Hello, Kitty!

Korea...sometimes I just want to slap my knee and laugh. Kids do the darndest things, but let me tell ya, Koreans have stolen the spotlight from any child with a speech impediment or knack for losing their clothes at a family reunion.

In Korea, trends are taken to the EXTREME. Yes, I capatilized extreme to make it more....EXTREME.

Take, for instance, the cult classic that is, Hello Kitty. That cat can do just about anything it seems, and it is almost impossible NOT to find her plastered onto day to day products. Chopsticks, tooth brushes, cell phones, toilet paper (yes, toilet paper, how intimate!), and seat covers are just a few random places I've seen her.

I'm not hating on Hello, Kitty...In fact, I think she's kinda cute. And that giant red bow in her hair? How very Marc Jacobs 2010 Spring Collection of her...

On Sunday, I dragged B to the notorious Hello Kitty Cafe. You wouldn't imagine how easy it was to find. Being tucked away on a side street in a busy side of town isn't a problem. The building is painted a bright, happy pink that could, I'm guessing, easily be spotted from space.

When I stepped inside, I felt I was walking into a girlier version of PeeWee's Playhouse. Everything was pink. Obviously.

Every chair was in the shape of Hello, Kitty. The doorways were in the shape of her head. Mini cakes mirrored her cheeky expression. We ordered coffees and wouldn't you know? That cat made an appearance in my latte foam.

SHE'S EVERYWHERE!

I couldn't even pee without being reminded of how cute she was. I was inspired to say things like "look at my bow" that I wasn't wearing, and "love day with Kitty friend". Her English is great!

The latte was surprisingly good. However, I was distracted by a tagged trash bin and had to get a picture of it. So I guess I enjoyed the place, but not more than a creative trash can. That sounds horribly rude...and that is all.



ps- i do NOT condone the message on this trash can

- C

Dobongsan Mountain vs. I've only worn these 3 year old gym shoes once

Do you workout? If so, walk away from the screen, grab a box of donuts that you probably don't own, then throw them out the door, then slather your body in crisco, slip n' slide out into the public, and bob for them like your life depends on it. A kitten dies for every donut that doesn't make it to your thighs.

For everyone else, read on.

This weekend I opted to see the sights that mother nature has gifted South Korea. I laced up my sparkling white Nike's and put on my game face. Dobongsan Mountain is one of the spectacles I'd seen on the tourist postcards and thought "whew, that's a doosy". B and I had explored this mountain once before, but confused by the Korean signs, we never made it to the top. So round 2 seemed promising....not as promising as that Dunkin' Donuts bagel sandwich I had right outside the gate to the park...but promising.

Making our way to the entrance, rain drops started to fall and the sky turned an ugly shade of gray. And just when I thought I could possibly return home and read perezhilton for an hour or 2 in my most unflattering pajamas, the clouds parted and the sun bore down..the birds sang and I think there was a unicorn in there somewhere, too.

So we started out along our predetermined dusty trail. There isn't much wildlife in Korea, due to it's location, and was surprised when I jumped with delight at the sight of a chipmunk. They are cute, though... The trail zigzagged through the woods. Water flowed down the mountain, through dominating boulders, and hikers lounged to wet their whistles (soju + mountain climbing = obvious combination to Koreans) and their feet.





Along the way we past a handful of staggeringly beautiful temples. Giant Buddhas hidden amongst the trees were striking...as in I almost had an aneurysm when I saw one. Things I expect on a hike: some rocks, maybe a deer. Things I don't expect: 3 story tall gold statues playing big brother.





The kid in me wanted to touch it, just for a second, but the adult in me said I would break it and to go wait in the car.

There were dozens of hikers, mostly elderly. And I'll be honest. They were kicking our butts. Decked out in their North Face knock-offs, they gave me hopes for growing old.

We kept on chugging. The higher we climbed, the cooler and fresher the air became. The number of hikers began to dwindle and so did B's faith that we would ever reach the top.

