I bought a Christmas tree. It was my first one ever! The lovely little fake fir is only two feet high and I bought it for twelve thousand won (the equivalent of 12 U.S. dollars). I think I am officially a grownup.
Christmas shows itself in tiny bits around Korea. It's not a huge holiday to be celebrated. One Korean friend told it was more like a "date" day, or a day to spend with one's sweetheart. The Koreans like to celebrate Chusok and Lunar New Year a bit more than Christmas. I am going to spend Christmas with my extended family in Seoul for four days. I greatly anticipate getting to spend time with my second cousins I haven't seen much in the last ten years. I have vague memories of seeing my cousins during the summers in high school for random visits to SSP basketball camps and dentists checkups. I am excited to actually share a meal with them all at once. On December 28th, I head down to Bali with three of my co-workers for two weeks. I"m still not sure what possessed me to go, or what monetary funds truly exist to fund this trip; nonetheless, I am going. I am excited for sun, relaxation, Bali dances, and the monkey forest. Don't worry, I intend to take PLENTY of pictures while I am down there! (Or steal plenty from Meredith!)
Christmas and New Year's causes one to stop and pause where life has taken them. Since ruminating is one of my favorite pastimes, I think about the past year quite a bit. So much has happened since last December. I got my first teaching job, traveled to the equator and the Galapagos Islands, made a french silk pie for the first time, rode on a Segway with my dad, traveld to Europe, got my ears pierced, and moved to South Korea. Not too shabby for a year, eh? I am now five months into my overseas journey. When I first moved to South Korea, it didn't feel real. I felt like I was on a travel abroad program for college. Over the last few weeks, my life doesn't feel like a vacation anymore. I have a life overseas now. I don't know how long this season of my life will last, but my address doesn't just include the United States anymore. I share an address with one hundred other teachers.
This past year has taught me to be thankful and quiet. I learned to be thankful for what is right in front of my eyes and not to CONSTANTLY be looking elsewhere for contentment. I learned to be quiet in the sense I actually stop once in awhile to be still and reflective. Both lessons have proven themselves over and over, even thought I continually fail to master them :)
I eagerly await the challenges 2008 will bring. I anticipate seeing family and friends in the States. I look forward to writing another entry next year around Christmas time.
Maybe next year I will actually like kimchi.
MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HE LIVES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Monday, December 10, 2007
Sunday, December 9, 2007
The legs of an octopus and a dog's hip
I joined a gym. It's full of Korean men that don't speak any English. But they claim I could be the next kickboxing champion in 2008. Apparently I am so tall and big and blond I would knock over any Korean woman that came in my way. Thank goodness that I am "beefed up" enough to receive this honor.
Over the past two weeks I have gotten to know many Koreans outside of my school bubble. It's common for foreigners to stick together when moving abroad, and often miss out interacting with actual people of the culture. I don't want that to be my experience in Korea. To prove I wasn't a typical foreigner, I got invited to a party two weeks at the kickboxing gym to celebrate someone being discharged from the army. A little party of cake and pop was spread out on the mat when I walked in the door and everyone was laughing heartily. I sat down, introduced myself, and allowed my friend Lloyd to translate for me. Over the next two hours, smiles and laughter erupted over the comical dialogue of broken English and ridiculous hand gestures. I grow to love the Koreans more and more.
As I was leaving that night, I honestly didn't think I would interact with these people much more. I was completely wrong! The next night my friend Meredith and I went back to the gym to try kickboxing. We ended up taking a jiu-jitsu class. It's a martial arts class that involves different wrestling moves and chokeholds. To quote Meredith, she can "choke me three different ways, wrap her legs around my head like an octopus and slam me to the ground". I opted for the kickboxing class after the night.
Was I finished with my social interaction? Noooooooooooo. I ended up going to a kickboxing tournament last Saturday. I saw more people getting kicked, punched, and flipped then I have in my entire life. I even saw the champions of Japan and Korea duel one another. I don't think these type of cultural experiences are advertised in Lonely Planet. I finished up the night with a lovely dinner filled with broken English and ridiculous hand gestures.
I decided two days later to join the gym. I am learning to kick and punch with intensity and form. I got the nickname "doghip" because my butt alledgedly sticks out like a dog's hip after I deliver a low kick. That is something I definitely need to work on, even if my sole motivation is to receive a better nickname than "doghip". I continue to share meals, smiles, and kickboxing instruction with my new friends. They even came out to celebrate my 27th birthday on Saturday! We all went for cake at a local coffee shop and had three worlds merge together. I looked across the table to see my new social network. It felt completely surreal for a moment, but I couldn't help but smile to myself what has transpired over the last four months in Korea.
Over the past two weeks I have gotten to know many Koreans outside of my school bubble. It's common for foreigners to stick together when moving abroad, and often miss out interacting with actual people of the culture. I don't want that to be my experience in Korea. To prove I wasn't a typical foreigner, I got invited to a party two weeks at the kickboxing gym to celebrate someone being discharged from the army. A little party of cake and pop was spread out on the mat when I walked in the door and everyone was laughing heartily. I sat down, introduced myself, and allowed my friend Lloyd to translate for me. Over the next two hours, smiles and laughter erupted over the comical dialogue of broken English and ridiculous hand gestures. I grow to love the Koreans more and more.
As I was leaving that night, I honestly didn't think I would interact with these people much more. I was completely wrong! The next night my friend Meredith and I went back to the gym to try kickboxing. We ended up taking a jiu-jitsu class. It's a martial arts class that involves different wrestling moves and chokeholds. To quote Meredith, she can "choke me three different ways, wrap her legs around my head like an octopus and slam me to the ground". I opted for the kickboxing class after the night.
Was I finished with my social interaction? Noooooooooooo. I ended up going to a kickboxing tournament last Saturday. I saw more people getting kicked, punched, and flipped then I have in my entire life. I even saw the champions of Japan and Korea duel one another. I don't think these type of cultural experiences are advertised in Lonely Planet. I finished up the night with a lovely dinner filled with broken English and ridiculous hand gestures.
I decided two days later to join the gym. I am learning to kick and punch with intensity and form. I got the nickname "doghip" because my butt alledgedly sticks out like a dog's hip after I deliver a low kick. That is something I definitely need to work on, even if my sole motivation is to receive a better nickname than "doghip". I continue to share meals, smiles, and kickboxing instruction with my new friends. They even came out to celebrate my 27th birthday on Saturday! We all went for cake at a local coffee shop and had three worlds merge together. I looked across the table to see my new social network. It felt completely surreal for a moment, but I couldn't help but smile to myself what has transpired over the last four months in Korea.
Friday, November 30, 2007
Snapshots of Seoul Adventure #9
I stole some of these pictures from a friend. Ok, I stole all of these pictures. My camera is on the fritz right now, but my friend graciously allowed me to put them on my blog. Enjoy!
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Seoul-the city that never sleeps- including its wagukin visitors
Seoul adventure #9 transpired over Thanksgiving weekend, and this one has topped them all thus far. I eagerly traipsed up to Seoul for a random night of who-knows- what with my good friends Meredith, DJ, and the infamous Hagwon Don. We were going to stay with a friend of Hagwon Don, but ended up staying at a local jimjilbong. I am not sure how EXACTLY to describe these places, but its a 24 hotel/bathhouse/sauna/random escapist paradise for Koreans. I enjoy going to use the sauna, but I have never slept in one before. I was not too keen on the idea, but peer pressure got the the better of me. Most "jims" don't allow its patrons to leave their belongings and come back, but our lucky stars were aligned. The four of us headed to a local jazz bar that was VERY COOL. I haven't attended many jazz clubs, but this was quaint, intimate, smoky, and just downright hip. We hung out till around 2 am, then went on a search for hotteuk. (A pancake filled with brown sugar and nuts-very delicious!) I got the brilliant idea to head to the night market and fulfill my "purse envy" of Meredith's trendy flowered bag. The purse store was closed, but pictures of brilliant Christmas lights were taken and hotteuk was found. Game over, we win the search for nutty pankcakes.
Much to my surprise (and slight dismay),the night was NOT over. It was time to find a place to sleep at the "jim". The establishment provides a pair of pajamas and towels to use for sleep or sauna. Meredith and I got ready to find a place to sleep, but it was PACKED. People were sleeping ON THE FLOOR with tiny cushions to support their heads. Except there weren't any cushions left. I charged back into the locker room, got some jackets and my ipod, and wriggled my way onto the floor. I managed to swipe two cushions from some unsuspecting Koreans. I was doing ok, but then DJ found us and summoned us over into the computer room. Sweet! The four of us snuggled into a darkened room with two other Korean men for a night of "sleep". The precious hour of REM lasted 52 minutes. Believe me, I counted! I managed to find a spot between someone's hairy foot and oddly muscular calf, but suprisingly drifted off to sleep right away.
