Christmas Day marks six months since I set foot in Korea on June 25th. I can't believe it. Time has certainly flown.

I get most of my news from the New York Times and it was nice to see today on the front page of the online edition that South Korea's central bank has announced yet another massive cut in its prime rate. I am not an economist and I know very little about monetary policy and I am not going to sit here and bitch about how this downturn is affecting poor little me, but from reading the article it has become apparent to me that things are worse than even I thought.

WHAT'S IN IT?

(For 4 people)

Fried Chicken

Chicken (boneless thigh) 1 lb or 500 g
** if you prefer chicken breast, feel free to use it.
** you can also use pork or beef if you prefer.

Eggs 6

Potato Starch 2 cups
** you can get potato starch at Korean markets

Salt & Pepper

Oil 1L to 1.5L (depending on the size of your deep fryer or pot)

Sweet & Sour Sauce

WHAT'S IN IT?

Extra Soft Tofu 순두부 1 pack
Beef (for stew) 소고기 50g
Shrimp 새우 10
Clams 모시조개 10
Squid 오징어 50 g
Onion 양파 1/4
Zucchini 호박 1/4
Enochi Mushroom 팽이버섯 10g
Red Chili Pepper 빨간 고추 1/2
Green Chili Pepper 풋고추 1/2
Green Onion 파 1
Garlic (chopped) 마늘 1 tablespoon
Sesame Oil 참기름 2 tablespoons
Korean Red Chili Flakes 고추가루 2 to 3 tablespoons
(depending on how spicy you want to make it)
Salt 소금 1.5 to 2 tablespoons
Pepper 후추 1 teaspoon
Water 물 2 1/2 cups
Egg 계란 1

Several friends of mine had recommended the breakfast at Dave's so we decided to head out to Jangsan and try it out on Sunday. I have only had an English breakfast a couple of times before and neither time was in England, so what follows is merely the opinion of my own sizable gut.

Go to the hospital. Once you have your alien registration card and your physical you are registered into the country's mandatory medical insurance plan. I pay about 37000 won per month out of my paycheck (employer pays the other half) for the coverage and it is well worth it. I have been sick twice since I got here and both times I got fast and effective medical treatment. Today during lunch (this is why I am writing about this) I went to the hospital across the street with a bad cold.