TV Stand and Bookshelf for Sale!

There are two items here for sale and both are in great condition.

1. Is a large TV stand. Dimensions are Length 149 m, Width 43.5 m, height 48m. It has five draws that pull out and an opening in the center for your entertainment device.

2. A standard bookshelf in light brown color. Dimensions are 120 height, 24m length and 38m depth.

Prices:
1. TV Stand: 70,000 Won
2. Bookshelf: 10,000 Won

GET BOTH for 60,000 Won!

You have to come and pick this up and I live in Nowon, Seoul. More stuff for sale as time goes by, but items seen on this stuff is not for sale.

Thank you!

Foreigner Joy Cooks: Spanish inspiration

Back in my home country I can easily go to the store and get a rice mix to take home. You know one of those "Spanish" or "Mexican" ready-made rice mixes that you just throw in a pot with some water, and you're done. Not really the case in Korea, where rice mixes tend to lean more towards a Korean flavor. In this case, I realized that I should just try to make the same thing but from scratch.

So I did some searching and found a good recipe from All Recipes.com titled, "Best Spanish Rice." Truth be told, I don't really know what true Spanish rice tastes like, and can only assume this recipe is not the real thing. But my gut tells me I'm mostly following an Americanized version of something here.

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons oil

• 2 tablespoons chopped onion

• 1 1/2 cups uncooked white rice

• 2 cups chicken broth

• 1 cup chunky salsa

Thankfully, all of those items are easily attainable in Korea. The chicken broth can be found at Homeplus, and salsa is seen in regular supermarkets here, too. I also managed to get a hold of some cilantro from my local Lotte Mart, and knew I had to include it. The "Mexican-style Chili Powder" was my own addition I had brought back from home. 

The cooking process was quite simple and pretty basic.

• Saute onions in the oil in your large skillet / pot. I had no real sauce skillet thing so just used my regular pot.
• After onions have become slightly clear mix the rice into the pot and stir till it looks kind of brown.
• After this pour in the liquids (salsa and stock) and all your other extras (cilantro...seasoning). Stir and bring to a boil.
• Once simmering, reduce heat to low and let cook for 20 minutes. However mine finished before that, as I think my gas stove is just too powerful.

To complete this meal I made bean tacos to accompany the rice. The refried beans came from an order I made online via nicemarket.net. I haven't found refried beans at my local Homeplus or Lotte Mart, but have seen other canned beans, such as black beans and cannelli. I think a black bean taco could also work. Tortillas are something you could easily make yourself here, but if your like me you can just buy them locally. 

The final result was a wonderful and delicious meal, and made even more better because I didn't have to trek anywhere to get it. 

I highly recommend making this at your home, and maybe inviting some folks over to enjoy it with. 

Spring Hope

It is already in the air, the sweet smell of Spring and as I see the tiny fresh green buds sprouting from the street-side plants, I get full of hope. I wanted to take pictures on my way home today but didn't accomplish this. I'll try to do so soon.

It fills me full of relief that winter is really going to be on its way out. Sure yellow dust might be coming and the summer heat, but I'm happy to shed this past winter. I don't share much intimate details on here, but let's just say this past cold season wasn't my best.

I hope this coming Spring is giving other people a new fresh start, as I feel it is doing to my life.

Near the Dongbu Expressway ... A River

Nearby Nowon is a long freeway that connects the rest of Seoul to this Northeastern portion. It is called the Dongbu Expressway, and is notorious for being slow. It runs parallel next to a river, and I recall the times when I would ride with my ex, how the scenery was pleasant to watch.

Since I live nearby such a feature I figured it would be wise to get out and see it, considering I didn't go at all last year.

I found a smaller stream that connects to the river and so walked down it till it merged with the big path next to the river.

The sun was shining for the first part but then a layer of low clouds moved in and I was reminded that it's not yet Spring.

People were enjoying the outdoors though, by bicycle, walking, rollerblading and poking along.

Nearby the river were dried up flower beds with signs that promised certain species of, I assume, lovely foliage. I'll definitely be out here again as the weather warms up and things begin to sprout.

Bonus picture of Tom:

Tom's Brother in for the Holidays

Tom's brother, Kaiju, is visiting for the holidays. His mommy is off on her own vacation. All is good, as Tom will need a place to stay come February when I go off on my adventure.

Kaiju is a well-behaved guest and certainly keeps Tom company.

Since I am spending more time at home these days, I get to see their patterns. For the most part they sleep during the day to occasionally get up to eat or play. They move to various spots, sometimes Tom taking the cat carrier and Kaiju the soft bowl.

When their not play-fighting they seem to share a sweet bond.

But I make sure they don't play too rough and it seems they are okay. I'm actually happy they play together, because it means less time Tom has to chew my legs.

Although they keep the end of my bed occupied at night, I did enjoy their wake up call this morning. Both sat on top of my chest and waited for needed petting. haha

:) Happy Meowolidays.

Beating the Ondol Bill

Like most of my expat friends I like the ondol heating system in the winter. Who would protest to warm feet as you walk around your house in the freezing winter? But once you get that utility bill in the mail, you kind of wonder if there is a cheaper way.

I noticed when I moved into my current place that the previous month's bill was high. I assumed the previous tenant had the ondol on high a lot of the time.

I need to save money for my upcoming USA trip and so want to avoid huge bills this season. How am I going to do that and stay warm? My solution: Use an electric heater.

