Christmas in Korea is just like a normal holiday. There's nothing special to do specially when there's no white christmas. This Christmas, it was just very cold. It didn't snow. When I asked what most of the kids did on Christmas day, some of them said they went skating, saw a movie, and most of them just stayed home playing computer or cellphone games. Too bad that it didn't snow that's why kids didn't have much fun.
In my case, I went to my mother in law on Christmas eve. We brought the ice cream cake that my sister in law gave us and had the chicken that my hubby ordered. We stayed there until almost midnight. When we arrived home, I called my family back home. It was nice to hear all their voices but I was so homesick because they were all in my dad's house except me.
We slept at 5:00a.m. and woke up at around 2:00p.m. After having some chocolate cake (our anniversary cake left over), I called my mother in law and told her to come over to my house. We dine together at 6:00p.m. (that's our lunch and my mother in law's dinner).
When my mother in law left, we slept again and woke up around 10:00 p.m. And that's how I spent my Christmas day. I was too homesick and didn't want to do anything so I just slept in order not to miss my home and my family. Eventhough my hubby was asking me to go out, I didn't want to, because it was too cold and going out is not fun anymore. I've been to many beautiful places in Korea and I think once you've seen one, it seems like you already saw everything. I even stayed in Jeju Island for almost a year and saw most of the island so I can't enjoy the nature in the mainland anymore.
Anyway, that's how I spent Christmas here in Korea and I guess most people did the same thing specially office workers who spend most of the weekdays at work and Christmas holiday is just a time for rest like a normal holiday.
Saturday, December 28, 2013
Friday, December 20, 2013
I Hate Winter
Fall was too short. It is too cold from November and this December, it snows a lot. I think it has snowed in other part of the country since November. I guess we'll also have a White Christmas. Good for the kids and too bad for us adult specially to those who are afraid of cold like me.
In winter, I wear layers of clothes. I wear five layers to be exact, except underwears of course. But still I am cold. I even wear two layers of socks, a scarf, and gloves. I used to wear a hat, too but not anymore.
I hate being cold all day. I hate wearing layers of clothes. I hate walking in the snow. In short, I hate winter!
In winter, I wear layers of clothes. I wear five layers to be exact, except underwears of course. But still I am cold. I even wear two layers of socks, a scarf, and gloves. I used to wear a hat, too but not anymore.
I hate being cold all day. I hate wearing layers of clothes. I hate walking in the snow. In short, I hate winter!
Saturday, November 16, 2013
Let's Pick Baseballs
We found lots of baseball balls in Namhae Sports Park the last time that we went there. We were finding the parking lot when we saw that there are players playing baseball at the park. My hubby who loves baseball told me to watch them playing so after parking his car, we headed to the baseball park. On our way to the park, I saw a ball lying on the grass. A few steps away, I saw another one. Then, another one! And another one! My hubby was so happy with the baseballs so I told him to find balls, instead. He laughed and because of those smiles and happiness that I saw, I was encouraged to search more balls and after a few minutes, I have lots of balls in my bag. The balls that the player made homerun and went out of the park. Here are the balls.
I can find more if we stay there longer and if I have a bigger bag. haha... But my hubby told me that we can't bring them. Some players will go out later and find for the balls so I told him to leave the area so we can have the balls. Am I bad? hahaha... Hey, players! Just give them to us. I'm just so happy to see my hubby's smiles because of your balls. We'll just keep them as a remembrance from you. I'll wish you goodluck and hope someday I can see you in the baseball field and receive autographs from you.
See? My hubby was so happy while driving because of the balls. He said we can't bring those balls but still he was so glad that he has them. He hugged me, he held my hands from time to time while driving and when we are at the stop lights, he looked at the balls and laughed. Some balls are still new.
Look! My dog is also interested with the balls.
I can find more if we stay there longer and if I have a bigger bag. haha... But my hubby told me that we can't bring them. Some players will go out later and find for the balls so I told him to leave the area so we can have the balls. Am I bad? hahaha... Hey, players! Just give them to us. I'm just so happy to see my hubby's smiles because of your balls. We'll just keep them as a remembrance from you. I'll wish you goodluck and hope someday I can see you in the baseball field and receive autographs from you.
See? My hubby was so happy while driving because of the balls. He said we can't bring those balls but still he was so glad that he has them. He hugged me, he held my hands from time to time while driving and when we are at the stop lights, he looked at the balls and laughed. Some balls are still new.
Look! My dog is also interested with the balls.
