an argument for new sandals

I fell- fell, not tripped- up the stairs twice today. Once with the SLR camera, and later with my computer. Both times, crushing my toes into the stairs. Later, I tripped- again camera in hand. Not so good. The irony is that I was thinking about how it would suck if I fell... and then I did. The weather is amazing today! I'm thinking about going to Eunhangdong early to take photos before I meet a friend to start our self Korean language studying. Fingers crossed for later success.

disjointed notes

1. Kimchi notes
Kimchi, as I've said before is delicious. Really. I mean, seriously, Koreans loooooooooove their kimchi. But Koreans loooooooooove anything that's originally and wholly Korean, so I first rolled my eyes at it. Surprisingly, or if you've been here long enough, or if you know a lot about Asian ingredients (a la Andrew Zimmern or Anthony Bourdain), it's definitely not vegan friendly.  It's made with fish and fish sauce. See the video for a brief demonstration in making this tasty side. Ripped from an episode of No Reservations. It explains much more eloquently than I could, and you get visual aids!

This version of kimchi, from the ingredients looks like the type I don't like. If it is what it seems, it tastes fresher (in a bad way). The flavor isn't as tart, it's fuller but I can't stand it. I think the chili paste is different, too- or maybe it all has to do with aging.
2. Shopping notes
Yesterday, I went to Uniqlo to look for jeans. I'd never heard of this store before coming to Korea, so for those who are the same, it's a Japanese company. From what I've seen in the shops, it's more casual- kind of Gap-ish where the clothes are for the most part plain and not extraordinary. But there's a decent selection in jeans with cuts and washes- though Korean jeans tend to be tacky- there was only 1 solid dark wash pair, and it looked too much like the pair I was trying to supplement. And the mega bonus is that because it's a chain like Gap or Old Navy, it's bigger than the boutique style shops you usually find in Korean department stores, which means the sales associates leave you alone. I didn't know what size I was, but I know I run on the larger end in this country, so really, the last thing I want is a Korean talking toothpick asking me about "sizey" and me trying to explain "big... BIG!" Buh. I learned that Korean denim sizes are just as wacky and unreliable as American sizes, though. In a shop in Old Downtown (Eunhang Dong), where I did get the balls to inquire about jeans, I was told what size I was there. The associate did this thing where she lifted my shirt to get to my waist line and then slammed a pair of denim against me to estimate size. It was awkward. I ended up with 2 pairs of jeans at Uniqlo, in 2 different sizes- but the straight leg pair I have I found out today really are still too big (after downsizing because the skinny version I had to go big...BIG!)- so I should've tried them on again... and should've tried 2 sizes smaller. Two. Seriously? SERIOUSLY? But at least now I have new jeans :)
3. TV notes
I'm addicted to United States of Tara. A Showtime show. Download it, it's awesome. Toni Collette staring as a woman with Dissociative Identity Disorder. It's fun, it's different, it'll be something to look forward to when LOST eventually ends. 
4. The DSLR camera I bought notes
Yeah, so the LCD screen broke the day after I received it. The guy I bought it from met with me to bring it to the Canon store, and they fixed it. He's paying for the repairs, so I'm not paying any more, in a way I get a better deal since I'm still owing the same amount of money- hopefully it was the LCD that was broken and not a problem with the motherboard... which is a possibility- because I believe that will probably be put on my tab. I get the camera back tonight, and it's also someone's birthday dinner so more photos!
5. I'm going to buy a foax couch after school today. Like, those foam fold out things that you could use as an extra overnight bed. Sitting on the floor sucks when you have no other alternative. 
6. My computer gave me the dangerous blue screen twice today. I think it's because of a website I was trying to access (a Korean food blog)
7. Education notes, and the source for fluffy feelings today- maybe more appropriately professional ego boosters. 
The elementary student I've been working on the alphabet with is making steady progress! 4 letters a day seems to be the maximum. The best way I've found is to have a letter he's already kind of familiar with so he has a sense of success going into it. His own satisfaction in recognizing letters is apparent. Also, breaks between activities. He has a short attention span.

