Friday, May 6, 2011
Supa Dupa Diva
This is the dance we do in our dance class. It's probably not as cute as when Dal Shabet does it, but it's still fun!
Monday, April 11, 2011
Parent's Visit
It's just a week now until my parents come, I can't wait! There's so much to do and see here, and I just hope that they'll have a blast!
We'll spend a few days of course in Gwangju, touring around the city, visiting my school, going out to eat, and meeting friends. My host family here is sooo happy my parents are coming- I swear, the dad would have wanted us to visit every day if we could! Thankfully, we'll just be spending one night at their apartment, and going to Boseong and a KIA Tigers game together. I'm really curious how the communication will work, and I have a feeling they'll grill my parents with all sorts of questions!
Some other cities we'll be visiting are Daegu, Busan, Gyeongju, Suwon, and Seoul. I'm really eager to go to Daegu and Gyeongju; I've never been there before. I'm sure my parents will like Seoul, just because there's so much to do. Also, I think our hotel there is going to be really nice! In Daegu and Busan, we'll be meeting some friends of mine so we can go to the best places. There's a lot to do in each place, but I want to do the best things.
I'm also looking forward to seeing the fun stuff my parents are bringing- some herbs to plant, some new shoes, and a Kindle (still so sad about the last one breaking). I'll be sending home 3 pieces of luggage with them, including my computer. Computer's are very expensive to ship, and since I get a laptop from school, I'll be able to use that at home. Getting rid of all my winter clothes and things I don't use will clear up a lot of space in my wardrobe. Whatever I can send now is something I don't have to pay for to ship home.
I know it's only been about 8 months since I saw my parents last, but I'm still very excited! The weather is nicer now, and I'm pumped to show them my favorite things about Korea!
We'll spend a few days of course in Gwangju, touring around the city, visiting my school, going out to eat, and meeting friends. My host family here is sooo happy my parents are coming- I swear, the dad would have wanted us to visit every day if we could! Thankfully, we'll just be spending one night at their apartment, and going to Boseong and a KIA Tigers game together. I'm really curious how the communication will work, and I have a feeling they'll grill my parents with all sorts of questions!
Some other cities we'll be visiting are Daegu, Busan, Gyeongju, Suwon, and Seoul. I'm really eager to go to Daegu and Gyeongju; I've never been there before. I'm sure my parents will like Seoul, just because there's so much to do. Also, I think our hotel there is going to be really nice! In Daegu and Busan, we'll be meeting some friends of mine so we can go to the best places. There's a lot to do in each place, but I want to do the best things.
I'm also looking forward to seeing the fun stuff my parents are bringing- some herbs to plant, some new shoes, and a Kindle (still so sad about the last one breaking). I'll be sending home 3 pieces of luggage with them, including my computer. Computer's are very expensive to ship, and since I get a laptop from school, I'll be able to use that at home. Getting rid of all my winter clothes and things I don't use will clear up a lot of space in my wardrobe. Whatever I can send now is something I don't have to pay for to ship home.
I know it's only been about 8 months since I saw my parents last, but I'm still very excited! The weather is nicer now, and I'm pumped to show them my favorite things about Korea!
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Saigon
Saigon is a great city. We arrived really late/early the first day of our vacation, due to the delay in Shanghai. By the time we got down to the backpackers district, it was nearly 4 am, and our pre-booked hotel had closed! Luckily, we were able to find a hotel that was open, but had to wake the receptionist.
We explored Saigon one day on foot, and were able to see most of the tourist sites that way. Here's some of my favorite pictures of Saigon during the beginning and last few days in Vietnam.
The motorists would stop along the sidewalk to grab a quick bite of something:
Colorful tropical fruits at the Ben Than Market:
The beautiful Notre Dame Cathedral:
The best Pho we had in all of Vietnam:
We saw a few motorbikes...
And finally, the great Ho Chi Minh:
We explored Saigon one day on foot, and were able to see most of the tourist sites that way. Here's some of my favorite pictures of Saigon during the beginning and last few days in Vietnam.
The motorists would stop along the sidewalk to grab a quick bite of something:
Colorful tropical fruits at the Ben Than Market:
The beautiful Notre Dame Cathedral:
The best Pho we had in all of Vietnam:
We saw a few motorbikes...
And finally, the great Ho Chi Minh:
Vietnam Recap
I plan on posting more about my Vietnam trip in detail soon. Until then, these are my links to the Facebook albums. Be forewarned, there are a lot of pictures! They should be visible to everyone, even if you don't have Facebook. If there are problems, please let me know!
First/Finally~Sài Gòn
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2288981&id=59501140
Second/Third- Cu Chi Tunnels and Mekong Delta
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2289003&id=59501140
Fourth, Mũi Né
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2289016&id=59501140
Fifth, Đà Lạt
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2289024&id=59501140
Fifth, Đà Lạt Part 2
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2289034&id=59501140
Sixth, Nha Trang
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2289037&id=59501140
First/Finally~Sài Gòn
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2288981&id=59501140
Second/Third- Cu Chi Tunnels and Mekong Delta
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2289003&id=59501140
Fourth, Mũi Né
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2289016&id=59501140
Fifth, Đà Lạt
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2289024&id=59501140
Fifth, Đà Lạt Part 2
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2289034&id=59501140
Sixth, Nha Trang
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2289037&id=59501140
Outback Steakhouse
Last Saturday, two of my coteachers and I went to Outback Steakhouse here in Gwangju. It was almost exactly like home!
