tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67501705443939703492024-03-20T02:47:53.101-07:00My SoKo LifeBeckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16035676203359487661noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6750170544393970349.post-29122573856633260302011-05-09T17:11:00.000-07:002011-05-09T17:21:25.397-07:00"Normil Life"<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirZFJ9LdL3W8nOHXm2XFVWxmIUI54c9_Ir_4rzEczH1sVIqQRfNfh78CY7o_SyP57l7gtmFgsnvKUFo_wcHND7EanIpwp2Ddryg08uxNOv1W7LkBgGfPIND11Fqzb3lyooQ74wPthq1XY/s1600/DSC02087.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirZFJ9LdL3W8nOHXm2XFVWxmIUI54c9_Ir_4rzEczH1sVIqQRfNfh78CY7o_SyP57l7gtmFgsnvKUFo_wcHND7EanIpwp2Ddryg08uxNOv1W7LkBgGfPIND11Fqzb3lyooQ74wPthq1XY/s400/DSC02087.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604874537009556178" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;"><i>I laughed, I cried, it moved me.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">My niece Morgan sent me this letter in my birthday package and I couldn't stop laughing! She is so full of spunk and personality - I just love her!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">- - - - -</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Dear: unt Becky</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>How is koriean life? Ho-no don't tell me it's better than normil life. There, I gest it! And by the way I realy like the pickchors you sent me online, any way I hope you have a good time!</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>love, Morgan</i></div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16035676203359487661noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6750170544393970349.post-65244397942458536902011-03-24T15:23:00.000-07:002011-04-15T19:27:29.420-07:00How To Tell If You're in South Korea<span class="Apple-style-span" >Do you ever wake up and wonder where you are? For many, those brief moments of post-sleep confusion are clarified when one remembers, "Ah, yes. I'm safe at home in my own bed, in my own home, in my own country. All is well." Alas, for some of us the reaction is slightly more jarring: "Why does it smell like fish? Who's shouting outside my window? Why are people speaking in tongues?"</span><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >Thanks to many a disorienting morning, I devised this highly scientific test that will help you determine whether or not you're in South Korea. Enjoy!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >- - - - -</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >1. You smell fish. What time is it?</span></div><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" >Lunchtime or Dinnertime. <i>You're probably at home. And kudos to you for the healthy meal choice!</i></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" >Breakfast. <i>You guessed it. South Korea. Nothing says good morning like chowing down on an entire fish - eyeballs, scales, bones and all.</i></span></li></ul><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></i></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >2. Open your door. What happens next?</span></div><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" >Nothing. <i>You're either living a rather blissfully uneventful life at home or you're the last one to hear about a military evacuation. Maybe you should look into that.</i></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" >Your nosy neighbor asks you about the various recyclables they found in your bin... in your own language.<b> </b><i>You're still at home, but you're probably considering moving.</i></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" >An avalanche of advertisements fall from the door frame and hit you on the head, scaring your pants off every time. <i>You're in South Korea, and swearing revenge on the stealthy ninja who graffitis your door!</i></span></li></ul><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></i></div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTPING0aaT754vX3yKSewMdWCGFJBp3X1RFGZf3zuaIrj5eA0imjgfPtPIXEAomOeHFiHfFvr8ozdtg4Ka3IFo5A9z4eo2YmsCtD_woQNbB1YbtH1ghgQcbPc-AHtzObUM29RM-P46SBk/s1600/DSC01836.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTPING0aaT754vX3yKSewMdWCGFJBp3X1RFGZf3zuaIrj5eA0imjgfPtPIXEAomOeHFiHfFvr8ozdtg4Ka3IFo5A9z4eo2YmsCtD_woQNbB1YbtH1ghgQcbPc-AHtzObUM29RM-P46SBk/s400/DSC01836.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595995282790224338" /></span></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" >It's a Greenpeace nightmare!</span></i></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >3. Someone you know has been admitted to the hospital. If you want to visit them, where should you go?</span></div><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" >To the hospital, duh. <i>You're definitely in America.</i></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" >To any public place outside the hospital, such as a coffee shop, grocery store or even sitting outside smoking on a bench. <i>Yup, you're in South Korea alright. The sight of hospital gown clad strangers roaming the streets with their catheter bags and cigarettes is a bit reminiscent of a zombie movie where everyone but you is infected with some mutant strain of DNA. At least it makes taking walks a bit more interesting. </i></span></li></ul></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >4. Take a stroll outside. Now, count how many people body slam you without looking phased or apologizing. </span></div><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" >0-1: <i>You're at home.</i></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" >2-5: <i>You're probably in Europe.</i></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" >6-25: <i>You're in a mosh pit. </i></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" >26-230: <i>You're most definitely in South Korea.</i></span></li></ul><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></i></div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZh9luYUHCLE73t-pUYh1qXxAGUHRBLVj5BknGbU4mE4Qls5nfPNZLId-S_gvT3M2aLVMh-BZ-VWmcUCoHvFdN7yHoAK2AviuCTscJco7CmjJWRoKWi4Kxr1h5UdBbe2YzJtyMk3yRjlE/s1600/DSC01828.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZh9luYUHCLE73t-pUYh1qXxAGUHRBLVj5BknGbU4mE4Qls5nfPNZLId-S_gvT3M2aLVMh-BZ-VWmcUCoHvFdN7yHoAK2AviuCTscJco7CmjJWRoKWi4Kxr1h5UdBbe2YzJtyMk3yRjlE/s400/DSC01828.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595997216975922354" /></span></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" >Just another fun time crowd surfing...</span></i></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >5. Continue on your stroll... how many people loudly and voraciously hawk lugies in your general vicinity?</span></div><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" >0-1: <i>There's no place like home! </i></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" >2-20: <i>You're in the dugout at an MLB game.</i></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" >21-83: <i>You're on an average 10 minute walk in South Korea. </i></span></li></ul><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></i></div></div><div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >6. You see an ad with two cartoon pigs in graduation caps and gowns jumping up and down holding meat tenderizers, then suddenly a large radish is holding a telephone. What could this mean?</span></div><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" >A restaurant? <i>Maybe in America. Even then, poor advertising strategy.</i></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" >A caricature class? <i>Possibly. </i></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" >An instant-loan company? <i>Well, duh. Any Korean could've told you that. How could you not understand what that was supposed to be?</i></span></li></ul><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></i></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >7. Someone said something complimentary about your appearance. What was it?</span></div><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" >You look great! <i>You're in the States.</i></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px; " >Tu es très belle! <i>You're in France. </i></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px; " >You have a small face.<i> You and your tiny face are in Korea.</i> </span></li></ul></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px; " ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px; " >8. You just moved into a new home and need some small kitchen appliances. What's the primary brand you find at your local store?</span></div><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px; " >Kitchen Aid. <i>Clearly you'll be cooking up some homemade mac 'n cheese with your iconic American wares. </i></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px; " >Bosch. <i>Perhaps some bratwurst, mein herr? </i></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px; " >Hello Kitty. <i>Hello Korea.</i></span></li></ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;" ><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;" ><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcQ2oQ2uHFdmpiYCEMxpAFksqSSJUiUnFTr7vIGQDUkexS1KUdf2YcHOBzxyuKvqR-QNwvEGTD90fSg7KnKjkmYg6dEk_11fHQL22kP3-TrNwX43NT7xZHkTx3ptpu3mkBgugwIow8yBU/s1600/DSC01814.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcQ2oQ2uHFdmpiYCEMxpAFksqSSJUiUnFTr7vIGQDUkexS1KUdf2YcHOBzxyuKvqR-QNwvEGTD90fSg7KnKjkmYg6dEk_11fHQL22kP3-TrNwX43NT7xZHkTx3ptpu3mkBgugwIow8yBU/s400/DSC01814.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592974240143179074" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Hope your home decor matches pink and red!</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;">9. You buy a new athletic shirt. What does it say?</span></span></div></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;" >Nike. <i>Home sweet home!</i></span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;" >Le coq sportif. <i>Vive la France!</i></span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;" >Adequately Paris Kitten Number H. In sequins. <i>You're in the ROK, which is a good thing because it's probably the only place you won't get beat up for wearing a shirt like that.</i></span></span></li></ul><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px; " ><div style="text-align: left; font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px; "><i><br /></i></span></div>10. Finally, which potentially life-threatening situation are you most likely to run into?</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;" >Your medication ran out. <i>Well, lucky for you you're in the States, so you can just jump in your car and head to the pharmacy for some more!</i></span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;" >You spend too much time in the sun and may develop melanoma. <i>You could be anywhere. Except Korea, where you're supposed to dress like you're in a blizzard in August to avoid the sun's rays. Seriously. Gloves, face masks, umbrellas, visors... you wouldn't be able to recognize your own pale, pale mother. </i></span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;" >A roving gang of elderly women. <i>Ajummas!! *shudder* The bane of life in SoKo. These ladies have no qualms shoving you out of the way, touching you uninvited and yelling Korean in your face. They like to bulk up and get more intimidating by doing vigorous calisthenics at the local parks. Watch out!</i></span></span></li></ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;" ><i><br /></i></span></span></div></div></div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOUgtmOOcqsyTgHgJQkk_kRhGYWe8oKTsUm-M1JD7MraDMTsGyIXXgXcpBATF0TF-up3QI7_npVJAGWwwBe7mQO2C-j0pYaLyUxLRElIVGFvDDth0TWLinwgGzpCVSnCOim3Ac9C-jU1k/s1600/DSC01832.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOUgtmOOcqsyTgHgJQkk_kRhGYWe8oKTsUm-M1JD7MraDMTsGyIXXgXcpBATF0TF-up3QI7_npVJAGWwwBe7mQO2C-j0pYaLyUxLRElIVGFvDDth0TWLinwgGzpCVSnCOim3Ac9C-jU1k/s400/DSC01832.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595996071543274082" /></span></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" >An ajumma bulking up at the park.</span></i></div></div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16035676203359487661noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6750170544393970349.post-473427430025686412011-02-25T16:46:00.000-08:002011-02-26T18:45:18.901-08:00How To Make a Korean Flower ArrangementBefore getting started, gather your supplies. You will need:<div><ul><li>1-2 yards of pink and gold netting</li><li>16 pieces of pink and purple tissue paper</li><li>A giant pink bow</li><li>18 silver twist ties</li></ul><div>Now let's get started. Oh wait, I almost forgot you need flowers, too. Although that's not really the point of a Korean flower arrangement. If you have a couple flowers, you might as well throw them in. Now let's really get started. </div><br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw_j3gtpD-GfeqzLhZhwCZp4HKcnTkKQ_uXQCKkNl0hsL5F90lMImrd2nCLDXSqyHPvk_wsk6JGzc2I1LnQvgL3S0Il0QuoHRTVeSX9wMwNhDLitq6OqbzZ6I1lfAsiQdGUHXLcAIBw3s/s400/DSC01760.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577794454585605826" /><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Step One: Heap your pink and purple stuff into a huge pile to admire the sheer mass of it.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinvZDQAf16t01-lPvKpCzez8qCeJISRiVNEVMh4kT2-sQhp6hV25CMZXAePLdc4jM1GBmoZIqfzAQiS-2-97qrpOrYgtNqueCelEvgoww_l6Di5xe-sN5wgtMCzRJszlEHSH1y3bEGXRk/s1600/DSC01763.jpg"></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinvZDQAf16t01-lPvKpCzez8qCeJISRiVNEVMh4kT2-sQhp6hV25CMZXAePLdc4jM1GBmoZIqfzAQiS-2-97qrpOrYgtNqueCelEvgoww_l6Di5xe-sN5wgtMCzRJszlEHSH1y3bEGXRk/s1600/DSC01763.jpg"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinvZDQAf16t01-lPvKpCzez8qCeJISRiVNEVMh4kT2-sQhp6hV25CMZXAePLdc4jM1GBmoZIqfzAQiS-2-97qrpOrYgtNqueCelEvgoww_l6Di5xe-sN5wgtMCzRJszlEHSH1y3bEGXRk/s400/DSC01763.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577794593436619458" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Step Two: Get some flowers. If you don't have any, it doesn't matter. A Korean flower arrangement has very little, if anything, to do with actual flowers. </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1BTt41HkECfVrMrbMjfiEKGNrOPUjCEBabfuFL0-ZUq17TRPyUrTuUveAlX0g8roWFQDFLEksuZLX9Ch1YkWvI4YbFHHMQH8i9IgS5RKEsN6XfHw7V_UgsIgaJFwD31ydmvZC281RRV0/s1600/DSC01759.