Sunday, February 8, 2009

First Full Moon Celebration

On February 9, 2009, in Korea there will be a celebration of the First Full Moon of the Lunar Year (Jeongwol Daeboreum). On this day, people wish for good luck and health throughout the year and participate in all kinds of folk games and rituals, many of which are based on the belief that the light of the first full moon of the year signifies affluence and good luck. The celebrations are held on the 15th day of the first lunar month - Monday February 9th in this year’s solar calendar.

Excerpt from http://www.korea4expats.com/news-full-moon-festival-korea.html

Games and Rituals
The first person to see the moon rise is said to be assured of good luck all year; therefore, on the evening of the first full moon, this year Monday 9 February, some people still climb mountains to catch the moon as it begins to rise, while others crack nuts with their teeth in a practice (bureom) that was believed would keep teeth healthy for the year – the number of nuts should be equal to one’s age. Eating chestnuts, walnuts, peanuts, pine and/or gingko nuts not only strengthened a person’s teeth, the sound was said to drive away evil spirits and prevent boils and other skin problems. Cracking nuts was supposed to be done before uttering one’s first words of the day.

Another custom practiced on the first full moon, Jisinbapgi , involved burning dry grass on ridges between the rice fields while the children ran around with cans with holes filled with burning charcoal in order to fertilize the fields and destroy worms that fed off new rice crops. Another rite, daljiptae-wugi , consisted of burning a "moon house" made of straw to wish for a good harvest. If the wood burned fast, it was believed that the year would be free of problems. Also, the bigger the fire, the better the harvest.

People would also take part in games such as yunnori (a traditional board game with wooden sticks), tuho (arrow throwing), neolttwigi (see-saw jumping), jegichagi (shuttlecock kicking), paengi-chigi (top spinning), ganggang suwollae (a woman's dance in a big circle) and yeon-nallig (kite-flying). Kite flying had a special meaning on Jeongwol Daeboreum Day, as people believed flying kites also helped get rid of all the worries and bad fortune for the year.

Food
Five-grain rice (ogok-bap) is still eaten on this day. In the past, one was expected to eat this dish in a large group of people to ensure good health for the year. The rice was usually accompanied by 9 different dried greens and vegetables (jinchaesik) left over from the year before. It would often be eaten wrapped in roasted laver or leafy greens (bokssam – meaning lucky wrap).

Yaksik (literally medicinal food) which is sweet rice mixed with nuts and dates and was considered a luxury food in the past, which is why most people settled for 5-grain rice. These days, yaksik is available for everyone and is also popular for birthday celebrations and weddings. Gwibalguisul, literally meaning liquor for better hearing, may be drunk on this day as well.

Various events are scheduled all over the country to celebrate Jeongwol Daeboreum - some on the day itself, but many on the weekend and before/after the day.

Valentine's Day in Korea

In addition to Pepero Day on November 11th, (see the November 30th blog post for more on this) on February 14th, Valentine’s Day is celebrated in Korea. On this day, women are expected to give gifts, usually a box of nice chocolates, to the special man in their lives. Then on March 14th, the men recipients return the favor and give gifts to the woman in their lives. Singles are not forgotten too. They celebrate on April 14th by getting together and eating a dish of noodles stirred in white and black bean sauce that signifies bringing luck to their love life.

Sunday, November 30, 2008

Thanksgiving and Valentine's Day in Korea

November 30, 2008

Hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving holiday! Korea’s Thanksgiving holiday is called Chuseok. Chuseok is a 3-day holiday, and it falls on the 15th day of the 8th month of the Korean lunar calendar—this year it was September 13 through 15 (the 15th was Chuseok day). This is a time when families traditionally travelled back to their home towns to be with family and to pay their respects to their ancestors. Families are expected to provide gifts and large quantities of food for the ancestors and relatives.

Here is some more information about Chuseok:

Chuseok Foods:

Songpyeon, is one of the traditional chuseok offerings. Songpyeon are rice cakes made by mixing rice flour with hot water to make rice dough. Spoonfuls of dough are filled with new beans, sesame seeds, chestnuts and other ingredients and shaped into semi-circles, or half-moons, then steamed over a layer of pine needles, which infuses the rice cakes with a delicate flavor. Pine needles contain phytoncide, a bactericidal ingredient that accounts not only for the piney scent but also ensures that the food does not go bad too quickly in warm weather. It is customary for families to gather to make songpyeon on the night before Chuseok, the time of year when the moon is at its fullest.

