"Spring, Spring, Spring"

Me: Hey Spring, how's it going?
Spring: Not too bad. How about you?
Me: I'm good. Dude, where have you been?
Spring: Well, I was caught up in the States for a little while wreaking havoc with summer-like days, preceded by historic flooding.
Me: You jerk! Well it's good to have you here, it's been awfully cold here. We haven't been able to get out much and enjoy the weather.
Spring: Sorry bro, I made it as fast as I could.
Me: Ok, Ok...I'm just glad you're finally here. Let's have some fun!


Now that spring is here, I can finally get out of my apartment and start enjoying the outdoors! Last week's cherry blossom festival was nice, but still a bit cold. I've been wearing a winter jacket everywhere!

This weekend was pretty fun though, and we've made a lot of plans for most of the next few months.

On Friday I attended my friend Ashley's 23rd birthday at T.G.I.Friday's in Bucheon. She likes to make me feel old, as some of us in the older crowd were making fun that the Challenger explosion happened before she was born. To which she replied. "What's the Challenger?" (insert face-palm here)

Saturday, Hwayoung and I explored more of Boramae Park - the huge park near here apartment which we often go to. (see my October post here) We've picniced there, played badminton, and walked the track. This weekend we climbed nearby hills that were covered in cherry blossom petals which also closely resemble a light pink snowfall. I was also surprised at how large the park really was. There are multiple community centers; one for young children, one for teenagers, and one for seniors. They also have a small reading room building that was packed with people studying, and are building a new library next to it. A handful of gutted planes and helicopters are also propped up as a small aeronautical museum, as the property used to be an air force base from 1958 to 1985.

Sunday we caught an afternoon movie in Sindorim. We chose "Kick Ass" which I must say was disturbingly violent and only mediocre in it's comedy. It's definitely a 16-24 year old's kind of movie. But I couldn't help but laugh at how absurd it was at times.

After the movie we walked by a small outdoor theater which was rehearsing for a ComiCon style talent show. It was bizzare and corny, so we left.

 

Our plan for the day was to meet up with our friends Min-young and Song-un, as Song-un and I wanted to get together to see a baseball game. Song-un's favorite team is the Hanwha Eagles based out of Daejeon, and seeing as I have no affiliation or support towards any team besides by beloved Red Sox, I had to root for them as well! The Eagles were the away team, as they were playing in Jamsil (home to the LG Twins and Doosan Bears).

It was a fast game, as there was only about 10 hits in the entire game. The Twins scored 3 runs in the 7th or 8th inning, and the game was pretty much over. I must be bad luck.

 

 

Next weekend we're planning on going to The Jeonju International Film Festival. Hwayoung used to work as a film director and producer after college, and still has connections with some people in the business. We also plan on visiting a folk village. Stay tuned for more next week!

"Rocket Man"

I was sent a link to this site in which an ESL teacher and comic artist named Luke Martin posts his creations. Experience Korean culture from the eyes of just about every expat at his site: Roketship

Here are some of my favorites along with some of my thoughts on the subjects..

When going to E-Mart, the salespeople tend to yell at you to buy their goods. Plus I hate E-Mart because it is always so crowded.

Korean's always form lines in front of doors - or push in front of you so they can be the first one in or out said door. I've found myself waiting in front of subway or elevator doors in order to exit, only to find someone push there way in front of me so that they can get off first. 

(and they're not even in a hurry!)

On the subways salespeople will try to vend their items (usually crap). They are disruptive and loud, and I've never seen anyone buy anything from them. It is also illegal to do, and you are told to call the police if it happens - which it always does - and no one does.

Koreans rarely drink while eating (and I drink a lot of water when I eat). So you always have to say "Mool toe joosayo!" (More water please!). This cartoon is funny because I have a feeling when I go back home, I'm going to be speaking in broken English and making hand gestures out of habit.

Customer service people want to help me all the time, but it gets annoying quickly. Partially because half the time they can't speak English, but want to try. And also because they simply will not leave you alone. Particularly if you go shopping in the fashion districts where they will bargain with you, and compliment you to buy their goods.

 

Whenever I pass another foreigner it feels like there is a rule that you have to make eye-contact or smile because you a rarity -- and usually white. If I was back home I wouldn't be saying hi to every white person I saw, so why should I here? I think we're just all in the same place in life, and all experiencing the same things that you become used to making new friends on the basis of your ability to speak the same language. But it is still awkward even when we all feel the same way.

Couples wear the same clothes here. It's supposed to be cute. I refuse to do it, and my girlfriend gets kind of disappointed in me. My excuse is simple: "I can't wear the same things as you because the sizes are too small!" (plus I don't want to be THAT guy.)

This is basically how I learned to read Korean (mentally making symbols into pictographs). It says "Kimbap" which is basically cheap Korean sushi filled with veggies, crab, or even SPAM.

 My cell phone is the most advanced one I have ever owned (that's not saying much), but I don't know half of what it can do with most of the things to access are online and in Korean. Most Koreans own more advanced cell phones than I do, (where they watch TV, use as an mp3 player, or can text in Hangul (Korean) faster than I can speak!)