I decided to use my computer as my diary. Probably has to do with the obsession I have with my new Mac...maybe I'm turning into a schizophrenic. Who knows? Just pretend like I'm talking to you.
Friday, December 26, 2008
Saturday, December 20, 2008
10 Things I Dislike About South Korea
1. The sidewalks are uneven and unsafe.
I believe this attributed to my broken foot. And while alcohol may have played a factor, I have fallen sober a number of times.
2. The beer is far from delicious.
Being from Milwaukee, the delicious beer capital of America, it is not easy drinking distasteful beer. The Korean beer makes ordering a Coors Light an exciting moment.
3. The inability to get fresh air.
The idea of getting fresh air to cure a hangover and then feeling completely worse is when I first realized this. I live in the land of a million smells. 999,999 are usually ones you don't want to smell. Yet somehow I have gotten used to it.
4. Drunk old men who want to practice their English with me and the way their breath smells.
This happens way too often. I enjoy when young people, or people who aren't totally inebriated, surprise me with the quality of their English when they think it's terrible. They enjoy nothing more than compliments on their foreign language abilities.
5. Being stared at constantly.
I've only been here a month, but I don't see this as something I will ever enjoy. When you're having a bad day you really just want to rage at the starer. Most of the time I stare back to see who will win.
6. How unsafe most drivers are, especially cab drivers.
The cab drivers watch television as they drive! Everyone is constantly on a cell phone. There is no speed limit enforcement. I am pretty sure I have been in a cab that was going about 120mph.
7. Everyone is ridiculously skinny regardless of how much they eat or don't exercise.
The teachers at my school eat constantly all day, most of which is junk. Chocolate, chips, soda and that's after bringing a lunch to eat before the day begins. I've never seen anyone running. I think going to the sauna is considered a form of exercise here. I have yet to see a fat Korean.
8. The racist and sexist revolutions haven't occurred yet...if they ever will.
It's improper for Korean women to smoke in public, but men do it constantly. Everyone tells me Korean's have a hard time accepting anyone that doesn't fit a very specific shade of skin color. At a bar I heard the word shit bleeped out, but not the N word.
9. No one stands in lines they just charge.
Most places you go you will have to take a number in order to be helped. This is because the concept of a line is nonexistent here. I have been pushed out of the way, skipped, spoken over, you name it.
10. It is not handicap friendly, nor are people courteous to the handicapped.
While there are plenty of elevators, I will have really buff arms by the time my foot is healed. I have to do so many stairs it's unbelievable. No one has held open a door for me on our way in or out. While on crutches, I have been pushed out of the way by an old woman.
I believe this attributed to my broken foot. And while alcohol may have played a factor, I have fallen sober a number of times.
2. The beer is far from delicious.
Being from Milwaukee, the delicious beer capital of America, it is not easy drinking distasteful beer. The Korean beer makes ordering a Coors Light an exciting moment.
3. The inability to get fresh air.
The idea of getting fresh air to cure a hangover and then feeling completely worse is when I first realized this. I live in the land of a million smells. 999,999 are usually ones you don't want to smell. Yet somehow I have gotten used to it.
4. Drunk old men who want to practice their English with me and the way their breath smells.
This happens way too often. I enjoy when young people, or people who aren't totally inebriated, surprise me with the quality of their English when they think it's terrible. They enjoy nothing more than compliments on their foreign language abilities.
5. Being stared at constantly.
I've only been here a month, but I don't see this as something I will ever enjoy. When you're having a bad day you really just want to rage at the starer. Most of the time I stare back to see who will win.
6. How unsafe most drivers are, especially cab drivers.
The cab drivers watch television as they drive! Everyone is constantly on a cell phone. There is no speed limit enforcement. I am pretty sure I have been in a cab that was going about 120mph.
7. Everyone is ridiculously skinny regardless of how much they eat or don't exercise.
The teachers at my school eat constantly all day, most of which is junk. Chocolate, chips, soda and that's after bringing a lunch to eat before the day begins. I've never seen anyone running. I think going to the sauna is considered a form of exercise here. I have yet to see a fat Korean.
8. The racist and sexist revolutions haven't occurred yet...if they ever will.
It's improper for Korean women to smoke in public, but men do it constantly. Everyone tells me Korean's have a hard time accepting anyone that doesn't fit a very specific shade of skin color. At a bar I heard the word shit bleeped out, but not the N word.
