January 7, 2012

These pictures are from my recent trip to Japan.  All I want to say about this is that I would strongly recommend anyone who is given the opportunity to visit Tokyo to do so.  It is an absolutely amazing city! (Godzilla is sooo nice!)

There’s something about the amazing juxtaposition of having something like the Imperial Palace, where the Imperial family actually lives in this life of isolation and secretivity amidst a huge sprawl of just breathtaking modern buildings that creates an amazing sense of wonderment.  The city just felt so alive.  There’s so much to see and I had way too little time, but it was excellent.  It’s genuinely a world class city and so inspiring to spend time in.

December 8, 2011

This is awesome for so many reasons. Obviously, it’s something near and dear to my heart (I have  a cousin who married a french Canadian Mountie). Similarly, I also appreciate it for the sheer nostalgia value that it possesses. 

These heritage moments are so hilarious and I think that actually watching these moments on TV is one of the few cross-cultural shared experiences that I’ve been able to identify as being really ‘Canadian’ for people in my peer group who were raised in Canada.  “But I need these baskets back!”  Anyone?

Anyway, I just wanted to post this because it’s something that we as Canadians really should celebrate (“it” being cheesy, poorly written TV spots).  But in all seriousness, as the debate really heats up in Australia and the United State, I hope that at least some people in those countries can feel inspired and validated by the standards Canada has set in terms of marriage equality.   Hopefully one day the people of Australia can watch a one minute spot featuring a gay surfer being surprised by a gay kangaroo farmer down on one knee.

November 20, 2011

This video is “My Lady Story” by Antony and the Johnsons.  I chose to share this video as a dedication to International Trans Day of Remembrance or Week of Remembrance in some places.  It’s an absolutely beautiful song that can be enjoyed standing alone, but it also makes me think a lot about the specific experience of trans people which is an experience that I think cys-gendered should consider so that we can do what we can to help our trans brothers and sisters.

I think that as a community we should make every effort possible to be conscious of, fighting for the rights of, empathetic to the diverse needs of, and celebrating the individuality of all members.  However, there are times when we also need to acknowledge the pain or strife of those in our community.  There are many reasons to have a Trans Day of Remembrance.

The Centre for Women and Trans people at my alma mater has many events planned for the upcoming week and they explain explains:

“The Centre for Women and Trans People will commemorate this year’s Trans Day of Remembrance by offering a full TransWeek of Remembrance for Two Spirit, Intersex, and Trans people, and all who have been impacted by anti-trans violence and discrimination. A week is not enough – together let’s continue to actively resist violence and celebrate trans lives always. The Centre is honoured to be part of this work and hopes everyone has a chance to create a space for the remembrance of community members hurt or lost, and to collect and share in our own personal reflections.”

My friend Tina recently told me about a famous South Korean entertainer named Harisu who happens to be transgender.  I’m really happy Tina shared this story with me.  She told me that a few years ago there was a documentary in South Korea about Harisu.  It talked about her career, her life, her struggle, her family, and her marriage to a South Korean rapper.  Tina said that before she saw the documentary she didn’t really understand what it meant to be trans.  She also talked a lot about how much the documentary and specifically, Harisu’s journey and her struggle really opened her eyes to the experiences of trans people.  She said it made her so much more understanding and that the documentary really put a human face to an experience that I think a lot of people don’t make enough effort to empathize with.  I’m amazed that Harisu had the courage to tell her story in a country like South Korea which, as I’ve experienced first hand, is quite conservative. 

So I guess, this post is an inspiration post about Harisu.  Learning her story also made me feel a little more comfortable as an LGBT person living in South Korea.  So, if she’s reading this blog (I know, no one is…)thanks for all you’ve done.  Also, thank you to everyone who works to create equality in the world.  No one can do it all, but we can all do something.

