Hey fam and friends,
Just thought I'd write a little bit about what actually goes on during my day. At work, that is. As you may know, I work at a Middle School, Kyung An Middle School, it is a mixed boys and girls middle school. There are some wonderful things about this school, there are in fact more wonderful things than bad things I'd say. For example, the school has a small population of mentally ill students and their room is right near the teachers room where I spend most of my time, and there is an autistic child with down's that so reminds me of the Kize every day. It warms me to think of him. I'm glad I am his secret santa this year. :)
Today a funny thing happened. I have an after school class that pays pretty well, this is different from my soccer after school class which I'll save for another blog on another day. My Monday and Tuesday afterschool class is pretty fun. I've learned that trying to teach lessons is pretty difficult and most students don't want to be there and there english varies greatly from student to student. After taking advice from both Sarah and our friend Luke, I've learned that it's all about games. Even non-english speaking games. Like Rummikub. No english involved. But making the kids talk to me in english while we play has been incredible. They learn a little, but more than that, they practice the english they do know. Becoming more confident.
But anyway, the funny thing, a cultural difference. In this school, unlike back home, they checked my attendance sheet that I've been keeping, and I didn't know why at first. They did it this morning and I've been bumming on the computer after lunch when I learned why they checked. Basically one by one, the kids that have been significantly absent, were marched up to my desk by other teachers and they were forced to appologize to me in English!! It was crazy. I was a little embarrassed, I can't even imagine what they felt like. It was sweet though. I think most of the kids like me. I try to be a fun guy. All the students favorite name for me is "handsome guy" (which I'm learning is every foreign teachers nickname :), they know how to say that in english).
Anyway, my job is mostly crowd control and fun provider while simply speaking english, and try and teach a few things along the way. Sarah and I have to go to a training this weekend, (information that would have been nice two months ago!) but it should be good to get some better ideas of what my job actually is. Is it bad that I still don't really know? I do a lot of fun english games. I took sarah's idea because of her success with it and did Family Feud, I taught them to shout "good answer!" while clapping, you all would have died laughing. :) It's a neat job.
That's all for now I suppose, Happy December everybody. I hope you all enjoyed thanksgiving. I know we did. And to you non-USAians, I hope you just enjoyed last Thursday. Love you all, miss you lots, (except like Luke and Louise and anybody who is reading this who lives here, I don't miss you). Love you lots! See you later! Til next time,
N
Monday, November 30, 2009
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is truly a wonderful day. Everybody (in the States that is :P) celebrates. It is the only time you can be certain that nobody is working, and most people are home. Test are done. Breaks from work. Parades are watched. Football is played. Those things are constant, every year. This year for us, being in South Korea, I sort of expected Thanksgiving to simply come and pass. But due in large part to the strain of nostalgia on all us 'amerikins' we tried to throw something together. And it was thrown.
Through the wonder that is Facebook, we strung together a plan of who would bring what and how could we make this work. (For the record, there are no ovens in this country, if they have them, they don't share them with the foreigners.) We decided on dalk galbi (which is this chicken and cabbage and rice "dalk" in their spicy red kimchi like sauce, so good), stuffing (I know, right!), steamed veggies, mashed pototoes, yorkshire pudding (which I still have no idea what it is as I did not have one), and rotisserrie chicken!
A quick word on the rotisserrie chickens. They are sold in the back of a truck on the streets of South Korea. They are sold by some 'adashi' which is Korean for 'guy' and they're usually quite cheap. We got three for 15000\ or about $13.50. If you were to grab an urban dictionary and look up the hip term 'sketch,' you would see a picture of a foreigner like me buying a rotisserrie chicken from an adashi in the back of a truck.
Anyway, we had 11 of us over for dinner. Because seating was an issue we didn't wait until all were served, and dug into our, what turned out to be, delicious meal. After we were all served and stuffing our faces with... stuffing, we went around and shared what we were thankful for. The usual thanks were presented, family, friends, good times, good health, and there is always one that thanks for the obscure like farmville, or stuffing, or Die Hard.
