Another installment of "what kids wrote in their essays" (or something funnier and wittier):
A mosquito says, “wheeze wheeze” and eats blood. I don’t like bees because a bee’s horn is very sick
I don’t like mosquitoes because it eats with our skin so it tickles so I don’t like it.
A bee bites people and makes them itch but a mosquito is petulance.
I like naps. It is a sweet time for me. (Me too kid, me too)
I like to sleep in bed and on my mom’s tummy. I like to dream about muffins, cars and a pencil case.
Before I was best friends with Yeorim, I didn’t think she was very smart. She is very pretty and thin, sometimes wears make-up and always dresses in beautiful clothes. Then I saw her grade sheet and she was 8th in the school. On the other hand, I thought my friend Gyeongeun was smart. She always reads books, isn’t so thin, not so pretty and wears glasses and doesn’t use an MP3 player. But she is at the bottom of our class. Just because someone is good looking doesn’t mean they’re dumb and if someone is bad looking it doesn’t mean they are a genius. (Side note - there were about a dozen similar essays about how ugly people with glasses look smart)
Swimming is hard so we practice by wearing water glasses
Title of essay: I hate sports except soccer. I hate dodgeball, handball, jumping rope and swimming. Because I always beaten by a ball. And hand ball I was hitted by a ball my head. “Head shot!” my friend says so I hate hand ball. I hate swimming too because I can’t do it. I worried of drowning. I hate jumping rope too. It’s so hard and I always fall down. (PS - "head shot" made me laugh for about 5 minutes - my stomach hurt from that one).
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Tuesdays with Claire
Like Tuesdays with Morrie, except she isn't old, and we go to dinner instead of exchanging sage advice. Claire gets off of work earlier than I do on Mondays and Wednesday because of when are breaks are scheduled (basically her "break" is the last class, so she leaves 45 minutes early). So if I really want to go to dinner with her, we go on Tuesdays or Thursdays. The only problem is that we don't get off until almost 10 and lots of places are closed already, especially the ones near us.
There is a place across the street that's open 24 hours, so that's where we went. I'm not really sure what it's called. It is the first place I've been where you have to take off your shoes. Many places are "Western" and have regular tables. Some have a pick which side you want option. This place was all shoeless. You sit on mats on the floor at a low table. This is not good for me as I am not graceful (the getting up was a lot less pretty). The menu doesn't have pictures, but there are 4 pictures on the wall. The waiter came up to us and pointed at the menu and said, "You speak Korean" and we said no. So he pointed at the pictures on the wall and said 1,2,3,4? Claire picked 4 and said beef.
So we got this soup with lots of cabbage, some sliced potatoes, onions and beef short ribs in it. It was ok, but it wasn't my favorite. The people next to us had this noodle bowl thing which looked much better. I think Claire meant to get that, but it's hard to tell the difference with the pictures since everything is in a big bowl. I would have taken pictures, but my camera battery had died earlier today and was charging. I will probably go there again, so I will take photos. Oh, also the waiters don't wear shoes either. Some wore slippers, but mainly just socks. And not regular socks - orange fuzzy ones, ones with cats, and my favorite - Batman socks. I fit right in with my bright blue ones.
There is a place across the street that's open 24 hours, so that's where we went. I'm not really sure what it's called. It is the first place I've been where you have to take off your shoes. Many places are "Western" and have regular tables. Some have a pick which side you want option. This place was all shoeless. You sit on mats on the floor at a low table. This is not good for me as I am not graceful (the getting up was a lot less pretty). The menu doesn't have pictures, but there are 4 pictures on the wall. The waiter came up to us and pointed at the menu and said, "You speak Korean" and we said no. So he pointed at the pictures on the wall and said 1,2,3,4? Claire picked 4 and said beef.
So we got this soup with lots of cabbage, some sliced potatoes, onions and beef short ribs in it. It was ok, but it wasn't my favorite. The people next to us had this noodle bowl thing which looked much better. I think Claire meant to get that, but it's hard to tell the difference with the pictures since everything is in a big bowl. I would have taken pictures, but my camera battery had died earlier today and was charging. I will probably go there again, so I will take photos. Oh, also the waiters don't wear shoes either. Some wore slippers, but mainly just socks. And not regular socks - orange fuzzy ones, ones with cats, and my favorite - Batman socks. I fit right in with my bright blue ones.
Monday, March 28, 2011
GNU
There are apparently 2 or 3 universities around where I live. One is a fairly small one, between my house and downtown. There is another one which I have never seen (or maybe there really isn't a 3rd one) and the last one is called GNU or something beginning with G National University. There are a bunch of bars near GNU, but I don't know how to tell a cab driver how to get there yet. And there are apparently multiple entrances and I can't say the difference between those either.
So today, Leizle and I decided to try and find a bus to GNU. We did - yay! The bad part is that it takes like 30 minutes to get there. The good part is that I should be able to recognize the stop even at night because there are 2 landmarks for me - a bridge that had these weird bikes on it, and these huge triangles at the main gate of the university. So, as long as I meet people before 11 pm when the bus stops running, I should be able to find my way around there.
We also walked around the campus and saw some people dancing - I think it might be cheerleading practice, or at least that's what it looked like. There was something called "English Village" but we never saw that (or at least didn't know it was the English Village when we were in it). There is also a law school there, which I might look at another time to see if they have some type of international program, but that would require me to be really motivated.
On our way back, I saw a store that sold clothes for dogs. It didn't appear to sell anything else and the picture above the door was a terrier in a bow tie. I would have taken a picture, but the battery on my camera was dead. So that was today's adventure in riding the bus.
So today, Leizle and I decided to try and find a bus to GNU. We did - yay! The bad part is that it takes like 30 minutes to get there. The good part is that I should be able to recognize the stop even at night because there are 2 landmarks for me - a bridge that had these weird bikes on it, and these huge triangles at the main gate of the university. So, as long as I meet people before 11 pm when the bus stops running, I should be able to find my way around there.
We also walked around the campus and saw some people dancing - I think it might be cheerleading practice, or at least that's what it looked like. There was something called "English Village" but we never saw that (or at least didn't know it was the English Village when we were in it). There is also a law school there, which I might look at another time to see if they have some type of international program, but that would require me to be really motivated.
