똥침 Dong-chim

**This post is rated MA - Mature Audience only for a bit of graphic content and severely bizarre behavior. If you are easily offended do yourself a favor and skip the following**

Something perplexing has recently come to light for me. When working with the kindergarten kids from early on I've had to constantly spin 180's quick and swipe a hand behind me quick as a blink. My actions were in response to the befuddling behavior of the kids who would poke me in the bum using their index fingers and shouting a Korean phrase.

At first I thought something was disturbingly wrong with the first child who did this. Then after a few more did it, I just passed it off as extremely unusual behavior for a select group of children. The behavior continued sporadically, as did my lightening quick reactions.

Somehow the topic came up in conversation (fortunately) with our friend Emma, who is a Seoul native. She laughed and laughed at us and then explained...

When we get poked, the phrase we've been hearing is "똥침", or "Dong-chim".

똥, or dong (long O), means poo, crap, fecal matter, etc.

침, or Chim (cheem), means needle.

So, poo-needle.

Anyway, Korean children (and apparently some people beyond that age... : / ) clasp their hands together with interlocked fingers then "poke" with their extended index fingers at the victim and yell "Dong-chim!".

It doesn't make sense, and I'm not sure I want to figure it out. Most recently I was teaching a weekend class at the educational museum and one little boy (English name Charlie) was the first person to engage the activity since I've learned exactly what it is. I brushed it off and at least understood.

And then he dongchim'd me about 153 times over the next two hours. Even more astonishing was his mom sitting idly by. Want to talk about the ultimate exercise in patience? Hey lady, I'm about to push your kid to the ground right in front of you!

All that being said, I'm sure there are some cultures that would find a "wedgie" as the most offensive possible thing. So with all due respect, please go on Dongchiming each other, but leave me be.

If you would like references (why would you honestly?) here you go.

Statue1, Statue 2

Poor foreigner...

Arcade game pic

cartoon pic

An actual game you can play online, ridiculous.

Fish!

Sorry about the lack of activity on the blog recently. With the holidays, guests, friends, excessive teachering (teaching/planning), and a plethora of new reading material we have unfortunately not updated as often.

Our friend 종한 (Jonghan, English name Peter) took Lauren, Kasey, Laurel, and I to the 노량진수산시장 (Noryangjin Fish Market). There we picked out a few fish for our meal that night.

Peter spotted a red snapper (적도미) and a flounder(가자미) that would do the trick. The man and woman who were running the shop were extremely friendly and threw in two octopus for "service"!! We had heard about eating live octopus before and were a bit fearful after watching this intense scene in the incredible Korean film, Old Boy.

The octopus was about that same size...
...however we didn't consume it like Dae-su. The owner of the station nicely prepared the flounder and red snapper into a nice spread for us.

We took the 2 octopus (still live, in a plastic bag) and the plate of fish to a nearby restaurant. The restaurant staff promptly chopped up the octopus into small bites for us. The chopping of the octopus did not make the octopus cease to move. They continued to wiggle, wriggle, and suction to the plate and anything else they touched...including the inside of Lauren's cheek, haha!

The food was delicious and we look forward to returning.

Hand Fail

My very adorable and very clumsy husband (sorry babe) had a run in with the pavement this past weekend that cost him a right scaphoid fracture and six weeks in a cast. Christopher and I and two of our wonderful coworkers, Lourdes and Gina, went to a lovely wine cruise event on Saturday evening. After tasting, a little consumption, and giving himself a pseudonym, Chris attempted to show some skills and while losing his balance (the consumption may have had something to do with it) tried to break a fall and instead broke his hand. With help from Mr. Kim, Christopher was able to get all taken care of at a nearby clinic. Fortunately, the break is not as bad as it could have been. Some cases lead to surgery and much recovery but six weeks will fly by for us. Unfortunately, this comes at an inopportune time - we've started training for a marathon and Chris is not looking forward to running with a cast on, being a sweat master and all. Although this could be a very bad situation, we are looking at the positive side - we get some more up close and personal bonding ;)

Booty Call and Paranoia

No this post does not have anything worse than PG-13 content, fear not.

My poor wife has been plagued by paranoia as long as I have known her. If she is the least bit worried about her actions, she'll be sure to keep an eye glued over her shoulder.

For example one of my favorite paranoia memories...

Spring 2004 Lauren and I took a trip out to Santa Barbara for spring break to hang out in sunny California with Danika and Brandon. We were only freshmen in college and too young to purchase adult beverages. Through "good" fortune, I obtained an ID card of a six foot tall, blue-eyed male who could pass as me about one out of fifteen times. While the four of us sat in the car outside of a shady enough liquor store, Lauren looked this way and that, white as a ghost. The other three of us discussed what I should attempt to get.

Everytime someone walked by the car Lauren would try to act OVERLY casual by peering out the window, scratching her arm, or awkwardly bobbing her head to the music as she pleaded with us to turn around.

