Friday, December 26, 2008

Christmas in Corea 2008



Christmas is a recognized holiday in Korea but is not nearly as celebrated as it is in America and other countries around the world. My Christmas started off with a light workout to allow me to stuff my face more. I took 6 of my friends for a “special” Christmas meal …. Dog Soup, Beer, and Soju … and then squeezed 12 people into my officetel for a pre-party before the traditional dinner in Itaewon. Around 5:30pm 15 of us went to Itaewon for a buffet of turkey, chicken, potatoes, stuffing, and other good stuff. I proceeded to eat way too much and went home by 10:00pm. I napped and then woke up to “open presents” with my family like every year thanks to technology (web cams). My presents were great and some were not the normal Christmas gifts – Velveeta Mac and Cheese and Chicken Soup and Taco Seasoning (for my favorite chicken recipe) but were greatly appreciated!

So Christmas 2008 was very special in many ways. It was still hard to be away from my family despite “seeing” them on the computer and I am thankful for my friends here because without them, Christmas wouldn’t have been as sweet.

I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas wherever you are and Santa was good to you!

Korean Trivia: Rumor has it that “Korea” was spelled “Corea” but the Japanese changed it because they were mad that “Corea” came before them in the alphabet!

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Hate for Cabbies ... Love for Kimchi

FRIDAY ...

It's the middle of December and the weather is surprisingly mild compared to back home. On Friday, I went to Dr. Fish with some friends and then we sang our hearts out at the "Luxury Noraebang (singing room)." After a long night of getting our feet eaten by fish, chilling, chatting, and singing (no drinking), it was about 1:00am and we were ready to head home. We asked about 8-9 cabs to take us home and they all rejected us! And.. it wasnt just us... Korean people were gettig rejected too. So as we continued to attempt to hail a taxi, we were baffled why cab drivers drive by yet dont pick anyone up! Eventually, my friend Jared and I just started walking and 1.25hrs later, we made it home!

The good:

1. It wasnt blistering cold
2. We didnt get lost
3. We werent stumbling around
4. We didnt have to pee
5. We saved money

The bad:

1. I was in heels
2. Jared didnt have gloves
3. I caught a cold
4. We created a HATE for cab drivers in Hongdae


(Sarah, Jared, and I singing something - Greatest Love of all, The Rose, Dirrty, who knows)

Sunday ...

I went to my birth mother's house and made Kimchi and Chap Chae. It was really fun and since I made it, I figured I should eat some. I didnt throw up or run to the bathroom for a #2 right away... so it was a good day!



For Korean Cooking 101 (pics & videos) and more pictures, go to:


I wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Love,
Meghan, Meg, Min Jin, Meghan Teacher, Shep :)

KTV Cribs - Part 2: Birth Mother's House

My birth mother lives in NE Seoul with her "boyfriend" of 6 years. Mun Hyuk has lived there on and off. Her house is similar to my birth fathers but arranged differently and she doesnt have any beds - she pulls out mats to sleep on every night.

Again, I'm thankful for my living quarters in America :) ENJOY!

Saturday, December 6, 2008

Violation #3

The massage chair at the Jjing Jil Bang (Sauna Room)!!!!

I’d been relaxing in the hot steam rooms for a couple hours and was in complete chill mode. Then my friend and I decided to use the massage chairs. It was just a normal massage chair until I unexpectedly felt one of the massage arms go from my girl area up through the butt crack (sorry no way to say it politely).

Guess it’s necessary from all the Ddong-Chims people give/get around here :)

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

I've been VIOLATED

So.... I consider Seoul to be a very safe city to live in. The crime rate is low, people seem trustworthy, and if anyone tried to mess with me, I'd have a fair fight since a lot of the men (and women) here are short and/or skinny!

But in the past few months, I've felt the most "unsafe" in the classroom... of all places!

And here's why...

Violation #1: When I was facing the whiteboard, a 5 yr old girl put her hands together forming a gun shape and poked me in the butthole and proceed to giggle. I immediated turned around and said "no" because that is about all the Korean she knows. I learned it's called ... the "Ddong-Chim means “Shit needle” ... and that I havent been the only victim of it!

Violation #2: As we were lining up before the bell rang, another 5 yr old kindergarten girl started poking at my boobs and asking “what are??" I sputtered out, "they are woman parts" and evacuated the situation as quick as possible. I've noticed most Korean woman lack a bust size over a "B" cup so several kids have been perked with curiosity over the boob (and not just mine).

Hopefully there is not a 3rd violation anytime soon :)


Here's a picture of the "ddong chim" you can get put on a t-shirt..