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Monday, January 31, 2011

I am becoming very negligent with my updates. I appologize.

I have been busy with work this past week with end-of-session exams and writing monthly report cards for each student. I now teach 16 kids. I still enjoy my job even with the chaos of exams. My two Korean co-workers, Stella and Esther are wonderful women who translate the office gossip for me. At times I am thankful for not knowing Korean so I don't have to be part of the female chatter that happens. But usually I feel that I'm missing out on relationships because I don't speak the language.

Update:
I have decided to extend my contract for an additional 3 months. I will now be ending my job at the end of February instead of November. My boss wants me to teach the incoming Kindergarteners for the entire year, and we worked it out that they would provide me with a 10 day vacation and pay for my flights home over Christmas if I stayed till Feb.
I've had some complaints over this decision from people back home, but I'm pleased with my decision and am looking forward to spending the Holidays at home with the family and the new babies!

I'll try to update more frequently. But for now, Peace!

Friday, January 21, 2011

Teacher! No red!

On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays I teach a class of 5th and 6th graders. There are three students in my class and I must admit, they are my favorite students. They speak English very well and make me laugh with their cute Korean personalities. I'm often introduced to card magic tricks (that are so blatantly obvious, you must play ignorant), to Korean translations of words such as ladybug (mundangbeole), and to their laughter when I attempt to say anything in Korean.


This past Monday I was collecting their homework books and noticed that their names were not on the front of their books. Grabbing some markers so they could write their name, I hand Jerry a red marker to use. A shocked expression overcomes him along with some dramatic head shaking and the following conversation takes place:

Jerry: "Teacher! No red!"
Grace: "No red? Why?"
J: "Teacher.... (insert facial expression of him trying to figure out how to tell me in English)... red is not good."
G: Okay, no red. But why? What's wrong with red?"
J: "Teacher, red mean die."
G: "Huh?"
J: "Teacher, name in red mean not alive.... mean dead."
G: "Ohhhh! If your name's written in red it means you have died?"
J: "Yes, teacher!"
G: "Oh! Well, let's not use this red marker then, huh?"
(Insert children laughing)


It was one of the most educational Korean-customary lesson I've received thus far. All thanks to my favorite 11 year olds.


Alex, Jerry, and Christin


   
Decorating cookies for their parents
  

Monday, January 17, 2011

The slopes of South Korea

Came back from a weekend of snowboarding with some bruises on my knee and a sore bum, but I must say it was a fantastic getaway weekend.

Eight of us made our way to Muju- hour or so North of Jinju- and ventured onto the slopes of Korea. With -11 degree (C) during the day and dropping to -18 at night, it was a frigid experience but one that was all too worth it.

South Koreans love their skiing. Much like any sport or activity in this country, if a Korean is to attempt it they better dress the part. Adults, teenagers, small children, even babies are dressed in the latest colorful skiing/snowboarding gear. While boarding down the mountains I kept thinking how I could be anywhere in the world. The snow is blanketing the mountains, the air is frigid and fresh, and the people could be of any race, nationality, or ethnicity as you carve (or attempt to carve) down the mountains. It isn't until you wait in ski lift lines or enter the massive eating area that you are knocked back into the language and smell of Korea.



It was so cold, snowflakes froze to my eyelashes
Boarders and skiers everywhere. But the scenery was worth it.

Claire's typical position on the first day.


I can now say I've snowboarded in South Korea. BOOP!

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

To the New Year


Mitchell reminded me that an update is needed so here I am.

My life in Korea has been an adventurous one. I continue to enjoy everyday. Now that the Holidays are over the homesickness has diminished. I am so thankful for Skype- I was able to see my family and partake in the Kelly Christmas. Seeing friends and family with their emotive faces makes the communication personable and memorable.

For the new year our boss treated the employees to samgyeopsal (pork meal). A cook-your-own-meat restaurant and as Korean tradition would have it, gracious servings of pork, kimchi, beer, and Soju were involved. Being it rude to say no (especially to an elder)- you must accept any offering, so needless to say my evening was full of Soju shots. Afterwards we headed to a Nori bong (private kareoke room) where we sang and sang and sang.
In Korea, if you are out drinking at night it is commonly accepted for you to come to work late the next day. Since I go into work at 1pm I figured I didn't need to come in any later... but it's nice to know that it's a welcomed excuse. 


My co-workers at the nori bong: Shirley, Stella, Jenny, and Esther

Just out drinking with the boss...

I must say, Koreans have their desserts down pat. Baked goods drizzled in chocolate, waffles topped with icecream, even their coffee drinks are sweet and delicious. My favorite though, is a hoduk- a sweet ricecake filled with a brownsugar mix and cooked in butter. It would remind you of a filled pancake. It has become my guilty pleasure.


This man knows what I want when I walk up to the roadside stand- hoduk jusayo
New Years Eve isn't a big deal for most Koreans because they celebrate the New Year based on the lunar calendar (more on that later). I worked till 6pm on NYE and then went out to dinner at an overpriced pasta restaurant and then to a bar downtown for a friend's birthday/ the New Years celebration. The bars in Korea don't close at a specific time, like they do back in the States, so it was a celebration that lasted till 5am.

Bartender playing with fire

Tony, London John, Diego

Bryan, Joe, and me

the girls

Claire and Diego

celebrating the New Year