Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival

    
     Today I expeirenced, for the first time...ice fishing!  I traveled about three hours to the Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival in Hwacheon County, Gangwon-do.  It is one of the largest seasonal festivals in Korea and was chosen one of the 7 wonders of winter in Lonely Planet.  After going to the festival, I now understand why it was chosen.
     The morning was a rocky start.  I was debating whether to go.  Due to my previous afternoon, I awoke in the night with pain, where my teeth had been pulled.  I didn't sleep a wink, but I thought, either be at home with a little pain, or have fun.  I obviously chose the latter.
     The festival had ATV's, snowmobiles, go-carts all on the ice.  I had my friends push me on the bobsled cart on the ice.  It was hard to push off the ice, but once you got going, it was really fun!  Like much of Korea, it was very crowded.  We almost ran into a few people.  After we walked around the festival, I stopped for a Korean pancake and headed over to the swimming hole.

      This was not just any ordinary swimming hole.  This had ice cold mountain water, filled with mountain trout.  Anyone who registered was given a shirt and shorts, to wade in the water.  When the gong sounded, everyone jumped in to catch as many trout as you could.  People were going to the sides, to corner the fish.  Others were stuffing the fish down their shirts.  It was a sight to see.  I was late to register, otherwise I would have been participating as well.

      Next stop: ice fishing.  There was a designated spot for foreigners only.  I thought that this was funny, because I could not fish with the rest of the population.  This, however, had its benefits.  For $12.00 you were able to spend as much time as you wanted fishing, received a fishing pole (with lure), and an English speaking expert.  There was plenty of people that would help to show you how to fish and get the fish off of the hook.  The technique involved quick jerking movements.  It was all in your wrist.  After about thirty minutes, I caught the first fish.  I was so excited.  Soon after, Julie and Jim caught theirs.  After about one and a half hours, we totaled 6 fish.  Kerry: one, Julie: three, Jim: 2.  *Check out my fly swatter fishing pole!

     Near the fishing holes, was the cooking station.  For $1.00, you turned your fish in to get sliced and rubbed with seasoning.  It was then wrapped in tin foil and given a grill.  We decided to cook five fish on the grill.  It was divine.  This was the first time that I had fresh mountain trout and it was great!  For fun, I dared Julie to eat the cooked eye ball.  To my surprise she did! 
    

     The night ended with sushimi.  We took our last fish to get cut up and we ate it raw.  I only had a tiny bit.  Not a fan.  Everyone else enjoyed.  We took a walk to see the lights in the street and headed home. 

mmmm....eyeball

                                                     Take a ride with me on a bobsled

Wisdom Teeth Removal

    Last Friday, I awoke with the most horrific pain in my mouth.  I did not have any Tylenol or pain medicine and ended up packing my mouth with ice.  I stayed awake with intense pain until dawn broke.  I went into work and had them schedule me an immediate appointment.  When I went in, the dentist was shocked.  She said (through broken English), that I had a severe infection and that my gums were so inflamed that she could not even see my wisdom tooth.  She cleaned the area and shot me up with antibiotics.  This was all due a piece of food being caught under my gum.  Gross.
     Today, I went in to get two wisdom teeth removed, to avoid future mishaps.  I was shown the x-ray with a monitor right at my seat and a video of the procedure.  Next, I was numbed, had a mask placed over me with a hole for my mouth (creepy), and the teeth were pulled.  It was painless and cheap.

Video Shooting

     I had a wonderful day!  A few weeks ago, I was approached by my director, concerning a possible opportunity to choreograph the new phonics songs.  She said that they were looking for someone with a background in choreography.  I was delighted that she thought of me!  She mentioned briefly the details of the job and then asked how tall I was.  I said 5'2 and she said perfect.  They were looking for a short, skinney girl.  I chuckled to myself, when she had said this. 
     I got to work right away.  I was emailed the song, and soon created a short dance.  I had to have a co-worker tape me.  I was really obnoxious and exaggerated my facial expressions.  It was so hard for her to not laugh.  She actually had to look away from the camera!  After a few takes, we choose the best one, and sent it off.  The following week I was notified that I had been chosen for the position.  They really liked my facial expressions!  I guess all of the years of cheerleading finally paid off.
     The Sunday that arrived back in Korea, from my winter vacation, I had a very daunting email waiting for me to reply.  I was to create 15 dances by Tuesday.  I could not believe what I was reading.  Immediately, I asked for an extension and was granted an extra day.  I will admit, I tried not to get stressed out.  The first night, I listened to all of the songs over and over for about two hours and tried various moves.  The task was hard.  The dances were aimed at 5-7 year olds.  I had to keep the moves simple and slow. 
     Each day, I would shoot a few dances and send them out for review and modifications.  I was told that there were just a few minor changes and I would learn of them on the set, Saturday.  I was also sent a box of very, very, colorful costumes.  I will admit, I would not be caught dead in them, but they needed bright colors for the blue screen. 
     Before I knew it, Saturday arrived.  The subway ride took longer than expected and I arrived half an hour late.  I thought, this is not a great way to start off.  As soon as I arrived, I whisked off to my dressing room and my taxi was taken care of.  My dressing room had a personal sylist who put together all of my costumes.  She was delightful and made everything very easy.  I was positioned strategically in the center of the blue screen and the monitor (with the lyrics) was placed at eye level.  I was able to review each dance and practice before the filming began. 

My Personal Stylist

     I wish that I could say that it only took the first try, but that would not be the truth.  I was not consistent.  Sometimes, I would get it on the second try.  Others, would take at least five or seven takes.  After the third song was recorded, I was askeed, "do you wear contacts.  Your eyes are very blue."  I thought, gee what a nice compliment.  Then I found out that my eyes might appear odd with against the blue screen.  The solution:  Colored contacts. 
     I have never worn contacts before and the task took two people (telling me how to put them in) and 20 minutes of frustration on my part.  When I finally got them in, my eyes were transformed to a deep green.
     I worked at a very fast pace.  I was fed oranges and drank lots of water.  Everyone was wonderful and patient.  This was one of my best experiences in Korea. 

This was to the Old McDonald song