Story of My Life - Packing up in Korea

For anyone who is packing up  to head back to the States, a few tips and word of advice that can come in handy for you.

 

Donations

Let's admit it, living in Korea and being surrounded by so many cute and cheap things, you've probably picked up a handful yourself. For the limited amount of space that you can return home with (usually two check-ins, one carry on and one personal bag) this is just not enough! Give a hand to those in need and donate the extra clothing that you have. With the Philippines needing as much as they can at the moment, throwing a few donations that way will help. Many churches are collecting for any donations they can get so your extra clothing, pillow, bedding and other goodies will come in handy.

 

For those of you who are not looking to stray so far as to donate to the Philippines, go local. There are tons of donation bins that are set up around neighborhoods that make donating easy. You just simply slide in your donations in and walk away. This is the quickest and easiest way to get rid of your stuff.

 

On a personal note, I actually took all of my donations (mostly blankets, pillows, canned foods, sauces, cook ware) and stored them away. Through the packaging and cleaning out stuff around the house, I also compiled a bunch of cardboards, books, etc that I collected and handed it off to the grandmother who is always coming around to collect cardboards, cans, and any other goodies she can find the garbage. It definitely hurts me to see this, so stacking up a handful of goodies for her totally made my day because she just was amazed that someone would do such a thing. That and I ran after her for half a block ^.^

 

Packing

For starters, we all hope the packing has been done throughout the weeks. It is not easy to clean out the life you had in Korea, especially a whole apartment full of it. In fact, I have been packing and cleaning out the place for the next person for weeks now. Gradually and little by little, throwing out the things that I do not need to use and packing the rest up. Unfortunately if you are like me and have a lot of stuff over the two years, you just might need to send some stuff home.

 

If you start sending stuff home, at the very cheapest cost you can send it through boat which will take up to two months to get to your home country but the cost for a huge box is totally worth it. The best part is that Korea offers everything at the post office so you can just bring whatever you want to package to the post office and do it all in one shot. They provide you with boxes, markers, packaging tapes, glue, they even have glasses for the elderly and a book of postal codes. On another note, these boxes go by weight and I was able to send two boxes home for less than $50. It actually already beat me to the house because it's already in the States!

 

Also, keep in mind that you may go over in weight and if you do not want to pay the extra luggage costs, keep things that you are willing to toss at the airport in an area where it accessible. This way you can quickly take them out, toss it and not miss your flight!

 

Paperwork

For many who have been able to save a large sum of money, bringing this money back home may be difficult, especially if you don't want to get tax on it. Just to be on the safe side, get the paperwork from your branch to show proof of your working hours. They have a documented list of employees that you can bring back, a list of the total payment you have recieved in Korea and you can also get a breakdown of day to day paperwork if needed for your accountant. It is best to have all this collected and brough on the plane with you before landing in the States, just to be on the safe side. It'll also save you the headache later on.

 

Accounts

Many people tend to close out their bank accounts for good and spend a lot of time at the bank. Korea actually automatically closes out your account if it has been inactive for a year which can save you the time. Just be sure that you do not need to have a minimum in your account because of the different bank accounts there are. If you should, and need to reopen your account in the future, you can do so with the same card because all of your information will be on file.

 

Souvenirs

Packing up some souvenirs to bring home may be difficult because not only the limited amount of space you have in your suitcase, but also the things that you can get back at home. It may make sense to get everyone some cheep soju booze, but remember they do have it in the States, just for a different price. A few things that I suggest to bring back that many will love is cosmetics for the females, and food for the males.

 

There are so many brands that they do not carry back at home (you can find Face Shop, Missha, Nature Republic, maybe a few others) so this gift will definitely be unique. It is also for the simple fact that every woman loves cosmetics and they're cheaper here. Korea is also known for cosmetics, a total win win!

