Thursday, June 10, 2010
Friday, February 1, 2008
Chapter 68: "End of a Good Thing"
Well, I had my last class today. This whole week has been filled with "lasts," and now I finished the biggest part, my job. It was a little sentimental, but a very large part of me is absolutely thrilled to be done :-)
Two of my classes held parties for me, which was quite fun. I was afraid some of the younger kids would be sad, but most of them I've only taught one or two terms. The older ones, though, have had me for months, some of them the whole year I've been here. We've all exchanged email addresses though, so the finality isn't too bad.
This coming week I'm going to Thailand for about five days, and hopefully I'll have a lovely time unwinding and chillaxing on a beach somewhere.
Two of my classes held parties for me, which was quite fun. I was afraid some of the younger kids would be sad, but most of them I've only taught one or two terms. The older ones, though, have had me for months, some of them the whole year I've been here. We've all exchanged email addresses though, so the finality isn't too bad.
This coming week I'm going to Thailand for about five days, and hopefully I'll have a lovely time unwinding and chillaxing on a beach somewhere.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Chapter 67: "Fish are Friends, And Food"
This past weekend, I went to a lovely ice-fishing festival a couple hours north of Seoul. How to describe it...it was cold. I'll go into that more in a moment.
Anyways, the festival looks like this:
The high was only about 32 degrees, so of course everything was properly frozen over. A big long stretch of river was frozen about 10 or so inches deep, and all the families come and jab holes in the ice and fish through them. There's also ice hockey, ice skating, sledding, and bare hands fishing. Oh yes.
Bare hands fishing wouldn't be so bad, if it was just your hands getting wet. But no, more than just your hands are bare. It's quite the event actually. Everyone changes into shorts and t-shirts provided, and walks out barefoot around a wading pool filled with fish. The pool is surrounded by packed snow and pebbles and an ice wall to keep the gawking spectators at bay. It's even colder than it sounds.
Was I foolish enough to join in? Well, this blog entry wouldn't be as interesting if I wasn't.
Words cannot describe how cold this whole ordeal was. All the foreigners on our tour went at once, and we spent like 3 horrible minutes just standing out there in our shorts and t-shirts, listening to the announcer go on about whatever in Korean. It felt like forever, because we were standing barefoot on ice. Of course, the water is cold enough to freeze over, and the only reason it hasn't is because crazy people keep jumping around in it, looking to catch fish with their bare hands. It went something like this:
In case you were curious, ice and freezing cold water hurts really bad after about, oh, five seconds. I jumped in with everyone else, waded around for a couple of minutes, then got right back out. The pain was a factor, of course, but more disturbing was the lack of pain, if that makes any sense. By then I had lost complete feeling in my feet, and that was weirding me out. As I was climbing out and getting to my feet, I realized I was stepping on chips of ice and sharp pebbles, but I wasn't feeling any of it.
Getting the feeling back wasn't the greatest feeling either, but at least it was a feeling, you know?
We all put our clothes back on and reveled in the sensation of socks and shoes against our toes for a while, before moving on to other things.
I have to say, that was probably the most eventful thing that happened this weekend. We wandered around a little longer, then went back to our lodge, where we had a lovely Korean dinner and a bonfire. The next morning we went on a hike through the mountains, on an old trail in the woods that is used to train Korean soldiers and to off gullible foreign tourists...Getting down the mountain involved hunkering down on our heels and sliding, which was rather fun too.
The lodge had a frozen pond and homemade....things, that you sit on and slide around on the ice with. Good thing I have pictures.
In this photo, some of the people from our tour are having a race with some elderly Korean people, who are shockingly spry.
So, that's about it. This is the last tour of Korea I'll be doing, as I'm coming home in 3 weeks. Weird.....
Anyways, the festival looks like this:
The high was only about 32 degrees, so of course everything was properly frozen over. A big long stretch of river was frozen about 10 or so inches deep, and all the families come and jab holes in the ice and fish through them. There's also ice hockey, ice skating, sledding, and bare hands fishing. Oh yes.
Bare hands fishing wouldn't be so bad, if it was just your hands getting wet. But no, more than just your hands are bare. It's quite the event actually. Everyone changes into shorts and t-shirts provided, and walks out barefoot around a wading pool filled with fish. The pool is surrounded by packed snow and pebbles and an ice wall to keep the gawking spectators at bay. It's even colder than it sounds.
Was I foolish enough to join in? Well, this blog entry wouldn't be as interesting if I wasn't.
