Looking for some storage bins to organize your apartment? Or what about some inexpensive school supplies for your classes? Need nice picture frames for your Korea photos but don't want to break the bank? That's where the Korean dollar store Daiso comes into play.
Daiso (다이소) takes dollar stores to a whole new level. I just moved into a new apartment about a month ago and thanks to Daiso, I was able to get a plethora of household items (dishes, storage boxes, Tupperware, silverware, etc.) without spending a ton of money. I even managed to find a good variety of seeds to start my spring flower and herb garden. The merchandise that they carry here isn't cheap in quality as you might think, considering that it's coming from a dollar store.
If there's something you're looking for and you don't want to pay HomePlus or E-Mart prices for it, why not check out the local Daiso to see what they have in stock? You just might be surprised.
Showing posts with label 100 awesome things. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 100 awesome things. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Awesome Things about Korea #45: Eating foods that Koreans think Westerners can't eat
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| Homemade Doenjang (Photo credit: powerplantop) |
Gochu peppers are known for being spicy; after all, it's these peppers that are dried, ground, and made into gochujang--the staple of Korean cooking. They are what we would call chili peppers at home. But these particular green gochu peppers are special in that they aren't as spicy as their tinier red counterparts. Meaning, they are quite palatable with a dollop of dwenjang (soybean paste) on top.
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| chili peppers (Photo credit: marzbars) |
We replied with a shake of our heads and the crunch of a pepper, "no." And they weren't. In fact, it was almost akin to eating carrot sticks with ranch dressing back home, just that comforting of a feeling.
You know you've adapted well to being in Korea when you eat your veggies with dwenjang like you'd eat them with ranch dressing back home.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Awesome Things About Korea #45: Celebrating a birthday in a VIP Noraebang Room
Akin to hitting up karaoke at a bar back home, going to a noraebang room is one of the favorite pastimes of Koreans and foreigners alike. These neon-lighted, flashy interior singing halls dot the Korean landscape, beckoning in would-be rock stars with promises of cheap drinks, snacks, and renditions of everyone's favorite songs.
For my friends Alushia and Misub's joint birthday party, we booked two of the VIP noraebang rooms for singing our lungs out. After a delicious barbecue potluck dinner, we headed over to WA Bar in a large group to start the night off right. With around 20 people coming to sing, we surely needed the two separate rooms to accommodate everyone. Soon our ears were filled with the sounds of both popular and lesser-known tunes, belted out solo or in a group number. We even danced our way through some of the songs, including the one-time hit "Macarena." A few hours passed before we had our fill of singing, deciding next to move onto a few of our other favorite spots in downtown. Sparklers made their appearance, and copious amounts of pictures were snapped to document the fun.
If you're looking for a cheap way to entertain yourself for your next party or group gathering, why not visit a noraebang? Whether you prefer to get up and belt out your favorite song or stay behind the scenes filming for Facebook sharing, you can't go wrong with a singing room for fun.
For my friends Alushia and Misub's joint birthday party, we booked two of the VIP noraebang rooms for singing our lungs out. After a delicious barbecue potluck dinner, we headed over to WA Bar in a large group to start the night off right. With around 20 people coming to sing, we surely needed the two separate rooms to accommodate everyone. Soon our ears were filled with the sounds of both popular and lesser-known tunes, belted out solo or in a group number. We even danced our way through some of the songs, including the one-time hit "Macarena." A few hours passed before we had our fill of singing, deciding next to move onto a few of our other favorite spots in downtown. Sparklers made their appearance, and copious amounts of pictures were snapped to document the fun.
If you're looking for a cheap way to entertain yourself for your next party or group gathering, why not visit a noraebang? Whether you prefer to get up and belt out your favorite song or stay behind the scenes filming for Facebook sharing, you can't go wrong with a singing room for fun.
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Awesome Things about Korea #44: Nature
The sounds and smells of the city were far behind us as we wove our way through tall green marsh plants. Swaying in time to the breeze, they spread on for what seemed like forever, with only a break at the water's edge. The only sounds were the voice of Koreans around us taking pictures and enjoying the scenery. Birds flew overhead, while mud-skippers and crabs scuttled around in the exposed mud under the boardwalk. Every time we breathed in, we were welcomed with fresh air that had a hint of ocean.
Suncheon in southeastern Jeollanamdo province is a popular destination for its ecological park. The largest park of its kind in Korea, it attracts many species of wildlife, as well as countless tourists who hope to capture the unique beauty of this area. One of the most sought-after photos is the sunset over the river swooping through the park, with both serious and amateur photographers setting up shop in the observatory overlooking the whole expanse.
This was the location of this past weekend's day trip. Easily reachable by both train and bus, we opted to take the slow train once more. The trip cost us 6,900 for a one-way ticket, on the very same train that travels to Boseong. However, we continued on for another hour. We arrived the Suncheon Train Station, which is roughly 100 meters from a major Suncheon City bus stop. We hopped on the 67 bus, paid our 1,100 fare, and rode until almost the end of the line. Suncheon Bay (or Suncheon Man as it is called on the bus route) is about 20 minutes out from the main city, so by this time we were out in the countryside.
