Yesterday I went to the pharmacy with Mr. Yoo to get some cough remedies. Pharmacies here in Korea are interesting to say the least. You cannot buy any type of medication in regular stores, only in pharmacies. Also, the pharmacist is a very informed man who can prescribe things for you. Of course, the down side to this is that you have no idea what you're taking. I've taken so much medication here that I have absolutely no idea what in the world it is. I just blindly trust that it's good for me.
The pharmacist gave me some pills for my cough. They do not believe in liquid medication at all from what I have seen. No cough syrup. I was also given 2 little bottles of warm ginseng drink (Koreans love these little bottles of health elixer/energy drinks, they're all over the place and there are hundreds of varieties). These tasted like moldy butt. What I was really hunting for were some cough drops. I explained to Mr. Yoo what cough drops were, and then I spotted Halls on a shelf to the side. I pointed and said "Halls" and he got me a package. You know when they sell them in a paper tube with 7 or 8 per package? That's what I got. I asked for two but he would only sell me one.
Here is the thing that gets me. He has no problem giving me whatever drugs he thinks are good for me, but he won't give me two tubes of Halls cough drops? Am I going to freebase those cough drops and overdose? Is all of that mentholated vapor going to push me into pulmonary shock? They're cough drops! Nothing more. They're candy with an extra ingredient. It seems so comical to me that of all the things to be cautious about it would be the cough drops. He has no idea what I'm taking, never asked, and he gives me drugs. But cough drops we have to be careful with. I don't get it.
Friday, July 28, 2006
Thursday, July 27, 2006
A Moment For Reflection
Today I found myself sitting in my classroom, waiting for my high school summer school students who haven't shown up since the first day (it's day 7 now). When I do this, I just sit on the internet and fiddle around for 30 minutes or so, just in case one of them drops by. I was watching a Regina Spektor video online from her website: www.reginaspektor.com. If you don't know her, I recommend her highly. Click on "video" and watch her one music video. You won't be disappointed.
Anyway, as I was watching this I remembered that the person that gave me my Regina Spektor CD copies was a student from my last Russian class at Wayne State. Then I began to wonder if he would be continuing onto the second year of Russian. And I remembered how my class was so upset when they found out that I wouldn't be teaching the second half of first year. And I remembered how much fun it was to teach them, even the crazy girl (you all know the story of her final oral project about her family).
Where am I going with this? All of these things were just in the winter. Here it is, the end of July, and I'm 13 time zones away, waiting on kids that aren't coming. I'm sitting in a classroom in Juksan High School in South Korea, wearing my indoor slippers, sick with a summer cold (they're the worst). Who knew 7 months ago that I would be here? No one. I had no clue. Yet, here I am. It was a very "we're not in Kansas anymore" kind of moment. Life is strange. Sometimes strange and wonderful. Sometimes strange and disappointing. The only constant is strange. I couldn't feel more outside of my own world than I do right now. It's definitely an experience you can only get in a place like this.
Anyway, as I was watching this I remembered that the person that gave me my Regina Spektor CD copies was a student from my last Russian class at Wayne State. Then I began to wonder if he would be continuing onto the second year of Russian. And I remembered how my class was so upset when they found out that I wouldn't be teaching the second half of first year. And I remembered how much fun it was to teach them, even the crazy girl (you all know the story of her final oral project about her family).
Where am I going with this? All of these things were just in the winter. Here it is, the end of July, and I'm 13 time zones away, waiting on kids that aren't coming. I'm sitting in a classroom in Juksan High School in South Korea, wearing my indoor slippers, sick with a summer cold (they're the worst). Who knew 7 months ago that I would be here? No one. I had no clue. Yet, here I am. It was a very "we're not in Kansas anymore" kind of moment. Life is strange. Sometimes strange and wonderful. Sometimes strange and disappointing. The only constant is strange. I couldn't feel more outside of my own world than I do right now. It's definitely an experience you can only get in a place like this.
Questions, Comments, Concerns?
Hi all. Just a quick note to say that I'm a little discouraged by the lack of feedback that I'm getting. I feel now like I'm writing this whole blog for two people, Sharon and Shari, who frequently comment. Next time you read... maybe think about writing something, so I know that SOMEONE is reading me. Maybe it's the sensitive writer in me feeling the pain of a bruised ego. Ahhh... the divine torture that only a true artist can appreciate.
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
Souvenirs
This is the question that plagues all travelers. What kind of souvenirs to bring back home? What is perfect for you mom or dad? What about your sister? Close friends? It's a tough question. You want to find that one item that 1. you know they would appreciate, 2. you know they would use or display, and 3. screams KOREA! The folk village had some nice things. I bought several things there. But what about the peculiar? The grotesque?
Last night, I was at a bookstore in Seoul. They had a display tables filled with these keychains and paperweights. They contained real insects. Who wants one of these for a souvenir?
Well, whatever I bring back, I'm sure you'll appreciate it. You know, the gift is not important. It's the thought that matters.
Last night, I was at a bookstore in Seoul. They had a display tables filled with these keychains and paperweights. They contained real insects. Who wants one of these for a souvenir?
I could also bring home somthing that my students made. How about these. My kids were making these. One girl had a canister filled with hundreds of them. Little oragami stars. I don't know what you do with them, but they're pretty neat.
If the laws didn't forbid it, I could bring back some exotic plant. How about this tree? This is growing by my school. Never in all my years (and there have been a few) have I seen anything like this. Do you have any clue as to what it is?