On our way back, I saw a store that sold clothes for dogs. It didn't appear to sell anything else and the picture above the door was a terrier in a bow tie. I would have taken a picture, but the battery on my camera was dead. So that was today's adventure in riding the bus.
Lights
I was feeling yucky on Sunday (I think I caught my boss's cold), so I stayed at home. I was crazy dehydrated and drank a 2 liter of water plus some juice. I also watched the last 4 episodes of Friday Night Lights. If I haven't already said it, this is a really good series. It's 5 seasons and I think Netflixhas the first 3 or 4. I've watched all of the episodes online since I've been here. If you're looking for a new show, I highly reccomend this one, although back off, Matt Saracen is my boyfriend.
On a semi-related subject (only because of the word light), I know that I mentioned how traffic lights are more of a suggestion here than a requirement. I've also noticed another odd thing, although it actually makes some sense. At night, when stopped at a light, cars turn off their regular lights and put their parking lights on. This is apparently so as not to blind the drivers coming towards them (that's the part that makes sense). The problem with this, is that sometimes, when the light turns green, they forget to turn their lights back on. So there are quite often cars driving around with just their parking lights on, which isn't good when walking around narrow streets. I've almost been hit more than once. Luckily I have cat-like reflexes and have avoided collisions.
On a semi-related subject (only because of the word light), I know that I mentioned how traffic lights are more of a suggestion here than a requirement. I've also noticed another odd thing, although it actually makes some sense. At night, when stopped at a light, cars turn off their regular lights and put their parking lights on. This is apparently so as not to blind the drivers coming towards them (that's the part that makes sense). The problem with this, is that sometimes, when the light turns green, they forget to turn their lights back on. So there are quite often cars driving around with just their parking lights on, which isn't good when walking around narrow streets. I've almost been hit more than once. Luckily I have cat-like reflexes and have avoided collisions.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Baby Shower & Skype party
I went to a baby shower Saturday afternoon for the pastor's wife. It was an "American" baby shower and some Korean came. I was supposed to go with a girl who lives in my building, but she got sick and went to the doctors, so I went by myself. I don't remember if I told you that I got a bus pass, so umm...I got a bus pass. It's like a keychain and you can add money to it at any convienence store. The party was nice - once again I was kind of in the middle between old people and young Koreans. But it was good to meet some new people. They don't do baby showers in Korea, the big party for Koreans is a kid's 1st birthday. A friend of mine actually was invited to a first birthday party and she said that there was a huge buffet, and the big "event" is when they have the baby choose and item off the table - money, a stethoscope, and a few other objects are laid out. What they choose is supposed to determine their future - apparently this kid will be a doctor. They also had some door prizes and Liezle won one, but wasn't sure what to do, and the prize ended up being olive oil and 3 tins of canned ham.
Later, I played various games of Catan with Jeff and also had 2 skype parties - 1 conference call with mom and Jeff talking about her trip here, and a second conferece with the Roll and Jeff. We also played Catan during said conference call. It was fun - I haven't talked with both of my siblings at the same time since maybe Christmas. The rat bastards formed an alliance against me. I forget sometimes how much I like them. Now I am tired - I wasn't planning on playing game until 3 am, but it was worth it.
Later, I played various games of Catan with Jeff and also had 2 skype parties - 1 conference call with mom and Jeff talking about her trip here, and a second conferece with the Roll and Jeff. We also played Catan during said conference call. It was fun - I haven't talked with both of my siblings at the same time since maybe Christmas. The rat bastards formed an alliance against me. I forget sometimes how much I like them. Now I am tired - I wasn't planning on playing game until 3 am, but it was worth it.
Friday, March 25, 2011
Buns of...well I'm not quite sure what
So they have lots of random breads/rolls/bun here. Some are clearly doughnuts and I don't eat those, but I like some of the other ones, and sometimes it's fun to guess at what will be good and what will taste nasty.
These come in a bag together, but there are variations on the combinations of what's goes in them. I think the bakery people just throw some stuff in and stick a price on it. There are 3 different items in this bag (but 5 actual "buns". The top one has some type of paste in the center. I think it might be a fruit of some sort, but it isn't that sweet. The top is like a crumble, but also not very sweet. The bottom right has a paste in it as well, but it's different from the other kind. I actually think one version had a black bean paste and another is kiwi (I guessed kiwi because it is bright green, which you don't know until you bite into it - shocked me a bit at first). There are black sesame seeds on top. The last one is just a regular roll. They are all pretty good, but it's hard to compare them to something in the US because everything we have is either sweeter, or not as sweet, or saltier.
Today, a student brought in 2 kinds of bread that I have never tasted before for the teachers to share. One kind had a fruit swirl in it. It was pretty good. The other kind basically was stuffed with what tasted like cheesecake filling. It was good, but odd at the same time because the bread part definetly doesn't taste like crust, it tastes like dinner roll bread. So it's like eating a cheesecake sandwich or something. I like when the teachers bring in stuff for us to try because then I get to test stuff out, but sometimes it's awkward because I'm afraid I won't like it and I don't want to offend anyone. Luckily I have liked everything I've tried so far.
Today, a student brought in 2 kinds of bread that I have never tasted before for the teachers to share. One kind had a fruit swirl in it. It was pretty good. The other kind basically was stuffed with what tasted like cheesecake filling. It was good, but odd at the same time because the bread part definetly doesn't taste like crust, it tastes like dinner roll bread. So it's like eating a cheesecake sandwich or something. I like when the teachers bring in stuff for us to try because then I get to test stuff out, but sometimes it's awkward because I'm afraid I won't like it and I don't want to offend anyone. Luckily I have liked everything I've tried so far.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Checks and balances
I told you before that using red pens is "bad" in Korea, but that I am supposed to correct/grade papers in red. Well the other day I handed some tests back to some kids and they all gasped. I was like, what? because they had done ok. They asked what checks meant and I said correct. I was then informed of the following meanings for symbols on school work:
Korea US
check -wrong - right
X (not used) - wrong
circle around words - correct - this is the area I'm talking about/what's this
star - I don't know - very good
? (not used) - I don't know
I told them I use checks for right. They said, but we're in Korea. I said this is English school, so checks mean right.
Totally different topic: They have a product here which I can't believe we don't have the in US (or if we do, I've never seen it): Cheese Ramen. It takes ramen noodles and adds flavor packet like the cheese in instant mac & cheese. It is awesome.
