Monkey Business

The other night Benjamin and I were reading out of his Zoobooks magazine. This month’s edition was about baby animals and we learned that when Rhesus monkeys want to play, they look at each other upside down through their legs. It was so fitting because just that morning I captured this picture of Sadie. She is definitely my little monkey. Maybe using the term feral is too harsh, but boy when others told me that no two children are alike, they were right.

When it comes to indulging children in Korea, it’s a bit of a paradox. On one hand, it’s amazing to see how the younger children are catered to. So many restaurants and most large department stores have elaborate indoor play areas. There are all kinds of cute accessories made for children. Toddlers appear to have less structure than we impose upon them. I have noticed this in Sadie’s nursery school. Korean mothers and grandmothers freely go about their business with their babies neatly tucked up and wrapped around their backs. These babies hardly seem to utter a peep and are quite content. They are constantly doted on. I need to learn some of their secrets because the Korean mothers just seem less stressed than American moms.

On the other hand, when the children are in middle school and beyond, immense academic pressure is placed upon them. There is no such thing as a summer vacation where children attend summer camp or just simply relax. Their school year begins in March, and although there is a long break that starts in December, most of the children are placed in more academies to learn English, math and science skills. Up until around 9 pm children are being dropped off and picked up and shuffled to their next class. When they return from their long day of instruction they are in their rooms doing homework until late at night. The competition to get into good universities and obtain good jobs is fierce.

I think I’ll let my little offspring be monkeys for a while.

In the Spirit of Giving!

Looks like living overseas isn't so bad after all. At least not for Benjamin and Sadie this Hanukkah. A steady flow of boxes have been arriving all month from grandparents, aunties, and friends. It's really fun and Benjamin is definitely pumped! Only 7 more nights. The first night of Hanukkah is Sunday the 21st.

Benjamin, Sadie and I will take the train up to Seoul where we will meet Steve and we're attending TWO Hanukkah parties Sunday night.

Hanukkah wrapping paper was a bit scarce so penguins and snowflakes did the job instead. However, I managed to find Hanukkah stickers, a table cloth and some other paper products at the PX. That was quite a pleasant surprise.

A few more interesting observations

The picture above is explained at the bottom of this post.

This morning I walked into a Korean bank to transfer some money. I hardly knew I was at a bank at all. Where were the bullet-proof windows? There were no ropes indicating which way to proceed. My jaw almost dropped when there were large wads of money just out in the open next to the teller behind the counter.

There are no child safety seat laws here. Or if there are, they are definitely not enforced. Many mothers drive with the infant seat in the front seat. After infancy, it seems like the the children are free to rove about the car as they please. It makes me hyperventilate a little. Safety is always my number one concern.

There is definitely a disconnect between indoor and outdoor regulations. Heaven forbid the sole of my shoe touch the floor in a restaurant, in certain shops, and living quarters, but it seems like second nature to unwrap a candy bar and toss the wrapper on the ground.

For as much talk as there is about health here, for example we are told repeatedly that Korean food is very healthy, that a certain smell is good for your health, or a certain tea is good for your health and so on, it amazes me that just about every single man here smokes. It seems like the government is just starting to come out with some anti smoking campaigns, however they don't seem very effective.

A couple of things I just can't get used to:

The spitting - it's really repulsive

Seeing raw meat everywhere. For example, in the US if a restaurant is advertising their beef or pork, they will have a photograph of the meat cooked and juicy looking. In Korea it's just the opposite. Apparently it's more enticing to see the uncooked version. The images are literally everywhere.

Now on to some fun Did ya knows?

Did you know that at the commissary the baggers bring the groceries to your car? (yes, it's like a little touch of Ukrops!!) They do work solely on tips and there is a tip box.

Did you know in a Korean restaurant you will not find a steak knife? Table scissors are used instead. You get used to this after a while and actually begin to prefer it.

Did you know they actually make chopsticks that aren't the wooden, disposable version? They are metal. It's their silverware. Something you don't think about when you are so used to metal forks and spoons and wooden chopsticks back home. Makes sense though.

And finally, did you know about this popular display? In the middle of large cities and even in the countryside are these huge multi-tiered golf driving ranges. (Picture above) It's quite a sight to take in the first time you see it, just erected between a bunch of high-rise buildings. Golf is very popular and seen as somewhat of a status symbol. I believe unless you are extremely wealthy here it is not possible to become an actual member of a real golf club. (sorry this is not such a great picture but maybe you can get an idea with the huge green net cages up in the air)

And more on Squatting . . .

Since I sort of got on the subject of squatting, I thought I'd share a little more on the topic.
Specifically what is called the "Asian Squat".

In Korea, almost everywhere, you will see men and women of ALL ages, and children squatting on the ground. They do this during various activities like drying their chili peppers and working in the markets, and sometimes just during conversations. And a lot when interacting with children.

Now, I happen to be very good at the squat because I perfected it when I took prenatal yoga and find it to be quite comfortable. Most Westerners would disagree.

Here are a few pictures to exemplify my point:

Sadie, being my little Korean baby is an old pro.

The man who properly vented my dryer this morning.



And to top it off a comedic and facetious YouTube video for you on the Asian Squat:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWTmg4dHiKg

Our First Snow

Looking at the snow covered rooftops.

Wondering if the snow has any effect on those kimchi pots up there?