Monday, November 22, 2010
Seoul is a playground and I'm on the merry-go-round ALOT
Literally, it is. Life is crazy and so fast paced here. I don't keep a normal schedule. I don't know how I am going to keep this blog up. Don't count on many more.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Coffee talk
Halloween 2010 in Korea was a blast! I felt like a celebrity.... evidently catwoman is very popular. That is what I was for Halloween and I got asked for a picture at least 20 times on Saturday. We went to an area called Hongdae - pronounced "hung day"- which is near a Hongik University in Seoul, so alot of young people are around. It's a nice area. I think Korean people came out just to see the foreigners dressed up for H-ween. They do not really celebrate H-ween here.
The only bit of drama (besides our drunk co-worker that had been out for 40 hours straight- never went home once during the weekend- and was dressed up as Ronald McDonald, but looked like death- and wouldn't listen to anyone to go home) was caused by me. We were in front of a live music club called "Gogos" - a really great place- spent a whole night there once- and all of a sudden alot of commotion was coming down the stairs to the club. There was about 4-6 Korean bodyguards all dressed to the T- crisp white shirts- black suits- wires behind their ears- and drunk "westeners" fighting either each other or the Korean body guards. Then when they got to street level it was apparent they were fighting the guards. They spilled out into the crowd and of course I follow them because I want to see what's going on. Well, they had separated everyone- then a group of Korean bodyguards were huddled talking while behind them an asshole (the instigator) was being held back by one of his friends while a Korean bodyguard was just talking and telling him to calm down, then I saw the asshole hit around his friend and punch the Korean bodyguard several times in the face and went after him. Then when the other bodyguards ran to help- the asshole started yelling that he didn't do anything- this guy started it and basically denying that he had done any wrong doing. I saw this happen. The bodygurads were trying to figure out what to do- I'm observing everything and seeing that the situation is going in circles.... SO what do I do... uhh I have to stop making it a habit to instigate things myself... I walk over to one of the Korean security guards tap him on the shoulder, motion him to follow me- and I tell him what I saw- he looks at me straight in the eyes, very politely, matter-of-factly-seriously- and says "don't worry, I'm going to fuck him up!" It was awesome!!! I first thought the assholes were military- then I heard the main asshole yell in a foreign language so right then and there I knew they weren't US military- and I was so relieved. Anyways- THEN not 5 minutes later- a guy approaches me (one of the asshole's friends) and starts asking me questions- "did you see my friend in the bar? what did you tell the guard? what did you see?" and when I told him he looked just so frustrated... and he walked away- then he came back a 2nd time and asked more- and i said- "look i saw what he did- and he was in the wrong- and denyed doing any of it" then he started yelling at me and then walked away again. I yelled at the group of ppl I was with (who were in the big crowd a little ways away from me) that I had to get out of here and I took off running down the street. They didn't follow, thank goodness- but I felt I had done my part to have peace of mind because I couldnt let that douche bag get away with that and obviously he had done something previously in the bar to be hauled out of there by guards- I felt I had to say something. I stick up for right and what I saw was not right at all.
I feel like I am living in a haze--- am I really in South Korea????
I am free at will to do anything any night because of my schedule. I don't have to be at work until 3PM- so many nights are late late nights and early early mornings. We go out in the city on a Sunday- or maybe Tues.-Wed. all night- and come home sometimes at 5-7 AM, whentev. It's like I'm taking a break out of reality for a year. Also, being a foreigner- I get by with many things. If I break a rule, people don't want to deal with the langauge barrier and they just let it go or let it be. I know that's bad, but hey- you live once so I push buttons whenever I can here. Sunday-funday is alive and kicking in Korea. I love sunday-fundays- treating sun. like it's sat. and drinking and eating like it's no one's business. I took a cab by myself to Itaewon to meet a friend, Tori, and later met up with Katie and Emily and we went to 3 different places. At the last place, we ran into out recruiter James randomly and he invited us to dinner with him this week.
