Korean Job Discussion Forums

[mokpochica]

My husband and I will be going to Korea at the end of June this year for a (slightly longer than ) 1 month visit. I'm so excited to be going back after about 2.5 years away. Are people from Dave's still meeting periodically in Seoul to hang out? It would be great to see some of you I have met before.

We'll be in Mokpo and Jeollanamdo most of the time since that is where my husband is from. My parents are coming for a week or so too, and it will be the first time they will meet my husband's family. (We've been married 2 years this week--hard to believe.)


Speaking of which, my mom wants to know what might be a nice gift to give my mother-in-law when we go. My husband said something small would be fine, but he has been known to be a little clueless with similar matters in the past. Since my MIL is not a frivolous person at all, I thought we could just get her a nice soap set or drink set in Korea, but does anyone have another idea about what might go over well?

[Tiger Beer]

welcome back to Korea (again).. for a visit.

regarding dave's meetings.. not so sure about them.. seems like a few years ago the people who met and such.. keep in contact and meet on their own from time to time.

but haven't recently heard of any big event occuring in quite some time for everyone to meet.

how is Ann Arbor?

[mokpochica]

Ann Arbor is good. Just went to Seoul Garden for dinner tonight. Yum!

[weatherman]

I remember you posts of yore. I can imagine your anticipation and you most be having many pleasurable expectations for your visit. Hope your trip goes well.

[Njord]

Hey, someone else from Ann Arbor! It might just be the only city in Michigan that's good enough to miss. On the other hand, that could be my native bias.

I was there not too long ago - even managed to see a couple Michigan hockey games at Yost.

[VanIslander]

I spent New Year's in Ann Arbor to kick off 1995.

Nice town. Friggin' cold in winter, with that howling wind.

I thought I could easily enjoy living there. At least when I was ten years younger I did. Not so sure if older folks would find it as enjoyable.

[mokpochica]

I think older folks like it too. Tons of retirement places are going up around here. One of the newer ones is a converted business building in downtown Ann Arbor that has become apartments for the retired/elderly. We have great bus service and cheap taxi service for people who can't drive (I think they used to charge like $2 a ride!).

Ann Arbor rocks! Too bad I work in Dexter. Since I live in Ann Arbor I spend most of my time here anyway though...

[Flossie]

How much are you wanting to spend on the gift? I wouldn't skimp too much. First impressions last, and all that jazz.

What about a nice hangwa set from one of the department stores. A good one of about 150,000 - 200,000. (Actually you can get them smaller but all the ajummas know the prices of this kind of thing so you will be setting the wrong image with something too small/cheap)

How old is the MIL? What about a ginseng set? Usually can't go wrong with that for people over 50ish, I've found. Costs around 150,000. You can get some good ones in Namdaemun if you are going there, or from the department stores.

Also, dont forget the fruit. You will need to buy a nice fruit box.

Hope this helps

[tzechuk]

Wouldn't something from the US of A be better than something from the Land of the Morning Calm?

I guess your MIL is in her 50s? If so, she'll probably loooooooooooove perfume and/or cosmetics... I'd say pick her a nice gift set up from duty free. And a bottle of whiskey for the dad.

Just my 2 cents/won/pennies...

[mokpochica]

Thanks for the suggestions.

We thought about getting my MIL something from the states, but she is such a practical minded person, I really can't think of anything she would want. When we bought her a humidifier, she even thought that was frivolous and fussed at us about it! I think the ginseng set might be good. (My MIL is 62 by the way.) And we will definitely buy fruit or a drink set.

[Ody]

howdy!!

ginseng is a good idea. you might consider adding what we always brought (or request from visitors) to the list:

honey, honey and more honey
sesame seeds
sesame oil

2 liter containers of Listerine mouthwash is also an MIL fav.


HAPPY TRAVELS!!

.

[mokpochica]

We ended up getting my MIL some osteo Bi Flex pills because she requested that we buy her something like that. Fun stuff, huh? I embroidered some dishcloths for her as well. Thanks for the recommendations from everyone.

We've been in Korea just short of a week now. It's good to be back visiting after a 2.5 year absence.

[Tiger Beer]

Mostly Mokpo? or all over?

[mokpochica]

Mostly Mokpo, but we will be traveling too. My parents were here for a week and they met my in-laws in Boryeong and Kwangju. We'll be in Seoul a little bit too. And I think we'll be in Cheollabukdo for some fun with my hubby's friends.

[Homer]

Your MIL sounds like my wife's grandmother...ultra-practical!

We always stick to the basics when we bring her back stuff and she loves it.

My FIL likes fishing so we bring him back fishing equipment and such...