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...

US Army in Korea

I first and foremost want to thank the constituents in the US Army for serving for my country. I don't get too many chances to say this in person. In Korea, there are a few army bases in the country. I happened to stumble upon some men and women serving in the Army when I visited Daegu, a city 2.5 hours north of me in the province of Gyeongbuk.

My first encounter from a distance made me want to physically beat up the idiots in the army and then denounce my country for supporting this type of behavior. Violence tends to bring about violence. I read a lot about how Koreans don't like the US military men and women stationed in their country. My initial thought for this disliking was due to the fact that perhaps many Korean people don't see it necessary to have foreigners in their country anymore. The Korean war was from 1950-53. Having a US military presence 50 years after the fact even though North Korea is a threat could seem like a huge nuisance to some Koreans. After I got a glimpse of the ridiculousness that goes on from our troops I had an idea why. Seeing what I saw really caused me to well up with anger and disgust.

A group of military men and women, or I should refer to them as ignorant boys and girls, were yelling at this old Korean man on a bike. On the back of his bike was a small plastic crate that held some of his personal belongings. I am not sure what set this groups of idiots off, but like I said, they were yelling at this old Korean man riding his bike. Then it escalated. Some of the boys started kicking the guy's bike and then aiming for his plastic basket. After having enough, the Korean man got off his bike and put down his kick stand. Then I saw him take out his cane. He had a walking stick since he was that old. The screaming match continued with the group of 5 boys and 3 girls and this old man. One boy took a swing at the old man (I am not 100% sure if he was just trying to scare him or actually hit him). He missed. Then the old man started poking that boy with his cane. At that moment, another boy kicked over his bike causing his personal belongings to spill out into a pile of garbage near a light pole. The boy who got poked in the stomach pushed the old man down on top of his bike. Some of the girls were screaming for them to stop and a few other guys were trying to hold their violent friend back. The old man got up limping. He had a slight limp before (hence the cane) and after he was knocked down it looked a bit worse. He went into a rage and some of the guys were walking away still screaming obscenities. If there isn't a picture in your mind already, let me just describe the scene in one sentence. A US solider was fighting an old Korean man riding his bike! Are you serious? Is it really any wonder why there are multiple posts in multiple blogs about why are troops are retarded?

At this point some younger Korean men were trying to break up the fight between the one out-of-control soldier and the old man. Someone else called the police and there were many people standing around just watching this unfold. My initial reaction was to get up and take a swing at this guy. I didn't and I feel so cowardly in a sense. I also know that I stood a chance of getting hurt since most, if not all, of the soldiers were super drunk. I hated feeling helpless while witnessing one of the biggest injustices I have ever seen. I wanted to spit as some of the people in the group walked past me.

Another group of soldiers walked past myself and my friend, Antoine, and stopped to chat. They were obnoxious also, but at least they weren't hurting anyone. I am not advocating that everyone should be straight-edge all the time. I will never understand what goes on in the army. I give people credit for going because the truly care for their country. Even as a volunteer since the US does not have a draft, you cannot grasp what you will go through until you do it. One soldier from Philly said, "What people forget is that we are human too." Yes, understood. Humans act silly sometimes, but it doesn't help the cause when most people in the army act the same way; with complete disregard for their surrounding area.

Korea is a country where drinking is more than acceptable, it is almost required in order to be social. I have seen all people act foolish. That said, it does not excuse the behavior of violence toward another culture. I spoke with another person about the matter and he said this, "It's not just the US army. It's army people in general, regardless of the country." This put things in perspective. At the same time, because I was born in the US and live(d) in the US, this really hit home. I know understand why, as a country, we are hated. The army is supposed to represent our ideals and our people. What I witnessed was disgusting.

Feel free to post your opinions. I am obviously biased in this instance. If you feel strongly one way or the other, I would love some input.

