Noraebang

Last night was another Spanish meetup and some new people were there, which was really nice. We went to a restaurant in Sinchon that had separate conference style rooms that you can rent out, have some food, drinks and a meeting all at the same time. It was pretty kitschy, but fun. After dinner, a group of us headed to Hongdae for some dancing. On the way to the bar, Tinpin, we encountered a stand where a woman was selling cocktails in a bag. It was like a Capri Sun, but for adults and at 3,000W a pop, hard to pass up. After we hung out at Tinpin for a bit we decided to head to a noraebang. A noraebang is a karaoke room people can rent out with their friends and you can sing to your heart's content. They have a ton of songs in English, including recent hits and old ones too. I sang a lot of songs! Loren and I belted out, "Hey Jude," Megan and I sang "Goodbye Earl" and "Girls Just Want to Have Fun." I decided to solo on "Mmmbop" and "Don't Bring Me Down." It was so much fun! Afterward we hit up the street food where I tried tteokbokki for the first time, it was very spicy, but incredibly tasty.

Chuseok

This weekend is Chuseok (추석), or what most Americans refer to as Korean Thanksgiving. However, Chuseok is a time when Koreans go back to their hometowns to pay respect to ancestors and take care of their burial sites and offer them the harvest. It seems really interesting to me and while I was in Damyang and Boseong last weekend I saw my share of burial sites. All of my students were revved up yesterday and today in anticipation of a three (or more) day weekend. Yesterday I recieved a case of SPAM from my school as a Chuseok gift. Its the thought that counts right? Koreans have a special place in their hearts for SPAM as it seems to fly off the shelves and I've seen many a Korean with an identical case in their hands. I've thought about carrying a can or two with me at all times in case I run into a homeless person. I've never eaten the stuff, but I don't really feel like trying it now, I mean Korea has so much more to offer than SPAM (but it is in budae jjigae and I'm sure on some toasts and who knows what else). Today I got even more gifts. Right away this morning one of the Kindergarteners (Jessica) gave me a present (which later revealed chopsticks and a spoon) that said, "I <3 you to Refsland from Jessica." I also got honey rice cakes, songpyeon (송편), the traditional rice cake of Chuseok, a box of muffin like cakes from another student (Dayna) and a piece of potato pizza from Mr. Pizza (surprisingly delicious by the way). The best gift of all is a three day weekend though.


After work I went to COEX because I wanted to buy a Korean book from Bandi & Lunis. I found the one I was looking for and I think it will help me learn Korean and I am going to devote at least 45 minutes a day to the book and it's accompanying CD. The book is in a series and once I finish one, I'll move on. Part of me is afraid to learn Korean because I don't want to lose my Spanish, but at the same time, I have been reading Spanish newspapers online and I frequently talk to myself in Spanish. I should be ok and with Spanish group once a month I should be able to retain the majority of my Spanish, I've gone longer than a year or two before.

Tomorrow I am planning on meeting up with some people from a "New in Town" group to go on a cruise of the Han River at night and then out to dinner afterward. I think this will be fun and a river cruise has been on my list since I arrived in Seoul. It will also be good to meet some more people.

Random

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.