Another Reason Why I Love Korea...

  Walk into any "stationary store" or just around downtown enough and you quickly see that Koreans LOVE to put English words/quotes/sayings on everything... shirts, paper, pencil cases, etc.  It doesn't matter if the translation is a bit lacking, if the words are misspelled, or if the words put together do not actually make any sense together... it's in English, so it's great.
  One day I wondered if perhaps my Russian club tee-shirts from college would make a real Russian laugh; but I think our teacher would have stopped us.  I don't know.
  Actually, I like that there is an enthusiasm for English.  I am careful not to wear "incorrect" clothing to work (where I teach my students to use proper English) - but I do wear it at home and giggle.
   I really enjoy this part of life here, and stop almost daily just to look at something and give a little chuckle.  I also have some fantastic shirts, but here is a giant sticker I saw one day.  I couldn't resist.  Enjoy!

New Haircut!

  Last weekend I finally got my haircut... it was looking a bit raggamuffin-ish.  For those of you who knew me "before" I knew the secret -- one of the most important lessons I've learned while living in Korea is that I can have my hair "un-permed" (straightened) -- Seriously, it has changed my life.  I am a very LOW maintenance (as in basically no maintenance) kind of girl, but I like my hair to look professional for work and decent enough when I go out with friends.

   This was last Saturday night - out to dinner with the girls.  Here I am sport'n the new do:

  What's amazing - is that, a week later, I STILL like this haircut (pretty much a modern bob, but NO layers or bangs) - AND it looks pretty much the same.  I don't even have to do it or dry it - I just wash it and go.  Even in the humidity of August in Gwangju... it's incredible.  Hooray.

Gwangbokjeol: Korea's Independence Day!

    Monday was a holiday here in Korea.  Hooray for days off from work!!!!

   I also shout "hooray" for new learning opportunities... so I thought I'd share some information about this here.     This is part of the reading I did for my Reading classes this week.  (I did two different versions, as my students are at various levels.)  My students, of course, should know all about it - but this was a good review of some new English words.  You are getting the information here, without the pictures, but I hope you still enjoy it.

What is Gwangbokjeol?

   This is a holiday to celebrate Korea’s independence from Japan.  South Korea celebrates its Independence Day as a public holiday. 

  This is the day that marks the freedom of the country.  In this day, the country gets complete liberty.  This means that they are no longer under or a part of any province or state. 

  In Korea, Independence day is also called Liberation Day.  In Korean, Independence Day is called Gwangbokjeol.  This literally translates to “Restoration of Light Day”.

When is Korean Independence Day?

  South Korea got its independence on August 13, 1948. However, it is officially celebrated on the August 15.

A little more history…

   It took many years, but Korea was successful in getting free from the control of Japan. 

  On this date in 1945, Japan surrendered to the Allied forces during World War II, thus ending the Japanese occupation of Korea. Then on this day three years later in 1948, the Republic of Korea (South Korea) was officially established.
   The Independence Day of South Korea commemorates the freedom from decades of Japanese occupation and the formation of the South Korean republic. Subsequent to the 1905 Taft-Katsura agreement, the Japanese took control of Korea in the year 1910. They restricted the political freedom of the Koreans and also took control over the Korean economic and communications systems. The Japanese further attempted to assimilate the people of Korea into their culture.

  Gwangbokjeol commemorates Victory over Japan Day, which liberated Korea from colonial rule. The South Korean government was created three years later, on August 13, 1948, when Syngman Rhee was sworn in as the first President of South Korea.  Gwangbokjeol was officially designated a public holiday on October 1, 1949.

How is South Korea’s Independence Day celebrated?

  Schools, banks, and the post office are all closed on this day.  People from all over the country come together to celebrate.  This is a festive day!  A parade is held.  The national flag is hoisted in order to show respect to the heroes of the country.  Koreans remember all those who gave their lives in order for Korea to be a free country.

  There are other traditions and activities to celebrate! Sometimes festivals are held in honor of Korea’s Independence Day.  Korean food is enjoyed.  The Korean national anthem is played.

Many activities and events happen during the day, including an official ceremony with the president in attendance that takes place at the Independence Hall of Korea in Cheonan or at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts.