We were given a free blueberry drink when we first walked in the door, and were promptly seated. We decided to get the lunch specials: Crispy chicken salad, cream pasta, and a garlic steak:
The steak was prepared as well as it could have been, but the cut wasn't that good to begin with. Everyone enjoyed the pasta, salad, and sides of fried rice and bread. With our lunch set, we also got fruit drinks, soda, and coffee. By the end of the meal, we were stuffed!
I figured the meal would have been more expensive, but Youngran had a discount card with her, so we got 12,000 won off. In the end, it ended up being only about $12 a person! For those prices, I'll definitely be back.
We were given a free blueberry drink when we first walked in the door, and were promptly seated. We decided to get the lunch specials: Crispy chicken salad, cream pasta, and a garlic steak:
The steak was prepared as well as it could have been, but the cut wasn't that good to begin with. Everyone enjoyed the pasta, salad, and sides of fried rice and bread. With our lunch set, we also got fruit drinks, soda, and coffee. By the end of the meal, we were stuffed!
I figured the meal would have been more expensive, but Youngran had a discount card with her, so we got 12,000 won off. In the end, it ended up being only about $12 a person! For those prices, I'll definitely be back.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Suwan-dong
My neighborhood, Suwan, has really changed since I first moved to Gwangju 1 year and 7 months ago. At first, Suwan didn't have much to offer, other than space, but now, I've got my pick of restaurants, coffee shops, and ice cream cafes. If you're looking for a great place to eat, choose Suwan!
Currently, we have two Vietnamese restaurants, Hoa Binh and Pho Bay. The prices at Pho Bay are about 1,000 won more, but I think the quality is better. Kenny and I also got a free sampler platter of dumplings on our visit.
There are also two new Japanese noodle restaurants open. I went to one last night, and had a bowl of creamy, homemade Ramen noodles for 4,900. Kenny's noodles were different (separate noodles and broth), but just as delicious, and cost 5,900.
If you're looking for Western food, we've got Lemon Table, Tao, Red Piano, Kraze Burger, Gio's, Starbucks (opening soon), Pizza School, Dunkin Doughnuts, Coldstone, and various other pasta and steak houses. The Lemon Table is the same as all the others, and I plan to try Tao in a couple of weeks. The interior of Tao looks welcoming, and there are tables that overlook the Lotte Mart park on their 4th floor balcony.
Naturally, there are many Korean foods available- "slow food," kimbap, Chigae, Samgypsal, and Shabu Shabu. I'd have to say the Shabu Shabu restaurant is my favorite.
For drinking, there aren't many original options, but we do have WA, Millertime, and Fish and Grill, not including the small Hof's. As far a coffee goes, there's the usuals: Kenya, Angel In Us, Coffee Bean, and Ludens.
If you're hungry and looking for a different part of town to check out, I'd definitely recommend Suwan!
Currently, we have two Vietnamese restaurants, Hoa Binh and Pho Bay. The prices at Pho Bay are about 1,000 won more, but I think the quality is better. Kenny and I also got a free sampler platter of dumplings on our visit.
There are also two new Japanese noodle restaurants open. I went to one last night, and had a bowl of creamy, homemade Ramen noodles for 4,900. Kenny's noodles were different (separate noodles and broth), but just as delicious, and cost 5,900.
If you're looking for Western food, we've got Lemon Table, Tao, Red Piano, Kraze Burger, Gio's, Starbucks (opening soon), Pizza School, Dunkin Doughnuts, Coldstone, and various other pasta and steak houses. The Lemon Table is the same as all the others, and I plan to try Tao in a couple of weeks. The interior of Tao looks welcoming, and there are tables that overlook the Lotte Mart park on their 4th floor balcony.
Naturally, there are many Korean foods available- "slow food," kimbap, Chigae, Samgypsal, and Shabu Shabu. I'd have to say the Shabu Shabu restaurant is my favorite.
For drinking, there aren't many original options, but we do have WA, Millertime, and Fish and Grill, not including the small Hof's. As far a coffee goes, there's the usuals: Kenya, Angel In Us, Coffee Bean, and Ludens.
If you're hungry and looking for a different part of town to check out, I'd definitely recommend Suwan!
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Dance Classes
I'm currently taking dance class once a week at the Hyundai Department Store. The 10th floor is a Culture Complex, and they often offer classes of all sorts. A friend of a friend works there, and told my friend about it. I wasn't sure what to expect the first night, but it wasn't what I'd expected!
The name of the class is Club Dance and Night Dance. I'm taking 3 months of classes, every Wednesday evening for 60,000 won. There's only a few people in the class, 8 total, and that's nice. I'm not embarrassed to be learning these sexy dances in front of them!
We're starting off learning basic moves, some steps, some arm movements, and of course, body rolls. A lot of the moves are difficult to do at a slow tempo, but once we speed it up and add music, it comes easily. It really reminds me of cheerleading!
At the end of our third class, we were starting to learn a choreographed dance. It's almost a week since we learned it now, and I've remembered a fair amount. I'm sure we'll be practicing it a lot this coming week.
Here's Okailey goofing around in the studio:
The name of the class is Club Dance and Night Dance. I'm taking 3 months of classes, every Wednesday evening for 60,000 won. There's only a few people in the class, 8 total, and that's nice. I'm not embarrassed to be learning these sexy dances in front of them!
We're starting off learning basic moves, some steps, some arm movements, and of course, body rolls. A lot of the moves are difficult to do at a slow tempo, but once we speed it up and add music, it comes easily. It really reminds me of cheerleading!
At the end of our third class, we were starting to learn a choreographed dance. It's almost a week since we learned it now, and I've remembered a fair amount. I'm sure we'll be practicing it a lot this coming week.
Here's Okailey goofing around in the studio:
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