweed, lettuce, bean sprouts and two things I don't know. Under all of that is red pepper paste, where it gets its spice, and rice. Of all the things I've had in Korea so far, I think this is my favorite. It tastes good, not excellent, but good and it's cheap. Tonight I paid 4,000W for dinner. It really is cheaper to eat out, if you choose wisely and stick to Korean restaurants, than it is to buy food at the grocery store. If I wanted to make bibimbap I would probably have to spend twice as much at the grocery than at a restaurant. 
When AT (my recruiter) told me people live on about $300 a month and eat out every meal (and pay bills) I thought I could do better than that if I buy stuff and cook at home, not true at all. While I haven't come close to spending that much money, I can see how it could be done. I actually do have some bills to pay, about $100, but I have yet to do so. It doesn't seem to be a big deal at this point as I've received the same bill twice with no late fee attached. Don't worry, they will be paid next week. Anyway, the second picture is the bibimbap after it has been mixed together and ready to eat.
Last night I went to dinner with Lindsay and Jesse and since they paid last time, I treated. Only 11,000W for the three of us, you can't get too much better than that. I had bibimbap and it was really good, in fact I went back tonight for dinner. It was different tonight, spicier and a couple of different vegetables, but still good. The first picture is what it looks like before you mix it all together. It has egg, seaweed, lettuce, bean sprouts and two things I don't know. Under all of that is red pepper paste, where it gets its spice, and rice. Of all the things I've had in Korea so far, I think this is my favorite. It tastes good, not excellent, but good and it's cheap. Tonight I paid 4,000W for dinner. It really is cheaper to eat out, if you choose wisely and stick to Korean restaurants, than it is to buy food at the grocery store. If I wanted to make bibimbap I would probably have to spend twice as much at the grocery than at a restaurant. 
When AT (my recruiter) told me people live on about $300 a month and eat out every meal (and pay bills) I thought I could do better than that if I buy stuff and cook at home, not true at all. While I haven't come close to spending that much money, I can see how it could be done. I actually do have some bills to pay, about $100, but I have yet to do so. It doesn't seem to be a big deal at this point as I've received the same bill twice with no late fee attached. Don't worry, they will be paid next week. Anyway, the second picture is the bibimbap after it has been mixed together and ready to eat.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
4x100m Relay and Money
I finally got to watch the 4x100m relay! It was amazing and even though I knew the outcome, I was at the edge of my seat and cheering as loudly as one can while at work, in a library. I watched it again when I got home (from BBC), on better quality than a YouTuber taping right off their TV.
In other news, I had been trying to figure out how to transfer money from Korea to the US so I can pay bills and establish a savings account. I had looked into some traditional ways, MoneyGram and even setting up a CITI bank account here and in the US for easy transfer, but after Google searches and ex-pat websites I found transfermate.com. At first I thought it was shoddy, but of course I researched it and found it to be a good and cheap tool for transferring funds. The downside is a minimum transfer, but the first transfer is free. I should have the funds in my US Bank account by the close of business today!
In other news, I had been trying to figure out how to transfer money from Korea to the US so I can pay bills and establish a savings account. I had looked into some traditional ways, MoneyGram and even setting up a CITI bank account here and in the US for easy transfer, but after Google searches and ex-pat websites I found transfermate.com. At first I thought it was shoddy, but of course I researched it and found it to be a good and cheap tool for transferring funds. The downside is a minimum transfer, but the first transfer is free. I should have the funds in my US Bank account by the close of business today!
Monday, August 11, 2008
Olympics, Payday and English
As everyone is well aware, the Olympics are currently being held in Beijing. To my advantage, I can watch them as they air and not have to be up at odd hours or TiVo them for later. This is a thrilling experience as I was able to watch the Opening Ceremonies live and without commercial interruption. The downfall is that I can't always watch Americans. I didn't see the famed 4x100m relay (and NBC won't let me watch online because I'm not in the US). However, what truly makes me happy is the way Koreans watch and cheer on their athletes, their country. The night Minho Choi won the gold in Judo my entire floor erupted in cheers. All of my students know exactly how many medals South Korea has won, 8 to date, the third highest. Last night as I was headed home, I saw the fruit vendor that sits outside of my building with his TV. He and about 15 others were huddled around the TV, in very hot and humid weather, watching the archers take on Italy. The chicken wing place in the bottom of my building has a big screen and I kid you not, at least 50 people were watching there. It paid off, Korea took the gold.
