Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Saturday, November 29, 2008
You look....^.^
“Ms. Nelson, you look Asian.”
One of my IB kids, Brian Kim, whips out this statement as if I had three heads filled with green horns protruding from my neck. I had straightened my unruly, brownish-black, maroon, slightly purplish hair the night before, and I tend to look a wee bit different going from crazy curl to sleeker do. A year ago this comment would have thrown me for a loop, but I smile and chuckle instead at the blunt nature of my Korean students.
My relationship with this peculiar Asian country is continually changing and evolving each day. The novelty and excitement of Korea has worn off, but I am getting to know more intimate parts of the country. My weekends in October and November have been spent hiking, biking, and learning more about Korean’s torrid past. Some highlights include going on a 40-kilometer bike ride through the mountains and a midnight hike. I kid you not when I say midnight. My friend Mike is an avid “posh hiker”, and preceded to take my friend Sarah and I on a hike to a southern mountain range in Korea. We promptly left the school at 12:15 a.m. boarded a train for three hours, loaded onto a bus for another hour up a very winding mountain road (luckily I slept through all of the this) then began a very arduous but very beautiful 18 kilometer hike! Another highlight was visiting Independence Hall with my Minnesota friend, Taryn. The exhibit explores Korean’s history during the time of Japanese occupation. I was shocked and horrified at atrocious suffering this country has been through.
As my relationship with Korea deepens, so do the life lessons my overseas adventure continues to teach me. My weekend trips are teaching me about hard work, pride, and persistence. Whether it’s pushing myself through the last three kilometers of a strenuous bike ride, or learning about the perseverance of the Korean people, all three attributes pay off. I can push, pull, and challenge myself more than I ever thought I could. But I can’t take all the credit; God has been the leader in all of these “weekend lessons”. It reminds me of my favorite verse, Philippians 4:13: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. He has given me strength to try, try again, try some more, win a little, lose a little, and have the strength to pick myself again, dust off my shoulders, and try some more. Just like I am continually getting to know Korea a little more intimately this fall, I needed to learn those life lessons a little more as well. I’m not sure why, but I am deciding to learn more and go with the flow. Even if it means someone thinks I look a little more Asian than Swedish.
One of my IB kids, Brian Kim, whips out this statement as if I had three heads filled with green horns protruding from my neck. I had straightened my unruly, brownish-black, maroon, slightly purplish hair the night before, and I tend to look a wee bit different going from crazy curl to sleeker do. A year ago this comment would have thrown me for a loop, but I smile and chuckle instead at the blunt nature of my Korean students.
My relationship with this peculiar Asian country is continually changing and evolving each day. The novelty and excitement of Korea has worn off, but I am getting to know more intimate parts of the country. My weekends in October and November have been spent hiking, biking, and learning more about Korean’s torrid past. Some highlights include going on a 40-kilometer bike ride through the mountains and a midnight hike. I kid you not when I say midnight. My friend Mike is an avid “posh hiker”, and preceded to take my friend Sarah and I on a hike to a southern mountain range in Korea. We promptly left the school at 12:15 a.m. boarded a train for three hours, loaded onto a bus for another hour up a very winding mountain road (luckily I slept through all of the this) then began a very arduous but very beautiful 18 kilometer hike! Another highlight was visiting Independence Hall with my Minnesota friend, Taryn. The exhibit explores Korean’s history during the time of Japanese occupation. I was shocked and horrified at atrocious suffering this country has been through.
As my relationship with Korea deepens, so do the life lessons my overseas adventure continues to teach me. My weekend trips are teaching me about hard work, pride, and persistence. Whether it’s pushing myself through the last three kilometers of a strenuous bike ride, or learning about the perseverance of the Korean people, all three attributes pay off. I can push, pull, and challenge myself more than I ever thought I could. But I can’t take all the credit; God has been the leader in all of these “weekend lessons”. It reminds me of my favorite verse, Philippians 4:13: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. He has given me strength to try, try again, try some more, win a little, lose a little, and have the strength to pick myself again, dust off my shoulders, and try some more. Just like I am continually getting to know Korea a little more intimately this fall, I needed to learn those life lessons a little more as well. I’m not sure why, but I am deciding to learn more and go with the flow. Even if it means someone thinks I look a little more Asian than Swedish.
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Waeguk for a little while longer....
Korea, yes, Korea.