  All buildings and homes are encouraged to display the national flag Taegukki, and most public museums and places are open free of charge to the descendents of independence activists on the holiday.

  The official "Gwangbokjeol song"(광복절 노래) is sung at official ceremonies. The song's lyrics were written by Jeong Inbo(정인보) and the melody by Yoon Yongha(윤용하).  The lyrics speak of "to touch the earth again" and how "the sea dances", how "this day is the remaining trace of 40 years of passionate blood solidified" and to "guard this forever and ever".

Also, the government traditionally issues special pardons on Gwangbokjeol.

  

Remembering the past… and looking towards the Future:

  There is a rich history in Korea.  There are stories from the Japanese occupation of Korea and Korea’s liberation.  The fight for the Korean peninsula didn’t end with the establishment of an official government in South Korea.  In 1950, North Korea invaded the South and a three-year battle ensued.  Each side, at one time or another, took almost the entire peninsula for themselves, before things settled back with a division at the 38^th parallel and a cease fire between the two countries.

  As we are thankful for Korea’s independence, we also remember all those who helped make Korea what it is today.  We remember all those who gave their lives so that South Korea could be free.  We also look towards a brighter day, hoping that North Korea will experience the same freedoms that those in South Korea now have; and that the country will be one again.

PS: On a lighter note, be careful when you are spelling "peninsula" on the board.  I'll leave why I offer this warning up to your own imaginations; but I will say that Reading class for Class 5C was especially interesting today.  (No, it wasn't ME - it was one of my students, but it took me a minute to catch it.) Ooops.

Hooray and congrats!

"Love is patient, love is kind.  

It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  

It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, 

it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, 

always perseveres. Love never fails."   (1 Cor. 13:4-8)

  My parents, Warren and Joan, celebrate their 42nd wedding anniversary today! 

 For their  fortieth anniversary, I made them a wall hanging that celebrates with them everything their love is - and all the lessons that it has taught me about both life and love.  I know, in part by their example, how I want my marriage to be.  I know how to love others because I have seen how they love each other, and because they taught me about the One who first loved us.

  Wow. 42 years... and still growing in love for each other.  

      Hooray!  Thank you!  Congrats!!  

       Happy anniversary, Mums and Daddy!!!!

  

"Don't let the door..."

  "Those who can laugh at themselves will never cease to be amused."

    Today, as I was walking out of a store, the door actually DID hit me on my way out.  I caught myself, then stopped to think, "Hey, that door just hit me... on my way out."  Then I laughed a bit.
  This is possible because many of the doors here in Korea are on hinges that swing both ways.
  I do like to sit and watch people at a coffee shop sometimes.  The door says "pull", but many disregard this.  I've noticed that most Koreans will push the door away from them; but most foreigners (myself included) pull the door towards us.  I do this to prevent pushing the door into other people, especially if I can't see through the door or if those on the other side might be shorter than the window.
  I don't know if this is a cultural, height/body size, or other issue; but it is interesting to observe.
  Just remember, when something happens like this and the door hits you - you can get grumpy, or you can just laugh at it/yourself. 
    Choose laughter.

Bye, Bye, Baby girl ~ Shabu Shabu and first bowling in Korea!

  Our friend, Sasha, was leaving Korea for some other adventures, so we took her to dinner.  Here are Anna and Sasha, waiting for the grub:

Dinner was "shabu, shabu", like a brothy stew in the center of the table.  You can toss the beef in, or dunk it once, twice (saying, "shabu, shabu") and then pullit out and eat it.  This meal comes with tons of sides - kimchi, pickles, floating rice cake, etc.  I like the stew part.

   Here I am, waiting on the mushrooms to simmer.  The pile of meat to my right is the thinly sliced beef.

Here I am, posing for a picture.  Next to me is Andrew, one of Sasha's friends.  Will also came out to bid her farewell, but he apparently dodged the camera at dinner.  Hmm.  Andrew looks thrilled.

