대한민국: Korea

I was first introduced to Korean culture through its wonderful dramas. I had watched soap like TV shows before, but none, I repeat none, engrossed me more than Boys Before Flowers. A friend explained that it was about a mean, good looking group of guys called F4, who terrorized the students at an affluent high school until a poor girl arrives on the scene and changes them all. She went on to describe a scene where a guy in a white suit hangs out in a forest playing the violin and then didn't need to explain further. I was going to check the series out that night! What ensued was me going to work and then using all of my other free time to get through the entire series in one week. It was that good! There is no holding back in Korean dramas, each show packs a punch. Korea offers some fun tours where you can go and see all the hot spots where your favorite stars shared their first kiss or fight. Then there is K-pop. The band to check out would be Super Junior, Wondergirls and of course Shinee. My favorite music video of all time has to be this one, because among all the dance moves and chilling in a stationary vehicle, one member decides to drink a glass of milk. (Disclaimer: I by no means aim to reduce Korean culture to two boy bands, girlpower and a TV drama. I am just saying these things are both interesting and awesome.)

Lunatic

Ever since I moved into a big Asian city that consists mainly of high rise buildings and worked hours that started when the sun rose and ended when the moon came up, I became obsessed with the moon. I lived in one of the high rise buildings sans a balcony so nature was far and few between. On my walk home from work at night, nothing would make me feel more content than looking up at the sky and seeing the moon. At first it would make me feel closer to home, then it brought a sense of calm among the traffic. I then moved into another high rise building but this one had a view of Taipei 101. The lights from 101 and the moon said so much about Taipei: a mixture of modernity and ancient customs. The Chinese celebrate a festival called The Moon Festival and you can learn more about it here. There are a few legends, but my favorite is the one about the rabbit who decides to sacrifice himself when he has no food to offer three sages. The sages are so touched that they let the rabbit live in The Moon. Have you ever seen the rabbit in the moon? Look here. Have you ever seen a red moon? I saw one once in Mozambique. It was the biggest I have ever seen. It looked as though it was touching the horizon. For more info on red moons, check out this blog. Finally here is some moon inspired tunage: Northern Downpour by Panic at the Disco and Rancid's Red Hot Moon.

Cartoon Hero

I first discovered this adorable polar bear when we had parents night at the school I worked at. My co-teacher needed something to entertain the kiddies while we spoke to the parents. She brought this gem of a cartoon. It features a dim witted polar bear who tries his best to get things done but always fails no thanks to his lizard and penguin (non) friends. I was super excited when the other day in the DVD store I found series 2. It is a Korean-Spanish-French co production and until recently I did not know he had an English name. He is known as Bernard, but I prefer Backkom.

Don't think! Just shoot!

Lomography is a brand of cameras as well as an art movement. There are different cameras and each tends to produce one particular effect. They produce really cool photos like this one by Vanessa Sam on Red Bubble. I really want one. Sure if you have an iPhone you could just buy some app, but this seems way cooler. Also I don't have an iPhone.

Role Models

After seeing this interview on the Colbert Report, I really, really wanted to read this book. John Waters is my new role model. He likes reading and thinks that "We need to make books cool again. If you go home with somebody and they don’t have books, don’t fuck them." You can buy the book here. Also he intros The Lonely Island's Creep which you can watch here. My favorite part of the song being "Now pull your waistband up like you expecting a flood" good fashion advice if you want to stand out. Check out Good Reads if you would like to keep a record of what you read. Reading makes you smarter. True story.

If Buttons Were Candy...

You would have type 2 diabetes and probably be obese after gorging on this website. Made by my very talented TBF (temporary best friend). She likes buttons. A lot. Check it out.

Win a date with a body pillow.

My friends and I were night marketing it up at one of the biggest night markets in Taiwan playing one of the shooting games that are so popular, when we had enough points to get a gift. Many popular toys lined the shelves, but we were not interested in any of the copy right violation Hello Kitty or Sponge Bob toys. I wanted the body pillow. Sure it was the length of my guinea pig, but it would look great on my couch. I chose the most androgynous looking one. Body pillows originated in Japan and many men use them in lieu of girlfriends. Check out this article for more info. Also who could forget that 30 Rock episode with James Franco and his relationship with the dakimakura? Want one? Just order one here. You're welcome.