Hyojin wanting to be Leonardo DiCaprio

We were at a Lover's Lane spot in Jinju. (Relax, it was purely a site-seeing activity). It was nighttime. The air was crisp, the stars were bright, my nose was runny. Hyojin and I drove here because I had not really been site-seeing at all in Jinju. After we got out of the car he went over to, what looked like a big stone top hat. The first round level was rocky about 3 feet high. The second round level was a large smooth cylinder with stairs carved in it to get to the top. I would say it was over 5 feet. Hyojin said that you would light a fire on top to send a signal to another mountain top and then another and another until it reached Seoul. How cool is that! I saw a real-life Mulan-esque fire tower. You know in the beginning of movie when one huge beefy Hun is on the great wall and the guard lights a fire and says, "Now, all of China knows you're here." And then the huge beefy Hun says, "Perfect!" That went through my mind when I realized that this was the Korean version. I couldn't describe this to Hyojin. So, like many things I just had to replay it in my mind and smile to myself (while jumping up and down a bit).

I see a path that goes further up. I say to Hyojin, "come on let's go" and he replies, "whaaaa. I have never been up there."

>> "never been up there? How is that possible?"

> "I have lived in Jinju for 30 years and I have never been up there."

>> "What!? Are you nuts? Well, come on Hyojin, let me teach you about Korea."

> "haha. Do you really want to go?"

No answer from me as I start my ascension up the mountain.

> "Samanda! Wait I come."

How could someone live here for 30 years and not climb to the top after visiting more than once?

We reach the top and there is exercise equipment! Are you serious? But what fun! I got on an apparatus that looked like it would work my stomach standing up. I hopped on and there was one area to stand on with two bars on either side of me. I swung back and forth like a human pendulum. The bars were freezing and lets not forget, my nose was still runny. My attention span was very short when I saw a little outpost I darted over. It's for a fire ranger to chill when he has nothing to do. I peered through the window and I spotted a roll of tissue. When you get close to a bathroom if you have to pee the urge intensifies 100x. Weirdly, the same thing happened to my nose. It was so embarrassing. I tried to break in, but the door was locked. I had to settle with a few crunchy leaves...guess how that turned out.

I told Hyojin we should go back into the car. I found some real tissues and we sat listening to Korean pop. The conversation eventually led to Titanic. Hyojin related to me that he really likes the movie because he likes Leonard DiCaprio's character. I asked why even though I knew the answer. He said it is because Leonardo DiCaprio's character is so different from him. This complex of having to stay in one 'role' has been a preoccupation of mine for a while. I saw it in Hyojin at this moment. He said that Jack is brave in the movie. I told Hyojin that he is brave for learning English with a foreigner. It takes a special person to really want to learn a language when they know they will make mistakes. He shook his head and said, "I am not like Jack."

I feel like many Koreans feel like they should stick to one role. Both the education system and the language itself dictates a strong sense of hierarchy. The students are told, more or less, what to think. Questioning a teacher is not really commonplace here. The Korean language has many levels of politeness too in order to demonstate verbally what position someone is compared to you. I must say Annonishimnikka to someone older than me, Annonghaseyo to someone I don't know well, and Annong to friends. [please excuse my romanization to all those native Korean speakers]. My point is this, and Hyojin told it all through his tone of voice and expression, I feel many Korean people feel stuck; that they have only one role in life. It is a sadness that affected me deeply that day. It is the reason why movies like Titanic moved Hyojin. When you feel stuck you must find solace in something. For Hyojin, it is Jack. For me, it is Mulan and really funny, awkward moments. What do you find solace in?

Lunch-e time

This is my lunch. Everyday it looks different and everyday it is delicious! The portions are just right and so are the variety of flavors. On the right, you have bibimbap. It is a mix of vegetables and lettuce over rice. This one had meat and you take your spoon and mix everything together. Jinju (where I live) is famous for it's bibimbap. In restaurants it comes in a hot bowl with a raw egg on top. As you mix everything together, the egg fries against the hot walls of the bowl. It makes my mouth water thinking about it. There is a little spiciness to it, but you can tone it down. Just ask the waiter or waitress not to put too much red sauce. As you can see, I also have soup with my meal. No meal in Korea is right without some sort of soup. Today was a delicate soybean and scallion soup. The brother is slightly cloudy (with a chance of rain) and the flavor isn't biting at all. There is a sweetness to it; a sweetness due partially to the simpleness of it. So I have my spicy (bibimbap) and my sweet (soup). The top left is half of a sweet potato. What I love about this is that there is no need to be shy. You pick up the potato with your hands and you choose weather you want to peel the outside off. And viola! You eat it with your hands. I feel so close to my food when I don't have to use any utensils.

