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Finishing Up at CEV

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CEV is an English Village, where students come to be taught in an immersion program. There are 8 teachers, from various countries and we teach different students every week as part of the ‘camp’. It is an English only environment where the students visit a variety of simulation rooms such as Post Office, Bank, Hospital, Shop, Airport, Hotel and Restaurant as well as practice conservation in English. There are also other fun rooms such as Science, Art, Language Laboratory and Movie Theatre. We teach primarily students from the age of 9-15 years old. On occasion we teach Kindergarten and twice a year we have a hagwon style class in the evenings where the same students return everyday.

There is also a Cyber School a CEV. Two teachers normally work in here at a time. In Cyber School teachers teach three forty five minute classes  a day. Each class has around five students and you teach conversation and phonics via a web cam. This form of teaching is not as fun as regular English camp but it is very easy!

I have been working here for two years on this contract, my time is soon coming to an end. Although I won’t miss the monotonous nature/schedule of this job I will definitely miss the ridiculously easy position…and of course the sweet sweet students!

Winter Programme

Kindergartners

Halloween

Christmas Cards

Middle School Students

Art Lesson

Girls Middle School

Hospital Simulation Room

Summer Programme

Baking Lesson

Science Lesson

Evening Class

Evening Class

Photo for text book!

Summer Programme

Summer Programme

Science Lesson

Baking Lesson

Christmas Time

Halloween

Restaurant

Kindergartners

Kindergartners

Camp Mart

Camp Mart

Post Office

Evening Class

Evening Class

Elementary Students

Elementary Students

Hospital

Hospital Simulation Room

Summer Programme

Summer Programme

Pictionary Game

Middle School Cyber Class

Intermediate Cyber Class

One of my last classes! :(

 


Filed under: Teaching @ CEV Tagged: CEV, Changnyeong, Changnyeong English Village, Gyeongsangnam-do, Gyeseong, Teaching

This Weekend, PNU Rocks

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This Weekend, PNU Rocks

Zero Festival gets down this weekend in PNU with all types of sonic goodness.

Yamagata Tweakster

Yamagata Tweakster

This is a yearly festival put on by AGIT, the local artist/musician collective. They always manage to bring a great slice of well known local acts together for decent street parties around the city. The music portion of the festival is just a small bit of what’s going on. There is also live painting, exhibits, forums, networking events and all other stuff artsy folk might be interested in.

The music will take place in a few different spots around the PNU area (English Info Here). There will be a free stage at the PNU main gate… and you can pay to get into any of the 4 clubs over the course of Friday and Saturday night. I believe the tickets are 20,000 won at the door of any club. There is too damn much going on to highlight it all so here is where I’d personally spend my time:

Friday: The outdoor stage looks pretty great with local punks YelloLoko playing early and brass band bonanza, Bascussion, playing later. Bascussion is not some old lame polish oompah. These guys seriously kick ass. Their sound is straight off of Bourbon Street. Since they are playing for free Friday night, I implore you not to miss them.

After the outdoor stage closes down, head to Soul Trane and catch 4 of the best bands to currently be playing in Busan: Sidecar, Genius, Danobannon and Spooky. Genius recently got back to the Bu after a US tour this past summer. Gonna be a good show.

Of course, the other venues, Roots and Moo Monk will be hoppin’ too. Check it all out.

Saturday: Wake up by 2pm because you need to get to the PNU main gate by 4 to check out Yamagata Tweakster. This guy is a legend. Performance art, sweet beats, audience participation… he does it all and he does it by himself. Also at the main gate, check out Kim Il Du, Kim Tae Chun and Unchained. More Busan legends… ’nuff said.

For night time, there are three venues: Punk at Soul Trane, Hiphop at Dazzle or Ska/latin/brass at Roots. Take your pick.

The show at roots is going to be PACKED. The lineup is Ska Wakers, Bascussion from Seoul and South Carnival from Jeju. I’m kicking myself for having to be out of town this weekend.

I’m not quite sure how the price of admission works… but I’m sure it’ll all be explained at the door to the first club you go in. Have fun!

The Story of…Wonhyoam Hermitage (Busan)

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Picture 074

 The amazing view from Wonhyoam Hermitage…and the hike that nearly killed me to get it.

Hello Again Everyone!!

As I mentioned in a previous posting about Wonhyoam Hermitage, there are literally dozens of Wonhyoam Hermitages throughout the Korean peninsula named after the famous Korean monk, Wonhyo-daesa. And this entry is about another hermitage called Wonhyoam Hermitage.

The difference between this Wonhyoam Hermitage and others is that this one is directly associated with Beomeosa Temple in Busan. In fact, it’s located on the temple grounds and up Mt. Geumjeongsan.

The story all starts when I was exploring some of the hermitages in and around Beomeosa Temple. Initially, I had been attempting to see Geumjeongam Hermitage. One wrong turn later, and I was attempting to see Wonhyoam Hermitage. I had known, or thought I knew, that the two hermitages were close in proximity to each other. So when I was unable to locate one, I was crossing a bridge over Dolbada (The Sea of Rocks), and heading up a mountain in search of a second hermitage.

Without knowing the distance it took from the base of the mountain up to Wonhyoam Hermitage, I was ill prepared for the climb. I didn’t have any water, and I didn’t have my hiking boots on, either. Halfway up the climb, which is about 500 metres straight up, I was wondering what I had got myself into. Resting at the first of many large rocks along the way, sweat covering my body, a stranger walked by me. He kindly offered me water. I must have looked like death when he saw me. Fortunately, this wasn’t the first stranger to offer me assistance along the way.

Picture 153

 Part of the arduous hike on your way up to Wonhyoam Hermitage.

A further 300 metres up the hike, a hike that I had no idea when it would come to an end, another stranger walked by me as I rested on a rock. His English was great, and he offered me the encouraging words that the hermitage was only another 200 metres up the mountain trail. Before he had told me the distance remaining in the hike, I had been contemplating descending the mountain. I hadn’t seen a sign pointing me in the direction of the hermitage for several hundred metres.

He asked why I was so interested in seeing Wonhyoam Hermitage. I told him that I had heard great things about the hermitage. He then went on to tell me that he visited Wonhyoam Hermitage every weekend, which was a miracle onto itself, considering the distance and stamina it took to see this hermitage located amongst the mountain peaks of Mt. Geumjeongsan.

He suggested that we go together. When I told him that I was going to rest a bit longer, he gave me the most accurate directions to get to the hermitage: through a fenced gate and around a rightward bend in the trail.

Having finally ascended the mountain, I saw both Korean gentlemen that helped aid me in my time of need. With a kind smile exchanged between us, I hung around a bit before descending down the mountain.

Picture 322

 The older looking main hall at the hermitage.

To me, it’s these moments that remind me of the kinder and gentler side of Korea. It isn’t the driving or balli, balli (hurry, hurry) culture, but the kindness shown from one stranger to the next. And the more I explore the mountain trails and temples of Korea, the more I get to discover the sweeter side of Korea.

For more information on Wonhyoam Hermitage in Busan.

Get Ready, Get Set…Chuseok

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by Ben Haynes

What a wonderful time of year we’ve happened upon! The harvest season, celebrated in as many ways as there are people and religions on this blessed planet. Yes, it’s all about getting together and enjoying the company of family and and gorging on the fruits of a well worked field or cubicle. Maybe packing on a few kilos for the winter months for good measure.

To observe this time of bounty, Americans roast up the largest, antibiotic-filled, corn fed turkey we can find at the grocery and then stuff it with some….. stuffing.

Apples for Chuseok

Apples for Chuseok

Israelis celebrate Sukkot, the feast of the Tabernacles, bringing together neighbors. All are welcome! Other than those blocked off by a huge cement wall, of course. Gnoshing on the harvested grains in a most biblical fashion and observing the quintessential element associated with all Jewish holidays- “remembering” wandering through the desert. Symbolized by modern Jews by being lost in the car on a hot summer’s day.

