Thursday, June 26, 2008

Andy's Beef Noodles

I grew some cilantro (고수) recently, so I thought it was time to put them to use.

Here's my beef noodle soup. =)

Spinach goes really well with this dish. So, I usually throw in some spinach when the noodles are almost ready.

I sliced some cilantro and green onions. The flavors are great together in this soup.


That's the finished product. See the big pieces of beef? That's shank or 사태. I cooked the beef for about 5 hours on low heat until the beef was tender. I also added some carrots. There are a lot of ingredients in this soup. In addition to carrots, I put in the following ingredients: star anise, Szechuan pepper corns, carmelized sugar, salt, pepper, cloves, sesame oil, mushroom sauce, fish sauce, red wine, onions, ginger, and garlic. Once the beef and noodles were ready, I sprinkled the green onions and cilantro on top. Ideally, I'd like to have some beef tendon or 힘줄 in the soup.

Do You Like Beer?

Basically, the only alcoholic beverage I drink is beer. Some of my favorite beer brands are: Sierra Nevada, Samuel Adams, Eureka, Indian, Snow, etc.

This is the selection of beer at the market near my home in Los Angeles. I would say this is about 1/3 of the selection.
Recently, I was surprised about the top selling brand in U.S. supermarkets.

IRI Top 30 Beer Brand Performers in 2007

Total US Supermarkets

  1. Blue Moon Belgian White Ale
  2. Samuel Adams Seasonal
  3. Heineken Premium Light Lager
  4. Stella Artois Lager
  5. Newcastle Brown Ale
  6. Coors Light
  7. Bud Light
  8. Yuengling Traditional Lager
  9. Miller Lite
  10. Samuel Adams Boston Lager
  11. Keystone Light
  12. Corona Light
  13. Tecate
  14. Guinness Draught
  15. Samuel Adams Variety Pack
  16. Model Especial
  17. Michelob Ultra Light
  18. Dos Equis XX Especial Lager
  19. Samuel Adams Light
  20. Sierra Nevada Pale Ale
  21. Michelob Golden Draft Light
  22. Heineken
  23. New Belgium Fat Tire Amber Ale
  24. Grolsch Lager
  25. Dos Equis XX Amber Lager
  26. Steel Reserve High Gravity Lager
  27. Red Stripe
  28. Busch Light
  29. Shiner Bock
  30. Guinness Extra Stout
I haven't been in the U.S. for awhile, so I had no idea about Blue Moon beer. Most people associate Budweiser with American beer. I'm definitely going to try a glass of Blue Moon Belgian White when I get home. Apparently, it's made by Molson Coors and contains orange peel and coriander flavors. Blue Moon is usually garnished with a slice of orange.

Blue Moon has also won quite a few awards:

  • 1995 World Beer Championship gold medalist, White Beer category
  • 1996 World Beer Championship silver medalist, White Beer category
  • 1997 World Beer Championship silver medalist, White Beer category
  • 2008 World Beer Championship gold medalist, Specialty Honey Lager or Ale category for Blue Moon's Honey Moon
  • 2008 World Beer Championship silver medalist, Fruit and Vegetable Beer category for Chardonnay Blonde
I'm really looking forward to a glass. =) Are you thirsty?

Monday, June 23, 2008

Is There a Doctor in the House?

Yesterday, I visited the doctor because I have a sty (or 다래끼) in my eye. It's not very serious.

If I was in the U.S. I probably wouldn't even bother going to the doctor. Why? Because the doctor's appointment would have cost $80 (80,000 won) and the prescription medication would have cost $40 (40,000) for a grand total of $120. Just for a little sty. How much did I pay in Korea? $2.50 (2,500 won) for the doctor's appointment and $2.00 (2,000) for the medicine. lol (Sometimes I really love this country.) =)

One of my friends had a root canal done in Korea. It cost him a total of $10. In the U.S. his dentist said it would cost $1,500 (1.5 million won). lol

Most Americans have never lived with universal/national health care. So, they have no idea what they're missing or how they're being ripped off.

In the U.S., opponents of national health care will argue the following:

1. Taxes will be sky high. Taxes are already sky high in the U.S. Korea has one of the lowest tax rates in the world. The average is 17% in Korea. It's 31% in the U.S. Canada is famous for their national health care. How much do Canadians pay in tax? 31.7% I'm willing to pay the extra 0.7% for universal health.

2. The health facilities and hospitals will be terrible. Based on my experience here, Korea has some of the nicest hospitals I've ever seen. In addition, there are doctors everywhere. There are 7 doctor's offices within 100 meters of my apartment and over a dozen pharmacies. I guess the doctors and pharmacists must be broke.

Here are my arguments for national health care:

1. I like not having to make a choice between my health or my wallet. Most Americans do not go to the doctor when they're sick or for an annual check-up. Why? Because it's too damn expensive.

2. "America is the only wealthy industrialized nation that does not have a universal health care system."

Here are the top 15 countries ranked by GDP:

1 Flag of the United States United States 13,843,825 (Doesn't care about the health of citizens.)
2 Flag of Japan Japan 4,383,762
3 Flag of Germany Germany 3,322,147
4 Flag of the People's Republic of China China (PRC) 3,250,827
5 Flag of the United Kingdom United Kingdom 2,772,570
6 Flag of France France 2,560,255
7 Flag of Italy Italy 2,104,666
8 Flag of Spain Spain 1,438,959
9 Flag of Canada Canada 1,432,140
10 Flag of Brazil Brazil 1,313,590
11 Flag of Russia Russia 1,289,582
12 Flag of India India 1,098,945
13 Flag of South Korea South Korea 957,053
14 Flag of Australia Australia 908,826
15 Flag of Mexico Mexico 893,365

That's right. The U.S. is the only country without universal health care.

3. There are 49 million Americans that do not have any health insurance. The U.S. attitude is: "Let's just let them get sick and die if they can't pay."

4. Current estimates put U.S. health care spending at approximately 15% of GDP, the highest in the world. It's $140 to take care of my sty. Of course it's the highest in the world! We don't have national health care, but we already pay more for health services than any other country in the world?

