A historical figure they'd like to be:
I want to be Edison because Edison is very smart scientist. and he is very famous. but I don't want to be scientist. I just want smart and famous. I like Edison.
When is it appropriate to burst their bubble?
November 29, 2011
November 24, 2011
EAT YER TATERS
On January 1 of this year, I posted this to my old blog: "2011, I have no idea what you are going to bring, but I ask for balance, health, energy, love and plane tickets."
Sometimes, you get exactly what you ask for.
I am so thankful, so blessed.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING.
"I’m grateful for anything that reminds me of what’s possible in this life. Books can do that. Films can do that. Music can do that. School can do that. It’s so easy to allow one day to simply follow into the next, but every once in a while we encounter something that shows us that anything is possible, that dramatic change is possible, that something new can be made, that laughter can be shared."
-Jonathan Safran Foer
Sometimes, you get exactly what you ask for.
I am so thankful, so blessed.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING.
"I’m grateful for anything that reminds me of what’s possible in this life. Books can do that. Films can do that. Music can do that. School can do that. It’s so easy to allow one day to simply follow into the next, but every once in a while we encounter something that shows us that anything is possible, that dramatic change is possible, that something new can be made, that laughter can be shared."
-Jonathan Safran Foer
November 20, 2011
MT. MUDEUNG
I really wanted to make it up Mt. Mudeung before the (dreaded, awful, odious) winter begins deterring me from leaving my house (or bed) and venturing into nature. The hike was glorious. At the base of the mountain, the leaves still occupy their trees, and the colors were beautiful.
With a few scenic detours and a pit stop for lunch, the hike took us about 4.5 hours. It's about 5.5 km to the highest summit of 1187 meters, so we trekked about 11km (6.8 miles). FIGHTING!
Right at the beginning of the hike, you stumble upon Hak-dong Jeungshim Temple.
And then Jusangjeollidae (pillar-shaped joint cliff)
AND eventually, the tallest summit:
And of course, I can't even keep my eyes open to seal the proof that I've made it to the top.
The same team spirit that applies to running applies to hiking. And the same kindness that I feel every day in Korea is not lost on the side of a mountain: an average of 25384 people said "HELLO! NICE TO MEET YOU!" "HAVE A NICE DAY!" "FIGHTING!"
It's impossible to ignore that Koreans are very serious about their hiking gear. VERY SERIOUS. Hiking pants, jackets, poles, gloves, boots, hats and backpacks for the whole family! And this was true in the summer as well, so weather is not an adequate explanation.
Psh. And don't think I'm letting you off my blog without mentioning food. Chelin HOOKED IT UP. We had a feast of chomchi kimbap, baguette, brie, apple and pringles. About half way through this yumminess, a nice man brought us two clementines. NICEST PEOPLE EVER, ALERT. And this brie, it had melted in her pack on the way up. And you have NO IDEA how good it tasted.
I am so easy to please.
If you can ignore my heaving breathing, incessant sniffling and shaking hands, here's a video from the top!
With a few scenic detours and a pit stop for lunch, the hike took us about 4.5 hours. It's about 5.5 km to the highest summit of 1187 meters, so we trekked about 11km (6.8 miles). FIGHTING!
Right at the beginning of the hike, you stumble upon Hak-dong Jeungshim Temple.
And then Jusangjeollidae (pillar-shaped joint cliff)
AND eventually, the tallest summit:
And of course, I can't even keep my eyes open to seal the proof that I've made it to the top.
The same team spirit that applies to running applies to hiking. And the same kindness that I feel every day in Korea is not lost on the side of a mountain: an average of 25384 people said "HELLO! NICE TO MEET YOU!" "HAVE A NICE DAY!" "FIGHTING!"
It's impossible to ignore that Koreans are very serious about their hiking gear. VERY SERIOUS. Hiking pants, jackets, poles, gloves, boots, hats and backpacks for the whole family! And this was true in the summer as well, so weather is not an adequate explanation.
Psh. And don't think I'm letting you off my blog without mentioning food. Chelin HOOKED IT UP. We had a feast of chomchi kimbap, baguette, brie, apple and pringles. About half way through this yumminess, a nice man brought us two clementines. NICEST PEOPLE EVER, ALERT. And this brie, it had melted in her pack on the way up. And you have NO IDEA how good it tasted.
I am so easy to please.
If you can ignore my heaving breathing, incessant sniffling and shaking hands, here's a video from the top!
November 19, 2011
November 16, 2011
MY KIDS ON:
What do you think is the best way to have peace in the world?
