Thanksgiving in September?

Next week Sunday is Thanksgiving Day in Korea, called "Chuseok."

People go to their hometowns, cook extravagant delicacies and spend their time at home. I guess it's mostly eating and watching TV? Cause nothing is open! Department stores, everything -- closed.

It's like Christmas Day. You even give presents to your relatives and friends...all the employees at our company got a Chuseok present, too...we were given a choice out of food or a $100 gift certificate to a department store.

I bet you can guess which one I chose? =) P.S. I am a major shop-a-holic.


This is one thing that *everyone* eats on Chuseok -- rice cakes.

Some are filled with either bean paste or sesame seed paste. Delicious, but don't eat too many cause they are really filling!

We generally get 3 days off for the holidays, but unfortunately, Chuseok lands on a Sunday and the day before is a Saturday, so we only get one day off of work this year...

Yes, in Korea, if a holiday lands on the weekend, sucks to be you cause that means no extra day off.


To tell you the truth, I'm not so big on Chuseok as my family is not in the country and to fly out costs an arm and a leg at this time of year...

But, I am going back to Honolulu right around Thanksgiving! That means turkey and Black Friday! Not to mention beaches in November. So I guess I get the best of both worlds?

Gangnam Style Mania

I'm sure you all have heard of Psy and "Gangnam Style" by now... here he is on the Today Show in New York:

The song is number 1 on the i-tunes charts...you see it all over Facebook and Twitter...

It's amazing how this entertainer is making a huge name for himself all over the world. Even if his fans don't know what he's singing about or even where Gangnam is! (To those who don't know, it is one of the most busiest, lively areas in Seoul. It's full of office buildings, shops, clubs, restaurants and everything you may be looking for.)

What is exactly causing this world-wide mania? The song? The funny dance? The video? Or Psy's funny character?

I guess it could be everything put together... He already enjoys a renown career as an enterainer in Korea and participates as a judge on "Super Star K 4" (it's like a Korean version of American Idol).

But I find it amazing how YouTube is shaping the world's trends today. 10 years ago, this mania would've never happened. It just wasn't possible. Sure, YouTube existed, but people were no where near as dependent on it or frequently watched it as they do today. I supposed it is inter-dependent with Facebook and Twitter, which all drive the sharing power of internet media.

10 years ago, I wasn't able to keep up with Western music, because there just were enough resources. Information wouldn't get to me realtime as it does now. However, with the help of YouTube and internet radio, I can listen to what's hot right now from anywhere in the world.

I can keep up with today's music and the whole world is now influenced by a wider range of media.

Kind of awesome, but kind of scary at the same time! Now fads can take over the entire world.
What do you think of Psy? One hit wonder? Or world-wide star?

As summer comes to an end

The days are already getting shorter and the evenings a lot cooler...which makes me sad, since summer is my favorite season.

But don't get me wrong, I love the fact that we have four seasons in Korea. Growing up in Hawaii, we would have summer, summer, late spring, and summer. Those were our seasons.
Things get pretty boring...and no one really pays attention to fashion trends, since all you really need is summer outfits....that you wear all year long.

During the summer in Korea, you may often see a noodle dish called "kong-kuksoo" ("soy bean noodles"). It's a cold dish, but like udon in a soy based soup. To westerners, I bet that sounds/looks really strange...like is that soy milk and udon?!? But it's really delish! And very healthy, too.

 

My mom loves this noodle dish and we had it all the time at home. All year round -- because it's always summer. I guess because of this habit, I also love kong-kuksoo...it's probably my favorite noodle dish of all. More than ramen!

If you are ever in Korea during the summer, I would definitely recommend trying it, especially if you like things like tofu.

 

Bakeries in Korea

We get fresh bread from the bakery every morning at the office -- delivered right to us!

It's first come, first serve, so you have to snatch your pick early or all the good ones will be taken.


