Gong Xi Fa Cai!

It’s time for Chinese New Year! I have been in Taiwan for about 6 months now. There are a lot of things I have come to like better in Taiwan and some things that I miss from Korea.

Things I like:

1. The students- most of my students in Taiwan are young. The majority of my students are 2nd to 4th grade students. Occasionally, I will also teach kindergarten. Even though, they speak less English than my Korean students, they are much more enthusiastic and generally, happier. They like being at English school(well, most of them), they like talking to you, they are excited when they see you. My Korean students were nice, and some of them had a hilarious sense humor, but as a majority, my Taiwanese students are just good kids.

2. The job-The work environment here is worlds friendlier than my Korean job. Here, I feel like I am actually part of a team. The Taiwanese staff is genuinely friendly, even the ones who speak minimal English. My Korean staff was nice, but typically did their best to avoid any situation that involved interacting with the foreign staff. My Taiwanese company also is concerned about the level of enjoyment among the students. So a big concern with all the teachers is make sure you play lots of games. My Korean school abhorred the idea of fun and games in the classroom because the parents said they were paying for study time, not playing time. It makes a huge difference in the classroom atmosphere and overall attitude of the students when they are laughing and enjoying being in the classroom.

3. The cost of living-It is pretty easy to live nice for a low price. In Korea I was provided housing by my employer. It wasn't bad, it was a one room apartment with a loft which I paid about $430 a month in rent. However, in Taiwan I can live in a 2-bed/2-bath apartment in a community with security, a pool, and a gym for about $580 a month. (Split between me and my roommate-$290, each).

4. The people-The Taiwanese people, in general, are friendlier. It’s not that the Koreans were cold and rude, they are actually very warm-hearted people, but they are, typically, quite shy. They will do their best to avoid any situation that would involve having to interact with a foreigner. Not all Koreans were like that. Several times, there would be people in a train station or bus terminal (usually older people), that would be curious and would ask where I was from or why I was in Korea, what did I like about Korea, etc. Sometimes, they would speak enough English, other times, it would be very minimal and somehow through their minimal English and my minimal Korean we could interact. The Taiwanese don’t seem quite as shy. They will greet me with “Hello”, they will smile, they seem excited to see foreigners.

Things I miss from Korea:

1. The food-Korean food is just….awesome. The Chinese food is good, too, but I miss the flavors from Korean food. A lot of Chinese food in Taiwan is cooked in oil, so it will be a little greasy. Also, it is difficult to keep up your appetite in the night market when you get a whiff of stinky tofu at every corner. (You don’t really understand until you’ve smelled it) I’ve been told by many people that once you get past the smell, it is actually quite tasty. One day, I will try it, I promise. I actually have enjoyed many of the dishes I have tried here. Good lord, I never knew shaved ice could be so amazing. I don’t think I can ever eat enough dumplings. There is a late night food stand by my building that makes these sweet potato fries that are pretty much the food of the gods.

2. Transportation-it’s not like I can’t go anywhere in Taiwan. It’s just that, in Korea, I just had to step out of my building and there were several city buses, taxis, and a metro right down the street. If I lived in Taipei, I would not have put this on the list. I live in the suburbs and it’s a little difficult to get around town without having your own transport. I can walk to work, a bakery, a stationary store, post office, pharmacy, health clinic, convenience store, tea shop, a couple brunch restaurants, and a small supermarket. However, if I wanted to go to the mall, train station, larger supermarket, more restaurants, etc. I have to call a taxi. I recently solved this problem with the purchase of a scooter, but my scooter can only take me and 1 other person. If we are going somewhere with a lot of people, call a cab.

3. Money-I hate to say it, but I am not rich anymore. I knew I was making a lot of money in Korea, but I didn’t realize how well off I was until I came here. I work about the same hours here but am making less. My hourly rate is actually pretty much comparable to my rate in Korea. However, what I didn’t have in Korea was a ridiculously high income tax. The income tax for foreign workers in Taiwan is set at 18% until you’ve been in the country for 180 days. Well, sounds pretty bad for the first 6 months, but after that you should be fine, right? Yes, and no. The counter resets every year. So, my contract began in August, which means I would be reaching my 180 days this month. However, when the new year started, my day counter reset to 0 days. So I have to wait until June (180 days since the start of the new year) for my 18% income tax to drop to 9%. Then, I can roll in money for 6 months before going back to penny pinching in 2014.