The rest of the day was spent shopping for books, journals, and having tea with birds uttering Korean hellos in the background. Every corner I turn there is always something new to see. The city of 10 million never ceases to amaze. I anticipate and drool over any chance I can go into the city. I even look forward to "sleeping" at a jimjilbong again. Preferably one with beds, but I guess another set of hairy feet aren't that bad. :)
Much to my surprise (and slight dismay),the night was NOT over. It was time to find a place to sleep at the "jim". The establishment provides a pair of pajamas and towels to use for sleep or sauna. Meredith and I got ready to find a place to sleep, but it was PACKED. People were sleeping ON THE FLOOR with tiny cushions to support their heads. Except there weren't any cushions left. I charged back into the locker room, got some jackets and my ipod, and wriggled my way onto the floor. I managed to swipe two cushions from some unsuspecting Koreans. I was doing ok, but then DJ found us and summoned us over into the computer room. Sweet! The four of us snuggled into a darkened room with two other Korean men for a night of "sleep". The precious hour of REM lasted 52 minutes. Believe me, I counted! I managed to find a spot between someone's hairy foot and oddly muscular calf, but suprisingly drifted off to sleep right away.
The rest of the day was spent shopping for books, journals, and having tea with birds uttering Korean hellos in the background. Every corner I turn there is always something new to see. The city of 10 million never ceases to amaze. I anticipate and drool over any chance I can go into the city. I even look forward to "sleeping" at a jimjilbong again. Preferably one with beds, but I guess another set of hairy feet aren't that bad. :)
A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving...minus the Peanuts gang...
The past three weeks I have been teaching at an English camp held at my school. Local sixth graders come from nearby public schools to learn about how Westerners spend seasons and holidays. Imagine trying to explain the journey of the Pilgrims to a bunch of kids that can barely say the correct colors. I am definitely getting a crash course in ESL. The interesting thing is the similiarities between Eastern and Western cultures. One of my students spent six months in the States and knew about the horrendous violence that occurred between the settlers and Native Americans. I asked what happened in Korean history to see if I could draw any ties together. The kids immediately divulged about Korea's history of violence and oppression. I had no idea how much Korea has been tormented by China and Japan over the last few centuries. It makes our history seems so YOUNG at times.
The last half hour of camp was spent watching "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving". It officially marked the kick-off for my Thanksgiving holiday. The rest of the "true" Thanksgiving day in Korea was spent chaperoning a Sadie Hawkins dance. Yes, I dressed up and danced my heart out. I celebrated with a sushi feast afterward.
In spite of seaweed and rice, I did get to enjoy some authentic Thanksgiving food. TCIS has a sister school up in Suwon (a suburb of Seoul) that volunteered to host a joint Thanksgiving celebration on Saturday for the two schools. I spent the morning frantically shopping for gifts for my family, then hopping a train and two taxis to arrive at the school. I played an hour of intense basketball with my headmaster, pastor, and several other teachers, showered quickly, then headed off to eat a HUGE meal with my extended family. I couldn't help but walk into the crowded cafeteria with a sense of vagueness. The scene wasn't quite right. The magohony buffet at my parents' house wasn't there; filled with turkey, mashed potatoes, and the random dish of cottage cheese in the Japanese bowl my mother secretly likes to sneak into every meal. My grandfather wasn't there to banter with me and constantly telling me I need to "beef up". Wrigley wasn't there giving the irrestible look of manipulative pity that forces me to give him endless amounts of turkey.
Instead, I saw my second cousin feeding her three children and allowing everyone to hold them so she could sneak a bite of turkey. I overhead conversations about my other cousin Phil coming to visit for three months and coach basketball. I talked with my pastor about a new bible he picked up for me. I heard my friends talk about homesickness and feeling out of sorts. I chatted with my friend Meredith about the going out for jazz and dancing that evening. As Charlie Brown would say, good grief!
I still have to catch myself sometimes at the radical difference life has taken since August.
On another note, happy belated Thanksgiving! To my mom and sister- Happy Chusokae! (minus the obscenity Mals!) I am grateful to have you all in my life, despite the six thousand mile distance.
The last half hour of camp was spent watching "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving". It officially marked the kick-off for my Thanksgiving holiday. The rest of the "true" Thanksgiving day in Korea was spent chaperoning a Sadie Hawkins dance. Yes, I dressed up and danced my heart out. I celebrated with a sushi feast afterward.
In spite of seaweed and rice, I did get to enjoy some authentic Thanksgiving food. TCIS has a sister school up in Suwon (a suburb of Seoul) that volunteered to host a joint Thanksgiving celebration on Saturday for the two schools. I spent the morning frantically shopping for gifts for my family, then hopping a train and two taxis to arrive at the school. I played an hour of intense basketball with my headmaster, pastor, and several other teachers, showered quickly, then headed off to eat a HUGE meal with my extended family. I couldn't help but walk into the crowded cafeteria with a sense of vagueness. The scene wasn't quite right. The magohony buffet at my parents' house wasn't there; filled with turkey, mashed potatoes, and the random dish of cottage cheese in the Japanese bowl my mother secretly likes to sneak into every meal. My grandfather wasn't there to banter with me and constantly telling me I need to "beef up". Wrigley wasn't there giving the irrestible look of manipulative pity that forces me to give him endless amounts of turkey.
Instead, I saw my second cousin feeding her three children and allowing everyone to hold them so she could sneak a bite of turkey. I overhead conversations about my other cousin Phil coming to visit for three months and coach basketball. I talked with my pastor about a new bible he picked up for me. I heard my friends talk about homesickness and feeling out of sorts. I chatted with my friend Meredith about the going out for jazz and dancing that evening. As Charlie Brown would say, good grief!
I still have to catch myself sometimes at the radical difference life has taken since August.
On another note, happy belated Thanksgiving! To my mom and sister- Happy Chusokae! (minus the obscenity Mals!) I am grateful to have you all in my life, despite the six thousand mile distance.
Monday, November 12, 2007
Oh the places you'll go!
It's cold in Korea. Finally. I cannot believe I am admitting this, but I hunger for the seasons to change. The slow ebb of fall crept into Korea quietly, then exploded into a wonderful palette of crimson reds, appleish yellows, and fiery burnt oranges. I could not WAIT for a free weekend to get out of my sleepy little city and into the arms of nature. (Yes, Mom, I did see some "tree maidens" on the way. I am finally starting to look at the window when I ride in a car/bus!)
Two weekends ago I hosted a French toast breakfast for a few of my new island friends that came into town to visit. Keep in mind I didn't actually COOK anything, but provided the food, eating space, and scintillating conversation. I dread the day when I will actually have to add cooking food to my repertoire as a hostess.
After breakfast, I headed with twelve other teachers to Songnisan National Park. It boasts of a giant golden Buddha, a hermitage where female monks used to dwell, and amazing fall colors. I was salivating at the chance to see nature at her finest.
Upon our arrival, a half hour walk into the forest led us to the golden Buddha, including every resident within an hour of the park. It was PACKED! Someone muttered once to me I should avoid any Korean national parks on a Saturday. Numerous Koreans were decked out in the latest hiking outfit and boots. I felt shabby in my purple fleece jacket! I am beginning to see why I should wait to travel to a park on a random Tuesday. My friends and I were desperate for some quiet. We traveled up to a hermitage where female monks used to live. We finally found a quiet path, soaked in the silence by walking quietly up the hill, then began throwing leaves at one another. So much for the solitude. :) Upon our arrival at the hermitage, I heard some female monks chanting. It was a peculiar sound coming from a human being. The guttural echoes of their prayers sounded vastly different from my own. I couldn't help but listen in utter curiosity.
On the way back we stopped to see the golden Buddha. I don't understand the draw to Buddhism. He just looks like a big, fat guy to me. Doesn't the Eightfold Path teach about balance and temperance? Buddha sure didn't worry about his waistline.
I continue on my own search with Christianity. I am learning about discipline, prayer, and seeing God/Jesus/Holy Spirit as something more than a myth. It's a slow progression, but I am enjoying taking an intellectual approach to my faith. Some aspects finally make sense for the first time; others still baffle me. I guess it really is a life-long journey. I think it is cool that Jesus was a carpenter! :)
Two weekends ago I hosted a French toast breakfast for a few of my new island friends that came into town to visit. Keep in mind I didn't actually COOK anything, but provided the food, eating space, and scintillating conversation. I dread the day when I will actually have to add cooking food to my repertoire as a hostess.
After breakfast, I headed with twelve other teachers to Songnisan National Park. It boasts of a giant golden Buddha, a hermitage where female monks used to dwell, and amazing fall colors. I was salivating at the chance to see nature at her finest.
Upon our arrival, a half hour walk into the forest led us to the golden Buddha, including every resident within an hour of the park. It was PACKED! Someone muttered once to me I should avoid any Korean national parks on a Saturday. Numerous Koreans were decked out in the latest hiking outfit and boots. I felt shabby in my purple fleece jacket! I am beginning to see why I should wait to travel to a park on a random Tuesday. My friends and I were desperate for some quiet. We traveled up to a hermitage where female monks used to live. We finally found a quiet path, soaked in the silence by walking quietly up the hill, then began throwing leaves at one another. So much for the solitude. :) Upon our arrival at the hermitage, I heard some female monks chanting. It was a peculiar sound coming from a human being. The guttural echoes of their prayers sounded vastly different from my own. I couldn't help but listen in utter curiosity.