Korea US
check -wrong - right
X (not used) - wrong
circle around words - correct - this is the area I'm talking about/what's this
star - I don't know - very good
? (not used) - I don't know
I told them I use checks for right. They said, but we're in Korea. I said this is English school, so checks mean right.
Totally different topic: They have a product here which I can't believe we don't have the in US (or if we do, I've never seen it): Cheese Ramen. It takes ramen noodles and adds flavor packet like the cheese in instant mac & cheese. It is awesome.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Tuesday's Gone
This morning I went walking with a new girl named Liezle (like the girl from Sound of Music, although Koreans can't say it and end up calling her weasel) from South Africa. We met 2 weekends ago and have had coffee once. We're both new and looking to meet people, so we decided to try and do stuff to see Jinju etc. She's really nice, but I feel like I'm a grandma when we hang out because she just turned 21. Today we decided to walk down to the river and walk beside it because neither of us had done it yet. When my alarm went off, I did not want to get up. I was tired from my trip to/from Jeff's house. But I got up and met her downstairs. It was very cold today and that sucked, but the walk itself was nice. Here's a view of the river.
It actually looked a bit nicer than that, and I think it will be very nice when the grass etc. turns green. There were a bunch of people there. Some were using the gym equipment, many people were walking or riding bikes and a lot of people were playing some weird version of golf or croquet.
They have clubs that look like drivers, colored balls the size of a baseball and these metal cages under flags. There is also a plastic tee set up. From tee to flag is no more than 50 yards. I didn't stop to watch to really figure out what they were doing, but it looked like a weird version of mini golf but with bigger balls.
We made plans for Thursday to ride a bus and see where we end up. The idea is to find the correct bus to Homeplus and then get home.
Lastly, here's a picture for mom - see I eat salad.
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| River, past Toms n Toms |
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| River golf? |
We made plans for Thursday to ride a bus and see where we end up. The idea is to find the correct bus to Homeplus and then get home.
Lastly, here's a picture for mom - see I eat salad.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Adventures in train travel
So on Sunday, we were planning on going to a Korean cultural village, but when we woke up it was cold and raining and we didn't feel like walking around in the rain all day. So Jeff made breakfast and we watched some basketball. Then we played Catan...a lot. We learned how to play the card version (rivals) as well as playing some old standbys (Cities & knights etc.) We attempted to plug my laptop into Jeff's TV so we could watch a movie, but somehow blew his speakers and the circuits, so that was fun. I hope Jeff's TV works now! We also watched season 1 of the Office while playing. We cleaned up Jeff's apartment a little bit, then played more Catan. Jeff made dinner (spagetti with cut up sausages). Ann skyped us around 11:30 and we talked for an hour then watched some more Office and went to bed. It wasn't in the plans, but sometimes it's nice to spend a day in pjs doing nothing.
This morning I got up (thanks to Jeff's alarm) around 6:30. I got ready, packed etc. and Jeff dropped me off at the train station on his way to work. I got the train to Daejeon with no problems and got a seat this time (its was an extra $2). When I got out of the station to find the bus back to Jinju I ran into some problems. First, there were 2 exits out of the building and I didn't know which one to try. I didn't go in this same way and nothing looked familiar. So I found the "tourist information" booth and was pointed to one exit and told to find the express bus terminal. I'm pretty sure he told me the wrong directions, but whatever. I got into a taxi, told the guy where I wanted to go (express bus terminal) and he called someone, then handed me the phone so I could tell that guy instead. We got to the terminal without a problem though.
Once in the terminal there were 2 ways to go - express bus and inter city bus. I wasn't sure which one to take, so I went with express bus. I walked up the counter and said Jinju and the lady gave me a ticket and pointed me to a bus. The bus said "Jeonju" on the front, but sometimes the translations get messed up so I was hoping it was correct. I had a bad feeling though and asked the driver "Jinju?" and showed him the Korean spelling for jinju in my guidebook. He said yes so I sat down. Then we left and went a different direction than I had remembered. Luckily, we stopped about 10 minutes later and I walked up front again and showed him not only the city name, but the province. Turns out my gut feeling was correct - this bus was going somewhere else. So I got off, he handed me the ticket back and said "terminal, give ticket". I said thanks, found another cab, and $6 and a bit of stomach lining later, I was back at the terminal. I went to the counter where I bought my first ticket, gave it to the lady, said "Not Jeonju, Jinju" and she gave me cash and pointed to the inter city side. So I got a ticket on the other side to Jinju (correct spelling) and made it home. So, everything worked out fine and now I know to double, ney triple check my bus. See if you can spot the difference in spelling (hint - the Korean bus driver didn't until the 3rd reading of my guide book).
Jinju 진주 Jeonju ì „ì£¼
This morning I got up (thanks to Jeff's alarm) around 6:30. I got ready, packed etc. and Jeff dropped me off at the train station on his way to work. I got the train to Daejeon with no problems and got a seat this time (its was an extra $2). When I got out of the station to find the bus back to Jinju I ran into some problems. First, there were 2 exits out of the building and I didn't know which one to try. I didn't go in this same way and nothing looked familiar. So I found the "tourist information" booth and was pointed to one exit and told to find the express bus terminal. I'm pretty sure he told me the wrong directions, but whatever. I got into a taxi, told the guy where I wanted to go (express bus terminal) and he called someone, then handed me the phone so I could tell that guy instead. We got to the terminal without a problem though.
Once in the terminal there were 2 ways to go - express bus and inter city bus. I wasn't sure which one to take, so I went with express bus. I walked up the counter and said Jinju and the lady gave me a ticket and pointed me to a bus. The bus said "Jeonju" on the front, but sometimes the translations get messed up so I was hoping it was correct. I had a bad feeling though and asked the driver "Jinju?" and showed him the Korean spelling for jinju in my guidebook. He said yes so I sat down. Then we left and went a different direction than I had remembered. Luckily, we stopped about 10 minutes later and I walked up front again and showed him not only the city name, but the province. Turns out my gut feeling was correct - this bus was going somewhere else. So I got off, he handed me the ticket back and said "terminal, give ticket". I said thanks, found another cab, and $6 and a bit of stomach lining later, I was back at the terminal. I went to the counter where I bought my first ticket, gave it to the lady, said "Not Jeonju, Jinju" and she gave me cash and pointed to the inter city side. So I got a ticket on the other side to Jinju (correct spelling) and made it home. So, everything worked out fine and now I know to double, ney triple check my bus. See if you can spot the difference in spelling (hint - the Korean bus driver didn't until the 3rd reading of my guide book).
