"Drink a Little Drink"

Another good article from the Joongang Daily.

Bottoms Up?
Corporate Korea distorts historic drinking culture

"To show commitment to one’s company, old traditions evolved into a peculiar drinking culture here involving boilermakers and group binge drinking."

 

Click the box below for the article 

This one is about the drinking culture in Korea, which having experienced, can be pretty absurd. You are expected to drink when offered and not deny it. If you do, you are seen as weak and it can hurt your relationships.

Personally, I've refused drinks with teachers many times as I do not enjoy getting completely drunk that I cannot stand on my own. They've come to accept this fact, but give me looks of disapproval and make comments in Korean that I don't understand, but can understand they're disappointed in me. Tough.

Yet, this doesn't effect my job in anyway unlike it could for Koreans. My girlfriend's position as an event planner entails higher risks as she is expected to drink with her co-workers as well as clients for social and business reasons. She doesn't enjoy drinking that much either and has said that she can't refuse her bosses - until one time after a business meeting I almost brought her to the hospital for alcohol poisoning because she was extremely drunk and having a hard time breathing. After I expressed my disapproval and anger at her bosses for "forcing" her to binge drink, she talked with her human resources manager and they became aware of her concerns.

According to a previous Joongang report,  Workers sick of drinking sessions after office hours, "Three out of 10 Korean workers are dependent on alcohol" and "according to a recent survey by Incruit";

"27 percent of respondents said they are dependent on alcohol, including 32 percent of men and 22 percent of women. It reflected the fact that 46 percent of respondents said they go out to drink up to three nights a week, with 77 saying they become drunk 10 percent to 20 percent of the time...Nearly 4 percent of respondents admitted to suffering from alcohol-related illnesses or having to take medication, with 7.1 percent of men and 0.6 percent of women saying this was the case."

Alcoholism and Alcohol related incidents have become some major issues for Korean society. Drinking and driving is a major issue, although almost anyone can easily take taxi's or hire proxy drivers. There have been issues of drunk men abusing women on the subways, abducting children from their homes and even schools. (As you can read here, here and here.) Of course, unfortunately these things happens everywhere in the world.

As a side note: the other night our staff went out for a school function and I witnessed a drunk woman so drunk she fell and slammed her head into the corner of a concrete wall causing her to bleed. (while her drunk colleagues laughed and threw her half-unconscious into a taxi). I was reminded about the "Blackout Korea" blog -  where you can see some interesting photos: sometimes of passed out Koreans in public....

 

...and other times of foreigners making fun of them (in a pretty immature fashion).

 

"ESL Lesson Ideas"

Thankfully I:

A: Don't teach elementary school

and

B: Don't have to use these horrible videos in my classes.

(thanks to the Waygook Effect blog for posting these)

My favorite: (Awkward clapping!)

Thankfully, I have the freedom to create my own lessons instead of following the curriculum set by my school. At first, the teachers suggested I follow their books, but they were difficult to follow - as they go with a CD that I didn't have. I later learned that the Korean English teachers don't even lesson plan for their classes (the ones without me). They follow the book and CD's themselves. (poor kids!)

My classes are normally conversation based. I usually choose a theme for the week, or for a few weeks in most cases. I then work my lessons based around that central theme and use different techniques.(Note: I only teach each class once a week)

Examples: 

Geography
Week 1: Continents, Countries, Cities, Landmarks, Languages - basic intro to what they are.
Week 2: Worksheets - writing names in American-English based on flags, and visual cues
Week 3: Group Trivia Game - similar to Facebook's Geo Challenge.

Positive/Negative
Week 1: Good language (amazing, awesome, cool) vs Bad Language (terrible, horrible, stupid)
Week 2: Short video where students write a positive or negative review using good or bad language

(and here are some random ideas for you teachers reading this)


Scattergories : A group activity in which you create categories and give the students a letter to start with. Groups with the same answers cross them off, and team with the most points wins.
Example:
Letter: A
1. Something that is the color red: Apple
2. Something alive: Ant
3. A word with 3 letters: A r m



Boggle: Create your own in PPT of a Boggle board and have teams write as many connecting words as they can find. I give one point for one word. I give each puzzle a theme and have a long hidden word worth 3 extra points (example: Sport) and then they can find the hidden word: BASEBALL

Opposites: (use a similar technique as the positive/negative lesson)

Battleship: (Check out eatyourkimchi's materials here)

Guess Who: (Check out eatyourkimchi's materials here)

Simon Says: Teach body parts and have students write them on a worksheet of a body. Then use more advanced parts of the body for higher level classes - (torso, chest, shin)

Minimal Pairs: (words that sound similar - like "Copy" and "Coffee" - assign the words numbers and have students read a list to the class. Then have them guess which words are being said by writing down the numbers in the correct order). This gets the students speaking, plus works great with Korean students if you use sounds that are problematic (P/F, L/R's) - try: Rice, Lice, Rain, Lane, Pat, Fat, Pan, Fan...or this list I found online.

