tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10647467111179600132024-03-06T09:31:10.536+09:00Karamel in KoreaJourney of a lost girl trying to find her "Seoul"...Normahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17170755607304150694noreply@blogger.comBlogger89125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1064746711117960013.post-78721103156229800092014-12-09T00:02:00.001+09:002015-01-23T19:07:12.066+09:00You can take the girl out of Korea....<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHtPwmrIIf3GM55rSO3-_3mO0QWOB_wtysMtJBYwhHX3mM6kO_pHggBuahZ1MhXXyJttNZ7EHBdDW-furkiQc9X5HOq5D2AqqZzhaF7HgnggGAnBdC08k_E_84IjAG31zbU0Yc-Pgz1No/s1600/404438_10100245121860647_1721945760_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHtPwmrIIf3GM55rSO3-_3mO0QWOB_wtysMtJBYwhHX3mM6kO_pHggBuahZ1MhXXyJttNZ7EHBdDW-furkiQc9X5HOq5D2AqqZzhaF7HgnggGAnBdC08k_E_84IjAG31zbU0Yc-Pgz1No/s1600/404438_10100245121860647_1721945760_n.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">me, doing Gangnam Style, in Gangnam</td></tr>
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...but you can't take the Korea out of the girl.<br />
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<b>#Fact</b>. Korea will probably continue to influence who I am for years to come. A year later I still find myself speaking to people in Korean or expressing certain thoughts that only work in Korean to myself in my head...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgErKdc5bBExlid6sw993pYZV9G6RdPR8GglkuzHeKNtgSF4dDMyQFpSDi43d9or7oXaFtAFigVsAsNfz5IJkeIrIGZRZvWO_hn75wvC7j0-fDd-XXGP4v0ZGzdmocYTJ8G8qBWgbnl7dw/s1600/10299950_10100591572989807_7568444571348839377_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgErKdc5bBExlid6sw993pYZV9G6RdPR8GglkuzHeKNtgSF4dDMyQFpSDi43d9or7oXaFtAFigVsAsNfz5IJkeIrIGZRZvWO_hn75wvC7j0-fDd-XXGP4v0ZGzdmocYTJ8G8qBWgbnl7dw/s1600/10299950_10100591572989807_7568444571348839377_n.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Booking_(clubbing)" target="_blank">booking club</a> in Gangnam</td></tr>
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I know, I know. I just said I was "<a href="http://karamelinkorea.blogspot.com/2014/12/closure-or-letting-go-of-something-i.html" target="_blank">shutting down" the blog</a>, but I realized I still have thoughts about Korea, so I might as well express them...</div>
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<b>Two things on my mind</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD0iOemlwK06tCt0ATXvPOYUT-eE5gGbEgJKKdWStHAvxybPBCCanD1Pmq48ZhyVNV7ODFz3SeLVh3Ou_Y5fbhYwY5xn7AH16JeVMegbEyRAxeTEEmucS9DOI6L2vwNOFwk2ZUYFY4rIg/s1600/10262202_10100577660700147_2261320210414682269_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD0iOemlwK06tCt0ATXvPOYUT-eE5gGbEgJKKdWStHAvxybPBCCanD1Pmq48ZhyVNV7ODFz3SeLVh3Ou_Y5fbhYwY5xn7AH16JeVMegbEyRAxeTEEmucS9DOI6L2vwNOFwk2ZUYFY4rIg/s1600/10262202_10100577660700147_2261320210414682269_n.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a>1. <a href="http://www.koreaboo.com/featured/kop-ed-14-major-events-in-the-korean-music-industry-in-2014/" target="_blank">2014 was not a good year for Korea</a>. I must say I have been heartbroken. From the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sinking_of_the_MV_Sewol" target="_blank">Sewol Ferry tragedy</a> to the <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/oct/17/14-feared-dead-south-korea-pop-concert-4minute" target="_blank">fans who died at a K-Pop concert</a> to <a href="http://www.allkpop.com/article/2014/10/big-bangs-seungri-reported-to-have-admitted-to-speeding-before-car-accident" target="_blank">Seung-ri</a> and <a href="http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/k-town/6243963/ladies-codes-rise-dead-at-23-days-after-girl-groups-fatal-car" target="_blank">Girl's code</a> accidents' (the latter being fatal), I admit I have been keeping up more with news from my adopted homeland than the country I <a href="http://karamelinnaija.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">currently live in</a>...<br />
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There's no way my heart could not bleed at all the horrible things that happened. Those could have been any one of my former students on the ferry. I or my friends could have been at the K-Pop concert. A member of Big Bang could have died! (and two members in Girl's code did - rest in peace beautiful ladies ).<br />
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All I can do is hope that 2015 is a million times better than 2014. Be strong Korea- <span style="font-size: large;">힘내세요</span><br />
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2. After my hiatus from all things Korean , I have slowly eased myself back into things I loved (I need a place I can download my Korean dramas and tunes BTW). There's no one to speak Korean with (although I sometimes speak to myself which is<strike> crazy</strike> awesome right?). But luckily for me, I have plenty of YouTube channels to give me my Korea fix, and if you're interested in Korean culture, these are pretty good sites to subscribe to.<br />
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<b><ul>
<li><b><u><a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/simonandmartina" target="_blank">Eat Your Kimchi</a></u></b> - This is a YouTube channel and website run by Simon and Martina from Canada. They arrived in Korea around the same time I did. They are incredibly artistic and eventually made a living in Korea from talking about Korea related issues on their blog. Now they own a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/youareherecafe" target="_blank">cafe</a> in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hongdae_area" target="_blank">Hongdae</a>/홍대 (the trendy youth hangout spot in Seoul) with another team who was vital to my Korean study (Talk to Me in Korean). <i>Side note, I've met them, and when I find that awesome picture I will upload it...</i></li>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/v9J8U4YcosE?list=UULMtDePlMyiqv2XC_ByNEVQ" width="480"></iframe></ol>
<ol>I found the picture finally: Simon, Martina and I (in the middle) at<a href="http://thethreewisemonkeys.com/2011/04/11/the-new-phillies-and-the-expat-life-of-a-myanmar-refugee-in-seoul/" target="_blank"> Phillies Pub</a> in Seoul<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFF7EtcMf09Zp4mBpLnz-l1yhxFFmk3sYkzFGeDbXqLiyDP5WbRHV2gldfBDigh-RtCidHuYLnIwuK4ewIUO6aAHS3lkCFNGxh6AbDw2F0l5epPZccoWPTGt20jOa5WmCY_tfLPUY8byw/s1600/20130324_192746-SMILE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFF7EtcMf09Zp4mBpLnz-l1yhxFFmk3sYkzFGeDbXqLiyDP5WbRHV2gldfBDigh-RtCidHuYLnIwuK4ewIUO6aAHS3lkCFNGxh6AbDw2F0l5epPZccoWPTGt20jOa5WmCY_tfLPUY8byw/s1600/20130324_192746-SMILE.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<li><b><u><a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/ChoNunMigookSaram" target="_blank">Chonun Migook Saram</a></u></b> (저는 미국 사람)- The Korean writing means <i>"I am American"</i>. Megan is absolutely hilarious and animated, and I've watched her Korean improve immensely over the years. Also, she's a black girl (yes she's really light I know) doing big things in Korea so that makes me even prouder. And she gets to date gorgeous Korean men on her shows, which leaves me immensely <strike>jealous of</strike> excited for her.</li>
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<li><b><u><a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/lilyebin" target="_blank">Baby Yebin</a>:</u></b> This little baby is the cutest thing I've ever seen. I think I wrote in this blog a long time ago that I most enjoyed talking to and listening to kids speak in Korean because my level was probably closest to theirs. Well Yebin is still learning about life (and Korea) and she is adorable.</li>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kN29b1-hhZ0" width="459"></iframe>
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<li><b><u><a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/bobaepapa" target="_blank">Bobae papa</a>:</u></b> It almost looks like I spend my time stalking Korean children. They are just so adorable. Again they also speak Korean at a level that's much easier for me to understand (I still hate formal Korean) and those chubby baby cheeks... </li>
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<li><b><u>Bonus sites:</u></b> Some others which I also recommend are - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/DramaFever" target="_blank">Dramafever</a> (for my Korean dramas), <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/talktomeinkorean" target="_blank">Talk to me in Korean</a> (which I already mentioned - for Korean study, especially the Catch the Wave episodes with Adrien because he's so <strike>HOT</strike> good at Korean), any <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/arirang" target="_blank">Arirang</a> and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/kbsworld" target="_blank">KBS</a> channels for Korean news and shows, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/sweetandtasty" target="_blank">Sweetandtasty</a> (a Korean-American girl who blogs about Korean culture)</li>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bQJ0b7lSoXU" width="480"></iframe>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVKDB5XchN1TYGnWNfNB2NqDIBRayNDRaUP2Phx2bINOKyNPLu0q3Yjos_5Z4PoU09o2Blxe28enBbYcvNqLSChZwDbOEziz5ZGjqfjN4-ojK1HwvNcvHexMNOaRvcsJEoRgjzWPS5Q3I/s1600/1378120_10100411868274497_1364590968_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVKDB5XchN1TYGnWNfNB2NqDIBRayNDRaUP2Phx2bINOKyNPLu0q3Yjos_5Z4PoU09o2Blxe28enBbYcvNqLSChZwDbOEziz5ZGjqfjN4-ojK1HwvNcvHexMNOaRvcsJEoRgjzWPS5Q3I/s1600/1378120_10100411868274497_1364590968_n.jpg" height="200" width="148" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My favorite Korean food</td></tr>
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These give me my fix when I miss Korea, which is often, but I still haven't found a solution to my Korean food cravings... at least not in Nigeria. So if anyone at the Korean Embassy in Abuja wants to adopt me...</div>
Normahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17170755607304150694noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1064746711117960013.post-81450127813167819732014-12-03T20:58:00.003+09:002014-12-04T19:03:15.278+09:00Closure - Letting go of something I love<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipItEYM8XHSpneQW0hc5cHCXcTBpfttdi2QZPpf7MZCodEYIlpJ5-88G_IoLuNm7jvL5mEyAabeI_b0-AVxvd2yprfNFwb-Mkh6Wt_fgM8A5jBr8gmrqWUg0jtr1Fy1uf9oO33K2mAZGI/s1600/goodbye+korea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipItEYM8XHSpneQW0hc5cHCXcTBpfttdi2QZPpf7MZCodEYIlpJ5-88G_IoLuNm7jvL5mEyAabeI_b0-AVxvd2yprfNFwb-Mkh6Wt_fgM8A5jBr8gmrqWUg0jtr1Fy1uf9oO33K2mAZGI/s1600/goodbye+korea.jpg" height="140" width="200" /></a>It's been a long time coming. The double entendre is fully intended. I am writing this to give me closure from Korea and to signal the official closure of this blog. Honestly I should have done this a year ago, because that is how long ago I left Korea, but for a long time I have avoided touching, looking, thinking of anything Korean, as doing so left me immensely depressed.<br />
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<b>Best Female Group In Korea </b>(I sing this whenever I miss Korea)</div>
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I entered 2012 with the best of intentions. It was the <a href="http://karamelinkorea.blogspot.com/2012/01/or-enter-dragon.html" target="_blank">year of the black water dragon</a> after all. How could it not be kick ass? Then it all went horribly wrong. 2012 ended up being one of the most depressing years of my life (but in retrospect a necessary one).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqspj31qs4km4PybWqSYJctvHYLjQlwJSNYHvK-_YvJe2ZDRvmiMCu2zglu5RU77ehsgoxQPz0hGK3Yiln3AIkxXAhCohkuQR5-ZQPbfDFGH8VdaW6HDyO-QEFeHbfg5n7_ZC6grX99oc/s1600/10665903_10100709822382077_8432025637161245040_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqspj31qs4km4PybWqSYJctvHYLjQlwJSNYHvK-_YvJe2ZDRvmiMCu2zglu5RU77ehsgoxQPz0hGK3Yiln3AIkxXAhCohkuQR5-ZQPbfDFGH8VdaW6HDyO-QEFeHbfg5n7_ZC6grX99oc/s1600/10665903_10100709822382077_8432025637161245040_n.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">August 2013 - Busan, South Korea</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgniiOMQI7MPZY6QzQZDjmGbMSUFSVOZ6I8TDb88M3V1WYmUMoL4_Wr52bIFN-DECjQwHiTN3ONoCaqrPUBl81tblEaZPBz-0jR_6M25x9hpwKup_wgad-oW9Y4SajLYS9NEcYPm3VqLjs/s1600/10711014_10100710777483047_6992405019296570954_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgniiOMQI7MPZY6QzQZDjmGbMSUFSVOZ6I8TDb88M3V1WYmUMoL4_Wr52bIFN-DECjQwHiTN3ONoCaqrPUBl81tblEaZPBz-0jR_6M25x9hpwKup_wgad-oW9Y4SajLYS9NEcYPm3VqLjs/s1600/10711014_10100710777483047_6992405019296570954_n.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christine, K-Pop Sensation Brian Joo & I</td></tr>
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"So what happened?"I hear you ask. I'll tell you. I had recently begun working at a brand new school after some months as a free-lancer (there is a whole community of people in Korea who live like this by the way, making income solely from tutoring and other random jobs on the side). I had an attractive Korean boyfriend (a crossfit coach) who I'd met at a club and then shortly after my Korean friend invited him on a weekend getaway with us (hilarious story). My life was excellent... or so I thought<br />
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The school I began working for was terrible. I had taught such high-level, gifted students before that I wasn't ready for the level that these students were at. Our school had a co-teacher system, which it was my first time encountering. But it wasn't the system where you are both in the class while I teach and they translate... nope, it was I spend one hour with the students and then the Korean teacher and I switch and he/she (mostly the latter) spends one hour. In theory it might have not been so bad except, the Korean teachers also could not speak English (OK that is an exaggeration). They couldn't speak it well anyway. That would be like if I decided to become a Korean teacher with Lower Intermediate Korean. It was horrible. They never spoke English with the students. So for many of the students, they just refused to speak in class with their Native Speaker teacher, and waited for the Korean teacher to come.<br />
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At first I tried to not let the students know that I understood Korean. I wanted them to use as much English as they could. Then, something horrible happened. In my first semester, a young gentleman who goes by the English name John assaulted me. To explain, he and a couple of other young men had been playing with their phones in class, the other guys apologized, he didn't, I said I was going to take his phone to my Korean co-teacher so they could talk about it, he lost it. It was latter admitted that this child had known anger issues, and originally he claimed I hit him (luckily our rooms all have CCTV, I am sure I talked about this before, so everything was filmed). Nothing really happened to the kid, and everyone was impressed I didn't hit him, including the Koreans. He wrote me some letter of apology or something. His claim: He was so angry, he couldn't understand English.<br />
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After that I stopped trying. I intended to finish out my contract so I could get my severance pay, but my heart wasn't in it any more. I started speaking more Korean to the kids, or at least letting them speak to me in Korean (yes it was as bad as I thought, I had kids who spoke to me in nothing but Korean by the time I left). My relationship with the boyfriend was also affected, and we broke up the day before Christmas, 2012 (He's now married, but I am sort of proud of the fact I was the only "non-Korean" he ever dated). Needless to say that was a horrible time for me, although my friends kept me entertained with much needed soju...<br />
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Somewhere in 2013, I began to make plans... I was going to be 30 in a year (gasp you say... I hope) and I was not working in the field I had spent thousands of dollars to get a masters degree (and was passionate about). But my life in Korea was so comfortable. I started dating another Korean guy (who was a workaholic as many of them are, and I knew he was moving back to the US at some point so it wasn't super serious), and having a good time with my friends and suddenly I was thinking of staying again. I knew if I hit the 5 year mark it would make me a lifer (that's what we call people who we are sure will never leave Korea). But did I want to teach English forever?<br />