 

Guys are always harder to shop for, so go for the traditional snacks of dried seaweed, unique to the Korean culture. Seaweed is extremely light and you can slip them into side pockets of your luggage which makes it that much more easier to transport. If you are afraid they won't like the seaweed taste that is a little strong, go for a 10,000 won pair of boxers that you can find in tourist areas, that'll definitely be unique and light!

 

If you're looking for something even cheaper and lighter, that is unisex, a pair of socks doesn't hurt. There is the hit "Psy - Gangnam Style" socks that you can give to anyone. Korea does also have a ton of other cute socks that are pretty unique souvenirs, especially the mustache ones!

 

Thank You Notes

You never know when you need a recommendation letter or to come back to the job. For this very simple and important reason, you should always leave a thank you note. No matter how bitter things can be at your branch, leaving a thank you note will come in handy should you need to contact anyone in the future. It's always good to leave on a good note!

Life in Korea - Dating Culture

If you are looking to find your significant other, chances are, you'll have a higher chance to find her randomly in Korea. Because the dating culture in Korea is so important, everyone is always on the lookout for their partner. In fact, Koreans are constantly in relationships and mark Christmas as a couples holiday, not a family holiday. There are a few ways that can increase your chance in finding your significant other, by doing it the way the locals do it.

Blind Dates

For starters, one of the most common way to find your next boyfriend or girlfriend is through a recommendation. Koreans are always setting up friends and co-workers on blind dates. It first starts with a photo of course, followed by casual conversation over Kakao (a free messaging app in Korea) and finally a meet up if both parties are interseted in doing so. If you should get married to this person, be sure to give a big stash of "thank you money" to the friend who set you both up. Maybe that's why Koreans are always setting each other up, hoping for that stack of cash (just kidding of course).

From a personal stand point, any time my Korean friend introduces me to another Korean, he or she always says "set me up on a date with your friend." This comes up pretty much every time I meet a new person who is single. I thought it was a little weird at first, but I grew accustomed to it and finally understood why. Getting set up is not limited to just friends and co-workers, but it is through family as well. Family members and neighbors will constantly recommend meeting up with someone coffee as your potential match.

Group Dates

This might be a little weird but the American version of speed dating is actually common in Korea as well. In fact, you'll see group dates in public because Koreans have no shame. They'll have a group date in a coffee shop where they pick numbers someway and the first girl will pick the guy that she wants to sit across from and so on and so forth. Following this is casual group chat and potentially lead to phone number exchanges. This may happen through an event or through friends that are trying to set something up. One friend calls another and so on and so forth, and next thing you know it, there's a whole group ready to mingle.

Hunting 

Like group dates, "hunting" is more common within the younger generation. It is when groups of girls actually stand around waiting to get picked up. Girls are literally standing outside of hot spot train stations and chatting as if they are waiting for someone. A group of guys should then approach them and ask if they would like to all hang out, it makes things less awkward between the group. Following this is a round or two of drinking (where the guys pay of course). Thing of this as casually hanging out with a group of people, getting to know them. It's just that in Korea, it is an actual form of meeting others minus the creeper status.

Booking

Taking this to a more intimate level (which some may say to be sleazy) is "booking." Booking is where guys buy a bottle and get a table at a lounge or club. Girls who then enter this environment are usually picked up in the middle of the street as they pass by a group of guys with headphones in their ears. It sounds extremely creepy and it can be a little scary if you're not used to being grab by the arm by some guy who will actually strap his arm around you to get you to go to the club. They usually target locals for the very reason that their customers are locals and do not speak much English.

The girls who want to be "booked" then enter the club and will be taken from table to table to meet and talk to guys. These girls are not actually paid to do so and this does not mean you are allowed to be rude and engage in innapropriate actions either. The girls can leave whenever they want to, most leave after having a drink, especially if they're not interested. Although everyone has their own reasons to enter a "booking" atmosphere, it is recommended to act accordingly. Just because you may enter a "booking club" does not mean that every girl who is going to get "booked" is sleazy and easy. Keep in mind that these girls are just getting pick up after strolling around the streets so they may not be dressed for the club. There are a lot of girls who are innocent and doing it just because their friends want to or just for the experience. There is not a lot of places around the world that offer this experience, plus girls get to drink for free, that's a plus for many.

