Video: Discovery Asia - Korea

She Is - My Lovely Kim Sam Soon OST

Homemade Sticky Rice Cakes for TteokBokkI and TteokGuk (떡볶이 떡)

Fabulous Cooks

This past week, the kids prepared fabulous meals for all of us. I am glad that they are getting more confident cutting vegetables and fruits with a blunt wavy knife.

Mon - Baked fish patties, pan fried potato and cucumber salad
Tues - Macaroni and cheese (made from scratch!)
Wed - Grilled cheese sandwich and milkshake
Thur - Tom Yum soup with grilled chicken and rice
Fri - Thai red curry chicken with rice

Allah SWT willing next week, we might focus on more stir fried dishes since we will be exploring China's dishes and history.

A simple gesture goes a long way

After watching several Korean dramas with husband during the last two weeks, I finally have the chance to get grocery at a Korean grocery store with DD1. She was quite excited to have the chance to visit the store too.

When I entered the store, I didn't see anyone at the register, so I decided to wait till we check out to greet the Korean cashier with "annyeong haseyo" which means "hello" in Korean.

I bought vegetables and Korean made spoon, fork and chopsticks for DD1 and DD2. The lady was quite surprised to hear me speak Korean when I saw her, and for a moment I thought I pronounced the words incorrectly.

Before we left the store, I thanked the Korean lady with the greeting "kamsahamida" and she looked happy to hear that. As we were leaving the store, she quickly handed me a roll of candy!

I am so relieved that I had the courage to speak Korean at the store because I was afraid that I would not say those words correctly. Allah SWT willing, I hope that this will show DD1 that as long as we are not afraid to try, we will be able to accomplish something that we can be proud of.

Tteokbokki/Dukbokki (rice and fish cakes in chili sauce)

 Recipe taken from here.

Tteokbokki/Dukbokki (rice and fish cakes in chili sauce)

• 1 package of tubular Korean rice cakes (300 grams)
• 7 cups water
• 1/2 cup dried shitake mushrooms
• 1/3 cup gochujang (hot pepper paste)
• 4 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 package of fried fish cakes (12 ounces), cut into bite-size triangles
• 5 stalks green onions, cut into 1 1/2 inch segments
• 1 white onion (small), cut crosswise into half moons
• 2 zucchini, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 package of ramen noodles (optional)
• 4 eggs, hard boiled and shells removed
• Sesame seeds (to garnish)

1. Separate the rice cakes into individual pieces.

2. In a large pot or saute pan, bring water and dried mushrooms to a boil over medium-high heat. [Maanchi's version calls for dried anchovies rather than mushrooms.] Once the mushrooms have softened, add the rice cakes, fish cakes, gochujang, and sugar to the broth. Simmer for approximately 25 to 35 minutes, stirring constantly.

3. When the rice cakes are al dente and the sauce has slightly thickened, add the green onions, white onions, and zucchini. Season the broth with additional sugar and/or gochujang to taste. If using ramen noodles, add to the mixture after the vegetables are fully cooked. [Dukboki with ramen added is called rabukkee.] Finally, stir in the hard-boiled eggs.

4. The dukboki is ready when the sauce is thick enough to coat the rice cakes, and the rice cakes are plump and soft all the way through.  Sprinkle with sesame seeds and serve immediately.
Makes 6 to 8 servings.

Like a Fool - Personal Taste OST

Lee Seung Chul (이승철) - That Person (그 사람 )

그 사람 날 웃게 한 사람
geu saram nal utge han saram
그 사람 날 울게 한 사람
geu saram nal ulge han saram
그 사람 따뜻한 입술로 내게
geu saram ttatteutan ipsullo naege
내 심장을 찾아준 사람
nae simjangeul chajajun saram

그 사랑 지울 수 없는데
geu sarang jiul su eomneunde
그 사랑 잊을 수 없는데
geu sarang ijeul su eomneunde
그 사람 내 숨 같은 사람
geu saram nae sum gateun saram
그런 사람이 떠나가네요.
geureon sarami tteonaganeyo.