Americans have been brain-washed to believe that universal health is a step toward socialism. Take a good look at the list of the top 15 countries ranked by GDP. You think Japan is not a capitalist country? Ever seen a Lexus, Toyota, or Honda? Ever use a Playstation or Nintendo Wii? London is the world's financial hub.

My Korean students reading this will probably think Americans are insane for paying such high costs for medical treatment. I agree.
Here's a funny satirical news video on American health care. (Credit goes to Mike):


Study: Most Children Strongly Opposed To Children�s Healthcare

Friday, June 20, 2008

TOEFL Essay Questions

1. People attend school for many different reasons (for example, expanded knowledge, societal awareness, and enhanced interpersonal relationships). Why do you think people decide to go to school? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

2. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Coaches are the best teachers. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

3. Nowadays, with the invention of the microwave and with the popularity of fast food restaurants, food has become easier to prepare than ever. Do you think microwave ovens and fast food restaurants are beneficial to society? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

4. It has been said, "Not all learning takes place in the classroom." Compare and contrast knowledge gained from personal experience with knowledge gained from classroom instruction. In your opinion, which source is more important? Why?

5. Your government has announced that it wishes to build a military base near your community. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this new influence on your community. Do you support or oppose the military base?

6. If you could change one important thing about your country, what would you change? Use reasons and specific examples to support your answer.

7. How does advertising influence people's behavior? Use reasons and specific examples to support your answer.

8. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? The invention of the Internet has had negative effects on your civilization. Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.

9. Some students prefer to attend a small university. Others prefer to attend a big university. Discuss the advantages of each. Then indicate which type of university you prefer? Use specific reasons and details to support your answer.

10."When people succeed in life, it is because of hard work. Being lucky has nothing to do with success in life." Do you agree or disagree with the quotation above? Use specific reasons and examples to explain your position.

11. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Universities should give the same amount of money to their students' sports activities as they give to their university libraries. Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.

12. Many people visit museums when they travel to new places. Why do you think people visit museums? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

13. Some people prefer to eat at food stands or restaurants. Other people prefer to prepare and eat food at home. Which do you prefer? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

14. Some people believe that university students should be required to attend classes. Others believe that going to classes should be optional for students. Which point of view do you agree with? Use specific reasons and details to explain your answer.

15. Neighbors are the people who live near us. In your opinion, what are the qualities of a good neighbor? Use specific details and examples in your answer.

16. It has recently been announced that a new restaurant may be built in your neighborhood. Do you support or oppose this plan? Why? Use specific reasons and details to support your answer.

17. Some people think that they can learn better by themselves than with a teacher. Others think that it is always better to have a teacher. Which do you prefer? Use specific reasons to develop your essay.

18. What are some important qualities of a good supervisor (boss)? Use specific details and examples to explain why these qualities are important.

19. Should governments spend more money on improving roads and highways, or should governments spend more money on improving public transportation (buses, trains, subways)? Why? Use specific reasons and details to develop your essay.

20. Some people prefer to cook at home. Other people prefer to eat out. Which do you prefer? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

21. It is better for children to grow up in the countryside than in a big city. Do you agree or disagree? Use specific reasons and examples to develop your essay.

22. In general, people are living longer now. Discuss the causes of this phenomenon. Use specific reasons and details to develop your essay.

23. We all work or will work in our jobs with many different kinds of people. In your opinion, what are some important characteristics of a co-worker (someone you work closely with)? Use reasons and specific examples to explain why these characteristics are important.

24. In some countries, teenagers have jobs while they are still students. Do you think this is a good idea? Support your opinion by using specific reasons and details.

25. A person you know is planning to move to your town or city. What do you think this person would like and dislike about living in your town or city? Why? Use specific reasons and details to develop your essay.

26. It has recently been announced that a large shopping center may be built in your neighborhood. Do you support or oppose this plan? Why? Use specific reasons and details to support your answer.

27. It has recently been announced that a new movie theater may be built in your neighborhood. Do you support or oppose this plan? Why? Use specific reasons and details to support your answer.

28. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? People should sometimes do things that they do not enjoy doing. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

29. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Television, newspapers, magazines, and other media pay too much attention to the personal lives of famous people such as public figures and celebrities. Use specific reasons and details to explain your opinion.

30. Some people believe that the Earth is being harmed (damaged) by human activity. Others feel that human activity makes the Earth a better place to live. What is your opinion? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

31. It has recently been announced that a new high school may be built in your community. Do you support or oppose this plan? Why? Use specific reasons and details in your answer.

32. Some people spend their entire lives in one place. Others move a number of times throughout their lives, looking for a better job, house, community, or even climate. Which do you prefer: staying in one place or moving in search of another place? Use reasons and specific examples to support your opinion.

33. Is it better to enjoy your money when you earn it or is it better to save your money for some time in the future? Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.

34. You have received a gift of money. The money is enough to buy either a piece of jewelry you like or tickets to a concert you want to attend. Which would you buy? Use specific reasons and details to support your answer.

35. Businesses should hire employees for their entire lives. Do you agree or disagree? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

36. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Attending a live performance (for example, a play, concert, or sporting event) is more enjoyable than watching the same event on television. Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.

37. Choose one of the following transportation vehicles and explain why you think it has changed people's lives.

• automobiles

• bicycles

• airplanes

38. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer. Do you agree or disagree that progress is always good? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

39. Learning about the past has no value for those of us living in the present. Do you agree or disagree? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

40. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? With the help of technology, students nowadays can learn more information and learn it more quickly. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

41. The expression "Never, never give up" means to keep trying and never stop working for your goals. Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

42. Some people think that human needs for farmland, housing, and industry are more important than saving land for endangered animals. Do you agree or disagree with this point of view? Why or why not? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

43. What is a very important skill a person should learn in order to be successful in the world today? Choose one skill and use specific reasons and examples to support your choice.

44. Why do you think some people are attracted to dangerous sports or other dangerous activities? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

45. Some people like to travel with a companion. Other people prefer to travel alone. Which do you prefer? Use specific reasons and examples to support your choice.