Conversation Partners

A lot of people who are searing the internet for a conversation partner in actuality is searching the internet for a partner. It can be extremely difficult to find someone who is looking to strictly learn, so be patient if you are actually looking for a real conversation partner. Nonetheless, this would probably be something that I would not resort to because it can be a little awkward!

Last Notes

If you're looking to find your significant other the more American way by approaching him or her in public, just keep in mind these few things. Always look your best. In Korea, image and photos are actually taken into consideration before anything else. It is a lot harder to sweep someone off their feet based purely on the kindness of your heart, no matter how "nice" the other person is.

The Korean culture is still pretty traditional where guys approach girls for a phone number. In fact, some guys may even approach you in the street to ask for your phone number based on looks (it has happened before). You can kindly decline of course if you're not interested. It is not likely that girls will approach guys asking for a phone number because of their male-dominant gender norms. Although this is gradually changing, the concept is still fresh and uncommon. The rest of the dating rules apply of course.

Just keep in mind that when you do move to the dating stage, Koreans may move a little quickly. They may decide a lot quicker than foreigners on the time they should be established as "exclusive" only because Koreans are kind of always with someone. It's considered a "sad thing" to be single in Korea (for both guys and girls). Lastly, be ready for what you will get into as a couple as well!

Korean Traditional Eat - Bosingtang 보신탕

I know I am going to get quite the criticism for this blog, but yes, I ate dog in Korea. It is a Korean staple and I love dogs, but at the end of the day, it is a taboo food and I decided to give it a go. Being that there are so many dog meat places in Seoul, finding a good one to try this at was very much needed. 보신탕 (Bosingtang which is dog meat soup, 補身湯 in Chinese) is also known as Gaejangguk 개장국 where dog meat is the primary ingredient. This Korean traditional eat is known to increase virility among men and women, but more favorable for men of the older generation.

The meat is cooked up for quite a while, boiled with vegetables that varies from restaurant to restaurant. The main ingredients include green onions, perilla leaves, dandelions, and spices of Doenjang (된장),  Gochujang (고추장), and more perilla seed powder. There are a handful of Bosingtang restaurants in Seoul, a lot of which are filled with men drinking soju which is believed to compliment the soup. 

Ironic to say, those who run this kind of restaurant usually comes from China, another country that actually consumes a lot of dog meats. In addition to this, Vietnamese people are also known for the consumption of this delicacy. Although a lot of Asian countries consume dog meat, each country differs the way they cook up this special dish. 

In Korea, dog meat is cooked up as a soup which is cooked up with other vegetables. For those who are looking to immerse themselves in the real taste of dog meat, getting the dog meat as chunks will help you truly taste the true flavor of dog meat. From a personal taste, it is a contrast between lamb and pork. Honestly, I would probably not have it again, only because of the concept behind the delicacy in regards to how it is cooked before serving and such. Nonetheless, it's a bucket list check off.

If you are brave enough, I definitely suggest going with a Korean friend who actually enjoys it. It is difficult to find a good restaurant in Korea and the Koreans know the real deal. They know where to go because their parents go. Do not expect every Korean to eat dog meat though because there are a handful who are against it. In fact, most Koreans do not enjoy dog meat. They only go for the sake of their parents who enjoy it. It may be ironic to say that criticism comes from Koreans as well and they're the ones who consume it a lot!

Restaurant Review - Sushi Palace

Sushi Palace is one place that is popular for all who are able to fill a belly with an unlimited amount of food. The concept is simple: all you can eat Japanese. This beats out all the Japanese restaurants that have all you can eat sushi. Such restaurants limit their choices to just sashimi and sushi rolls, but Sushi Palace breaks from the concept. 