"Towel! Towel!"

So today, a teacher came up to me and said, "Towel! Towel! Art room, towel!" So... what...? I need to give you a towel? Go to the art room for a towel? Did I spill something on myself and I need a towel? Is there student work I should look at that involved towels? Or is there like a student art show going on?  Am I hearing towel, but you mean something else in Korean? What does towel in Korean mean? And then I followed the teachers (all women, by the way) to the art room and saw boxes of towels. Oh, so you really meant towels. And pillows and blankets, too. Of course you meant towel! I was brought to a table with little folded washcloths, so between those and the boxes of stuff set up in the art room, I stupidly thought "Hey! Craft time! What are we making?" Yeah, I don't know how I came up with that idea either. 


Really, what it was, was a man selling this stuff with a speech about each product and examples. The principle (who's a man) stepped in, saw all the  women, saw everything for sale, and sheepishly stepped out. A lot of other women teachers slipped in and out to get their free towels. The things for sale? Totally overpriced unless it's magical bedding and pillows. A tube shape pillow sold for $30, and a tiny travel sized one $20. Noooo thanks. But, he even had a gadget to take credit cards! And an ion reader, too...


Seeing people selling stuff in schools seems incredibly out of place to me, coming from a culture where this just doesn't happen, but now I have a magic towel for free (I guess that's why I was told to go), the guy did a demonstration by dumping some water on the table and threw a cloth on it- and then the water was amazingly gone, table bone dry, WOW. I'll have to test this later for validation. True fact: Koreans like their free stuff. Further proof to eventually follow.


TWENTY SIX MINUTES UNTIL MY WEEKEND STARTS, OMG. Tomorrow, I'm going to see Namdaemun market, I'm excited to see all the STUFF! But it sits on more than 20 blocks, and has multiple levels from what I understand, so I guess the visit to H&M and Forever 21 will have to wait, and that makes me sad. 

Asian Dust

It's yellow dust season over here in Korea. Ever heard of it? I hadn't before coming here. In short, it's sand and dirt particles kicked up by storms in China and then swept over towards Korea and Japan. It can trigger respiration problems in people who are prone to them, or have asthma. This past weekend, Korea noted record breaking amounts of Chinese dust in the air- granted, the country has only been tracking it since 2005. 


Wikipedia Asian Dust
Korea Times


These sites explain it much better than I care to. Coincidentally, I've come down with a cold, so I more or less feel like poo. On the upside, the temperature is going up! 


I'm working on some file folder games/activities to have in the classroom. I downloaded a cupcake template for an English numbers 1-10 activity. I'm also developing a telling time in English, color name, and eventually an alphabet matching thing. The most challenging part will be getting students to understand that they're for them, and meant to be used. I'm going to assume it's cultural right now; from a foreigner's perspective, they're thick headed.


 My school is combining 2 high school classrooms into an English Zone; I got to watch my co-teacher do a presentation about how it'll be set up and some examples of existing English Zones. He tacked in a group picture of the night when he and some other teachers met my friends, and also me in the Seoul ice bar holding up a drink... I mean, totally appropriate... If there are bulletin boards, I'm going to be all up on them. 

music sampling: female Kpop groups

Kpop is basically the only music genre here that gets a lot of radio play. The underground music scene is where you can find the metal, the rock, the punk. Some other friends who write online regularly post videos, so I'm late in doing this but I'm assuming those in the states who are reading haven't yet looked up any Kpop videos. And even if you have, here's a highlight of what's popular. And when you're popular, you're played on repeat. Everywhere. Okay, the first 2 are really old (as in 6 months or a little older since they were already on the airwaves when we arrived), but since they're the first songs I heard, they will always be a fond reminder of the amazement in arriving to Korea. 



Brown Eyed Girls- Abracadabra
I read about them a little quite a while ago. From what I remember, they became widely popular with this song and video. The video was kind of their makeover into a sexier/darker version of themselves; something that has inspired many other female Kpop bands to follow suit. The group got some criticism for the video content, so they released a stage version- but I mean seriously? Who's gonna watch that? I'll say it, I think this video is hot. 