Next is the juice. This was my first time seeing this. I was looking for the straw, but there was none. Apparently, you just have to rip the top open a little and drink. I recalled doing this only a few times when I didn't have my straw to my CapriSun sippie. I hope you remember these wonderful delights. But if you ever lost your straw, you will know how much of a savage you felt like squeezing the juice into your mouth. Not wanting you waste anything, you ended up crushing the sippie to something beyond recognition while the juice was all over the place. Then again, maybe I am the only savage and you have never experienced this. Lastly, my huge bowl of bibimbap was covering the classic addition to any Korean meal- KIMCHI. The first day I took some, I took a lot and my co-teacher said not to take as much next time. She was right. I didn't need all of it.

No, this is not my lunch lady. I have yet to put them on the spot for a close up. This is my principal! I teach her English every Thursday and Friday from 3:30 - 4:00. We had a good conversation today. It went like this:

Me: ummm. Do you like bibimbap?Principal: (with a confused look) Do you like bibimbap?
Me: Do you like kimchi? (pointing to kimchi)
Principal: Do you like kimchi? (pointing to kimchi)
Me: No, no. Do you like kimchi?
Principal: No, no. Do you like kimchi?
Me: (laughing to myself I just continue) Do you like sweet potato?
Principal: Oh, potato. I like potato

(Yes, success!)

Me: Do you like soup?
Principal: Yes, I like soup.
(the distant screams of students vibrates through the lunchroom. Next, the hard steps of the mob grow louder and louder. Now, the teachers are trying to get in before the students.)
To the other teachers
Principal: Do you like bibimbap?
Other teachers: hahaha. Hanguelmal? (Korean language)
Principal: Do you like potato?
Me: (just nodding and smiling. what I do best)

Finally, I got in good.

Thanksgiving

Can you just take a look at what I am missing this year in Brooklyn!!!!
This was an email my Uncle Willy wrote. He likes to refer to himself in third person...

Samantha,

Uncle Willy is making corn on the cob and providing 2 pies (coconut and cherry)
Aunt Juliana is bring a turkey (to be cooked and 2 already-cooked hams
Aunt Betty is bring over shrimp scamp iand 2 pies (lemon meringue and blueberry).
Niece Mei-Ling is bringing over mashed potatoes and sweet potatoes
Uncle Eddy may be bringing over already-cooked turkey.
Niece Tricia is not sure what she is bring over.
No idea what Aunt Judy is bringing over.
Pau-pau is making the 3 racks large pork spare-ribs.
Uncle Henry always provides the chips, chip dips, beer and soda.
Aunt Laura is making turkey legs.
Haven't heard from your niece Judy.
Nephew Tony is bringing himself.
My friend Edgardo is coming over.
Ryan won't be here until Friday (we have to make sure we leave some leftovers for him).

This Thanksgiving will be very depressing. No Samantha!!!!!!
I'm contemplating a moment of silence for everyone in the middle of the day.
Uncle Willy

I second that motion for a moment of silence! It is most appropriate.
This is the second year I will be missing Turkey day. At least in Argentina I got to eat Turkey with mashed potatoes and stuffing. My friend, Paz, also made great cranberry sauce. Today I will have a French meal, compliments of Remi, an engineer from France working at KAI (Korean Airspace Industry) in Korea for the time being. He is hosting myself, a few Canadian girls, and perhaps someone from Spain will stop by for a drink later in the evening.

Wish me luck. I miss everyone and try to enjoy Thanksgiving without me. I know...I know... It's so difficult. But keep your heads up. Just keep giving me thanks even though I am not around :)

Love,
Samantha
(a letter within a letter, how Borgian!)

A Hairy Mess

Since I haven't shaved my legs in so long when went into a bath tub at the sauna I found that I don't even have to touch my legs to feel my hairs sway in the water (sexy, I know). It is a really strange sensation. I'm guessing that most guys feel this. The feeling is new to me though and was a lot of fun even though at the same time, a bit unnerving. Like all things, I got over it and decided to embrace it. I don't need to be one of these picture perfect models! Or do I?