From that moment on, we were amazed at the scenery that lay before us. Everything was so green and vibrantly colored it seemed unreal. Only photos can truly capture what beauty exists there. I imagine it would be a wonderful sight in all seasons, not just early summer. As we weren't able to get a boat tour down the river this time around, perhaps another visit later in the year will be on the to-do list.
Here are photos from Suncheon Bay Ecological Park:
Suncheon in southeastern Jeollanamdo province is a popular destination for its ecological park. The largest park of its kind in Korea, it attracts many species of wildlife, as well as countless tourists who hope to capture the unique beauty of this area. One of the most sought-after photos is the sunset over the river swooping through the park, with both serious and amateur photographers setting up shop in the observatory overlooking the whole expanse.
This was the location of this past weekend's day trip. Easily reachable by both train and bus, we opted to take the slow train once more. The trip cost us 6,900 for a one-way ticket, on the very same train that travels to Boseong. However, we continued on for another hour. We arrived the Suncheon Train Station, which is roughly 100 meters from a major Suncheon City bus stop. We hopped on the 67 bus, paid our 1,100 fare, and rode until almost the end of the line. Suncheon Bay (or Suncheon Man as it is called on the bus route) is about 20 minutes out from the main city, so by this time we were out in the countryside.
From that moment on, we were amazed at the scenery that lay before us. Everything was so green and vibrantly colored it seemed unreal. Only photos can truly capture what beauty exists there. I imagine it would be a wonderful sight in all seasons, not just early summer. As we weren't able to get a boat tour down the river this time around, perhaps another visit later in the year will be on the to-do list.
Here are photos from Suncheon Bay Ecological Park:
Awesome Things About Korea #43: Green Tea
I never appreciated green tea until I came to Korea. The tastes of the varieties available weren't very palatable, and some versions of "green tea beverages" (i.e. Lipton bottled iced green tea) were downright offensive.
So the first time I went to Boseong to visit the green tea fields, you can bet I wasn't too excited about trying green tea again. The bitter memories of past experiences still stuck with me.
Much to my relief, green tea in Korea is vastly different than its Western counterpart. For one, the taste is a lot fresher and less bitter. It is well-rounded and light, not sugary or over-processed in hopes of making it more appealing. There are no gimmicks in Korea's green tea--it's all-natural and still retains all of its healthful benefits.
Green tea is proven to keep cancer risks low, is good for your skin and hair, and helps combat nausea.
Boseong's green tea is well-known for its flavor as well as widely drunk throughout Korea, which makes it pretty awesome.
So the first time I went to Boseong to visit the green tea fields, you can bet I wasn't too excited about trying green tea again. The bitter memories of past experiences still stuck with me.
Much to my relief, green tea in Korea is vastly different than its Western counterpart. For one, the taste is a lot fresher and less bitter. It is well-rounded and light, not sugary or over-processed in hopes of making it more appealing. There are no gimmicks in Korea's green tea--it's all-natural and still retains all of its healthful benefits.
Green tea is proven to keep cancer risks low, is good for your skin and hair, and helps combat nausea.
Boseong's green tea is well-known for its flavor as well as widely drunk throughout Korea, which makes it pretty awesome.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Awesome Things about Korea #42: Taking Day Trips
About an hour and a half away from Gwangju is Boseong-gun, which is famous throughout Korea for its green tea. If you want to taste the freshest tea and enjoy the sights of hundreds of green tea bushes stacked in rows on the side of the mountain, the Boseong Nok Cha Bat (Green Tea Plantation) is the place to do it. It's easily accessible via train or bus from Gwangju, and will set you back about 3-4,000 won for transport costs. To enter the park it is 2,400 won, which makes for a quite inexpensive tourist destination.
Last Sunday I headed down to the green tea fields with some coworkers and friends who had never been there before, and who were excited to see what Boseong had to offer. We met up early in the morning to take the Mungwha slow train from Seongjong Station in Gwangju, a trip that took us through the open countryside. Riding along rice paddies with Koreans sowing their crops, it felt other-worldly compared to the daily life in the city. We rolled past mountains and hills, traditional homes and ancestral grave sites. Simply put, the train offered us a view of Korea that you can't really get from speeding along in an express bus. The train itself was roomy and comfortable for both conversation and napping; the atmosphere hearkened back to the days of yesteryear when that was the only method of transportation between towns and cities.
Once inside the plantation, there were plenty of picture-worthy moments. We jostled alongside Koreans for the best shots of the well-kept bushes, angling ourselves for maximum scenic effect. Mission accomplished--as we oohed and aahed over the photos on each other's cameras.
The next event on our agenda was to walk up to the very top of the highest hill in the plantation. Up here, you can see the ocean. From the top, you could almost feel like you were lord and master of all the green tea, basking in your domain. In reality, the humidity of the morning made us feel sticky and damp and in need of a shower. That's early summer for you.
