EGGI&FISH

My First *official* Nike Fashion Show. 75 media outlets with 700 other *cool* people! I don’t really have pics of those people or any of the fabulous models we used… but I do have these:

/ JiYoung standing tall!

/ HeeSung / Vanna White

/ Song and Me

My first thanksgiving in Korea (american thanksgiving that is). It’s a little odd – the US Holidays – over here because their isn’t really the hub-bub or commotion in the states, so it’s no big deal. So let me break down the situation for you. From what I understand, Koreans… not big on oven cooking, so my oven isn’t that big. You couldn’t even fit a 12lb bird in there! On top of that, birds… not that common around here.

So this season, it’s to one of the American Hotels for dinner. Just like mom used to make – if your mom used to work at the Four Seasons that is! So it was off to the Hyatt Hotel with my Eggi for my first overseas Turkey Day (and her’s period). The meal was exquisite, but being from the northeast suburbs, exquisite isn’t really the words that’s supposed to describe a holiday that’s based on stuffing yourself to till you can’t get off the couch. Regardless… scallop appetizer, pumpkin soup and a slice of white meat with minimal stuffing and potatoes… not bad.

Next year if it’s not a trip to the states, it’ll be FULL bird delivered with all the fixens from the US Army Base.

A night of Wagyu Steak, red wine and good friends…

Played golf at my favorite golf course REXFIELD (pictures * website) which is always a pleasure. Shot a not bad round of 89 but i think the scorekeeper was a little generous, so let’s just call it 90.

Now many of you have heard me talk about the extravagances of Korea golf courses. The high green’s fees: $200. The Caddy tip: $100. The full sauna. Bi + Tri-lingual caddies. The membership deposits of $400-600k (they treat them like stocks and can buy/trade/sell them at good profits). Now Rexfield is one of the best – hence one of my favorites, but after playing there 3 times, they managed to surprise me again. The logo/mascot for Rexfield is a Deer and on the 4th hold of the Valley course is yes… a mini-zoo, complete with DEER! Yes, right there, just off the fairway, chillin out… too funny!

The #1 sport in the world. No NOT NASCAR… FOOTBALL. Tonight, Korea played MALDIVES (where?) in a DO-or-DIE match for World Cup 2006 qualification. Yeah, I can’t believe we’re considered an asia/world power in football either – MalWHAT? But this is why we play the game.

In a gamble, we made a big deal out of it. Brought the #1 under 20 prospect to the game along with 11 boys and girls from local football clubs and about 4 major sports media for games, interviews and photo-ops. There were about 65,000 there in the sold out crowd, all dressed in HOT RED and rearin’ to go! And let me tell you, when they rip that giant KOREA flag out and cover the stands, chanting KO-RE-A, you can’t help but get chills all over!

The game was 0-0 at half (love football?) with several near misses and amazing saves on the Maldives side (located in Miconesia by the way.. and where the hell is that?). They played an unusal 10 back defense really hampering our chances, but half way through the second half, we struck with a beautiful top shelf strike. Adding another for good measure, we secured our place in the next round of qualifiers with a 2-0 win.

Bring it on baby!! KOREA in 2006!!

Did you know that their are over 100 ways to serve Kimchi? Did you know that it’s basically pickeled cabbage with various condiments blended in and buried underground for anywhere from 3-9 months? Did you know that November is Bury Your Kimchi Pot Season? Me NEITHER! but I learned that and much, much, much more at the 2004 Korea Kimchi expo! Yes, when in rome. It was a hoot with samples galore. A virtual rollercoaster ride for the the untrained palette. Some good, some bad… but when you see them harvesting it in mass quantities, it kind of makes you ill. There was a line of about 20 womens sitting on the ground just mashing it around. CHECK IT OUT.

Marketing Brilliance. The chocolate candy stick we all have seen and love… PePeRo has impressed me with a viral campaign that has blown up over the past years. Today, every AM/PM, LG25, 7Eleven and bodega accross the country promote and celebrate PePeRo Day (check out this animation). November 11th or 11/11 – stick day! A day to tell someone you love them, care about them, are thinking about them or whatever… obviously with a box of chocolate PePeRo sticks! Take that Hallmark!

My first Korean Fashion Show… Jin Teok at the SFAA. She’s considered the God-Mother of Korean fashion and not to be rude, but they may call her that because she’s fiercly out of touch with reality or style :) … no, it wasn’t that bad, but the designs were not overly impressive to me – the novice fashionista! We had great seats though – front row on the runway!