Thursday, April 22, 2010
Kim Jong Il Announces Plan To Bring Moon To North Korea
I have no words, I just wanted to share this. I thought it would be of some interest to you. I love Kim Jong Il. That guy is nuts!
Also, if you are interested in what Gwangju really looks like, here is your opportunity. Satellite imagery from our city.
View Larger Map
Friday, April 16, 2010
Furniture
We bought a couch!
When we came to Korea, we were told our apartment was furnished. We had a bed and a couch. In fairness to the tale we were told apartments in Korea are smaller than in the states so you cant comfortably fit a bunch of crap in here like you would be able to do at home. We had a decently nice leather couch, but I grew weary of always having to share my leg space with Jack. ha ha We finally gave in. My friend Katherine took me across town to a used furniture store and I purchased a two piece sectional. Now our apartment actually feels kind of homey. I like it. It is a bit more cramped, but it is totally worth it. :) We haven;t bought much furniture since we have arrived. We have only bought a Korean dining table (i.e. it is only a foot tall) and this couch. Both were really affordable. We waited till after our first month so we would have so money. When we first came we were so broke. ha ha It is nice to actually have some spending money and still pay off bills. I could get used to this.
The couch was only 100,000.00 won which is roughly 80-90 bucks.
Table was only 35,000.00
I am very pleased with our investment.
When we came to Korea, we were told our apartment was furnished. We had a bed and a couch. In fairness to the tale we were told apartments in Korea are smaller than in the states so you cant comfortably fit a bunch of crap in here like you would be able to do at home. We had a decently nice leather couch, but I grew weary of always having to share my leg space with Jack. ha ha We finally gave in. My friend Katherine took me across town to a used furniture store and I purchased a two piece sectional. Now our apartment actually feels kind of homey. I like it. It is a bit more cramped, but it is totally worth it. :) We haven;t bought much furniture since we have arrived. We have only bought a Korean dining table (i.e. it is only a foot tall) and this couch. Both were really affordable. We waited till after our first month so we would have so money. When we first came we were so broke. ha ha It is nice to actually have some spending money and still pay off bills. I could get used to this.
The couch was only 100,000.00 won which is roughly 80-90 bucks.
Table was only 35,000.00
I am very pleased with our investment.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
TOP TEN
KOREAN TOP TEN
Ten things that are super Korean
1. KIMCHI
2. K-pop
3. Uber girly hair accessories
4. Wearing a mask when you are sick
5. Public transportation
6. Hagwons
7. Plastic surgery
8. Drinking (Soju and Mekju)
9. Going to school 14 hours a day
10. Thinking the best things only come form Korea
And just for fun here are a few extras...
Fake sideburns
Mullets
Getting blown off by cab drivers
Coffee Shops
Short skirts
Cheap doctor visits
Converse
This is a really superficial list, but it is quite humorous to those who have lived in Korea and it is fairly accurate.
Ten things that are super Korean
1. KIMCHI
2. K-pop
3. Uber girly hair accessories
4. Wearing a mask when you are sick
5. Public transportation
6. Hagwons
7. Plastic surgery
8. Drinking (Soju and Mekju)
9. Going to school 14 hours a day
10. Thinking the best things only come form Korea
And just for fun here are a few extras...
Fake sideburns
Mullets
Getting blown off by cab drivers
Coffee Shops
Short skirts
Cheap doctor visits
Converse
This is a really superficial list, but it is quite humorous to those who have lived in Korea and it is fairly accurate.
Monday, April 12, 2010
FIASCO AVOIDED
doctor's visit: 10 dollars,
Perscription: 9 dollars,
Escaping the fiasco known as the American healthcare system: Priceless...