On the bright side, with the Chinese New Year coming soon, I have gotten awesome gifts at work and I get a whole week off! I’ll probably be relaxing, shopping, eating, and may even head up to the hot springs. I have definitely needed a vacation ^_^

Surprise!

Okay, okay!!  Resurrected due to constant needling and nagging popular demand!  This blog ain’t dead yet!  Going by the date of the last posting….it’s been a while (to put it simply).  Let’s try and get up to date smoothly, efficiently, and thoroughly.

During my stay in Korea, I enjoyed teaching my students.  Some were awesome and made me really enjoy coming to work to see them, and some ended up on that list that all teachers have but never talk about with other people (except fellow teacher confidants).  Regardless of my opinions of some of my students, when it came time to say goodbye, I was given some of the sweetest goodbye notes from the students.  Even those I thought for sure reviled my existence, gave me some of the most heartwarming messages.  It made it really hard to leave, in the end. 

Apart from my work, I also came to appreciate and embrace the Korean pop music and entertainment industry.  I gotta admit, Korea knows how to churn out the pop idols.  Being able to talk to my students about something they knew and liked definitely fueled my interest.  Well, that and it’s just really really catchy music that comes complete with slick dance moves, attractive performers, and flashy concerts.  I learned the popular groups, the member names, fan club names, current idol scandals, the major entertainment production companies, and so much more.  I also attend several concerts, much the envy of many of my middle school female students.  Here’s a list of the performers I've seen in Korea:

Incheon Korean Wave Festival-this was a concert I attended very soon after I arrived.  It was in the city I lived in and it had about 15 of the top pop groups performing.

Rain- we caught his farewell concert before he went to the army for mandatory service

2pm- this video is from the Incheon Wave Festival I was at

YG Family- this was a concert for the members of the YG production company, including

Big Bang, 2NE1, and PSY (pre-Gangnam Style fame)

FTIsland- best concert I went to HANDS DOWN

BEAST- this group is probably known as the group of throwaways that made it big.  Several of the members tried out for other groups and were rejected, then picked up by their production company and are now a hit group.

Besides pop music, I also ate a lot of new foods.  Korean food is AWESOME!  Go eat some Korean bbq and try and tell me differently.  I dare you.  I learned to cook some of my favorite Korean meals and also continue to make them outside of Korea.  I also got to travel.  I went to Tokyo for a quick weekend trip, Shanghai, Kuala Lumpur, and Singapore.  I rode elephants, ate spicy curry, enjoyed fresh sushi, watched Chinese acrobats, saw Muslim women sporting Chanel and Dolce & Gabbana head coverings (they may be devout, but cheap they are not!), and rode in special train cars reserved for women only (they were monitored by train staff on occasion and they would forcibly remove any males that happened to be in the car).

I was very happy in Korea.  I am glad that I got to live there for a year.  All I will say is that if the school management happened to get a new director in my time, I would have considered extending my contract.  If I ever get the opportunity to return in the future I will most certainly consider it. 

Now, moving quickly up to the present time….I was excited to find an opportunity to teach in Taiwan and was able to line up a new contract upon completion of my Korean employment.  I also returned home to the U.S. for about 1 month and then left for Taiwan, the next chapter in this adventure……..(to be continued)

Apologies and a Debut

First, I would like to apologize for the absence.  In truth, the fact of the matter is that I have become too lazy am having too much fun with my kids that posting to my blog has been getting pushed further and further back on my stove-of-priorities.  To make up for my lacking, I hereby officially dub the month of August as "Summer [In]Sanity" and vow to post once a week.*  You may now all offer me your forgiveness and enjoy the following Special Edition Debut:

Special Edition: Konglish Kooking Vol. 1 Issue 1


To kick off the first issue of Konglish Kooking, I will start very simply: cooking a pot of rice.

In Korea, 밥 (bap) is a staple food that can be eaten at every meal.  Many times it is mixed with other grains like barley, or legumes, like azuki beans.  The most common variety is 백미(baek mi) or white rice.  Apparently, many years ago, during the war, there was a great shortage of the rice and the custom of mixing in other grains or legumes to stretch the rice further began around this time.  The government encouraged everyone to do this becuase rice was becoming so scarce.  Many people grew up eating rice this way and thus, the custom continues because they have grown to like it that way.