그 사람아 사랑아 아픈 가슴아
geu sarama saranga apeun gaseuma
아무것도 모른 사람아.
amugeotdo moreun sarama.
사랑했고 또 사랑해서
saranghaetgo tto saranghaeseo
보낼 수 밖에 없는 사람아.. 내 사랑아
bonael su bakke eomneun sarama.. nae saranga

내 가슴 너덜 거린데도
nae gaseum neodeol georindedo
그 추억 날을 세워 찔러도
geu chueok nareul sewo jjilleodo
그 사람 흘릴 눈물이
geu saram heullil nunmuri
나를 더욱더 아프게 하네요
nareul deoukdeo apeuge haneyo

그 사람아 사랑아 아픈 가슴아
geu sarama saranga apeun gaseuma
아무것도 모르는 사람아
amugeotdo moreuneun sarama
눈물 대신 슬픔 대신
nunmul daesin seulpeum daesin
나를 잊고 행복하게 살아줘...내 사랑아
nareul itgo haengbokhage sarajwo...nae saranga

우리삶이 다해서 우리 두눈 감을때 그때 한번 기억해
urisarmi dahaeseo uri dunun gameulttae geuttae hanbeon gieokhae

그 사람아 사랑아 아픈 가슴아
geu sarama saranga apeun gaseuma
아무것도 모른 사람아.
amugeotdo moreun sarama.
사랑했고 또 사랑해서
saranghaetgo tto saranghaeseo
보낼 수 밖에 없는 사람아..
bonael su bakke eomneun sarama..

내 사랑아 내 사랑아 내 사랑아
nae saranga nae saranga nae saranga


Translation
That person was the one who made me smile
That person was the one who made me cry
With her warm lips to me
That person found my heart

I can’t erase that love
I can’t forget that love
That person was like my oxygen
That person is now leaving

That person. That love. My aching heart
You didn’t know anything
I loved you, and I love you
That’s why I have no choice but to let you leave… my love

Even if my heart becomes tattered
Even if that memory pains me all day
The tears that person sheds
Hurts me even more

That person. That love. My aching heart
You didn’t know anything
Instead of tears, instead of pain
Forget about me and live happily... my love

When our lives are over and we close our eyes,
Then remember me one time

That person. That love. My aching heart
You didn’t know anything
I loved you, and I love you
That’s why I have no choice but to let you leave… my love

Scar - Secret Garden OST

상처만 – BOIS
sangcheoman – BOIS
벌써 몇 번째 돌아서네요
beolsseo myeot beonjjae doraseoneyo
그냥 모르는 척 웃어버렸죠
geunyang moreuneun cheok useobeoryeotjyo
아무 말 없이 내 맘을 속여봐도
amu mal eobsi nae mameul sogyeobwado
그댄 내 맘 몰라 헤매이나요
geudaen nae mam molla hemaeinayo
덜컥 겁이나 사랑한단 말
deolkeok geobina saranghandan mal
내겐 익숙하지 않던 말이라
naegen iksukhaji anteon marira
굳은 입술로 사랑해 사랑한다
gudeun ipsullo saranghae saranghanda
그대 뒷모습에 외쳐봅니다
geudae dwitmoseube oechyeobomnida
같은 하늘 아래 숨을 쉴 수 있어서
gateun haneul arae sumeul swil su isseoseo
더는 바랄 수도 없는 욕심만
deoneun baral sudo eomneun yoksimman
아무것도 몰라서 커져가는 사랑엔
amugeotdo mollaseo keojyeoganeun sarangen
뒤돌아오는 상처만
dwidoraoneun sangcheoman
아파 죽어도 난 이 자릴 맴돌겠죠
apa jugeodo nan i jaril maemdolgetjyo
그대 곁에서 난 그저 웃음만
geudae gyeoteseo nan geujeo useumman
행복할 수 없대도 돌이킬 수 없대도
haengbokhal su eopdaedo dorikil su eopdaedo
내가 택한 사람이죠
naega taekhan saramijyo
멍든 가슴엔 상처뿐이죠
meongdeun gaseumen sangcheoppunijyo
뒤를 돌아보면 눈물뿐이죠
dwireul dorabomyeon nunmulppunijyo
보이지 않아 나를 찾지 못해서
boiji anha nareul chatji motaeseo
내 사랑도 금세 숨어버리죠
nae sarangdo geumse sumeobeorijyo
같은 하늘 아래 숨을 쉴 수 있어서
gateun haneul arae sumeul swil su isseoseo
더는 바랄 수도 없는 욕심만
deoneun baral sudo eomneun yoksimman
아무것도 몰라서 커져가는 사랑엔
amugeotdo mollaseo keojyeoganeun sarangen
뒤돌아오는 상처만
dwidoraoneun sangcheoman
아파 죽어도 난 이 자릴 맴돌겠죠
apa jugeodo nan i jaril maemdolgetjyo
그대 곁에서 난 그저 웃음만
geudae gyeoteseo nan geujeo useumman
행복할 수 없대도 돌이킬 수 없대도
haengbokhal su eopdaedo dorikil su eopdaedo
내가 택한 사람이죠
naega taekhan saramijyo
애써 고갤 돌려 아픈 눈물 감추고
aesseo gogael dollyeo apeun nunmul gamchugo
스쳐 지나가요 거기 그대로
seuchyeo jinagayo geogi geudaero
전하지 못했던 말 하지 못해 돌아서
jeonhaji motaetdeon mal haji motae doraseo
오늘도 난 그 자리인데
oneuldo nan geu jariinde
눈물 한 방울 다 가슴에 다 채우고
nunmul han bangul da gaseume da chaeugo
사랑한단 말도 담아둡니다
saranghandan maldo damadumnida
외면하려고 해도 모르는 척 지나쳐
oemyeonharyeogo haedo moreuneun cheok jinachyeo
뒤돌아 가슴만 치죠
dwidora gaseumman chijyo
행복할 수 없대도 돌이킬 수 없대도
haengbokhal su eopdaedo dorikil su eopdaedo
내가 택한 사람이죠
naega taekhan saramijyo