Indonesians celebrate the rice harvest. Offerings are made to Dewi Sri, the goddess of rice in Bali. Mushroom shakes are offered to tourists. Lammas, historically celebrated by early Britons baking the first harvest’s grain into a bread offering is now keenly observed by the oh-so-unique hipster Pagan or Wiccan in a most dogmatic fashion.

Koreans have Chuseok, where sungpyeon, a sweet-tasting rice cake, is made and enjoyed by all. Families gather around, making ceremonial table settings to remember loved ones passed.

As well, they buy gift packs of 10 apples for 100$ or 5 fish for 400$, or maybe a packet of peanuts for some exorbitant price.

IMG_0117 (1)

Yeah that is 200,000 Won for a watermelon.

Oh yes. Let the bells of capitalism ring throughout, and watch, as local department stores dress up their employees in hanbok to sell fruits, mushrooms, nuts, and Spam. Priced as though these items are rare, illegal, magical or forbidden,or all of the above. A pumpkin being sold for 200$. But this was no ordinary pumpkin, sillly. It had a bow on it!

As a foreigner in this “land of morning calm,” we get enjoy our autumnal shopping trips to Lotte or E-mart with an additional spike of bustling insanity. No child is safe unless riding in a shopping cart. Even then, they are subject to the possibility of a 4-5 cart pile up. It’s best to leave the small ones at home with grandma during the weeks prior to this nationally beloved holiday.

This post is guest post. For more on guest posts and how to submit please follow this link

BenHaynes

Ben Haynes has resided in Seoul with his wife, Ren, since 2011, where he is regarded as a local hero. He has the foresight of a community channel televangelist. He leads with the fortitude of Aurelius. His sweat is sweet as freshly squeezed juice. Villagers whisper giddily when he walks by. He enjoys a good book and cold glass of beer.


Death to Fake Canadians

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Image

Okay. Anyone who knows me, has listened to me rant, or has read my screeds over the years knows my fiery opinions on this particular matter. I apologize ahead of time for repeating myself or cannibalizing old lines, but I’m not above ripping myself off, especially in light of dopey articles such as this:

http://edition.cnn.com/2013/07/01/travel/fake-canadians-canada-day-travel/index.html?iref=allsearch

The above piece gives potential American travelers so-called practical advice on how to convincingly pretend to be a Canadian when they go abroad in order to avoid that terrible specter of anti-Americanism that supposedly pervades every nook and cranny of the globe. Evidently just pinning the Maple Leaf to the backpack doesn’t cut it anymore: You gotta get down Canadian “body language,” whatever the fuck that is. I realize that it’s a slightly tongue-in-cheek piece penned for Canada Day a couple of months back, but I found it thirty shades of retarded. Despite this, it brings up some salient points.

Let’s get one thing clear: I love Canada and Canadians. The only real exception to this occurs here in Korea during Canada Day, when most all north-of-the-border expats paint their faces red and white and spaz out in a frenzied, boozy, nationalistic gangbang. So, aside from the previous jab (I had to get ONE in), I will do my best to NOT take this opportunity to crap on my Canuckistani brethren. It’s a huge, lovely country and the people are generally decent and good and less likely to succumb to the idiotic nonsense so widespread throughout the States. There is a convincing argument to be made that Canadians, on the whole, are a lot more reasonable than us.

This object of my bile here is clear: Americans who pretend to be Canadians while travelling, most often by stitching the Canadian flag onto the backpack as some sort of supposed anti-Yankee kryptonite. What a load of balls.

Now I get it, I do. Despite the fact that I involuntarily bristle and grind my teeth every time I see it, I GET why Canadians display the flag. After all, I certainly wouldn’t want to be constantly mistaken for another nationality, especially as one as polarizing as that of the USA. And Canadians know us better than anyone–both our good points and our faults. Some people say that the US is Canada’s big brother? Yeah, we’re like the douchey jock big brother who gets drunk, comes home, and tries to start fights with Canada’s sensitive high school friends.

USA: “Hey! What are you looking at, fag? Yeah, I’m talking to you. I bet you suck cocks, faggot!!!”

USA mimes sucking a dick, then suddenly feigns a punch. Canada’s skinny little emo friend shudders in fear.

“That’s what I thought, faggot!”

Canada’s other friend (chubby, bespectacled, whispering): “Is that asshole really your brother?”

Canada: (turning away in horror) “No man, I’ve never seen him before in my life.”

The Mexicans have an old saying: Poor Mexico. So far from God, so close to the USA.

Somehow, closer to God as they may be, I think Canada can relate.

But Americans pinning on the Maple Leaf–really? Does this happen?  It surely must, since we hear the reports. The practice was first adopted during the Vietnam War, when antipathy toward Uncle Sam ran hot and high. It’s continued ever since then, though I’m told it’s mainly employed by young, first-time backpackers going to Europe to “find themselves” while dropping MDMA, running up daddy’s credit card, and getting bored out by guys named Gerdt and Rene.

I’ve only run across this phenomenon once in Asia, when I went hiking with a doe-eyed American who was visiting Busan. It was toward the end of the jaunt and I was just beginning to like the guy, when the garish red Maple Leaf flag caught my eye.

“Dude. I thought you were from Ohio.”

“Oh, I am. I just don’t want to have to deal with any anti-Americanism.”

I immediately stabbed him in the neck with my metal hiking pole. Or I immediately THOUGHT about stabbing him in the neck with my metal hiking pole… and then kicking him off the side of the mountain.

Anti-Americanism? Really???

I’ve traveled to over 20 countries in my adult life and a good chunk of these explorations happened during the internationally despised reign of George W. Bush. I’ve done speed with sketchy Europeans and gotten drunk on palm wine with napalm victims in Cambodia and once took part in a full-blown political street riot here in South Korea, and not ONCE have I really experienced nasty, in-my-face, overt anti-Americanism. Sure, I’ve been mocked a dreadlocked attitudinal Aussie and snubbed by a rude Belgian couple and subject to death glares by packs of scowling, pig-eyed Russians, but I’d like to think that all of these folks hated me because of the content of my character, not because of the color of my passport. That’s not to say that plenty of people don’t hate Americans on principle–they DO. However, most of them have the common decency to hate us behind our back.

And while a Maple Leaf on the backpack just may equate to slightly less rude service from that Parisian waiter, the last I checked it didn’t translated into a Get-Out-of-the-Cave-Free Card with Al Qaeda or the Taliban. Americans, Canadian, Italian, French… it doesn’t matter from which crusading, Western infidel country you are coming from: Your head is getting sliced the fuck off.
taliban-1
Passport? A flake off his ballbag, he does not give.

Here’s the deal, my fellow Americans: If you are too cowardly, too thin-skinned, or too intellectually unequipped to put up with a little potential (and in some cases justified) flack when you travel, then stay the fuck home. Whether you feel the need to fake being Canadian out of conservative ignorance or liberal guilt, just do us all a favor and stay the fuck home.

Because if I catch you I promise you a torrent of abuse. And I just may stab you in the neck with my hiking pole.


The Quickest Way to Travel Around Korea

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KTX Standing Seat

Only one more sleep until my mum and her friend Julie arrives in Seoul and I get to see her after 6 long months. Not only am I excited about her arrival, along with the stash of treats for me in her bag, nor the fact I get a mini holiday, but I'm kind of excited about the journey up to Seoul to meet her.

I'm not sure if it's because I was an avid driver back at home, or whether the UK's transport is just as appalling as I thought it was, but the ever late, shoddy trains in the UK pale in comparison with how you can get around in Korea. It's not just that, but I really dislike the fact that in England you aren't allocated a seat, unless you have pre booked in advance. Cue many a hot, frustrating train ride sat on the floor in the corridor outside of the toilet. Not pleasant.

The KTX is a super fast train that travels from Busan to Seoul in just over 2 and a half hours. It leaves every 15 minutes from Busan station and I have never known it to be late. It costs ₩54,00 which is about £30, and you are guaranteed a reserved seat unless you specify that you want to stand. Not unreasonable when it's usually so dependable. How can you argue with a company whose motto is 'Korail wants to be a beautiful bridge that connects people's hearts, not just some iron-made transportation'. Oh Korea! How can you even make trains sound cute?

