Christmas Cheer

This will be more of a self-centered post. I had a wonderful Christmas. You can have a great time anywhere, doing anything as long as the company is pleasant. My company was more than that. It was aMazing.

I stayed in Namwon (2 hours north) for 3 days and 2 nights. Despite my ear infection, I wanted to make the trip. I had met the people I was going to visit at a training conference and our connections to Albania brought us together [basically I am an Albanian magnet]. I hopped on a bus and got off an hour too early. So, Dila calls me and tells me to take a cab. As a Christmas present everyone pooled money together to pay for the fare. Upon my arrival, I was welcomed to a lovely apartment with so much food: three stuffed chickens, goat, pumpkin, salad, tomatoes, potatoes, banana muffins and bread, peanut butter and chocolate brownies, and fruit. We actually ended up eating goat brain too.A few Korean taekwando teachers came to join the festivities a bit later. After a bit of soju, mekju, and wine we decided to play charades. Then this lead to Noreabang. You can never go wrong with Noreabang in Korea. And that night we made sure we didn't.

What's up Doc? Oh, an ear infection...great!

So it was visit number two. This time I went to an ENT (ear, nose, and throat) doctor. I arrived at 1:40pm with my co-teacher and had to wait until 2 pm when everyone came back from lunch. I was seen at 10 after 2. I sat in this really cool, high tech chair. I told my co-teacher before going in what I was feeling. I told her the night prior I had an ache in my ear so terrible that I couldn't fall asleep for 4 hours. I searched online and saw some home remedies that included crushing up garlic, mixing it with oil and heating it for 10 seconds in the microwave. I was desperate. There I was at 2 am dragging my microwave out of the cupboard (since I have never used it). Next, I went about smashing garlic with the bottom of a cup and mixing mineral oil in. 10..9..8..7..6..5..4..3..2..1 BING! It's ready. I filled my dropper and laid down squeezing my concoction into my ear. Ahh temporary relief.

Obviously, that didn't do the trick because after the doctor put a camera in both of my ears, he showed me both of the pictures and said, "This is your left ear. It's ok. This is your right ear. You have acute otitis media or an infection in the middle ear. This is common in children and infants. It's very rare with adults." WHOA...was he just calling me a child!? (The picture really did look like this one I pulled off of google images.)

I was told not to eat meat nor drink alcohol. I asked him if I could use my Neti Pot and he said not to use it until my infection has gone away. It was 2:20pm when I left. My bill for the visit: 3,400 won ($3.20). I got a prescription and headed to the pharmacy directly downstairs of the building. I handed the slip to a woman, paid another 3,000 won ($2.80) and was told to wait until my name was called. My co-teacher and I sat for another 10 min. The pharmacist called us up and told me to choose between the blue pill or the red pill. I said, "Can't I just have both?! I'm not in the Matrix." Anyway, she just told me to take some matrix looking pills three times a day plus one special one for three days. I have to go back on Saturday.

New Year's Resolution: Be Nicer to Foreigners

I am so moved about my treatment in Korea that I want to share it. My New Year's resolution is this, I will be nicer to foreigners when I return to my home country, the US of A. I raise this point as a mere suggestion for a resolution for those of you who do not have one already. I will go so far as to say you may even add this one to your current resolution because it really isn't that hard.

In New York it is difficult. There are just so many people. How can you possibly say hello to everyone or good morning? Maybe instead of speaking, a simple smile will suffice. It is amazing how a smile can disarm a seemingly awkward situation.

Also, if there is a free-bee at your job or school, why not take one for the person sitting next to you? My co-workers always bring me a mandarin orange when there is a crate of them in the staff room. Or they let me know when there are snacks.

Don't get frustrated if small gestures are not returned. And don't worry if you think you may scare someone in an elevator when you say "Hi, how's it going?". Just do it. Fear is a terrible thing. I'm not saying not to be wary, but you can also just be nice. Happy New Year all!!
(sorry in advance to those whose computers cannot support the Korean font)
사랑합니다 그리고 행복합니다 Love and Happiness.