On the way back we stopped to see the golden Buddha. I don't understand the draw to Buddhism. He just looks like a big, fat guy to me. Doesn't the Eightfold Path teach about balance and temperance? Buddha sure didn't worry about his waistline.
I continue on my own search with Christianity. I am learning about discipline, prayer, and seeing God/Jesus/Holy Spirit as something more than a myth. It's a slow progression, but I am enjoying taking an intellectual approach to my faith. Some aspects finally make sense for the first time; others still baffle me. I guess it really is a life-long journey. I think it is cool that Jesus was a carpenter! :)
Monday, October 29, 2007
A moment of silence
Quite a bit of joy and tragedy has transpired since my departure from the States. Tonight I feel absolutely useless in Korea. I desperately want to be home for five hours to give everyone I know and love a big hug. Even my "sandpaper lady" of a professor from my graduate studies. Thanks for the term, Dad!
Through God's mysterious hand, I learned of a horrific tragedy surrouding the family member of one of my old co-workers. I did not know the person well, but the news really struck me. I knew her mom well. I wanted to help out SOMEHOW. Do SOMETHING. Distance of volcanoes, seaweed, and rocks does not allow me to do anything except call, email, think, cry, and pray. That's it. Sometimes the thought of distance feels pretty daunting.
Once again, as Miss Richfield 1981 so eloquently says, "Jesus always wins." He brought comfort and connection today. After discovering some horrible news, my heart just ached for my old school. I talked to my department head about the writing conference we had attended together in Seoul, when the tears started flowing. She held my hand, prayed with me, and told me a story about losing her two sisters in a car accident when she was twelve. On the day of her sister's wedding! I was astounded how much tragedy her family had experienced. Yet, she talked of the hope God brings. I looked at her in disbelief over her calm demeanour, but her sincerity was intoxicating. I couldn't help but hang onto her every word about hope.
I took a moment of silence to think about what she said. It followed me the rest of the day. I felt like the wailing, sensitive sister from the novel, "The Secret Life of Bees". Tonight, I wanted to set up my own wailing wall on my 9th floor apartment, put all of the grievances and burdens of everyone I know on little scrolls of paper, firmly shove them into the cracks, and just wail for all the pain in the world. A little ambitious and ridiculous, but the thought made me feel better. Especially at the thought that someone has already taken on all that. Miss Richfield 1981 was right once again.
Through God's mysterious hand, I learned of a horrific tragedy surrouding the family member of one of my old co-workers. I did not know the person well, but the news really struck me. I knew her mom well. I wanted to help out SOMEHOW. Do SOMETHING. Distance of volcanoes, seaweed, and rocks does not allow me to do anything except call, email, think, cry, and pray. That's it. Sometimes the thought of distance feels pretty daunting.
Once again, as Miss Richfield 1981 so eloquently says, "Jesus always wins." He brought comfort and connection today. After discovering some horrible news, my heart just ached for my old school. I talked to my department head about the writing conference we had attended together in Seoul, when the tears started flowing. She held my hand, prayed with me, and told me a story about losing her two sisters in a car accident when she was twelve. On the day of her sister's wedding! I was astounded how much tragedy her family had experienced. Yet, she talked of the hope God brings. I looked at her in disbelief over her calm demeanour, but her sincerity was intoxicating. I couldn't help but hang onto her every word about hope.
I took a moment of silence to think about what she said. It followed me the rest of the day. I felt like the wailing, sensitive sister from the novel, "The Secret Life of Bees". Tonight, I wanted to set up my own wailing wall on my 9th floor apartment, put all of the grievances and burdens of everyone I know on little scrolls of paper, firmly shove them into the cracks, and just wail for all the pain in the world. A little ambitious and ridiculous, but the thought made me feel better. Especially at the thought that someone has already taken on all that. Miss Richfield 1981 was right once again.
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Anything you can do Korean, I can do better.....
I eat for rice for breakfast (rarely), lunch, and dinner. I now bow to greet people good morning. I LOVE Korean hip-hop I prefer chopsticks to forks. I know the Korean alphabet. I can even handle kimchi once in awhile.
Welcome to my Korean life after three months. I feel like I haven't given a great snapshot about my true life over here. I am going to blog a little bit about my life and my school.
I work at Taejoen Christian International School. It was founded soley in the late 1950's by Presbyterian missionaries, but has since but supported by many different denominations. Our school is sandwiched in a little university area called Hanam De. It's packed with bars, restaurants, and cheap and wonderful coffee shops. I frequent the eating estasblishments and coffee shops quite avidly. I was sad to learn our school may move to another part of town in two years. It would be more spacious campus, but lack the social energy Hanam University brings. What will I do without ten coffee shops? Eat leaves?
I teach two different freshmen preps: Writing 1 and English 9. That's right. I have freshmen boys and girls ALL DAY LONG. I miss upper classmen at times, but I couldn't be happier with my sea of growing teenagers. Every Monday morning we start off the day with a "high/low" exercise talking about the joys and trials of the weekend. They are allowed to say "Switzerland" if they are feeling "neutral" and we move onto the next person. The exercise is cliche, perhaps a bit of a time waster, but it builds community and identity for the kids. They LOVE it! For the teacher fans of my blog, you should give overseas teaching a try. I only have to grade SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENTS. THAT'S IT. AND MY BIGGEST CLASS SIZE IS 17. Did my pitch work?
My professional, social, and spiritual life all revolve around school. I live four blocks from school. I work at school. I meet people to go out at school. I attend church at school. I take a yoga class at school. The thought overwhelms me at times how much I am at school. Ironically, I LOVE the community. I like being part of a small environment.
I also love leaving the small environment when my restlessness takes hold. Good thing Seoul, a city of 17 million, is about a one hour train ride away. The last four weekend I have hopped on the bullet train to partake in random adventures around the city. I have gone to the all night markets, eaten squid from random street vendors, witnessed the mystical tombs of past kings and queens, and shopped on the Rodeo Drive of Korea. I love the energy of Seoul, but I am always a little grateful to return to the slower paced speed of Daejeon
Three months ago, I was saying goodbye to my mom, sister, and friend Stephanie is Switzerland over wine and fondue. Now I talk to people over the Internet while eating kimbap and drinking aloe water. Life certainly changes dramatically in such a short time. I miss my family and my friends back in the States. I miss buying clothes because I'm too "big" for Korean standards. I wish I could buy shoes that fit my gargantuan feet. I miss Banana Republic. I really miss cottage cheese. Who am I becoming? Korean or American?
Thus begins the identity crisis. Or maybe better termed an identity FUSION. :)
Welcome to my Korean life after three months. I feel like I haven't given a great snapshot about my true life over here. I am going to blog a little bit about my life and my school.
I work at Taejoen Christian International School. It was founded soley in the late 1950's by Presbyterian missionaries, but has since but supported by many different denominations. Our school is sandwiched in a little university area called Hanam De. It's packed with bars, restaurants, and cheap and wonderful coffee shops. I frequent the eating estasblishments and coffee shops quite avidly. I was sad to learn our school may move to another part of town in two years. It would be more spacious campus, but lack the social energy Hanam University brings. What will I do without ten coffee shops? Eat leaves?
I teach two different freshmen preps: Writing 1 and English 9. That's right. I have freshmen boys and girls ALL DAY LONG. I miss upper classmen at times, but I couldn't be happier with my sea of growing teenagers. Every Monday morning we start off the day with a "high/low" exercise talking about the joys and trials of the weekend. They are allowed to say "Switzerland" if they are feeling "neutral" and we move onto the next person. The exercise is cliche, perhaps a bit of a time waster, but it builds community and identity for the kids. They LOVE it! For the teacher fans of my blog, you should give overseas teaching a try. I only have to grade SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENTS. THAT'S IT. AND MY BIGGEST CLASS SIZE IS 17. Did my pitch work?
My professional, social, and spiritual life all revolve around school. I live four blocks from school. I work at school. I meet people to go out at school. I attend church at school. I take a yoga class at school. The thought overwhelms me at times how much I am at school. Ironically, I LOVE the community. I like being part of a small environment.
I also love leaving the small environment when my restlessness takes hold. Good thing Seoul, a city of 17 million, is about a one hour train ride away. The last four weekend I have hopped on the bullet train to partake in random adventures around the city. I have gone to the all night markets, eaten squid from random street vendors, witnessed the mystical tombs of past kings and queens, and shopped on the Rodeo Drive of Korea. I love the energy of Seoul, but I am always a little grateful to return to the slower paced speed of Daejeon
Three months ago, I was saying goodbye to my mom, sister, and friend Stephanie is Switzerland over wine and fondue. Now I talk to people over the Internet while eating kimbap and drinking aloe water. Life certainly changes dramatically in such a short time. I miss my family and my friends back in the States. I miss buying clothes because I'm too "big" for Korean standards. I wish I could buy shoes that fit my gargantuan feet. I miss Banana Republic. I really miss cottage cheese. Who am I becoming? Korean or American?