I was showering and I got the idea to use my foot loofa, which is a pumice stone to rub the hairs off my legs. I had seen something on TV that used the same concept. It is basically a pad of low grade sandpaper that is attached to a mitt. The idea is so 'sand paper' off your hair when rubbing the hairy areas in circles. I needed to up the ante a bit, which is why I thought of using my foot pumice stone. I started on the bottom; I was scrubbing and scrubbing in circular motions. It was working! I felt like a mad scientist when an experiment actually works. I felt a little pain, but nothing I couldn't handle. Then I moved to the knee area. Whoa, what a challenge. It got to the point where I wanted to stop since the pain was more intense due to the thickness of the hairs and the awkward location. I just could though! I was almost there. I decided to endure. Then when the water stopped I saw that my leg was bleeding. Oh no! I rubbed a lot of skin off along with my hair. Fail!!! I can't even tell you how bad it stung. I actually had trouble sleeping at night. For now, I just have one hairy leg and one not-so-hairy leg with many scabs. Beauty is pain so I have decided not to be beautiful. I hope that brightened you day! :)

"Hiking" Sam style

When I am on a path in a forest I always pretend I am in Lord of the Rings. I'm not sure if this really changes your perception of me, but I can't keep it inside any longer. I am really Sam Gangi...ever in search of my Frodo (Nebi). Except I change the story; I would not be Frodo's gardener. I would be the one in the lead (Sorry, Nebs you have to slow your role). And so it goes...

I had to meet a fellow hobbit, Antoine. He traveled 2 hours and 40 minutes from a province up north. Our destination was Waryongsan Mountain in between Sacheon (where I work) and Samcheonpo (which means the equivalent of 'East Bumblefuck'-excuse my French even though it's English). Because of the meaning of Samcheonpo the Korean government is trying to incorporate the city into Sacheon in order to change the name.

Anyway, that's besides the point. I was telling you about myself, Sam Gangi and my fellow hobbit, Antoine. We met and then had to travel another 20 minutes by bus to get to Sacheon. There I met a few more hobbits from the US and Canada and one wizard, John. John had magical powers and a car. We were set. We squished into the car and headed toward Waryongsan with a map and our wits. I also had a hat and gloves :) This is the modern day Lord of the Rings if you hadn't caught on yet. (John the White is really tall and wizardlike. Look!)

The vista was beautiful. We arrived at a Temple first and had a look around before embarking on the treacherous paths that snaked up the mountain side. I want you to see what I saw...

If you look carefully you will see Gandolf the white. We bypassed Gandolf the Grey.
I was so excited when I saw him! Look at the majestic staff he carries in his right hand. The power of it entrapped all of us for the time being. I had to climb up to get a better look. The best part of it all was when I was about to jump a rock to get on the same platform as him. He turned and said to me, "YOU SHALL NOT PASS!" Dark clouds engulfed the sky and the earth started to move. That's when I backed away and politely asked if I could take a picture from this angle. He agreed that it would be fine. And so here it is!!!! How jealous are you guys? I got to see Gandolf.

In the Budda's lap is my fellow hobbit friend Brigitte Filion from Canada. The statue was massive, but perhaps a farce. As she stepped on the base she said she felt like she was going to fall through, like it was hollow. Like many things in life she realized that from far away it might look as if it were there many hundreds of years. In reality, it was probably manufactured somewhere and then dropped in that spot. We tried but could look on the bottom for the bar code. Either way it looked pretty cool.

And there we sat together as one taking in the beauty. We saw it all: land, water, and sky all coming together at one point far off into the horizon. Each of our vanishing points were different. Each one of us hobbits (and Gandolf) taking from the scene what we wanted. I am not sure what Brigitte saw, but I filled my lungs with the sweet, cold air and looked up at the sky. I don't know what drew me to it. Perhaps you see nothing, but it was so relaxing. The numbness in my fingers disappeared for a few minutes. I couldn't hear anything except for the sound of my own breath. I couldn't really think of anything. It was just so blue...