Awkward first impressions

In my mind I was going over introductions with people I have met thus far. I was trying to fall asleep and then I started cracking up. This is going back a bit, but I can't believe I forgot to mention it.

When I first arrived at my school I didn't know what the protocol was. I should have guessed that I was going to speak with the principal at some point, but it didn't cross my mind. For some reason, I had the image of me walking in and being shown my desk and that would be that. That is what happened for the most part. I put my stuff down and was shown my lovely Samsung computer. The chair was comfortable but unadorned like everyone elses' chairs. I saw all the other teachers had cool pillows for their butts. Things seemed pretty normal, then my co-teacher, Mr. Kang, tells me it's time to meet the principal.

I had no idea if the principal was male or female; if he or she spoke English or not. Mr. Kang knocked before entering the office and we proceeded after hearing some noise that meant, "come in". I was told to sit. Mrs. Kim (of course it would be Mrs. Kim) sat directly opposite of me. All the seats in her office had pretty butt pillows. I whipped out what little Korean I taught myself. "Annonghaseyo. Choem beop gues seumnida. Hello, it's is nice to meet you." I saw a huge smile splash across her face. She basically repeated what I said and then there was a nice long silence. The kind of silence that both parties can feel and cannot avoid no matter how hard they try. I was really in it. What I should have said was this, "Thank you for allowing me to teach at your school. It is an extreme honor to be here. I am very excited at the prospect of educating your students. Also, I want you to know that I am here to learn as well; learn about Korea and the culture. Thank you Mrs. Kim." What an easy thing to say. What came out was this, "uhhhh. I'm happy to be here. umm ehh did you know I was coming? (of course she knew how dumb am I?) Do you have all my paperwork? (more silence) ummm I don't know what else to say." Not so flattering, right?

I turned my luck around though. I am now tutoring my principal in English. She tried to offer me money, but I turned it down. I am but a loyal subject to my superior. ^_^

The Students: Elementary School

These kids are keeping is gangster. Ah, they are just too cute. The picture on the bottom is the school playground essentially. The boys have taken a liking to baseball. I'm sad my class is canceled tomorrow.

Acupuncture

Did you ever think that acupuncture would render images of octopi and robots? Me neither!

I definitely cried when the doctor said I would have to get a shot at the hospital. I really hate needles, yet I wasn't afraid when I went to the 'hanisa' or herbal doctor. A hanisa practices oriental medicine.

I went alone with directions given to me by a friend. Some of my students recognized me in the streets and called out, "TEACHER! SAMANTHA TEACHER!". I spoke with them and asked them where the place was. They pointed it out and told me they were going to a PC bong to play computer games (typical Koreans ^^).

I went in and before stepping on the floor, I took my shoes off as is custom. This is what I consider preventative care and it is covered, in part, by the national health care system here. I told the receptionist that my shoulder hurt from tennis and I wanted needles and an electric massage. It came out like this, "Tennis-uh hurt jogi (as I pointed to my back) needle-uh and electric massage-ee." She got the gist and asked for my card-uh. I showed her my ARC (alien registration card) and a little pamphlet showing I pay into the national healthcare system. She filled out a chart for me and I waited for 2 minutes.

The doc had my lie on this little bed. I told him where is hurt and he found the spot. I took off my shirt and laid down. He stuck for needles in my back, which didn't hurt and one needle in my left hand, which caused a little discomfort. The bed I was lying on was heated and then the doc placed a hot lamp over my back. After 15 minutes a timer went off, out came the needles, and on came the octopus tentacles. It was the craziest feeling! The little suction cups on my back squeezed my skin together and then released it. There was a slight shaking and then pressure. Occasionaly there was some back and forth movement within each cup. I couldn't help but smile at the though of an octopus on my back because I am sure it would feel just like what I was experiencing. But then I imagined myself as Neo from the Matrix. (Your mind would wander too!) Another 15 minutes passed and I walked out of there.