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My contract ended in August, and I applied for another job and I got it. It was in a ritzy high end elementary school in Cheongdam-dong in Korea. I had signed the contract and everything was perfect... but then the school I was leaving decided to sabotage me by saying that although I was a good teacher, I was detached. Considering I had worked at another school for 3 years and worked my way up to head instructor, that was a pretty shitty thing to-do, and suddenly my new school was a bit worried... and that was when I lost it. I shouldn't have to try to prove to this woman, or anyone else that I do my job well, when I was the one who was placed in a lack-lustre environment in the first place, and why take her word over mine, just because she is Korean and I am not? And I decided, you know what, I shouldn't even be here right now.<br />
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That was the push I needed. I told the school to keep their contract, I didn't want to answer any more questions, I had changed my mind. I booked a one way ticket from Seoul to London to depart October 10th. I booked a two week tour visiting 8 countries in Europe with <a href="http://www.contiki.com/" target="_blank">Contiki Tours</a>, and still giving me time to backpack Europe when I was done on my own. I had no plans, but I didn't care. I was on the move again, and I was happy.<br />
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Packing up my life was <a href="http://koreabridge.net/post/dear-korea-081-goodbye-always-hardest-part-nabichan" target="_blank">immensely hard</a>. I kept telling myself I was coming back. In fact, I still have a Korean bank account I never closed. I only told them to put my phone on hold but not to cut it off. I took solace in the fact that my work visa for Korea (which I renewed right before I left) wouldn't expired until sometime in March. I even got a marriage proposal that would have given me an opportunity to stay... but obviously I turned it down.<br />
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I travelled Europe for 3 months (If you're my facebook friend you can see the album <a href="https://www.facebook.com/neolimph/media_set?set=a.10100422543236787.1073741827.2605490&type=3" target="_blank">here</a>). In that time I went to the UK, Belgium, Netherlands, Austria, Germany, Italy (& the Vatican), France (& Monaco), Switzerland, Spain and Portugal. I met amazing people. Then my mom bought me a ticket to Abuja. I had no plans really. 2 weeks after I arrived, she asked if I wanted to go to the states for Christmas. I hadn't been in almost 3 years so I agreed. I came back to Nigeria, and I work there now. In fact, you can follow the chronicles of that adventure <a href="http://karamelinnaija.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPOZyCr6LvI1UfWieZLXpFqIao1eGTBuEKRx11JHlHz64kFK8zra5GRnO4INpVhYXeAPkSwRhRVjs0hTPiSSB-T8uGbHg6wMZTguCO6igk6Z0h4TtAyqTJaM17S5SWKs4WUlWAsqGxoKE/s1600/10671344_10100760575622177_7378712450058497142_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPOZyCr6LvI1UfWieZLXpFqIao1eGTBuEKRx11JHlHz64kFK8zra5GRnO4INpVhYXeAPkSwRhRVjs0hTPiSSB-T8uGbHg6wMZTguCO6igk6Z0h4TtAyqTJaM17S5SWKs4WUlWAsqGxoKE/s1600/10671344_10100760575622177_7378712450058497142_n.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I still channel Asia sometimes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjiqYqlKnk0fGPwRy05wgt3BgUrfl5rUz0qWkxiMNDug-8cAJeVkuiUu2GLFmq0V3ZjUAXy3m0wDIK7CoXYxpCxB6rPzIODv98acHOKKdhhCN1HmGvgl2Ut1hr0LpTehkX27CbICcvja4/s1600/3_tumblr_n3s75egsrj1t1yd6go1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjiqYqlKnk0fGPwRy05wgt3BgUrfl5rUz0qWkxiMNDug-8cAJeVkuiUu2GLFmq0V3ZjUAXy3m0wDIK7CoXYxpCxB6rPzIODv98acHOKKdhhCN1HmGvgl2Ut1hr0LpTehkX27CbICcvja4/s1600/3_tumblr_n3s75egsrj1t1yd6go1_500.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">TOP! I still love you ;)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So that's it. That's how I came to leave a country I had come to love so much and call home without marrying the love of my life (BigBang's<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T.O.P_(entertainer)" target="_blank"> TOP</a>). In the end I think my attachment to Korea was it was the first time I ever did something selfish, and completely for me. It was the first country I lived in alone and made it on my own, and of course, the culture and people are amazing. I dream of returning to Korea everyday, and elements of "<a href="http://www.karamelinkorea.blogspot.com/2010/10/how-you-know-youre-turning-korean.html" target="_blank">Koreanness</a>" will probably be a part of me for the rest of my life. I am sure I will at least visit (if not live) there again someday.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3LukoENW9C2vUy40ERBvpkED1Nt1i2HDaCLAJwwSGDWTjOdXn0vq0CAzfB3HLlcnjd1fooou1kjy9B9rN0htumjcpOXlCIq_MG2ou-jvn4s5UuBNhrR1NxsRZDzid161LKWAPi7Jjb-w/s1600/10171880_10100563461834787_1657092326_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3LukoENW9C2vUy40ERBvpkED1Nt1i2HDaCLAJwwSGDWTjOdXn0vq0CAzfB3HLlcnjd1fooou1kjy9B9rN0htumjcpOXlCIq_MG2ou-jvn4s5UuBNhrR1NxsRZDzid161LKWAPi7Jjb-w/s1600/10171880_10100563461834787_1657092326_n.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Goodbye gift from my Korean tutor</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
But what it means for this blog is that it is officially closed, unless I decide to write random commentary on things happening in Korea (2014 was not a good year for Korea was it?) or practice my Korean typing. As I once wrote in Korean when I left:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV01WYhgfeOhc9lPwVnmmepvP91TcOgn2Dx-ZWbRpCPH3Ps3-XUk8DgXwrIOzRdf-KgYStJ56kqGk49S8I6tbe8pYXZFX7fhJFz7dFSlLjHhuWyCRo-odlcf_tld3yxosTDpWUJA6IB_Q/s1600/IMG_20141203_2%5B1%5D.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV01WYhgfeOhc9lPwVnmmepvP91TcOgn2Dx-ZWbRpCPH3Ps3-XUk8DgXwrIOzRdf-KgYStJ56kqGk49S8I6tbe8pYXZFX7fhJFz7dFSlLjHhuWyCRo-odlcf_tld3yxosTDpWUJA6IB_Q/s1600/IMG_20141203_2%5B1%5D.png" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">#truestory</td></tr>
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Normahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17170755607304150694noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1064746711117960013.post-61995903771989284862012-04-06T11:44:00.002+09:002012-04-06T11:46:35.803+09:00My current disillusionment with Korea<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.visa4you.net/images/korea.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.visa4you.net/images/korea.gif" /></a></div>
It feels like a relationship with a person you've loved for so long, but you know you need to let them go in order to grow. Not to say you can't be together eventually, but right now something is missing. Still you stay, because it's comfortable. That's how I feel about Korea right now. Korea has changed so much and yet changed so little since I moved here. And the same is true of me. It was only a matter of time before we grew apart.<br />
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<a name='more'></a>
First lets start with Korea. Ever so slowly opening up to foreigners. They have accepted that given the crisis of a declining population the rise of multicultural marriages (marriage between a Korean and Non-Korean) is inevitable. Everywhere I look I see these couples, and it's not just between a Korean female and foreign guy anymore. The reverse is also true. I think more people are aware of Korea, thanks to well, North Korea (sorry it's true) and K-pop culture (songs, dramas and TOP - OK that last one was for me I love him so much!). More foreigners are learning Korean and it is not so shocking to see foreigners fluent in Korean.<br />
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<a href="http://www.stephenlobkowicz.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/soju11-64x64.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.stephenlobkowicz.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/soju11-64x64.jpg" /></a></div>
As for me, I've changed a lot. I don't find drinking as entertaining as I used to (I still do it more than most). I'm now intermediate in Korean, definitely not a beginner, but even more frustrating because I can listen to very advanced ideas and understand them, but I can't express myself fluently yet. The mid-level conundrum I call it. Still, I can talk about news, weather, politics, religion (some things) etc, and I can make myself understood on almost every subject (if the person with whom I am speaking is patient and or not retarded - yes, I don't insult Koreans often but the ones who specifically chose not to understand people who aren't Korean or respond in English even though it's obvious they suck at it and your Korean is better really piss me off). I'm really shy to speak Korean though. I only do it when I need to, and never with someone who is already fluent in English unless they give me permission to.<br />
<br />
None of these changes are major enough to cause me this much distress though. A lot of things changed for me this year. I quit my job, I realized I didn't really fit anymore. Obviously I'll never be Korean, but I am different from the foreigners who come here and just live in little America. Those foreigners judge me all the time. As if wanting to understand the language of the country I live in makes me some kind of freak. Many Koreans are afraid of me, because that will always be a thing. So I am often frustrated, wondering why am I even trying?<br />
<br />
Korean guys are interesting. I have been approached by and even dated some of them but never seriously. They are different from western guys for sure. They show their emotions and care so much more. The thing is that even by western standards I'm not a very girly girl, so in this society I often feel like I am the guy. I am not going to really express that I am into a guy until I have been seeing him continuously for more than 3 months. Korean guys try to hold my hand after one date. So there is that...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i404.photobucket.com/albums/pp128/witchut/TOP%20MV%20Turn%20It%20UP/TOP-MVTurnitUp0002154153-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://i404.photobucket.com/albums/pp128/witchut/TOP%20MV%20Turn%20It%20UP/TOP-MVTurnitUp0002154153-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">But there is always TOP (look at that swag). Let me get some of that. Seriously, Korean boys take note!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
But the biggest thing I've realized is <strike>I don't like</strike> I HATE TEACHING ENGLISH! It is not my dream, and I never wanted to be a teacher, at least not in the way that Korea requires us to be - I feel like a puppet being controlled on a string, even if I want to have fun I must be boring and repetitive, memorize, memorize, memorize. Ugh. I've always had a scientific mind, I love research and discovery. As a child I read encyclopedias for hours. After I discovered the joys of the Internet well, I've once sat for 12 hours researching information. Because I love planning and research and making lists and schedules, my friends and families have always asked me to plan parties, trips etc. In fact my most recent job before Korea was as a research coordinator at HARVARD. I have a B.S in Neuroscience and a Masters in Epidemiology. I did all of this before I was 24, because I was always an overachiever. What the hell am I doing teaching English? If I want to do any work even close to any of my dreams though (a PhD in medical anthropology currently or a closely related field) in Korea, well, I don't know if I want to...<br />
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<a href="http://www.indiana.edu/~clcl/mwcogsci/index_files/e72f1a70a3711c799233a91d0c07288f.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.indiana.edu/~clcl/mwcogsci/index_files/e72f1a70a3711c799233a91d0c07288f.png" /></a></div>
<br />
So I am stuck between a rock and a hard place. I do like this country. A lot. Genuinely. The people, the food, the language - not just the money like so many others. I met a guy who told me I could specialize in Eastern medical anthro and get funding here in Korea, but I admit since I moved to Korea I've gotten lazy and comfortable. I've lost my drive. I need to get it back<br />
<br />
I have been spurred by a series of unfortunate events this year. I'm running out of money and I should find a new job but I am too lazy. I don't want to work full time any more. I have an expensive lifestyle (I used to earn over $4K a month). The point is I may be leaving Korea soon because I have to, even if I don't want to.<br />
<br />
But, I want people to know the disillusionment stems from me. Korea, people give you a lot of flack, but you've come so far in the last 50 years it's impressive. You will always have a special place in my heart as the country where I found myself, and realized I do love being a nerd, but that I can have fun too. I don't know where I am going, but I need to see another country, experience something new, try a new thing.<br />
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And relax, I'm not leaving anytime soon, but I think within the year I will be gone. Tear.But I do know I haven't put hundreds of hours into studying Korean at the best university here for nothing. So even if I leave, I'll be back ;)Normahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17170755607304150694noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1064746711117960013.post-77921821062489373222012-03-22T10:45:00.000+09:002012-04-06T11:47:50.300+09:00An open letter to (many) Korean womenOK, so I said I would update you about my life, and I will, but here is a short pressing one I've got to get off my chest.<br />
<br />
<b>Dear (many) women in Korea,</b><br />
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<a href="http://thegrandnarrative.files.wordpress.com/2008/12/ec849cec9ab8eb8c80ec9790-ec9eaced9599eca491ec9db8-eab980ec868cebafb8-ed94bcec9e84ec95bd-eab491eab3a0-cf-kim-so-mi-korean-contraceptive-pill-commercial-a.jpg?w=500&h=337" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" src="http://thegrandnarrative.files.wordpress.com/2008/12/ec849cec9ab8eb8c80ec9790-ec9eaced9599eca491ec9db8-eab980ec868cebafb8-ed94bcec9e84ec95bd-eab491eab3a0-cf-kim-so-mi-korean-contraceptive-pill-commercial-a.jpg?w=500&h=337" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I have lived in Korea on and off for over three years, and this doesn't make me any kind of expert on Korea, but I would like to say this : Korean girls! Wake up<br /> <a name='more'></a>
<br />
I would first like to preface this by saying not every Korean girl is like this (what I am about to write), and I have female Korean friends, but usually they are the ones who have been "westernized" (I prefer independent). The truth is I am not a girly-girl, and I don't get along with many girls, and in a society where being as feminine as possible seems to be revered well, I try my hardest not to make gagging sounds on a daily basis.<br />
<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>I was first "smacked" in the face with this blatant "dumb-girl" bit when I arrived. Even though I didn't speak Korean at the time I could hear a distinct "whining" sound when the women spoke. There are some men that whine too, but it was among younger women mostly. In fact I actually first thought the whine was how you were supposed to speak the language, until I realized that many older people, or my gyopo (Korean born abroad) friends, never used it... I guess it's supposed to sound cute to guys. To an outsider who hears it, it sounds stupid!</li>
</ul>
<div>
<br /></div>
<ul>
<li>The next thing I noticed was a complete either unwillingness or inability to be able to do anything that is not traditionally "female". So when a computer was broken down at my school if a man was not working I was screwed. Never mind that the only reason I has to ask the staff for help was that all the operating systems and commands are in Korean, and if they would have just put it in English, I would not need anyone, male or female, to help me.</li>
</ul>
<div>
<br /></div>
<ul>
<li>OK, fine, you'll only do "female" stuff. Then don't work in an electronics store. Nothing annoys me more than when I go in to get something taken care of, and the women sit there high pitch squeaking "어떻게" (what do I do in Korean) over and over again. The whole time. It's your job! How do I know? I guess it is more annoying now that I understand Korean, especially when I am trying to pretend I don't, but I just want to break down and yell at them.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Case in point, the other day I went to get my 3g Ipad checked, because it wasn't working. The two girls who worked there I was afraid were going to break it. They kept saying in Korean "it's not a 3g, there is no Sim card". Why was that so annoying? I BOUGHT IT THERE!. Why would I not know if it had a Sim card or not. I was about to tell them to forget about it after 10 minutes of them just saying "what should we do" in Korean over and over again, until they finally figured it out. Like I had been telling them. ALL ALONG! No the dumb foreign girl doesn't know what she's talking about. Look you can be as feminine as you want, then just don't work in a store that deals with electronics. This is not the only time this has happened to me but it is the most recent example.</blockquote>