Most Koreans use a rice cooker to cook their rice, as it is more convenient, and much easier.  Therefore, my instructions will include the use of a rice cooker. 

Step 1: Gather ingredients

All you will need is rice, water, and a cooker.  Here, you see all my ingredients assembled

Step 2: Measuring

Now, the most common ratio I use is 2:3 rice to water.  You can use any kind of measuring vessel you like.  Most rice cookers come with its own rice cup, but mine did not as it was a free one that was previously salvaged.  No, worries, I've got a handy tumbler that will work just fine; 2 cups rice into the pot.  In a rice cooker, the pot is usually removable which is very convenient when it comes to the next step.  

Step 3: Washing the Rice

This step is to wash off the talc and excess starch, which Koreans believe to be unhealthy.  Now, when it comes to washing the rice, the Japanese will tell you to rinse and then scrub the grains.  However, the Koreans will tell you to wash and swirl the rice briefly in the water and then drain; none of that ridiculous scrubbing.  So, this is how to wash the rice: take your pre-measured rice and place the bowl in the sink.  Turn on the water and allow it to cover the rice.  As it is filling with water, quickly swirl the rice a few times to rinse the grains.  Once the rice is sufficiently covered with water, quickly start to drain the water.  You will notice the water that is draining is cloudy.  Drain as much of the water out of the pot as you can.  Repeat this about 3-5 times until the water is almost clear.  It will never become completely clear, but that's okay.

Step 4: Soaking the rice

This step is very important as it apparently softens the grains and cuts down on cooking time.  It also allows the rice to become a little stickier when cooked, which is the preferred texture of rice for Koreans.  So, once you have drained the rice for the last time, drain as much of it out as you can.  Then measure your water into the pot.  Swirl it a little to make sure the grains settle evenly on the bottom of the pot.  This is very important for proper cooking.  Then put the pot back into the cooker and close the lid.  Do NOT turn on the cooker.  Many expensive cookers have built in timers that can delay cooking start to include the soak time, then it will start cooking after the rice has soaked for the pre-determined time.  I do not have a fancy expensive one, so I have to remember to turn it on.  Also, I cannot plug it in until after the soaking is done.  When plugged in, it is automatically in "warm" mode and will start to heat up.  The soaking times depend on the season.  Most Koreans will say about 30 minutes of soaking in the summer and about 1 to 1.5 hours in the winter.  Shorter soaking in the summer because it is so dang humid here during the summer.  In the winter, it is bitterly cold and very dry.  Once it is done soaking switch on your cooker and wait.  The cooker will automatically turn off once the rice is cooked.  How handy! 
  
Step 5: Enjoy your rice...Korean-style!


Please enjoy your rice any way, you like!  Eat it hot and freshly cooked as an accompaniment to a meal; put the leftovers in the fridge and make some 볶음밥(bokkeumbap: fried rice)  Teacher loves 김치 볶음밥 (kimchi bokkeumbap).  Who likes 김치 볶음밥?  Raise your hands! ("Ohh, Teecha, Korean!!")  You can also put some of your 볶음밥(bokkeumbap) into an omlette and have 오무라이스 (omurice).  My kids eat rice and kimchi for breakfast every morning and look how happy they are!


And thus concludes the first issue of Konglish Kooking.  Some of the dishes I have been enjoying eating and making for myself include: 떡볶이 (tteokbokki), 라면 (ramyeon), 비빔밥 (bibimbap), and the summer favorite 비빔 냉면 (bibim naengmyeon).  So, please look forward to those dishes.



*This statement holds no guarantee. 