Jinju 진주 Jeonju ì „ì£¼
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Saturday with Jeff
So Jeff and I decided this weekend would be a good time for me to visit because he has Monday off (sort of) and because the exercises they were doing are over. There are no direct buses from Jinju to Pyeongtaek (the station near Jeff's house), and the last bus from Jinju to a connecting city left right when I got off work on Friday and then I would have been stuck somewhere and Jeff would have had to drive and blah. So I got up really early this morning, made it to the bus station and caught a 6am bus to Daejeon. This station was different than the station I'd previously been to, in that everything was in Korean - so I got on the bus and basically trusted the driver and another guy that it was the correct one. I had a backpack and a large suitcase because Jeff has a dryer and I don't and I have discovered that line drying leads to stiff clothes and I don't like crispy drawers. So I had about a months worth of laundry shoved into a big suitcase.
Then, when I got to Daejeon, I got off the bus in the middle of nowhere. The only reason I got off at all was because everyone else on the bus did too. I expected the train station to be right next to the bus station (as it is in other cities). I walked a few blocks and didn't see anything. I called Jeff, but he had never been there and didn't know where to go either. So I walked back to the bus station, and got in a cab. We had a brief discussion over "train station", then he asked which one. I said I don't know and he laughed at me. So I told him where I was going and he picked one for me. Luckily I found a train going to Pyeongtaek (actually going to Seoul, with stops on the way). I ended up with a standing room ticket and stood in the part between the cars (not the really scary part, just where the stairs are) for an hour.
Jeff met me at the top of the stairs and we went to Camp Humphreys where I got a vistor's pass. I'm not allowed to go to the commesary, but I can go to the minimart. They have DIET COKE so I was super excited. I also got some wheat thins. Then we went to Jeff's apartment - it is huge. It has a huge living room, a nice sized kitchen that opens into it, 1 really big master bedroom (which my apartment can fit into), 2 regular sized bedrooms, 2 full baths, an entryway, a small balcony and a laundry room. I am jealous - especially of the storage space. After starting a load of clothes, I ate some broccoli cheese soup that Jeff had made (it was good, but I later found out that it was made from 6 month old velveeta) and some lasagna (also good...also old). Then we went to Osan. It's an American air force base and there are lots of shops with cool jerseys, clothes, random stuff to buy, food etc. I bought a purse and we went to a backroom from another backroom. Jeff got a phone call when we were in back and the lady kept telling him to not make noise. And I finally found some postcards! I probably should have bought more than I did now that I think about it. Jeff bought some NC State shorts and then we just walked around for awhile. He kept talking about Chili's and how it's really the best American food anywhere near him so we decided to go there even though neither of us was very hungry.
We went to Osan's camp (I already had a vistor's pass for Camp Humphrey's, but I needed to get another for Osan). When we got back to Jeff's car, it had been blocked in. Sometimes there are 3 space parking spaces, so the middle person gets stuck. However, this lot shouldn't have been a 3 space lot. Luckily, with some very deft manuvering, Jeff was able to get out between 2 other cars (his car was in front of the minivan originally). After getting out of the pot, he went back and wrote a message on the van.
Then we went to Chili's and had margaritas. Koreans at Chili's have a heavy hand and they were strong.
We also had queso dip (and no Matt, we didn't take the skillet). While we were drinking, we noticed this picture next to Jeff - it looked like our dad (but older) and Scott Fix (but younger) at a chili eating contest or something of that nature. We laughed about it for about 5 minutes.
Then we came back to Camp Humphreys and went to another ministore and got drinking supplies and Jeff went to the commisary and got some meat. We went back to Jeff's and played some Wii, including Super Drinking Wii Sports Archery - it was awesome.
The rules were, if you got less than 5, you had to take the number of points you missed off 5 (for example, you get 1 point, you take 4 drinks), 6 & 7 were nothing, 8 means the other person takes 1 drink, 9, 2 drinks. If you get a 10 you get to make a rule. Jeff was dominating for awhile - his rules were that if he got over a 7 I had to say, "How did he do that?" and if he got an 8 or 9, "Jeff kicks ass". If I got less than a 5, I had to say, "I smell like ass". I finally got a 10 and my rule was that I got to kick Jeff 1 time before each arrow shot - but he didn't know when I would strike. So then he tried to barracade himself behind the couch and was amazed at my athletic skills when I jumped on the couch and used it to kick him in the arm. So I ended up winning overall! he kicked my butt at frisbee golf and I rule at speed slicing. Then we had dinner (Jeff made steaks, hashbrowns and a frozen veggie mix) and watched a movie. That's where we are now. So far, a fun start to the weekend.
Then, when I got to Daejeon, I got off the bus in the middle of nowhere. The only reason I got off at all was because everyone else on the bus did too. I expected the train station to be right next to the bus station (as it is in other cities). I walked a few blocks and didn't see anything. I called Jeff, but he had never been there and didn't know where to go either. So I walked back to the bus station, and got in a cab. We had a brief discussion over "train station", then he asked which one. I said I don't know and he laughed at me. So I told him where I was going and he picked one for me. Luckily I found a train going to Pyeongtaek (actually going to Seoul, with stops on the way). I ended up with a standing room ticket and stood in the part between the cars (not the really scary part, just where the stairs are) for an hour.
Jeff met me at the top of the stairs and we went to Camp Humphreys where I got a vistor's pass. I'm not allowed to go to the commesary, but I can go to the minimart. They have DIET COKE so I was super excited. I also got some wheat thins. Then we went to Jeff's apartment - it is huge. It has a huge living room, a nice sized kitchen that opens into it, 1 really big master bedroom (which my apartment can fit into), 2 regular sized bedrooms, 2 full baths, an entryway, a small balcony and a laundry room. I am jealous - especially of the storage space. After starting a load of clothes, I ate some broccoli cheese soup that Jeff had made (it was good, but I later found out that it was made from 6 month old velveeta) and some lasagna (also good...also old). Then we went to Osan. It's an American air force base and there are lots of shops with cool jerseys, clothes, random stuff to buy, food etc. I bought a purse and we went to a backroom from another backroom. Jeff got a phone call when we were in back and the lady kept telling him to not make noise. And I finally found some postcards! I probably should have bought more than I did now that I think about it. Jeff bought some NC State shorts and then we just walked around for awhile. He kept talking about Chili's and how it's really the best American food anywhere near him so we decided to go there even though neither of us was very hungry.