After dinner, we headed to the bowling alley.  You can take your own food and drinks into bowling.  It was my first time bowling in Korea.  I love bowling, so I was super excited; though we were a bit sad to say goodbye to Sasha.  (It's not so sad now, because it's taken me months to post this - and by now Sasha has been to Canada, Argentina for a few months, even New York city to do some shopping, and will be returning to Korea in a few weeks.)

Inside, the bowling alley is pretty much the same here.  Of course, the balls are more brightly colored and some have glitter.  Welcome to Korea.

Our group bowling -- Brian, Will, Hannah, Anna, Sasha, and Andrew.  Some Koreans jumped into the back of the picture - they LOVE to do this.  It just makes us laugh.

More Summer!

This is the view from my fourth floor apartment. 

On a clear day, I can see over the cute little rooftops to "my mountain."

Summer means brunch with good friends... like Benedict and Anna:

 Anna had a LOT of coffee... with extra espresso.  Whew.

Here is Andrea, with Karl.  Don't they look thrilled?

 One brunch option...

 I opted for the "potato sandwich".  Yes, it is a sandwich with potatoes.  The dressing is incredible.  Yummy!

 My view, just after sunrise:

 Pretty sky, even if it does have pinks.

   Summer has begun!  It's hot and muggy, but still pleasant when spending time 

exploring Korea and seeing good friends.

Find This!

   Towards the end f April, there was a Gwangju Scavenger Hunt.  This was sponsored in part by the group that my recruiter works with, so it was a good way to meet other foreigners here.  It was also a great way to familiarize myself with more of Gwangju.  Teams could be up to four people, Koreans and foreigners alike.  You were told to get a team name, and encouraged to team-dress like the theme.

    My team was Chelsea, Jessie, Anna, and me, as pictured here.

  We decided to be the Care Bears! Our team was The Bear Necessities.

 After searching the city over, Anna and I found "ears" - which were more like mouse ears, but e sewed them back a bit to look ore like bear ears.  Uniqlo (a store here that often fits foreigners, love love!) had Care Bear shirts... so that worked out well. We all had different ones, but they were all care bears.  We even put little hearts on our noses - like Care Bears.  Tee he he. 

 Intermixing with the enemies... We have good friends, Andrea (by Anna) and Karl (sitting by Chelsea), who had made a team with some people from work.  So, before the Scavenger hunt began, we hung out with them for a bit.  We look all nice and friendly here, but I reminded them that we were still going to beat them though, don't worry.

    So each team was given the same set of clues.  You had to figure out to where the clue was making reference, then go there and take a picture.  At least one team member had to be in every picture, and you had to be back by a designated time.  Some clues were more difficult, and thus worth more points... so there was some strategy involved, as well. 
  To make the night even better, it was seriously raining.  We used our umbrellas some, but not when it was lightening.  Our team was motivated (okay, so half of us were motivated and tried to drag the others along) and trooped on, through the rain.  Not even the rain could dampen our team spirit!

   One of the easiest clues to decipher, but more difficult to find, was this one.  You had to find a spray-painted doggie.  Now, Koreans paint their dogs all the time, (don't get me started) especially the little dogs.  Normally, you can go downtown and see people being walked by their dogs (seriously, they carry their dogs around) - but NOT in the rain.  So, we put on our thinking caps and decided to find a pet store that had a dog with spray paint.  The language barrier was a bit of a situation, as we motioned spray painting a dog to one employee... he took us to the flea spray.  Finally, we saw a dog in the window, but it was a bit of a fancy smanchy place and we didn't think they'd let us take the picture. 
   Chelsea and Jessie tried to talk to the employee in the Korean pieces they know.  They were trying to explain it was for a game and we just needed a picture... meanwhile, Anna stood outside and I posed with the dog for the picture!  Ha ha.  Not only was this dog in costume, but the ears had pink paint.  Note that I, the one that is probably the least comfortable with little yappy dogs, was the one with my face right next to this ferocious critter...  ahh, I am def. a team player!

   Here we are in front of First Nepal, the amazing local Indian restaurant.  Oh, don't we look cheery. 
  Notice that Anna played photographer and tried to get out of most pictures. Jessie, Hannah, and Chelsea:

After we went back, waiting for the results of the contest.  Here is Jessie, who "lost" her heart nose in the rain, with me, posing all cute like proper care bears.