Asian bakeries are quite different from those in the states -- there is a lot more variety in bread and a lot less pastries/doughnuts. I don't really care for pastries, so it matches my taste. I'm not into oily stuff. haha

However, I noticed that there is also a difference between Japanese bakeries and Korean bakeries, as well.

1. The quality is higher for Japanese bread. 2. And they're not too sweet. (Koreans tend to like super sweet things like Americans. Japanese like subtle-sweet things.) 3. You have a better variety of non-sweet/food-like breads (like with eggs, veggies, etc. put together).

There are some pizza breads and "food-like" goodies in Korea, but I find that there isn't so much of a variety (except for Tous les Jour, which I would say is the best bakery chain in Korea...not that I'm endorsing, just saying at it is.)


Bread taste and quality, though, has really improved in the last few years for Korea. Only about 4-5 years ago, Korean bread could not even be compared with Japanese bread. Now, it's quite close. I have heard that a lot of Koreans often go to Japan to study cooking/gourmet rather than going all the way to Europe (to cut costs).

Here is a sample of what we get:

 

 

Sweet bread and "dorayaki" (pancakes with sweet apple paste sandwiched between. Usually dorayaki has red bean paste in the middle, but this was good, too.)

 

This one kind of surprised me. It looks like Japanese "Yatsuhashi" which is famous in Kyoto. (Rice cake with bean paste inside) But there's a catch -- the rice cake or "mochi" is chocolate flavored?! So you have bean powder (the ligh brown powder on top), chocolate mochi, and red bean paste inside.

 

To be honest, it tasted as weird as it sounds.

 

Sometimes, you think, "sounds weird, but maybe it's be surprisingly good."

 

Nope.

 

Oh well. At least they tried to be creative.

 

Have a nice day!!

Style-Up Your Phone! With an easy chance to win a $100 CASH

Cool animation! Interactive! 3D and Fun!

Style your Android with the hottest FREE live wallpaper available right at your fingertips.

Did you know that wallpaper is not only limited to 2D still pictures?

Two simple steps to change the way your phone looks and feels: 1. Download the Rabbit Launcher to support 3D effects and animation, 2. Download any Rabbit Theme you like.

 

Rabbit Launcher will change your old, boring phone and give you 3D effects and convenient functions to make it feel like it’s brand new. And it’s FREE, so why not give it a try?

AND, now you have a chance to win a $100 or $50 Visa Virtual Gift Card that can be used anywhere Visa is accepted. No strings attached. You won’t have to buy anything. Really! Simply, “Like” Rabbit Launcher’s Facebook page, follow us on Twitter, and/or download the launcher. You also have the option of tweeting/posting on Facebook everyday to increase your chances of winning. The Rabbit Raffle ends on September 30th so don’t wait around!

 

Style-Up Your Phone! Rabbit Raffle Sept. 3 ~ Sept. 30

Apply below! Or visit our Facebook "Giveaways" app section to enter. (Sometimes the widget below does not show up properly and Facebook works best)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

**As a note, if you cheat and enter for points without really posting or following us, we will delete your entry. So please be honest! I will check every single entry~

 

Get ready....

For the "Style-Up Your Phone! Rabbit Raffle"~~

An easy chance to win $100 CASH... no strings attached!

All you need is a Facebook account, a twitter account, and your android phone. You won't need to purchase anything -- a few clicks of your mouse will do.


Details to be released on Monday, September 3!!

Yes that's me





We have a bunch of videos up for Rabbit Launcher and its themes...you may have noticed that it's always the same person with the same tiny hands.^^

 

It's funny that we have gotten quite a few comments about my voice! Thank you...it's nice to know that other people like how it sounds...

 

Someone also mentioned something similar to me the other day (in person). Seems quite surprising to me...I have never thought my voice was anything different from anyone else's.  