The rewards for our sweaty climb were shady trees on the way down, coupled with a nice fresh breeze. The difficult part done, our conversation once again flowed freely as we headed back to the gift shop and restaurant to refuel. I enjoyed an icy bowl of green tea nengmyeun, which is buckwheat noodles in a vinegary broth with an egg and sliced pears. Add a little wasabi mustard to the mix and it makes for a delicious and refeshing lunch.
Continuing in the green tea trend, we enjoyed one of the best parts of the area: green tea ice cream. I've eaten green tea ice cream in many places in Korea, and no other has come even close to the taste found in Boseong. The other places are simply making it wrong. I don't know how, but it just hasn't made me feel quite the same rush of flavor.
Once we perused the gift shop and purchased our tea-related items, we were headed back to the train station. The train ride home was much quieter than the one there, as we were all either asleep or absorbed in our music and the surroundings. The feeling of relaxation and freshness stayed with me long after I arrived home in Gwangju, a testament to the awesome atmosphere of Boseong. Taking day trips out of the city is a great way to spend a weekend.
Last Sunday I headed down to the green tea fields with some coworkers and friends who had never been there before, and who were excited to see what Boseong had to offer. We met up early in the morning to take the Mungwha slow train from Seongjong Station in Gwangju, a trip that took us through the open countryside. Riding along rice paddies with Koreans sowing their crops, it felt other-worldly compared to the daily life in the city. We rolled past mountains and hills, traditional homes and ancestral grave sites. Simply put, the train offered us a view of Korea that you can't really get from speeding along in an express bus. The train itself was roomy and comfortable for both conversation and napping; the atmosphere hearkened back to the days of yesteryear when that was the only method of transportation between towns and cities.
Once inside the plantation, there were plenty of picture-worthy moments. We jostled alongside Koreans for the best shots of the well-kept bushes, angling ourselves for maximum scenic effect. Mission accomplished--as we oohed and aahed over the photos on each other's cameras.
The next event on our agenda was to walk up to the very top of the highest hill in the plantation. Up here, you can see the ocean. From the top, you could almost feel like you were lord and master of all the green tea, basking in your domain. In reality, the humidity of the morning made us feel sticky and damp and in need of a shower. That's early summer for you.
The rewards for our sweaty climb were shady trees on the way down, coupled with a nice fresh breeze. The difficult part done, our conversation once again flowed freely as we headed back to the gift shop and restaurant to refuel. I enjoyed an icy bowl of green tea nengmyeun, which is buckwheat noodles in a vinegary broth with an egg and sliced pears. Add a little wasabi mustard to the mix and it makes for a delicious and refeshing lunch.
Continuing in the green tea trend, we enjoyed one of the best parts of the area: green tea ice cream. I've eaten green tea ice cream in many places in Korea, and no other has come even close to the taste found in Boseong. The other places are simply making it wrong. I don't know how, but it just hasn't made me feel quite the same rush of flavor.
Once we perused the gift shop and purchased our tea-related items, we were headed back to the train station. The train ride home was much quieter than the one there, as we were all either asleep or absorbed in our music and the surroundings. The feeling of relaxation and freshness stayed with me long after I arrived home in Gwangju, a testament to the awesome atmosphere of Boseong. Taking day trips out of the city is a great way to spend a weekend.
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Awesome Things about Korea #41: Long Holiday Weekends
Much like we enjoy a long holiday weekend at home, we equally (if not more so) enjoy them in Korea. Providing a nice break from teaching for a few days, it gives us a chance to recharge our batteries and enjoy a little more free time than usual.
This past Monday was a National Holiday in Korea: Memorial Day. While Memorial Days at home in the US are spent swimming in the pool, grilling out, and watching live music, Koreans tend to commemorate the occasion a bit differently. For the most part, people seemed to go about their everyday lives same as usual in Gwangju. There were memorial ceremonies, as well as tributes to the veterans and fallen soldiers. Aside from schools, banks, and post offices being closed, life seemed as ordinary as any other Monday.
There were a few more people out enjoying the nice weather than you would see on a weekday, as families took in the sights and smells of the nearby Chosun University Rose Garden Festival. I spent a balmy Monday morning playing tennis with friends while the oohs and ahhs filtered through the bushes surrounding the courts. Several interested children shyly watched as the foreigners hit tennis balls back and forth, but only a couple found courage enough to join us on the courts.
The rest of my day off passed slowly with the ease of knowing I had no schedule to keep to, nor any pressing obligations until tomorrow. I enjoyed a cup of coffee with a book in my favorite shop, ran some errands and did some window-shopping, and got a good bit of fresh air and sunshine. (Better to get it in before the monsoon rains start next month!) Despite having woken up early at my normal Monday time, I didn't feel tired in the least.
While I do enjoy my job and what I do, I won't deny that I enjoy my time off to the fullest. Already looking forward to the next break from school!
This past Monday was a National Holiday in Korea: Memorial Day. While Memorial Days at home in the US are spent swimming in the pool, grilling out, and watching live music, Koreans tend to commemorate the occasion a bit differently. For the most part, people seemed to go about their everyday lives same as usual in Gwangju. There were memorial ceremonies, as well as tributes to the veterans and fallen soldiers. Aside from schools, banks, and post offices being closed, life seemed as ordinary as any other Monday.