We went to Osan's camp (I already had a vistor's pass for Camp Humphrey's, but I needed to get another for Osan). When we got back to Jeff's car, it had been blocked in. Sometimes there are 3 space parking spaces, so the middle person gets stuck. However, this lot shouldn't have been a 3 space lot. Luckily, with some very deft manuvering, Jeff was able to get out between 2 other cars (his car was in front of the minivan originally). After getting out of the pot, he went back and wrote a message on the van.
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| Backing the car out |
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| Chambord marg at Osan Chili's |
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| Dad (old), stranger and Fix (younger) at Viva Terlingua! |
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| Start of Super Drinkin' Wii - wine in a coozie |
Thursday, March 17, 2011
St. Patrick's Day
St. Patricks Day's isn't really celebrated in Korea, but the "foreigners" got together and had a party at Urban Drink.
One girl's mom sent her food coloring, so we had green beer (and occassionaly green teeth). It was a fun night.
Our cab driver on the way home was hilarious and laughed at our attempts at Korean. I then went with Claire to McDonald's at 2:30 - I can tell you that fries are the same here. But they only have Coke zero - no diet coke which is just wrong. Also, if you want McD's at 3 am and don't want to go out, have no fear - there is McDelivery (24 hrs). Although I'm pretty sure it's in Korean, so that won't be happening with me as I can't tell anyone where I actually live (I only know the name of the building next to mine).
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| Urban Drink - counter |
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| Jess made our beer green |
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| Me drinking green Max |
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| Delivery bikes |
Monday, March 14, 2011
I'm Korean
I got my alien card today, so I officially a temporary Korean resident. It looks awful - like a green drivers license with an awful picture that's also blurry. I still don't have my passport thoough. The office sends it back seperately for some reason. So now I get to open up a bank account - yippee.
I also paid a bill yesterday. Most bills (water/rent/heat etc.) get taped to your door like ads. So unless it has pictures of food on it, I bring papers to my boss to ask what they are. This is the first time it's a bill I had to pay. Basically I walked downstairs, opened the office door and handed this lady some money and my bill. She stamped it and gave it back to me. Easy peasy lemon squeezy. Hopefully any other bills will be that easy to pay.
I also have to do student evaluations. I don't like doing them. Partly because there are a bunch of damn kids. Mainly because I don't like writing bad stuff about people, even the annoying ones, and it feels repetative. I have to give my opinions on their abilities and attitudes. I wish I could just write, good kid/bad kid for them all and be done with it. Plus, we just got a bunch of new kids 2 weeks ago, some of whom I can barely remember, much less write about their abilities.
I also paid a bill yesterday. Most bills (water/rent/heat etc.) get taped to your door like ads. So unless it has pictures of food on it, I bring papers to my boss to ask what they are. This is the first time it's a bill I had to pay. Basically I walked downstairs, opened the office door and handed this lady some money and my bill. She stamped it and gave it back to me. Easy peasy lemon squeezy. Hopefully any other bills will be that easy to pay.
I also have to do student evaluations. I don't like doing them. Partly because there are a bunch of damn kids. Mainly because I don't like writing bad stuff about people, even the annoying ones, and it feels repetative. I have to give my opinions on their abilities and attitudes. I wish I could just write, good kid/bad kid for them all and be done with it. Plus, we just got a bunch of new kids 2 weeks ago, some of whom I can barely remember, much less write about their abilities.
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Earthquake
Some people have emailed/facebooked etc. to see if the eartquake or tsunami that hit Japan hit over here. I just wanted to let everyone know that Korea is fine - I don't even think the coast got effected. Japan basically blocked us from any water damage. It's very sad and I've seen all kinds of reports and am not sure how I feel about them.
There are people saying that we shouldn't be spending money or donating aid to Japan when we owe so much money to other countries. They're saying, China isn't helping out, why should we? On one hand I understand that - we're giving away money we don't have and not focusing on our own poverty etc. On the other hand, isn't that part of what makes us a great country? That we step in, even when others don't? True, there are times where I think we should just butt out, but Japan will rebuild, and they will remember and I believe it will come back to us in a good way.
There are also people who say Japan deserves this and that God is punishing them. I've seen those sentiments from the US (as payback for Pearl Harbor) and from Korea (as payback for various wars etc.). I'm pretty sure the atomic bombs we dropped was pay back, maybe not enough since it was an ambush and so many innocent people were killed etc. But I honestly don't think God was punishing the Japanese and it's sad that people even go there. This isn't a political blog or anything, so I don't want to start huge debates about it, that's just my feeling. It's just sad to me that there is so much hate everywhere.
There are people saying that we shouldn't be spending money or donating aid to Japan when we owe so much money to other countries. They're saying, China isn't helping out, why should we? On one hand I understand that - we're giving away money we don't have and not focusing on our own poverty etc. On the other hand, isn't that part of what makes us a great country? That we step in, even when others don't? True, there are times where I think we should just butt out, but Japan will rebuild, and they will remember and I believe it will come back to us in a good way.
There are also people who say Japan deserves this and that God is punishing them. I've seen those sentiments from the US (as payback for Pearl Harbor) and from Korea (as payback for various wars etc.). I'm pretty sure the atomic bombs we dropped was pay back, maybe not enough since it was an ambush and so many innocent people were killed etc. But I honestly don't think God was punishing the Japanese and it's sad that people even go there. This isn't a political blog or anything, so I don't want to start huge debates about it, that's just my feeling. It's just sad to me that there is so much hate everywhere.
Friday, March 11, 2011
The 1 time I don't bring my camera!