Sometimes I feel like I live in New York City when I am in my apt and my windows are open. I am finding out I really really enjoy living in a big city. Even though my apt. is very small, I love it. It's modern, clean and in a nice building. I have started to decorate it with Korean things I find. It's thrilling and each day you can see something different- someone different and learn something new a foot outside your door. I also witness some of the funniest, weirdest things.
I'm learning- people often say big cities are impersonal, people don't care about each other people etc. and small towns are so much better... but... within big cities you have small communities- small networks of people who take care of each other etc. there are alot of "small towns" all bunched into one huge area, a city.
One night after work, 2 co-workers and I went to a well known shopping area called Dondaemun (don-day-moon) it's open 24 hours!!! only closed on Mondays. It was a metropolis of shopping- I went crazy!!! Unfortunately, alot of clothes are ONE SIZE FITS ALL. No good for western girl with broad shoulders and a big butt.
Katie, my co-worker for Prince Edward Island, Canada left Korea this past Wed. and it was sad. She was a lifesaver and we had so much fun. The good news is... she's signed on for 6 more months starting in Feb. 2011. So, she's going home for 3 months and returning. We are all so happy. Elizabeth from Ohio, took Katie's position and she is very nice. Still getting to know her.
The "new" has worn off of my students. They are little asses now. They push MY buttons. Today I had NO voice at all because, A. I talk so much and B. I have to talk so loudly. There are llike busy little bees flying everywhere in the school. It's like have no filter- they say whatever they want- and it's sooooooo rude!!!! I'm trying to teach them "western politeness" - for example- you don't say someone is ugly to their face or fat and say please and thank you- not just "give me" TONIGHT, a girl told me that my boyfriend was ugly. oooooo I went off on her- I said, "do you realize that English speakers do not say this, it is very rude. You don't say that. What is I said I think you are ugly to your face. You're ugly Jenny." She said, "I'm sorry teacher." - and I walked out- just to prove a point- but that's just one example.
I have been eating very badly here. I NEED to start making it a habit of eating Korean food everyday! I am getting fat in Korea :( I am seeking out a gym next week before my kids start calling me fat to my face- because they will. I don't think they treat us with the same respect they do for their Korean teachers. I have some kids bow their heads to me when they come to class- a common practice here- but not all of them do.
I got observed by my boss last week, and she gave me positive feedback- it was a good review, but the thing she said she didn't like was how my students were treating me. She said in Korea they show their elders great respect and that I need to enforce that with my students. An example she gave me was- when they give me things, they need to give it to me with 2 hands and bow their head. When I give them something, they are to receive it with 2 hands and with a bow of the head. So I've been trying to enforce this cultural difference we have.
In Korea, alot of people meet by blind dates. It's very popular here. I'm not sure why... but I am sitting in a coffee shop as I type this and I witnessed a blind date next me. I think it went well... lol. I looked over and the girl was looking out the window- the next time I looked over they were laughing, eh.
Oh, Korean BBQ is D-E-L-I-C-I-O-U-S. You cook it yourself at the table (most of the time) and hmm hmm so good! and the side dishes are good too. Korea just went through a short KIMCHI SHORTAGE apparently becuase cabbage was so expensive. I think we're out of it- but that's something that all Korean people eat with every meal. I think cabbage may now be coming from China.
I see Korean newspapers in Korean of course, and President Obama is on the cover often it seems. There was other people from America on the front lately I guess becuase of the elections recently. I did not vote.
This Saturday I have my first parent teacher conferences with all my student's parents. I, for some reason, am not nervous, but probably will be the morning of. I'll report how it goes. I hope no crazy moms.
My kids have started a habit of bringing me bits of Korean food they like. Somethings, I like, somethings, ew yuck, but I appreciate it.
I have a usual walk to work now, almost every day I stop off for a coffee with my "main coffee guy" whether he likes seeing me or not- I make it seem like a big deal when I see him every day by speaking as much Korean as I know- hello- good bye- thank you- is about it... and also I pass by a butcher's shop (with slabs of meat hanging visible- and they are cutting it up right there in the open too) and all the mean YELL hello so loudly and wave at me each day--- it's a pleasant thing that I enjoy daily.
