Korea Life Blog - Photo Contest

Sorry for the lack of a credible update here tonight. I spent some time organizing and editing a few pictures for the new Korea photo contest being run by Lemon, a moderator on the Korea job discussion forum. While I don't consider myself to have any exceptional talent with photography, I decided with a little encouragement to give it a shot. If you haven't seen the contest yet, check it out. You should recognize my photos, all of which I used before on this site. Here's a sample below. Click on it to go to the contest.

written by shawn matthews    -|link

Korea Life Blog - HardyandTiny

This is why it pays to check your referrer's log once in awhile. If you like beautiful Korean girls, click below to be transported to HardyandTiny's eye-popping blog. I'm just afraid my males readers won't come back.




Update: This website has longer exists as of 5/25/04.

written by shawn matthews    -|link

Korea Life Blog - Kalbi Delight

Julie got paid last week and took me out for a wonderful kalbi dinner near her new apartment in Song-nae. She's moved there to be close to her new job teaching kindergarten. After her ex-boss played the typical bait and switch(starting her off with a relaxed schedule, then after a month adding a 2 hour long class three days a week without extra pay) she did something I respected her for: she took her money and quit. A few days later she found a higher paying job and new place to live.

The restaurant:


The only two people working here were the owner and one helper, probably his daughter. He did all the preparation including bringing out the hot coals and and running the cash register. He never smiled and looked like a scrooge, but then again, I can't imagine the overhead and stress of starting a new business in a new building in a new area of Seoul.


The meal:


Unless you're a vegetarian, is there anything better than a kalbi dinner? It's not only delicious but the process of cooking and eating is also so enjoyable. Because of the lack of help, the service was a little weak but the food was damn good. Notice the suction fan hanging over the table. Most of the newer meat restaurants are using these. I don't know - I guess they help a little but they're unsightly, obtrusive and block your view across the table.


The KLB kalbi gif movie:

Now click here, sit back, relax for awhile and get ready for a shocking kalbi visual experience you won't ever forget.

written by shawn matthews    -|link

Korea Life Blog - A Great Week

Monday is normally easy, but now it's even easier. My first class at 4:10 is cancelled. I was told as I was walking into the classroom. So I went back home, hung out, did 10 sets of 30 pushups, and then went back for my last elementary class at 6:00. There's only three kids in that class and they have no book. They played hangman and bingo for talent stickers while I hung out in the back and wrote in my journal. Then I listened to Windy for an hour and went home.

As I was walking out, one of the teachers stopped me. Usually when this happens the news is not good. However, this time the teacher told me there's no school tomorrow. I'm not exactly sure why, but who cares! That's the best surprise I've had so far. After Friday, Tuesday is my second hardest day of the week with most of my worst classes. I couldn't believe it. I feel like I'm on a 4-day weekend now. Not only that but Friday my classes are cancelled for Sticker Market. I just go in and eat deokboki and play with the kids as they trade their talent stickers for toys and stationery items. That makes fourteen cancelled classes for the week. Assa!

written by shawn matthews    -|link

Korea Life Blog - Korean War Museum


Here finally are the pics I took from the Korea War Museum in Yongsan-Gu. Julie and I went there a few weekends ago. Rather than posting a documentary though, I suggest you go and see the place for yourself sometime if you can or search around the web at some of the many sites.

While there are a couple of oddities, overall it's really an amazing and comprehensive place. The pictures below are only a fraction of what's there to see.



The good old friendly US government hard at work next door to the museum. What is this place? Anyone know?



You know you are there when you see this massive statue. It's hard to tell but the visitor walking there was eating an ice cream.



Above the main entrance are the words "ONLY STRONG NATIONAL SECURITY CAN GUARANTEE PEACE" - so don't go getting any heroic ideas.



Just one of many walls memorializing the names of Koreans who died in the Korean War. It certainly puts the numbers into perspective. All you can do is stand there shaking your head in disbelief unable to comprehend why.



The names of some Americans who gave their lives to defend complete strangers halfway across the world.



And a lot more of their names. They are listed by state. I knew before how many had died, but seeing this made my eyes water - it really hits you hard. Guys just like me but 10 years younger out there shooting each other and dying. To think of how little I had lived by 18 years makes me sad for them. For some chilling statistics check here.



There's more to the museum than just the Korean War. It showcases displays from all the aggressions that have been made against Korea. It's a testament to national spirit that the little country has survived, honestly. Why don't boats still look like this?



Hold the camera just right and you now have a copy of some cool artwork.



One of many scaled models of Korea as it looked in the past. I want it to look like this now, truthfully - just as long as the internet is still available. Some of these buildings would make cool pc bangs and board game cafes.



I can't remember exactly, but I think this display depicts the liberation of the Koreans after the Japanese occupation.



There are several war scene displays like this one complete with lights and sound effects.



One large room is full of these highly detailed life size models of life as it was for the poor common people during the Korean War. As you can see, life was hard. I can almost hear the young people of today wondering, where are the department stores, handphones, deokboki ajummas? Nightmare!

I think these scenes are powerful and speak for themselves:











This part was one of the let downs. Right in the War Museum they hold other events like this one, some kind of freaky circus for kids about the human body. It was totally out of place and shouldn't have been there.



The other let down was this. Both Julie and I were shocked. It's The War Game Room. Can you believe it? You walk around seeing the horrors and realities of war, and then they have this.



Is there anything more disturbing than this? Oh boy! Time to fly around and kill people. Wow! I love this museum. War really is fun!



Back outside, Julie gets asked to take some family's picture. Say kimchi!



Stone sculptures like these line the walls behind the benches out front. We sat down for awhile and then headed out for dinner.

Julie was happy to leave. Seeing all the horror and hardships, she felt pity and a deep sadness for her country. However, both of us agreed that we are very lucky people to live in this day and age, that we haven't had to suffer, that because of those who fought and suffered we are free. We all need that reminder now and again. That's why places like this exist. To honor those who sacrificed and to remind us to be thankful for what we have.

written by shawn matthews    -|link

Korea Life Blog - Delivery Diva


Look at all the stuff this guy delivery guy was able to get on his scooter. It was funny watching him weave down the busy street with those two giant packs of toilet paper up top. It kind of gave me an idea. Super Scooter. A super market on 2 wheels. No crowds, no hassles, no ajummas yelling at you through a microphone.

written by shawn matthews    -|link