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1BTt41HkECfVrMrbMjfiEKGNrOPUjCEBabfuFL0-ZUq17TRPyUrTuUveAlX0g8roWFQDFLEksuZLX9Ch1YkWvI4YbFHHMQH8i9IgS5RKEsN6XfHw7V_UgsIgaJFwD31ydmvZC281RRV0/s400/DSC01759.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577794283717912498" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Step Three: Contemplate if you really want to even include flowers in your arrangement. They're just so... understated.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv3LYL8nAUNXGC8otjdlhwjzmU4Y-yEaj_KhwyH_4fRhY4IoLYZH6EWMPYTS1U7vwGTCfpuHrlvjVVN32vBANSvkCaa4nHyygZFdOh1-ahXCqcEq5zBNjyM87FFk_um8YkkbcbRdTsaCY/s1600/DSC01758.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv3LYL8nAUNXGC8otjdlhwjzmU4Y-yEaj_KhwyH_4fRhY4IoLYZH6EWMPYTS1U7vwGTCfpuHrlvjVVN32vBANSvkCaa4nHyygZFdOh1-ahXCqcEq5zBNjyM87FFk_um8YkkbcbRdTsaCY/s400/DSC01758.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577794052822278258" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Step Four: Decide to include your flowers, but cover each one individually with pink and purple tissue paper to mask the fact that they are actual flowers. </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihuyKz4J43Oiy0wIzScmgx237ddWhk5-nA9KRzGbMdagpZF6sFY2J4tUaeOnKa0agNvBdLWBLxgY6JaTCoDnzfiYNRlhJDYunnoY5PBo7JWJ7z9LxgJOYXZfN-BDwPH3OdUrn4JLrq7U8/s1600/DSC01754.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihuyKz4J43Oiy0wIzScmgx237ddWhk5-nA9KRzGbMdagpZF6sFY2J4tUaeOnKa0agNvBdLWBLxgY6JaTCoDnzfiYNRlhJDYunnoY5PBo7JWJ7z9LxgJOYXZfN-BDwPH3OdUrn4JLrq7U8/s400/DSC01754.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577793882878766834" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Step Five: Group tissue bunches (*sigh* and flowers) into a bouquet and cover with several more pieces of tissue paper. Oops! I still see green!! More tissue!!</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcJWnv37rwIs12Wfa258MZrbOrhrqTk39UJ1ayLPcKXn4LaaGfYf7VUvUorrwAIhPxnXZ3pE2WjBCfzHEJFeLUjLqAtIkuAvKhLmSTHbFiA6BMM905BAj_5ZY42bYyEcgvsQyI5HoM0QQ/s1600/DSC01753.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcJWnv37rwIs12Wfa258MZrbOrhrqTk39UJ1ayLPcKXn4LaaGfYf7VUvUorrwAIhPxnXZ3pE2WjBCfzHEJFeLUjLqAtIkuAvKhLmSTHbFiA6BMM905BAj_5ZY42bYyEcgvsQyI5HoM0QQ/s400/DSC01753.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577793720440234754" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Step Six: Assess your bouquet. I can still see too many flowers. More tissue!!</i></div></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7UyQVbAcHR-wlo5L_G1Mei2LvANQFF4rJ-3L6lec0bFmnttr21ZQ3x8f12Um5Icw-YGvj8ps2Ea12h9ir7FNbefhJtQ4JX8GYgZMcYLKWE0eYbuLjwWjozQL8_b-h1CjLUanz_q7jTyM/s1600/DSC01752.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7UyQVbAcHR-wlo5L_G1Mei2LvANQFF4rJ-3L6lec0bFmnttr21ZQ3x8f12Um5Icw-YGvj8ps2Ea12h9ir7FNbefhJtQ4JX8GYgZMcYLKWE0eYbuLjwWjozQL8_b-h1CjLUanz_q7jTyM/s400/DSC01752.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577793612686248402" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Step Seven: While there is no visible green anymore (thank goodness!) it still doesn't look enough like a bad 80's prom dress. More tissue! And netting! And a bow!</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMj2ZPbPkHo2Q7StA5hIB0cfthfkRVQW0F-zgkJY6z1ekAHR0i0_MagRJuhcY3Hr2j1uw_fo94mNYIAp6BLh5eAUcB4OMSs5z3h7phz_K1SaMifQCZOBcCM9N_iCg0_BfnUgXdYOXnCyY/s1600/DSC01746.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMj2ZPbPkHo2Q7StA5hIB0cfthfkRVQW0F-zgkJY6z1ekAHR0i0_MagRJuhcY3Hr2j1uw_fo94mNYIAp6BLh5eAUcB4OMSs5z3h7phz_K1SaMifQCZOBcCM9N_iCg0_BfnUgXdYOXnCyY/s400/DSC01746.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577793501611289586" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Step 8: Admire your breathtaking creation. Who knew that a flower arrangement could be so elegant and classy? It's like the alluring flicker of a neon sign advertising a 24 hour pawn shop. Simply breathtaking. </i></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;">- - - - -</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Note: </i>While I wish I could take credit for making this *ahem* thing... I actually received the fully assembled bouquet from one of my students and it took me about 10 minutes to get all the tissue, ribbons, netting and twist ties off of it to find the actual flowers inside! The crazy part is, this is actually one of the more tasteful bouquets I've seen! </div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16035676203359487661noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6750170544393970349.post-64606727417498369732011-02-25T03:55:00.000-08:002011-02-25T04:24:52.406-08:00The Strangest Letter I've Ever Received<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO2dtVDeU5_bM-alhMR2YOCze9GwYweN3mhRvty5TNOh3tfRAWjoYKKOoKv48FvgEhgv3IAUaagpY0brqj9U72aH1Z4wwkTEbRAuaTok_4KdxTlnQKPK7w2FboX7neaBDmk0DFYxV6zBI/s1600/DSC01769.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO2dtVDeU5_bM-alhMR2YOCze9GwYweN3mhRvty5TNOh3tfRAWjoYKKOoKv48FvgEhgv3IAUaagpY0brqj9U72aH1Z4wwkTEbRAuaTok_4KdxTlnQKPK7w2FboX7neaBDmk0DFYxV6zBI/s400/DSC01769.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577599940956626834" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><i>Your guess is as good as mine...</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">- - - - -</div><div style="text-align: center;">Copied Verbatim</div><div style="text-align: center;">- - - - -</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">TO Miss Becky....</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Miss Becky... It teaches me during that time and it gives and from it thanks.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The teacher where I am different will do and there will not be a teacher to the bedspread. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">[u] [ang] The difficulty teacher and crab inside the the place where it wants studying together.....</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Oh.....</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The (heart) teacher, during that time, truth it thanked.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Miss Becky, True trut it thanks, it loves.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">After word the may sun it plays come certainly to school ~ I love you ~</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">from Alice it raises</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16035676203359487661noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6750170544393970349.post-31581725525221546672011-02-17T04:45:00.001-08:002011-02-18T00:06:16.387-08:00Konglish and Beyond<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3HEoVptedkJtuKwAX4kDnLdQCuzwlSXWfcV4vcf12Ty3SIh206hsa_3IrYj2FWHcvzGitZCz0dNO9NVHQ9odFWvXnbCWk-PDet5tvF-SU1aoOn-lnCZWtrFvBZXyH8hgzNXIQGBhKo3w/s1600/DSC00375.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3HEoVptedkJtuKwAX4kDnLdQCuzwlSXWfcV4vcf12Ty3SIh206hsa_3IrYj2FWHcvzGitZCz0dNO9NVHQ9odFWvXnbCWk-PDet5tvF-SU1aoOn-lnCZWtrFvBZXyH8hgzNXIQGBhKo3w/s400/DSC00375.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574937420596475570" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i>Poor advertising strategy. </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i><br /></i></span></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKP20y9_j1OJe12YH4cRqq2ix27euYpI7ZJUccO3lKp_CZs_w-lWcLJQMl7yukx3Qeqa3GcYucDhUYkogVXKSMib1CuXShGeIV2MjSztMMUGAtkPz6ZdpZzNRZWc5A1tFMq3BiY1j_PVw/s400/DSC00595.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574641307144706050" /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i>When cutesy gets creepy.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i><br /></i></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggv1SJnJKHsYZOsOots_mSAeAUlJhTl-2jG0AdaKjzH-0CwvikJqU8XkHSs8y7e-LDPI8JUkoLB85o97DDGwKD7IpSdnjLs5ZBVkCF_ni6K3s9IV3zsejBHEgYT10GMvEFEj772PmGt4w/s1600/DSC00632.jpg"></a><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggv1SJnJKHsYZOsOots_mSAeAUlJhTl-2jG0AdaKjzH-0CwvikJqU8XkHSs8y7e-LDPI8JUkoLB85o97DDGwKD7IpSdnjLs5ZBVkCF_ni6K3s9IV3zsejBHEgYT10GMvEFEj772PmGt4w/s1600/DSC00632.jpg"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggv1SJnJKHsYZOsOots_mSAeAUlJhTl-2jG0AdaKjzH-0CwvikJqU8XkHSs8y7e-LDPI8JUkoLB85o97DDGwKD7IpSdnjLs5ZBVkCF_ni6K3s9IV3zsejBHEgYT10GMvEFEj772PmGt4w/s400/DSC00632.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574641553194704994" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i>I sort of feel like we should've chosen another brand of gym clothes to give to our students.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv3C_WzWTWRtkRLzymsWi1OT2_PyCs9XJLO7fm_Z94nVFUd9tAKt9po4MA95jpsYyNDjmNGyf695RRwPfr29ytVSlm6f-r0JpVYUBFYgaBdjrg727yCWuGdp-0i0kUgm8CMdK9q5-_xUw/s1600/DSC00516.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv3C_WzWTWRtkRLzymsWi1OT2_PyCs9XJLO7fm_Z94nVFUd9tAKt9po4MA95jpsYyNDjmNGyf695RRwPfr29ytVSlm6f-r0JpVYUBFYgaBdjrg727yCWuGdp-0i0kUgm8CMdK9q5-_xUw/s400/DSC00516.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574641178587086194" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); "><i>Is this a good thing or a bad thing? I'm not sure. </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt-Ef7vHEvtASvFuUZTKBaDsEe5MOaNhcldEG0PS_XyCP0zpMng5M0hEG22ECFOnjvhBaZ0kz8JaJXRpCnVpYJds_gUL8F-xhNFjBcnO_9_JnMBdfKfqlF89Gz6mBxOFYCPTi5mpaZpvY/s1600/DSC00374.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt-Ef7vHEvtASvFuUZTKBaDsEe5MOaNhcldEG0PS_XyCP0zpMng5M0hEG22ECFOnjvhBaZ0kz8JaJXRpCnVpYJds_gUL8F-xhNFjBcnO_9_JnMBdfKfqlF89Gz6mBxOFYCPTi5mpaZpvY/s400/DSC00374.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574641025794535634" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i>Oh, Outkast, you have changed the way we speak forever (ever).</i></span></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYvuS6ovaOvDwHXwf78R4wa-osWfkGSPBirxO6gqYDn5f29H9C000U5FauF1B9lSfmv1o_rDw6Uksm1qmilepE4mtOkmYv23bjcsSgkqXRlTRAyMrwGSzTxtY856ZVLdaAtWOV5L6YjkE/s1600/DSC00724.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYvuS6ovaOvDwHXwf78R4wa-osWfkGSPBirxO6gqYDn5f29H9C000U5FauF1B9lSfmv1o_rDw6Uksm1qmilepE4mtOkmYv23bjcsSgkqXRlTRAyMrwGSzTxtY856ZVLdaAtWOV5L6YjkE/s400/DSC00724.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574640054831403874" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); "><i>I want to relive that stress!! Sign me up!!</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); "><i><br /></i></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqN8aOnDOoX-6RYB7JnOlyvzI4bZKlzQVktBJVDZmuYRrUR2FtsuHrZfY_f4x8a289-nxVUhBhu0VfJpn2S748zvc2Ny5daoofTnW2IWrAj3GUvXeggUROS7OEwSCB52rqg9uqv8t1tHg/s1600/DSC00747.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqN8aOnDOoX-6RYB7JnOlyvzI4bZKlzQVktBJVDZmuYRrUR2FtsuHrZfY_f4x8a289-nxVUhBhu0VfJpn2S748zvc2Ny5daoofTnW2IWrAj3GUvXeggUROS7OEwSCB52rqg9uqv8t1tHg/s400/DSC00747.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574639850295484978" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); "><i>I can't even come up with a good caption for this one. What the heck kind of shirt is this??</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); "><i><br /></i></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2g16FFVX4OVIK4B6m5XKD2OhaZPA2gOg590fxIVa7yJsMNK98-PVgkXxjrTQu-5Uz2RqH2-_LY0a83KHPuUzCbBYlRkAJGqvLZ7rxLkhU4qLJbce5OYlOA9NqYXMQi3Olg4rSJcaD7EA/s1600/DSC01607.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2g16FFVX4OVIK4B6m5XKD2OhaZPA2gOg590fxIVa7yJsMNK98-PVgkXxjrTQu-5Uz2RqH2-_LY0a83KHPuUzCbBYlRkAJGqvLZ7rxLkhU4qLJbce5OYlOA9NqYXMQi3Olg4rSJcaD7EA/s400/DSC01607.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574639556523340818" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i>Obscure writing on the back of a calendar I bought. I had no idea that was how the temperature was controlled...</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5RXtAWSuqA6m1nEqeUz9WQuBToWTvIG8l3_8eFxqQHj90_NQpEH_0ztSREcIgBG3PhGZNXxt-mjFbicwIgnJF3KSq3aSSuhyphenhyphenqfqsQxygoOxCd0_Z8EM2SWsvxe1E079H0txgrK7OH3KY/s400/DSC01306.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574639181032250834" /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i>Is this what I think it is??</i></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjVXsNjiunVrJAkB3QUkavhWEKsIDrh4_J_bwEHpfwAp8okEZ5QhyphenhyphenEksiIE-sLYCg61Zy-Ku6qzhsbQHfBx6jtQaaZOmqWa4_VJqonCvbL8epbYOvQFw73ddK1TBnn3XQyGqmvfUABTcg/s400/DSC01307.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574639361976631618" /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); "><i>It sure is. Nothing says class like a toothbrush holder shaped like feces. </i></span></div><br /></div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16035676203359487661noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6750170544393970349.post-81199210939014469062011-02-14T00:17:00.001-08:002011-02-14T00:39:24.846-08:00V Day<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-d5RjHKZFz18-VOiAbiaPBJTqOv6ikvt7F86J6ybsVrXZq2C5eSfuEOKZ-2AsHhMV8RQPkp7uggO8xWKuM_eueKkAO1wCxb88hBu4aVTK-aMS2pDyCIBeh1hco9oQ1o3lx_6TQSRM4hA/s1600/DSC01612.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-d5RjHKZFz18-VOiAbiaPBJTqOv6ikvt7F86J6ybsVrXZq2C5eSfuEOKZ-2AsHhMV8RQPkp7uggO8xWKuM_eueKkAO1wCxb88hBu4aVTK-aMS2pDyCIBeh1hco9oQ1o3lx_6TQSRM4hA/s400/DSC01612.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573459672127983746" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i>Valentine's Day envelopes for my students, stuffed with cards from their classmates. </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">I have never liked Valentine's Day. This year, I really began to ask myself why. Was it the abundance of gaudy pink and red merchandise? Was it the sheer consumerism of it all? I liked to think that these were some of the reasons behind my feelings, but today I dug a little deeper and realized it's none of those things. It's just plain disappointing.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Just like the fairy tales I heard as a little girl, I feel like Valentine's Day generates a lot of hype for what's bound to be more like a soul-crushing dose of reality than a happily ever after. Whether I've been in a relationship or not on this amorous day, it never fails to disappoint. If I'm not in a relationship, sure there's the in-your-faceness of all the couples around who seem to be living the Valentine's Day dream, but even when I've been in a relationship, the cliche box of chocolates and red roses just leave something to be desired.