Something for you car maybe? Somthing to balance out all of those Jeff Gordon, Red Wings, U.S. Flag, etc. things that people put all over their cars.
Well, whatever I bring back, I'm sure you'll appreciate it. You know, the gift is not important. It's the thought that matters.
Cultural Differences: Subtlety
Subtle is a word that I don't think translates into Korean. There are subtle things here, subtle flavors in their food, subtle gestures in their behavior. In their cities, there is no subtlety in their advertising or planning. There are 2 kinds of shops here. One has writing on the glass and you have absolutely no idea what they are selling. Looking into the shop you still have no idea. These shops are subtle. Then there are the shops with the big neon signs and the flashy English writing (which is very trendy). There is no way to not know what is going on in these places. Here are a few pics from my recent venture to Daejeon.
"Hey, what kind of bar did you want to go to tonight?"
"I think you know my answer to that one!"
Did you need to make a withdrawl at the bank?
Lastly, I see these ads EVERYWHERE. In the morning they're plastered on windshields. They're on little cards all over the city, on the sidewalks. For a very conservative society I don't quite understand how this one fits in.
This is the entrance to a PC room. A place to go and check your email. Is there something strange with this type of decor?
So, when you're walking about Korea, it's hard not to be distracted by the images and things "shouting" at you from every square inch (or should I say centimeter) of free space on a building. You get used to it, but it's still strange sometimes.
Cultural Differences: Squatting
Everyone knows that there are cultural differences between Americans and foreigners. That's a given. Now, these aren't just using chopsticks instead of forks and bowing instead of shaking hands.
Koreans squat an awful lot. It's very normal for them. While they're waiting for the bus at the bus stop, often they will squat down and just stay like that. This is a very natural position for them. They start squatting when they are little kids and they continue to do it through adulthood and even into old age. Squatting for Americans however is a bit awkward. Not for the Koreans.
Now, you know when you tell someone that you're going abroad and they say to you in a rather mocking tone "wait till you see the toilets." You ask about them and they reply "you'll see." I hate that. With that said, in Korea there are 2 types of toilets. The standard good old American style toilet. These are found in homes and in nicer places, like hotels, restaurants, and shops. The other style of toilet is called a squat toilet. These are found in public places, bus terminals, train stations, restaurants, schools. I have never used one, I don't think I have the finesse or balance to do so. But, instead of just talking about it, I might as well show you. They say a picture is worth a thousand words. This is a squat toilet from the students' bathroom in my school. The trash can is for used toilet paper, since the septic systems here in Korea are not always the greatest.
Monday, July 24, 2006
Students: The Same The World Around
I'm in the middle of teaching summer school English camp. My high schoolers have stopped coming. They showed up for the first day. They missed the last 2 days. This really doesn't bother me in the least. I mean, I put in a lot of work into preparing for summer school, but it's not wasted work, these are lessons that I will be using during the normal school year. The funny thing is that Mr. Yoo, another English teacher here, is giving me reasons for the students skipping out on summer school. I think he's just trying to make me feel better about it. The first day they didn't show up he said something about the students go out to lunch and then they just don't come back for some reason. The second day he said that he thinks the students go to hogwan in the afternoon (hogwan is a private academy). I told Mr. Yoo "it's quite simple. They're students. It's summer vacation. The last place they want to be is school." There's no need to justify basic human behavior. Students the world around are all the same.
Friday, July 21, 2006
North Korean Night Life
I've heard about these pictures, and now I've seen them. This one is from the BBC, so it must be valid. Hard to believe that this is true. Note the bright lights of Seoul and Tokyo and Beijing, etc. Also, notice that there is hardly any light in North Korea. Not even in the capital of Pyongyang. For those of you worried about missiles and my safety here in South Korea, let this serve as a bit of a comfort to you. If the North Koreans cannot even read a book at night by electric light, I don't really think they are going to get me.
Thursday, July 20, 2006
Deep Fried American Goodness
Today, while shopping at my local GS Supermarket, the only market I go to, I found something new in the frozen food section. Cheese sticks.
OH MY GOD!!!! Is there anything more American than deep fried cheese? The store also had french fries, cheese rings (same as the sticks, but in ring form), and chicken nuggets. Well, I almost fainted from joy. Another great thing that I found was ham, for sandwiches. Such a hard thing to find. And to top it all off... I found the closest thing here to ranch dressing. It's a bit thick, a bit tangy, but it's close and that's all that matters.
So, now my freezer has cheese sticks in it, and my fridge has sliced ham, individually wrapped cheese slices, and the best of all... ranch dressing. I don't care about the price of any of these items... they are necessities here to keep me sane. God bless Western food and it's infiltration into Korea!
OH MY GOD!!!! Is there anything more American than deep fried cheese? The store also had french fries, cheese rings (same as the sticks, but in ring form), and chicken nuggets. Well, I almost fainted from joy. Another great thing that I found was ham, for sandwiches. Such a hard thing to find. And to top it all off... I found the closest thing here to ranch dressing. It's a bit thick, a bit tangy, but it's close and that's all that matters.
So, now my freezer has cheese sticks in it, and my fridge has sliced ham, individually wrapped cheese slices, and the best of all... ranch dressing. I don't care about the price of any of these items... they are necessities here to keep me sane. God bless Western food and it's infiltration into Korea!