I love that as soon as I step onto the train I feel like I'm on a plane rather than a train. It has WIFI, big, comfy seats, immaculate staff that could only be compared to hostesses, an entertainment carriage including Noraebangs and food carriage too! Amazing! I can't help feel a little bit excited about wherever I'm off to.

Even better is that the Koreans seem to really take pride in their amazing, super powered train, so are all very peaceful and quiet on the train, meaning that it's perfect to catch a nap if you're up early or late to get to wherever you need to be. My favourite journey I've had on the train is when Nick and I were going to Seoul, we got The Walking Dead ready on the lap top and a bottle of red wine and two paper cups. I've never known a journey go quite so fast!

KTX journey Walking dead and wine

I think the best example of how much the Koreans love the KTX too is the fact that one of Nick's students painstakingly made a bomb style game called 'Ding Dang Dong KTX' which he pestered Nick about so much that he actually played it with his class! Apparently the pestering still goes on and I'm not to mention it anymore...

BUT if you don't have much time in Korea, or want to save precious time on your day trips, then I would always recommend the KTX as the number one way. To make the cost even cheaper, you can buy a standing ticket, yet they have little fold up chairs in the doorways that you can sit on, so like many a long journey in the UK, you don't have to sit in the toilet or on the floor!
KTX Nap

So yay for Korea and its amazing transport and yay for my mum and Julie being able to have their first experience of bridging their hearts on the iron-made transportation! Who wouldn't want to do that?


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Kuiwon’s Classical Chinese Primer – Alliterated Monomorphemic Words

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Haedongsok Sohak

Haedongsok Sohak (海東續小學, 해동속소학). It was composed by Pak Jaehyeong (朴在馨, 박재형, 1838-1900) in 1884 and first published by the Chosun Enlightened Works Society (朝鮮光文會, 조선광문회) in 1912.

This is a series of posts on monomorphemic words, which are words composed of two characters wherein the word cannot be understood by reading the characters separately. 

Alliterated Monomorphemic Words

Alliterated monomorphemic words (雙聲 衍聲複詞, 쌍성 연성복사) are words that have the same initial consonant — hence, the term, “alliterated.” In many of these words, the characters have the same radical, Busu (部首, 부수). The following are examples of alliterated monomorphemic words, all of which are still used in modern Korean albeit some not in colloquial settings.

要土所求之物, 乃長劍, 白松鶻, 珫璃盃, 榧子等四種云.
요토소구지물, 내장검, 백송골, 류리배, 비자등사종운.

What materials [the Manchurian] General Yoto (要土, 요토) acquired were long swords, glass cups, and four kinds of nutmeg trees and et cetera.
► Daily Record of the Royal Secretariat (承政院日記, 승정원일기), 1628, the 6th year of King Injo’s reign (仁祖, 인조,1595-1649, r. 1623-1649)

聖人躊躇以興事, 以每成功. 奈何哉其載焉終矜爾!
성인주저이흥사, 이매성공. 내하재기재언종긍이!

Sages hesitate and are indecisive in starting actions, so that they are always successful. [But] what about you? Ending your conduct, will there only be arrogance?
► Zhuangzi (莊子, 장자, Jangja), Miscellaneous Chapters (雜篇, 잡편), What Comes From Out (外物, 외물)

於是諭其志意, 以其恍惚以與神明交, 庶或饗之. “庶或饗之”, 孝子之志也.
어시유기지의, 이기황홀이여신명교, 서혹찬지. “서혹향지”, 효자지지야.

Thereupon, realizing [the ancestor's] wishes and intentions, in their blissful ecstasy [the son] in commune with their spirits is as if to give offerings [for an ancestral memorial rite]. “As if to give an offering” is the aim of the filial son.
► Classic of Rites (禮記, 예기), The Meaning of Sacrifices (祭義 , 제의)

文帝問宣曰: “吾夢殿屋兩瓦墮地, 化爲雙鴛鴦, 此何謂也?” 宣對曰: “後宮當有暴死者.”
문제문선왈: “오몽전옥량와추지, 화위쌍원앙, 차하위야?” 선대왈: “후궁당유폭사자.”

Emperor Wen (文, 문, Mun, 179-157 BC) asked Zhou Xuan (周宣, 주선, Ju Seon), “In my dream, in a house in the royal palace, two roof shingles fell to the ground and transformed into twin mandarin ducks. What say [you] of this?” Xuan replied, “Behind the palace, indeed there was a violent death.”
► Record of the Three Kingdoms (三國志, 삼국지), 29th Chapter of the Book of Wei (魏書二十九, 위서 이십구), Biography on Zhou Xuan (周宣傳, 주선전)

天邊遠挹玲瓏峀 / 野外平臨宛轉江
천변원읍령롱수 / 야외평림원전강

Heaven’s edge from afar pulls the brilliantly shining mountaintop / Outside the field evenly standing and smoothly turning is the river.
► Drinking and Talking Together With Mokbaek Yu Yeonggong (牧伯柳令公, 목백유영공), Using the Character “Gang” (降, 강) as the Rime (同牧伯柳令公飮話 用降字韻, 동목백류령공음화 용강자운) - a Poem by Ki Daeseung (奇大升, 기대승, 1527-1572).

況我東人受聖師罔極之恩. 遺風舊俗, 髣髴猶昨.
황아동인수성사망극지은. 유풍구속, 방불유작.

Moreover, we Eastern people (Koreans) have received the sagely teachers’ boundless graces. Our remaining traditions and old customs still resemble [that of] yesteryear.
► Preface to Borrowing the Rimes of Wang Gyeongmin’s Poem for Kija’s (箕子, 기자) Ancestral Shrine (次王天使 敬民 箕子廟賦韻, 차왕천사 경민 기자묘부운) – a Poem by Yi I (李珥, 이이, 1536-1586).

Nota Bene: Due to the Initial Consonant Rule (頭音法則, 두음법칙) in modern Korean, Sino-Korean words that should have initial consonants of and /r/ (ㄹ) and /n/ (ㄴ) are pronounced and spelled with /n/ (ㄴ) or /null/ (ㅇ). From the examples above, 琉璃 would be spelled and pronounced 유리 (yuri), not 류리 (ryuri) and 玲瓏 would be 용롱 (yeongrong) not 룡롱 (ryeongrong).



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Club Opening in Daegu: Basquia

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Although I'm a little late to inform my readers on the grand opening (forgive me... I was in Vietnam), you should know about Basquia: the new gay venue in Daegu.

After Seoul and Busan, I would probably choose to live in Daegu. The people are friendly and the nightlife is decent. And now they have a gay club. 


If you live in Daegu, I imagine you can figure out the location of Basquia in Dongdaegu. I'm pretty sure Dongdaegu (East Daegu) is the area where all the gay bars and saunas are located, but I've never sampled gay life in Daegu. Any of my readers familiar? 

AOA “모야” Moya ~ K-pop Eye Candy

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AOA Black  ( meaning Ace of Angels에이오에이) is a smalled band formed with 5 of the 7 members of the main AOA pop group, Jimin, Choa, Yuna, Youkyung, and Mina.  AOA debuted in 2012 and revived a slew of nominations that year from various  award shows like SBS MTV, Allkpop Awards, Mnet asian music awards etc. with 3 singles peeking on the Korean music charts all within the top 10 range.

Their newest single as the smaller AOA Black band has done very well in sales so far and has peeked at #9~  it is a sweet and catchy song about a boy (of course) and getting him to stop playing around and notice the girl + say what she really is to him.  We originally saw this single while eating some BBQ one night haha it was playing on the TV and Nara turned to me and said “this video is insanely saturated, you are going to looove it”  he was right!

It is a really cute and playful video with some colorful fun sets~ so lets take a look at the eye candy, shall we!?

We have a pretty awesome fancy lad concert going on.  Can you see his metal heart wing mic stand? AMAZING! Rest of the group is not into it so much though lol

WERK IT GURL.

