The Tea at O'Sulloc Museum in South Korea

You are here~

I have long been a fan of the benefits that come with a cup of green tea.  Ever since my grandpa mentioned to my grandma about it being a dieters drink, I'd been drinking a small cup daily with breakfast for several years.  Dr. Oz, a featured doctor on the Oprah Winfrey show who later got his his own syndication has raved about these tea leaves named after my favorite color and the benefits that come from drinking it; benefits that include antioxidants and a means for maintaining and/or losing weight.

I'd seen enough pictures of this museum that my interest had been sparked right from the beginning.  Add to the fact that I've long been a fan of the health benefits of green tea... The stars had aligned, today I'd be heading to O'Sulloc (오설록), known to foreigners as The Green Tea Museum.

Here's the tea...

Life in Korea: A Day in the Life of an English Teacher

Jeju in Autumn

I'm usually out the door of my one room officetel on the third floor by 7:30 am.  This is my routine for when teaching at my main school near Jeju-si.

Ear phones plugged in and hooked up to my iTunes playlist, I love the walk to work. It'll usually take me between 30-40 minutes to get to my school, but even when it's raining, it's a great start to my day.

Spirited Gardens, Wood Tales and Spirits

I had been longing to get to this botanical garden for at least a year.  I do love botanical gardens and nature trails.  Same for animals, so visiting a local zoo or an aquarium in a new city is always welcomed.  The Yeomiji Botanical Gardens on Jeju Island was a fun visit as was the Seoul Zoo.  Still, my new favorite place to be on Jeju Island, the Spirited Gardens.

Like the name?  I do too and as the name hints, this attraction alludes to more that just plant life.  How?  Hmm.  Let's see.  But first, a few pictures from this amazingly large but serene garden.

Walking Trails in South Korea, #6

I couldn't resist.

Olleh Walking Trails are 26 (21 trails, 5 sub-trails) walking paths that cover the entire 2,713 meter circumference of Jeju Island (and neighboring Udo, Chujado and Gapado Islands) with sub-trails that go slightly inland; a whopping total of 422 km.

Just recenlty, I decided to do my very first Olleh Walking Trail.  And of the many things to do on Jeju-do, this is probably the only one that will require the most endurance, as each walking path can range from 14 km to 20 km in length.  You can bet on walking for at least 4 hours should you decide on doing an Olleh path. They range in difficulty as Jeju-do is known for it's mountainous terrain.

If you plan on doing all 26 paths, be sure to pick up an Olleh passport, so you can collect the stamp at the beginning of each trail.

This past weekend, I opted for the least difficult of the 26 trails, Olleh Trail Number 6.

Together with 3 hiking buddies, we made it through tired, but feeling accomplished.

Playing With Mud in South Korea

Of course, if you've taught in the United States and then come to teach in Korea, you'll notice right away that there is humongous difference in the respect teachers get in South Korea, generally speaking.

Really, if you're teaching elementary school kids, you'll know just how adorable they can be.

So, I really like teaching in Korea.  But what's better than teaching these little darlings you ask?? Taking a break from teaching and going on a field trip some where in beautifully scenic, Jeju Island.

On my most recent field trip, I got down and dirty with some clay.  While helping a few students out, the man demonstrating the technique and probably a supervisor or owner in some regard, permitted the teachers to create our own works of art.

Life in Korea: The Culture Shock

I was a bit disoriented after my 13 hr flight with Korean Air, from Chicago to Seoul, but that's another story.  Absolutely nervous, I barely left my hotel room because one, I hadn't learned the language, and two, I was afraid of getting lost in a city that didn't have street names.  I am just learning to recognize streets by their names, having lived in Korea two years already.  Unless you've had some exposure to Korean culture, you're in for some culture shock.

This is just one of several things I found sometimes nice, sometimes bizarre, but none-the-less, shocking when I moved to Korea in 2012.  So here's a look at ten other experiences my friends and I had during our first few weeks in Korea.

Jeju Island Editions: The Alive Museums

I used to think of museums as boring exhibitions that required way too much analytical thought.  Sure, an appreciation for the arts has taken time as growing up in the inner city, there wasn't much exposure and so an appreciation for and recognition of the aesthetic qualities that go into the arts took time.