I found one on sale at my local Homeplus and ever since have had a nice cozy time in my house without once turning on the ondol. Even Tom seems to treat it like his new best friend.

He likes to curl up in front of it or stretch out and let all his parts warm up. I for one like that it is an instant way to warm up when I get home, and can direct it wherever need be.

To accompany this my bed has a heater blanket on the bottom layer, which also helps keep me warm and toasty.

Although I haven't gotten my first bill yet, since having this thing, I am hoping for the best!

Joy Jjiggae

As the weather turns to chilly and the first snow tries to fall, I can't help but want something boiling hot when I get home. That is why in the colder months of living in Korea I prefer to eat jjiggae or Korean fermented bean paste soup. They are easy to find at local restaurants and can be taken out at your usual kimbop place.

But making your own jjiggae means you have something fresh and made to your liking. Last week I made a jjiggae that turned out quite tasty. Usual recipes call for one to make a broth using seaweed squares and anchovies. As I don't like anchovies I decided to go with a different broth, a mushroom base I found at the store.

At the bottom you have the doenjang jjiggae paste in it's container and to the right it being mixed up in water. This is the soul of the soup, as it provides the unique flavor. Kind of like miso soup but a whole lot earthier and salty. Above this is gochujang, or red pepper paste. Cubed tofu next to that, along with chopped up veggies (potatoes, zucchinis and mushrooms). In the bowl at the top are chopped red and green chili pepper, which I learned to use sparingly.

This is the soup base powder I used, a mushroom flavor. I suppose I was going against the traditions of jjiggae making when using this, but it still came out quite good.

After the soup base is boiled up I added the doenjang and veggies...

Eventually, everything goes in the pot...including some garlic and gochugaru (or red pepper flakes). Let it boil for minutes more and you have your soup!

I accompanied my soup with a bowl of rice, candied yams and Chinese steam bums. I know not a whole Korean meal and the kimchi is missing. But I really don't care! Just want my soup and something with it! hhaha

How a Recent Saturday Went By

For some reason the cold weather pushed me to do some baking. So it is that I let three bananas go ripe and collected all the necessary ingredients to bake some banana muffins.

As I did this I also worked on lesson plans for next year, yes I know I work too much. Although, I am seeing that it will be really easy to put together next year's lessons as it is all patched together from this year. Duh!

The muffins came out yummy and full of warm sweetness. The crispy brown sugar on top took me back to my childhood.

As I just spent a chunk of money on plane tickets for my February vacation I can't really go out so much. I thought I was going to save money this year, but it looks like that it isn't happening. Oh well! I guess will shoot for next year, haha!

Tieing Up Loose Ends from Home

This letter is to warn people thinking of coming to Korea, and it could also serve those already here. You see, I have received letters stating I owe the last place I rented, in America, a termination fee.

Now I moved out in April 2008, and before I did I made sure the lease was handed over to the current roommate. I alerted the office I was moving, too. And then I get these letters stating that someone moved out in 2010 earlier than when the lease expires and I have to pay for it.

Since I moved out and have lived in Korea I have gotten rid of all that paperwork, a big mistake. Also I never really checked back with ex-roomie if everything was 100%. Although, I think I did and I have some emails asking her if things were good.

Ex-roomie will not return my calls or emails. This is frustrating because I just want to know her story and understand what happened.

Anyways, I contacted the University and spoke to a secretary about all this. They told me to call "Accounting" and then they told me to call the other guys back. I did and they were out for the day. Since I only get a short window to call, due to time difference, I'm going to have to wait.

So here is my advice to all you folks out there, especially the young College graduate kind. Take care of all your shit before you move, and after you come here check up on it. Otherwise, you might get bitten in the butt like I am here.

Rearrange

Living in a rectangular prism can get you down sometimes. There is only so much room for you, your cat and your stuff. That is why last night I stayed up thinking about how I could rearrange my furniture. My goal was to make it so that I could access my art supplies easily, and so wouldn't feel the dread of having to set it up every time.

First I thought I needed to buy another table to devote to my art. But then I realized I use my computer often for photo reference and so could just continue to use the desk I have.

Anyways, the following is how things turned out.

I'm hoping the TV doesn't end up on the floor in pieces. It actually survived when Tom went behind it, so maybe this can work!

Let's hope my aspirations of connecting with my art works out. But for now I am enjoying the breath of fresh space in my little home here. I think it helps that I also boxed up things I don't really use and also made a pile of "donation" stuff.

Now if only I could rearrange the stuff in my personal life as easy as it was today!

Tom the Cat is One Year Old

Approximately a year ago my ex (sad face) knocked on my door and had with him a box. He said, "Open the box." I did and out popped three little furry and dirty heads.

Since then I have been mom to the sweetest cat there is, Tom. (Except for when my friend took care of him for me for 6 months. Thank you!)

His brothers have since found homes (one at my friends and the other at me ex's). But the time that I have had Tom and grown to love and take care of him, he has become my special little buddy.

It's amazing how much a little animal can grow in just a year, but it just means more warmth and fuzziness.

Tom has given me so much already in just one year. He acts as a prompt alarm clock when I over sleep my alarm. He becomes my bedside buddy in times of homesickness and heartache.

He's there for me when I open the door after stressful days of work and ready to tackle me in the morning.

Happy Birthday my little Tom! I hope you have many more and we get to share more wonders of the world together.

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