There were a few more people out enjoying the nice weather than you would see on a weekday, as families took in the sights and smells of the nearby Chosun University Rose Garden Festival. I spent a balmy Monday morning playing tennis with friends while the oohs and ahhs filtered through the bushes surrounding the courts. Several interested children shyly watched as the foreigners hit tennis balls back and forth, but only a couple found courage enough to join us on the courts.
The rest of my day off passed slowly with the ease of knowing I had no schedule to keep to, nor any pressing obligations until tomorrow. I enjoyed a cup of coffee with a book in my favorite shop, ran some errands and did some window-shopping, and got a good bit of fresh air and sunshine. (Better to get it in before the monsoon rains start next month!) Despite having woken up early at my normal Monday time, I didn't feel tired in the least.
While I do enjoy my job and what I do, I won't deny that I enjoy my time off to the fullest. Already looking forward to the next break from school!
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Awesome Things about Korea #40: Embracing the Random
Random English sprinkled on signs and t-shirts. Random Konglish popping up in stores and in conversation. Random behavior by Koreans and foreigners alike. Random conversations with Koreans and foreigners in the most unlikely of places. Random freebies at stores and restaurants. Random sprinkles on your free canned peaches or salad.
Let's face it. Korea is rife with random events. In a given day, you could experience some of the most interesting things you have never seen before in your life.
But part of the beauty of being in Korea is embracing the random. Take pictures if you must. Share the random with your friends in Korea and those at home. Laugh if it seems appropriate. And cherish the memories.
Let's face it. Korea is rife with random events. In a given day, you could experience some of the most interesting things you have never seen before in your life.
But part of the beauty of being in Korea is embracing the random. Take pictures if you must. Share the random with your friends in Korea and those at home. Laugh if it seems appropriate. And cherish the memories.
Breakfast cereal with random English. What exactly is "corn pleasure"?
Monday, May 23, 2011
Awesome Things about Korea #39: Making Connections
Imagine traveling to a country with a population of 48 million thousands of miles away from your home, where you seemingly know no one.
Now imagine being in this country, meeting all kinds of new people--both foreign and Korean. How awesome would it be to meet someone who knows exactly where you're coming from--or has even been or lived there? It happens more often than you might imagine.
My first year in Korea, I randomly met a guy while out with friends who hailed from the small town of Broadway, right next to my hometown. The fact that I could come all the way from the smallest county in North Carolina and still find someone else who had lived there was incomprehensible.
Just recently, I was in Seoul for Buddha's Birthday celebration. While taking photos of the brilliant lantern display at Bongeunsa Temple, my coworkers and I happened into conversation with an older Korean couple. Come to find out that while they now lived in Seoul, they used to live in Gwangju. All of their daughters had attended the elementary school where we now teach, as well as its sister middle and high schools. One of their daughters had gone to study in the US at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, of all places. She still lived in Charlotte, hoping to work for Bank of America.
Upon meeting the couple and talking with them for a bit, they invited us to go with them for more conversation over coffee and tea. We sat with them in a coffee shop nearby for close to an hour, discussing who we were and where we came from. We peppered them with questions about the temple and the traditions surrounding the birthday celebration, learning loads of valuable information in the process.
After that hour was finished, we parted ways, feeling a little overwhelmed by the seemingly random connection we had just made. In a country with 48 million people, you never think that you could find others who understand just who you are! And that is truly awesome.
Now imagine being in this country, meeting all kinds of new people--both foreign and Korean. How awesome would it be to meet someone who knows exactly where you're coming from--or has even been or lived there? It happens more often than you might imagine.
My first year in Korea, I randomly met a guy while out with friends who hailed from the small town of Broadway, right next to my hometown. The fact that I could come all the way from the smallest county in North Carolina and still find someone else who had lived there was incomprehensible.
Just recently, I was in Seoul for Buddha's Birthday celebration. While taking photos of the brilliant lantern display at Bongeunsa Temple, my coworkers and I happened into conversation with an older Korean couple. Come to find out that while they now lived in Seoul, they used to live in Gwangju. All of their daughters had attended the elementary school where we now teach, as well as its sister middle and high schools. One of their daughters had gone to study in the US at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, of all places. She still lived in Charlotte, hoping to work for Bank of America.
Upon meeting the couple and talking with them for a bit, they invited us to go with them for more conversation over coffee and tea. We sat with them in a coffee shop nearby for close to an hour, discussing who we were and where we came from. We peppered them with questions about the temple and the traditions surrounding the birthday celebration, learning loads of valuable information in the process.
After that hour was finished, we parted ways, feeling a little overwhelmed by the seemingly random connection we had just made. In a country with 48 million people, you never think that you could find others who understand just who you are! And that is truly awesome.
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Awesome Things about Korea #38: Palaces
One of the prettiest places to see in Seoul would have to be Biwon, or the Secret Garden of Changdeokgung Palace. Accessible only via guided tour, this is one tour you don't want to miss. The English tours occur twice a day, at 11:30 and 2:30, and cost 3,000 won. Entrance to the main palace costs 5,000, and you can visit that at your own leisure during open hours.
