Hilary Meets the Land of the Morning Calm

It's that time of year again, and yes, it comes to Korea too. I have been singing Christmas songs with my kindergarteners and engaging them in detailed discussions about Santa Claus with my elementary-age students. Familiar pop Christmas songs are being pumped out of store speakers at full volume, and plastic Christmas trees are popping up like dandelions everywhere you look.

What? Happy Pepero Day?

This is essentially Korean Valentine's day. 11/11 looks a lot like four pepero (pocky sticks), and so on this holiday children and young couples exchanges boxes of pepero. Teachers are also recepients of the below boxes. Some of my coworkers were so lavishly showered with pepero that they were trying to give it away. I receive a manageable amount of chocolate covered pretzels that I was sufficiently able to find a good place for ;)