Its beginning to look a lot like Chusok

I began to notice a couple weeks ago these stacks of gift boxes piling up at my local grocery stores. They consist of very over packaged soaps, shampoos, liqours, fruits, medicines, etc. I was puzzled until it hit me, the big Korean thanksgiving is coming up.

Chusok is roughly analogous to American Thanksgiving. People migrate to their hometowns and spend time with family. Hometown is more than just where you were born, but more importantly is where your ancestors are buried. Chusok is a time to give thanks for the harvest, and to worship your ancestors.

Today, I received the following gifts: a vitamin c drink, a chocolate bar, and a digestion medicine that looks like unground peppercorns.

However, the crown jewel of my Chusok gifts was the "more dreams for your life" bathroom set. The package included some rice soap that says, "Enjoy your Rice Day." Maybe I'm reading into things, but it seems that just might be an attempt at a pun.

Wikipedia's entry on Chusok