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Where's the spontaneity, the individuality, the real heart-feltness in it? Where are the flowers just because, not because it's Valentine's Day? Where are the words of affection that are written from the heart, not from the Hallmark factory? </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I would love real, honest-to-goodness, personalized romance any day, but especially when it's absent on a day when I'm told I'm supposed to get it (even in mass-market, impersonalized ways) it just really drives the point home. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Trying to spare some of my students the agony of feeling unloved or not as loved as their classmates, I stuffed some extra Valentines into their envelopes. Maybe it wasn't the most honest thing to do, but I didn't want to watch Sophia opening her two Valentines while Poly opened her twelve. As I checked the envelopes, I realized I didn't need to stuff David's because he took care of it for himself! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSD096Jo3vExhjN874vIs5ibJqmXp9CfpwyCCTWnP6g6HAHtXl9sdNVZ-Ob4ONsSHIfOfxWiv1WcMRGrkrjfWvFfBoGuyXQknDku6NU7NWDJQ3ZEgDv3H4jPpj_jHDgJ5-1l-_vg5YP4c/s400/DSC01614.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573456578632740866" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); "><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Preach it, David!</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; ">Whether you're in a relationship or not this Valentine's Day, please remember to love yourself!</span></i></div></span>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16035676203359487661noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6750170544393970349.post-76580651192499537692011-01-15T21:35:00.000-08:002011-01-15T21:40:07.737-08:00MIAHello friends! I'm sorry I've been so MIA for the past couple months... life in Korea has gotten busier and busier. There are still plenty of things to tell you about, but I can't seem to find the time or motivation to do so. <div><br /></div><div>To be honest, I feel sort of overwhelmed right now by the effort it takes to try to live a life in a foreign country while still maintaining relationships back home. It's a lot of work and it leaves me feeling strapped for time. </div><div><br /></div><div>Please accept this lame little post as my way of saying, "I'm alive, I'm doing well, I just don't have time to chronicle it right now." </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16035676203359487661noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6750170544393970349.post-36667566905021014052010-11-26T14:09:00.001-08:002010-11-26T20:25:39.045-08:00I'm A-OK<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDn81yJZJsMrYydf3WXoRAqxqDC4A0biCfR1CtugbdSwowXxMnz1llgLJ5clFcoHyrUt1t3F3LBy5_m7K_IkGxI3cZYrVNz7rbx2ukpUgq7qJGPHc__euDrz2LsC1DClNz67pCWBwA2qw/s1600/DSC00327.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDn81yJZJsMrYydf3WXoRAqxqDC4A0biCfR1CtugbdSwowXxMnz1llgLJ5clFcoHyrUt1t3F3LBy5_m7K_IkGxI3cZYrVNz7rbx2ukpUgq7qJGPHc__euDrz2LsC1DClNz67pCWBwA2qw/s400/DSC00327.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543984639130913298" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i>View of Seoul from the Seoul Tower</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">I'm sure most of you have heard about the bombings here in South Korea on Tuesday, and I want to try to put your mind at ease as much I can. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">First, although this was the first time North Korea killed civilians in an attack, most sources I've read or spoken to agree that this is "just another stunt" by the North. I'll admit, it's a bit unnerving to live in a country where you see plumes of smoke on TV one day, and it's business as usual the next. My South Korean friends told me they're just used to it. I think that's incredibly sad to have to be "used to" bombings and threats on a regular basis. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The good news is that China isn't supporting their latest scare tactic, although they're not really taking a stand against them, and the North seems to be worried that their only source of outside support right now is coming from China, which is why they're demanding money from Seoul and Washington. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Seoul and Washington's take on the matter is called "strategic patience" which I take to mean that they'll let the North throw little fits, without doing much in retaliation. By continuing to wait it out and not give aid, they're hoping to starve out and further isolate the North Koreans, which I don't totally agree with. Many North Koreans are already starving to death and are trapped under a bloody regime of terror. Also, I feel that letting them get to a point of sheer desperation isn't the best idea. Then again, I don't want Seoul and Washington to retaliate on a full-blown war level, so I guess it's a good thing I'm not making the decisions in this matter. The cost for Seoul would be devastating, while the North seems to view civilian and military casualties as cheap and utterly expendable. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">To put your mind at ease, I want to assure you that I'm not in any danger here and the US embassy (which I am registered with, rest assured) hasn't issued any warnings or evacuations. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I think if it <i>did</i> come to evacuations, I would be absolutely devastated to leave my children behind. But it hasn't come to that, and I'm confident that it won't, so for now I'll continue to teach and explore and grow. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Thank you for all your emails of concern and your prayers - they mean a lot!</div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16035676203359487661noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6750170544393970349.post-243420241619168932010-11-12T04:38:00.000-08:002010-11-14T01:15:06.301-08:00Seoul Lantern FestivalLast weekend I went to the Seoul Lantern Festival with some of my friends and it was both breathtaking and ridiculously crowded. It's definitely a plus to be a 5'10" American woman in such situations, though, because I had a pretty good view of the lanterns, and my friends could find me easily if we got separated.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6pZxPNYHT5kt4Ez6a7AB9zaviTQ44KbWP8QjqUGX0JGIxjwVJwDZ9b-Q8cVTew9kvktmxKbdp5RgLeAHR9GumKpvh2OL07LvNG14W3XTy7PMl1FhJxVSbOKkyCajIq2pEz6AOdNpC2xE/s1600/DSC00672.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6pZxPNYHT5kt4Ez6a7AB9zaviTQ44KbWP8QjqUGX0JGIxjwVJwDZ9b-Q8cVTew9kvktmxKbdp5RgLeAHR9GumKpvh2OL07LvNG14W3XTy7PMl1FhJxVSbOKkyCajIq2pEz6AOdNpC2xE/s400/DSC00672.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538643292751583026" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i>Some hanging lanterns and some lotus lanterns in the stream. Lovely!</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i><br /></i></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCofq9uYgZlDHcuAHy8qLiM5qYcfqXOSMxoMT04L3SmI5-T0VPxkMF1f6tgswN_USxfpQF4vscHWH5d_vzDNStcJyOPH4QhkDqIubEOl-hwHS8j2Cqg09yMILHemA8hylw6ppW2Cm13Pc/s1600/DSC00641.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCofq9uYgZlDHcuAHy8qLiM5qYcfqXOSMxoMT04L3SmI5-T0VPxkMF1f6tgswN_USxfpQF4vscHWH5d_vzDNStcJyOPH4QhkDqIubEOl-hwHS8j2Cqg09yMILHemA8hylw6ppW2Cm13Pc/s400/DSC00641.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538642998832605122" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i>This one was my favorite - a woman in a hanbok sitting in a lotus bloom. </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i><br /></i></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Z2ZX59FcB_iK2IdNzZ1TnaaxI0c1svhBa6H2AIcrwVbjr2DctaMTKP5PifcO8CcREI7gb-IFwYXi-m6Hob-FGzDgzPIaUimP4NGhKe7oycQGPk5etLRSlSWI3rjorLqqbCIoicExLuQ/s1600/DSC00660.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Z2ZX59FcB_iK2IdNzZ1TnaaxI0c1svhBa6H2AIcrwVbjr2DctaMTKP5PifcO8CcREI7gb-IFwYXi-m6Hob-FGzDgzPIaUimP4NGhKe7oycQGPk5etLRSlSWI3rjorLqqbCIoicExLuQ/s400/DSC00660.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538642893859766322" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); "><i>The hanging lanterns up and down the stream really made the whole night sparkle.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); "><i><br /></i></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6_n-YIwKeX_8PBEGQoymN04vWEdR3KuzPyBsLygi_sqTUteVxiEHfhyHTixWLGzL81akCEIYYE9vodYLIUyH8eJwsEHn_VpYqoTrK8RbeFVv4VMADmtQZIBNRAxXSzsKKPlymloSjqb0/s1600/DSC00666.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6_n-YIwKeX_8PBEGQoymN04vWEdR3KuzPyBsLygi_sqTUteVxiEHfhyHTixWLGzL81akCEIYYE9vodYLIUyH8eJwsEHn_VpYqoTrK8RbeFVv4VMADmtQZIBNRAxXSzsKKPlymloSjqb0/s400/DSC00666.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538642785930922306" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i>Some of the lanterns were two stories high!</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimVMzi4BKRhDRYC0R6M2Hp0lFLL7M8jPGI3iYnjp1k6cdu48owbhhCe7cTZ4hGsHr2i8ez-MEb5CrkVFb0GLyNUHVU1EBtmhEc0xWCN1LV66pQYikXckZIwbXJ6yn895tpeWwVX-FYHTY/s1600/DSC00690.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimVMzi4BKRhDRYC0R6M2Hp0lFLL7M8jPGI3iYnjp1k6cdu48owbhhCe7cTZ4hGsHr2i8ez-MEb5CrkVFb0GLyNUHVU1EBtmhEc0xWCN1LV66pQYikXckZIwbXJ6yn895tpeWwVX-FYHTY/s400/DSC00690.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538642556799779250" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); "><i>There was a special lantern in honor of the G 20 Summit... President Obama sure looks happy about it!</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhISMV3ENQD54xhPJlNdGaJa6JcX8YYjjobd07JJybuedRRbnypuLTumETLWNJklg4_4l0Not4LiZQAsRNxFi9N9tlXVijG1YJgiAdBLhFcjLrsxJzd-zsARp236SfHxz8cAk5mucprz3o/s1600/DSC00683.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhISMV3ENQD54xhPJlNdGaJa6JcX8YYjjobd07JJybuedRRbnypuLTumETLWNJklg4_4l0Not4LiZQAsRNxFi9N9tlXVijG1YJgiAdBLhFcjLrsxJzd-zsARp236SfHxz8cAk5mucprz3o/s400/DSC00683.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538642372023870034" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i>Not sure what this lantern is... looks like an angry red genie bursting out of a flaming box.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_TZa3Hn7LPowWxarSmOXx5f-l05QgpGGwktPf5bImmFpQfthyphenhyphen2472B2MnoUjHJKBmJqEZzKXeIodpxN0I1zUs6Ka_A-PQ9yhbr9jNqRldKpqDfQAUkYMewYIGpTb1TLvB5kDVUPwzQEM/s1600/DSC00661.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_TZa3Hn7LPowWxarSmOXx5f-l05QgpGGwktPf5bImmFpQfthyphenhyphen2472B2MnoUjHJKBmJqEZzKXeIodpxN0I1zUs6Ka_A-PQ9yhbr9jNqRldKpqDfQAUkYMewYIGpTb1TLvB5kDVUPwzQEM/s400/DSC00661.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538642258556972098" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i>Hey! I know that lady!</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i><br /></i></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvo8l6lj6fqZmB61EfgS0mgI7CcATFBapT5GzxzBbRR24mJKQBYSVTXj67QWETkksO10trSXejBYvoEn-QHG9uM8uqVZYZrX5NOPQiHxOjk39IDAMlQt799lDAIYK9_IVGtrTfxP9-vl8/s1600/DSC00658.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvo8l6lj6fqZmB61EfgS0mgI7CcATFBapT5GzxzBbRR24mJKQBYSVTXj67QWETkksO10trSXejBYvoEn-QHG9uM8uqVZYZrX5NOPQiHxOjk39IDAMlQt799lDAIYK9_IVGtrTfxP9-vl8/s400/DSC00658.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538642160984603186" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i>If you ask me, the Seoul mascot is a bit... cheesy. It's hard to believe this is what they want representing them to the world. </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUdwBoFzjLFML_ghkn8zLnX8rtd55rcXuURb3VO3Av1yee3RF9c3H-UN6SjLktiDJ_7hyphenhyphendIAv8AI0p_EFHZIVd0IsgqnwoSZGsZC2C86xKD1r7ABC7GqdIj9KTmj0VK6ixxt-1YrZFyfA/s1600/DSC00652.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUdwBoFzjLFML_ghkn8zLnX8rtd55rcXuURb3VO3Av1yee3RF9c3H-UN6SjLktiDJ_7hyphenhyphendIAv8AI0p_EFHZIVd0IsgqnwoSZGsZC2C86xKD1r7ABC7GqdIj9KTmj0VK6ixxt-1YrZFyfA/s400/DSC00652.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538642053780760482" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i>Yay! It's almost Christmas!!</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">I had a great time taking in the glowing sights and spending time with my good friends. I highly recommend seeing a lantern festival if you come to Korea - they're spectacular! Luckily you don't have to plan your travel itinerary around one because they happen quite frequently in different areas all over SoKo. In fact, festivals of any nature always seem to be going on! I like that they find ways to celebrate even the little things in life, like kimchi. Yes, there is a kimchi festival and I want to go!</div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16035676203359487661noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6750170544393970349.post-11505008310777875842010-11-11T23:52:00.000-08:002010-11-12T00:20:01.288-08:00Chez MoiI can't believe I've lived here for over four months already... and I haven't shared any photos of my apartment! <i>Mee ahn hamneeda!</i> (Sorry!) So, with no further adieu, I give you <i>Chez Becky</i>:<div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilRbZ6tapkxJ2IPjvUY0Uz-qhPUcfc7-O5GHzFuTRktOeQ8nphHYKtIlEjcwFQi6Lau3sN6RiZTreycst1UcmKXO-yRqa32LkvueLMBaIE9XxbeiaMbMp-kKH_hQ1r6uXJS8GEfncduYI/s1600/DSC00722.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilRbZ6tapkxJ2IPjvUY0Uz-qhPUcfc7-O5GHzFuTRktOeQ8nphHYKtIlEjcwFQi6Lau3sN6RiZTreycst1UcmKXO-yRqa32LkvueLMBaIE9XxbeiaMbMp-kKH_hQ1r6uXJS8GEfncduYI/s400/DSC00722.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538569699892058866" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i>I love my view! I'm on the 17th Floor, so I really get a birds-eye view of Sanbon and beyond!</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i><br /></i></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjFP6zAB1Q7BK6toJsFHbM7GF7SyMRqO7PmkGqSKXp4mReo5jHMeC9slgpLtLY0ifrxoYGmFdiPpdpAfOe34pkucDtUk-sZWuVPGOpJZkB76vgpwOEUntgRSY_PCdhb6GPW_IXdUhFtfg/s1600/DSC00705.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjFP6zAB1Q7BK6toJsFHbM7GF7SyMRqO7PmkGqSKXp4mReo5jHMeC9slgpLtLY0ifrxoYGmFdiPpdpAfOe34pkucDtUk-sZWuVPGOpJZkB76vgpwOEUntgRSY_PCdhb6GPW_IXdUhFtfg/s400/DSC00705.