2NE1- I Don't Care

This group gears more for innocent cute, as the youngest was about 16, the oldest close to my age (24). Notice, though a trend which I think is coming from Brown Eyed Girls: the long haired pretty girl, short haired modern stylish/daring one, the sporty/ "hard core" rapper girl, and another that's just kind of there. This one was awesome to us... until we discovered Abracadabra. 

Girls Generation- Gee 

This group is ridiculously huge and slightly overwhelming. This group is also primarily a cute band. 

Girls Generation- Run Devil Run

This is GG's take at the sexy look. A friend thinks it's a failure, I could care less. The sound of the song is more unique from the rest of what's around right now. A hint of jazz in the chorus works as a good hook to get stuck on your brain. If only they could step away from the cutesy dance moves.

Park Bom- You and I

I think she's from 2NE1. It's pretty common for group members to do solo projects on the side. This is a song I personally really enjoy. It's been around for a few months, so you don't hear it as much in the bars or malls these days.

T-ara- Bo Peep

The first time I heard this song, it was New Year's, I was in a club in Seoul, and a friend and I were convinced they were saying "F*!@# me F*!@# me". Then we saw the video- this version-  and I still don't know what to think. The butt shaking is just so weird, there's no way it can be sexy, but the story line is provocative- extremely so in this country. It's rated 19+. Not to mention the whole cat thing is entirely bizarre and slightly disturbing. Here's a link to the general audience friendly version. Bo Peep

HyunA- Change

I'll leave you with this video. My guy friends are easily excited by it. Whatever. It's daring I guess for Korea. I mean, she's channeling western female pop stars. See the Rihanna and Beyonce?

Okay, so in the end a lot of these songs have been around for a while. I don't stay on top of the current hits (as in week to week). Next time I'll get some of the male groups in. Someone else who's really popular here: Lady Gaga. I love it. 

Actually, I'd rather leave you with this video. 

some things you find in Home Plus

It drives me nuts that socks are more commonly sold in single pairs.

Also available at Home Plus: giant fake Crocs.

 Yes, this is a box cutter. Yes, Hello Kitty's face is attached to this product. And yes, this is in the school supply section. Box cutters are a part of school supplies. Students have them, and they (generally) don't attack each other. But why would you want to when they're this cute??

An example of the cute overload in Korea. Notebooks, also displaying the obsession with English

shopping for those beloved brands back home

Browsing The Kimchi Chronicles, a blog I stumbled on this morning, I noticed the author said that American Eagle ships to Korea. It really does! In this excitement, I'm going to take a moment(read: all day)  to shamelessly indulge my favorite thing with a list of American/western brands that ship internationally, as well as some places to escape to the next time you're in Seoul. 