I got my very first teaching paycheck yesterday! It will be my smallest of all teaching checks, but the largest check I have ever received. It's kind of nice going to the bank to make a withdrawal and seeing 1,267,020 on your account slip. However this roughly translates to $1,270. I had $270 taken out for my hospital visit, $88 for taxes (yes, only $88), $56 for medical insurance (thank goodness or the hospital visit would have been about 3x what it was) and $99 for pension (which I get back when I leave Korea, it'll be about $1,000). All in all, its perfect. I can pay my bills (more like start paying off my bills) and still have money for living expenses. I have Friday off and I am thinking of going to Busan for the weekend, but I still need to get a train ticket and a place to stay, nothing like the last minute I suppose. I did go back to COEX yesterday so I could buy the Korea Lonely Planet travel guide. It was suggested I buy this before coming to Korea, but after looking at the online reviews from Amazon I chose a Frommer's guide instead. However, everyone I have talked to loves their Lonely Planet so I thought I'd jump on that wagon. The bookstore at COEX has a ton of Lonely Planets, my next purchase? Southeast Asia on a Shoestring.
For the last few weeks I have been meaning to post about the random things that happen while I'm walking to work or headed for the subway. Most of them (all of them) are encounters with English. A few weeks ago, as I was headed for the subway, a man came up to me and said, "hello, lovely day." I just siled at him because I didn't realize what he had said until a few seconds later. For the last week, on my way to school, I have seen a man walking the opposite direction of me. The first morning he said, "good morning." The second morning we had a conversation. He said, "good morning again." I replied, "good morning." "My name is Simon, what's yours?" "I'm Molly, nice to meet you." "You too," he replied. I saw him yesterday and we exchanged a simple "hello."
I got my very first teaching paycheck yesterday! It will be my smallest of all teaching checks, but the largest check I have ever received. It's kind of nice going to the bank to make a withdrawal and seeing 1,267,020 on your account slip. However this roughly translates to $1,270. I had $270 taken out for my hospital visit, $88 for taxes (yes, only $88), $56 for medical insurance (thank goodness or the hospital visit would have been about 3x what it was) and $99 for pension (which I get back when I leave Korea, it'll be about $1,000). All in all, its perfect. I can pay my bills (more like start paying off my bills) and still have money for living expenses. I have Friday off and I am thinking of going to Busan for the weekend, but I still need to get a train ticket and a place to stay, nothing like the last minute I suppose. I did go back to COEX yesterday so I could buy the Korea Lonely Planet travel guide. It was suggested I buy this before coming to Korea, but after looking at the online reviews from Amazon I chose a Frommer's guide instead. However, everyone I have talked to loves their Lonely Planet so I thought I'd jump on that wagon. The bookstore at COEX has a ton of Lonely Planets, my next purchase? Southeast Asia on a Shoestring.
For the last few weeks I have been meaning to post about the random things that happen while I'm walking to work or headed for the subway. Most of them (all of them) are encounters with English. A few weeks ago, as I was headed for the subway, a man came up to me and said, "hello, lovely day." I just siled at him because I didn't realize what he had said until a few seconds later. For the last week, on my way to school, I have seen a man walking the opposite direction of me. The first morning he said, "good morning." The second morning we had a conversation. He said, "good morning again." I replied, "good morning." "My name is Simon, what's yours?" "I'm Molly, nice to meet you." "You too," he replied. I saw him yesterday and we exchanged a simple "hello."
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Apple Reseller
Currently at a# an Apple reseller in Seoul at COEX. Just thought I profess my love of the iPod Touch and the MacBook...they are highly intriguing. However, I will not be purchasing either in the near future. Sad, I know, especially about the Touch :(
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Dinner
Tonight after work Lindsay and Jesse (two of my co-workers, the engaged couple), invited me to dinner with them. We went to a place I go to for kimbap two or three times a week. However, I didn't have kimbap this time. I decided to try mandu kuk. Mandu is a Korean dumpling and kuk means soup. The soup was loaded with mandu, six I think. It was fantastic. The mandu had pork and some other stuff in it and the soup was very light and also had egg in it. It was delicious. I didn't bring my camera, but I found this picture on the internet. Of course we also 
had kimchi and other side dishes. Pickled radish, some other type of radish and green onions. I just had kimchi though. I knew this before, but kimchi is the healthiest food on earth. It has 80% of your daily Vitamin C and carotene and also is high in fiber while being low in calories. The kimchi I had tonight was spicier than the last time I had it, but I am proud to say that I love it. Plus, it can slow cancer growth. You can't say that about America's favorite side dish (I don't know what that would be, but still...). Anyway, my dinner was a whopping 3,500W ($3.50) and the total for the three of us came to 10,000W ($10). I am quickly learning that eating out is far cheaper than making food at home. I am glad to be branching out in the food department and the more I eat out, the more confident I am about going places on my own and trying my Korean skills.
had kimchi and other side dishes. Pickled radish, some other type of radish and green onions. I just had kimchi though. I knew this before, but kimchi is the healthiest food on earth. It has 80% of your daily Vitamin C and carotene and also is high in fiber while being low in calories. The kimchi I had tonight was spicier than the last time I had it, but I am proud to say that I love it. Plus, it can slow cancer growth. You can't say that about America's favorite side dish (I don't know what that would be, but still...). Anyway, my dinner was a whopping 3,500W ($3.50) and the total for the three of us came to 10,000W ($10). I am quickly learning that eating out is far cheaper than making food at home. I am glad to be branching out in the food department and the more I eat out, the more confident I am about going places on my own and trying my Korean skills.
