Hemingway was a genius. Perhaps a bit of a drunk, but an absolute genius. Heck, there is even a six-fingered cat named after him. He managed to write one of his great literary works in six words. That's right, six words. Here is the story.
"For sale: baby shoes, never worn".
I think you can appreciate his literary prowess. To help my students understand the power of words, I taught them to write their own six word stories. It was a great day to class to see their young, ingenious minds concoting some ridiculous stories. Here are some of my favorites!!
"Yes, you look fat," Relationship over."
"Took SAT. Failed. Mom planning funeral."
Since imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, I decide to write a few stories of my own to further describe my life here.
Enjoy!
Six weeks. No traveling. Money still disappears.
No Valentine's date. Impulse haircut instead!
German friends leave. Find new friends.
Tall woman. Miniature sled. Broken ego.
Yellow dust comes. * Cough!* Automatically dead.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Monday, February 11, 2008
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Napkin Lessons
RANDOM NAVY GUY TEACHING ME JAPANESE ON A NAPKIN:
"If you swoop the line this direction, it means "ni" or sun. If you sweep the line the other way it means pon, or "to rise". Hence the name Nippon, or Japan. It means the land of the "rising sun". Isn't that great?! Japanese sure is easy to learn!"
ME IN RESPONSE:
"Oh yeah, I get how the Japanese language is divided into three different kinds-kangi, hiragana, and katakana. It definitely makes more sense than Korean. Thanks for highlighting that for me and showing me 40,000 different characters. I think I"ll have Japanese down by the weekend."
MUTTERING TO MYSELF FIVE SECONDS LATER:
"Cha, right! I can barely remember what a gerund is in my own language."
Since my arrival in Asia, I have received many "napkin lessons" about Korean language and culture. The setting for these impromptu lessons usually takes place at an eating establishment. I'll want to learn something on the spot, but lack paper. I somehow always have a pen, but never paper. Napkins work surprising well for these helterskelter language lessons.
I received a "napkin lesson" two weeks ago when I first arrived in Japan. I spent forty-five minutes talking with a naval officer about the structure of the Japanese language. It's a haunting and beautiful language and requires great diligence and commitment to achieve mastery. I think I'll have to stick to Korea, especially since it's easier to learn and I actually live in the country. Korean wins for now.
Thankfully I didn't spend all my time with napkin lessons. My roommate Kirstin and I were blessed to visit my good friend Davia. She served as our host for the week and mock Lonely Planet guide extradonnaire. This girl knows how to plan an itinerary. Some highlights include a five hour road trip to visit snow monkeys in Nagano, train-hopping in Kamakura to go visit a giant Buddha, exploring a scary Goth exhibit that highlighted the underground costume play of Japanese youth, leisurely relaxing at the hot springs while looking at the snowy Japanese alps, gaping at GIANT beheaded tuna at the fish market, and subway hopping to diverse and eclectic neighborhoods in Tokyo. Another highlight of Tokyo was having another "collision" (see entry below) with all my new and old friends. I came with Meredith and Kirstin, met up with Davia and Meredith's high school friend Derek, my hagwon friends Tim and Don, and my friend Mary I met at a writing conference earlier this year. We had a blast traipsing around Tokyo and comparing the differences between Korea and Japan.
The best highlight of the trip was Davia. I am used to seeing her every other month since we graduated college, but an entire year has passed between us. But like lifelong friends, we picked up right where left off- eating Trader Joe snacks, oogling at Gap and Uniqlo, Davia checking my suitcase to make sure I didn't steal any of her clothes, more shopping, discussing the navy, education, and how much we miss the sushi restaurant Tank in Chicago. It made me feel warm and fuzzy inside. I think I hugged her ten times before I hopped on the bus back to the airport.
I found the Japanese napkin at the bottom of my suitcase when I was unpacking. I couldn't help but smile at the smudged characters. I hope to go back to the land of the rising sun sometimes soon. The next napkin lesson will figuring out the Japanese train system.
"If you swoop the line this direction, it means "ni" or sun. If you sweep the line the other way it means pon, or "to rise". Hence the name Nippon, or Japan. It means the land of the "rising sun". Isn't that great?! Japanese sure is easy to learn!"
ME IN RESPONSE:
"Oh yeah, I get how the Japanese language is divided into three different kinds-kangi, hiragana, and katakana. It definitely makes more sense than Korean. Thanks for highlighting that for me and showing me 40,000 different characters. I think I"ll have Japanese down by the weekend."
