Korean Summer School Graduate!

I am sad that Korean Summer School is over, but I am looking forward to practicing and diving deeper into the language to which I spent a month being introduced.  I have learned the Hangul alphabet, several Korean phrases, a wide range of vocabulary words, a couple Korean board games, and so much about this culture.  I hope to spend time regularly practicing my Korean with the Rosetta Stone Husband and I purchased months ago and sadly have barley used.

During the four weeks of class, we had the privilege of going on two field trips:  one to a Korean middle school and one exploring the Republic of Korea side of the Air Force base.

I am grateful for these lovely ladies (who are married to guys in my husband's squadron, which makes us insta-friends!).  They were excellent companions while we journeyed with a group of mostly middle school students.  We had pretty much just met before class began.  Now, after 10 hours per week together learning Korean, we have gotten pretty close.  I'm glad both of them will be here with me for the next year!

The highlight of the field trip for us was the cafeteria lunch!  It was the best food I've had in Korea yet! (In my part 2 post I will introduce you to the worst food I've had yet, also found at a cafeteria.)  Starting in the upper left and rotating clockwise around the tray:  kimchi (fermented cabbage with red pepper paste), bulgogi (seared beef with vegetables), something like sweet and sour meatballs, fish soup with potatoes? (that would be a cross section of a fish including bones, vertebrae and skin!), rice (to which I later added red pepper paste = my new favorite food!), pickled green onion in red pepper paste.

The middle school also had a small bookstore next to the cafeteria.  The Korean students all purchased ice cream treats there after lunch.  Wanting to fit in of course:) we followed suit and purchased a variety of Drumstick type cones, frozen shake-in-a-bag things, and frozen smoothies!

Another highlight of class was Korean food day!  Our teacher, Mr. Kwon, taught us how to make Kimbap, which is similar to sushi (except no raw fish).  Don't ever tell a Korean or Japanese person it's similar to sushi though.  They will both disagree whole heartedly.  It is its own food:)

Clockwise from the bowl of sticky rice:  blanched spinach, yellow pickled radish (tastes kind of like sweet pickles), steamed carrots, sliced pan-fried hotdogs, Krab, sesame oil, sliced fish cakes, sliced fried eggs.

Lay out the bamboo roller sheet.  Place a piece of seaweed paper on it with the rough side up.  Add a scoop or two of rice and spread it out evenly over the seaweed paper.  Towards the end closest to you, add a strip of each type of ingredient.  

Using the bamboo roller, tightly roll up the edge of the kimbap that is closest to you.  Roll it so all the fillings are enclosed, then squeeze and continue rolling.  When the roll is all rolled up, squeeze it gently all over to secure ingredients inside.  Carefully remove the bampboo roller.

With your hands, sprinkle sesame oil over the seaweed paper and spread it evenly over the surface.  Sprinkle with sesame seeds.  Cut each roll into approximately 10 pieces.

Enjoy!

More food coming up in Korean Summer School Part 2!