The Norm

I was walking home after class last night around 7:45pm.  The fact that it was 7:45pm and I was walking home is already abnormal.  I am normally walking home around 10:45pm.  Middle school testing (think FCAT x 1000) has taken precedence over English hagwon class and thus, my middle school class has been canceled.  Anyways, I was passing the sportswear store (called “Indian”),  next to my building when another abnormal thing occurred.  The norm for walking the streets is usually a constant cacophony of various KPop tunes being blasted from the stores out to the sidewalks, but tonight, something was not normal.  As I was nearing the store I realized that what was being emitted from the speakers was not the latest Big Bang single or a classic hit from Super Junior nor a 2AM smash or even Girls Generation, but it was the unmistakable strains of Ke$ha.  To be specific, "Your Love is My Drug".  I used to hear this song at least 3-4 times a week back in the States between spin classes and the radio. It was at this moment that I realized I have reached the point where the abnormal was now normal and the normal was now abnormal.  It was so out of the ordinary that I had to stop for a moment outside the store to listen.  I even danced a little a bit, I'm pretty sure the Korean businessmen with their pitcher of beer outside the Chicken & Beer restaurant next door just dismissed me as another crazy 외국인 (waegukin-foreigner) as they gave me the sideways stare. (I've gotten used to the stares as well-that is also the norm.....as well as the random "hellos" from schoolkids on the street--any attempts to continue the conversation with the kid will be answered by shy, confused smiles) As I rode the elevator up to my floor I reflected on this small milestone I have reached during my sojourn.  Other things that are now the norm:

  

1. My daily schedule:  I wake up between the hours of 10:30am and 11:30am most weekedays.  I leave for work between 2:30pm and 3:00pm.  I teach my first class (elementary students) from 4:30pm to 7:30pm.  Then, I teach my second class (middle school) from 7:35pm to 10:30pm.  I am then usually leaving work around 10:40pm.  Sometimes, I will stop at the Lotte Mart for groceries on the way home.  Yes, there are usually quite a few people grocery shopping at this time of night.  The only downside is, all the fresh bread is gone from the bakery and the sushi counter is closed.  I will then arrive home at 11:30pm which is when I will proceed to make and eat my dinner.  Then, if I am working tomorrow, I will crawl up to my loft around 12:30pm and proceed to work on my homework (catching up on my dramas-this is important homework!  if you know the dramas, you are automatically cool with most of the kids).  I usually fall asleep around 2:30am.  If I am not working the next day, then sometimes I may go out with some of the other teachers.  If this happens I usually don't get home until 3:00 or 3:30am and will fall asleep around 4.

2. Not buying a lot of groceries at once.  As I am walking to the Mart around the corner,  I do not have the luxury of a car trunk to load a lot of groceries into.  Therefore, I must only buy what I can carry in 1 or 2 bags.  Sometimes, that turns into a box.  Next to the registers at the Mart is a counter for people to load up boxes with items so that they can be carried easier.  The boxes are provided free by the store as they are the boxes the products are delivered in to the store.  There are scissors and tape at this counter as well as many spools of paper twine so that once your box is packed, you may tie a carrying strap onto the box.  Exhibit A: This past Sunday's groceries

The twine carrying strap is quite prevalent.  I've seen tied onto many things.  People on subways carrying newly purchased appliances, like rice cookers, electric fans (선풍기-seonpungki), and electric kettles.  They will also put twine on pizza boxes for carryout pizza.  It makes carrying a box a little more convenient, actually.

3.  1.5 L sized bottles of beer.  These are quite common in convenience stores.  It will almost always be Cass brand or Hite brand.  These are the two big domestic brands here. Hite is brewed from barley malt and rice while Cass is brewed only from rice.  When you go to a restaurant, you just ask for "maekju chuseyo", and they will always bring you one of the two (in a liter bottle which will be shared among the diners in small glasses, soju is a frequent accompaniment in even tinier glasses)

4.  Drinkable yogurt.  I don't know why this was so fascinating to me as I'm pretty sure we have something similar in the States (Gogurt?).  This seems to be the most common form of consumption for yogurt here.  But anyways, I now buy my yogurt in a 500mL bottle which I can pour over cut fruit in a bowl or use instead of milk in my cereal.  (my favorite combo so far: freshly cut chamae melon with strawberry yogurt poured over...soooo refreshing) 

My coworkers are planning a trip to Hongdae for another birthday celebration.  Hongdae is a popular nightlife district in Seoul.  I went to Hongdae a couple weeks ago to visit the Coffee Prince coffee shop.  A night in Hongdae means taking the train out in the evening and then having to catch the train back the next morning after they start running at 5am which means getting back home to Yeonsu-gu around 7am.  That's fine.  We're going on the weekend.