<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>The final one is : FOREIGN GUYS THINK YOU'RE EASY. Yeah I said it. Don't shoot me western boys, you know it's true. They can get you because you are "desperate to learn English" or you've heard that "western guys are nicer". Now again, there are many cases of true love without any ulterior motives whatsoever, but some of the creeps have given me the following reasons for why they "date"(use) Korean chicks.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li>Benefits - in a country where non-citizens are still limited in what they do Korean chick can hook them up with newest gadget etc... This is not true as much anymore but guys would use girls to get them phones, sign them up for programs etc, and then still screw them over. Living in Korea long term, you need a Korean wife to open up any business here.</li>
<li>Translation service: I've lived here 700 years married to my Korean wife with two kids and I hate Korean food and culture and I can only say hello in Korean. Really? I AM JUDGING YOU CREEPY MAN. </li>
<li>You're desperate: they know you want to escape this life, and in some ways Korean culture is very repressive towards women. Now for a woman who is not repressed, I think a western guy is her best bet, and there is true love to be found in that, but some just go from Korean guys who treated them badly to western guys who treat them badly, for the shock value, for the English practice... actually I have no idea.</li>
<li>They think you are easy, or will be subservient. The myth of the subservient Asian woman seems to be just that when I look at the scary Ajummas yelling on the street, but it's one many western guys fantasize about nonetheless. I personally cannot see the appeal of being with someone you do not consider your equal, but they know that if they want it, you will stay home while they are out with their "mates" (OK sorry but a lot of British guys do this) and even cheat on you with "OTHER KOREAN GIRLS".</li>
</ol>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Just to cite another example, I recently met a guy from Peru. He moved here because his ex girlfriend was Korean. He has no job, nor is he learning the language. Finally I said why Korea, it's not like you're with the girl or actively learning the language and he said "In Peru I'm not attractive to women, in Korea I can get them easily". I literally spat out my <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 16px;">오뎅탕 (fish cake soup don't ask) </span>when I heard that. I appreciate his honesty at least, but yeah...</blockquote>
I mean there are creepy websites like <a href="http://www.korea-dating-tips.com/">this</a><br />
<br />
And validation (I searched after I wrote this post) from many others such as <a href="http://theunlikelyexpat.blogspot.com/2012/01/korean-women-and-westernwhite-men.html">this</a> (touching on power imbalance) or <a href="http://www.newyorkerinseoul.com/2011/04/my-ajoshi-cabbie-thinks-korean-women.html">this</a> (interesting take from an elder Korean cabbie).<br />
<br />
So if you are going to date a western guy, don't just date him because he is foreign. There are good and bad ones, but this assumption that all foreigners are the same and therefore all good or all bad is not going to help you.<br />
<br />
And before you call me a hater, I think mixed babies are the cutest things on earth, so it's not that I am trying to stop interracial dating by any means. In fact if any of you know T.O.P from Big Bang, hook it up please!<br />
<br />
I wanted to end this by saying I know many amazing western guys who would never do any of the above mentioned to any girl, Korean or not. I even know some who actually would never date a Korean girl because if you aren't a creep, the above mentioned characteristics* are not attractive. And trust me, those are the type of guys you want to pull.<br />
<br />
Just looking out, because well, as a woman, I feel bad when I hear stuff like that about other women, no matter the culture, and as someone who hangs out with a lot of guys, I hear it a lot.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH3yV4A7JxhQCbqxO3M1mRgYSV4j2zWjoUEUFkyV2uBLvS_FsvGvSDb7WBVxXwRBjXXcEAA_wsPvDYmijdU2Y49amSjLgNhtMQqfHUttx94HX0pdO0RQDlqFpMg1qgO8QrLxrUW1_q1Ko/s1600/IMG_0559.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH3yV4A7JxhQCbqxO3M1mRgYSV4j2zWjoUEUFkyV2uBLvS_FsvGvSDb7WBVxXwRBjXXcEAA_wsPvDYmijdU2Y49amSjLgNhtMQqfHUttx94HX0pdO0RQDlqFpMg1qgO8QrLxrUW1_q1Ko/s400/IMG_0559.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">right in the middle: Choose a Korean girl who is far too hot for you</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Love,<br />
Me<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">* (also too much makeup, too pale, always over dressed, plastic surgery are some other reasons, which would lead to a whole different topic of love yourself for who you are, but I'm not touching that one with a 10-ft pole)</span>Normahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17170755607304150694noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1064746711117960013.post-62524849368584067662012-03-13T23:04:00.000+09:002012-03-13T23:07:32.549+09:00I'm still alive (and in Korea^^)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHUEcGpCeRhqr2JDn9Uc8zAnVM_EAO0RGzHrn990m10onmuDS2s1_BsgBId9qpsbQn9cy_a4Ts71Rd_Q8cm8OtPtKSQvPl6dnZNX2ZqihtGmZabx26kMpzGw2scnHZTw_qpwBJDEydol0/s1600/IMG_0844.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHUEcGpCeRhqr2JDn9Uc8zAnVM_EAO0RGzHrn990m10onmuDS2s1_BsgBId9qpsbQn9cy_a4Ts71Rd_Q8cm8OtPtKSQvPl6dnZNX2ZqihtGmZabx26kMpzGw2scnHZTw_qpwBJDEydol0/s400/IMG_0844.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<b>Hello there!</b> Or should I say 안녕하세요! (Annyeong Haseyo)<br />
<br />
Just let me finish my finals this week, and I will catch you up on all the juicy goodness that has been going on in my life.<br />
<br />
Yes I still live in Korea but my life has changed drastically.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Things to look forward to: </u></b><br />
<br />
<ol>
<li>Big Bang concert (YES I went) </li>
<li>The drama of how I quit my job </li>
<li>Japan </li>
<li>Surviving level "3" Korean at Yonsei </li>
<li>Joining the cross-fit 'cult' as my friend calls it - health and fitness update </li>
<li>Amazing Korean finds </li>
<li>Random Korean rants </li>
<li>Possible next steps (toying with the idea of leaving Korea or improving my Korean and furthering my degree here, but if I put any more effort in I'm here for the long haul). </li>
<li>Hilarious Korean adventures (as could only happen to me)</li>
<li> and much more </li>
</ol>
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<b> Stay tuned for the updates. Next week. I promise!</b><br />
p.s I just got into Pinterest. It's fun! As if I needed another social media forum to latch on to
<a href="http://pinterest.com/neolimph/"><img alt="Follow Me on Pinterest" height="26" src="http://passets-cdn.pinterest.com/images/follow-on-pinterest-button.png" width="156" /></a>Normahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17170755607304150694noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1064746711117960013.post-30821245946249883812012-01-23T12:03:00.001+09:002014-12-04T19:04:45.279+09:00새해 복 많이 받으세요, or Enter the Dragon<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Year of the Black Dragon</td></tr>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
OMG, 2012 is the year of the <b><u>Black Water Dragon</u></b>, and officially begins today according to the Lunar Calender. You may have heard of it as Chinese New Year, or Tet, but in Korea, it's called
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 16px;">설날</span> (Seollal) The Korean written in the title translates to<i><u><b> lots of luck in the new year</b></u></i>. It's been a crazy past few months for me. I began studying Korean in earnest, I moved from Nowon to Haebangchon, almost got ripped off of my deposit money but handled it in Korean (sort of), went a one week trip to Nigeria (after 15 years) for a reunion with my family and became so freaking fit I don't know what to do with myself. And I may also be getting kicked of Korea as my FBI background check is currently missing...</blockquote>
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A lot of ups and downs as usual (this is after all, real life and not a fairy tale) and stress... My Korean is improving immensely since I must speak it 20 hours a week. I also have a language exchange partner who helps with the everyday application. What I love about now vs. a few years ago is my Korean is often as good as someone's English, so they no longer have an advantage. My days are super busy, work out at 6am, class from 9 am to 1pm and then work until 10pm. Luckily I only work 3 days a week, so I can recover the other 4... Still I was once working and studying full time, that was insane, but I still passed the class. And I won't really get kicked out. I can get a student visa. But that's still currently my biggest worry.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Apartment</td></tr>
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My wishes for the new year... prosperity and happiness. I want to stay super fit, and maybe start eating healthy (still my weakness - some days I eat almost nothing at all, some days I pile on the alcohol and calories: it balances out but it can't be healthy). Get better at Korean, because I think there is a career for me on TV if I do... I keep getting interviewed in Korean... Find a new job where I'm happ(ier). Get used to the new area I live in. </div>
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But most of all, I love you guys and miss you so much. May everything you dream of come true in 2012</div>
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<br />Normahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17170755607304150694noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1064746711117960013.post-14826319323758962062011-11-30T20:34:00.000+09:002012-11-20T21:02:34.026+09:00내가 제일 잘나가<div>
I am the best! (That is the translation to the Korean in the title. More on that later)</div>
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Wow I'm high. No not in that sense (I don't want to go to jail and be deported in Korea). But I just won a competition... more on that later. But first let me update you...<br />
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I've been taking Korean classes. In some ways they are great. I am learning a lot. New vocabulary everyday, lots of grammar. In other ways I hate my class. At Yonsei you have the choice of learning at a slower pace as a westerner, which they call track B, while people of Eastern backgrounds (Chinese/Japanese) study at a much quicker pace because they already have the same grammar structure etc. As a result it is a class full of westerners (Europeans and Americans). What happens is we often resort to speaking English. In addition there are students in there whose level of comprehension is so minimal that I am worried if that is how it normally should be or if I am just in the wrong level. It can sometimes be a hindrance to the class because they also don't care but I don't know if it is a chicken or the egg scenario. </div>
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Often I am so tired that it also makes me cranky and bitchy. Then came the worst announcement ever. Yonsei level 2 was going to have a singing competition. It had to be a Korean song. For our president we chose the person who spoke the least amount of Korean because well, show's how much we cared... then we didn't do a thing about it for weeks... We selected a random song while out drinking after our midterm:
The days flew by and suddenly we realized we had a week left. Oops. We planned to meet at a Noraebang to practice the song and everyone agreed to look at the lyrics at home. Only four of us (out of a class of 14) showed up. We sang for about 20 minutes while drinking soju and then proceeding to wander the street of hongdae drinking beer, makgolli, everything, until people passed out. That night I got ripped off by a taxi driver...<br />
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Anyways, we chose this awesome song<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/j7_lSP8Vc3o?fs=1" width="480"></iframe><br />
Tuesday we met to practice the dance. Disaster. Everyone was cranky and I left annoyed. Wednesday we stayed and broke it down. Plus we added in some new parts. Again for a little bit on Thursday. The show was Friday. We found out there were 20 other level 2 classes (but we are the only B). Luckily our teacher gave us 10 minutes to fit in the other people who had never come to practice.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEIJCQJRQka-Nk9M19Ht8GNgY3jcei1hFyCxOz7gTi1okPKmfMTRAp4r_79VdNo6mchsK6dS2jCNBDb-s-wbNKMeULidrXLhkXkUzIn9jdaaL_gj7PP4hkmrfVVPA6ZfPF0vAJ1zO20Qg/s1600/405075_863276200437_234189351_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEIJCQJRQka-Nk9M19Ht8GNgY3jcei1hFyCxOz7gTi1okPKmfMTRAp4r_79VdNo6mchsK6dS2jCNBDb-s-wbNKMeULidrXLhkXkUzIn9jdaaL_gj7PP4hkmrfVVPA6ZfPF0vAJ1zO20Qg/s200/405075_863276200437_234189351_n.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxiY-NYTgM1L0sRWJ3LUhuTeDMgBEd5Zwj2SBi6H7jrEyX8PeCyFCtslnwNzToCf1deyCEIzg-zEL-VosCXkrbQhLNcTKMTAvMScPivP0WLeWHbP5PPLqfjFMPSYbp_OoNFdLAv4Oz9yM/s1600/397477_863275950937_1531408327_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxiY-NYTgM1L0sRWJ3LUhuTeDMgBEd5Zwj2SBi6H7jrEyX8PeCyFCtslnwNzToCf1deyCEIzg-zEL-VosCXkrbQhLNcTKMTAvMScPivP0WLeWHbP5PPLqfjFMPSYbp_OoNFdLAv4Oz9yM/s200/397477_863275950937_1531408327_n.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbeia9yuNnmmWWvdnoIVbb06rH-1XJVkp0y4gRSgPkf12_4FYcVDH9bQKaDJw470znPiSftta6d3ZGTjJdpaUtI1X5Vyg8PhcHCQJVKK26_w-7qo5T1yYa_6F9HGuE8mF8IcZUo-y9lss/s1600/386723_863276020797_599179787_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbeia9yuNnmmWWvdnoIVbb06rH-1XJVkp0y4gRSgPkf12_4FYcVDH9bQKaDJw470znPiSftta6d3ZGTjJdpaUtI1X5Vyg8PhcHCQJVKK26_w-7qo5T1yYa_6F9HGuE8mF8IcZUo-y9lss/s200/386723_863276020797_599179787_n.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">우리 반친구들</td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: start;">Show time: Everyone was super <a href="http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Aegyo">aegyo</a> (</span>애교)-<span style="text-align: start;"> think <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7mPqycQ0tQ">Girl's Generation Gee</a> - which I heard 3 times that day. We went for a more hardcore theme. In the end not bad for less than a week's practice. I will let you decide for yourself Here is the video</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: small;">In the end we came in third place. Awesome... I feel like I am the best. It really was more fun than I thought it would be...</span></span><br />
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I learned a couple of things from this. One is that I miss performing. Another is that my teacher is a sweet heart. The third is that many westerners take A course and I would like to eventually switch maybe after the next term. Since I will be working part time I'll have to be more frugal, but I think it will be worth it when I chat fluently enough in Korean. Life at Yonsei - 재미 있을 것 같아요<br />
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(p.s this is a super old post, should have been up ages ago, I have since stopped studying at Yonsei, as I get to eventually.)</div>
