추수 감사절 !! (Happy Thanksgiving!!!)

Wow, is it already December? And is Christmas only 23 days away? It certainly is, but you know what American Holiday just happened? Thanks-to-the-giving!!So as my fellow American readers will know, I traditionally celebrated Thanksgiving with my family, close relatives, and maybe some friends or two enjoying the historical important day of Thanksgiving having a large feast with Stuffing, potatoes, veggies, and not to forget the pumpkin pie!

 But ya know, each culter has their own version of Thanksgiving. As this being my second “American Thanksgiving” in Korea, I have grown accustom to celebrating holidays with my newly found family in Korea. However, I also have come to celebrate Korean holidays as well. If you have followed my blog, you would know by now that there is also a Korean Thanksgiving known as Chuseok (추석)

Over the years, I have observed both Chuseok and American Thanksgiving, and here are my most noticeable differences/similarities between the two:

There are many differences and similarities between Thanksgiving Day and Chuseok. First, People eat a lot of food during both holidays.
*On Chuseok, Koreans eat Songpyon, which is rice cake steamed on a layer of pine needles. Also, eat various pan-fried dishes and newly harvested fruits and rice.

* On Thanksgiving Day, Americans eat turkey, mashed potato, pumpkin pie, and many
other dishes.
* On Chuseok, Koreans gather, and do marry-go-round circling together with the friends and family.
* On Thanksgiving Day in New York, there is a big parade with over-done floats and famous people. 

* Common thing about Chuseok and Thanksgiving Day is that (some) both thank God for giving well harvested food. If farmers didn’t work hard, we wouldn’t have much food.
* Speaking of food, both Korean and American Thanksgiving center mainly around food these days. Whether it be Songpyeon (rice cake with pine needles) for Koreans, or Turkey, potatoes, and pie (for Americans) almost al families and friends gather around the table for good times and good food!

* On both holidays many people visit their ancestor’s and remember those who are no longer with us. 
I’m sure there are MANY MORE differences/similarities, but this is a Reader’s Digest version :)

Traditional American Feast

Traditional Korean Feaat.

So, how did I spend my “American Thanksgiving? Well, for the past two years, whilst living abroad in Korea, I have celebrated Thanksgiving with a new tradition- that being with my ‘family’ of fellow expats (and friends) here in Korea.

This year, I celebrated with 3 of my close American friends as well as my (BEST KOREAN FRIEND). I hosted a potluck pastry at my apartment for all of us to bring on r of our favorite traditional Thanksgiving dishes. I brought to the table sauteed veggies and salad while my friends provided a cheese and fruit appetizer plate, mashed potatoes ( my favorite), gravy, sautéed chicken (for the meat eaters) and of course Apple pie and don’t forget the wine! :)



Everyone chipped in, made their dishes at home from their own recipes, and it was a very nice, long, and relaxing afternoon enjoying each other’s company and great spirits. 
Although it wasn’t the Thanksgiving I grew up with as a child and young adult, it was certainly enjoyable and one for the memories! 




Our yummy sides, Salad, Potatoes, Chees$Fruit, and Turkish Pastries.

The best Korean Chingu I have made in my years here, Miyeon <3

Sarah and will preparing their potaoes and fruit plate! :)

행복 빼빼로 데이!!! (Happy Pepero Day!)

Hey Everybody! I apologize for my month long Hiatus from blogging, but I found that I was starting to view my blog more as a chore and something that I MUST do. I noticed this after about 3 entries into my switch from written entries to the video entries. Why? Well the answer is simple- I wanted my videos to be as perfect and artistically pleasing as well as informing which required me to do a lot of editing, photo hunting, and sometimes having to scratch an entire nights worth of work because I either A- forgot to mention something really important to me while speaking thus having to RE-DO the entire project, or B- I just plain didn't like it once I was finished. But I'm actually taking an initiative to start blogging more frequently. However, for those of you that have grown accustom to my lovely face and poetic speaking voice...that will only be for special entries or when I am feeling especially creative. From now on, to assure more up-to-date entries I will be doing more written blogging. I hope you all can take the time to read!!!!! ^_^

Anyways, today is November 11th. Any normal Autumn day back in North/South America, Europe, and most of Asia.  However, here in Korea it can only mean one thing- PEPERO DAY!!!!


Pepero day 빼빼로데이 is a holiday made up by the entertainment company, Lotte, in 1994 and is a day for giving pepero snacks to good friends, lovers, family, and of course Teachers! It is on 11/11 every year because it resembles the stick cookie-like treat! The Pepero snack come in 6 flavors- Chocolate, White Chocolate, Strawberry, Melon, Almond, and Nude (plain). Taste-wise I think it is pretty good and is a nice go to cookie snack. My personal favorite is a toss up between Almond and White Choco! 