MIN:
Surely, countries are never make war is the best way for peace in the world
War is very very very bad
War is very very very important (TRANSLATION: War is an important issue)
Also, peace is a more very very important in the world
DOROTHY:
First, I think we don't fight. That is peace. Also, I must think more then me for you. (TRANSLATION: I must think of you more than me.) Next, all days we need to enjoy heart. Last we must action to every body wants to way (TRANSLATION: We must accept everyone's way) So, this is my peace
CINDY:
I think is the best way to have peace in the world is world doesn't do that war because would do a war It's not best way to have peace in the world so, I think world doesn't do that war
AND I can't leave out this gem from a student's diary:
Where is he going? He's going to the cemetery.
He's looking for his friends.
MIN:
Surely, countries are never make war is the best way for peace in the world
War is very very very bad
War is very very very important (TRANSLATION: War is an important issue)
Also, peace is a more very very important in the world
DOROTHY:
First, I think we don't fight. That is peace. Also, I must think more then me for you. (TRANSLATION: I must think of you more than me.) Next, all days we need to enjoy heart. Last we must action to every body wants to way (TRANSLATION: We must accept everyone's way) So, this is my peace
CINDY:
I think is the best way to have peace in the world is world doesn't do that war because would do a war It's not best way to have peace in the world so, I think world doesn't do that war
AND I can't leave out this gem from a student's diary:
Where is he going? He's going to the cemetery.
He's looking for his friends.
November 13, 2011
SHABU SHABU
I've been hearing about this dish since I arrived in Korea and finally went with two girlfriends on Friday to try the infamous Shabu Shabu, or what is referred to as "Shabs." Sounds rather posh, doesn't it? "Let's go down to the vineyard and then get some Shabs." OR "Honey, put your best suit on, we're going for SHABS!"
As my friend Katie says to me as she is stirring the pot, "This is on the "con list" for becoming a vegetarian."
Korean Shabu Shabu is a three course meal made in a Japanese hot pot. For the first course, you cook an array of vegetables, dumplings and thinly sliced pieces of pork in a spicy broth in the center of your table. After you consume (or nearly consume) all the vegetables and meat, you add noodles to the pot, finish said yumminess, and then some nice lady comes and fries rice in the pot you have been seasoning for the past hour. And then you eat that yumminess.
And then you call a cab. Just kidding. Maybe.
But really, you should be kind to yourself and not eat anything for two days in preparation because the pain induced by over-consuming does not feel like a consequence when eating this meal.
Oh, and if you're planning a visit, this just got added to your itinerary!
As my friend Katie says to me as she is stirring the pot, "This is on the "con list" for becoming a vegetarian."
Korean Shabu Shabu is a three course meal made in a Japanese hot pot. For the first course, you cook an array of vegetables, dumplings and thinly sliced pieces of pork in a spicy broth in the center of your table. After you consume (or nearly consume) all the vegetables and meat, you add noodles to the pot, finish said yumminess, and then some nice lady comes and fries rice in the pot you have been seasoning for the past hour. And then you eat that yumminess.
And then you call a cab. Just kidding. Maybe.
But really, you should be kind to yourself and not eat anything for two days in preparation because the pain induced by over-consuming does not feel like a consequence when eating this meal.
Oh, and if you're planning a visit, this just got added to your itinerary!
November 11, 2011
PEPERO DAY
Also Known As: The biggest marketing scam of all time.
Also Known As: The day you can't get on a bus without being jabbed in the back with a large box of Pepero Sticks.
Also Known As: The day every store in Korea becomes a giant maze of Pepero Sticks.
Pepero day is a holiday where you buy pepero sticks and give them to your friends, family, teachers, random strangers, ANYBODY. Except, the Korean company that created Pepero Sticks, Lotte, also happens to be the major retailer where you purchase the original Pepero Sticks. Of course, the rest of the country is not stupid and many other companies now make their own version of the long, thin, biscuit snack. They come in a variety of flavors and are sometimes dipped in chocolate, covered in almonds or filled with hazelnut.
It's a rather commercial holiday, but joyful nonetheless. In fact, it completely makes sense that in a culture of cutesy kindness that there is room for a holiday such as this to exist.
I heard a rumor that I would leave school today with hundreds of pepero sticks, but the school is closed... which is good because I made out well enough on Pepero Day Eve.
Also Known As: The day you can't get on a bus without being jabbed in the back with a large box of Pepero Sticks.
Also Known As: The day every store in Korea becomes a giant maze of Pepero Sticks.
Pepero day is a holiday where you buy pepero sticks and give them to your friends, family, teachers, random strangers, ANYBODY. Except, the Korean company that created Pepero Sticks, Lotte, also happens to be the major retailer where you purchase the original Pepero Sticks. Of course, the rest of the country is not stupid and many other companies now make their own version of the long, thin, biscuit snack. They come in a variety of flavors and are sometimes dipped in chocolate, covered in almonds or filled with hazelnut.
