Seoul Randomness: 2

1. The yogurt here is not the spoonable kind. It's the pourable kind. But they try to pass it off as being spoonable by putting it in the little containers you'd usually use a spoon with. I kind of get disappointed, as I love the thicker consistency of spoonable yogurt.

2. Unless you are having a steak, you probably won't find a knife on the table here in Korea. However, you will find chopsticks and spoons-a-plenty. It's a Confucian practice not to have knives on the table.

3. You drink water (usually) after the meal. No many people take water with their meals on a general basis.

Founding Ceremony & Hemlines

About a week ago my school had its annual day to celebrate its founding. This meant that I got to see a wonderful ceremony which included an eerie voice recording of the school's founder and performances by the students. The choir sang, with the most adorable choreography which was compounded by the fact that some students forgot it and were doing the wrong move at the wrong time:) There were these other dance performances, and oh. em. gee. was is scandalous!

I mean, okay, in Korea women can wear the shortest skirts/shorts ever, but if I as much as show my collarbones, I'm the slut. And apparently our school has no problem with girls wearing skirts super above the strict below-the-knees rule...as long as its for a performance. And it was totally fine to wear these backless dresses. And it was totally okay for them the chest pop, get low, thrust, and the like.

As I sat on the stands, in the section of teachers squeezed between students and the administrators on stage--including the two school representatives of Han Buddhism-- I wondered why no one else was bothered by this.

There's this notion that my students have, which I'm sure the teachers/adults have as well, that since public schools in the US don't have uniforms, that students can wear whatever they want. And that the hip thrusting they see in western movies/TV actually happens, and is common, at school. But the reality is that most public schools STILL have some sort of dress code, so that actually, no, we can't just wear whatever we want--and honestly, I've never, ever, in all my years of going to school in the states, seen a girl wear a skirt as short, or shorter, than a girl in korea. Oh right, and that hip thrusting dancing? Not in a high school, at least not in my high school. I cant say this confidently because I oversaw the pep rallies/student performances and everything was checked--from wardrobe, to song lyrics, to dance moves. I'm not saying it doesn't happens, but in clubs or dance halls, or I dunno, on the streets. Most definitely not in high schools ceremonies.

I'm not sure why there's this double standard. You reprimand students for hiking up their skirts after school hours, but then its totally okay for them to show so much skin for a dance performance in front of the whole school, the principals, and the administration. Is it simply because its a dance performance? Is it based off a notion that this is just how you do things, as modeled by the west? Is it approved because, hey, at least it's not as bad as how students in the west behave?

I'm not a prude, but considering how strict my school is--with everything--I was just surprised that that ish could fly.

Anyway, the ceremony was wrapped up by the school's cheer team. But definitely not the kind that comes to mind a la Bring it On but more like a spirit team/pep squad? No somersaults, not flips, no pyramids, no launching people into the air. More like a lot of arm movements, running around trying to get people to clap/be excited, and coordinated formations. Oh, and there were pom poms & like western--and by this I mean like cowboys western--inspired outfits which were super cute :)

Bungee Jump # 2: Success!

Today was Bungee Jump attempt #2. The verdict? SUCCESS!!

My friend Christina and I went to the park early and were one of the first people to get to jump today.

Christina, in her bungee getup.

I don't know what kind of face this was supposed to be...

And instead of me talking about it, why not just show you?

I was supposed to record my jump with my camera attached to my wrist...but for some reason it just gave out right before the jump!! I can't figure it out, but I imagine I must have hit a button or something just before leaping :(

It was amazing and awesome and terrifying. I wasn't afraid until I hit free fall. I'm not naturally afraid of heights, so being up there, I was the second person to go (the first of the first-timers) and even when I was standing at the edge, a cord strapped to my back, and the man telling me to "jump into the house" that was located at a distance, I felt no fear.

He counted down, and I jumped, not hesitating and feeling completely at ease.

It was only after I jumped, when I hit free fall and my stomach dropped, did I feel fear and panic. My friend Christina said that I was amazing quiet, until about mid way through my jump, when I started to scream like crazy ^__^ I think you must be sort of crazy to do something like bungee jump--willing jumping off an ledge far up off the ground, with nothing but the hope that the cord won't snap.

