Sorry for the delay, but I've been rather distracted by a few things going on at my school right now. I'll be sure to let you all know what's happening in a few weeks!
Let's watch some videos!
Kimbap
Kimbap (kim-bop) is a popular food here in Korea. It looks and tastes suspiciously like sushi, but it's somehow different. I'm not sure why exactly. Anyway, here's a short video I made about one of the many kimbap varieties.
Parking
If you think Koreans are crazy drivers, just wait til you see how they park. There are no rules. None.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Monday, February 16, 2009
Accentuate the Positive
My last post may have rubbed some people the wrong way. I mean it when I say that I love nearly everything about this crazy country. Some of the things I love:
1. The girls
Of course this one's first! Seriously, the girls here are...wow. I'm not exactly a shy person, but I'm no Don Juan, either. Just like any other guy, I'm a little nervous about approaching an attractive girl. Here, though, it's completely different! Everyone wants to talk to me, including gorgeous girls! I've gotten a lot of phone numbers (pointless, since I don't have a phone). Sometimes being American has its advantages.
2. Fashion
Yes, some of the styles are a little strange. Sure, some of the guys look like girls. Oh, and let's not go into people wearing masks to protect them from pollution, cold weather, or God knows what else. What I love about the fashions here is everyone tries so hard to look pretty.
In the U.S., if you go to Wal-Mart, you MIGHT throw on a clean shirt and make sure there isn't too much mustard crusted in the corners of your mouth from the ill-advised "mustard beer" concoction from the night before. Or you may just chance it. In Korea, if you're going anywhere, you'd better look like a supermodel. That is, of course, unless you're an American. Everyone already mistakes us for celebrities, so we can get away with looking like crap.
3. Awesomeness
If the U.S. is the cool, rich kid at the party, South Korea is our badass cousin. Don't believe me? You try living next to a crazy dictator who constantly threatens you with annihilation and see how you fare. South Korea's also about the same size as Indiana, but they somehow lead the world in technology. Own anything made by LG, Samsung, or Hyundai? Pretty good quality, isn't it?
Back to weaponry. The only country more awesome than Korea, in terms of firepower-to-size ratio, is Israel. Don't get me started on how you don't mess with the Israelis. Did you see Munich?
4. So Cheap!
1. The girls
Of course this one's first! Seriously, the girls here are...wow. I'm not exactly a shy person, but I'm no Don Juan, either. Just like any other guy, I'm a little nervous about approaching an attractive girl. Here, though, it's completely different! Everyone wants to talk to me, including gorgeous girls! I've gotten a lot of phone numbers (pointless, since I don't have a phone). Sometimes being American has its advantages.
2. Fashion
Yes, some of the styles are a little strange. Sure, some of the guys look like girls. Oh, and let's not go into people wearing masks to protect them from pollution, cold weather, or God knows what else. What I love about the fashions here is everyone tries so hard to look pretty.
In the U.S., if you go to Wal-Mart, you MIGHT throw on a clean shirt and make sure there isn't too much mustard crusted in the corners of your mouth from the ill-advised "mustard beer" concoction from the night before. Or you may just chance it. In Korea, if you're going anywhere, you'd better look like a supermodel. That is, of course, unless you're an American. Everyone already mistakes us for celebrities, so we can get away with looking like crap.
3. Awesomeness
If the U.S. is the cool, rich kid at the party, South Korea is our badass cousin. Don't believe me? You try living next to a crazy dictator who constantly threatens you with annihilation and see how you fare. South Korea's also about the same size as Indiana, but they somehow lead the world in technology. Own anything made by LG, Samsung, or Hyundai? Pretty good quality, isn't it?
Back to weaponry. The only country more awesome than Korea, in terms of firepower-to-size ratio, is Israel. Don't get me started on how you don't mess with the Israelis. Did you see Munich?
4. So Cheap!
I eat every meal at restaurants, and I can spend easily spend less than $7 every day on food. A haircut costs about $5. Buses, taxis, and subways are all ridiculously cheap. I plan on saving more than half of my money every month, while still managing to live quite well.
Just for Fun
Things I Googled while writing this blog:
mustard beer, Munich, is googled a word?, size of Korea, size of Israel, synonym for "badass"
Some Pictures!
Just some random stores...
This is actually a pretty good parking job, by Korean standards.
Things I Googled while writing this blog:
mustard beer, Munich, is googled a word?, size of Korea, size of Israel, synonym for "badass"
Some Pictures!
Something's wrong here
What could this be?
Oh, these are "A side dish"
America is really lacking in the weird cartoon character department
A No Smoking Sign: not really a rule, just a suggestion
Just some random stores...
This is actually a pretty good parking job, by Korean standards.
Friday, February 6, 2009
The Negative Side of Things
I've been in Korea for a month! So far, most of my experiences living in Korea have been great. I love the culture, students, food, and the girls. I haven't been negative because the good things definitely outweigh the bad. But alas, there are a few things I wish I'd known about before coming here...
1. Nosebleeds
Don't read this if you're easily grossed out. Ever since the first day here, I've had a stuffy nose each morning. When I blow my nose, it's all blood. Gross, huh? I think it's from the dry air and it doesn't really bother me anymore, but it's a little freaky at first.
