You’re Welcome: “A Silly Question”

I have decided to start an occasional series of advice columns for western ex-pats living or potentially moving to South Korea.

The title of this series comes from me saying, “Your Welcome” in advance of you saying “thank you” in advance of me giving advice in advance of you asking for it.  Let me put it this way:  I’m so confident that you’ll thank me for the advice, that I’m going to say you’re welcome right now.

The first question comes from “Wet and Bothered.”

Dear An American in Geoje,

I was frantically searching for information about my Tromm washer when I came across your blog. I've been in South Korea for about 3 weeks and haven't had one load of laundry that wasn't completely wet at the end of my wash cycle! We have the same exact washer! (Thanks for putting a picture of it up!) Would you help me out and give me an idea of which buttons do what? The Korean teachers at my school haven't been any help and I'm anxious to experience the excitement of baking my clothes dry!

Thanks in advance,

Wet and Bothered

Well, Wet and Bothered, wet clothes certainly are a problem.  I’m glad that you enjoyed my post on the Tromm DD Inverter.  The red button inserts the heating option into the washing cycle.  Push it until it adds the appropriate amount of time to dry your clothes.

The number options on the left are for the size of the load if I remember correctly.

Then, I usually left everything else the same.  Although, I’d occasionally use the temperature button (the one with the 95, 60, 40 degree options).  I’d sometimes wash my whites on hot if they were getting a little dingy (think pit sweat in the summer).  The last words on the temperature setting mean “cold,” which is where I usually left it.

Remember, when drying, I’d stay away from anything that wrinkles, and anything with synthetic fibers—I affectionately called the machine a clothes oven.  I hope that helps.

As for the rest, I can’t really remember---its been almost a year since I’ve used it.

 

Your Welcome,

An American in Geoje

Japanese Product Reviews: Cream Collon

One of my little hobbies when traveling is to check out strange local products. Japan did not dissapoint. My first night in hotel, I was cruising the hotel convenience store for a snack fix, when I came upon a snack food named "Cream Collon."
These semi-sweet snacks are, well shaped like a colon, and are filled with a cream-type filling. I don't know if they thought this name through. I did a search for these on Google and the a sponsored link at the top came up for a "Colon Cleanse."
Maybe "Collon" doesn't remind Japanese of the rear-end of the digestive system, but that was the first thing that came to mind when I saw the picture and the name.

These weren't bad, but I'd pass if I were you. The okay taste isn't enough to overcome their bizarre name. However, they're widely available in Japan, and at least one western importer (in the UK) makes them available for those out of Japan.

Japanese Product Reviews: Ice Cucumber Pepsi

Ice Cucumber Pepsi is one of the strangest sodas I've tasted. The strangest and grossest is Chinotta soda that I had in Italy. While not being gross, it certainly is a close second in terms of strangeness. It was released as a special summer soda in Japan.

Although there was no actual cucumber in the soda, it tasted like I was drinking a cucumber. Hmm... must be personally tried to be understood.

Best Music of 2007 (so far)

Those who know my know I'm a music fan. Those who have lived with me know that I'm am either listening to music or creating my own by whistling or tapping things.

With over half of 2007 behind us, I wanted to put out a "best of (so far)" list. As you can see most of my music tends toward alternative and post-punk. This new music is biased toward those sub-genres, but 2007 has also been a year of older music. I have discovered the music of Jeff Buckly, Neko Case, Joni Mitchel (really just the album "Blue"), Arcade Fire, Silversun Pickups, and Supertramp.

As you read this list please remember that to a large degree I'm removed from American Pop Culture. In Korea, only the most vial pop songs come over, and whatever is included with American movies. Most of these songs have been recommended to me by my music friend, or through Rhapsody.

1. Neon Bible - Arcade Fire. Released back in April, the album is solid follow-up. They have kept the great, unique aspects of their sound while growing and exploring some new territory. (Album cover to the right)

2. Icky Thump - White Stripes. White Strips is one of those bands that I really like, but I've never been a "fan" of them. I own one of their albums, but that's about it. I like almost all of their music, but have never followed them, or anticipated upcoming albums etc. This summer, I'm going to explore their back catalogue and listen to their music beyond just the singles that I've heard on the radio. I recommend "Conquest" its really catchy and shows off Jack White's vocal talents.

3. On Letting Go - Circa Surive. Again, another great sophomore release. Circa Survive is sometimes lumped under "emo" music, although I was never a big fan of that genre. Others consider them post-emo. However you categorize them, the album is great. (Album cover on the left).

4. Sky Blue Sky - Wilco. This was a bit of a disappointment for me. Wilco is my favorite band. I love all of their music, and was really looking forward to this album. It didn't live up to my expectations. It is a good album, but really just good. For those interested in giving Wilco a listen to, I suggest A Ghost is Born or Yankee Hotel Foxtrot.

5. Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga - Spoon. I've heard Spoon through a few playlists on Rhapsody. I gave their new album a listen to and was really impressed. I put it on the bottom of my list, but think it could move up as a listen to it more.

Also: Cassadaga - Bright Eyes. The music of Bright Eyes was the soundtrack of my life for the first third of 2005. They had just released Digital Ash in a Digital Urn, and I'm Wide Awake It's Morning. After thoroughly listening to the albums, I explored the back catalogue. Although the music is great, it can be easy to tire of. A friend who sort of recommended Bright Eyes now despises the music. My mind really isn't made up about "Cassadaga" although it has impressed me so far. I haven't made a final judgment on it though.