46. Some people prefer to get up early in the morning and start the day's work. Others prefer to get up later in the day and work until late at night. Which do you prefer? Use specific reasons and examples to support your choice.

47. What are the important qualities of a good son or daughter? Have these qualities changed or remained the same over time in your culture? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

48. Some people prefer to work for a large company. Others prefer to work for a small company. Which would you prefer? Use specific reasons and details to support your choice.

49. People work because they need money to live. What are some other reasons that people work? Discuss one or more of these reasons. Use specific examples and details to support your answer.

50. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Face-to-face communication is better than other types of communication, such as letters, E-mail, or telephone calls. Use specific reasons and details to support your answer.

51. Some people like to do only what they already do well. Other people prefer to try new things and take risks. Which do you prefer? Use specific reasons and examples to support your choice.

52. Some people believe that success in life comes from taking risks or chances. Others believe that success results from careful planning. In your opinion, what does success come from? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

53. What change would make your hometown more appealing to people your age? Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.

54. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? The most important aspect of a job is the money a person earns. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

55. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? One should never judge a person by external appearances. Use specific reasons and details to support your answer.

56. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? A person should never make an important decision alone. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

57. A company is going to give some money either to support the arts or to protect the environment. Which do you think the company should choose? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

58. Some movies are serious, designed to make the audience think. Other movies are designed primarily to amuse and entertain. Which type of movie do you prefer? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

59. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Businesses should do anything they can to make a profit. Use specific reasons and examples to support your position.

60. Some people are always in a hurry to go places and get things done. Other people prefer to take their time and live life at a slower pace. Which do you prefer? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

61. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Games are as important for adults as they are for children. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

62. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Parents or other adult relatives should make important decisions for their older (15 to 18year-old) teenage children. Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.

63. What do you want most in a friend someone who is intelligent, or someone who has a sense of humor, or someone who is reliable? Which one of these characteristics is most important to you? Use reasons and specific examples to explain your choice.

64. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Most experiences in our lives that seemed difficult at the time become valuable lessons for the future. Use reasons and specific examples to support our answer. Some people prefer to work for themselves or own a business.

65. Others prefer to work for an employer. Would you rather be self-employed, work for someone else, or own a business? Use specific reasons to explain your choice.

66. Should a city try to preserve its old, historic buildings or destroy them and replace them with modern buildings? Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.

67. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Classmates are a more important influence than parents on a child's success in school. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

68. If you were an employer, which kind of worker would you prefer to hire: an inexperienced worker at a lower salary or an experienced worker at a higher salary? Use specific reasons and details to support your answer.

69. Many teachers assign homework to students every day. Do you think that daily homework is necessary for students? Use specific reasons and details to support your answer.

70. If you could study a subject that you have never had the opportunity to study, what would you choose? Explain your choice, using specific reasons and details.

71. Some people think that the automobile has improved modern life. Others think that the automobile has caused serious problems. What is your opinion? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

72. Which would you choose: a high-paying job with long hours that would give you little time with family and friends or a lower-paying job with shorter hours that would give you more time with family and friends? Explain your choice, using specific reasons and details.

73. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Grades (marks) encourage students to learn. Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.

74. Some people say that computers have made life easier and more convenient. Other people say that computers have made life more complex and stressful. What is your opinion? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

75. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? The best way to travel is in a group led by a tour guide. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

76. Some universities require students to take classes in many subjects. Other universities require students to specialize in one subject. Which is better? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

77. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Children should begin learning a foreign language as soon as they start school. Use specific reasons and examples to support your position.

78. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Boys and girls should attend separate schools. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

79. Is it more important to be able to work with a group of people on a team or to work independently? Use reasons and specific examples to support your answer.

80. Your city has decided to build a statue or monument to honor a famous person in your country. Who would you choose? Use reasons and specific examples to support your choice.

81. Describe a custom from your country that you would like people from other countries to adopt. Explain your choice, using specific reasons and examples.

82. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Technology has made the world a better place to live. Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.

83. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Advertising can tell you a lot about a country. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

84. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Modern technology is creating a single world culture. Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.

85. Some people say that the Internet provides people with a lot of valuable information. Others think access to so much information creates problems. Which view do you agree with? Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.

86. A foreign visitor has only one day to spend in your country. Where should this visitor go on that day? Why? Use specific reasons and details to support your choice.

87. If you could go back to some time and place in the past, when and where would you go? Why? Use specific reasons and details to support your choice.

88. What discovery in the last 100 years has been most beneficial for people in your country? Use specific reasons and examples to support your choice.

89. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Telephones and E-mail have made communication between people less personal. Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.

90. If you could travel back in time to meet a famous person from history, what person would you like to meet? Use specific reasons and examples to support your choice.

91. If you could meet a famous entertainer or athlete, who would that be, and why? Use specific reasons and examples to support your choice.

92. If you could ask a famous person one question, what would you ask? Why? Use specific reasons and details to support your answer.

93. Some people prefer to live in places that have the same weather or climate all year long. Others like to live in areas where the weather changes several times a year. Which do you prefer? Use specific reasons and examples to support your choice.

94. Many students have to live with roommates while going to school or university. What are some of the important qualities of a good roommate? Use specific reasons and examples to explain why these qualities are important.

95. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Dancing plays an important role in a culture. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

96. Some people think governments should spend as much money as possible exploring outer space (for example, traveling to the Moon and to other planets). Other people disagree and think governments should spend this money for our basic needs on Earth. Which of these two opinions do you agree with? Use specific reasons and details to support your answer.

97. People have different ways of escaping the stress and difficulties of modern life. Some read; some exercise; others work in their gardens. What do you think are the best ways of reducing stress? Use specific details and examples in your answer.

98. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Teachers should be paid according to how much their students learn. Give specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.

99. If you were asked to send one thing representing your country to an international exhibition, what would you choose? Why? Use specific reasons and details to explain your choice.

100. You have been told that dormitory rooms at your university must be shared by two students. Would you rather have the university assign a student to share a room with you, or would you rather choose your own roommate? Use specific reasons and details to explain your answer.

101. Some people think that governments should spend as much money as possible on developing or buying computer technology. Other people disagree and think that this money should be spent on more basic needs. Which one of these opinions do you agree with? Use specific reasons and details to support your answer.

