My kids are great

Korean Teacher asking her students if they want class in the afternoon:

"Here's the option girls, English class with Samantha or a free period where you can sing and prepare for your chorus competition."

Students after moments of pondering with me not in the room:

"Class with Samantha Teacher!"

Damn I feel good! ^_^

School Festival

It was my school's festival and what a grand affair! I happily watched my girls dancing to their favorite pop groups, became engrossed in the remix of fairy tales acted out on stage, and happily viewed all my students artwork on display in the hallways and staircases.

I readily embraced my 'free hug'

I bought kimchi

I posed with Korean girls posing as Japanese girls

Korean Testing Madness

It is that time of year again when the nation's high school students shout, chant and cheer for their seniors who are taking the state-administered college entrance exam.

On the morning of the College Scholastic Ability Test, the exam takers were the nation's top priority.
Public transportation ran more frequently and most workplaces, including banks and even the stock exchange, delayed their opening hours as the students had to be at their designated test centers no later than ten past eight.
All flight landings and takeoffs were also prohibited during the listening parts of the exam.

And after pouring all their knowledge onto test papers for more than 9 hours the exam takers say they are happy that the exam is now over.

Attention USA...step your game up!

3 things that made me laugh today

1. Playing volleyball with my co-teachers because my elementary kids had a performance in another school.

2. My yoga teacher trying to hug me.

3. A man almost running into me on my bike. (yes, you read it right...the man almost ran into me!)

**a bonus: my yoga teacher thinking it was hilarious when he squirt me in the eye with the juice from an orange peal. Good thing my glasses got most of it or he would have felt more than juice on his face when I punched him!!

^_^

The little things in life...

How to be civilized when drinking

Everything is social here. And let's just forget about the idea of "personal space". Maybe no one hugs when they say hello, but that doesn't mean there is no body contact.

It's custom for one person to pay when you invite people out to dinner in Korea. It's an honor to pay. So, my spanish friend, Jose, decided that it was his turn. It was a mixed group of Americans, Frenchies, Koreans, and our sole Spain native.

Dinner is done. Now, for the good stuff.

막걸리 (makkolli-rice alcohol),

맥주 (maek ju-beer),

소주 (soju- distilled rice and other grains)

In the morning you will be asking yourself , 왜왜왜, why why why. In the moment you will be shoving a bottle in someone else's hand, making sure they pour for you. It's not cool to pour your own drink .

막걸리랑 관리인

관리인: ohh 사만다가....막걸리 ?

Me: 네. 맛있어요.

관리인: 밥 먹었어요?

Me: 안니오

관리인: 식당에 같이 가요

Me: ummm, ok

우리는 식당에 갔고 한국어 이야기가 말했어요.

4am calls

No, it's not a booty call. It's the best time to practice your English.

Dongha: "SamanDa-ya, are you sleeping?"

SamaDa: "Yes, Dongha. It's 4 am in the morning."

Dongha: "Oh, I'm sorry. I am in Jinju. I am little drunk."

SamanDa: "Dongha, you are speaking perfect English. How is this possible?"

Dongha: "I am little drunk."

Now my anger for being woken up has turned into amusement at the revelation that alcohol does wonders for language

Dongha: "When do you come to Muse?"

SamanDa: "Dongha. It's 4 am. You called to ask me when I'm coming to your bar?!"

Dongha: "I'm sorry. I'll speak to you tomorrow."

SamanDa: "Ok. Bye."

Philippines

Now you're looking at a certified scuba diver. Sexy right?!
I made a discovery dive to see if I would be comfortable breathing underwater. As it turns out not only was I comfortable, I was amazed. There is a whole other world under the sea. I saw so many Nemos. Finding Nemo did not lie...at all. It was so wonderful to witness.

After the two discovery dives, I decided to get certified. That meant that I had to hit the books. I had to study, watch videos, and take some tests. It was the last thing I expected to do on vacation-to study, but it was worth it. 3 days of training and 5 tests later I got certified.

Bus ride

Don't you miss the days when you could sit on peoples' laps and it was ok. Well, I still have those days. I take a bus with all the teachers and students to have lunch at an elementary school. All students and teachers were present and when this happens, there's not enough room for each person to get their own seat.