Playing the pop star at the club is Korean comedian Jung Sung Ho from SNL Korea.  Apparently his character in this video is inspired by FT Island‘s Lee Hong Ki and CNBlue‘s Jung Yong Hwa.

Meanwhile….. in creepy town.

The creeper is played by Kim Min Gyo also a comedian from SNL Korea!

People really love to draw doodles on jerks in K-pop. Note he is crying sparkle tears and maybe angry farted?

Spotted this while capping and felt it had to be pointed out.  That booty is obviously padded lol I always see these undies on sale and wondered it anyone actually used them~ guess so! XD

My lovely friend Honey identified the grabby Mickey hand skirt as a “Lazy Oaf” item!  Check out the shop online, they have really cute stuff and are a UK based brand! *_*  Someone on the Cute in Korea facebook also commented that they spotted this skirt in Korea at Pop Boutique~ a shop I featured previously.

HERMMMM….

This shot is so colorful, I love it! Hilarious tattoo tights~ after about 2-3 years as a trend in Japan they are finally picking up in Korea at last! yay!

YA PEACE!

Back to the dancing creepy guy… I swear his buttcrack is showing through his shirt O_O How did he tuck it in? lol

Flash to Mr. Adorable

Gurrrrr I hate him!

 

This room reminds me of Lisa Frank for some reason *_*

Best shot I could get of her ring and nails! They look sparkle-tastic and cute for sure

“Mo-ya” means basically “what” in Korean, but it can also be a little rude (Like WTF) since it is informal speaking unless it is used in a sentence.  Basically, don’t use it to say “what” literally if you are learning Korean XD

Retro watch tattoos? Awesome!

Eh… determined face?

One gripe I have to get off my chest, LOTS of goofy faces were made in this video with the attempt to be cute~ I could not avoid them in some parts. Seriously, why??? (-_-;) maybe the storyboard was in manga style so they tried to imitate it? lol

멍청아~ =  Idiot~

And we have an appearance of the Korean Bunny Bow!  I have not spotted one of these in a while, maybe they are coming back?  One of my first Korean trend features here on the blog ^^

He gonna get it!

Die die die die die!

Move people.

Mr. Fancy Hands, I know you are giving a concert everyone seems to be really enjoying~ but GIMME DAT MIC.

This is a hostile takeover of the stage

Gur~  also, guitar kitty! Doesn’t that make it hard to play notes correctly though?

Whatever bitch! Taking my fancy mic stand and I am LEAVING!

The stage is now mine! I’m ready to sing about how mad I am at this boy~

The fangirls are not very pleased that the hot boys have been chased away.

Meanwhile~ Mr. Wonderful is still enjoying being adorable with his date

NOTICE MEH!

NAH.

Heeeerrrmmm.

pssst pinky… you forgot to pretend to play that guitar hun

Girls are not impressed by the band switch. Boys are amused by their misery.

I really love the sparkle touches they added to the eye makeup in this video~

Herm? What a bizarre expression they both have on at the same time lol

♥ ♥ ♥

Nice shot of all the bracelets Dongdaemun or Hongdae

♥ ♥ ♥

And end with Korean cutie face #17

*eyes flutter* you notice me now?

YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Duh what?

YOOOOOOOU!

(O___O)

…..

that’s right…

haha he looks so terrified

OKAY ~♥

yay you noticed :3

Ok dude, you can have your stage back.

And he returns to the stage… but minus his fabulous manicure, rings, headband, and amazing mic stand! What happened? D:

SHEEEEET.

Links

Watch the video above and let me know what you think!  Love the song, love the video, love the clothing, love the rooms, what did you enjoy the most?!

English Subbed version by LoveKpopSubs


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Board Game Bangs : Chess PNU

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As my Mum finally arrives today Nick and I spent the evening together as we won't see each other for a while. I decided to take him to a Board Game Bang in the PNU area. I really like it in PNU, as it's one of the university areas, it's got a fun, laid-back vibe with lots of small boutiques and coffee shops to while away some time cheaply.

There are lots of different 'bangs' in Korea. DVD bangs, Noraebangs, Multi bangs and board game bangs, and probably many more that I'm not aware of. Bang translates as room, so these are places that specialise in either small private rooms, or public spaces where you can do the above. DVD bangs are like video hire shops where you pick a DVD and go into a private room to watch it, Noreabangs are private karaoke rooms, multi bangs combine everything together and the final one is where we went last night!

I really like this little place called 'Chess'. On your way in you're sat at a table with a yogi-oh button, so you can call over the staff whenever you need help. I think that you pay hourly, so the longer that you stay, the higher the charge will be. We stayed for about an hour which came to 5,000, which is about 2.70. This also includes a drink which you can pick from their small menu. I went for hot chocolate and Nick had an iced coffee.

I only know the rules of a few select games, and not many of the other games had English instructions, so we settled on playing Boggle and a Simpson's version of Cluedo. Sadly Nick beat me at both games, I obviously wasn't on top form this week.

It looked like it's not just computer gaming that's big business in Korea, as there were lots of tables of people having serious looking games, and the staff were constantly being buzzed to fetch new games to the tables. Every so often we would hear a cheer coming from a tense game around the corner, so it was quite a fun atmosphere to be in.

We left after about an hour because we were so hungry (and I kept losing), but I can see us spending a lot more time there in the evenings when it starts to get colder.

We went to stuff our hungry tummys at Coq, which serves fried chicken and beer, where I found the most humongous potato wedge that I've ever seen!

Board Game Bang

Board Game Bang

All the games

Boggle

Simpson's CLue

Beer and Snacks

Fried Chicken

Huge potato wedge


How to get to Chess

-Get off the metro at PNU
-Come out of exit 1.
-Walk straight ahead, down the road with all of the shops. Keep walking, past McDonalds, up to the road that you will have to cross.
-Keep walking straight, even though it will get a little quieter here, and cross the next road.
-Eventually you should see the yellow checked sign on the second floor on your right.
-chess is above a convenience store and opposite an Ediya cofee.


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Knowledge economy?

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Articles from August 2013
What if President Park gets what she wants. Does it affect private schools in anyway? Do we need to “get ready”, as in when the government changes direction all the rules get revisited.

Let us first understand what is a Knowledge Economy.

Some links for you to read:
Knowledge Economy
2004 paper
Some criticism

This term was being thrown around since the 90′s, back when I was still studying at University.

Since my Korean is limited to the point that I cannot read newspapers, let me just focus on what I can find.  A promo piece.

“One of the key points of the creative economy is to foster future growth engines and create jobs through the convergence of the IT industry and future-oriented industries and of the broadcasting and communications industries,” said Park, explaining her vision of a creative economy.

As you might see from this comment, she might not understand what Knowledge Economy really means. She is using Knowledge and Creative as facsimile, which they are not.

She continues:

”The future of Korea lies in the efforts of creative businesses and talented workers like you,”

If you had the patience to read through all of that, you probably are interested in these concepts and might know a few things about them. My first problem is that Knowledge Economy is a Macro-Economic concept, and Macro-economics aggregates (or tries to) Micro-economics in such a way that the individual becomes just a number. You can guess from my tone, I am not a big fan of Macro-economics.  Macro-economics was created to help governments find a way to manage their countries by using “levers” of the economy, and establish policies to further their goals (most of the time focused on growth and fighting unemployment).  Since governments (or those in power) rely on votes from the populace, their incentives are quite simple and clear.

Therefore, when people talk about the Knowledge Economy, it is nothing more than a box to put a type of labor in. You have Agriculture (Food), Production (Stuff), and Services (Brains). But that doesn’t seem to be good enough. Now, we need to distinguish between Production, Mass-Production and the Knowledge economy. Let’s look at the definition:

“The knowledge economy is the use of knowledge (savoir, savoir-faire, savoir-etre) to generate tangible and intangible values.”

Isn’t that just Services? Of course, a cleaning lady is not a Knowledge worker! (I disagree, she “knows” how to clean better than me!). Therefore my simple conclusion is that it is just a smokescreen for something governments don’t yet understand and are trying to control.

