Do people in China REALLY eat dog???

I really, really don't like to believe stereotypes.  

Not one bit.

But sometimes, they are so true that I cannot ignore them. 

This was the case in China when we saw this headline:

I had always wanted to believe that the whole "Chinese people eat dog" thing was an urban legend of sorts.  Sure, there might have been a few isolated cases throughout history, but not a common practice.

Apparently, I was wrong. 

The article talks about dogs that were saved from being sold for food.  Another belief I had was that I believed if dogs were indeed eaten, it was only by people so poor that they had no choice.

Wrong again.

The dogs were sold for $100 to $150 each. 

Apparently, they are more of a delicacy. 

Reflecting on my time in Korea . . .

So . . . 

I have now been back from my Asian Adventure for almost three weeks, and I have enjoyed being back in the United States, but I have also spent a lot of time reflecting about the things I really liked about South Korea and/or China. 

A view of Seoul

One thing that I enjoyed a lot about the Korean culture was a lack of negativity.  For example, Koreans  do not openly criticize their government.  It is not that they are not allowed to or that there are consequences if they do, they just seem to have more honor and respect than to openly criticize.

It is a wonderful thing that our country has as much freedom of expression as it does, but I think some people just take it to a ridiculous point.  An extreme example is the Westboro Church.  Yes, they have the RIGHT to say what they say, but they should have the RESPECT and DECENCY not to say it.  I cannot fathom any Korean group acting the way Westboro does.  It might have happened, but it would shock me.

But even in the less extreme sense, I think that this basic idea plays out in our media today.  It does not seem that the media has a kind word to give any President or others in power.  In my lifetime, I have seen the media turn on Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama.  Now these are three completely different humans, but it seems that at some point or another, all of the media has come together to decide that these people can do nothing right.  And it ebbs and flows.  Bill Clinton regained his saint like status after we had to endure 8 years of Bush.  Obama was glorified by the media until he actually had the power to do things, and now he is constantly criticized.

I respect the fact that Koreans do not publicly criticize those in power.  One of the members of our group asked one of our tour guides: "Who do you think should win the upcoming election?"  The tour guide proceeded to give us facts about the different candidates and remained completely diplomatic. So, he was asked again, and he still dodged the question.  I am sure that tour guide has an idea as to who he will vote for and opinions on the election, but he did not seem to find it appropriate to share them with us.

This is not what you see in America.  I myself am very guilty of loudly displaying my political beliefs.  I started wearing a shirt in 2006 that said "Barack the Vote."  But I also know how many times that I have been deeply hurt and offended by comments others have made about my political opinions.

Just because we have the absolute right to proudly declare our political beliefs and criticize others non-stop, that doesn't necessarily mean that we have to or that it is the most productive thing to do.  Maybe our government would be getting a lot more done if everyone didn't exercise this right quite so often.  

Lotte World!

I made a promise to myself that I would blog more while I was in Korea . . .

 but so far I have failed.

But, let's be honest, there is way to much to do and explore to sit on my computer for very long!

Yesterday, however, was SOOOO amazing that I just have to share it!!!!!!

We went to an INDOOR amusement park called Lotte World.  

It is currently the biggest indoor amusement park in the world!!!!

I took all the pictures on my iPhone, and they don't begin to do it justice . . . but I am going to try to describe it anyway!

You go in and get your ticket and then take an escalator up . . .

(Koreans LOVE escalators, I ride about 20 a day here!)

Right as you reach the top, you suddenly get this amazing view of a completely different world.  

To me, it was like landing in Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory. 

I could go on  and on all day describing all of the things that were contained in this wonderland.  One of the things that struck me most was the amazing use of space that allowed an amusement park to be contained in a building!  There was also an outdoor island that contained some of the bigger rides, but for the most park, everything was neatly situated indoors.  No space was wasted.  