It took about 3 hours, but we finally discovered the peak. I couldn't believe I was standing on the jagged rock that I had seen on the postcard. I'm starting to think that's how I should live my life from now on. Look at postcards, find something that looks like a doosy, and put on my gym shoes that I've now proudly worn 4 times.

I recommend this hike to any fellow travelers in Korea. DO: pack some food and water, take your time and enjoy the view. DON'T: be like the grandma we saw being carried out of the park because she had to much of the sauce. Safe travels! - C

Oh....my.....genius

"I'm good at soccer and baseball and dance. I like soccer and baseball most. My other friends are better than me in sports, but they can't dance. In my school class, my nickname is dance monkey #2. There is dance monkey #1 already. I'm a good dancer. I dance many times when I am sad, angry, and sometimes when I'm happy. My not good thing is sometimes I'm not always showering. Like 2 days, 3 days, I don't shower. It's no smell. But I'm not so dirty. Second, I read too many comic books." - Robin, Grade 3

Luck of the Mut

Today in the oh-so-sacred teacher's room, which I might add I have always been curious to venture, I had another new interesting Korean experience.

Over the weekend I experienced quite a bit of good luck. At a Foreign Teacher's Conference on Saturday morning, I somehow became the .003% and was selected in a raffle. My prize? A brand new Samsung netbook! I was so shocked! I felt like someone was yelling "COME ON DOWN!" like many fruitless game show dreams I've had, a side effect of watching too much The Price Is Right. I stuttered through a thank you speech and happily accepted my gift wrapped happiness.

On my return to the office today, I brought along my trusty new computer so our tech guy could change the language from Korean to English. Upon seeing my lime green, sleek, piece of machinery, my coworkers were a'buzz with questions. So after being deemed extremely lucky, my coworker James told me he could read my face, similar to a palm.

Hocus pocus nonsense? YES! My cup of tea. He took a picture of my face using his phone and began to spiel my fortune.

He said that I am very sensitive....which I took as an insult at first, but he explained that I have a big heart for children and animals.

True.

Next he told me that whatever I'm thinking of doing with my life now, I will do. He said I will excell in my field and whatever work I do, I should get it licensed. He said I will work in practical art (writing perhaps?) and by the time I'm 30, I'm going to be a hit.

Awesome.

He told me that I wasn't blessed with a lucky childhood, but not to worry, because my 30's-50's are going to be lucrative and successful.

More awesome.

He rounded it out by saying that I am productive, willing to sacrifice all for my family, and will live a very long healthy life. I'll get married a little later than most, say early thirties, and I will keep pursuing education until I'm old.

I'm sure this is a big heap of garbage, but I think I'll take the optimistically cheery road and bask in it's brilliant glory.

Dae-han-min-guk! World Cup 2010

I must admit, I am not a huge sports fan. Sure, I'll go to a game or 2, but it's usually for the day drinking and vendor food. Gross, right? Well, this past weekend was a lesson for me in "superfan 101".

Soccer is a big deal in Korea, and not surprisingly, the World Cup games have been the talk of the school lately. My students ask me what team I'm rooting for. I give a different answer every time. Argentina? Brazil? USA? Korea? Iceland? Wait...Iceland isn't playing? Huh. Imagine that.

To be honest I'm quite offended by most "fans". If you can't name the players, the history, or the stats, you're just like me. Eat a nacho and cheer like you know what's happening.

Anyways, back to the soccer. I don't know much about it. Not enough to pick sides at least. However, being in Korea, surrounded by grandmas, children, adults, foreigners, even DOGS sporting red jerseys and face paint....I didn't have much of an option. So, some temporary tattoos, a red shirt, and some light up devil horns later, I was a fan.

team spirit

Elizabeth and her whistle

The weather wasn't so great, so we skipped the outdoor festivities and headed to our trusty bar, Beer O'Clock. A classy establishment. So classy, that a month prior, we mustered up the best of our livers and took the 10 shot challenge. Being no simple task, the 10 shot challenge isn't for most mere mortals. I am the exception. After hearing I could have my name on a plaque on a wall, I was sold. Soooo, 1o shots of awful concoctions later ( Bacardi 151 with steak sauce on top), I am the proud of owner of some Beer O'Clock wall space. I made it ma!



