Setsubun is coming...

It really isn't even that big a holiday, but maybe it is, because when I went to my favorite park this statue of an ONI had been erected and many signs advertising the bean throwing festival to banish the evil spirits.

Seems like just yesterday I was posting a photo of the Setsubun sweet.

Who is that big guy standing there.

From Heike Monogatari

(From Heike Monogatari)

When did my heart learn such ways,

of late I think so longingly of

palace companions I once knew

The past, too, has vanished like a dream

My days by this brushwood door 

cannot be long in number

Kureimon-in was bathed in tears, 

overwhelmed by memories of the past and thoughts of the future

Pretty much sums up how I've been feeling these days... 

Jigokudani Monkey Park Trail and Monkeys Video

Baby Snow Monkey Fresh from the Bath

Baby on the Shore

Monkey Couple

An Inn and Bath-house Within the Park

The Park Entrance, Me with Mom, Mother in Law, and Max!

For my first break (had 2 days off, 4 day weekend!) I was fortunate to go with my mother and mother-in-law to Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park near Yudanaka, Nagano, Japan. It can be a little expensive and takes some hours to get there, but can be accessed from Tokyo or Nagoya. We stayed at a Japanese style in that is oriented to both Japanese and Foreign tourists, called Shimaya. The couple that ran the inn was extremely friendly and helpful and the room was spacious with comfortable futon. The inn owners will give you a lift to places around town for free, and the price is reasonable. Japanese inns usually charge per-person and offer breakfast and dinner- usually you buy them in the per-person price per-night staying at an inn. Prices can become fairly high at those types of inns, but the price for the Shimaya inn was extremely reasonable for what was included. Enjoy the video and the monkey images.

Halloween Class Ideas

Pre Halloween Week Decorations!

It's holiday time at my school in Japan!

I've been invited and given the freedom to get as involved as I want at my school next week!

I'm inviting the children to come dressed in costumes. Some may show in costume, some may not. I may keep some ears and impromptu costumes. Good thing I have small classes! Four kids is the maximum size!

Here are some good FREE websites for Halloween Activity ideas:

ABCteach.com

http://abcteach.com/directory/seasonalholidays/halloween/

Disney Family Fun.com

http://familyfun.go.com/halloween/halloween-printables/halloween-printable-games-activities/

Enchanted Learning (Not all Content Free)

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/halloween/

Appetizer: Boiled Lotus Root Gazpacho Salad

Sorry... another lotus root recipe! But it's the season!

source: http://www.homemade-chinese-soups.com/lotus-root.html

It worked out pretty well as a meal too

Boiled Lotus Root Gazpacho Salad:

(1) Prepare Lotus Root: Wash, peel, clean, and slice thin, about 2 mm thick. Boil enough water to boil the root in, add the pieces, and once it boils again boil for about 1 min or until the root is of desired hardness. Add dressing ingredients while it is warm, after straining. (3 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp white wine vinegar, 1/3 tsp salt, pepper to taste)

(2) Chop: cucumber (1), tomato (1), onion (1/4), and sashimi grade fish (tuna or salmon work well), and minced parsley (1-2 tsp), toss with 3 tbsp olive oil and salt and pepper. Serve mixture over the root salad.

Thank you Orenji Peeji (オレンジページ2011 10/2)

About Lotus Root

Lotus root is the root of the popular lotus flower and used in a manner of ways: soups, stews, salads, stir fries. The uses are infinite, comparable to potatoes. It is a nutritional superstar, rich in Vitamin B1, B6, as well as choline (which is great for brain function) as well as minerals manganese, magnesium, and potassium. In the store it looks like a dirty potato, nothing like it does when prepared. If you're feeling adventurous, visit your Asian grocer and give this delectable root a try.

They are grown in swampy areas. If the root is covered in dirt it is easy to tell whether it is fresh or not, because the mud will dry after its harvesting.

Around My New Home: Japanese Apartment Tour!

I apologize for the figeting. At least vlogging will allow me to critique myself so I can try to make myself a more powerful and less awkward figure! Anyway, enjoy. Maybe I can show more details in the future. It's a beautiful day and I'm heading outside now!