102. Some people like doing work by hand. Others prefer using machines. Which do you prefer? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

103. Schools should ask students to evaluate their teachers. Do you agree or disagree? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

104. In your opinion, what is the most important characteristic (for example, honesty, intelligence, a sense of humor) that a person can have to be successful in life? Use specific reasons and examples from your

experience to explain your answer. When you write your answer, you are not limited to the examples listed in the question.

105. It is generally agreed that society benefits from the work of its members. Compare the contributions of artists to society with the contributions of scientists to society. Which type of contribution do you think is valued more by your society? Give specific reasons to support your answer.

106. Students at universities often have a choice of places to live. They may choose to live in university dormitories, or they may choose to live in apartments in the community. Compare the advantages of living in university housing with the advantages of living in an apartment in the community. Where would you prefer to live? Give reasons for your preference.

107. You need to travel from your home to a place 40 miles (64 kilometers) away. Compare the different kinds of transportation you could use. Tell which method of travel you would choose. Give specific reasons for your choice.

108. Some people believe that a college or university education should be available to all students. Others believe that higher education should be available only to good students. Discuss these views. Which view do you agree with? Explain why.

109. Some people believe that the best way of learning about life is by listening to the advice of family and friends. Other people believe that the best way of learning about life is through personal experience. Compare the advantages of these two different ways of learning about life. Which do you think is preferable? Use specific examples to support your preference.

110. When people move to another country, some of them decide to follow the customs of the new country. Others prefer to keep their own customs. Compare these two choices. Which one do you prefer? Support your answer with specific details.

111. Some people prefer to spend most of their time alone. Others like to be with friends most of the time. Do you prefer to spend your time alone or with friends? Use specific reasons to support your answer.

112. Some people prefer to spend time with one or two close friends. Others choose to spend time with a large number of friends. Compare the advantages of each choice. Which of these two ways of spending time do you prefer? Use specific reasons to support your answer.

113. Some people think that children should begin their formal education at a very early age and should spend most of their time on school studies. Others believe that young children should spend most of their time playing. Compare these two views. Which view do you agree with? Why?

114. The government has announced that it plans to build a new university. Some people think that your community would be a good place to locate the university. Compare the advantages and disadvantages of establishing a new university in your community. Use specific details in your discussion.

115. Some people think that the family is the most important influence on young adults. Other people think that friends are the most important influence on young adults. Which view do you agree with? Use examples to support your position.

116. Some people prefer to plan activities for their free time very carefully. Others choose not to make any plans at all for their free time. Compare the benefits of planning free-time activities with the benefits of not making plans. Which do you prefer — planning or not planning for your leisure time? Use specific reasons and examples to explain your choice.

117. People learn in different ways. Some people learn by doing things; other people learn by reading about things; others learn by listening to people talk about things. Which of these methods of learning is best for you? Use specific examples to support your choice.

118. Some people choose friends who are different from themselves. Others choose friends who are similar to themselves. Compare the advantages of having friends who are different from you with the advantages of having friends who are similar to you. Which kind of friend do you prefer for yourself? Why?

119. Some people enjoy change, and they look forward to new experiences. Others like their lives to stay the same, and they do not change their usual habits. Compare these two approaches to life. Which approach do you prefer? Explain why.

120. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? People behave differently when they wear different clothes. Do you agree that different clothes influence the way people behave? Use specific examples to support your answer.

121. Decisions can be made quickly, or they can be made after careful thought. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? The decisions that people make quickly are always wrong. Use reasons and specific examples to support your opinion.

122. Some people trust their first impressions about a person's character because they believe these judgments are generally correct. Other people do not judge a person's character quickly because they believe first impressions are often wrong. Compare these two attitudes. Which attitude do you agree with? Support your choice with specific examples.

123. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? People are never satisfied with what they have; they always want something more or something different. Use specific reasons to support your answer.

124. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? People should read only those books that are about real events, real people, and established facts. Use specific reasons and details to support your opinion.

125. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? It is more important for students to study history and literature than it is for them to study science and mathematics. Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.

126. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? All students should be required to study art and music in secondary school. Use specific reasons to support your answer.

127. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? There is nothing that young people can teach older people. Use specific reasons and examples to support your position.

128. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Reading fiction (such as novels and short stories) is more enjoyable than watching movies. Use specific reasons and examples to explain your position.

129. Some people say that physical exercise should be a required part of every school day. Other people believe that students should spend the whole school day on academic studies. Which opinion do you agree with? Use specific reasons and details to support your answer.

130. A university plans to develop a new research center in your country. Some people want a center for business research. Other people want a center for research in agriculture (farming). Which of these two kinds of research centers do you recommend for your country? Use specific reasons in your recommendation.

131. Some young children spend a great amount of their time practicing sports. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

132. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Only people who earn a lot of money are successful. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

133. If you could invent something new, what product would you develop? Use specific details to explain why this invention is needed.

134. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? A person's childhood years (the time from birth to twelve years of age) are the most important years of a person's life. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

135. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Children should be required to help with household tasks as soon as they are able to do so. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

136. Some high schools require all students to wear school uniforms. Other high schools permit students to decide what to wear to school. Which of these two school policies do you think is better? Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.

137. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Playing a game is fun only when you win. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

138. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? High schools should allow students to study the courses that students want to study. Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.

139. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? It is better to be a member of a group than to be the leader of a group. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

140. What do you consider to be the most important room in a house? Why is this room more important to you than any other room? Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.

141. Some items (such as clothes or furniture) can be made by hand or by machine. Which do you prefer — items made by hand or items made by machine? Use reasons and specific examples to explain your choice.

142. If you could make one important change in a school that you attended, what change would you make? Use reasons and specific examples to support your answer.

143. A gift (such as a camera, a soccer ball, or an animal) can contribute to a child's development. What gift would you give to help a child develop? Why? Use reasons and specific examples to support your choice.

144. Some people believe that students should be given one long vacation each year. Others believe that students should have several short vacations throughout the year. Which viewpoint do you agree with? Use specific reasons and examples to support your choice.

