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I am the best! (That is the translation to the Korean in the title. More on that later)

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...

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It was the best of times, It was the worst of times...

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...

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Back in Korea, and busy as a bee

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.

Ddukbokki in NYC

$10 soju

The day after I arrived I took my placement test at Yonsei University to begin studying Korean.
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.

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My Heart Bleeds for Japan

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.

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How you know you're turning Korean

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.

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Come visit me in Korea

Here is your chance. One of my favorite websites ever - eat your kimchi, just announced a competition that they are helping to promote.

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.

Here Simon explains it in much more detail

Korean Food Blogging Contest

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Summer 2010 Begins + World Cup Fever

So I haven't even left on my trip yet, and so far my summer has been amazing. We kicked off the summer on the last day of the term with some barbecue and a going away party for a bunch of us teachers at Monkey Beach. The bbq restaurant was funny because we made someone chug a bottle of soju, much to the applause of us and many random koreans, and then Monkey beach is always - Monkey beach. It was very hard to say goodbye to all the awesome people that I may never see again.

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Journey to the Demilitarized Zone (aka the DMZ)

Statue by the pavilion

Sounds epic -but it really isn't

Anyways, so Korea as you know I've been in Korea for quite a while, but never gone to the DMZ, so when meetup offered the trip, I knew I had to jump on it, even though no one wanted to go with me :(. Luckily they had a pickup at Dobongsan station (only 3 stops from my house), because I once again went out the night before (but I did have a lot of self restraint even when Benguin tried to encourage shot-taking).

Background information: Korea is the only country in the world technically still at war. The Korean war, which "ended" in 1953, ended with an armistice, not a peace treaty. In Korea, military service is mandatory for young men.

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Hero: the Beatles-Loving, Korean Kid-Singing, 3-year old Child Prodigy

So this is pretty old, but I am kind of in love with this kid now. I want him to be my son. It's ok since my secret plan is to adopt a k-baby anyways.

He's famous for singing Hey Jude, which if you don't already know is a world famous Beatles hit. This child prodigy was only 3 years old (at the time of the videos). His name is Ha Yeong Woong. He's also known as Hero

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The Big 5-0-0

Time flies when you are having fun. Today is my 500th day in Korea. I wouldn't even have noticed it except for the fact that I happened to look up at my blog-o-counter. It's also the 5 year anniversary week of my graduation from college - eek. Holy cow I've been here a long time.

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Magoksa Temple Stay with Adventure Korea

I decided that I wanted the experience of staying at a temple before I left Korea. Many companies organize temple stays, but I decided to do one with Adventure Korea . (I went on April 10, 2010 - and since I was the only Karamel colored person on the trip I've probably just given away my pseudo-anonymity) It was pretty easy to sign up for the trip, and then you have to make sure you pay* before all the seats are taken.

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Down to the Nitty-Gritty: Questions on Race, Money, Dating and Korean

Hi K
I dropped you a quick inquiry about teaching in Korea yesterday. Then I checked out your 2 "important posts", Why u chose Korea & How to Begin Teaching. Makes my initial vague probe null n void.

A couple of specific questions:

1) Any specific experience with racism and/or ignorance? Any impressions you can share?
I'm black. I've traveled extensively and in some places I've met people who've never seen a real live black person before, not even on tv. In some places I've met people who think black people are exactly as seen on tv. Mileage may vary. So, as an Af Am, I'm interested in your perspective.

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Question: Can anyone other than Westerners teach in Korea?

Here's another great question I recently got. I did my best to find out what I could. Hope it helps

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More Questions: More about how to start, best places to pick, etc

How to become to TEFL teacher in South Korea

Hi,
I noticed you're teaching English in S. Korea. I'm interested in teaching abroad. I tried it once in S. America but the company wanted me to pay them a large initial fee and I thought it might be a scam. What company do you teach through and what qualifications are necessary to teach?
Are you enjoying your time there? I'll have to check out your blog to find out I guess. ;)
Thanks in advance for the insights.

Curious about South Korea

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Question: How do I even begin my search?

I apologize, I've been getting a decent amount of questions, I've been doing the research to make sure I give accurate information, and I am going in order of when I received them, so I will be answering many more on here soon.

Here's a few I just got

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Holy Mackerel: The Shocker of the Century (+ Korean Drama-Coffee Prince)

Well at least for me.

Can you guess which one is the girl? (read to the end to find out).

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Ask Karamel - Now Answering Questions too

I probably should create another blog for this, but that's a little presumptuous to believe I will suddenly be inundated with unbelievable amounts. I am flattered that I even got one, question that is. I thought the answer may be helpful to someone who came across my blog (For personal reasons on why I chose Korea, read here ). Anyways this questions are more specific to the process of how to begin.

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It's the start of a new decade

OMG I can't believe it. I not only survived a full year alone in a foreign country, but I decided to stay another. And despite many setbacks, I am happier than I've ever been.

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Volunteering - soup for the soul

My Kiddies






Last fall, I decided I want to do something good with my life, so I signed up for a volunteer program my school had. It was according to the information, an opportunity for a large company such as ours, to give back to the less fortunate.

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The Idiot's Guide to Learning Korean

Learning the Korean language is no easy task. And, if you never talk to native Koreans, then you'll never need it, as the only Koreans who will be willing to talk to you are the ones who can hold a conversation in English, most of the others will giggle and run away in shame. Still, it only helps when you know the language, and I think it is at least courteous to know something in the language of the country you live in. The only downside I can see is that you easily know all the bad things people say about you, but often you have to smile and pretend you do not. You can often find language exchange partners or sign up for a class, or if you are truly diligent, learn on your own. I can have some general conversation now, So lets start with the basics

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