Thus begins the identity crisis. Or maybe better termed an identity FUSION. :)
Saturday, October 13, 2007
I'm proud to be a classy broad!
My principal invited me and three other single, female teachers over for dinner this past week. This was a complete first for me! Administrators intimidate me and I usually hide in my classroom. (It's a stupid childhood fear of getting in trouble from adults!) Nonetheless, he is warm, humorous, and an extremely gracious man. He would replace Micheal Scott any day!
After a stressful day of coaching and teaching, I strapped on my ipod and proceeded to "dance" my troubles away to Earth, Wind, and Fire. I had to be at my principal's house in one hour and I wanted to be relaxed and de-stressed. Lo and behold, as I turned to cross the street, my principal was simultaneously crossing the street and laughing at me. Actually, he was GUFFAWING!!! I turned CRIMSON and sheepishly took the earpiece out of my ear. We chatted briefly about the day, when he smugly asked me what music enraptured me to the point of idiotic carelessness with Korean traffic. I said Earth, Wind, and Fire and then, stupidly, asked him to join me in my street dancing.
Much to my chagrin, he strapped on an earpiece. Two set of arms and legs started dancing, rather jiving, to the beat of my music. For two full, exuberant minutes we were completely in sync to "September". Suddenly, my earpiece fell out.
The moment was over.
For a brief second, silence hit us both. Did we really just dance the street to Earth, Wind, and Fire? Like complete dorks?
Yes, yes we did. Luckily, smiles suddenly erupted on both of our faces. This was our little secret. Earth, Wind, and Fire would never be the same.
The secret didn't last long. The cat was let out of the bag at dinner that night. My sheepish smile came back at the thought of my ridiculous antics, but my principal made me feel sane again. He called me a classy broad and affirmed that any man should consider himself lucky to dance down the street with me.
Maybe he is a little bit like Micheal Scott. :)
After a stressful day of coaching and teaching, I strapped on my ipod and proceeded to "dance" my troubles away to Earth, Wind, and Fire. I had to be at my principal's house in one hour and I wanted to be relaxed and de-stressed. Lo and behold, as I turned to cross the street, my principal was simultaneously crossing the street and laughing at me. Actually, he was GUFFAWING!!! I turned CRIMSON and sheepishly took the earpiece out of my ear. We chatted briefly about the day, when he smugly asked me what music enraptured me to the point of idiotic carelessness with Korean traffic. I said Earth, Wind, and Fire and then, stupidly, asked him to join me in my street dancing.
Much to my chagrin, he strapped on an earpiece. Two set of arms and legs started dancing, rather jiving, to the beat of my music. For two full, exuberant minutes we were completely in sync to "September". Suddenly, my earpiece fell out.
The moment was over.
For a brief second, silence hit us both. Did we really just dance the street to Earth, Wind, and Fire? Like complete dorks?
Yes, yes we did. Luckily, smiles suddenly erupted on both of our faces. This was our little secret. Earth, Wind, and Fire would never be the same.
The secret didn't last long. The cat was let out of the bag at dinner that night. My sheepish smile came back at the thought of my ridiculous antics, but my principal made me feel sane again. He called me a classy broad and affirmed that any man should consider himself lucky to dance down the street with me.
Maybe he is a little bit like Micheal Scott. :)
Sunday, October 7, 2007
m-flo and all its brilliance
I continually get introduced to Korean culture when I step out of the English speaking bubble. Perhaps sideswiped would be a more appropriate adjective. This past weekend I attended a Korean/Japanese hip-hop fusion concert at the Walker Hill Hotel in Seoul. I was one of two Caucausian people in a sea of Asians. I hate admitting this, but I felt overwhelmed at moments being the minority, and getting stared at incessantly. I have traveled before and been ogled at, but this felt different. I LIVE here now. I am part of the society. Where do I really fit as a waugukin? (Foreigner in Korean) What's the big deal about being a tall, blonde girl with a mass of curly hair?
I got the answers to some of my questions later in the evening. I attended the concert with my good friend Jon, but he is a Chinese-Canadian and blends right into the Asian mix of people. He and I had excellent conversations that night about foreigners. I asked him,"Why are white people such a big deal in Asia?" He said it's because of the scarcity of foreigners that make us (in reference to white people) such an anomoly. Some Asians view whites with extreme curiousity, while other times view whites as an annoyance and simply don't exist.
Sadly, racism evolves at times as a result of the curiousity and/or annoyance. We got a bigger dose of this divide when entering into the casino part of the hotel in search of food. Jon was stopped for his passport while I just got to mosy on into the casino. We joked about it a little, but decided it needed further investigation. After breaking it down to DJ Clazzi till 2:30 in the morning, we decided to try and make our way into the casino. We even pretended to be a married couple the second time to test. They only stopped him! The blatant treatment of him vs. me was jaw-dropping.
Further conversations that weekend with my other new Asian friends, led to further evidence of this ethnic divide. My friend Christine told me she clung to Asian groups in college. Her friends back in Boston tease about having more white friends in Korea than she did in the States! I couldn't help but analyze my own friendships back in the States. Some are diverse, other homogenous. Is this something I need to worry about? Is there a competition to have more diverse friends?
The answer I concluded was yes and no. People will naturally gravitate to what is familiar, whether it revolves around race, culture, or gender. This is not always a bad thing. But what turns ugly is blatant racism, predjudice, and close-minded thinking. One way I noticed to overcome that is breaking down these barriers with intentional effort. Have a meal. Ask about each other's culture. Make an effort to visit homes or participate in celebrations.
I realize this is all easier said than done. It sounds too much like holding hands and singing kum-by-ya around the campfire. But it can work. I have witnessed it repeatedly over the last few months. Just one of the few lessons I have continued to learn during my time in Korea. Who knew that a hip-hop concert could open up door to such amazing conversations? Thank goodness for m-flo and all their brilliance! (Check out the group on youtube!)
I got the answers to some of my questions later in the evening. I attended the concert with my good friend Jon, but he is a Chinese-Canadian and blends right into the Asian mix of people. He and I had excellent conversations that night about foreigners. I asked him,"Why are white people such a big deal in Asia?" He said it's because of the scarcity of foreigners that make us (in reference to white people) such an anomoly. Some Asians view whites with extreme curiousity, while other times view whites as an annoyance and simply don't exist.
Sadly, racism evolves at times as a result of the curiousity and/or annoyance. We got a bigger dose of this divide when entering into the casino part of the hotel in search of food. Jon was stopped for his passport while I just got to mosy on into the casino. We joked about it a little, but decided it needed further investigation. After breaking it down to DJ Clazzi till 2:30 in the morning, we decided to try and make our way into the casino. We even pretended to be a married couple the second time to test. They only stopped him! The blatant treatment of him vs. me was jaw-dropping.
Further conversations that weekend with my other new Asian friends, led to further evidence of this ethnic divide. My friend Christine told me she clung to Asian groups in college. Her friends back in Boston tease about having more white friends in Korea than she did in the States! I couldn't help but analyze my own friendships back in the States. Some are diverse, other homogenous. Is this something I need to worry about? Is there a competition to have more diverse friends?
The answer I concluded was yes and no. People will naturally gravitate to what is familiar, whether it revolves around race, culture, or gender. This is not always a bad thing. But what turns ugly is blatant racism, predjudice, and close-minded thinking. One way I noticed to overcome that is breaking down these barriers with intentional effort. Have a meal. Ask about each other's culture. Make an effort to visit homes or participate in celebrations.
I realize this is all easier said than done. It sounds too much like holding hands and singing kum-by-ya around the campfire. But it can work. I have witnessed it repeatedly over the last few months. Just one of the few lessons I have continued to learn during my time in Korea. Who knew that a hip-hop concert could open up door to such amazing conversations? Thank goodness for m-flo and all their brilliance! (Check out the group on youtube!)
Monday, October 1, 2007
Sunday, September 30, 2007
A day on Jeju Island....priceless
The cost of an airline ticket to Jejudo Island- 164,317 won
Price of each taxi ride around the island- 10,000 won
Each shower at the local jimjilbang- 7,000 won
Parasailing- 40,000 won
Watching the sun rise with fourteen amazing people on a tropical island in the southeastern end of Korea- PRICELESS!
Welcome to Chusok vacation! Chusok is Korea's harvest celebration aka Korea's Thanksgiving. Each family travels to their father's hometown for dinner and presents. If you are not a member of a Korean family, or of Korean descent, where do you go?
That's right. You travel to Jejudo Island with fourteen other teachers from school. Here is a brief snapshot of my first vacation in Korea.......
DAY 1: Arrive at the bus terminal in anticipation our group will miss the bus because of the hype that there will BE NO TICKETS because everyone is traveling over Chusok. Bus trip goes by with smooth sailing and we arrive at the airport FIVE HOURS EARLY. Oops! That might be MY FAULT...I suggested the early arrival....don't say a WORD if you traveled with me to Denmark...a few of my co-workers won't let me forget it!
