SEOUL, South Korea – Seoul residents battled the heaviest snowfall in modern Korean history after a winter storm dumped more than 10 inches (26 centimeters) Monday, forcing airports to cancel flights and paralyzing traffic in South Korea's bustling capital.
The snowfall, which began about 1 a.m. (1600 GMT Sunday), was the worst since Korea began conducting meteorological surveys in 1937 and continued through the afternoon, the state weather agency said.
Gimpo International Airport, west of Seoul, canceled 224 flights before resuming service Monday afternoon, airport official Choi Choon-ja said.
More than 20 flights between Incheon International Airport, 43 miles (70 kilometers) southwest of Seoul, and cities in China also were canceled, with China also coping with a snowstorm. More than 100 flights to other regions were delayed, Incheon airport official Kang Soo-kyung said.
The snow and icy roads snarled traffic in and out of Seoul, with many commuters squeezing into packed subway trains to get to work. About 3,600 workers were mobilized to clear the snow from Seoul's roads and sidewalks.
Monday, January 4, 2010
Big Snow in Seoul today...Jan 4 2010
Click on album to view:
 |
| Big Snow in Seoul Jan 4, 2010 |
Heavy snowfall hit Seoul and other parts of central South Korea Monday, triggering traffic chaos and forcing airlines to cancel all domestic flights and delay some international flights on the first work day of the New Year.
According to city officials and weathermen, nearly 20 centimeters (7.9 inches) of snow had accumulated in Seoul as of 9:00 a.m., the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) said, issuing a heavy snow alert for the capital city, Incheon and surrounding areas, according to Yonhap News Agency.
The unusually heavy snow disrupted traffic on Seoul's major roads and highways, forcing citizens on their first work day to flock to subways, buses and other public transportation.
Airlines were forced to cancel all domestic flights out of Gimpo Airport on the western outskirts of Seoul, while severe international flight delays were reported at Incheon International Airport, further west of the capital.
"Snowfall began at 5 a.m. in Seoul and as much as 7.5 centimeters was recorded in just two hours. Snow is expected to stop falling Monday evening," said an official at the KMA.
"With the temperature plunging to minus 6.9 degrees early Monday morning, most roads in Seoul and neighboring areas are expected to become icy," the official said, asking motorists to exert special caution.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government said it has mobilized about 3,500 civil servants and 1,200 vehicles to spray snow-melting calcium chloride on all major roads and highways.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Day 382
Sunday January 3
I don't have anything interesting to say today so I'm going to share some songs that I'm really digging right now...They are by Rain....I think he's the cutest singer in Korea....I'm going to buy his album "Rainism"
Here's an interview with TIME--he is so cute!
From the album "Rainism"--Rain/Bi "더 끌려" Feauturing Taewan a.k.a C-Luv
Sad Tango (Japanese version)
Sad Tango (English version----I love the dancing, the tango music, and the song...its great.....My favorite!!
I don't have anything interesting to say today so I'm going to share some songs that I'm really digging right now...They are by Rain....I think he's the cutest singer in Korea....I'm going to buy his album "Rainism"
Here's an interview with TIME--he is so cute!
From the album "Rainism"--Rain/Bi "더 끌려" Feauturing Taewan a.k.a C-Luv
Sad Tango (Japanese version)
Sad Tango (English version----I love the dancing, the tango music, and the song...its great.....My favorite!!
Saturday, January 2, 2010
NK Hopes for Improved Ties With South, US
North Korea started the New Year with a message that is seen by some as “not like the usual North Korea” that the world was accustomed to.
North Korea wants to stop its confrontation with the US, improve ties with South Korea, denuclearize the Korean penisula, improve the livlihood of its people.
The nation “remains consistent in its efforts to establish a lasting peace system on the Korean Peninsula and make it nuclear-free through dialogue and negotiations,” an editorial carried by the official Korean Central News Agency said.
-------------------------------
I was surprised when I saw that article in the English newspaper. All I ever read were stories where the North was always giving out threats to the South. I always thought the north was hostile while the south wanted peace and reunification. Maybe there is hope for Korea to become a unified country someday.
North Korea wants to stop its confrontation with the US, improve ties with South Korea, denuclearize the Korean penisula, improve the livlihood of its people.
The nation “remains consistent in its efforts to establish a lasting peace system on the Korean Peninsula and make it nuclear-free through dialogue and negotiations,” an editorial carried by the official Korean Central News Agency said.
