Hitch

Saying ‘I do’ costs an arm and leg A wedding now costs the average groom $72,000 after jeonse payment January 26, 2011

A wedding should be anticipated as a day of roses and romance, vows of lifelong commitment and a celebration with loved ones. In Korea, though, a wedding can be dreaded as a huge financial burden. According to a report released by the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, the average husband-to-be is now spending an average of 80.9 million won ($72,196) on his wedding, while his dearly betrothed has to shell out 29.4 million won. And the figures go up if the couple is planning to live in Seoul. On the ministry’s request, Daegu University and Nielson Company Korea surveyed 2,500 households, or 4,754 people, from August to October last year asking them how much they have spent on a wedding. The costs include everything from the wedding hall to the bridal gown. But the biggest cost of all - 80 percent of the budget - is the house or apartment the couple will live in after the wedding day. It’s Korean custom for the groom to provide a house or apartment, while the bride has to fill it up with furniture and household goods. And the recent hike in rental deposits, or jeonse in Korean, because of a shortage of apartments available for long-term leases, is making weddings even more stressfully expensive for grooms. Kim Jin-su, a 33-year-old securities company employee who is getting married next month, secured an 85-square-meter house in Seongdong District, Seoul, with a jeonse of 230 million won. A bank loaned Kim 60 percent of the jeonse and he borrowed the rest from his parents. Kim will have to pay interest in the amount of 1 million won per month to the bank. “It costs too much for men in Seoul to get married,” Kim said. “That’s why more and more men are getting married late. It’s uncomfortable starting a marriage with so much debt.” Brides-to-be are also complaining.  An office worker surnamed Sohn, 30, was introduced to a researcher at a large company by her parents last summer. After five months of dating, the couple finally set a date for their wedding. Then came the financial problems. Sohn’s fiancee told her that because his parents were turning over their house in Gangnam, southern Seoul, to the couple, she should pay the real estate transfer tax and buy home appliances. That bill totaled about 100 million won but Sohn didn’t have it. When Sohn told her betrothed that she would borrow the money from her parents, he coldly replied that if she was indebted to her parents they would expect the couple to support them when they were old. He told her to get a bank loan for the money. Sohn was shocked and heartbroken, and after months of quarrels, she broke the engagement. “I’m from the countryside, where housing prices are relatively affordable compared to Seoul,” she said. “My friends who were settling down in the suburbs never mentioned such costly wedding preparations. But the houses in Seoul are so expensive, it’s a burden on the brides-to-be as well.”  By Shin Sung-sik [enational@joongang.co.kr] Guide Questions: Describe a traditional Korean wedding. Why is getting hitched in Korea considered a dreaded event nowadays? What could be the effects of the high cost of weddings in Korean society? Vocabulary: cost an arm and a leg

Pocketful of Sunshine

A little video I made for my 5 month old daughter Aaliyah Cassandra. It's just a bunch of photos I pasted together using Windows Movie maker.




This video served as the background for her Christening celebration at BITE Resto bar in Marikina.

rule of thumb, or finger if you're using a stupid iPhone

My job involves explaining so many idiotic things several times a day. I had to come up with a lot of tricks to preserve my sanity.

 

None of them have worked.

 

I already declared that iphones are for retards. In fact, it is so retarded that it deserves a different dialog.

I'm a new texter. I had a phone for only 2 yrs (generally because I thought it was stupid, I mean, why would I want to be constantly at the reach of people I douched or anyone else who may want to douche me?) when it became necessary for work. But "true genius shows itself in any field it chooses" as master Hiko Sijuro (a key figure in my life after Chuck Norris) once said and I became a texting master in no time. For instance, I learned that you don't have to write the word "boobs" on texts, you just use (.)(.) and if you type a semicolon followed by a close parenthesis, you can digitally wink at all your contacts!

 

"Uh.. Di, di ko yan kilala"

 

But for reasons still unknown to me, I suddenly found my self in a relationship. Now some of you might be guessing, "so that's when texting became screwed up and complicated!"

 

Wrong! That's when I came up with these kick ass rules for texting. (and I suggest that you do so too if you want to live a happy life, full of loving experiences) meh

 

1. Letting her read what's on your inbox seems like a bit of a no-brainer. So lets make "never let her read what's on your inbox" as the first rule. This must be the simplest and most effective rule ever made about texting.

 

"But how am I suppose to do that?"

