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Published: September 17th 2008
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I heard the stock market took a dive yesterday in the States and it was having a ripple effect around the world. Here in Korea, we were having a holiday, so the markets weren’t open. We’ll have to see how it affects us here. So far, we’re stable and actually the dollar has become stronger dropping the Won from 90 cents per dollar to 86 cents per dollar. That’s a pretty good exchange rate! When that happens, I try to use either my VISA card or cash in some travelers’ cheques because I get more bang, I mean Won, for my buck.
The Kinders went to Gimshule again today. I didn’t have a child on my lap this time, however I was behind the driver in the van and two little boys were sharing the front captains’ chair. Seriously, lawsuit anyone? THEN, we avoided a light and drove on the sidewalk! We ended up parking in front of the building ON the sidewalk! I guess I should add, “Driving on the sidewalk is fair game for anyone,” to the list of driving rules! After we do the ritualistic pack-everyone-into-the-elevator routine, we got to gymshule. The activity of today after running
wild was to put a ball between your knees and waddle around a cone. Okay, this ball was a size that would challenge a full grown Korean woman, and these people were expecting these tiny children, some of whom are only two and a half feet tall, to manage this task?! Sometimes I just think they do it for Paula’s and my entertainment. The ride home was uneventful other than we almost hit another car, which sometimes I don’t even notice anymore.
At lunch today, Hillary, a teacher from Michigan, took me across the street to the 5.5 restaurant. She introduced me to Dak Galbi, a delicious Korean dish. We sat on stools next to a table that had a round flat grill in the middle of it. The waitress/cook came over and lit our grill and Hillary ordered. Hillary speaks and can read some Korean, so it is helpful. The waitress/cook then brought out this heaping plate of raw meat and vegetables (sweet potato fries, cabbage, & rice cakes/dough) and threw it on the grill. Every few minutes she would return to stir the dish to make sure it cooks evenly. She also brought us some tea. We
talked and Hillary taught me some basic table etiquette. We had metal chopstics and Hillary said that other countries tend not to use metal, but Korea does. The server then brought out more Dak, which are sausage looking things. They are actually rice cakes, or rice dough, filled with either cheese or sweet potatoes. They normally cost extra, but since we were obviously Westerners, she gave them to us for free to try so we would tell our friends to come back there! A little marketing tool, I suppose. It was delicious, so I guess it worked.
***WOOO HOOO!*** I’m at school as I type, and a package just came from my mom! Thanks mom!
…Back to lunch. There was a TON of food there, but it was so good! It made my nose run because it was so spicy! There was still some food left and Hillary said that they sometimes get offended if food is left, but we seriously ate all we could and we were stuffed! Hillary also said that you eat more food here than in the states, but it’s all healthy and natural - meats, vegetables, and fruits, and you walk everywhere, so
you end up losing a ton of weight. Everyone I have talked to so far has said they lost between 25 and 50 pounds in the first few months! Mom, I may need new clothes!
Well, I just got done with my classes today and just like on Friday, no one showed up to Joni’s 8 o’clock class, so I went home early. I still covered her 7 o’clock, which is nice for the extra money. I thought it was funny today when I asked one of my students if he was in Tae-kwon-do and I pointed to his outfit, the class looked at me funny and then laughed and said really loudly, “Tae-GUN-do!” Then I looked at them and repeated, “Tae-kwon-do,” and again it fell on deaf ears and they corrected me. I then said that in America, we call it “Tae-kwon-do,” and I guess that satisfied (and baffled) them so they didn’t correct me that time. I just thought it was funny because the way the Koreans pronounce things, “kwon,” would be pronounced, “gun.” So I guess we, as Americans (and the rest of the world), have been pronouncing it wrong since its inception. So, if you
could do your part from now on and correct everyone at your dojo (which we are probably pronouncing that wrong, too), the youth of Korea would appreciate it.
I’m at my apartment now and just finished a tuna fish sandwich, bananas, and an apple. I may have some celery later if I get it cut and I’m hungry, or else it will have to wait until tomorrow. I’m now just waiting for Mom and Dad to call in a few minutes and then it will be time for bed!
Ok, time to open my package!
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Aunt Marshy
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yummmmm
Lunch looked good. Reminded me of fondu. How long did it take to receive mom's pkg? HUGS!!!