Yay, it was the weekend again!

So today, I saw Hedwig and the Angry Inch, the musical in Korea in Korean. It was incredible. Aside from not understanding most of what was said-- except the random Korean word I knew or English thrown in, I was really entertained. They did a really good job, and I think it's amazing what the show must be doing for the gender divide here. I know there is a pretty big subculture, but all in all the expectations are still pretty intense and a lot of pressure is put on young men and women to not only get excellent scores on tests, have excellent high paying jobs, be spectacularly thin and attractive, but also somewhere around 35, get married, raise a family and do it all on one income (the man's). So, I'm impressed. I got to have a small conversation with the stage manager after the show as we were buying the CD (music in Korean). He said that the original Hedwig show had come to Korea last year or the year before and must have inspired the lead actor to do the show. There were pictures of the two of them together and everything!

Enjoy the video!



On Saturday I went to the big bulk herbal market Daegu is famous for. It was pure heaven, but also reminded me that I need to study! I recognized most of them, but 7 months away from the herbal dispensary and their names are escaping me. I have my computer notes and the internet, but if anyone wants to send me this book: Chinese Medical Herbology and Pharmacology I would send you a lifetime supply of Korean socks, possibly the best postcard you'll ever receive and maybe even $90 or so. I emailed the Korean Board of Oriental medicine (or something like that), but had to do it in English so am unsure as to whether or not I'll get a reply. Unfortunately, the doctors know the Chinese names written in Chinese (not pinyin) but also give them their own Korean names which may or may not be similar to the Chinese names. So, even though I can read Korean, and ask for the herb in Chinese and also by Latin botanical name, that may or may not help me. Dang it, how fluent in how many languages do I have to be, exactly? I was looking for some Chai Hu (OCOM friends--Hi!), but I guess they have a different name for it. I even listed the ingredients of the most popular formula it's in, but no luck. Oh well, one day I'll find the name written in Chinese in some book and bring it in. But even Dr. Luo (my first herbs prof) couldn't blame me for not recognizing it in there. Hell, sticks look like sticks no matter where you snap them.

Tomorrow's Monday yet again, and the start of this year's dietary Spring Cleanse. It might make me a loopy teacher, but it'll be worth it.

20 days to Tokyo!!!