Abundance Buzz: Christmas in Korea

About two more weeks and Christmas will come to Korea. In the span of time I have lived here I have found Korea to become more festive when it comes to Christmas. More decorations line streets and stores sell fake Christmas trees and such. It seems this non-Korean holiday is taking hold here. So let's see how other's have experienced it in Korea.

1. F5 Waeg: My biggest gripe is the issue with Christmas trees here. You can't get them real like back home. But would you want to? Korean people live in quite small spaces. However why not just get a small one? He did just that in this post.

2. Whatawaygook: If you are accustomed to spending holiday season with family then living far from home is a tough one. It's not just homesickness but also being a part of the holiday magic with family. However you do what you can to survive and make life in Korea like back home. In this post we see someone do that and reminiscence on Christmas' past.

3. Alien's Day Out: One really good way to get in the holiday spirit is to start cooking. Making cookies or familiar holiday dishes bring out the season at home. Here we get to see her lovely vegan holiday dishes that look scrumptious.

4. Ever Evolving Primate: A fun post about a general Christmas experience here when you are out and about.



I hope your holiday's are filled with cheer and warmth. Merry Christmas!

Abundance Go's: Jjimjilbang

Well fall is nearly over and winter will be on its way. That means much more colder temperatures, coats and hats. During this season many Korean folks like to head to the jjimjilbang or sauna, where they can relax in a heated atmosphere. For this post I will show tales of Kbloggers fun times at such establishments around Korea.

1. A Search for Happiness: One of the numbers of places on her list of where to sleep in Korea. Jjimjilbangs are not just for letting loose stress, they often are a place for people to sleep on the cheap. If you don't sleeping on the floor in a room with many strangers, it's the place for you.

2. Whatawaygook: Perhaps a body scrub sounds good? One of the services available at these saunas and sometimes is definitely a new experience. Check out the post for more information.

3. The View From Over Here: A good post about her experience at the Itaewon Land jjimjilbang in Itaewon. Here she experienced the many "room" such as an ice and hot room. Fun times!

4. Blood, rice and noodles: One of the notorious places to go is the Dragon Hill Spa which has all the parts of a jjimjilbang, accompanied with notoriety. Check out this full post to get a great idea of it all.

Stay warm and keep having fun!

Abundance Go's: Fall around us

Guess what? Summer is over and long gone. The cool air is here and the leaves have changed colors. It's time to strap on those hiking boots and hit the trails for some fresh air and beautiful scenery. Let's have a look at some places people have been to enjoy the Fall weather, and just any other stuff you can do this season.

1. Karori to Korea: These guys recently came back to Korea so I am glad to see I can use their posts. Here is one about flowers in the Fall. Who would have thought you can see flowers too?

2. A Search for Happiness: What foods would be considered a specialty in the Fall time, here in Korea? Maybe chestnuts or persimmons? How about grasshoppers!

3. The Harrington Times: Even though it is a ideal to head to the mountains to see the Fall foliage, it also means thousands of other people had the same idea. In this post they found a spot less crowded, where they were able to enjoy the scenery.

4. Daughter of Korea: And finally a lovely post bursting with color about the ripe persimmon trees you can find around Korea, this time of year.

Even if you don't have time to get to the mountains to see the lovely sites, you can still admire the changes in your neighborhood and the clear blue skies that Fall has to offer.

Abundance Go's: Swimming

It's getting hot out there and that means summer fun is on its way. If your like me then a hot day makes you want to jump into a cool pool of water. However, living in Seoul your options are kind of slim for this. You could use the pool at the Hamilton Hotel or perhaps swim with the kiddos at one of the Han River pools. But for me I would rather take a dive in the ocean or a river. Today I'm going to show you blog posts that feature trips for swimming. I hope it gets you to dust off that swim suit and find a place to go swimming this summer.

1. Kimchi and Cornbread: A good general post about where around Korea you can go swimming, which includes a handy map. Check it out to consider where to go this summer.