Bullcrap: Teach the slang word using the pictures of a bull and some smelly crap! (they'll find it funny!) Then teach them that it means to "catch someone lying to you". I then teach the card game and have the kids play a few rounds to get the hang of it. They love screaming out BULLCRAP! If it's one thing they'll learn all year, it's this!

Making lessons can be pretty easy once you're used to it. As long as you try to improve your lesson each class, and are organized and prepared - you'll be fine.

"Holiday"

Happy Valentine's Day!

I've never really been a big fan of this day - I see it as one of those corporate holidays. Debate it all you want, I don't really care.

Anyways, I found this article today in the Joongang Daily about different holidays in Korea that are mostly intended to sell specific products. I've heard and posted about some of these (Black Day, White Day, Pepero Day) but some of these I found pretty interesting (Bra Day? Grape Day? Movie Day?)

From Bra Day to Kiss Day, Korea has it all

February 15, 2011

	Valentine’s Day

Korean marketers have long sought to devote a calendar day to the consumption of their product, hoping to mimic the success of corporate-created holidays.

Some have been successful, such as Valentine’s Day and Pepero Day, while others seem bizarre and will come as a surprise to most readers, such as Bra Day and Green Day, while still others have evolved from daily life, like Hug Day and Kiss Day.


Jan. 14 - Diary Day
On Diary Day, lovers and friends give one another day planners, which is symbolic of a fresh start to the year. Girlfriends also encourage boyfriends to record their special days together.


Feb. 14 - Valentine’s Day
Korea’s version of Valentine’s Day was imported from Japan after a Japanese company cleverly carved out White Day from Valentine’s to create two days in which they profited from greeting card and chocolate sales. On Valentine’s Day, it is the woman’s responsibility to buy chocolate for their significant others.


March 3 - Samgyeopsal Day
March in Korean is written as the number 3, pronounced “sam,” which is the same as the first syllable of samgyeopsal, or pork belly. Started in 2003, this is the day where people go out to eat pork belly.


March 14 - White Day
On this special day, it is men’s turn to return the favor to the women who have given them chocolate on Valentine’s Day.


April 14 - Black Day
Those who failed to be the beneficiary of love on Valentine’s Day or White Day have Black Day to fall back on. On this day, singles gather to eat jajangmyeon, which is a black noodle dish at Chinese restaurants.

	Grape Day / Diary Day /Rose Day

May 14 - Rose Day
Another marketing scheme, on Rose Day lovers are supposed to present each other with a bouquet of roses, as May is the month when roses blossom. The day is promoted by florists and amusement parks, who try to lure young customers with the onset of spring.


June 14 - Kiss Day
Not related to any business, Kiss Day is pretty self explanatory.


July 14 - Silver Day
Young couples exchange silver rings - known as “promise rings” - on Silver Day. Interestingly, more couples introduce each other to their parents on this day than any other.


Aug. 8 - Grape Day
Grape Day is relatively unknown compared to other days since Nonghyup began promoting Grape Day in 2008 to raise grape sales. Also, “August” in Korean is the same as the number 8, which resembles a bunch of grapes.


Aug. 14 - Green Day
This day is designated for lovers to enjoy the beauty of nature. For those flying solo, Green Day is a day to ease loneliness by drinking soju, which is sold in a green bottle.


Sept. 9 - Googoo Day
Created by the Ministry for Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Googoo Day (Chicken Day) is intended to promote chicken consumption. In Korean, the sound of a chicken is “googoo,” which is the same as the pronunciation of the number 99.

	Black Day /Samgyeopsal Day / Kiss Day

Sept. 14 - Photo Day
Lovers, friends and family celebrate this day by taking pictures outdoors.


