Stories from the Couch and No-rae Bang Nights

Living in Korea, working as an English as a Foreign Language Teacher means a consistent routine of saying good-bye to the friends who have become family yet have now opted to take on new jobs in new countries, return home, return to school, travel the world or any other number of activities. It is often draining and disheartening. However, knowing that friendships have been created that leave you feeling downhearted at their departure is rewarding in itself. Knowing that these friendships wouldn't have been possible if you hadn't made the leap yourself keeps the expat foreign teacher on the look out for the next irreplaceable friendship to bring value and wealth to their own life experience.

Six months ago, the Harrington's said good-bye to some incredibly dear friends, a set of which can confidently claim that they are the primary reason M'n'M ended up in Daejeon, South Korea in the first place, Matt and Jen Mullen. Mid-February, the same couple began a new stage in their travel and professional careers. The destination was China, the layover, South Korea, and the Harrington's couldn't have been more excited to reunite with these dear friends.

Arriving late on a Monday evening, the Mullen's and Harrington's stayed up later than necessary after hours on planes and in airports catching up and enjoying the ease of a friendship built to last and withstand miles. Unfortunately, the Harrington's would spend the days 'deskwarming' while the Mullen's relived a small piece of their South Korean lives. However, when the work day ended, the couples and other friends who continue to feed on kimchi were eager and ready to eat South Korea's finest delicacies (dalk-galbi and shabu-shabu), play a round of screen golf, sip cocktails and snack on walnut cookies, and spend a long wild night singing their hearts out at the no-rae bang. So while the days were spent adhering to their specific tasks, the nights left plentiful opportunities to reconnect, enjoy and celebrate all that is good and beautiful.

Dalk-galbi at 5.5 with the Mullens, Jacqui, Sunny and Aaron

No-rae bang nights.

As soon as the reunion began however, things came to an end. The Harrington's were set to catch a flight to Kuala Lumpur before landing in Vietnam and the Mullen's for China. So after a night of singing and dancing and with a number of powerful female voices stuck in their heads, each couple set off for their next adventures, again giving thanks for this friendship that is more beautiful for having taken place in the ROK, if only for a season. (To read more about the Mullen's, check them out here.)

And what powerful female voices were stuck in their heads:

Kelly Clarkson - My Life Would Suck without You


No Doubt - I'm Just a Girl


Adele - Someone Like You


Whitney Houston - I wanna Dance with Somebody

Harringtons in Korea: Meat, Boats and the No-rae Bang

After a day with middle school students it was time for the Harrington's to reassure the family that life in Korea wasn't only about working for a living.  Friday night was M&M's opportunity to introduce their lovely family to their lovely friends.  So while Harrington's napped, co-worker and most fabulous friend Hyun-hee came over to 519 Galma before the Harrington 6 and Hyun-hee made their way to the OEC for amazing hot choco and lattes.  With caffeine working in their veins and preparing some of the crew for an all-nighter, the group of 7 then made their way to Gung-dong where they met up with Paul and eventually Hak-chol (Hyun-hee's husband) to enjoy Korean BBQ and Korean cold noodles, which were, to Katie's surprise, cold.

With full bellies the crew of now 9 made their way to the Rum-boat, a pirate themed bar where they keep the music volume under control so as to encourage and allow for conversation, to meet additional friends of the Harrington's.  Throughout the course of the evening and drinking beer on a Pirate Ship, the visiting Harrington's met Garrett, Alla, Josiah, Jenelle, Whitney, Jonathan, Harris, Aaron, Uzma and the infamous Joe Berry.  Conversation was easy and steady as the visiting Harrington's began to understand that it's not just delicous food and cute children that have M&M sticking around in Korea for the time, it's the caliber of friends they've made that would have been impossible had they not placed 6,000 miles between them and 'home'.

As the night carried, the barely-over-27 Harrington's made their way back to 519 to get some well-deserved rest before the upcoming flight, where as Mike, Melissa, Molly and Katie made their way, with a slew of friends, to a crappy no-rae bang for an awesome no-rae bang experience.

A couple of highlights from the no-rae bang...