The real problem is “Creativity” or at least the fundamental characteristics. They are the exact opposite to what government represents. How can a government try to control something that is uncontrollable, fluid? They try very hard with “public education”….. Luckily, in the Korean Constitution, it is clearly written that people have the freedom to be educated, in any way they want.

South Korea – Constitution 
Article 31 [Education]
(1) All citizens have an equal right to receive an education corresponding to their abilities.
(2) All citizens who have children to support are responsible at least for their elementary education and other education as provided by law.
(3) Compulsory education is free of charge.
(4) Independence, professionalism, and political impartiality of education and the autonomy of institutions of higher learning are guaranteed under the conditions as prescribed by law.
(5) The State promotes lifelong education.
(6) Fundamental matters pertaining to the educational system, including schools and lifelong education, administration, finance, and the status of teachers are determined by law.

Let’s look at Knowledge and Creativity, first.

Knowledge is thus acquired through education and experience.
Creativity is thus a phenomenon whereby something new and valuable is created.

Not the same, is it.

Knowledge is something that can be controlled, supported, enhanced by governments, but creativity comes from the Individual. Knowledge can be aggregated, Creativity cannot.
I would even like to postulate that any individual with sufficient intellect can gain knowledge in any field, but not creativity. Knowledge deals with what we know, where creativity explores what we don’t know. We don’t know what we don’t know until we positively experience the fact that we don’t know. Knowledge is certainty, creativity is taking chances and pushing the envelope. Creativity without knowledge cannot achieve much, Knowledge without Creativity doesn’t progress. Society needs individuals who can both acquire Knowledge and be courageous (or desperate) to be Creative.  Intelligence goes well with Knowledge, but is not that important with Creativity (smart people are often very boring).

How do we handle this within the educational system? Korean’s public education system is, simply put, inadequate to deal with creativity. They do try, I must admit, but having 30+ kids in the classroom might not be that conducive for creativity, and the emphasis on sciences and languages don’t help much either.  Korea’s culture might also have some issues efficiently allocating resources to individuals who display traits to maximize creative output, demonstrated by the immense expenses on the private education system.

So we have two problems. A government that doesn’t run an efficient public school (is that even possible?), but supports the lowest common denominator and parents who all want their children to be prodigies of the future (but preferably in a stable job like doctors or lawyers, not artists).  The only arts supported are the classical arts by people who can afford it.  It always amazes me if I do see creative Korean people capable of creeping out of the woodwork to show what they can do.

My personal experience with Korean children shows me that these kids ARE creative, because they are constantly pushed to do so, at a very young age.  Once they hit elementary school, it slowly fades away. I think the fundamental problem is that Koreans do not understand the basic concept of diminishing returns. Diminishing returns simply states that at a certain point, an increase of input creates a decreased output. Another interesting micro-economic concept is Opportunity Costs. The opportunity cost is the “cost” incurred by not enjoying the benefit that would be had by taking the second best choice available.

The problem is that one hour spend studying might have been better spent resting (aka sleeping). Our brain is not an infinite machine that can keep on running (even though it does, but you know what I mean).  A growing brain, like that of a child, is incredibly responsive to its surroundings.  By constantly putting it under pressure, you are slowly leaking future potential growth. The brain, in sleep mode, performs incredibly important “re-structuring”, to enhance it’s own ability to process information. (FYI )

When you ride your bike, the more you ride it, the stronger YOU get, but you also need to maintain that bike, or initial small damages (lack of grease, twisted metal, used break pads, ..) can culminate in much bigger problems (accidents). The brain maintains itself by sleeping. Isn’t it more fun to ride a bike that just flows compared to one where you feel the drag of all the little issues slowing you down, or makes you feel ….insecure? Exactly.

There we have it. To really achieve a full functioning “Knowledge Economy”, a government needs to think on how they can help kids BE knowledgeable AND creative. A balance needs to be struck.  I love how parents sacrifice so much for their children, but too much is too much.

How does this affect private schools?
I do believe that the current generation is waking up from their educational disillusionment. Already, America and Europe are suffering from having an over-educated (aka wasted time) populace that cannot find a job (over-specialization). South Korea is heading exactly the same way, if it is not there already. Schools will have to adapt to bring more result driven programs that won’t exhaust children before they reach their peak (yes, bike pun intended).
The current hagwon system is not maintainable, since it supports the test-taking culture, except maybe for those parents that remain in the belief that their children are prodigies waiting to be discovered (ad infinitum).

In my own experience, South Korea’s mentality might not be ready for the alternative just yet. A reality where skills are measured to their future potential, and education is adapted to those skills. Einstein is not Edison, they both have different skill-sets, both were capable of maximizing their skill set appropriately. (Kill creativity) and also (Pre-school investment)

Korean parents are still very focused on measurable output (aka testing till they drop), mostly an effect of the constant fear Koreans have ingrained into their minds through cultural pressures, and the need for higher social status. Is the next generation going to change the course or stay the course? Only time will tell.

To maybe end this long winded babble. I find Education to be the single most under-researched topic in Economics. The only people doing research in education are educators, which is silly. You don’t ask plumbers to do research in architecture, they cannot have an objective mindset about what they are researching. I have already stated in the past that I find the research done in the field of education are not up to standards of other sciences.

Maybe on a final note

Twitt

Yangsan Sky Bridge

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We’re very lucky to live in Yangsan, a beautiful suburb north of Busan. We’re surrounded by mountains, friendly people, and most recently a SUBWAY (sandwiches), which basically sealed the deal that we live in the best place in Korea. ;) We love going on walks and utilizing all of the walking paths that line the river running through the city. This day was a gorgeous Sunday, so we finally decided to check out one of the many bridges along the river! This one looks like a swan from far away, and also does a light/water show at night that we’ll have to check out sometime. For now, enjoy the video! :)



The post Yangsan Sky Bridge appeared first on Evan and Rachel.

Learn Korean Ep. 40: “Why” and “How”

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This week brings us a brand new episode!

Learn how to say and use "why" (왜) and "how" (어떻게). But there's a little bit more to these words than meets the eye.

KO-RE-AN. MORE THAN MEETS THE- well, you get the idea.

Also be sure to check out the free PDF version of this lesson on the YouTube PDFs page (link at top).


-Billy
www.GoBillyKorean.com

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Korean Food and Why it is so Great - Part 2

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Korean Food and Why it is so Great - Part 2
Sorry for the delay in this post, but I have had a busy few weeks with a wedding, parents coming to Korea, my wife leaving for Australia to study, and being given a white Jindo puppy from my father in-law to look after.  Because of this, however, there will be some interesting posts coming up in the next few weeks.  I thought I had better finish off my love affair with Korean food first, though.

Following on from last week, I think an interesting part of any country's cuisine is the trying of foods that make you squirm a little, the delicacies that you can amaze your friends and family by saying you've tried when you get back home, so this is where we will start part 2.

And Now for Something Completely Different

Live Octopus (산낙지) - most commonly this is only the tentacles cut up and served with some seasame oil and salt on the side.  Still wriggling, the tentacles must be chewed quite a lot to avoid the suckers sticking to your throat on the way down.  The taste is really not that bad at all.  If you want some really hardcore delicacy action, however, you can eat the whole octopus live by wrapping it around some chopsticks and putting it all in.  I have never tried this, and I am slightly fearful to do it as I have heard that people die eating it like this, especially when already a little tipsy on soju.  The octopus obviously sticks inside peoples throats and chokes them to death.  I don't fancy picking up a Darwin Award for such silly night-time antics.

San Nakji by LWY at flickr

Fermented Ray (홍어) - I have never tasted anything worse.  I am a great admirer of Bear Grylls and if you have watched any of his shows you will know that he will eat just about anything and I am similar.  I don't tend to gag or have any prejudices about eating anything (I do draw the line at dog, however).  I have eaten 홍어 twice, it is usually served with a bit of fatty grisley pork and kimchi, but it doesn't manage to take the taste away, which is truly horrible and the closest I have ever come to being sick right-away after eating something.  The pungent smell of the fermented fish also gets right up your nose.  Worth a try once, but be warned!