This weekend I am going on a date on Saturady to a really nice place in Itaewon and on Sunday I am going to a Korean musical- woo hoo! Hopefully, many things in between that will happen.
Until next time, 안녕히 가세요 (annyeonghi gaseyo) (good bye)
The only bit of drama (besides our drunk co-worker that had been out for 40 hours straight- never went home once during the weekend- and was dressed up as Ronald McDonald, but looked like death- and wouldn't listen to anyone to go home) was caused by me. We were in front of a live music club called "Gogos" - a really great place- spent a whole night there once- and all of a sudden alot of commotion was coming down the stairs to the club. There was about 4-6 Korean bodyguards all dressed to the T- crisp white shirts- black suits- wires behind their ears- and drunk "westeners" fighting either each other or the Korean body guards. Then when they got to street level it was apparent they were fighting the guards. They spilled out into the crowd and of course I follow them because I want to see what's going on. Well, they had separated everyone- then a group of Korean bodyguards were huddled talking while behind them an asshole (the instigator) was being held back by one of his friends while a Korean bodyguard was just talking and telling him to calm down, then I saw the asshole hit around his friend and punch the Korean bodyguard several times in the face and went after him. Then when the other bodyguards ran to help- the asshole started yelling that he didn't do anything- this guy started it and basically denying that he had done any wrong doing. I saw this happen. The bodygurads were trying to figure out what to do- I'm observing everything and seeing that the situation is going in circles.... SO what do I do... uhh I have to stop making it a habit to instigate things myself... I walk over to one of the Korean security guards tap him on the shoulder, motion him to follow me- and I tell him what I saw- he looks at me straight in the eyes, very politely, matter-of-factly-seriously- and says "don't worry, I'm going to fuck him up!" It was awesome!!! I first thought the assholes were military- then I heard the main asshole yell in a foreign language so right then and there I knew they weren't US military- and I was so relieved. Anyways- THEN not 5 minutes later- a guy approaches me (one of the asshole's friends) and starts asking me questions- "did you see my friend in the bar? what did you tell the guard? what did you see?" and when I told him he looked just so frustrated... and he walked away- then he came back a 2nd time and asked more- and i said- "look i saw what he did- and he was in the wrong- and denyed doing any of it" then he started yelling at me and then walked away again. I yelled at the group of ppl I was with (who were in the big crowd a little ways away from me) that I had to get out of here and I took off running down the street. They didn't follow, thank goodness- but I felt I had done my part to have peace of mind because I couldnt let that douche bag get away with that and obviously he had done something previously in the bar to be hauled out of there by guards- I felt I had to say something. I stick up for right and what I saw was not right at all.
I feel like I am living in a haze--- am I really in South Korea????
I am free at will to do anything any night because of my schedule. I don't have to be at work until 3PM- so many nights are late late nights and early early mornings. We go out in the city on a Sunday- or maybe Tues.-Wed. all night- and come home sometimes at 5-7 AM, whentev. It's like I'm taking a break out of reality for a year. Also, being a foreigner- I get by with many things. If I break a rule, people don't want to deal with the langauge barrier and they just let it go or let it be. I know that's bad, but hey- you live once so I push buttons whenever I can here. Sunday-funday is alive and kicking in Korea. I love sunday-fundays- treating sun. like it's sat. and drinking and eating like it's no one's business. I took a cab by myself to Itaewon to meet a friend, Tori, and later met up with Katie and Emily and we went to 3 different places. At the last place, we ran into out recruiter James randomly and he invited us to dinner with him this week.
Sometimes I feel like I live in New York City when I am in my apt and my windows are open. I am finding out I really really enjoy living in a big city. Even though my apt. is very small, I love it. It's modern, clean and in a nice building. I have started to decorate it with Korean things I find. It's thrilling and each day you can see something different- someone different and learn something new a foot outside your door. I also witness some of the funniest, weirdest things.
