5 Bad foods that are good for us

I was browsing around the web when this article caught my eyes. There are new studies that suggest these once forbidden but really tasty and delicious treats may actually give us health benefits and may lead to longer life.

1. Ice Cream - Depending on your choice, ice cream will give you an impressive dose of calcium for your bones and blood pressure.

2. Chocolates - Who doesn't like chocolates? I am definitely happy to know that my favorite dark or bittersweet chocolate is in fact rich in flavonoids or the antioxidants that protect the heart by preventing blood platelets from sticking together and forming clots that can cause a heart attack. They said a 1.5-ounce bar have the same antioxidant power as a 5-ounce glass of red wine. In short, chocolates are definitely good for the heart.

3. Cheese - Cheese contains CLA or conjugated linoleic acid, a special kind of fat that may be a new weapon against breast cancer. Also eating hard cheese at the end of the meal can protect your teeth from tooth decay, who would've thought? I so love cheese, just too bad that cheese in Korea is mainly the sliced pieces you can get from Emart. I hope there's a place where we can get Edam cheese, some Mascarpone or Parmesan. And no I'm not talking about the grated, preserved varieties we can find in the supermarket.

4. Beef - "Beef is one of the richest and best-absorbed sources of zinc, a key mineral in your immune system's fight against many enemies, from viruses to cancer." We can actually strengthen our immune system by eating a piece of steak. What a treat! And yeah, it doesn't matter whether we get US beef or Korean beef.

5. Pizza - Pizza? Really? Why not. Pizza sauce actually gives us a lot of lycopene which helps fend off prostate cancer. And don't forget that cheese in there that provides calcium for healthier bones, lower blood pressure and also inhibit colon cancer.

This is definitely good news for me. All of these are my favorites and knowing that they have health benefits, eating them will no longer be just guilty pleasures. Be cautious though. Don't overindulge. Too much of anything is still bad for our body. Just take minimal servings.

Check out the whole article here.

I need glasses

For the past few weeks, my eyes get tired so easily. Be it from watching movies, reading my favorite books or being in front of the computer for some time. In my Korean class, there are also times when I can’t see what’s written on the white board from the back. I may need eye glasses soon. But getting quality eye glasses can be expensive in Korea. Luckily we can order online. They offer quality eyeglasses for a low cost. Their prices for prescription glasses start at $8. So cheap.

According to this review article, “There is a place with cheap eyeglasses that are just as good as what you'll find elsewhere. The place I'm talking about is Z Optical and their prices will blow you away.”
It’s so nice to know that it is actually possible to get quality eyeglasses for a low cost. It’s even better that the eyeglasses orders include anti scratch coating and full UV protection. They also offer flat rate for shipping and handling charge. Maybe I’ll go later to an optometrist to have my eyes checked and get a prescription so I can order quality eyeglasses for a low cost.

Guidebook for living in Korea

Last Monday, Korean language classes at the women's center where I study resumed after a short winter break. When I dropped by the office to submit my updated contact form, I saw stacks of new books on the floor, including the new textbooks. I heard that they had revised the curriculum for the program. I noticed this guidebook among the stacks of books, I immediately asked one of the staff if I can have a copy. I remember reading about it somewhere in the web. This guidebook has versions in English, Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese, and of course Korean. Heck, I think I even saw one in Tagalog.

"Guidebook for Living in Korea for Foreigners"or 한국생활 가이드북 is really helpful for foreigners living in Korea, especially migrant women. It contains some general info and introduction about South Korea, about places to go, visa, transportation, employment info and even labor issues. Most of the contents are intended for migrant women. There are guides on pregnancy, childcare, education of children and all of those stuff. It could have been better if they included a list of hospitals and educational centers that we can easily go to. Although there are lists of phone numbers and websites should you need some assistance while living in Korea.

You can grab a copy from any Multicultural Family Support Center. You can also download a PDF copy from http://www.liveinkorea.go.kr/. They said it would be up and running by February but last time I checked, the website is still unaccessible.

Appeal for the retention of the Filipino Market in Seoul

In line with the recent reports of the closure of the Filipino market in Hyehwa, a few representatives of the Flipino community met earlier in the week to discuss the matter. They will be launching an appeal for the retention of the market. Those who will be in Hyehwa on Sunday may sign the petition that will be presented to the Mayor of Seoul.

Here are some excerpts from the petition letter (re: appeal for the retention of the Filipino Market in Hyehwadong Rotary) sent by Prof. Abagat:

The Filipino Market, also called as “Little Manila,” in Hyehwadong Rotary existed since 1997. It is a place where Filipinos in Korea can buy food and meet their friends on Sundays, immediately after celebrating the Holy Mass. It has become symbolic of a home, a community, a family, and of Filipino culture. It is a “home away from home” for a lot of Filipinos in Korea. However, due to the Jongno District Office Development Plan, this popular place which has become a center of the Filipinos’ religious, social, economic and cultural activities on Sundays is in danger of disintegration.

