Xian Nian Kuai Le

     Throughout my travels I have expierenced many cultures and traditions, but none compare to this evening.  Today I left South Korea, bound for X'ian or "she ahn," as it is pronounced.  This evening was Lunar New Year's Eve, the year of the rabbit.  I was very excited to witness the tradions and customs of this holiday, little did I know that I would expierence this first hand. 
     There were fireworks to welcome me and are still continuing as I write this.  The evening was filled with smoke and a thick haze accompanied it.  My tour guide, Michael (his English name came from Michael Jackson), was a bit young (23), but spoke perfect English.  He was excited to tell me that I was the lone tourist and would be taking the tour on my own.  I was shocked.  I had a private car and guide for tomorrow.  He also invited me to celebrate New Year with his family.  Now, I know as a female traveling alone that it would be very stupid to go with him...but how could I pass up a traditional chinese New Year dinner?  I went against all travel rules and decided to go.
     His grandfather's house was a short walk from my hotel.  Amist the chaos of fireworks and people paying hommage to their ancestor's spirits (they build little fires on the sidewalks, remembering their ancestor's, in hopes that they will bring them luck in this new year), we walked and talked about traditions and customs.  I also learned, that his family members did not speak any English and that I would be the first foreigner in their house.  I later discovered that I was also the first foreigner the family had ever met.  Now, you can imagine the pressure that I felt. 
     All of the family comes together on New Year's Eve.  Michael's grandfather, mother, father, cousins (asian families call their cousins, brother and sister), aunts, and uncles.  I was welcomed into their home and felt like a queen.  They watched my every move and wouldn't stop feeding me!  The house (apartment) was very tiny, with only three rooms: kitchen and two bedrooms.   The table was set up in a bedroom and the tv was on.  The tradition in their family is to watch a comedy/singing show on tv.  Now for the food.

     Keep in mind that I was a guest, with a group of strangers, that could not speak English.  I had to try everything.  They watched my reactions and motioned if it was good.  So here is what I ate:  pigs ears, lotus root, vegetable dumplings, lamb dumplings, roasted peanuts, noodles, beef, and mandarin oranges.  It all tasted very good.  The pigs ear's were a little chewy and cold.  I also tried pig fat (I think...Michael did not know the word)....I practically gagged.  Next came the fireworks.

     They insisted that I try and pushed me out the door.  I was very nervous.  I lit, threw, and waited for three loud bangs.  Thank goodness there was not anyone below, because we threw it right over the balcony of the apartment.  I also lit the largest sparkler I have ever seen. 

I set off a fire cracker and ran for my life!

     After fireworks, we went back into the house and watched tv with the family.  I was served tea and posed for many photos with the family (I felt like part of the family).  I left at about 9:00.  The family said that they will count down to midnight and turn every light on in this house. 

     It sounded like I was in the middle of a battlefield at midnight.  The sky lit up and it did not stop the entire night.  Word of advice, if you travel to China during Lunar New Year, do not plan on getting any sleep!
Xian Nian Kuai Le (Happy New Year)

The house door

Asian Snowman

     I always wondered what a snowman looks like in Asia.  If you ever wondered the same, take a look.

I Thought Student Teaching Observations Were Hard

     Today, I had my second Open Class.  Open Class is a full 40 minute period of observations... by the student's parent.  I forgot to mention, all of my student's parents in one very hot, small room.  The parents are there to observe their childs progress in English, but I know that I am the one that is under observation.  My first Open Class went very well and everyone left happy and pleased.  I felt a lot of pressure to do as well, if not better, due to high expectations. 
     I planned a great lesson.   My students created words with beginning s blends using their letter cards, while I modeled with my pocket chart.  Next, I read aloud a passage from their phonics books and clapped everytime they heard an s blend.  They completed their workbook and then on to the game.  It was all going too well. 
     The game was four corners.  Each child gets a picture card and goes to the matching blend posted at each corner of the room.  While the students were moving to their corner, one of my top students got sick, right next to the parents!  They all moved back...it was everywhere! 
     Teacher mode set in.  I grabbed all of the tissues from my room and assisted the student, along with at few parents.  Next, I assisted a student with cleaning his shoe and throwing a few of my picture cards in the trash.  I lined everyone up and to the library we went.  Of course there was not any chairs in the library, because they were in the classrooms for the observations, so I made do.  We placed an I Spy board game with consonant blends. 
     The signs all pointed to what was going to happen.  This morning the same student came up to me and said that she had a fever at home (parents send their children sick to school here).  Right before my class, I was joking with a fellow co-worker about horrible situations for an Open Class.  I said, "Wouldn't that be funny if a kid got sick."  Well, coming from expierence, it wasn't very humorous.

