On August 17th, I received an e-mail from the U.S. Embassy in Seoul entitled: Civil Defense Drill on August 18, 2011. Here is part of the e-mail:
The U.S. Embassy in Seoul is transmitting the following information as a public service to all U.S. citizens in the Republic of Korea.
Seoul Metropolitan Police authorities advised the Embassy that on Thursday, August 18, at approximately 2:00 p.m. an air-raid siren will sound for one minute to signal the start of a nationwide civil defense drill. Pedestrians in open and public areas should seek shelter in nearby buildings or subway stations. All drivers/vehicles on the road must pull over and come to a complete stop. At approximately 2:15 p.m. a second siren will sound, signaling the conclusion of the drill. Local authorities will give further instructions if necessary.
This has happened several times since we've been here, but this is the first time I have gotten an e-mail about it. The first time we experienced it was our very first full day in Korea. We were a little worried, to say the least. Now, it's not so concerning.
I uploaded a 30-second video on YouTube.com which has the siren. Sorry for the poor quality -- I was walking to work.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGwsUF7FNmw
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Language Fail
Background
Zach and I know very little (I mean VERY little) Spanish even though we both took it in college. However, we occasionally break out into Spanish with one- or two-word phrases. Instead of 'thank you' I say 'gracias'. If I want to say 'yes' sometimes I will say 'si'.
After being in Korea for only a few days and not knowing any Korean, I would fall back on Spanish words knowing full well that 99% of Koreans probably have no knowledge of the Spanish language. Instead of saying 'sorry' in Korean, I would want to say 'lo siento'. I still don't know the word for 'sorry' in Korean and continue to want to use 'lo siento'.
Story
Zach and I were waiting for the metro in Seoul last week and a guy who obviously wasn't Korean approached us. I don't remember if he said 'hola' but he started to speak to us in Spanish and asked us if we spoke Spanish. I replied (in Spanish) 'just a little'. I was soooo excited to speak Spanish while being in Korea. He went on to tell us (in Spanish) that he was a missionary from Peru. We had a small conversation. We understood what he was saying just fine. I (being our spokesperson) had a slightly harder time responding but I managed just fine. Needless to say, I was very impressed with myself and just so excited to be speaking Spanish to this man!
Right before he left, he asked us one more question (I don't even remember what it was) that required a yes or no answer. That's easy, right? You either say 'si' or 'no'. In my total cockiness of talking to this guy, I reply 'nay' which is 'yes' in Korean. FAIL! haha. I caught myself right away and replied 'si'.
So, I'm speaking Spanish to Koreans and Korean to Peruvians. ahhhhh!
Zach and I know very little (I mean VERY little) Spanish even though we both took it in college. However, we occasionally break out into Spanish with one- or two-word phrases. Instead of 'thank you' I say 'gracias'. If I want to say 'yes' sometimes I will say 'si'.
After being in Korea for only a few days and not knowing any Korean, I would fall back on Spanish words knowing full well that 99% of Koreans probably have no knowledge of the Spanish language. Instead of saying 'sorry' in Korean, I would want to say 'lo siento'. I still don't know the word for 'sorry' in Korean and continue to want to use 'lo siento'.
Story
Zach and I were waiting for the metro in Seoul last week and a guy who obviously wasn't Korean approached us. I don't remember if he said 'hola' but he started to speak to us in Spanish and asked us if we spoke Spanish. I replied (in Spanish) 'just a little'. I was soooo excited to speak Spanish while being in Korea. He went on to tell us (in Spanish) that he was a missionary from Peru. We had a small conversation. We understood what he was saying just fine. I (being our spokesperson) had a slightly harder time responding but I managed just fine. Needless to say, I was very impressed with myself and just so excited to be speaking Spanish to this man!
Right before he left, he asked us one more question (I don't even remember what it was) that required a yes or no answer. That's easy, right? You either say 'si' or 'no'. In my total cockiness of talking to this guy, I reply 'nay' which is 'yes' in Korean. FAIL! haha. I caught myself right away and replied 'si'.
So, I'm speaking Spanish to Koreans and Korean to Peruvians. ahhhhh!
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Juk (Korean Porridge)
Juk, or Korean porridge, is a food that I have come to love when I'm not really in the mood for anything in particular. I was first introduced to juk by my boss when I had bronchitis a few months ago. I was told that Juk is great to eat when you are sick. It's very similar to the idea of chicken noodle soup in the States.
According to Wikipedia (I know, I know....Wikipedia....), Juk is made with plain white rice and can include varieties of different ingredients including milk, vegetables, seafood, nuts, and other grains. From my experience, it isn't very flavorful. However, I really like the taste of the tuna juk that I regularly get.
