Friday, November 26, 2010

12 Days of Christmas

Yes, Christmas is around the corner (and by corner I mean a month!) and for the first time ever I'm living in a country that doesn't snow around Christmas time, nor really celebrates or decorates around this time.  Therefore, Christmas music is essential and Starbucks holiday coffees are critical and any chance at any Christmas decorations I gawk at and smile to myself.
Music makes the world go around for myself, which makes me happy that I am not forced to listen to these songs.  But in the spirit of the holidays here are my 12 favourite Christmas songs (all linked for your viewing pleasure):

(I'm not a Norah Jones fan, but nothing can be bad if teamed up with Willie Nelson.  You really can't have a bad version of this song)
(This was a staple in my house every Christmas)
(Music video= Bon Jovi and Cindy Crawford= hotness to the nth degree)
                         Christmas Is
3. Muppets - 12 Days of Christmas  (Just for Beaker alone)
(Its amazing how far this cartoon has come along)

Let's also not forget about the wonder that is the Trans-Siberian Orchestra and the Nutcracker.

Oh by the way, this post is really just an excuse to justify my listening to Christmas music at work!

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

North Korea

It all comes down to this: North and South Korea have never declared peace.

And yesterday as I started listening to Christmas music willingly (big key word there), I start hearing my Korean teachers around me start talking all fast and gasping and then run off to their computers.  My one co-teacher comes up to me and tells me that North Korea has dropped about 20 bombs in South Korea, near Seoul.  When I said it was crazy, her reply was "Oh, its okay.  If we die, we all die together" and walked away.
Now, I should mention, the tension between North and South Korea isn't treated half as bad as it is outside the two countries.

When I got accepted into the EPIK program (before I was told I was on a waiting list), the news came that it was believed North Korea had sunk South Korea's warship with a torpedo attack.  I was bombarded with news reports about the happenings of the attack and the UN and US government getting involved, and everyone's comments about how I'd be better off staying in Canada.  I aptly replied to everyone, "war or no war, I'm making my way down there".

And now I'm here, on the opposite end of the deal.  Shortly after my co-teacher told me the bombs went off, we actually started hearing news on news sites about what happened.  South Korea had Marines training and apparently it provoked North Korea to set off some 200 artillery shells at a South Korean island close to North Korean borders. 

Its weird.  Back home everyone would be talking about it and people would be scared, but here, people just go about their daily lives.  The only people that are truly worried are the foreigners here.  Maybe I just don't notice it because the Koreans are speaking their language so I really have no idea if they are that worried.   All I know, my co-teachers were glued to their computers because we found out about the attacks relatively earlier than most people.  I heard stores from the other English teachers that their co-teachers kept drinking their tea and going about their business.  And this is what I feel like doing.

Its comforting that people back home are worried, but, like a Korean, I'm just going to go about my own way and let everyone else deal with them.

My opinion- North Korea would be stupid for setting off a war.  I highly doubt China would back them and with an angry Obama on the South's side, it wouldn't be good for anybody.
At least, I've finally registered with the embassy!

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

What's your Korean name?

I decided I want to know what my name is.  Apparently, my name is

Song Hee Hee

Somewhat befitting because I'm always laughing, but, I dunno...


Find your Korean name

Thursday, November 11, 2010

My Birthday aka Pepero day aka Remembrance Day aka *insert other worldly event here*



WOOOOOT!!!  My birthday is here, hence the birthday festivities have already begun!
The one day I celebrate like no other has been my birthday- with countdowns and weekend long celebrations and telling people that they wear a poppy to remember my birthday (a little selfish, yes I know), but when I got to this country I call home (for now) I realize that another day falls on my birthday- Pepero day!



First things first.  Most importantly, I cannot forget that November 11 is Canada's Remembrance Day.  Lest we forget and "In Flander's Field" and the poppy (that I actually missed wearing) to commemorate the soldiers that risked their lives and fought for our country.




However, anyone that knows me, will tell you, Remembrance Day is to help celebrate my birthday (Yes, I'm incredibly selfish- sorry). 

