Expect the won to drop to 1300 to the dollar by year end

An International Herald article and Goldman Sachs report says so from last week.

Writing addresses in Korea: How to write an address to someone in Korea

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It would seem quite obvious that when you address things from the West that you start with a person’s name, then the street address, moving then onto their city, state and zip code.  In Canada, there may be a Province and in many countries, the larger entities like the city or the state are towards the bottom.

However, in Korea, it’s the reverse.  I was reminded of it when I asked a Korean recently to create an address for me of the branch she manages so I could send the address to a future instructor who would be coming soon.  The teacher wanted to know where to send her goods, if she wanted to.  It looked like this:

Busan Bukgu Hwamyeongdong 2271-5 Bunji MokYang(목양) plaza 301

What to do if you’re locked out of your home in Korea

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What a night it’s been…

I was planning on staying up late, but wasn’t sure if I would be pulling another all nighter so soon after the last one on the 21st.  Actually, the one 10 days ago was the first one I did successfully in years.  It was sort of weird because I expected it to be a bit rougher at work towards the end of the day, but I actually pulled through like a trooper.  Tonight though wasn’t planned at all. 

Short of 2am, I ran to Homeplus to get some juice, bannanas and other groceries for the weekend.  I barely made it before they closed.  However, I didn’t take my keys which would normally not be a problem since I have one of those electronic door openers where you just have to enter a code.  Lately though, the reliability of the “new fangled technology” has let me down.  I think it’s the batteries and coincidentally, I bought batteries tonight, but to no avail since I couldn’t get into my place to replace the them in the lock.  I visited the security officer on the first floor and he called some other service guy who came to my place 15 minutes later.  One thing I’m incredibly proud of or thankful here in Korea is the speed in which you get service.  In the states, I think I would of been waiting at least a few hours before someone would of came to try and help me out.  The guy who tried to open my door gave it a really strong effort and even encouraged me to let him try a few more times before I told him to give up.  He, along with most service professionals are always very friendly as well. However, he wasn’t able to get me back in my unit tonight.

Best Places to Raise your Kids – 2009

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Best Places to Raise your Kids – 2009

Some of my favorites on the list published on Businessweek for 2009

Alaska
Anchorage

Nearest city: Anchorage
Population: 281,070
Median household income: $80,927

Residents of Anchorage, Alaska’s largest city, have a strong economy, teeming wildlife, low crime, and fresh air.
Runner-up: N/A*
*Only cities with at least 50,000 residents and a median family income between $40,000 and $100,000 were considered.

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Just short of 600 views…

Like I said “porcupines,” “Korean women” and many others like “how to say hello (or thank you) in Korean” are dominating the traffic on the blog these days.  For a snippet of the rest of the popular posts, check out the following WordPress stats for The Real “South” Korea:

Just in case Judy’s Book ever dies or they re-arrange the website…

Not trying to be conceded, but you never know when this will be deleted off the internet…this will get buried into my blog anyhow.  🙂

http://www.judysbook.com/cities/seattle/Real-Estate-Agents/4089/p1/Brandon_Na.htm

Brandon Na Reviews

Showing 1 – 1 of 1 Results

• A True Buyer’s Agent in the Seattle Metro Area

Slideshows annoy me! Just show me the list!

To capitalize on advertising revenue, the top publications have gone to slideshows to detail long lists of information people may be curious about like: “top places to retire” or “top places for your kids,” etc.  However, I just want to see the list.  I realize the publications need to make advertising dollars, but then why do they charge us subscriptions and make us pay at the airport or bookstore $5 or more bucks an issue?  Yes, yes, I realize they really depend on their advertising dollar…

Planned cities – the wave of the future?

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I’ve been reading on a higher frequency about cities that governments and private organizations are working together and sometimes creating for various purposes including interconnectivity, globalization and many other themes to supposedly organize the chaos of traditional cities into supposedly more efficient entities for it’s citizens (wow, this was a very long run on sentence).  Another example was just reported today here: http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/marketwire/0350655.htm

Knowledge Economic City and Cisco Team Up to Develop World-Class Connected City 

The text of the article follows:   

Giving or Taking Directions in South Korea

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Giving Directions in Korea:

To get to the Homeplus, you need to take the subway to Oncheongjahng station, jump out of exit number 7, take the crosswalk across the main road and you’ll see it right there. 

Giving Directions from an American perspective:

Take Busan Blvd up to 81st street.  At the intersection of 81st and Busan Blvd, you’ll see Homeplus on the left hand side. 

We’re dependent on cars in the states and in Korea,

‘Korean real estate worth picking up’

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originally published here: http://www.koreaherald.co.kr/

on 2007.12.18

Korea is a good option for investors who are interested in the Asian real estate market, an executive from LaSalle Investment Management said yesterday.

Top 10 Series from the Korea Times: Top Consumer Hits in Korea over the past 1/2 century

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http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/art/2007/12/135_12020.html

10 Consumer Hits 1950-2007

The Korea Times, the nation’s first English daily, turns 57 on Nov. 1. The TOP 10 Series will feature the biggest news stories, scandals, events, figures, surprises and memorable moments in the coming weeks, in celebration of the anniversary. The series will allow our readers to revisit these moments of the past. Current and former staff members of the oldest English daily selected the Top 10s through internal meetings, online surveys and advice from outside experts. If you have differing opinions, let us know by email (jhan@koreatimes.co.kr).

Looks like my neighbors to the east may get another boost in their real estate prices

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Busan to Have 117-Story Building

Originally published 12-16-2007 19:07 here: http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2007/12/117_15645.html

Busan Metropolitan City will launch a big project to build a 117-story resort building. According to Busan Urban Development Corporation (BUDC), it will enter into an agreement with “Triple Square Consortium (TSC)’’ on Tuesday to construct the super large resort building at Haeundae, the biggest beach in the country.

165 of the estimated 175,000 foreign residents in Seoul speak up

160 foreigners attend Seoul town meeting

Published in the Korea Herald on 2007.12.01 (http://koreaherald.co.kr)

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Some 160 foreign residents attended the Seoul town meeting yesterday to discuss schooling for expat children, access to public services, policies for immigrants married to Koreans and cross-cultural programs.

“On-dohl” – the South Korean wonder of winter

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We call them “heated floors” in the United States, but they were typically reserved for the rich or the ones who could afford the luxury of placing the architectural wonder underneath your feet. I was reminded of this great invention due to the recent chill in weather here in Korea. We’ve definitely entered winter since now without a scarf, you’re risking your ears to frost bite if you stay out long enough.

People loving the 10 worst cities post…

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Typically, I have about 5 or so clicks to the top posts in my blog each for the top 3 or so…without much of a difference between #1 through 5, but today, it seems people are really interested in the following post. It got 17 views vs. #2 at 2 views. Interesting….

https://therealsouthkorea.wordpress.com/2007/11/06/i-love-these-lists-10-worst-cities-for-in-the-us/