We got to the bar at 6pm to watch the game and partake in the merriment. Anytime a goal was scored, chaos broke out city wide. Horns and sirens rang, ears bled, and flags were waved. All the crowds chanted "Dae-han-min-guk!", which is basically a formal way of saying "Korea". We hit the streets after the Korean victory just in time to watch mobs of people jump ontop of oncoming cars to rejoice in the win. The crowd broke up when the giant city bus rolled through, but then, the bus driver waved a Korean flag, and the mob swarmed the bus! It was the happiest riot I was ever a part of!

SUV? no problem.

city bus? the specialty!

We stayed for the USA v. England game and before I knew it, it was 7am and I was officially a zombie. A zombie that learned a valuable lesson.

Baby oil removes temporary tattoos in bad places.


- C

Take Me Out To The Ball Game

B and I hit up a baseball game next to Korea's Olympic Stadium. Korean's are big on baseball, even though (sorry koreans) their teams are pretty weak. Despite the talent, loyal fans come out in droves and pack the stadiums every home game.

Olympic Stadium

lots of fans

We didn't actually intend to go to the game. Our friend James (aka Jamie Lynn) plays tournement hockey near the stadium. We came to watch his game, but after seeing wayyyy to many pastey men with no shirts on, the baseball game was an obvious alternative.

Tickets are cheap and fried chicken and beer are available inside and outside the stadium. One great thing about Korean sports is that they don't charge you a months salary for a brew and a snack. The stadiums are home to multiple convenient stores, similar to 711, where the prices aren't jacked up in the slightest. So, 4 tall beers for $8 and fried chicken for even less? Gotta love Soko.

catching some sun

The fans all have thundersticks, the inflatable sticks that blow eardrums when clapped together. There are songs, chants, and even choreaographed dancers ready to rile up the fans.

Something much different from games back at Wrigleyfield, or any US field for that matter, is the snack of choice. I didn't see a single hot dog (miss you, Chicago hot dog) , but instead everyone was chowing down on Ramen noodles. Noodles at a baseball game? On a hot day??? Ramen noodles?????? Mind= Boggled.

Ramyan

-C

11 months in Korea

Can't believe it's been 11 months....that's what I'm supposed to say. Maybe saying this reflects negatively on my stay in Korea, but I don't mean it to. I have done a lot in the past 11 months, saw a lot of sites, tried new things, learned quite a bit. And it feels like 11 months. I'm supposed to say time flew or something about having fun in relation to time.



Spending all this time away from my family and friends has been down right hard for me. It's taken my leaving to show most of my family why family is so special, because when they're gone, we're all just a bunch of lonely numbers.



My friends back home are my rock and it took me a long time to find them. A year of late nights and gossip sessions, missed. I hate being out of the loop.



Just excited to see everyone again, eat some food that I've been missing ( Toast brunch menu, all of it) and see the people that are the pulse in my chaotic life.



Also excited to get back into the job market, for awhile anyways. Can't say I'll be stateside forever. Please cross your fingers that I get a job in writing/publishing. God...I don't even spell check. I've got work to do.

Temple Stay: Get Zen

Shortly after arriving in Korea, I knew I wanted to experience a Temple Stay. Luckily, a couple temples offer English programs for foreigners. After a little bit of research, I settled on Golgulsa Temple. It was 5 or so hours away, but being the only cave temple in Korea and housing the oldest Buddha carving in the country, I thought it just might be worth the bus ride.

When we got off the bus, we had to walk a ways to the temple grounds. Hiking along the country roads made me realize how strikingly beautiful the outskirts of town can be. Farmers planting rice, children playing chicken on a bridge, and various farm animals lounging in what little shade they could find.