   Okay, WARNING FOR MY MUMS and those who are like other mothers to me (you know who you are) -- the following may not surprise you; but you may not want to see the following - it's relatively harmless, but does involve beer and whatnot... so you might want to stop reading this post around now.  OR, just skip to the last picture - it's cute, cute.  It's up to you, of course, but consider yourself warned.

  Also, for other mothers - please note that this night involved ME drinking ONE beer, but it was mainly the scavenger hunt event and just time to see good friends... this in no way means that other people present here were drinking, as they were not all.  We can go out and drink or not drink responsibly, and we do.

*****

 

   As it turns out, we were tied with another team.  The tie breaker was a chug-off.  Now, my college days are getting more distant with each passing day and I was never much of a beer drinker; but I have worked in a bar as a bouncer, etc... so I knew my way around the mug.  One of the girls on our team (who didn't know me very well yet) was like, "Um, Hannah doesn't really drink beer.  Is she gonna be okay, can she do this?"  Anna, who knows me very well and is my friend despite my competitive attitude, was quite confident that I had this all under control.

   So, here we are preparing for the chugging contest:

  I was talking a bit of smack, teasing the other team that they sent a guy up in a pink shirt to compete against me.  I asked him (who is a friend of one of my friends, btw) if he was okay with losing to a girl, and one dressed like a Care Bear at that.  Ha ha.  READY...

 SET...

   GO!  

(Sorry, Mums.)  Notice that I am only using one hand, that poor other guy.  There is one picture where my mug is almost empty and I even have my pinky up.  What a sinker I am!

The Care Bear is victorious!  I won, I won!

      Ahh, the taste of sweet victory... we won free kabobs from the kabob guy.  (they are amazing!) 

  Actually, I was quite fortunate - there was another tie after us, and this other girl had to go up against a guy who was aptly named "Rambo"... he would have possibly beaten me (as in def.), but I would have made him work hard for the win.  Ha ha.  Chelsea and me, with our certificates for our winnings...

  After the Scavenger Hunt, there was an 80's theme party - which the Care Bears also fit nicely into our team costumes.  (because we rock like that)  Of course, other people were drinking... but I opted for coke.  Then it was time for the dancing portion of the evening.
  Can you see Anna here?  She has on the pink care bear shirt, rock'n out on the end here:

  Oh yes, the foreigner teacher community knows how to party.  We danced, but didn't win... the competition was good!  (and we are perhaps not so great at dancing)  It was an interesting evening and a good time.  It was nice to see old friends and make new ones.
  We learned more about Gwangju, esp. from the clues we didn't get correct -- like the new big hamburger in town, yeah, so apparently it's at KFC - crazy!
  Here is our team, minus Jessie.  (Where did she go?) 

  Hannah, Anna, and Chelsea:

Go Team Bear Necessities!

Happy Fourth of July, sort-of!

   As you might expect, the Fourth of July is just the fourth of July here in Korea.  (They celebrate Independence Day on August 15th, when Korea gained its independence from Japan.)
  However, Anna was invited to a bbq on our friend's rooftop to celebrate the 4th, American style.  Here we are, getting things ready.  Anna:

We "made" Mano and Ben move the sofa.  They needed a task.

 Anna and I took salad, which we then assembled once we arrived.

 Mixed greens with onions, mushrooms, garlic, tiny tomatoes, dried cranberries, and an amazing dressing.

   We also took rice krispe treats, made with corn flakes because that is what you can get here.  The bottom layer was regular, then the top layer had blue food coloring (from the US, another things you can not get in this country, btw), and then I topped it with dried cranberries - so it was a red, white, and blue batch.  Festive fun food for the Fourth!
  Most Koreans have not had rice krispe treats (which makes sense, as they don't really have that here) - and they kept saying, "Oh, this is good.  Is there sugar in it?"  Um, yes, dear Koreans, there is a bit of sugar in this.  I know you claim to not like much sugar - but your are devouring the pure sugar dessert...

 Anna and Hannah: Look out, Korea!

 Setting up the food tables...

 As darkness fell, we busted out sparklers and roman candles.