MUTTERING TO MYSELF FIVE SECONDS LATER:
"Cha, right! I can barely remember what a gerund is in my own language."
Since my arrival in Asia, I have received many "napkin lessons" about Korean language and culture. The setting for these impromptu lessons usually takes place at an eating establishment. I'll want to learn something on the spot, but lack paper. I somehow always have a pen, but never paper. Napkins work surprising well for these helterskelter language lessons.
I received a "napkin lesson" two weeks ago when I first arrived in Japan. I spent forty-five minutes talking with a naval officer about the structure of the Japanese language. It's a haunting and beautiful language and requires great diligence and commitment to achieve mastery. I think I'll have to stick to Korea, especially since it's easier to learn and I actually live in the country. Korean wins for now.
Thankfully I didn't spend all my time with napkin lessons. My roommate Kirstin and I were blessed to visit my good friend Davia. She served as our host for the week and mock Lonely Planet guide extradonnaire. This girl knows how to plan an itinerary. Some highlights include a five hour road trip to visit snow monkeys in Nagano, train-hopping in Kamakura to go visit a giant Buddha, exploring a scary Goth exhibit that highlighted the underground costume play of Japanese youth, leisurely relaxing at the hot springs while looking at the snowy Japanese alps, gaping at GIANT beheaded tuna at the fish market, and subway hopping to diverse and eclectic neighborhoods in Tokyo. Another highlight of Tokyo was having another "collision" (see entry below) with all my new and old friends. I came with Meredith and Kirstin, met up with Davia and Meredith's high school friend Derek, my hagwon friends Tim and Don, and my friend Mary I met at a writing conference earlier this year. We had a blast traipsing around Tokyo and comparing the differences between Korea and Japan.
The best highlight of the trip was Davia. I am used to seeing her every other month since we graduated college, but an entire year has passed between us. But like lifelong friends, we picked up right where left off- eating Trader Joe snacks, oogling at Gap and Uniqlo, Davia checking my suitcase to make sure I didn't steal any of her clothes, more shopping, discussing the navy, education, and how much we miss the sushi restaurant Tank in Chicago. It made me feel warm and fuzzy inside. I think I hugged her ten times before I hopped on the bus back to the airport.
I found the Japanese napkin at the bottom of my suitcase when I was unpacking. I couldn't help but smile at the smudged characters. I hope to go back to the land of the rising sun sometimes soon. The next napkin lesson will figuring out the Japanese train system.
Monday, January 28, 2008
Sunday, January 27, 2008
a brief physics lesson about collision...
collision
noun
1. (physics) a brief event in which two or more bodies come together; "the collision of the particles resulted in an exchange of energy and a change of direction"
Collision #1: Vikingitis
My friend Aaron from North Park came to impromptly visit this past weekend. He lives and works as a hagwon teacher in the small town of "sparkling" Gumi, otherwise known as the industrial capital of South Korea. It was great to see someone from the past and catch up on college stories. I haven't seen him for almost four years!
Collision #2: CAJ Smash
Aaron knew my cousins. In JAPAN. Aaron spent time working at CAJ (Christian Academy of Japan) and knew them in high school. It was fun to see his shock and delight to witness them as full grown adults. I gathered everyone together and huddled in my friend Meredith's apartment for a fun reunion. My TCIS, North Park, and family worlds came crashing together like a cosmic collision. We spent the night catching up and singing our hearts out at the noraebong.
Collision #3:The German-Cali-Korean-Chicago-Sconnie-Utah-Mudduck Crash
I headed up to Suwon on Saturday with Aaron, Sarah, Meredith, Don, Will, and my German friends to go visit the Korean folk village and the walled fortress that surrounds the city of Suwon. We spent the looking at ancient Korean buildings, watching a horse show, catching five different cabs to go see the wall, hiking up a mountain to go see the wall, looking at the breathtaking scenery of apartments buildings and taxis, and enjoying good conversation.