Still, if you find art boring, you'll soon change your mind with Korea's sometimes quirky, sometimes bizarre but always fun, museums.

I've been to a few great places on Jeju that include UNESCO World Heritage sites on Jeju.  And seeing absolutely beautiful  places on Jeju Island, I'm very content.  

But there's a whole other side to Korea that is found in the fun-loving museums that are everywhere.  I did a short posts on some of the art from Love Land and another on Hello Kitty Island where I became a fan of the adorable cartoon cat.

Life in Korea: Korean Apartment Update

My studio apartment.  

It's been a whole year but I've finally settled in to living on Jeju Island in the upbeat northern side of the island, Jeju-si.  This past summer, I've been out and about  seeing the sights and enjoying the warm weather at the best beaches on Jeju Island.

My first year in Pohang, I absolutely loved my apartment.  It came with a flat screen tv, a laundry room and the tiles behind the sink in the kitchen was my favorite color, green.  My kitchen also came with a pantry and a two burner gas range, something I haven't seen anywhere else.  I could not be happier!   The shower that wet the entire bathroom, that took some getting use to.  And with a fifteen minute walk to work where I could get some exercise in, I could not ask for more.  

Jeju Island Editions: Hallim Park

Hallim Park is a place to spend the whole day, as it has nine attractions and several others within them.  Any person looking for a relaxing walk through a park is in for a treat whether you go it solo, with a date, or with friends.  One thing to note is that one visit might not be enough and with several festivals throughout the year, I plan to visit again and again. 

Life in Korea: The Bigger Picture

Being back in Korea, I’m reminded that in order to get something you’ve never had before, you have to do something you’ve never done before. Some of the littlest things has bought a great big smile to my face…a genuine compliment, a gift from a child, children singing and dancing and the satisfaction of a job well done and never forget the people that helped you when you needed help. I’ve been pensive about my future but I know some way, some how it’s all gonna work itself out. #Godisfaithful 

Moments of Clarity: Fret Not Thyself

Understand the wisdom in the words of King David

As a child about 8 or 9 years old, I remember being told to read (and memorize) Psalms 37, but couldn’t fathom what the words meant or how it applied to me even when an adult tried to explain it to me. Perhaps my mind wasn’t developed enough to understand the wisdom in the words of King David or perhaps I was trying to comprehend more than I needed to know.  

Nevertheless, King David’s instruction to refrain from fretting or getting over what people say and do still applies.

I often like to observe people interacting with others.  More than listening to what’s said, I like to observe body language which can tell a different story.  I also pay attention to tone and in my humble observation of students playing or a teacher teaching, I can get a sense of what’s going on, even when it’s in another language.  More than observing people, I like watching animals whether at the zoo or a documentary; I find it’s quite interesting how communication occurs without words.

Life in Korea: I'm Halfway There

Contrary to the school year in the United States and most other countries in the Western Hemisphere, March marks the beginning of the school year for South Koreans.  Something about the Spring and a fresh start…However, for me, its six months into a one year contract with EPIK (English Program in Korea).  Which only means I’m half way through and really, I’m already counting down.

This is my second year in Korea.  A year I felt quite apprehensive about spending in Korea but with a shaky economy in the U.S and many other places, Korea was the best (well only) option.  It’s been a totally different experience the second time around with lots of hiccups from the beginning and several bumps along the way.   No surprise that the last six months continued much the way it started and well, I wasn’t sure I’d make it through my one-year contract.  

Life in Korea: First Week in E-Dong

So I survived my first week in E-Dong.  I've met most of my students already and I'm excited about this term.  My classroom is taking shape although I will be making a adding a few more things to make my classroom a great environment for learning.  I have truly come to appreciate a good living/working space as it make a difference for me.

I spent part of my weekend decorating my "new" apartment and I must say, it's coming along nicely.  

Life in Korea: So Far, So Good

It's been almost three months that I've been in South Korea.  It's kinda surreal that I have packed up my belongings and moved my life to a country on the other side of the world.  Two plane rides, two weeks of jet lag, two suitcases stuffed with all the essentials...  I'm making a life here for myself, a simple life, but still, it's my new life.  I've opened my mind to living a life of balance (prayer, exercise, nutrition and friendships) and I must say, it looks good on me.