Arrive on the island, eat a lovely dinner, see a cool waterfall at night, go to sleep!
DAY 2: BEACH DAY!!!! Football and frisbee on the beach, evening cookout, parasail over the bay, sleep on the beach and watch the moonbeams dance across the water......
DAY 3: Travel day to Udo Island...go out for another fabulous dinner and sleep in a pension on the beach...watch the moonbeams dance across the water AGAIN!! :)
DAY 4: Watch the sunrise at 6:00 a.m., go running around the island, go scootering all over the place, look eagerly for wrinkly old female drivers in wetsuits (called haneyos) catching their breakfast, pose next to haneyo statues instead, travel back to Seogwipo, go out for an amazing Italian dinner, cap the evening off with some norebang till 2:30 in the morning
DAY 5: Go visit an amazing Buddhist temple, travel back to Daejeon via taxi, bus, airplane,bus, then taxi again; watch Grey's Anatomy for three hours to distract myself from post-vacation depression....
DAY 6,7,8,9, 10......Continue to watch Grey's Anatomy to nurse the post-vacation depression, buy food at Costco and realize I only have 150,000 won for the rest of the month (did I really spend that much money on FOOD during vacation?!), upload pictures onto facebook
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=23723&l=19527&id=531045618
begrudgingly get back into the teaching routine but then happiliy spend the night learning about the twenty one rules concerning comma usage to teach my students the next day, smile and happily begin planning my vacation to Japan and Bali (hopefully!) over Christmas
To reiterate.....
A day on Jejudo Island......priceless
Price of each taxi ride around the island- 10,000 won
Each shower at the local jimjilbang- 7,000 won
Parasailing- 40,000 won
Watching the sun rise with fourteen amazing people on a tropical island in the southeastern end of Korea- PRICELESS!
Welcome to Chusok vacation! Chusok is Korea's harvest celebration aka Korea's Thanksgiving. Each family travels to their father's hometown for dinner and presents. If you are not a member of a Korean family, or of Korean descent, where do you go?
That's right. You travel to Jejudo Island with fourteen other teachers from school. Here is a brief snapshot of my first vacation in Korea.......
DAY 1: Arrive at the bus terminal in anticipation our group will miss the bus because of the hype that there will BE NO TICKETS because everyone is traveling over Chusok. Bus trip goes by with smooth sailing and we arrive at the airport FIVE HOURS EARLY. Oops! That might be MY FAULT...I suggested the early arrival....don't say a WORD if you traveled with me to Denmark...a few of my co-workers won't let me forget it!
Arrive on the island, eat a lovely dinner, see a cool waterfall at night, go to sleep!
DAY 2: BEACH DAY!!!! Football and frisbee on the beach, evening cookout, parasail over the bay, sleep on the beach and watch the moonbeams dance across the water......
DAY 3: Travel day to Udo Island...go out for another fabulous dinner and sleep in a pension on the beach...watch the moonbeams dance across the water AGAIN!! :)
DAY 4: Watch the sunrise at 6:00 a.m., go running around the island, go scootering all over the place, look eagerly for wrinkly old female drivers in wetsuits (called haneyos) catching their breakfast, pose next to haneyo statues instead, travel back to Seogwipo, go out for an amazing Italian dinner, cap the evening off with some norebang till 2:30 in the morning
DAY 5: Go visit an amazing Buddhist temple, travel back to Daejeon via taxi, bus, airplane,bus, then taxi again; watch Grey's Anatomy for three hours to distract myself from post-vacation depression....
DAY 6,7,8,9, 10......Continue to watch Grey's Anatomy to nurse the post-vacation depression, buy food at Costco and realize I only have 150,000 won for the rest of the month (did I really spend that much money on FOOD during vacation?!), upload pictures onto facebook
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=23723&l=19527&id=531045618
begrudgingly get back into the teaching routine but then happiliy spend the night learning about the twenty one rules concerning comma usage to teach my students the next day, smile and happily begin planning my vacation to Japan and Bali (hopefully!) over Christmas
To reiterate.....
A day on Jejudo Island......priceless
Friday, September 14, 2007
Saturday, September 8, 2007
The fish market run
It's 5:30 on a Monday morning. I groggily punch the snooze button on my gigantic, blue, plastic alarm clock and attempt to find my way through my apartment for my keys and running shoes. I stumble out the door half-asleep but excited to meet my cross country team for our early morning practice. We start our with a 3-mile route called the "fish market run". I run with slower runners in the back to make sure they know the route. I circle back to catch three runners when suddenly my nose meets the smell of the fish market and stale garbage . I wrinkle my nose, hold my breath, avoid stepping on any stray fish heads, and wildly run through the mass of withered old Korean men attempting to make a few won before breakfast.
Moments like this make me stop and think, WHAT?! Is this really my new life?
A routine has started to take shape here. As odd at this sounds, I was scared of this point. I knew it was coming, but that meant the newness of something was over. The anticipation of moving overseas has climaxed and the daily grind has settled. For a high-stimulation seeker such as myself I always hate when this point hits. I go through a temporary disdain of my new surroundings and crave anything that reminds me of my former environment. I missed my family, my old house, my students and old co-workers horribly. I didn't want to to get to know a new batch of students. I wanted my sophomores from last year back. Is this really what I wanted?
To answer the questions, yes. I did want all of this, even the daily grind and teacher routine. My grandfather once told me "you have to want where the wants lead you". This is where it lead me. The greatest part of this whole experience is the surprises, delights, and challenges that God has thrown my way in such a short time. He has given me amazing single friends to bond throught this experience with, animated and curious Korean students that giggle at my antics in class, and an opportunity to reunite with extended family. He has also challenged me to take an honest look at Christian faith, see where I was going, and being OPEN to who I can become. All of this has become part of my new "daily routine". :)
Apart from this adjustment, I have still manage to encounter a new cultural experience everyday. I find new restaurants around my neighborhoods every week with my new friends. (For those that come visit I will take you to Jin and Kino's- best sushi and banana pancakes EVER!) I continue to try new foods, including the crunchy Korean delight known as fried silkworm larvae. The cleaning lady at school attempts to teach me new Korean words every time I see her. She giggles as I struggle to say the days of the weeks, but gives me an "A-plus" for my efforts. I am secretly God allows a little newness to creep in a few times a week.
Koreans have a harvest celebration called Chuseok that falls the last week of September. In school terms this means fall break and the opportunity to travel! I will be traveling with eleven other teachers to Jejudo Island off the southern coast of South Korea. I am excited for a small interruption of newness in the middle of my daily routine. I have a sneaking suspicion I will be attempting to run through fish markets down on the island. Sometimes it's comforting to know you will have your "fish marekts runs" no matter where life takes you.
Moments like this make me stop and think, WHAT?! Is this really my new life?
A routine has started to take shape here. As odd at this sounds, I was scared of this point. I knew it was coming, but that meant the newness of something was over. The anticipation of moving overseas has climaxed and the daily grind has settled. For a high-stimulation seeker such as myself I always hate when this point hits. I go through a temporary disdain of my new surroundings and crave anything that reminds me of my former environment. I missed my family, my old house, my students and old co-workers horribly. I didn't want to to get to know a new batch of students. I wanted my sophomores from last year back. Is this really what I wanted?
To answer the questions, yes. I did want all of this, even the daily grind and teacher routine. My grandfather once told me "you have to want where the wants lead you". This is where it lead me. The greatest part of this whole experience is the surprises, delights, and challenges that God has thrown my way in such a short time. He has given me amazing single friends to bond throught this experience with, animated and curious Korean students that giggle at my antics in class, and an opportunity to reunite with extended family. He has also challenged me to take an honest look at Christian faith, see where I was going, and being OPEN to who I can become. All of this has become part of my new "daily routine". :)
Apart from this adjustment, I have still manage to encounter a new cultural experience everyday. I find new restaurants around my neighborhoods every week with my new friends. (For those that come visit I will take you to Jin and Kino's- best sushi and banana pancakes EVER!) I continue to try new foods, including the crunchy Korean delight known as fried silkworm larvae. The cleaning lady at school attempts to teach me new Korean words every time I see her. She giggles as I struggle to say the days of the weeks, but gives me an "A-plus" for my efforts. I am secretly God allows a little newness to creep in a few times a week.
Koreans have a harvest celebration called Chuseok that falls the last week of September. In school terms this means fall break and the opportunity to travel! I will be traveling with eleven other teachers to Jejudo Island off the southern coast of South Korea. I am excited for a small interruption of newness in the middle of my daily routine. I have a sneaking suspicion I will be attempting to run through fish markets down on the island. Sometimes it's comforting to know you will have your "fish marekts runs" no matter where life takes you.
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
finding your inner nougat
I hate getting observed by administration when I teach. As a people-pleaser, I get nervous, start to sweat, and have the irrational fear that I will be fired the minute they leave the door. Silly, but my face turns red and my body temperature DRAMATICALLY increases. Especially during DROP-INS!!!!
Today was that glorious day when my new boss walked in the door unannounced.
Great! Stop sweating, focus, keep teaching something.