 

 

Guys are so funny sometimes... I actually laughed when I read the comments posted up on YouTube. They always seem to imagine the speaker in a certain way...like "she sounds cute" or "she sounds sexy." I have never talked to a guy on the phone and think, "wow, he sounds handsome!"

Anyway...

I am trying to think of a way to conclude this blog but nothing is coming to mind. I've been having freakishly bad insomnia recently and I notice my colloquial skills are really going whack...

If anyone know a good cure to sleeplessness please let me know!!

Great new things coming up next week!!

Besides the typhoon hitting Seoul right as we speak, we have lots of great things coming up for Rabbit in the next couple of weeks!

One. Get ready for our Rabbit Raffle! A super easy chance to win $100 CASH with no strings attached. I hate it those strings...so I won't be putting them on MY promo.

You won't need to buy anything.

No catches.

All you have to do is like Rabbit Launcher on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and download the FREE app! As a bonus, you will also be able to tweet/post on Facebook to increase your points to win. Tweet everyday for more points!

Go ahead and "like" us/"follow" us now to stay ahead of the game and start entering right when we start the raffle!

Check out www.facebook.com/RabbitLauncher or @RabbitLauncher on Twitter!


Two. For our cherished developers. We are finalizing our build server so that anyone can have free access to creating/managing their APKs! Yeah! We know you have been waiting for that one. Thank you so much for your patience.

Grand opening scheduled for next week so keep in tune!


Sending some Rabbit love your way~❤

Rabbit featured in Asiance Magazine!

Rabbit has been featured in several tech/android-related sites, but for the first time, a new audience has been exposed to Rabbit's greatness. Why should new technology only be limited to techies?

Asiance Magazine is an Asian-oriented periodical full of news, editorial stories, blogs and the like. It is geared especially toward Asian American females and provides as a hub for interaction and information exchange.

I personally like the site and often check it for all kinds of Asian-related news and reviews. They have articles on everything from politics to make-up, so you can have fun and be well-informed at the same time.

Although all I have to do is turn on the TV to know what's happening in Asia (since I live here), it is refreshing to get a look at everything from a more neutral point of view. The way the news is told really alters according to the country you live in...which is really scary when you think about it.

We are kind of getting brainwashed everyday!

Anyway, check out Rabbit's feature story and the site as well!

Rabbit Launcher Feature Story

Another week begins...

It's been raining constantly for the last week and will continue to rain for this week...

Kind of a bummer since the last days of summer are cold and gloomy. I guess it's going to be a long winter this year...

I'm not sure if it's because of the weather, but I've been in a sentimental mood and have been playing Mariah Carey and Keyshia Cole on repeat lately. And only the songs about moving on and forgetting a lost love. haha

Mariah has lost a lot of soul and passion in her music but does she have great producers! They make her sound better than what she really gives out these days. (Sorry Mariah...but I am still a fan nonetheless). Keyshia on the other hand is coming up with great new stuff -- preparing to release a new album this year, so I've heard -- and I am excited about that.

Anyway, that's enough chit-chat. Looks like Rabbit has a few more themes coming out this week by HS314 and Red House Apps. We have a lot of cute girly themes out on Google Play, but I expect that these will be geared more to our male audience.

Also for developers, we have finished developing the function to turn off the spinning cubes moving around the dock icons! Yay! The function will be applied to the tool soon so expect an update either this week or next week. I know a lot of developers have been waiting for this as it gives them more freedom in creating their themes.

That's a quick preview for what's coming up in the next few weeks. Have a great one!

Ever tried Korean shaved ice?

Called "Pap-bing-su" in Korean. Yum!

 

I know there's (or was) a whole craze for frozen yogurt with added toppings of your choice in the US (like Menchie's), but I'm more about shaved ice than ice cream/frozen yogurt.

Even growing up in Hawaii, we would always *always* go to Waiola's for shaved ice after the beach. The day would not be complete without after-beach shaved ice.

As you can see to the left, shaved ice + condensed milk, fruit and mochi (rice cakes)  = delish!

