Friday, December 30, 2011

Goodbyes

I hate saying goodbyes. No matter who it may be directed to, even if its just a short good bye, I do not like them.

I've been here for exactly three months now and in those three months all three teachers I have started with have left. I'm starting to realize that teaching here is an odd cycle of Hellos and Goodbyes. As contracts end, people either move back home or move to another city to teach. You have to say goodbye to those who become your close friends and family here, and those who may never see again. At the same time you also say hello to new people who you will become close with... until your time comes. Weird.


This is my sentimental thought of the day.

On a happier note, it's Friday! Last day before break! I'm going to Seoul tomorrow for New Year's Eve! The next morning I am flying into Bangkok to begin my Thailand/Laos vacation for 2 weeks! WAHOO!

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

"Poop Needle"

Do you even want to know what a poop needle? Oh yes you do.

Korean kids have a silly little prank they like to pull on people, especially their foreign teachers. This is called "dong chim", and it translates into "poop needle" which is a pretty accurate translation. 
The "dong chim" is performed on any unsuspecting victim, male or female, child or adult. A prime target will be (a) bending over, and (b) concentrating on something else. The mischievous party will clasp his or her hands with the index fingers extended – the kind of motion you might make to mime shooting. And then, dear reader, they will ram those fingers right up your arse.

I have heard that when students perform this magical act on you it means that they like you and are comfortable with me. I wish they would fear me instead.



Some websites to read more about dong chim:
Beware the Dong Chim!
World's Longest Dong Chim (something I hope to participate in if I am lucky enough)

Sunday, December 25, 2011

Merry Christmas!

Wow. I am a big loser. Yes, I made my own Christmas card, yes I used a timer, yes I also used a tripod, and yes I photoshopped a snowflake border. I also don't seem to have a problem with taking self portraits of myself. This is incredibly embarrassing, but I love Christmas so much I just had to do it. Special Christmas shout out to the de Mira Family, you're amazing and I wish I could be home to celebrate with you and watch The Sound of Music and sing karaoke until the wee hours of the morning. I also wish I could stuff my face with the my favorite "hat cookies" as I like to call them, better known as peanut butter blossoms. Wishing you and your loved ones a very happy Christmas.



MERRCHRISTMAS!
메리 크리스마스

Friday, December 23, 2011

Rubber Soul in Seoul

In Seoul a couple weekends ago, there was an event called Rubber Soul which is associated with World AIDS Day, and is organized by Little Travellers and Medipeace. It's a charity event that had over 20 bands spread out in 6 clubs. It was a lot of fun for a great cause. It was also an introduction to some amazing/interesting Korean artists.

At Club Freebird we saw WAGWAK, Demian the Band, and Yamagata Tweakster. Everyone needs to check out Yamagata Tweakster. He is this man who does his own electronics from his laptop, wears crazy outfits, sings to his own songs and dancing (by singing I mean more like chanting, and by dancing I mean touching himself).

Later, we caught Rock Tigers at DGBD, who were amazing! They totally rocked it and the lead singer is amazing and I totally have a girl crush on her. We also got to meet some of the band members after the show which was sweet.

Here's a link to another person's blog who took great pictures of the event, and some of the pictures include myself and some friends! http://theremaybemore.blogspot.com/2011/12/rubber-s.html


Yamagata Tweakster
Rock Tigers
Apparently this guy is a legend in the Korean music community
Connor with the lead singer of Rock Tigers

Monday, December 19, 2011

Music Monday

I always catch my co-teacher, Fathima, listening to Indian music so I've been itching to listen to some too. Here is one she recommended to me.


I love it. Doesn't it make you wish your life could be an Indian music video for a day? Or even a Bollywood movie for a day? In my dreams. 

Snow in Inje

It snowed! My first beautiful snow in Inje. It was beautiful and wonderful and amazing and now it's all melted and gone. Cross your fingers it snows again for Christmas. Otherwise my first Christmas abroad will turn into my first Christmas without snow which will make me sad.

Shameless self portrait
The day it snowed was also the day the Inje English Village staff went to Chuncheon to pick up the new English teacher. I would like to start my story by saying this: Koreans are scary drivers. Yes, that is stereotyping, but I have first hand experience driving inside many cars with Koreans and it is terrifying. Even outside of the car, on the street, I am scared. Well in the snow, Korean drivers are even scarier.

On the way back to Inje, we were in a left lane behind a police car and there was an ambulance in the right lane. Next thing I see is the ambulance swerving right in front of us, into our lane, then swerving the other way and crashing into side-rail. It was absolutely terrifying. Five minutes later we saw two cars on the side of the road. I don't think they got any assistance as soon as they hoped.