Monday, August 4, 2008
Development
The thing I have recently noticed about my neighborhood is how quickly new places arise. As I was walking to work this morning I noticed a brand new cafe and gelato place, called Ti Amo. Two weeks ago work was just beginning on it and now it is open. I almost stopped in after work. Another upstart was a hair salon a block from school. This place was opened within a week of work starting and now, a week later, it shares a building with a realty company. It's insane how fast things move in Korea. However, as I have been exploring more of the city I have noticed a lot about Seoul. High rise apartments nestled between mountains and more high rises. There is something beautiful yet repulsive about this juxtaposition of modernity and nature. The natural splendor of Seoul is compromised, but the development lends way to new beauty. A beauty that signifies change and growth. Seoul's natural beauty still thrives, but with a new background. Palaces stand tall among high rises and technology and parks thrive in the concrete jungle. The bright lights of restaurants and bars are a way of beckoning one in from a hard day and offering a cool glass of Cass and a bottle of soju.
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Back to Work
The vacation is over, but I had a great week off (more like 11 days because of weekends). I go back to work in about an hour and 35 minutes. It should be good. I am actually looking forward to going back because I've only taught for three weeks so far and while I was pretty settled in a routine, I kind of feel like I am starting all over again. I do have my lesson plans done though so at least I am prepared, less the test I am giving today and haven't written, but I have time after lunch to do that. Anyway, since my last update on vacation I only did one thing, I went to Namdaemun Market and it was pretty much the coolest thing ever. They say if you can't find it there, they don't make it and the statement definitely bears truth. I saw everything from jeans to dried fish and dog clothing to octopus. Some vendors had a gazillion pairs of shoes and other a million "designer" purses. It was fun and they had tons of food vendors, I however decided on a gyro on the street in front of the market, delicious. I can't wait to go back there and actually buy something, I was just impressed and overwhelmed with the amount of things for sale. If you are ever in Seoul you need to go to Namdaemun.
Drying fish at Namdaemun
Kimchi and other things like kimchi
Shoes at Namdaemun
In other news, I read on another Korea blog, Seoul Eats that Andrew Zimmern from Bizarre Foods on the Travel Channel is going to be hosting a segment here in Seoul. I am a huge fan of the show and have probably seen every episode, but Seoul is huge so the chance that I meet/see him is very slim and since my knowledge of bizarre foods, or really any food, in Seoul is limited, I will just wait until the episode comes out and buy it on iTunes. He was in Spain and went to Madrid and ate at La Botin, where of course I too have dined and I make it a point of telling everyone that I have been there too, Seoul will be quite the same so be prepared.
This week is going to be hot and humid, not unlike any other week I have experienced in Seoul so far, but I think my tolerance has increased. Last summer I was in Mississippi in the hottest, most humid summer I have ever experienced. Wisconsin summers can get hot and humid, but I think Seoul is more like Wisconsin than Mississippi. It hasn't reached anything over 86 and about 90% humidity, which I can handle, even in pants walking to work.
Drying fish at Namdaemun
Kimchi and other things like kimchi
Shoes at NamdaemunIn other news, I read on another Korea blog, Seoul Eats that Andrew Zimmern from Bizarre Foods on the Travel Channel is going to be hosting a segment here in Seoul. I am a huge fan of the show and have probably seen every episode, but Seoul is huge so the chance that I meet/see him is very slim and since my knowledge of bizarre foods, or really any food, in Seoul is limited, I will just wait until the episode comes out and buy it on iTunes. He was in Spain and went to Madrid and ate at La Botin, where of course I too have dined and I make it a point of telling everyone that I have been there too, Seoul will be quite the same so be prepared.
This week is going to be hot and humid, not unlike any other week I have experienced in Seoul so far, but I think my tolerance has increased. Last summer I was in Mississippi in the hottest, most humid summer I have ever experienced. Wisconsin summers can get hot and humid, but I think Seoul is more like Wisconsin than Mississippi. It hasn't reached anything over 86 and about 90% humidity, which I can handle, even in pants walking to work.
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