I'm also looking forward to releases this summer from:

Our Love to Admire - Interpol (July 9th, 2007)
Do You Feel - The Rocket Summer (July 17th, 2007)
Church Mouth - Portugal. The Man (July 24th, 2007)

What do you think is the best music of 2007? Anything I missed, or anything I haven't included.

Product Review: Ceylon Tea

This is the poem on the Cylon Tea can:

"Ceylon Tea. Now dream of tea is distilled each pure drop a tear of joy A vision of paradise for men lost in their dreams Sailing the Indian Ocean towards new horizons Ceylon Tea."

Here's what I think: its just some sweetened tea. Comeon!

Pocari Sweat

This past week or so I seem to be having some trouble staying hydrated. I drink water but it seems to go right through me. So, I decided to try a sports drink. The name was the oddest name I've heard for any drink, so I thought I'd try it.

In short, Pocari Sweat looks like, smells like, and tastes like sweat. Oh, but it helps me stay hydrated.

Lucky Fresh Toothpaste: You must be fresh all day!

Koreans have made a social habit out of brushing teeth following lunch. I have chewed Trident Brand Chewing Gum (Original Flavor) for years following meals. It never seemed practical to bring a toothbrush to work and all that. However, in Korea, they make it work.

I was "gifted" with a toothbrush and toothpaste along with my boxes of facial tissue about a month ago. There isn't anything special about the toothbrush, but the toothpaste--well, let me explain.

I noticed that the company that made the toothpaste, is LG. LG is one of these huge mega-conglomerates along the lines with Daewoo, Samsung, and Hyundai. They have their hands in everything. In my home, my windows, doors, refrigerator, and air conditioner all bear the LG logo. I wasn't sure how I felt brushing my teeth with a product made by the same company that made my front door. However, I gave it a shot.

The name "Lucky Fresh Enamel Toothpaste" only tells part of the story. This toothpaste not only makes your mouth fresh, it keeps it fresh. I brush my teeth with this stuff around noon or so, and it still ruins my dinner with the minty film that still covers the inside of my mouth.

These tricky people at LG perhaps went about designing their toothpaste with the same paradigm they used to design their other products: keep it simple. What's the simplest way to keep a mouth fresh? Well, make the toothpaste override any taste so the person doesn't want to eat anything that might mess with the mouth's "freshness." Hah, tricky. This toothpaste began to invoke a Pavlovian response where I didn't want to eat for at least six hours after brushing with this stuff.

I know that toothpaste may ruin the taste of orange juice right after brushing, but should it ruin the taste of a meal six hours later? These people at LG don't have a very friendly toothpaste on their hand, but maybe they can market it as a weight-loss product. Have the people brush with this three times daily, and they won't want to eat anything.

Lucky Fresh Toothpaste: I'd rather be unfresh thank you.

Tromm DD Inverter: the smell of freshly baked clothes

When I was first dumped off in my apartment nearly three months ago, one of the first things I asked about was the washing machine. I had been in Korea for a week and a half at that point, and my dirty clothes were beginning to ferment--seriously I had to throw a couple shirts away because they were so stinky.

I was intrigued to find out that my Tromm DD Inverter 6.5kg WD-951RD washing machine also included a feature to dry the clothes--in the same machine. After my Korean handler explained the different buttons the best she could, I asked, "Well does the dryer work?" "I don't know," she said with a befuddled look on her face.

So, I bravely tried my first load of laundry that very next day after school. I set the buttons the best I could and let it to. The timer went to 3:45! Was it going to take 3 hours and 45 minutes to wash and dry a single load? It did. So, I went about my business until about the second hour. I smelt a strange, new smell.

I have smelt many clothes dryers before. The hot air blowing through the wet clothes creates a very distinct smell. I have also smelt clothes burning--weather it is an old rag tossed in a fire, or a shirt that got too toasty after being placed in the oven when I was in a hurry. This smell was something in between. It was oddly pleasant. I watched closely as the Tromm DD Inverter did its thing. I wondered if it was burning my clothes, or if there was some malfunction. Nope, it was just drying my clothes in its own special way.

When the dryer was finally finished, my found my clothes were too hot to touch. Really, I had to open the door and let the clothes cool-off before I could fold them. The next load wasn't as successful. The machine "baked" my clothes dry as it had before, but this time, it baked in wrinkles. They were really bad.

So, if you like the smell of freshly baked clothes wafting through your apartment, and don't mind some baked-in wrinkled, then the Tromm DD Inverter 6.5kg WD-951RD washing machine and "clothes oven" is for you.

Anarldo Bassini tea pot: I hate you.

In my first week in my apartment I was faced with the following situation: an iffy tap water supply and no way to boil it--depending on who you ask it is/isn't okay to drink the water. When I ask about the tap water, I often receive doublespeak such as, "The water is safe to drink, but I wouldn't recommend it" or "You aren't drinking the water area you!? I recommend barley tea."

I went to the neighborhood mom and pop electronics store--literally. Behind the storefront is a kitchen and small living room since these people spend most of their time at the store. Anyway I bought the mid-priced water boiler. It looked good. Big mistake.

The Anarldo Bassini tea pot looked like it was a sleek modern device. What was I thinking? What do the Italians need a tea pot for? Why should I trust an Italian name making tea pots?

This tea pot burns me. Steam seeps out of its handle, the lid is fussy and sometimes opens all the way suddenly and splashes water everywhere. I can't count the number of times that I have been scalded by this thing. If I wasn't as cheap as I am, I might go and get a new one.

Anarldo Bassini Tea Pot: I hate you.

New Post Category

I'm introducing a new category for my posts: Product Reviews. These product reviews will include a photo and my opinion about products found here in Korea.