Dear Readers,
Yesterday was such a weird day...
First, I was lucky enough to have the morning off. I ended up getting a lot of paperwork and schoolwork done. A person who I'm trying to forge a relationship started texting me in Korean, so it's exercising my Korean abilities. Much needed exercise.
Second, I went to work. Had a good day.
Third, on the bus home I sat next to a creepy old man. Context: Sometimes in Korea, old people will go visit their kids who are living in the States or in Canada. When they come back, they have such good memories of their trip that they can't wait to share them with any foreigners they meet, since all foreigners come from America or Canada.
Anyway, this golden-toothed senior citizen had visited "My son, Utah. Utah!" so he was going on about how awesome of an experience he had. He elegantly asked me from which land I hailed from ("Country?"), then we chatted about his job. I think he's a driver or something.... he kept talking about "bus" and motioned like he was driving something.
We talked about our ages. He bragged about being 60 and I said I was 25 (BTW, 60 isn't really that old, but this guy looked a lot older). Then he held my hand. It was uncomfortable, but I had been warned about this type of behaviour ahead of time.
Now, by this time, we're total besties, so he stretched his arm around me and made a really happy sound and face. What came to mind is a hilarious old commercial for Degree antiperspirant, where someone would go through stressful situations and a meter would comically gauge their level of stress (I found only one example of that commercial, but it's for adults only: http://www.culturepub.fr/videos/degree-anti-perspirant-stress).
Anyway, he really wanted my phone number, but he showed me that his phone was out of battery. Praise Jesus. He wanted me to use a pen to write it down, but for safety's sake, I "didn't have one". Thankfully, the bus was soon approaching my stop.
Just then, I notice he was staring at me. When I get in uncomfortable situations, I smile uncontrollably (how embarrassing).
He kept calling me "pretty face" and then completely felt up my cheek!
Shudder. Come to Korea they said. It'll be fun they said. ;)
Hallelujah, my bus stop came up and I practically pushed the door open myself.
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Saturday, April 27, 2013
One of the Most Eventful Saturdays Ever
So this was clearly an eventful day.
Yesterday I had gone for a run, but because I'm out of shape, it really took a toll on my body. I couldn't move after I got home from work; I felt like a 45 degree angled ajumma...
Anyway, that was making me nervous for Saturday because I had big plans. Josh would be coming over in the afternoon, but I also accepted a contract to film a commercial for the day. The Universiade (International University Games) are coming to Gwangju in two years, so the city was creating a new commercial to inspire Koreans to have good thoughts about our fair city.
Fun fact: it was the same director and main actress who also made the Gwangju Universiade commercial! I didn't think I would run into them again!
Anyway, we shot at various locations around Gwangju. We went to Namdong Market, the biggest in Gwangju.
I never knew such a place of horrors existed. Gore everywhere: items for sale still wriggling and writhing, the chop, chop, sound of vendors breaking bones with their meat cleavers, animals splayed on tables with blood dripping on the cold, wet concrete, all sorts of terrifying creatures of the deep waiting silently in holding tanks, the acidic smell of death and raw flesh in the air....
It made me dizzy.
And they were going to film it. My role was "Foreign tourist 1" alongside Mila, the Russian student ("Foreign Tourist 2"). Originally it sounded like we were going to have to eat some scary thing from a fish tank, but we ended up just bobbing for octopus instead. Those things squirt water, be careful!
I want to make a special shout out to Barb, my puppetry coach. While I was acting, the director was impressed with my performance and manner. I want to say that it's all because of the experiences I had in puppetry with drama and acting. Go Barb!
We also filmed at a park, which is where we were for the rest of the day--we finished shooting at 12:00am. Tired. Met some great people though, got some good phone numbers. The thing is, in Korea, it's hard to know when people are serious about following up with you. I guess one has to initiate more often than normal.
Yesterday I had gone for a run, but because I'm out of shape, it really took a toll on my body. I couldn't move after I got home from work; I felt like a 45 degree angled ajumma...
Anyway, that was making me nervous for Saturday because I had big plans. Josh would be coming over in the afternoon, but I also accepted a contract to film a commercial for the day. The Universiade (International University Games) are coming to Gwangju in two years, so the city was creating a new commercial to inspire Koreans to have good thoughts about our fair city.
Fun fact: it was the same director and main actress who also made the Gwangju Universiade commercial! I didn't think I would run into them again!
Anyway, we shot at various locations around Gwangju. We went to Namdong Market, the biggest in Gwangju.