  One reason why Pepero Day became so popular is because of how cheap and fun it is. Pepero can be bought in a single box and split it up into several smaller packets for mini gifts. Because it is so popular every supermarket, small grocer, and literally EVERY convenience store creates huge displays of boxes to give as gifts all over the shops!  They have many designs~ hearts, flowers, houses, boxes that can contain another gift inside, boxes spelling out L-O-V-E, and other "cute" stuff.


Anyways, this being my second year in Korea I was well prepared for Pepero madness and went to school with my stock of Pepero for my kiddies. And of course, the favor was returned all day receiving boxes and packages of the sweet and simple treat. HAPPY PEPERO DAY!!!!

행복한 추석 (Happy Chuseok) 2013

Hey everyone! So as you may have noticed, it had been about a month since my last entry.... me so sorry. But what can I say? As I have stated in my previous blog entries life in Korea is so ordinary. I eat, sleep, work, socialize, and everything else that involves normal day living. It isn't so much about exploring and getting "oo'd and aa'd anymore...because everything  that once was noteworthy is now my daily life! ^_^

Anyways though, something that I wrote about last year at this time was the annual Korean holiday of Chuseok!


추석 (Chuseok) is a major holiday in Korea celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th month of the lunar calendar. Similar to the American Thanksgiving, it is a harvest festival held around the Autumn Equinox. As a celebration of the good harvest, Koreans visit their ancestral hometowns and share a feast of Korean traditional food such as songpyeon and rice wines such as sindoju and dongdongju.  Although Chuseok itself is a single day, the holiday period includes the day before and after, involving an array of traditional activities. Early on Chuseok morning, the family gathers together to perform traditional ancestral rites. A feast of traditional Korean foods is prepared for the memorial service, after which everyone enjoys the festive meal and exchanges gifts.

Super delicious Songpyeon (sweet steemed rice cakes) I learned how to make this as part of my cooking class with my kindergartners ^_^

A typical feast for Chuseok. I enjoyed similar food, but without a korean family but rather with my expat family.

During Chuseok, nearly all (young) Korean people leave the city in order to return back to their family's hometown for the holiday.  While families enjoy festive meals, cultural activities, giving one another gifts, playing games, drinking ^_^, and other memorable moments. The non koreans living here enjoy their 5 day weekend (since Chuseok is celebrated over the course of 3 days followed by Saturday and Sunday)
So how did I enjoy my second 5 day Chuseok Thanksgiving? Oh just with a trip down to my most favorite city in Korea, Busan. I actually visited Busan last Chuseok as well. Each trip was different and had it's own high points. This....is my Chuseok 2013 experience. Enjoy!

The Philippines- El Nido!

Hey everyone!!! Well it's a bout 2 weeks overdue, but I got back from my vacation to the Philippines! Wow Oh my gas range was it ever amazing! 

Like I stated in my post before my vacation, my friend and I went to El Nido and Puerto Princessa, smaller (but still popular) beach towns on the western Filipino island of Palawan. We began our vacation with one night and a 1/2 day in Puerto Princessa. It rained the first two days...but that didn't deeter our moods and stop us from having a good time. On the afternoon of the 1/2 day we caught a van to El Nido- the true paradise of Palawan. Once we arrived there after a 5 hour rainy journey through the mountains in a hot stuffy van...we were NOT DISAPPOINTED! ^_^

The water was so crystal clear blue/aqua green, The beaches long and white,and the inland was so tropical and lush. I spent the 5 days there with my friend (and fellow young travelers we met there). The other travelers were from thailand, a Filipino couple on their Honeymoon, and actually 2 Native Korean girls and 2 fellow English teachers working in Korea. None of us knew each other but when we all met we clicked very nicely :) 

We all spent 3 of my 5 days in El Nido together swimming, island hopping, snorkeling, beach time, exploring the inland via scooters, and of course fun nights out. Seeing both the smaller islands, corals and tropical fish, and also the inland were each uniquely beautiful. It was so amazing to be able to experience such natural beauty. And the native people there were so genuinely kind and open. Surprisingly they spoke good english and I got to chat with a lot of them and hear their stories/share mine. Exploring the quiet and quaint streets, restaurants, and cheap massage parlors was so nice when getting such hospitable and kind service. Good and cheap food eaten- Veggie Banana Curry, Avocado Tuna Salad, THE BEST Calamari and grilled Squid, and the list could go on Also, my friend and I went to the market every day bought loads of whole pineapples, mangos, bananas, dragon fruit, and avocados which we snacked on during our trip. So juicy and good! OMG!!!

Banana Curry

Not only did I spend time enjoying the adventure, cuisine, and nature...but also had some good reflecting time. Ya know, the people there have so little...yet they are so happy. They live simple honest hard working lives and slowly take every moment of the day in and appreciate their world.. It was a gift to see how truly simple their lives are...and what I am going to strive to start doing- cut down my consumption of goods, and see everyday as a gift thus enjoying it as much as able.

