#72. Koreans celebrate birthdays just like in America. You get a birthday cake but theirs are a bit more elaborate. Think Ace of Cakes elaborate. The one I received from my school looked like a little house. Complete with an intricate yard and windows.
#73. Koreans also celebrate their birthday on the New Year. Every single Korean celebrates their birthday as one on this day. Awesome. Two days a year for birthdays. Cake and presents twice a year? Point Korea.
Well today is the big day. The big 24th birthday. My first away from my family and friends. The first in a foreign country. I am a lucky girl and got presents from my family and cards from friends so it did feel pretty normal in that regard. I love that I am loved enough to receive all the facebook wall posts, cards and even a few presents from friends and family. It makes a day like today much more enjoyable.
Today I got a birthday cake at school and the traditional "Happy Birthday" song but it just wasn't the same. Hopefully the birthday dinner tonight, birthday party tomorrow and birthday trip to Daegu this weekend will make it a bit more special.
Come on Korea. Rock my birthday.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Puppet Peace Signs
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| Picture from the Soju Festival. Creepy puppet men with peace signs. Pretty much what Korea is all about. |
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| The foreigners had to sign a registration sheet so that they could keep track of us. That's discriminatory. |
Fruits and Fashion
[I got a birthday card from my Uncle Bob and Aunt Teresa today. Thanks so much! Anything by snail mail brightens up my day!]
#67. The prices of fruits/vegetables is ridiculous. You would think that in a coastal city that the price of fresh grocery items would be lower. That would be a big hell no. The price of fish and anything from the sea is cheap but anything that grows out of garden? Be ready to give your first born child.
#68. Mothers carry their children on their backs. In America kids are put into backpack-eque contraptions so that mommy or daddy have their hands free. The same is true in Korea except it's not a backpack. It's a piece of long cloth that is wrapped around to keep the kid in. To watch it is impressive. The kid hands on to the back of the parent's neck and the parent just starts wrapping away. No assistance needed.
#69. Korean fashion is a mix between prostitute and high fashion. Here is an example. A woman will walk around the streets of Pohang in 4 inch stilletos and booty shorts...but have it be socially acceptable because she has tights on underneath. The tights (though transparant) somehow make the whole outfit perfectly acceptable.
#70. Korean women love their shoes. In America you see women get dressed up to go out on the town or for a special occasion. In Korea there is no occasion too casual to not wear their stilletos. An afternoon walk to the market? Bright red stilletos. A walk to the corner store for milk? Pointed neon yellow pumps. At least they are getting their money's worth.
#71. Korean children learn chinese. At 4 years old I didn't know English. These kids are triligual. Point Korea.
Our weekly soccer game was last night. I didn't get a cleat to the knee or get a nose bleed so I consider it an overwhelming success. We added another game to our weekly schedule so now I play on Mondays AND Wednessdays. It just increases the likelihood of getting hurt. OR turning into a kick ass soccer player.
My bet is on getting hurt.
We'll see on Wednesday.
#67. The prices of fruits/vegetables is ridiculous. You would think that in a coastal city that the price of fresh grocery items would be lower. That would be a big hell no. The price of fish and anything from the sea is cheap but anything that grows out of garden? Be ready to give your first born child.
#68. Mothers carry their children on their backs. In America kids are put into backpack-eque contraptions so that mommy or daddy have their hands free. The same is true in Korea except it's not a backpack. It's a piece of long cloth that is wrapped around to keep the kid in. To watch it is impressive. The kid hands on to the back of the parent's neck and the parent just starts wrapping away. No assistance needed.
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| Nothing fancy. Just a huge piece of cloth. |
#69. Korean fashion is a mix between prostitute and high fashion. Here is an example. A woman will walk around the streets of Pohang in 4 inch stilletos and booty shorts...but have it be socially acceptable because she has tights on underneath. The tights (though transparant) somehow make the whole outfit perfectly acceptable.
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| This is the best I could find. Just imagine an outfit with less fabric and see through tights. |
#70. Korean women love their shoes. In America you see women get dressed up to go out on the town or for a special occasion. In Korea there is no occasion too casual to not wear their stilletos. An afternoon walk to the market? Bright red stilletos. A walk to the corner store for milk? Pointed neon yellow pumps. At least they are getting their money's worth.
#71. Korean children learn chinese. At 4 years old I didn't know English. These kids are triligual. Point Korea.
Our weekly soccer game was last night. I didn't get a cleat to the knee or get a nose bleed so I consider it an overwhelming success. We added another game to our weekly schedule so now I play on Mondays AND Wednessdays. It just increases the likelihood of getting hurt. OR turning into a kick ass soccer player.
My bet is on getting hurt.
We'll see on Wednesday.