 

SMS is not exactly an unequivocal way to communicate. ( The rest of us will take a brief pause here while you google that word) A simple "Hi!" could be interpreted as flirting. Given this reasoning, tell her that the only reason why she would still want to look at your inbox is to intentionally pick a fight. If she still insists on digitally frisking you, try to convince her that you love her and respect her. Then take a look at her inbox and twist every friendly message from her male friends and accuse her of being a whore. That would prove your point. Of course, when she finally sees it your way and agrees to the rule you may still want to "take a look at her inbox and twist every friendly message from her male friends and accuse her of being a whore" whenever you want to.

 

This is the most crucial rule. Being able to implement this rule will avoid a dozen of other rules like "erasing flirt messages you receive after forwarding them to others" or "giving dude names to chicks in your contact list".

 

2. Second would be the "rule of equivalent response". This means that for every three messages she sends, you give her only one in reply. The reason behind this one is very easy to understand. You need to show her who's the boss (no, no, don't ask her) in the relationship.

 

"What if she starts doing the same thing?"

 

Girls by nature, wants nothing but to make you feel miserable with guilt. Some of them also have tricks of their own while others who are not smart enough just imitates yours which is more irritating. If you send her a message and she doesn't reply, you just ignore it. Don't send anymore messeges like "txtbck" or "wla k bng load?" or worse, pasaload 2. Just forget it happened, whining about it makes you look insecure. When you finally meet, dont say anything about it unless she mentions it first. Don't go like "Didn't you get my message last night? I was worried sick about you!" She's right in front of you now. That means that she didn't get kidnapped. She just spent the night at her best friends house. Who is by the way, a Baron Gysler with the looks of Christian Bautista.

 

 

"Seriously dude, we just talked"

 

3. Third is "drunk texting". The thing is, you should never do it. Unless you are me, alcohol can impede your brain function so instead of pressing "Candy" you press "mom".

 

Home for Lunar New Year holidays? Not this year

  

Home for Lunar New Year holidays? Not this year

    

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Lunar New Year 
 


Guide Questions: 

1. What are the reasons why most Koreans are opting to travel abroad this year? 

2. Why do airports need to hire more people during this season? 

3. How do Koreans celebrate the Lunar New Year according to tradition? 

4. What gifts do Koreans bring back to their families when visiting for the Lunar New Year? 

5. How do you plan to spend your vacation? 

Vocabulary: 

busman's holiday  

You can find the script "here" 

 I hope you liked the Audio File

 - Teacher Albert

 

Home for Lunar New Year holidays? Not this year ‘설캉스’ 인파 60만 … 인천공항은 초만원 January 29, 2011

Although the Lunar New Year holiday officially starts next week, those who took an early leave from work started flocking to Incheon International Airport yesterday to spend the holiday abroad. Travelers wait in long lines for their turn to check in to their flights. [NEWSIS] Although the Lunar New Year holiday officially starts next Wednesday, many workers are taking a leave starting today, prompting an earlier holiday mood. Traditionally, Koreans spend the Lunar New Year back home with their families, causing major traffic jams on most of the expressways from Seoul. But this year, it looks like the airport lounge is going to be the place that’s jammed.  Many Koreans are opting to travel abroad instead of going back home - often rural areas - partly because of growing concerns over the spread of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD). Moreover, as the official holiday falls on Wednesday to Friday, those who do not work on the weekends can have up to nine days off from work by taking a leave on Monday and Tuesday, which is also contributing to an increase in overseas travelers.  “I called my parents-in-law who live in Jeonju that my husband and I will visit them for the Lunar New Year holiday, but they told us not to, saying that we might transmit FMD,” said Kim Mi-young of Seoul, who is planning to travel to Singapore on Feb. 2. “I can have a relaxing holiday and visit my in-laws in March,” Kim said.  Incheon International Airport, along with regional airports Gimpo, Gimhae and Jeju, was reported to be full of people since yesterday morning. Between 90,000 to 100,000 people are expected to pack into Incheon airport each day this weekend, according to Kim Soo-young, the airport’s deputy head. “The number of airport users will double compared to early this month, when 40,000 to 50,000 users came through daily,” Kim said.  And, airline tickets have become harder to get during the holidays. Although the country’s two top airline companies, Korean Air and Asiana, added 70 more flights to hot spots including Southeast Asian countries - approximately 14,000 seats - they are still short on supplies.  “I get so many phone calls every day from friends and relatives if there’s any way they could get a flight ticket. I’m so tired of explaining the situation, I don’t even pick up the phone now,” said an employee of an airline company.  Both overcoat storage and valet parking services at Incheon International Airport are also hurrying to increase workers and space. As most of the travelers’ destinations are in warmer regions, many travelers store winter coats at the airport. “Between 500 to 600 overcoats come in and out every day, but the number is expected to increase to 800 and 900 from this weekend,” said Jang Yoon-hee of Asiana Airlines. The storage fee ranges from 2,000 won ($1.80) to 2,500 won, with three service desks at the airport. Incheon airport’s valet parking service center also added 30 more workers for the holiday. By Chang Chung-hoon, Yim Seung-hye [enational@joongang.co.kr]

Is Divorce in Korea finally Socially Acceptable?

