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.
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