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Congee#Korea)
According to Wikipedia (I know, I know....Wikipedia....), Juk is made with plain white rice and can include varieties of different ingredients including milk, vegetables, seafood, nuts, and other grains. From my experience, it isn't very flavorful. However, I really like the taste of the tuna juk that I regularly get.
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Congee#Korea)
My tuna juk.
The take-out bag.
The portion is really big and is usually enough for two full meals. Then, after the container is washed, it is great to use as a left-over container. Our cabinet is full of juk containers! Who needs Rubbermaid? lol
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Loose Teeth
Before we came to South Korea, we had to meet with the South Korea Consulate in Chicago. There, we met several other people who doing the same thing we were doing. We exchanged contact information with two of the people we met: Doug and Sara. (By the way Doug and Sara, if you are reading this, we need to meet up sometime and catch up.)
Anyway, Sara has a blog that I read. About two weeks ago, she wrote a post and the title of it was "I'm not just a teacher, I'm also the tooth fairy!!" In her story, she stated that she helped pull out one of her student's teeth. I thought it was a cute story. Here is the link to her story if you are interested: http://sara-avadarian.blogspot.com/2011/07/im-not-just-teacher-im-also-tooth-fairy.html
Well, earlier this week, I had my own run-in with a student having a loose tooth. His name is Si-Woo and he is in my phonics class. Si-Woo had his hand in his mouth the entire class. He was wiggling and pulling on that tooth trying to get it to come out. That's when I thought of Sara's story. However, unlike Sara, I was not about to pull out Si-Woo's tooth. In fact, I got weak in the knees and had to sit down. All of the kids were laughing at me because it was making me dizzy seeing him trying to pull out his own tooth.
That is not like me - getting dizzy and weak over something so small! I mean, I am a blood donor. I love watching medical shows where you see blood and guts. But something about him messing with his tooth just did not settle with me.
I was worried about the next day in class. But as luck would have it, he pulled it out that night! Ever since that tooth incident, my students (some of whom were not even in that phonics class) come up to me pretending they are pulling out teeth.
I hope there are no more teeth incidents. And, I would like to commend Sara for pulling out her student's tooth! You are a braver person than I! :)
Anyway, Sara has a blog that I read. About two weeks ago, she wrote a post and the title of it was "I'm not just a teacher, I'm also the tooth fairy!!" In her story, she stated that she helped pull out one of her student's teeth. I thought it was a cute story. Here is the link to her story if you are interested: http://sara-avadarian.blogspot.com/2011/07/im-not-just-teacher-im-also-tooth-fairy.html
Well, earlier this week, I had my own run-in with a student having a loose tooth. His name is Si-Woo and he is in my phonics class. Si-Woo had his hand in his mouth the entire class. He was wiggling and pulling on that tooth trying to get it to come out. That's when I thought of Sara's story. However, unlike Sara, I was not about to pull out Si-Woo's tooth. In fact, I got weak in the knees and had to sit down. All of the kids were laughing at me because it was making me dizzy seeing him trying to pull out his own tooth.
That is not like me - getting dizzy and weak over something so small! I mean, I am a blood donor. I love watching medical shows where you see blood and guts. But something about him messing with his tooth just did not settle with me.
I was worried about the next day in class. But as luck would have it, he pulled it out that night! Ever since that tooth incident, my students (some of whom were not even in that phonics class) come up to me pretending they are pulling out teeth.
I hope there are no more teeth incidents. And, I would like to commend Sara for pulling out her student's tooth! You are a braver person than I! :)
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Life in Korea is Such a Cliche
We've been in Korea for 6 months now! Some days it's hard to believe six months have gone by and some days I can't believe it's only been six months.
Some of my more advanced classes are learning idioms so this entry will be full cliches, euphemisms, and figures of speech about things I have experienced, heard about, or witnessed. Besides, truth is stranger than fiction!
I can't think of a particular example, but are times when I think things can be done in a totally different way.
Apparently if you don't have an egg-shaped face, big eyes, high nose, and white skin (no tan), you are not beautiful...
This is the reason I have a job in Korea. Parents want their kids to have bright futures so they send them to hagwons (after-school schools).
I consider where we live home.
Some of the food here I don't think I can even try. I've eaten octopus but I don't think I can eat live squid.
"Don't speak Korean!" I say this to my classes over and over and over...again.
We took that step and are glad we did!
If you're going to a Noreabong (Korean karaoke room).
Those of you at home are probably thinking, "that's a big lie. You are in a different country. How could you not have things to write about?" We'll, this life has become my norm and not everything is a huge deal...
Buses do this and that is why we take the train when going to Seoul. I get motion sickness.
...wherever you please. I've seen my share of men peeing in broad daylight on busy streets.