Total cost: 4,400 won or about US$4.00. Insane!

The Hospital

So, I got sick last Thursday. BLEH everywhere. It was a horrible scene. It started around 8:30 at night when I had my first attack. My guess is that it was from the milk I used to attempt to make rice pudding. Although I had the milk a few days prior with my cereal in the morning and I didn't get an upset stomach. My friend Hyo-jin was visiting me around 7pm because he was in my town. My tummy started rumbling and I told him, "I don't want to come off rude, but I have to ask you to leave."

Good thing he didn't have to witness what happened later. I vomited three times between 8:30pm and midnight. I went to sleep for what I thought was a full 8 hours only to get up at 1 am from an attack of the runs!

I was crying and in pain so I called my co-teacher. He came to pick me up at 1:30am and take me to the hospital. Now, I pay in every month to the national health care plan. I could have went to the university hospital, but that would have been more expensive. Instead, my co-teacher took me to a hospital about 20 minutes away. They asked me where it hurt and what happened. The nurse asked me if I was pregnant and I said, "No way!". Then they hooked me up to an IV drip for 40 minutes. I laid in bed #2 trying to sleep. When I entered the hospital there was no one in there. As I lay there about 4 more people came in. I had to call the nurses attention to the fact that my drip was done and my blood was beginning to go back into the IV. They unhooked me and that was that. They didn't really tell me my condition. The doctor said I had an acute something or other... I just said it was bad milk.

I paid 35,000 won ($32) for the visit and after I paid they sent me to the pharmacist. She gave me a few pills and three small packets of what tasted like peptobismol. I occupied the hospital's time for about 1 hour and 30 minutes. They didn't tell me what to eat or what not to eat and I didn't think to ask in my given state. I thought that was strange, but then I asked my co-teacher and he said to eat jook (a type of rice porridge or soup) and stay away from spicy things. I guess it's just common knowledge so the doctor failed to mention it. It would have been nice though.

I knew that the pain would probably pass, but here was my opportunity to visit the hospital so I had to take it. I know it sounds strange, but I wanted to see what my experience would be like. In terms of care, I think it could have been a bit better; more information about the foods I should eat and more promptness with the removal of the IV would have been great. In terms of promptness of admittance, there were no long lines I had to wait in nor was there was a communal room where all the sick were waiting nor any other image of what universal health care is portrayed as in the US by certain media outlets. In terms of cost, I thought it was more than reasonable considering the time I stayed and the medicine I received afterward. In terms of cleanliness, it was not pristine, but it was not dirty nor scary either. The beds were like any hospital beds. In terms of staff demeanor, I think the doctor and nurse were very nice considering I was a foreigner. I watched they way they handled other patients and I think I received the same level of care. In terms of how I felt after, I was super sleepy since it was 3 in the morning. I was glad that I was able to keep the fluids in though.

I didn't go to work on Friday and this was the text one of my teachers sent me, "I heard you are sick. Please feel better. I will come visit you so you are not sick alone in foreign country." It made me feel so good. I told Bae Jin-suk that I would rather she not come because my place was pretty gross. I went out to eat with another friend, Kevin, who was super busy trying to find a new job but came to keep me company. I ate Solongtang. It's a bland soup with noodles, rice, and thin strips of meat. It was perfect for an upset stomach. I garnished it with green onion and added a bit of salt. Later that evening, Hyojin drove to drop off some Bulgaris, which is a yogurt like drink that has probiotic stuff in it. He said it would help. One in every flavor! :)

Bathroom Conversations

So, I now understand why actors punch people in the face. Sometimes people want to talk to you at the wrong moments. After feeling the tummy rumble at my desk at 9am I ran to the bathroom. I am not one of those types that like to read the paper while I do my business. I wait until it is absolutely necessary. That being said, I stayed true to my habit. I quickly darted for the restroom. I grabbed toilet paper from the communal role (since each individual bathroom is not stocked with TP). Another teacher was just finishing brushing her teeth or fixing her hair. I was just about to the stall door when she turns and asks me if I ate breakfast. Let's keep in mind that I hardly talk to this woman in the office. We are friendly, but have never had a conversation. I guess she thought it appropriate in the bathroom.