There are lots of goodies at my youtube channel now. I don't know if I'm going to be able to vlog daily, but I'll try to put things up once in a while for the folks at home.

Things to Enjoy in Korea: The Food (Grilled Meat)

Don't Go Without an Appetite (Or Do Go and Find One)

Customizable, eat it how you want to!

The Leaf is Called a "Sesame Leaf"

It comes from a different plant than the popular "Sesame Seed" Most Know

Why don't we eat it in the U.S.? It's delicious!

Grilling away, no, we don't eat like this everyday.

This place sells premium beef so it's more expensive.

Grilled meat, Barbecue Meets the Table, This is Common for Grilled Meat Restaurants

My hubby, Teenie Weenie Shirt, and Side Dishes

Close up on Side Dish

Ahh Korean food. For the most part I love it. And I would dare say I enjoy most dishes much more than Japanese food, even. I think it blows Japanese food out of the water on my parameters of carb to protein and vegetable ratio (although traditional Japanese food should be high in veg?). It's savory and satisfying and has tremendous variety, especially at restaurants. Most have their own unique side dishes. I never leave the table hungry if I go to a restaurant. It's also quite affordable compared to the US and Japan.

Even if you can't do spicy there are plenty of options. And if you don't do bland, there is always a spicy option. Fats are paired with enzyme rich fermented foods which help you digest them. I have no complaints for this diet (except I'm a little fruit sensitive, and my insulin resistance makes me really have to cut my portion sizes on the rice)

That being said, vegetarians and vegans may have a hard time eating socially, but there are legume-protein rich foods available as well.

Things to Enjoy in Korea: Tea Shops

Traditional Tea Shop Interior

There was an appetizer tea, which tastes kind of like Chinese medicine.

The herbs involved are more savory. (left, small cup)

Then there is Jujube Tea , which is supposed to promote youth. It has a nutty berry-like flavor, and the jujube fruit is often referred to as "Chinese Date" (DAECHU)

It is rich in Vitamin A, B6, and B1,2,3 vitamins, and some Minerals

This fruit works itself into a variety of Korean stews, broths, and of course, tea.

Expect pine nuts. My mother in law sweetens this tea with honey.

My other favorite tea is called OMIJA tea.

(Schizandra)

It's served very sweet and either warm or iced.

Further behind the tea-cups are traditional Korean sweets: rice cake, fried flour sweet soaked in honey (YAKGWA) , and more rice. As my husband is allergic, he can't really touch the stuff.

Lights are dim and the mood is relaxing, although tea places come in a variety of themes. This one is traditional style. Many of the modern places are actually chains and have witty Konglish names like "Angel-in-Us", "Yoger Presso", "Caffe Bene" Herbal Teas and others are usually available.

These pictures came from a very nice outing with a friend from ballet class.

***

There are usually little places like this in the tourist areas around Seoul (e.g. Insadong). One of them even keeps little finches.

Omija Tea, photo from http://noopy.aminus3.com/image/2008-04-29.html

Pricing Discrepancy, Much?

US TEXTBOOK MAKERS AND SELLERS: WHATS GOING ON HERE?

Approximately $60 USD

What's up with this?

Cost in US: $170.22 USD !

Not to be sold in USA or Canada? Why? Because people would freak out at the price discrepancy?

Stewart Calculus

My University used This Text

It's an International Text, but Wholly in English

What's going on here?

What's going on with US Textbook Prices?

WTF?

Korean Price: Approx $45 USD , Less Considering Exchange Rate

US Price for US Students: $185 (Amazon)

Suggested Retail: $224.95

All right. So for those in college, (it is September after all, people are going back-to-school everywhere), here is a post for you.

I was at a big bookstore today, and was surprised by the cost of textbooks. Well, surprised that these American texts, in American format, using nearly the same materials, binding, and everything else, simply cost half, or less than half, the cost American students have to pay.

Now why is this?

Why shouldn't American students have access to AMERICAN books at prices struggling families an afford?

Kwestions About Korea~

There is not one car in this picture of a color other than black, white, or silver!

These are serious questions! I mean, if someone were considering research questions about Korea, they would be interesting places to start some research. Most of them are about modern culture.

1) Monotone Cars

Why are cars overwhelmingly white, black, silver, and a dark silver-blue?