November 12, 2011
Poutine is a wonderful and blessed thing that is truly lacking in my life at the moment.  I miss all the wonderful, unhealthy, messiness that is poutine.  There are a few spots in Seoul where you can find it (I’d personally recommend Yaletown in Sinchon) but I have a feeling it’ll taste even better on Canadian soil.  If I was flown home right now, eating poutine would be privileged above all other activities.  My apologies to my friends and family for that last comment, but honestly I’d walk over most of you to get to a quality plate of poutine right now (this may be influenced by the fact that I haven’t eaten in almost 2 and a half hours [can you imagine?]. This post is an Oh, Canada post.  As a Canadian, I think our nation has many things to celebrate; universal healthcare, marriage equality, subsidized post secondary education just to name a few.  Similarly, there are many things about Canada that, living abroad, I really miss.  There are some more poignant qualities of Canadian life that I miss and hope to one day have the courage to write about. However, for now I’d like to stick to something near and dear to my heart: unhealthy food, my obsession with food, and all the Jennifer Anniston spinsteresque qualities that accompany said obsession with most things deep fried.

Poutine is a wonderful and blessed thing that is truly lacking in my life at the moment.  I miss all the wonderful, unhealthy, messiness that is poutine.  There are a few spots in Seoul where you can find it (I’d personally recommend Yaletown in Sinchon) but I have a feeling it’ll taste even better on Canadian soil.  If I was flown home right now, eating poutine would be privileged above all other activities.  My apologies to my friends and family for that last comment, but honestly I’d walk over most of you to get to a quality plate of poutine right now (this may be influenced by the fact that I haven’t eaten in almost 2 and a half hours [can you imagine?].

This post is an Oh, Canada post.  As a Canadian, I think our nation has many things to celebrate; universal healthcare, marriage equality, subsidized post secondary education just to name a few.  Similarly, there are many things about Canada that, living abroad, I really miss.  There are some more poignant qualities of Canadian life that I miss and hope to one day have the courage to write about. However, for now I’d like to stick to something near and dear to my heart: unhealthy food, my obsession with food, and all the Jennifer Anniston spinsteresque qualities that accompany said obsession with most things deep fried.

November 9, 2011
Over the weekend I had the opportunity to experience one of the many amazing festivals Korea has to offer.  This one was the Seoul Lantern Festival.  My friend and I strolled along the chongey chong (certainly not the spelling [also, I usually call it the chimichanga because it’s easier to remember]) river and checked out a few dozen lanterns constructed solely of paper. In true Korean fashion, we of course had to wait in a half an hour long line before we could access said stream, but it was worth the late.  Amazing craftsmanship and picture taking opportunities (said picture taking opportunities of course in no way lead to excruciatingly irritating bottle-necking of pedestrian traffic of course). As per most things in Korea though, once we could see through (both figuratively and literally) the 8 billion people, it was quite the spectacle. You can see more pictures on my facebook page.

Over the weekend I had the opportunity to experience one of the many amazing festivals Korea has to offer.  This one was the Seoul Lantern Festival.  My friend and I strolled along the chongey chong (certainly not the spelling [also, I usually call it the chimichanga because it’s easier to remember]) river and checked out a few dozen lanterns constructed solely of paper.

In true Korean fashion, we of course had to wait in a half an hour long line before we could access said stream, but it was worth the late.  Amazing craftsmanship and picture taking opportunities (said picture taking opportunities of course in no way lead to excruciatingly irritating bottle-necking of pedestrian traffic of course).

As per most things in Korea though, once we could see through (both figuratively and literally) the 8 billion people, it was quite the spectacle.

You can see more pictures on my facebook page.

November 5, 2011

I’m not really sure how to categorize this post.  I guess I’m going to put it under The Ridiculous or the Great (though not mutually exclusive), however, it is neither.  Actually no, the senator in the video, Gretchen Whitmer, is great.  I’m inspired that she had the courage to speak so frankly about this bill.  The purpose of the legislation, which passed (http://thenewcivilrightsmovement.com/michigan-gop-pass-bullying-bill-giving-license-to-bully/politics/2011/11/03/29580) is difficult to understand and very saddening to me.  It’s also very disappointing.  Do I think that a piece of legislation can bring an end to all forms of bullying?  No.  Do I think that a piece of legislation can help to reduce bullying in our schools?  Yes.  Do I think this piece of legislation will protect vulnerable students from bullies?  No.  Do I like posing questions to myself on a blog that no one is reading?  Yes.

