The Korea Herald

Bellydance festival opens this weekend

Expat LivingJun 12, 2012

Canadian bellydancer Eshe is organizing a bellydance festival in Seoul from June 15-17. Asia Raqs International Bellydance Festival features two nights of performances and two days of dance workshops. The performances by expat, Korean and Japanese bellydancers will take place in Hongdae at AAA from 10 p.m. on June 15 and Hodge Podge from 9 p.m. on June 16. Live music will be provided from Korean indie musicians Ninano Nanda, Ahreum Lee, and Gwangil Bae and Ken Matsuo. Entrance to each show is 15
Touring the world’s cities, 91 days at a time

Expat LivingJun 12, 2012

Their lives might sound like a flight of fancy to many ― traveling around the world, spending three months in each location.But for Mike Powell and Juergen Horn it’s a reality.Their current stop is Busan, and they say they’re “head over heels.” The two of them continue with their regular jobs while on their travels, which they keep a regular update on their blog “For 91 Days.” Powell is a computer programmer and Jrgen is a photographer, which means they don’t need to report to a boss or go into
Make the most of your spinach

Expat LivingJun 12, 2012

This is the fifth in a series on how to get by as a vegan or vegetarian in rural Korea. ― Ed.Seen easiest in early spring or fall, spinach (sigeumchi) can be had year-round, but off-season the bulk of your purchase will be stalks. That’s not necessarily a bad thing if you’re going for crunch, or planning on cooking it (stalks shrink less), but it is not so good for salads. So you’ve bought 3,000 won ($2.50) worth of spinach, which happens to be a giant bag, and are wondering how to use it up in
Tea with the queen just a trivial pursuit for U.K. expat

Expat LivingJun 12, 2012

When British expat Andy Brown got a visit from his brother in 2010, he was surprised to be given a Trivial Pursuit card.But the bigger surprise came when he read the questions on it.“There’s one on what’s the most Catholic country in South America, the next one’s on Forrest Gump and then there’s one about me,” he said.It was the biggest recognition the 32-year-old artist, who is also head of art at Busan International Primary School, had received, but it was not easy to explain to everyone.“Befo
Limbless Frenchman plans Africa to Asia swim

PeopleJun 12, 2012

A Frenchman who has lost all of his limbs said on Monday he plans to swim 25 kilometres (15.5 miles) across the Red Sea from Taba in Egypt to Jordan's Aqaba this week as part of a global challenge.Using prosthetic limbs with flippers attached, Philippe Croizon, 44, said: "If things go as planned and I get the green light from the Egyptian authorities, I will swim from Africa to Asia on Friday.""I
Is dental hygiene linked to premature death?

HealthJun 12, 2012

Failing to brush your teeth regularly could increase the risk of dying prematurely from cancer, scientists claim.According to researchers, one in five cancers is affected by dental plaque which plays a key role in infection and inflammation.A Swedish research team analyzed the health of 1,390 adults from Stockholm for 24 years and found that those with the most bacteria on the surface of their teeth and gums had 80 per cent increased risk of premature death.The study tracked the health of 1,390
Atkins diet may increase risk of heart disease: study

HealthJun 12, 2012

The Atkins diet may increase the risk of heart disease, a recent study conducted over a period of 25 years has revealed.The diet, officially called the Atkins Nutritional Approach, was welcomed by dieters around the globe as it encourages consumption of fatty foods while shunning sugar and starch.Now, however, scientists have raised a red flag over the diet, warning that it could increase blood cholesterol to dangerous levels causing heart problems.Researchers from Sweden analyzed data on the fo
Story guru Robert McKee to hold seminar in Seoul

CultureJun 11, 2012

Robert McKee, an internationally acclaimed teacher of story-writing and storytelling, will hold a five-day seminar, offering a rare chance to learn about the principles and strategy of the art.The seminar, to be held in Korea for the first time, welcomes screenwriters, reporters, TV writers, filmmakers, producers, directors, film & TV executives, journalists, advertising executives, and marketing & sales, finance, design, communication and customer service professionals of all levels.The seminar
Dalai Lama’s senior envoy arrives in South Korea

PeopleJun 11, 2012

A senior envoy of Tibet’s exiled spiritual leader the Dalai Lama has arrived in South Korea to attend a religious event, in a rare visit by a leading Tibetan official, organizers said Monday.The Seoul government has several times refused to grant a visa for the Dalai Lama himself, apparently for fear of offending China.Samdhong Rinpoche, a former prime minister of Tibet’s government-in-exile, will attend the World Fellowship of Buddhists conference in the southern city of Yeosu from Monday to Fr
Korean Buddhists promote temple food, Templestay program in N.Y.

Food&BeverageJun 11, 2012

A Korean Buddhist group has launched a week-long promotion event for temple food and temple stay programs in New York, as part of efforts to introduce its 1,700-year-old culture abroad.The event kicked off with a culinary showcase of temple food by Ven. Daean at the Culinary Institute of America on June 7. Various other programs will be held at different venues in the city throughout the week, Cultural Corps of Korean Buddhism, an affiliate of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, said in a press
Rare letter in English by Napoleon sells for 325,000 euros

CultureJun 11, 2012

PARIS (AFP) ― A rare letter in English written by Napoleon Bonaparte ― and replete with errors ― fetched 325,000 euros ($406,445) at an auction Sunday in Paris.The one-page letter, dated March 9, 1816, penned by Napoleon during his post-Waterloo exile on the South Atlantic island of Saint Helena, was one of just three known in the world, said auction house Osenat.Addressed to the Count of Las Cases, Napoleon’s companion in exile, the letter was acquired by the private Museum of Letters and Manus
Use body weight to fend off attacker

HealthJun 11, 2012

The history of the human race depended on basic survival instincts of protecting oneself from animal or enemy attack.We live in a modern world where society has evolved to have well-defined laws, proprieties, standards, and other things to protect us.But this doesn’t mean that we live in a safe and comfortable world without strangers or enemies. We never know what lurks around the corner.This column is meant for those who would like to know the basics on self-defense and be prepared to protect y
Behind the Bentley: Hilfiger savors his busy days

FashionJun 11, 2012

NEW YORK (AP) ― When you wake up as Tommy Hilfiger, the day’s possibilities are almost endless.Maybe you’ll be jetting off to Paris or Hong Kong on business, or to the lovely island of Mystique for pleasure. Really, if he wanted to, he could just sit in his superluxe apartment at The Plaza Hotel overlooking Central Park, arranging the dozens of upward-facing pencils that sit on his desk.That’s not the Hilfiger way, though. He likes to work. He wants to work.He’s been in the fashion business for
Maesil in season

Food&BeverageJun 11, 2012

Summer fruit ready to be made into an extract that doubles as seasoning and teaIn South Korea, it is called “maesil,” in Japan, “ume” and in China, “meizi.” In English, this sour, mouth-puckering fruit often goes by Japanese apricot or Chinese plum. Whatever the name, it is now in season. Though not consumed raw for various reasons including the potential presence of toxins within the seeds, when fermented into an extract it can be used as a seasoning or to make tea. The extract can range from s
Bodybuilding ‘grandma’ set to inspire others to live healthy

PeopleJun 11, 2012

Age is just a number.It sounds like a banal catchphrase, but not to 75-year-old Ernestine Shepherd.In 2010, she became the world’s oldest female bodybuilder at the age of 73. Two years later, she shows no sign of slowing down as she participates in bodybuilding contests while teaching others to live a healthy life.Ernestine says she was not always super-fit. “When I was younger, I was never athletic. I was too prissy to be athletic,” she says.But Ernestine says her late sister Mildred, who died