Why? Also, considering the population size and that other countries have much smaller cars, why are the sizes so close to opulent U.S. sizes?

2) Children Sent Abroad

Many Koreans send their children abroad to go to school, full time. To the U.S.,

Phillipines, Canada, and a whole variety of English speaking nations. This is

especially prevalent in the current generation. I want to know what kind of effect that this has on the population now, and think it should be studied in the future since I don't know if the effects can be seen yet, but I'm not sure it is good for preserving traditional culture..

3) That Apartment Lyfe

Why do people, even in small cities and country town, largely live in HUGE apartment buildings averaging about 18 stories and at least 2 apartments per story?

4) Cell Phone Glued to the Head

People are so often on their cell phones. Even on the buses and trains. This is not unusual in my home country of the U.S. (although the frequency Koreans are involved with their phones seems much higher, not even factoring in the time spent on the phone in the bus), but I know in Japan it is considered a faux-pas to speak on the phone in the train, subway, or bus. Those who do speak in hushed tones and cover their mouths, speaking quietly.

I used to think my students were rude when they answered calls in the middle of our meetings, or came to our meetings speaking loudly on the telphone. This is par-for-the-course in Korea, and seems acceptable, although a youth should probably not do this behavior in front of an elder.

5) Jesus, Mary, and Joseph

How did Korea get so Christian compared to Japan? What is the historical reason that Christianity has such a stronghold in Korea compared to Japan?

My husband has suggested that it fits the business model of making connections (fellowship) And then this leads me to more questions about Japan- if Japanese people are not having fellowship at church or through religion, where does it occur? Max also argues the Korean war, but this confuses me considering that Japan was so strongly occupied by the US following WW2. And then he argues that there is the matter that Korea was so poor and undeveloped at the time of WW2 (Japan had been developing since Perry's arrival and it reopened to the world.)

This is also not to discount that there is still a strong force of Buddhism. In fact, a famous person on a television drama from a foreign country came to Korea to study the Buddhism. Around most temples, monks can be seen. I don't know why my brain found that fact to be related... but... anyway...

6) Koreans and Koncentration, Kwantity or Kwality?

Things are concentrated. Apartment Buildings? Concentrated in some areas. Restaurants? They have their own concentrated area. People also really seem to like huge quantities... if you go to a store there should be MIND BLOWING amounts of options. I was just looking for a small bead shop, and when I finally get to a place that sells Beads today... it has to be a whole Bazaar size! The sock vendors are not on every block (although there are SOME small shops) but cluster together all in the same spot! To every-place a thing, and to every thing a specific place.

7) Time is money! Ppari Ppari! Quick quick!

Everything is so darn rushed! Getting on the bus- the bus jerks into motion throwing you down the aisle to your seat. Getting off feels like your tumbling down the stairs and onto the crusty streets. Where, oh where, did this sense of urgency come from? Cars rush through intersections (seemingly threatening the pedestrians, but this is just the viewpoint of a pedestrian), people rush through the subway. Maybe it's just because there is so much concentration from point A to Point B.

8) US Textbooks at a Fraction of the Cost

See my blog about Textbook Price Discrepancies.

Books are just slightly rearranged, made of the same materials, binding, thickness of hardcover- look-alikes. But they cost less than half of what American texts costs. I want to know why they are so cheap in Korea, and why there is such price gouging of US students. Is it that the books are of less demand? That Koreans are Unwilling to Pay so much? That they are produced in Korea or China, and are simply cheaper based on that? So many questions.

I can't think of anything else right now. So ponder away and feel free to send me answers, theories, rants, and raves! I'm waiting! These are just my observations, and are not authoritative answers about Korea. However, with some research and some sources with authority, they could be.

Japan Consulate Trip (Seoul) : Part I

Nice to Meet You Again, Ayako!

Some Truth in Advertising Today!

Experience a "New Type of Savory- WOW!"

Max ordered Semi-Nude

But Not Interested in Salad

He Kept his Eyes on his Prize: BEER

Today was one of those rough and tumble days spent on Korean mass transit. People say it's the most affordable in the world, but I'm not going to say that it is the most convenient or comfortable ;) Like a Shakespearean play, our day was full of ups and downs, twists and turns, and was very very tiring.