Personal questions aside, I don’t understand how the Michigan Senate could have missed the mark so significantly when drafting this bill.  I suppose we just have very different marks.  I do believe that governments should work to protect their citizens, however, it’s not the only way the most vulnerable in our societies can be protected.  We need to educate. Though a better drafted anti-bullying bill could aid in quests to educate young people about the effects of bullying, Senator Whitmer and the publicity she has received show that even in the face of defeat, we must never give up the fight (poor choice of words? Perhaps.)

The irony of the language in this legislation is also worth mentioning. I would really like a senator from Michigan who voted in favour of this legislation to explain to me an incident where bullying is “moral”. 

Moral: of, pertaining to, or concerned with the principles or rules of right conduct or the distinction between right and wrong; ethical

Bully: a blustering, quarrelsome, overbearing person who habitually badgers and intimidates smaller or weaker people.


I do fully understand the legislation’s intended purpose and I’m sure in some sort of Orwelian double think kind of way they all know the ridiculousness of this language as well. However, without it they would have to acknowledge the human rights of the people they’re not willing to grant those rights to (see:the LGBT community).
 

In an attempt to add some positivity to this story, I hope that what this bill creates is more Gretchen Whitmers in the world.  People who can identify and quite eloquently explain why something like this bill is so problematic and have the courage to have their voices heard.  
You may have lost this battle Gretchen, but I am confident that, one day, your voice and your message will prevail.

November 3, 2011 • 4 notes
I’ve been reading some articles lately debating the merits of keeping our national animal the beaver.  First, Senator Nicole Eaton suggested that we change it to the polar bear, and now there’s an article in the Huffington Post where the author suggests the Canada Goose is a more appropriate symbol of his suggested aspirations for our great nation; monogomous (???), loyal, brave, and hard to intimidate. I’m gonna have to strongly disagree with both suggestions.  In my opinion, we should keep it the beaver.  Living abroad has really made my level of patriotism increase…perhaps even to a chauvinistic level.  As a result I am currently almost blindly proud of all things Canadiana.  One thing I’m really proud of about the Canadian people is our modesty (see: irony).  In all seriousness though, I think one great attribute of most (there are certainly some acceptions) Canadian people is that we don’t take ourselves too seriously.  This is precisely why I think we need to keep the beaver our national animal:  we shouldn’t take ourselves too seriously.   Canada is a land full of brilliant comedians, sprawling wilderness, and poorly chosen town names (try explaining to someone that you’re from the Dublin that’s near Stratford and pretty close to London and then say that you’re not from the UK). We need to celebrate both our achievements and our flaws to maintain our balanced, accessible, generally jovial national personality. Maybe this ability to laugh at ourselves comes from our humble roots.  Our country was explored not because of war, not due to some divine religious right, or some quest for fairer sea travels…but to make hats!  Not just any hats either, but hats out of Beaver pelts.  I therefore think it’s only fitting that our national animal remind us of our humble roots and all the amazing qualities of Canadians that may or may not be a result of these roots, rather than prescribed (and I’ll say it, obnoxiously American sounding) aspirations.  Let’s keep Canada a comedic, clever, industrious, and proud country that I think is very well represented by the low brow double entendre joke about the beaver that I’m almost avoiding making right now.

I’ve been reading some articles lately debating the merits of keeping our national animal the beaver.  First, Senator Nicole Eaton suggested that we change it to the polar bear, and now there’s an article in the Huffington Post where the author suggests the Canada Goose is a more appropriate symbol of his suggested aspirations for our great nation; monogomous (???), loyal, brave, and hard to intimidate.