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538569549840667250" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i>My Living Room, which features an entire wall of windows! Love it! </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i><br /></i></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIArDefm0FAn9XYFvBqAL_ZfYvNErHRPWE_pSouvVt-sDe8gp_D_NFrVuZnYCC8_6KFAvXnn9j1LiS_dIBeGlfdrdtTH8ptsrxedNPhoVAZGtTpq0NrSmFUJUhd25lPZREwaikoRdUrVA/s1600/DSC00706.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIArDefm0FAn9XYFvBqAL_ZfYvNErHRPWE_pSouvVt-sDe8gp_D_NFrVuZnYCC8_6KFAvXnn9j1LiS_dIBeGlfdrdtTH8ptsrxedNPhoVAZGtTpq0NrSmFUJUhd25lPZREwaikoRdUrVA/s400/DSC00706.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538569419991370178" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i>Living Room/Desk area. I found that fabric on the wall at Dongdaemun Market and it really spiced up the place! I used the remainder of the fabric to cover my headboard! </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i><br /></i></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRSiMUsaKTqCDNQ5j0P7_BbmVCwEmHGNsHfEy_h19caJgYCCIYXP5Mj-HpWgYLMvEV_rpZoh-7O0TOS4VSpNKHP2DmosbYYuK0X39kzvGSmnSd9G5JBOviMbEvRC7FvZd29lPv-IiFywY/s1600/DSC00707.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRSiMUsaKTqCDNQ5j0P7_BbmVCwEmHGNsHfEy_h19caJgYCCIYXP5Mj-HpWgYLMvEV_rpZoh-7O0TOS4VSpNKHP2DmosbYYuK0X39kzvGSmnSd9G5JBOviMbEvRC7FvZd29lPv-IiFywY/s400/DSC00707.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538569283957374802" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i>I'm really lucky to have an American style bed... and a Queen Size at that! No sleeping on the floor for me! :) (And a big Thank You to my mom for the amazing sheets! I love them!)</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i><br /></i></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTvbWqJruSfVmpSR4dYMVTWb7tuZ0Fmm8AtbG2hoFZ8Yn74dDXDnQJCBTZQGZCnqRfWCqrMtBJC5bwltriv_aedH45sB2dgjztmVmqf-1EExX7KCT6qvjiza27l16DKvhJgVVK1-CDKMg/s1600/DSC00709.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTvbWqJruSfVmpSR4dYMVTWb7tuZ0Fmm8AtbG2hoFZ8Yn74dDXDnQJCBTZQGZCnqRfWCqrMtBJC5bwltriv_aedH45sB2dgjztmVmqf-1EExX7KCT6qvjiza27l16DKvhJgVVK1-CDKMg/s400/DSC00709.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538569173340938482" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i>Kitchen/Entryway. You can see my tiny washer (no dryer) and miniscule cooking range. It only has two tiny burners! Still, I've made do, but I miss having an oven for sure!</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i><br /></i></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhFUe_O_ZrmCW0cfSvyimRSySDxrirPUR5YUpOgm82p5Aq1uowNdjSYdYXzvadMkunl63nQuJLygUgkO3h6fzPemZyxk56YF_YJm06Zz5IYoZUVCvDKCuJhHmvCmtOB4QRgwK3DcXamfM/s1600/DSC00710.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhFUe_O_ZrmCW0cfSvyimRSySDxrirPUR5YUpOgm82p5Aq1uowNdjSYdYXzvadMkunl63nQuJLygUgkO3h6fzPemZyxk56YF_YJm06Zz5IYoZUVCvDKCuJhHmvCmtOB4QRgwK3DcXamfM/s400/DSC00710.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538569054819594914" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i>Entryway/Kitchen/Bathroom. Yes, I am totally Korean and I take my shoes off indoors and leave them at the entryway. Plus, you can see my little bathroom slippers that I wear in there, too.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i><br /></i></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLEhb-7uuNYumX6qxPku2Kb_m4oGZhcm4k2ZTHj295LCcwScZkQ9hs-d9hA_TEv7Optux0BA8Nn4GxGrByOdDaNGRkQJ3jAaKjsrUJmKP_MRuxCEcCsrU6Y4wTNr32d4yt9XEYraGwuIU/s1600/DSC00711.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLEhb-7uuNYumX6qxPku2Kb_m4oGZhcm4k2ZTHj295LCcwScZkQ9hs-d9hA_TEv7Optux0BA8Nn4GxGrByOdDaNGRkQJ3jAaKjsrUJmKP_MRuxCEcCsrU6Y4wTNr32d4yt9XEYraGwuIU/s400/DSC00711.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538568918200587170" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i>Not a super exciting photo, but I figured you might like to see the telecom device that rings when someone rings my doorbell. The little TV turns on and I can see them outside my door, and pick up the phone and talk to them if I want to. This is particularly handy for avoiding Jehovah's Witnesses. The little dial knob to the left is to turn on my floor heat, which is how all buildings are heated here in South Korea. Quite cozy!</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i><br /></i></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-kEy_Np85YHsUiu07AkRaFfGonUm0vrKKsMGHqQga0u1Hdyl-dVW6c4bYEBL8YocnTF18vV-pJTtoKkrjkWQft8_BzJSfh0oDxu3CXqEQqQEZdPu2yLS9OOTmrsO-6fY6zrhcdodSAUE/s1600/DSC00713.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-kEy_Np85YHsUiu07AkRaFfGonUm0vrKKsMGHqQga0u1Hdyl-dVW6c4bYEBL8YocnTF18vV-pJTtoKkrjkWQft8_BzJSfh0oDxu3CXqEQqQEZdPu2yLS9OOTmrsO-6fY6zrhcdodSAUE/s400/DSC00713.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538568837867193602" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i>View of my apartment from the front door. </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i><br /></i></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilhprAzDmyPnS5WggqqgSDomzxFA7_lHMe-wmh_XjjyGphK8MpPJb8-iVHtXAlJaXnvXuLdbS2v0KKzjh3RDASGHPDNNlzVrFb9TtiOU1PDLq7AyWotmdweHkPSFk_oVrrR1jLeJTFxIw/s1600/DSC00712.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilhprAzDmyPnS5WggqqgSDomzxFA7_lHMe-wmh_XjjyGphK8MpPJb8-iVHtXAlJaXnvXuLdbS2v0KKzjh3RDASGHPDNNlzVrFb9TtiOU1PDLq7AyWotmdweHkPSFk_oVrrR1jLeJTFxIw/s400/DSC00712.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538568681458339266" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i>My little fridge, complete with a magnet from Janice (Thanks, J!) and some family memories. (Em, I need more pictures of the girls!)</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i><br /></i></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha_LTNxqrecHhEhBn5WfqGyDpr5W8sCqmdctSu_jabs3IlmoqVsL8ME47nRpQ5q9i-jrkgjzZ-cPcBZwX9YBuh7Mutc5l23tnfIkLaltzRtqILVTAAdkVOOERFYWzJHaVwol5NS3pTzhA/s1600/DSC00715.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha_LTNxqrecHhEhBn5WfqGyDpr5W8sCqmdctSu_jabs3IlmoqVsL8ME47nRpQ5q9i-jrkgjzZ-cPcBZwX9YBuh7Mutc5l23tnfIkLaltzRtqILVTAAdkVOOERFYWzJHaVwol5NS3pTzhA/s400/DSC00715.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538568510896238386" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i>And here is the Shathroom. Hmm. Maybe I need to come up with another name. Anyway, my entire bathroom is the shower! You can see the square drain on the floor and the shower head is just right there on the wall. It's a little annoying that everything gets wet every time I shower, but I'm getting used to it. It makes cleaning the bathroom a breeze, though. Scrub it up and hose it down! :)</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i><br /></i></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfN8tmdGYJJGC9bVhaKVNgFC7nx5tbRLVAkoRJd04jzibNCB1z2qRqJ7kaYWU0jrDCNTZ7U2g9EF4_JwbrK8qs5Qm4llpAtiupAAU9ZNLt4RvU4MrNKy_pqoWAQsxa3e4dwr1CcmZ37_I/s1600/DSC00716.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfN8tmdGYJJGC9bVhaKVNgFC7nx5tbRLVAkoRJd04jzibNCB1z2qRqJ7kaYWU0jrDCNTZ7U2g9EF4_JwbrK8qs5Qm4llpAtiupAAU9ZNLt4RvU4MrNKy_pqoWAQsxa3e4dwr1CcmZ37_I/s400/DSC00716.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538568387701786098" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i>More bathroom. It's hard to make it look very inviting when everything gets doused all the time. This little plant seems to like the climate, and the candle is just out of range of the shower, so at least I've got that going for my bathroom! :)</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i><br /></i></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjODALWfpylyuMx36r9fFrcVG2EMK2qjiocUdntP0F2HrX6vAYvxRRrh29vqobUuh5N8yxt3OT5oPEVVTXOQR8DVPEEjFpwmVgA1zeswd-ZDM4WTIm7DG5lkBbWAZdJidJG0hXOQlPloLk/s1600/DSC00723.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjODALWfpylyuMx36r9fFrcVG2EMK2qjiocUdntP0F2HrX6vAYvxRRrh29vqobUuh5N8yxt3OT5oPEVVTXOQR8DVPEEjFpwmVgA1zeswd-ZDM4WTIm7DG5lkBbWAZdJidJG0hXOQlPloLk/s400/DSC00723.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538569841014356290" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); "><i>Et voila! I hope you liked my little tour! </i></span></div></div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16035676203359487661noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6750170544393970349.post-40533792048953583612010-11-07T02:36:00.001-08:002010-11-08T00:43:02.425-08:00To Market, To Market<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0NGOVG8x1NaTXfja_o-_QJbMkSdTxhmCXFK0MwSqlX2mW31IYx7OAFGp0qSjuuXNFS6pG6lZeXz428cOho8hIml0cXeGVPl2khI5ifSUwuxenzb8mUtFgZEQE9iN1tbRpgFy2x7h_smQ/s1600/DSC00617.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0NGOVG8x1NaTXfja_o-_QJbMkSdTxhmCXFK0MwSqlX2mW31IYx7OAFGp0qSjuuXNFS6pG6lZeXz428cOho8hIml0cXeGVPl2khI5ifSUwuxenzb8mUtFgZEQE9iN1tbRpgFy2x7h_smQ/s400/DSC00617.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536772165643196658" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i>The Chungang Market in Anyang.</i></span></div><br />If there is one shopping experience I absolutely love, it's a good market. I miss the Farmers Market back home in Charlotte a lot, but thankfully SoKo has some options as well. Last weekend I strolled around Anyang looking for some Christmas presents for my family, when I stumbled across the Chungang Market. Hooray! <div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMJezIRY_bZrecX_PQ08P_GXZ6NS0tYiMmmKPJZkpzCtvo1VuWj0GloGAixgdS05jxV2GOWSJFJlq-0jPuES4rKuxRlyMfBMvaw2xQFhMEYHrjIRwKyqIP8Zu85aNBi2Hoq73JRFvVLCc/s1600/DSC00623.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMJezIRY_bZrecX_PQ08P_GXZ6NS0tYiMmmKPJZkpzCtvo1VuWj0GloGAixgdS05jxV2GOWSJFJlq-0jPuES4rKuxRlyMfBMvaw2xQFhMEYHrjIRwKyqIP8Zu85aNBi2Hoq73JRFvVLCc/s400/DSC00623.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536755288389842498" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i>Spices, beans, roots and lots of things that I can't pronounce.</i></span></div><br />The Chungang Market is a semi-outdoor market that is simply bursting with stall after stall of vendors selling everything from underwear to intestines. Yup, I said intestines. You can watch a woman measuring rice, then walk two feet away and watch another woman gutting a pig. I won't lie, some of the sights were a bit traumatic. </div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqjRumS1RTf8HbxyAjIje3Poar5Mjz9KunQgf1psaThovZbdfjaq-h_ssCxCqD3YzX29m9dem9a9_3FayLI1RzuOn2sA7fcZ9DdfjAblW9MbfyCfWDwNTMEIRLdRoUCVq20CMogh2kTWQ/s1600/DSC00620.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqjRumS1RTf8HbxyAjIje3Poar5Mjz9KunQgf1psaThovZbdfjaq-h_ssCxCqD3YzX29m9dem9a9_3FayLI1RzuOn2sA7fcZ9DdfjAblW9MbfyCfWDwNTMEIRLdRoUCVq20CMogh2kTWQ/s400/DSC00620.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536755008197926690" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i>Ginseng!</i></span></div><br />Although South Korea is very techno-savvy and seems to be rushing into the future at light speed, I love the fact that they're still very much into Slow Food, farmers markets and alternatives to Western medicine. </div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16035676203359487661noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6750170544393970349.post-71893717578434679262010-10-30T17:47:00.000-07:002010-10-30T18:15:15.685-07:00Another SoKo Shopping Adventure<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi26NdzX8wtiX44xOAJVgoTs1wG1bc_aYr9U7wPWRWQaPr_l5oTEIFfryNXUHrRP4NZ6jovxvN2AblxEbCvsNQLMTIatv0kBFwS_pRBQDsO1bUK3wlkY44t1zb8ap_vC9O0XUYIuo2fjFI/s1600/DSC00607.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi26NdzX8wtiX44xOAJVgoTs1wG1bc_aYr9U7wPWRWQaPr_l5oTEIFfryNXUHrRP4NZ6jovxvN2AblxEbCvsNQLMTIatv0kBFwS_pRBQDsO1bUK3wlkY44t1zb8ap_vC9O0XUYIuo2fjFI/s400/DSC00607.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534009947823939954" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i>A creepy statue outside of Costco: "Let's look fondly at that little girl crying on the wall!"</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div>Yesterday my friend Sheila and I decided to brave the Seoul bus system and make another trip to Costco. The whole trip usually takes about five hours and is a pretty jarring experience due to the language barriers, crowds and - most of all - the bus drivers. <div><br /></div><div>I'm not sure if the bus drivers here in Seoul have had any sort of driving education, because they wield their massive bus like it's a Mini Cooper through traffic. I wish there was a way to adequately describe how terrifying this experience is, but there are no words. Let's just say that everyone looks particularly pale and shaky when they get off the bus, especially us <i>waygooks</i>. </div><div><br /></div><div>While we were waiting for the bus, I decided to have a little sip of something to calm my stomach before the inevitable storm, and found this tantalizing selection: </div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEHXfe_tVcFRPxOTLhFNu-7Gzrem2Om8sCQ5b_CdKeErpSQ9-4wPsfWD2zNEpgr8stFKk8j6OLK5qXwsKCWUeDwbmzOYBGqS9fhnwmp8l7YBlB4T-Yq0kLObILsukAPQifI1Iz4k2ks0k/s1600/DSC00603.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEHXfe_tVcFRPxOTLhFNu-7Gzrem2Om8sCQ5b_CdKeErpSQ9-4wPsfWD2zNEpgr8stFKk8j6OLK5qXwsKCWUeDwbmzOYBGqS9fhnwmp8l7YBlB4T-Yq0kLObILsukAPQifI1Iz4k2ks0k/s400/DSC00603.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534009524107650722" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); "><i>Mmm! I love random!</i></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Besides the usually beggars and business people at the bus stop, on this particular trip we had the pleasure of seeing an <i>ajuma </i>with maroon hair and purple velvet ruched pants. Pretty sweet. </div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9gLA2wso8pMf-Y_Xq6jMiX_BILrsvxqLJ8zsn-KPzGt9oCiMU_oTsMOwJAZ3A1srvaOOrDVirM_APq-2IEofX21abae4EAg_r7qmGd1NbbdWP_Ktf0-ebegkyjfJSJ9EI2J4QLNp-4Lk/s1600/DSC00606.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9gLA2wso8pMf-Y_Xq6jMiX_BILrsvxqLJ8zsn-KPzGt9oCiMU_oTsMOwJAZ3A1srvaOOrDVirM_APq-2IEofX21abae4EAg_r7qmGd1NbbdWP_Ktf0-ebegkyjfJSJ9EI2J4QLNp-4Lk/s400/DSC00606.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534009271454296114" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); "><i>A fashion statement, indeed.