But now, as I geared up for my birthday, my students wouldn't let me forget that 11/11 is Pepero day, and as much as I would love to get into the Pepero day fun, it reminds me how much I hate days based on the fulfilling of consumerism.  Actually, it makes me sicker when I hear people call this day a holiday.  Anyone that knows me, including my father which can't stand this part about me, should know that I am totally against all days related to some company preying on the consumer to buy their products.  Hallmark, diamonds, and now Pepero fall into this category.

- Father's day/ Mother's day
- Valentine's day
- Diamond engagement rings
- Pepero day

Although, the best present I could have gotten today came from my 5th grader.  They had to practice the dialogue they just watched and her partner didn't want to do it, so I practiced with her.  When we finished she thanked me and gave me candy!  The cutest thing ever!

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Fish, Fertilization dances and Fall frenzy, oh my!

Well yes, its been a while since my last "adventures in Korea" post, so lets see...

Getting some Me time
Dr. Fish
According to Wikipedia Doctor Fish were found in Turkish spas and were used to treat patients with psoriasis.  They actually nibble away the dead skin so that the healthy skin can grow back.  Let me tell you, this is best damn concept anybody has ever come up with!!
The whole concept is a little funny to us, but we arrived at the coffee shop (yes, its in a coffee shop).  For 5,900won you pay for all you can eat bread, butter and jam and coffee (just this alone makes me a happy camper!) and then once your belly is full of bread and coffee you make your way up to the foot spa area.  These little pools that you dip your feet into while these little fish nibble away at every crevice of your feet.
I don't think I can fully explain the feeling of these guys.  It feels like little bubbles, then it gets ticklish as they eat the balls of your feet, and then it turns weird because you're seeing them at work and you know what they're doing and you don't know how to feel about it all.  Either way, my feet were pretty nice and smooth after and I totally expect to come here as many times as possible.

Seok Salon
I didn't chop off as much as my shortest haircut, but a good chunk of it is gone aaaaaaaaaaaand its permed straight.  Yes, I've undergone the Magic Straight treatment and never have I ever had hair this straight for so long without doing anything to it!  It ended up being a 4 hour long extravaganza.  My stylist was amazing!  The poor girl's stomach was growling but she didn't stop and just kept cutting.  Then she gave me an additional treatment because my hair was damaged (which is essentially not like Korean hair) all after hours.  Nowhere in Canada could I ever get this service!


Fall Fever
This is Halloween, This is Halloween, Halloween, Halloween, Halloween, Halloween
I have never been into Halloween.  Having to endure a whole week's worth of lessons about Halloween plus having to go shopping for some kind of costume made me already weary of the day before it arrived.  Needless to say, most Koreans don't do anything for the day- just whatever they've learned from movies/tv shows and other English teachers.  But I was quite impressed with the quality of the Korean costumes.  There are no costume stores in Daegu so there's no choice but to get creative.  Initially thinking of being a Harajuku girl, it was just too hard.  There's enough eccentric clothing that it became incredibly overbearing.  Just a blue wig, some blue and green tights and neon earrings and I think I turned into a go-go dancer.  But best costume of the night by far belonged to Edward Scissorhands, and the ajummas!

Here Comes the Bride
My first wedding in Korea belonged to my Principal's daughter's wedding.  Although, don't ask me what happened, I wasn't there for the actual wedding!  All the teachers were invited and we showed up about half an hour before the wedding and we left just after it started.  Why did we leave?  The gigantuous hotel didn't have enough seats to accommodate the massive amounts of people that were there and we went to eat lunch instead. 

Daegu in Motion
Korea In Motion is the largest non-verbal performance festival in the nation, featuring performances designed to break through the use of language and cultural barriers through music, martial arts, dance and physical comedy to portray ideas and feelings.
I ended up scoring free tickets to a couple of shows, I ended up seeing the shows of Break Out, Return and Sachoom.  While the shows were pretty awesome to watch, the descriptions provided were even better.