Roboseyo: Is Divorce in Korea finally Socially Acceptable?

(Source)

from http://roboseyo.blogspot.com/2011/01/is-divorce-in-korea-finally-socially.html

S. Korea's first divorce magazine launched

SEOUL, Jan. 25 (Yonhap) -- The first edition of a magazine for divorced people was launched Tuesday to provide what the publisher said will be helpful information for adjusting to life after the breakup.

The monthly magazine, named "Divorce Story," will target readers who need tips from professionals on legal and financial matters or psychological assistance after going through a divorce. It will be available at bookstores for 9,000 won (US$8.05).

Questions:

1. What are the gender issues and social issues at play? In Choseon Korea, men could have concubines, and women had very few rights. The danger of destitution and discrimination were the main disincentives for divorce in the past. What about now? Have women's rights improved enough that divorce no longer guarantees poverty?

2. Is it a sign of social progress, if women feel independent and liberated enough to get a divorce, rather than feeling trapped in a bad marriage?

3. Is this a sign that Korea's vaunted "family values" are disintegrating? Maybe people just don't care as much as they used to about bringing shame on their family?

4. Other than family pressures, what were the obstacles to getting a divorce in the past?

The fight to put aspirin in convenience stores

Here's another case of lobbyists in action.

The JoongAng Daily published an article of why you can't find over the counter drugs in convenience stores in Korea. To me, it sounds like people are suffering so just others can turn a profit.

The fight to put aspirin in convenience stores 상비약 수퍼 판매 찬반 논란 January 17, 2011

For Shin Min-seo, a 42-year-old mother, trying to find medication for her daughter’s fever developed into an hours-long ordeal because she got sick after pharmacies closed. “My 10-year-old daughter woke me up at 1 in the morning because she had a fever,” Shin said. “I noticed we ran out of aspirin, so I had to stay up all night putting ice packs on my daughter’s forehead, watching her groan in pain.” If Korea’s laws on over-the-counter, nonprescription drug sales weren’t so strict, Shin wouldn’t have had such a terrible night. “If I could have bought some aspirin at the convenience store right in front of my house, there wouldn’t have been so much trouble,” she said. But allowing supermarkets and convenience stores to sell OTC drugs, such as aspirin, antacids, cough syrups and allergy medication, is back in the news thanks to President Lee Myung-bak. When the president received an annual policy report from the Ministry of Health and Welfare, he asked the health minister where Korea stood on liberalizing nonprescription-drug sales like in the U.S. and Japan. After the media reported his remarks, the issue has been revived, along with fierce debate. Drug sales in Korea are currently limited to pharmacies. Civic groups have called for liberalization, but fierce opposition from pharmacists has made the ministry cautious. To strike a compromise, the Korea Pharmaceutical Association (KPA) came up with an alternative last July and decided to test nighttime emergency pharmacies throughout the country for six months, so consumers could purchase OTC drugs at night, on weekends and on public holidays. But half a year has gone by and the program has been a bust. According to the KPA, 2,848 pharmacies are participating in the nighttime emergency system. However, only some of them are open 24 hours a day. Some close at midnight and others close at 7 p.m. despite staying open seven days a week. “I searched online for nearby pharmacies that is open at night to buy a pain killer for my wife, who was suffering from a severe headache in the middle of the night,” said Kim Sang-heok, 37, from Gwangmyeong, Gyeonggi. “Finding a nearby nighttime emergency pharmacy was difficult because most of them were in Seoul, but when I finally found one and got there, it was closed. “I called again the next morning and they told me they stopped operating at night since the end of December,” he added. A Web site operated by the KPA (www.pharm114.co.kr) lists only 43 nighttime emergency pharmacies nationwide, and when one reporter made phone calls at 1 a.m., some of them didn’t answer. Among the 43, only 11 of them are open 24/7. Most of the others close at 2 a.m. Seoul and Gyeonggi had seven pharmacies on the list, while other regions had only one or two. Even pharmacists had written off the program and any solution to the problem. According to Medipana, an online medical news site, pharmacists expressed doubt at an annual meeting held in December, saying that the nighttime emergency pharmacies weren’t good enough to satisfy the public and it was expensive for pharmacies to stay open for a small number of customers. According to a report from the Korea Consumer Agency (KCA) last week, 80.4 percent of consumers have experienced inconveniences when purchasing OTC drugs after office hours and on weekends and public holidays. The survey of 500 residents in the Seoul metropolitan area was conducted for three days last October. However, the KPA insists that it will not allow a single pill to be sold outside of pharmacies. One of the pharmacists’ arguments is that consumers can misuse or abuse the drugs if they’re so easily available. Doctors scoff at that argument. “Misuse or abuse of drugs rarely occurs,” said an internal medicine doctor surnamed Kwon, 48. “I’ve been treating patients for more than 10 years and I’ve never encountered any patients who had an OTC drug overdose.” Doctor Yim Sang-jae, 55, said: “This situation is just a turf war and consumers are the victims.” Last Thursday, 25 civic groups gathered at the Seoul Press Center to appeal for the liberalization of OTC drug sales. Korea currently classifies 21,050 drugs as prescription drugs and 17,270 as nonprescription drugs. By Yim Seung-hye [enational@joongang.co.kr] Guide Questions: 1. Why is there a need to liberalize over the counter drugs? 2. What reasons were given for keeping OTC drugs only in pharmacies? 3. In your opinion, what should be done to resolve the problem? Vocabulary: testing the waters scoff