-------------------------------
I was surprised when I saw that article in the English newspaper. All I ever read were stories where the North was always giving out threats to the South. I always thought the north was hostile while the south wanted peace and reunification. Maybe there is hope for Korea to become a unified country someday.
Korea aims to lure 8.5 mln foreign tourists this year
South Korea aims to attract 8.5 million foreign tourists this year by luring more visitors from China and Japan, the government said Saturday, according to Yonhap News.
The target is higher than the 7.8 million goal the nation set the previous year. Last year, around 7 million foreign tourists visited South Korea, according to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Tourism Corp.
They set the higher target for this year as the government earlier designated the next three years as "Visit Korea" years, intended to lure more foreign tourists as part of efforts to bolster the service industry.
What is the big deal of making sure they get a ton of tourists? How are they going to "Lure" them in?
The target is higher than the 7.8 million goal the nation set the previous year. Last year, around 7 million foreign tourists visited South Korea, according to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Tourism Corp.
They set the higher target for this year as the government earlier designated the next three years as "Visit Korea" years, intended to lure more foreign tourists as part of efforts to bolster the service industry.
What is the big deal of making sure they get a ton of tourists? How are they going to "Lure" them in?
Day 381....
Saturday Jan 2
Its going to be a lazy Saturday...I would really love to be out doing things, but I just can't take this brutal cold. It makes me want to stay inside all of the time.
I'm still up at 6am. I'm about to go to bed. Its going to be hard to get used to the new schedule for a month and then switch back to the old schedule. I'm really going to hate getting up at 7am starting on Monday. I'll have to be in bed by 11pm just to get 8 hours of sleep. Wow I can't remember the last time I was in bed by 11pm.
The forcast is calling for more snow today and Monday.
Oh my. The low temperature for Tues and Wed is 3 degrees! 31 is suppose to be the highest temp for the next 10 days. 3 is the lowest. What does 3 degrees feel like? I don't think I want to know.
Its going to be a lazy Saturday...I would really love to be out doing things, but I just can't take this brutal cold. It makes me want to stay inside all of the time.
I'm still up at 6am. I'm about to go to bed. Its going to be hard to get used to the new schedule for a month and then switch back to the old schedule. I'm really going to hate getting up at 7am starting on Monday. I'll have to be in bed by 11pm just to get 8 hours of sleep. Wow I can't remember the last time I was in bed by 11pm.
The forcast is calling for more snow today and Monday.
Oh my. The low temperature for Tues and Wed is 3 degrees! 31 is suppose to be the highest temp for the next 10 days. 3 is the lowest. What does 3 degrees feel like? I don't think I want to know.
Friday, January 1, 2010
Day 380...Its a new year...2010
Friday January 1 2010
I didn't ring in the new year in any special way. It was too cold for me to participate in outdoor events and I'm not a party person so I wouldn't celebrate in a bar. Plus I don't even drink.
Its a brand new year. I hope its a good year. I need a good year. My life has been in a downward spiral ever since I graduated college.
I didn't make any resolutions. The thought never crossed my mind. I just think its a waste of time.
There are things I need to get accomplished this year:
1. Find a job. I need to make enough money to be able to live on my own, pay student loan payments, pay bills, a car payment and car insurance. And have extra money for savings, retirement,and be able to have some fun sometime. That's going to require quite a bit of money. I'll need a much better job than all the ones I've had in the past. I'm really scared about it, too. The economy still hasn't bounced back. There's still a shortage of jobs and companies are reluctant to hire. I don't even know what I want to do! If I had it my way, I'd be a professional singer, but thats not going to happen overnight, if ever.
2. Buy a slightly used car. My current car is a 1997. I like it and it runs great and has very few problems. Its been a great car for the past 5 years, but I'm ready for something newer. I really want a 2009 Toyota Corolla. That's all going to depend on if i accomplish number 1.
3. Lose weight. I know I've been saying that forever and it never happens, but I've got to make it happen somehow. I'm tired of always being the fat girl. I want to feel good about the way I look. I've let myself go and I don't like it!
Today I went out to eat with Lesley for her going away event. It was just me and her. She invited our Korean teacher but his grandma was in town to visit so he couldn't come. We went to Macaroni Market in Itaewon. It was a nice place. I liked the free bread they gave us. I always like bread at eating places. I ordered Macaroni e cheese con bacon. It was expensive, but good. A bowl of macaroni was 12,000 won (around $11 or so). It was a nice portion, but I wouldn't pay 11 dollars for it in the US. It tasted nice. It wasn't made with cheddar cheese with the bright orange color. I don't know what kind of cheese they use. It was more of a cream color. The coke was ridiculous also! It was 4,500 won for a 12oz coke. (thats about $4.00). They gave us free water with our meal and kept refilling it. I could have just drank that and not ordered coke, but I like coke. I paid for Lesley's meal since it was her going away. I wanted to get her something as a gift but I didn't know what to get so I just offered to pay for her meal.