(I LOVE KOREA)
So apparently we have discovered I am allergic to the yellow dust in Korea. Yellow dust is a phenomenon related to the yellow dust that travels from the deserts of China across the sea and straight to my lungs. It happens in the Spring time in Korea. On some days the sky almost looks red from it. It really isn't all that bad, but with the added air pollution from our big city plus my super sensitivity to allergens in general it wasn't long before I had a sinus infection from it all. I finally gave in today after a long night marked by coughing and not being able to breathe. I hate the doctor. Maybe it is because of the stigma attached to going (Losing money and not really feeling like they are paying attention to you to begin with)
Today I broke though that mindset when I went to the doc down the hall from our campus. I got one of our bosses Sean to go with me for translating purposes. I went in and waited about ten minutes. The nurse out front took my temp and blood pressure. Five minutes later I was in with the doctor. He scoped my throat and nose and even let me see a picture of my inner ear. It was awesome. He actually listened to me when I told him how I felt (or rather listened to Sean as he said it in Korean) After our brief but in depth visit, I was sent out front to pay. I almost had a heart attack as they said 13,000 won (That roughly is estimated to be about ten bucks) In shock I walked down the hall the other direction to the pharmacy in our building to put in my prescription. I wasn't sure if we were supposed to wait or not so we waited. Within two minutes I was paying and fully finished with my visit. The grand total of all three prescriptions for a week I was given: 10,000 won ($8.50).
All I can say is SCREW AMERICAN HEALTH CARE. I am loving Korea. WIthin thirty minutes I was seen by a doctor got my prescription and was only out around 20 bucks.
In order to be fully Korean I have included a picture of my final addition to my treatment plan...
Perscription: 9 dollars,
Escaping the fiasco known as the American healthcare system: Priceless...
(I LOVE KOREA)
So apparently we have discovered I am allergic to the yellow dust in Korea. Yellow dust is a phenomenon related to the yellow dust that travels from the deserts of China across the sea and straight to my lungs. It happens in the Spring time in Korea. On some days the sky almost looks red from it. It really isn't all that bad, but with the added air pollution from our big city plus my super sensitivity to allergens in general it wasn't long before I had a sinus infection from it all. I finally gave in today after a long night marked by coughing and not being able to breathe. I hate the doctor. Maybe it is because of the stigma attached to going (Losing money and not really feeling like they are paying attention to you to begin with)
Today I broke though that mindset when I went to the doc down the hall from our campus. I got one of our bosses Sean to go with me for translating purposes. I went in and waited about ten minutes. The nurse out front took my temp and blood pressure. Five minutes later I was in with the doctor. He scoped my throat and nose and even let me see a picture of my inner ear. It was awesome. He actually listened to me when I told him how I felt (or rather listened to Sean as he said it in Korean) After our brief but in depth visit, I was sent out front to pay. I almost had a heart attack as they said 13,000 won (That roughly is estimated to be about ten bucks) In shock I walked down the hall the other direction to the pharmacy in our building to put in my prescription. I wasn't sure if we were supposed to wait or not so we waited. Within two minutes I was paying and fully finished with my visit. The grand total of all three prescriptions for a week I was given: 10,000 won ($8.50).
All I can say is SCREW AMERICAN HEALTH CARE. I am loving Korea. WIthin thirty minutes I was seen by a doctor got my prescription and was only out around 20 bucks.
In order to be fully Korean I have included a picture of my final addition to my treatment plan...
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
New Location!
The Hans we were employed by has sadly closed...
but don't worry they opened back up two blocks away. The new location is beautiful, complete with a new computer lab and other awesome amenities. The school is also now located in the same building as its sister school that houses all the middle school students. The middle school is on the same floor in our building. Our director bought out the entire floor of the building. On of the perks is that they no longer have rent. They actually own the location. The classes are bigger and the students seem happier (ok well maybe not entirely true about the about the students...)
I want to include some pictures.
FOR MORE PICTURES VISIT OUR GALLERY (via Picasa):
Here is the link for the New Hans Location folder
but don't worry they opened back up two blocks away. The new location is beautiful, complete with a new computer lab and other awesome amenities. The school is also now located in the same building as its sister school that houses all the middle school students. The middle school is on the same floor in our building. Our director bought out the entire floor of the building. On of the perks is that they no longer have rent. They actually own the location. The classes are bigger and the students seem happier (ok well maybe not entirely true about the about the students...)
I want to include some pictures.
FOR MORE PICTURES VISIT OUR GALLERY (via Picasa):
Here is the link for the New Hans Location folder
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