Tony and "downtown" Inje. We are probably 2 of the few people who were excited for the snow
Artsy Fartsy with my smartphone

Monday, December 12, 2011

Yoga Class

As I've mentioned before, I've started taking yoga classes during my time in Korea. Yes, I still think it's weird too, as I am a skeptic of the art of yoga. Well let me share one of my more interesting yoga classes with you.

Usually I have yoga on Monday, Wednesday, Friday mornings, however last Wednesday our working schedule changed so Fathima and I had to go to the evening yoga class on Wednesday. I kind of wish we just didn't go.

We went in and it was all full of ajummas (아줌마). Ajummas are defined as older women above the age of 40 years old. These ajummas in my class were in there 60s and some probably in their 70s. "Oh great" I thought, "now I won't be too embarrassed with my nonexistent flexibility with these old women." Man was I ever wrong. They were the most flexible women I had ever seen! I bet if they wanted, they could have kissed their own butts. If it were the 2008 Olympics, and there was a competition on strictly flexibility, these women would give Nastia Liukin a run for her money.

To make matters worse I was dragged to a mat in the front of the class. Why? I don't know. I truly despise being in the front of a group of people (yes, I struggle with this when teaching too). It was pretty embarrassing, but I'm sure comical for everyone behind me.

To make matters even worse there was a strange man videotaping and taking pictures of our class during my yoga struggle. Why was he there? I don't know.

Even more embarrassing was the when I stayed in the same position without realizing that we have moved on. And everyone laughed. In my defense, the instructor speaks in Korean (obviously) so when my eyes are closed and she tells us to change positions, I have no idea. I guess I was just really in the zone.

Namaste, my friends

Music Monday

I've decided to start a new tradition on my blog. "Music Monday." As my adventure teaching in Korea continues, I am introduced to a lot of different music. New, old, good, bad, Korean, American. Anything that tickles my fancy, and anything I feel like sharing with you.

Here is a song I am currently obsessed with. I have been listening to it since I first arrived and I am in love. I listen to it when I wake up, when I walk to school, and during my routine one woman dance party. Enjoy. Shout out to Connor who introduced me to this song.

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Ukulele Time!

This may come as a surprise for those that know me, but I have dabbled with a ukulele, and even had one before my quest in Korea began. However, silly me left it at home. But ho! I bought a more beautiful, better quality one in Korea and I am in love. Now I just need to name my new uke...

My beautiful baby
If you're looking for a ukuele, or pretty much any musical instrument or music related equipment in South Korea, I highly recommend going to Nagwon Arcade in Seoul. The Nagwon Arcade is pretty much a giant mall dedicated solely tp musical instruments or equipment. It has two floors and with over 200 stores in the mall you'll surely find whatever you're looking for. It is music heaven!

I initially went in set on purchasing a tenor ukulele. However, after several shop visits I realized a tenor ukulele was out of my price range and not recommended for a beginner. One shop in particular was very helpful. The guy who helped me was honest and told me his favorites. While comparing Chinese, Korean, and Indonesian ukuleles he admitted that even though it's the most expensive, the Korean made one wasn't the best. Gasp! (To Koreans, anything that is Korean made is the best.) When I finally made the commitment to a concert soprano I asked how much a case was and this clever guy responded "We are in Korea, not America. It is free!" He even included a tuner and an extra set of strings. Whatta guy! This wonderful, amazing, super helpful shop is called Acoustic Guitar. Their website is http://acousticgt.com/ and it has their exact location and phone number. All I remember was that it was on the second floor, in a corner, near an outside exit.

The Nagwon (Nakwon) Arcade can be tough to find. Getting to the correct subway exit was an adventure. The best way to get there would be to take the blue, orange or purple line (1, 3, or 5. I took the purple line) and exit at Jangno 3(sam)-ga. I looked for exit 4 and it was a maze to get through. When I got out it was the left, across for the street. Look for a bank, then look for a large staircase, then head up to the second floor and let your musical fantasies begin!

Here is another link that will help you find the building: Nagwon Arcade

Good luck my friends!

An American Thanksgiving in Korea

This was my first Thanksgiving away from home and away from my family, so I was a little concerned that I would be really sad and slip into a mild depression and then eat a lot of chocolate to make myself feel better. However, there was a lovely "American Thanksgiving" feast planned in a neighboring town, Wontong.

Digging in to the delicious food
There was a lot of fun, a lot of food, and a lot of togetherness that was shared. It was wonderful. The only think that was missing was the turkey.

Gathering around the feast
There was mashed potatoes, a vegetable stew, some chicken, pork, a South African desert, bread, and many other things that everybody brought.

Sam (the wonderful host), Ashley, Fathima, and Josh
The boys being "cute"
My first Thanksgiving abroad was a success; the turkey wasn't missed as much as I thought it would be, I was surrounded by good company, and I later slipped into an amazing food coma, but I did miss my momma's mashed potatoes. 

It's Official!

Ladies and gentlemen, I have finally received my Alien Registration Card. I am now an official resident of South Korea, at least for the next 12 months.

