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10 Fun Things for Families in Sosabeol, Pyeongtaek
About Sosabeol in Pyeongtaek (Part of the new Bijeon-dong) Sosabeol provides something for everyone, including families with kids of all ages. Here are 10 ideas to get you started! Pack up the kids, budget 15,000 – 25,000 won for easy parking, and go enjoy your day! Sosabeol has been voted Pyeongtaek’s Best Neighborhood for a date for three years in a row, but did you also know that Sosabeol provides plenty of family entertainment as well? Next time you find yourself trying to find something to do with your kids…
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5 Romantic Date Night Cafes near Osan Air Force Base
If you live near Osan Air Force base these Anseong date night cafes will be perfect for your next big night out. Hop in the car and go celebrate love in the countryside. On the border where Pyeongtaek and Anseong meet, there is a cafe area where Pyeongtaek’s love birds gather. Take a quick drive out into the countryside east of Osan Air Force Base and you will find a bountiful selection of cafes for dates and family walks. Why would I go to the Anseong countryside for date night?…
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5 of the Best Burger Spots by the East Sea
You’re tired from surfing or swimming and need a good lunch? Here are some spots to fill up on some hearty burgers. Don’t go hungry, pack up those wet and sandy kids, and go grab a comfortable meal that reminds you of home. Sometimes you are traveling with the family and eating every adventurous thing you can find, and sometimes you need something safe. A meal everyone in the car can agree on. The next time you find yourself in this situation by the East Sea in Gangwon-do, here are…
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Why Do Koreans Ask Your Age?
Written by Eun Kyng Seo, Ph.D., Licensed Professional Counselor(USA) The Role of Age in Korean Culture The first time I traveled to Hong Kong in 1996, I learned that asking age could be embarrassing in different cultures. In Korean society, age differentiates an individual’s roles and responsibilities, and this generates a rigid hierarchy system in family, work, and communities. If you have been in a Korean community, you might have experienced that elders have the authority to make decisions. Questioning their status and opinions can be considered as ill-mannered in…
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How Yoga Can Help Us Be More Present and Practice Self-Acceptance
Written by Minah Yoo, Canadian Certified Counselor The modern world encourages people to spend much more time on doing than being. From the moment we wake up in the morning we are often busy focusing on completing tasks until we finally go to bed. Very little time is spent on appreciating ourselves through the use of self-acceptance and self-compassion. Based on my experience as a mental health professional, I’ve learned that many people live under the pressure to be productive all the time. In fact, our society tells us that…
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Vote for Pyeongtaek’s Best Places
Best of Pyeongtaek Poll Past Results Voting has been completed. Thank you to all that voted. Why Do We Vote for the Best of Pyeontaek? Почему мы голосуем за Самый Лучший в Пентеке? Mostly we vote because it’s fun and has a positive impact on the community. You will also likely discover new places you didn’t know about while taking the poll. Additionally, despite the arbitrary nature of the term “best”, that’s the question on everyone’s mind when they arrive in South Korea. New international residents from around the world…
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A New Year and a Time for Reflection
New Year’s Resolutions As a new year unfolds, you know the drill, you’ve bought the new, full-of-possibilities 2019 calendar and the focus becomes the new, healthier you. With all the excitement of a restart we cannot overlook the commencement of another year and feel inspired to do some reflection. How well have you taken care of yourself? What can you do differently this year? Reflective practice T.S. Eliot wrote, ”We had the experience but missed the meaning.” As mental health counselors, part of our job is to encourage and facilitate reflection…
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Extensive Advice About Hiring (and Keeping) a Housekeeper in South Korea
You are in South Korea for a limited time and you want to explore as much as possible. Hiring a housekeeper can help you free-up weekends and support your mental health. However, hiring a housekeeper can also be filled with a great deal of stress and disappointment due to communication and cultural differences. I’m going to do my best to provide detailed information that will help mitigate such stress points. Remember though, this blog only touches lightly on the complexity of communicating between cultures. You will need to stay aware…
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Four More Temples around Pyeongtaek
About Buddhist History in Korea Korea has a long and rich Buddhist history and is home to nearly a thousand temples. There are so many temples in Korea that I am constantly discovering more and more temples. Each temple compound is beautifully unique and offers a quiet refuge to meditate or seek peace of mind. Korean Temple Etiquette Before you go, read up on Korean temple etiquette. Jeongtosa Temple (Pyeongtaek, Anjung-eup) Beautifully landscaped grounds, giant golden Buddha, large stone Korean Buddha of Medicine, 5 story stone pagoda, and a panorama…
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5 Fab Sports Bars in Pyeongtaek
Sports bars, pubs, and grills have a unique place in the hearts of those that live abroad. They are a place to find a literal taste of home, maybe watch a football game, and make friends that become more like family. In Pyeongtaek we are lucky to be blessed with numerous such establishments and these five truly stand out from the crowd. We recommend visiting them all and finding the one that feels like family. Address and phone numbers for all listings can be found in the South of Seoul…