In the Kitchen: November 2010

Melissa Harrington didn't hold out during November. The Harrington's ate a multitude of delcious meals while out and about in Daejeon as well as a number of delicious meals in their 519 Galma home.

The month began with a special fall celebration centered on apples. The couple enjoyed a Slow-Cooker Apple Crisp, Apple Cider Taste-Alike and a roaring good game of Apples to Apples with a number of dear and lovely friends.

Mid-November an oven and a slow-cooker cook book arrived at the home of the Harrington's insipiring a new bunch of menu items including Beer Bread and a couple of potato dishes which showed up on 2 of the three Thanksgiving meals enjoyed by the Harrington's and friends. (Further information and recipes regarding the potato dishes - and many other recipes - will be posted in a future article relating the stories of Thanksgiving in Korea).

A few other favorite dining-at-home moments for the Harrington's was a 'fusion' meal of sorts highlighting curry burgers and lettuce wraps, enjoyed with yet another dear friend of the Harrington's.

Having used lentils in the above dish, Melissa was inspired to seek out additional lentil recipes and put together this fabulous dish of Lentils and Spinach.

Last, but not least, the Harrington's enjoyed a breakfast-themed dinner of Brie and Apple Pancakes.

To friends of the Harrington's in Daejeon - they hope you will continue or ask to join them for a meal in their little Asian home.

To friends of the Harrington's elsewhere - they hope you will consider experimenting with one of the above recipes and remember all the good times we've had and those that will one day again resume.

The Harrington's Ate This

As an English Teacher in Korea, one often finds they have a bit of extra time. This time can be used in a number of ways, studying the Korean language, reading the news, learning a new instrument, taking an online course or two. Prior to their arrival, the Harrington's had considered various hobbies and activities they hoped to pursue upon settling in South Korea. One hobby the couple, particularly Mike Harrington, wanted to offer more attention to was that of photography.

It is under these desires and the availability of the time that the Harrington's have decided to tag team photo ideas and photo taking. One form of motivation to pursue this hobby will be received from a blog titled: I Should Be Folding Laundry. Weekly, the blog author presents a You Capture challenge. Most recently, the challenge was You Capture -- I ate This.

Here, the Harrington's present their first photos which are part of the You Capture challenges.





Thanksgiving in a foreign country is simply different. Unfortunately, the Harrington's didn't have a five day weekend, and the 25th of November was spent teaching students English then going seperate ways in the evening to prepare for various upcoming Thanksgiving meals. Unwilling to settle for a cup of Ramen or quesadilla, Melissa opted for her favorite Walnut Cookies after school and a bacon toast sandwich from a nearby sandwhich shop. Mike Harrington on the other hand made a trip to Costco, encountered a few foreigners hoping to snag a pumpkin pie and ended the shopping trip with a Costco hotdog. Two acceptable ways to enjoy Thanksgiving in a foreign nation.

Family, friends and readers should note that the Harrington's did have more than one opportunity to enjoy Thanksgiving in a more traditional manner, stories to be published in the coming week.

Thankful Hearts in Daejeon

Unlike any other Thanksgiving Day, the Harrington's both conducted this fourth Thursday of the month as if it were any other Thursday. They woke, showered, walked to work and taught their regular round up of Korean students. The equivalent of Korea's Thanksgiving was in September meaning the Harrington's had their chance at a five day weekend a couple months ago.

The next few days will provide the Harrington's a number of opportunities to be with friends and co-workers celebrating this Holiday, giving thanks for the many gifts they've received. But today, the Harrington's have taken a moment to inform readers what they are thankful for, in Korea and back home.

In Korea, the Harrington's are grateful for:

• Adorable and often wonderful students.
• Opportunities to travel and see many parts of Korea.
• The amazing variety and flavors of Korean food (at super affordable prices).
• Green Tea Lattes from OEC Coffee.
• Expat friends to chat with, thrift with, play Catan with and enjoy meals with. Friend who are more than adequate at serving the role of support network and 'family'.
• Beautiful scenery from the natural to cityscapes.
• The opportunity to travel and work simultaneously.
• The generosity and hospitality of the Korean people.

From back home, the Harrington's are grateful for:

• Fellow bloggers, allowing the couple to stay connected.
• Emails, Facebook messages, blog comments, cards and Skype calls, everything that constantly reminds the couple how richly blessed they have always been and will continue to be.
• Outpourings of concern regarding the couples safety.
• Memories of holidays past, spent with family playing games and preparing delicious meals.
• Gifts which arrive at the perfect time. 519 Friends, you are a part of the Harrington's family which is deeply missed. Thank you for allowing the following moment to occur in the lives of Mike and Melissa Harrington.

