Ginger's Got Seoul

A Fulbright Grantee's Journey Through South Korea

[gingersgotseoul-blog]

With all that studying they've gotta finally let loose somehow...

[gingersgotseoul-blog]

I've had the pleasure of eating every single one!

Confessions: I really like the congealed blood soup.

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For my friend and teacher Ginger :)

[gingersgotseoul-blog]

Got this from an awesome student at my school! I am so lucky some of my students want to share their passions with me. Check out her other artwork!

[kikinitinkorea-blog]

Taco Bell

At home

In Korea

- jmgarc25

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Congrats to a friend for making it on Kickin it in Korea! So true...

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"You look sick. Why don't you go somewhere else?"

Advice from a coteacher.

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Minimalistic Visualizations Explain Differences In Eastern And Western Cultures - DesignTAXI.com

Minimalistic Visualizations Explain Differences In Eastern And Western Cultures - DesignTAXI.com

A Chinese-German woman shares observed differences between Eastern and Western culture via easily digestible visualizations. I can definitely relate to these observations!

[timrobinson]

In Korea, Horses Say “Yes”

[gingersgotseoul-blog]

Living with a Korean family - four Chuseok stories - JEJU WEEKLY

This piece was jointly written by Allison Bautista, Ginger Whitesell, Marissa Lynn and Kristen Bialik. They are all part of the Fulbright program and living on Jeju Island.

[gingerspot-blog]

#Tuesday Munchie Club means I get to leave campus and eat lunch with my awesome students! #nom #teacherlife #jeju

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#Saturday means #saltwater, #spearfishing and #sashimi. #jejulife

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#bff #seoul #korea #chingu #reunitedanditfeelssogood

[gingersgotseoul-blog]

Let's make it a night fight.

I was on my way home this evening, thinking on the pleasant Monday I'd had, when I came upon a scene that jolted me into the present. Before me were two black belted guys, brawling on the street. I watched, transfixed, as they fought with one another, their skills seemingly matched. Eventually, one took the other to the sidewalk, and I could hear hysteric shrieks coming from the pinned victim. I kept walking towards the two on the ground, happy to have witnessed the sight. My heart tingled with the joy of seeing such an innocent moment, and I slowed down as I passed them, flashing them a brief smile before continuing on my way home. I just saw two TKD kiddos get in a tickle fight. Even cuter than puppy wrestling! They soon scurried off the ground and jumped into a taekwondo van. Ohhhhhhh Korea, I do love you. 화이팅!

[gingersgotseoul-blog]

OMG SOUR CREAM

I was going through today’s cafeteria line, loading up my tray with my usual rice, kimchi, and cabbage soup, etc. mix when something a little extra special caught my eye. A little further down the lunch assembly line I spied *gasp* baked potatoes and, low and behold, SOUR CREAM!

I watched in eager anticipation as the teachers ahead of me loaded up with baked potatoes and then bathed them in a generous portion of the sour goodness. As my turn came, I resisted a gluttonous urge, taking one half of a potato. Then came the sour cream. The consistency looked a little off, but I know Mexican sour cream has its own (amazing!) texture, so I hoped for the best, placing a happy dollop next to my rice. 

I sat down, sampling the other foods on my plate, allowing the expectation of a traditional American food build in my mind. Finally, I gave in, spooning a hunk of my potato and pairing it with the beloved sour cream.  I WAS DECEIVED. The white goop the teachers and students around me were gobbling up with their taters was in fact… WHIPPING CREAM. What?! I was flabbergasted. Where did they get this idea? Surely it was not a traditional Korean food. I explained my confusion to another teacher, telling her that I expected the cream to be sour. She laughed, saying that the potato/whipping cream combo was not a typical dish, to which another teacher replied, “I like it!” as she spooned mouthful after mouthful.

My best guess is that someone must have seen a picture of a loaded baked potato at some point and made an inaccurate observation. I ate the rest of my potato sans cream, more amused than disappointed.

[gingersgotseoul-blog]

I just can't get over the view from my new host family's apartment!

[gingersgotseoul-blog]

Well, shit.

Never have I had a class repeat after me with such enthusiasm. The phrase uttered?

Me, accidentally, and under my breath: "Shit."

The Class, immediately and faster than I can think:  "SHIIIIT! Shit shit SHIT! SHIT shit shit SHIT shit!"

I could do nothing but laugh, amused by their sudden taking to the English language. Thankfully, my coteacher found their reaction just as funny, and she joined in my laughter while the kids continued to yell. After several moments, their roars subsided, my face still a deep shade of pink ("RED FACE, TEACHER!"), and we resumed class, with only a few more "shitty" outbursts.

Oh the things a "bad" word will do for you.

[gingersgotseoul-blog]

An uplifting take on that teensy tiny hand-towel-sized bath towel we use in South Korea. #korealife

[gingersgotseoul-blog]

This article offers a collection of generational perspectives on Korean society and pressure through the eyes of native Koreans. A great article that brings greater understanding of Korean culture and aspects of it that I witness on a daily basis.