Silk Worm Pupa (번데기) - These are often sold as snacks in little paper cups on street stalls and I rather like them.  One cup is quite filling as it must be quite high in protein.  Apparently (so Bear Grylls says), insects - pound for pound - contain more protein than beef.  As a keen hiker, it is difficult to carry high protein and cheap foods with you on a hike, so I have gotten into the habit of carrying a tin or two hiking with me and either eating them straight out of the tin or putting them in a sandwich with some tomato ketchup.  I also cook 번데기 fried rice for dinner sometimes, although my wife says it gives me bad breath, so I am banned from eating this when she is around and she accuses me of eating 'pig food'.  Seeing as she has gone to Australia, however, I can eat with freedom for a while, and in fact, the first two nights she was away, I ate it both nights.  It ain't great, but it is nutritious and cheap.


Raw Seafood (회) - If you go to a raw seafood restaurant in Korea, you can sample some really great, tasty and healthy food, but there are some slightly dodgy things on the menu also and if you are with some mischievous Koreans they might well order it for you, as happened to me one week into my Korean experience many years ago.  A couple of the more, shall we say, acquired tastes are Sea Squirt and Gae Bul (a pink sea spoon worm that looks like a penis and obviously good for a man's stamina in bed).  The Gae Bul was as bad as the 홍어 and the sea squirt was just bizarre and difficult to eat.

Gae Bul: Photo by J. Patrick Fischer

Great Soups

Eel Soup (장어탕) - I have this at school quite a lot and I have to say that I get quite excited when I see it in the pot.  Usually, the whole eel is ground up into a paste in the soup so you eat bones, sinew and all amoungst the other ingredients and it is very spicy.  As with many dishes in Korea, it is a whole lot better than it sounds.  I did once have it with sliced sections of eel in it, however, on Geoje island, which wasn't so good because I had to spit out a lot of bones, but the soup still tasted great.

Spicy Fish Soup (매운탕) - Bit of a tricky one to eat as there are often a lot of bones, fins and other fish parts in it, but it is spicy, wholesome and delicious.  I remember once having it after I finished running a marathon, and although I was sceptical that a spicy, fishy soup was the best thing I could be eating straight after running all that way, once I had some I felt almost immediately rejuvenated.

Heavily Fermented Bean Soup (춘국장) -the stronger, fuller-flavoured elder brother of 된장찌깨
(doenjang soup) is an aquired taste as it has a strange flavour and intense odour.  As always very good for you.

Bone Soup (설렁탕) - There are a few varieties of bone soup, but I am picking the one I know best and like best, 설렁탕 (Solongtang).  This is a bone soup with sliced beef, served with rice, salt, and radish kimchi, which is usually mixed all together.  If I can recommend one soup to really make you feel strong and healthy it would be this one.  It often makes me feel like a new man after eating it and this feeling is something I really like a lot of Korean dishes for.  They don't just fill your stomach and taste good, but they make you feel great as well.

Motorway Service Station Food

When you first come to Korea, it might just be that you need to go on a fairly long bus journey to get to your destination.  On the way you will stop at a service station, and besides the sit-down food you can eat there serving the usual fare, you will find other food that is quite specific to motorway service stations.  Not the healthiest usually, but will temporarily fill a hole in your stomach.

Fish Cake on a Stick - And other stuff on a stick with mustard and ketchup.  It is Korea's answer for hot dogs, which they also serve at service stations.  My personal favourite is a Doek Dog, which is crispy Korean rice cake on the outside and a frankfurter in the middle.

Walnut Cake (호두 과자) - my favourite long-journey snack food.  Best when it is warm, but be careful not to burn your tongue on the red bean paste inside.  Crispy on the outside with a walnut also, they are lovely and sweet without being grossly unhealthy.

Roast Potatoes - I was slightly surprised by this as I thought Korea wasn't a particularly potato liking country.  They sell mini roast potatoes at many stops and most Korean people I have ever seen eating them put so much salt on them, it is almost unbelievable.

Pumpkin Candy (엿) - Come in small plastic boxes and cost about a couple of dollars.  It doesn't look that great value as it seems there is not much there.  However, they are quite chewy and surprisingly long-lasting.  Quite subtlely sweet and satisfying to chew on, with quite a unique texture and flavour, they can end-up being quite addictive.

There are many other foods that you can buy at these stops, which seems to be the same at every one, including:

Corn on the cob
Takoyaki (Japanese snack, and another favourite little snack of mine)
Deli Manjoo (sort of vanilla cream in a soft batter)
Whole fried squid
Sweet potato fries
Sandwiches (Korean style)
Tteokbokki

Takoyaki: Photo by Keith Pomakis on 2004-09-18.



Side Dishes

There are almost certainly too many to name, as kimchi alone has about 200 different varieties.  An American friend of mine once said Korea was, "the land of side dishes no one wants to eat", and I used to agree with him, but as my Korean food appetite has matured and grown, the side dishes have also come into their own.  Many side dishes are vegetables, fish or egg served in a tasty sauce to make them more palatable.  When my wife visited England with me she remarked about how blandly we cooked vegetables, often boiled without a sauce, Koreans rarely do this and there can also be an incredible range of different side dishes with different meals.


I think it is fair to say I could go on and on about Korean food.  When I wonder around the city, I can see so many foods that I haven't yet tried, so I still have a way to go yet on sampling everything Korea has to offer in the food department and this makes me even more puzzled when people say it lacks variety.  There is no way I could even come close to doing the same two-part post on delicious English food. 

Perhaps there is a reason, though, why Western people say Korean food lacks variety; maybe we Westerners indulge ourselves in other culture's food much more often than Koreans do.  Sure, Koreans like their Western food, Japanese food, and sometimes Chinese food, but they are often Koreanised slightly and they eat them far less often than Korean food.  Most Koreans I know really love their own food, I can't say the same for English people.  Yes, we love a good roast dinner, but we also love an Indian or Thai curry, a take-away Chinese, Mexican food, Italian food, etc.  We eat other culture's foods far more often, in my experience, than Koreans do and I think this goes for most people from Western countries.  This rings so true in England that apparently the Chicken Tikka Masala is the nation's favourite food and is now even considered an English dish.

So when you consider that most of the time in Korea, Koreans that you are with are eating almost solely Korean food and they enjoy the pleasure of introducing you to it, perhaps then you might be able to see that it is not devoid of variety at all. 

Personally, I eat a Pizza about once every 3 weeks and the rest of the time I eat Korean food.  I never get bored, I feel great, energetic, and I am almost certainly much healthier for it.  My favourite food in the world, I always miss Korean food badly when I leave Korea.



Kuiwon’s Classical Chinese Primer – Riming Monomorphemic Words

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Gukminsohakdokbon

The People’s Minor Learning Reader, or Gukmin Sohak Dokbon (國民小學讀本, 국민소학독본), published in 1895, the first book in Korea created for modern public education.

This is a series of posts on monomorphemic words, which are words composed of two characters wherein the word cannot be understood by reading at the characters separately. 

Riming Monomorphemic Words

Riming monomorphemic words (雙韻 衍聲複詞, 쌍운 연성복사) are words that have the same rime, but different consonants. In many of these words, the characters have the same radical, Busu (部首, 부수). All of the following words in the examples below still appear in modern Korean, albeit some not often in colloquial settings.

關關雎鳩, 在河之洲. / 窈窕淑女, 君子好逑.
관관저구, 재하지주. / 요조숙녀, 군자호구.

Quack quack go the ospreys, upon the bank of the stream. / Graceful and elegant is the young lady; for her lord, a good pair.
► Classic of Poetry (詩經, 시경), Odes of Zhou and the South (周南, 주남), the Quacking Osprey (關雎, 관저)

孔子蚤晨作, 負手曳杖, 逍遙於門而歌曰: “泰山其頹乎! 梁木其壞乎! 哲人其萎乎!”
공자조신작, 부수예장, 소요어문이가왈: “태산기퇴호! 량목기회호! 철인기위호!”