I never knew such a place of horrors existed. Gore everywhere: items for sale still wriggling and writhing, the chop, chop, sound of vendors breaking bones with their meat cleavers, animals splayed on tables with blood dripping on the cold, wet concrete, all sorts of terrifying creatures of the deep waiting silently in holding tanks, the acidic smell of death and raw flesh in the air....
It made me dizzy.
And they were going to film it. My role was "Foreign tourist 1" alongside Mila, the Russian student ("Foreign Tourist 2"). Originally it sounded like we were going to have to eat some scary thing from a fish tank, but we ended up just bobbing for octopus instead. Those things squirt water, be careful!
I want to make a special shout out to Barb, my puppetry coach. While I was acting, the director was impressed with my performance and manner. I want to say that it's all because of the experiences I had in puppetry with drama and acting. Go Barb!
We also filmed at a park, which is where we were for the rest of the day--we finished shooting at 12:00am. Tired. Met some great people though, got some good phone numbers. The thing is, in Korea, it's hard to know when people are serious about following up with you. I guess one has to initiate more often than normal.
Friday, April 26, 2013
I Threw a Birthday Party
Hi everyone,
So recently a few things have happened.
- I met up with my old co-teacher for coffee the other day. She told me my face was older -- probably on account of having to look after a ragtag bunch of kids. It was a really nice meeting, I really appreciate her.
- Yesterday, on account of us learning about birthdays this week, I threw a birthday party for my kids. You know, to make learning ICM (interesting, communicative, meaningful--I paid attention during those TaLK lectures). Anyway, a great day was had by all. We played games, had cake, sang, and I gave out goodie bags. My kids were horrified when they found out if you couldn't blow out all of your candles, you had X number of girlfriends or boyfriends. One of the now most treasured memories I have of Korea is me, my co-teacher, and my mentor teacher standing in the English village, looking silly while trying to inflate these incredibly difficult balloons :)
So recently a few things have happened.
- I met up with my old co-teacher for coffee the other day. She told me my face was older -- probably on account of having to look after a ragtag bunch of kids. It was a really nice meeting, I really appreciate her.
- Yesterday, on account of us learning about birthdays this week, I threw a birthday party for my kids. You know, to make learning ICM (interesting, communicative, meaningful--I paid attention during those TaLK lectures). Anyway, a great day was had by all. We played games, had cake, sang, and I gave out goodie bags. My kids were horrified when they found out if you couldn't blow out all of your candles, you had X number of girlfriends or boyfriends. One of the now most treasured memories I have of Korea is me, my co-teacher, and my mentor teacher standing in the English village, looking silly while trying to inflate these incredibly difficult balloons :)
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Disaster Weekend
So, this past weekend was a bit of a catastrophe.
Friday's classes were utterly frustrating and seriously discouraging, and i have been sick for a little while. Thankfully I at least had something I've been looking forward to for a few weeks on Saturday.
A few weeks ago, I was informed by a friend of mine in connection with the Korea Anabaptist Center in Chucheon that Stuart Murray, the author of "The Naked Anabaptist" would be undertaking a speaking tour of Korea, and that he would be in Chuncheon this past weekend. I really wanted to go, so I bought the book and read it, in anticipation of interacting with the author at one of his engagements. If you're interested, you can see details of Murray's itinerary on the Korea Anabaptist Center website.
Anyway, my friend offered to ask around to see if any of these anabaptists would be willing to put me up for the night, but the day finally came and no word was heard. I decided to stay with Josh, even though it would take 2:50 by subway to get from Chuncheon to his house. My friend informed me that Stuart's itinerary had changed, and he would be speaking in the evening instead of the afternoon, which sucks because then I wouldn't get to Josh's house until super late.
So Saturday arrived. I was going to go visit Josh first so I could drop off my bag and continue to Chuncheon, but I missed the bus and the next one wouldn't depart soon enough. I decided to take the next bus to Chuncheon instead, which was much more expensive, but at least it would get me there on time. I bought my ticket.
I decided to check the KAC (Korea Anabaptist Center) website one more time to confirm everything. It was still the same "Stuart Murray will be speaking at the Jesus Village Church (Chuncheon) from 7:30-9:30."
Then I realized--I don't even know where the Jesus Village Church is! I was assuming it was the same place as the KAC because on the KAC wiki it says it was founded by the JVC. I quickly messaged my Chuncheon friend to ask her where this place was, and then I started trying to find out the location of this elusive church. Unfortunately, because it's a Korean enterprise, it doesn't have an English website and there was no listing for it on either Google or Daum maps. I even tried searching for it in Korean, but to no avail.