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Normahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17170755607304150694noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1064746711117960013.post-34378318129045124312011-11-18T19:47:00.012+09:002011-11-18T21:31:25.578+09:00It was the best of times, It was the worst of times...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn3FjOtkoxQNk6bBQDQGGkGh0iqnQep4S0rtlzkilJBytxhFFeqMybdoT-dzw-LIUm3kXFcZoHFLsGvM-PUeDZbunHmugdvYG3hN6aGuciXpXMsamrWCIY-EAvh2zVrs2plJzD46oxDjk/s1600/317148_827843408037_2605490_39153888_1268057065_n.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 198px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn3FjOtkoxQNk6bBQDQGGkGh0iqnQep4S0rtlzkilJBytxhFFeqMybdoT-dzw-LIUm3kXFcZoHFLsGvM-PUeDZbunHmugdvYG3hN6aGuciXpXMsamrWCIY-EAvh2zVrs2plJzD46oxDjk/s200/317148_827843408037_2605490_39153888_1268057065_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676308859700383554" /></a><br /><br /><div>So I thought that when I came back from the States I was finally going to be able to keep up with my blog. You see before the only reason why I didn't was because I was lazy, and that was all about to change... </div><div><a name='more'></a><br /></div><div>My life did change, big time. You remember I mentioned I would be starting Korean classes at Yonsei. Well I did. The commute has been killing me. I did find a shortcut. I can go to Seodaemun station, and take a bus that drops me a 5 minute walk from my campus, instead of 20. Much better. In order to fit in boot camp, I go to the 6.30 am class, but since I live so far away I have to leave my house an hour earlier to make it on time. So with work I have been doing 16 hour days. Yeah if you do the math, wake up and 5 am. Boot camp. Class 9-1. Teach 4-10. Try to fit Korean homework somewhere in between. On a good day I'm in bed at midnight...</div><div><br /></div><div>With all of that I have still managed to keep up with the work. I think it is because I had such base of Korean before. We had midterms, but the weekend before was Halloween, so instead of study I went out for a night on the town and got wasted. Fail. That left me in bed all day Sunday recovering, until I dragged myself to the wolfhound for some good old hangover food (double fail). Meanwhile my classmates: some of whom study 4-5 hours/day, all stayed in. This is particular important because of what will come after this. But first...</div><div><br /></div><div>For Halloween I was Robyn Da Hood (robin hood ripoff). The costume was a bit too sexy, Kind of not my thing. I went on a boat cruise first, followed by some heavy drink in itaewon. I wanted to make it to Hongdae to dance but after some heavy drinking (agwa bombs, jager shots and long islands) well that was a fail. I made it home somehow...</div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfgdwSrgTVKqS74wefsY9qgdmjj4xv7kAWUkpie3Gz8awOmv4wtDIqlRI7ibZk1jh6hfS78pszuvCMopqD4dlwJZXFlgaw4KdfIyesZfM_ed8ZlPX90S4riAuudNgl0ENYOhoxAIcDonw/s200/390605_827843652547_2605490_39153897_1112020818_n.jpg" /></div><div>My buddy!</div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3MAyQk8eYLMku-dx9jqSUzzYoUoFPnwsfjh7TGrWOwnudzl0uXjSCiVNcmIQ8582CYYh2eDZl0_xHjye_cFjN-q3_JCMUti34TCX1TmMw8e3-eyMo13CCaCkgyNTVnkYh7HZ5qmOvbwM/s200/387580_827843887077_2605490_39153904_199149671_n.jpg" /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmZjONJTNnoHcExMT9_hdwbwMAVGu02g_yzDs9lFkjxUYwbNOF6fcqm5jlW1Pds4dj42eEkWPEFcEEp6_VUZ1NywaNue-hay1pLmv85kbgHAuGzuZTEkWyURt8cUugDYfEQwalQ6C4wjE/s200/296388_827843847157_2605490_39153903_96455184_n.jpg" /></div><div>A tale of two Robins</div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilpWZ5s00lm2po1J34N2HBMMrZxchT6ZW_voTLHOFTg_NmyyaJYCnBColO2EVdFljZfxqRvwHsCAXPRGS-lQt6Oq9ZO0Um8sGCH3eqk5SAno2YU4N9_twa9uB48QofZPohvZczB9jHr54/s200/300460_827843682487_2605490_39153898_126008307_n.jpg" /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnU3fPWke1jLMUwY5UwMdZrqPs7dt0yBXByArf6ayKehDMzH7ut5wKSQQSgM5fljBHziLfxjSWgEZ16YIrx77CKmATiqLpj2yoKoHAtZsy9gvZmcRpPebKngvweL-wio0lBFp9R8ec2pg/s200/305111_308041522554616_100000463132257_1320609_2031520477_n.jpg" /></div><div>Friends: (L) Urkel (R)Ketchup (fun story behind this)</div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFaAav6rlqdzdOWJI_T30kPFWF5jdJrXZsnJKWhfhXW_uA0RXM3AAQwEhxn3rpqdA7WmfWMaVwyekComu-R6zuBdQhAFY6kSJe6yZ4jw3V87UOrRuAhc2FDUUVHkz4dl2dU5gN6Y2Z0BI/s200/314410_827843707437_2605490_39153899_353978303_n.jpg" /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheuHUy7MvsQMn2SHd5ASlzfvtHeGKavDFq126tdshBGCX5bvpNcCTKh3rPll0WhrlxerywaF9EbS_cI8W3nheBnhKaBiktanx6K4cUsRmgiaefLJc7xDCxmZWZxelNJjDXAaiM11xA4tE/s200/386857_827843807237_2605490_39153902_906478907_n.jpg" /></div><div>Messed up: (L) My friend who I didn't recognize originally</div><div> (R) Gadhafi</div><div><br /></div><div>Monday was a review day, and the next two days were the actual review tests. Some of the things were from level one that I actually never learned, but in the end even without studying I was fine. I got 100 on Reading and 97 on listening (both tests you get information and have to put it in the right place) but much lower 87 on writing (points are subtracted for every spelling mistake) and 85 on the speaking (she said my fluency and tone are fine, but I used a lot of "informal" language, or forgot articles: I was a bit annoyed, as I used the right words just informally, and also many native speakers often omit articles, but I am over it). Still I had one of the highest averages in the class. But the latter proves my point, I understand Korean fine, I just still can't speak it that well yet. In class I am a translating machine, and I know the most random vocabulary... but my sentences still contain a lot of errors. The more I practice the better I get. Also learning some basic rules that I may have skipped since I previous learned in more casual settings may be useful in future. I am finally learning how to speak to adults instead of just children...</div><div><br /></div><div>I also tried moving, but I have decided to give up on that until my lease is up. I would have saved up more money then. I plan to move to hongdae. I looked at places, so I hope some will still be available when I want to move. </div><div><br /></div><div>So it is safe to say that I am busy as a bee, and I apologize for the infrequent updates. </div><div>미안해요 </div><div><br /></div><div>But there is good news. In a few weeks I start work part-time. So I will be less stressed. But also, I soon go on winter vacation, which means I'll have so much free time I won't know what to do. My long lost extended family that resides in Nigeria (my mom's side) have decided to reconnect with me and offered me a trip to Nigeria for Christmas, so that is another interesting prospect. </div><div><br /></div><div>Be on the lookout for more</div><div><br /></div>Normahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17170755607304150694noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1064746711117960013.post-18668953678457845582011-10-03T08:48:00.005+09:002011-10-03T11:52:06.980+09:00Back in Korea, and busy as a bee<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">I just got back to Korea last week, and life is fun as usual. America was a blast. I made sure to visit a Korea-town in every city I went to. I had $8 ddukbokki in NYC, and saw $10 soju in LA. Scary stuff. As usual since this is a Korea blog I wont write much about the US, but it was fun. </div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgJIImqA_kC_IzGLi6j-9Tt1_lgWzKk0wyrODJxsN1iIJ5x4bQ8aEqGEZHwqWf2mECN8UiNGdcPqOPPArcTAMRgIdF5Z6K8sHKWsxIUPJg9jZyC-5l0IbVuV_BhrtqL6Qfl7MpLeBz82I/s200/309404_806618298327_2605490_38981862_1094188137_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ddukbokki in NYC</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCz3FgeYgZenUmi-NFlB8prs_QL5OXmdCLfo-OUKd_Etw0O8lbeCp98R6muO5DG0E3rZ5GQqvRt14S-TPl2uoHCtgFBo8jpgRRlq7pDUZUKn8gmKZDwGCPiWrQskVD1U8Awm0tbNheI4k/s200/319930_815654295117_2605490_39047580_1164235288_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">$10 soju</td></tr></tbody></table>The day after I arrived I took my placement test at <a href="http://www.yonsei.ac.kr/eng/">Yonsei University</a> to begin studying Korean.<br />I had just gotten back and remembered no Korean mind you, but happily, I was placed into level 2. Seems about right. If I had pushed a bit more it might have been level 3 but I would have severe gaps in my grammar knowledge. Well, the bad news is the closest stop to Yonsei is Sinchon, and I live in Nowon. That's about an hr and a half commute. Because from Sinchon station its still about a 20 minute walk, or I could take a bus. Either way- Horrible.<br /><a name='more'></a><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3uP9p3qvUdU-FQZLMKeW3zDX4eECjwkrB-u9T8dv8Gonl9dFkrMUP4Wh1-l2VfVg1RKt665uiNz4nZV_YvJL-kSo-UI6GqwvNxENR_Xnt3zfF7hhss2cxoiVTyvPZDW7pcE0Yb9DNsCo/s1600/photo.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3uP9p3qvUdU-FQZLMKeW3zDX4eECjwkrB-u9T8dv8Gonl9dFkrMUP4Wh1-l2VfVg1RKt665uiNz4nZV_YvJL-kSo-UI6GqwvNxENR_Xnt3zfF7hhss2cxoiVTyvPZDW7pcE0Yb9DNsCo/s640/photo.PNG" width="480" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo from my iPad<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">So I am desperately looking to move to a closer place. I would still work near Nowon, but there is a shuttle that takes us (part of the way) home. I also returned to boot-camp to get back in shape after a month of not working out.</span></div></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhah8XsyytIwzmMIEUBEdB01VKg29Ml3qI6UmUYhhcJpc-a2dzMVRoFNuFWcnIvA1GWQoJp3vk3YcXpOfpBXCuaQcZYzL5LK3sUQcDbkGaoNuW54yQF-83vnWGhwZW5zaUDtXpiLevZz-w/s1600/kitchen+2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the place I might be moving into - sweet right</td></tr></tbody></table>Tuesday night I made in back in time for the work hweshik, and they took us to a fancy 5 star barbecue restaurant. We followed that up with some soju cocktail action, and then noraebang. Glad to see Korea had not changed in my absence<br /><br />I had my first day of class, and while the students are mostly Americans (Yonsei groups people by cultural background as well as language ability, because well, the Japanese have the added advantage of having a language similar to Korean for example) there is also a Brit, a Swede, a Norwegian and a Dane in my class. The program itself is called the <a href="http://www.yskli.com/index.asp">Korean Language Institute</a>. We actually get student ids and access to all of this cool stuff. Now if you have no idea, Yonsei is like Harvard is to America, or Cambridge and Oxford are to the UK. In other words, a good freaking school. So far I like my teachers, but some of my classmates are as obnoxious as my students.<br /><br />Friday night I was too tired to do anything (oh yeah, did I add I had not even started working yet, I begin this week). But on Saturday I had a busy day. I missed my Korean class due to a series of unfortunate events, but I then I went to see an apartment in Hongdae. Horrible. The room was tiny and I'd have 2 roommates. I've kind of gotten used to living by myself. I walked past a book fair and heading to a meetup on Atheism and Art (yes I identify as atheist, no I do not try to convince others to be atheist. - in my opinion believe what you want as long as you don't hurt anyone... and hence my problem with religion). It was very interesting. I'm not a movie person so that bit was most enlightening.<br /><br />After that I headed to another meetup (I really like to jam pack my days I know) in Apgujeong. It was a dinner and drinks ladies night. What was I thinking? Now for anyone who knows me, I'm not really girly. Once in a while I'll put on a nice dress and make up, but I am happier in jeans. I also get uncomfortable around large groups of women. Lets just say I prefer hanging out with guys. I made it on time and even made a new Korean friend while waiting, but then the trouble began.<br /><br />First, we could not get a taxi. Then Google maps led us astray. Then we asked for help and got a slew of amazing Koreans stopping to help us. They even called their English speaking child back home to help us. After realizing our mistake we got in a taxi and arrived at the wine bar. At this point I was tired, cranky and starving (I didn't eat all day). I mean the hostess did not even call us to find out if we were OK or maybe give the people directions or something. I would do that. Maybe it's a southern thing.<br /><br />Also, not that I am snobby about wine, but if I am at a fancy wine bar I don't want to be drinking crap wine. But the other ladies just wanted to go for the cheapest. Luckily there was a wine expert there who ordered some good ones that kind of met in the middle. I finally got food and it made me less upset but the damage was done mentally. There was also some Korean girl there that kind of annoyed me because she lived abroad most of her life, but yet she was very judgmental of foreigners trying to speak Korean because of their accent. "Listen buddy, you've got an accent too". That's all I've got to say.<br /><br />Needless to say I thought this night was going to be a bust, but I was supposed to meet up with another Korean friend. She was in Gangnam, so I headed off to <a href="http://www.aroundseoul.com/est_info.php?id=19">Rainbow</a>, the hookah bar. She was there with two Iranian friends (she specializes in the middle east and just got back from Iran, Yemen, Dubai and some other countries). After the hookah bar we went to <a href="http://www.seoulgrid.com/blog/club-eden-seoul/">Club Eden</a> ($30 to get in, holy cow). But after an hr we decided it was too pretentious, so we went off to hongdae instead. I got to practice my french. That place was more fun. Buckets of long island later (yes plural) and a vague memory of two Korean guys fighting over me. Oh yeah side-note - in the US the stronger would win, guess who wins in Korea? If you guessed the older, you win a prize. Then I crashed at her house which is actually pretty nice. I am thinking of moving into that building...<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH_WTV5okpfjbrWfq7m3h09mnM1lXuG4fjEpieGQXRbzjVimMprveV7FZVvX_xVdr8WKBjjgk2hWGa0zef14Qs4RqvjCw5vRUI0LEONPlykkTZJt7h4sNnIxEf4Ni7HtV1D7sfF8yomcg/s320/308374_10150308915427344_724732343_8235998_380007348_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fun times at Eden</td></tr></tbody></table><br />So what are my future plans you wonder? or maybe not. Anyway, I want to go up until level 4 in Korean... maybe higher. But that will take me about a year. Then I want to head back to the U.S. to get my PhD in California. Aiming for 2013 admission. Then travel forever.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>But for the immediate future I am moving, and the next few days will be rough with classes, working, and trying to fit in boot-camp, taekwondo and a social life. But I can do it. I've done worse.<br /><br />Oh, also I am planning to move my blog to wordpress. Wish me luck. What a fun first week back!Normahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17170755607304150694noreply@blogger.com3Seoul, South Korea37.566535 126.977969237.365159 126.66211220000001 37.767911000000005 127.2938262tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1064746711117960013.post-58552367651220684902011-08-27T09:50:00.010+09:002011-08-27T10:35:59.354+09:00They're coming to America
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjws9umJxBv3DZPG_fHDeaN_a9GZsTnh9bZmCCxAEc5DNu1EUxZkhwaLAIO9Qcyfk7lhgnkeWt6T0DhETWKyJG_Ea4esyakWLfc91soMzAHAWI1xwsFgEXI1Qeht5-t8Pak3NUxj1aJHN0/s1600/DSC08119.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 386px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjws9umJxBv3DZPG_fHDeaN_a9GZsTnh9bZmCCxAEc5DNu1EUxZkhwaLAIO9Qcyfk7lhgnkeWt6T0DhETWKyJG_Ea4esyakWLfc91soMzAHAWI1xwsFgEXI1Qeht5-t8Pak3NUxj1aJHN0/s400/DSC08119.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645337273704039426" /></a>
<br /><span class="Apple-style-span" >(obligatory fobby peace sign I now have in every picture
<br />-Taken yesterday before my last day of work for a month)</span>
<br />
<br />I love that song by Neil Diamond
<br />Except, it's me, I'm coming to America. I'm heading there on Monday. Don't fret, it's just for vacation. Karamel will still be in Korea for a long while yet. So, I am pumped, excited, nervous. I don't know what to expect. You see I left for Korea December 2008 and I have not been back since. Korea has changed so much since I've been here but probably more on that in another post. This one is about America<div>
<br /><a name='more'></a>
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8cmew56G1RlWK-gSB9IMFglY2L2lE1PX8jPusAtvD6TtwGSed6MMO_TsUj9K2fXPelZSzu7DYkWCIrXsL5Y_WMHoG0SK3P2MJB08lC0jVJToPgwb6jmYwd8zmOXb7ftqD668-Pbwg6QU/s1600/map+north+america.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 194px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8cmew56G1RlWK-gSB9IMFglY2L2lE1PX8jPusAtvD6TtwGSed6MMO_TsUj9K2fXPelZSzu7DYkWCIrXsL5Y_WMHoG0SK3P2MJB08lC0jVJToPgwb6jmYwd8zmOXb7ftqD668-Pbwg6QU/s320/map+north+america.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645337539564963906" /></a>
<br /></div><div>My PLANS<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><div style="font-size: 13px; ">8/29 - 9/12: Atlanta and Miami</div><div style="font-size: 13px; ">9/12 - 9/17: New York City and Boston</div><div style="font-size: 13px; ">9/17 - 9/23: Los Angeles</div><div style="font-size: 13px; ">And then I fly from LA back to Seoul</div><div style="font-size: 13px; ">
<br /></div><div style="font-size: 13px; ">I know it's quite the whirlwind tour. That's just how I travel. One month is too long to spend with my family. They're dysfunctional anyways. I am already wondering if I can handle 10 days. But I am so excited to see everyone, and it's my first time in LA woohoo!!!</div><div style="font-size: 13px; ">
<br /></div><div style="font-size: 13px; ">When I return:</div><div style="font-size: 13px; ">I have so much on my plate when I get back.</div><div style="font-size: 13px; ">
<br /></div><div style="font-size: 13px; "> I will be tossed right into week 5 (maybe 6) of the term, teaching. I hate taking over people's classes because I have my own unique style. But it worked out perfectly that he was leaving when I got back.</div><div style="font-size: 13px; ">