Korea is full of weird, awful, indescribable smells everyday. Cheese costs way too much to buy. Old ladies knock me over all the time. I still can't count to ten in Korean.
I guess those are a few of the reason why I have decided to stay a bit longer.
On Friday, I finally made the move. I signed the dotted line to add another year to my contract. I can honestly say about two months I really didn't know what I was going to do. I guess in my gut I felt it wasn't quite time to leave. Every time I made the mental decision to pack up and leave, something felt off about leaving so early. My time isn't done quite yet in Korea. There is no rhyme or reason to back up this logic, but it's just a gut feeling I am deciding to follow. It feels scary, but good scary.
Korea is full of weird, awful, indescribable smells everyday. Cheese costs way too much to buy. Old ladies knock me over all the time. I still can't count to ten in Korean.
I guess those are a few of the reason why I have decided to stay a bit longer.
On Friday, I finally made the move. I signed the dotted line to add another year to my contract. I can honestly say about two months I really didn't know what I was going to do. I guess in my gut I felt it wasn't quite time to leave. Every time I made the mental decision to pack up and leave, something felt off about leaving so early. My time isn't done quite yet in Korea. There is no rhyme or reason to back up this logic, but it's just a gut feeling I am deciding to follow. It feels scary, but good scary.
Saturday, October 4, 2008
I plead the fifth.....
Here is a list of ten interesting/sad/embarrasing events that have been part of my life over the last two months. I plead the fifth for several of them.
10. Watching "Hellboy 2" in my classroom on a Monday night with a bunch of sophomore couples
9. Leggy Don leaving Korea :(
8. www.pandora.tv
7. Riding 30 miles on my new bike in my new stretchy pants with a padded butt
6. Eating Taco Bell three times in the past two weeks
5. My very white bra accidently falling out of my bag in front of my headmaster
4. Singapore Slings- those are very tasty!
3. A new Indian restaurant in my little po-dunk town
2. Being part of a riot in Seoul
1. Falling asleep on the wrong train and almost ending up in North Korea
10. Watching "Hellboy 2" in my classroom on a Monday night with a bunch of sophomore couples
9. Leggy Don leaving Korea :(
8. www.pandora.tv
7. Riding 30 miles on my new bike in my new stretchy pants with a padded butt
6. Eating Taco Bell three times in the past two weeks
5. My very white bra accidently falling out of my bag in front of my headmaster
4. Singapore Slings- those are very tasty!
3. A new Indian restaurant in my little po-dunk town
2. Being part of a riot in Seoul
1. Falling asleep on the wrong train and almost ending up in North Korea
Monday, September 22, 2008
Monday, August 25, 2008
Halfway there! Livin' on a prayer!
With my air guitar in full motion, Bon Jovi's song escaped from my lips as I rocked out at the noraebong a few weeks ago. His lyrics could not have capped off a better night, or more appropriately summarized my life over the last few weeks.
I am back in Korea. I am halfway through my contract, and beginning part two of my overseas adventure. I had a hard time being back here the first few days. Chalk it up to jetlag, culture shock, or plain laziness at the thought of working again; I didn't want to be here. Yet this peculiar little country has a way of drawing me back into its eccentric arms. I arrived back here at the latest possible second, but jumped right back into school. This transition to Asia was much smoother. I had my classes already set up, my apartment furnished and ready to live in again. I am enjoying life here a bit more in that regard. I still have chances for adventures!!!
Pause for a moment. Read my previous post. Once you have done that, keep reading this post.
What started with a candlelight vigil turned into a riot. I was in that riot. I was running down the alley with a sea of Koreans trying to escape the police. I feel sheepish admitting this, but it was kind of exhilarating! Not the being-potentially-trampled part, but being surrounded by people who care enough about something to protest it, no matter the consequence. There was an energy, a fervor, an excitement that just electrified the air. I had naively gone up to Seoul for the weekend to hang out with friends, do some shopping, sleep in a love motel, and eat good food. A riot was not part of my weekend plans, but does anything ever go according to plan?