Monday, November 11, 2013
New Baseball Stadium in Namhae
The last time that we went to Namhae Sports Park, they were constructing the Baseball Stadium so my hubby who loves sports told me that he would go back there to see the new baseball park and so we did last weekend.
After a few months, here's how the park changed.
It's not only the baseball park has been changed but also lots of development has been made. Here's another new built playground for kids.
It's also my first time to see the giant parasol.
And they are still improving it. It's still under construction. I think this one is a fountain.
Namhae Sports Complex is really wonderful no wonder why I usually see some tourist buses whenever I visit the famous park.
Look how The Sports Park changed since I first saw it a few years ago.
After a few months, here's how the park changed.
It's not only the baseball park has been changed but also lots of development has been made. Here's another new built playground for kids.
It's also my first time to see the giant parasol.
And they are still improving it. It's still under construction. I think this one is a fountain.
Namhae Sports Complex is really wonderful no wonder why I usually see some tourist buses whenever I visit the famous park.
Look how The Sports Park changed since I first saw it a few years ago.
Sunday, November 10, 2013
Seomjin-gang in Gurye
We visited Persimmon Village or Damurak Village in Gurye and before we headed home, we dropped by to the Seomjin River which is just across the Village. Unlike the Seomjin River in Hadong, this Seomjin Gang in Gurye has also wonder view of the mountain, the sky and the river. There are even people go fishing which I think the perfect place for a picnic in summer for the whole family.
Look at the view of the river. Isn't it wonderful? My hubby told me to come back here in Spring and set our tent. What a nice idea!
The river became more beautiful with the colorful leaves in the mountain.
I think it's a fun place to play in the water for kids.
The river reminds me of my childhood when there were not many gadgets to use and most kids enjoy playing with the nature like splashing in the water with friends, climbing up trees, playing sports games under the sun, etc.
Look at the view of the river. Isn't it wonderful? My hubby told me to come back here in Spring and set our tent. What a nice idea!
The river became more beautiful with the colorful leaves in the mountain.
I think it's a fun place to play in the water for kids.
The river reminds me of my childhood when there were not many gadgets to use and most kids enjoy playing with the nature like splashing in the water with friends, climbing up trees, playing sports games under the sun, etc.
Saturday, November 9, 2013
Persimmons Village in Gurye
My hubby searched on the net and Damurak Village caught his attention and we were not disappointed of what we've seen. I don't know where it got its name but I think the village is more popular with Persimmons Village than Damurak Maeul because of the Persimmon trees planted all over the village. Damurak Village is located in Jeollanamdo Province Gurye-geun Gurye-eup Gyesan-li Yugok.
Before you reach the village, there are lots of street vendors selling persimmons. I was amazed of what I've seen because the side road is full of persimmon trees.
It amazed me more when we reached our destination because the village is surrounded by persimmon trees. We walked for more than an hour and from the entrance of the village until we gave up walking, the trees were all around us. The view of the persimmons are breathtaking. The persimmons are in both side of the street so I don't know which way I look. If on the left or right because everything are persimmons.
There are some people harvesting persimmons.
They are all persimmon trees down there.
Persimmons are fruits in autumn so going to Persimmon Village is also like visiting the falling leaves. It's like two birds in one stone, huh? Persimmons plantation and colorful leaves in one!
The village is not yet famous but I think a few years later, it will be very famous for its persimmons. Look at this mountain! It will be a persimmon plantation soon. They planted lots of persimmons in the mountain. I can't wait to see that again.
It will be one of the best places in Korea specially for a picnic. There's also this place for dabbling in the water for children in the summer.
We are now on the way to the parking lot. We didn't realize how far we've gone. The village is mountainous but it doesn't make you tired because of the wonderful site of the persimmons. We kept walking and didn't realize the time. We can still go far but we were afraid to reach the dark.
There aren't so many houses in the village and there are even big houses. The place is like the walking course in Jeju Island but instead of Tangerines in Jeju, they are Persimmons in Damurak Village.
There are also persimmons factory in the village.
Before you reach the village, there are lots of street vendors selling persimmons. I was amazed of what I've seen because the side road is full of persimmon trees.
It amazed me more when we reached our destination because the village is surrounded by persimmon trees. We walked for more than an hour and from the entrance of the village until we gave up walking, the trees were all around us. The view of the persimmons are breathtaking. The persimmons are in both side of the street so I don't know which way I look. If on the left or right because everything are persimmons.
There are some people harvesting persimmons.
They are all persimmon trees down there.