The Luckiest Guy In The World
Recently, a friend sent me this link.
http://www.wherethehellismatt.com
Now, I'd seen him on Good Morning America (AFN). This ia guy who is getting funded by a gum company to travel all over the world and do a stupid little dance. It makes absolutely no sense. I showed the video to Ms. Lee today. At first she said "that's not a dance." I agreed. After a little bit of the video she said "I think he's the luckiest guy in the world." I think she's exactly right. To have someone send you everywhere in the world for nothing more than the experience of traveling and to do a little dance. It's an odd arraingement, but it's amazing nonetheless. The places he's been, the things he's seen. You can't put a price on that. It kind of makes me think about my own experiences and my luck in life.
Who knew such "navel contemplation" could come from such a silly little dance
http://www.wherethehellismatt.com
Now, I'd seen him on Good Morning America (AFN). This ia guy who is getting funded by a gum company to travel all over the world and do a stupid little dance. It makes absolutely no sense. I showed the video to Ms. Lee today. At first she said "that's not a dance." I agreed. After a little bit of the video she said "I think he's the luckiest guy in the world." I think she's exactly right. To have someone send you everywhere in the world for nothing more than the experience of traveling and to do a little dance. It's an odd arraingement, but it's amazing nonetheless. The places he's been, the things he's seen. You can't put a price on that. It kind of makes me think about my own experiences and my luck in life.
Who knew such "navel contemplation" could come from such a silly little dance
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
Summer School
You all know that I've been stressed about lesson planning for summer school. It's been a big deal, with power point presentations and all kinds of things. Today was my first day of summer school. I had 17 middle school students and 19 high school students.
There were 6 absent for middle school, 10 absent for high school. What was I worried about? For a moment I forgot who my students were. I forgot that these are the same kids that hate English class during the school year. Sure, they're my over-achievers in class, but they're still kids in summer school. They're not there by choice. I could stand up there with my finger in my nose and they wouldn't notice or care really.
They did enjoy my powerpoint presentation, so that was good. They also seemed to learn what I was teaching. We went over time in the high school group, and we came back to it in the last 10 minutes. They got it right for the most part, so that's reassuring.
The difficult part about summer school is finding a way to keep it light and breezy. I'm trying to come up with a holiday related activity for each day, and it isn't so easy. There's only so many wordsearch puzzles that a kid can do.
There were 6 absent for middle school, 10 absent for high school. What was I worried about? For a moment I forgot who my students were. I forgot that these are the same kids that hate English class during the school year. Sure, they're my over-achievers in class, but they're still kids in summer school. They're not there by choice. I could stand up there with my finger in my nose and they wouldn't notice or care really.
They did enjoy my powerpoint presentation, so that was good. They also seemed to learn what I was teaching. We went over time in the high school group, and we came back to it in the last 10 minutes. They got it right for the most part, so that's reassuring.
The difficult part about summer school is finding a way to keep it light and breezy. I'm trying to come up with a holiday related activity for each day, and it isn't so easy. There's only so many wordsearch puzzles that a kid can do.
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
Rain Rain Go Away, Come Again Some Other Day
The rainy season is upon us. Typhoons are bringing rain. Anyway you slice it, it means one thing... a wet time in Korea.
It has been raining incredibly hard since saturday. All day saturday, all day sunday, most of the day on monday. It's now tuesday, and the rain is going to be off and on all day. The rivers are actually full. There is flooding in some provinces here in Korea. 10 counties have been given natural disaster status. 29 people have died. 3000 people are homeless. It's a horrible thing.
Luckily, I live in a provice and a city that weathers the storm very well. The worst part about the rain for me was that it was raining in my windows. When I went to close the windows, I slipped on the rain and landed on my right knee. This is the knee that I injured a couple of winters ago when I fell on the ice. You know that's gonna be a pain that lingers.
My weekend has been spent loafing about. Victoria spent the day at my place on saturday. It was so hot outside, and her air conditioning was broken. So, she called me in the morning and said "I'm coming to your place to do some work and sit in your air conditioning." Well, she had good intentions. Unfortunately, the road to hell is paved with good intentions. She came over, relaxed. We watched 3 movies, ordered pizza. It was a nice but thoroughly wasted day. She did make one power point presentation, which I helped her with. So, it wasn't ENTIRELY wasted time. But we had a good time.
Sunday I spent the day alone. It's so nice to have time to yourself. I met up with Victoria and Beryl and we went to see "Pirates of the Caribbean 2." Let me just say this. The movie was incredibly long and it had way too many story lines going. I didn't really care for it a great deal. It had good parts, but didn't really draw me in. Beryl actually left after about 90 minutes.
Monday I again spent the day with myself. In the evening, we had a mini-potluck. It makes life easier. Victoria and Beryl came to my place, we had a meal, enjoyed ourselves. Beryl even made a peach cobbler. Not an easy task in Korea. She has a toaster oven. There are no ovens to be found in Korea. I was left with the mountain of dishes. Is this a fair trade-off? I'm still trying to decide.
It has been raining incredibly hard since saturday. All day saturday, all day sunday, most of the day on monday. It's now tuesday, and the rain is going to be off and on all day. The rivers are actually full. There is flooding in some provinces here in Korea. 10 counties have been given natural disaster status. 29 people have died. 3000 people are homeless. It's a horrible thing.
Luckily, I live in a provice and a city that weathers the storm very well. The worst part about the rain for me was that it was raining in my windows. When I went to close the windows, I slipped on the rain and landed on my right knee. This is the knee that I injured a couple of winters ago when I fell on the ice. You know that's gonna be a pain that lingers.