Monday, April 19, 2010
My Parents are Cooler than Your Parents
[My friends in Korea learned of my amazing Catchphrase abilities last night. Anyone who has played this game (or any other game that involves clues and guessing) knows that I get a little...umm...excited. By excited I mean that I scream the answer loud enough for people in the next building to hear me loud and clear. I can't help it. Something takes over me and it just comes out. Thankfully everyone thinks it's cute instead of annoying as hell. Lucky me.]
#66. Korean children get perms. Boys and girls. You read that correctly. You will see a little boy around the age of 4 with straight hair one day and the next day have curly hair. Apparantly curly hair is more attractive. Since when does a 4 year old child give a crap about his hair. I'm pretty sure I didn't at that age. Oh Koreans.
So I have the best parents ever. If you think yours are better take a trip to Brownsburg, Indiana and see for yourself the awesomeness of Joan and Randy. It is my birthday on Thursday and I got my birthday package today. Not only did they send me flip flops (impossible to find in Korea) and new clothes but they sent me enough cold medicine to take care of the entire city of Pohang for the foreseeable future.
Take that Korea and your weak medicine. I have western medicine on my side now. Bring it on.
I am one lucky girl. Thanks Mom. Thanks Dad. Love you. Mean it. Long time.
#66. Korean children get perms. Boys and girls. You read that correctly. You will see a little boy around the age of 4 with straight hair one day and the next day have curly hair. Apparantly curly hair is more attractive. Since when does a 4 year old child give a crap about his hair. I'm pretty sure I didn't at that age. Oh Koreans.
So I have the best parents ever. If you think yours are better take a trip to Brownsburg, Indiana and see for yourself the awesomeness of Joan and Randy. It is my birthday on Thursday and I got my birthday package today. Not only did they send me flip flops (impossible to find in Korea) and new clothes but they sent me enough cold medicine to take care of the entire city of Pohang for the foreseeable future.
Take that Korea and your weak medicine. I have western medicine on my side now. Bring it on.
I am one lucky girl. Thanks Mom. Thanks Dad. Love you. Mean it. Long time.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Rice and Liquor Festival
[Pictures taken by Chris Kuisle and Jared Gramza]
[Thanks to everyone for all the sweet comments about making sure i'm doing ok with the Korean sickness ridiculousness. I am finally over the worst of it and now just have an annoying cold. Hopefully the magic Korean medicine combined with the medicine on its way to me from my Dad should be able to make me kick this cold for good.]
Ok. Back to the Korean oddities.
#63. Koreans love their television to be accesible. You see tvs in a taxi, bus, market, bar...anyplace that frequents people. Some taxi drivers prefer to catch up on their soaps while taking their fares to Homeplus while others feel like Korean music videos are the way to go. You just never know what you're going to get.
#64. Taxis are very inexpensive. A cab from my apartment to the foreigner hangout bar costs less than $3. In America it would cost at least double, if not triple.
#65. Other forms of transportation are inexpensive as well. A 25 mile bus ride from Pohang to Gyeongju costs less than $3. Point Korea.
I know it's been awhile since i've written on here but honestly with being so sick I didn't do a whole lot until the weekend. Hopefully this week will be markedly better than last week. It includes my second soccer game of the season, trying live octopus and my first birthday in a foreign country. It should prove to a week I won't soon forget. I hope.
[Thanks to everyone for all the sweet comments about making sure i'm doing ok with the Korean sickness ridiculousness. I am finally over the worst of it and now just have an annoying cold. Hopefully the magic Korean medicine combined with the medicine on its way to me from my Dad should be able to make me kick this cold for good.]
Ok. Back to the Korean oddities.
#63. Koreans love their television to be accesible. You see tvs in a taxi, bus, market, bar...anyplace that frequents people. Some taxi drivers prefer to catch up on their soaps while taking their fares to Homeplus while others feel like Korean music videos are the way to go. You just never know what you're going to get.
#64. Taxis are very inexpensive. A cab from my apartment to the foreigner hangout bar costs less than $3. In America it would cost at least double, if not triple.
#65. Other forms of transportation are inexpensive as well. A 25 mile bus ride from Pohang to Gyeongju costs less than $3. Point Korea.
I know it's been awhile since i've written on here but honestly with being so sick I didn't do a whole lot until the weekend. Hopefully this week will be markedly better than last week. It includes my second soccer game of the season, trying live octopus and my first birthday in a foreign country. It should prove to a week I won't soon forget. I hope.
Ok quick recap of the highlights of my weekend. My first jaunt out of the confines of my bed was to Gyeongju on Saturday for the big blossom festival/soju rice festival. You combine 10,000+ Koreans, 500+ foreigners, carvinal food of every variety and free alcohol samples...it makes for quite the interesting day. Everyone seems to like the pictures I post on here so here a few. More will come later.
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| Amazing Korean man doing the tightrope |
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| More beautiful blossoms |
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| FREE samples of Soju. In total, close to 30 different kinds. |
The festival was amazing and I cannot wait until the next one. Koreans love their liquor, food and entertainment. What else can a girl ask for?