I wanted to be polite and indulge her with my English. I told her I eat breakfast regularly. I have eggs and sometimes cereal. To avoid being rude I had to ask her what she ate for breakfast. She took a while to process the information and then even longer to answer. I couldn't just leave right then. My eye was twitching and my hand was making a beautiful display as it was shaking with the toilet paper swaying in the wind. Finally! She said he had soup and rice. I said that was wonderful. I should try it sometime. I excused myself (why I had to excuse myself in the bathroom, I don't know). While I was sitting, I just thought what a terrible place to have a conversation.

Something American: Brunch

mmm mmm mmm. Last Saturday I experienced a lovely brunch. We had potatoes, eggs, pancakes with real Canadian maple syrup, fresh fruit, honey, and pink gold (bacon). The Frenchies brought a few baguettes (of course) and the fruit. I brought the potatoes, Amy brought some eggs, and Brigitte, the host, made the pancakes and had the syrup shipped to her from Canada.

All seven of us sat on the floor since we had no seats. We had to borrow spoons from the Korean guy next door. We invited him to eat with us, but he declined and said he had to watch his TV program. I guess if I saw a French guy in white pants in the winter, I would decline too. A fashion faux-pau if you ask me (haha I'm not even sure I spelled that right).

We had our fill with good food and were surrounded by good people. While Brigitte and I were cooking, the rest played charades. One of the things someone had to act out was Charlie Chaplin's kangaroo pouch. And that was for Remi, whose second language is English! We are so cruel. Then also got in a game of home-made taboo. Taboo made me think of home and whipping peoples' asses when I played with my cousin.

By the end everyone was sleepy so we tried nap time and it came out like this...

Post Thanksgiving pics

These are some pictures of the people I was with during Thanksgiving. It was a really nice crowd and I enjoyed myself even though I was away from home. I didn't get to have turkey, but Remi made a really delicious chicken that was first encrusted in bread. Then after he practically sawed the bread off, inside was a delectable dead fowl (I know I make it sound so good) whose tender meat was saturated with just enough salt. The dome that the bread created made a nice cover to keep all of the moisture inside.

I was with Amy (Canada-the one with the funny faces), Brigitte (Canada- the girl with the cool short hair), Tamer (Turkey-major in the Turkish army with really short hair), his friend (Turkey- I really don't know how to say his name. I mistakenly called him another Turkish guy's name and was embarrassed), Remi (France- the chef in the chic pink shirt), Flo (French- the one with glasses and a t-shirt), Will (US- the goofy white guy), Kate (our token Korean :), and Me (with the fabulous sweater). Brigitte said, "Sam, that is a sweater you wear to an ugly sweater party." I said, "I know! Isn't it great?" I only knew Amy, Brigitte, Remi, and Will. The rest of the people had a good time guessing where I was from. They said South America, but I told them that their decision was influenced by my sweater and to guess again.

Fishy Feet

I went to Daegu and got my feet eaten by fish. I bought a shirt from Uniqlo and my friend saw a cafe. We went in and he told me that while you drink coffee you can get the dead skin eaten off your feet for around $6. WHAT?! I can sip a latte and at the same time be a meal myself? Of course I was in. Anything with food and I am there. I felt like I was giving back to the community this way by allowing my feet to play host to a feeding frenzy my hungry underwater friends.

It tickled and then I got used to it. After 15 minutes the bottoms of my feet felt so nice. I washed them off and then some guy came around to spray disinfectant on them. I am not sure who he was aiming to protect, me or the other customers...