Another Chuseok favorite is taro soup flavored with kelp. Taros are harvested around Chuseok and as they do not store well they are a seasonal specialty. Other dishes reflect the year and region’s harvest, and generally include fish, mushrooms, etc.

Chuseok Activities:

There are all kinds of events and activities during Chuseok. Koreans play neolttwigi, a Korean jumping game, similar to see-sawing. Families also do kang gang sulae, which is a traditional Korean circle dance done at night under the moon. Many Koreans also wear traditional clothing, called hanbok, on Chuseok day.

Pepero Day

In Korea, although there was no official holiday in November, they did celebrate “Pepero Day” on November 11th, a type of “Valentine’s Day.” Peperos are the little chocolate sticks (they sell them in America in grocery stores in the candy aisles, especially in the Asian supermarkets). Because November 11th can be represented as 11/11, some smart Korean confectionary company staff person came up with the idea of marketing chocolate 'sticks' manufactured under the brand name Pepero (빼빼로) on 11/11 and it's been a definite success. On 11/11, people buy boxes of Pepero (some chocolate coated, some chocolate and nut coated and some chocolate filled) to give to their sweethearts, teachers, classmates, bosses, co-workers and even pets. A little before the 'Big Day' shops decorate their windows with hearts and advertise "Give Pepero to the Special People in your Life" (in Korean, of course).

I was surprised when I came to school on 11/11 and many children were giving me boxes of peperos. I had no idea what it was about, they just kept saying “Pepero Day” to me.

--Corrie

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

information about the students:

Here is some information that my afterschool students wrote about themselves.
--Corrie
Favorite things
Class A

Su-Jang:
I like to make cookies.
I like shopping.
My favorite food is rice.
My favorite subject at school is English class with Teachers Song and Corrie.
When I grow up I want to be a chef.

Kil ha min:
I like to play video games.
My favorite food is rice.
I want to be a scientist when I grow up.

Yang Eun Joo:
I like to play dodge ball.
I like to listen to dance music.
My favorite video game is the Wii.
My favorite food is rice.
My favorite subject at school is Social Studies.
My favorite color is sky blue.

Seo byong chul:
I like to play video games.
My favorite food is kimchi.
My favorite subject at school is P.E.
I want to be a soccer player when I grow up.

Chun Eu Jin:
I like to watch fantasy movies.
My favorite food is kimchi soup with noodles.
My favorite subjects at school are math and science.
My favorite color is green.
I want to be a fashion designer when I grow up.

Kim Yewon:
I like to read books.
I like to go to the movies.
My favorite food is soup.
My favorite subject is math.
My favorite color is sky blue.
I want to be a fashion designer when I grow up.


Lee Da Young:
I like to read comic books.
I like to play computer games.
I like to listen to dance music.
I like to make cookies.
I like to watch action movies.
My favorite food is pizza.
My favorite subject at school is music.
My favorite color is blue.
I want to be a TV announcer when I grow up.

Back Ji Eun:
I like to listen to dance music.
I like to watch TV.
I like to read comic books.
I like to cook chocolate cookies.
My favorite movie is “Nim’s Island.”
My favorite food is curry.
My favorite subject at school is music.
My favorite color is sky blue.
I want to be a vet when I grow up.

Kim Min Kwang (Joshua):
I like to study.
I like to read books (novels).
I like to watch cartoons.
I like to play computer games and read comic books (“Maple Story”)
I like to play golf.
I like to go running.
My favorite food is hamburgers.
My favorite subject at school is P.E.
I want to be a doctor when I grow up.

Ha Seung Beum:
I like to play video games.
I like to watch TV.
I like to study.
I like to read comic books.
My favorite food is spaghetti.
My favorite subject at school is P.E.
I want to be a baseball player when I grow up.


Class B

Lim Soo Young:
My favorite color is yellow.
I like to read books.
My favorite food is kimchi.
My favorite pet is a dog.
My favorite subject at school is Social Studies.
When I grow up I want to be a teacher.