Letters from Fans

This email really made my day. I was getting frustrated with some of the classes:

Hello. teacher~~I'm your student in 2th grade.I don't know what I can call you. 'Teacher' looks... a little mean.I hope you don't feel like that.. I was moved by my homework paper you gave back.You commented all of students' paper. To me, it was not just sentence. Then I feel I have been loved.. I really want to study in foreign university. Maybe the reason why I respect you is that you are living in another country, and doing your best here.Um.. I know it is too big for me... But when i think about it, i am very happy and nervous! First I must be a good english speaker so as to accomplish my dream. And first first of all, I have to find what i really want to do. I don't know what i like to do, so It is getting hard to studying even in korean recently.I'm so worry about that. Final exam is after 3 weeks..! Oh... it's too messy to read. Maybe there must be sentence which hard to understand or is crude. Then please say to me. And please (I believe of course you don't) don't say to other students or teachers about this e-mail. Thank you and I'm sorry i didn't hand you homework today.--;;

This is the second email
Hello teacher! Thank you for your kind email.In frankly speaking, I was worried a lot because I was afraid that I got hurt if you don't answer my email(for any reasons).So when I found your email, I felt very very happy like walking on the clouds! Yesterday I found 'so as to' and 'in order to' in dictionary, It looks same. Why 'in order to' isn't fitted in this sentence? 'I must be a good english speaker in order to accomplish my dream.'
And here's one thing i want to tell you.In korea, calling with no family name looks more friendly.Like 'Shin Da-young' ----> 'Da young' I was surprised when you write and read korean for the first time. Then I was proud of me as other students were. Because this mean we have one thing better than teacher! ...;;And I also found you like to study something. Teacher before you didn't try to communicate with us. At the first time he had passion, but the longer time flies, the lower his volition. I know there must be student's fault, and you may be in agony because of students. Even so, I hope you endure your passion. And I will do my best than now. If I have something to ask you of the class I will say to you. I'm still confused about preposition! The thick letter is confusing words. Is it correct? While I am writing english letter, I can feel my english is getting full. Thank you teacher!! Your student, _________

Being able to communicate is so good. If you want to thank anyone you should! These emails gave me motivation to do a better job.

Monkey See, Monkey Do

This age old adage really says so much. I remember a story my father told me. He was explaining that he went out to eat Chinese food with some co-workers. Since he was the only Chinese-looking guy he was automatically the 'go to man' on eating etiquette. Since many of his co-workers didn't know how to finish the rice that was left over in their bowls with chopsticks they looked at him. What did my dad do? He lifted the bowl to his face and shoveled the rest of his rice in his mouth with his chopsticks. So, what did his co-workers do? You guessed it, they lifted their bowls and shoveled rice in their mouths too.

When I saw half of a crab floating in my soy bean paste soup, I didn't know how to approach it. Should I use my hands? I figured that was out of the question since I didn't see anyone else doing that. I wanted to eat the meat inside soooo bad. I love crab. I was just itching to get at it. I looked around and saw my co-workers take the crab with their chopsticks and stick the body in their mouth. They gnawed and sucked at the meat. I suppose they were trying to create a sort of vacuum sucking environment, but I found that you couldn't get all the meat out without eating some of the shell. Some people spit out the shell, some did not... So, what did I do? Well, of course I followed suit! I wanted that damn crab and I wanted it then! Between slurping and chewing and spitting I successfully ate the crab. Cheers for me.

I haven't put any pictures of food because I have been hesitant to just whip out my camera and start clicking away. I just feel this would change the atmosphere while I eat with my co-workers. "Excuse me, could you pick that up again with your chopsticks and put the crab half in your mouth so I can get a good shot?" I don't think they would respond to that...well they wouldn't since most of them don't understand my English. Soon enough though I will build up a good rapport and start snapping. Just you wait. My agenda is always on my mind; it will come to fruition soon.

Teaching at my tennis coach's house

Every time I come back to my apartment my bag is heavier than when I set out. I was burdened with sweet potatoes and persimmons. These people want me to have back and shoulder problems, I swear. They don't understand how hard it is for me to take their food and carry it back. I just have to put my foot down next time. Enough is enough. (I write this as my stomach is more than satisfied after eating some of the persimmons and half of a sweet potato. The two different types of sweets go rather well together, not to mention the harmony of hot and cold. mmm) Like I was saying...enough is enough sometimes.

As soon as the door opened to Kim Kyu-min's apartment, both of his kids said "Hi!" with a nice little wave. Then I had a shooting match with them. I wasn't strapped this evening with my usual nine piece for all 'dem suckas in the streets. Instead, I had to settle with my hand gun-- my two fingers pointed straight out with the rest of my fingers linked together (it reduces the kick back this way for those who are unfamiliar with the different hand guns). First I shot Gab-in. Then, Dae-hyun. Both were on the ground, but my shots only wounded them. Those little ones were fierce I tell ya. They got to their feet despite their wounds; they really had heart.