The System

On Saturday night, I was riding the train back from Seoul.  It usually takes about an hour and a half to get from central Seoul back to my station, Woninjae, back in Incheon.  I was sitting between a business man on my left and a young woman watching TV on her smartphone on my right.  The rhythmic clacking of the rails and the smooth movement started to become quite pleasant and, as anyone would do after walking all over the city, I began to nod off.  I had spent the day with a co-worker, TV, and I could see her shoes across the aisle from me.  I still had several stops before I reached the transfer station.
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"What kind of vegetables do you like to eat?"  I prompted my elementary-aged class.  "Ohhh, teacha,"  one of the said, "I only like potatoes and broccoli." 
"Me, too."  another chimed in.
"You kids need more variety," I quipped.  Another student raised their hand.
"Yes?  What vegetables do you like?"
"I like to eat potatoes and cu-...cukoo.."
"Cucmbers?" I suggested
"Yes.  Oh, and kimchi."
"Oh!  I like kimchi too!" many of the students agreed.  
"And me!"
"Ohhh, Teacher likes kimchi, too," I added, "Very good."
"Ehhhhhh?" they looked at me with confused faces.  "But, Teacha from U.S.A."
"So.  That doesn't mean I can't like kimchi."
"Ehhhhhhh...."
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I have been here for 3 weeks, now. This is where most people would insert "I can't believe it".  The thing is, though, I don't feel shocked or surprised that I've been so comfortable here.  Many people would say, "you're so far from home, isn't hard adjusting?"  "aren't you homesick?"  For me, it doesn't really feel that far away.  I suppose I have modern technology to thank.  With planes flying all over the world as well as the ability to talk to people face-to-face no matter where they are in the world, I really don't feel that far.  The only difference now, is that I can't read the labels on a lot of the items on the shelves at Lotte Mart.  But even that doesn't bother me.  I can usually figure out what it is by looking at it (still working on the brown rice tea, green tea differentiation).  Now, this doesn't mean I have not noticed the staggering difference in culture and daily life here, I have just acknowledged it, made adjustments accordingly, and continued on with my life.  My fridge now contains: 2 packets of kimchi, eggs (some already boiled), orange juice, a bottle of yogurt, some freshly cut pineapple, 2 chicken breasts, milk (Seoul milk-->do not know what that means), sliced ham, mayo, a bag of lettuce and perilla leaves, ketchup, long green onions, tea, a jar of "fruits jam", bottled water (do not drink the tap water), and Chilsung Cider (Korean 7-up).  My pantry is stocked with: 2 bags of rice, cranberry granola, a box of kiwis, a large bottle of soy sauce, cooking oil, olive oil, garlic, spaghetti, curry mix, several packs of spicy ramyeon, half a loaf of bread, instant coffee, tea bags, and small snack packets of crackers.  As I finish the list of these items, my washing machine is singing to me.  That means my clothes are clean.  When I turn my air conditioner on, it also sings to me.
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Back on the train, the transfer station jingle is playing.  I see TV's shoes move.  As I stand up, I see her pointing towards the door.  We shuffle through all the people and make our way over to the doors.  The automated system announces the next station on 3 languages (Korean, Japanese, and English).  The train slows, the doors open and every files out.  The people waiting to get on patiently stand in two lines on either sides until everyone is off.  Then, they file on.*  We walk down several stairs, through the station, and up several more stairs.  We then get on the next train and ride several stops and get off at Woninjae.  We walk through the local park back to our building.  It is 10:30pm and it is packed with kids.  Many are playing basketball on the courts, there are some riding bikes around, some adults are running or walking on the circular path around the park, and other kids are playing on the playground equipment.  As we cross the street, I think about the chicken cart I see on some weeknights when I am coming back from work.  One of these days I should buy some chickens from him.  Two roasted birds for 10,000.  That's a pretty good deal.


*For those who were in Rome with me: people stand in line at bus stops.  They stand in single file and they will extend the line down the sidewalk.  When the bus or train arrives, everyone waits for people to get off, then they get on one-by-one.  That is the system and everyone follows it, neat and orderly.