Reason - Secret Garden OST

이유 신용재
Reason – 4 Men
그대는 나란 사람 모르죠
geudaeneun naran saram moreujyo
그대는 아무것도 모르죠
geudaeneun amugeotdo moreujyo
누군가 사랑을 하면 나를 알겠죠
nugunga sarangeul hamyeon nareul algetjyo
그대가 내가 될 순 없겠죠
geudaega naega doel sun eopgetjyo
심장을 바꿀 수는 없겠죠
simjangeul bakkul suneun eopgetjyo
이토록 사랑을 하면 내 마음 알겠죠
itorok sarangeul hamyeon nae maeum algetjyo
처음으로 다른 누군갈
cheoeumeuro dareun nugungal
지켜주고 싶은 그런 마음
jikyeojugo sipeun geureon maeum
그대는 모르겠죠
geudaeneun moreugetjyo
기대도 돼요 참 많이 힘들었죠 참 많이 기다렸죠
gidaedo dwaeyo cham manhi himdeureotjyo cham manhi gidaryeotjyo
너무 돌아와서 오래 걸렸죠
neomu dorawaseo orae geollyeotjyo
우연이 아니겠죠 가슴이 먼저 그댈 알고
uyeoni anigetjyo gaseumi meonjeo geudael algo
기다려왔다고 말을 하네요
gidaryeowatdago mareul haneyo
사랑은 많은 것을 바꾸죠
sarangeun manheun geoseul bakkujyo
변하지 않을 것만 같았던
byeonhaji anheul geotman gatatdeon
내 작은 습관들마저 변하게 했죠
nae jageun seupgwandeulmajeo byeonhage haetjyo
마지막은 그대이기를
majimageun geudaeigireul
나와 함께하는 그 사람이
nawa hamkkehaneun geu sarami
그 사람이 너이길
geu sarami neoigil
기대도 돼요 참 많이 힘들었죠 참 많이 기다렸죠
gidaedo dwaeyo cham manhi himdeureotjyo cham manhi gidaryeotjyo
너무 돌아와서 오래 걸렸죠
neomu dorawaseo orae geollyeotjyo
우연이 아니겠죠 가슴이 먼저 그댈 알고
uyeoni anigetjyo gaseumi meonjeo geudael algo
기다려왔다고 말해요 오래전부터 사랑이었던걸
gidaryeowatdago malhaeyo oraejeonbuteo sarangieotdeongeol
나 사랑해요 그댈 세상에 외칠게요
na saranghaeyo geudael sesange oechilgeyo
이젠 내가 그댈 지켜줄게요
ijen naega geudael jikyeojulgeyo
내 몸이 바뀐대도 내 마음은 여기 있죠
nae momi bakkwindaedo nae maeumeun yeogi itjyo
먼저 가슴이 그대를 알아보네요
meonjeo gaseumi geudaereul araboneyo

Homeschooling during Summer

Summer is finally here! All praise be to Allah SWT, I have been staying home with the kids since this Monday, and have been loving every minute of it!

Since I don't want to fall in to the back habit of taking two daily naps for two months and I also want DD1 to practice her reading and math skills to get ready for 1st grade, I decided to implement a homeschooling schedule for DD1. This is the timetable that I have planned.