I was a little nervous at first, walking up to the temple gate. I only knew that monks woke up before the sun did, and that they bowed a ridiculous amount of times everyday. Could I live up to this challenge? Would my knees give out mid bow? Will I say "shit" to a monk on accident? Will a lightning bolt strike me down half way through a buddhist chant because I'm not worthy? Is there any chocolate at a temple? My mind raced.

We were given keys to our own seperate rooms, no gender mixing obviously. We suited up in our monk pants and found our way to the archery field. We were greeted by a friendly junior-monk and shown the traditional form of Korean archery. It was a lot harder to bend the bow than I thought, but I actually managed to hit the target board a couple times. My aim was terrible, but my shooting was pretty good.

Next we headed to the temple to do some community work. Everyday, the monks do an hour or so of community work. Their living is self sustainable, so everyone is responsible for doing their part. We moved heavy tiles up a hill. The tiles are used for roofs and fences. Teamwork!


We had lots of time to explore the caves, see the Buddha, and wander the grounds. It was so peaceful that it almost made me crazy. I was hoping to get...you know...zen? But it didn't work out that way. I was too nervous I was going to do something criminal in front of a monk, like show a knee cap or something. So, we climbed around the rocks and took lots of pictures.

There were 2 dogs that wandered the temple freely. Apparently, the dogs are considered holy. They both go to the 4am chanting everyday, on their own. They seemed pretty chill. And hey, monks don't eat meat, so the temple is probably the safest place for them in the whole country.



We went to our evening chanting service. Men and women are seperated when chanting, eating, sleeping, pretty much everything. The way that the monks bow and the way that they chant is pretty amazing. It is enough to put you in a trance. Afterwards, we practiced meditation. I think it is almost impossible to clear my mind, but it was probably the most quiet room I've ever experienced even though it was filled with people.

After "finding myself" we practiced Sunmudo. It's a form of martial arts that was founded in Golgulsa. I felt like an idiot. Hopping around with my giant pants on, punching the air, and realizing these old men could lift their legs much higher than I could.

Eating at the temple was interesting. There is a no-waste policy, so everything you put on your plate must be eaten. I was scared of this at first, so I only took a little bit of food. After tasting all the vegetables, I was surprised by how delicious they were and got seconds. One traditional meal we got to experience is called Barugongyang. It is a complex system of eating food that permits no waste. After cleaning my bowl with water given by a monk, I had to drink the water that contained little bits of my food. So...picture eating dinner, washing your dishes, and drinking the water used to clean those dishes. Yeah...not appetizing, but in the end, there was absolutely no waste.

Lights out at the temple is 10pm and I was thankful for it. I was exhausted. However, the anticipation of the monks wake up call kept me on the edge of sleep all night. Thankfully B called and woke me up minutes before the monk came roaming the halls, banging on a wooden block and chanting loudly into our windows. I could only imagine waking up in the dark to those sounds. Don't want to wet the monk beds...

We climbed to the top temple room for morning chanting. It was beautiful. The temples are always awe inspiring. The details are intricate and my eyes are always busy studying the shrines and different offerings. We bowed a bunch and I let the chanting zone me out. The birds were chirping and the sun was rising at the top of our little mountain...this wasn't so bad.





There was an optional excursion to different sites around the town, but we decided to explore on our own instead. We pretty much got lost and enjoyed the scenery. We walked through a small farm village and took advantage of our camera.







Spending the night at the temple was a great experience that I highly recommend to other foreigners travelling through. It gave me a new appreciation for the Buddhist monks and the religious culture in general. Although I am not a Buddhist, I find that I can agree with the way that they value life and the gifts around us.




"All that we are is the result of what we have thought. If a man speaks or acts with an evil thought, pain follows him. If a man speaks or acts with a pure thought, happiness follows him, like a shadow that never leaves him. " - Buddha

I couldn't agree more. - C