My weekend has been spent loafing about. Victoria spent the day at my place on saturday. It was so hot outside, and her air conditioning was broken. So, she called me in the morning and said "I'm coming to your place to do some work and sit in your air conditioning." Well, she had good intentions. Unfortunately, the road to hell is paved with good intentions. She came over, relaxed. We watched 3 movies, ordered pizza. It was a nice but thoroughly wasted day. She did make one power point presentation, which I helped her with. So, it wasn't ENTIRELY wasted time. But we had a good time.
Sunday I spent the day alone. It's so nice to have time to yourself. I met up with Victoria and Beryl and we went to see "Pirates of the Caribbean 2." Let me just say this. The movie was incredibly long and it had way too many story lines going. I didn't really care for it a great deal. It had good parts, but didn't really draw me in. Beryl actually left after about 90 minutes.
Monday I again spent the day with myself. In the evening, we had a mini-potluck. It makes life easier. Victoria and Beryl came to my place, we had a meal, enjoyed ourselves. Beryl even made a peach cobbler. Not an easy task in Korea. She has a toaster oven. There are no ovens to be found in Korea. I was left with the mountain of dishes. Is this a fair trade-off? I'm still trying to decide.
Such A Strange Feeling...
Lately, I've been going through such strange emotions and thoughts. While everything is going fine in Korea, I'm no longer sick, I'm prepared for summer camp, and my life is back in it's own rhythm... I can't help but feel out of it.
I feel so much like my life is on hold. Like this is some strange facsimile of myself. I look out the window of my apartment at the torrential rains that have been nonstop since saturday, and I just don't understand or comprehend why I'm in Korea. What am I doing here? Did I just sign up for a job with good pay? Was I seeking some kind of adventure? Am I trying to find myself? I have no idea anymore.
I have good friends here and I have a pretty easy and normal life, but I just feel so strange. This isn't the life I normally lead in the U.S.A. This isn't the food I'm supposed to be eating. This isn't the job I'm supposed to be doing. This isn't the place that I'm supposed to be. These thoughts are just in my head and they have no way to get answered and no where else to go.
What am I trying to say? I don't know. Is this just homesickness and torrential rains talking? I don't think so. Do I want to leave? Not really. Do I want to stay? Not really. Indifference is a killer. I'm just unable to connect to my feelings here. Everything seems so foreign, especially myself. Shouldn't I be over these feelings? I've been in Korea about 3 months now. Who knew I'd make it this far? I didn't. But given these feelings and questions and doubts... can I make it 9 more?
I feel so much like my life is on hold. Like this is some strange facsimile of myself. I look out the window of my apartment at the torrential rains that have been nonstop since saturday, and I just don't understand or comprehend why I'm in Korea. What am I doing here? Did I just sign up for a job with good pay? Was I seeking some kind of adventure? Am I trying to find myself? I have no idea anymore.
I have good friends here and I have a pretty easy and normal life, but I just feel so strange. This isn't the life I normally lead in the U.S.A. This isn't the food I'm supposed to be eating. This isn't the job I'm supposed to be doing. This isn't the place that I'm supposed to be. These thoughts are just in my head and they have no way to get answered and no where else to go.
What am I trying to say? I don't know. Is this just homesickness and torrential rains talking? I don't think so. Do I want to leave? Not really. Do I want to stay? Not really. Indifference is a killer. I'm just unable to connect to my feelings here. Everything seems so foreign, especially myself. Shouldn't I be over these feelings? I've been in Korea about 3 months now. Who knew I'd make it this far? I didn't. But given these feelings and questions and doubts... can I make it 9 more?
Friday, July 14, 2006
Sometimes The Last Minute Works Out Best
Last night, I was getting ready to leave school. I packed up the laptop, had my shoes on, turned off my fan. Mr. Yoo came up to me and said, "okay, you're ready to go to dinner now?" Excuse me? What dinner? We were going to a going away dinner for someone whom I didn't know. Mr. Yoo said "you didn't know?" My response was "did you tell me?"
Last minute is how things get done in Korea. It's hard for me to get my anal retentive self to accept this and to roll with the punches some times. Nonetheless... these things always catch me off guard.
It worked out the best though. I didn't really want to cook last night, and was going to order pizza. Instead, I got a free meal and got a fare amount to drink. We ate at a Korean barbecue, my favorite restaurant so far. We've gone to this place 3 times. We had duck. Quack. I love duck. So, I got to feast on duck and drink some soju and chat with teachers in a relaxed atmosphere. If I weren't sitting uncomfortably on the floor I would have loved it. I'm getting better about sitting on the floor, but my American legs aren't used to it and they fall asleep almost immediately. It's a small price to pay for such a good meal.
So, sometimes last minute things are hidden blessings. That's the only way to look at them sometimes... otherwise I'd go crazy.
Last minute is how things get done in Korea. It's hard for me to get my anal retentive self to accept this and to roll with the punches some times. Nonetheless... these things always catch me off guard.
It worked out the best though. I didn't really want to cook last night, and was going to order pizza. Instead, I got a free meal and got a fare amount to drink. We ate at a Korean barbecue, my favorite restaurant so far. We've gone to this place 3 times. We had duck. Quack. I love duck. So, I got to feast on duck and drink some soju and chat with teachers in a relaxed atmosphere. If I weren't sitting uncomfortably on the floor I would have loved it. I'm getting better about sitting on the floor, but my American legs aren't used to it and they fall asleep almost immediately. It's a small price to pay for such a good meal.
So, sometimes last minute things are hidden blessings. That's the only way to look at them sometimes... otherwise I'd go crazy.
Thursday, July 13, 2006
It's Official
I think I'm officially Korean now. I just used my dojong (lood further down the blog to find out what that is) to sign a document at school. I'm so Korean now. If I ate kim-chi I would have it made in the shade.