They support the title of all you can eat by providing all you can eat everything from appetizers to sashimi to sushi rolls to dessert! Yes, all you can eat everything. The best part about Sushi Palace is the simple fact that they make it fresh as you order. This definitely tops all the other all you can eat restaurants that keep the dishes out for quite a while, maybe even overnight! Sushi Palace ensures that food is fresh which is crucial for those raw items. 

Hidden Treasures - Cofioca 커피오카

Anyone who knows me knows that I am a total bubble tea fanatic. I have been exploring all of Seoul for the best of the best bubble teas and I have found the spot for the best smoothie versions. Cofioca 커피오카 in Apgujeong offers blended drinks and one of my ultimate favorite is the combination of coffee and milk tea. Yes, coffee and milk tea the traditional way of half half, Ying Yerng, Ying Yang, the one go to! They of course, offer a handful of other blends and it is an extremely small shop that is whipping up a lot of amazing blends and flavors. For just $5 a cup which is not too expensive compared to other places that offer smoothie drinks, Cofioca is the one place that is a go to for sure.

With two Cofioca locations, one in Myeondong and one in Apgujeong, the one that is a must visit is the one in Apgujeong for the chance to bump into a celebrity. Yes, the area in Seoul is the fancy rich area that all of the upper class likes to hang around. For this very reason, there are a handful of celebrities that work in the area and need their bubble tea intake as well. You'll find the walls of the small Cofioca shop filled with posters and paper writings of celebrities who have all visited the branch. For the Apgujeong location, take exit 6 of the Apgujeong Rodeo station on yellow Bundang line. Go straight until you pass H&M and see a coffee shop on the next corner. Take a left at the coffee shop and take a right on the second block in. Cofioca will be on your left.

Address To Apgujeong branch: 659-9 Gangnam-gu Sinsa-dong Seoul

서울특별시 강남구 신사동 659-9

Telephone number: 02-515-3032

Life in Korea - Pepero Day 빼빼로 데이

Since the creation of Pepero in Korea in 1983 (the original being Pocky from Japan), Korea has decided to create an observance of 11/11 to be the "Pepero Day - 빼빼로 데이" A reflection of four Pepero sticks, this holiday is recognized by all, but celebrated by the younger generation and couples of course. Being that Korea is so popular for the dating culture, of course Valentines Day, White Day, and even Christmas (which is supposed to be a family holiday) is not enough. The creation of Pepero day is just another romantic holiday where couples and young students give each other Pepero.

Because of this extremely recognized holiday, Pepero actually makes about half of theirs annual sales around this time of the year. Although it is a holiday, unlike in America where price of items go up, Pepero is actually still at an average of $1 sometimes even less. What you will notice is that this time of the year, supermarkets and stores stack up on Pepero. This is the only time of the year though, that you will find special Pepero which include a his and hers in blue and red for your significant other. There is also the creation of structures and symbols with the Pepero boxes, extremely creative. 

This year, you will see that I have Instagrammed two new flavors of cookies and cream and honeydew. Korea got pretty creative this year with the cookies and cream hitting the shelves and stirring the attention of many. For those with an extra sweet tooth, this is definitely the Pepero for you being that it is a lot sweeter than the other kinds. In fact, I like my box with a cup of milk, just like an Oreo cookie. I can't say the same about honeydew though for the very reason that less than half of my students actually enjoy it and pretty much none of the teachers at the job like it. With a wide range of flavors which include cookies, almond, peanut, strawberry, nude, honeydew and of course the original, I wouldn't mind getting a huge box of Pepero this year being it might be my last celebration of Pepero Day. 