My class was right in the midst of a discussion about showing compassion. I was attemtping to teach my students about the complexities of the human race when I started talking about the onion model and like its crinkly layers, human beings are the same way. The sea of blank faces made me switch over the next natural food item with layers: Snickers. They eagerly starting listing all the layers, but seemed stumped when they got to the chewy part. After 15 seconds of silence, my principal yelled out from the back, "NOUGAT!"
I smiled and proceeded to talk the "inner nougat" we all have and to be sensitive to the "inner nougat" of others. Compassion in a nutshell. Or candy bar for that matter.
Luckily, he only stayed for two more minutes and walked out the door. I walked to lunch not sure if he thought I was a genius teacher or absolute moron.
When I arrived at lunch, my boss was there. AGAIN. I smiled bravely at him. He smiled back at me, gave me a pat on the back, and thanked me for the "engaging" lesson. I held my head up a little higher, enjoyed lunch with my co-workers, and said a million silent thanks to God for inventing the Snickers bar and helping me find a little piece of my "inner nougat". :)
Today was that glorious day when my new boss walked in the door unannounced.
Great! Stop sweating, focus, keep teaching something.
My class was right in the midst of a discussion about showing compassion. I was attemtping to teach my students about the complexities of the human race when I started talking about the onion model and like its crinkly layers, human beings are the same way. The sea of blank faces made me switch over the next natural food item with layers: Snickers. They eagerly starting listing all the layers, but seemed stumped when they got to the chewy part. After 15 seconds of silence, my principal yelled out from the back, "NOUGAT!"
I smiled and proceeded to talk the "inner nougat" we all have and to be sensitive to the "inner nougat" of others. Compassion in a nutshell. Or candy bar for that matter.
Luckily, he only stayed for two more minutes and walked out the door. I walked to lunch not sure if he thought I was a genius teacher or absolute moron.
When I arrived at lunch, my boss was there. AGAIN. I smiled bravely at him. He smiled back at me, gave me a pat on the back, and thanked me for the "engaging" lesson. I held my head up a little higher, enjoyed lunch with my co-workers, and said a million silent thanks to God for inventing the Snickers bar and helping me find a little piece of my "inner nougat". :)
Monday, August 27, 2007
ebb and flow
People tell me this is about the time it hits. It pangs, like a sharp dagger, at weird, odd, inconsistent times throughout the day.
Homesickness in unusual forms. Tonight I went grocery shopping and it felt weird to not have the Saturn nearby. I don't mind having to shell out money for a cab, but I miss driving. I can call people from the States, but it already feels odd, like a distance has set in. I have no idea where and what my family and friends are doing right now! I think life as I knew it starting to feel far away and the control is starting to slip further and further away. It's unsettling and hits as the oddest times. People tell me it hits about this time. I didn't realize but I have been gone for a month already. The "vacation" mentality is starting to ebb away. I am just trying to stay afloat and enjoy it. I live in Korea and better get used shelling out won for a taxi.
Homesickness in unusual forms. Tonight I went grocery shopping and it felt weird to not have the Saturn nearby. I don't mind having to shell out money for a cab, but I miss driving. I can call people from the States, but it already feels odd, like a distance has set in. I have no idea where and what my family and friends are doing right now! I think life as I knew it starting to feel far away and the control is starting to slip further and further away. It's unsettling and hits as the oddest times. People tell me it hits about this time. I didn't realize but I have been gone for a month already. The "vacation" mentality is starting to ebb away. I am just trying to stay afloat and enjoy it. I live in Korea and better get used shelling out won for a taxi.
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Monday, August 20, 2007
still getting my feet wet
Week two is almost over. I am still getting my feet wet in this strange and new country, but everyday something makes it feel a little bit more like home. I am used to seeing everything written in Korean (still cannot understand it), smellling kimchee, fish, and other strange smells on my quick walk to work, and crossing the street in hopes of making it alive to the other side. I like that I am starting to casually toss Korean phrases into my everyday vernacular. (Including Canadian and South African phrases-eh!) I look forward to slinking into my hard bed at the end of an arduous day of teaching, running with my cross country team, and trying a new restaurant somewhere near the school. Life is good thus far in Korea.
During the last two weeks I have encountered many unique cultural experiences in Korea. I have savored many new dishes at the local restaurants near school. My favorite food here for some reason is pickled radish. I absolutely LOVE pickled radish. My new friends think I am crazy, but luckily they serve it at every meal and no one touches it. I guess it just means more for me. I still cannot handle spice, but put on a brave face and swallow it fast. Mul (water) is gulped down very quickly after eating! I went to my first Korean baseball, but ending up talking and not paying attention throughout the entire game. Not much changes with me and pro sports. My cousin took to me to the Korean bath house for some chat time in the sauna and hot tubs. You'll have to call me to get more details on my experience there. :)
I went to Seoul with four other girls from school for shopping and dancing last weekend. We visited the neighborhoods of Itaweon (the foreigner's district), Insadong (great market!), and the Coex Mall. I definitely ran out of Korean won, but a trip to an English speaking bookstore was worth the entire trip. Well, maybe the pastrami sandwich in Itaewon was worth it as well....
My favorite thing I have experienced so far is the people. I walked into TCIS with ten other new teachers and an instant bond was formed. We share meals, lesson plans, and participate in a bible study together. I could not have come at a better time. I also love getting to know my extended family. My cousin Kirsten and her parents work at the school. It has been such a delight to play basketball with her and go out for endless mocha shakes. I have also managed to make a new Korean friend named Hyun Ju. She took me downtown for dinner and some shopping on Monday. She is shaky with her English but so excited to speak with a foreigner!
Week three is coming up fast. I look forward to a "family fun day" with the staff on Saturday morning, an afternoon of pottery making ,and norebang in the evening. Somewhere in all this excitement I will attempt to lesson plan. :)
During the last two weeks I have encountered many unique cultural experiences in Korea. I have savored many new dishes at the local restaurants near school. My favorite food here for some reason is pickled radish. I absolutely LOVE pickled radish. My new friends think I am crazy, but luckily they serve it at every meal and no one touches it. I guess it just means more for me. I still cannot handle spice, but put on a brave face and swallow it fast. Mul (water) is gulped down very quickly after eating! I went to my first Korean baseball, but ending up talking and not paying attention throughout the entire game. Not much changes with me and pro sports. My cousin took to me to the Korean bath house for some chat time in the sauna and hot tubs. You'll have to call me to get more details on my experience there. :)
I went to Seoul with four other girls from school for shopping and dancing last weekend. We visited the neighborhoods of Itaweon (the foreigner's district), Insadong (great market!), and the Coex Mall. I definitely ran out of Korean won, but a trip to an English speaking bookstore was worth the entire trip. Well, maybe the pastrami sandwich in Itaewon was worth it as well....
My favorite thing I have experienced so far is the people. I walked into TCIS with ten other new teachers and an instant bond was formed. We share meals, lesson plans, and participate in a bible study together. I could not have come at a better time. I also love getting to know my extended family. My cousin Kirsten and her parents work at the school. It has been such a delight to play basketball with her and go out for endless mocha shakes. I have also managed to make a new Korean friend named Hyun Ju. She took me downtown for dinner and some shopping on Monday. She is shaky with her English but so excited to speak with a foreigner!
Week three is coming up fast. I look forward to a "family fun day" with the staff on Saturday morning, an afternoon of pottery making ,and norebang in the evening. Somewhere in all this excitement I will attempt to lesson plan. :)
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Saturday, August 11, 2007
il, e, sam......
The last few weeks have been joyous, spontaneous, aggravating, frustrating, and completely awe-inspiring. Everything here feels so new and exciting I can hardly contain myself sometimes. Other times I feel absolutely overwhelmed, burst into tears, and want to take the next flight home. People that have traveled and lived abroad say this is completely normal. Who knew a rollercoaster of emotions would be universally felt by so many?!
In an effort to detour this blog from becoming my pensive journal, I intend to share some cultural experiences and lessons with the infamous top ten list since I have arrived in Daejeon almost two weeks.
1. eating octopus during the shabu-shabu dinner (a bit chewy and tasted like chicken)
2. singing Korean style of karaoke- called naribong- so glad to know I can sing to Britney Spears and do my dance moves in another country
3. cars win. pedesterians don't. kamikaze corner is a block from our school. great.
4. separating garbage to a point of insanity, yet there is garbage all over the streets. haven't figure out that one.
5. it's rude to blow or even touch your nose in public, but spitting in widely accepted, even encouraged. i truly love korea for the reason alone.
6. everyone points and stares, but it is ok. i can't help but feel famous when all the little children in my apartment complex yell out "HI" in english and i respond back with hello in korean. they giggle ridiculously
7. eating kimchee and fish soup for breakfast. i think i will stick with oatmeal and save the rest for dinner.
8. bowling in korea- the shoes still smell!!!!
9. people- i now have friends that are korean, korean-american, korean-canadian, south african, australian, indian, canadian, chinese-canadian, and american (even a few from minnesota!) the cultural diversity is refreshing and amazing
10. chusok vacation coming up at the end of september....the struggle of choosing between Thailand or the Korean island of Jeju for my week long vacation.....
