Speed Dating Beijing

Awesomeness! The wheels in my mind were spinning about dating Koreans. ^^

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Agra Food Interview

AgraFood the

monthly magazine published under the government budget. The name is Korea Agrafood (www.agrafood.co.kr) and it has contained articles about agricultural products and its export. There is a content about people who live and like Korea.

Contacted me via email requesting an interview by me via email. I figured why not and just recently replied with my answers. I have to say I am a bit ashamed I couldn't name the Korean names of my favorite Korean dishes. So looks like I will try to jot it down the next time I eat it. haha

Here for you are the questions and answers...enjoy!

1. Could you introduce yourself? - and your profile

Hello my name is Joy Iris-Wilbanks I am a 27 year old woman from San Francisco, California. However I grew up in Florida and have lived in California too. I graduated from San Francisco State University in 2007 with a degree in Art. I enjoy living in Korea and have been doing so for a little over a year now.

2. Why do you came to Korea?

On New Year's Day 2008 I made a New Year's resolution to come and teach in Korea. At that time I was working at an insurance company and felt like my life was not very meaningful. Also I have always had an interest in Asian culture and traveling. I had never been outside the country and really wanted to explore. In addition I had previous jobs where I was with children and found that to be more enjoyable than office work. So I combined my two passions and decided to teach in Korea. I chose Korea because out of my other choices (China and Japan), Korea seemed to over the most benefits and appeared to be a clean and safe country.

How long have you been?

I have been hear since May 2008.

3. About Korean food.

1. What';s your favorite and what kinds of Korean food do you hate?

Unfortunately I have not memorized all of Korea's food names. For me my favorite is Lamb galbi because it is so unique. But I also enjoy the "pizza" or pancake type food. I really enjoy panchan (side dishes) because they offer a great variety at the table. Also I think Korean soups are very good and healthy. When I feel sick I no longer make my chicken soup but go out to a Korean restaurant and order Jook or other soup. The Korean food I hate are the foods sold in the carts on the street. I am skeptical of the food quality. I really don't like squid or octopus so anything with a strange sea creature I don't like.

2. Do you really enjoy Korean food?

Yes I really enjoy Korean food. It is very healthy and covers many food groups in one meal. I can tell Koreans have a long standing tradition with their food.

3. Is there any Korean food you can cook?

Unfortunately there is not, but with some time I would like to learn how to make a simple soup with tofu.

3. experience

None?

1. What is you first impression about Korea or Korean culture?

My first impression of Korea when I came here about a year ago was that Korea is a very well developed country. I was amazed to see sky high apartment buildings. As for the culture I found it interesting to see how everyone talk boisterously during meals and that Koreans are very curious about Westerners.

2. Are you hanging out with Korean friends?

I have a Korean boyfriend and I spend my weekends with him.

3. In your opinion, where is the best part of Korea- for sightseeing and eating food.

I feel the best part of Korea for sightseeing and eating food is near the Insadong area called Samcheondong in Seoul There you can get a glimpse of old style buildings while also getting a feel for unique cafes in Korea. Also nearby is a famous palace which is very amazing. All in this neighborhood I feel are many unique places to experience Korean food and sightseeing. Every time I go I find someplace new and feel very relaxed. I highly recommend this part of Korea.

4. Future

I am nearing the end of my 1 year teaching contract so I am up for resigning. I would like to continue living in Korea and at my present school. The only way they can keep me if they provide me a better house. Unfortunately for English teachers our housing situation is often degrading. Now that I have been here a year I feel I deserve a quality home. Also I would like to explore Korea more and see the sites around the country. I haven't been to Busan or Jeju-do so it would be nice to see what is down there.

5. Last

Thank you for giving me this interview I hope it shows other people that foreigners living in Korea have a good time. We love to explore new places and find out what is going on in Korean society.

Could you tell me your opinion about Korean food and culture?

Korean food combines many different spices and ingredients. Whenever I eat a Korean meal I feel I can taste so many different things. I for one am not really fond of Kimchi but many foreigners like it. For me I can't handle the spiciness. I am constantly amazed at how fresh everything is prepared and cooked. I can tell Koreans value fresh food and meat. Also I enjoy Korea's seasonal fruits and vegetables. While shopping I can tell what is popular by all the ahjummas standing around the fruit or vegetable bins. I think Koreans see their daily meals as a way of providing comfort for all in their family.

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Different Shades of English

After my Korean class on Wednesdays a few of us go out to dinner together afterwards. At first there were about 10 of us but then participants in this free Korean class started to dwindle and it was down to just us sticklers.

We would pick a different place to eat at every time and usually it was a non-Korean cuisine.

The interesting part of our meals were the conversations. In particular I think this is what is most enjoyable about living in Korea. That is meeting people from different parts of the world.