I highly recommend every spirited traveler to visit El Nido to experience the tranquility and peacefulness of it's beaches and the people who call it home.

As always, Peace and Love.

Summer Break Time!!!

Hey all! So it is nearing the end of July, and for those of you viewing in either North America or Europe, that probably means that your summer breaks are coming to a closure. Westernized summer breaks usually run from June-August and is seen as a time for kids to be kids, teenagers to cause trouble, and parents to work shorter hours and enjoy the more casual side of life. However, for schools in most Asian countries (and for private schools in western countries) summer break is not seen as a 2 month long holiday filled with swimming, lots of play time, relaxation, and family vacations. Education is extremely important in Asian nations and man countries, including my very own South Korea, have a 1-2 week break for summer rather than a lengthy time off from school. While this seems very short, keep in mind that there are many shorter breaks throughout the year for schools and children VS. in the western world there is one looonnnngggg break in the summer and a short break in the winter. (I go into more detail about this in the video.

So, even though I only have 10 days for a summer holiday I still plan on going on a lil getaway. Last summer I visited for Beijing in the summer and Taiwan in the winter7 . This year, a friend and I put our heads together and planned a very relaxing vacation to the beaches of Palawan in the Philippines!! The Philippines is supposedly absolutely gorgeous, and we chose one of the main islands for long white beaches with loads of activities but with the lowest amount of tourist. That means not only will we get to relax on the beach for 7 days, but we will also be in one of the quietest places with the most desirable natural and modern attractions. Sea kayaking, Snorkeling, island hopping, shopping, and tanning- here we come!!!

I'll fill ya all in about in my next entry...until then,
Peace and Love!

_Patrick

I see trees of green....

Yo everybody! Just last weekend I embarked on a personal endeavor of mine. I medically tackled a problem that I have been battling since about the time I was 5 years old- My ridiculously shit poor eye sight.

I have had glasses and/or contacts since I was 5 or 6 years old and also have 2 bad astigmatisms. I have always considered Lasek/Lasik...but the cost was so much in the states, and even a lot of money to spend all at once here in Korea. However, learning how inexpensive corrective eye surgery was here in Korea, I  booked my appointment for a free eye exam and qualified for Lasik. The eye exam was very thurough and well conducted. The clinic was very clean, up to date, and filled with a knowledgeable staff. To my amazement.I was able to book an appointment that SAME AFTERNOON to have surgery. I consulted with the surgeon and he fully explained the process of Lasik. Within 15 mintues the surgery was complete and I was free to go after 45 minute waiting period/check up. I opened my eyes just moments after surgery, and for the first time in my life could see clearly! It was an 'aww and shock moment' 

The following day, I returned to the clinic for my required check up and also have 2 more follow up exams free of charge in the future. Over the past week my vision was improved even more. I have NEVER seen this clear, brightly, and more 'perfectly' in my life. As cliche as it sounds...I am 'seeing a new world'. 
I've always felt that if I were to loose any of my senses...I would be most devestated by the loss of sight.....the world is just too beautiful of a place to miss it's true shapes and colors. Now, and forever, I will be able to see even more of what the world has to offer in al aspect of life <3


Much peace and love, always.

-P

Here is a video that explains the process of Lasik. Keep in mind I was awae during this...but I really didn't feel a thing! Amazing right?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoH0VHrOM9A

Questions, Anyone?

Hey all! So for those of you that know me well personally or have been following my blog, you will also know that I have lived overseas in Korea now for nearly 17 months. When first moving to Korea way back in February 2012, It was totally an epic adventure of my life- heck it was the most exciting thing I had ever dreamt of doing. I took every opportune moment to try new foods, go new places, meet new people, and really submerged myself into the korean culture.

Of course, as time has developed and I become more at home here, more acclimated to my surroundings, realizing that aside from food and behaviors Korean culture isn't TOO much different than mine at home- I began to call Seoul my new home (for the time being) Also, it has become part of my life so much that I have even planted my own 'roots' and feel as if I am going through lifes motions and truly feel comfortable.

So this is the beginning of a new phase for my blog. Because I am no longer in the 'adventure' mode and more so in the 'living' mode, I don't feel the need to blog about Korea as much anymore as it is now just my daily life.
So I am asking you- my family, friends, and viewers to submit your questions to me via e-mail or FB message. Your questions can relate to Korean culture, food, weather, climate, society, or anything else you may be curious about pertaining to Korea. OR you may feel free to ask random questions about myself, my past/future travels, world issues, or about my role as an English teacher in a foreign country.

Your questions may inspire me to go do something new in Korea or get back in touch with some long last thoughts I once had. So go ahead, ask away....the questions are yours and I'm sure they are endless!!
e-mail: pecann88@gmail.com
FB Messages: http://www.facebook.com/patrick.conn.9

As always, Peace and Love!