Wahoo!
Now that I have my ARC card, I can leave the country, which means I can plan my winter vacation, which means I was too antsy and bought my ticket immediately, which means I'm going to Laos for 2 weeks by myself! I am so pumped. I'll be meeting up with my friend Tony about halfway through my trip, so that should be fun. I'm really looking forward to the beautiful scenery Laos has to offer and the warm weather! Yummm.

Other updates on my life? I started taking yoga classes, weird I know. And the other day I unknowingly ate raw octopus, and yesterday I ate more raw fish, freshly picked and cut from the tanks outside the restaurant. Raw fish is interesting. And really chewy. And that's all I have to say about the matter.

Monday, December 5, 2011

2 teachers + 250 students = no class!

Desk Warming. Quite possibly one of the most underrated things ever.

In the Korean public schools, there's a term called "desk warming". It's when the teachers still have to come in during Winter or Summer break even though there are no students. This is a norm for public schools, but luckily my hagwon gets a full week of desk warming due to our lack of staff.

Since Johnlyn just left, and her replacement doesn't come until the end of the week, and it is just me and my co-teacher Fathima, our director decided to simply cancel all classes for the week. It is amazing! Two hours in, and I have already finished all my work for the day, what to do, what to do.

Any suggestions on what do to with all my free time at school?

If you're ever desk warming, here's a post with some ideas to help you pass the time: The Joys of Desk Warming in Korea

Below Zero Camping in Inje

Camping in November in Minnesota? Crazy. Camping in Inje in November? Crazy. And almost as cold.

Setting up the massive circus tent
Kevin organized this camping trip, with the help and equipment of his boss. His boss had a massive tent that could easily fit 10 people and sleeping bags and sleeping mats for all eight of us. He even provided chairs, tables, lanterns, a grill, firewood, all the basics needed for camping.

The ginormous tent almost all up
The boss has this huge tent that we all slept in. It was one of the biggest camping tents I have ever seen. When it was all set up tt looked like a circus tent, with a pole in the middle and everything. Ideally, I think this tent could have fit up to 13 people.

Trying to stay warm by the fire
Deep conversation whilst camping
It was your typical camping extravaganza, but better because I was in Korea. Ashley and Adrian prepared grilled cheese sandwiches and a stew. We sat around, drank some beer and played some games. It was a very relaxing camping trip. The only thing that was missing were s'mores. Two of my students, Helen and Rose, were even there for most of the night (their mom is one of Kevin's nurses).

Friday, December 2, 2011

Cooking Day: Chicken Tortillas

At the Inje English Village, everyday Friday is cooking day or market day. I have yet to experience a market day, but I want to share the interesting Korean twists that exist with some foods that we make.

Today we made Chicken Tortillas. The basics were there: chicken and tortillas, but then it got a little interesting. We started with the tortilla and spread a spicy Korean chilli sauce on the surface. Next we added lettuce, cucumbers, apples, and chicken. The final touch? Korean mustard sauce. It wasn't bad, just interesting.

Class 3 enjoying cooking class
Koreans like to add unique things in non-traditional Korean food. In the past we made Cheese Canapes. When making the cheese canape, we started with a saltine, spread whipping cream, added a slice of ham and a slice of cheese. Oh that's not all. We also added an apple slice, spread strawberry jam on top of that, and topped it with a chocolate chip. It was an explosion of different flavors and there are no words to describe it's unique taste. Koreans also add corn to almost all pizza, but I actually enjoy this quirk.

A Korean chicken tortilla, sans mustard sauce

Thursday, December 1, 2011

My Life As A Waygook, Episode 1

This is an accurate portrayal of a situation I am sure every English teacher in Korea has found themselves in. Those who have not taught in Korea, you may not find it as funny as the rest of us do. This is also pretty offensive, so to any Koreans who watch this, I apologize.


Those who enjoyed this video, should watch related videos in the same cartoon format to get a better understanding of life as an English teach in Korea.

Also, my boss just told me I have old man shoes. But she said that "it's okay". I'm glad I have her permission to wear my old man shoes.

English Names

Since our school is an English Village, our director wants the students to have English names too. Sometimes we let them name themselves, or the other kids name them. I've tried to name them after my friends or people I know, but they don't seem to like and of my friends' names.

Some common names are Lily, Ben, James, Abby, Daisy. I've noticed the girls liked names with two syllables that end in an "ee" sound. Some less common names are Pink, Spike, and Liam. Yesterday I named a new student "Jerry", the other students chose and voted for that one. I don't think he had a clue to what was going on.

My absolute favorite names are Dinoking and Lurker. I think it's safe to assume a teacher did not name those two. There's also a kid whose name is Ben, but he insists on being called 'Ben UFO' and will always add the 'UFO' to his name tag even if I ignore him.