The rest of my time here has been tamer than that weekend, but constantly busy and enriching. I am teaching IB English this year, and I definitely have to be more on my game. I am starting to care more about the craft of teaching. I still don't know if I want to do this forever, but it's teaching me so much right now. My students are wonderful and I love the challenge of it. I am trying lately not to worry about the next few months. I have to decide if I want to stay or go in October. I want to do fifty things at once: travel, go to grad school, find a nice boy to marry, live in Europe, etc. What's the next step? I literally change my mind every day, so I sure don't trust my instincts. In true Emily fashion, I will hem and haw until I have to make a decision, then I will go with what feels right at the moment. It's what I do, but God has always guided me. Why would he stop now? He may have to douse me with blue liquid to quiet the ongoing riot in my mind, but I am ok with that. I think I would prefer a candlelight vigil inside my heart any day.
I am back in Korea. I am halfway through my contract, and beginning part two of my overseas adventure. I had a hard time being back here the first few days. Chalk it up to jetlag, culture shock, or plain laziness at the thought of working again; I didn't want to be here. Yet this peculiar little country has a way of drawing me back into its eccentric arms. I arrived back here at the latest possible second, but jumped right back into school. This transition to Asia was much smoother. I had my classes already set up, my apartment furnished and ready to live in again. I am enjoying life here a bit more in that regard. I still have chances for adventures!!!
Pause for a moment. Read my previous post. Once you have done that, keep reading this post.
What started with a candlelight vigil turned into a riot. I was in that riot. I was running down the alley with a sea of Koreans trying to escape the police. I feel sheepish admitting this, but it was kind of exhilarating! Not the being-potentially-trampled part, but being surrounded by people who care enough about something to protest it, no matter the consequence. There was an energy, a fervor, an excitement that just electrified the air. I had naively gone up to Seoul for the weekend to hang out with friends, do some shopping, sleep in a love motel, and eat good food. A riot was not part of my weekend plans, but does anything ever go according to plan?
The rest of my time here has been tamer than that weekend, but constantly busy and enriching. I am teaching IB English this year, and I definitely have to be more on my game. I am starting to care more about the craft of teaching. I still don't know if I want to do this forever, but it's teaching me so much right now. My students are wonderful and I love the challenge of it. I am trying lately not to worry about the next few months. I have to decide if I want to stay or go in October. I want to do fifty things at once: travel, go to grad school, find a nice boy to marry, live in Europe, etc. What's the next step? I literally change my mind every day, so I sure don't trust my instincts. In true Emily fashion, I will hem and haw until I have to make a decision, then I will go with what feels right at the moment. It's what I do, but God has always guided me. Why would he stop now? He may have to douse me with blue liquid to quiet the ongoing riot in my mind, but I am ok with that. I think I would prefer a candlelight vigil inside my heart any day.
An article from the Korean Herald
Korea arrests 157 in protest against US ..
Korean police hosed protesters with water laced with blue dye and mobilized specially-trained plainclothes officers to break up an anti-government demonstration late Friday and early Saturday, witnesses were quoted as saying by AFP.
The Seoul Police Agency said it had arrested 157 people on charges of
staging illegal demonstrations in central Seoul. There were no immediate reports of injuries.
Some 5,500 people showed up for the 100th candle-lit rally to protest
against South Koreas resumption of US beef imports and against policies of
President Lee Myung-Bak of the conservative Grand National Party, police said.
They chanted Lee Myung-Bak Out! and Renegotiate the beef deal, witnesses said.
Police sprayed water mixed with blue dye at demonstrators and arrested
offenders whose clothes were tainted by the pigment after the crowd dispersed into neighbouring streets and alleys, witnesses said.
Police also brought in plainclothes officers, who are specialized in
chasing and overpowering offenders during street protests.
Such personnel, although used widely by past authoritarian governments,
have been seldom seen in the street during the past 10 years of liberal rule.
Koreas April decision to resume US beef imports sparked months of
street protests. Because of fears over mad cow disease, Seoul suspended US beef imports in 2003.
The rallies largely subsided after Seoul secured extra health safeguards
for US beef imports.
Korean police hosed protesters with water laced with blue dye and mobilized specially-trained plainclothes officers to break up an anti-government demonstration late Friday and early Saturday, witnesses were quoted as saying by AFP.
The Seoul Police Agency said it had arrested 157 people on charges of
staging illegal demonstrations in central Seoul. There were no immediate reports of injuries.
Some 5,500 people showed up for the 100th candle-lit rally to protest
against South Koreas resumption of US beef imports and against policies of
President Lee Myung-Bak of the conservative Grand National Party, police said.