1. American Eagle Like I mentioned, courtesy of Kimchi Chronicles, there's a slew of countries this company ships to. Supposedly with Korea, you can order up to $150 of merchandise before being charged import tax. I just placed an order today for some warm weather staples- and since I'm splitting the shipping cost with John, it really isn't such a bad rate.
2. Victoria's Secret International shipping rates start at $28. If you're in Japan, the rates are slightly different. 
3. Threadless For the hipsters and unique t-shirt lovers, shipping rates aren't listed, but its international shipping is an option.
4. Hot Topic 'Cause you know, some people have a goth side, hidden emo side, or you want to get your Alice in Wonderland gear. I have to say, I'm impressed this store ships overseas. 
5. Forever 21 There is a location in M Plaza in Myongdong, Seoul. I haven't been yet, but I'm hoping to after next payday. My going out wardrobe needs a warm weather pick me up, and I'm accepting the fact that it can consist of cheaper clothing. 
6. H&M Recently opened at Noon Square in Myongdong, apparently where Zara already is. Another place I'd like to visit, though honestly, I was never super impressed with the price you paid for what you got there. 
7. Hollister Seriously? Seriously? While not a fan of this store, I mean... seriously? It really ships to South Korea and a slew of other countries (like Saudi Arabia) for pretty reasonable rates. Granted, I didn't bother reading anything about customs policies for this company.
8. Eddie Bauer My brother was once a fan of this rugged look store. I'm not sure if he still cares about it, but it's always reminded me of him (and my mom going there for Christmas shopping). There's a very small list of countries the company doesn't ship to (Afghanistan, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Central African Republic, Cuba, Georgia, Ghana, Iraq, Iran, Libya, Mexico, Niger, Nigeria, North Korea, Senegal, Serbia, Somalia, Sudan, and Vietnam).  So if you're the out door-sy type who needs to get your rugged McLumber look on in SoKo, here's your outlet! Because, really now. Korean men's fashion is definitely far from out door hard core. And by the way, EB has a women's line, too.
9. Wet Seal Here's another store whose name I thought I'd Google just to see. And it ships to more than 80 countries. If stores like this and Hot Topic will ship overseas, why can't places like New York and Co. or Banana Republic (yeah, I know there's one in Seoul...) or the LOFT? Those were my kindly affordable go-to places for work attire... well, my entire wardrobe in general. 
10. Yankee Candle I could just keep saying "seriously?" with these. I have family in Massachusetts, and we used to visit the Yankee Candle Co. store after Christmas day to see all the big sales. International shipping rates are $36 for orders under $100, and 36% of your total order beyond that. As usual, your order might be subject to import taxes. 
11. bebe Supposedly, based on the international shipping info, there isn't a country this brand doesn't ship do. 
12. Gymboree Well, if you have kids, or if you're kid-sized, you can have Gymboree ship its products to South Korea. Yeah.
13. Teavana For tea lovers/ snobs.
14. Banana Republic Somewhere in Apgujeong-dong (can't find directions, sorry!), though in the US, the outlets were the better place to visit because the prices were exponentially friendlier. They also had an exponentially better selection. I imagine the Korean Banana prices are pure thievery. There's also a Gap in Seoul, several actually, and I've seen a Gap/Hollister/Nike combination store in Daejeon. Totally weird.

Fray-ed

I automatically associate music with the time I was heavily listening to it or just beginning, which can be annoying sometimes because I can't help but see where I used to be, what the weather was like when I had it on. Spring and fall always bring an odd mixture of sensations- relief that the weather is warming up or cooling down, stirrings of the previous year, a craving to be somewhere else like my parents' living room, a pumpkin patch, or JMU's quad. Music just kind of aenhances it exponentially. It's weird. Like, right now, listening to The Fray, I want to be in Harrisonburg, in my car driving somewhere- to work or Target- on a hot day. 


Today's lunch was a dangerously green crunchy Korean pancake pizza. 
Picture's from a couple years ago when I was getting ready for class. 

aybesees

I'm working with 3 students who are learning the alphabet. My co-teacher has a good packet of ABC learning worksheets, but I feel it's monotonous work for them to continuously write letters again and again. Soooooooo, I'm determined to pull out some strategies based on the principles and methods I learned in grad school (FINALLY). I seriously slacked last semester. My co-teacher is using some new strategies, and I've got ample opportunities to expand them into solid practices.  With the alphabet, I found an activity called playdough mats; essentially an outlined letter that you shape playdough in instead of just tracing. It's got the spatial, kinesthetic, and visual going on, and potentially engaging. I'm making my own so I can choose associating pictures myself, and also color it so there is color rather than just black and white. Writing letters in shaving cream could be good too, if my co-teacher gives the okay. Also, wiki sticks, the wax coated string- I've seen them somewhere in this country.

Yeah. It totally snowed here last night.

blooms yet?

I've been in denial that winter hasn't quiet passed since the spring weather teaser a couple weeks ago. Since, I have refused to wear my winter coat; it just feels wrong, all big and shoulder paddy. I got my class schedule Monday. The first two days are packed with 5 and 6 classes, and then the week cools off with 3 classes a day and possibly teacher training. This schedule will support more productive days since the classes are spread out instead of being packed in one long block.