With all 11 of us there eating and parades being prepared for back home and football players warming up and leaves waiting to be raked, I couldn't help but think of how utterly grateful I really am for this life. I felt during the meal last night that this was the feast that followed the famine. Not that I've been hungry but for the first time in a few years, there is hope, and togetherness, and love. Sarah and I are loved by those here and those far. And, to be sure, we love those that are here and that are far. It's such a blessing to know that even when hardships and sadness abounds that there are days when you can sit back and notice that interlaced with those bad things are a countless number of overwhelmingly good things there too.
I am thankful for the people here. I am thankful for the love shared. I am thankful for my friends stretching across the entire globe (shout out to Azerbai-Sean!) I am thankful for my family (all of them, and that spreads out a long way). Mostly I am thankful for Sarah, that we have gritted out this dramatic immigration battle is in itself a reason to always be thankful and a bit of a miracle. I love and miss you all. Happy Thanksgiving. Go Ducks.
Through the wonder that is Facebook, we strung together a plan of who would bring what and how could we make this work. (For the record, there are no ovens in this country, if they have them, they don't share them with the foreigners.) We decided on dalk galbi (which is this chicken and cabbage and rice "dalk" in their spicy red kimchi like sauce, so good), stuffing (I know, right!), steamed veggies, mashed pototoes, yorkshire pudding (which I still have no idea what it is as I did not have one), and rotisserrie chicken!
A quick word on the rotisserrie chickens. They are sold in the back of a truck on the streets of South Korea. They are sold by some 'adashi' which is Korean for 'guy' and they're usually quite cheap. We got three for 15000\ or about $13.50. If you were to grab an urban dictionary and look up the hip term 'sketch,' you would see a picture of a foreigner like me buying a rotisserrie chicken from an adashi in the back of a truck.
Anyway, we had 11 of us over for dinner. Because seating was an issue we didn't wait until all were served, and dug into our, what turned out to be, delicious meal. After we were all served and stuffing our faces with... stuffing, we went around and shared what we were thankful for. The usual thanks were presented, family, friends, good times, good health, and there is always one that thanks for the obscure like farmville, or stuffing, or Die Hard.
With all 11 of us there eating and parades being prepared for back home and football players warming up and leaves waiting to be raked, I couldn't help but think of how utterly grateful I really am for this life. I felt during the meal last night that this was the feast that followed the famine. Not that I've been hungry but for the first time in a few years, there is hope, and togetherness, and love. Sarah and I are loved by those here and those far. And, to be sure, we love those that are here and that are far. It's such a blessing to know that even when hardships and sadness abounds that there are days when you can sit back and notice that interlaced with those bad things are a countless number of overwhelmingly good things there too.
I am thankful for the people here. I am thankful for the love shared. I am thankful for my friends stretching across the entire globe (shout out to Azerbai-Sean!) I am thankful for my family (all of them, and that spreads out a long way). Mostly I am thankful for Sarah, that we have gritted out this dramatic immigration battle is in itself a reason to always be thankful and a bit of a miracle. I love and miss you all. Happy Thanksgiving. Go Ducks.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Free Concert
Hi guys, so I got a nice treat yesterday. A couple of days ago my co-teacher, Kim, offered me these tickets for Sarah and I to go and enjoy. She said they cost 100000 Won, which is just about 100 dollars, apiece by the way. I hemmed and hawed because it sounded really neat, but I figured it was too much money considering I'm trying to save money while I'm here. Anyway, I told her no because it cost too much and she laughed at the example of miscommunication because she meant that these tickets that did cost 100000 Won were mine for free!
I was so excited, but alas, Sarah had some work thing she committed too. Which is a bummer because it would have been lovely to go with her. Regardless, I offered a ticket to our friends a floor below and Louise and I went into Seoul for the show. The tickets said VIP, but who knew what that really meant. Turns out, it means front and center 8 rows from the stage. We could literally see the sweat beads on the pianists brow as she played the keys at an alarming rate.
It was mostly a string orchestra but a couple of songs had the full meal deal. It was so lovely. What an experience. They played Mendellsohn and some other pieces I'd never heard. There was this one Korean woman that played a piece on her violin with accompanyment of the strings and my mind just was carried away to a million different places. What a brilliant display, she couldn't have been much older than me either, if at all.
Anyway, really makes you think about having you hands in a lot of pots. To have such incredible skill at one particular thing is something I envy.
