Lately, I stumbled upon a very lucky find. A fitness center near my work had a small fire not long ago. Nothing serious, but enough of a cause to close down and do a partial remodel. Sounds terrible. But the point is they had to remodel, and this disrupted their business. Get where I am going with this now? Discounts!
Read MoreTags: free time in korea, fitness, top things to do in Korea, working out, health
All of South Korea has many mountains. Thus, it is no wonder that one of Korea's favorite pastimes is to go for a nice hike. Now, I am used to hiking, because in my hometown in California, I lived in a valley. Still, those mountains do not compare to the size or the beauty of the mountains in Korea. While there are various famous hikes in Korea for the more experienced hikers, I would like to introduce a hiking trail that is great for beginners who want to work their way into becoming a local hiking expert in the near future.
Read MoreTags: things to do on the weekend, outdoor activities, fitness, Weekend activities in Korea, hiking in south Korea, health
Another bucket list item for every Chungdahm teacher living, working, and playing in gorgeous Korea is to experience a traditional jjimjilbang 찜질방 or Korean bathhouse. I had the pleasure of visiting Siloam Sauna (실로암사우나찜질방) located in Jung-gu 중구, the historical heart of Seoul. Jung-gu is one of the 25 districts that form the city of Seoul 서울 and is just north of the Han River.
Read MoreTags: sauna, Jjimjilbang, teaching at CDL, culture, health
My love and appreciation for banchan began in Canada growing up in a Korean family with a passion for Korean food and continues while teaching with Chungdahm in Korea. Teaching in Korea with Chungdahm is an amazing experience. My students are just wonderful, they love to learn the material and I have so much fun teaching them and interacting with them throughout each lesson. Also, you will really enjoy spending time and going out to eat with your fellow teachers too, and of course, banchan will be involved when you go to eat out.
Banchan, 반찬 meaning “side dish” in Korean, are served as the prelude to the main dish. However, they don’t serve the purpose of appetizers. They add a whole new dimension to a meal and act more as complements and are eaten together throughout the meal. When you eat out, which you will do a lot, expect to see anywhere from 5 to 12 different side dishes, and the best thing about them besides the variety and taste is that you can ask for more once you are finished.
Read MoreTags: food in Korea, restaurants in korea, Health in Korea, Korean food, teaching at CDL, health, banchan
Do you want to learn a new skill and get a great cardio workout simultaneously? Feeling stressed from work? Have some extra energy to spend? Come and join me for a kickboxing workout in a Seoul Mixed Martial Arts gym that offers kickboxing, jujutsu (also known in the West as jiu-Jitsu), and weight training.
Read MoreTags: Health in Korea, fitness, pursuing hobbies in Korea, teaching at CDL, health, personal growth
Contrary to getting wisdom teeth taken out in the U.S., things are done a little differently in Korea. For example, I only have one wisdom tooth left in my mouth because I’ve had three previously removed over the course of several months. I have never had to be put under for any of the procedures. Each only took between 5 - 10 minutes, and I only needed to have stitches one time. My situation sounds odd, doesn’t it? Usually, we are used to having them out in one go, but I think that the process I went through is much better than conventional procedures in America.
Read MoreTags: ex-pat life in Korea, life in Korea, dentist, Health in Korea, Healthcare, expat, health, wisdom tooth extraction, dental insurance, teeth
If staying fit and active is one your goals and priorities while enjoying your life in Korea then there are many options to meet your personal needs. From lifting weights and yoga classes at a local gym to cycling along the Han River, Korea has great ways to have fun and socialize while breaking a sweat. I will go into some more detail about some of your options to remain active, healthy, and looking your best while still enjoying the exciting nightlife, delicious food, and relaxing drinks.
Read MoreTags: life in Korea, fun, having fun in korea, fitness, Cycling, gym, taekwondo, Cycling in Seoul, working out, culture, exercise, health, leisure, bike paths