Abundance Aid: Ondol Time

One of the first things you learn when moving to Korea is how to heat your house during the winter. For practically everyone this means using the ondol system built into your floor. Somewhere along your wall is a switch that controls the temperature and timing. But not all houses are alike and the same goes with the ondol system. Having lived in 4 different places already, I can tell you I have had 4 different kinds of ondol switches to deal with. Thankfully they all did the same thing, which is heat up your floor. Today I will take you to people's amusement with the ondol and how it has kept their life cozy during Korea's cold season.

1. Bathhouse Ballads: In this amusing post you get to hear how the Korean heating system can often lead your body to getting dried out. Tips are given on how to keep your home from turning into a dry place. Take a look at the post to find out more.

2. Grrl Traveler: Not a blogger linked on this site but I thought it would be useful for those who want to know how to heat themselves in other ways. Like those hand warmer things.

3. On Becoming a Good Korean (Feminist) Wife: This is a great post because it features her pets enjoying the benefits of the ondol. I bet it is paradise for them.

As great as the ondol is, one of the unfortunate aspects is how much your utility bill shoots up. In that case you have to be sometimes selective about your use of the thing, which could leave you freezing one night and burning up the next.

Abundance Found: Sixxx

Come with me and let's explore random posts by the many Kbloggers that have contributed to the discovery of wonderful and oddball things in Korea.

1. I Am Saja's Mom: Something you may not know about Korea is that they like to give you bonuses to dining out or shopping. Often times you can find things taped to ramyeon packages and cereal boxes. Here she shows us the bounty of cereal boxes with things strapped to them as a promotion.

2. ElyseMarie: A new blog for me, but full of great content. In this very comical post she showed us an Ahjusshi and Ahjumma party that her and her friend's put on. Having lived in Korea for some time now I couldn't help but cackle at the site. Certainly a great idea to make any week less boring.

3. Jennipal: A post-blogger, but still has lots of great posts to dig through. Here we get a glimpse of something rather odd hanging on the wall of a Korean relative's house. You have to click over there to go see it!

4. Paul Ajosshi: We end our trip down random-road with a stop at Paul's place. I recall this funny post about a cat up in a tree and his funny spin on the whole thing.

Again, I hope you enjoyed this voyage down Abundance Found lane and hope to see you back again sometime!

Abundance Thinks: Eating Dogs

It's a topic that will inevitably come up if you are planning to come to Korea or already here. That is the topic of the Korean cuisine known as boshintang (보신탕) a soup that includes dog meat. I for one have never tried this food and still can't as I just don't see myself eating dog meat. But there are other foreigners in Korea who have tried it out and lived to tell the tale. Included in today's "Abundance Thinks" are those experiences along with posters who have spent some time talking on the humane side of the subject. I hope these posts clear some questions you might have about this kind of food in Korea.

1. In My Time...: An old traveler to Korea, but had a boshintang experience. Here she gets a "pot of dog" and goes at it. Certainly she knew about the controversy but wanted to try it anyways. To hear about the taste and experience check out the post.

2. Hangook Summer: Here we take another person's experience, but this time he just watched his friend eat it.

3. Roboseyo: Now let's get into the issue of raising and slaughtering dogs for meat. Rob highlights for us the animal and cultural rights that this cuisine has created. He articulately gives us an understanding from many view points and also gets you thinking about whether it is right of us to come in and try to change this aspect of Korean culture. Check out the post for a good read.

4. Karori to Korea: Generally speaking there have been times I have wondered if Korea even has an animal rights group. I've seen animals on TV programs abused and handled in awful ways. Well on this post we see that people do care and even take their angst to the streets.

The topic of eating dog meat might come up someday with your Korean counterparts at work. It might be a good idea to get an understanding of the issue from all sides before leashing out some opinions. Remember not all Korean people eat dog meat and some even don't want to. In that case, don't assume all people in Korea eat it or support the practice. I hope these posts give you insight into the taste and political aspects surrounding this kind of food.

Abundance Found: Fivvee

It's another go around the Korean blogosphere. What crazy and wacky stuff will we find this time on Abundance Found? Let's see...

1. Plate Full of Onions: 

In this post they talk about this recent siting on a bus, that is questionably offensive. Certainly the imagery is eye catching but the after thought is a bit disturbing. Will Korean people equate this person with all westerners? Is that something really to worry about?

2. Tigers and Magpies:

 I got to this post by clicking on the category "bird watching" on their blog. Certainly, you might be surprised to know that you can do some kind of animal watching in this country that is rolled over with cement. These guys write well on traveling and also just the nuances in Korea, like the wildlife. Check out the post for more details and lovely pictures.

3. SoKo:

STREET GOLD~!

Since this blogger only posted a picture and no words I am just giving you a hint of what you will see when you click on the blog's name. Hint: It's very shiny.

4. Konglish Kids:

It's a part of life here, that is seeing in the distance the glowing neon of love hotels. My first place I lived at was very close to these and I enjoyed watching in the morning couples leaving and going their separate ways. Check the post for a fun opinion on the site of such "motels".

Another Abundance Found comes to a wrap...I wonder what we will discover next time?

Abundance Found: Fourrrrr

Today's "Abundance Found" is taking you around the K-blogosphere to show you random selections that are enticing to read. We will see a unique house, sheep and market food. Come with me!

1. Ajumma's Journal: In her post series, "Houses In Korea I Fell in Love With" we are greeted with architecture that is worth gushing over. In this particular post you might find one such dwelling that is familiar to some people, to figure this out go over to her post. 

2. Discovering Korea: Bahhhhh! Who would have guessed that Korea has sheep farms. Well look no further than Discovering Korea's post on such a thing as it exists at the Daegwallyeong Sheep Ranch. Check the post for great pics and stories.

 

3.  One Day I'll Fly Away: Sometimes you don't have to go far to discover odd ball stuff here in Korea. Just in your neighborhood could be a market or a shop that sells something uniquely Korean. In this post we get to see what is in this blogger's neighborhood, so take a look.

I hope this "Found" brought you closer to a blogger you didn't see before or a subject you hadn't known about.