It makes many a bit curious though, as to how this holiday started. Ironic enough, one story is that Pepero Day started in 1994 by a bunch of Busan middle school students, a few girls to be exact where they exchanged these sticks and wish one another to be "tall and skinny" just like the Pepero stick. Regardless of how the day came about, it is recognized as a holiday where friends give each other Pepero, couples exchange gifts in addition of Pepero and it is actually encouraged by parents because they are the ones that supply their children with boxes to give out. With this though, comes the problem of obesity which some have attempted to combat by switching out Pepero sticks with Garatteok Day (sticks of white tteok). 

Being that I am so in love with Pepero day, I'm still excited. So, HAPPY PEPERO DAYYYYYYY!

Korean Twist - 누나홀닭 NOO NA HOL DAK

With so many Korean infusion restaurants around the world, it had to make their way to Korea. Hongdae, a popular young crowd in Seoul caters to a new take on the Korean infusion menu with a  restaurant, NOO NA HOL DAK, that focuses on all things chicken to come up with a chicken fajita wrap. Marinated chicken and a bed of vegetables made of onions and green peppers are served on a sizzling hot plate with a serving of flat tortillas. The concept is simple, take a piece of chicken, some vegetables and wrap it all up for consumption. 

The chicken is marinated to perfection with a glaze of honey and teriyaki taste. Shared between two, this dish will only set you back about $15 which is definitely worth it for the budgeted price. NOO NA HOL DAK is located from exit 8 of the Hongik University train station on the green line 2. Take a right at the exit and go straight to the second intersection. Make a right and NOO NA HOL DAK will be on your right with open seating up a semi-flight of stairs.

Address: Mapo-gu, Donggyo Dong 164-8
마포구 동교동 164-8

Life in Korea - Dentist Visit

If you live in Korea long enough, at some point of your time here, you just might need to go to the dentist. For some of us, it could be for a medical reason and for others it could be something as simple as teeth cleaning, whitening, and even just because you had a bad night. I've been to the dentist three times here in Korea. The first was for a regular check up to see if I had any cavities, and yes, I did. Sadface* The second was for a teeth clean and the last was because of a more unfortunate reason. The crown to my root canal came off, pulling off some extra parts that needed to be fixed.

So in addition to understanding how the dentist works in Korea, you also probably understand that I have pretty bad teeth because I'm constantly eating sweets. Bad addictions! Nonetheless, let's move to the real purpose of the blog which is the difference between Korean and American dentist offices. For starters, it is pretty difficult to find a proficient English speaking dentist in Korea, but I got lucky for the simple fact that there was one across the street from my Chungdahm building which is the one that almost all the teachers from my branch (for years now) go to. 

For starters, going to the dentist in Korea doesn't always require you to make an appointment although it is recommended. This is great for any emergency purpose, especially in my situation, and they'll try to care for you as soon as they can, but it is not always guaranteed. I got pretty lucky the two out of three times that I went that I only had to wait 15 minutes or so but the one unfortunate time was an irritating two hours almost. At the very minimum, there are computers at my dentist office to utilize and pass time, totally beats the American standard of magazines and a TV.

One thing that you'll notice about almost everything in Korea is that they work quick. Going to the doctor in Korea is different than in the States for the very reason that they try to work as quick and hard as they can. This is definitely the one thing I'll miss about Korea, they are serious about business! Another thing that stands out are the gender roles. Women in Korea are more likely to be in "assistant"roles, wearing cute uniforms helping out the male practitioners. There are a handful of women doctors, but of course, to a minimum.

After waiting X amount of time that you do, you are then called into an open area where there are seats that are parallel with one another. There is no privacy between your dentist visit and the person sitting next to you in Korea. The chairs are literally one next to the other which can be a little awkward, but it's something that I've gotten used to in Korea. There actually isn't a lot of space in Korea and space is expensive. So of course, making the best of the limited amount of space is necessary. On the flip side, you know that your dentist didn't forget about you because he or she is probably in the same room as you. 