Kim Harin:
My favorite color is orange.
I like to do origami.
My favorite food is kimchi.
My favorite pet is a dog.
My favorite subject at school is Science.
When I grow up I want to be a teacher.

Bang Min Ji:
My favorite color is white.
I like to listen to music.
My favorite food is pizza.
My favorite pet is a dog.
My favorite subject at school is music.
When I grow up I want to be a fashion designer.

Joo Jae Hee:
My favorite color is purple.
I like to read books.
My favorite food is ice cream.
My favorite pet is a rabbit.
My favorite subject at school is music.
When I grow up I want to be a fashion designer.

Kim Tae Heyon:
My favorite color is blue.
I like to play computer games.
My favorite food is pizza.
My favorite pet is a dog.
When I grow up I want to be a pro-gamer.

Kim hee Eun:
I like to draw pictures and read books.
My favorite subjects at school are math and Korean.
Lee Hye Jeong:
My favorite color is black.
I like to draw pictures.
My favorite food is pasta.
My favorite pet is a hamster.
My favorite subject at school is art.
I want to be a badminton player when I grow up.

Park Su Jin:
My favorite color is purple.
I like to play with my friends.
My favorite pet is a dog.
My favorite subject at school is math.
My favorite food is spaghetti.
When I grow up I want to be a teacher.

Jo Yu Bin:
I like to draw pictures.
My favorite color is yellow.
My favorite food is pizza.
My favorite pet is a cat.
When I grow up I want to be a teacher.
My favorite subject at school is P.E.

Lee Ji Young:
I like to read books.
My favorite color is orange.
My favorite food is a hamburger.
My favorite animal is a dog.
When I grow up I want to be an artist.
My favorite subject at school is science.

Kim Yoo Jin:
My favorite color is pink.
I like to play computer games.
My favorite food is pizza.
My favorite pet is a dog.
My favorite subject at school is Korean.
When I grow up I want to be a writer.

Park Jun Heok:
My favorite color is green.
I like to play computer games.
My favorite food is pizza.
My favorite pet is a dog.
My favorite subject at school is math.
I want to be a doctor when I grow up.

Kim hee-eun:
My favorite color is yellow.
I like to sing.
My favorite food is dug-bog-ki.
My favorite pet is a dog.
My favorite subject at school is music.
When I grow up I want to be a teacher.

Lee Seo Young:
My favorite color is yellow.
I like to draw pictures.
My favorite foods are dug-bog-ki and kimchi.
My favorite pet is a cat.
My favorite subject at school is art.
When I grow up I want to be an artist.

Saturday, November 8, 2008

Questions from Afterschool Classes for American Students

What's your favorite subject at school?
What are your hobbies?
What's your least favorite subject at school?
What's important to you?
Do you have a big playground at your school?
Does your school have lime trees?
Where do you live?
What do you want to be when you grow up?
Can you/Do you learn the Korean language in school?
What do you think of Korea?
What are your favorite toys?
What are your hobbies?
What type of weather do you prefer?
What’s your favorite food?
What’s your favorite computer game?
What time do you go to and leave school?
What’s your favorite animal?
How old are you?
What is your favorite sport?
Do you have a girlfriend/boyfriend?
Do you like comic books?
Who is your favorite singer?
Do you like school? Do you like to study?

letter to American students

October 30, 2008

Dear Students,

We are 4th – 6th grade students studying English at Sinheung Elementary School in Bucheon, South Korea.

This is a typical lunch at our school: milk, water, rice, kimchi (a traditional Korean fermented dish made of vegetables with varied seasonings), soy-based soup with meat and vegetables, and grilled mackerel.

We want to know what you usually eat at your school.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Students of Sinheung Elementary School, Afterschool B Class

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

How Koreans determine one's age

Today I learned that in Korea I’m actually 33 years old, instead of the 32 that I’ve been telling everyone. Koreans start counting 1 when one is a newborn. Which is why I’ve been so confused about my students’ ages—my fourth graders are 11-12, whereas in the U.S. fourth graders are 10-11.

See this link on wikipedia for more info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_Asian_age_reckoning

But I’m sticking to my western age.