Collision #4: A Dead King and His Mountain
I had a great moment to myself to stop and reflect when I was on top of the mountain. I felt like I was in the presence of ancient greatness. Kings and queens used to use rule the land that stretched for miles in front of my eyes. It caught my breath for a moment to realize how OLD Korea is. The small peninsula has grown through so much turmoil I couldn't help but feels it confusion and sadness atop the mountain. I fell in love with my new home a bit more. I shivered inside my jacket, said a quick prayer of thanks for living overseas and my wonderful friends, took a deep breath, and rejoined my group. I like collisions. :)
noun
1. (physics) a brief event in which two or more bodies come together; "the collision of the particles resulted in an exchange of energy and a change of direction"
Collision #1: Vikingitis
My friend Aaron from North Park came to impromptly visit this past weekend. He lives and works as a hagwon teacher in the small town of "sparkling" Gumi, otherwise known as the industrial capital of South Korea. It was great to see someone from the past and catch up on college stories. I haven't seen him for almost four years!
Collision #2: CAJ Smash
Aaron knew my cousins. In JAPAN. Aaron spent time working at CAJ (Christian Academy of Japan) and knew them in high school. It was fun to see his shock and delight to witness them as full grown adults. I gathered everyone together and huddled in my friend Meredith's apartment for a fun reunion. My TCIS, North Park, and family worlds came crashing together like a cosmic collision. We spent the night catching up and singing our hearts out at the noraebong.
Collision #3:The German-Cali-Korean-Chicago-Sconnie-Utah-Mudduck Crash
I headed up to Suwon on Saturday with Aaron, Sarah, Meredith, Don, Will, and my German friends to go visit the Korean folk village and the walled fortress that surrounds the city of Suwon. We spent the looking at ancient Korean buildings, watching a horse show, catching five different cabs to go see the wall, hiking up a mountain to go see the wall, looking at the breathtaking scenery of apartments buildings and taxis, and enjoying good conversation.
Collision #4: A Dead King and His Mountain
I had a great moment to myself to stop and reflect when I was on top of the mountain. I felt like I was in the presence of ancient greatness. Kings and queens used to use rule the land that stretched for miles in front of my eyes. It caught my breath for a moment to realize how OLD Korea is. The small peninsula has grown through so much turmoil I couldn't help but feels it confusion and sadness atop the mountain. I fell in love with my new home a bit more. I shivered inside my jacket, said a quick prayer of thanks for living overseas and my wonderful friends, took a deep breath, and rejoined my group. I like collisions. :)
Monday, January 14, 2008
Friday, January 11, 2008
Surfing is my religion.......
I heard those words uttered a myriad of times over the last few weeks. I also learned that half of the island has the first name of name of Wayan, due mostly to a rigid and intricate caste system. Hinduism, Buddhism, and surfing are the dominant religious options. Every morning many Balinese eat mangoes for breakfast, brush palm-laden sidewalks with a banana leaf chopped down with a twenty-year old machete, go fishing, surf in the afternoon, and play the guitar into the sunset.
Welcome to life in Bali.
I just returned from my Christmas/New Year's vacation in Bali with four of my girlfriends from Korea. There are so many intense, delicate, and humorous moments to highlight, but I'm not sure where to start. I guess I"ll have to start with Buri.
Buri was our driver for the first leg of our journey and our introduction into small town Balinese life. He attempted to make small jokes with us on the initial drive to our first hostel, but verbally slunked away over our lack of communication. (In our defense, we had been traveling since 5 am that morning!) He even tried to convince us that his tattoes were temporaray, even though his left was definitely inked. We perked up when we got to our hostel, er, bunglaow for the night. If you can imagine Swiss Family Robinson meets the Jungle Book, you can imagine our bungalow paradise called Lambung Damah.
Over the next few days, Buri introduced to Balinese society. We hung out the local surfers, fisherman, and a crazy lady named Rosemary. The five of us quickly became immersed into the small community in a short span of four days. Our new Balinese friends were very gracious with their time and motorbikes. I saw a natural waterfall, went snorkeling and defeated my fear of seeing things underwater, got massages, slept in, went for motorbike rides on shopping trips (including a scary nighttime one dodging over twenty cars-not recommended!), and danced the night away in the rain on New Year's Eve. Vacation was definitely off to a good start.
The next leg of our journey was to a town called Ubud. Sadly, we had to part with our surfers friends and Buri. We waved sadly as he dropped us off in Ubud. I have to admit, I strongly wanted to visit this artistic enclave of shops and cafes. It has captured my attention ever since I finished the book "Eat, Pray, Love" by Elizabeth Gilbert.I spent time with the girls shopping, bartering at the local market, visiting Hindu temples and rice paddies, and enjoying the local Balinese cuisine. If you have read Gilbert's book, I took a side trip to visit Wayan and Tutti at the Balinese Traditional Healing Center. It was an odd experience involving chants, incense, carrot juice, and a seaweed and ginseng lunch. Call me and I'll describe the experience via phone!!