Foolishness
I hear some foolish things all of time. Here's a few that have made me chuckle. I wish I could remember more of them.
"Did you buy your clothes here in Korea?"
-of course not, are there many Koreans my size?
"Did you buy your peanut butter at a Korean grocery store?"
-Are there other kinds of grocery stores in Korea???
I asked "why are the french fries served cold?"
She answered "they were hot when they cooked them."
-are you sure about that?
"Why is your weight so high?"
-my response "why are you Korean?"
There's so many more, I can't think of them. But they do give me pause every now and then.
"Did you buy your clothes here in Korea?"
-of course not, are there many Koreans my size?
"Did you buy your peanut butter at a Korean grocery store?"
-Are there other kinds of grocery stores in Korea???
I asked "why are the french fries served cold?"
She answered "they were hot when they cooked them."
-are you sure about that?
"Why is your weight so high?"
-my response "why are you Korean?"
There's so many more, I can't think of them. But they do give me pause every now and then.
Western Restaurants
There are western restaurants in Korea... lots of them. Their food though is not always terribly "western." Some come pretty close though.
Last night Victoria, Beryl, and I (God, it's like we're the 3 musketeers)met at a cafe called Grasso's. It serves Italian. Now, it's nothing to really write home about (well, does this count?), but it is pasta and it's passable.
The place is nice, you sit at little love seat type couches at the tables. Nice. They have a big assortment of beer... they even have Budweiser. If I drank beer, I'm sure I would be excited by that. They have the Korean take on Italian food, with kim-chi pasta. But I stuck to traditional pasta. Carbonarra. Now, I've had red sauce in Korea before, and they ruin it by adding red pepper paste to it... leaving someone who likes pasta angry and disenchanted. So, the white sauce is safer. The meal also came with soup, about 1/4 inch of soup in a little square bowl. The soup was exactly (and you can ask Victoria about this one) like creamed corn without the chunks of corn. The meal also came with exactly one piece of garlic bread per person. No more, no less.
Anyway, the food was pretty good for Korea, so this place will become a good restaurant for the three of us. It isn't very expensive either, so when I need a break from rice (which I need EVERYDAY) then I know where I can go.
Last night Victoria, Beryl, and I (God, it's like we're the 3 musketeers)met at a cafe called Grasso's. It serves Italian. Now, it's nothing to really write home about (well, does this count?), but it is pasta and it's passable.
The place is nice, you sit at little love seat type couches at the tables. Nice. They have a big assortment of beer... they even have Budweiser. If I drank beer, I'm sure I would be excited by that. They have the Korean take on Italian food, with kim-chi pasta. But I stuck to traditional pasta. Carbonarra. Now, I've had red sauce in Korea before, and they ruin it by adding red pepper paste to it... leaving someone who likes pasta angry and disenchanted. So, the white sauce is safer. The meal also came with soup, about 1/4 inch of soup in a little square bowl. The soup was exactly (and you can ask Victoria about this one) like creamed corn without the chunks of corn. The meal also came with exactly one piece of garlic bread per person. No more, no less.
Anyway, the food was pretty good for Korea, so this place will become a good restaurant for the three of us. It isn't very expensive either, so when I need a break from rice (which I need EVERYDAY) then I know where I can go.
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
Mother's Milk
I've been in a funk lately. It's been a mixture of homesickness, stress, frustration, and just a general depression. How do you combat these feelings?
I found the cure. Last night I made a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Oh my God. It was a little bit of America on bread. I bought Peter Pan chunky peanut butter. I got some Korean jam, mixed fruit... very good with nice chunks of strawberry in it. The bread was fresh from a bakery. It was such a great sandwich. Who knew that the lowly peanut butter and jelly sandwich would be so rejuvenative for me?
I found the cure. Last night I made a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Oh my God. It was a little bit of America on bread. I bought Peter Pan chunky peanut butter. I got some Korean jam, mixed fruit... very good with nice chunks of strawberry in it. The bread was fresh from a bakery. It was such a great sandwich. Who knew that the lowly peanut butter and jelly sandwich would be so rejuvenative for me?
Monday, July 10, 2006
Under Pressure
This is so not a good time for me. First off, I had the food poisoning. So naturally, my stomach is touchy and I'm hesitant with food. I simply have to be very very cautious about everything I put into my mouth. This is adding to my general state of yuckiness that is pervading my personality of late.
Secondly, my school has scheduled English summer camp to start the day after school is over with. So, I get no break to recoup a bit. They've also scheduled both the high school and middle school camp at the same time. So, instead of a week of high school then some time to lesson plan then another week of middle school, I get high school in the afternoon and middle school in the morning. This means I have to do all of my lesson planning now, in 9 days. That's a lot of work.
Third, I'm down because during the 6 week summer vacation, I only get one week off. The rest of the time I must come into the school and sit here. I get to twiddle my thumbs for 4 weeks. I'm supposed to be lesson planning, but how much lesson planning can one person do in one sitting? I'll have gone mad after one week.
Fourth, there is just a general sort of malaise and homesickness that is pervading me right now. It has made me feel very lonely and isolated. It's also made me feel as if this is not my real life. This is just a side thing that is going on while I'm waiting to get back to my real life. I don't like this feeling but I don't know how to shake it.
This is my life in Korea for now. I know that after summer school (July 19 - Aug.1) I will feel better, but in the meantime, it sucks.