2. Smoking
People smoke everywhere. Korea seems to be about 20-30 years behind the U.S. in terms of banning it in places like restaurants and even inside buildings. It's disgusting and I hate it, but it's not the end of the world.
3. People Can Seem Rude
This one is mostly just a cultural difference. In the U.S., if someone is coming through a door after you, you just naturally hold it open for them, right? Not the case in Korea. You're on your own if you want to go through a door. What I find funny is that Koreans absolutely love it if you hold the door open for them! Weird.
4. My English Speaking Skills Have Deteriorated
I spend several hours each day talking in slow, simple phrases and sentences so people can understand me. The negative side-effect is that I have trouble switching back to normal, fluent English. After talking on the phone to my family or something, I start to get some of my fluency back, but I have to try very hard. It's a strange feeling to suddenly lose skills in a language you've spoken your whole life.
5. No Diet Coke
Seriously, what IS Coke Light?!
And now, some videos!
First, we have an adventure. Buying a pillow shouldn't be a big deal, right?
Next, a random compilation video. First, a cell phone store employee who shouts random gibberish over a loudspeaker as people walk by and ignore him. After that, another prize machine, but this time with a twist. Then, a group of men playing a game called "kickball," which is extremely similar to volleyball. The main difference is you use your feet. Oh, you also have to be old and drunk.
Now for some more funny pictures! :-)
A typical menu. What would YOU order?!
2 Canadians and a Brit in Korea.
That's all for today! Hope you enjoyed!
1. Nosebleeds
Don't read this if you're easily grossed out. Ever since the first day here, I've had a stuffy nose each morning. When I blow my nose, it's all blood. Gross, huh? I think it's from the dry air and it doesn't really bother me anymore, but it's a little freaky at first.
2. Smoking
People smoke everywhere. Korea seems to be about 20-30 years behind the U.S. in terms of banning it in places like restaurants and even inside buildings. It's disgusting and I hate it, but it's not the end of the world.
3. People Can Seem Rude
This one is mostly just a cultural difference. In the U.S., if someone is coming through a door after you, you just naturally hold it open for them, right? Not the case in Korea. You're on your own if you want to go through a door. What I find funny is that Koreans absolutely love it if you hold the door open for them! Weird.
4. My English Speaking Skills Have Deteriorated
I spend several hours each day talking in slow, simple phrases and sentences so people can understand me. The negative side-effect is that I have trouble switching back to normal, fluent English. After talking on the phone to my family or something, I start to get some of my fluency back, but I have to try very hard. It's a strange feeling to suddenly lose skills in a language you've spoken your whole life.
5. No Diet Coke
Seriously, what IS Coke Light?!
And now, some videos!
First, we have an adventure. Buying a pillow shouldn't be a big deal, right?
Next, a random compilation video. First, a cell phone store employee who shouts random gibberish over a loudspeaker as people walk by and ignore him. After that, another prize machine, but this time with a twist. Then, a group of men playing a game called "kickball," which is extremely similar to volleyball. The main difference is you use your feet. Oh, you also have to be old and drunk.
Now for some more funny pictures! :-)
Harsh! Sucks to be Chinese!
A typical menu. What would YOU order?!
In Korea, whenever someone's moving or just doesn't want something anymore, they just leave it on the sidewalk. Whoever wants it can just come up and take it! Look what I found!!
2 Canadians and a Brit in Korea.
Cake!
I think this picture pretty much explains itself.
That's all for today! Hope you enjoyed!
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Just a Quick Update
Hey everyone! Nothing very interesting or special to report, but I think that's a good thing. Things are starting to feel somewhat "normal" for me over here. I have a routine of getting up, going to work, coming home and going to bed. Not that it's at all boring, considering I'm living in a foreign country where I have an adventure daily. I just feel like I've started to get into a rhythm instead of feeling like I'm out of place.
The kids I'm teaching are, for the most part, really great! They give me candy, gum, and stickers on a daily basis. They also expect the same from me ("Teacher, CANDY!"), but I'm "mean Teacher" because I never have any. Sorry kids.
One small adventure story: the other day, I badly needed a haircut. I didn't want to travel 30 minutes to Itaewon (town with a lot of foreigners), so I just walked into the first barber shop I could find. No one spoke English and the women sort of hesitated when I entered. Bad idea? Not at all! I'm really good at hand motions now, so I just explained how I wanted my hair and let her go to work. It's the best haircut I've had in 6 years. Oh, and it cost about $5.
The kids I'm teaching are, for the most part, really great! They give me candy, gum, and stickers on a daily basis. They also expect the same from me ("Teacher, CANDY!"), but I'm "mean Teacher" because I never have any. Sorry kids.
One small adventure story: the other day, I badly needed a haircut. I didn't want to travel 30 minutes to Itaewon (town with a lot of foreigners), so I just walked into the first barber shop I could find. No one spoke English and the women sort of hesitated when I entered. Bad idea? Not at all! I'm really good at hand motions now, so I just explained how I wanted my hair and let her go to work. It's the best haircut I've had in 6 years. Oh, and it cost about $5.
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