They chanted Lee Myung-Bak Out! and Renegotiate the beef deal, witnesses said.
Police sprayed water mixed with blue dye at demonstrators and arrested
offenders whose clothes were tainted by the pigment after the crowd dispersed into neighbouring streets and alleys, witnesses said.
Police also brought in plainclothes officers, who are specialized in
chasing and overpowering offenders during street protests.
Such personnel, although used widely by past authoritarian governments,
have been seldom seen in the street during the past 10 years of liberal rule.
Koreas April decision to resume US beef imports sparked months of
street protests. Because of fears over mad cow disease, Seoul suspended US beef imports in 2003.
The rallies largely subsided after Seoul secured extra health safeguards
for US beef imports.
Monday, July 28, 2008
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Monday, July 7, 2008
OOPS! I FARKLED AGAIN! ^.^
That's right. I farkled. Again and again and again that late summer night in early June. I didn't plan to farkle. I was just spending some quality R & R time up at my family cabin. Instead, I had to farkle. I was embarrassed beyond belief. How could I farkle SO MANY TIMES in front of my mother and my grandparents?
Sigh. My ashamed family handed me the dice and I rolled again.
This is a just a little glimpse into my summer vacation. Farkling is not the only thing I have done since my stateside visit. I have enjoyed eating too much, shopping too much, sleeping too much, and people. It's never too much to visit with my family and friends! It has been wonderful to be back in America. On some levels, Korea feels like a world away. I can only compare it to Narnia and the "spare oom" I am self-diagnosing it "the Narnia effect".
Here are some highlights from the summer thus far: Taco Bell, shopping for shoes and pants that fit, new babies, engagements, Cubs games, my family, new kitchesn new friends from Bhutan, tennis, Chicago, dogwalking with my sister, lunch at Swedish restaurants with cute old ladies, reading, findings old pictures in my closest, Central Time Zone, cabin retreats, girlfriend dinners, and Flight of the Conchords.
My countdown to return to Korea has begun. I am savoring each momnet of my time at home. I look forward to going back, but I will desperately miss home. Today my family sat around and talk about next summer's round-the-world adventure. I sat backed, watched them argue about what countries to visit, and just smiled. I am truly blessed, even if I occasionally farkle once in awhile in front of my family and friends.
Sigh. My ashamed family handed me the dice and I rolled again.
This is a just a little glimpse into my summer vacation. Farkling is not the only thing I have done since my stateside visit. I have enjoyed eating too much, shopping too much, sleeping too much, and people. It's never too much to visit with my family and friends! It has been wonderful to be back in America. On some levels, Korea feels like a world away. I can only compare it to Narnia and the "spare oom" I am self-diagnosing it "the Narnia effect".
Here are some highlights from the summer thus far: Taco Bell, shopping for shoes and pants that fit, new babies, engagements, Cubs games, my family, new kitchesn new friends from Bhutan, tennis, Chicago, dogwalking with my sister, lunch at Swedish restaurants with cute old ladies, reading, findings old pictures in my closest, Central Time Zone, cabin retreats, girlfriend dinners, and Flight of the Conchords.
My countdown to return to Korea has begun. I am savoring each momnet of my time at home. I look forward to going back, but I will desperately miss home. Today my family sat around and talk about next summer's round-the-world adventure. I sat backed, watched them argue about what countries to visit, and just smiled. I am truly blessed, even if I occasionally farkle once in awhile in front of my family and friends.
Friday, June 6, 2008
Schweizland?
All I can think right now is Switzerland. I am leaving ASIA in twenty hours and all I can think about is fondue, cows, and the Alps. I have been experiencing these "Swiss" moments at the oddest moments over the last two weeks. Someone or something will trigger a memory from my days at SIS, and my mind becomes hazy with "Swiss" thoughts.
Weird, huh?
I'm not sure why my mind is tripping out like this. Maybe it's my nerves and excitement about flying back to the States and encountering America again. Repatriating myself for a brief time. I remember my first time coming back from Mexico and feeling reverse culture shock for the first time. I remember coming back from Swizterland and in shock how flat everything looked. I have been I wonder what I feel like when I step back onto American soil after spending time in Asia.
I'm excited to go back. I get to see my mom and dad immediately. I hope to head to Taco Bell and Target with the first few hours. I am excited to go to karaoke with my midwest TCIS friends until we have to say goodbye. I want to take a walk with my parents, Wrigely, and take a big long rest on their leather couch until jetlag gets the better of me. I am excited to be home.