I didn't ring in the new year in any special way. It was too cold for me to participate in outdoor events and I'm not a party person so I wouldn't celebrate in a bar. Plus I don't even drink.
Its a brand new year. I hope its a good year. I need a good year. My life has been in a downward spiral ever since I graduated college.
I didn't make any resolutions. The thought never crossed my mind. I just think its a waste of time.
There are things I need to get accomplished this year:
1. Find a job. I need to make enough money to be able to live on my own, pay student loan payments, pay bills, a car payment and car insurance. And have extra money for savings, retirement,and be able to have some fun sometime. That's going to require quite a bit of money. I'll need a much better job than all the ones I've had in the past. I'm really scared about it, too. The economy still hasn't bounced back. There's still a shortage of jobs and companies are reluctant to hire. I don't even know what I want to do! If I had it my way, I'd be a professional singer, but thats not going to happen overnight, if ever.
2. Buy a slightly used car. My current car is a 1997. I like it and it runs great and has very few problems. Its been a great car for the past 5 years, but I'm ready for something newer. I really want a 2009 Toyota Corolla. That's all going to depend on if i accomplish number 1.
3. Lose weight. I know I've been saying that forever and it never happens, but I've got to make it happen somehow. I'm tired of always being the fat girl. I want to feel good about the way I look. I've let myself go and I don't like it!
Today I went out to eat with Lesley for her going away event. It was just me and her. She invited our Korean teacher but his grandma was in town to visit so he couldn't come. We went to Macaroni Market in Itaewon. It was a nice place. I liked the free bread they gave us. I always like bread at eating places. I ordered Macaroni e cheese con bacon. It was expensive, but good. A bowl of macaroni was 12,000 won (around $11 or so). It was a nice portion, but I wouldn't pay 11 dollars for it in the US. It tasted nice. It wasn't made with cheddar cheese with the bright orange color. I don't know what kind of cheese they use. It was more of a cream color. The coke was ridiculous also! It was 4,500 won for a 12oz coke. (thats about $4.00). They gave us free water with our meal and kept refilling it. I could have just drank that and not ordered coke, but I like coke. I paid for Lesley's meal since it was her going away. I wanted to get her something as a gift but I didn't know what to get so I just offered to pay for her meal.
Day 379....New Years Eve
Thursday December 31
I made it through another month and another week. I only have 8 weeks left! Possibly 7. I'll have to make up my mind very soon on whether I want to leave a week early or just use a week in February for my vacation. I kinda wanted to stay till the end, but I could finish everything up a week early. I have plenty of time in class to double up on lessons if I need to. The last week in February I really wouldn't be teaching anything anyway. decisions. decisions. I know what decision my mom would make if it were up to her!
Current Temp (im writing this on Jan 1st): 10 degrees
Exchange: 1172 krw = 1 usd
I got up early today to go get my passport renewed. I hated getting up at 9am esp. when I was still awake at 3am.
I finally finished my book which is one of the reasons I was still awake. I was so close to finishing it and I just had to stay up and finish. I wanted to know what happened.
I got out in the cold and caught 2 different buses to get to the American Embassy. When I got there I had to show my ID and they took away my cell phone because you can't have it once you are inside the embassy. My pocketbook was put through the machine-like what they have at airports to see the contents. They also had a metal detector. Lots of security. I go in and get my number and wait for my turn 16 people were ahead of me. I finally get up to the window and the woman tells me my passport photo is too small. I told her that I asked for a passport photo when I got it took. She said it was the size of a korean passport photo. Why in the heck would the guy at E-mart give me Korean passport photos? Do I look Korean? So she told me where I could get passport photos taken near the Embassy. So I had to leave and go take my photo. The photos costed 6,000 won at a photo booth at a building near the Embassy. Then I had to go back and wait in line again. I gave them all my documents and paid my fee. I signed up for a courier service to deliver my passport to the school. Then I headed out and got a bus back to my place.
I got home just in time to fix my hair and put on my makeup and head out the door and go to school.
