Crazy Hair Punishment!

Some of the teachers at my school are extra creative when it comes to punishments for not turning in homework!  헤란, the 5th grade teacher makes the boys put girls barrette's in their hair....

... and the girls have to put half of their hair up in a loop on the top of their head for the whole day!

Is it bad that before I knew this was a punishment I actually complimented her on her fun new hairstyle?!

K-League Soccer!

On Wednesday night, Aaron and I attended a K-League (AKA: Korea Professional Football League) FA Cup soccer game at nearby Gudeok Stadium between FC Seoul and Busan Transportation Corp FC. While the stadium seats close to 24,000 people, I'd wager that only about 300 people were at the game, most of which were foreigners living and teaching English in Busan!  Oh, and it was only 2,000 won (about $1.75!)

We plopped down in the foreigner section and had a great time laughing along with the guys behind us holding megaphones, chanting things like, "Give me a (insert alphabet letter)" ultimately spelling out "B-u-s-a-n  T-r-a-n-s-p-o-r-t-a-t-i-o-n  C-o-r-p-o-r-a-t-i-o-n  F-o-o-t-b-a-l-l  C-l-u-b."  It took nearly 10 minutes to spell the team's name!    

My 2nd favorite was to the tune of "If you're happy and you know it".  "If you ride the Busan subway, clap your hands!  If you ride the Busan subway, clap your hands!  If you ride the Busan subway, and ........... (Can't remember the words), If you ride the Busan subway, clap your hands!"  Funny because the Busan team is owned by the city's transportation department!

But, I'd have to say... my favorite part of the whole night was when the sky lit up in gorgeous tones of pink and purple, Aaron put his arm around me, and the first goal was scored!

Unfortunately, it was a goal for the other team!  FAIL... Better luck next time Busan!

Restaurant Row!

You'll have to forgive me for my last 5 posts, which for whatever reason have all revolved around food or vegetables!  I don't know what's gotten into me!  But for whatever it's worth, you'll have to put up with just one more!  I can't go another day without shouting from the rooftops how awesome this street is in Nampodong!  

 

It's honestly a hidden gem!  There's hardly ever anyone walking here, and it's easy to miss it...  If you live in Korea, you have to check it out!  

(***the purple street)

 I'm head over heels for all these restaurants offering everything from pork and sprouts cooked at your table...

 ...to Oh-Dang (Yes, that's the name of a Korean dish!)... 

...to grilled meats of all types in a Japanese inspired shougun atmosphere...

...to buffalo meat... (I think)

... to unbelievable boneless fried chicken and chips...

.. to burgers and coffee on the 2nd floor...

...to Japanese ramen noodles...

... to beer and other yummy stuff...

... to traditional Japanese food and wines...

... to Korean traditional pancakes, noodles, and veggie dishes...

... to more amazing deep fried chicken...

... and finally, to more Japanese food!!

 So, before you head to Haeundae or Gwangali to eat at Breeze Burns or Fuzzy Navel on the boardwalk (No offense to those places) come to my side of town and plop down at something a little more original and ethnic!  I promise it won't disappoint!  Who knows, maybe I just introduced you to your new favorite spot! (wink, wink!)

The first fruits of my labor!

I love to talk about "checking on the babies!"  It's what I call my little baby tomatoes in my rooftop garden!  Today, when I came back from the store, I asked Aaron if he'd checked on "the babies yet today?" He responded, "Yea, look on your kitchen counter!"

Ahhhhhhh....

And since you're all wondering ***, it was delicious! 



Having a garden is fantastic!  I'm dying for the day when I can go up there and pick basketfulls of fresh veggies!

Kimchi Jjigae!

Last night, I made my very first batch of Kimchi Jjigae-김치찌개, a traditional stew made of kimchi, tofu, onions, traditional Korean sauces, rice, cooking wine (or regular wine!), garlic, and dried peppers!  It's super spicy and super delicious and Aaron and I are addicted to it!  We went out to dinner twice this week just to eat some! 

Here are all the ingredients you'd need!

And here's what it looks like when it's all finished and ready to devour!

All I know is... when I move back to the US, one of the requirements for cities I land in will be whether or not the town has a Korean restaurant, or a supermarket with a Korean section! 

I just simply can't live without Korean food... period!