I’m gonna have to strongly disagree with both suggestions.  In my opinion, we should keep it the beaver.  Living abroad has really made my level of patriotism increase…perhaps even to a chauvinistic level.  As a result I am currently almost blindly proud of all things Canadiana.  One thing I’m really proud of about the Canadian people is our modesty (see: irony).  In all seriousness though, I think one great attribute of most (there are certainly some acceptions) Canadian people is that we don’t take ourselves too seriously.  This is precisely why I think we need to keep the beaver our national animal:  we shouldn’t take ourselves too seriously.   Canada is a land full of brilliant comedians, sprawling wilderness, and poorly chosen town names (try explaining to someone that you’re from the Dublin that’s near Stratford and pretty close to London and then say that you’re not from the UK). We need to celebrate both our achievements and our flaws to maintain our balanced, accessible, generally jovial national personality.

Maybe this ability to laugh at ourselves comes from our humble roots.  Our country was explored not because of war, not due to some divine religious right, or some quest for fairer sea travels…but to make hats!  Not just any hats either, but hats out of Beaver pelts.  I therefore think it’s only fitting that our national animal remind us of our humble roots and all the amazing qualities of Canadians that may or may not be a result of these roots, rather than prescribed (and I’ll say it, obnoxiously American sounding) aspirations.  Let’s keep Canada a comedic, clever, industrious, and proud country that I think is very well represented by the low brow double entendre joke about the beaver that I’m almost avoiding making right now.

November 2, 2011 • 10 notes
So, this is Kimbap.  I would describe it as the Korean version of a sandwich.  Not in flavor, but in accessibility and convenience.  It’s everywhere.  Here’s an easy recipe if you’re interested in making it, or if you just want to check out what the ingredients are like you can see them here as well: http://koreanfood.about.com/od/riceandnoodlerecipes/r/kimbap.htm The one in the picture is Tuna Kimbap, of JamJi Kimbap in Korea.  I would describe it as infinitely better than normal Kimbap…mostly because there’s mayonnaise in it.  Right now, I love smothering it in sweet sweet spicy Kimchi.

So, this is Kimbap.  I would describe it as the Korean version of a sandwich.  Not in flavor, but in accessibility and convenience.  It’s everywhere. 

Here’s an easy recipe if you’re interested in making it, or if you just want to check out what the ingredients are like you can see them here as well:

http://koreanfood.about.com/od/riceandnoodlerecipes/r/kimbap.htm

The one in the picture is Tuna Kimbap, of JamJi Kimbap in Korea.  I would describe it as infinitely better than normal Kimbap…mostly because there’s mayonnaise in it.  Right now, I love smothering it in sweet sweet spicy Kimchi.

November 1, 2011

New Beginnings

I decided that I need to make this second attempt at having the same blog, (it’s like I found a lost pet…not like I’m lazy) a positive one.  As a result, it seemed quite fitting that my first post be a Positive Kimchi.  Also, after a couple of sleeps I’m realizing how stupid that name is and how much I would make fun of someone else if I saw that blog title on their blog.  That being said, I’m not someone else and since clearly (just check my grammar) I’m not big on editing, I don’t have to read this blog again.  That being said, I’m hoping I’ll be inspired in the next couple of weeks and come up with a new title.

Anyways, since the no one reading this is likely in a hurry, I should keep this post going.  So this post is actually going to be quite easy for me.  In celebration of the fact that this is my second post in one week, I’m going make this blog all meta and shit and choose kimchi itself as this posts “Positive Kimchi”.  Are you following.

If you’re not sure what Kimchi is, allow me to explain.  It is essentially Korea’s national food (maybe officially an not essentially…).  It consists of fermented cabbage that is then smothered in a spicy red pepper saucey thing called “saal”.  I think it’s called saal, I’m not really sure how you would Romanize it, but it’s something like that.

