Now I don’t know a lot about figure skating, but when I watch Kim Yu-na, I know I’m seeing something incredible. And since the ladies figure skating starts this week in Vancouver, I had to give a preview.
She currently holds the world record in the short program, long program, and combined score.
I don’t quite know how to describe her, except to say that she is amazing — an athlete of the caliber we rarely see.
Here’s her world record short program from November 2009:
And here’s her free skate from the world championships in 2009 (with the added bonus of commentary by someone OTHER THAN Scott Hamilton):
This is one of my younger classes — 제우스 (translated Jeuseu, which means “Zeus”). Last Friday we played a few games and and I brought in some dduk filled with bean paste (dduk is a kind of dumpling made with rice flour). They really liked it and were quite cute about it.
What confused me the most was that they didn’t use their hands to eat the dduk. I have no idea why… but then again, I don’t have an idea about most things that happen around me these days.
When I moved to Korea, one thing that stood out for me was the fact that there were a very large number of lingerie/underwear stores.
There are more small businesses everywhere given that they don’t purchase everything at Wal-Mart and Target… but there are A LOT of lingerie shops ranging from the simple to the bedazzling.
As a Fruit of the Loom kind of guy, I’ve never understood spending disposable income on underwear… but well, here you go.
For my entire life, I’ve longed to be the most popular kid in school. It’s a position I have coveted since age 3.
At first I took the academic track to popularity. Unfortunately, around the age of 18 I realized that making good grades does not make one popular.
But today, I made it!
Cousin Emily mailed me a care package with marshmallows and Rice Krispies… Evidently all you need is a 16 oz bag of marshmallows and crowds will automatically form while you hold court.
This weekend I went to the Andong Folk Village, which is a collection of homes, cultural assets, and historical artifacts from the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392) and the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). Most of these buildings were moved to its current location when the Andong Dam was built in 1976 so that they would not be submerged.
I feel remarkably ignorant about the culture of Korea to talk about it with any authority. So, I’ll just say to check out the video and photos. It’s pretty amazing.
Here’s the video tour:
Unlike Hahoe Village, no one lives there, which means you can walk through the homes and buildings.
Also, at the top of the hill are buildings from the television drama King Taejo (Taejo founded the Goryeo Dynasty). When I first read this, I was mortified. All I could picture in my head was a Hardrock Cafe sitting behind the Folk Village with tea pots and hats enclosed in glass. But… I was very wrong.
Even though it was a set for a TV show, they did an amazing job. The buildings are beautifully built, permanent, and whole (i.e., they are not facades). It was interesting to see the older structures and then the recently built one’s to get an idea of what they might have originally looked like.
My new favorite thing in life are the doors that you don’t have to hold for people. WHY has this invention not made it to anywhere I ever lived until now?!?
I hate those awkward moments when you have to stop, hold the door, pretend you like doing it, and then make eye contact! Is there anything worse???
Of course, the ultimate is when you go to the Cracker Barrel and hold it for one nice lady and then realize that she brought her parents, all 7 of her children, their children, and all of their current and ex spouses… by the time you make it in the door, a two-star server will have already laid down the cornbread.
Here’s the fun video (all scenarios are dramatizations)…
When I was about to leave Andong Folk Village, there was a nice little cultural center with more information. Outside, they had speakers disguised as swans playing music… they were playing Beyonce. And not just any Beyonce, it was Crazy in Love… quite possibly the most ghetto-fabulous song/video ever. I couldn’t help but laugh… and take a video.
My new favorite thing in life are bedazzled ties. I see them everywhere. In fact, it took some a bit of searching for me to find a tie that was not bedazzled.
Of course, I think I only love them because I know I could never wear them (they don’t go with plaid).
Here’s the video:
And, a post on bedazzling wouldn’t be complete without a shout out to my cousin Emily. I still remember showing up to her house to go to a party and her saying, “We can’t leave until I put some color on my hair and bedazzle my jacket!” And for Christmas this year, what did she get? Her new husband (as in like 2-days-old new) got her bedazzled jeans from the master of all bedazzlers: Manuel…
I think maybe Nashville and Korea aren’t that different after all…
Hahoe Village was founded in the 16th Century during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) and it is famous for maintaining the art and architecture from that period.
I half expected it to be like Colonial Williamsburg, but that was far from the case. Apart from being a lot older, the village has never been invaded, so the houses are in their original structures. And, unlike Williamsburg there aren’t any historical actors with fake accents pretending to churn butter… in fact, you really can’t go in to any of the houses because people still live there. According to their website, 176 families live in Hahoe Village.
In addition to the village itself, there was also a performance of its famous mask dance. From what I know, masks are a big part of Korean culture, but the Hahoe mask dances are some of the most reknowned.
And it must be mentioned that this village was set in the most beautiful location. The Hwachon Stream wraps around 3 sides of the village and mountains provide a backdrop nearly everywhere.
My new least favorite thing in life are the stairs behind my apartment that have a hand rail wrapped in barbed wire.
Some of you may know that as a singular statistic, I fall down stairs way more than any normal person should. So whenever I walk down stairs I’m gripping that rail Britney on a Cheetos bag.
So, you can imagine my horror upon seeing rusty old barbed wire wrapped around my life support system. And to make matters worse, once you scale the hill with barbed wire stairs… there’s exercise equipment!
Here’s the 2 minute video (be sure you have sound):
Now I don’t know a lot about figure skating, but when I watch Kim Yu-na, I know I’m seeing something incredible. And since the ladies figure skating starts this week in Vancouver, I had to give a preview.
