It seems like everytime I come to the PC Room to type another episode in the never ending saga of my life, I always spend too much time checking emails and getting all the other things done that I need to do. I guess this is a sure sign that I need to get my own computer (something I have been saying for some time now). Despiste this rather negligable problem, I will continue typing away until I have said all I need to say.

 

This past Saturday I didn't go to MS Echo as usual. Mrs. Yangs dance presentation that I thought was last week was actually this week. Another thing to chalk up to that infamous language barrier. I was unsure as to what to expect from  a dance presentation that I was told was scheduled to last 4.5 hours. I like to watch dancing, but that seems like more time than one would want to spend doing any one thing. As it turns out, it was a lot of fun.

 

The dances consisted of everything from the Vieneese and Tenessee Waltzes, the tango, and the rumba to the jive and quick step. I was quite impressed with the skill of some of the ones who had just joined. There were three sets of dances wich were separated from each other by "General Dance." This was time for anyone who wanted to dace to do so. The third set of dances were performed by professional dancers. The reason they were professionals was shown in their grace and agility.

 

After the dance we cleaned up and went out for dinner at a restaurant whose name translates into "Dream of Seaweed." It gave one a little to look forward to, don't you think? Upon arriving, I was a little nervous. The low tables and the taking off of the shoes has become quite common place to me now, but here I was with a large group of mostly older Korean couples all part of a group of which I have never seen (or really heard of) before). I do not understand the language, and I am not really able to hide in the croud given my light complection, blondish hair, and my hat.  I must say that the seating was comfortable though it was the first time I have been somewhere that uses chairs with no legs at the low tables. Usually it is just mats on the floor.

 

Dinner was  one of the finest display I have seen yet. The bi bim bap (rice mixed with vegetables) was a little different then that which I have eaten many times before. First they brought out this huge bowl (they seem to love to see how much someone will eat) of multicolored seaweed arranged in neat piles that touch but do not overlap (except for the one in the middle). Then they bring a small metal bowl filled with rice which you are supposed to mix in with the different types of seaweed. There are red pepper sauce and vinegar on the table to add as you desire.  This part of the meal was shared by two people.

 

Then I had the soup. It was eel soup with ginsing and some dried red berry used in cooking and in the making of Chinese Medicine. It sort of tasted like a cherry, but it was larger and more elongagted as opposed to round. Mrs. Yang assured me that it was not cherry. This soup contained seaweed as well. It was impressively good. I had not had eel before, and, not too surprisingly, it tasted like other seafood. I would eat it again.

 

As we were finishing our meal, the leader of the group started to introduce people and thank them for their help and contributions. I didn t understand most of it, but Mrs. Yang translated much of it for me. As the speaker neared the end, he mentioned that their was a foreigner who had  come to watch. He then asked me to stand up and give my impression of what I had seen. As much as I hate being caught off guard and being put on the spot, they wouldn't let me out of it, so I stood and said  a few words of what I am sure was probably nonsense. My face turned at least 3 shades of red as I was standing there I was so relieved to be able to sit back down again. (I liked the intro of one of the dancers who is a local kindergarden teacher. They all started chanting for her to sing, which she did. It seems to be common for Koreans to sing when they go out.)

 

As we wrapped up dinner, and were getting ready to head for home, the idea of going to the 4th floor came up. It just so happend that there was a singing room located there, and a group of them wanted to go and sing. I went with them. Of course, the songs they chose were all in Korean, so I got a chance to see if I could read the script. Then they made me sing a couple of American songs "Deparado" and "Country Roads". I didn't do too bad, but I didn't do well enough to have to pay either. It seems that the custom, of this group at least, is that if you score a 98 or over, you have to donate 10,000 won toward the price of the room I only scored a 97.

 

The scoring is done by the computer. It was explained to me that it measures how "on" you are. It seems that it is basically an accuracy measurement that measures the pitch you sang and if you sang the words at the right time. The number is a percentage. I didn't do too bad for my first time at the singing room.

 

Ahhh, the singing room. We don't have those in the States. Basically it is a room that is big enough for a long table, benches on either side and in the back of it, a large tv that is separated into 4 screans (actually four different tv's in one unit), and some space to stand. We had around 20 people and it wasn't too uncomfortable. There is a light that acts like a disco ball when you are singing and they supply a couple of tamberines as well. It is a pleasant atmosphere. We had non alcoholic beer (I still didn't drink it) and dried fish and puffed french fry chips of some sort for snacks.

 

As all of the people there were in there 30's or older, I wasn't sure what to expect, but they were ready to party! They sang fast songs and danced and acted silly, it was a lot of fun, though a little out of my comfort zone. They all tried to get me to dance with them, and for the last couple of songs I was forced to. The last one was a song that the group always sings at the close of their meetings. They have an easy little dance they made me participate in. It was good to be included, but not being able to read well yet, I was unable to sing the song. They all thanked me for coming and staying so long. It was 11:30pm when I got home, and it started at 3pm.

 

Today was pretty much the same. I went to church, ate a nice meal, came back and went to sleep until around 6pm. I have been very tired and sore lately it feels as if I have been working out though I have not. Maybe it is a sign that I need to .  At least my ear doesn't hurt anymore.  I suppose I should be going though as I have spent nearly four hours here.  Stay well and have a happy Thanksgiving (I wouldn't have remembered, but someone reminded me in an email).

 

Jason 'Star' Rice