It's a rather commercial holiday, but joyful nonetheless. In fact, it completely makes sense that in a culture of cutesy kindness that there is room for a holiday such as this to exist.
I heard a rumor that I would leave school today with hundreds of pepero sticks, but the school is closed... which is good because I made out well enough on Pepero Day Eve.
November 10, 2011
November 6, 2011
FIGHTING!
I have been running pretty frequently with the Gwangju Running Club and one afternoon in September, while feeling particularly inspired and motivated, I signed up for a 10k.
I ran my first official 5k four weeks ago, and after multiple promises to myself, never did any training to bridge the gap between said race and the 10k I ran in this morning. The race was in Damyang, about a 20 minute bus ride north from downtown. Damyang is in the country, and the mountain views and Fall leaves made for a very gorgeous race. I had two goals - I wanted to finish and I wanted to run the WHOLE time.
I didn’t break. Not once, not even for water. I knew if I stopped and did anything except run I was doomed. What’s my running secret? DON’T LET YOUR LEGS STOP MOVING.
I sprinted the last .5k and felt like I could run for another 5. These runners, maybe they are on to something. The elation I felt crossing the finish line was amazing.
The popular thing to do in Korea when you see a runner is yell “FIGHTING!” and fist pump the air. This is very amusing and uplifting, and they love when you say it back. After the race, I was greated with water, my medal, kimchi, mauentang (Korean fish soup) and a traditional Korean drink called makgeolli (MAK-GO-LEE), which is a Korean rice wine made from wheat and rice. It is milky in appearance and a bit bubbly, making it rather refreshing.
If I have not said this before, Koreans are SO kind. Amazingly kind. They are ridiculously generous and they are very eager for you to enjoy their country. They are also very communal. When I arrived back at the running club's tent, a group of Koreans were seated and literally shuffled me on to the ground, put a cup in my hands, filled it with Korean wine, and started making me stuffed leaves with what he called, "baby anaconda" (aka: raw eel). If is offensive to deny these gestures, and really, there is no reason to. Korean food is GOOD, and what do you need to say in such a situation except "Thank you!" and "Cheers!".
Next up, I am running a 10k in Seoul on December 3rd, because, you know, paying $40 to run a race in the freezing cold at 10 in the morning is apparently something that I REALLY want to do nowadays. No really, I do. CREEPY.
I ran my first official 5k four weeks ago, and after multiple promises to myself, never did any training to bridge the gap between said race and the 10k I ran in this morning. The race was in Damyang, about a 20 minute bus ride north from downtown. Damyang is in the country, and the mountain views and Fall leaves made for a very gorgeous race. I had two goals - I wanted to finish and I wanted to run the WHOLE time.
I didn’t break. Not once, not even for water. I knew if I stopped and did anything except run I was doomed. What’s my running secret? DON’T LET YOUR LEGS STOP MOVING.
I sprinted the last .5k and felt like I could run for another 5. These runners, maybe they are on to something. The elation I felt crossing the finish line was amazing.
The popular thing to do in Korea when you see a runner is yell “FIGHTING!” and fist pump the air. This is very amusing and uplifting, and they love when you say it back. After the race, I was greated with water, my medal, kimchi, mauentang (Korean fish soup) and a traditional Korean drink called makgeolli (MAK-GO-LEE), which is a Korean rice wine made from wheat and rice. It is milky in appearance and a bit bubbly, making it rather refreshing.
If I have not said this before, Koreans are SO kind. Amazingly kind. They are ridiculously generous and they are very eager for you to enjoy their country. They are also very communal. When I arrived back at the running club's tent, a group of Koreans were seated and literally shuffled me on to the ground, put a cup in my hands, filled it with Korean wine, and started making me stuffed leaves with what he called, "baby anaconda" (aka: raw eel). If is offensive to deny these gestures, and really, there is no reason to. Korean food is GOOD, and what do you need to say in such a situation except "Thank you!" and "Cheers!".
Next up, I am running a 10k in Seoul on December 3rd, because, you know, paying $40 to run a race in the freezing cold at 10 in the morning is apparently something that I REALLY want to do nowadays. No really, I do. CREEPY.
AN AVOCADO LIFE IS THE LIFE FOR ME
FRIDAY NIGHT
guacamole, cheese, fresh baguette, Korean berry wine
MONDAY NIGHT
UPGRADE: fresh WHEAT baguette
cream of broccoli soup, guacamole,
open faced pesto, tomato, avocado sandwhich
TUESDAY NIGHT
peppercorn chicken, avocado, cranberry, pesto, wholegrain mustard on wheat
NOT PICTURED: guacamole (DUH.)
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