I finally got the courage and headed inside. While inside, Brandon decided to play Lauren a little bit.
"Wait, guys, I think that is an undercover cop over there." - Brandon
"WHAT!! Where?!?!" - Lauren
"Right there, look!" -Brandon

Lauren of course was now nervous as all get out. I was inside, probably about to get arrested. Everybody else would be charged with being an accomplice to the crime (or so the little voice in her head told her). Too panicked Lauren says "Yes, I think you are right. That guy has a badge. Guys, seriously, I just saw his badge!"

Fail, it was no cop. Just your average citizen. We left there with no run-ins with the law, thankfully.

Well, paranoia reared its ugly head again just the other day.

The gym in our building is in the basement along with part of the parking garage and the recycling/dumpster area. Next to recycling people drop off old furniture (where we found our lovely night stands). Whenever we go to the gym, we always head over there to take a look to see what people are throwing out.

Low and behold, this day there was a navy blue, leather couch. I could tell Lauren wanted it as we looked it over and contemplated rescuing it. However, I also saw that little jitter and look in her face that screams "oh my gosh, we are going to get caught". Mind you, we aren't stealing, but the paranoia remains. Finally we were able to get over her fear hurdle and loaded the couch into the elevator. We rode up as Lauren frantically looked at the numbers praying for no stops before floor six. Again, safe.

We made it all the way to our apartment with only one man giving us strange looks. All cleaned and set up, it is not a bad little couch.

11:30PM, the digital sounds of Fur Elise blast out through the doorbell. We look up to see who it is. (Seriously, the whole video camera doorbell thing is so awesome). There we see a Korean man with a serious face and hands on hip. We look at each other and then back to the screen (panic white sets across Lauren's face). Quietly we say surely he'll go away, after all it is almost midnight and we're both in bed. Not 12 seconds later he pushes the doorbell again. 5 seconds later, tries the handle.

In a matter of 30 seconds he rang the doorbell four times and tried the handle three. The impatience he showed was absurd! Lauren finally says "ugh, just go open it, I know they have cameras in the building, I'm sure he is coming to get the couch back! Ugh! What are we going to say!! I'm so embarrassed!!"

I can't do anything but laugh. Finally I get to and open the door. The guy takes a step forward like he is going to come in and looks up and sees this white guy standing there. Bewildered, he does some funny hand motions, first the touchdown type sign, then the giant arm "X", then bowed, and walked away.

Not sure what he was doing, or what he wanted. We can only guess a booty call...thankfully he wasn't coming for the couch...

Leap of Faith

Christopher and I were able to take a break from Seoul again this past weekend. We went rafting on the Hantan River in Gangwondo. The river is quite calm with a few rapids that make for a good time. We were in a raft with about 8 other foreigners and a guide who spoke two words of English – “Ledy, go!” It’s so great how human communication prevails and smiling and laughing are universal, even with no words. We had a blast floating down the river, playing lots of water games, and enjoying the scenery (beautiful vegetation and rock formations).

After rafting, our day was only just beginning. We enjoyed a delicious, traditional Korean meal of Yang Gobchang-gui (broiled beef and chitterlings, weird but really good), Gimbap (rice wrapped in dried seaweed), and Sukju Namul (bean sprout salad). After a quick shower we were off to the main event of the day – BUNGEE JUMPING!

There were about 20 members of our group who had enough courage to take the 55m plunge. You quickly make friends when you’re all facing the prospect of death. You could pick between jumping with ankle straps or jumping with a torso harness that held you upright, obviously we both chose the ankles - we had no choice but to go all out. We waited for a good hour and a half on the platform watching others take the leap. There were all sorts of jumping styles, there were those who didn't even hesitate, those who chose to have their head dunked in the water, and those who contemplated the jump white-knuckled on the edge, there was even someone who after a ten minute failed attempt, finally asked to be pushed off when unaware.

Well, I thought it was no big deal and knew I would be flying gracefully through the air when it was my turn, oh how could I be so naive?! As soon as it was my turn, my legs turned to stone and were bolted to the platform. My mind was all for it but my legs literally wouldn't move. This is an example of my ridiculousness....



There was a split second that I thought, "okay, this may not be for me" but then I was reminded "if you think about it, don't think about it" (such great advice from a loving husband....?) Alas, I was successful although it wasn't perfect form it was good for a rookie.



Here is the jump through Chris' eyes (I will add, he had perfect form and looked like an elegant swan)....



This last video sums up the experience...



As you can see, you bounce around quite a bit after the initial jump. Christopher was level with the bridge at one point during the recoil. I was worried about my motion sickness but luckily it didn't bother me until the winding bus ride home when Chris thought it would be a good idea to chat it up about the perpetual spinning while chowing down on some Pizza Pringles. I quickly snatched the half eaten can needing somewhere to deposit my upset stomach...eeeww, I know but I felt SO much better. Hopefully next time we will have lunch after bungee jumping, not before.

It was such a thrill and we're both so happy to have done it. I highly recommend the adventure and know that I will be keeping my eyes open for another jump in the future. BE WARE of the spinning :)