145. Would you prefer to live in a traditional house or in a modern apartment building? Use specific reasons and details to support your choice.

146.Some people say that advertising encourages us to buy things we really do not need. Others say that advertisements tell us about new products that may improve our lives. Which viewpoint do you agree with? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

147. Some people prefer to spend their free time outdoors. Other people prefer to spend their leisure time indoors. Would you prefer to be outside or would you prefer to be inside for your leisure activities? Use specific reasons and examples to explain your choice.

148. Your school has received a gift of money. What do you think is the best way for your school to spend this money? Use specific reasons and details to support your choice.

149. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Playing games teaches us about life. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

150. Imagine that you have received some land to use as you wish. How would you use this land? Use specific details to explain your answer.

151. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Watching television is bad for children. Use specific details and examples to support your answer.

152. What is the most important animal in your country? Why is the animal important? Use reasons and specific details to explain your answer.

153. Many parts of the world are losing important natural resources, such as forests, animals, or clean water. Choose one resource that is disappearing and explain why it needs to be saved. Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.

154. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? A zoo has no useful purpose. Use specific reasons and examples to explain your answer. In some countries, people are no longer allowed to smoke in many public places and office buildings. Do you think this is a good rule or a bad rule? Use specific reasons and details to support your position.

155. Plants can provide food, shelter, clothing, or medicine. What is one kind of plant that is important to you or the people in your country? Use specific reasons and details to explain your choice.

156. You have the opportunity to visit a foreign country for two weeks. Which country would you like to visit? Use specific reasons and details to explain your choice.

157. In the future, students may have the choice of studying at home by using technology such as computers or television or of studying at traditional schools. Which would you prefer? Use reasons and specific details to explain your choice.

158. When famous people such as actors, athletes and rock stars give their opinions, many people listen. Do you think we should pay attention to these opinions? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

159. The twentieth century saw great change. In your opinion, what is one change that should be remembered about the twentieth century? Use specific reasons and details to explain your choice.

160. When people need to complain about a product or poor service, some prefer to complain in writing and others prefer to complain in person. Which way do you prefer? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

161. People remember special gifts or presents that they have received. Why? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer. Some famous athletes and entertainers earn millions of dollars every year. Do you think these people deserve such high salaries? Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.

162. Is the ability to read and write more important today than in the past? Why or why not? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

163. People do many different things to stay healthy. What do you do for good health? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

164. You have decided to give several hours of your time each month to improve the community where you live. What is one thing you will do to improve your community? Why? Use specific reasons and details to explain your choice.

165. People recognize a difference between children and adults. What events (experiences or ceremonies) make a person an adult? Use specific reasons and examples to explain your answer.

166. Your school has enough money to purchase either computers for students or books for the library. Which should your school choose to buy —computers or books? Use specific reasons and examples to support your recommendation.

167. Many students choose to attend schools or universities outside their home countries. Why do some students study abroad? Use specific reasons and details to explain your answer.

168. People listen to music for different reasons and at different times. Why is music important to many people? Use specific reasons and examples to support your choice.

169. Groups or organizations are an important part of some people's lives. Why are groups or organizations important to people? Use specific reasons and examples to explain your answer.

170. Imagine that you are preparing for a trip. You plan to be away from your home for a year. In addition to clothing and personal care items, you can take one additional thing. What would you take and why? Use specific reasons and details to support your choice.

171. When students move to a new school, they sometimes face problems. How can schools help these students with their problems? Use specific reasons and examples to explain your answer.

172. It is sometimes said that borrowing money from a friend can harm or damage the friendship. Do you agree? Why or why not? Use reasons and specific examples to explain your answer.

173. Every generation of people is different in important ways. How is your generation different from your parents' generation? Use specific reasons and examples to explain your answer.

174. Some students like classes where teachers lecture (do all of the talking) in class. Other students prefer classes where the students do some of the talking. Which type of class do you prefer? Give specific reasons and details to support your choice.

175. Holidays honor people or events. If you could create a new holiday, what person or event would it honor and how would you want people to celebrate it? Use specific reasons and details to support your answer.

176. A friend of yours has received some money and plans to use all of it either

• to go on vacation

• to buy a car

Your friend has asked you for advice. Compare your friend's two choices and explain which one you think your friend should choose. Use specific reasons and details to support your choice.

177. The 21st century has begun. What changes do you think this new century will bring? Use examples and details in your answer. What are some of the qualities of a good parent? Use specific details and examples to explain your answer.

178. Movies are popular all over the world. Explain why movies are so popular. Use reasons and specific examples to support your answer. In your country, is there more need for land to be left in its natural condition or is there more need for land to be developed for housing and industry? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

179. Many people have a close relationship with their pets. These people treat their birds, cats, or other animals as members of their family. In your opinion, are such relationships good? Why or why not? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

180. Films can tell us a lot about the country where they were made. What have you learned about a country from watching its movies? Use specific examples and details to support your response.

181. Some students prefer to study alone. Others prefer to study with a group of students. Which do you prefer? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

182. You have enough money to purchase either a house or a business. Which would you choose to buy? Give specific reasons to explain your choice.

TOEFL Essays

Most students are familiar with this test. The essay portion only allows 30 minutes for test takers to write 250-300 words.


Most of these essays have a few minor grammar mistakes, but the scores were all a perfect 6 out of 6. The most important things are a logical structure, transitions, and clarity. None of the sentences are confusing or difficult to understand.


Here are some sample essays that received perfect (6/6) scores.


Sample 1


The world always moves and develops all the time. Transportation vehicles also have been changed by time. So far, there have been many transpotation vehicles such as: automobile, bicycles, airplanes… When these transprortaion vehicles were invented, they all make people’s lives change. In these essay, I would like to talk about the way airplanes change people’s lives because among three transportaion vehicles: automobiles, bicycles, airplanes, I think airplanes have changed people’s lives the most powerfully.


Firstly, airplanes change the way people move. Before airplanes were invented, people could go on land, on water and dreamed to fly like birds on the sky. The dream came true when the first airplane was produced. Since then, people have been able to fly on the sky, see everything from height. That’s wonderful feelings. Therefore, airplanes are great invention. They have given people new feelings. On the basic of airplanes, people can continue their dream more and more such as: coming to another plane…. Producing airplanes is the first step to approach to long step after that.