Confucius (孔子, 공자, Gongja) early in the morning woke up, taking his hand and dragging his cane, strolled around the door, and singing said, “O, Mount Tai (泰山, 태산, Taesan) will crumble! O, the crossbeam wood will collapse! O, the philosopher will wither!”
► A Collection of Sayings by Confucius (孔子家語, 공자가언)

誠者不勉而中, 不思而得, 從容中道, 聖人也.
성자불면이중, 불사이득, 중도, 성인야.

He who possesses sincerity, since without effort he does what is right and is calm and composed in the Way, is a sage.
► Doctrine of the Mean (中庸, 중용)

送宋希立于右水使處. 傳之悔意, 則答以慇懃焉.
송송희립우우수사처. 전지회의. 즉답이은근언.

I sent Song Heuirip (宋希立, 송희립, 1553-1623) to the position of Right Waters Commander. I conveyed him my regretful intent; he then responded with courtesy.
► War Diary of Admiral Yi Sunshin (亂中日記, 난중일기), on the Third Day of the Third Month of the Byeongshin (丙申, 병신) Year.

雖語類偶引之, 定是荒唐之說, 不足辨也.
수어류우인지, 정시당황지설, 불족변야.

Even though a variety of words coincidentally reference it, truly these are preposterous statements, and cannot be put to discussion.
► A Discussion on Yi Jungho’s (李仲虎, 이중호, 1512-1554) Tombstone Engravings, Shown to Kim Ijung (金而精, 김이정) (論李仲虎碣文, 示金而精; 논이중호갈문, 시김이정), Written by Yi Hwang (李滉, 이황, 1501-1570).

古泰山郡, 有一居士. 其學則涉獵乎經史.
고태산군, 유일거사. 기학즉섭렵호경사.

In the old Mount Tae District (泰山郡, 태산군), there is one scholar (who did not take up a government post). His erudition is extensive, far and wide, in the classics and histories.
►The Records of Bul’uheon (不憂軒記, 불우헌기), Written by Jeung Geuk’in (丁克仁,  정극인,1401-1481).

余曰: “惟僧當有之. 蓋娑婆外有香積士. 飯籮邊多餓死人.”
여왈: “유승당유지. 개사바외유향적사. 반라변다아사인.”

I say, “Only monks indeed have it. Generally, outside the mundane world there are perfume collecting scholars. Next to the food winnowing basket, many people are starving to death.”
► A General Explanation of the Buddhist Scriptures (釋典總說, 석전총설) by Yi Gyugyeong (李圭景, 이규경, 1788-?)

從甲地周望日界, 只見月球, 朦朧視線, 切月弧旋.
종갑지주망일계, 지견월구, 몽롱시선, 절월호선.

From the first [pinpoint on] earth and gazing around at the boundary of the sun, I only see the moon. The indistinct and hazy line of sight cuts the arch of the moon’s roundness.
► Measuring the Heavens (天測, 천측) by Hong Daeyong (洪大容, 홍대용, 1731-1783).



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More Lenient Visa Rules for Filipino Tourists Visiting South Korea

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1Good news for those who have been to South Korea and would like to visit the country again… ^^

The Korea Tourism Organization(KTO) in Manila has announced more lenient visa rules for Filipinotourists which have been carried out since September 1st of this year.

Filipino tourists who have visited South Korea at least once can now qualify for a one year-multiple-entry visa, whereas those who have visited the country at least twice are eligible for a three-year multiple-entry visa.

Tourists, coming from Southeast Asia, who formerly held a three-year multiple-entry visa, can apply for a five-year visa.

A few years ago, when I applied for a visa at the Korean embassy in the Philippines for the first time, I remember how scrupulous the whole process was. The Korean government was very strict on giving visas to Filipinos back then. After my first visit to Korea, I didn’t go back to the country for another visit, although I was invited by some Korean friends a couple of times, because I didn’t want to go through the tedious process of getting a tourist visa again. Only after I got married did I apply for another visa, a spouse visa.

This year, the number of Filipino tourists who have visited Korea has increased. With the new visa rules, the country is expecting more Filipinos to come.

The setting of new tourist visa rules may be South Korea’s way of attracting more visitors from Southeast Asian countries.

 


From Korea with Love
Chrissantosra.wordpress.com


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Mahasa Temple – 마하사 (Yeonsan-dong, Busan)

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 The rain falls at Mahasa Temple in Busan.

Hello Again Everyone!!

Mahasa Temple, which is located near Dongnae Subway Station, is virtually unknown in the expat community even though it’s in the heart of Busan. It’s tucked away on the valley folds of Mt. Hwangnyeongsan.

You first approach Mahasa Temple up a twisting and turning road that runs through a gauntlet of old houses until it suddenly opens up and you’re within close proximity to Mt. Hwangnyeongsan. The road suddenly ends in a dead-end, and you’ll be greeted by a sometimes waterless waterfall. The temple sign, which reads “마하사,” will point you right and up a set of wooden stairs towards Mahasa Temple.

Finally, having mounted the stairs, you can look back through the lush forest and enjoy views of both Mt. Hwangnyeongsan and Busan. To your right is a dual purpose Cheonwangmun Gate and bell pavilion. A statue of a childlike dharma keeps the first floor Cheonwangmun Gate company. The gate is beautifully painted with guardians around its exterior, and there are four blue paintings of the Heavenly Kings inside the gate.

Having passed through the gate, you’ll be welcomed by a rather ugly row of buildings. The only saving grace are the beautiful paintings of the Nahan (The Disciples of the Historical Buddha), as well as a painting of the main hall. It isn’t until you pass through the entrance, and under one of the temple buildings, that you emerge on the other side and in the beautiful temple courtyard.

The courtyard is lined with office buildings that frame the temple courtyard. Slightly to the left is the Daeung-jeon (main hall) and the Nahan-jeon. The exterior walls of the main hall are adorned with some nice Shimu-do (Ox-Herding) murals. Also, on each of the buildings corners, and up near the eaves, are uniquely carved wooden elephants. The building walls of the main hall run up against the rock walls of Mt. Hwangnyeongsan. It makes for some great pictures. As for the interior, and sitting on the main altar, are a triad of statues. Sitting in the centre is Amita-bul (The Buddha of the Western Paradise). He’s joined on either side by Gwanseeum-bosal (The Bodhisattva of Compassion) and Daesaeji-bosal (The Bodhisattva of Wisdom and Power for Amita-bul). This triad is backed by a beautiful golden relief and two pillars that are wrapped in dragons. Also, it’s fronted by three statues of the same Buddha and Bodhisattvas, but just a little older in age than the larger ones. Additionally, the triad is joined by a countless amount of smaller sized statues of the Buddha. To the left is a golden guardian relief, and to the right is an equally beautiful golden relief of Jijang-bosal (The Bodhisattva of the Afterlife).

To the left of the main hall is the Nahan-jeon. The exterior walls have paintings of the Nahan all around them. As for the interior, and sitting on the main altar, is a triad of statues centred by Seokgamoni-bul (The Historical Buddha). He’s joined on the main altar by sixteen white statues of the Nahan, as well as a set of paintings illustrating the Disciples of the Historical Buddha.

The only other building at Mahasa Temple that you can explore, and up a large incline of stairs, is the Samseong-gak; however, before climbing the stairs to the Samseong-gak, you can have a look at the five-tier stone pagoda that rests upon a slotted wooden base. As for the Samseong-gak itself, you can enjoy a great view of both the temple grounds and the surrounding mountains from its heights. As for the building, the exterior is adorned with Shinseon. Sitting inside the Samseong-gak are three paintings. They are all beautifully executed, while the Dokseong (The Recluse) and Sanshin (The Mountain Spirit) paintings looking strikingly similar to the ones found at Botaam Hermitage, near Tongdosa Temple.

HOW TO GET THERE: To get to Mahasa Temple, you’ll need to first get to Mulmangol (물만골) Subway Station, stop # 304, on the third line. From there, you can take a taxi for about 3,000 won over a 1.6 kilometre distance. You can take a taxi or you can simply walk the distance with a map.