I went out last night for a girl's birthday. Claire was in Seoul so she drew me a map of where the bar was and I found my way there. I met a new girl who has been here 2 weeks from South Africa. I met a bunch of people last night who I had seen before but hadn't really talked to yet. It was fun. I left before most people did, but then again I'm old now! They did have $3 beer on draft though, so that was nice. Before I left, I decided I wasn't going to bring my purse because I didn't want to deal with it. I also decided that I wouldn't bring my camera because I couldn't fit it in my pocket without looking lopsided. Bad move on my part. First of all, the bar guys kept taking pictures of me and the other white people. Then this Asian guy named Nick took pictures. But the best part was when they turned off the lights and 2 of the bar tenders did a fire show. They had fire battons (apparently their parents don't mind anything ostentatious), one guy danced inside a ring of fire on the floor, then "swallowed" the fire by outting out the ends of the flaming baton with his mouth, then they blew fire. It was really cool and also totally something that would never happen in the states because of potential lawsuits. I mean they had gas, lit it on fire and were playing with fire around liquor bottles. Still, awesome. One girl got some of it on video and I will try to share it when she uploads it.
Today's lesson: Take the camera everywhere!
Today's lesson: Take the camera everywhere!
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Well hello my name is Simon
Yesterday I had to give an oral exam (aka speaking test) to my youngest class, about kindergarten age. While I ask each kid questions, I have to give the other kids something to do or they go crazy. The class started out with 4 kids, which was managable. Now there are 9. This week we're studying bigger, faster, smaller, slower with animals. So I told them to draw their favorite animals. Some of the kids gave me their drawings and now I share them with you:
The last picture was drawn by a kid named Bill. He reminds me of Jeff, except that he's Korean. He's short, has glasses and is smart, but doesn't really care about what's going on. He will write in his answers really fast, then sort of wander off and draw on other pages while everyone else finishes their work. He has the cutest little grin and you just want to squeeze him. Unlike Jeff though, he does his homework.
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| Rabbit by Hannah |
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| Pig by Mary |
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| Horse by Jimmy |
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| Horse by Bill |
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Ice meat
As part of my job I grade essays every night. Each class gets different topics assigned by the school and I get a pile of them to grade at home. Some of these essays are hilarious to me - sometimes because of the content (kids are honest!) and sometimes because of the translation.
Last week, one class had to write about microwaves. I wish I had saved the essay this one boy wrote because it made me laugh several times. The funniest part to me was that he understood the concept of frozen, but didn't know the word. So he kept talking about how microwaves would melt ice meat.
I'll write some more posts later with other things that made me laugh, but for now, enjoys these:
My music group would be called “PYHU” or “Put Your Hands Up” because I like to say “Put your hands up”
I want to make flying shoes so I could go anywhere
I would make a food capsule and fat people have to eat it because it is preventive medicine then fat people aren’t obesity
Last week, one class had to write about microwaves. I wish I had saved the essay this one boy wrote because it made me laugh several times. The funniest part to me was that he understood the concept of frozen, but didn't know the word. So he kept talking about how microwaves would melt ice meat.
I'll write some more posts later with other things that made me laugh, but for now, enjoys these:
My music group would be called “PYHU” or “Put Your Hands Up” because I like to say “Put your hands up”
I want to make flying shoes so I could go anywhere
I would make a food capsule and fat people have to eat it because it is preventive medicine then fat people aren’t obesity
Some of them overcome the influences, some suffer a rampage
In the country I think those people play with nature. So when they finish school they help their family like on a farm or a rice paddy or fruit tree. In the city the children don’t have free time so they are weak.
Monday, March 7, 2011
Korean customs
We had a class about manners abroad the other day in one of my classes. As homework, I told the kids to write down some things that are considered rude in Korea.
Apparently you shouldn't chew gum in class.
Using red ink to write is bad because it's like using blood (this was interesting to me because I was told to use red pen to grade homework and tests by the principals).
You should not only take off your shoes when you enter a house, but you should point them towards the door you came in to be extra polite.
Number 4 is unlucky here. When you look at the elevator buttons in my building, there is no 4th floor.
If I remember or learn some other things, I'll write them down. One of the book series that we use is written at Oxford. It is hilarious to me to listen to someone who is clearly British try to do an American accent. There are people who can pull that off - I didn't know Hugh Laurie was British until he won an Emmy for House. Hugh Jackman can do it too, although he's Austrailian. How cool would it be to have Wolverine read the lessons.
Anyhoo, sometimes the books write things that just make me laugh because they are so wrong. In the manners class I was just talking about, one tip to follow in America was "you should eat your hamburger with two hands. eat it as fast as you can. Don't talk until you finish eating the whole thing." I started laughing when I read it to the kids and told them it was wrong.
Another lesson had a little kid telling things he liked and didn't like. One line from his speech was, "Tea? I'm American, I hate tea." And he sounded all offended that the interviewer even asked him the question. I've never thought about it before, but now I wonder if kids books in our schools make fun of the British in a similar way. I don't even remember learning about British people until history classes and the Revolutionary war.
Lastly, I got paid today. I still don't have my alien card, so I still don't have a bank account, so I got a huge wad of cash in an envelope. My boss said don't lose it as he handed it to me. Right now I'm hiding it in my apartment so that I try to save some of it. Although I am tempted to dump it all on the floor and roll around in it first. But I won't.
Apparently you shouldn't chew gum in class.
Using red ink to write is bad because it's like using blood (this was interesting to me because I was told to use red pen to grade homework and tests by the principals).
You should not only take off your shoes when you enter a house, but you should point them towards the door you came in to be extra polite.
Number 4 is unlucky here. When you look at the elevator buttons in my building, there is no 4th floor.
If I remember or learn some other things, I'll write them down. One of the book series that we use is written at Oxford. It is hilarious to me to listen to someone who is clearly British try to do an American accent. There are people who can pull that off - I didn't know Hugh Laurie was British until he won an Emmy for House. Hugh Jackman can do it too, although he's Austrailian. How cool would it be to have Wolverine read the lessons.
Anyhoo, sometimes the books write things that just make me laugh because they are so wrong. In the manners class I was just talking about, one tip to follow in America was "you should eat your hamburger with two hands. eat it as fast as you can. Don't talk until you finish eating the whole thing." I started laughing when I read it to the kids and told them it was wrong.
Another lesson had a little kid telling things he liked and didn't like. One line from his speech was, "Tea? I'm American, I hate tea." And he sounded all offended that the interviewer even asked him the question. I've never thought about it before, but now I wonder if kids books in our schools make fun of the British in a similar way. I don't even remember learning about British people until history classes and the Revolutionary war.
Lastly, I got paid today. I still don't have my alien card, so I still don't have a bank account, so I got a huge wad of cash in an envelope. My boss said don't lose it as he handed it to me. Right now I'm hiding it in my apartment so that I try to save some of it. Although I am tempted to dump it all on the floor and roll around in it first. But I won't.
