I drank the kimchi juice

We finished off a container of kimchi last night and rather than throw out the remaining juice that was leftover, I tilted the tupperware up and chugged away.  It was amazing!

Does that make me Korean?

See also:
Chug and Thug

40. Sometimes, you just need to talk about what is going on.

See also:
Wisdom of a Two-Year-Old

Wisdom of a Two-Year-Old

Wisdom of a Two-Year-Old
I was at the park the other day with my daughter and we were having a great time outside.  We had been trying to potty train her for a couple of weeks (she is now diaper-free!).  We started by teaching her to tell us whenever her diaper needed to be changed so she could associate the actions.

So, it was extremely funny when she suddenly turned to me and said, "아빠, I pooped!" loud enough for the entire park to hear it.  While everyone around me stifled giggles and grins, I realized that there is wisdom in that.

Sometimes, you just need to talk about what is going on.

39. A stranger walking toward you is a friend not yet met.

Learning to Use Chopsticks (젓가락)

Learning to Use Chopsticks (젓가락)

Korean chopsticks are typically made out of metal, so when I first met my wife and we were dating, we would go to a Korean deli, or we would go on picnics and she would pack a Korean lunch for us.  I always like trying new foods, especially Korean foods, but my chopstick skills were always lacking, and quite humorous!

After being married for a couple of years, I managed to figure out a way to use chopsticks, but my form wasn't correct.  I would sort of pinch the ends and wiggle them around, which would work for a while, but my hand would get pretty tired after a meal.

So, this past summer I finally broke down and purchased a set of adult training chopsticks from the Korean market that we visit.  The kind ajummas at the market were giggling as I checked out the different Pororo character chopsticks made for kids before I settled on this set:

After using this device for about two weeks, I tried switching over to my Korean chopsticks and I could use them like a pro!  These Adult Training Chopsticks hold your hand in the correct position and guide your fingers to the correct angles.  They also make a left-handed set for you lefties out there.

Day of Fog

Today we awoke to fog over the Rocky Mountains, which is a rarity in this part of the country.  I appreciate the cooler weather because it means that it is not summer quite yet and it is not too hot outside.

This brings me to wonder what the summers are like in South Korea?  I have only been to Seoul in the spring and fall months.  Will I be able to withstand the heat during the summer there?

What about for allergy sufferers- is it tough in August for people with hay fever?


See also:
Heat Wave
Good Sleeping Weather and Death by Fan
I Survived a Swollen Uvula and the Perils of a Hay Fever Sufferer

38. Don't boast.

37. Spend at least 15 minutes outside every day.

36. Study hard and get good grades; one day, all those kids that call you a nerd will be working for you.

News article: Native English Teachers in South Korea

Native English teacher head count continues decline