Oct. 4 - Cheonsa (Angel) Day
In Korean, the number 1,004 is pronounced “cheonsa,” which sounds the same as the Korean word for “angel.” On this day, non-profit organizations encourage people to do volunteer work and make donations.


Nov. 8 - Bra Day
On Bra Day, men are supposed to buy brassieres for their girlfriend or wife. They say the numeral 11 resembles the strings on a bra, and when “8” is flipped on its side, it resembles a bra.


Nov. 11 - Pepero Day
While many of these days are altogether ignored, Pepero Day is one of the most successful (from a marketer’s standpoint). Pepero is a brand of chocolate-covered cookie first made by Lotte.

Legend has it that Pepero Day started in the 1990s among middle school girls in Busan in the hopes they would become as slim as a stick.


Nov. 14 - Movie Day
Movie Day was established by movie companies to encourage people to go to the theater.


Dec. 14. - Hug Day
This is a day when people hug one another to share the spirit of love. Its origin is unknown.


By Min Dong-ki

"Pomp and Circumstance"

It's that time of year again...Graduation. This was the 16th graduation class. (see the post from last year here) - This year I didn't forget my camera!

When I think of graduation, I think of caps and gowns, diplomas in hand, and families gathered to watch their kids begin a new step into the future...

...but it usually takes place in May or June -- not freezing February.

Yes friends, Korea's school year ends in mid-February, and ushers in the new school  year in March. Bizzare to me, but I suppose it makes sense to someone.

Our school's graduation isn't much of a ceremony. As 480 zombie-esque third graders chit-chatted and shifted in their seats, the loudspeakers played "Pomp and Circumstance and the principal walked down the aisle toward the podium. He seemed to speak from the heart as he offered his words of wisdom (I can only guess - it was, of course, in Korean).

The head of the PTO also gave a short speech - again the students talked to their friends throughout the entire event. The relatives gather around the auditorium, take photos, smile, and cry --- while the kids could really care less. (ok, not much of a cultural difference here).

I wasn't expecting much. Last year it was basically the same. The students listen to the national anthem and school song, they take 10 seconds to meditate or pray, and the school shows a slideshow of some of the students intermingled with videos of their teachers wishing them luck in high school. (They'll need it when it comes to all that testing and stress!)

The whole event usually lasts about 20 minutes. This year it took a little longer as the principal (being his last year at our school) decided to hand the certificates to each student. (It's a good thing they didn't call them all up one at a time like in the U.S. - as that would take a while).

The funniest part is how the students change once their final exams are done in December, and the next time you see them in February.

The start like this:

 

Now, their school uniforms look deterorated - as if they've been stuffed in a closet. Their hair styles change dramatically - longer and more colorful for both the boys and girls. It's time for them to exert their independence for the next few weeks until their high school decides they need to follow the rules. (However, there is a growing debate about allowing students to dye their hair as a human right. Funny how the students fight the school board on that issue - but don't mention uniforms. Maybe they're just picking their battles one step at a time.)

And try to end up looking like their celebrity icons:

I don't know why, but rusty red is the in-style color for everyone this year.

That, and "perms" for men.

Ok, this one I can understand..

 

but THIS? REEEAALLLYYY????

 

Overall, I find it great to see the kids expressing their individuality because they don't get to that often. They're in school Monday-Friday, and some Saturdays. They're almost always in uniform, even after school because they're going to after school academies to study more. So even if in the long-run, they still end up conforming to what their peers and idols do, I say cut them some slack and let them literally let down their hair.

And it's nothing like the kids in the States would do. It's usually just hair.

Not all THIS "funtasticalness":

Oh well. I'm looking forward to the incoming 1st graders. If they're anything like my current 1st graders, they should be a blast. I'm not fond of the incoming 3rd graders however - apparently no teacher is. Why couldn't THEY be the ones graduating?

"Culture of the Sea"

This past weekend I got a chance to do some things in Seoul that I have been meaning to do for a while now.

First up: The National Museum of Korea

Where: Yongsan: Line 1

The National Museum offers free admission to its main galleries, so Hwayoung, (remembering that I had wanted to visit there), brought me. (She doesn't enjoy history as much as I do and was easily bored).

The exhibits were nice, and we were brought around by a volunteer tour guide that explained some of the exhibits in more detail. More of which you can read about here and here.