Finally, the time came for my bus to depart on its 4.5 hour journey to Chuncheon.
Once in Chuncheon, I knew how to get to the KAC because they posted directions on their website (no address for the JVC though--I guess everybody knows where it is). Once I finally arrived at the KAC, it was closed :( It was then 7:30pm, when Stuart was slated to start speaking. The bar across the hallway had an open wifi network, so I was able to check my messages. My Chuncheon friend messaged me at 7:35 and told me what I learned the hard way--no, the JVC is in a different location. She gave me the address and I looked it up. 3km away. I could take a bus.
So, exhausted, discouraged, hungry, and still sick, I waited for the bus. In the cold. In the dark. For 45 minutes.
No bus.
So, defeated, and utterly disappointed, I gave up and surrendered to fate. I walked back to the train station and started the 2:50 journey to Josh's house.
Friday's classes were utterly frustrating and seriously discouraging, and i have been sick for a little while. Thankfully I at least had something I've been looking forward to for a few weeks on Saturday.
A few weeks ago, I was informed by a friend of mine in connection with the Korea Anabaptist Center in Chucheon that Stuart Murray, the author of "The Naked Anabaptist" would be undertaking a speaking tour of Korea, and that he would be in Chuncheon this past weekend. I really wanted to go, so I bought the book and read it, in anticipation of interacting with the author at one of his engagements. If you're interested, you can see details of Murray's itinerary on the Korea Anabaptist Center website.
Anyway, my friend offered to ask around to see if any of these anabaptists would be willing to put me up for the night, but the day finally came and no word was heard. I decided to stay with Josh, even though it would take 2:50 by subway to get from Chuncheon to his house. My friend informed me that Stuart's itinerary had changed, and he would be speaking in the evening instead of the afternoon, which sucks because then I wouldn't get to Josh's house until super late.
So Saturday arrived. I was going to go visit Josh first so I could drop off my bag and continue to Chuncheon, but I missed the bus and the next one wouldn't depart soon enough. I decided to take the next bus to Chuncheon instead, which was much more expensive, but at least it would get me there on time. I bought my ticket.
I decided to check the KAC (Korea Anabaptist Center) website one more time to confirm everything. It was still the same "Stuart Murray will be speaking at the Jesus Village Church (Chuncheon) from 7:30-9:30."
Then I realized--I don't even know where the Jesus Village Church is! I was assuming it was the same place as the KAC because on the KAC wiki it says it was founded by the JVC. I quickly messaged my Chuncheon friend to ask her where this place was, and then I started trying to find out the location of this elusive church. Unfortunately, because it's a Korean enterprise, it doesn't have an English website and there was no listing for it on either Google or Daum maps. I even tried searching for it in Korean, but to no avail.
Finally, the time came for my bus to depart on its 4.5 hour journey to Chuncheon.
Once in Chuncheon, I knew how to get to the KAC because they posted directions on their website (no address for the JVC though--I guess everybody knows where it is). Once I finally arrived at the KAC, it was closed :( It was then 7:30pm, when Stuart was slated to start speaking. The bar across the hallway had an open wifi network, so I was able to check my messages. My Chuncheon friend messaged me at 7:35 and told me what I learned the hard way--no, the JVC is in a different location. She gave me the address and I looked it up. 3km away. I could take a bus.
So, exhausted, discouraged, hungry, and still sick, I waited for the bus. In the cold. In the dark. For 45 minutes.
No bus.
So, defeated, and utterly disappointed, I gave up and surrendered to fate. I walked back to the train station and started the 2:50 journey to Josh's house.
Sunday, April 14, 2013
A Wonderful Sunday
I went to see the movie Oblivion this morning because it was showing as a matinee at the local Megabox. I managed to be able to secure a ticket through the online reservation system, which is quite a feat in itself--seriously, it's a real pain to navigate websites in Korea, and the system wasn't letting me register my name because of a mismatch in IDs on my cellphone account and the national register (it's a complicated story)--the point is, it's a big deal that this is working finally.
And it was a fantastic movie, I highly recommend it!
I came back home, Skyped with my family for a bit, and then opened the parcel that I received from family members in Moncton. They sent me many goodies from home, it was a really nice afternoon :) I'll take pictures soon.