Then Dae-hyun switched to the killer weapon--an English/Korean picture dictionary. I was in for it. I didn't know how tricky these kids were. I had to lay down my weapon. I unfolded my hands and sat down at the kitchen table, while Dae-hyun went through the entire dictionary and shouted at me the words he knew in English. 'Blue! Red! Airplane! Fox! Three! Sweet Potato (with help from his dad)! ... and it went on like this the entire time. Like I said, I was a gonner.

Next time I won't be unprepared! moo hahahahahahhaah

Men and their cars...

Hyojin has agreed to teach me Korean and I teach him English, but the relation is more than just business. We have become good friends. I went out to eat with him at a bulgogi restaurant (where you cook the meat yourself at a grill inside the table. A fantastic business ploy since the cooks don't have to do anything). He related to me earlier when we were driving that he was a bit depressed because someone hit his car. Hyojin said he loves his car in a monotone voice with little expression or body movement. It was a simple fact.

To try to make him laugh I told him the stereotypes about Asian drivers in the US. I told him that the stereotype is that Asians are terrible drivers! I can see why too. In Korea, people don't always stop for the red lights. When crossing the street you have to be careful. People also pull U-turns out of no where and cut in front of buses and large vehicles. They are crazy! I told him that woman drivers are said to be terrible as well. This is when he turned to me and said, "Yes, I think so. A woman hit my car."

We talked about various things during the meal. I tried to explain to him the phrase, "The girls sitting over there are smoking." The two 'ing' endings confuse him. So I told him that in order to be more specific when describing the girls, you say 'the girls sitting over there' and that the verb is smoking. He seemed to get it after a while. As we were about to go, he turns to me and says, "Thank you for the pleasant conversation. It makes me forget about my car."

I couldn't help but laugh realizing the enormity of his love for his vehicle. I just said, "Yea, sure." I suppose the stereotype about men caring for their cars as much (or more) their own children is true across all countries...

Fellas, do you agree? Ladies, how do you feel about this?

Yes, I am still creepy

I was asking around to find the Outback steakhouse in Jinju. I found it, but had some time to kill so I decided to walk around. Then I saw this exhilarating fight between a boy and someone I couldn't see! I caught him at the tail end of his battle. I whipped out my camera and tried to be incognito from a pillar across the street. Unfortunately, I think he saw me and you'll see it when he walks away. In the mean time, check it out. I call this Modern day Ninja Style:

Now what occurred next was a bit bizarre. I think what transpired was this- the kid told his grandmother that someone foreign was video tapping him. She, in turn, told someone inside the shop he was fighting in front of. The man inside the shop tried to casually walk out and spy on me! The nerve of him. Needless to say, it was a tense situation. Normally, in tense situations I play with my phone and pretend I am lost. This was one of those situations. I pulled out my iTouch and placed it where I originally held my camera, by my stomach. I was fumbling around and trying to look out of the corner of my eye at the man spying on me (Two can play at that game buddy!). I then held the phone to my ear and started saying, "Where? I don't know where the Outback Steakhouse is." The man yelled something across the street to the lady and then crossed back over. Phew...that was close. But his audacity struck a nerve with me. So I walked across the street and tried to ask the woman where the Outback Steakhouse was in Korean. I heard the boy say to her , "wow she can speak hanguel mal (or Korean)." Here's the twist: Now, she tried to play it off like she didn't understand me. I thanked her and walked away. I proceeded to ask someone else where Outback was and he understood me. I knew she was faking! The lies, the circles!

The rest of the day went well. No lying or pretending. I simply enjoyed brunch with good company. We had potatoes, eggs with cheese, bacon (yes Nebi I had it!), an assortment of fruits including persimmons, Asians pears, apples and bananas, and fresh honey from the region compliments of Remy. The juice was nice and thick, the coffee was nice and instant, and the wine was nice and red. You will also note the wonderful napkins we had. It was quite wonderful. Just not as cool as the previous showdown.