Cool show, I was really glad to go and listen to the wonderful sounds. Funny story too: it is a large Art Center there in Seoul, and we went through a hallway to get to the concert hall and there were quotes on the wall about music. Quotes from composers, philosophers, and poets... oh ya, and Red Auerbach! Random, eh?
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Seoraksan
Mt. Ulsanbawi.
Elevation somewhere around 5000 ft. A foothill by Oregon standards. But here is Korea it was quite large! And did I say, "Oh.... my... GAWD!"
What I mean is, I love the outdoors, and I love rock climbing, getting to the peak of some big mountain is like a drug for me. But this was not that. The view at the top, yes, it was awesome. But the getting there, that was the problem. Next time you go up a flight of stairs, count them. I bet it was less than 812. After climbing the first part of the mountain, and you're already tired, you find yourself facing 812 steps. And not, like, nice steps either. Average stair tread in USA: 9" probally. Average stair rise: about 7.5". Pretty normal. These stairs, average tread: 3", average rise: 12". Steepest most sketchy thing I've ever done. There were like these steel see through stairs bolted into the rock. Super sketch. I have never been afraid of heights but I was channeling my inner-Uncle John. (He's really afraid of heights, is all.)
Anyway, it was wild. Never experienced something so absolutely terrifying where I was pretty sure I'd reached the end of my existence. I didn't trust those stairs one iota.
The weekend was fun, however despite the scary stairs. Sarah and I with our incredible friends, Luke and Louise, travelled out to Seoraksan national park, hiked the mountain, then had roast duck for dinner in a lovely quaint mountain Korean town. The bummer deal was I got some kinda sick on the 4 hour bus ride back and lost my lunch in front of about 50 other outdoorsy foreigner teachers. How embarrassing.
Gimli was okay when we got back. He still is good. The lot of us Gwangju teachers are all talking of joining this gym we've found, which I'm quite excited about, and birthdays seem to be abounding.
Anyway, I miss you all back home and beyond, and hope to see you all again soon.
Sending to you our love, Sarah and Nate!
Elevation somewhere around 5000 ft. A foothill by Oregon standards. But here is Korea it was quite large! And did I say, "Oh.... my... GAWD!"
What I mean is, I love the outdoors, and I love rock climbing, getting to the peak of some big mountain is like a drug for me. But this was not that. The view at the top, yes, it was awesome. But the getting there, that was the problem. Next time you go up a flight of stairs, count them. I bet it was less than 812. After climbing the first part of the mountain, and you're already tired, you find yourself facing 812 steps. And not, like, nice steps either. Average stair tread in USA: 9" probally. Average stair rise: about 7.5". Pretty normal. These stairs, average tread: 3", average rise: 12". Steepest most sketchy thing I've ever done. There were like these steel see through stairs bolted into the rock. Super sketch. I have never been afraid of heights but I was channeling my inner-Uncle John. (He's really afraid of heights, is all.)
Anyway, it was wild. Never experienced something so absolutely terrifying where I was pretty sure I'd reached the end of my existence. I didn't trust those stairs one iota.
The weekend was fun, however despite the scary stairs. Sarah and I with our incredible friends, Luke and Louise, travelled out to Seoraksan national park, hiked the mountain, then had roast duck for dinner in a lovely quaint mountain Korean town. The bummer deal was I got some kinda sick on the 4 hour bus ride back and lost my lunch in front of about 50 other outdoorsy foreigner teachers. How embarrassing.
Gimli was okay when we got back. He still is good. The lot of us Gwangju teachers are all talking of joining this gym we've found, which I'm quite excited about, and birthdays seem to be abounding.
Anyway, I miss you all back home and beyond, and hope to see you all again soon.
Sending to you our love, Sarah and Nate!
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Well... it has been a long time...and we apologize! It has been a hectic little run, but things are finally settling down.
Let me tell you about it:)
We spent the first month in Korea, living on about $10.00 a day, which was both educational and challenging. We were able to manage until pay day, and were more than relieved to be able to buy the things we craved...like a lint brush, and chocolate. Honestly, that is what we wanted. Guess who wanted what :)
Not long into October, Nathaniel, to my dismay took upon himself to buy a bunny, . Ihas turned out that our little friend Gimli is a lovable and curious creature. He is mostly trained, and entertains us to no end with his skids into walls, and his affection for corners. I find myself saying "You silly rabbit," and then wonder if the guy who invented Trix had a pet bunny. Something to ponder :)
Korea is on a nationwide H1N1 alert, and everyone is geared up with there little masks. Today in class, I turned around to cough, and when i returned to teaching, like three of the students scrambled for their mask protection. It made me laugh. I guess I am infected.