Actually, this would be "fruit bing-su" as the "pap" means red bean...but whatever. That's just a difference in topping. I don't really want to go into a grammer lesson now.

Had this with a few friends of mine at a bakery/cafe. Gone in less the 5 mins!

Rabbit's top downloaded themes

Here's a little introduction to our most downloaded themes! And the best thing about them is that they are free. (",) Which one do you like best?


Interstellar

An interactive 3D theme with animation.
The gyro sensor is applied so that the theme moves according to how you hold your phone -- like you are looking inside a real 3D spacial area. Feels like you are looking out of a spaceship above the clouds!

Download it for FREE!

Circuit Board

This theme is based on a “high tech” concept and represents a circuit board in an artistic fashion. The glowing lights move from place to place, bringing this theme to life. Great if you want something a little more sophisticated and not so cutesy.

Download Circuit Board for FREE!

White Rabbit

A theme with hidden animation waiting for you to find it.
Click a cloud to make hidden carrots grow and play with the rabbit by clicking it! (You'll get a kick out of the rabbit spinning around I promise.)
An interactive theme that goes beyond a pretty picture and animation. The icons are individually also personalized.

Download White Rabbit for FREE!

If you haven't noticed...

You might have already noticed in some of our screen shots (at Google Play) that sometimes icons are labelled in some Asian language. Perhaps, thanks to Kpop and K-dramas, most people already know that they are Korean characters? haha

When we first came out and started marketing Rabbit, I don't think many people knew that we were located in Seoul, Korea. The land of kimchi, barbeque, and public WIFI almost anywhere you go.

I personally had lived in Tokyo for 7 years before moving here -- on a personal note, my father is Japanese, my mother is Korean, and I was born in Hawaii. I still have identity crisis, but I have learned to live with it.

Anyway, going back to the subject, Japan is quite high-tech in every sense, but I have to say Korea has the upper-hand when it comes to internet and mobile. I have never been in a country where everyone, EVERYONE has a smartphone. And this includes the grannies and granpas on the subway that don't look like they even know how to use the internet.

Btw, my mom still does not know how to send text messages.

Japan is still a little faster in gadgets and other daily stuff, for example, the card reader that takes your money when you enter the gate for the subway/train. Except for NY, Americans don't really commute by train so I'm not sure you know what I'm talking about, but you have this card that you charge with money and you touch the reader at the gate to magnetically take your fees.

In Japan, the reader takes like 1 quick second. Lightly touch and it goes "beep" to let you in. In Seoul, it takes 1 more extra second, so you are standing there wondering if it'll read your card correctly. This one second may not seem like a big deal, but when I went back to Tokyo for a visit, it was a breath of fresh air. Especially when you have tons of people lined up behind you.

I still get homesick for Tokyo...I miss the shopping, the fashion, the food...

But at least I can get cheap, yummy Korean food and high-speed, easy access internet anywhere I go.

Rabbit guide for starters

Many people may not know what a "launcher" or "home replacement" is, so I thought I'd put up a simple guide to help android app beginners.

First of all, an android "launcher" or "home replacement" refers to the basic application that generates the look/feel of your phone -- the layout, customization functions, effects, etc. By replacing the default launcher that comes with your phone, you can choose the way you want it to work. According to your launcher, you can choose wallpaper/themes that run with it.

Therefore, you get the launcher, then you get wallpaper/themes.

(Let me put some PR in here!) And Rabbit offers full 3D support and smooth animation, while being light and quick on your phone! Search for "Rabbit Launcher" at Google Play to try it out for free.



Here are some start-up instructions on how to apply your Rabbit Launcher. Following it, there is a guide that shows you how to apply/download your themes. 

Rabbit's Official Blog Now Open!

Rabbit now starting our official blog to help bring us, the developers, closer to you, the users.

We hope to bring you new, exciting information and await your opinions/comments so that we know how to serve you better!