Words cannot describe how cold this whole ordeal was. All the foreigners on our tour went at once, and we spent like 3 horrible minutes just standing out there in our shorts and t-shirts, listening to the announcer go on about whatever in Korean. It felt like forever, because we were standing barefoot on ice. Of course, the water is cold enough to freeze over, and the only reason it hasn't is because crazy people keep jumping around in it, looking to catch fish with their bare hands. It went something like this:
In case you were curious, ice and freezing cold water hurts really bad after about, oh, five seconds. I jumped in with everyone else, waded around for a couple of minutes, then got right back out. The pain was a factor, of course, but more disturbing was the lack of pain, if that makes any sense. By then I had lost complete feeling in my feet, and that was weirding me out. As I was climbing out and getting to my feet, I realized I was stepping on chips of ice and sharp pebbles, but I wasn't feeling any of it.
Getting the feeling back wasn't the greatest feeling either, but at least it was a feeling, you know?
We all put our clothes back on and reveled in the sensation of socks and shoes against our toes for a while, before moving on to other things.
I have to say, that was probably the most eventful thing that happened this weekend. We wandered around a little longer, then went back to our lodge, where we had a lovely Korean dinner and a bonfire. The next morning we went on a hike through the mountains, on an old trail in the woods that is used to train Korean soldiers and to off gullible foreign tourists...Getting down the mountain involved hunkering down on our heels and sliding, which was rather fun too.
The lodge had a frozen pond and homemade....things, that you sit on and slide around on the ice with. Good thing I have pictures.
In this photo, some of the people from our tour are having a race with some elderly Korean people, who are shockingly spry.
So, that's about it. This is the last tour of Korea I'll be doing, as I'm coming home in 3 weeks. Weird.....
Friday, January 18, 2008
Chapter 66: "The Land that Racial Equality Forgot?"
Actually, that's way too harsh to say about Korea. Yeah, foreigners are really separate, usually, but everyone's been really friendly and helpful with us. If anything, we get away with more because we're foreign.
But the other night I had my first Racism Experience. One of our Korean friends took us to this little hole-in-the-wall pub, but when we went inside, one of the employees there said the owner didn't allow foreigners. The friend assured him that none of us were Irish (lol!), but the other guy still said no. Apparently foreigners are too loud :-)
So our friend called him a -censored- and we left. Honestly, none of us (my coworkers and I) were offended, more like surprised and amused, especially since the bar was empty except for two other people. We continue to harbor thoughts about going back perhaps, with a whole herd of foreigners and no Koreans, so we can play dumb.
Meanwhile back at the funny farm (school), kids have apparently been breaking the cd players between classes, to make the teachers waste class time trying to find a working player. For weeks I did this with one particular class, and it was so annoying, because I thought it was beyond coincidence that I had to get a new player every single class, but I didn't want to think that they were seriously tampering with the player.
Just to say, I hate this class. They are my worst of all this term, and I'm galled that I've had them every single term my whole year here. Horrible little antichrists.
Anyways, yes, apparently they've been breaking the player, then when I come in and try to play the cd, and it doesn't work, they all applaud and laugh their heads off. Why didn't I catch on earlier? You might be asking. Well, this is the type of class that applauds and laughs their heads off at nearly everything I do that is not funny. This is also the one class that I will not speak a word of Korean in, because they completely bust up, and it makes me think that I've accidentally said the word for "fart" or "boob."
A far cry from the class I have right before them, a class of 8 boys and two girls, all ages 9-10, who (after two months) are still operating under the misconception that I speak and understand Korean. Bless their hearts. They're so insanely funny.
But I digress. Back to the nasty older class that I hate. Apparently their queen, the overly-dramatic-angry girl I've mentioned before, has been breaking the players. When my boss finally found out, he did...nothing. We now have a policy where the teachers take the players with them to class, instead of leaving them in the classroom. A lovely defensive maneuver, cleverly evading students who would like to destroy your property. I was hoping for a more offensive action, like EXPULSION or FIERCE CORPORAL PUNISHMENT FROM THE HAND OF GOD.
I will cry and throw a party if this girl ever leaves. Throw a party because she's gone, and cry because she didn't leave sooner.
But the other night I had my first Racism Experience. One of our Korean friends took us to this little hole-in-the-wall pub, but when we went inside, one of the employees there said the owner didn't allow foreigners. The friend assured him that none of us were Irish (lol!), but the other guy still said no. Apparently foreigners are too loud :-)
So our friend called him a -censored- and we left. Honestly, none of us (my coworkers and I) were offended, more like surprised and amused, especially since the bar was empty except for two other people. We continue to harbor thoughts about going back perhaps, with a whole herd of foreigners and no Koreans, so we can play dumb.
Meanwhile back at the funny farm (school), kids have apparently been breaking the cd players between classes, to make the teachers waste class time trying to find a working player. For weeks I did this with one particular class, and it was so annoying, because I thought it was beyond coincidence that I had to get a new player every single class, but I didn't want to think that they were seriously tampering with the player.