Persimmons are fruits in autumn so going to Persimmon Village is also like visiting the falling leaves. It's like two birds in one stone, huh? Persimmons plantation and colorful leaves in one!
The village is not yet famous but I think a few years later, it will be very famous for its persimmons. Look at this mountain! It will be a persimmon plantation soon. They planted lots of persimmons in the mountain. I can't wait to see that again.
It will be one of the best places in Korea specially for a picnic. There's also this place for dabbling in the water for children in the summer.
We are now on the way to the parking lot. We didn't realize how far we've gone. The village is mountainous but it doesn't make you tired because of the wonderful site of the persimmons. We kept walking and didn't realize the time. We can still go far but we were afraid to reach the dark.
There aren't so many houses in the village and there are even big houses. The place is like the walking course in Jeju Island but instead of Tangerines in Jeju, they are Persimmons in Damurak Village.
There are also persimmons factory in the village.
Saturday, November 2, 2013
Seomjin River in Hadong
It's now autumn in Korea and it's getting cold everyday. My hubby has been waiting for this season because he can eat his favorite; the seafoods! My hubby loves seafoods but he doesn't want to eat it in the summer. And now that it's fall, we went to Namhae to eat seafoods. We went back to the restaurant that we've been to, to eat Rawfish in Cold Water.
On our way home, we decided to go to Seomjin Kang (Seomjin-gang) or Seomjin River which literally means "toad ferry". It is believed that 1590s during the Hideyoshi's invasions of Korea, a swarm of toads blocked the Japanese army from crossing the Seomjin into Northern Jeolla.
Seomjin-gang drains southeastern Jeollabuk-do as well as eastern Jeollanam-do and western Gyeongsannam-do provinces, and flows into the Korea Strait. The river rises from Palgongsan and flows for 212.3 km. before it reaches its final destination to Gwangyang Bay.
Our navigation brought us to Hadong County. Here's the map of Tourists sites in Hadong-gun.
The river doesn't have much water. It's dry maybe because it didn't rain for a long time. I want to go back there again in the summer.
I think there are many people swimming in the summer because there are tubes near the benches.
Eventhough we couldn't enjoy the river, there's a trekking course that takes 4km to Seobon Park. We are planning to go back there and go trekking. I can't wait!
Here's the trekking course.
There's also a bridge to cross the river.
I think there's also a temple across the river on top of this mountain. I couldn't see it well but my hubby said it seems like a temple specially when we heard a sound of the bell.
On our way home, we decided to go to Seomjin Kang (Seomjin-gang) or Seomjin River which literally means "toad ferry". It is believed that 1590s during the Hideyoshi's invasions of Korea, a swarm of toads blocked the Japanese army from crossing the Seomjin into Northern Jeolla.
Seomjin-gang drains southeastern Jeollabuk-do as well as eastern Jeollanam-do and western Gyeongsannam-do provinces, and flows into the Korea Strait. The river rises from Palgongsan and flows for 212.3 km. before it reaches its final destination to Gwangyang Bay.
Our navigation brought us to Hadong County. Here's the map of Tourists sites in Hadong-gun.
The river doesn't have much water. It's dry maybe because it didn't rain for a long time. I want to go back there again in the summer.
I think there are many people swimming in the summer because there are tubes near the benches.
Eventhough we couldn't enjoy the river, there's a trekking course that takes 4km to Seobon Park. We are planning to go back there and go trekking. I can't wait!
Here's the trekking course.
There's also a bridge to cross the river.
I think there's also a temple across the river on top of this mountain. I couldn't see it well but my hubby said it seems like a temple specially when we heard a sound of the bell.
Monday, October 7, 2013
I found Pearls in the Shells
We visited my hubby's aunt and luckily there was a festival in her town and aunt ran a pojangmacha (a covered cart bar or a movable bar on a covered cart in which liquor and some simple side dishes are served).
Aunt served us some beef barbecue and shells. It was so yummy but that's not what I like the most about our visit to pojangmacha.
The shells are so big that there were pearls inside them.
Look what we've got in the shells. Wow! It's so amazing! It's my first time to see pearls in the shell. I feel like a mermaid on the ground while holding the pearls. They are small but I was so happy to have them. I kept looking at them while eating.
Unluckily, the one fell down and I couldn't find it anymore. That's really bad!
Aunt served us some beef barbecue and shells. It was so yummy but that's not what I like the most about our visit to pojangmacha.
The shells are so big that there were pearls inside them.
Look what we've got in the shells. Wow! It's so amazing! It's my first time to see pearls in the shell. I feel like a mermaid on the ground while holding the pearls. They are small but I was so happy to have them. I kept looking at them while eating.