One of the high schoolers learned a new phrase, "come here!" Awesome. 

food post

Today's lunch: pasta sauteed with zucchini, garlic, and butter.
I'm going to attempt galbi jjim again. Here's hoping for tastier results!

TGIF!

At 4 yesterday I was told to go to the school "dining room." And this is where beer, makali (Korean rice wine), and soju (what Anthony Bourdain calls Korean whisky) was being set up. For snacks, dried squid, kimchi, and head cheese. Head cheese.


...head. cheese. 


The fact that the cafeteria staff was setting up for the boarded students' dinner and airing out the hall of the alcohol stench just reinforced the weirdness of this scenario: teachers getting trashed at school, only to leave just in time for their little pupils to come in for supper. I mean, their innocence must be preserved! Though that's probably long gone anyway.


head cheese... ugh.

i-tesol

This is the lecturer for one of my TESOL courses

Looks a lot like...

and 800,000W later...

I just agreed to buy someone's Canon 30D camera for the above price. Also a slew of extra things, comparing it all to Amazon it's a reasonable asking price. It's also, I believe the only way I could ever own(read: afford) a DSLR camera. Now, I just need to make sure that I don't neglect my little point and shoot, which that little beast takes some fantastic shots itself.

proof!

bigwavecurls

I'm currently sitting in a salon, plugged in to a mass of wires, head hot and heavy from the mess rolled into my hair, and paranoid that my forehead is burning, but it seems to have cooled down. That or my nerves are dead. Hopinghopinghoping that this body wave perm will come out well. The stylist knows enough english to communicate some with me, and I brought translated notes (thanks endic.naver!) with pictures to further convey what I wanted. In order to keep my length I had to agree to a "clinical treatment." That length is hair that's been through 2 bleachings and 2 colorings to cover up those bleachings... I guess I shouldn't have been surprised when he mentioned extensive damage considering...

Yeah, so while I'm plugged in a weighed down, I get to use a computer, but I think I may be about done so ciao!(?)

False. There are lockers here where the staff puts your stuff, which is awesome because now I don't have to lug my crap around after me!

My experience with this perm and chemical treatment thing? When all the creams were in, I was wrapped up like leftovers and put under a moving heater that played a lullaby. The girl came at me with a roll of plastic wrap. Like a hot baby mobile. So so hungry. (I dashed over here right after work, and it's 3 hours later btw). I could eat the world... and I think I will try to when I get out of here.

Done! (4 hours in the salon)

점심 matters and some 사랑 (love) for Korea

It just dawned on me that I really do kind of hate the food at school. The soup is usually some form of fish water or seaweed water. Today was particularly awful to me, it looked like algae water. Water from an old pool, but it smelled like dead fish. Or sometimes the soup looks good, until the ladle brings up a tentacle from the murky depths of the pot... And vegetable matter. (Today's was yummy though, fried lotus root. mmm, fried things.) Oh, the many kinds of fermented plants. No wonder Koreans brush their teeth after every meal! :)


On the other hand, Korea also has numerous tasty things that are far more foreign-palate friendly/ picky eater friendly, as I am. 


Like Sunday, eating the usual post late night weekend recovery lunch at Mandoo (만두), I ordered a new dish. It was described as a noodle soup with pork dumplings, and it looked delicious when it came. And I just about freaked out when I stirred up a shellfish. Sadly, seafood and I just don't get a long... it's a torment/hate thing.


Yesterday, a teacher came up to me and said something in Korean. I caught the word for "face" somewhere in his talking, but I had no idea in what context he was talking about my face. Then he stopped talking and just looked at me. Cue in awkward laugh, smile, and subtle gesture that this conversation has miserably failed and we both know it. Nope, still just looking. Nice man, though. 


Okay, here's some things I love about Korea since I've been complaining a lot. 
1. Public transportation. At least, once you figure out the bus schedule a bit. You have to be willing to spend a lot of time in transit though, or else never leave home. But you could really survive here without ever owning a car!
2. The food overall. It's generally much healthier, less salty, usually less processed, and cheaper in restaurants. Breaking into some Korean recipes has revealed the secrets to some sauces, and ingredients really aren't so bad!  Now if I could only get something to taste Korean...