<br /></div><div style="font-size: 13px; ">I will be starting Korean class at Yonsei Dae Hakyo (University in Korean, and a prestigious one I might add) at the Korean Language Institute. I am so nervous, but kind of excited. Classes are 5 days a week from 9-1 and I hope I can meet a lot of cool people.</div><div style="font-size: 13px; ">
<br /></div><div style="font-size: 13px; ">I still plan to keep up taekwondo, boot camp and have language exchange partners. I'm going to be a pretty exhausted girl. It will be like my life in Boston all over again.</div><div style="font-size: 13px; ">
<br /></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span">But most importantly, I plan to update my blog much more regularly.</span></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">
<br />You see I had this realization. I only blog when really exciting things happen to me, like a fun event, festival etc. In other words for myself. Because I saved them up what I had was a few sparse, but very long posts summarizing exciting events. But there are so many random thoughts, songs, ideas, activities that go on everyday in Korea that most people outside do not know about. That's what I want to blog about. TV shows, songs, people on the street. The everyday stuff. Don't worry, you'll still be entertained by my crazy antics, those won't be stopping anytime soon (last weekend there was this 36 hour drinking binge that I may never talk about and from which I am still recovering). So bear with me. Starting in October when I get back, it's on.</span></div><div style="font-size: 13px; ">
<br /></div><div style="font-size: 13px; ">Till then, peace, and happy drinking :)</div></span></div>
<br /><a href="http://www.mediabistro.com/agencyspy/files/original/GLA-355~Cheers-I-Posters.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 359px; height: 450px;" src="http://www.mediabistro.com/agencyspy/files/original/GLA-355~Cheers-I-Posters.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Normahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17170755607304150694noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1064746711117960013.post-40769503544561172672011-08-06T18:45:00.003+09:002014-12-03T20:11:55.613+09:00Summertime Fun:Jisan Rock Festival -<br />
In true keeping with things I hadn't done on my list for what might possibly be my last year in Korea I decided to hit up the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jisan_Valley_Rock_Festival">Jisan Valley Rock Festival. </a>Unlike DJ fest where you stayed awake all night, this one was a several nights in a row, which required you getting accommodation or better yet, a tent.<br />
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Pool</div>
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Mudfest take 2</div>
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Jjokbae festival: Cool festival outside of Seoul</div>
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Drum and base</div>
Normahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17170755607304150694noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1064746711117960013.post-50710163254316579682011-07-10T18:45:00.000+09:002014-12-03T20:10:51.208+09:00Spring Summary<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg28csq0UmzDrJhsVAMHmiKIv-MMMdQRLJSaGOUIgy-n28u4bdbxQBUE-9jlQPaZg_pXQjRdPIjx6bc3tBUyobND65B3pAuaRxQWP1GxPmWna-AFVF-BWlPAfcRKjuXEVUZ6686tFarsR8/s1600/spring.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg28csq0UmzDrJhsVAMHmiKIv-MMMdQRLJSaGOUIgy-n28u4bdbxQBUE-9jlQPaZg_pXQjRdPIjx6bc3tBUyobND65B3pAuaRxQWP1GxPmWna-AFVF-BWlPAfcRKjuXEVUZ6686tFarsR8/s200/spring.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
Among the highlights of the spring time were:<br />
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<b><u>Toga Party</u></b> - My friend held an awesome toga party on the top of his roof. Sadly, it was the last party he had there as he left Korea soon after. In the past he has held some awesome parties on his roof top including Halloween parties, toga parties, pajamas parties etc. I'd been to a ton but it was my first time to go to the toga one. His parties were always fun because the entire rough and school are all to ourselves, but they were a pain to get to because he lived so far away. After riding a train all the way to Bun-dang you have to take a bus about 20 more minutes. These parties are definitely over-nighters. I met some fun people and had a great time...<br />
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<b><u>DJ Fest</u></b>- Living in Korea for 3 years and yet I had still never been to DJ fest, which is an epic event. DJ's from all over the world playing at massive stages and so much booze and fun, partying overnight basically. What was probably the funniest part of it was that I had on a shirt that said 왜국인 (pronounced waegukin meaning foreigner) on it. And everyone either wanted to know if I knew what it meant or take a picture with me. Given the monstrosities I have seen in Korea when they buy "English" shirts (f-bombs on kids, random gibberish) I can see why they'd be amused, but I bought that shirt because I knew what it said... And I wanted to give them a reason to read it instead of say it. And acknowledge that I knew.<br />
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<b><u>Paragliding</u></b><br />
This was an awesome opportunity and I so glad I did it. I did it in tandem with an expert over in Yangpyeong. The scary part is the leap off the mountain, but once you are in the air it is so much fun... And then the landing is a bit frightening too. I thoroughly enjoyed myself. I went through a group via meetup, but it may not be too hard to organize on your own.<br />
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<b><u>Rafting and Bungee Jumping</u></b><br />
To round out the spring I also decided to try another thing on my bucket list. I went on a rafting and bungee jumping trip. The scenery was beautiful and I definitely belly-flopped off a cliff to some horrifying bruises. We also may have almost killed our guide in some fierce rapids, but he ended up all right. Then came the bungee-jumping... I was terrified. I had to not thing about it, or I would give up and freak out. In the end I just jumped. My scream was terrifying, and gave way to enthusiasm, which soon quickly changed to boredom as I hung over the river waiting to be picked up by boat. All over in like 45 seconds. Totally worth it though. And with that and paragliding out of the way all I have left on my sky-high bucket list is to skydive <strike>and join the mile-high club...</strike> (dad if you read this I was kidding about the last one)...<br />
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Such a fun and eventful spring.Normahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17170755607304150694noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1064746711117960013.post-76078202180241254382011-07-08T18:39:00.001+09:002011-08-27T10:28:43.291+09:00The Get Healthy Project: Part 3 - The Results.apples with peanut butter: <div>my favorite snack
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHZp76XINpHj0iUVLLoJgTk18W4qxJ2UtumIt9uAdyIYExiiCWluu75jtCvVFpnV_2CKdA2JWtuNIRCuuYG463StzJ8IanKXYxY6D-IrqG4RUr4wEV_fSofKUHS-7kp50fiEB9O0mtz7g/s1600/DSC07864.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}">
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<br /></div><div>So, most importantly, you probably wonder what the results are. I am 20lbs lighter, I feel more energetic than I have ever felt in my life and I feel so much more confident, given that this is prime summer time/bathing suit season.</div><div>
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<br />Sweet potato fries, salmon and veggies
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih5PJxj97MVo8Q6AYXJz_cgJjm707U7d5wtwFXQapeFum9kqYG1XD4tOfXN4-3UuanTqIC7MQ7l7T-j2hyF8RB1hogoSTpmm9YCQInmGK1BDPYIscqNc9qx7txZ39I4vmFWXWzOh375Uk/s1600/DSC07880.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih5PJxj97MVo8Q6AYXJz_cgJjm707U7d5wtwFXQapeFum9kqYG1XD4tOfXN4-3UuanTqIC7MQ7l7T-j2hyF8RB1hogoSTpmm9YCQInmGK1BDPYIscqNc9qx7txZ39I4vmFWXWzOh375Uk/s200/DSC07880.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645326629146923954" /></a> <img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVjA5YlduDPnJsZ3o3Rbz9qWSpTutW86J2Sq7Aszf23TZh3jF4XC7tpj3CSoFI2YZUmuexRlDmK3sgeRUWv658hNq6n-uvIEIfx0xjG_gSFQh2yC58qF_-A-bIiLbZGJtAXSzc3N3nVEo/s200/DSC07874.JPG" /> Stirfry veggies</div><div>
<br /></div><div>I haven't drank coffee in about 2 months. I stick to teas when I need caffeine. I chose healthier varieties of my favorite foods. I cook for myself. My fridge, once empty, is now stocked with all kinds of goodies. I signed back up for taekwondo, and then rainy season started, so I joined an indoor boot camp.</div><div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmeBA-ieCXiA8AL0kGGkFIHfL4hCel8cQFC13AKYebIgVv6CYnyOF3S8x7MZpyiKO0ZznLsbZdO7_iBYeakCnK3oHJsZYKNq1iHVPIfkYKZnONItaRwNFJs-XRAmq1oJNff_6upYQ2GlU/s200/268862_785446980817_2605490_38625894_7492345_n+%25281%2529.jpg" /> Get healthy Baby!!!</div><div>
<br /></div><div>I can feel my abs hardening and without being super healthy (last night I had wings and pizza and booze for dinner) I am still losing weight. Because I no longer drink caffeine until 10pm at night, I fall asleep at 1 or 2 am instead of 5 or 6 am. I get much more done during the day.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>Stirfry rice
<br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVW3moIBRmnOVXiFg0hFwXxCAGP44NeLTX46qTFnCgu9rXb1qSi0Ag9FPMaJsOeeH9KA_9heINdsnuGvSHsrdsC2tBJDCmToA6uoBqHTzxONaoCc97KYF7TH3LcNx4cUWjhitGpCWtVEU/s200/DSC07630.JPG" /> <img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHZp76XINpHj0iUVLLoJgTk18W4qxJ2UtumIt9uAdyIYExiiCWluu75jtCvVFpnV_2CKdA2JWtuNIRCuuYG463StzJ8IanKXYxY6D-IrqG4RUr4wEV_fSofKUHS-7kp50fiEB9O0mtz7g/s200/DSC07864.JPG" />Homemade Salad</div><div>
<br />As if that weren't enough, I finally bought an oven. I have decided to really take this to the fullest extent. I make myself smoothies for breakfast. And I must say, I really love my life.<div>
<br /></div><div>Smoothie (Banana,Almond,Flaxseed, Vanilla protein, Milk)</div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO2mP_cSkIXs3VtDt6xK2CcNb_BEHz6AOR5XxWdO0aZa9e7mzg8fixxJwPkfGvcemt5lMhvFgMfxmvVK9MQjc2Io5iciHHahg5hKOXeGt7nFKEj-lvFKv1O50LfsCL8XGOcFOkU0ZOM2U/s200/DSC07600.JPG" /> <div>My oven </div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNiS4-JFzSHGfpl9rx94ddsyQYeVg-pZ-dYmrggKBFlNfkh0r63e0rUL-E3BAPWyyUJXrKS8tG7mi6sES9ImSWFPkPKJN1BJJTpncvmlUjprjov6jBaRKmbDphqEtLOiHNR2UPiPaMCcc/s200/DSC07624.JPG" /> </div><div> <img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGWnySMfKYsFIf9muZ1fitMOLKwK6_AGrF8Hx7mo1od8pl1RAL2Ktqm09zcRL-GH43PnW0Hzq-m11MEU4ZpV3vgRgvj0Wa7c9Hm7HTFxVjw8-zcEd_-jAvkRQg_Dho78tJd9OeaXq_giQ/s200/DSC08086.JPG" />Fresh baked Banana Bread </div><div> Almond Muffins</div><div> <img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv62Ap8w0ECndQ1mOUqBpvt0Dco5bDx7kolOaPD04iFNAbZoBB6Zw2wiDVYqxVlqg8TSRftQJ8zHOZoQId9t-uMh9SgltE3TQ2sfGFn199NVrV6bBBrZnBNZo04xCtxsdZ3WhVZdkCG2k/s200/DSC07832.JPG" /></div></div></div></div></div>Normahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17170755607304150694noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1064746711117960013.post-10255116579492474322011-07-06T18:29:00.006+09:002011-08-27T09:20:51.952+09:00The Get Healthy Project: Part 2- The processOk, so as I mentioned before, I started out the unhealthy way. I stopped eating due to isolation and depression. Then, I probably did something that was even unhealthier. I decided to do the master cleanse. You know, the spicy lemonade diet. I figured it was time to cleanse my body of all the fermented, process and fatty crap and alcohol I had put into it. I was already planning to do it before the falling out, so it made it easier to say I had to go home because I couldn't eat or drink. Otherwise, mentally, I would have been screwed.
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<br />It wasn't hard to find the ingredients. I bought lemons at the local grocery store, and went to Costco to get the maple syrup. I also found sea salt (for the salt water flush) at the supermarket, and cayenne at the foreign food mart in itaewon. I was set.
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge754UF71f8WAtCMtuH5zEeaT1jy14l_NrsCE6guPwGt3oyLJjWkhsS6_ja3t01e___QkfSozKHohr03nUNlh1pbZ6R09g7u9xawlMsYpi0QWrJqFLFltuDHPV4xWYMHT_kp3T0AotKzA/s1600/DSC07133.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge754UF71f8WAtCMtuH5zEeaT1jy14l_NrsCE6guPwGt3oyLJjWkhsS6_ja3t01e___QkfSozKHohr03nUNlh1pbZ6R09g7u9xawlMsYpi0QWrJqFLFltuDHPV4xWYMHT_kp3T0AotKzA/s200/DSC07133.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645323514831545810" /></a>
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<br />It was easier than I thought it would be. Unlike most people I had more energy (probably mental). I supplemented my lemonade (even that I didn't drink enough of) with tea and spoons of maple syrup. I pretended the salt water flush was chicken soup. I did it only 7 days because of other engagements but I could have gone longer.
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<br />I dropped about 7 or 8 pounds. Thats a pound a day. Holy cow. Probably not healthy. The most drastic change for me was not drinking any more coffee (I was addicted). It drastically improved my sleeping habits.
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<br />It was then I decided I was going to make a conscious change. I was going to start working out again, and eating healthier to maintain this progress. I would also drink less (low calories, avoid beer etc). For a workout I found apps and websites where I could track how much I worked out and ate. As I have a hard time going to the gym without friends (no motivation) I found workouts I could do at home, or I walked by the river.
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<br />The results were great. I'll get into those for the next post.
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<br />Addendum
<br />A little bit later I signed up for both Taekwondo and Boot camp. More on that in the next postNormahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17170755607304150694noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1064746711117960013.post-4843650552199452832011-06-13T12:13:00.016+09:002011-08-27T09:20:23.686+09:00The Get Healthy Project: Part 1 - The Reasons<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz1hZYHowP84KzPqPCtAJHp9Lcwy-d9e7x-RPle1Xlvcm3bNVKt3gymfnpypjVDPXyryPLaj2eu_GeT1AVCZCVmdNGe-RXmAB3vQ3LLPW7XEz78CTBB7JQ1suUwG0OZXxvOrCb5SqVn9c/s1600/29277_642355557177_2605490_36764932_7334313_n.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628767229564860306" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz1hZYHowP84KzPqPCtAJHp9Lcwy-d9e7x-RPle1Xlvcm3bNVKt3gymfnpypjVDPXyryPLaj2eu_GeT1AVCZCVmdNGe-RXmAB3vQ3LLPW7XEz78CTBB7JQ1suUwG0OZXxvOrCb5SqVn9c/s320/29277_642355557177_2605490_36764932_7334313_n.jpg" /></a>
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<br />A delicious donut from Krispy Kreme in Korea
<br />But see what happens below.
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<br />When I was younger, (read:in college), I had the worst eating habits ever. I often forgot to eat (ok I hear you gasp - I have an odd relationship with food, I eat it when I am reminded, when I am with people, or I will simply peck and then move on - basically I am one of those weirdos for whom eating is not a priority, I do it to stay alive... to figure out why I'd have to go back into my childhood. Too long)
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<br />Anyways, I became a vegetarian, and it got even worse. I at waffle fries dipped in BBQ sauce (hail to chick-fil-a) for lunch, and other random things for dinner. I live on sun chips, apple juice, and mac and cheese. At one point a nutritionist said to me she wasn't even sure how I was alive...
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<br />By the time I was living in Boston for grad school. I was so stressed and frazzled I was dangerously underweight, seeing a doctor and basically trying to stay alive...
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<br />Fast forward to Korea. At this point I was under the impression that my body was invincible. I developed a crazy new lifestyle. Working from 4pm until 10 pm I didn't eat my first meal of the day until about 3pm and then we ate again around 10.30-11. We coupled that with plenty of cheap drinks to supplement (beer and soju). Often our meals consisted of samgyeopsal (grilled pork similar to bacon) or other sodium rich meals. Needless to say skinny Norma was very soon normal-weight Norma, then slighly bigger Norma. I went from a size 0 to a 4. I was still fine. I didn't mind that I didn't fit in my jeans anymore. But eventually, I looked at myself in the mirror.