My Chick Bad - Ludacris (performed by a teddy bear of a friend with large eyes and killer skills on the microphone)

Diggin' on You - TLC (HUGE no-rae bang fail by Melissa...BUT huge win on igniting middle school memories)

With various pop songs playing in their heads on repeat, the Harrington's under-27 returned to 519 at 3:30 am for a 'nap' before getting out of their warm blankets, strapping on some bags and heading to Seoul for their final day together in the Land of Kimchi.

No-rae Bang Nights: An un-Birthday Celebration

The Harrington's and others have taken a bit of time to recover from the 'loss' of no-rae bang all-stars from Brian to Jennifer to Holly the leftover Daejeon crew was apprehensive about how much joy would be recieved from singing their hearts out.  However, when the birthday of one Jonathan Dickerson came to be (although it was an un-birthday celebration in his personal request for no gifts or excessive attention), the crew re-united, added unto the choir and proved that life does in fact go on, even at the no-rae bang (not to say those who left Korea life aren't dearly missed this year...you know who you are).  So it was, after a scrumptous cake on a pirate ship and a few drinks later, the crew made their way to the no-rae bang around the corner.

 A few top picks from the evening are as follows:

Total Eclipse of the Heart - Bonnie Tyler



Hungry Like the Wolf - Duran Duran



What's my Age Again? - Blink 182 (The video is so...nude. Forget these details as we age...)



Maggie Mae - Rod Stewart (for reader's who haven't enjoyed the pleasure of the no-rae bang with Mr. Harrington...he truly rocks this one ^.^)



99 Red Balloons - Nena (the song that wouldn't get out of the Mrs. head the next morning -- and by song, obviously we mean the chorus)

No-Rae Bang Nights: Farewells and Celebrations

A dear friend of the Harrington's and other Daejeon GET's has bid-farewell to the land of kimchi, last minute changes, uncaring co-teacher's and a frustrating educational system. As well, he bid farewell to a good group of friends, some fine meal options and restaurants, a host of lovely students and a few good co-workers. Good-byes, under such contexts and within the majority of contexts, are bittersweet.

However, when such good-byes come with Nights (that's right, plural)at the No-rae Bang, sweet treats, and flashing lights, the sweet over-rides the bitter and joyful times are had by all.

Highlights from the latest round of No-Rae Bang:

Mmmbop - Hanson(dedicated to Melissa's dear friend who she once said a bitter sweet good-bye to, Erin C.).



Wonderwall - Oasis (The friend who said "good-bye's" favorite No-Rae Bang moment - EVER, so he said).



Purple Rain - Prince(only because only one singer of the No-Rae Bang was a true-blue fan of Prince and everyone else was wishing the song would just end).



Zombie - The Cranberries (Most fabulous when accompanied by the 'Zombie' walk or when performed by the dynamic Mullen duo).



A Whole New World - From Aladin (Because Disney is a happy place, even after too much soju and beer)




일어나 - 김광석 (Because we are in Korea...so why not sing some Korean song every once in a while?)



We at THT are sure we've missed some huge joys...some should simply be saved for the No-Rae, however, feel free to chime in if you were there or make suggestions as we will surely be hitting up the No-Rae Bang again.

No-Rae Bang Favorites II: #1 (and 1.5)

Readers of The Harrington Times, particularly those who were with Melissa Harrington on the night of the infamous 'all-night No-Rae Bang' might realize this series was mostly a reflection of Melissa's top no-rae bang pics and may or may not represent very well the pics and favorite songs of all no-rae bang contenders. This is most likely true in addressing the number 1(and 1.5) songs from last weeks Friday Night No-Rae. Having desired nothing more than singing two particular songs at a no-rae bang for nearly 6 months, Melissa Harrington begged the writers of THT to post the following two videos as her (hopefully others) favorite no-rae bang moments of March 4, 2011 so in at # 1.5 is Journey's (or Glee's, because the no-rae bang crew sounded that good) Don't Stop Believin' followed (or preceeded...) by #1 as Ace of Base's The Sign.

No-Rae Bang Favorites II: #2

Getting down to wire, this evening, exactly one week after the famed night at the No-Rae Bang, we bring you the #2 pick from the No-Rae Bang; Sweet Caroline by Neil Diamond...or the cast of Glee, you choose.