School starts on Monday and I look forward to finally meeting my students. I am somewhat prepared, but I only teach two classes on Monday. I love this schedule! Pictures to follow soon!
In an effort to detour this blog from becoming my pensive journal, I intend to share some cultural experiences and lessons with the infamous top ten list since I have arrived in Daejeon almost two weeks.
1. eating octopus during the shabu-shabu dinner (a bit chewy and tasted like chicken)
2. singing Korean style of karaoke- called naribong- so glad to know I can sing to Britney Spears and do my dance moves in another country
3. cars win. pedesterians don't. kamikaze corner is a block from our school. great.
4. separating garbage to a point of insanity, yet there is garbage all over the streets. haven't figure out that one.
5. it's rude to blow or even touch your nose in public, but spitting in widely accepted, even encouraged. i truly love korea for the reason alone.
6. everyone points and stares, but it is ok. i can't help but feel famous when all the little children in my apartment complex yell out "HI" in english and i respond back with hello in korean. they giggle ridiculously
7. eating kimchee and fish soup for breakfast. i think i will stick with oatmeal and save the rest for dinner.
8. bowling in korea- the shoes still smell!!!!
9. people- i now have friends that are korean, korean-american, korean-canadian, south african, australian, indian, canadian, chinese-canadian, and american (even a few from minnesota!) the cultural diversity is refreshing and amazing
10. chusok vacation coming up at the end of september....the struggle of choosing between Thailand or the Korean island of Jeju for my week long vacation.....
School starts on Monday and I look forward to finally meeting my students. I am somewhat prepared, but I only teach two classes on Monday. I love this schedule! Pictures to follow soon!
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Leaving, holiday, and lights in my new city
Well gang, I have arrived in Korea and just woke up to my third full day here. It’s funny but every morning I wake up and think I am in a Latin American country. My ninth floor window faces into a courtyard with a myriad of windows looking into mine (no curtains yet) and the morning disorientation makes me think I hear Spanish in the morning!!!
The days leading up to my departure were somber, tense, and tearful. I didn’t want to leave the comforts of my home and give up simple luxuries like going to the local Starbucks where they know my high maintenance order of a cold soy white mocha with no ice but put in a hot cup, finding the products I like at Target, being able to find shoes to feet my gargantuan and sweaty feet, and having the luxury of a cell phone to call my galpals to talk about my latest romantic escapade.
After a tearful goodbye with my father I sullenly walked into the airport with a heavy heart. The weight of my decision started to come crashing down as a major reality check. Two years?! Who moves away out of the country for that amount of time? I still in my heart of hearts feel like I am only moving away for three months and I will get to travel the whole time. But it dawned on me I am moving across the world to teach students five days a week, grade endless amounts of papers, and struggle right alongside with the students over present progressive participles. Ironically that thought brought great comfort. Not everything was going to be THAT drastically different. Kids will be kids, and I will be their teacher.
In spite of the anxiety of leaving the States the anticipation had started to wear thin. I was ready to get going and plant my feet up on the footrest of the airplane. After flying through Chicago and Dublin (I MUST go visit that country someday!!) and I was more than elated to arrive in Europe. I told a dear friend once I was “sick” of Europe, but I have spent enough time away and it felt so good to be back.
I spent my time in Switzerland having endless girl talks with my mom, sister, and one of my best friends from college, traveling to the Swiss cities Bern and Thun, having fondue with some old coworkers and my old boss, spending nights drinking litchi beer up at my favorite bar called the Top Pub (one particular night drinking A LOT of wine, grapefruit beer, and flaming sambuca shots), and going on sunny bike rides through the mountains. Most of all I spent time NOT thinking about my big move and just enjoying my family and friends.
Well, that's not exactly true. OF COURSE I HAVE BEEN THINKING ABOUT THE BIG MOVE. Have you ever heard of the iceberg theory? I saw a poster at the dentist office once that explained the analogy that many people only see the tip of the iceberg, but so much more lies beneath. Eventually the time came to actually discuss and ruminate on my reasons for going. In a tearful discussion with my friend Stephanie I told her my iceberg theory of going overseas. One-tenth of the reasons revolved around the cliché answer of wanting to go on an adventure. Many other reasons lie beneath the tip of the iceberg: getting to see Christianity alive and thriving somewhere other than stoic Lutheran waves of Minnesota, experience the opportunity to teach at an elite academic school outside of America, meet expats of Western descent that want to live outside of their countries, seeing other neighboring countries and get stamps on my passport, craft my writing skills about adventures, continue the personal focus that started this past year of getting to know myself more, and finally, the chance to meet as many interesting people as possible.
All of these reasons lie beneath the tip of the iceberg.
Those reasons stuck with me on the way to the airport. After a tearful goodbye with my mom and my sister, I was off on a 22-hour flight journey. I flew from Geneva to Qatar and spent a four hour layover in Doha. I have to admit I was a bit nervous flying in that region of the world, but I was astounded to see so many nationalities in one setting! The Doha airport is very transient and I had a wonderful time sipping on iced coffee and people watching. I hopped on another place to Shanghai, then FINALLY to Korea. I felt a bit jetlagged when the representatives from my school came to pick me up. I fell in and out of sleep until we arrived in Daejeon. I had not prepared myself for culture shock at all. As I entered upon a city I immediately felt it was cross between a mini-L.A and Vegas, except everything was in Korean. Lights flickered everywhere at a frenzied pace that would whisk anyone back to Times Square. Korea has raging humidity in the summer and I was dripping with sweat as I took the elevator up to my ninth floor apartment that reeked of kimchee and who knows else.
Welcome home?!?
The first day was awful, or at least the morning was awful. I hated Korea. It was hot, sticky, and NO ONE SPOKE ENGLISH. It took us over an over to find a bank. How silly we must have looked walking around aimlessly with our guidebooks asking everyone on the street for directions. All those poor Koreans looked at us in confusion, smiled politely and bowed, but just went on their way. Kirstin, my roommate, and I looked wide-eyed in disbelief at each other. What had we done? Did we really want to do this to ourselves? Nevertheless, we made it to the bank! Somehow as the day progressed it got much better. A nap, dinner with a lovely couple from the school, two more fans put in our apartment, and a trip to the Homeplus store to buy household goods somehow made me feel much better.
We even managed to make a friend our first night! Some girl walked up to me and said in broken English “YOU ARE TALL!” For the next ten minutes Kirstin and I went back and forth with this girl named Hyun Je (not sure how to pronounce the name) and eventually exchanged email addresses with her. Our first Korean friend! She agreed to teach us Korean in exchange for some English lessons. It has put a permagrin on my face over the last few days. Slowly but surely we have managed to work our way around the city and communicate with people. We made friends with the neighbor kids that practice a kendo stick dance routine on the roof opposite our apartment. We even chatted with the pizza guy down the street and took our first taxi ride around the city!
Today is our last “free day” before school orientation starts. It has been nice to get the place in order by spending ten hours ironing clothes, watching whatever English channels we can get, and walking more around our neighborhood. I hope my pictures download properly. If not check out my facebook account. An-yangee-keseyo!!! (Goodbye in Korean!)
The days leading up to my departure were somber, tense, and tearful. I didn’t want to leave the comforts of my home and give up simple luxuries like going to the local Starbucks where they know my high maintenance order of a cold soy white mocha with no ice but put in a hot cup, finding the products I like at Target, being able to find shoes to feet my gargantuan and sweaty feet, and having the luxury of a cell phone to call my galpals to talk about my latest romantic escapade.
After a tearful goodbye with my father I sullenly walked into the airport with a heavy heart. The weight of my decision started to come crashing down as a major reality check. Two years?! Who moves away out of the country for that amount of time? I still in my heart of hearts feel like I am only moving away for three months and I will get to travel the whole time. But it dawned on me I am moving across the world to teach students five days a week, grade endless amounts of papers, and struggle right alongside with the students over present progressive participles. Ironically that thought brought great comfort. Not everything was going to be THAT drastically different. Kids will be kids, and I will be their teacher.
In spite of the anxiety of leaving the States the anticipation had started to wear thin. I was ready to get going and plant my feet up on the footrest of the airplane. After flying through Chicago and Dublin (I MUST go visit that country someday!!) and I was more than elated to arrive in Europe. I told a dear friend once I was “sick” of Europe, but I have spent enough time away and it felt so good to be back.
I spent my time in Switzerland having endless girl talks with my mom, sister, and one of my best friends from college, traveling to the Swiss cities Bern and Thun, having fondue with some old coworkers and my old boss, spending nights drinking litchi beer up at my favorite bar called the Top Pub (one particular night drinking A LOT of wine, grapefruit beer, and flaming sambuca shots), and going on sunny bike rides through the mountains. Most of all I spent time NOT thinking about my big move and just enjoying my family and friends.