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
I hate needles
#62. Koreans give injections for colds. Injections meaning plural. When I heard injection I thought it would go in the arm. Like vaccines. Nope. Not that lucky. These specific shots are given in the butt. Awesome. Not only do I have a sore throat and headaches that just won't quit, let's add a sore butt to the list of symptoms.
Now in America if I would have gone to a doctor with my symptoms they would have probably given me antibiotics, inhaler and requested that I get plenty of rest and liquids. Well i'm definitely not in America anymore.
In Korea they give injections out like they are freaking candy. You go into a little room, they fill up their magic needles and they stick ya. Hard. No warning. No 1,2,3. Surprise!
The antibiotics you take are in a packet of 8-12 little capsules. To be taken at once. Three times a day. It looks like i'm downing a freaking pharmacy after every meal. You know the GNC packs you can get that have all of the required vitamins and supplements for each day? Yea that's what mine look like only a bit more sketch. 9 in all. Do the math and it's 27 a day.
Have I ever mentioned that I hate to swallow pills?
Well I do.
Especially big ones that are double the size of a peanut M&M.
Now in America if I would have gone to a doctor with my symptoms they would have probably given me antibiotics, inhaler and requested that I get plenty of rest and liquids. Well i'm definitely not in America anymore.
In Korea they give injections out like they are freaking candy. You go into a little room, they fill up their magic needles and they stick ya. Hard. No warning. No 1,2,3. Surprise!
The antibiotics you take are in a packet of 8-12 little capsules. To be taken at once. Three times a day. It looks like i'm downing a freaking pharmacy after every meal. You know the GNC packs you can get that have all of the required vitamins and supplements for each day? Yea that's what mine look like only a bit more sketch. 9 in all. Do the math and it's 27 a day.
Have I ever mentioned that I hate to swallow pills?
Well I do.
Especially big ones that are double the size of a peanut M&M.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Ajummas and Chicken Noodle Soup
[So my dad has gotten some of his coworkers to read my blog on here. It's sometimes weird (but awesome) to think that people who read my blog I have never (and probably will never meet). I'm glad that I can bring a little laughter or insight into their lives. Hopefully both. Keep the comments coming. I love 'em. ]
#60. Old Korean women (Ajummas) wear visors. Everywhere. Think of the visors your mom wore to your athletic events when you were younger only bigger. Much bigger.
Remember the medicine I had to take 3x a day to get rid of this nasty thing? All gone. Still have the cold. If anything it's gotten worse. Big thank you to the Korean pharmacy. Your tiny pills are just not enough to kick this.
Due to my sickness I was unable to attend the cherry blossom festival in Kyongju Saturday. Thankfully my friends took plenty of pictures. The below pictures are from my friend Darin Novak. This is what I would have seen if I would have NOT gotten the plague.
Beautiful aren't they?
Sorry for the debbie downer post. Being sick sucks. Being sick in a foreign country without the comforts of certain things to make you feel better sucks even more. My paticular comforts are hot baths and mom's homemade chicken noodle soup.
Right now I would pay an obscene amount of money for one bowl of that soup.
#60. Old Korean women (Ajummas) wear visors. Everywhere. Think of the visors your mom wore to your athletic events when you were younger only bigger. Much bigger.
Ajummas are notorious for their visors. While the visors do help shield the face from the sun it also results in the wearer looking as ridiculous as humanly possible. Almost Darth Vader-ish. Koreans don't like the sun because of the effect it has on their skin. Here in Korea light skin is desired by all. Pretty much the opposite of America. If someone has dark skin they are thought to be poor and have a job that requires them to be outside laboring. If someone has light skin they are thought to be wealthy. Just one of the little quirks of Koreans.
#61. Koreans love whitening masks. They want their skin to look as white as possible because white is considered a sign of beauty. It is very similar to the masks Americans use to make their skin firmer or without acne. Theirs supposedly will make their skin white. Who knows.
Well my weekend in Korea definitely could have been better. It started off great on Friday with pizza (my first since landing) and drinks with friends downtown but ended horribly with my cold coming back with a vengence Saturday morning. It is now Sunday afternoon and with exception of a 3 hot showers (mistakely thought the hot water would help) and a quick walk outside for cough drops I have been confined to my bed.
Remember the medicine I had to take 3x a day to get rid of this nasty thing? All gone. Still have the cold. If anything it's gotten worse. Big thank you to the Korean pharmacy. Your tiny pills are just not enough to kick this.
Due to my sickness I was unable to attend the cherry blossom festival in Kyongju Saturday. Thankfully my friends took plenty of pictures. The below pictures are from my friend Darin Novak. This is what I would have seen if I would have NOT gotten the plague.
Beautiful aren't they?
Sorry for the debbie downer post. Being sick sucks. Being sick in a foreign country without the comforts of certain things to make you feel better sucks even more. My paticular comforts are hot baths and mom's homemade chicken noodle soup.
Right now I would pay an obscene amount of money for one bowl of that soup.
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