Unluckily, the one fell down and I couldn't find it anymore. That's really bad!
Sunday, October 6, 2013
Live Well
It really feels great when you know where your hardwork are spent for. In my case, when I get my salary I always make sure that the hardwork that I've done for a month will go to useful things. So I always do things that can relieve me by doing or fixing something at home. It's so relieving that I got an idea in this concrete patio repair cracks so that I can know what to do next time. It is the answer just in case that I want to find the latest trends, renovation, repair or any problem that I have at home.
I'm also happy to see this concrete stamped overlay on youtube. Wow! It's so fulfiling to see the beautiful designs of Sundek, no wonder why lots of customers trust them. Americans are so lucky to have a respectable company like Sundek.
I can't wait to recommend this resurfacing concrete patio to my friend in Washington. She has mentioned that she wants her house to get remodel and she might be interested with it. There's a saying that there's no place like home so make them relaxing and comfortable. It's also wonderful if we can make them beautiful.
I'm also happy to see this concrete stamped overlay on youtube. Wow! It's so fulfiling to see the beautiful designs of Sundek, no wonder why lots of customers trust them. Americans are so lucky to have a respectable company like Sundek.
I can't wait to recommend this resurfacing concrete patio to my friend in Washington. She has mentioned that she wants her house to get remodel and she might be interested with it. There's a saying that there's no place like home so make them relaxing and comfortable. It's also wonderful if we can make them beautiful.
Thursday, October 3, 2013
The National Foundation of Korea
It's another holiday today. Every October 3rd day of the year, Koreans celebrate the National Foundation Day or called "Gaecheonjol" in Korean language. It celebrates the creation of the Gojoseon (ancient Korea) which is founded by Dangun Wanggeom in the year 2333 BC. Gaecheon (or "Opening of Heaven") refers to 3 October B.C. 2457, the date when Hwanung (환웅) descended from heaven to live with mankind.
It is really surprising to have a day like this. Yesterday, when I told my students that we'll meet on Friday because today is a holiday, they were very happy. So, I asked them what day it is and why is it a holiday. Everyone was staring to each other because they know it's a holiday but they can't explain what kind of day it is. Then one of them answered, he said it's the foundation of Korea. Some students were shaking their heads. They seemed confused and couldn't believe him. Then I told them that he was right. I said it's the National Foundation of Korea.
Now I realized that it's true that children now will soon forget about their history. What I know is, Koreans value their history. Old generations like my father in law knows a lot about their past. So when I meet him, he always tells me about the people long time ago and he sometimes feels annoyed when he asked about my country's history and can't answer him. Who cares about the people and life long time ago? Well, I don't! I wasn't even interested in those famous history dramas like Daejanggeum, Jumong, etc. When I see someone wearing hanbok or warrior's clothes on TV, I change the channel immediately. They don't interest me. I think it's normal in my country to have people like me who are not interested in our past. But here in Korea, I guess oldies are worried about it that's why it became a topic on the TV program before.
Well, what is important now is, it's a holiday so it's time to take a rest again. How I love holidays. If you go outside, korean flags are hanging on every trees. I think it's just a normal holiday and no special celebration held.
Happy National Foundation of Korea!
It is really surprising to have a day like this. Yesterday, when I told my students that we'll meet on Friday because today is a holiday, they were very happy. So, I asked them what day it is and why is it a holiday. Everyone was staring to each other because they know it's a holiday but they can't explain what kind of day it is. Then one of them answered, he said it's the foundation of Korea. Some students were shaking their heads. They seemed confused and couldn't believe him. Then I told them that he was right. I said it's the National Foundation of Korea.
Now I realized that it's true that children now will soon forget about their history. What I know is, Koreans value their history. Old generations like my father in law knows a lot about their past. So when I meet him, he always tells me about the people long time ago and he sometimes feels annoyed when he asked about my country's history and can't answer him. Who cares about the people and life long time ago? Well, I don't! I wasn't even interested in those famous history dramas like Daejanggeum, Jumong, etc. When I see someone wearing hanbok or warrior's clothes on TV, I change the channel immediately. They don't interest me. I think it's normal in my country to have people like me who are not interested in our past. But here in Korea, I guess oldies are worried about it that's why it became a topic on the TV program before.
Well, what is important now is, it's a holiday so it's time to take a rest again. How I love holidays. If you go outside, korean flags are hanging on every trees. I think it's just a normal holiday and no special celebration held.
Happy National Foundation of Korea!
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