8:00am - Breakfast / Yoga
9:00am - Backyard Safari
10:00am - Reading, Writing, Arabic
11:00am - Cooking and lunch
12:00pm - Center Time (puzzle, Lego, Knex, kitchen)
1:00pm - Math
2:00pm - Art and Craft
3:00pm - Science Experiment / Arabic
 4:00pm - Free Time
5:00pm - Free Time
6:00pm - Dinner
7:00pm - Chinese
So far this schedule has been working well for us. I do not reinforce the time table if I think DD1 needs more time for any particular activities.

 Along with DD1, I also have three other students participating in these activities. I have put them in charge of preparing lunch for all of us since Monday, and here is the menu they have planned:

Monday - Potato, carrot and onion soup with beef and rice
Tuesday - Baked chicken with roasted vegetables
Wednesday - Stir-fried rice with eggs and vegetables
Thursday - Stir-fried noodle with vegetables and shrimp
Friday - Pizza

All praise be to Allah SWT, they did very well with cutting vegetables and cooking noodles. Since we use oyster sauce and soy sauce for seasoning, everyone loves the way the food tasted. I can't wait to taste what's for lunch next week.

That Man MV - Secret Garden OST

그여자 – 백지영
geuyeoja – Baek Ji Yeong
한 여자가 그대를 사랑합니다
han yeojaga geudaereul saranghamnida
그 여자는 열심히 사랑합니다
geu yeojaneun yeolsimhi saranghamnida
매일 그림자처럼 그대를 따라다니며
maeil geurimjacheoreom geudaereul ttaradanimyeo
그 여자는 웃으며 울고 있어요
geu yeojaneun useumyeo ulgo isseoyo
얼마나 얼마나 더 너를
eolmana eolmana deo neoreul
이렇게 바라만 보며 혼자
ireoke baraman bomyeo honja
이 바람 같은 사랑 이 거지 같은 사랑
i baram gateun sarang i geoji gateun sarang
계속해야 네가 나를 사랑 하겠니
gyesokhaeya nega nareul sarang hagenni
조금만 가까이 와 조금만
jogeumman gakkai wa jogeumman
한발 다가가면 두 발 도망가는
hanbal dagagamyeon du bal domangganeun
널 사랑하는 난 지금도 옆에 있어
neol saranghaneun nan jigeumdo yeope isseo
그 여잔 웁니다
geu yeojan umnida
그 여자는 성격이 소심합니다
geu yeojaneun seonggyeogi sosimhamnida
그래서 웃는 법을 배웠답니다
geuraeseo utneun beobeul baewotdamnida
친한 친구에게도 못하는 얘기가 많은
chinhan chinguegedo motaneun yaegiga manheun
그 여자의 마음은 눈물투성이
geu yeojaui maeumeun nunmultuseongi
그래서 그 여자는 그댈
geuraeseo geu yeojaneun geudael
널 사랑 했대요 똑같아서
neol sarang haetdaeyo ttokgataseo
또 하나같은 바보 또 하나같은 바보
tto hanagateun babo tto hanagateun babo
한번 나를 안아주고 가면 안 돼요
hanbeon nareul anajugo gamyeon an dwaeyo
난 사랑받고 싶어 그대여
nan sarangbatgo sipeo geudaeyeo
매일 속으로만 가슴 속으로만
maeil sogeuroman gaseum sogeuroman
소리를 지르며 그 여자는 오늘도
sorireul jireumyeo geu yeojaneun oneuldo
그 옆에 있대요
geu yeope itdaeyo
그 여자가 나라는 건 아나요
geu yeojaga naraneun geon anayo
알면서도 이러는 건 아니죠
almyeonseodo ireoneun geon anijyo
모를 거야 그댄 바보니까
moreul geoya geudaen babonikka
얼마나 얼마나 더 너를
eolmana eolmana deo neoreul
이렇게 바라만 보며 혼자
ireoke baraman bomyeo honja
이 바보 같은 사랑 이 거지 같은 사랑
i babo gateun sarang i geoji gateun sarang
계속해야 네가 나를 사랑 하겠니
gyesokhaeya nega nareul sarang hagenni
조금만 가까이 와 조금만
jogeumman gakkai wa jogeumman
한발 다가가면 두 발 도망가는
hanbal dagagamyeon du bal domangganeun
널 사랑하는 난 지금도 옆에 있어
neol saranghaneun nan jigeumdo yeope isseo
그 여잔 웁니다
geu yeojan umnida