Happy New Year

     Happy New Year!  Sean and I have always rang the New Year in together, so I decided that this year should be the same.  NewYear's eve is not a very big holiday for Asian countries.  Koreans acknowledge the holiday; however, observe Lunar New Year with great celebration.  I look forward to this up coming holiday in February and decided to celebrate New Year's in my own special way.
     I cooked a baked potato in my new toaster/convection oven and topped it with fresh chives and cheese.  I also had a glass of wine.  I found the traditional New Years song: Auld Lang Syne and qued it, so that I could play it at midnight.
     Sean called at about 11:30, via Skype and we talked until midnight.  Then, we celebrated.  We gave a Skype hug and blew kisses to each other.  The best part, was that I had celebrated it twice!  Due to the time difference, I called Sean the next afternoon and rang in the New Year all over again.  In case you were wondering, my New Year resolution is: to not allow the small things to bother me. 
     May this year bring me happiness and laughter.

My New Year's Eve dinner

Lotte World

    
     Today, Sean and I went to Lotte World.  We had no problems getting to the amusement park; however, we could not find a way to get to Pizza Hut.  Pizza Hut is below the amusement park, we could see it, we just couldn't get to it.  I think that I was leading us around in circles.  After about half an hour, we found it  and were very happy!

     After lunch, we headed into the amusement park.  Once we found a locker (about another 1/2 hour and a couple of circles around the park), we headed to the first ride.  Although the wait was about one to two hours, it was worth it.  We had a blast.  We rode Pharaoh's Fury, Jungle Adventure, Desperados, and my favorite, Aeronauts Balloon Ride.  I hadn't been on this before and I will admit was a little bit scary.  You ride in the basket of a hot air balloon.  The ride is on a track that is placed in the ceiling.  You were able to see everything. 

   
     While we were waiting in line for the Jungle Adventure, a mother urged her son to say, "hello" to us.  We exchanged a few words in English.  Next thing we knew, we were posing for a picture with them.  I felt like a celebrity!  We were able to see a stage show, while enjoying ice cream.  We had a great spot, until the crowd came.  Later in the evening, we saw an electric light parade.

Light Parade

Potato Chips on a Stick!

 
     As were were leaving, we noticed that the outside of the park was open.  It was very cold outside, but we decided to take a look.  It was beautiful.  The park and castle was lit up.  There were even people waiting in long lines for the rides!  We had another great day.

Magic Island

    

Seoul Tower

   
     Sean and I set out for another adventure today.  First, we stopped at Sean's new favorite restaurant, Kim Bap Nara, and ordered spicy pork (his favorite Korean dish).  Next, we hopped on the bus, transferred to a taxi, and ended at our destination: Seoul Tower.

     Built in 1969, Seoul Tower is a communication and observation tower located on Mt. Namsan.  Seoul Tower or Namsan Tower has been a symbol of Seoul and measures 236.7 m (777 ft) in height (from the base) and tops out at 479.7 m (1,574 ft) above sea level.  The tower offers great panaramic view of Seoul, so why not visit this great landmark?
     Well, word of caution:  If you are afraid of heights do not visit this landmark.  Also, make sure you choose a nice sunny, clear day.
     There are two ways to get to Seoul Tower.  One option, is a short hike from the base of the mountain to the tower.  The other, is a cable car.  Of course, we chose the cable car for only $6.30 round trip.  The ride was quite nerve wrecking, but smooth and memorable.  You can expierence it below.