3. The money. It's colorful. I saw some American bills the other day, and man they're ugly!
4. Phone charms. So. Cute.
5. Tax free shopping and restaurant bills/ no need to tip. I'm spoiled. 
6. The flat metal chopsticks. 
7. Stationary stores
8. The fashion
9. Sensory overload parts of town
10. Cheap entertainment
11. Cost of living. So low. It's robbery in America.
12. The occasional friendly bus driver who says hello or welcome
13. The weirdness of it all that keeps life here amusing.


I'm rounding up the courage to get a body wave perm today. Hair salons are also about half the price or less to get things done here. Woman's hair cut? About $15. For a styled cut, with some extra perks thrown in that I've heard about like tea, snacks, and/or massages. 

gogogo!

1st day of the 2010 Korean school year! 
I have no idea what my class schedule is. 
I am indeed signed up for Korean class, they start on March 16, EXCITED. 

Korean stationary stores are my new favorite place to dump money. There is a 4 story shop in Old Downtown, a row dedicated to different pens of all colors and sizes. !! 0.5 size seems to be the most common line size for ink (LOVE IT), but there are pens as skinny as 0.28, it's crazy! The smaller ones don't write as well, though. I have a hoard of colored pens, a new pencil case (a must have here), and a stupid-cute notebook. I've also amassed a sizable collection of stationary. Stupid-cute letter paper like happy donut time or angel hamsters... I have letters half written to people at home, I just need to get them sent... 


Korean quirk: old people and their sense of entitlement to everything. Korean old ladies are obnoxious, and they make me want to be rude to them. It makes me appreciate American old people because they're more humble, and they encourage me to go out of my way to be polite. They're also gracious. Once in a while you get an old person here who is shocked, or at least pretends to be surprised that you're giving up your seat on the bus. Once in a while I see an old person kick a kid out of their seat. Old ladies push their ways to the front of lines everywhere. Seriously, everywhere. They're shameless. Then, you get the occasional broad who goes out of their way to bump into younger people, or foreigners. Like yesterday, for example. Leaving the stationary store, I get run into pretty hard by this hag. She squawked when my 6 foot tall white man friend did the same to her, stopped and looked at us with this expression of "how could you possibly bump into an old lady?" I mean... seriously? The kids here always seem shocked and insulted when they're bumped, I wonder if they'll grow into the kind of people who will do the same or if possibly this behavior will die out. 

And possibly a downside to being the foreigner and bottom rung: I just had to trade chairs with a Korean teacher. The reason why, I'm assuming is because of the squeaking wheels. So while this one is more comfortable to me, I will squeak whenever I move. F. haha. Does this all sound bitter? Not supposed to; take it with a sigh and an "Oh, Korea." Though lately, I've been saying that a lot. It makes me wonder sometimes if I really could do another year here without completely resenting the country by the end, or if I could even survive a second year and not become miserable. In a lot of ways it isn't much different than home, but at the same time it's nothing like it. Some things are just uniquely Korean. 

The new fashion for spring is old woman floral patterns on 90's style dresses. I need to keep reminding myself that they're either indeed straight from the 90's, or too hippie-renaissance wannabe to wear and not regret it later. stayawaystayawaystayaway. And those boots. those nasty immigrant looking boots, flat versions, heeled versions... it's all hipster, and emo, and everywhere. Korean women don't seem to have an in between fashion style that fits in the middle of jeans, hoodies, and Converses, and the high fashion look- decked out in skirts, tights, fancy shirt, or dress, topped- or bottomed in this case, with heels. It seems that the middle school ages where the jeans and chucks, anyone older needs to be in heels. Wearing jeans out in public is almost like the equivalent to sweatpants at home. Simple and classic is boring here, it's all about being flamboyant, super trendy, and SHINY!! The shininess of it all! That part is kind of awesome.