I am a little infected... I have some kind of wonderful throat thing going on.. last night I arrived home at 6:30 and promptly went to bed. I couldn't bring myself to do anything bu sleep under the warmth of my blankets. My dear husband was rattling around in the kitchen, and soon called upon me for dinner. I reluctantly left my burrow, and found a beautiful meal, Christmas lights strung about, and medicine for my ailments. Glorious! A little soup, and off to bed again. Today, things were better, I can swallow again.. and well that is very helpful :)
This past weekend, Nathaniel and traveled to visit Robert (my cousin) on the East Sea. It was wonderful. Directly after work we hopped on a bus and traveled the 3 hours to the coast. We were greeted by Robert and a couple of his mates, and enjoyed an evening of catching up, and a real live homemade hamburger.. I am talking, hand packed, carefully cooked beautiful meal. It was Epic..especially because we were famished. Robert lives in a small fishing village, so the next morning we were able to walk through the fish market....holy fish. every shape size, color, alive, dead, swimming, flapping, fish everywhere market. It was really cool. I couldn't help but want trout done in the frying pan, like when I was a kid. We used to fish in the morning, cook em, and eat em all before 9...it was perfect. Alas, no fried trout for me. Instead I had kimbab (California roll) on a bus, as we traveled towards the mountains. A lovely lovely weekend.
Nate and I also received immigration news! We have been accepted, and now are on the final step. So exciting! We are unsure how things will proceed from here..but we are so thankful and so excited.
Much love from a far
xox
Let me tell you about it:)
We spent the first month in Korea, living on about $10.00 a day, which was both educational and challenging. We were able to manage until pay day, and were more than relieved to be able to buy the things we craved...like a lint brush, and chocolate. Honestly, that is what we wanted. Guess who wanted what :)
Not long into October, Nathaniel, to my dismay took upon himself to buy a bunny, . Ihas turned out that our little friend Gimli is a lovable and curious creature. He is mostly trained, and entertains us to no end with his skids into walls, and his affection for corners. I find myself saying "You silly rabbit," and then wonder if the guy who invented Trix had a pet bunny. Something to ponder :)
Korea is on a nationwide H1N1 alert, and everyone is geared up with there little masks. Today in class, I turned around to cough, and when i returned to teaching, like three of the students scrambled for their mask protection. It made me laugh. I guess I am infected.
I am a little infected... I have some kind of wonderful throat thing going on.. last night I arrived home at 6:30 and promptly went to bed. I couldn't bring myself to do anything bu sleep under the warmth of my blankets. My dear husband was rattling around in the kitchen, and soon called upon me for dinner. I reluctantly left my burrow, and found a beautiful meal, Christmas lights strung about, and medicine for my ailments. Glorious! A little soup, and off to bed again. Today, things were better, I can swallow again.. and well that is very helpful :)
This past weekend, Nathaniel and traveled to visit Robert (my cousin) on the East Sea. It was wonderful. Directly after work we hopped on a bus and traveled the 3 hours to the coast. We were greeted by Robert and a couple of his mates, and enjoyed an evening of catching up, and a real live homemade hamburger.. I am talking, hand packed, carefully cooked beautiful meal. It was Epic..especially because we were famished. Robert lives in a small fishing village, so the next morning we were able to walk through the fish market....holy fish. every shape size, color, alive, dead, swimming, flapping, fish everywhere market. It was really cool. I couldn't help but want trout done in the frying pan, like when I was a kid. We used to fish in the morning, cook em, and eat em all before 9...it was perfect. Alas, no fried trout for me. Instead I had kimbab (California roll) on a bus, as we traveled towards the mountains. A lovely lovely weekend.
Nate and I also received immigration news! We have been accepted, and now are on the final step. So exciting! We are unsure how things will proceed from here..but we are so thankful and so excited.
Much love from a far
xox
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