Here are some photos:

Ten-story Pagoda from Gyeongcheonsa Temple, Goryeo: 1348

Amitabha Buddha from Gamsansa Temple

Ritual Ewer (Kundika)




 

Secondly: We also visited the Noryangjin Fish Market (노량진수산시장) 
Where: Noryangjin-dong in Dongjak-gu:
Line 1 

The market is a massive farmers market where you can purchase and haggle for all sorts of seafood from clams, oysters, shrimp, and tuna - to king crab, sea cucumbers, lobster, and red snapper.

Our friend Melissa joined us to peruse the aisles and we settled on some shrimp and a rather large king crab. It wasn't exactly cheap - but it was fresh and delicious.



This is only about 1/10th of the market.


Picking our our King Crab


After you select your food, you can have it cooked for a small fee in the restaurants located above the market.

Our shrimp


Our King Crab

a

She had many eggs on her.
It's nasty looking if you ask me...or Melissa..

"Macho Massaman"

After visiting Thailand, I discovered some new dishes that I'd like to share (maybe you've had them, maybe not) - either way - they were delicious. 

Here is one of my favorites:

Massaman Curry

I found a recipe online, and decided to give it a whirl.

Chicken Massaman Curry

Rated: Submitted By: pct2 Photo By: Jenn Horton Prep Time: 20 Minutes Cook Time: 35 Minutes Ready In: 55 Minutes Servings: 4

"This curry, flavored with tamarind and coconut milk, is ready in under an hour. Serve over plain white rice."

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons vegetable oil 3 tablespoons curry paste 1 (3/4 inch thick) slice ginger, minced 1 1/4 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breast meat - cubed 3 tablespoons brown sugar

3 tablespoons fish sauce 3 tablespoons tamarind paste 1/3 cup peanut butter 3 cups peeled, cubed potatoes 1 (13.5 ounce) can coconut milk 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice

Directions:

1.	Heat vegetable oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Stir in curry paste and minced ginger; cook and stir for 2 minutes. Stir in the cubed chicken, and cook until the pieces turn white on the outside, about 3 minutes.
2.	Stir in brown sugar, fish sauce, tamarind paste, peanut butter, potatoes, and coconut milk. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until the potatoes are tender and the chicken pieces are no longer pink in the center, about 20 minutes. Add the lime juice and cook for an additional 5 minutes before serving.

For those in Korea, it may be difficult to find some ingredients. (especially tamarind and curry paste). I picked up some of them at the Foreign Market in Itaewon. For those I couldn't find while searching this weekend, I used some ingenuity and replaced them. I substituted tamarind with sesame paste (tahini), and forgot to pick up ginger (I stealthy used a honey ginger jelly tea as my ginger).

You can also substitute chicken with beef, pork or even tofu (reminder - it's a Muslim dish so pork isn't exactly authentic). I also recommend cutting back on the potatoes, using slightly less peanut butter, and using only 1 lb of meat and then serve with a fluffy white rice and cucumbers. Also, adding carrots, or playing around with cinnamon, nutmeg, bay leaves, almonds or cashews would be nice as well.

Try it, you won't be disappointed. (and for you anti-seafood folks don't worry about the fish sauce, you don't taste any fish - it just adds a little spice.)

"This is the New Year"

Happy New Year! 

새해 복 많이 받으세요!

Wait....isn't New Year on January 1st??

True, but in Korea they also celebrate the new year based on the lunar calendar (aka Chinese New Year).

" Korean New Year, commonly known as Seolnal (or Seollal) (Hangul: 설날), is the first day of the lunar calendar. It is the most important of the traditional Korean holidays. It consists of a period of celebrations, starting on New Year's Day. Koreans also celebrate solar New Year's Day on January 1 each year, following the Gregorian Calendar. The Korean New Year holidays last three days, and is considered a more important holiday than the solar New Year's Day."- Wikipedia

Basically, everything in Korea closes as people head home to visit their parents, play games, eat a ton, receive money from their parents and grandparents, and listen to words of advice from their elders about how to live their lives for the next year: (get a better job, get married, have kids, -- etc).

Some people dress up in hanbok's (the traditional colorful outfits)

Eat tteokguk (떡국) (soup with rice cake)....

and later in the day, the family may play some traditional games such as yutnori (윷놀이)

 

As for me, I'm just staying in my apartment today and watching movies! Maybe next year I'll get to experience the New Year first hand with a Korean family.

Maybe.