Secondly, advantages of airplane make people more comportable in the life. The speed of airplane is very fast, so people can save time which is one of the most precious thing of each person. It takes a little time to go from one place to another than other transportation vehicles like automobiles, bicycles, train… In Vietnam, it takes forty eight hours to come from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh city by automobile, meanwhile it takes two hours by airplane. Moreover, services of airplane firm are very good. Thus, it is convenient for passenger to choose airplane to go anywhere. Perhaps, airplanes aren’t the safest transportation means, but with long distance, it is better to choose airplane.


Finally, with airplanes, the relationship between people is more and more closer. It is easier to meet cousins in family, friends because going by airplane is very convenient. The special days like New Year, Noel… are gladder because every member in family can attend. The world seem to be smaller. Airplanes connect every part in the world. The distance wasn’t a big problem when airplanes were born.


In conclusion, airplanes really change people’s lives. It is evident fact that all the affect of airplanes on people’s lives are good. Airplanes make life better.


Sample 2


This question of whether or not to give the students daily homework is a much debated problem in that it affects everybody as a student like us. Of course, doing homework will scare our leisure time in some extent, but it can help students understand the texts more deeply, force students to review the texts and make students have a lasting impression about the texts. So personally, I would prefer to do homework everyday. There are numerous reasons why I think that daily homework is necessary for students, and I would here explain some of the most important ones.


The main reason is daily homework can help students understand the texts more deeply. It can be given an example, you must make yourself understand the texts firstly in order to do your homework. Whatever in mathematics, in chemistry or other courses, if you don't understand the texts, you can not finish the homework of that day.


The other reason is that daily homework can force the students to review the texts. Just imagine when you have the problems in your homework you will understand it more. When you have the problems, what can make you work out is reading your texts and your notes carefully or discussing with other students.


One very strong argument is that doing homework can make the students have a lasting impression about the texts. In order to see it clearly, let us see an example. When students do their homework, they have to review the texts, understand the texts, even more discuss the problems about the texts. They gradually have a lasting impression about the texts.


From what has been discussed above, doing homework has more advantages, so we finally draw the conclusion that daily homework is necessary for students.


Sample 3


There is no doubt that Automobile is one of the greatest inventions of the Twentieth Century. Of course there were different means of transportation before the automobile was first designed, but we can say that after automobile, transportation became a public matter. The impact of the automobile on people´s live could be analyze in three different ways: as a technical transformation, as an economical revolution and as a social change.


In a technical perspective, the automobile introduced a new skill to human beings . Although driving a car is not a big deal, it was one of the first attempt to make people work with machines in a very close way. People who want to drive a car, have to learn a procedure, have some practice and memorize a mechanical technique so they could done it without think about it.


In a social perspective, the automobile created a new way of communication among people. Cities were not the same since the number of cars began to grow up. All regulatory systems that were developed in order to "live" with cars, have created new social interactions that never exist before.


Additionally, the revolution of the automobile is also considered a new stage in economy. As railroad created different supporting industries during the nineteenth century, automobile did the same in the twentieth century. Many markets became obsolote, and new markets and opportunities appeared. Therefore, all these movements created new economic structures and actors.


As it was said before, other transportation vehicles, like airplane, have generated big changes in the world in the last century. However, automobile could be considered one of the few that went far beyond a technical progress. It has changed social life; in other words, people don´t live in the same way as they did before automobile invention.


I did not alter or edit any of these essays. Therefore, you can find spelling mistakes and grammar mistakes. =)

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Who's the Black Sheep?

In the dictionary, a "black sheep" is "a person who causes shame or embarrassment because of deviation from the accepted standards of his or her group." In recent news, there is a black sheep in Seoul. lol "A college student staged a one-man protest in support of U.S. beef imports saying the danger of mad cow disease is exaggerated..." In addition, "the police asked him to quit protesting 'for fear of his safety,' the media reported." I really like this guy for the following reasons:

First of all, he's very brave to go against the majority. This is not easy to do. Most people like to play it safe and go with the crowd (or herd). However, going with the majority can be a mistake because the majority can be wrong. The majority of people thought the Earth was flat. The majority of people are overweight. The majority of people are poor. In the Bible, Jesus and his disciples were in the minority. Noah was also in the minority. It's interesting. If you're a Christian, the Bible seems to teach that the minority is usually right.

One of my students recently came back from Canada. I was surprised about her newfound English ability. She only stayed in Canada for 6 months. (Frankly, she was a very diligent student when I taught her.) When she started her classes in Vancouver, she immediately noticed that half of the students in the class were Korean. At that moment, she decided to befriend the other foreign students and ignore the Korean students. She reasoned that if she hung out with the Korean students, it would be no different than studying in Korea. Therefore, for the entire 6 months, she only spoke English. She now has a lot of foreign friends from various countries around the world. After only 6 months, I would now put her in level 7 or 8. =)

In addition, I don't like the fact that this one-man protest needs police protection. He has a legal right to voice his opinion. What is the point of freedom of speech if you have to fear for your life when you speak it? Kim Dae-joong wrote: "We will only reach political maturity when we acknowledge our differences, when those who oppose something, others can also oppose them in turn and hold different views." For every opinion, there should be an opposing view. Equilibrium. Yin and Yang? (음과 양) =)

I am in the minority because of many of my opinions. Americans elected Bush for president. Were they right? Most Americans accept taxes. They seem to forget that one of the reasons for the American Revolution was because of high British taxes. Most Americans think McDonald's and Starbucks are health foods. Most people don't save any money. I'm a bit of a Libertarian. In the U.S., you will go to prison if you attempt to commit suicide. I think that law is ridiculous. I don't care if: gay people want to get married, women want to have an abortion, a motorcycle rider doesn't want to wear a helmet, a driver doesn't want to wear a seatbelt, a man or woman wants to sell his/her body, or somebody wants to kill himself.

In conclusion, I have a lot of respect for that black sheep.