2. A Geek in Korea: More of a post about how they got their little one prepared for swimming, but gives you an idea.

3. A Search for Happiness: Here we see a place where people could go swimming in a river stream. I think river swimming in Korea involves getting use to chillier water. In the post you get to hear people coped with that. Otherwise just a beautiful place to relax.

4. Inhale. Exhale. Repeat: When I think of swimming I don't imagine myself diving around the water with sharks. Usually one tries to avoid that situation. But apparently you can go swimming with sharks in Busan. The price of such adventure includes the training and equipment. Plus it just looks like a good time to be had.

5. Korea Connection: For most of us the known place to go swimming in Korea is down in Busan. Here is a nice post about swimming at Gwangalli beach. It is supposedly less crowded than Haundae beach and also there are nice cafes nearby to rest at. Definitely, an easy place to get to and enjoy this summer.

6. The Compost Cook: Another look at the fun to be had in Busan, but this time from a more experiential view. I think you can tell she had a really good time.

As you can see it's not too hard to find yourself at a swimming hole here in Korea. I hope your summer is a soaked one, but not by the rain. ;)

Abundance Go's: Boryeong Mud Festival

Located South of Seoul and on the Daecheon beach in Boryeong city, is a thing called the Boryeong Mud Festival. Yes in my four years living in Korea, I have never been to it. But if you talk to most veteran expats you will hear them tell you how you must go to this event at least once. That is why I will showcase to you glimpses into what previous festivals were like, and if possible get you enticed to go to this years upcoming event in July.

1. Annie Around the World: I like how she sums it up in one sentence, "But a bunch of mud + the beach + summer + cheap alcohol + no open container laws = one out-of-hand party" It is originally promoted as a place to get a dollop of healing mud put on you, but the reality is that the place is a party zone. But that's great, isn't it?

2. Lee's Korea Blog: Can you believe that it has been about 15 years since the first festival. So it has likely evolved and expanded over the years, right? Here is a post from a festival goer that happened in 2008. As you read you start to notice that the festival added more attractions like a "mud prison." I can't imagine all the stuff that is going to be there at the next festival. At least they got away with some unique mud soap...

3. Elyse Marie: For the most part the festival is the place to be to capture exciting imagery. A lot has been said over the years about Korean media heading down there to get photos of foreigners behaving bad. But generally people covered in mud is definitely photogenic. I didn't know it but I guess you can paint yourself in different color muds.  (Photo from her blog..)

4. Long Time Gone: Maybe you want to know if Boryeong is a destination to go to when no such event is happening. Well take a look here and find out for yourself.

If you still don't get the point of the festival than go back and look at these posts. It is all good ...not clean...fun!

Abundance Go's: Blossoming Korea

It's that time of the year where you stuff your sweaters into whatever closet space you have and refresh in the happiness of spring. For many this means getting out there and exploring their neighborhood or seeing new places in Korea. Today, I'll take you to bloggers who have enjoyed the sweet blossoming times of spring in Korea.

1. The Chosun Bimbo: More familiar for his technological posts, but you can find ones of the regular life in Korea. This post about the Yeouido festival exemplifies how sometimes the blossom festivals can be a little too overwhelming. He especially appreciated that the Red Cross was there, taking advantage of the crowds and giving folks lessons.

2. Dale's Korean Temple Adventures:  Out in the Gyeongsangnam-do is the Seounam Hermitage. A place with beautiful views of Korea and of course a great temple to look at and admire. Although, he arrived a bit early for the full force of spring, he did capture it a bit in parts. Check out the post for a very informative and explorative time.

3. Inhale. Exhale. Repeat: Out in Daejon you can catch something called the, "Snow Flower Festival." If anything I don't want it to snow in spring, but usually the cherry blossoms make it look as white as snow. The variety of flowers look great and also there appears to be some good eats nearby.

4. Evan and Rachel: A nice little photo-video here of spring in Korea, to help you get even more excited!

Personally, I can't wait for the cool air to be completely gone and the blossoms in full force. Heck, I even started to daydream about the sticky humid days of summer!

