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.
Monday, August 25, 2008
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.
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