I'm learning- people often say big cities are impersonal, people don't care about each other people etc. and small towns are so much better... but... within big cities you have small communities- small networks of people who take care of each other etc. there are alot of "small towns" all bunched into one huge area, a city.
One night after work, 2 co-workers and I went to a well known shopping area called Dondaemun (don-day-moon) it's open 24 hours!!! only closed on Mondays. It was a metropolis of shopping- I went crazy!!! Unfortunately, alot of clothes are ONE SIZE FITS ALL. No good for western girl with broad shoulders and a big butt.
Katie, my co-worker for Prince Edward Island, Canada left Korea this past Wed. and it was sad. She was a lifesaver and we had so much fun. The good news is... she's signed on for 6 more months starting in Feb. 2011. So, she's going home for 3 months and returning. We are all so happy. Elizabeth from Ohio, took Katie's position and she is very nice. Still getting to know her.
The "new" has worn off of my students. They are little asses now. They push MY buttons. Today I had NO voice at all because, A. I talk so much and B. I have to talk so loudly. There are llike busy little bees flying everywhere in the school. It's like have no filter- they say whatever they want- and it's sooooooo rude!!!! I'm trying to teach them "western politeness" - for example- you don't say someone is ugly to their face or fat and say please and thank you- not just "give me" TONIGHT, a girl told me that my boyfriend was ugly. oooooo I went off on her- I said, "do you realize that English speakers do not say this, it is very rude. You don't say that. What is I said I think you are ugly to your face. You're ugly Jenny." She said, "I'm sorry teacher." - and I walked out- just to prove a point- but that's just one example.
I have been eating very badly here. I NEED to start making it a habit of eating Korean food everyday! I am getting fat in Korea :( I am seeking out a gym next week before my kids start calling me fat to my face- because they will. I don't think they treat us with the same respect they do for their Korean teachers. I have some kids bow their heads to me when they come to class- a common practice here- but not all of them do.
I got observed by my boss last week, and she gave me positive feedback- it was a good review, but the thing she said she didn't like was how my students were treating me. She said in Korea they show their elders great respect and that I need to enforce that with my students. An example she gave me was- when they give me things, they need to give it to me with 2 hands and bow their head. When I give them something, they are to receive it with 2 hands and with a bow of the head. So I've been trying to enforce this cultural difference we have.
In Korea, alot of people meet by blind dates. It's very popular here. I'm not sure why... but I am sitting in a coffee shop as I type this and I witnessed a blind date next me. I think it went well... lol. I looked over and the girl was looking out the window- the next time I looked over they were laughing, eh.
Oh, Korean BBQ is D-E-L-I-C-I-O-U-S. You cook it yourself at the table (most of the time) and hmm hmm so good! and the side dishes are good too. Korea just went through a short KIMCHI SHORTAGE apparently becuase cabbage was so expensive. I think we're out of it- but that's something that all Korean people eat with every meal. I think cabbage may now be coming from China.
I see Korean newspapers in Korean of course, and President Obama is on the cover often it seems. There was other people from America on the front lately I guess becuase of the elections recently. I did not vote.
This Saturday I have my first parent teacher conferences with all my student's parents. I, for some reason, am not nervous, but probably will be the morning of. I'll report how it goes. I hope no crazy moms.
My kids have started a habit of bringing me bits of Korean food they like. Somethings, I like, somethings, ew yuck, but I appreciate it.
I have a usual walk to work now, almost every day I stop off for a coffee with my "main coffee guy" whether he likes seeing me or not- I make it seem like a big deal when I see him every day by speaking as much Korean as I know- hello- good bye- thank you- is about it... and also I pass by a butcher's shop (with slabs of meat hanging visible- and they are cutting it up right there in the open too) and all the mean YELL hello so loudly and wave at me each day--- it's a pleasant thing that I enjoy daily.
This weekend I am going on a date on Saturady to a really nice place in Itaewon and on Sunday I am going to a Korean musical- woo hoo! Hopefully, many things in between that will happen.
Until next time, 안녕히 가세요 (annyeonghi gaseyo) (good bye)
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