Break Out
Based on the break dance, and it is newly made "Extreme dance comedy" that was made by applying acrobatics and shows a fast story development dance with impact and acrobatics.  Popping and breakdancing at some of its finest, gratuitous female dancing that contributed nothing but to show some flesh and bad dancing,  but special shout outs go to the beat boxer!  


Return
Heart beating in 90 minutes!  It feels alive just NOW!!  Exciting and Real Street Dance!!  Dynamic Performance in 90 minutes with great moves and music.  The fantastic Gorillacrew's performance that has humanity and strength.  The Great musical which attract audiences-- RETURN!!
I have to say though, the break dancing was awesome!!  Its funny to hear Koreans oooh and aaahhh over the smallest movement but it was pretty impressive.  Gorilla Crew rocks!


Sachoom
It is a festival which the stage and audience become the one from the opening and end while mixing a hiphop, jazz, break dance and modern dance delightfully in the the simple story that everyone will feel sympathy in any countries and times.
Nowhere was I ever ready for what I was about to watch.  Yes, the show was comprised of all different forms of dance, but I wasn't expecting what I got.  Birth dances, pornography, growing up through the ages and battling your psyche were just a few of the themes, but never will I forget the birth dance.

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

My favourite Koreans


If its anything you should know about me, is that I'm a TV watching fiend.  Yes, I love to fulfill my television/movie/entertainment needs, and the most logical explanation for it all is, I spent enough money studying it and making it my major- I need to keep up with the popular culture (even though sometimes I'm embarrassed for it).
So when I got to Korea, one of the more asked questions from my students was "Which Koreans have you heard of?"
Surprisingly, I know of more Koreans than I though I knew, so here's my Top 5 Favourite Koreans.

5. KPop




 Yes, this Korean phenomenon is growing on me.  Considering I haven't been into the pop scene for the longest time (except for my love of Spice Girls and Britney Spears) I never thought I could like the sticky sweet sounds of the Korean pop scene.  However, hearing it ALL the time here, I find myself listening to it on my breaks at school, and humming tunes of songs everywhere I go.  To fulfill my musical needs, it has made my list.

Music Video


4. Sandra Oh
So, finally, a Canadian that Koreans have heard of!  Except for Justin Bieber they seem to be impressed when I say I have heard of her. I am actually a fan of her work.  I don't watch Grey's Anatomy, but Sideways was brilliant along with 3 Needles.    Somehow I always need to be repping the Canadians eh?








3. John Cho 
No list would be complete without this man.  His movie was epic (and not with a k) amongst all minorities and what one would go through just for some Whitecastle while blitzed out of his mind.  I am the Kumar to this man's Harold!  And forever to this day will Diana Aramburu be my Harold and me her Kumar.

Oh, and GoBo at Thursday Party, looks EXACTLY like him... almost.   






2. The Lost Couple
As one of my all-time favourite shows finished forever, the Korean couple comprised of Yunjin Kim and Daniel Dae Kim aka Sun and Jin Kwon gave me mixed emotions.  I couldn't stand them at the beginning, and it went from annoyance to Jin being one of my favourite characters, and their reunion made me cry like a little girl at a Jonas Brothers concert!  Besides Rose and Bernard, these two have been my favourite couple.  And lets not forget how incredibly sexy Daniel is!








1. The one, the only Dr. Ken Jeong

Now, I'm talking about the days BEFORE Hangover and Community.  I have been in love with this man ever since stumbling upon this music video.  I mean what kind of person would stride and gyrate around in a silver crushed velvet leotard singing in falsetto?  The kind of person that I would love.  Yes, Dr. Ken Jeong is not only a hilarious comedian, he is also a physicist.  Mix that and his ability to play crazy crazy roles and you have the most admirable man on television.  From jumping out of the trunk of a car naked, to playing the crazy King of a Live-Action RPG, and now the Asian Spanish crazed ex-teacher on Community, there is nothing this man cannot act his way out of.  Jeong and Jane Lynch are two of the only people that can make a secondary role legendary, and realizing that he is Korean just makes it better!