"Gobble Gobble Gickel"

Happy Thanksgiving!

Ok, so we celebrate it about a day before everyone in the U.S. due to the time zones, but I suppose that just means I get 2 days to celebrate it.

There is so much to be thankful for, that I decided to make a list: (I was inspired my a friend of mine.)

1. I'm thankful for family and friends, and I know that's a huge cliche, but it's true.
2. I'm thankful for my family that, even though I'm half-way across the world, they still support my decision to live away from them. 
3. . ...and that they put up with the fact that I've missed almost every holiday and family function the past year and a half.
4. I'm thankful for my friends who call me just to know how my day went, who miss having me around, and even though they desperately want to see me on a semi-regular basis, allow Skype chats, photo uploads, and random Facebook messages to replace me.
5. I'm thankful for my girlfriend - who cares for me, loves me, and supports me, and is one of the most amazing people. 
6. I'm thankful for my job, which I enjoy on most days.
7. ...and even when I'm having a bad day, I may complain, but it's better than working a job I hate, being unemployed, suffering depression, or dealing with bankruptcy.
8. I'm thankful for kimchi - food of the Gods. (and a good food to help you lose weight)
9. I'm thankful for my health - even though I have visited doctors more this year than any other, at least it's not because of anything serious.
10. I'm thankful for being happy - the happiest I've been in a long time.
11. I'm thankful for Korean friends and co-workers - who even though we have our misunderstandings and miscommunications, are some of the most incredible and kind people I've met.
12. I'm thankful for mandu - because I need to eat it at least once a week.
13. I'm thankful for Apple Computers - because my MacBook and iPod make my life so much easier and entertaining!
14. I'm thankful for a roof over my head - especially one that the school pays for
15. I'm thankful for clothing that fits me - not just because losing 30lbs feels amazing, but NOT feeling ginormous compared to Asians feels AWESOME!
16. I'm thankful for Seoul - because it's one of the biggest cities with a plethora to experience every weekend.
17. I'm thankful for SNSD (Girls' Generation) because --- well---have you seen them? 
18. I'm thankful for being able to travel and see the world: Korea, Japan - next Thailand?
19. I'm thankful for freedom - something I take for granted at times, but something I'm thankful to the people in the past and present who protect and defend it.
20. I'm thankful for laughter - because without it, the world would be a dark and boring place.

My Thanksgiving took place in Ansan (about 20 min south-west of Gunpo) where I met up with friends at a bar that serves smoked turkey legs. Turkey is pretty uncommon to find, and very expensive. Also, not many people have ovens to cook it!

It was a decent meal and we all ate and drank a lot. 

Some more than others...

 

I hope everyone had a great Turkey Day!

"Full Moon"

Korean Thanksgiving - aka "Chuseok" (추석) is approaching quickly. The holiday starts Tuesday-Thursday this year, and is probably the most popular holiday in the country.

"Chuseok is a major harvest festival and a three-day holiday in Korea celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th month of the lunar calendar. Like many other harvest festivals, it is held around the Autumn Equinox. As a celebration of the good harvest, Koreans visit their ancestral hometowns and share a feast of Korean traditional food." - Wikipedia

5 Things to Expect During Chuseok:

1. Traffic: If you are planning on traveling during Chuseok - don't! It's super busy and you are bound to be stuck in traffic jams between the major cities as everyone is going to their families homes - just like in the U.S.

2. High Costs: Transportation books up really quickly, and if you are planning on flying, flights will be ridiculously expensive as many people travel internationally during the free time as well. Also, the major stores seems to increase their prices - specifically food. I have seen all food prices jump over the past week due to the holiday.

Thanks to Simon and Martina over at eatyourkimchi.com you can view their latest video about going to the local supermarket.

Please take the time to read their post as well about what to expect.

Here are some highlights:

Yelling Men: Yep. Men yelling loudly. Not at each other. Not argumentatively. They’re all yelling for your attention. COME OVER HERE! THIS THING HERE IS ON SALE AND IT’S DELICIOUS AND CHEAP! Forget about store signs to tell you their sales. With these guys, you’ll know about the sale before you even enter the place.

Big Crowds: Don’t go to a Korean Supermarket on the weekend unless you’re desperate. The crowds can get huge. You’ll wait in line just to be able to put something in your cart, then wait in a bigger line to pay for it.

Women with Cool Outfits: Sure, each Supermarket has its own uniform, but there are a bunch of women not wearing that uniform. Some of the women who give samples have something that can only be described as baggy socks that start at your shoes and tie up under the knee. Can’t describe it any other way. And that goes with their miniskirts. Other women, especially during the holidays, wear hanboks next to the gift sets the store is selling. Awesome.

Spam as a Gift Set: No joke here. During the holidays, you’ll find lots of food gift sets in the stores. They can be full of apples, or seaweed, or beef, or even Spam. 

 Yes - it's true.

3. Closed Shops: On Chuseok, many stores - (and especially smaller restaurants) will be closed or have different hours. If this is your first Chuseok in Korea you should plan on stocking up your pantry for a few days - although you should be fine, and able to find something if you live in a downtown area.

4. More Vacation!: Depending on your school, you may be entitled to more vacation based on the good will of your principal and/or the education department of your city. (I can only speak for public schools). This year, due to the holiday following on a Tues-Thurs, our school gave us Monday and Friday off as well - meaning, thanks to weekends - 10 days vacation! I wish I had known much earlier as I could have made some major traveling plans in advance and gotten some good deals.

5. Awesome Festivals: I recommend getting out of your apartment and attending some of the local events - specifically in Seoul. Namsan Hanok Folk Village was pretty cool, walking around Insadong has it's perks too. I recommend looking at iTourSeoul and looking at some events.

If you want to see how I spent Chuseok last year - check out the post here.

"Thank You"

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

Since U.S. Thanksgiving obviously isn't celebrated here, the day was just another work day.

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday though. I love spending time with family, good food, playing games, hanging out with the cousins and close family friends.

Due to Daylight Savings Time back in the States (Korea doesn't practice it), we are now 14 hours ahead than you all back home. Even though my Thanksgiving day is coming to a close - yours is only beginning (and mostly taking place while I am sleeping).

Enjoy the day!