I've taken the Biwon tour twice in my time here in Korea, and both times I have equally enjoyed its beauty. The best times to go are in the spring when everything is fresh and in bloom or in the fall, when the trees explode into brilliant colors.
I've taken the Biwon tour twice in my time here in Korea, and both times I have equally enjoyed its beauty. The best times to go are in the spring when everything is fresh and in bloom or in the fall, when the trees explode into brilliant colors.
Friday, May 20, 2011
Awesome Things about Korea #37: The weekend stretching before you
One of the things I like about my current job (aside from my awesome coworkers who I mentioned in an earlier post) is my schedule. Granted, I go to work early but am done by 4:30 Monday through Thursday. On Friday, the schedule shifts to sublime as we inch our way to the weekend and getting done with school early. Finishing at 2:50 leaves the whole afternoon free for relaxation--not to mention the rest of the weekend stretches ahead, ready to be filled with activities. I haven't looked forward to Friday afternoons this much since I was an undergrad relishing weekly lunches with friends, pit-sitting in great weather, or lying on the quad with a book and a Daily Grind coffee.
Here's to Fridays everywhere.
Here's to Fridays everywhere.
Monday, May 16, 2011
Awesome Things about Korea #36: Going out with awesome people
I'm blessed and happy that I work with so many awesome people at my school. We hang out in big groups, small groups, and sometimes separately. There are some times you just need to make time for you and your girls. This weekend, and Saturday night in particular, was just the time to do this.
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Awesome Things about Korea #35: The Things Your Students Say
As a teacher, you never know what each day at school will bring. And you can never predict what will come out of a student's mouth during a class. I think one of the difficult things of teaching students is managing to keep a straight face when a student says something that is either truly amazing or laugh-out-loud funny. I am sure that many teachers in South Korea wish they could bust out laughing but refrain so as to not upset the student in question. But these are the kinds of things that you share with your coworkers and friends later, outside of class.
One of the 5th grade classes I teach is full of students who have some fairly interesting observations to share about what they're learning. Asking a question in class about vocabulary or the reading for the day almost guarantees at least one off-the-wall answer. But what I really like about my students is the effort they put into finding and relating these answers in class. While some answers might miss the mark, I try to guide them closer to understanding what the answer could be, using references they would understand.
Some of my favorite moments from my class:
"What is a canyon?"
Student with straight face raises hand. "Canyons are people from Canada."
"Canadians?"
"Yes."
"Who knows what it means to relate?"
"Teacher, relate is when there is a man, a woman, and a baby."
"Ah, that's relationship. But in a relationship, you have to relate...people relate to each other about what happened that day. You can relate to your friend about your trip to Seoul..."
"Ah! I talk to my friend?"
"Exactly. It's not having a relationship with your friend, but you talk to him."
"Okay, teacher. I don't want a relationship with my friend."
"Okay, class, what is a job that might have been popular in 1942?"
One girl raises her hand. "Teacher, a sommelier."
(I wasn't sure I had heard her correctly, so I asked her to repeat herself.)
"Teacher, a person who makes wine."
"Wow, that's a great idea! Where did you learn that?"
Blink, blink, blank stare. "I don't know, Teacher."
"What is a job that many people might have in 2011?"
One of the students who is prone to joking raises his hand, but with a straight face this time.
"Teacher, what about a terrorist?"
I paused for a second. "Hmm, that's a good try, but let's think of some other answers."
Sometimes you just have to keep a straight face when you teach for fear of laughter, other times you have to think quickly on your feet to answer a student's question or deflect an awkward answer. No wonder by the end of some days I feel so tired!
One of the 5th grade classes I teach is full of students who have some fairly interesting observations to share about what they're learning. Asking a question in class about vocabulary or the reading for the day almost guarantees at least one off-the-wall answer. But what I really like about my students is the effort they put into finding and relating these answers in class. While some answers might miss the mark, I try to guide them closer to understanding what the answer could be, using references they would understand.
Some of my favorite moments from my class:
"What is a canyon?"
Student with straight face raises hand. "Canyons are people from Canada."
"Canadians?"
"Yes."
"Who knows what it means to relate?"
"Teacher, relate is when there is a man, a woman, and a baby."
"Ah, that's relationship. But in a relationship, you have to relate...people relate to each other about what happened that day. You can relate to your friend about your trip to Seoul..."
"Ah! I talk to my friend?"
"Exactly. It's not having a relationship with your friend, but you talk to him."
"Okay, teacher. I don't want a relationship with my friend."
"Okay, class, what is a job that might have been popular in 1942?"
One girl raises her hand. "Teacher, a sommelier."
(I wasn't sure I had heard her correctly, so I asked her to repeat herself.)
"Teacher, a person who makes wine."
"Wow, that's a great idea! Where did you learn that?"
Blink, blink, blank stare. "I don't know, Teacher."
"What is a job that many people might have in 2011?"
One of the students who is prone to joking raises his hand, but with a straight face this time.
"Teacher, what about a terrorist?"
I paused for a second. "Hmm, that's a good try, but let's think of some other answers."