Rice Krispies Green Tea

Since my arrival in Seoul, my life has been moving on Korean time.  Meaning, all hours nonstop.  That's the thing that is so mind boggling to me.  Time of day apparently holds no importance to Koreans.  Last week, when I was out in Seoul, I saw a couple walking their baby in a stroller.  Sounds completely normal right, well add in the fact that it was 1:30am, and it completely blows your mind!  School kids here go to school from morning until early to mid-afternoon, depending on when they start, then go to hagwons (supplementary schools-I work for an English language hagwon) until 10-11 at night, and then probably get home around 11:30 or midnight, and then do it all over again the next day.  Mind you, these are elementary and middle school kids--mostly the middle school kids.  It is not an uncommon sight to see kids in class at my school drinking coffee drinks in class.  Sleeping in class is also an everyday occurrence.  We are supposed to discourage this activity, but when I heard how these kids live their days, it's really hard for me not to just let them sleep.  Most kids go to several hagwons, since they don't go to a single hagwon everyday (I have 4 classes, I see each class twice a week).  The norm is about 2-3 hagwons.  They have hagwons for various different things: language, music, science, etc. 

My life, on the other hand, has transitioned into an entirely new system.  I now go to work around 2-2:30pm start teaching my first class at 4:30 and finish my last class at 10:30 (I teach 2 classes-yes, each class is 3 hrs. long).  Then we are hurried out of the building promptly by 10:30 and from there most of the teachers go out for drinks and food, so I normally get home around 2am and then wake up around 10 or 11 and start my day over.  However, I only teach 4 days a week and I have Wednesdays off this term-which, according to the other teachers, is the best schedule.  I have to agree, it is quite nice.  Mon, Tues, then Thurs, Fri and no class on the weekends.  So on free day, I can: explore the mountain trail that is apparently a couple blocks from where I live (I've been told there is a temple somewhere near the top), figure out what the difference is between Seoul milk, morning fresh milk, and fresh milk at the Lotte Mart around the corner, or finally find bottled green tea that is plain tea and not brown rice tea.  It's not bad, but when I want something refreshing to drink, I don't normally crave a drink that tastes like rice krispies.  So far, the only way I can be sure that the tea is plain tea, is if I defer to the Japanese brand Itoen. 

Coming soon:  Mind your manners on the Metro; The Elysian fields of electronics; Protein Parties and other tales; Will Kats of Korea ever come to fruition?  All this and more after the break!

Being a Hulu-ist

I am a Hulu-holic.  Yes.  And anyone else who watches too much TV is a pop culture enthusiast should be too.  If I ever meet the people who created this website I will give them my kidneys.  Both of them.  As someone whose tastes in entertainment cross into many varieties of genres, I, naturally, have an unhealthy addiction thriving enthusiasm for this ingenious invention.  For those of you who have yet to discover the Elysian fields of great entertainment, please make your way to hulu.com and prepare for your eyes to be opened.

Thanks to hulu’s expansive and diverse library as well as its uncanny ability to suggest shows I may like based on my viewing history, I have been continuing to expand my television horizons.  Hulu has facilitated in the introduction of such shows as It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, 30 Rock, and Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (all fantastic shows in their own respective right).  Had hulu never suggested those shows to me, I’m not sure if my life would be the same.

But the whole point I am trying to make is this: I have continually put my undying faith in hulu’s ability to deliver exactly what would interest me and it has not failed me yet.  Case in point: while I have been dutifully studying Korean, hulu has been quietly amassing a small collection of top notch Korean dramas for its viewers to enjoy.  Yes, you heard me right.  Korean dramas.  This was a key play in securing my loyalty to hulu.  Not being one to pass up an opportunity for cultural enrichment, I began my browsing in earnest.  I selected Secret Garden; a drama described as a “fantasy, romantic comedy.”  Currently three episodes in: while I haven’t exactly figured out where the fantasy part comes from, the “romantic comedy” part is clever enough that I may continue watching.  To be totally honest, I am mainly going to keep watching because Gil Ra Im is basically kind of a bad-ass and Kim Joo Won’s sequined tracksuit is all levels of hilarity.  Intrigued?  Check it out:

As I currently have more downtime than before, I may be able to devote more time to my language learning pursuits, or spending more time at the gym, or becoming an expert in economic stimulation with a focus in retail……..or not.