Yes, I am creepy

In line with being creepy, I admit that I filmed these kids without their knowledge or permission. If you don't care to watch, fine. But let me explain...
I went to an old fort and was able to listen to some traditional Korean music, but that isn't what caught me eye. There were there adorable kids sitting next to me and the music came alive before my eyes. The scene was set; a fort on a small hill overlooking the river. The plot; a little boy vying for a girl's attention (this is the oldest story there is). Little did he know she was a princess. The background music suited the pursuit. Let's see how the story unfolds.
Man, she didn't even give him the time of day. You go girl!

Also, I wanted to share this other video:
No, it's not Godzilla or some Korean mythical creature they are running from. You guessed it, they are running from me! I live such a hard life, persecuted because I am an English teacher...

But on the flip side, I had two girls from my school play rock, paper, scissors to sit next to me on the bus. It was hilarious. One girl comes and sits down next to me and her friend walks back and grabs her and says something to the effect of, "Let's sit together in the back." As soon as her friend gets up she swipes her seat and is next to me. That is when rock, paper, scissors came into play. The girl who swiped her friend's seat won. There is no arguing with rock, paper, scissors. So she sat next to me and I showed her a Korean comic I found in the paper. I told her I went to the sauna in Samcheonpo and was naked with people I didn't know. Then we shared headphones and I played some music from my iTouch. I thought she hated my music because she ran away. This seems to happen ALL THE TIME!!! Then I see her other friend and she comes to sit next to me. What good friends, they share.
:)

The beauty of marketing: November 11

I started to notice that many convenient store began putting Pocky sticks (thin cookie sticks covered in chocolate) outside of their stores for purchase. There were little baskets with bears and pocky sticks of all shapes, sizes and flavors. It seemed like it was Valentine's day, but it's November. Today, I get to work and I see some teachers handing out these yummy snacks. Man, I need to get in with that teacher, but I don't know her. I was left in the dark...

Then a student after class hands me two Pocky sticks. "Why?" I asked myself as I ate them immediately. Then a teacher comes over to my desk with a full box of Pocky sticks, but he says Pepero. Guys, today is Pepero day! November 11, 2009. The 11, resembles two Pepero sticks placed together. I felt this rush of understanding and the world made sense. If you have ever seen V for Vendetta I felt like I was going through the ending of the movie where all strange coincidences were not coincidences at all. They were all part of some plan.

The plan in Korea was created by marketing these stick cookies to make a seemingly ordinary day, and extraordinary one. It works for me as I am now munching on some.

Oh yea, I went out to lunch with some co-workers and this was the question that someone asked me, "Samanda, what is your blood type?" To be honest, I don't know. I just said it's O. I asked why he asked. The teacher said, "I think you're blood type has a lot to do with personality. Being outgoing." I replied with a smile, "Are you sure it's not just because they start with the same letter?" I'm not sure how he took it, but that's how we ended the conversation.

A Study: How Gangsta Rap Affects Koreans

I was told my class was a bit too boring; I needed to make class fun. Since my students respond well to music, I decided to give them a few words in order to properly talk about music. I described to them what the lyrics are and what the beat of a song is. To demonstrate the beat I chose an instrumental of my liking. Click here to listen to it.

More than half of the kids liked it. With the oldest students I also talked about layering a beat. I asked them to count how many layers were in the rap beat. Next, I asked them to tell me when the 'beat dropped' in a pop song they like. Click to listen to Shinee.
0:17 is when the beat drops

The girls in middle school went crazy over this song! They said they liked the beat and the dancing. They also liked the song because the boys are "so handsome". Who else thinks that the guy in the feathery white vest has a similar appearance to that of the boy in Peter Pan, Rufio, Ruf-I-O, Ruf-I-O? Or is it just me?

At the end of class, Kim Shin-suk, who is over 40, grabs my arm and says that she likes music. I asked if she liked the rap beat. She said she really liked it, but that her "age does not match the music". I told her that's crap. I said, "If the beat moves you inside, then listen to it." She asked, "Moves you inside?". I replied with hand gestures and said, "Yea, if it moves you here (and I pointed to my chest) then you should listen to it." Her response with a smile of understand, "Yes, it does move me inside." So, Kim Shin-suk likes rap.

My main mission was accomplished: indoctrinate young and formidable Koreans with music that at times degrades women and employs terrible metaphors, but makes you want to dance. And my added bonus: indoctrinating middle-aged women. I think the latter is 10 times better.