Secondly, my school has scheduled English summer camp to start the day after school is over with. So, I get no break to recoup a bit. They've also scheduled both the high school and middle school camp at the same time. So, instead of a week of high school then some time to lesson plan then another week of middle school, I get high school in the afternoon and middle school in the morning. This means I have to do all of my lesson planning now, in 9 days. That's a lot of work.
Third, I'm down because during the 6 week summer vacation, I only get one week off. The rest of the time I must come into the school and sit here. I get to twiddle my thumbs for 4 weeks. I'm supposed to be lesson planning, but how much lesson planning can one person do in one sitting? I'll have gone mad after one week.
Fourth, there is just a general sort of malaise and homesickness that is pervading me right now. It has made me feel very lonely and isolated. It's also made me feel as if this is not my real life. This is just a side thing that is going on while I'm waiting to get back to my real life. I don't like this feeling but I don't know how to shake it.
This is my life in Korea for now. I know that after summer school (July 19 - Aug.1) I will feel better, but in the meantime, it sucks.
Sunday, July 09, 2006
Rudeness... A Way Of Life
I know that I'm in another country and that the definition of rudeness is probably different here. Really, I do understand this fact. With that said, I am so sick of rude Koreans today. I've had my fill.
It started with the bus ride to Seoul today. An old lady sat infront of Victoria and I. She stared at me, with her mouth wide open (not even trying to hide it) and made a noise like "oooohhhhhh" and put her hands out wide apart, indicating my size. Great. She did stuff like this throughout the ride. That's an hour long bus trip.
In Seoul, I was run into so many times by Koreans rushing about, not paying attention while they're text messaging, or just running into you. No attempt at an "oops, excuse me." They just don't see this as a problem at all.
In the bookstore while I was waiting for Victoria a middle school aged kid came up to me... stared at me and then said "You're fat." I was dumbfounded. I told Victoria about it. Later I saw the kid again, he was still talking about it. Victoria went up to the kid and said "Excuse me, it is not polite to stare at someone and say 'you'er fat.'" The kids father turned bright red and asked the boy if he did it. The boy denied. I'm pretty sure that the father had words with the boy.
I'm so tired of people in Seoul. What's the point of going?
It started with the bus ride to Seoul today. An old lady sat infront of Victoria and I. She stared at me, with her mouth wide open (not even trying to hide it) and made a noise like "oooohhhhhh" and put her hands out wide apart, indicating my size. Great. She did stuff like this throughout the ride. That's an hour long bus trip.
In Seoul, I was run into so many times by Koreans rushing about, not paying attention while they're text messaging, or just running into you. No attempt at an "oops, excuse me." They just don't see this as a problem at all.
In the bookstore while I was waiting for Victoria a middle school aged kid came up to me... stared at me and then said "You're fat." I was dumbfounded. I told Victoria about it. Later I saw the kid again, he was still talking about it. Victoria went up to the kid and said "Excuse me, it is not polite to stare at someone and say 'you'er fat.'" The kids father turned bright red and asked the boy if he did it. The boy denied. I'm pretty sure that the father had words with the boy.
I'm so tired of people in Seoul. What's the point of going?
Friday, July 07, 2006
Korean Folk Dance... No. 1
This is video I shot using my new digital camera (I love technology!!) at the Korean Folk Village in Yung-in, South Korea. The music's a bit loud... turn down those speakers a bit.
Watch the Video
FREE Is The Sweetest Word In The English Language
It is getting time for seniors in Korea to take their college entrance exams. As a result, it is also college recruitment time. Just like in the U.S. we are talking about a lot of money, so the recruiters are out in force. The recruiters are at school several times during the week. And best of all... they bring the teachers presents.
Already I've gotten a nice metal travel mug from Pyeongtaek University with their logo on it. Very nice. Today Kyungmoon College came by. They brought a giant glass brandy-type glass that could easily hold 2 gallons of liquid. It was filled with different kinds of candy. It had a nice cork and lacey frilly cover. It is sitting infront of the vice-principal's desk. Very delicious. Another school came by and gave us each a drink. It's a medicinal Chinese tea. I did not drink it. They said it's very bitter. I say life is bitter enough without adding to it.
Victoria got the mug, and a folding leather pencil cup with a built in clock (some of our teachers got those too, but not me...) and some other leather thing (I forget) that all matches. Her school gets the better freebees.
I hope this doesn't stop soon.
Already I've gotten a nice metal travel mug from Pyeongtaek University with their logo on it. Very nice. Today Kyungmoon College came by. They brought a giant glass brandy-type glass that could easily hold 2 gallons of liquid. It was filled with different kinds of candy. It had a nice cork and lacey frilly cover. It is sitting infront of the vice-principal's desk. Very delicious. Another school came by and gave us each a drink. It's a medicinal Chinese tea. I did not drink it. They said it's very bitter. I say life is bitter enough without adding to it.
Victoria got the mug, and a folding leather pencil cup with a built in clock (some of our teachers got those too, but not me...) and some other leather thing (I forget) that all matches. Her school gets the better freebees.
I hope this doesn't stop soon.