No-Rae Bang Favorites II: #3

Without hesitation and due to the 'warm-fuzzy' memories this song induces in the heart and soul of one Melissa Harrington comes #3: Puff the Magic Dragon by Peter, Paul & Mary. A song made popular in the heart of young Melissa because of her father on stage performances and occassionaly invitations to have his daughters to join him in a song about a Dragon and a little Boy.

No-Rae Bang Favorites II: #4

If you want to truly understand the joy that is our #4 you must join the Harrington's and their friend Jennifer Mullen in attending an actual No-Rae Bang event. Coming in at #4, we bring you Roxanne

No-Rae Bang Favorites II: #5 (and a Bonus)

Meeting us at the half-way point is a classic Karaoke song and, truth be known - the first ever Karaoke song Melissa Harrington sung (while sipping wine at a sweet little pub in Spain with some of the most fantastic companions imaginable). So, coming in at #5 is Gloria Gaynor with I will Survive.

In addition to No-rae bang song #5 we at The Harrington Times bring you an additional song that made it's appearance on Friday night. This song served no purpose other than to remind Mrs. Harrington of the University of Wyoming's Male A Cappella group: Happy Jacks. The following video is the group Mrs. Harrington imagined as her and good friend Jen botched their way through Baltimore's Tarzan Boy.

No-Rae Bang Favorites II: #6

Taking up two positions on this top 10 list is TLC, this time with their ever popular song Waterfalls. In the shuffling process of large room to small room that occured on Friday night, Melissa Harrington and friends enjoyed the benefits of an increased song selection, making this TLC hit and the other an option which had never before been available. We at The Harrington Times hope the following video and lyrics strike a warm and fuzzy cord with readers at home as it surely did for Mrs. Harrington.

No-Rae Bang Favorites II: #7

Rolling in at #7 is non-other than Dr. Dre feat. Eminem and Hittman with Forgot about Dre This spit fire rap comes in at number 7 simply because the shock present on one no-rae-bang-er's face as Melissa Harrington kept pace with the lyrics with surprising accuracy. Little did friends of the Harrington's in South Korea realize the Melissa's ability to recall songs from her freshman year and work-it out just as if she were young and 15 once again.

No-Rae Bang Favorites II: #8

Coming in at #8 from Friday night's no-rae bang craze is The Dixie Chicks, Good-bye Earl.
Particularly enjoyable for Melissa and Jennifer hailing from the Cowboy State of Wyoming, the girls have a special love for pop country. Regardless of each 'singers' roots, this song filled a need for twang and a great story-telling song that can't be filled with any ole karaoke song.

No-Rae Bang Favorites II: #9

The Beatles are always a win at the no-rae bang. Friday night no-rae bang brought forth this gem of a Beatles Hit and although not a particularly easy or comprehensible song to sing, the song fit the mood well and gave all attendees of the 'singing room' reason to chuckle and shout out: 'goo, goo ga - joob!' bringing The Beatles and their song I am the Walrus in at number 9.

No-Rae Bang Favorites II: #10

A few months back we reported on a no-rae bang (노래방) experience enjoyed by the Harrington's and some dear friends of the ROK. As luck would have it, that was only the beginning and a recent, Friday night outing (March 5, 2011) had Melissa and 4 friends singing their hearts out until 2 am. What started as an evening of 찜닭 (chim dalk: chicken in a spicy brown soy sauce with clear noodles) and dipped cones from McDonald's escalated into a night of 'singing' down memory lane, getting in trouble for drinking soju and moments later being rewarded for bad behavior with 1.5 hours of free singing room access (after already singing 2 hours and just purchasing an additional half hour). What's most important however, is what was being sung throughout this 4 hour time slot. Therefore, this week, we at The Harrington Times will post the top 10 songs sung during Friday nights no-rae bang extravaganza.

Coming in at number 10 is No Scrubs by TLC.
This song took the 3 ladies down memory lane and triggered middle school memories of making up dances for our own Melissa Harrington. If you can't remember the song or want to prepare yourself to sing this for your own no-rae bang adventure, have a look and listen right here: