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  • Life in Korea: 10 things to master while living in Korea

    Fri, 03/12/2010 - 16:15 — chrisinsouthkorea

    If you've just discovered Chris in South Korea or you're new to Korea, welcome. 'Life in Korea' posts are aimed squarely at you - to my more experienced expat readers, comments are open for your wisdom and ideas.

    Living in a foreign country is no piece of cake. There seems to be an endless number of things to learn or take care of, and there never seems to be enough time. When it comes to mastering the life and culture of Korea, there are 10 things that will make your life in Korea a lot easier. While these are in no particular order, all are certainly important - without further ado...

  • Little Ideas Glued Together

    Fri, 03/12/2010 - 14:18 — soleilgirl

    Last night we had our thinking caps on.
    Hot Dog Catalogue Vol.4 - SOOOOOOOON!

  • The Guardian’s 10 Rules for Writing

    Fri, 03/12/2010 - 14:15 — kissmykimchi
    200/365 Two Hundred Books
    Image by Merry~Blues via Flickr

    So, I was on my way to work listening to my podcasts when the good folks over at Slate’s Cultural Gabfest mentioned a recent article in the UK Guaridan: “

  • SATURDAY NIGHT - VINYL - ADULT ENTERTAINMENT vol. I: SPACE INVADERS!

    Fri, 03/12/2010 - 09:24 — soleilgirl

    Remember how much fun that Halloween party was?

  • The Illusion of Democracy in South Korea

    Fri, 03/12/2010 - 08:50 — AlexTeacher
    When compared to its northern brethren, South Korea seems to be the epitome of democracy. However, simply being better than a dictatorship does not mean South Korea is without its freedom flaws. Under the Lee Myung Bak adminstration many groups have protested that democratic rights, particularly freedom of speech have been curtailed. When the economy first nose dived, the Korean blogger Minerva was arrested for criticizing government fiscal policy. Most recently, writers are protesting because under new legislature, artists who are critical of the government receive reduced subsidies from the government.  The Korea Times reports in "Writers to Protest for Freedom of Speech" the actions organized writers are taking to protest this move.

  • 울산 Ulsan

    Thu, 03/11/2010 - 23:21 — GurlASyst

    5 Sep 2009, Wanting to enjoy the beautiful, sunny summer weather before it desolves into autumn, I head to 울산
    Ulsan to explore a pine forest, walk along a little beach on the Sea of Japan, and wander through a green
    park.

  • Turning my box into a home

    Thu, 03/11/2010 - 22:41 — johnfindsajob
    I finally got a table.

    It's in the contract: teachers will be provided with the basic necessities, which includes a bed, refrigerator, television (a necessity?), a microwave, and a table. But, when I came to Busan on March 1, one thing was noticeably absent. I can understand, I suppose; this apartment is the size of the bedroom I use to occupy in New Jersey. Could a table possibly fit in here?

    It can. And, even better: it has made this box into a home.

  • Best and Brightest (dedicated to Anti-English Spectrum)

    Thu, 03/11/2010 - 18:51 — pieceofmeat

    Here's my new punk rock song, inspired by that the wonderful Korean dude who stalks teachers and says that we're spreading AIDS.

  • Destination: Gongsanseong (Gongju)

    Thu, 03/11/2010 - 12:34 — chrisinsouthkorea

    Gongsanseong (공산성) does not rank high on the 'most seen by foreigners' list. Then again, neither does the city of Gongju. Naturally, the Lady in Red and I had to check it out.

    Originally called Ungjinseong, the mud fortress was used by King Munjuwang (reigned 475-477 A.D.) as the Baekje capital during the Baekje Dynasty. In 538 A.D., however, King Seong moved the capital to present-day Buyeo, although Gongju remained fairly important (and close to the capital) until the Baekje Dynasty collasped in 667 A.D.

    The fortress was rebuilt with stones during the Joseon Dynasty, and King Injo hid here for a short time as well.

  • Affair with a button, Dongguk University...life in Korea

    Thu, 03/11/2010 - 09:21 — AlexTeacher
    So far today I have been asked if I have been to the doctor/hospital yet 4 times. It is only 9:15am and I arrived at work promptly at 8:40. People, I have a head cold. I swear I do not have H1N1. Seriously though I am feeling much better after going to bed until 9 and sleeping until 7am ....7:30. My snooze button and I are having an affair.

    Not much on the news front though Dongguk University is trying to sue Yale for $50 million for falsely verifying a degree and the ensuing damages they suffered.  The whole thing is a bit funny.

  • Kiss My Kimchi Needs You!

    Thu, 03/11/2010 - 07:00 — kissmykimchi

    Hello, dear readers, Kiss My Kimchi needs you! That’s right, I’m in need of a few good men and women who have been living knee deep in Korea or Asia and are now ready to share their experiences! It doesn’t matter if you’ve been here a week or a year or a decade.

  • Re: Kushibo and visa reform

    Wed, 03/10/2010 - 23:54 — chrisinsouthkorea

    OK, so I wrote about visa reform. A version got published in the Korea Times, debated about on Brian in Jeollanam-do and another post on this blog. If you've been reading along, feel free to skip the links - if not, click before continuing.

    Kushibo wrote a response on his excellent blog, where he asked a couple interesting questions:

  • Question from a reader: university jobs, TOPIK tests, and TOEFL certifications

    Wed, 03/10/2010 - 19:06 — chrisinsouthkorea
    A reader writes in:

    hi Chris,

    i've been reading your blog for a few months now and I found it to be
    pretty good...informative, attractive, well-written, unoffensive...

    and then i read a few more posts today, many of them back-dated. holy
    sh[!]t! your blog is awesome! as a jeollanamdo person, i've been
    sweating my a[$$] off thinking of life post-brian in jeollanamdo, but
    i'm really glad to find many of the same wonderful features in your
    blog (although you'll never win angriest blogger).

    anyway, if you have time, I'd love to know your thoughts on a few topics:
    1. university jobs - finding them and any other info.
    2. TOPIK exam
    3. TEFL/TESOL courses

    If you don't get around to it, no worries. i'll still be reading your blog.

    thanks for providing such a great resource.

    [D.]

    D.,

  • Snow Days in Korea

    Wed, 03/10/2010 - 15:43 — AlexTeacher
    At 7:24 I got a phone call this morning from the co-worker who handles my administration paperwork and such.

    Her: Hi Alex!  This is Mrs. ---.
    Me: ~cough cough~ Errrr hi?
    Her: Today is a snow day! No classes. You come to work at 9.
    Me: ~looks out the window~ Huh. There is snow. Ummm ok. Good-bye.

    At which point I went back to my snooze button since a 20 minute delayed opening doesn't really need changing. 5 minutes later I get a call from my co-teacher.

    Him: Hi Alex. How is your condition?
    Me: Hi. My what? Oh. I don't know. I'm sick. Fine I guess. ~coughs away.
    Him: Today is a snow day. Late opening you can come in at 10.
    Me: Are you sure?
    Him: Yes, 10 or 11.
    Me: Huh. Okay. Err I'll see you at 10 then. ~coughs away. Good-bye.

    I got up and changed my alarms, pleased to have a change in plans.

  • Korean Sociological Image #34: Child Sex Offender Kim Kil-tae Caught

    Wed, 03/10/2010 - 15:33 — James Turnbull

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