</i></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>After a long and somewhat stressful shopping endeavor, I left with some nice tastes of home: Swiss Miss Hot Cocoa, Kashi cereal, Cheerios, Carr's Table Water Crackers, Craisins, Tampons and -<i> hallelujah </i>- cheese! It's nearly impossible to find decent cheese in SoKo, and for a decent price. </div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMzShhnbBRKLJ0n5TJFCNob7MbcKdZIL1s9U5v8jvdnupp8YvAjg_7p7ZkEyYvi8nwijzLU6zD27SidI_jLy0oWxr2m5oci1rDEqCY0SoW0bgsPbMLAh6gmCvbPAxaxbYk_sANJ05nVbQ/s1600/DSC00608.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMzShhnbBRKLJ0n5TJFCNob7MbcKdZIL1s9U5v8jvdnupp8YvAjg_7p7ZkEyYvi8nwijzLU6zD27SidI_jLy0oWxr2m5oci1rDEqCY0SoW0bgsPbMLAh6gmCvbPAxaxbYk_sANJ05nVbQ/s400/DSC00608.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534010158140541042" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); "><i>A slight disparity in size: bulk Craisins vs. "bulk" tampons.</i></span></div></div><div><br /></div><div>All in all, I'm glad there's a Costco where I can get some nice American products from time to time, even though the journey is long and nauseating. Enjoying some cheese and crackers makes it all worthwhile, and at least I know the Costco products aren't eons old like some of the things at the Foreign Foods Market in Itaewon: </div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtXDChRBt-6VaVhFku_3YUN3KiFEvOWch1CeEmjSnrAkaxdzOq7xV1b6N3Pnu7mUb8rAa197duL6Gh9wF4xnq0yREEIqnahhvl9mpdfGpscypsjQlbA4ETCkyfS0YN7kJyaN09GHdvsI0/s1600/DSC00517.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtXDChRBt-6VaVhFku_3YUN3KiFEvOWch1CeEmjSnrAkaxdzOq7xV1b6N3Pnu7mUb8rAa197duL6Gh9wF4xnq0yREEIqnahhvl9mpdfGpscypsjQlbA4ETCkyfS0YN7kJyaN09GHdvsI0/s400/DSC00517.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534010405181831138" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i>I'm pretty sure this deodorant is older than me. Plus, they syrup I bought there already expired. Thanks, Foreign Foods Market.</i></span></div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16035676203359487661noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6750170544393970349.post-2201121942143485492010-10-30T02:58:00.000-07:002010-10-30T03:22:54.272-07:00SoKo Wedding<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCSxr8bLUV3TAIVM7i-hlyE6Zak5-bc8Yp9Jzm8BdEGt0Rub06IQk65T6skrMY1m1YzMqms3U-GYPelM18FxJ2lfM1Qb_OyoOwM0OOm76bLZtXK_nTEQlD2L73yBDyqlw8yVRHxGoQ5cU/s1600/DSC00587.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCSxr8bLUV3TAIVM7i-hlyE6Zak5-bc8Yp9Jzm8BdEGt0Rub06IQk65T6skrMY1m1YzMqms3U-GYPelM18FxJ2lfM1Qb_OyoOwM0OOm76bLZtXK_nTEQlD2L73yBDyqlw8yVRHxGoQ5cU/s400/DSC00587.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533776915426854338" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">I like his sparkly suit jacket!</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;">I had the honor of being invited to my coworkers wedding this past weekend, and I jumped at the chance to see a Korean wedding in action. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">When we arrived at the wedding hall (Koreans don't usually get married in churches) we took pictures with the bride in the "Bride's Room", which was basically a public room where wedding attendees and whoever wanted to could gawk at the lovely lady. I felt like I was intruding to be in a picture with her right before her ceremony, but according to my Korean friends, that's how it's done. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJp53gDVgI8lXrY4f0e6SH-cno7HDGPVqj6UzidgHJE6Swd8m4_n8SUzHnmf1NaFRYkOoC7fUBxUXATdkycPp9-EINpyU93122-bBrf1G2h_axPwoJpTxONQHJfSUrVZ6yxgY5mKRGR5M/s1600/DSC00565.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJp53gDVgI8lXrY4f0e6SH-cno7HDGPVqj6UzidgHJE6Swd8m4_n8SUzHnmf1NaFRYkOoC7fUBxUXATdkycPp9-EINpyU93122-bBrf1G2h_axPwoJpTxONQHJfSUrVZ6yxgY5mKRGR5M/s400/DSC00565.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533781223289995106" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i>The wedding hall.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;">The ceremony itself was super short. There wasn't a bridal party, and the bride and groom walked down the aisle both ways together. Probably the most unusual part was during the wedding, people were talking and milling around like they were just at some party and there wasn't a solemn exchange of vows happening. One woman behind me answered her phone and had a nice little chat. It was weird. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">After the ceremony, there was a huge buffet, which we all paid to eat. Instead of wedding gifts, you give an envelope of money prior to the ceremony and get a meal ticket in return. Not exactly romantic, but I guess you don't have to worry about gift receipts, either. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7NXgdhG5kaSjQG_7P1b3ujnKCe4I2DGkVy2Iz5D4ZDUXk052QmTs5fhORFzYYOuvX5C_cFUYhupTuxyahT3HlFi_FFqhzE9ryYCPsG4sl2ZgOB0SoLqMQxAW3fS-8MDO3WoQ0xM5i_ZI/s1600/DSC00564.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7NXgdhG5kaSjQG_7P1b3ujnKCe4I2DGkVy2Iz5D4ZDUXk052QmTs5fhORFzYYOuvX5C_cFUYhupTuxyahT3HlFi_FFqhzE9ryYCPsG4sl2ZgOB0SoLqMQxAW3fS-8MDO3WoQ0xM5i_ZI/s400/DSC00564.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533779513119451714" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i>Let's eat!</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i><br /></i></span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;">During the buffet, the bride and groom literally jogged in, lit something resembling an Olympic torch for the cameras, cut the cake for the cameras and held up a glass of champagne for the cameras... then left. No dancing. No greeting the guests. No enjoying their dinner. And promptly after eating, everyone left the banquet hall, too. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Although it was a beautiful wedding, I think I'd like my sacred ceremony to be a little more... sacred. No cell phones. No cash for food ticket deals. And there will most definitely be dancing. </div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16035676203359487661noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6750170544393970349.post-51230279830513314482010-10-07T15:32:00.000-07:002010-10-11T04:52:20.849-07:00Things I Miss Most<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiX9Hr52P9YIy5O1jLWtR6P-bqkc9iri4EfbZn65kBK250DobuGowCwnBAGKxPCkdTr9iI3yOvML9mEMSk7jOX62CvHOPqn-OTcgn8T2uDFenCs1AGnHe7oUFXuO02F_u7y3WKdYb5bb4/s1600/IMG_0289.JPG"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLhTtjIHARHfXhyphenhyphenM24hj5NYNjSBCZDNKulVmBWlkOWyHvDCh_WaNUJcNFHrx8C1Uuwu2bT7NMI__f889Vovr68nb9Ixw2zJZG0wUt1ugdxWCseDcUsWU0pfcVR61MA0QVStNSFNnVyo_c/s1600/Photo+on+2010-06-27+at+09.52+%234.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLhTtjIHARHfXhyphenhyphenM24hj5NYNjSBCZDNKulVmBWlkOWyHvDCh_WaNUJcNFHrx8C1Uuwu2bT7NMI__f889Vovr68nb9Ixw2zJZG0wUt1ugdxWCseDcUsWU0pfcVR61MA0QVStNSFNnVyo_c/s400/Photo+on+2010-06-27+at+09.52+%234.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526754339076386786" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Missing the North Carolina Mountains</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Here's a random list I thought of while I was enjoying a cup of tea (one of my daily half-dozen) and just reminiscing about home.</span></span></div><ul> <li style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Seeing Friends and Family-</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> skype is great and all, but man, I miss you guys. </span></span></li><li style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Whole wheat products-</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> they don't exist here. I saw what I thought was some wheat bread, but it turned out to be the regular white bread with brown food coloring. No lie.</span></span></li> <li style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Cottage cheese-</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> not sure why I miss this, but I do. Korea doesn't have much going on in the dairy department. </span></span></li> <li style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Understanding my surroundings-</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> oh, how I took this for granted!</span></span></li> <li style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Amelies French Cafe in Charlotte-</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> I miss meeting friends there, doing art, reading and sampling the many tasty pastries.</span></span></li> <li style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Cabo Fish Taco in NoDa-</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> My favorite restaurant in Charlotte. </span></span></li> <li style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Art stores that carry my printing supplies-</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> can't find them here, so I'm at the mercy of friends and family back home to send me supplies I need. Kind of frustrating. </span></span></li> <li style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Shoe shopping- </span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">they don't carry anything over a size 7 here... so I can look at all the pretty, inexpensive shoes, but I might as well be Cinderella's stepsister. *sigh*</span></span></li> <li style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Feeling like a normal-sized person-</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> not some ridiculously tall behemoth of a woman.</span></span></li> <li style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Lack of crowds-</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> too. many. people. </span></span></li> <li style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Driving where I need to go-</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> taking the subway is okay... but it takes forever and is packed with throngs of people at any time of day or night. Standing room only for an hour trip? Yay. </span></span></li> <li style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Trader Joe’s-</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> oh, how I mss thee!</span></span></li> <li style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Target-</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> I took Target's awesomeness for granted all these years... never again!</span></span></li> <li style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The mountains of North Carolina-</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> they're just way better than the mountains here. For one thing, you can actually get away from people and enjoy a scenic overlook. Not so much here. It's literally like the sidewalk just extended up a mountain and people are just continuing on their daily lives.</span></span></li> <li style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Autumn activities with my family- </span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">pumpkin carving, apple picking, cooke decorating... sigh. </span></span></li> <li style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Magazines in English- </span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">that don't cost $15 and up at the one English bookstore over an hour away from where I live. </span></span></li> <li style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Really good scented candles-</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> I don't know why, but they just don't have quality scented candles here. Over the weekend I saw some "scented candles" that smelled like car fresheners and a small one (think votive) was 20,000 Won (about $18). Crazy.</span></span></li> <li style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Baths-</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> I just have a shathroom (shower/bathroom combo) with no tub in sight. Oh how I miss my bubble baths with a nice book...</span></span></li> <li style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The Farmers Market-</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> I just love the Charlotte Farmers' Market. Sure, there are markets here, but they're just not the same. </span></span></li> <li style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Machine drying my laundry-</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> So many of my clothes are crispy and crinkled from line drying. Sure, I feel green and all, but sometimes I'd just like a nice, fluffy towel instead of a body-size piece of sand paper.</span></span></li><li style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Baking-</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> no one has ovens here... and I miss baking so much! Especially with Autumn here, I want to make my mom's famous pumpkin cookies. </span></span></li><li style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Fires-</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> especially this time of year; I </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">love</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> a good fire in the fireplace or out at a campsite. </span></span></li><li style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Feeling like I belong-</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> I really like it here, but I am still very aware that I'm an outsider, a foreigner, a waygook or however else you want to say it. I'm at the mercy of kind bilingual Koreans and while I have my little niche of friends, I still know I don't really </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">fit</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> here. </span></span></li></ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Of course, out of all of these things, the ones I miss the most are my family and friends. I dream about you guys a lot and I hold you in my heart. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiX9Hr52P9YIy5O1jLWtR6P-bqkc9iri4EfbZn65kBK250DobuGowCwnBAGKxPCkdTr9iI3yOvML9mEMSk7jOX62CvHOPqn-OTcgn8T2uDFenCs1AGnHe7oUFXuO02F_u7y3WKdYb5bb4/s400/IMG_0289.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526754425034972050" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Who wouldn't miss this? Me and my snuggly little buddy, Grady.