----------------------------------------------
On another topic, occasionally Koreans will ask me if my hair is natural. I think since I came here the colour has lightened a bit, but apparently it's a desirable shade here. Many Korean women want their hair to be a lighter shade of brown, and many dye it. I've seen probably 2 or 3 blonde Koreans so far, and one of the attendants at the hair shop I go to has her hair dyed gray (it's quite striking actually).
And it was a fantastic movie, I highly recommend it!
I came back home, Skyped with my family for a bit, and then opened the parcel that I received from family members in Moncton. They sent me many goodies from home, it was a really nice afternoon :) I'll take pictures soon.
----------------------------------------------
On another topic, occasionally Koreans will ask me if my hair is natural. I think since I came here the colour has lightened a bit, but apparently it's a desirable shade here. Many Korean women want their hair to be a lighter shade of brown, and many dye it. I've seen probably 2 or 3 blonde Koreans so far, and one of the attendants at the hair shop I go to has her hair dyed gray (it's quite striking actually).
Saturday, April 13, 2013
Jeonju Trip
Hi Folks,
Today I went with many other CNU international students (I just realized how... odd... it is to be considered an "international student" for the first time in my life) to Jeonju! It's about an hour north of here, in the next province, Jeollabuk-do (North Jeolla Province).
We stopped at a museum and made pencil cases out of traditional Korean paper, which is this really rough stuff but apparently it lasts forever (it's called "hanji"). The hanji-expert lady told us that the technique for making the paper came from China and then Korea exported it to Japan. Anyway, to make the pencil case it involves a lot of painting and gluing, but it's a nice souvenir. There was a traditional Korean wedding going on outside, so most of the people in our group were more interested in that than the paper craft.
Afterwards, we went for lunch at a restaurant near the Hanok Village. We had famous Jeonju bibimbap! (When Koreans think of Jeonju, probably Jeonju bibimbap is the first thing that comes to mind). It's like, double the price of regular bibimbap, but it was absolutely delicious. Bibimbap is actually always delicious. Fact.
Afterwards, we were all participated in an Amazing Race-style challenge through the Hanok Village. We were all split up into groups and given clues. It was pretty fun, running from place to place, perplexing all Koreans as we ran by them. My team ended up coming in 2nd, which isn't bad. The next team didn't arrive for 20 minutes.
We were given some free time to wander through the village, so I went and bought an ice cream cone. I had never heard of the flavour Rubus Coreanus before... turns out it was raspberry. Whatever, it was still good ice cream. The Hanok Village is pretty nice and relaxing, if crowds don't bother you. A "hanok" by the way, is a traditional Korean house (the one with the tiled, curving roofs and wooden pillars). They're mostly used as guest houses now, but it's still nice to look at them. I prefer the ones that aren't painted, I think they're better looking.
I went into a Mini-Stop and found, completely by chance, a 100% legitimate bottle of Cherry Coke. I must have it.
There was a wedding going on at the giant Catholic church nearby. It must have been frustrating for the photographer to try and take pictures when the whole place was really crowded. The church was built in 1914, on the same spot where many Catholics were martyred during the Joseon period. Interesting history.
When it was all said and done, we got on the bus and came home. I picked up a package from the international office--it's a parcel that my beloved aunt, uncle, and cousins from Moncton, NB sent me! I can't wait to open it :)
Today I went with many other CNU international students (I just realized how... odd... it is to be considered an "international student" for the first time in my life) to Jeonju! It's about an hour north of here, in the next province, Jeollabuk-do (North Jeolla Province).
We stopped at a museum and made pencil cases out of traditional Korean paper, which is this really rough stuff but apparently it lasts forever (it's called "hanji"). The hanji-expert lady told us that the technique for making the paper came from China and then Korea exported it to Japan. Anyway, to make the pencil case it involves a lot of painting and gluing, but it's a nice souvenir. There was a traditional Korean wedding going on outside, so most of the people in our group were more interested in that than the paper craft.
Afterwards, we went for lunch at a restaurant near the Hanok Village. We had famous Jeonju bibimbap! (When Koreans think of Jeonju, probably Jeonju bibimbap is the first thing that comes to mind). It's like, double the price of regular bibimbap, but it was absolutely delicious. Bibimbap is actually always delicious. Fact.
Afterwards, we were all participated in an Amazing Race-style challenge through the Hanok Village. We were all split up into groups and given clues. It was pretty fun, running from place to place, perplexing all Koreans as we ran by them. My team ended up coming in 2nd, which isn't bad. The next team didn't arrive for 20 minutes.
