A Seolnal Walk

I'd be willing to bet that most Americans have at least heard the phrase Chinese New Year... although I'd also be willing to bet that most of them have no clue as to what it entails. Additionally, I'd bet that most don't know that China isn't the only Asian country to celebrate a Lunar New Year. The Korean Lunar New Year celebration is a three day holiday called 설날 (pronounced seolnal, with the 'n' being almost silent) and it is a huge, family-based holiday [wikipedia]. Businesses shut down and families load into cars, buses, and trains to travel to their parents' or grandparents' homes for the holiday. For those foreigners in Korea lacking in a Korean ancestral homestead to which to return, it's a rather uneventful time.

After January, when I was teaching extra 'intensive' classes, and working very long, sleepy days, I was quite thrilled to discover that the three-day Seolnal holiday fell on a wed-thur-fri, giving me a pleasant five-day weekend as a reward for making it through January unscathed. I had envisioned spending the entire five-days curled up on the couch, nestled between Charlie and Gwen's dog, Songi (I'm pet-sitting, while Gwen and her family do Korean family things), alternating between good books, bad tv, and wonderful naps. And then the most bizarre thing happened: it warmed up! While the US is completely snowed in, and my friends in the former Soviet Union are suffering through a typical winter, South Korea has stumbled upon some warm weather. The highs have been in the 50+ range (Farenheit; that's 10+ for you Celsius folks), and are expected to stay that way through Monday at the least.

I figured I should take advantage of the unseasonable weather, so yesterday I took a wonderful, long walk (wearing a sweater, no coat) along a rural stretch of the road connecting East Daegu and the neighboring community of Gyeongsan. The full set of 65 photographs from my walk can be seen by CLICKING HERE. Some of my favorites are below.

The red line is where I walked, from the top of it to the bottom and back.

Again, the complete set of photos can be seen HERE.

The Black Gate Opens

Ben Scott emulates a hobbit sneaking into Mordor by legally entering Tajikistan. No, seriously, there is a connection. Just click here or on the picture below to find out!

A new post from Desolation Travel!

I know it's been a while - we've all been pretty busy recently - but we finally have a new post and a new set of photos up over at Desolation Travel! CLICK HERE or on the photograph below to read the new post by Nicola Simpson.

Education in Korea, from the PBS News Hour

[I currently work at one of the 'cram schools' of the sort mentioned in this broadcast - although here in Daegu at least it's usually translated as 'academy.' The Korean word is 학원, which is pronounced hogwan.]

While I think that a large majority of parents in the US do not care nearly enough about their children's education, I also think the system here in Korea is insane. I shouldn't complain, as it's paying my salary, but these poor kids! My last class of the day is a middle school class, which ends at 10pm. When I was in middle school, my bed time was 9:30pm! Once they leave me, these kids still have to go home and do their public school and academy homework (and most kids go to more than one academy). Studying is important, but so is having a childhood!

Charlie: Then and Now

Nowadays, Charlie follows me around the house, purring... and she sleeps curled up next to my knees at night, purring. It's hard to imagine that this was the first glimpse I got of her:

And meanwhile... here she is today:

Sahn's First Birthday

In Korean culture, the 1st birthday and the 60th are really big deals. Sahn has a long way to go before his 60th, but his dol (also called doljanchi - see wikipedia) was held last night. As you'll see, when I said it was a really big deal, I meant it. First birthday parties are usually held in banquet halls, involve lots of eating, have numerous guests and a emcee, and last for several hours. The highlight of the party is when the baby is placed in front of a table of items (string, a bow-n-arrow, scrolls, a quill, money, etc) - and the first thing he chooses is supposed to predict his future. For example, if a baby chooses the bow, he will be a successful warrior; if he chooses the money, he will be wealthy. Check out the pictures I took below to view Sahn's dol from my point of view... and to see what he chose :-)

Samson, Sahn, Gwen


Gwen and Sahn


Gwen and Sahn


Gwen, Sahn, Samson, and the emcee


The table of items from which Sahn got to choose (money was added to the table before the selection began)


This is Sahn throwing the money off the table! Hahaha :-)


Sahn chose the string - meaning he will have a long life.


Gwen, Sahn, and Samson


Me, Sahn, and Gwen
The complete set of photos can be seen by CLICKING HERE.

Some ad campaigns I just don't understand...

This one has been really popular over here for months now - I've even had students quoting it. I just don't get it myself...

A mini-book, drawn by one of my students

Another Korean Wedding

I went to another wedding yesterday... and unlike the one I attended a few weeks ago, this time, I actually knew the bride - one of my former coworkers. I wish I'd taken my little pocket Nikon with me, as it has a video function while my DSLR does not, and there was a lot in this wedding that would've been worth videoing (and which - due to where I was sitting - I was unable to photograph). The musical selection for the ceremony began with the Throne Room/End Title from the original StarWars - and no, not because the bride and groom were StarWars fans, either. The music continued on to include Enya, Celine Dion, and K-pop lip-synching by middle school students from our school. It seemed to be a far more lighthearted affair than the last wedding I went to. I didn't take that many photos, and I didn't stalk the couple into the paebaek-shil either. But here are some of the photos I took:

Charlie: Playful and Fat

[Ignore the weird audio in the background; I was watching CSI Miami.]