Just to say, I hate this class. They are my worst of all this term, and I'm galled that I've had them every single term my whole year here. Horrible little antichrists.
Anyways, yes, apparently they've been breaking the player, then when I come in and try to play the cd, and it doesn't work, they all applaud and laugh their heads off. Why didn't I catch on earlier? You might be asking. Well, this is the type of class that applauds and laughs their heads off at nearly everything I do that is not funny. This is also the one class that I will not speak a word of Korean in, because they completely bust up, and it makes me think that I've accidentally said the word for "fart" or "boob."
A far cry from the class I have right before them, a class of 8 boys and two girls, all ages 9-10, who (after two months) are still operating under the misconception that I speak and understand Korean. Bless their hearts. They're so insanely funny.
But I digress. Back to the nasty older class that I hate. Apparently their queen, the overly-dramatic-angry girl I've mentioned before, has been breaking the players. When my boss finally found out, he did...nothing. We now have a policy where the teachers take the players with them to class, instead of leaving them in the classroom. A lovely defensive maneuver, cleverly evading students who would like to destroy your property. I was hoping for a more offensive action, like EXPULSION or FIERCE CORPORAL PUNISHMENT FROM THE HAND OF GOD.
I will cry and throw a party if this girl ever leaves. Throw a party because she's gone, and cry because she didn't leave sooner.
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Chapter 65: "English Is Boring"
Of course, English is boring. What, did you expect Korean children to be enamored by this mysterious and grammatically haphazard language? Maybe some are, but my kindergarteners certainly aren't.
Today, one of the little girls fell asleep in class. Like, dead-to-the-world asleep, face down flat on her open book. She's always a little drowsy in class, so I thought maybe she was just taking a little siesta. But when we all turned the page and she didn't move, I was actually able to lift her head, hold it up while I turned her page for her, then set her head back down on the book, all without waking her.
Maybe I should have been a bit more strict, but she obviously needed some sleep, and it was too funny to bother keeping her awake.
Another couple of gems from the kindergarteners (this time, the smart class):
When I came into class this morning, I guess one of the little boys had done something to make the other kids angry, because one of the girls piped up and said, "EVERYBODY! DON'T PLAY WITH ANDY, HE IS A BAD STUDENT!!" I felt a little bad for Andy, but bless their little hearts, they're so insanely good at English ;_;
Later in class, I was having them practice reading aloud. They're all really obsessive about who gets the boy and girl parts from the book, and I can barely ever get a boy to read a girl's part. Brian and Alice were reading partners, and Alice immediately asked for the boy's part. Brian said, "Alice, you are the boy?!" Alice replied, "It's cute."
Ah, these little kindergarten buggers. They're making me age a little quicker than I would've liked, but they keep me laughing too :-)
Today, one of the little girls fell asleep in class. Like, dead-to-the-world asleep, face down flat on her open book. She's always a little drowsy in class, so I thought maybe she was just taking a little siesta. But when we all turned the page and she didn't move, I was actually able to lift her head, hold it up while I turned her page for her, then set her head back down on the book, all without waking her.
Maybe I should have been a bit more strict, but she obviously needed some sleep, and it was too funny to bother keeping her awake.
Another couple of gems from the kindergarteners (this time, the smart class):
When I came into class this morning, I guess one of the little boys had done something to make the other kids angry, because one of the girls piped up and said, "EVERYBODY! DON'T PLAY WITH ANDY, HE IS A BAD STUDENT!!" I felt a little bad for Andy, but bless their little hearts, they're so insanely good at English ;_;
Later in class, I was having them practice reading aloud. They're all really obsessive about who gets the boy and girl parts from the book, and I can barely ever get a boy to read a girl's part. Brian and Alice were reading partners, and Alice immediately asked for the boy's part. Brian said, "Alice, you are the boy?!" Alice replied, "It's cute."
Ah, these little kindergarten buggers. They're making me age a little quicker than I would've liked, but they keep me laughing too :-)
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Chapter 64: "So This Is Christmas"
I've had my first Christmas away from home ever in life, and really, it wasn't very traumatic or distressing for me. I slept in a lot, considering I've been keeping pretty early hours for those kindergarten buggers this month -_- Then the coworkers and I hit the grocery store for supplies for Christmas lunch/dinner. Our menu was assorted: corn, bacon wrapped around cocktail wieners, sushi, mushrooms, chicken, croissants, and mashed potatoes. We were going to make fajitas, but the guacamole didn't work out, the chicken and cheese got cold, and there was no sour cream to begin with, so we made a last minute menu alteration and had breakfast tacos instead ^.^
Why was your Christmas feast so weird? You might be wondering. Where's the bird? Also a good question. Simple answer, too. No oven, no microwave, and rotisserie isn't too big here. We take what we can get :-)
So we sat on the floor and ate out of pie tins (no table or chairs and not enough plates) and watched White Christmas on a computer. At one point my friend dropped the plate of eggs into soapy water (no counters for the plates, and we were using the drawers as makeshift counter space), but we rinsed them off, fried them up a bit more to steam off the water, and resolved that if any of us got food poisoning, we'd all call in and get an extra holiday :-D
Dessert was a lovely homemade cheesecake, made from my partially-molded cream cheese, but we didn't eat the moldy part, natch. So not a bad Christmas, really. I talked to the fam via webcam, because we're super-modern that way, heehee.