I know what plunging to my death feels like.

Also, everyone talks about the initial fall, but there's also the rebounding falls. You spring back up almost as high as you initially fell, then again, and again, each subsequently a smaller height, but you do lose your stomach quite a few times.

Needless to say, I was grateful that the man in boat below grabbed my foot and brought me to semi-solid ground. Knees/legs were definitely weak in the boat and they make you sit down while the paddle you back.

I really recommend going, there's nothing like the feeling of absolute free fall. It's exhilerating and I'd probably go again...although I'm not sure I could be as fearless as I was today, knowing what awaits me haha. Maybe next time I'll try bungee jumping from my ankles, instead of the sit in harness that I was in today.

Really happy that I went...and today of all days! But more on this in a bit :)

P.S. I hate the sound of my voice & all the heavy breathing I do. Sorry, dear readers, for creeping you out like that haha

For laughs

Recently, one of my students told me I look like Victoria, from f(x):



Personally, I don't think I look a thing like Victoria, and that is not meant as an insult, and in fact I'm honored, but she's definitely Chinese/has asian features, which I don't have. But I could see where the student was trying to go--both Victoria and I are foreigners working and living in Korea. It may also have to do with our hair. But ultimately the student was trying, at least I think, to make some sort of connection with our "foreign-ness."

But then that same student threw this in, and it didn't make sense to me at all. She said that after I REALLY REALLY look like Victoria, she said I also sort of look like Rihanna.



I couldn't help but laugh at the connection, because Victoria and Rihanna look nothing alike, and I don't look nearly as fabulous as either of them haha.

English Zoned.

A glimpse of where I teach, the ENGLISH ZONE.

In many schools in Seoul--if you teach outside of Seoul/Busan, it may be a different story--there is a designated English classroom known as the English Zone. I say "designated" because the school system in Korea differs from the west, in that usually students STAY in their classroom, while the TEACHERS move around---instead of Teachers staying in the classroom and STUDENTS moving from class to class.

But with an English Zone, students come to you. And it's exactly what it's name means, that within those walls, it's all English, all the time ^^.

The smart board. Many school's within Seoul have a SMART board/a touch screen of some sort that frees you from standing behind your desk/computer.

Fish Market: Busan

One of the most famous attractions in Busan: the Fish Market.

The main building is separated into two floors. The first floor is all vendors selling all sorts of seafood. You roam the aisles and take your pick of the selection.



They will cut up your fish for you, and if you want to eat your goods quickly, you can head up to the second floor, which is basically an eating/cooking hall. You hand over your fresh seafood and for 10,000 won, they will cook it for you & you can enjoy your seafood from tank to plate in mere minutes :)



Besides all the amazing shellfish, I tried abalone for the first time--and it was not at all like how I thought it would taste. Not sure if I'm a fan. Overall, everything was amazingly delicious and simply prepared to allow for the freshest taste :)

Munchies: TACO SENORA, Busan

Being from Southern California, one of the things I find myself missing the most from back home is good Mexican food. There are places to get "Mexican" food here in seoul, but my one and only time doing so was such a disappointment that I gave up altogether. Because it just looks pathetic if you are crying into a burrito.

But in visiting Busan, I was led to this little taco shop and although weary, I took it as a good sign that the inside looked like this:

Taco Senora is this tiny shop that has become sort of like a pilgrimage sight for travelers in Korea in search for a culinary awakening.

Another good sign. Real avocados!

The menu is simple: burritos, tacos, fajitas, quesadillas. But their guacamole is fresh and is the best thing this side of the pacific, no joke.


The thing that I appreciate the most about Taco Senora is the attention given to each plate that goes out. Taco Senora tries to give an authentic experience--because you can get "Mexican" food in Korea, but wrapping rice & beans with cheese & lettuce in a tortilla does not mean you are having an authentic experience. Taco Senora tries to mimic the flavors of something I would eat back home--and sure, some things will be different as some ingredients won't be readily available here in Korea that are found in Latin American cuisine, but Taco Senora does it's best.

And it's best is pretty darn delicious. I nearly cried when I sat on the beach with my burrito...this time out of sheer happiness.