Monday, June 16, 2008

Warren Buffet Letter

Every year, Warren Buffet writes a letter to his shareholders. This letter is read by a lot of investors. It offers insight, examples, and is a wonderful teaching tool. I really like Buffet's humorous and direct style of writing.

All of his letters can be found at this link.

Below are the highlights of his most recent letter.

Businesses – The Great, the Good and the Gruesome

Let’s take a look at what kind of businesses turn us on. And while we’re at it, let’s also discuss what we wish to avoid.

Charlie and I look for companies that have a) a business we understand; b) favorable long-term economics; c) able and trustworthy management; and d) a sensible price tag. We like to buy the whole business or, if management is our partner, at least 80%. When control-type purchases of quality aren’t available, though, we are also happy to simply buy small portions of great businesses by way of stock market purchases. It’s better to have a part interest in the Hope Diamond than to own all of a rhinestone.

A truly great business must have an enduring “moat” that protects excellent returns on invested capital. The dynamics of capitalism guarantee that competitors will repeatedly assault any business “castle” that is earning high returns. Therefore a formidable barrier such as a company’s being the lowcost producer (GEICO, Costco) or possessing a powerful world-wide brand (Coca-Cola, Gillette, American Express) is essential for sustained success. Business history is filled with “Roman Candles,” companies whose moats proved illusory and were soon crossed.

Our criterion of “enduring” causes us to rule out companies in industries prone to rapid and continuous change. Though capitalism’s “creative destruction” is highly beneficial for society, it precludes investment certainty. A moat that must be continuously rebuilt will eventually be no moat at all.

Additionally, this criterion eliminates the business whose success depends on having a great manager. Of course, a terrific CEO is a huge asset for any enterprise, and at Berkshire we have an abundance of these managers. Their abilities have created billions of dollars of value that would never have materialized if typical CEOs had been running their businesses.

But if a business requires a superstar to produce great results, the business itself cannot be deemed great. A medical partnership led by your area’s premier brain surgeon may enjoy outsized and growing earnings, but that tells little about its future. The partnership’s moat will go when the surgeon goes. You can count, though, on the moat of the Mayo Clinic to endure, even though you can’t name its CEO.

Long-term competitive advantage in a stable industry is what we seek in a business. If that comes with rapid organic growth, great. But even without organic growth, such a business is rewarding. We will simply take the lush earnings of the business and use them to buy similar businesses elsewhere. There’s no rule that you have to invest money where you’ve earned it. Indeed, it’s often a mistake to do so: Truly great businesses, earning huge returns on tangible assets, can’t for any extended period reinvest a large portion of their earnings internally at high rates of return.

Let’s look at the prototype of a dream business, our own See’s Candy. The boxed-chocolates industry in which it operates is unexciting: Per-capita consumption in the U.S. is extremely low and doesn’t grow. Many once-important brands have disappeared, and only three companies have earned more than token profits over the last forty years. Indeed, I believe that See’s, though it obtains the bulk of its revenues from only a few states, accounts for nearly half of the entire industry’s earnings.

At See’s, annual sales were 16 million pounds of candy when Blue Chip Stamps purchased the company in 1972. (Charlie and I controlled Blue Chip at the time and later merged it into Berkshire.) Last year See’s sold 31 million pounds, a growth rate of only 2% annually. Yet its durable competitive advantage, built by the See’s family over a 50-year period, and strengthened subsequently by Chuck Huggins and Brad Kinstler, has produced extraordinary results for Berkshire.

We bought See’s for $25 million when its sales were $30 million and pre-tax earnings were less than $5 million. The capital then required to conduct the business was $8 million. (Modest seasonal debt was also needed for a few months each year.) Consequently, the company was earning 60% pre-tax on invested capital. Two factors helped to minimize the funds required for operations. First, the product was sold for cash, and that eliminated accounts receivable. Second, the production and distribution cycle was short, which minimized inventories.

Last year See’s sales were $383 million, and pre-tax profits were $82 million. The capital now required to run the business is $40 million. This means we have had to reinvest only $32 million since 1972 to handle the modest physical growth – and somewhat immodest financial growth – of the business. In the meantime pre-tax earnings have totaled $1.35 billion. All of that, except for the $32 million, has been sent to Berkshire (or, in the early years, to Blue Chip). After paying corporate taxes on the profits, we have used the rest to buy other attractive businesses. Just as Adam and Eve kick-started an activity that led to six billion humans, See’s has given birth to multiple new streams of cash for us. (The biblical command to “be fruitful and multiply” is one we take seriously at Berkshire.)

There aren’t many See’s in Corporate America. Typically, companies that increase their earnings from $5 million to $82 million require, say, $400 million or so of capital investment to finance their growth. That’s because growing businesses have both working capital needs that increase in proportion to sales growth and significant requirements for fixed asset investments.

A company that needs large increases in capital to engender its growth may well prove to be a satisfactory investment. There is, to follow through on our example, nothing shabby about earning $82 million pre-tax on $400 million of net tangible assets. But that equation for the owner is vastly different from the See’s situation. It’s far better to have an ever-increasing stream of earnings with virtually no major capital requirements. Ask Microsoft or Google.

One example of good, but far from sensational, business economics is our own FlightSafety. This company delivers benefits to its customers that are the equal of those delivered by any business that I know of. It also possesses a durable competitive advantage: Going to any other flight-training provider than the best is like taking the low bid on a surgical procedure.

Nevertheless, this business requires a significant reinvestment of earnings if it is to grow. When we purchased FlightSafety in 1996, its pre-tax operating earnings were $111 million, and its net investment in fixed assets was $570 million. Since our purchase, depreciation charges have totaled $923 million. But capital expenditures have totaled $1.635 billion, most of that for simulators to match the new airplane models that are constantly being introduced. (A simulator can cost us more than $12 million, and we have 273 of them.) Our fixed assets, after depreciation, now amount to $1.079 billion. Pre-tax operating earnings in 2007 were $270 million, a gain of $159 million since 1996. That gain gave us a good, but far from See’s-like, return on our incremental investment of $509 million.