So for the first 11 month or so that I was here I wasn’t entirely convinced that this dish was even edible.  Early into my journey here my Aunt Joanne sent me an article telling me that the always reliable and reputable Dr. Oz had named Kimchi as a “super food”.  I guess that means it’s really healthy…or it fell in a vat of radioactive waste and now fight crime, I think it’s the former though.  This essentially confirmed my childhood suspicion that most things that are really good for you are awful (see: exercise, a balanced diet, abstaining from huffing etc.)  However, my feelings over the past couple of months have changed.  I swear to you, I never thought I would ever be able to think of Korean food as more than an inconvenient filler.  None of the flavors really did much for me (with the exception of BBQ, that was love at first bite [call back, what?]) now, however, I thoroughly enjoy most Korean food and there have actually been moment where I have craved Kimchi.  For the past couple of weeks I’ve actually been thinking about how it could improve classic western food.  I’m thinking some sort of primavera pasta to start (they’re both red) and then moving onwards from there.  If this happens (spoiler: it won’t) I’ll let you know.

So, I guess this post is about both Kimchi and Korean food more generally.  However, if I use Korean food again (I will, 78% of my brain capacity is spent planning what I will eat) please don’t come down hard on me for it.  If you get a chance, try some Kimchi.  If you like it right away, that’s awesome (a little weird, but awesome).  However, if you think it tastes like pickled fish socks that some mixed with tobasco sauce some one had left out in the sun, that’s okay too.  I do think though, that it will grow on you.

Alright, that’s all for today.  I’m gonna update with a picture of my current favorite thing to eat Kimchi with shortly.

October 31, 2011

I’m BAAAAACK!

I think I should change my posting formula to always include, “well this is embarrassing…” at the beginning of each post.  I think it will add some unity to this otherwise completely illogical spattering of posts.

In actuality, I think I do need to create some sort of formula for this blog.  As you can all clearly see, I have epically failed in my attempt to keep anyone up to day in the going ons of my life.  In my defense, I think it all boils down to the fact that I am, in fact, an epically uninteresting person.  Sure I have some interests, but I really don’t think they are blog worthy…unlike the many other relevant, captivating, and noteworthy blogs online.  www.kimjongillookingatthings.tumblr.com  *

As aforementioned, a blog is a sacred and exclusive medium where people can express themselves profoundly.  Without some sort of guiding purpose, the pressure to measure up to other prestigious blogs such as www.lesbianswholooklikejustinbieber.tumblr.com ,* has proven too much for me.  As a result, I have decided overhaul this entire enterprise.  From now on I will attempt to complete three types of blogs per 2 weeks(or a longer amount of time I will determine in six months when I return to this thing and realize I’ve yet to update it).  In no particular order, here are the blog templates you can now look forward to seeing on Seouldecision from now on.

Blog Type #1:  Positive Kimchi

A “Positive Kimchi” post will be a blog that informs my public about something from the week that makes me happy that I am living in South Korea.  “Be where you are”, is a favorite quote of mine from the constant therapist in my life Mary Anne Van Bakel, and I’m really trying to take this to heart. As a result I’m going to try my hardest to find one thing in this little patch of earth that really makes me appreciate where I am.

Blog Type #2: Oh, Canada.

An “Oh, Canada” post can be one of two things.  Either an example of my complete ability to actually fully process the things my mother says, aka a post about something I’m missing about Canada or when read with a different inflection, something I currently find humourous about Canada ( in this curcumstance, the blog type title should be read like, “Oh that Canada, when will he learn [chuckle chuckle].

Blog Type #3: The Ridiculous or the Great (though not mutually exclusive)

A “The Ridiculous or the Great” post will be something, likely taken from pop culture, that I currently find funny, strange, sad, excellent, awesome, horrifying, reminiscent of Tori Spellings glory days playing the role of Donna Martin, confusing, inspiring, positive, or….nice.  

Alright, wish me luck, lets see how this thing goes once again.  I think like a Pavlovian Dog, I should be rewarded each time I accomplish the feat of posting a blog…so please praise me**.  

*I would like to clarify that think Lesbians Who Look Like Justin Bieber and Kim Jong Il looking at things are both great blogs.

**I would also like to clarify that I do in fact understand that no is actually reading this.