</span></i></span></span></span></div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16035676203359487661noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6750170544393970349.post-88408819765923938392010-10-01T05:02:00.000-07:002010-10-01T05:26:49.801-07:00Noraebang!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXI6VHOoxmQXFXU-n39CBucEH1Jg1LoYl8UssE8sctSfda2gtq-HfgR1zJBDP6m-GP2bLcJ5fhl8jk4VS0MdR9pHO2lyfyIttuNPcD-tOc4igMZ_Iyz133FBl3wsOgZBh5YM8UlEoqWYI/s1600/DSC00154.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXI6VHOoxmQXFXU-n39CBucEH1Jg1LoYl8UssE8sctSfda2gtq-HfgR1zJBDP6m-GP2bLcJ5fhl8jk4VS0MdR9pHO2lyfyIttuNPcD-tOc4igMZ_Iyz133FBl3wsOgZBh5YM8UlEoqWYI/s400/DSC00154.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523047753912992034" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i>Noraebang in Seoul!</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">I was never really crazy about karaoke in the States. Call me boring, but standing in front of an audience of total strangers while my voice cracks like a choirboy going through puberty is just not my idea of a good time. Nevertheless, when I heard about the popularity of karaoke in South Korea, I decided to give it a whirl. Maybe my hoarse and raspy vocal stylings would sound delightful in Korean! <i>(Side note: they don't.)</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;">After a tasty Thai dinner, a group of friends and I went out for some <i>noraebang</i>, which literally means "singing room" in Korean. While the idea of frightening away all my friends wasn't particularly appealing, at least my humiliation would be in private. We checked into our private room and all my inhibitions immediately flew out the door... it was awesome! It was karaoke on steroids; big screen TV, strobe lights, disco balls, tambourines... you name it! One interesting addition was that the TV/karaoke machine had all these random silent movie clips in the background of the song lyrics; everything from Korean ministers preaching to a sappy love scene with a boy and girl running through a field and then crying. It really added a certain... something.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">While I'm fairly certain I did, in fact, frighten everyone else present, I had a great time! I sang <i>(read: croaked/shouted) </i>until I practically lost my voice. I'm hooked.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRfTEBLKoPMhDI8wHweZGiUxjq7Bo0bfMjTKqToHGkm2ocSEc34WPO-1MycQWAVO5iMd1eZlXvrVujb4OvOIlVdKbSWev8gY4tbVtklXdtbzbJDEItxNjgjUCFHa3oDD7GJofoM0Td0Kc/s1600/DSC00160.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRfTEBLKoPMhDI8wHweZGiUxjq7Bo0bfMjTKqToHGkm2ocSEc34WPO-1MycQWAVO5iMd1eZlXvrVujb4OvOIlVdKbSWev8gY4tbVtklXdtbzbJDEItxNjgjUCFHa3oDD7GJofoM0Td0Kc/s400/DSC00160.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523047554907477810" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i>My friend Monica rockin' the tambourine!</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i><br /></i></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigxJHFzmDhHThWwaez0seri8UhHYooK_Jwp-RiZVO_Fi5_N9Xrd7v0jnSbry8rncEerTFvWitx8psDzzrevB2I0uQs9fGqSifa637sOxLfPOPRZGkfuJIdp8O8rpYX_8msBz0aJEZqeHQ/s1600/DSC00188.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 231px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigxJHFzmDhHThWwaez0seri8UhHYooK_Jwp-RiZVO_Fi5_N9Xrd7v0jnSbry8rncEerTFvWitx8psDzzrevB2I0uQs9fGqSifa637sOxLfPOPRZGkfuJIdp8O8rpYX_8msBz0aJEZqeHQ/s400/DSC00188.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523047336398475810" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i>Yes, we were singing Kris Kross "Jump"... </i></span></div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16035676203359487661noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6750170544393970349.post-28324974139110454962010-09-24T06:23:00.000-07:002010-09-29T03:33:26.659-07:00Korean Fare<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_NfPDCGEfFrf54E_PKWhO2LL7EoMpZXhTCEK94JRm-YGPRVow0ltqRiSLIsevJwvQdc-x2tvFki8XwbtPYmzVua5wRkDMq8PqZ_bXS4fRzzZd7wQXFGvEbuiMKHYtkwGoPu4FVztHFtA/s1600/DSC00253.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_NfPDCGEfFrf54E_PKWhO2LL7EoMpZXhTCEK94JRm-YGPRVow0ltqRiSLIsevJwvQdc-x2tvFki8XwbtPYmzVua5wRkDMq8PqZ_bXS4fRzzZd7wQXFGvEbuiMKHYtkwGoPu4FVztHFtA/s400/DSC00253.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520470836484545250" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i>Korean side dishes, called banchan</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">Before coming to South Korea, I had never heard of Korean food. Ever. When I told people that I was considering moving here, everyone said, "Hope you like kimchi!" I had to look it up online to see what it was. Honestly, I was frightened. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Since moving here nearly three months ago I have fallen in love with Korean food. Not only is it colorful and delicious, it's very nutritious. Some sources say Korean food is the healthiest cuisine in the world. I'm pretty sure those sources are Korean. Still, it's quite good. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I'm sure I've only tried the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the many varieties of Korean fare, but some of my favorites so far are <i>bulgogi</i> (Korean BBQ), <i>naengmyeon</i> (cold noodle soup), lotus root, <i>dok bok ki</i> (similar to a rice pasta, though they're called rice cakes) and - yes - <i>kimchi</i>. Kimchi isn't really a main dish, it's pretty much always served with <i>banchan</i> (side dishes) which come with all Korean meals. In Korea, there's no tax on food in restaurants, no tip and all the side dishes are <i>gratis. </i>You can eat an amazing meal for less than $8... and I've even had amazing meals for less than $2.50! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">It's quite a relief that the food here is amazing, and I'm looking forward to all the new dishes I have yet to try. Luckily I get to try a lot of new things since I basically just point at the menu and hope whatever they bring me didn't used to be someone's pet. It's always an adventure...</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i><br /></i></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje0HBsNhBbz77n5C4EM1gqs9vl5AtLUV3aBajc3WGMdY-ytDwraFR-tqouKQT4BCArSHP0o6UDmUO1Mpf90DqFLzLiWFt-dAmaNlLwWWpUpTDnsZCva198AwKV87QH5Nn3zznEGqxfkEo/s1600/DSC00245.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje0HBsNhBbz77n5C4EM1gqs9vl5AtLUV3aBajc3WGMdY-ytDwraFR-tqouKQT4BCArSHP0o6UDmUO1Mpf90DqFLzLiWFt-dAmaNlLwWWpUpTDnsZCva198AwKV87QH5Nn3zznEGqxfkEo/s400/DSC00245.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520470669784931842" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i>Seafood soup. I found out later that some of the weird, brain-like things in the soup are "warty sea squirts". Appetizing, huh?</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i><br /></i></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifVqSzaJszOwJsubP2QIDdTsSmYI1xd9vz5LgXIH3bhHZmvZ0Liz5t-QwTr1vPbcmUet-gn5wtYXgBinjN9ycSnwFXvKu63CWhmXmoTMs0rEb5FrRGymWbObxWiTQ11b9N5aJbPyrzbJA/s1600/DSC00248.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifVqSzaJszOwJsubP2QIDdTsSmYI1xd9vz5LgXIH3bhHZmvZ0Liz5t-QwTr1vPbcmUet-gn5wtYXgBinjN9ycSnwFXvKu63CWhmXmoTMs0rEb5FrRGymWbObxWiTQ11b9N5aJbPyrzbJA/s400/DSC00248.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520470484469485954" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i>I'm learning how to make some Korean food... and this is my first attempt at preparing lotus root. It turned out really well!</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i><br /></i></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjilhnVX5ZYFpKkCTfom7Z-vcL6Mbbts_4qe3gB6jUUkBBJJ_XjBjMlji83RB08d3AAsd0rwDNd1JpCiJmStzUWw5ON3uoNT5wLJuXQZ-NRWovZr0OQpJkMV66xzI2RD-P5a1yDDN7wBx8/s1600/P1000855.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjilhnVX5ZYFpKkCTfom7Z-vcL6Mbbts_4qe3gB6jUUkBBJJ_XjBjMlji83RB08d3AAsd0rwDNd1JpCiJmStzUWw5ON3uoNT5wLJuXQZ-NRWovZr0OQpJkMV66xzI2RD-P5a1yDDN7wBx8/s400/P1000855.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520470310872082434" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i>Dok bok ki from a street vendor. You stand at the cart and spear the rice cakes with a long toothpick, and to drink, they pour you hot fish juice broth out of a vat of boiling fish cakes. Mmm... refreshing? </i></span></div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16035676203359487661noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6750170544393970349.post-61664540773027157132010-09-18T07:11:00.000-07:002010-09-24T06:22:23.074-07:00SoKo Signs<div>One of my favorite pastimes here in Korea is reading all the misspelled, inappropriate or misused English. If I wasn't so embarrassed about being an obvious tourist, I would take pictures of some of the English shirts that people wear, which say things like; "This is very many", "San Flanklin", "Little Dartling" and some that I won't post here due to their graphic and profane nature. </div><div><br /></div><div>Luckily, there are plenty of other funny signs that aren't being worn by people who would probably glare at me and tell me to move back to "San Flanklin" if they saw me taking their picture. </div><div><br /></div><div>Enjoy!</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvJQYTWF6wx57RPWud_0Vm7nJx3cQVfzseCBQurxjLsedYGHobWjWIayG8O2Pnggu_N6w3X_oMv_mjD22g28P9OZJX75WENEW9PRoUkKEW8axcmpkVZKkHPEpIdbHS1po8xCJlX_SsykY/s1600/DSC00269.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvJQYTWF6wx57RPWud_0Vm7nJx3cQVfzseCBQurxjLsedYGHobWjWIayG8O2Pnggu_N6w3X_oMv_mjD22g28P9OZJX75WENEW9PRoUkKEW8axcmpkVZKkHPEpIdbHS1po8xCJlX_SsykY/s400/DSC00269.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520465559208664898" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i>This is a little button in some public bathroom stalls... an "ambiance" button if you will. In English it says, "Press PUSH button, then it sounds flushing." If you're feeling a little self-conscious, simply push this button and either a loud flushing sound or classical music will come out. Granted, as soon as other people here a concerto coming out of your stall, the jig is up anyway. </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i><br /></i></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-z9v4mUeBs3VTKsKG-hV_9b0VFdIbBWBzsdCMbm715vVuGbohR7zzAR2GiFjtl-ICuYKETc3OAnE1SMbKoUjUZSoEDy-qzOLKhXq8lf4h6ctyyuN7QhmMcAGrPxbgO73j0IdnGTqMCEI/s1600/DSC00268.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-z9v4mUeBs3VTKsKG-hV_9b0VFdIbBWBzsdCMbm715vVuGbohR7zzAR2GiFjtl-ICuYKETc3OAnE1SMbKoUjUZSoEDy-qzOLKhXq8lf4h6ctyyuN7QhmMcAGrPxbgO73j0IdnGTqMCEI/s400/DSC00268.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520465436789817090" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i>Poor advertising strategy. </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i><br /></i></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6kIJdWtzM8mMeh0DymiZ64Q8t-mNFYit306Qk-gEuWxoIAzea_X6Zs43RleqRbdAc05LJ-ockeo198rcfv75yT3EpgPu7ZzeGoqiPwEfHvIIhqfq4Y7xYEVVNV0CTcVqby8tarJ4O3mM/s1600/DSC00331.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6kIJdWtzM8mMeh0DymiZ64Q8t-mNFYit306Qk-gEuWxoIAzea_X6Zs43RleqRbdAc05LJ-ockeo198rcfv75yT3EpgPu7ZzeGoqiPwEfHvIIhqfq4Y7xYEVVNV0CTcVqby8tarJ4O3mM/s400/DSC00331.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520465119053998626" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i>Nobody tells ME where to approach my hands!</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjHtaBaQG65xP9nbcSxfUccANuA3m1zSGbgo_YKwUppD6PsH3eLN-Iyna7Fa7mjO_ITSGqlYvaGzk0VXaSvs49OlWvLHOcBGtTrUosIWIIHTJcvAz_zTueYz_h_xZBXFNiPmMPGbD0CdE/s400/DSC00110.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518256482364671554" /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i>This sign was after three previous flights of stairs, and I think it's pretty obvious that the steps continue on ahead... but who knows, maybe some people just think "Well, I'm pretty sure that was enough steps" without looking and plummet to their death.</i></span></div><div><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 257px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiacgarCkf_6ksVvqZzjYcPymFSzpPUFeBKUCM9XzugokKpWCE8CjlXuLyhhNGLWEU3FQTTLiNuC7PajlbONS4FY8hAjJw7lABoHI4uYlP_iMwlu4AajK_YNaTVcEBb6nrzK8Awm9VpQU/s400/DSC00112.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518257092158124242" /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i>This sign made me happy (seven times, actually) until it left me hanging there at the end. WHAT will I happily become...?! ARGH!</i></span></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwLbKiSmWN7cP6R_H3u-J3dBIV1tkT-pvirWU_DiFhYZnYbaXiFpXaKClIl6KtMklUxoknpQGynhkIUTV3gVws5bHPsX55vEkkxwdduAndReA97geH26uVuJcBrFIub1RxWj-cjw1esIE/s1600/DSC00264.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwLbKiSmWN7cP6R_H3u-J3dBIV1tkT-pvirWU_DiFhYZnYbaXiFpXaKClIl6KtMklUxoknpQGynhkIUTV3gVws5bHPsX55vEkkxwdduAndReA97geH26uVuJcBrFIub1RxWj-cjw1esIE/s400/DSC00264.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520468961009615154" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i>When you want to appeal to a truly International clientele... O'Kim's Brauhaus.</i></span></div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16035676203359487661noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6750170544393970349.post-24382242253764607352010-09-17T07:46:00.001-07:002010-09-17T16:28:09.471-07:00Hanbok Day at School!<img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 238px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYVSoeqXbfXtYnslfyWhqIIrKTzpLu5Qb3It5FXm1K23YHSh3QE2XnkdraBlAE1sjNrWnJOaxz26DFy02Bm9DVAT9osf56xhR4sI5F8h11lNxRuouN7ZtvHY3alCkcHCB58wTMnIIqroA/s400/DSC00213.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517894110935625346" /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); "><i>One of my favorite students... Flower! She kind of reminds me of a little Korean me. :)</i></span></div><div><br /></div><div>Yesterday we had a special Chuseok day at school. Chuseok is the Korean harvest holiday and it's a time for visiting family, eating yummy traditional food and paying homage to one's ancestors. I got a hanbok specially made for me for the occasion (yes, even though it's a tent, it required measurements!)