Abundance Found: Nine

Spring is popping it's beautiful head out so why not take another spin around the Kblogosphere? Let's see what we come up with this time...

1. Cute in Korea: A blog dedicated to the cute side of Korea, but often has so much more. Here she shows us the La Petit Prince display at Lotte Mall. More often than you would like, you run into these often cute and sometimes bizarre displays around the shopping centers in Korea.

2. Grrrl Traveler: This post comes on the very adult side of life. It is about Korean love hotels and Korean porn. So if you've got a hankering to know what this is all about then check it out. Certainly, you might just discover things aren't always what they seem.

4. Daughter of Korea: Now for something a bit lighter...a post about her favorite things..this being reststops in Korea. I for one do enjoy these places as they have their own sense of culture sometimes.

5. Bathhouse Ballads: A fun post about cell phone use in Korea by both Koreans and foreigners. Certainly fun to peruse and check mark where you are guilty in your love of your hand phone.

Another fun round of Abundance Found complete and this time, I think we went all over. Till next time...

Abundance Go's: Snow Resorts

Even though I tell people I don't like winter, they usually end up saying how much they love going to ski resorts in Korea. I'm not much of a winter sports person (or summer sports), but I'll take their word for it. However, I have heard that these places get really crowded. Anyways, here for you are some people who have been or can talk about winter in a good way.

1. Eleanora's Life in Korea: Last year she wrote about the best time to go skiing in Korea and where to get tickets in case you don't have your own transportation.

2. Kiwi Wonju Blogger: Here he takes us to the Pheonix Ski Park, which by the sound of must be good. Pictures and details await you.

3. KoreaJjang!: Generally have no clue what ski resort to go to? Well this post (although old) can sum up the popular ones to help you out.

4. Halfie in Seoul: Maybe you just find yourself not sure which hat is proper to wear. Keeping the head warm is essential to staying toasty in the winter time. Here is a fun post about hats to wear.

I for one find myself stuffed inside my house doing work at home. It keeps me warm but also away from all these winter wonders. Hopefully I can get out to something special this season, and you too!

Abundance Buzz: Christmas in Korea

For some they go home and share presents in person, but for must of us Christmas is another holiday spent in Korea. It is a good time to meet up with new and old friends and celebrate. Also it can be a great way to observe how Korean people enjoy this time of year. For sure, things like the Christmas tree and lights have taken over this country more and more. Here for you are a selection of Kbloggers who have had good times this holiday season.

1. 유♥웃: Here you can see what Christmas time is like at the charming Lotte World.  You can see she had a lot of fun.

2. CocoinKorea: Like I said, it is a good time to gather with friends. A lot of people host a party at their house and share in good eats. Here she did such a thing and it looked like a lot of fun.

3. Paul Ajosshi: Ever pass by the Paris Baguette and see a table full of cakes? Well those are the famous Christmas Cakes of Korea. Here Paul gives us a cake that is likely far better than the ones sold on the street.

4. ZenKimchi: But maybe you are still curious about the standard Korean Christmas Cakes. Well take a look at last year's fare all lined up.

5. Wonju Wife: A little something here for you to ponder and well laugh at. It is a guest post by Roboseyo and one that will get you thinking about Santa.

Seriously, though the thought of buying a cake specifically for Christmas is not something I recall doing when I was young. However, sometimes they can be so cute, you can't resist! What do you have planned for this special time of the year? I hope you have time off and get to rest before camps come. (I know I will!)

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 Go's: Fall Colors, Oh My!

It's exciting seeing the trees go from green to yellow, orange or red. This time of year also reminds you to get ready for winter and that cold months area ahead. But for some reason the sun shining down on a colored tree is always pleasant. Today we look at some blogs who posted about this phenomena.

1. Ahlumdahpda: Mostly just some great photos, but of course that is welcomed.

2. Mountain and Field: Here you can explicitly see how time changes with the seasons.

3. Ajumma's Journal: Wondering where to go this year? Well check out the post for some great details on the hot spots to check out Fall foliage.

Have you already been out and seen the colors change? If so link us to your pics or blog. :)