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Church
I went to church today. I decided I should go in part because I wanted to check it out and in part because I sort of felt obligated after going to the Korean class and then the tour. The minister didn't put any pressure on me, or I probably wouldn't have gone, but the Korean minister of the Korean part of the church asked if I would be there and said it was part of his job to ask people to go. So I went. They gave me a t-shirt when I got there.
I sat next to an American lady named Sally whose husband is German - they went on the tour yesterday too. She was very nice and introduced me to a Korean lady (who spoke very good English) but whose name I forget. The service was spilt into 2 parts - the first part was called "worship" and we sang like 4-5 songs and had silent reflection time. The songs were projected onto 2 screens and it was almost like karoke - there was a drummer, keyboard player, someone with some elctronic thing, a guitar player/singer and 2 background singers with mikes (all Korean, speaking English). Some people got really into it and raise their arms etc.
Then they had the study portion of the service where the pastor (Brandon) spoke. Today's lesson was about giving money to the church, and then we sang again. I left soon after instead of staying for a long time at the meet and greet type place. There weren't a whole lot of American/English people, but there were a bunch of Koreans who were learning, or who speak, English. One lady (the one whose name I can't remember) actually drove me home because it was on her way. She's a housewife who teaches English to students at home. She was very nice. Also, is it wrong to make up a fake appointment so that you don't have to go to Bible study? If so, then whoops. I will probably go to the service again. The singing was nice and I really like Brandon and Jamie, but I think Bible study is too much for me right now.
Then they had the study portion of the service where the pastor (Brandon) spoke. Today's lesson was about giving money to the church, and then we sang again. I left soon after instead of staying for a long time at the meet and greet type place. There weren't a whole lot of American/English people, but there were a bunch of Koreans who were learning, or who speak, English. One lady (the one whose name I can't remember) actually drove me home because it was on her way. She's a housewife who teaches English to students at home. She was very nice. Also, is it wrong to make up a fake appointment so that you don't have to go to Bible study? If so, then whoops. I will probably go to the service again. The singing was nice and I really like Brandon and Jamie, but I think Bible study is too much for me right now.
Saturday at Jinju Castle
I got an email the other day from Jamie, the wife of the minister at the English church, asking if I wanted to go with a group of people to the museum for an English tour on Saturday. I figured that they don't have too many English tours, so I said yes. I was supposed to meet them at 2 pm at the museum, which is inside the "castle" grounds. First, a little background. Locals call it Jinju Castle, but tour books call it Jinju Fortress. It was a key point in the Japanese invasion in 1592 and was one of 3 major land victories for the Koreans. The Japanese regrouped and came back again in 1953 and destroyed the fortress and most of the village of Jinju. I will go back to tour it some more because there are a bunch of historical locations, pagodas etc. The lantern festival is also held here in October every year. But today I just went to the museum.
I decided to try and take a bus there. I gave myself an hour and a half, just in case. The only 2 "grounding points" I have are McDonalds and E-mart, everything else is a blur. The main entrance to the fortress is across the street from E-mart. I thought most buses that stopped in front of my house went past E-mart at some point. Apparently they don't. I don't even know what number bus I got on, but it did not pass E-mart. I ended up at a bus depot and got on another bus, hoping to just find somewhere that looked familiar. Lukcily, this bus did pass E-mart. And luckily I gave myself that extra time, because I was on the bus for about an hour. Oh well, I got a tour of the city. I found the fortress and the information center, where they gave me a map and told me how to get to the museum. Inside the fortress is very well labeled and has English directions too. I was the first person in the group to get to the museum. When I walked in, I was greeted by a guy who asked if I was part of the English tour, I said I think so and walked over to the registration table where they had my name printed on a tag and an information packet. Then the rest of the group showed up in stages.
We watched a 3D movie about the museum and about the Battle of Jinju. Their 3D was really good but it was funny every once and awhile to listen to how they had translated the English. Then we went on a short tour of the musuem. It would have been longer, but because people were late, they shortened the tour. Our guide was a 17 year old girl named Sophie. She lived in Pennsylvania for 2 years before coming back to Korea. Here are some of the things from the museum.
After the tour we went to a small learning annex room in the musuem. I guess they mainly do children's crafts, but they had what was labeled "women's quarters crafts" and we made little silk pillows as cell phone charms. Then they asked us questions about culture differences and things we thought were interesting/different about Korea. Lastly we filled out a questionnaire called "a letter of best wishes for Korea". Overall it was really nice and I'm glad I went. Now I will be able to have some reference points if/when I go back.
On our way out, there was a mini parade. I think it was practice for a later event, but there were a bunch of guys in costume and playing instruments, including a conch shell. The video is a bit shaky because I was walking, but you get the idea.
After the tour, I went to lunch/dinner with Jamie, Brandon (the minister), 2 other girls and 1 guy from the church.One of the girls was about my age and from Texas. The other lady was older, has been in Korea for 5 years and is Canadian. The guy was born in the US, but has Korean parents, so Korean was acually his first language. He said his family lives in Lancaster, PA - where the Amish are. He lived in Jinju and taught at a public school, but is now studying Korean in Seoul. We went to a place called Kraze (pronounced more like craw-ze) Burgers. They have sandwiches, hamburgers and fries. It was nice talking to all the people and learning more about living in Jinju. I haven't decided if I'm going to church tomorrow or not, but I probably will at some point.
I decided to try and take a bus there. I gave myself an hour and a half, just in case. The only 2 "grounding points" I have are McDonalds and E-mart, everything else is a blur. The main entrance to the fortress is across the street from E-mart. I thought most buses that stopped in front of my house went past E-mart at some point. Apparently they don't. I don't even know what number bus I got on, but it did not pass E-mart. I ended up at a bus depot and got on another bus, hoping to just find somewhere that looked familiar. Lukcily, this bus did pass E-mart. And luckily I gave myself that extra time, because I was on the bus for about an hour. Oh well, I got a tour of the city. I found the fortress and the information center, where they gave me a map and told me how to get to the museum. Inside the fortress is very well labeled and has English directions too. I was the first person in the group to get to the museum. When I walked in, I was greeted by a guy who asked if I was part of the English tour, I said I think so and walked over to the registration table where they had my name printed on a tag and an information packet. Then the rest of the group showed up in stages.