     Once you arrive, you will need to climb a few stairs to reach the tower.  It is worth it.  We were both very excited to find a place to "lock in our love."  Along the ground terrace attached to the tower, hundreds of locks are hanging, showing off the eternal love of their owners.  The locks hanging on the fences with the keys thrown away are meant to ensure sweethearts’ vows to never separate are kept.  There were hundreds of locks everywhere you looked.  They even made wire trees to increase space to hang locks.  After a brief look, Sean and I found our spot to hang our red, heart-shaped lock.  We closed and locked it together, sealing in our love.

If you look hard, you will see our red, heart shaped lock

     The ride to the top of the tour involves a smooth, short elevator ride.  The observation deck is beautiful and modern.  It would be the perfect place to see all of Seoul, or so I hear.  The day ended up being foggy and cloudy, so we could't see very far.  However, we did enjoy locating the various cities around the world.  We waited until sunset (the time when the view is breath-taking) and watched the rays fade away over the city.

     After the viewing, we went to the lower level and purchased a tile.  We each wrote a part of the message and began looking for a place to put the tile.  This was no easy task.  The tile was too big and wouldn't fit in any open spaces.  After a few times around, we were about to give up and put it on the ceiling, when we finally found a place.  The tile will be there for one year. 

Writing our message on our tile

Sean next to our tile

     The rest of the evening involved a trip to Insa-dong.  This is a great place for traditional Korean souvenirs.  After a little bargening and going back and forth between stores (to compare prices), I made my purchases:  two Korean masks (one for each of my brothers) and the wooden Korean wedding ducks for my mother. 

Trees of Locks

Gyeongbokgung Palace

    
     Today, Sean and I woke up to a surprise.  We did not have any running water!  After many phone calls, it was determined that the pipes were frozen or that a pipe may have broken.  Supposedly, I was the only apartment that did not have water.  Also, because it was a Sunday, the water company was not available until Monday!  Well, we weren't going to let it stop our fun, so we bundled up and headed out (unbathed of course).
     We arrived at Gyeongbokgung Palace, purchased our tickets, and took a few candid photos.  Although the sky was clear and the sun shining, it was only about 15 F.  Not the most ideal temperature to be outside, looking at palaces.  The cold was bone chilling, so we went into the National Folk Museum and ordered a Korean style lunch.

Kimchi

     After lunch, we watched the changing of the guard ceremony and waited for our free English speaking tour.  The tour was great!  Sean and I were the only two and we were led by young Korean students.  They spoke English very well and provided interesting information about the palace.  The palace was built during the Chosun Dynasty by King Taejo in 1395, the fourth year of his reign.  The kingdom used technology and spiritual belief to sustain the kingdom.  For instance, the palace was heated by steam pipes that ran underneath the floor, to all of the buildings.  The palace was also built based on the ying yang theory and can be seen at the base of many of the supporting pillars.  The court yard stones are very uneven.  This was done intentionally in front of the throne hall for two reasons.  One, for drainage, so that puddles would not collect.  Second, it forced people to walk cautiosly and slow in the presence of king. 

      Located at the corner of the Keunjeong-jeon, the royal throne hall is a large vat.  The vat was filled with water and placed at the corner to protect the building against fire.  According to belief, the fire god would pass the vat while entering the royal throne hall.  The god would see his reflection, become frightened and run away. 

     It was so cold, that after a while we couldn't focus on anything.  We left right after the tour, because of the bitter cold.  Later, we went to my co-workers Christmas party.  Well, it wasn't much of a party, but the food was delicious.  We had turkey, mashed potatoes, carrots, stuffing.  We ate and watched Frosty the Snowman and It's a Wonderful Life. 


Freezing Cold!

                                                              Changing of the Guard