May 13, 2008
While I might make my own kimchee 김치, I’d be hard pressed to make all manner of side dishes 반찬. There are an endless number of variations, each with specific ingredients and special preparations. The gyopo solution is to go to the local marketplace 시장 and buy just enough for the week.
Three trays for 5,000W (aprrox. $5 USD) ~ a bargain in terms of time and taste.
May 7, 2008
Navigating the streets of Korea is no simple task. On top of learning Hangul 한글, posted signs require special deciphering. What are these street signs about?
P-turn street sign.
No U-turn, instead make a flourishing P-turn.
The white sign explains the blue sign ~ only a left-turned P-turn is possible.
May 5, 2008
If I were still in LA, I’d celebrate Cinco de Mayo with Mexican food and margaritas today. In Korea, May holidays include Children’s Day 어린이날 (5/5) and Buddha’s Birthday 석가탄신일 (5/12). As a gyopo, this Monday I will avoid crowded family fun zones and serve something Mexican for dinner. Next week, as a good wife, I will go to temple with mother-in-law and enjoy all the colorful lanterns with wishes attached.
Colorful lanterns line the street to commemorate Buddha’s Birthday in Seoul.
April 30, 2008
Since most of my mail is international air mail, I have to visit the Post Office regularly. Postage stamps aren’t appropriate because my gyopo mail can be odd-sized or urgent. No matter where I am in the city, there are handy red signs to point you in the direction of the Post Office.
Phew, about a block away.
Envelopes here lack glue, but adhesives are plentiful at the Post Office.
April 28, 2008
Most gardeners know that coffee grinds are good for garden soil. I recently read that ground egg shells deter slugs/snails and it’s also good for the soil. So I have taken to saving my egg shells in an empty tofu container by the sink. After reaching critical mass, they get ground up using a mortar and pestle. Then they get sprinkled into the gyopo garden.
April 22, 2008
It’s sad but true, unauthorized copies of recently released movies (Hollywood and Hallyu) are easier to buy from street vendors than legitimately rent them. Worse, the cost is equivalent: about 2,000W to rent versus about 3,333W to buy (3 for 10,000W is the going rate). The only reason to wait for the legitimate DVD rental is to view Special Features, which is a must for my film professor husband.
Most DVD shops also rent comic books, popular novels, and fashion magazines.
April 21, 2008
I have seen Seoul police cars driving with their rooftop lights flashing but not pulling over a driver or trying to get someplace faster. Seoul Police Officers are mostly seen controlling traffic intersections and conducting drunk driving checks. Other than that, I have not seen them perform other forms of law enforcement.
Gyopowife guesses the lack of law enforcement is related to the safety of Seoul. There are few violent crimes. Gun control is strict, people look out for each other, Korea invented Tae Kwon Do 
April 17, 2008
While you can find the basic white button mushroom, it’s easier to find Asian varieties in Korea. I stock up on these two kinds of mushrooms every week. They are multipurpose and tasty, good in stir fry or soup.
Mushroom Lentil Soup
2+ cloves garlic
1/4 cup lentils
1 bag skinny white mushrooms
1 tray brown cap mushrooms
4 cups water
salt + pepper to taste
Cut mushrooms into 1/2 inch morsels, combine everything in a medium stock pot, simmer for 30-45 minutes. Enjoy!
April 14, 2008
Spring has definitely sprung when cherry blossoms replace snow as scenic accents. There are plenty of places to enjoy spring flowers (pink, white, yellow, purple, red) ~ Seoul Forest, National Cemetery, Namsan Tower, and various botanical gardens.
We went to Namsan Tower over the weekend…as did everyone else because spring cherry blossoms will disappear after a day of rain.
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 | gyopowife on Daiso = Discount |
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| Dorothy on Daiso = Discount |
| gyopowife on Spring in Seoul |