And this is just part 1. Max and I return to the crowds and smog tomorrow!

The consulate was pretty terrible. Unlike the sparkling ones back home (I think the Portland consulate was pretty nice? Or maybe I have only ever seen Consulate events and the Korean Consulate in Seattle, which is also nice. I had no trouble bringing my documents, but then it was Max's turn. Now, we're not applying for anything like a working visa for him, just family, and we have all our marriage documents. Somehow he mentioned that he will be doing some online classes, and suddenly the immigration officer got all hung up about how he had to have documentation about the online class.

Wait, I thought the point was to prove that we were married?

Hmph.

So we trekked from the Consulate through Insadong, crowds, smog that gave me hives, to a PC-bang where Max registered for fall classes, printed an enrollment letter, and printed his online schedule for the Fall term.

So, guys who are going with your sugar mommas to Japan: you should prove that you are doing something manly-like: working, studying, or being a "man." Just a word of wisdom. But it's bureaucracy. Although we probably would have been able to work it out somehow, it's just easier if you can prove right away exactly what you will be doing in Japan, and that we will have the visas worked out before we depart.

I hope you enjoyed the pictures at least. I feel so much better after the rant ^.^

It's a happy ending: the consulate got evidence that Max is a man, and is getting ready to be employed someday, and we will be able to pick up our visas tomorrow! :) The sad part is that I have to do all that mass transit, smog, and crowds again.

In happy news, I was able to see a student from my old school, who is more of a friend, and she came with us to Nangdaemun bazaar. And a bazaar it was. I'm going back again tomorrow. I will take photos... the bead floor was amazing! A single floor was as big as a warehouse, like those traveling bead shows that happen once a year in my hometown- except the bazaar happens everyday. Very awesome. Except, in the whole mess, I couldn't find any Japanese beads except maybe Tohos. I was wanting some Czech seed beads and Miyuki Delicas. They have plenty of crystals and fancy goods, though!

We wrapped it up with more subways, stairs, and a hamburger at KrazE Burger. Best burger I've had so far here, although it doesn't compare to a big wad of high quality beef from the supermarket fried in a pan. It came reasonably close though ^.^ I had the King Ring Burger.

I saw a big Teenie Weenie (the store I mentioned in a previous blog!) . It was just in passing, so I didn't get a picture.

And a bus numbered 420.

The end.

Small Surprises: Teenie Weenie

Teenie Weenie Does Couple's Looks

Teddy Bear's Have Frats and Teenie Weenies!

Max: after Noodles, Beer, and Copious Amounts of Korean Fried Chicken

He has become Frat Bear~!

Here is something I never saw before Korea (besides traditional culture), and that is the brand TEENIE WEENIE. I can't help but smile or crack up when I hear that name. So Max and I bought some Teenie Weenie goods from an outlet store.

The heat of autumn is here, and I sit in my chair with very sweaty legs.

Enjoy the photos of Max and I in YELLOW TEENIE WEENIE Merchandise. Love love love! Kinda looks like a frat-boy, but the whimsy and the random name make up for it.

This post seems to be the polar opposite of my previous post, in which we encountered large Korean Phalluses. Now you just met the Teenie Weenie Bear.

Haesin-DONG(Haesindang) Dong Park 해신당공원

The Exhibit in that Hut is the Only one to be "R" Rated

Max Riding Free Willy

More Family Fun than Disneyworld!

Check out that Beautiful View, Be Prepared to Meet Sea Roaches Though!

Shrine to the Unfulfilled Virgin

Haesindang Park

A few weeks ago I was swept out of bed and into the car for a voyage to Samcheok area in Korea. We stopped at a hot spring, a beached cruise ship theme resort atop a hill, and then, to my surprise, what appears to be a very popular park in Korea. Just type "Haesindang" into the google search or google image search for more information.

Anyway, Samcheok is in the Northeast of South Korea. Since my family drove there, I can't give any advice about how to get there or anything. I just want to put some photos of it here for my family and friends to enjoy.

There is a story behind all the dongs in the park. At the Dong Park there is also a museum about traditional village life by the East (Japan) Sea in Korea.