At our last get together after class I met with a South African, New Zealander and a Britain. One of the conversations we had was about how they can't stand teaching "American" English.

For example Americans call the device where water comes out of in a sink the "faucet" but for the others at my table they called it the "tap". The South African when first hearing it called a "faucet" here in Korea that it was some old English word that nobody uses and so taught it that way. She corrected it for her students thus teaching them to call it the "tap".

I found this conversation amusing because it shows how English speaking people have different words for the same thing. It is really fun to sit down with non-Americans and share these differences in the English language.

What happens most often, I notice, is that the non-Americans end up complaining a little bit about the American usage for certain things. Certainly I heard this kind of griping during our dinner. The British guy said he refuses to use American words.

As for our students I think they mostly know about American English. Therefore it may be a good idea to do a lesson comparing English spoken across the globe.

All in all, I always have a fun time calling the hood of the car the "bonnet" and the trunk the "boot."

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Tumbling Down

It must be that time of the year when everything comes tumbling down. For us at school it means tests and preparations for summer camp.

Also I enquired about my contract review and my coteacher said she will ask the Principal about it during our camp time, which is the 20 - 24th. But she expects he won't be ready to talk about it till after summer vacation...which is at the end of August. Whatever! I know what I am going to say so bring it on!

And after a lot of looking over tax documents and getting frustrated I used TurboTax to fill out my tax forms. Now all I have to do is mail it in and see what happens. (eFile-ing failed)

Lately I have been patiently waiting for my vacation in California which is coming in August. I start thinking about it and can't stop.

Well those are the updates for now...if my blogging seems sporadic it is because of all this stuff going on.

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Din Din

I have been trying lately to make myself dinner more often than eating out. I think I am doing this mostly because my appetite has lost interest in eating Han's Deli and "spaghetti" over and over.

I use to do a lot of cooking back in college to save money, so it is not like I don't know how to cook. A few weeks ago I made a chicken dinner that turned out pretty well. I used Jiffy cornbread mix from Hannam supermarket and taco seasoning to coat the chicken.

I was bit too nervous worrying about not cooking the chicken enough that I think I overcooked it in the end. It still tasted pretty good.

Those are "Spanish" olives in that salad!

The next day I shared the left over cornbread with my coworkers. They were pleased, so now I think I will get around to making banana bread and share that with them.
If I am not cooking up something "western" I put together a quick remyeon and rice meal. Eating in saves money too!

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Trivia Time from Chris Round 3

Here we go again....let's see if I know anything.

31. McDonalds, Burger King, and Dunkin Donuts are just a few well-known American food places with many locations across Korea. Name three well-known food franchises from America that you cannot find in Korea (without a military base pass, at least!).

In and Out Burger, Checkers (Florida), Jambu Juice...it's a franchise and owned by Starbucks...the smoothies come fast...fastfood.

32. What is the approximate percentage of alcohol in soju?

Enough to rip the guy out of me.

33. One of the tallest buildings in Korea, known as '63' ('yuk-sam') was once the tallest building in Asia. Until it became known as '63', what was the three-letter name of the building?

Dunno

34. Cell phone stores are everywhere, but only three cell phone companies provide service to those thousands of phones. Name the three cell phone companies.

SK, uh uh ah darn

35. Where is Wolmi-do?

Some Island...

36. Dokdo is ours! Or so Korea says. The only way to get to Dokdo from Korea's mainland is by a ferry from what island?

Womi-do only taking a guess.

37. The 2008 beef protests started shortly after a report from a Korean TV show? What was that show called?

>< ?

38. If you're here teaching English at a hagwon or in the public school system, you're probably on an E-2 visa. Which visa would you need if you wanted to be a college professor?

Same...no????? Professor..hrmmm

39. You're taking a taxi to meet your friends, and you ask the driver to drop you off at the 공원 입구 (gongwon ibgu). What or where is that?

Oh for Pete's sake!

40. How many baseball teams are there in the Korean Baseball League?

And to think I actually watch them...uh uh maybe about 6 teams

41. There are several dynasties and kingdoms mentioned in Korea's history. Name two dynasties or kingdoms.

Silla, Paekjae

42. In 2000, the Korean language was revised to make Romanization easier despite some protests from the Korean people (surprised?). What did they change? Bonus points: Named after two of the linguists that helped create it, what was the previously used system called?

Wow... I think you need to get some rest Chris...try to wing it like the rest of us.

43. Approximately how large is a 평 (pyeong)?

I'll Show you mine if you show me yours.

44. Who or what is 막걸리 (makgeolli)?

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh-h

45. One of Korea's most famous leaders, who is on the front of the manwon (10,000 won) bill?

King Sejong

(Banging head against the wall)... ask me anything about what school children like and I am all on it!

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