The Harrington's are Safe and Sound

We at the Harrington Times expect that there are many back in the US and around the world who have heard recent news regarding North Korea and South Korea.

If you haven't had a chance to catch up on the latest, check out this article from The New York Times and/or this video from CNN.

Prior to arriving in South Korea, the Harrington's communicated with expats who measured their safety by the actions and reactions of native South Koreans. The Harrington's have seen nothing but continued calm and cool-headedness by South Koreans nor have they received a message from the U.S. Embassy to which they registered.

Therefore, family and friends back home can rest assured that the couple is safe and unfortunately won't be making a trip back home for the Holiday's as of this posting.

No-Rae Bang Favorites

A common pastime in Korea is Karaoke, in Korea it's known as 노레 (no-rae). No-rae bang then is a Karaoke or singing room. Usually paid for by the hour or half hour, a singing room is open to customers and their favorite singing partners to choose old favorites, current hits and anything in between and relive their adolescent dreams of being a pop star. Friday, the 19th of November, the Harrington's attended a no-rae bang with a group of good friends and had an exceptional time. The couple has only gone twice but look forward to future no-rae bang opportunities so long as they have the perfect crew of singers to join.

So that readers my have a greater appreciation of these singing room experiences, the Harrington's will occassionaly post some of their favorite no-rae bang songs and readers at home can do one of two things: 1) imagine the Harrington's belting out the song or 2) begin belting out the song in your own home or office.

We at The Harrington Times now present to you five of their favorite no-rae bang songs thus far while living and singing in Korea:







The sound and harmony was of this quality, at least!

Nameson Middle School Students Got Seoul

On Saturday, November 13th Mike and Melissa Harrington rolled out of bed earlier than should be legal on a Saturday and made the short 10 minute trek to Mr. Harrington's Middle School. For unknown reasons Mike, along with his lovely bride, were invited to join a Middle School Fieldtrip to Seoul. Unable to say no to free transportation and a day with sweet Korean students and teachers the couple braced themselves for what would surely be a wild ride.

However, this fieldtrip wasn't a wild ride. It was an extraordinarily calm, relaxing and well organized field trip to Seoul. The attendance breakdown was about 17 students, 7 teachers and 10 mothers - a perfect one-to-one ratio which means a day with middle schoolers was nothing less than enjoyable.


The group began by meandering the cities famous neighborhood: Insadong. In and out of shops went students, teachers, parents and the Harrington's. Leather bound journals, wax stamps, traditional treats, cheap souviners were all to be found within the numerous shops. Before long it was time to sit down for a warm, stone-bowl of Bimbimbab prior to continuing with a bit of shopping. Alongside Nameson's Social Studies Teacher, the Harrington's explored potery shops, antique shops and even a tea museum (better described as a tea house).

Finishing up with the shops the Dajeon crew from Nameson made their way toward some traditional housing which once housed famous and honorable Koreans. From what the Harrington's were able to gather from the itinerary they had the pleasure of touring the home of the Korean who is featured on the 1,000 Won bill. Having toured the beautifully simple home and courtyard, the Nameson group sat down to paint a fan, a precious token of their first day spent in Seoul.

What's Cookin' in South Korea

Every other Friday evening the Harrington's have boarded the subway and made their way toward old down town where they learned a few cooking skills specific to South Korea. One thing that South Korea doesn't lack, is services for the expats such as Mike and Melissa Harrington. In Daejeon one prime source of expat services is the Daejeon International Community Center (DICC). (Check out the site for a couple candid shots of Mike and Melissa making up some of these Korean dishes). It was through this Daejeon organization that the Harrington's were able to learn a few Korean dishes by participating in the DICC's Korean Cooking Class. The Harrington's missed the first class but made it to four and have given the Harrington Times special access to recipes and stories behind the recipes via Melissa Harrington's food blog: Extended Shelf Life.

Following are links to the dishes made by the Harrington's in order of least favorite to most favorite. Let The Harrington Times know which dishes you hope to try out in honor of our dear Mike and Melissa Harrington.

4. Fried Anchovies and Dried Pollock Bean Sprout Soup

3. Bean Sprout Soup and Spicy Fried Tofu

2. Korean Pork Ribs and Rolled Egg Omelet

1. Goong Jung Dak Pooki and Kimchi Mandu