Legend has it that an engaged maiden was taken by her fiance to harvest seaweed. So she was left alone on a rock at low-tide, while he went back to work on the shore. Unfortunately, time brought with it a weather change with strong wind and surf, and she ended up drowning. I guess the Village People thought that some kind of Curse of the Unfulfilled Virgin would overtake their town. They then decided to erect penises to put at this rocky point where she drowned to appease her spirit. And the park remains to this day with a museum about village life, tons of penis sculptures, and a nice view of the the East Sea. Not your average western bed-time story for the kiddos, is it? I'm not sure that I would want to be harassed by so many phalluses in the afterlife, but I guess everyone has their own belief about what a deceased young lady would have liked to enjoy had she had a longer life.

Year of the Dragon Phallus

Hanbok Shopping and More

Hi folks.

I arrived safely in Korea! Asiana is a pretty good airline. But we also were on one of their new passenger jets so everything is a little cleaner and they're fully equipped with toothbrushes and all kinds of plastic wrapped odds and ends that wayward travelers may need. But travel anxiety and "travel gut" got the best of me at about 5 hours into it. Traveler gut is still bothering me, but psyllium husk powder and Max's mom's good food is helping me through it. Bibimbap at 40,000 feet wasn't bad either, although the western style dishes were as icky as other airlines' food.

One of the first things we had to do here was go hanbok shopping! We're eventually going to do a ceremony here in Korea, and ideally my folks will come and we'll be able to take photos together. And we must do it right wearing the Korean traditional dress, hanbok. It was a very interesting hole in the wall shop, full of silk fabrics and embroidered tapestries with fanciful scenes of mountains, peaches, cranes, tigers. It reminded me a bit of a room in my grandmother's house where she kept her buttons. My words can't do it justice, so I will let some photos speak for themselves. The original design hanboks are so beautiful.

Nattoking.com

So I love Natto. The first few times I had it, it only really stood out as being slimy and a bit unappetizing to the western palate. But now I find myself craving the stuff. Natto is a fermented soybean dish. Soy is a rather controversial "health" food.

It contains phytoestrogens which are plant estrogens. People say this may either help or exacerbate hormonally influenced cancers such as that of the breast, prostate, and other issues. But phytoestrogens also tend to be weaker than say, BPA, and are also more natural in our hormone binding sites than those made of petrochemicals. For this reason soy milk may be recommended or shunned by some. These are of supposedly lesser concentrations in fermented soy dishes (soy sauce, tempeh, natto) while other beneficial compounds are present in natto.

The compound is, namely, nattokinase. This enzyme can help you digest food and in vitro studies is able to dissolve blood clots so could be recommended for people with high cholesterol or blood pressure. You can now buy the enzyme as a supplement! However, I say, why not fill yourself up with this common Japanese breakfast food, get some protein-enzymes-and gentle probiotics--keep yourself regular (both in your guts and in your veins) and eat natto!

Despite sensitivities to some probiotics, I've found that the small portions that natto is served in does not cause any bother to my digestive system and it's darn addictive. In the U.S. it's likely to be available at only asian specialty markets, and is sold in small styrofoam containers. So my love natto is generating a lot of plastic waste! I found Nattoking.com today doing a search on how to make it myself, and considering that it takes me 24 hours to defrost the natto I buy at the asian market, only 24 hours of fermentation and 24 hours of aging is needed to make delicious natto at home. why not give it a try. You can also bypass the MSG that is added to most commercially produce natto (although I have found brands that don't contain it)

See www.nattoking.com for the method. I'll let you know if it works to make good natto.

日本針治療 Japanese Acupuncture

Hehe a joke! From the Nutty Professor 1 Featuring Eddie Murphy

"Still Hungry?"... "Yep" ... " ... Maybe you should try Jenny Craig!"

But really, acupuncture has been awesome for me.

日本針治療

　先学期、日本伝統的な医学について発表しましたが、今日は日本の針治療について発表させていただきます。

　針治療は日本で、一つの伝統的な中国からの医学療法です。針治療で大切な哲学は経線と気と言う生き躍動ということです。「線」との字はヒントになって、経線は電車の線路みたいに体にいくつかあって、経線はその気の線路であって、「気」はその経線に流れて、体の全部の臓器まで流れます。伝統中国医学では、気は流れないようになったら、病気になるとの考え方があります。針治療の医者の所に訪ねたら、医者はその気が経線のどこに流れないようになったかを探すのは目的になります。医者は経線でどこかのつぼ流れなくなったかを分かるようになって、針をその点でさして、気はまたスムーズに流れれて、病状がなくなります。気の動きだけではなく、動く気の本質も大切です。

　次に中国とにほん　の針治療を比較しようと思っています。二つの違いがあります。まず、日本の針は中国のより細いです。二つ目の違いは、日本の針治療は中国のより利用する針の数は日本の方でう少ないです。でも、中国でも日本でも針治療の診断方法は同じです。西洋医学と同じように、医者は患者に病状のことを聞きます。それから、舌の様子から体の具合を分かることができます。また、診断の間医者は患者の手首を6点で指して、感じた6点の脈拍から体の臓器での気の様子が分かります。大切な臓器は胃と肝臓と肺臓と腎臓で、血も大切です。

　診断がを終えてから、医者はどのような問題が起こったのかを説明できます。西洋医学しか経験のない人には、中国医学の考え方を分かるのは難しいかもしれません。診断で「胃の陰不足」と「脾臓の気不足」などです。

　診断が終わったら、針治療を楽しめます。西洋医学で針は普通にいやのものですが、針治療のはあまり痛くないです。この針治療を受け始めたら、週に一回行って、医者とわずか相談して、針をさしながら40分静かな温和な音楽を聞いて治療を受けます。誰でもわからないからだの問題が起こった時にでも、ストレスがたまった時にでも、針治療をお勧めします。面白い体験ですから、今度受け手見てください。

　でわ、質問のある方をどうぞ。

Mono no Aware: The Impermanence of Things

Shoot, I forgot who the poet is (Basho?) but I found this in my journal (the one where I write the really secret stuff ;) hehe) Anyway... just thought I'd share.

NOT MY POEM.

Poem 1

Why should my heart

remain stained

by blossoms,

When I thought I had tossed that all away?

___________________

Poem 2

Trailing in the wind

Fuji's smoke

fades into the sky

destination unknown

just like my own thoughts

自己紹介

Not recommended to use in-browser translators (such as chrome) as translation is usually inaccurate. Also, if anyone speaks Japanese and wishes to correct anything, I'd be tickled pink and much obliged as I'm sure there are some mistakes.

読んでいる方へ、

この書き物は、実には、日本語話し方期末試験のためのものです。会話パーテナーは期末試験の週の間見つけにくいですから、このブログでその試験のための練習をしています。

では、よろしくお願いします

自己紹介

こんにちは

マリヤ・オーディオと申します。

　オレゴン州の出身で、ヒルズボロ市というオレゴンの一番大きい都市（ポートランド）の近くのヒルズボロー市という住宅街で育てたのです。住宅街以外に、ヒルズボローで盛んの産業は工業、IT産業（半導体工場いくつかあります）、と農業。ヒルズボロー市はオレゴンの有名なウィラメット谷にあります。ウィラメット谷で盛んの産業は農業（果物（ぶどう・りんご））ぶどうがありますので、ワインの工場もたくさんあります。酪農も盛んです。ティラムックと言うチーズとアイスクリーム工場はオレゴンにあります。

　オレゴンの冬はずっと雨が降ります。時々雪が降ってきますが、普通に雨だけです。日本みたいに長い梅雨です。でも、春が終わってから乾燥していて、過ごしやすいところになります。それで、春の最後と夏ではオレゴンの豊かな自然を楽しめると思います。

　経歴についてですが、オレゴン大学東アジア言語・文学部の日本語の専攻です。日本語は高校の時から勉強していて、長く持つの夢は日本で英語の教師になることです。高校の時2回日本の高校で留学することができて、本当に人生の中では明るい思い出です。大学では2年間以上アメリカン・インギリシュ・インツイーツ（AMERICAN　ENGLISH　INSTITUTE)の家庭教師（英語のツターと授業とイベントのアシスタント）をしていますから、それは教えるのためにとてもいい経験だと思っています。

どうぞよろしくお願いします。

Korean in Eugene

Yummy Dol-sotbap in Jeju, Korea

So while I'm woefully ignorant of Korean culture (especially with my quasi-literacy of Japanese culture considered)... I do know what Korean eats in Eugene I would classify as GOOD. And for the most part, I will be honest, they are ALL GOOD.

