magnetonic

The new lunar year began on February 8 of the standard calendar. It's a three-day holiday here. So despite that I had Tuesday to Thursday off, I would have much rather have had Wednesday to Sunday or Saturday to Wednesday off. I've been fortunate to have such five-day weekends, but this time I was not so lucky. But I did get a gift from my employer.

There are two times in the year that Koreans give gifts. The first is this holiday, 설날 (seolnal or seollal depending on who you ask), lunar new year). The second is 추석 (chuseok), another lunar holiday of the harvest; sort of like Thanksgiving.

I got some Greek olive oil for Chuseok 2004 from my hagwon. Not bad, but I'd just bought a big bottle of Italian stuff.

This year for lunar new year's, I got: SPAM.

Yes.

SPAM.

And not just SPAM, but a SPAM GIFT SET.

For giggles, you can see them below.