Thursday, July 06, 2006
Things I Miss...
not throwing up
small talk
talking at a normal tempo
my dog Lucy
telling jokes
students pretending to pay attention
beef
bread
comedy central
not using gestures all of the time
the 12-hour clock
South Park
bad television
fish with the head and bones removed
calling friends on the phone
breakfast with friends
my sister annoying me
driving
being able to read things outside
Frankenmuth and Zehnders
camping
diet pepsi
being able to ask people questions on the street and get an answer
rude people
anonymity
soup that is hearty, homey, and comforting
drive-thru banking
going to the movies
iced tea
my instruments
LCCB
feisty ladies
overly patriotic pro- Bush people
NPR
non-squid based snacks
sweets that are actually sweet
ranch dressing
fruit that you can afford
all food that is not kim-chi based
my family
my friends
having more than 2 people to talk to
small talk
talking at a normal tempo
my dog Lucy
telling jokes
students pretending to pay attention
beef
bread
comedy central
not using gestures all of the time
the 12-hour clock
South Park
bad television
fish with the head and bones removed
calling friends on the phone
breakfast with friends
my sister annoying me
driving
being able to read things outside
Frankenmuth and Zehnders
camping
diet pepsi
being able to ask people questions on the street and get an answer
rude people
anonymity
soup that is hearty, homey, and comforting
drive-thru banking
going to the movies
iced tea
my instruments
LCCB
feisty ladies
overly patriotic pro- Bush people
NPR
non-squid based snacks
sweets that are actually sweet
ranch dressing
fruit that you can afford
all food that is not kim-chi based
my family
my friends
having more than 2 people to talk to
Me Again
Here is a picture of me playing in a pit orchestra. It's obviously during a break or warm-up. I have no idea what show this is for. I'm guessing "Fiddler on the Roof" or "Camelot." This would have been about 3 years ago. What is that look on my face? That's such a "what the hell is that note???" look. If anyone has some pics of me on their computer, send them to me via email... they might be useful in my class. 
Violated
Last night I was out with Beryl and Victoria. I was waiting outside of a little convenience store with Beryl while Victoria was inside buying cigarettes. We were talking to some middle school girls who were practicing their English with us.
All of a sudden a guy came up to me, he grabbed my upper arm and started to squeeze. I was so stunned. He was squeezing it and saying "hmmmmm... oooohhhhh... mmmmm..." I turned toward him and said "Don't touch me!!!!" He just laughed and walked on with his wife/girlfriend.
What the hell was that? In what world is it okay to grab some stranger and squeeze them and make strange noises for the hell of it? I need one of those cages that divers get into to keep the sharks away. Maybe I should wear water wings when I'm out on the street. Anyway, I'm glad that Beryl was there to see it... no one would have believed it if I had told them. I really feel creeped out and slightly violated.
All of a sudden a guy came up to me, he grabbed my upper arm and started to squeeze. I was so stunned. He was squeezing it and saying "hmmmmm... oooohhhhh... mmmmm..." I turned toward him and said "Don't touch me!!!!" He just laughed and walked on with his wife/girlfriend.
What the hell was that? In what world is it okay to grab some stranger and squeeze them and make strange noises for the hell of it? I need one of those cages that divers get into to keep the sharks away. Maybe I should wear water wings when I'm out on the street. Anyway, I'm glad that Beryl was there to see it... no one would have believed it if I had told them. I really feel creeped out and slightly violated.
Wednesday, July 05, 2006
Me So Korean
After months in Korea, I am so very Korean now. I now have my toothbrush at school so that I can hock up some phlegm with the rest of the teachers. I also now have my indoor slippers to wear at school. Now I leave my shoes under my desk and wear my slippers in school. The students were quite excited to see this, and it's quite comfortable. So, me wearing black socks with sandals/slippers is not geeky, everyone does it. 
Budding Young Artists
Now, my students don't want to learn just as much as U.S. students don't want to learn. So, while I talk or when they are supposed to be working, the students are doing everything but. Usually it's talking. Sometimes it's studying for other classes. You get the girls looking in the mirror, playing with their hair. You also get lots of drawing.
Now, Korean students don't draw at an amateur level. This is the region of the world where anime reigns. They draw the most elaborate things. Last week during final exams, a student drew a wonderful picture which she brought to me. It hangs in my cubicle. It's of a smiling woman and some peacocks. Very interesting.
Another student did a really elaborate picture in red ink. It's of a very "Strawberry Shortcake" kind of cartoon character. You wouldn't believe the detail in the picture. I had to snap a pic.
So, I really would prefer that they paid attention. But at least they're doing something artistic and something that amazes me.
Now, Korean students don't draw at an amateur level. This is the region of the world where anime reigns. They draw the most elaborate things. Last week during final exams, a student drew a wonderful picture which she brought to me. It hangs in my cubicle. It's of a smiling woman and some peacocks. Very interesting.
Another student did a really elaborate picture in red ink. It's of a very "Strawberry Shortcake" kind of cartoon character. You wouldn't believe the detail in the picture. I had to snap a pic.
So, I really would prefer that they paid attention. But at least they're doing something artistic and something that amazes me.
Homesickness Sets In
For once while being here, this time it isn't me. My good friend, my best friend here in Korea and the sole reason that I didn't put in my 60 days notice 60 days ago, Victoria,is being hit hard by homesickness right now. This is due to a few things. One, yesterday was July 4th for us, so it was a little strange to not celebrate anything. Also, she's doing research on the USA for her English summer camp. This coupled with the general ickyness of Korean food has pushed her over the edge a bit.
Naturally, this is where I come in. I know that she is right now where I'm gonna be soon enough. In other words, she has to get over her homesickness so that she can help me get over my homesickness when it hits me hard.
So, yesterday I called her and arrainged to meet for dinner... Pizza Hut. This is as close to comfort food that we can get here in Anseong. On the way home I stopped by the shop that I got my dojong at. I had a dojong made for Victoria with her name on it. I also went across the street to the office supply store and bought the inkpad that goes with it.