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<br />Chubby cheeks: ugh
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<br />I no longer liked that I had to think about sucking my stomach in to look good. Then, last year, after thanksgiving and christmas, I hit the peak. I WAS A SIZE 6. Gasp. Now I know you will say this is the average size of the American woman. The problem is I live in Korea, where the average size of a woman is a size 0. Suddenly every insecurity I had came flooding back in when I had to buy clothes labeled large (in fairness, they'd probably be a medium back home).
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<br />No one told me I looked so bad
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVgvKckHWwNYQK-gPGADE0h5RrpyGEGcua9sLi9yZZj3t3IixixDrSUcMxA5LEzKOPlv98K26IQGuEnQ1gTgJas0LTxYWgvxotQ-tt2LwBf_9io_8sqEAV67V406x9WLMj22z6kh2Z5cA/s1600/164794_680425849007_2605490_37842436_7930526_n.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628767240947229698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVgvKckHWwNYQK-gPGADE0h5RrpyGEGcua9sLi9yZZj3t3IixixDrSUcMxA5LEzKOPlv98K26IQGuEnQ1gTgJas0LTxYWgvxotQ-tt2LwBf_9io_8sqEAV67V406x9WLMj22z6kh2Z5cA/s320/164794_680425849007_2605490_37842436_7930526_n.jpg" /></a>
<br />Chunky, stomach not flat. Gross!
<br />
<br />I'd like to say that I started losing weight the healthy way. That I started exercising and eating right. I'd be lying. Remember when I told you I was a social eater. Well, I eventually had a few falling outs with some of my closest friends. With no one to eat dinner with I would just go home and well, not eat. After people started to notice, then I took matters into my own hands and did it the healthier way. I am now since back down to shape, but I will describe it all in my next postNormahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17170755607304150694noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1064746711117960013.post-91036005277361660212011-05-29T17:43:00.009+09:002011-06-10T07:57:43.893+09:00It's been a long timeI shouldn't have left you, without a dope beat to step to... (Anybody remember that Aaliyah song?)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf86P-sMSj1jgOLhAA7cmJ5AaHhiQwRpZVjcnHRB0bkrcBMaT4aFBVTV8k5DZL2rtHxyCKvxExqMm0VRAeCK50tOXi6u9w-HTffqHBBohQrJhNtWw5cDumBNxKaz5LMuXjjve6UFN_s0A/s1600/DSC07386.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 224px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf86P-sMSj1jgOLhAA7cmJ5AaHhiQwRpZVjcnHRB0bkrcBMaT4aFBVTV8k5DZL2rtHxyCKvxExqMm0VRAeCK50tOXi6u9w-HTffqHBBohQrJhNtWw5cDumBNxKaz5LMuXjjve6UFN_s0A/s400/DSC07386.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615877646333793250" /></a><br /><br />Anyways, so much has been going on, but that is no excuse. I have so many stories that I will have to go back and write about, but I wanted to say I am still alive. Here is a quick update to catch you up on things<br /><a name='more'></a><br /><br />1. Boozing: Who is Karamel w/o the booze? <br />Every other weekend I have been signed up trips that have included much boozing. You see it's spring time and so the weather is getting warm and I need to get out more.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP6x4aZzw-v5eIzi9fi293sSKDqpfuXAgDWMpHkj1XVG-GstN8xdvwqxCJtNwM_kr49t1GtLmsm7ZlE7u1aodPfnQjdvEkrAtThvKROQz7E7LcNMpYfmd2ox48QcmieyrstsQojj29aSQ/s1600/DSC06986.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP6x4aZzw-v5eIzi9fi293sSKDqpfuXAgDWMpHkj1XVG-GstN8xdvwqxCJtNwM_kr49t1GtLmsm7ZlE7u1aodPfnQjdvEkrAtThvKROQz7E7LcNMpYfmd2ox48QcmieyrstsQojj29aSQ/s400/DSC06986.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615879803000142002" /></a><br /><br /> Among these the most memorable were DJ Fest, Learning to make Makgeolli, and Gwangju (I promise to post more in detail about some of them)<br /><br />I guess I was experiencing culture too... but more importantly... fun fun fun fun<br /><br />Horse Racing<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVWj4Sq7pmTYYTcdp_F8eW09QbRWrUACwBzVhC5g-M4LdidKtFKFHdUWUs2ibEIONmwY7c9IAzgbjQIBixnWbOC7KD9r_dR6pEsF7QAxxLV2atyeUsilz9OEFDMoqly2zbo258djlY800/s1600/DSC07152.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVWj4Sq7pmTYYTcdp_F8eW09QbRWrUACwBzVhC5g-M4LdidKtFKFHdUWUs2ibEIONmwY7c9IAzgbjQIBixnWbOC7KD9r_dR6pEsF7QAxxLV2atyeUsilz9OEFDMoqly2zbo258djlY800/s400/DSC07152.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615879808569350866" /></a><br /><br />Baseball<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYAOpJPv3fpZlQE5_2gaGSekkUp0cQ9e8VPIbNocBJyWP4_vXf3HHp-REIPhStWBc0se7W24VpfCD68WGI9MsZo9nTwd0pEy9gfT_CSBsbnT_36tdTmeA6X6xe_iDMEB6iTygEAh_Krxo/s1600/225211_10100263816850813_10235640_53181148_5191436_n.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYAOpJPv3fpZlQE5_2gaGSekkUp0cQ9e8VPIbNocBJyWP4_vXf3HHp-REIPhStWBc0se7W24VpfCD68WGI9MsZo9nTwd0pEy9gfT_CSBsbnT_36tdTmeA6X6xe_iDMEB6iTygEAh_Krxo/s400/225211_10100263816850813_10235640_53181148_5191436_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615879813671466194" /></a><br /><br />Oddly enough I drink much less than I used to, because of well... see #4<br /><br />2. Training: I went to training to learn to train people how to teach and afterwards I started training people. It's ok, not that great because I have less patience with stupid adults than stupid kids but it worked<br /><br />3. The usual: AKA teaching, chilling, planning my life, dreaming of trips. <br /><br />4. Getting healthy: I began an intense program to get in shape for the summer... success!!! (more about that too in another post coming soon)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCBWQB93nR91xEMe8e8k4KD-C2XXeKc0z-3bJhEmTm2yJmyhg1QswoUushr6TcSWNwCFcctyFRNKYkfmy4xcgBSu6Ep-TqJ8jL56LUgYHWETkn5MDgxChvb8GU8mJw8zKcXC5-Cpp0pi4/s1600/DSC07397-1.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 248px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCBWQB93nR91xEMe8e8k4KD-C2XXeKc0z-3bJhEmTm2yJmyhg1QswoUushr6TcSWNwCFcctyFRNKYkfmy4xcgBSu6Ep-TqJ8jL56LUgYHWETkn5MDgxChvb8GU8mJw8zKcXC5-Cpp0pi4/s400/DSC07397-1.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615880700001413554" /></a><br /><br />Summarized: I had to give up drinking for 2 weeks (ouch) but ever since I've done much less of it. I also gave up coffee (sub with tea), most fast foods and I no longer enjoy supper sweet things or large portions. Plus I am back to taekwondo and work out a lot more.<br /><br /><br />5. I bought an iPAD 2! I know, be jealous. It's so cool, but I totally didn't need it. Anyways, more fun :)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwoliDdIdlK-2aX2_aMCaXTg_V0BlCuFS_RJDA6b7veSh9GS7ovxM7eQUlVZuF_fcrFJR2HcPtVxaaCdLsEOe_o4UK4jVQMmNnwliHxnC0L51rOuE6WLycDSGs3oewU2xx4gpfLrOQ9Xs/s1600/DSC07192.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwoliDdIdlK-2aX2_aMCaXTg_V0BlCuFS_RJDA6b7veSh9GS7ovxM7eQUlVZuF_fcrFJR2HcPtVxaaCdLsEOe_o4UK4jVQMmNnwliHxnC0L51rOuE6WLycDSGs3oewU2xx4gpfLrOQ9Xs/s400/DSC07192.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615880697709964114" /></a>Normahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17170755607304150694noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1064746711117960013.post-30580200782431619642011-04-04T14:30:00.001+09:002011-06-09T00:49:35.946+09:00UV – Itaewon Freedom Feat. JYP, 2PM & miss A (Music Video) | RemixTheVideoThis Video has me cracking up, and there are so many parodies of it. I'm not really sure what is going on or why, but I like it.<br /><br /><iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/3N8c1t1QTDI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br /><br /><a href="http://www.remixthevideo.com/2011/03/uv-itaewon-freedom-feat-jyp-2pm-miss-a-music-video/">UV – Itaewon Freedom Feat. JYP, 2PM & miss A (Music Video) | RemixTheVideo</a><br /><br />It's kind of old now, but still great funNormahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17170755607304150694noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1064746711117960013.post-17216017590602313452011-03-18T08:10:00.014+09:002011-04-02T13:35:26.192+09:00My Heart Bleeds for Japan<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSqVC7CztrNeBRD0CaFirt9tkvILXGH65PzsG3ifAOlI1H9AL0GfJa6rETOC4pi4Vq3SBcHsoRtshIpui8VR0K5EwQ6b9W008KGeqdDwU6HtmxV0LYX3xHwTPShwMsWeFd_fhp_2F6kQM/s400/190000_10150122013763500_40444963499_6660114_3928600_s.jpg" /><br /><br /><div>Living in Korea, we are practically neighbors, I've been there twice, and it's the country that spawned Hello Kitty!!! But mostly, because as a human, I must. I've been trying to figure out ways I can help as a person living in Korea and an expat, so I did some research.</div><blockquote><div><a name='more'></a>On a side note: often I have to deal with the unusual hatred in Korean kids over <a href="http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/national/2011/03/17/5/0301000000AEN20110317008500315F.HTML">dokdo</a>. It drives me insane. Especially given that they are so young. However, and this is a big however, the majority of Koreans are not like this. Most of them grow up and snap out of it, the older generation still perpetrates this. The others realize it's a horrible attitude, and that love for human kind is greater than past grievances.</div><div><br /></div><div>Everyone is pitching in to help in Korea: <a href="http://blogs.wsj.com/korearealtime/2011/03/15/celebrities-move-to-support-japan/">Celebrities</a>, <a href="http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2011/03/113_83126.html">Normal folks</a>, <a href="http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2011/03/17/2011031700363.html">Government</a> and <a href="http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2933610">more</a></div></blockquote><div><a href="http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2933610"></a></div><div>I wanted to do something to help too, so if you live in Korea, here's how you can help:</div><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px; ">Call 060-700-1122. You will be charged 2,000 won per call. ALL PROCEEDS GO TO JAPAN RELIEF! </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; line-height: 14px; font-size: small; ">(The message is in Korean but just wait a few seconds for the beep and it should have gone through!)</span></li></ul></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px; "><b>Addendum:</b></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px; "><b>DIRECT TO JAPAN RED CROSS*:</b></span><br /><ul><li><b><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px; ">You can also make <a href="http://www.google.com/intl/en/crisisresponse/japanquake2011.html">direct</a> donations with your card to the Japanese Red Cross through </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px; ">Google</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px; ">. It is converted directly to Yen</span></span></span></b></li></ul><b><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span">*Thanks X7 for sharing</span></span></b><ul><li><b>Or by <a href="http://www.jrc.or.jp/english/relief/l4/Vcms4_00002070.html">bank transfer</a>. It's just like sending money home from Korea.</b></li></ul></div><div>And I got this online* for those of us who can use our credit cards from abroad</div><span class="Apple-style-span"><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 1em; padding-left: 0px; "></p><ul><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; "><strong style="font-style: inherit; font-weight: bold; "><a href="https://www.networkforgood.org/donation/MakeDonation.aspx?ORGID2=530196605&source=YAHOO&cmpgn=NEWS" style="color: rgb(0, 88, 166); text-decoration: none; ">AMERICAN RED CROSS</a></strong>: Emergency Operation Centers are opened in the affected areas and staffed by the chapters. This disaster is on a scale larger than the Japanese Red Cross can typically manage. Donations to the American Red Cross can be allocated for the International Disaster Relief Fund, which then deploys to the region to help. <a href="https://www.networkforgood.org/donation/MakeDonation.aspx?ORGID2=530196605&source=YAHOO&cmpgn=NEWS" style="color: rgb(0, 88, 166); text-decoration: none; ">Donate here</a>.</li></ul><ul><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; "><strong style="font-style: inherit; font-weight: bold; "><a href="https://www.networkforgood.org/donation/MakeDonation.aspx?ORGID2=30-0108263&source=YAHOO&cmpgn=NEWS" style="color: rgb(0, 88, 166); text-decoration: none; ">GLOBALGIVING</a></strong>: Established a fund to disburse donations to organizations providing relief and emergency services to victims of the earthquake and tsunami. <a href="https://www.networkforgood.org/donation/MakeDonation.aspx?ORGID2=30-0108263&source=YAHOO&cmpgn=NEWS" style="color: rgb(0, 88, 166); text-decoration: none; ">Donate here</a>.</li></ul><ul><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; "><strong style="font-style: inherit; font-weight: bold; "><a href="https://www.networkforgood.org/donation/MakeDonation.aspx?ORGID2=060726487&source=YAHOO&cmpgn=NEWS" style="color: rgb(0, 88, 166); text-decoration: none; ">SAVE THE CHILDREN</a></strong>: Mobilizing to provide immediate humanitarian relief in the shape of emergency health care and provision of non-food items and shelter. <a href="https://www.networkforgood.org/donation/MakeDonation.aspx?ORGID2=060726487&source=YAHOO&cmpgn=NEWS" style="color: rgb(0, 88, 166); text-decoration: none; ">Donate here</a>.</li></ul><ul><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; "><strong style="font-style: inherit; font-weight: bold; "><a href="https://www.networkforgood.org/donation/MakeDonation.aspx?ORGID2=222406433&source=YAHOO&cmpgn=NEWS" style="color: rgb(0, 88, 166); text-decoration: none; ">SALVATION ARMY</a></strong>: The Salvation Army has been in Japan since 1895 and is currently providing emergency assistance to those in need. <a href="https://www.networkforgood.org/donation/MakeDonation.aspx?ORGID2=222406433&source=YAHOO&cmpgn=NEWS" style="color: rgb(0, 88, 166); text-decoration: none; ">Donate here</a>.</li></ul><ul><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; "><strong style="font-style: inherit; font-weight: bold; "><a href="https://www.networkforgood.org/donation/MakeDonation.aspx?ORGID2=061008595&source=YAHOO&cmpgn=NEWS" style="color: rgb(0, 88, 166); text-decoration: none; ">AMERICARES</a></strong>: Emergency team is on full alert, mobilizing resources and dispatching an emergency response manager to the region. <a href="https://www.networkforgood.org/donation/MakeDonation.aspx?ORGID2=061008595&source=YAHOO&cmpgn=NEWS" style="color: rgb(0, 88, 166); text-decoration: none; ">Donate here</a>.</li></ul><ul><li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; "><strong style="font-style: inherit; font-weight: bold; "><a href="https://www.networkforgood.org/Donation/MakeDonation.aspx?ORGID2=680051386&source=YAHOO&cmpgn=NEWS" style="color: rgb(0, 88, 166); text-decoration: none; ">CONVOY OF HOPE</a></strong>: Disaster Response team established connection with in-country partners who have been impacted by the damage and are identifying the needs and areas where Convoy of Hope may be of the greatest assistance. <a href="https://www.networkforgood.org/Donation/MakeDonation.aspx?ORGID2=680051386&source=YAHOO&cmpgn=NEWS" style="color: rgb(0, 88, 166); text-decoration: none; ">Donate here</a>.</li></ul><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; "><strong style="font-style: inherit; font-weight: bold; "><a href="https://www.networkforgood.org/Donation/MakeDonation.aspx?ORGID2=953949646&source=YAHOO&cmpgn=NEWS" style="color: rgb(0, 88, 166); text-decoration: none; ">INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL CORPS</a></strong>: Putting together relief teams, as well as supplies, and are in contact with partners in Japan and other affected countries to assess needs and coordinate our activities. <a href="https://www.networkforgood.org/Donation/MakeDonation.aspx?ORGID2=953949646&source=YAHOO&cmpgn=NEWS" style="color: rgb(0, 88, 166); text-decoration: none; ">Donate here</a>.</span></li></ul><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; "><strong style="font-style: inherit; font-weight: bold; "><a href="https://www.networkforgood.org/Donation/MakeDonation.aspx?ORGID2=200471604&source=YAHOO&cmpgn=NEWS" style="color: rgb(0, 88, 166); text-decoration: none; ">SHELTER BOX</a></strong>: The first team is mobilizing to head to Japan and begin the response effort. <a href="https://www.networkforgood.org/Donation/MakeDonation.aspx?ORGID2=200471604&source=YAHOO&cmpgn=NEWS" style="color: rgb(0, 88, 166); text-decoration: none; ">Donate here</a>.