</div><div><br /></div><div>All the students wore their hanboks and we made traditional Korean rice cakes and played traditional Korean games. It was so fun to see all the kids in their festive garb! I even went to school early so I could take the bus to pick the kids up (usually the Korean teachers pick them up and the foreign teachers stay at school.) I greeted the mothers <i>"ohmonim annyeong hasseyo" </i>and the fathers <i>"ahbonim annyeong hasseyo"</i>. The kids were delighted to hear my Korean... as were their shocked parents!</div><div><br /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 262px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAHNRhKadPAUDYJOiTBIxJxpdbV-9RZtm50kkI5_hC2tUaDxzoaMjZ8LubWevNxuQyT55NG9jheux1ocbM-pypMRT_I7tpAmElY-BdMjp-YaMHqAtNmrj5786qwRN24ToUebLgkNsbPRA/s400/DSC00217.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517894219595839826" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">Teachers: Monica, Sue, Sheila and Me</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">Standing Students: Andrew, Anny, Hoya, Jeff, Ryan, Jenny, Nana, Kim, David and Flower</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">Sitting Students: John, Daniel, Justin, Sam, Emily, Stella and Alvin.</span></i></div></div><div><br /></div><div>After we picked the kids up, we had a few "regular" classes (teaching in a hanbok was anything but regular!) Then it was off to make rice cakes. Rice cakes are made out of <i>dok</i> which is basically rice powder and water thats steamed to make a very sticky, chewy dough. We rolled and flattened little dough balls to make little crescents and filled them with edamame seasoned with sesame oil. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 254px; height: 400px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHDYNLbGjLIz9fBSvRkqL57GM2yu9DSYxCUuZB5oN0bhUn315nXuxp8E_JaBmNeFMyEDObjreW98f_PREVlFCc7r2fwfATye0nqjuOM0HbwkyRNPz3nYA-2VPJgm0jNQf_H6l78fKQiQA/s400/DSC00238.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517894398479119490" /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); "><i>I'm pretty sure this was the only rice cake that came out the right size and shape!</i></span></div><div><br /></div><div>After rice cakes, we played traditional games; tug-of-war, <i>yut </i>(a game played with four sticks) and archery. Even though the arrows had suction cup tips... it's still a risky game with a bunch of kids, if you ask me. Luckily, everyone left with eyes and limbs in tact.</div><div><br /></div><div>I had a great time learning about Chuseok and I felt honored to be given a hanbok and showed the traditions of a culture so different from my own. I'm excited about the next holiday when I get to wear my hanbok: New Years!</div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16035676203359487661noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6750170544393970349.post-78223975300927450552010-09-16T01:37:00.000-07:002010-09-16T01:55:54.861-07:00NoKo/SoKo<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZNXClaZPBRGfJ4R0-631UcL7uTs5li96RMZ8W39mDJY0T2pY7waZsb6BDyWM2w96QDy3KalM5wKxl99y5xiHBgvIMEn92Z9hwRXS_HtdYwk_mvrHyGzsvfwdRtI3NgxqswNFoNvpBwFQ/s1600/DSC00139.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZNXClaZPBRGfJ4R0-631UcL7uTs5li96RMZ8W39mDJY0T2pY7waZsb6BDyWM2w96QDy3KalM5wKxl99y5xiHBgvIMEn92Z9hwRXS_HtdYwk_mvrHyGzsvfwdRtI3NgxqswNFoNvpBwFQ/s400/DSC00139.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517428417525157218" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i>This is supposed to make me feel safe...?</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">Since I've been here, I've heard South Koreans talk about North Korea exactly two times. The first time, I asked one of my Korean friends about North Korea, to which she basically shrugged off my question by asking me why I wanted to know anything about North Korea. It was like North Korea was on a different planet. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The second time, a man randomly decided to tell me a "funny story" about a time when a North Korean saw someone opening a can of soda and ran for cover, thinking it was a grenade. This story didn't make me laugh, it made me sad. What must it be like to live in a world where all you know is seen through war-tinted glasses? To be so fearful and vigilant that a soda can makes you run for your life?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">In South Korea, there is rarely mention of our northern neighbors... but there are tiny traces of their existence here and there. This picture is from the subway system in Seoul. There are tall glass cabinets through the subway stations that hold little brown sacks with bright orange safety masks in case of an attack. I'm not sure what is more alarming; the fact that there may be an attack, the fact that you're supposed to literally tie the bright orange mask around your neck, or the fact that there are about twenty sacks per station... and millions of commuters every day. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I'm planning a trip to the DMZ with some of my friends, so I'm sure I'll have some more insights on the NoKo/SoKo thing afterwards. I'll keep you posted. Until then, be thankful that you don't have to dive for cover when someone opens a Coke. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i>Note: I am perfectly safe here and not in danger. This post is not meant to alarm you, mom. </i></span></div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16035676203359487661noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6750170544393970349.post-90335691274085102762010-08-30T15:15:00.000-07:002010-09-01T03:51:18.786-07:00SoKo Costco<div>Last week, one of my coworkers and I made the arduous trek to find bulk American goods at none other than Costco! I braved the intense nausea brought on by the brake-happy bus drivers in search of a few staples to make me feel at home: popcorn, Kashi cereal and granola bars. </div><div><br /></div><div>While there was definitely a wide variety of familiar products (like the famous Costco muffins!) there were quite a few exotic twists as well...</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKe_RnPUmcJM522T6Y9JAIf_PFif6VoHgxh3o58Dqk2iSOBGXYdbt7fMX_aZi4MaIAyezuOS0z4zgd0D-9BsX1bTboAMtHtBILtzSXC4wJv8ieQiCMTpvE5iBtysxed0DhXNonbrB8V8s/s1600/DSC00106.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKe_RnPUmcJM522T6Y9JAIf_PFif6VoHgxh3o58Dqk2iSOBGXYdbt7fMX_aZi4MaIAyezuOS0z4zgd0D-9BsX1bTboAMtHtBILtzSXC4wJv8ieQiCMTpvE5iBtysxed0DhXNonbrB8V8s/s400/DSC00106.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511331254030078018" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i>I always thought these were cough drops... but sure enough, they were in the candy aisle. Whether they're candy or medicine, I'd be really disappointed on Halloween if someone put these in my bag.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzkshT2fM5ds2CrU24vinVXBTgrgcwZCiWY0KxhwKc2pmyixyLCzuqwLu2B09yNhbu_qJHraCe-ax64KlaHjAyqlUJBA_rUbD2K2xDmQSb-x81G-H6KwfRVL0240lpytxcs8wPncRViqw/s1600/DSC00104.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzkshT2fM5ds2CrU24vinVXBTgrgcwZCiWY0KxhwKc2pmyixyLCzuqwLu2B09yNhbu_qJHraCe-ax64KlaHjAyqlUJBA_rUbD2K2xDmQSb-x81G-H6KwfRVL0240lpytxcs8wPncRViqw/s400/DSC00104.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511331110543244898" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); "><i>I kept wondering what that smell was. Oh right... the bulk packs of dried pollack! Duh!</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); "><i><br /></i></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkL2bvBplOWC1iGdXW1KYPE_37pDl_n3XaKlzlhSXLTL03X-2z3c3iDbax2PaFb_LQIEC6rtJ_iTD5IA_p1lE3WcjcM9CCnItuXXHd60id776Xo9sWt8_vpQRI4oOuiVBA8WUi8IoJs5I/s1600/DSC00103.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkL2bvBplOWC1iGdXW1KYPE_37pDl_n3XaKlzlhSXLTL03X-2z3c3iDbax2PaFb_LQIEC6rtJ_iTD5IA_p1lE3WcjcM9CCnItuXXHd60id776Xo9sWt8_vpQRI4oOuiVBA8WUi8IoJs5I/s400/DSC00103.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511330980417603218" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i>The gift that keeps on giving.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i><br /></i></span></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAFVkHolBKjzu224wsL0bBdH9edsuPGNHpDj3wKU91u4xomh21z1e2wdBynd5Xvn5-RUiwFo4-OKwjR_XFcCLHvWgNAcWToXOCWnZmzgD5OCEdLHtstY_yDR0GuPmRW_SkmgSTzWwoK-k/s400/DSC00100.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511330674182586034" /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i>There were two types of mayo: "Delicious Mayonnaise" and "Fresh Mayonnaise". </i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); "><i>Makes you wonder if this implies "Old and Delicious" and "Fresh and Nasty" Mayo. </i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); "><i>Luckily, I wasn't in the market for a five gallon jug of mayo, so that conundrum was left to other shoppers.</i></span></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8jE3MpPkJrFiB5sX22coW6zdwYqKo2dgigMbCpkcz9RpJkGR0aAfteTs_P2EcWz0GT47gu8HxJ6zlmKe2Q_tqtXU7TT-m0QAyV-XvGTbxQD3gIBnLeB8-0p7yKBHldYsbP4r2moAhTAg/s1600/DSC00101.JPG"></a><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8jE3MpPkJrFiB5sX22coW6zdwYqKo2dgigMbCpkcz9RpJkGR0aAfteTs_P2EcWz0GT47gu8HxJ6zlmKe2Q_tqtXU7TT-m0QAyV-XvGTbxQD3gIBnLeB8-0p7yKBHldYsbP4r2moAhTAg/s1600/DSC00101.JPG"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8jE3MpPkJrFiB5sX22coW6zdwYqKo2dgigMbCpkcz9RpJkGR0aAfteTs_P2EcWz0GT47gu8HxJ6zlmKe2Q_tqtXU7TT-m0QAyV-XvGTbxQD3gIBnLeB8-0p7yKBHldYsbP4r2moAhTAg/s400/DSC00101.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511330810919483522" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i>I'm definitely registering for this when I get married. A box of canned meats? What's not to love?!</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16035676203359487661noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6750170544393970349.post-27700181425988904472010-08-25T04:51:00.000-07:002010-08-27T07:20:28.849-07:00Welcome to Korea: Squeeze On In!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6LO1hV6TCygbVbIwg4KO6UjJHprQV9ualIfBQxfyuzfiYjLaDOrJFn9hNvD567_2QqZUR-mqPD5-r8FaqfktFzNerFoQx6f6Oevl4EXaYP_uUIUsKUyt5GZnDx1BOP12ayVXWn4SCZRs/s1600/DSC00099.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6LO1hV6TCygbVbIwg4KO6UjJHprQV9ualIfBQxfyuzfiYjLaDOrJFn9hNvD567_2QqZUR-mqPD5-r8FaqfktFzNerFoQx6f6Oevl4EXaYP_uUIUsKUyt5GZnDx1BOP12ayVXWn4SCZRs/s400/DSC00099.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509314111793501634" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i>A Relatively Uncrowded Ride on the Subway</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">The motto of South Korea is, roughly translated, <i>Benefit All Mankind</i>. This seems like a fitting statement considering the entirety of mankind seems to be living shoulder-to-shoulder within SoKo's narrow borders. Not exactly sure what the benefit part of the motto could mean... perhaps safety in numbers? </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Since moving here, I've learned that less than 2% of the entire population of South Korea consists of foreigners. Coming from the melting pot of the US, these numbers surprised me. At first I thought this was due to SoKo's stringent immigration requirements or other red tape issues. Now I'm beginning to think it's simply that more people won't <i>fit</i>. Everywhere you go, any time of day or night, there are people. Lots of them.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I've tried running on my neighborhood track at various times to avoid the throngs of walkers... but no luck. Whether it's 5 am or 11 pm, the experience resembles something like a Walk-a-Thon. Grocery store? Every day is like the day before Thanksgiving, minus the turkey. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">There are no town homes or free-standing houses here. Everyone lives in giant towers of apartments. Hotels, restaurants, shops and clinics aren't their own entities, either. They're all tucked into large skyscrapers, with different floors for every type of business. It's all very efficient; packed in nice and tight, just like the citizens. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I still haven't gotten used to the crowds. I still get annoyed when Korean people slam into me and act like nothing happened, or step on my feet and remain oblivious. This is just a regular part of their lives and I'm trying to get accustomed to it. I have a feeling this is going to be the hardest part about transitioning to my SoKo life. </div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16035676203359487661noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6750170544393970349.post-44608977702168355892010-08-19T01:14:00.000-07:002010-08-24T06:09:21.199-07:00Taught<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSEPd9gl_3RDUBgjlMBuC2gTVSOEr-cpWFknP1fhK1XqkbH83qPsLLUDAhv_XlnbwaPnM8mXR3svVlo8wprlX-xwAiLh1fvogJJCHiPOCjPEfI6qnkwaQUR-msQHo0m2u7WhuTs8TOvaU/s1600/DSC00037.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 280px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSEPd9gl_3RDUBgjlMBuC2gTVSOEr-cpWFknP1fhK1XqkbH83qPsLLUDAhv_XlnbwaPnM8mXR3svVlo8wprlX-xwAiLh1fvogJJCHiPOCjPEfI6qnkwaQUR-msQHo0m2u7WhuTs8TOvaU/s400/DSC00037.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507032695053743250" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i>Teaching</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">I wasn't a teacher back in the States. I can't really remember ever teaching anyone anything at any point in time. Nope, I just paused to reflect and I really can't remember a single time that I bestowed knowledge on another person. Being the fourth of five children gave me plenty of older siblings who taught me plenty of things, and I have lots of friends who I've learned a great deal from. Actually, maybe I've showed some people what <i>not</i> to do. Does that count?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Moving on. I had no idea how rewarding teaching could be. Not only is it one of the most amazing experiences when a child grasps a concept that you taught them, but it's also amazing to be an unwitting role model for promising young lives. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">My kids are smarter than I could have imagined and teaching them is, for the most part, a delight. My heart swells with pride when they use a correct tense, or say a complete sentence with appropriate pronouns. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">While I've truly been in awe of their capacity to learn, I've also been a bit shocked by what they've taught me. Very simple life lessons that we tend to forget in the rush and stress of being a grown-up. Here are a few simple things my students have bestowed on me lately:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><ul><li><b>It's better to focus on the good than dwell on the bad.</b> How often in everyday situations I've complained about something that upsets me instead of focusing on the good. In my classroom, if I only focus on the one child who's acting up, I'm ignoring the wonderful progress of all my other students. Plus, I've noticed that when I laud the children who are working hard, the troublemakers usually snap into shape. This attitude has rubbed off on my children. Instead of tattling on their classmates as much as they used to, now they'll yell "Sticker! Sticker!" for the classmate who makes a concerted effort in class. (It's a reward system that seems to be working quite well!)</li></ul><ul><li><b>Laughter is life-giving.</b> If my kids are having an off-day, all it takes is a little play time with them and they perk right up. Sure, it's important to have discipline and accomplish our daily tasks, but a little laughter and play time makes life worth living. Plus, it's a great way to bond with kids.</li></ul><ul><li><b>It really is the little things in life. </b>Recently, my older class leveled up, which is exciting for many reasons. First, they stay on a level for five or six weeks, and things get pretty tedious towards week five. Second, there are all sorts of funny new little words for them to learn and pictures to laugh at. One of our new stories has lots of fruit and vegetables with cartoon faces and I've never seen kids laugh so hard. Sometimes the smallest things are the best things.</li></ul><ul><li><b>Hugs rule. </b>Hugs from anyone are pretty great, aside from creepy strangers, but a hug from a little kid is... amazing. I think it's due to the fact that when they're hugging you, they're really <i>hugging you</i>. They're not thinking about their To-Do List or secretly thinking how bad your perfume smells. Their hugs are full-body, clingy-monkey, squeeze-til-it-hurts and never-let-go. I begrudgingly have to peel them off me when it's time for their next class.</li></ul><ul><li><b>Life is now. Be present. </b>My kids live their lives in the moment. Whether they're sad, happy, excited or "so-so" (a new phrase they just learned), they're present in their lives. How often I have to remind myself to be present, right where I'm at, and not think about what I'm going to do after this moment, or what happened before. Just now. Just be. It's beautiful.</li></ul><div>Honestly, my kids have probably taught me way more than I've taught them. I love seeing them everyday and learning new things about who they are and how they see the world; and bit by bit, I begin to see the world with their same wide-eyed wonder...</div></div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16035676203359487661noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6750170544393970349.post-66742197443114111662010-08-16T04:49:00.000-07:002010-08-16T05:25:18.832-07:00Korea: Fact or Fiction<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp_tkhi_F23Px4-GvAUMK70e6jOLsiFvnRCbcuTE_2WLFkuuE34nm7oQXLnDJA6Ql8TGvGYlW9-cG-3ZdS3flXRKUlsP_CdkWnAhVWh8654Cw_29SdFL3KqncUt7R-_va1jif5v2CeNu4/s1600/DSC00530.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp_tkhi_F23Px4-GvAUMK70e6jOLsiFvnRCbcuTE_2WLFkuuE34nm7oQXLnDJA6Ql8TGvGYlW9-cG-3ZdS3flXRKUlsP_CdkWnAhVWh8654Cw_29SdFL3KqncUt7R-_va1jif5v2CeNu4/s400/DSC00530.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505974070306841362" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i>Traditional Kimchi Pots</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">Before coming to South Korea, I read roughly a dozen books to prepare myself for the inevitable culture shock. While they were interesting reads to be sure, I found that I haven't been too shocked by the culture for the most part and many of the Korean facts I read about seem to be nonexistent these days. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I find it interesting that so much can change so fast because most of the books I read were written only a few years ago.But, as my employer noted while pointing out various cities to me on our way from the airport, "There's only two or three years' history here." What he means is that Korea has gone through a major boom economically. While there is still a rich ancient history, there has been a massive growth spurt in the last couple of years, which makes me wonder if some of the old Korean ways got lost in the mix. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Here I will recount, from personal experience, some of the Korean facts I read about and whether they appear to still exist. It's important to note that I am in no way a historian or expert on anything Korean... I'm just a waygook making some observations. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><i>Fact or Fiction #1: </i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">Koreans eat kimchi with every meal. </span>Fact. </b>Breakfast, lunch and dinner, kimchi is involved. I was a little nervous about the prospect of eating so much fermented cabbage, but I actually really like it. And I eat cereal for breakfast. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><i>Fact or Fiction #2: </i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">Koreans treat elders with great respect. </span>Half and Half. </b>I was expecting to see people going out of their way to honor the elderly and for the most part I haven't seen anything like it. In one instance, I saw a man yell at a particularly slow old lady in a wheel chair, "AJIMA!!!" (Which means "OLD LADY!!!") Yikes. But on the other hand, I have seen people give up seats on the subway, bow in respect and hold doors. I guess it's more of a personal respect for elders than a society as a whole. It also seems like the younger generations are the least respectful, but the same can be said for the US.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><i>Fact or Fiction #3: </i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">Koreans never say no. </span>Half and Half. </b>I've heard the word "no" plenty of times. Well... maybe not that word verbatim, but some variation of it. For instance, I asked my employer for something today and she said, "It isn't possible." Not <i>no</i>, exactly, but that's clearly the meaning. The funny thing is, every time I've been told something isn't possible, or can't be done, my Korean counterpart will always ask, "Is it okay?" Maybe this is a little shred of the old days hanging on where it was unacceptable to say no, so instead they say no, but then ask you if it's okay that they're denying your request. Sure, I didn't really need the number to poison control, anyway. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><i>Fact or Fiction #4: </i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">Koreans won't understand if you're over the age of 20 and not married with children. </span>Fiction. </b>This one has definitely changed. In fact, nowadays Korean men and women get married in their early thirties. Although one funny thing is that they're very forward with their intentions. A Korean man recently asked one of my friends in a casual conversation, "What are your plans for marrying?" </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><i>Fact or Fiction #5: </i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">Koreans wear socks with sandals and never show their bare feet in public. </span>Fiction. </b>Thank God! I was <i>not </i>going to wear socks and sandals, no matter how many <i>ajimas</i> harassed me. Thankfully, the majority of the Korean population seem to have grown out of their barefoot phobia and slipped in to something more fashion-friendly. They still take their shoes off indoors, which I have grown to appreciate. It's pretty fun to take my shoes off at a restaurant, pad over to a low little table in bare feet and sit down on the floor. I just pray that the table eating next to me have been practicing proper podiatric hygiene. </div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16035676203359487661noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6750170544393970349.post-18436766606283636752010-08-09T01:32:00.000-07:002010-08-09T02:01:57.295-07:00South Korea: Green with a Twist<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKIj-qhNKYslJ_OJKhUTPqc3nK1RlN_zTa7-dJEYZIXck2YmcndYsdjpGchMRDf9t5tfLskcrd2XkhbDa74C42adzXqUgDMZRtc2OY7rYTG5cEWDho5mGvUlU01mvEDpbQ7DtHZU8zqJ0/s1600/DSC00005.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKIj-qhNKYslJ_OJKhUTPqc3nK1RlN_zTa7-dJEYZIXck2YmcndYsdjpGchMRDf9t5tfLskcrd2XkhbDa74C42adzXqUgDMZRtc2OY7rYTG5cEWDho5mGvUlU01mvEDpbQ7DtHZU8zqJ0/s400/DSC00005.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503326080982599170" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">The view from my apartment: Sanbon is definitely a green place. </span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;">As trendy as it is to be green in the States, in South Korea it is a lifestyle that is strictly adhered to. To give an example how serious it is here to be earth friendly, you will literally get chewed out if you recycle something in the wrong container. Luckily, if you're an expat such as myself, you can always play the DFC, or Dumb Foreigner Card and hopefully that will get you off the hook. It probably doesn't, but it's still a card I wield when necessary. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">My building has roughly 12 different types of recycling containers, maybe more. Koreans sort their trash (not entirely sure what constitutes trash, because they seem to recycle <i>everything</i>) and their various recyclables. All the containers are labelled in Korean, but from what I can tell there are 4 different types of plastics, paper, cardboard, glass, hard metals, ceramics, compost, large broken items (?), rubber and aluminum. There's also a separate section for discarded furniture and household items, which are usually scavenged by other tenants. "Dumpster diving" is a popular way to get "new" furniture and an enjoyable activity for many people. I haven't found any treasures yet, but you can be sure that I'll write about it when I do!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Here are some other ways that Korea is green, which truly amaze me:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><ul><li>It's difficult to find hand soap in pump bottles. Instead, you buy your own empty pump bottle and fill it with liquid soap that comes in - of course - a recyclable bag. </li><li>Almost everything comes in completely recyclable packaging. From popsicles to pencils. </li><li>No dryers anywhere. Instead, energy-conscious Koreans line dry all their laundry. While I can appreciate the hug I'm giving Mother Earth when I line dry my clothes, I would prefer if the hug my clothes gave me wasn't so... crispy.</li><li>Public transportation is paramount here. It helps (a little) with the congestion and smog. It's pretty unnecessary to own a car in South Korea.</li><li>They rarely use disposable plates, bowls and cups. Even when we went on a picnic for camp day a few weeks ago, everyone brought real dishes. </li><li>If all this wasn't enough, you get your trash bag when you buy your groceries. Instead of asking for a paper or plastic bag at the checkout, you literally ask for a "trash bag" ("saregi bontu"). It's small by American standards, which serves as a reminder that you shouldn't be throwing a lot of stuff away. </li></ul><div>Here's the twist: there are no public trashcans anywhere. Instead, Koreans throw their trash on the ground. Seriously. Despite this seemingly filthy behavior, the streets are pretty clean. The reason? Trash on the ground provides jobs. Don't ask me why emptying trash cans isn't considered a job, but anywhere you go, you'll see people in blue jumpsuits picking up little bits of trash with giant tongs. </div></div><br /><div>I still can't bring myself to throw trash on the ground, but I'm also probably throwing away various things I should be recycling. I just never know, although I'm sure my Korean neighbors will help keep me in line if they catch me throwing away a used tissue or some old gum. </div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16035676203359487661noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6750170544393970349.post-73410797778705174662010-08-03T02:12:00.001-07:002010-08-03T02:23:21.702-07:00Deliciousness, Part II<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjroPX-BpeIxqtc5xIe4vFMYkrYI4YE2zAID5mwZY4a7LIQkmubZvqIpCR1q6io3v9dY7pgBQHVwDcvzye2QQdAgeFLwXIRLaNL_Hqm1O3cA4C2dwC-eESedn0UBPJzYq7XaBYBrJSJ5UQ/s1600/DSCF0004.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjroPX-BpeIxqtc5xIe4vFMYkrYI4YE2zAID5mwZY4a7LIQkmubZvqIpCR1q6io3v9dY7pgBQHVwDcvzye2QQdAgeFLwXIRLaNL_Hqm1O3cA4C2dwC-eESedn0UBPJzYq7XaBYBrJSJ5UQ/s400/DSCF0004.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501109302738952178" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i>Korean Melon</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">I love trying new things! Luckily, everything in South Korea is new to me, so there's never a shortage of firsts. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Yesterday I tried my first Korean Melon, and it was really tasty! I wasn't sure what it was at first glance... a gourd? A fruit? A vegetable? A piece of sports equipment? Still, I thought I'd give it a whirl, and I'm glad I did.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">It tastes similar to a honeydew melon, but is much smaller and a bit sweeter, I think. There's not a lot of flesh to them, so the payoff for carefully cutting one up is nominal. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">All said, I think I'll keep buying these beauties. They're tasty and relatively cheap compared to the rest of the fresh produce here in Korea. More on the exorbitant prices of produce in a later post...</div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16035676203359487661noreply@blogger.com0