 It was an interesting mix of people, literally from all over the world.  Anna and I sang American patriotic music on the way, which the cab drive of course LOVED.  Ha.  We played music and had great food with some friends, but it was no where near being at IOP in South Carolina for the Fourth.

 Sparklers!

  At work, I made a book for my students about America's independence day.  It was a good review for me, and interesting to see how even the idea of "independence" is a bit foreign (no pun intended) to most of my students - who fully expect to live with their parents well into the thirties, or beyond.
  I am thankful to the Americans who serve, and their families, and to those who have sacrificed their lives.
  May God bless America, land that I love!

Summer Time in Korea

Summer means meeting new friends... Here I am, on the bus, ready for adventure!

 This day I met Georgia, and her little baby girl.  Baby likes me!

Singing a song... and she said, " Are you look'n at me?"

 What a Cutie Patooty!

  On a different day, Anna and Benedict (her boyfriend) and I went to Mano's for dinner.  His friend, Lena, also joined us.  Here is Ben with Anna:

 Here is Mano, cooking Indian food for us:

 Summer time means hanging out with friends on patios and porches and roof tops. 

Here is the view from downtown Gwangju, on one of the rooftops:

 The streets look dirty because they are.

 I am intrigued by the little ladders and stairs on the outside of houses and buildings here.

Different day.  Summertime sometimes means having a bit of a special treat... and one thing I love about Korea is that you can actually "drink on the street".  I had gone for Sangria, but the place was closing... so they gave us the slushy like, fruit packed treat TO GO, and I took it with me.  Incredible.  It really is like two days worth of fruit, with a little extra kick.  Very refreshing on a hot summer night.  I was laughing that I could drink my drink on the street, so we took a picture.

I enjoy summer, though it is not my favorite season.

Happy Summer to you, perhaps from half way around the world!! 

What special things do YOU do in celebration of summer?

Air Show!

  My friend, Mano, knows an engineer who works on base here in Gwangju.  Until recently, this was a US military base, but they have turned it over to the Korean government.  There are still some Americans here, but it is not really an "American base."  Mano's friend, David, had invited us to an air show.  Off we went.

 There were airplanes for the KIDS to climb in and out of and take pictures. (Note that this is no little kid, this is our friend, Mano.)

 I do like airplanes.  Not as much ass boats, but still, they are pretty nifty.

 More airplanes!

 The lines were too long, so we just walked around a bit.

 The runway was right in front of the mountains.

 This guy was on the bike... on his cell phone... how Korean!

 Kids sit on their father's shoulders in every part of the world.  Ahh, it makes me think of a little girl who used to sit up high on her daddy's shoulders, about 27 years ago...

 Airplanes!

 Ooooh, fancy.

Up, up, and away!

 There they go!

 Whooosh.

 Hooray!

 The jets went RIGHT OVER our heads.  

Someone (not me) hit the deck.  Ha ha.  It was funny. It was loud though.

 This mother was on the cell phone. Her child kept staring at me... I must be fascinating.

  The planes made a heart with an arrow, the Korean flag, and more.  It was incredible.

 There were maybe eight or ten jets in the show.

 Ahh yes, a group clearly ready for adventure!

Anna, Mano, David

 The group plus Hannah.

 A plane, as it was landing, with mountains in the background.

Some of the kids there were dressed like their parents, who clearly worked on base.  Cute!

 Hannah, taking a closer look.

 Anna, showing us all how to properly pose.

 No, we didn't plan this.  We were standing there, then the camera was raised and we both leaned.  Ha.

 One little girl thought the airplane needed her stuffed animals as passengers.

 More stuff on base.

 One of my favorite parts of the day was after the air show, when David took us to the mini shoppett on base.  They had American products, and we got a few treats -- like red licorice, A1 & W root beer, pop tarts (because we could), and more!  How very exciting, indeed.
   On the way to the store, I saw this tree.  You know how I am fascinated by most trees.

   After the adventures on base, it was off for a bit of lunch.  Anna and Mano posed for a picture:

 Then, when they weren't looking, I got them with a more natural expression...

JUST KIDDING.  It was a great day though, and thanks to the guys for letting us attend the air show.