Sometimes you just have to keep a straight face when you teach for fear of laughter, other times you have to think quickly on your feet to answer a student's question or deflect an awkward answer. No wonder by the end of some days I feel so tired!
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Awesome Things about Korea #34: Finding ways to combine old and new
Mixing old and new in Korea is nothing out of the ordinary. In a country that thrives on the fastest Internet in the the world and boasted a whopping increase in the number of smartphone users within the past 2 years, Korea is no stranger to living on the cutting edge with technology and design. Modern skyscrapers tower over traditional Korean homes and ancient palaces. But in many cases, it still holds true to its roots, returning time and time again to what has been passed down from generation to generation.
One designer has found an innovative way to combine old and new in his new fashion line. In searching for an eco-friendly way to manufacture clothes, Han Song created fabric from hanji, a Korean paper made from mulberry trees. This paper is typically used in painting, but he was eventually able to find a combination of hanji, Lyrca, and Tencel to fashion a new kind of fabric. Not only that, he commissioned artisans in rural southern Korean villages to hand-dye this fabric using traditional Korean dyeing methods. This process is lengthy and extensive, but the result is natural and better for the environment.
Prices of clothes created from this new fabric rival that of popular world-wide brands, so it will be both a challenge as well as interesting to see how this small Korean brand will fare in the global market. I hope for all its ingenuity it can survive, spurring others to seek more environmentally-friendly and economically feasible options for clothing manufacture.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Awesome Things about Korea #33: Beautiful cherry blossoms in spring
Spring brings back the warm weather, thunderstorms with torrential rain, and of course, gorgeous flowers. One of the best sights of spring are the cherry blossoms, which you can find scattered throughout Korea. The best places to see the cherry blossoms (as I've heard) are Jinhae between Gwangju and Busan, as well as Yeouido in Seoul.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Awesome Things about Korea #31: Being told you look like ________________ celebrity
Image is one of the most important things in Korea. The sheer number of treatments, creams, and surgeries that are advertised every day just goes to show what Koreans like to do to look more beautiful, more handsome, and in some cases--more Western.
Stares are common for foreigners upon arriving in Korea, merely because our facial features and body structures are so vastly different than most Koreans. Hair and eye color vary widely amongst foreigners, along with the shape of our noses, lips, faces, and eyes. Being told you have a small face by Koreans is considered a compliment. Big eyes with long eyelashes are equally coveted, along with a strong patrician nose.
Be prepared to be gazed at, stared at, awed by, and perhaps even curiously touched a few times in your stay in Korea. But take note, it's not meant in spite or anger 99.9% of the time. Korea is a fairly homogeneous country, and anything new to them is just how things were new to us as babies.
The other realm of image here is being compared to celebrities, whether they are Korean or foreign. If a student tells you look like Bruce Willis or Harry Potter, that's quite the compliment! In some ways celebrity worship is much more intense here, and this is one way that it is exhibited.
Without fail, every time I have changed schools and started a new job, I will have at least a few students who come up to me and say, "Teacher, you look like Hermione from 'Harry Potter.'" It was something that I had never imagined hearing from anyone until I was living in Korea, but I won't deny the compliment. Most recently I kept running into the same few 6th grade girls at my elementary school, who always addressed me as "Emma Watson" as opposed to my given name. (I doubted that they even remember my real name.) It gives me a smile that I carry with me for the rest of the day, just because it's awesome.
Readers, what celebrity or famous person have you ever been compared to in your life? You can leave your comments below or on the blog's new Facebook page, found here.
Be prepared to be gazed at, stared at, awed by, and perhaps even curiously touched a few times in your stay in Korea. But take note, it's not meant in spite or anger 99.9% of the time. Korea is a fairly homogeneous country, and anything new to them is just how things were new to us as babies.
The other realm of image here is being compared to celebrities, whether they are Korean or foreign. If a student tells you look like Bruce Willis or Harry Potter, that's quite the compliment! In some ways celebrity worship is much more intense here, and this is one way that it is exhibited.
Without fail, every time I have changed schools and started a new job, I will have at least a few students who come up to me and say, "Teacher, you look like Hermione from 'Harry Potter.'" It was something that I had never imagined hearing from anyone until I was living in Korea, but I won't deny the compliment. Most recently I kept running into the same few 6th grade girls at my elementary school, who always addressed me as "Emma Watson" as opposed to my given name. (I doubted that they even remember my real name.) It gives me a smile that I carry with me for the rest of the day, just because it's awesome.
Readers, what celebrity or famous person have you ever been compared to in your life? You can leave your comments below or on the blog's new Facebook page, found here.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Awesome Things About Korea #30: Stationery stores
Stationery stores here are a treasure trove of arts and crafts fun. Walking up and down the aisles, you can discover scores of pens, notebooks, office supplies, and other miscellaneous items you never knew you wanted or needed until that moment. You might embark on a mission to find "just one thing" but find yourself drawn in by all the choices that await you. Before you know it, an hour has passed and you still haven't found the item you were looking for in the first place.