Another interesting point to make about the Korean amusement park was that Koreans have a very odd sense of what is appropriate for children, in my opinion.  We went in a "Ghost House" that said age 6 and up.  It was a 3D show that was described as "follow a cat through a house on a stormy night and see inanimate objects move."  Sounds harmless enough!  

Nope, creepy as crap.  There were scary killer dolls coming at you.  I freaked out when all these 3D mice rushed at us.  The cat discovers a skeleton in the basement. At the end, you find out that the cat is actually dead. Definitely not the scariest thing I have ever seen, obviously, but they advertised it for ages 6+.  NOT FOR 6 YEAR OLDS!

Also, here is another example: 

Yes, that is the killer from Scream.  But look where it is being sold:

At this store that is equivalent to the Disney Store!!!!  That just blew my mind!

It was a completely great day and I love seeing all the interesting differences in culture!  There are many other tales from Lotte World, but perhaps I will share them another day!

  

Hello From Korea!!!!!

Hi Dear Friends!!!

As most of you probably already know, I am in South Korea doing a summer study abroad program. 

I am going to be doing a series of posts about my experiences here, such as things I like about the culture, personal growth that I am experiencing on this trip, or whatever happens to inspire me!!!!

First, I must share one of the most interesting signs that I have ever seen.  We were walking around in Itaewon, which is the area of Seoul where American military and many foreign students hang out.  It has many American stores and restaurants and the like.  As we strolled about, we stumbled upon this:

THE GREATEST SIGN EVER!!!

Many more pictures to come!!!!

Love from Seoul, 

Ambria

Walks at the Rail Trail

So, my last post got deleted when Blogger was shut down for awhile, so I am going to try it again!!!

When I moved to Morgantown from Huntington, one of the things that I knew I would miss the most was Ritter Park.  I have spent hours of my life walking around the park and spent many evenings chillin with friends there.

After being in Morgantown almost 2 years, I have finally found a spot where I can get outdoors, enjoy the natural beauty and get some exercise!

These pictures are from my recent walks at the Rail Trail.  

I have been spending an hour a day there: walking, listening to music, and exploring!!!

I have never been good with making exercise a priority because I rarely enjoy it . . . but this has given me an activity that I really love!

Also, the smell of honeysuckle is great addition to the walks!!

Dress Shopping . . .

Today, the BFF and I went shopping for dresses for graduation 

Jess and me with cupcakes from an amazing new little Morgantown business. . . The Cupcakerie!!!

Her fella is graduating, so she must look adorable for his big day, and me, I just love law school social events . . . you never know who you might see ;)

So, we went to our reliable home-away-from-home, Forever 21

I have SHORT legs, and thus . . .  have always thought I could not wear long dresses, for fear they would drag the ground!

SO, how happy was I today when I found one that I can actually wear?  

Ecstatic!!!!

I will probably be wearing this to graduation .  . . along with some cute accessories and fun shoes!!!!  

I am very excited!  Love having events to look forward to!

Often, I do not know what to blog about, so I don't blog that often.  Today, however, I was INSPIRED!

My lovely friend Cole does a weekly Book Worm post and I love love love reading it!  Why???  Because, as my dear friend Tommy said the other day, I am a bibliophile.  Books are my passion.  I realize some people might think this is a dorky, DORKY passion . . . but I never denied being a dork!  As much as I enjoy law school, the happiest I ever was in a job is when I was a supervisor at Empire Books and News in  Huntington, WV

Empire is an amazing independent bookstore and I was given a great deal of freedom to create my own displays, advertise the books that I loved, host book clubs, etc.  I felt HAPPY surrounded by all those books all the time.  That passion has never left.  When I am really sad, upset, feeling lost, or can't see beauty in the world . . . I go to a bookstore.  Hiding in the bookshelves, getting lost in the pages, REVIVES me.  

My mom is planning on getting me a Kindle, and while I will love it and it will be very useful for traveling and such, I will never give up old-fashion paper books.  There is definitely a tactile level to my passion for books . . . the smell, the feel of the pages, beauty.