</span></li></ul><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; ">Other blogs have some simple ways too: Here's <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; "><a href="http://mashable.com/2011/03/13/japan-earthquake-tsunami-help-donate/">one</a> , </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px; "><a href="http://deepakjulien.com/simple-ways-to-help-japanese-victims.html">another</a> and a </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px; "><a href="http://www.hellobeautyblog.com/2011/03/how-to-help-japan/">third</a></span></span><p></p><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;">*Taken from </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: normal; "><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_newsroom/20110311/wl_yblog_newsroom/japan-earthquake-and-tsunami-how-to-help">Yahoo news</a></span></span><p style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px; "></p></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><img src="http://www.hellokittyclub.com/pics/wall-paper/wallpaper7_210.jpg" /></span></div>Normahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17170755607304150694noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1064746711117960013.post-84276296220143413142011-03-15T13:23:00.008+09:002011-03-18T09:42:27.900+09:00Spring is almost here (and it's 2011)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://criminalbrief.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/Japan/JapaneseCherryBlossoms.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://criminalbrief.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/Japan/JapaneseCherryBlossoms.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />I know I've been really behind on posting. So much has been happening. But the birds are chirping, the flowers are blossoming and so Karamel comes out of hibernation. Cherry Blossoms :)<br /><br />It's been a long winter and to survive it I've picked up many alarming habits... the most obvious one being ethanol consumption (wait, I always do that). But I started watching tons of TV shows - I got into <a href="http://www.cbs.com/primetime/how_i_met_your_mother/">How I met your mother</a>, <a href="http://www.nbc.com/30-rock/">30 rock</a>, <a href="http://abc.go.com/shows/modern-family">Modern Family</a> , and so many more. <a name='more'></a><br /><br />Then, when that wasn't enough, I decided to watch British TV shows. It's made me talk funny. I keep adding yeah at the end of sentences, and talk about bits and taking a piss and all that. Blimey! I mean if Skins was any indication then British kids are freakin' mental. I also watched the inbetweeners, and IT crowd. Currently enjoying Peepshow. Still have many more to watch including Misfits, Red Dwarf and Black Adder.<br /><br />Anyways don't worry, I won't forget to post about all the awesome antics of the beginning of this year, but for now I just wanted to post a few videos of things that helped me survive the winter.<br /><br />The first one is.... drumroll please... Big Bang is back! The epic comeback. I never knew they were gone. Mostly because GD and TOP, the two I love, have been banging out the hits regardless.<br /><br />Anyways all of my kids suddenly love them again, which is great except that I have stayed loving them since I got to Korea, and for a period of time it was "ugh, teachuh old, so old". Now it's screaming and antifandom galore (p.s Korea is the only country I know that has dedicated antifans. Don't know what I mean? Google it.)<br /><br />Anyways here is their new video that I can't stop singing and dancing to<br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" width="560" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/8d5QEWdHchk?hd=1" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /><br />And their awesome parody of a recently ended Korean drama called Secret Garden. They play women so well ;) It's got English subtitles.<br />Part 1<br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" width="560" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/FPlsyiiGNZw?hd=1" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br />Part 2<br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" width="560" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/6iNpoVNj3PU?hd=1" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /><br />Another staple that kept me sane was The Colbert Report. Don't get me wrong I love Jon Stewart too but Colbert really does his comedy/satire so well. I love it. The past two weeks have been particularly humorous for me.<br /><br />First, there was his faux-icecream war with Jimmy Fallon<br /><div style="background-color:#000000;width:520px;"><div style="padding:4px;"><embed src="http://media.mtvnservices.com/mgid:cms:video:colbertnation.com:376282" width="512" height="288" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" base="." flashvars=""></embed></div></div><br /><br />And the even better hallucination in the second part of the show (listen to the song)<br /><div style="background-color:#000000;width:520px;"><div style="padding:4px;"><embed src="http://media.mtvnservices.com/mgid:cms:video:colbertnation.com:376283" width="512" height="288" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" base="." flashvars=""></embed></div></div><br /><br />Then, there was his ad to stand beside Tim Pawlenty, standing beside Scott Walker to not run for president (or something like that). You've got to watch it to understand.<br /><div style="background-color:#000000;width:520px;"><div style="padding:4px;"><embed src="http://media.mtvnservices.com/mgid:cms:video:colbertnation.com:377119" width="512" height="288" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" base="." flashvars=""></embed></div></div><br /><br />Anyways, I'll be updating soon enough, starting retrospectively from January, and hopefully some posts on things to come. For example, this weekend = St. Patty's Day. So wear green and come out to the <a href="http://www.iak.co.kr/event/event.php?vm=vie&idx=75">events </a> in Seoul (more on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=182845968423553&index=13">facebook</a>)Normahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17170755607304150694noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1064746711117960013.post-62680444747156570202011-01-02T11:46:00.012+09:002011-03-18T08:11:19.509+09:002010 Roundup - How it all Ended<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoXXASk054nPNfRs1xR-Rs6TzBBSlfdxiG2WVfek9lbO16cLgFkQCsn3RVQWzasu4eNIjQjYGOF1Jj2oxQ2JuTL4bvZ2XYpo8TQUOrs-SfgyEQ9rpBxHwvj4sj-pOylFODjs7NdnguiQA/s1600/DSC04782.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoXXASk054nPNfRs1xR-Rs6TzBBSlfdxiG2WVfek9lbO16cLgFkQCsn3RVQWzasu4eNIjQjYGOF1Jj2oxQ2JuTL4bvZ2XYpo8TQUOrs-SfgyEQ9rpBxHwvj4sj-pOylFODjs7NdnguiQA/s400/DSC04782.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580982902544413282" /></a><br />I can't even begin to recount all the fun things that happened since I last posted. One of the biggest realizations was that these postings of the holidays could be my last one in Korea. The thing I am proudest of from the past year - Finally ranking number one in student surveys. I was always in the top 5 but ...Yay<br />Anyways I will just list some of the highlights<br /><a name='more'></a><br />October:<br />- I went to a rocking awesome 80s party in Gwangju<div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw8cqmn_Pn2kiEp6HJJYKbfKq2KyURHjxcV48KQy3p-ShQXAl4Mkk8kJtiwLoGdwHL2uJ1hc0VilB2746IfKTfGeTTCWmIeyaB-DU89mpGx_hChTGild18iBnb-nBPyVOvqHj8LweQYjE/s400/DSC04748.JPG" /><br />- Halloween was tons of fun partied in Nowon on Friday and Itaewon/Hongdae on Sunday. I was lady Gaga.</div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF1UePC2RTyUJyYM_5Bahuw7y_Mfwkzc0MwBelU2Brxov6PFglY8zaT8nskvwRju9LlMfWOD1zBpOPpxBU0wMwHfVjUfnWMRbFBxtA8NYSZmqTWFjEvlnpGQRvHNSJ-e5yf8lcOxeW-mY/s400/DSC04935.JPG" /><br />-Tried out a couple of really cool restaurants with my buddy JP. Some of the hits were La Trouvaille in Seorae, and another awesome restaurant in Sinsa. The food was divine</div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipJExsZDiS6P0pXS5qj3omEFwLTyay5byovIkybwTWuUes7TbkHPPCYgo9y-RnaYgo4gLVhyphenhyphenEG3DlF7I8vKqIoLub9mK7ntrfVRbidsTF_ttfiPHBDI-M3DlD8CuAwTiwnitJwawg17Bc/s400/DSC04990.JPG" /><br />- I bought a new computer (Sony Vaio) and an iPOD touch 4G. In the same day. It was the biggest purchase day in my life - which is sad considering I have friends who's bought cars and houses. My dad usually buys me stuff but I think it's time to grow up a bit.<br />November:<br />- We ordered a thanksgiving special and had a party in itaewon. It was around the time Yeongpyong-do happened though, so there were so many guards around. It was good times with good people (for the most part)</div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWlJcfQV3GvrN1jkGXHoZV3LNfsrmvxauj0k0-xScB-J5LEeakYnKDdFKKKt09qXidgrSYxDMgIfHDUqlJITEyICccEUwyzhTsEyzn7zKWEY6_95jyHIfuKUdYAw2BrFSgdY3WkaFDb_8/s400/DSC05021.JPG" /><br />December:</div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGnK5h_WzNGaOmXo5ogJexfrq_q5ZwIEW_8XEU__iTRr0_iXBRRCNJmA0xlDi9wWRd5ZP-L-zVCtmMJHDdOtKSyGn-1sPmEPRqoeKI1Rlxgivhia89yFZCLVzSUJr-CTREMhYxrHpDlO8/s400/DSC05072-2.JPG" /><br />-The new term began and I assumed the most stressful time as an HI. That was a fiasco and a half (story for another time)<div>-I went to Santacon. If you haven't been it's awesome</div><div>- I met up with a friend from home </div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijxG7xbOsFP5oHD3RkAuYlZMd5BROzbcs_MkhjGjO_5fKYEEyoup4x7tpHFlCZ3ImRwyXmxsHqfpzb3RyiO4pVfE-HTEuDaYXm5VN0vyaJoWxGARgKvX8CbgdlNrNXTeOZ5dsSSDFVKFw/s400/166572_604165036346_8502409_34341208_5009119_n.jpg" /><br /><div>-I spent Christmas in Jeju, and it snowed. It's supposed to be the Hawai'i of Korea, so snow was weird.</div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpsEa6y_y-tJ14YCNw9VNQsuY7ORB37TuyhLbqV6qqOBWNQjcQ7UDQ1os8akw0e8T6PIdpHV9WC-QtYaiH2QLLhrifWHYJZQxdgBoSM2Bp5dN6vLQdiT09RPX0XJ6DmlLneBjVRgmnaFY/s400/DSC05183.JPG" /></div><div>-Had to work, so headed to Metro for NYE... and so the year ended</div></div></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_285IM76oM5w7J1dDMMsZS-Xv8pD7W2qsYJtbIdMR_AzpNgj1lgWzsVHLu946cWGpbWdPICgjoGhn8zqhUTfWyLLOliVJf2tgQVPtmxyZJlW-DZ4ao1eNB9eKsjl7qb8aEBWl1c_XJX8/s400/DSC05424.JPG" /></div><div>Cheers :)</div>Normahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17170755607304150694noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1064746711117960013.post-59630006184289996762010-10-21T11:19:00.015+09:002010-10-27T15:48:22.476+09:00What to do for Halloween???<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.funny-potato.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/halloween-ideas.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://www.funny-potato.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/halloween-ideas.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />New to Korea and/or worried about what to do for Halloween? I am here to help you figure it out. The most important things obviously, are <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">costumes</span></b> and<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> parties</span></b>. We'll tackle them both.<a name='more'></a><br /><br />Well first of all, as a fair warning, keep in mind that most Koreans don't celebrate Halloween. If you are an English teacher, some of your kids will be familiar with the idea of dressing up and getting candy (and try to demand you bring them some). However do not fret. A younger generation of college students, and definitely all the Waegookin (foreigners), do not forget this amazing holiday. As a result, the country responds the way any place with a demand would, supply - but maybe in less of a scale many of us are used to. But anyway, on to the important stuff.<br /><br /><b>COSTUMES:</b><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/halloween-mask.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 339px;" src="http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/halloween-mask.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />You can get many "routine" costumes and masks (princess, fairy, wolf etc) around especially in places like Itaewon or even e-mart, lotte mart etc. To be more unique however, requires a bit of searching. Last year, I was Jem (see <a href="http://karamelinkorea.blogspot.com/2009/11/all-hallows-eve-seoul-edition.html#more">here</a>). I bought bits and pieces of my costume in various areas, and with a bit of creativity I made other parts too. I bought some stuff from the <a href="http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2895431">toy market</a> in Dongdaemun.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.theyeogiyo.com/">The Yeogiyo</a> website* has an extensive list of place s you can get costumes from. <a href="http://www.theyeogiyo.com/Community/Articles/2010/Halloween-Costumes.php">Check it out here</a> and they will even order the online ones for you if you can't read korean (for a small fee)<br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">* I am not affiliated with them in any way. I have had them order stuff online for me before, but now I can handle most of it myself.</span><br /><br /><b>PARTIES:</b><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://recipes.holidays.net/images/Category_Defaults/Halloween%20Parties.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="http://recipes.holidays.net/images/Category_Defaults/Halloween%20Parties.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />There will be tons of parties happening in Itaewon (the foreigner district). Heck all you have to do is walk around and you'll see people all dressed up. So far I know wolfhound's is having a party complete with prizes for best costume with a W10,000 cover (free drink included). Other places will be packed as well.<div><br /></div><div>10 Magazine has an extensive list <a href="http://10magazine.asia/8184/halloween-2010/">here</a> too.<br /><br /><a href="http://karamelinkorea.blogspot.com/2009/11/all-hallows-eve-seoul-edition.html#more">Last year</a>, I continued the party over in Hongdae (and I've heard many people, including myself, plan to do the same this year). There, we intermingled, costumed and noncostumed alike (remember many Koreans won't dress up, although some will) to dance until the break of dawn. Just don't freak out when people stare at you oddly on the train with your freaky makeup and neon colored hair and smeared makeup the next morning - thats just your costume, and not you who the totally always stare at in normal clothing anyways (oh wait, that's my story)...<br /><br />Haha - look for me if you can. I haven't even decided what I'll be yet, but there can't be that many people in Seoul who look like me, can there? <div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">HAVE A HAPPY HALLOWEEN :)</span></b></div></div>Normahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17170755607304150694noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1064746711117960013.post-39873712525316578922010-10-20T23:18:00.010+09:002011-01-09T18:32:40.179+09:00How you know you're turning Korean<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIvNJzg4Kzu3rUOBoXlQFdplC26M-pS511jTzZ9tiKwWwVip0fRlwBAwnnysmyseWYmufy0pOmylbQD3o0ifa17ZCsykJpZDJcvSweLvj1SL0VTDX4L508if-AAgUDiJWOJvE1aD643cI/s1600/korean.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 317px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIvNJzg4Kzu3rUOBoXlQFdplC26M-pS511jTzZ9tiKwWwVip0fRlwBAwnnysmyseWYmufy0pOmylbQD3o0ifa17ZCsykJpZDJcvSweLvj1SL0VTDX4L508if-AAgUDiJWOJvE1aD643cI/s400/korean.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538153207144694178"></a><br /><br /><br />Disclaimer: Ok so I know it is impossible to "turn Korean", there are certain cultural aspects that I as a non-native Korean will never ever understand nor embrace. However, in my title I am referring to some of the more subtle characteristics I have picked up and not even noticed until another westerner points them to me. It comes with living in a place for a year and a half I guess. And when I leave and go back to the states, people are probably going to go WTF.<a name='more'></a><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh15Kr_A0ZMiRKoIx0qtOY0L_KpPEhxiM-4DkaxyE2HAu0s5PpLb2vL1bU7uT0V6IHtTD-gGUt_kt9y03YWKDtCOktm7JoyjbUwu8d0GNndK8TuLlE0AApPG8F7gdi18fDCrRx8Yf1SiM8/s400/korean_home.jpg"><br />1. Bowing: I always bow at the conclusion of an interaction. In Korea it is a sign of respect to<br />2. Accepting things with both hands: It's more polite to do this, than to take something with just one hand.