My first class was good. Today we had our writing test. a few people told me they didn't study. I told them we always have a writing test at the end of the month. I gave them some time to study. Then we read an article from the newspaper and answered questions about the article. Then I gave them some free time. They all did pretty good on the test. The new girl didn't do too good on the test, but I realized that she had only attended one writing class. I'm not going to count her grade this month. One student was absent so I only have one makeup test to get.
My 2nd class was pretty good. I gave them their quiz on the newspaper articles we read on Tuesday. The boys just treat it like its a joke and guess on every question. thats why they make a 50 on it. The girl actually made a 90. The grade on the quiz doesn't count towards their grade in the class. I just give it to see if they were paying attention in class. Then we took our writing test. They did pretty good but they dont follow directions very well. I know they don't study for the tests. I offered to give them time to study but no one wanted to. One of the guys who is always talking during class actually made a 91. One of the boys was excited to make a 64. Then we read one more article from the newspaper. They kept asking for stickers. I told them if they would be quiet and read that I'd give them a sticker. 3 of the boys were playing on their cellphones so I didn't give them one. They were the ones who were begging for stickers.
My 3rd class was good. When I came in they asked if they could have the whole class as free time because it was the last day of the year. I said no. Today was our newspaper class. I prepared 4 articles. We usually listen, read and answer questions. They dont want to listen and read so I just let them read. They go around the room and everyone reads one sentence. Today's topics were hedgehogs, The princess and the frog, dancing traffic cop, and foot binding. They were all surprised by the foot binding photo that I chose to show them. It was kinda graphic but I wanted them to see what happened. Then I gave them some free time. They were looking at my laptop asking me about a picture of my dog. Then I showed them a picture of Candace so they could see my sister. They said we looked the same. Then they wanted to know if I had any pictures of when I was a child. I did. They liked those. They were looking at other pictures I had on my computer also.
here's the picture of foot binding:
My last class was good. When I came in the boy was talking to me in Korean. Then they wanted to know if I knew any Korean. I told them what I knew then they want me to say words that they wrote on the board. They were putting curse words on the board. I wouldn't say some of them because I knew what the word meant. They try to get me to say other things. I have to get them to say it really slow. They make it sound effortless, but to me its difficult! Then we took our newspaper test and writing test. They keep asking me for hints so I help them out and show them examples of things that are on the test. One student made 100 on the test.
My school was not even going to tell me that we had to switch to morning schedule on Monday. I knew we were going to switch times, but I wanted someone to actually care enough to let me know. It would have been funny if I didn't show up at 9am on Monday morning. I could totally say "no one told me". I'll have to make sure I get a schedule on Monday because they didn't give me one. Koreans put everything off till the last minute. They are expert procrastinators. They just let it slip their mind that they should tell their teacher that "hey you need to be here at 9 on Monday". Am I suppose to be psychic and just know. I actually had to ask them if we were switching to morning. Then all of a sudden while I'm about to head out the door the Korean teacher remembers to remind me that I have to be there at 9am on Monday.
I really wanted to go out for New Year's Eve. There's a huge celebration in Seoul, but I decided not to go. I didn't feel like being out in the 14 degree weather. They estimated that 150,000 people were there. A lot of people didn't mind the cold. I can't stand the cold. The chilly air is back. My face feels like it will freeze and thats one part that I can't cover up. I can put on tons of layers but I can't cover my face. I just stayed at home where it was warm. It was my last chance to celebrate the New year in Korea, but its just way too cold!!!
My friend, Lesley, is leaving next Saturday. She wants to meet tomorrow for her going away shindig. I don't know who else will be meeting with us but I know she invited our Korean teacher. When she is gone, I'll be on my own for my last 7 weeks.
I made it through another month and another week. I only have 8 weeks left! Possibly 7. I'll have to make up my mind very soon on whether I want to leave a week early or just use a week in February for my vacation. I kinda wanted to stay till the end, but I could finish everything up a week early. I have plenty of time in class to double up on lessons if I need to. The last week in February I really wouldn't be teaching anything anyway. decisions. decisions. I know what decision my mom would make if it were up to her!
Current Temp (im writing this on Jan 1st): 10 degrees
Exchange: 1172 krw = 1 usd
I got up early today to go get my passport renewed. I hated getting up at 9am esp. when I was still awake at 3am.
I finally finished my book which is one of the reasons I was still awake. I was so close to finishing it and I just had to stay up and finish. I wanted to know what happened.