Out of the many stationery stores I've frequented in the past four years, I think my personal favorites are Artbox and Alpha. The stationery area at Yoongpoong Bookstore is also worthy of note for its selection. The aforementioned stores not only carry your basic office and school supplies, they offer candy, clothes, small electronics, picture frames, hair accessories, jewelry, and DIY art projects.
Even if you're not looking for something in particular at that moment, taking a stroll down the aisles might conjure up some future present ideas for friends and family.
Out of the many stationery stores I've frequented in the past four years, I think my personal favorites are Artbox and Alpha. The stationery area at Yoongpoong Bookstore is also worthy of note for its selection. The aforementioned stores not only carry your basic office and school supplies, they offer candy, clothes, small electronics, picture frames, hair accessories, jewelry, and DIY art projects.
Even if you're not looking for something in particular at that moment, taking a stroll down the aisles might conjure up some future present ideas for friends and family.
Purchases from Alpha, one of my favorite stationery stores in Korea. And yes, that is a chick mouse-pad.
Friday, January 21, 2011
Awesome Things about Korea #29: Friends walking arm-in-arm together
Upon first arriving in Korea, it might seem a little strange to some foreigners how close Koreans will be with their friends. It's not uncommon to see girls walking arm-in-arm or holding hands here. You can even see some guys doing this as well. Friendships are very close here in a way that I had never experienced before.
The first time I went shopping with one of my Korean friends, she slung her arm through mine like it was nothing. At this, I was a little confused, but after she explained to me how friends act with each other here, I was able to understand and even adopt the behavior. Now I find myself unconsciously slinging my arm through my friend's before she can. I think if I tried to bring that home, though, my North Carolina friends would definitely be confused!
I remember one time in a class my students and I were discussing how friends interact in different countries. I explained to them that most of my friends and I greet each other with a wave, a hello, and a hug--especially if we haven't seen the person in a long time. My students thought this was funny. When I told them that it was common in some European countries to greet friends with a kiss on the cheek, they went crazy. "Kiss your friends!?!" they laughed. "No way!"
Here I see friends waving and wishing their friends to "go well (안녕히 가세요!)" Sometimes this might be accompanied by a small bow, depending on who is speaking. When I bid farewell to my Korean friends, though, I always give them a hug. This sometimes elicits smiles or funny looks from other Koreans standing around. Sure, it's a little different than what they're used to, but why not incorporate a little Western tradition into the Eastern one?
The first time I went shopping with one of my Korean friends, she slung her arm through mine like it was nothing. At this, I was a little confused, but after she explained to me how friends act with each other here, I was able to understand and even adopt the behavior. Now I find myself unconsciously slinging my arm through my friend's before she can. I think if I tried to bring that home, though, my North Carolina friends would definitely be confused!
I remember one time in a class my students and I were discussing how friends interact in different countries. I explained to them that most of my friends and I greet each other with a wave, a hello, and a hug--especially if we haven't seen the person in a long time. My students thought this was funny. When I told them that it was common in some European countries to greet friends with a kiss on the cheek, they went crazy. "Kiss your friends!?!" they laughed. "No way!"
Here I see friends waving and wishing their friends to "go well (안녕히 가세요!)" Sometimes this might be accompanied by a small bow, depending on who is speaking. When I bid farewell to my Korean friends, though, I always give them a hug. This sometimes elicits smiles or funny looks from other Koreans standing around. Sure, it's a little different than what they're used to, but why not incorporate a little Western tradition into the Eastern one?
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Awesome Things about Korea #28: Having random conversations with Koreans
There are no fewer than four public schools on my walk to school. Everyday on my way to work I watch the masses of students heading home or to academies, chatting with their friends, or dodging traffic.
It is inevitable that every day, at least one student will stop to say "Hi! What's your name? Where are you from?" I answer their questions with a smile and ask the same, but don't expect many responses due to shyness.
I'm used to this, as well as the occasional short conversation with a taxi driver who knows some English. Most will ask the basic questions in Korean: "Where are you from? Are you a teacher? Do you like Korea? Do you speak Korean?"
But occasionally I have some very random conversations with Koreans that make me smile and remember them long after we've parted ways.
On my way to school yesterday, I happened upon two high school boys walking home. The more confident one of the two enthusiastically told me that he and his friend attended the technical high school nearby. He then asked me where I was from.
"America," I replied.
"Wow," the first boy answered.
"Oh sh*t! Oh sh*t!" the second added. (I'm still thinking, ?)
"Obama!" the first cried. "Good!"
"Yes," I said, "Obama is good."
Then their English ran out on them.
"I'm sorry, I don't know English," the first boy said.
"It's okay," I assured him. "한국말을 조금 알아요." ("I know a little Korean.") To this they were both really surprised.
I continued on my way, leaving them at the bus stop. They crossed the street in true jaywalking fashion, all the while yelling, "Goodbye! You're so pretty! I love you! Goodbye!"
I shook my head in amusement. Korea is sometimes very random but still awesome in that way.
It is inevitable that every day, at least one student will stop to say "Hi! What's your name? Where are you from?" I answer their questions with a smile and ask the same, but don't expect many responses due to shyness.