9. No one stands in lines they just charge.
Most places you go you will have to take a number in order to be helped. This is because the concept of a line is nonexistent here. I have been pushed out of the way, skipped, spoken over, you name it.
10. It is not handicap friendly, nor are people courteous to the handicapped.
While there are plenty of elevators, I will have really buff arms by the time my foot is healed. I have to do so many stairs it's unbelievable. No one has held open a door for me on our way in or out. While on crutches, I have been pushed out of the way by an old woman.
10 Things I Love About South Korea
1. The "night" life lasts as long as you can keep your eyes open.
On the weeknights I usually go to bed around 3am. On the weekends I start heading home around 5 or 6 am. The bars and clubs stay open until the customers leave. You can find food at any hour. I see people doing their walk of shame as I am going to work at 2pm.
2. How cheap a taxi ride is.
The public transportation in this city is fantastic. The subways are immaculate. You can stay on the same bus for 2 hours for 2.50 and get to the next city. And if you're too drunk, to lazy, or want to be able to sleep on the way to your destination just take a cab for a very reasonable price.
3. Soju.
Look it up. Love it for it's mix-ability factor.
4. Kim Bop, probably better known as California rolls to most of you, but way better.
I constantly ask myself, "I wonder when I'm going to get sick of Kim Bop." I wouldn't be surprised if it didn't happen. It's easy to eat, mess free, good for on the go, takes 2 minutes to order and be ready, and it's texture is crunchy and chewy. Did I mention it's delicious?
5. Mountains and City co-exist.
Denver may think they've got this one, but Seoul doesn't mess around. Buildings sprouting out everywhere, mountains in my neighborhood... surrounded by millions of people. Sometimes I wonder what came first the mountain or the building.
6. Everyone wears glasses so I'm not a freak anymore.
Everywhere you walk you will see three things. A bar, a convenience store, and an eyewear shop. About 90% of my students wear glasses. I feel really special when people tell me they like my glasses because there's some major competition over here.
7. I am called "golden hair" here.
Instead of being another blonde, I am a commodity.
8. The fashion
You can get away with wearing anything. Plaid, leggins, cowboy boots, modern ponchos, hats that look like animals. You could probably wear all of these things together and still be cool.
9. Most of the food is spicy.
This is only a good thing if you like spicy food. I am one of the fortunate folks who love their food as spicy as possible, therefore I'm in the right place.
10. The hilarious attempts for this country to be more American.
The other day I saw a man in a Santa suit, on stilts, with his face painted like a clown.
On the weeknights I usually go to bed around 3am. On the weekends I start heading home around 5 or 6 am. The bars and clubs stay open until the customers leave. You can find food at any hour. I see people doing their walk of shame as I am going to work at 2pm.
2. How cheap a taxi ride is.
The public transportation in this city is fantastic. The subways are immaculate. You can stay on the same bus for 2 hours for 2.50 and get to the next city. And if you're too drunk, to lazy, or want to be able to sleep on the way to your destination just take a cab for a very reasonable price.
3. Soju.
Look it up. Love it for it's mix-ability factor.
4. Kim Bop, probably better known as California rolls to most of you, but way better.
I constantly ask myself, "I wonder when I'm going to get sick of Kim Bop." I wouldn't be surprised if it didn't happen. It's easy to eat, mess free, good for on the go, takes 2 minutes to order and be ready, and it's texture is crunchy and chewy. Did I mention it's delicious?
5. Mountains and City co-exist.
Denver may think they've got this one, but Seoul doesn't mess around. Buildings sprouting out everywhere, mountains in my neighborhood... surrounded by millions of people. Sometimes I wonder what came first the mountain or the building.
6. Everyone wears glasses so I'm not a freak anymore.
Everywhere you walk you will see three things. A bar, a convenience store, and an eyewear shop. About 90% of my students wear glasses. I feel really special when people tell me they like my glasses because there's some major competition over here.
7. I am called "golden hair" here.
Instead of being another blonde, I am a commodity.
8. The fashion
You can get away with wearing anything. Plaid, leggins, cowboy boots, modern ponchos, hats that look like animals. You could probably wear all of these things together and still be cool.
9. Most of the food is spicy.
This is only a good thing if you like spicy food. I am one of the fortunate folks who love their food as spicy as possible, therefore I'm in the right place.
10. The hilarious attempts for this country to be more American.
The other day I saw a man in a Santa suit, on stilts, with his face painted like a clown.
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