Less than six weeks till I'm back home, y'all!! I'm starting to get a little excited (and tired of teaching, lol).
Why was your Christmas feast so weird? You might be wondering. Where's the bird? Also a good question. Simple answer, too. No oven, no microwave, and rotisserie isn't too big here. We take what we can get :-)
So we sat on the floor and ate out of pie tins (no table or chairs and not enough plates) and watched White Christmas on a computer. At one point my friend dropped the plate of eggs into soapy water (no counters for the plates, and we were using the drawers as makeshift counter space), but we rinsed them off, fried them up a bit more to steam off the water, and resolved that if any of us got food poisoning, we'd all call in and get an extra holiday :-D
Dessert was a lovely homemade cheesecake, made from my partially-molded cream cheese, but we didn't eat the moldy part, natch. So not a bad Christmas, really. I talked to the fam via webcam, because we're super-modern that way, heehee.
Less than six weeks till I'm back home, y'all!! I'm starting to get a little excited (and tired of teaching, lol).
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Chapter 63: "Death Threats to Santa"
Here are some letters to Santa that some of the kids wrote. I think they're all about ten or so.
(Edited slightly for grievous grammatical error)
"Hello! Santa, my name is Do Yeon. This year you give me a mobile phone. Where are you living? You live in Santa Town? And how old are you? Um....I think you are 1,000! Are you alive? You have a lot of presents. I want a lot of presents. Bye."
-Julie
"Hi Santa. You didn't give me any presents. I'm very angry. Maybe if you don't give me presents, your Rudolph will die. This is true. You look like who? Please give me presents. How old are you? I think you are 10,000 years old. Give me an MP3 player."
-Paul
"Dear Santa Claus, my name is Soung Je and my English name is Evan. You give me a present. Next year you can give me wings and magic powder, please. I like you, because you give presents to children. I'm angry because last year you didn't give me a present. Santa have a happy Christmas!"
-Evan
"Hello, Santa Clause. I like you. But you didn't give me any presents. I'm angry. Then where do you live? I live in Korea. How old are you? I'm 11 years old. Do you have any brothers or sisters? I don't have any brothers or sisters. What's your hobby? My hobby is listening to music. Are you alive? Your life, it's a lie. Next year, please give me Rudolph as a present. Bye bye."
-Kevin
"Hello Santa Clause! I'm Cindy. I'm 12 years old. However I haven't been given any Christmas presents so far. So Christmas is nothing special for me. I want some presents please. I want a hand phone. Santa give the presents to me. I love Santa. Give me presents! I will kill you!"
-Cindy
Ah, kids these days. Readers, I give you the future of Korea!! Hide your reindeer. And your presents.
(Edited slightly for grievous grammatical error)
"Hello! Santa, my name is Do Yeon. This year you give me a mobile phone. Where are you living? You live in Santa Town? And how old are you? Um....I think you are 1,000! Are you alive? You have a lot of presents. I want a lot of presents. Bye."
-Julie
"Hi Santa. You didn't give me any presents. I'm very angry. Maybe if you don't give me presents, your Rudolph will die. This is true. You look like who? Please give me presents. How old are you? I think you are 10,000 years old. Give me an MP3 player."
-Paul
"Dear Santa Claus, my name is Soung Je and my English name is Evan. You give me a present. Next year you can give me wings and magic powder, please. I like you, because you give presents to children. I'm angry because last year you didn't give me a present. Santa have a happy Christmas!"
-Evan
"Hello, Santa Clause. I like you. But you didn't give me any presents. I'm angry. Then where do you live? I live in Korea. How old are you? I'm 11 years old. Do you have any brothers or sisters? I don't have any brothers or sisters. What's your hobby? My hobby is listening to music. Are you alive? Your life, it's a lie. Next year, please give me Rudolph as a present. Bye bye."
-Kevin
"Hello Santa Clause! I'm Cindy. I'm 12 years old. However I haven't been given any Christmas presents so far. So Christmas is nothing special for me. I want some presents please. I want a hand phone. Santa give the presents to me. I love Santa. Give me presents! I will kill you!"
-Cindy
Ah, kids these days. Readers, I give you the future of Korea!! Hide your reindeer. And your presents.
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