Pretense

Pretense

Trickery and fraud they come as billows

Hidden and behind the umbra of shadows

Strew bright candles in the dark world

And unearth this double edged sword

Be relentless and never waver
Better yet, put bugs on the receiver

Then you'll hear to your grimace
what lies beneath the pretty face

With sick limbs from his protruding belly

The house bound Erap would die of envy

From the perfect cloak of her pretense

Granting her an image so pure and cleanse

The putrid Marcos would rise from the coffin
And dance merrily to the incessant rhythm

Of the impending marching of machine and guns

With quivering lyrics of crying nuns

But only few are the unmasked faces
No doubt, most of us have our disguises

To justify being or existence

How about you, what is your pretense?

with other men he plays manly sports
Drinking beer, a "playboy" of all sorts

But pink is his color and with dolls he play

Alone he is free, so happy and "gay"

Father to all, the holiest of men

Savior of souls, God's words within ken

All ears can hear kindness as they sing

No tongue can tell of this perversity king!

Sharp and intelligent, He played the game
An erudite student, He worked a name

Checkered with medals and sterling brilliance

Stripped, a wicked heart, a rusting conscience

With the finest whiskey, everything luxurious

Makes everyone envy, whimsy of his shoes

Looks up to the sun as he paints the town red

Bows to the moon as his body hangs dead

laughs when she cries, chuckles when she falls
He to her is nothing, a "man without balls"

Charcoal on her eyes, pepper on her ears

She to him is everything, " reason for all tears"

Yells "make peace not war, love not hate"
Advocates love of country in every debate
Cajoles to link arms, how to fight stronger
The stage is set for this monster warmonger!

We all have follies, we all have fault
Little did we think, who would have thought!
That allowing this silly runt to easily renege
Would leave pens in rue, and a nation in rage!

Overbearing Father

Guide Questions:

1. Where is the woman going?

2. What did her father say?

3. Do you think the woman was able to enjoy her evening?

4. What is a chaperon?

5. Do Korean parents still insist that their children have chaperons when they go out in dates even if they're in highschool?

Job Candidate

Job candidate is explaining why company should should hire him 


 


 


 


Job Candidate 



Guide Questions: 

1.Where is the speaker now? 
a. At an awards ceremony 
b. At a job interview 
c. At a business meeting 
d. At a banquet 

2.What is the speaker's main purpose? 
a. To promote himself 
b. To deceive his listeners 
c. To boast of his achievements 
d. To defend his position 

3.What is suggested about the speaker? 
a. He is not a very hard worker 
b. He does not care about making money 
c. He wants to leave his current company 
d. He has won several awards 


4.What are the three qualities that the speaker highlighted about himself? 

5.If you were to promote yourself like the speaker, what would you say? 

Vocabulary: 

Adaptable 
Punctual 
Reliable 
Intangible