When I got to Victoria's apartment I gave her the present. She was quite happy to get it, and I hope that it helped her feel a little less homesick. I'm here for her, so whatever Korea throws at us, we can work through it together. She keeps me sane... I keep her sane. It takes two strange people like us to keep eachother sane. Thank God that we ran into eachother that saturday on the street, or I'd be completely miserable and lost.
Naturally, this is where I come in. I know that she is right now where I'm gonna be soon enough. In other words, she has to get over her homesickness so that she can help me get over my homesickness when it hits me hard.
So, yesterday I called her and arrainged to meet for dinner... Pizza Hut. This is as close to comfort food that we can get here in Anseong. On the way home I stopped by the shop that I got my dojong at. I had a dojong made for Victoria with her name on it. I also went across the street to the office supply store and bought the inkpad that goes with it.
When I got to Victoria's apartment I gave her the present. She was quite happy to get it, and I hope that it helped her feel a little less homesick. I'm here for her, so whatever Korea throws at us, we can work through it together. She keeps me sane... I keep her sane. It takes two strange people like us to keep eachother sane. Thank God that we ran into eachother that saturday on the street, or I'd be completely miserable and lost.
Tuesday, July 04, 2006
Want To See My Dojong?
I hope the answer is yes. Yesterday, on the way home from school, I stopped at a store that makes key copies and dojongs. Dojong is the Korean name stamp. Koreans use these stamps to "sign" official documents with red ink. It's very cool. I wanted one. 
In the shop I picked out the style handle I wanted. I purchased a carved wooden handle. It has birds and deer and cranes flying and trees carved on it. Ms. Lee informed me that they were all symbols for a long life and good health. I said I'd settle for the good health (still recouping from my weekend of food poisoning). I then wrote my name in Korean for the woman who worked there, she spoke no English.
The woman typed my name into a computer program which made it into the fancy convoluted letters that are on the dojong. She nudged it so it would fit just right. Then she clamped my blank dojong into the machine and the computer went to work. It took about 10 minutes for the machine to slowly and surely carve out the stamp. It was very cool to watch. When the machine was done, she took a chisel and cleaned up the stamp, used a toothbrush on it to get rid of the sawdust, and sanded it down. She used the stamp to show me.
I'm going to use this stamp on all of my letters and things that I send back home. So, if you want a letter with my personal dojong name stamp, you should probably email me your address. Give me some time, and you'll get something from me.
In the shop I picked out the style handle I wanted. I purchased a carved wooden handle. It has birds and deer and cranes flying and trees carved on it. Ms. Lee informed me that they were all symbols for a long life and good health. I said I'd settle for the good health (still recouping from my weekend of food poisoning). I then wrote my name in Korean for the woman who worked there, she spoke no English.
The woman typed my name into a computer program which made it into the fancy convoluted letters that are on the dojong. She nudged it so it would fit just right. Then she clamped my blank dojong into the machine and the computer went to work. It took about 10 minutes for the machine to slowly and surely carve out the stamp. It was very cool to watch. When the machine was done, she took a chisel and cleaned up the stamp, used a toothbrush on it to get rid of the sawdust, and sanded it down. She used the stamp to show me.
I'm going to use this stamp on all of my letters and things that I send back home. So, if you want a letter with my personal dojong name stamp, you should probably email me your address. Give me some time, and you'll get something from me.
Monday, July 03, 2006
An Old Abusive Friend Returns
Thursday after eating lunch at school, I started to feel sick to my stomach. I went home by bus and slept through the afternoon. At 12:30am friday, I was doubled over in pain and went down to my landlady's apartment. Someone answered the door and I said "taxi." She and her son drove me to the ER. Yup... food poisoning again.
I was at the hospital a total of 4 times over the weekend, each time I received a shot in my butt. Koreans love giving shots in the butt. It's their form of entertainment I think.
So, my weekend was filled with lots of bad things. Lots of vomitting, pulling back muscles from vomitting, searing stomach pain... you name it... I had it.
Of course, like always, Victoria was my savior. She stopped by on saturday with some yogurt drinks for me, which helped me last time, and some pain meds for my pulled muscles. She decided to make me some chicken soup for sunday. I was feeling better on sunday and spent the day with her, hanging out in her little apartment, going to see XMen 3, and eating her soup. Best of all, she got me in touch with her doctor here in Korea who speaks English very well. He is going to be my new doctor.
The thing that I do not like about the Korean medical system is that there are no "family doctors." You have to go to the hospital or out-patient clinic for everything. There is no one person who follows your every sickness. So, I'm going to have this now with my new English speaking Dr. Wong.
I was at the hospital a total of 4 times over the weekend, each time I received a shot in my butt. Koreans love giving shots in the butt. It's their form of entertainment I think.
So, my weekend was filled with lots of bad things. Lots of vomitting, pulling back muscles from vomitting, searing stomach pain... you name it... I had it.
Of course, like always, Victoria was my savior. She stopped by on saturday with some yogurt drinks for me, which helped me last time, and some pain meds for my pulled muscles. She decided to make me some chicken soup for sunday. I was feeling better on sunday and spent the day with her, hanging out in her little apartment, going to see XMen 3, and eating her soup. Best of all, she got me in touch with her doctor here in Korea who speaks English very well. He is going to be my new doctor.
The thing that I do not like about the Korean medical system is that there are no "family doctors." You have to go to the hospital or out-patient clinic for everything. There is no one person who follows your every sickness. So, I'm going to have this now with my new English speaking Dr. Wong.
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