I'm used to this, as well as the occasional short conversation with a taxi driver who knows some English. Most will ask the basic questions in Korean: "Where are you from? Are you a teacher? Do you like Korea? Do you speak Korean?"
But occasionally I have some very random conversations with Koreans that make me smile and remember them long after we've parted ways.
On my way to school yesterday, I happened upon two high school boys walking home. The more confident one of the two enthusiastically told me that he and his friend attended the technical high school nearby. He then asked me where I was from.
"America," I replied.
"Wow," the first boy answered.
"Oh sh*t! Oh sh*t!" the second added. (I'm still thinking, ?)
"Obama!" the first cried. "Good!"
"Yes," I said, "Obama is good."
Then their English ran out on them.
"I'm sorry, I don't know English," the first boy said.
"It's okay," I assured him. "한국말을 조금 알아요." ("I know a little Korean.") To this they were both really surprised.
I continued on my way, leaving them at the bus stop. They crossed the street in true jaywalking fashion, all the while yelling, "Goodbye! You're so pretty! I love you! Goodbye!"
I shook my head in amusement. Korea is sometimes very random but still awesome in that way.
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Awesome Things about Korea #27: Assigned seating at the movies
So this past weekend I went to see the latest Harry Potter at the IMAX theater in Gwangju. Usually for a big movie such as this, you have to camp out hours before to get a good seat. Otherwise you're left with the seats in the front row where you have to crane your neck to see the picture looming in front of you. After 2 hours of that I would have a headache, so I always made sure to try and get a seat good seat further back.
Korea makes it easy for me. Imagine my joy the first time I went to see a movie here and got to choose where I wanted to sit! The lovely girl helping us behind the counter showed us the computer screen with our chosen movie theater's seating. Red seats were filled; black were empty--and there were still a great amount of awesome seats left. After picking our designated row and number, we were handed tickets printed with the movie title, theater number, and seat number.
The seats in the theater are clearly numbered--and I find them far more comfortable and in better condition than the ripped, sticky seats of theaters at home. They have armrests that fold up or down, and cup-holders that would easily accommodate a Big Gulp (if such a thing were sold in Korea).
The best part is being able to easily purchase tickets to a big movie in advance--like Harry Potter. The weekend before it came out, Britton and I stopped by the IMAX box office to choose our seats for a prime 8:30 pm show. There were tons of seats available, so we had our choice of where to sit. I chose to go for the back row, so as to not be too overwhelmed by the IMAX sound and motion. (Occasionally it makes me a little motion-sick if I sit too close.)
Five minutes later we were paid up and on our way with our printed ticket for "Deathly Hallows, Part 1."
To translate for those reading who might not understand Korean:
2010/12/18 토 (short for 토요일, Saturday) 5회 (the 5th show that day)
8:30오후 (PM) - 11:06오후
4층 (4th floor) IMAX관 (IMAX theater) N열15번 N열 16번 (Row N, Seat Numbers 15 and 16)
IMAX일반 12,000원 (2명) (VAT: 1,059원) (regular IMAX tickets are 12,000 won with an included value added tax of 1,059 won, about $10.39 in America) *IMAX 3D is a little more, about 14,000 won if I remember correctly*
I have a cool point card from CJ One that I can use at this theater, Coldstone, Tour Les Jours, Olive Young, The Twosome Place, and a handful of other stores in Korea for discounts and such.
Korea makes it easy for me. Imagine my joy the first time I went to see a movie here and got to choose where I wanted to sit! The lovely girl helping us behind the counter showed us the computer screen with our chosen movie theater's seating. Red seats were filled; black were empty--and there were still a great amount of awesome seats left. After picking our designated row and number, we were handed tickets printed with the movie title, theater number, and seat number.
The seats in the theater are clearly numbered--and I find them far more comfortable and in better condition than the ripped, sticky seats of theaters at home. They have armrests that fold up or down, and cup-holders that would easily accommodate a Big Gulp (if such a thing were sold in Korea).
The best part is being able to easily purchase tickets to a big movie in advance--like Harry Potter. The weekend before it came out, Britton and I stopped by the IMAX box office to choose our seats for a prime 8:30 pm show. There were tons of seats available, so we had our choice of where to sit. I chose to go for the back row, so as to not be too overwhelmed by the IMAX sound and motion. (Occasionally it makes me a little motion-sick if I sit too close.)
Five minutes later we were paid up and on our way with our printed ticket for "Deathly Hallows, Part 1."
2010/12/18 토 (short for 토요일, Saturday) 5회 (the 5th show that day)
8:30오후 (PM) - 11:06오후
4층 (4th floor) IMAX관 (IMAX theater) N열15번 N열 16번 (Row N, Seat Numbers 15 and 16)
IMAX일반 12,000원 (2명) (VAT: 1,059원) (regular IMAX tickets are 12,000 won with an included value added tax of 1,059 won, about $10.39 in America) *IMAX 3D is a little more, about 14,000 won if I remember correctly*
I have a cool point card from CJ One that I can use at this theater, Coldstone, Tour Les Jours, Olive Young, The Twosome Place, and a handful of other stores in Korea for discounts and such.
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