I think I'm going to buy a Galaxy Tab.

I'm sure you're thinking, "Don't you already have an iPad?" That's true, but there is all this hype about the Samsung Galaxy 10.1 coming out that I'm really interested in copping one of the 7-inch models. I really would like a 3G capable device and I feel that the 7-inch model is just small enough that I can carry it around everywhere. The price point just dropped and I feel that it's at a point I can afford. Especially now since I'm taking the extra hours on Saturdays, so it won't be setting me back too much. Besides, I just love gadgets and since I'm in Korea, I might as well own a Korean one.

Bad news.

I knew that when I chose to work at a hagwon that it might eventually come to this, but I didn't want to really think about it. Starting next week, I will have to start working Saturdays. It's sad to think that today is the last Saturday afternoon that I get to enjoy for at least three months, but we'll see how it goes. It shouldn't be too bad since the classes start in the afternoon and I do get out early on Friday nights, but I won't be taking any weekend trips for a while. At least I'll be saving myself some money.

I had the strangest elevator ride yesterday.

I got into the elevator of my building yesterday to go up to my room. At the same time, guy carrying two large plastic bags of live eels up to the seafood restaurant on the second floor of my building. When the elevator stopped he went to pick up the bags of eels but one of them opened up a little bit and three live eels spill out onto the elevator floor. The eels were squirming around, the guy was trying to pick them up without spilling any more eels onto the ground. The whole time I was just holding the elevator door open so he could just get out and I could be on my way. The whole ordeal took about four minutes and the only thing that I got from the whole experience is that I'm never going to eat at that seafood restaurant.

What I learned in Korean Today:

Hangul/Pronunciation

• 술고래/sool go-rae

Translation

• alcohol whale

While the literal translation means alcohol whale, it's an expression for someone who drinks a lot.

Oh, those fickle teenage hearts.

While at work yesterday, one of my middle school students was sitting by himself during break messing with his iPod. I took a look at his screen and saw that he was on Kakao Talk, a messaging app that Koreans use. I asked him who he was messaging and he said his girlfriend. I told him that was a nice thing to do and all he said, "Not nice. I quit girlfriend." At this point I couldn't help but laugh. Then I told him that he should have at least called her, but he told me that it would have been too hard and that break time was almost over and that we had to get back to class. I guess he's got his priorities figured out.

I went to Gyeongbokgung this weekend.

경복궁 is that big palace near Seoul City Hall.  Everyone who's been to Korea has probably gone there before.  I thought it was really surprising that I've never been before, but when I went on Sunday, everything seemed so familiar that I may actually have been before but I can't remember for sure.  It's weird since I don't have any pictures of it, which doesn't sound like me at all.

Anyway, it's a nice place.  I didn't really research anything about it before I went and we didn't go on a tour of it, so I can't tell you any cool historical facts.  However, it was a pleasant way to spend a sunny Sunday afternoon.  I'll be posting pictures as soon as I drag them off my camera.

What I learned in Korean today:

Hangul/Pronunciation

• 모든 여자 사랑해요, 하지만 내 첫 사랑이에요/mo-deun yeo-ja sa-rang-hae-yo, ha-jee-man neh cheot sa-rang-ee-eh-yo

Translation

• I love all women, but you are my first love.

Korean Weddings

Like when comparing all Korean things to American things, weddings in Korea are different.  That's not entirely fair to say since in America there are a ton of different wedding ceremonies.  However, Korean weddings are peculiarly Korean.

First of all, weddings usually take place in a wedding hall, which are large elaborate places made jsut for weddings.  After entering, you usually give your gift (money in an envelope and no less than 30,000 won) and take pictures with the bride until the ceremony starts.  The ceremony goes by pretty fast and it's surprisingly casual.  Most of the parts are there, like the wedding entrance and the exchanging of vows.  There are a few things missing though, like groomsmen and bridesmaids.  There are also a few things that are specifically Korean as well, such as the couple bowing to their parents.  After the ceremony, everyone stands around for pictures and then after that.  Instead of a big reception, everyone goes to a buffet that is in the same building, which is probably the best part of the wedding.

This is what I've learned from going to my first Korean wedding, but from what I've heard from others, it's pretty much a good representation of most of them.

I'm going to Jeju.

In Korea, there are a ton of claw machines and other various games that you can play to win prizes. I spend a lot of money on these things. I never really gain anything of use, but it finally paid off last week when I won a free ticket to Jeju. It was pretty good since I was just wandering around drunk waiting for my friends to choose the next bar we were going to. I also won it in my first try, which is great, since I can usually spend about 3,000 won if I think I really can win the prize. So now I have an open-ended ticket to go to Jeju and the weather is finally starting to look nice. Hurray for me.