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OVERALL RATING: 6.5/10. Mahasa Temple is beautifully situated, which is in sharp contrast to hustle and bustle of nearby Busan. The interior to the main hall, as well as the crowning Samseong-gak shaman shrine hall, are two definite highlights to this temple. So if you’re in the area, have a look at the little traveled Mahasa Temple near Dongnae.

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 The sign that leads you towards Mahasa Temple.

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 The foliage you’ll have to look through to see Mt. Hwangnyeongsan

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 A very unique statue to the left of the Cheonwangmun Gate.

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 A look at the Cheonwangmun Gate/ bell pavilion at Mahasa Temple.

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 Two of the Heavenly Kings inside the Cheonwangmun Gate.

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 As you pass through the gate and enter the temple grounds.

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 To get to the inner temple courtyard, you’ll have to first pass through this painted entrance way.

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 But first, a look back at the beautiful surroundings.

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 The first look you get as you enter the temple courtyard. To the left is the main hall and to the right is the elevated Samseong-gak.

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 Surrounding the main hall are ten of the Shimu-do murals.

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 Almost as close to the main hall is the mountain that surrounds it.

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 A look inside the main hall as the monk conducts the morning service.

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 A better look at the triad of statues, times two, on the main altar.

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 A look from the main hall up towards the Samseong-gak.

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 A look at both the Samseong-gak shaman shrine hall and the five-tier stone pagoda below it.

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 A better look at the pagoda and the slotted wooden base beneath it.

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 The long stairs up to the shaman shrine hall.

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 Inside is this painting of Sanshin (The Mountain Spirit).

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 The view from the Samseong-gak out onto the stone lantern and the surrounding mountains.

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 It was raining when we visited, so the fog rolling off the mountains was really quite something.

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 A look across the front of the main hall towards the Nahan-jeon.

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 A good look at the Nahan-jeon.

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A look inside the Nahan-jeon as a monk from Mahasa Temple conducts the morning service.

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 The beautiful tiles that rest on top of one of the administrative buildings at Mahasa Temple.

Chuseok Jeon Making Class Success!

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Mamas & Papas came together to learn how to make a Chuseok staple: Jeon! We had expert instruction from the head chef at Muldwinda, who patiently coached us into making the perfect Jeon. We then successfully demolished all our jeon with plenty of delicious makgeolli. We are as ever grateful for the awesome hospitality we always receive when at Muldwinda. Keep your eyes open for more events like this in the future :)

 


Makgeolli Mamas & Papas
MMPKorea.wordpress.com

New blog post! RT @aclipse: Saturdays in

Korean Inspired: Devil's Tongue Stir Fry

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Korean Inspired: Devil's Tongue Stir Fry
Today it hit me...

Only about FIVE months until we leave Korea!! FIVE!
Wow- it's all going by so fast! We have spent most of our marriage here together, and soon we will leave.

Although we have been here 4.5 years, sometimes it still isn't easy. Korea is still, after all, a foreign culture. Language is different, logic is different, expectations are different and FOOD is DIFFERENT!

I have had a love/hate/love/hate relationship with Korean food in my past 4.5 years here. When I arrived in Korea I was SUCH a picky eater! Not such a good thing when almost every Korean dinner out looks like this-



Then, after I got past the shock, I started opening up and trying new things! "New things"= fish and MUSHROOMS! How exotic, I thought! ha! After I was starting to get along with the idea of Korea food... I converted to a vegetarian/vegan. Things changed slightly.

I'm lucky that the pre-school I teach at offers free lunch to the teachers. It's a great way to experience Korean food! Most of the food I can't eat because of the cow bones, fish broth, seafood, etc- and that's ok with me. But some days.... oh boy! SOME days, I really luck out! This was the case last Thursday. I had a delicious broccoli, mushroom and DEVIL'S TONGUE JELLY side dish!! YUM!!!

Have you ever heard of Devil's Tongue Jelly? In Korean it's called "gon yak" (곤약), in Japanese it's called "konnyaku". It comes from the root of a plant that grows in subtropical Asia- most refer to it as a potato or yam. Wow- it is such a great addition to meals!


This is black Devil's Tongue Jelly. It also comes in white.

The Japanese call it "The Broom of the Stomach". It is referred to as such because of it's ability to "clean out" your colon- it's used for such in Chinese traditional medicine for this reason. This is how it made its way to Korea so very long ago.

 In addition to the high fiber content, Devil's Tongue Jelly also has starch,  protein and almost no calories because so much of it is made of water. In some studies it has been shown to normalize cholesterol, blood sugar and blood pressure! For this reason, it is a very popular diet food for women in Korea. Not that I'm advocating it to be used as such!

So, I decided to give cooking with DTJ or "gon yak" a try! At the store, I was surprised to find only the white kind. If you're here in Korea, you can find it in the area where all the kimbap making supplies are. Here's what I got-


Here's my American-Korean fusion recipe. I'm calling it:

DEVIL'S TONGUE STIR FRY
Sounds like a witch's brew! Perfect for your Halloween Dinner Party!

Ingredients for Stir fry:

  • 1/2 brick of Devil's Tongue Jelly
  • 8-12 mushrooms (depending on size)
  • 2 cups of chickpeas (garbanzo beans)
  • 1/2 of an onion, chopped
  • 1/4 cup organic Tamari (soy sauce)
  • 4 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 4 tablespoons coconut oil
  • 2 Tablespoons blackstrap molasses
  • 3 teaspoons sesame seeds
  • 2 cloves of garlic

Serve with soaked quinoa and spelt or other whole grain and a side of steamed broccoli.

I started by opening the bag and pouring its water out, then I rinsed it a few times until the smell was gone. You'll know what I mean when you open the bag.

Next, I cut it the package in half and cut it then into cubes.



Check out my new ceramic knife!! Woo hoo! LOVE it!

Next, I marinated the cubes in 2 TBSP of apple cider vinegar and 1/8 cup of Tamari. You could also use Soy Sauce, or Shoyu, they are all similar.

I marinated it just for a few minutes while I was preparing other things.
When I was ready to cook, I put the coconut oil, garlic and onion into the pan and cooked it for 2 minutes on medium heat.

Next, I added in the chickpeas and the other 1/8 cup of tamari and 2 TBSP of apple cider vinegar. I cooked everything for about 2 or 3 minutes.

After that, I put in the mushrooms and Devil's Tongue Jelly along with the remaining tamari in the bowl.



I let everything cook on Medium High heat until all the water started coming out and looked like this.
See how it looks bubbly?

After it starts getting like this, cook about 2 minutes more and add in the blackstrap molasses. Cook for about 5 minutes. Make sure to keep mixing as you are cooking so you can mix in the molasses. 

Here is my finished product. I served it over soaked red quinoa and spelt and topped it with sesame seeds. I also added a side of lightly steamed broccoli topped with black sesame seeds.


I didn't add the broccoli to the stir fry because I wanted to keep as much of it's nutrients intact. I've been craving broccoli, sesame, chickpeas and almonds lately. My first thought- maybe my body is needing extra Calcium right now! So, I gladly indulged. Check out the nutrition in just 1/2 of the meal. Keep in mind, this is only 1 out of 3 for the entire day! Wow!
Look at that protein, B6, Iron and Zinc! Who says the vegan diet is deficient in those things!?!? Shame!
I tracked the nutrition from www.fitday.com
*Note: The fiber and carbs ratios on this chart may be off for my specific way of eating.
I eat a high carb diet- this is set to the standard US requirements.
So, this meal is not really 79% of my actual carb needs for the day.

I'm going to try to soak in as much Korean food as I can in my last 5 months here. I love finding new cultural foods to add to my repertoire.

Have you ever tried Devil's Tongue Jelly? What were your thoughts? Let me know if you have any good recipes using it!

I'm leaving Tuesday night for Japan! We have a 5 day weekend here in Korea thanks to the Korean harvest festival (Chuseok). Can't wait to hike Mt Fuji and sip some tea in Kyoto with my hubby!

Details on Japan and that new "Client Access" tab at the top coming to the blog soon- can't wait to share!



Try a new food.

Listen to your body.

Soak your grains.


Live your life,

The Empowered Way


Meg



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