Ppaeppaero

My computer died. Which was complete bollocksing-fucking-titwank. Hence the lack of blog posts. While it was out for repair I had to use a PC room. For those of you who don't know what that is, Asia has computer gaming rooms (a little like LAN rooms) kitted-out for hard-core, all-day-all-night gaming. So, I spent a while surrounded by a sweaty bunch of brain-dead nerds, trying to get some work done.
Sounds a lot like university actually.

Monday (11/11) was Ppaeppaero day. If you don't know Ppaeppaero, It's the Koreran version of Pocky. If you don't know Pocky, you haven't really lived now have you? Essentially its a biscuit stick that's been dipped in chocolate. They come in a variety of flavours now; ranging from things like strawberry and banana to green tea and pumpkin. My personal favourite is melon. Om nom nom.

On Ppaeppaero day, you buy some Ppaeppaero as a gift for friends and loved ones. Boxes of them, single sticks, giant sticks, make-your-own kits... a wonderful day for the company no doubt.
As a western lady living in Korea, I admit I wasn't really interested - seems more like a child's thing right? Nope... everyone gives everyone. And, being ignorant-little-me, I had nothing prepared.
Friends gave me Ppaeppaero, teachers gave me Ppaeppaero, co-workers gave me  Ppaeppaero, students gave me  Ppaeppaero... even the cunty bus driver gave me  Ppaeppaero. I felt guilty, to say the least. But on the plus-side I had quite the stash.

If you're coming to Korea, get familiar with holidays and event days. And I don't just mean traditional or cultural ones. Ppaeppaero day, white day... even valentine's and Christmas is a whole other ball-game. Be prepared my darlings!