<br />3. Incorporating Korean in my daily sentences: Even when I am being spoken to in English, I am still likely to respond including the words, Ae (affirmation), Nae (yes), Araseo (I understand), Aniyo (no), Aigo (yikes), Kamsahamnida (thanks), and many many curse words I will not say here into my daily sentences.<br />4. Tuning out English: By this I mean if it is a Korean person, I do not realize they have spoken English to me until after the fact, as I can now understand some of the discourse in Korean. It takes me a few minutes to register.<br />5. Requiring Anju with my drinks: Anju (mean food eaten while drinking) is a big part of Korean culture. Usually they never drink alcohol without eating. Now when I go out and drink I always hunt for food both during and after.<br />6. Counting: This one was such a subtle difference, someone pointed it out to me. Count to five on your fingers. If you are western (American, Canadian), you probably started with your fingers in a fist and then the fingers went up. When Koreans count they do the opposite. All fingers up and then count down to make a fist. I didn't notice I was doing that until someone told me.<br />7. Unni and Oppa: Signs of respect (literally translate to older sister and brother) because you can't call someone older than you by name.<br />8.Street food adoration: I can totally make a meal out of a delicious feast of street food. Give me some ddukbokki and mandu to start, followed by some dakkochhi or sausage on a stick, and wrap it up with a nice warm hoddeok and I am a happy happy girl.<div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs65XTUCVSYxnYC_0JzndR9h6ywPWbb5Gdcl9GdBhuiJFs3pQa5xNcA7_NkuIjIjWzbn8lc2PjH9pKm4LsMyRnFtJh1-T19KuGXAmPZwpgA2frVnW2q2jniiMfvEVFQSGyuJLeiV52kxA/s400/Korean.food-Hanjungsik-01.jpg"><br />9. Even more Korean food: I love it all, dakdoritang, kamjatang, sundubu, pajeon, makgolli.It's heaven. Whatever will I do when I leave? - oh and if I don't have Kimchi with my meal it's been a weird day, which considering the current crisis, well I may have to get used to it.<br />10. Being proud when Korea accomplishes something. My students can't understand this one, but having lived here two years, I feel a strong sense of attachment, which is why I cheered for them in the world cup for example.<br /><br />But somethings I will never get into<br />Korean fashion: Just not for me. I hate heels and 80's and other weird combo's, although this picture says otherwise...<br />Soju: I'll have it, but I'll never love it.<br />Ddeok: The rice-cake treat. It's just not sweet enough to qualify as a desert, plus its chewy in a yuk way, and then when they add the red bean paste (vile stuff) it's even worse.<br />Dog: No way jose. I can't wrap my mind around trying out lassie.<br />Drinks: I still pour my own, people keep talking and it takes way too long to wait for them to get my refill.<br />Utter deference to an elder: beyond the requisite respect, you'll get my deference if you are right in some way, but an elder is not always right just because they are older. Prove your wisdom, soju-ed up creepy ajoshis :P<br /><br />Anyways this comedian made a video...Hmm IDK about it, what do you think?<br /><object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/beqiywWrNsQ?fs=1&hl=en_US&color1=0x402061&color2=0x9461ca"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/beqiywWrNsQ?fs=1&hl=en_US&color1=0x402061&color2=0x9461ca" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></object></div>Normahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17170755607304150694noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1064746711117960013.post-27176220596643846952010-10-20T01:09:00.002+09:002010-10-21T12:47:53.796+09:00Come visit me in KoreaHere is your chance. One of my favorite websites ever - <a href="http://www.eatyourkimchi.com/">eat your kimchi</a>, just announced a competition that they are helping to promote.<div><br /><div>Basically to summarize - take an awesome photo/blog about Korean food, win a prize. Grand prize - flight to Korea, and the other prizes are not so bad either.<br /><div><br /></div><div>Here Simon explains it in much more detail</div><div><br /><iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/16016758" width="400" height="225" frameborder="0"></iframe><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/16016758">Korean Food Blogging Contest</a> </p><p><a name='more'></a>And the website where its all going down is: <a href="http://www.koreataste.org/blog-en/">http://www.koreataste.org/blog-en/</a></p></div><div><br /></div><div>And if you haven't already, check out the other videos on the <a href="http://www.eatyourkimchi.com/">eat your kimchi</a> website. Simon, Martina and Spudgy are awesome. I watched their videos on how to order McDonald's delivery and How to use a Korean washing machine my first few weeks in Korea. Plus their new Music Mondays feature is an awesome <strike>scientific</strike> fun analysis of Korean pop music/culture. I love them and really hope to meet them someday. Spudgy has a green mohawk. How cool is that? And I can only hope to be as famous as they are(in my dreams). Why didn't I think of a cool video blog? (I'd never have enough time)</div><div><br /></div><div>It'll help immensely if you are just moving to Korea, or thinking about it, so check them out. They are also on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Eat-Your-Kimchi/196183141101">facebook</a> and <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/simonandmartina">youtube</a>. And what better way to get a taste of life here than to try the food out, and then come visit?</div></div><div>SHAZAAM (you've gotta know to understand )</div></div>Normahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17170755607304150694noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1064746711117960013.post-71065485889249250302010-09-19T22:28:00.007+09:002010-09-19T23:09:03.923+09:00The weekend before Chuseok is not the time to go shopping......And other things that have been irking me about Seoul.<br /><br />Don't get me wrong, I love Korea. I really do. But since I got back from my trip (which made me a mean person I might add), I have been in an interesting mood. I can't motivate myself to do anything unless it is directly related to work or drinking. Korea enables my drinking habits...<br />But what that means is, if I wake up on a Saturday hung over, I won't even leave my house to get water or food, unless I am invited out...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTXUuLvZb4S1UL17Io8Mu27c6hcvFT2Bb4-X8VMLKczHQcZ-0MxJyedP5Tnw4FuOyQD9xt16hw4s4gKDUDDwTyBZJ52ro2nmsYBbp_o4AIcuK-QLeSwM0nGwih6YZq-P_HBgIPUYt8Lt0/s1600/cartoon+girl.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 196px; height: 257px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTXUuLvZb4S1UL17Io8Mu27c6hcvFT2Bb4-X8VMLKczHQcZ-0MxJyedP5Tnw4FuOyQD9xt16hw4s4gKDUDDwTyBZJ52ro2nmsYBbp_o4AIcuK-QLeSwM0nGwih6YZq-P_HBgIPUYt8Lt0/s400/cartoon+girl.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518623112810997538" border="0" /></a><a name='more'></a><br />Another problem is that since I've been here over a year, many people have left (and even returned) and the result is other than a few close people at work, I really don't know a lot of people since I got back. It is nice to have my buddies, but when you work and play with the same people day in/day out... well sometimes you just need to know other people outside who share your interests (and don't encourage you to drink until your liver explodes a little more like below).<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO7RyoeG2HUUnCp_9iI2ZXxRmPXM88dLt4_nQm_e-yF8CoMskhdqMS7RGOejTQRrpgJyfKJ480GhIjKZObDoWKQbzFg6141pCEOCuyi7kvtRzSCfRrTyj5YsP5EezRkUIqcOYIHeBzipo/s1600/Drunk+Cartoon.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 353px; height: 310px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO7RyoeG2HUUnCp_9iI2ZXxRmPXM88dLt4_nQm_e-yF8CoMskhdqMS7RGOejTQRrpgJyfKJ480GhIjKZObDoWKQbzFg6141pCEOCuyi7kvtRzSCfRrTyj5YsP5EezRkUIqcOYIHeBzipo/s400/Drunk+Cartoon.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518623121212236338" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Then, this freaking rain has been going on nonstop. I mean my tan faded within a week and its been downhill ever since. Returning from warmth to gloomy/cloudy days has been no good for my emotions.<br /><br />I also find myself not wanting to eat Korean food as much because after 3 months off of it, I noticed a big difference in my body, and being back on it, well I love Korean food but it(at least the stuff I eat) doesn't seem to be the healthiest. Maybe because I eat barbecue 3 times a week. Ugh...<br /><br />The other day I was so upset because I couldn't remember how to ask the bus driver to let me off after he drove past my stop and no one tried to help me. I have no idea how my coworkers do it, I hate living where I cannot communicate as effectively as I want to , which led me to the decision to sign up for level 2 Korean.<br /><br />This weekend I decided to go with my buddy to Costco. It's pretty simple you sign up for a year membership (35,000 won) and then shop to your hearts content. They've got many of the goodies people miss from home, and a few you don't as well. And (for me at least) it's relatively easy to get to. A straight shot down line 7 to Sangbong (Inner City Bus Terminal station) and out of exit 2.<br /><br />I've been before, but this weekend was mass chaos. Every family in Seoul must have been in there shopping for Chuseok. Big hits were the meat aisles and the gift set sections (see you must give gift sets for chuseok). Some of my favorites include the Spam gift set, Ginseng (nasty stuff) gift set, among others.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIXKyvRjqXNxs7IUW8_8mMTLp0DNFZvNXmi51jGjpwUk3zH7ClKAACADAsLgsH-CxjyVQTEFQHNuN7U_ldkkrNXk7Wdt3JRkDdlYPV6QX30Q-k__ISEqI2f_oP0a4g2sd7OksCt1zQwXU/s1600/spam-giftset-korea.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIXKyvRjqXNxs7IUW8_8mMTLp0DNFZvNXmi51jGjpwUk3zH7ClKAACADAsLgsH-CxjyVQTEFQHNuN7U_ldkkrNXk7Wdt3JRkDdlYPV6QX30Q-k__ISEqI2f_oP0a4g2sd7OksCt1zQwXU/s400/spam-giftset-korea.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518623140959253058" border="0" /></a> <img src="file:///C:/Users/Normsiez/AppData/Local/Temp/moz-screenshot.png" alt="" /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6keC3F-NPypTUuXOs3oVIByhgXAFhYdTPlbWqixO3EGiGlo3i9FD1zW402Hjy_3GouBmTXr-BBNtE7IPAyokZX5qRe-dUonlz4HwsE-_kuebjIvbFvp3qusJPuYtJ0iQhDJwOkgBtHcw/s1600/ginseng.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 248px; height: 203px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6keC3F-NPypTUuXOs3oVIByhgXAFhYdTPlbWqixO3EGiGlo3i9FD1zW402Hjy_3GouBmTXr-BBNtE7IPAyokZX5qRe-dUonlz4HwsE-_kuebjIvbFvp3qusJPuYtJ0iQhDJwOkgBtHcw/s400/ginseng.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518623136419152770" border="0" /></a><br /><img src="file:///C:/Users/Normsiez/AppData/Local/Temp/moz-screenshot-1.png" alt="" /><br />Well, the problem is that at the best of times it seems koreans are oblivious to others around them, with old people pushing past or throwing you out of the way without so much as a word of excuse me. Multiply that by a trillion during chuseok. I almost punched a few people. My highlights include a little girl taking a look at me and starting to cry for her mom, the old lady who jabbed me in the stomach without a word of apology, and the people who were actively pushing my cart away AS I was standing in line to pay. Ugh...<br /><br />The day wasn't so bad however, I got a lot of yummy food, and wrapped it up with hot dogs and pizza at the food court. All in all though, I will never go shopping before a major public holiday ever again.<br /><br />And I came up with some other resolutions to keep myself busy/out of this funk. Attend everything I am invited to, learn more korean, and get back in shape (gym/taekwondo). It'll be awesome.<span style="font-weight: bold;"> And in case you're wondering I've set the deadline to leave Korea. May 2011. We'll see what happens</span><br /><br />For Chuseok, I might go camping. I went on <a href="http://karamelinkorea.blogspot.com/2009/10/chuseok-korean-thanksgiving.html">this</a> trip last year<br /><br />But don't get it twisted, I still love Korea... for now anyways :)<br /><br />Costco Korea website: http://www.costco.co.kr/eng/index.htmNormahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17170755607304150694noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1064746711117960013.post-44709010437100022442010-09-03T11:33:00.001+09:002010-09-03T12:02:42.207+09:00I'm back!!! with new responsibilities<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSxY8A_noWiGOqrxxbF3wcLuqelGT7DZ4dmlg2_Y0gUXf41Z9ByUYWi_IpC4Oeh-dmFpxMqhikjuylGStqAe0iGKb_M8tgD5RW4FiQ6zZP-gbZUbUVFqtXuEkv1p4si4ItLqGboAPXjSs/s1600/DSC04552+(1).JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 212px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSxY8A_noWiGOqrxxbF3wcLuqelGT7DZ4dmlg2_Y0gUXf41Z9ByUYWi_IpC4Oeh-dmFpxMqhikjuylGStqAe0iGKb_M8tgD5RW4FiQ6zZP-gbZUbUVFqtXuEkv1p4si4ItLqGboAPXjSs/s400/DSC04552+(1).JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512515482383027858" /></a><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSxY8A_noWiGOqrxxbF3wcLuqelGT7DZ4dmlg2_Y0gUXf41Z9ByUYWi_IpC4Oeh-dmFpxMqhikjuylGStqAe0iGKb_M8tgD5RW4FiQ6zZP-gbZUbUVFqtXuEkv1p4si4ItLqGboAPXjSs/s1600/DSC04552+(1).JPG"></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">check out the tan as I head in for my first day of work</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span>I got back to Seoul about a week ago... Since this isn't a blog about SE Asia, I won't go into too much detail about it. Lets just say I had an amazing time. I met many wonderful people and discovered so much about myself. If you ever do have any questions about backpacking feel free to get in touch with me, and I will be sure to give you any help I can.</div><div><a name='more'></a><br /><div>I really enjoyed every country I visited for a different reason, and I think everyone should go backpacking at least once in their life. (p.s. if you want to see pictures, add me on fb)</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;">The crazy part was I got back Friday and had to attend some going away parties, so much for rest. Not only that but prior to that I was </span><span class="UIIntentionalStory_Names" ft="{"type":"name"}"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"> </span></span></span></span><span class="UIStory_Message"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;">partying on the beach during the Full moon party until 7am, got on a boat @ noon, got to Bangkok @ 3am, on a plane at 8am, layover in Taipei, arrived in Seoul at 7pm and home by 9 pm in time to go out with the coworkers. I hadn't slept in 48hrs so Sunday was an epic fail, but I did get everything done by midnight...</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="UIStory_Message"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">But the reason why coming back that late was so stressful was that I have now been made a HEAD INSTRUCTOR at my school, for the listening program, giving me the added responsibility of being in charge of other teachers as well as myself. In addition I am teaching 2 masters level reading(the highest level we have) which means I have to grade papers every other week, 3 alba+ classes (2 elementary who are perfectly fine, and 1 middle school who should never have made it up there), and the 3 par classes (we'll see but at least I've taught this track before)...</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">So it will take me a while before I get in the swing of things, yet everyone expects me to already be ready to party it up after 3 months of doing it nonstop. Eeek. Oh and with that and a typhoon and rain everyday in Seoul, I am indoors so much I am already losing my tan :(</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Looking forward to what the rest of the year brings, and honored at the faith my coworkers have in me to entrust me with such great responsibility</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;">Peace</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">p.s. anybody in Seoul wants to hang out now I'm back let me know :P Who am I kidding? I'm still going to party-hearty ;)</span></span></div></div>Normahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17170755607304150694noreply@blogger.com2