We watched a 3D movie about the museum and about the Battle of Jinju. Their 3D was really good but it was funny every once and awhile to listen to how they had translated the English. Then we went on a short tour of the musuem. It would have been longer, but because people were late, they shortened the tour. Our guide was a 17 year old girl named Sophie. She lived in Pennsylvania for 2 years before coming back to Korea. Here are some of the things from the museum.
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| Bow and Arrows |
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| Fighting Monks (I will explain more when I go to their temple another time) |
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| Japanese Battle dress uniform |
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| Korean battle dress uniform |
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| Sorry this is so blurry, but I added it because it was a Korean dogtag from 1593 |
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| Bet you can't guess what these are... |
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| Those urns hold placentas of rich or important families. Like kings etc. |
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| This was a thank you plaque sent to the Chinese after they provided help during the invasion |
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| Sophie the tour guide. Again, sorry about the blur, but I had to take the flash off |
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| These guys were in just inside the entrance |
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| My pillow |
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| Parade leader |
After the tour, I went to lunch/dinner with Jamie, Brandon (the minister), 2 other girls and 1 guy from the church.One of the girls was about my age and from Texas. The other lady was older, has been in Korea for 5 years and is Canadian. The guy was born in the US, but has Korean parents, so Korean was acually his first language. He said his family lives in Lancaster, PA - where the Amish are. He lived in Jinju and taught at a public school, but is now studying Korean in Seoul. We went to a place called Kraze (pronounced more like craw-ze) Burgers. They have sandwiches, hamburgers and fries. It was nice talking to all the people and learning more about living in Jinju. I haven't decided if I'm going to church tomorrow or not, but I probably will at some point.
Friday, March 4, 2011
Technology
In 2 of my classes we talked about the impact that technology has on relationships. Most agreed that the internet and cell phones were good ideas in general. It is amazing what we are able to do now with computers etc. I have enjoyed writing this blog and it's a good way to keep a history of what I've been doing for myself as well as a good tool to tell everyone at home what's going on. The thing that sucks about it, is you all know what I am doing, but I have no clue what's going on back in the states unless I get emails. The advantage of the blog over the spam email is better for you guys - no massive emails, you can read this when you feel like it etc. I get the disadvantage of not getting responses. So basically what I am saying is email me and let me know what's going on!
Also, I have a skype address if you want to try and talk. It's hackmanrj
Remember (mom) that I'm 14 hrs ahead, so when it's noon there (mom) it's 2am here. I'll admit sometimes I am awake then, but sometimes I'm not.
Also, I have a phone now (thanks Jeff) and if you want to try and call me, my number is 010-8023-0967
Lastly, if you want to try and mail me something, the best place to send it right now is probably Jeff's (cheaper at least). The best place for me to get mail is actually the school, so if you want to send me millions of dollars here's the address:
W Academy
B/D 3F
199-2
Pyeonggeo-dong
Jinju-si
Gyeongsangnam-do
660-110
Korea
Also, I have a skype address if you want to try and talk. It's hackmanrj
Remember (mom) that I'm 14 hrs ahead, so when it's noon there (mom) it's 2am here. I'll admit sometimes I am awake then, but sometimes I'm not.
Also, I have a phone now (thanks Jeff) and if you want to try and call me, my number is 010-8023-0967
Lastly, if you want to try and mail me something, the best place to send it right now is probably Jeff's (cheaper at least). The best place for me to get mail is actually the school, so if you want to send me millions of dollars here's the address:
W Academy
B/D 3F
199-2
Pyeonggeo-dong
Jinju-si
Gyeongsangnam-do
660-110
Korea
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Potty Time
There are 2 styles of toilet here. One style is what we have basically everywhere in the US - or American/English style toilets. The other style is Korean/Oriental style. It's basically a horizontal urinal on the floor. I was introduced to this style in a bar one of my first nights. I asked where the bathroom was (upstairs) and was given a warning by Claire that it was Korean style. I was also given a warning by 2 guys (whom I'd met maybe 30 minutes prior) that it was a "squat" toilet. So you know, good looking out. It's really not that bad. And for those squaters out there already, you might actually perfer them. It's easier to move your pants out of the way than when you're camping or otherwise peeing outside, and there is always a wall to grasp. The funniest part to me is that at some locations (train stations, some resturants) you have an option. The Dongdaegu train station has a wall of Korean style and a wall of English style - it says on the door. I have yet to take a picture of a toilet, but if I find one that's really interesting, I will.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Electronics
Technology is very weird here. The have all the same appliances etc. that we do, but here, things with plugs cost much more than in the States. For example, I bought an iron the other day (only because I don't have a dryer and even if you hang stuff up right after it's done washing, there are still wrinkles - lot of 'em) and the cheapest one was $20 - and I'm talking barely a step away from heating a flat rock on the stove type of iron. The better ones ranged around $70. A toaster was $30 minimum. Which isn't that much more, but when you can get a crappy toaster from Walmart for $10, it's a big difference.
The weird part is that they have more technology is others ways. There is wifi all over the place - it's faster and free in the airport here, but you have to pay in Atlanta. Their hospital was very tech savy and they save energy in all kinds of ways (automatic lights when you walk down the hall instead of leaving them on all the time, escalators that are motion sensored etc.). The doors to my school not only have an electronic lock with a PIN, it also has a fingerprint register to open the door (only the principals (and maybe the receptionist) can open the doors).
It's just odd how some things are more advanced in the US and others are more advanced here. I guess part of it is your value systen - they would rather have fancy locks, we would rather have cheap toasters. One isn't better than the other, they're just different. Although I wish I had a toaster :-)
The weird part is that they have more technology is others ways. There is wifi all over the place - it's faster and free in the airport here, but you have to pay in Atlanta. Their hospital was very tech savy and they save energy in all kinds of ways (automatic lights when you walk down the hall instead of leaving them on all the time, escalators that are motion sensored etc.). The doors to my school not only have an electronic lock with a PIN, it also has a fingerprint register to open the door (only the principals (and maybe the receptionist) can open the doors).
It's just odd how some things are more advanced in the US and others are more advanced here. I guess part of it is your value systen - they would rather have fancy locks, we would rather have cheap toasters. One isn't better than the other, they're just different. Although I wish I had a toaster :-)
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