I got out in the cold and caught 2 different buses to get to the American Embassy. When I got there I had to show my ID and they took away my cell phone because you can't have it once you are inside the embassy. My pocketbook was put through the machine-like what they have at airports to see the contents. They also had a metal detector. Lots of security. I go in and get my number and wait for my turn 16 people were ahead of me. I finally get up to the window and the woman tells me my passport photo is too small. I told her that I asked for a passport photo when I got it took. She said it was the size of a korean passport photo. Why in the heck would the guy at E-mart give me Korean passport photos? Do I look Korean? So she told me where I could get passport photos taken near the Embassy. So I had to leave and go take my photo. The photos costed 6,000 won at a photo booth at a building near the Embassy. Then I had to go back and wait in line again. I gave them all my documents and paid my fee. I signed up for a courier service to deliver my passport to the school. Then I headed out and got a bus back to my place.
I got home just in time to fix my hair and put on my makeup and head out the door and go to school.
My first class was good. Today we had our writing test. a few people told me they didn't study. I told them we always have a writing test at the end of the month. I gave them some time to study. Then we read an article from the newspaper and answered questions about the article. Then I gave them some free time. They all did pretty good on the test. The new girl didn't do too good on the test, but I realized that she had only attended one writing class. I'm not going to count her grade this month. One student was absent so I only have one makeup test to get.
My 2nd class was pretty good. I gave them their quiz on the newspaper articles we read on Tuesday. The boys just treat it like its a joke and guess on every question. thats why they make a 50 on it. The girl actually made a 90. The grade on the quiz doesn't count towards their grade in the class. I just give it to see if they were paying attention in class. Then we took our writing test. They did pretty good but they dont follow directions very well. I know they don't study for the tests. I offered to give them time to study but no one wanted to. One of the guys who is always talking during class actually made a 91. One of the boys was excited to make a 64. Then we read one more article from the newspaper. They kept asking for stickers. I told them if they would be quiet and read that I'd give them a sticker. 3 of the boys were playing on their cellphones so I didn't give them one. They were the ones who were begging for stickers.
My 3rd class was good. When I came in they asked if they could have the whole class as free time because it was the last day of the year. I said no. Today was our newspaper class. I prepared 4 articles. We usually listen, read and answer questions. They dont want to listen and read so I just let them read. They go around the room and everyone reads one sentence. Today's topics were hedgehogs, The princess and the frog, dancing traffic cop, and foot binding. They were all surprised by the foot binding photo that I chose to show them. It was kinda graphic but I wanted them to see what happened. Then I gave them some free time. They were looking at my laptop asking me about a picture of my dog. Then I showed them a picture of Candace so they could see my sister. They said we looked the same. Then they wanted to know if I had any pictures of when I was a child. I did. They liked those. They were looking at other pictures I had on my computer also.
here's the picture of foot binding:
My last class was good. When I came in the boy was talking to me in Korean. Then they wanted to know if I knew any Korean. I told them what I knew then they want me to say words that they wrote on the board. They were putting curse words on the board. I wouldn't say some of them because I knew what the word meant. They try to get me to say other things. I have to get them to say it really slow. They make it sound effortless, but to me its difficult! Then we took our newspaper test and writing test. They keep asking me for hints so I help them out and show them examples of things that are on the test. One student made 100 on the test.
My school was not even going to tell me that we had to switch to morning schedule on Monday. I knew we were going to switch times, but I wanted someone to actually care enough to let me know. It would have been funny if I didn't show up at 9am on Monday morning. I could totally say "no one told me". I'll have to make sure I get a schedule on Monday because they didn't give me one. Koreans put everything off till the last minute. They are expert procrastinators. They just let it slip their mind that they should tell their teacher that "hey you need to be here at 9 on Monday". Am I suppose to be psychic and just know. I actually had to ask them if we were switching to morning. Then all of a sudden while I'm about to head out the door the Korean teacher remembers to remind me that I have to be there at 9am on Monday.
I really wanted to go out for New Year's Eve. There's a huge celebration in Seoul, but I decided not to go. I didn't feel like being out in the 14 degree weather. They estimated that 150,000 people were there. A lot of people didn't mind the cold. I can't stand the cold. The chilly air is back. My face feels like it will freeze and thats one part that I can't cover up. I can put on tons of layers but I can't cover my face. I just stayed at home where it was warm. It was my last chance to celebrate the New year in Korea, but its just way too cold!!!
My friend, Lesley, is leaving next Saturday. She wants to meet tomorrow for her going away shindig. I don't know who else will be meeting with us but I know she invited our Korean teacher. When she is gone, I'll be on my own for my last 7 weeks.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)