Consequently, if measured only by economic returns, FlightSafety is an excellent but not extraordinary business. Its put-up-more-to-earn-more experience is that faced by most corporations. For example, our large investment in regulated utilities falls squarely in this category. We will earn considerably more money in this business ten years from now, but we will invest many billions to make it. Now let’s move to the gruesome. The worst sort of business is one that grows rapidly, requires significant capital to engender the growth, and then earns little or no money. Think airlines. Here a durable competitive advantage has proven elusive ever since the days of the Wright Brothers. Indeed, if a farsighted capitalist had been present at Kitty Hawk, he would have done his successors a huge favor by shooting Orville down.

The airline industry’s demand for capital ever since that first flight has been insatiable. Investors have poured money into a bottomless pit, attracted by growth when they should have been repelled by it. And I, to my shame, participated in this foolishness when I had Berkshire buy U.S. Air preferred stock in 1989. As the ink was drying on our check, the company went into a tailspin, and before long our preferred dividend was no longer being paid. But we then got very lucky. In one of the recurrent, but always misguided, bursts of optimism for airlines, we were actually able to sell our shares in 1998 for a hefty gain. In the decade following our sale, the company went bankrupt. Twice.

To sum up, think of three types of “savings accounts.” The great one pays an extraordinarily high interest rate that will rise as the years pass. The good one pays an attractive rate of interest that will be earned also on deposits that are added. Finally, the gruesome account both pays an inadequate interest rate and requires you to keep adding money at those disappointing returns.

And now it’s confession time. It should be noted that no consultant, board of directors or investment banker pushed me into the mistakes I will describe. In tennis parlance, they were all unforced errors.

To begin with, I almost blew the See’s purchase. The seller was asking $30 million, and I was adamant about not going above $25 million. Fortunately, he caved. Otherwise I would have balked, and that $1.35 billion would have gone to somebody else.

About the time of the See’s purchase, Tom Murphy, then running Capital Cities Broadcasting, called and offered me the Dallas-Fort Worth NBC station for $35 million. The station came with the Fort Worth paper that Capital Cities was buying, and under the “cross-ownership” rules Murph had to divest it. I knew that TV stations were See’s-like businesses that required virtually no capital investment and had excellent prospects for growth. They were simple to run and showered cash on their owners.

Moreover, Murph, then as now, was a close friend, a man I admired as an extraordinary manager and outstanding human being. He knew the television business forward and backward and would not have called me unless he felt a purchase was certain to work. In effect Murph whispered “buy” into my ear. But I didn’t listen.

In 2006, the station earned $73 million pre-tax, bringing its total earnings since I turned down the deal to at least $1 billion – almost all available to its owner for other purposes. Moreover, the property now has a capital value of about $800 million. Why did I say “no”? The only explanation is that my brain had gone on vacation and forgot to notify me. (My behavior resembled that of a politician Molly Ivins once described: “If his I.Q. was any lower, you would have to water him twice a day.”)

Finally, I made an even worse mistake when I said “yes” to Dexter, a shoe business I bought in 1993 for $433 million in Berkshire stock (25,203 shares of A). What I had assessed as durable competitive advantage vanished within a few years. But that’s just the beginning: By using Berkshire stock, I compounded this error hugely. That move made the cost to Berkshire shareholders not $400 million, but rather $3.5 billion. In essence, I gave away 1.6% of a wonderful business – one now valued at $220 billion– to buy a worthless business.

To date, Dexter is the worst deal that I’ve made. But I’ll make more mistakes in the future – you can bet on that. A line from Bobby Bare’s country song explains what too often happens with acquisitions: “I’ve never gone to bed with an ugly woman, but I’ve sure woke up with a few.”

Sunday, June 15, 2008

The Eating List

Recently, one of my students returned from the U.S. Before she came back to Korea, she made a list of Korean food that she planned on eating. "I had one page list of food I missed. I ate several things already, but still, I have long way to go!" :) Usually, I think about the food in the U.S. I'm going to eat when I go home, but I've never made a list.

So here goes:

Dry Aged Beef (These are the best steaks in the world.) Usually, I'll get a filet or a bone-in rib eye. Cost: $30-$40 per steak

Carne Asada Tacos (I love Mexican food. And this is my favorite.)
Cost: $1.50 each

An In-N-Out Burger and fries. This chain started in Los Angeles.
Cost: $1.75 burger $1.00 fries

Dim Sum (This is my favorite brunch. Literally, hundreds of different tasty little dishes.)
Cost: $1.25-$2.00 per dish


Salmon Collar (This is the part of the fish behind the head.) The fish is sooooo tender.
Cost: $7

Beef Tendon (This is really expensive in Korea, so I can't afford to eat it here.)
Cost: $5
Pizza (from Buca Di Beppo) This is my personal favorite. The crust is very thin and there is a lot of spicy Italian sausage and pepperoni. It's also HUGE. This picture is only 1/3 of the actual pizza.
Cost: $20

Sushi and Sashimi (I eat Japanese food in Korea and in the U.S. I love it.)
Cost: $12-$15

Uni (Sea Urchin)
Cost: $4

Pastrami sandwich from The Hat. This thing is huge, hot, and delicious. Pastrami is salted and smoked beef.
Cost: $6

Pho (Vietnamese noodles) I sometimes eat this in Seoul at Little Saigon Restaurant.
Cost: $4.50

Bahn Mi (Vietnamese sandwich) I think Koreans would really like this sandwich. It has peppers, fermented carrots and radish. With a choice of charbroiled pork, chicken, or beef.
Cost: $3

Chinese beef noodles
Cost: $5

Tommy's Chili Cheeseburger (It looks gross, but it's soooo good.) This chain also started in Los Angeles. The burger is smothered in a spicy chili.
Cost: $2.25

A steak, 2 eggs, and hash browns for breakfast. :) I like my eggs over easy. This is standard American fare.
Cost: $6

Ox Tail Soup I will cook this for my family. Ox tails are cheap in the U.S.
Cost: $6 for 1 kilo

When I'm home, I usually go to the gym and exercise for 1 hour everyday, but I still gain about 3-5 kilos in 2 weeks. >.<