The final part of the trip was definitely my favorite. It involved plenty of sun, sandy beaches, air conditioning, and a private villa! It was definitely worth all those extra hours coaching cross country and English camp! The girls and I rented a villa with a private pool and staff of FIVE. We had a cook, driver, butler, and two houseboys. Our staff outnumbered us when Sarah had to leave our group a day early. I loved the few days of luxury and sun. It was the epitome of relaxation.
I was sad to leave Bali, but eager to experience a few days in Singapore. Our group of five nestled down into two due to sickness and working obligations. Sarah and I went shopping, gazed at the city on a nighttime river boat cruise, made up a self-defined walking tour, and enjoyed wonderful meals of Indian food and Chinese hotpot. I definitely gained a few pounds in Singapore in two days. :)
I am now back in Korea getting back into the swing of school. I don't have any lesson plans or a great tan, but I am glad to be back in Korea. Over the last two days, I often wonder what Buri and his friends are doing in Bali. I can only envision he is trying to chat like crazy with the next set of visitors that come to the bungalow paradise and lie about his "temporary tattoes".
Welcome to life in Bali.
I just returned from my Christmas/New Year's vacation in Bali with four of my girlfriends from Korea. There are so many intense, delicate, and humorous moments to highlight, but I'm not sure where to start. I guess I"ll have to start with Buri.
Buri was our driver for the first leg of our journey and our introduction into small town Balinese life. He attempted to make small jokes with us on the initial drive to our first hostel, but verbally slunked away over our lack of communication. (In our defense, we had been traveling since 5 am that morning!) He even tried to convince us that his tattoes were temporaray, even though his left was definitely inked. We perked up when we got to our hostel, er, bunglaow for the night. If you can imagine Swiss Family Robinson meets the Jungle Book, you can imagine our bungalow paradise called Lambung Damah.
Over the next few days, Buri introduced to Balinese society. We hung out the local surfers, fisherman, and a crazy lady named Rosemary. The five of us quickly became immersed into the small community in a short span of four days. Our new Balinese friends were very gracious with their time and motorbikes. I saw a natural waterfall, went snorkeling and defeated my fear of seeing things underwater, got massages, slept in, went for motorbike rides on shopping trips (including a scary nighttime one dodging over twenty cars-not recommended!), and danced the night away in the rain on New Year's Eve. Vacation was definitely off to a good start.
The next leg of our journey was to a town called Ubud. Sadly, we had to part with our surfers friends and Buri. We waved sadly as he dropped us off in Ubud. I have to admit, I strongly wanted to visit this artistic enclave of shops and cafes. It has captured my attention ever since I finished the book "Eat, Pray, Love" by Elizabeth Gilbert.I spent time with the girls shopping, bartering at the local market, visiting Hindu temples and rice paddies, and enjoying the local Balinese cuisine. If you have read Gilbert's book, I took a side trip to visit Wayan and Tutti at the Balinese Traditional Healing Center. It was an odd experience involving chants, incense, carrot juice, and a seaweed and ginseng lunch. Call me and I'll describe the experience via phone!!
The final part of the trip was definitely my favorite. It involved plenty of sun, sandy beaches, air conditioning, and a private villa! It was definitely worth all those extra hours coaching cross country and English camp! The girls and I rented a villa with a private pool and staff of FIVE. We had a cook, driver, butler, and two houseboys. Our staff outnumbered us when Sarah had to leave our group a day early. I loved the few days of luxury and sun. It was the epitome of relaxation.
I was sad to leave Bali, but eager to experience a few days in Singapore. Our group of five nestled down into two due to sickness and working obligations. Sarah and I went shopping, gazed at the city on a nighttime river boat cruise, made up a self-defined walking tour, and enjoyed wonderful meals of Indian food and Chinese hotpot. I definitely gained a few pounds in Singapore in two days. :)
I am now back in Korea getting back into the swing of school. I don't have any lesson plans or a great tan, but I am glad to be back in Korea. Over the last two days, I often wonder what Buri and his friends are doing in Bali. I can only envision he is trying to chat like crazy with the next set of visitors that come to the bungalow paradise and lie about his "temporary tattoes".
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)