The district officers are pushing through this plan effective in March 2010 on the following grounds:
1. They received complaints regarding the Filipino market;
2. They wanted to maintain order and cleanliness in the sidewalk where the Filipino market is located;
3. They wanted to ease out the traffic flow in Hyehwadong Rotary;
4. They wanted to enhance the artificial small stream they built along the sidewalk and make additional physical development; and
5. They want to transfer the Filipino market to Nagwon-dong in Jongno, where they are now constructing a multicultural street market.

The members of the Hyehwadong Filipino Catholic community are willing to cooperate and are hoping to solve the problem in a win-win solution. They would also propose alternative ways of solving the issue. All the Filipinos in Korea are urged to unite for this cause.

Update: Another report on Korea Times.

More UPDATE: The removal of Filipino market at Hyehwa-dong is on hold pending talks by authorities, Phil. Embassy & vendors' group: ~ Phil. Embassy

Here's a related article written by Dr. Emely Dicolen-Abagat for the Joongang Daily.

*Hyehwa Station exit 1

Filipino market in Hyehwa-dong faces closure

While we were still shaken about that minor earthquake, another report broke out. Filipino market in Hyehwa-dong is facing CLOSURE! From the Korea Times report:

“Jongno District Office in Seoul has told the Filipino community to stop holding a market in Hyehwa-dong, citing complaints from passers-by and residents.”

This is indeed sad and disappointing. The weekly market has been there since 1997. It has become a representation of the Filipino culture in Korea, a mark of the Filipino community in Korea. Lots of Filipinos, some from other parts of the country travel to Hyehwa to have a taste of home, purchase their Filipino food supply, meet their friends and families and also attend the mass in Hyehwa Catholic Church.

According to Father Alvin:
"The reasons they gave up us was one, they received complaints from neighbors and pedestrians in the area; two, there were concerns about cleanliness and order; three, they want to redevelop the sidewalk and include a waterfall wall in the area; and four, they want to transfer the market to a new multicultural market," the priest told The Korea Times over the phone. "It's a Philippine way of life. We go to church, then go to the market to buy provisions and meet friends. It's an expression of Philippine culture. The national government has a policy about supporting multiculturalism in Korea, but there seems to be a contradiction with the district office's plans. The church and the market should go together and not be separated," he said.

Huwat?! Complaints from neighbors and pedestrians- it’s been there for more than a decade. Did they only get the complaints just now? Cleanliness and order- yeah right. Relocation to a new multicultural street, the market is there because it is beside the church. These can be just lousy excuses. There may be more to it than what it seems. Or it could just be because of the redevelopment project. They are just throwing in some other excuses reasons to give the market a negative appeal. Whatever it is, I hope that they arrive at a resolution which can be beneficial to both the district government and the Filipino community.

Check out the whole report on Korea Times.

Also Buhaykorea, Jehan, Zenkimchi and Roboseyo wrote about it.

* Hyehwa station exit 1

3.0 magnitude earthquake in Seoul, Siheung

Just a little after 6 pm last night, a minor earthquake was felt in Seoul and other parts of Gyeong-gi including Siheung city where I live. I was then infront of my computer when I heard a thunder-like sound followed by a soft but distinct rumble. At first I didn't know what it was. My first instinct was just to run to my daughter who's at the other room to check if she had some accident with some furniture or something. Then I thought maybe it was the upstairs neighbors, their children always run around and drop things. But still I checked out the window for a trace of a thunderstorm or a traffic accident. It's been raining all day. None of those. Just within a couple of minutes, tweets have been pouring in confirming of an earthquake felt around Seoul. People were in their office or apartments when they felt their buildings shake. Fortunate that there were no casualties nor property damage.

One of the first news break is from Stephen Revere of 10 magazine.

"Yes, that was an earthquake you just experienced. Sure it was a mild, 3 to 4 seconds, but it was an earthquake. Details are just coming in, but it appears that is was a 3.0 earthquake centered in Gyeonggi Province’s Shiheung City.
Korean twitter is alight with updates of Koreans from all over the northern part of the peninsula , which seems to be the only place that has felt it. Twitters out of Daegu and South Jeolla Province say that they didn’t feel anything, but the greater Seoul area appears to have all felt it. Most of the tweets are talking about how safe they previously felt from earthquakes, but they are now not feeling as secure as they did before".

Here are the reports on Yonhap, Koreatimes, and JoongangDaily.

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(transcript stolen borrowed from Chuvaness)