English translation (credit to antisocialnot)
I just love that one woman
I love her wholeheartedly
I follow her around like a shadow everyday
That woman is laughing & crying
Just how much more do I have to
gaze at you alone
This love that came like the wind, this beggar like love
If I continue this way, will you love me?
Just come a little nearer
One step closer but flee with 2 legs
I who love you am next to you now
That woman who comes.
that woman is cautious
that’s why you have to learn to smile
what she can’t tell her best friend
her heart’s full of tears.
that’s why, that woman
when she loved you the same way
yet another fool, yet another fool
can’t you hug me before you go?
i want to receive love
everyday in my heart, just in my heart
i shout and
that woman’s next to me again.
that woman’s not me
its not that she knows
she doesn’t know cause she’s a fool
Just how much more do I have to
gaze at you alone
This love that came like the wind, this beggar like love
If I continue this way, will you love me?
Just come a little nearer
One step closer but flee with 2 legs
I who love you am next to you now
That woman who comes.

Secret Garden MV- "Promise You"

Here I Am (Oska) - Secret Garden OST Eng Sub

Here I Am – 4MEN & Mi
Here I am 여기 Here I am
Here I am yeogi Here I am
Here I am 내가 여기에 여기 있는데
Here I am naega yeogie yeogi inneunde
Here I am 지금 Here I am
Here I am jigeum Here I am
Here I am 지금 여기에 내가 있는데
Here I am jigeum yeogie naega inneunde
날 다 줘도 모자라
nal da jwodo mojara
날 버려도 모자라
nal beoryeodo mojara
내가 널 얼마만큼 사랑하는지를
naega neol eolmamankeum saranghaneunjireul
모를 거야 아마 넌 Here I am
moreul geoya ama neon Here I am
Here I am 여기 Here I am
Here I am yeogi Here I am
Here I am 내가 여기에 여기 있는데
Here I am naega yeogie yeogi inneunde
날 다 줘도 모자라
nal da jwodo mojara
날 버려도 모자라
nal beoryeodo mojara
내가 널 얼마만큼 사랑하는지를
naega neol eolmamankeum saranghaneunjireul
같은 자리에서 널 기다릴게
gateun jarieseo neol gidarilge
날 욕해도 괜찮아
nal yokhaedo gwaenchanha
날 버려도 괜찮아
nal beoryeodo gwaenchanha
내가 널 얼마만큼 사랑하는지를
naega neol eolmamankeum saranghaneunjireul
모를 거야 아마 넌 Here I am
moreul geoya ama neon Here I am
모를 거야 아마 넌 Here I am
moreul geoya ama neon Here I am

오스카(윤상현) - 눈물자리 Oska - Tear Stain MV

Limbo Dancing Chickens

Have you seen a chicken performing a limbo dance?

Our three lovely ladies have been performing spectacular limbo dance moves to get onto the patio even though husband installed a fence around it. I have been wondering how they did it and finally I saw them in action yesterday.

Although husband keeps threatening to "send them to chicken heaven" for pooping on the patio, I am trying hard to convince him that the ladies need a cool place to hang out since we have been getting upper 90s degree days.

One of these days, I am going to take a video and show it to my sister so that she knows that my chickens have a new talent in addition to being fabulous singers.

My baby is ready for first grade!

Yesterday, several teachers who formed the graduation committee at the school successfully organized the graduation ceremony at a local high school. It was well organized and the program schedule ran on time.

All praise be to Allah SWT, DD1 graduated from her kindergarten class.

I did not have the chance to see her receive her diploma on the stage because I was busy directing guests to the auditorium hall. Nevertheless, I am thankful to Allah SWT for granting her caring and dedicated teachers. Husband and I are both proud of her achievements. She has mastered most of the kindergarten skills through parents-teacher efforts and her own determination. Next year, she will be entering first grade. May Allah SWT guide us to help her become a better person and scholar.

President Eisenhower's Birthplace

Last Saturday, husband and I brought the kiddos to see President Eisenhower's birthplace in Denison, Texas.

All praise be to Allah SWT, the tour guide started the tour at 1:50pm when we got there at 1:45pm. This is husband's first visit to a USA president's birthplace. Although DD1 does not understand the educational aspect of visiting this president's birth, I want her to see how people in the early 20th century lived simply lives in rural USA. When I was in school, I always wondered how social studies relate to our daily lives and the impact of historical events on the current society. To make social studies relevant and engaging to my kids, I want them to have personal experience and reflection on past and current issues through tours and hands-on learning.

We toured the bedroom where President Eisenhower was born, the parlor (living room), the dining room and kitchen on the first floor. Since the second story was not accessible by visitors, we toured the vegetable garden.