Korea Life Blog - Korean Letter Paper

I picked up some Korean letter paper today at a small stationary shop next to my home. Each set has 5 pieces of letter paper and 3 envelopes. They cost 1000 Won for each set, or about 80 cents. If you buy 4 you get 1 free, at this particular store. I used to have a big collection of these but I brought them home to the states to give away as gifts, the big spender that I am. Some of the sets are funny with strange cartoon characters and have either have terrible English sentences such as "love the night starry wonder and dream" or they have Korean expressions such as (example would go here if I took the time to translate...). Anyway, I think they are a lot cooler than greeting cards and make for a nice way to send a letter back home to your ex girlfriend who dumped you to let her know how in Korea you are a famous movie star and have an entourage of babes that cater to your every whim.


I'll choose the yellow paper. "Dear Grandma: Hello from Korea. Love, Shawn."

written by shawn matthews    -|link

Korea Life Blog - My New Phone



I finally got myself a new Samsung handphone. Hand phones in Korea are much cooler than hand phones in America. I guess this is an international phone, so I can use it back in the states, but not exactly sure if I can simply use it, or if I have to register it there. It also has English menus built in, a nice plus, except anything you want to download from the internet for it is listed in Korean. I want some new animations and melodies! Wahhh!


Another angle. Check out this large, crisp, clear LCD display. This model is one of the most popular. It cost me 350,000 Won, or about $275. There's one with a digital camera built in that costs around 500,000 Won, but I have no use for that anyway. This one is still a little expensive, but now I'm so cool. I'm sure to have a new date every week.

written by shawn matthews    -|link

Korea Life Blog - At the Hagwon (1)


I guess some people might be interested in what's going on in my school now and again. (You may want to visit the Geoje-do links to see what it's like facing the students in Korea for the first time.) I have to admit my current job is by far the best place I have worked in Korea. I teach the teachers, all four of them, for an hour from 11-12. It's become my favorite class as they are all girls and they each have a good personality and sense of humor. It doesn't feel like work, in other words. Then we all eat lunch together. One of the teachers, on a daily basis, kindly brings me rice and her mother's homeade Korean side dishes that are wonderfully delicious. After lunch I study Korean for 30 minutes with another teacher. Then I go home to watch the news and Judge Judy on AFN, the American Forces Network, after which I read the Korea Herald or a book, perhaps listen to music or clean if I'm bored enough. I go come back around 2:30 and teach 3 or 4 forty minute elementary school classes. Each class has between 2-9 students. The classrooms are clean and organized (I'll get some pics next time) Since I only teach each class one time per week, I'm encouraged to play games, teach a little from their books or whatever I want. Any breaks that I have, I am allowed to leave or sit here and use the internet until my heart's content. Incredibly, in addition to having a brand new one room apartment, (click here, there are 2 posts on this archive page about my apartment) I receive full time pay, paid weekly.


Glancing through one of the kid's Korean made English story books, I noticed this stunning example of Korean English. I love the hilarious stories and drawings in the Korean English story books.


Two cute girls. They are in the same class together and are the only students in that class. What should I teach them?


I know, I'll use this same puzzle I've been using all week in every other class. It will take them at least 20 minutes.


Now let's write and draw. While you're busy making spelling mistakes and coloring, I'll be busy studying Korean or reading some articles I photo-copied earlier. By the way, in case you wondered, my favoile anmol is deer.

At last another long day is over. Phew, earning money is not easy. Well, I'm off to the health club. Have a nice day.

written by shawn matthews    -|link

Korea Life Blog - Another Smurfy Day in Korea

Well, I got bored with my empty, undecorated apartment, so I got out some of the smurfs and set them up:


Here comes the dark, black robed Gargamel sneaking up on a happy, unsuspecting, sleeping smurf. The symbolism is too real!



It's an ordinary day in smurf village, Korea. I wish my town looked like this...



A close-up shot of the smurf windmill. There's Clockwork Smurf, Yohan and Peewit. Handy's come by to make a repair.


Gargamel's castle. There's Gargamel in the window, looking angry as usual. The smurf's must have gotten away. Scruple and Azrael are outside looking for them.

As you can see, life is pretty exciting for me at the moment. Wanna come over and play?

written by shawn matthews    -|link

Korea Life Blog - The Health Club

I joined a health club last month and finally got around to taking a pic. (Sure, it may seem easy enough to snap some pictures before a work out, but then everybody will stare at you even more than usual and wonder why the crazy foreigner is taking pictures of the place.) It's a pretty big club with a lot of new machines. However, the loud Korean techno music is enough to drive me crazy. Am I here to dance? Also, they don't believe in air conditioning health clubs in Korea for some reason and it's gets pretty hot up here on the fifth floor. The upside is you can pay month to month (54,000 Won here, or about $42) and get free training if you want.


Well here it is, the country town health club. Not too bad. They have most of the usual machines and free-weights as found in the states. I snapped this picture late on a Saturday when the place was almost empty. It gets very busy here during the week. Most of the people are older and out of shape, which of course, makes me feel better about being older and out of shape. Actually, I'm not too far out of shape (180cm/78kg - 6'0/175lbs) but I didn't work out for the past six months after breaking my arm back home in the states. Now I have a gut and am back to feeling like I'm going to die after every workout...ugh!



Forget the gym, check out the view from the window. Ahh, the perfect place for some new high rise apartments, a convenience store and a PC bang!


Another angle from the window showing a plant farm and a greenhouse. "Hey greenhouse ajushi! Don't you realize you're about to be added to Korea Life Blog? Smile and say kimchi!"

written by shawn matthews    -|link

Korea Life Blog - The DVD Bang

A popular and somewhat dubious activity amongst young people is going to DVD Bangs. They're everywhere. You pick out a DVD and get a private little room with a big screen and a loveseat for you and your date. In concept, DVD bangs are a romantic place to cuddle with your special someone and watch a good movie - she: crying at a touching scene, he: holding her tightly in a tender embrace, wiping away her tears with a tissue conveniently located on the shelf to the right. The reality, of course, is that they're a cheap, convenient place to do what's what. DVD bangs are usually packed, especially on the weekends. The most popular rental is of course...Titanic. Not because it's a particularly good movie, but rather because it's one of the longest movies in the place. A lot of time to make each other happy, if you have the endurance.


Inside the DVD bang (photo of date excluded by request). I wonder how many "special" times have taken place on this loveseat. At least it's leather and easily cleaned. It's also very comfortable. Ooh! Ahh!


The big screen. A student's father passes the teacher, Kim Bong-Doo, a bribe to "take care of" his son. What happens during the rest of the movie is anybody's guess...

written by shawn matthews    -|link

Korea Life Blog - In My Yard



Here is the yard on the side of my building: a pile of garbage (not shown), an abandoned wheelbarrow, five sewer manholes, chunks of leftover concrete, some plastic tubes, and - a tree. A perfect representation of modern day Korean landscaping.

written by shawn matthews    -|link