We get stared at a lot!
There is a term here called "service". If you order a pizza, you might get a Coke for free. Order lots of alcohol at a bar, you might get fruit. Odd bar snack, I know. But, it's kind of nice!
Scooters and mopeds should not be allowed to drive on the sidewalks!!!
It's what I'm having!!
Bring food to share at work and you are loved by all.
A question I ask daily!
Some of my more advanced classes are learning idioms so this entry will be full cliches, euphemisms, and figures of speech about things I have experienced, heard about, or witnessed. Besides, truth is stranger than fiction!
All dressed up and nowhere to go
Fashion is a huge part of Korean life. Women even go hiking in heals...
An apple a day keeps the doctor away
Maybe not an apple, but take your Vitamin C and drink some hot tea and you are good to go.
An arm and a leg
Trying to eat American food instead of Korean food can cost an arm and a leg.
At the last minute
This happens at school. Sometimes the schedule will change but you won't be told until the very last minute.
Bass Ackwards
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder
To have a bright future
Close call
I think this every time I am in a taxi. I am surprised I've never been in a wreck. It can get pretty scary at times especially when running red lights.
To come out of the closet
Homosexuality "doesn't exist" in Korea.
Drunk as a skunk
...at 7:00pm. Drinking is a hobby here. I have seen so many people staggering down the street before the sun goes down.
Home is where you hang your hat
A hop, skip and a jump
You can get anywhere in Korea within a few hours.
I can't stomach that
If I've said it once, I've said it a thousand times
If the shoe fits, wear it
Because you probably won't find another pair in your size for a while. :)
A journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step
The more the merrier
None of your business
Unless you are asked your age or blood type.
Nothing to write home about
Old habits die hard
I desperately want to tell people "bless you" when they sneeze, but they just don't do that here.
Stop on a dime
Take a leak
Take a picture, it will last longer
The best things in life are free
There ought to be a law against that
The time of your life
The way to a man's heart is through his stomach
What's up with that?
You lost me
How I feel daily.
It's been a great six months and I hope the next six months are even better!
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Thank you!
As many of you are aware, Zach and I celebrated our 2-year wedding anniversary on June 6th. June 6th also happens to be Korea's Memorial Day so we had an extended weekend. We took the opportunity to spend the weekend in Seoul in a nice hotel that we probably spent too much on. That's ok, it was worth it!
This is the hotel we stayed in.
We decided that we were not going to plan anything and just have a relaxing weekend. When we emerged from our subway exit, I immediately saw a Hooters. So, we ate there for dinner. Then we walked around the area and found a really nice Irish Pub. The next day we ate pizza, sat at a coffee shop, and went to see X-Men. Monday we ordered room service for breakfast and ordered two movies to our room: The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader and Tron Legacy. Like I said: Relaxing.
I didn't really write to tell you about our weekend. I wanted to write to thank all of our friends and family for being there for us and supporting us. Yes, a marriage is between two people, but without friends and family being there, marriage wouldn't be so easy (some days it's easier than others). Though we may be thousands of miles (kilometers - I'm trying to get in the habit of saying) away, we couldn't do this without each one of you supporting us.
I am so happy and blessed to be sharing my life with such a wonderful man!
So, Thank you!
We decided that we were not going to plan anything and just have a relaxing weekend. When we emerged from our subway exit, I immediately saw a Hooters. So, we ate there for dinner. Then we walked around the area and found a really nice Irish Pub. The next day we ate pizza, sat at a coffee shop, and went to see X-Men. Monday we ordered room service for breakfast and ordered two movies to our room: The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader and Tron Legacy. Like I said: Relaxing.
I didn't really write to tell you about our weekend. I wanted to write to thank all of our friends and family for being there for us and supporting us. Yes, a marriage is between two people, but without friends and family being there, marriage wouldn't be so easy (some days it's easier than others). Though we may be thousands of miles (kilometers - I'm trying to get in the habit of saying) away, we couldn't do this without each one of you supporting us.
I am so happy and blessed to be sharing my life with such a wonderful man!
So, Thank you!
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Welcome to Korea!
On Friday, May 6th we welcomed a visitor from the U.S. Zach's niece, Heather, is staying with us until Monday, May 23rd! We are so excited to have her here!
Last weekend, we stayed around town but this weekend and next we are heading to Seoul. We have next Friday off work so we will have a long weekend! So, I will post more about our travels at a later time. Here are some pictures from this past weekend. Enjoy!
Last weekend, we stayed around town but this weekend and next we are heading to Seoul. We have next Friday off work so we will have a long weekend! So, I will post more about our travels at a later time. Here are some pictures from this past weekend. Enjoy!
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