With that said, I will say that my favorite Korean eats in Eugene are as follows:

-Cafe Ari-rang: food and sweet owners

-Sushi Seoul: dry cleaning, food, karaoke, American, breakfast, lunch, dinner, late night, sweet owners

__________

Backups: Cafe Seoul , Korea House, Noodle Bowl (people love noodle bowl, however, I personally prefer to go to the places where they state outright that they do not use MSG based on my sensitivities) I would say all of them have good service and usually there is a sweet owner-type figure around that really makes you feel at home. Not the feeling you get when you go to all the commercialized restaurants these days.

So I knew that there was this little area of Eugene that was suspiciously Korean. There was what looked like a basic sort of "go buy your lotto-ticket and get a philly-steak sandwich, coffee" kind of cafe by the supermarket I go to next to a dry-cleaning shop... when I noticed that there was a cryptic little message beside the door... that was a Korean menu where they had Korean food a few days of the week. Then, just a week ago, I noticed that the whole place had changed and the name was now "Sushi Seoul" The food is good~~~ extremely fresh and delicious side dishes (kim ch'i and various pickled things) My favorite for hot-stone bi-bim-bap (Korean vegetable rice with spicy sauce dish) is still Ari-Rang but theirs wasn't bad and the bulgogi was really good. So now they have Korean food all the time, they've added in sushi at dinnertime, and still have the American and cafe options going all day long. You can go there for breakfast, lunch, dinner... and if you're feeling especially rambunctious you can stay and get drunk and do karaoke into the night. Just know that it's a norae-bang. It's quite the multi-tasking establishment.

My husband would be so mad at me for writing this but I can't resist ;) Where is the harm in saying that it is "so Korean"... when it is? Of course, just like America, Korea is a lot of things so it's hard to put anything in a box like that. I mean, you can say, Red Robin is "so American", or around here we have a local chain gaining force called Dickie Jo's... I wouldn't feel offended... but that's because I have to answer the question so much "What is America?", "What is American culture" so much... and the more I answer the question the more difficult it becomes... so if anyone out there knows what American culture is, please let me know. It will really help me in my work.

Good Night's Sleep and Feeling a Little Better

Yay! I was able to get a good night's sleep last night. It didn't stop me from sending a worried message to my primary doc... asking where I could go for help for this since we weren't really getting anywhere together (but I think my doc is pretty sharp, my case is just too complicated for 15 min. office visits which is the name of the game in modern med. in America.) Didn't take any meds either. I also had to ask for some documentation of my visits so I can turn them in with the petitions to withdraw without a W from my classes due to extended illness.

I'm off to ride the bus to take a Japanese test, and since I withdrew from my other classes I can just come home and rest, or do some other restful activity. Maybe I really do just need this resting period... need my diet to be good. The weather is sunny (rare around here), and the test shouldn't be too hard. Japanese is my strong point. My schedule has been pretty much go-go-go since I came back to the uni in Winter 2008... taking summer classes, working... it's no wonder that a crash and burn had to occur.

It's ridiculous, but I think I really might have a parasite. I ate a bell pepper that tasted moldy (raw) a little before all this started... I eat sushi... I should spare everyone the details, but lets just say my husband thought he saw little invaders and I've had a few other parasite-y symptoms. Everytime I bring this up to the doc they say no way it's impossible, like life in America is parasite free. In other countries they still take herbs annually for annual de-worming, At least my Korean husband said this is the case in Korea. But I'm kind of in a vulnerable state right now so I don't want to take anything real strong...

Plans for the weekend? I guess not really, but if I'm still feeling better maybe I will try to get to a party a friend invited me to. I'm as sick of sitting around the house as anyone can imagine. It is Halloween... in my neighborhood only one child came to the house last year. I was handing out pencils and little clif-bars. Dunno if I wanna hand and everyone's favorite sweets... who knows what's in them.