Weird, huh?
I'm not sure why my mind is tripping out like this. Maybe it's my nerves and excitement about flying back to the States and encountering America again. Repatriating myself for a brief time. I remember my first time coming back from Mexico and feeling reverse culture shock for the first time. I remember coming back from Swizterland and in shock how flat everything looked. I have been I wonder what I feel like when I step back onto American soil after spending time in Asia.
I'm excited to go back. I get to see my mom and dad immediately. I hope to head to Taco Bell and Target with the first few hours. I am excited to go to karaoke with my midwest TCIS friends until we have to say goodbye. I want to take a walk with my parents, Wrigely, and take a big long rest on their leather couch until jetlag gets the better of me. I am excited to be home.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Monday, May 5, 2008
Airport World
"In transit. If two sweeter words exist in the English language, I have yet to hear them. Suspended between coming and going, neither here nor there, my mind slows, and amid the duty- free shops and PA announcements, I achieve something approaching calm. I've often fantasized about living in Airport World. Not one airport, mind you, but a series of airports. I would just keep flying around the world, in a state of suspended aviation. Always coming, never arriving. But here in this airport lounge, my fantasy is less appealing. Humans, even nomadic ones, need a sense of home. Home need not be one place or any place at all, but every home has two essential elements: a sense of community and even more important, a history."
- "The Geography of Bliss" by Eric Weiner
I love Airport World. I love everything about it. The duty-free shops, makeup counters, Starbucks around every corner, and the eerie clam that envelops me as I sit and people watch. I will be back in Airport World exactly one month from today. The anticipation feels different than other trips I have taken before. I am in between homes right now for an extended time. This is a first for me. South Korea is technically my home base right. It feels exhilarating and foreign to visit America for a holiday.
Reflection about the past year has begun to take shape as the countdown to America unfurls itself. I love reminiscing about the sights, conversations, people, animals, books, ideas, discussions, desires, frustrations, and realizations that have come across me this year. I love that I have survived the first whirlwind year of overseas living. I ponder about the future. Questions and thoughts pervade my thoughts during my off moments. Will I like America when I go back? Seasoned expats continually warn me about the hardships of reaccelerating myself to the materialistic, myopic, and individualistic aura of America. Others claim I will slide right back into my old routine. Will this be my only stint overseas? Will I became a lifer?
My answer to the first question is a resounding yes. I am reunited with family and friends. Old haunts will beckon me back for visits. The sparkling lakes will coolme from the hot summer sun. The rest of the questions remained unanswered in my mind. For those that know me well, I’m actually ok with that. I have absolutely no idea where Korea will lead me next. I fantasize often about the myriad of directions my life could go in the next few years, but I have learned to stop and breathe. Take the moment in. Stop and inhale the yellow dust. :)
- "The Geography of Bliss" by Eric Weiner
I love Airport World. I love everything about it. The duty-free shops, makeup counters, Starbucks around every corner, and the eerie clam that envelops me as I sit and people watch. I will be back in Airport World exactly one month from today. The anticipation feels different than other trips I have taken before. I am in between homes right now for an extended time. This is a first for me. South Korea is technically my home base right. It feels exhilarating and foreign to visit America for a holiday.
Reflection about the past year has begun to take shape as the countdown to America unfurls itself. I love reminiscing about the sights, conversations, people, animals, books, ideas, discussions, desires, frustrations, and realizations that have come across me this year. I love that I have survived the first whirlwind year of overseas living. I ponder about the future. Questions and thoughts pervade my thoughts during my off moments. Will I like America when I go back? Seasoned expats continually warn me about the hardships of reaccelerating myself to the materialistic, myopic, and individualistic aura of America. Others claim I will slide right back into my old routine. Will this be my only stint overseas? Will I became a lifer?
My answer to the first question is a resounding yes. I am reunited with family and friends. Old haunts will beckon me back for visits. The sparkling lakes will coolme from the hot summer sun. The rest of the questions remained unanswered in my mind. For those that know me well, I’m actually ok with that. I have absolutely no idea where Korea will lead me next. I fantasize often about the myriad of directions my life could go in the next few years, but I have learned to stop and breathe. Take the moment in. Stop and inhale the yellow dust. :)
Monday, April 14, 2008
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