Lotte World Mall

Here is the rink inside the mall by my apartment. You can also see some of the indoor rides from the amusement park. The rest of the rides are outside. This mall is always jam packed with people. I haven't tried out the skating rink yet, I don't think they will have skates in my size! Plus I wouldn't want to intimidate any of the Koreans with my mad skills on the ice.... ya right!

"Christie is Korean"

The kindergarten students had their graduation day last Friday. Fortunately my classes are still staying the same, but they are now grade one students. All my classes are going very well. The kids make me laugh everyday for sure. I've been pracicing a bit of my Korean in class and the kids think that's great! A couple days ago some of them left class saying "Christie is Korean, Christie is Korean!"

"You don't make friends with salad"

My friend and I came across this tree, and it reminded me of an old Simpson's episode where everyone is making fun of Lisa by singing "you don't make friends with salad, you don't make friends with salad." All the memories of my brother and his friend tormenting me with this chant came back to me... but this time I found it to be very funny!

Traditional Korean Village - Namsangol

This past weekend was Chinese New Years weekend. In Korea they celebrate both January 1st and Chinese New Year. Both days are important for families to gather together and participate in many Korean traditions. I had the opportunity to have breakfast with a Korean family from my building on the Chinese New Year. This was very different from any breakfast I have ever had. The meal consisted of many unfamiliar, but traditional Korean foods. We had duk gook soup, kimchi (fermented cabbage with potent spices, served with every meal in Korea), whole fish with heads and skin, vegetables, clear rice noodles, corn tea, and bulgogi which I actually love (strips of beef with onions, carrots, and mushrooms). Strange to be eating all of this at 9 in the morning, but I was very open to trying almost everything.
That weekend I also went with a friend to visit a traditional Korean village. This place was packed with families taking part in many New Years traditions such as flying kites, children wearing their traditional hanbok dresses, and playing different Korean games.