The one thing that is pretty cool about these seats is that each is equipped with its own TV for your enjoyment. In addition to entertainment purposes, this TV is actually is useful in the dentist office. In fact, electronics in Korea is so upgraded that they have different tactics and machines for services.  For starters, because chairs are in an open area, your file isn't dropped on the door of the patient room, the record is actually pulled up through a wireless keyboard and mouse that the dentist uses to extract your file from a database virtually.

In addition to pulling up files and records, it also takes dentist evaluations and clueless explanations to a whole new level. Remember having to sit in a chair with a heavy mat that protects you from the rays of oral x-ray photos while the camera is moved from side to side and everyone leaves the room but you hear that one little click that signals a snapshot of your jaw? Well in Korea, there is a machine where you stand in the center it and circles your head to get a whole photo of your teeth in one shot. What's ten times cooler is the fact that this x-ray is uploaded onto the computer and pulled on screen when needed. What's ten times cooler than that is the fact that the dentist uses this x-ray so better explain to you and visually doodle on his explanation. Nothing beats sitting there and understanding every little thing that the dentist is going to do because he draws on the x-ray images and explains every step of the way.

Aside from all of these awesome features, there is one thing that is a bit peculiar about the dentist system in Korea. In the States, you may notice that the dentist pretty much does everything from start to finish. Here in Korea, you'll probably be handed over to the dentist assistants for smaller and not so difficult procedures. In fact, the dentist never really cleans your teeth in Korea; all of the assistants are in charge of that. They still do a pretty good job, but of course I would prefer the care of my actual dentist.

Lastly to touch on, pricing is one factor that is important. For those who do not have dental insurance or actually just do not have all the coverage for the dental procedures, a dentist visit will not set you back as much as it does in the states. They really try to be reasonable with their price and the best part is you can probably bargain them a little. That is, only on more difficult and expensive procedures, especially if you have a handful of things to take care of. Do not ask for a discount on a simple teeth clean because that is pretty standard, roughly $50 a session. 

Moral of the story, brush your teeth and try to stay away from the dentist. If you should and need to go in Korea though, don't be afraid to because it they are quick, efficient, and actually pretty awesome!

Bottoms Up - The Coffee Lab

The Coffee Lab is one place to go for anyone who loves coffee for the simple reason that they offer cheap refills on their hand drip coffee. With speciality coffee beans from Brazil, many love the fresh roasted smell of the Coffee Lab along with the many other flavors they have to offer. 

It is one of the most popular places for those who are looking for a place to study for a long period of time. They're known for having specialty beverages, a place that is different from the other Korean chains around. Coffee branches are all over in Korea and for that very reason, it's difficult to distinguish between the branches. The Coffee Lab is one of the very few places that offer cheap refills so it's definitely worth making a visit when in Korea because coffee does get pretty expensive for locals.

     

Product Review - Tony Moly Intense Care Snail Foam Cleanser

The Tony Moly Intense Care Snail Foam Cleanser is a product that I have been purchasing for family back in America, but I have yet to try it myself. I finally picked up a bottle for myself because of the constant rave I have gotten. For starters, I thought the foam cleanser would be extremely dry to the skin because of how it comes out of the bottle. To my surprise, it actually is not. It's a pretty amazing product that I have been using for over a month now and I do see the difference in my skin. This product is extremely gentle for those with sensitive skin and is one of the best sellers from Tony Moly. I now understand why. Over time, it has actually helped with my psoriasis, working with it rather than against it as many products do. My skin has gradually became smoother as well as a bit lighter for the acne scars on the skin.

As ironic as it is, although it is made from snail, it has a pretty good smell. It is definitely my go to in the morning and at night. In Korea, you can simply purchase this product for $15 and it is a definite stack up before I go back to the states. Not only is there a large quantity for its price, but it actually works well for all skin types. This will probably continue to be the go to product of gifts. The only thing is it doesn't stand up to its name as a "foam cleanser." Still, no complaints there!