We were given some free time to wander through the village, so I went and bought an ice cream cone. I had never heard of the flavour Rubus Coreanus before... turns out it was raspberry. Whatever, it was still good ice cream. The Hanok Village is pretty nice and relaxing, if crowds don't bother you. A "hanok" by the way, is a traditional Korean house (the one with the tiled, curving roofs and wooden pillars). They're mostly used as guest houses now, but it's still nice to look at them. I prefer the ones that aren't painted, I think they're better looking.
I went into a Mini-Stop and found, completely by chance, a 100% legitimate bottle of Cherry Coke. I must have it.
There was a wedding going on at the giant Catholic church nearby. It must have been frustrating for the photographer to try and take pictures when the whole place was really crowded. The church was built in 1914, on the same spot where many Catholics were martyred during the Joseon period. Interesting history.
When it was all said and done, we got on the bus and came home. I picked up a package from the international office--it's a parcel that my beloved aunt, uncle, and cousins from Moncton, NB sent me! I can't wait to open it :)
Thursday, April 11, 2013
My Favourite Student
My favourite student goes by the name Jun Hui ("joon hee"). She came to my class last semester because she's part of a pack of girls that have remained friends throughout the school year (they all attend my class regularly and sit at the same table--my star students to be honest). She's in grade 5 now and is still an important member of that group. When I co-teach with Hyeong Ah on Tuesdays, she's in the first class of the day, but she's the only member of her friend group in that class. I would assume it's a little bit difficult for her, but she's friends with the person she sits beside. Everything's alright in the end.
Why is she my favourite? Because she's the cutest and she tries hard. She still has kind of a baby voice that is high pitched and squeaky, and she always says hello when I'm nearby. Plus, she's got small, kid teeth with spaces in between them and she always squints when she smiles. She usually travels with another girl, On Yu ("own yoo"), who is cute in her own way. Jun Hui's voice is high and squeaky, On Yu's voice is much deeper than seems appropriate for her age. Deep and smoky, lol. She sounds like a much older woman than a grade 5 student....
Anyway, they were both hanging around the English classroom after school one day, giggling and lurking in doorways.
On Yu said in a suspicious, mysterious voice, "Come here Daybeedu". So I went to see what was the matter.
She led me into the hallway, ("Come, come!") to where Jun Hui was seated at a desk, facing me. What was this plot I was falling into?
Giddy with excitement, they motioned for me to hold out my hand, and then Jun Hui whipped out a bottle of cheap-o, glitter and tiny plastic hearts, kids nail polish! She wanted to paint all my nails, but I thought that would be a little too embarrassing, so I let them go nuts with a pinky. She even let me choose which coloured plastic heart I wanted on my nail (I choose a blue one). I can't help but laugh.
-------------------------
Then today, she came into the classroom after school again with her bestie On Yu.
"Daybeedu, what's this?" She said, proudly presenting a blue origami box thing.
"I don't know, what is it?" I replied.
"Cat television!" She shrieked. "Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!" And she showed me how indeed, the box had a cat face on it. It even featured a removable drawer in the back. Then she squealed out of the room.
Why is she my favourite? Because she's the cutest and she tries hard. She still has kind of a baby voice that is high pitched and squeaky, and she always says hello when I'm nearby. Plus, she's got small, kid teeth with spaces in between them and she always squints when she smiles. She usually travels with another girl, On Yu ("own yoo"), who is cute in her own way. Jun Hui's voice is high and squeaky, On Yu's voice is much deeper than seems appropriate for her age. Deep and smoky, lol. She sounds like a much older woman than a grade 5 student....
Anyway, they were both hanging around the English classroom after school one day, giggling and lurking in doorways.
On Yu said in a suspicious, mysterious voice, "Come here Daybeedu". So I went to see what was the matter.
She led me into the hallway, ("Come, come!") to where Jun Hui was seated at a desk, facing me. What was this plot I was falling into?
Giddy with excitement, they motioned for me to hold out my hand, and then Jun Hui whipped out a bottle of cheap-o, glitter and tiny plastic hearts, kids nail polish! She wanted to paint all my nails, but I thought that would be a little too embarrassing, so I let them go nuts with a pinky. She even let me choose which coloured plastic heart I wanted on my nail (I choose a blue one). I can't help but laugh.
-------------------------
Then today, she came into the classroom after school again with her bestie On Yu.
"Daybeedu, what's this?" She said, proudly presenting a blue origami box thing.
"I don't know, what is it?" I replied.
"Cat television!" She shrieked. "Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!" And she showed me how indeed, the box had a cat face on it. It even featured a removable drawer in the back. Then she squealed out of the room.
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