Elections in Korea

June 2nd was Election Day in South Korea. I love the way they honor Election Day, it is a national holiday and schools, banks, and other public businesses are closed in honor of this day. Also, in preparation for Election Day, Korea has trucks driving around from early morning to late night. The trucks drive around playing music most of the time and other parts of the day they have different representatives for each candidate speaking about why they should elect a specific candidate. I think this is a cool way to get people involved, get them out to vote and really support your country.

On another note, one of my phone students told me that most Koreans will vote for someone based on their last name and blood relation to them.  Remember, Koreans mostly come from one specific race or ancestory... Korean. So, they can track their ancestors as far as a 100 years. My student asked if this is the way Americans vote... uh no, its even more difficult for us to track our heritage back 50 years, let alone 100 years! However, if you are voting on the basis of family name and relation, the purpose of voting is lost.  I explained to him that we vote based on the merits the candidate possess to serve all people in a country, state, city, school, etc.  In short, my student did vote for someone named Kim b/c they share the same family name, and b/c he believes the candidate is his blood relative, so he should vote for him.  Lastly, the entire family must vote the same way, this is just another Korean tradition. Is it right or wrong? Well, I guess it depends on your definition of whats just and what is unjust. *shrug shoulders* If you ask me I won't be voting that way... I will still base my decision on merit and my personal opinions of the candidates character.

Finally, another student mentioned to me that he would not be voting, well he wasn't sure if he was going to vote. He doesn't like the candidates, he thinks it is a silly competition, the candidates never do anything, and probably another reason he doesn't vote is for the reason I just listed above. Voting for someone, but not basing your decision on merits is almost as bad as not voting. However, how would he feel if his right was taking away from him? Something to ponder, so get out and vote Korea!

How do you show you care for someone when there is a language barrier?

How do you show you care for someone when there is a language barrier?  How can you be nice if words have no meaning to someone who doesn't share the same language?

A smile,
A nod,
A gesture
A smile with your eyes, etc
Many of these things I have seen in Korea, it is nice to know that some people are allowing themselves to express themselves in a positive manner, to those that are different from them.  It sure makes me glad that my mother stressed the importance of knowing a man's (woman's) worth by their character and actions, rather than how they look physically. The heart is important, and yes sometimes you can notice a good heart without speaking the same language. Also, not allowing a persons physical characteristics distract you from, knowing their character is mighty important.

Boat Ride @ Yeouido - Han River

Last weekend, I went on a Boat Ride/Cruise with the Que's fraternity. You won't see any pictures of them, but you will see pictures of the surrounding areas on the island.  It was a good time to hang with friends and enjoy time with fellow foreigners. I hope you enjoy the pictures.

I don't know what you said, but I DO know what you said...

I love it when you are in another country and you can't communicate to each other yet you know exactly what the other person is saying and they understand you as well. I have had 2 incidents recently, where all I could do was smile or laugh... that's better than frowning, eh!?

One ajuma (older lady) comes up to me and says something in Korean, she has a big smile on her face and looks as if she wants to pull my cheeks. All I can assume is she thinks I am so cute! LOL! Or fat! Haha! Either way she was smiling and so peaceful when she said it, couldn't have been too bad, right?! ;)

The second incident was with another ajuma.  She is walking up a 100 steps, and when she gets to the top, she says something in Korean like "Whew!"  I meet her at the steps and laugh and she knows I understand her completely, b/c I laughed. Haha! She then says something else in Korean. So, I know that she had to say something like "I am tired." "Those stairs killed me" or "I ain't never coming this way again".... something of that nature, lol! Poor ajuma! : (  Those steps are brutal too!

I love it when these things happen! Again, its better than all the bad things that I could see, right!? :)

Hope you enjoyed!

Register with your local Embassy

***IMPORTANT*** : )
When traveling overseas it is imperative that you register with your country's local embassy. You can do this online in 10 minutes. All you need is your sensitive info, along with your passport# and expiration date. It's as easy as 1-2-3. : ) The registration is not just for short or long-term trips, it is imperative that you register anytime you are leaving the country.  In case, anything should happen while you are overseas, your country can locate you or have a better idea of where to find you. If you, are a USA citizen, I have the website below for you.  Also, if you are a South African citizen, I have the webiste below for you as well (b/c I have many friends from S.A.) If you, are reading this and you are a citizen of another country please google the information and contact your nearest embassay or consulate.

USA citizens: https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui/
South African citizens: http://www.southafricanembassy.fi/?s=rosa

Thanks and enjoy your weekend! :)