Well, that's not exactly true. OF COURSE I HAVE BEEN THINKING ABOUT THE BIG MOVE. Have you ever heard of the iceberg theory? I saw a poster at the dentist office once that explained the analogy that many people only see the tip of the iceberg, but so much more lies beneath. Eventually the time came to actually discuss and ruminate on my reasons for going. In a tearful discussion with my friend Stephanie I told her my iceberg theory of going overseas. One-tenth of the reasons revolved around the cliché answer of wanting to go on an adventure. Many other reasons lie beneath the tip of the iceberg: getting to see Christianity alive and thriving somewhere other than stoic Lutheran waves of Minnesota, experience the opportunity to teach at an elite academic school outside of America, meet expats of Western descent that want to live outside of their countries, seeing other neighboring countries and get stamps on my passport, craft my writing skills about adventures, continue the personal focus that started this past year of getting to know myself more, and finally, the chance to meet as many interesting people as possible.
All of these reasons lie beneath the tip of the iceberg.
Those reasons stuck with me on the way to the airport. After a tearful goodbye with my mom and my sister, I was off on a 22-hour flight journey. I flew from Geneva to Qatar and spent a four hour layover in Doha. I have to admit I was a bit nervous flying in that region of the world, but I was astounded to see so many nationalities in one setting! The Doha airport is very transient and I had a wonderful time sipping on iced coffee and people watching. I hopped on another place to Shanghai, then FINALLY to Korea. I felt a bit jetlagged when the representatives from my school came to pick me up. I fell in and out of sleep until we arrived in Daejeon. I had not prepared myself for culture shock at all. As I entered upon a city I immediately felt it was cross between a mini-L.A and Vegas, except everything was in Korean. Lights flickered everywhere at a frenzied pace that would whisk anyone back to Times Square. Korea has raging humidity in the summer and I was dripping with sweat as I took the elevator up to my ninth floor apartment that reeked of kimchee and who knows else.
Welcome home?!?
The first day was awful, or at least the morning was awful. I hated Korea. It was hot, sticky, and NO ONE SPOKE ENGLISH. It took us over an over to find a bank. How silly we must have looked walking around aimlessly with our guidebooks asking everyone on the street for directions. All those poor Koreans looked at us in confusion, smiled politely and bowed, but just went on their way. Kirstin, my roommate, and I looked wide-eyed in disbelief at each other. What had we done? Did we really want to do this to ourselves? Nevertheless, we made it to the bank! Somehow as the day progressed it got much better. A nap, dinner with a lovely couple from the school, two more fans put in our apartment, and a trip to the Homeplus store to buy household goods somehow made me feel much better.
We even managed to make a friend our first night! Some girl walked up to me and said in broken English “YOU ARE TALL!” For the next ten minutes Kirstin and I went back and forth with this girl named Hyun Je (not sure how to pronounce the name) and eventually exchanged email addresses with her. Our first Korean friend! She agreed to teach us Korean in exchange for some English lessons. It has put a permagrin on my face over the last few days. Slowly but surely we have managed to work our way around the city and communicate with people. We made friends with the neighbor kids that practice a kendo stick dance routine on the roof opposite our apartment. We even chatted with the pizza guy down the street and took our first taxi ride around the city!
Today is our last “free day” before school orientation starts. It has been nice to get the place in order by spending ten hours ironing clothes, watching whatever English channels we can get, and walking more around our neighborhood. I hope my pictures download properly. If not check out my facebook account. An-yangee-keseyo!!! (Goodbye in Korean!)
Thursday, July 19, 2007
wrapping up
The time has come!! On Sunday I fly out the country for an unspecified amount of time. Whenever there is a big change about to occur in people's lives a question always seems to loom. What are you doing after graduation? What are you majoring? Who are you living with? My question- how do you feel? The last two weeks it fluctuates every hour. One moment I am elated about finally following my dream to live overseas, the other I get a knot in my stomach that makes me want to run and hide in a closet. A monstrous closet with plenty of cookie dough and Scrubs episodes to escape the unavoidable change. The rapid shifting of my emotions makes me feel a little crazy! Nevertheless, underneath it all I am excited about the unknown and what changes like will bring. Not only for myself, but friends and family back home. During my absence this year two weddings will be celebrated, four babies will be born, and several friends will start graduate school. Who knows what else will happens?
In the upcoming blog entries I promise to actually have stories about KOREA and not my pensive anticipation. Seriously, I promise.
In the upcoming blog entries I promise to actually have stories about KOREA and not my pensive anticipation. Seriously, I promise.
Sunday, April 22, 2007
It was bound to happen.....
Finally, a decision that didn't come with insecurity! I am firm and settled in my decision to move to Korea! Two dear friends once got me a card that stated how a girl made it in life after crying on the phone, second guessing her decision and almost taking back her words. I thought I had overcome that mountain, molehill, stump, whatever the uphill battle resembles: for once maturity had finally kicked in. I could handle SOMETHING without worrying, obsessing, crying, or denying it. I am an official grown-up! I speak too soon. Humility sure comes back with a vengeance. Tears streamed down my face last night as I admitted my fears about moving to Korea to my roommate while washing dishes. I hate fear; Its power grips me.
I am scared about moving to Korea. There, I said it. I scared myself this week because I didn't WANT to go. I bonded with my students and I wanted to stay and make a difference in Minnesota. Running away to another country wasn't going to allow me to do that. I almost walked into my principal's office to take back my decision, but I stopped myself halfway. I don't want to let fear of the unknown dictate me. I WANT to go overseas, have adventures, struggle with a new language, and learn more about myself in a different environment. I like being challenged stretched in different ways; I just dislike the work and effort it takes!
I turned around. I decided to be a grown-up and not let fear take hold of me. I know what I want and will continue to search for it, even if I do cry and struggle a bit with it. Perhaps THAT is the mature thing to do.
I am still going to Korea. I am still scared and will miss my students, my family, my friends, and the life I have started in Minnesota. But I long for adventure and fear not taking this opportunity even more. That thought makes me want to bang my head against the wall! Perhaps that is the life lesson is to just keep moving and know that God has a plan and all the chips will beautiflly and gracefully fall where he decides. I hope someday it might be in New Zealand. :)
I am scared about moving to Korea. There, I said it. I scared myself this week because I didn't WANT to go. I bonded with my students and I wanted to stay and make a difference in Minnesota. Running away to another country wasn't going to allow me to do that. I almost walked into my principal's office to take back my decision, but I stopped myself halfway. I don't want to let fear of the unknown dictate me. I WANT to go overseas, have adventures, struggle with a new language, and learn more about myself in a different environment. I like being challenged stretched in different ways; I just dislike the work and effort it takes!
I turned around. I decided to be a grown-up and not let fear take hold of me. I know what I want and will continue to search for it, even if I do cry and struggle a bit with it. Perhaps THAT is the mature thing to do.
I am still going to Korea. I am still scared and will miss my students, my family, my friends, and the life I have started in Minnesota. But I long for adventure and fear not taking this opportunity even more. That thought makes me want to bang my head against the wall! Perhaps that is the life lesson is to just keep moving and know that God has a plan and all the chips will beautiflly and gracefully fall where he decides. I hope someday it might be in New Zealand. :)
Saturday, April 7, 2007
Late Night Ruminations
I love staying up late at night. It's my time to settle down for the day and allow my thoughts jump into reflective overdrive about the day's events or what is to come. Tonight is no exception. It's the night before Easter and I watch the movie Babel with my dad. Many scenes from the movie depict the frenzied and high octane city of Tokyo. A myriad of lights glitter across the skyline of the city; the pulse of the city was beats until dawn. I sit here silently stunned as I envision myself walking into a similar scene when I arrive in Seoul. What will my life be like over there? Why do I feel driven to go somewhere so foreign and obscure from the safety net of home? These questions plague me, consume me, frighten me, delight me, entice me.
I do not understand or even want to understand this magnetic pull to the unknown. The only rationale that brings me any sort of comfort is the gift of connection that come from these types of decisions. I learn and connect with another someone or something in a small yet amazing way. It makes the world feel smaller and less divided in my mind. I take solace and enjoyment in this connection, especially during these dark moments where everything can feel disjointed. I learn to view to this pull as a gift rather than a nomadic curse. As the Tokyo skyline fades into the credits, I looked at the clock. Midnight. Another day closer to the actual start of this adventure. The pull continues to ebb and flow, but my decision is intact. I will movoe to Korea and face the unknown with trepidation and eager anticipation. I wonder what their skyline will look like.
I do not understand or even want to understand this magnetic pull to the unknown. The only rationale that brings me any sort of comfort is the gift of connection that come from these types of decisions. I learn and connect with another someone or something in a small yet amazing way. It makes the world feel smaller and less divided in my mind. I take solace and enjoyment in this connection, especially during these dark moments where everything can feel disjointed. I learn to view to this pull as a gift rather than a nomadic curse. As the Tokyo skyline fades into the credits, I looked at the clock. Midnight. Another day closer to the actual start of this adventure. The pull continues to ebb and flow, but my decision is intact. I will movoe to Korea and face the unknown with trepidation and eager anticipation. I wonder what their skyline will look like.
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