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
Friday, March 19, 2010
Jack and his Howard complex.
I do not claim to know much about sports. I can hold my own in a conversation about football and I am decently versed around basketball, but I hod no affinity for the athletic world. I am tall, lanky, and generally lacking in all athletic ability. That is why I am musical, artistic, and into reading. (okay, also I just like those things)
My husband has taken our families intake of sporting events and banter to a whole new level. WIth March Madness ensuing we constantly have a streaming ESPN radio network on one or both of our laptops. Also, the NFL draft is coming up soon and after Tebow's new throwing style the gator nation is all a buzz.
(see, I told you I am pretty aware of most sporting issues.)
Jack has now taken it to a whole other level. Last week our children's service was lacking something as we were doing the planning. We had done musical chairs, toilet paper mummies, and random mind teasers. We needed something different. We made our way to Lotte World. Lotte World is the closest thing to Wal-mart we have. Except it goes up instead of out. Each floor is a different variety of items ranging from car repair on top that connects the the parking garage to the bottom floor that is solely a grocery store. We ventured to the toy store in hopes to find something. There it was on sale. 16,000 won. A kids basketball hoop and two small bouncy basketballs. Since our service free throw game, the hoop has made its way to our loft balcony.
Yes. that's right, Jack has installed a basketball hoop in my living room. haha I only really hate it when he forgets how late he stays up and puts on his metaphorical superman cape* for his own version of the dunk contest. It isn't like I am asleep, I just worry about our poor neighbors.
The crowning moment of the sports world however happened tonight through this lanky red-head. I have been sick all week. I think I may have a sinus infection coupled with several flu symptoms (the regular kind, not the pig kind). Tonight was particularly rough. I had been dying all day and came home to actually throw up (sorry, gross over share- get over it). The point is I was pretty screwed up. I was laying down on the couch with a cool wet cloth over my eyes, completely sick. Jack was playing basketball and jokingly said I bet you cant make it.
You may call me Kryptonite. Blindfolded and sick I got nothing but net. It was amazing. I may not be good at real sports and I may never get a medal but as for tonight, the bragging rights are mine.
*For those who are not aware of sports pop culture, Dwight Howard wears a Superman Cape each year for the annual Dunk Contest. :)
My husband has taken our families intake of sporting events and banter to a whole new level. WIth March Madness ensuing we constantly have a streaming ESPN radio network on one or both of our laptops. Also, the NFL draft is coming up soon and after Tebow's new throwing style the gator nation is all a buzz.
(see, I told you I am pretty aware of most sporting issues.)
Jack has now taken it to a whole other level. Last week our children's service was lacking something as we were doing the planning. We had done musical chairs, toilet paper mummies, and random mind teasers. We needed something different. We made our way to Lotte World. Lotte World is the closest thing to Wal-mart we have. Except it goes up instead of out. Each floor is a different variety of items ranging from car repair on top that connects the the parking garage to the bottom floor that is solely a grocery store. We ventured to the toy store in hopes to find something. There it was on sale. 16,000 won. A kids basketball hoop and two small bouncy basketballs. Since our service free throw game, the hoop has made its way to our loft balcony.
Yes. that's right, Jack has installed a basketball hoop in my living room. haha I only really hate it when he forgets how late he stays up and puts on his metaphorical superman cape* for his own version of the dunk contest. It isn't like I am asleep, I just worry about our poor neighbors.
The crowning moment of the sports world however happened tonight through this lanky red-head. I have been sick all week. I think I may have a sinus infection coupled with several flu symptoms (the regular kind, not the pig kind). Tonight was particularly rough. I had been dying all day and came home to actually throw up (sorry, gross over share- get over it). The point is I was pretty screwed up. I was laying down on the couch with a cool wet cloth over my eyes, completely sick. Jack was playing basketball and jokingly said I bet you cant make it.
You may call me Kryptonite. Blindfolded and sick I got nothing but net. It was amazing. I may not be good at real sports and I may never get a medal but as for tonight, the bragging rights are mine.
*For those who are not aware of sports pop culture, Dwight Howard wears a Superman Cape each year for the annual Dunk Contest. :)
Thursday, March 18, 2010
The Lemon Table
We finally went to the Lemon Table tonight after work. We had been urged multiple times by some of our co-teachers to check it out. We enjoyed it immensely. The burgers were heavily seasoned, but decent (also they include a fired egg on most of the burgers). I am really looking forward to trying out some of the pasta next time. The atmosphere is comfortable and inviting. We had a great time chatting. The best part is before your food is brought out they bring these incredibly crumbly croissants and a small dipping bowl with honey. It was scrumptious. The Lemon table is just down from our apartment. It is about a ten minute walk from Landpia just before the Sejong Outlets near the subway stop. We will definitely add it to our list of restaurants we frequent.
We hope to check out some other menu items and will will add to our review. The experience was nice, but we weren't completely sold on the burgers. They were just very Korean. I am pretty sure they cooked them in bulgogi sauce. We are going to try the steak and pasta next time. It cant hurt. The bill came out to be only 19,000.00 won. Which is about 17.50 for a sit down meal for two. Not bad.
We hope to check out some other menu items and will will add to our review. The experience was nice, but we weren't completely sold on the burgers. They were just very Korean. I am pretty sure they cooked them in bulgogi sauce. We are going to try the steak and pasta next time. It cant hurt. The bill came out to be only 19,000.00 won. Which is about 17.50 for a sit down meal for two. Not bad.
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