I've seen students double up. I decided that I would do this with my co-teacher. I made her sit down and then I sat on top of her. It was wonderful! I wasn't sure if I'd be too heavy so I shifted some of the weight to my feet and thighs. It hurt too much, so after 3 minutes I let loose. She didn't seem to mind. Actually, I think she embraced it too. She wrapped her hands around my waist and let her hands rest in my lap.

So beautiful... try (but at your own risk...)

Rock Climbing: Yeongo Waterfall

Karaoke Live

So, I sang in front of 5,000+ people in Sacheon. It was for the marathon runners. There was a total 10,000 people running. Half of them started the race before we went on.

Let's just say the experience was interesting. I'll say that I'm glad to know fear on all levels and say that I have lived after :)

After two words my mouth went completely dry, my hands were shaking, and I forgot some words. Billie Jean wasn't the best...but by the fourth song, La Bamba, I felt a little better.

The following are some pics of the band and our fans...check it out. Really rock and roll ^^

Band Practice

So, I'm in a band.

No AC in the lunchroom

The question is do I stay and finish my food or not? The obvious answer is of course; if you're hungry why not stay and eat?

The food is already salty, it doesn't need anything added on my end. But as I sit and shovel spoonful after spoonful of rice in my mouth, I can't stop sweating. The beads are forming around the rims of my glasses, my hairline, and on my upper lip.

30 degrees Celsius = 86 degrees Farenheit

It's just too damn hot...

Now I understand why everyone in Asia has fans.

Shanghai..no hotel...no problem

Waiting to get a one day visa for Shanghai...

-"Alright, it was nice speaking with you. I have to go find a hotel now. I didn't book one before coming to Shanghai."

-"What? Wait, maybe I can help."

-"Ok. I'll wait."

The next thing I know two Korean girls, about 13 years old, are jumping around me.

-"Do you mind staying with them?"

-"Uh, no that's fine."

One hour later...(after a bus ride with a 15 person Korean tour group)

I'm unpacking a few things in the hotel and trying to make small talk with two 13-year old Korean girls who don't know how to react to a random stranger is sleeping in the same room with them. I get it, to them this was strange. To me, this was the perfect way to jump back into my Korean-ness.

Welcome back to Korea Sam!

Victoria Night Club

"The party’s jumpin, I see something fine
Boy I wanna kiss you, but I’m just too shy..." Missy Elliot- For my people

Man I wish they would play that song at Victoria! I still bop to the music that's played and it goes a little something like this: A small group of foreigners are dancing in a circle while Koreans hover around and every once-n-a-while decide to jump in the middle. There is a lot of continuous bopping with boys dancing with boys and girls with girls. Just before the music cuts to slow songs a random Korean man usually tries to hug me. So it goes like this.. Fast dancing, bopping, jumping, laughing, then HUGGING?!!!!**** + confusion and then running off the dance floor to my table.

It never fails.

I Licked a Llama (Argentina throwback)

Ok, so I had to find out if this statue llama was made out of rock or salt. I saw it on my shelf in a hotel in JuJuy, which is located in the NW of Argentina near Salta. It just sat there staring at me and it looked similar to the salt llama I bought for my younger brother from a market in Salinas Grandes. Salinas Grandes is a famous area in JuJuy where the ground is made entirely out of salt. Sick! After I had bought it, I was told that in 20 days time it would disintegrate. You can't imagine the pain I felt in my chest. The llama is of one of my favorite animals. Imagine one of your favorite things desintegrating before your eyes. It is not a good feeling.

I was alone when I entered my hotel, Los Colorados. It was a beautiful hotel at the base of the Colorados mountains made entirely out of adobe. I felt really tall in this particular hotel and this made me happy. Anyway, I knew that any one of my other three roommates could enter at anytime and this llama was still occupying a large space in my mind. Time was not on my side! I had to devise a plan quickly and execute it even faster. If I didn´t find out what the llama was made of there was a good chance I wouldn´t be able to get to sleep that night. I love sleep so this was a dire problem I was faced with.

I stared into the carved out eyes of the not-so-fluffy llama with intent. I slowly walked over to the mantle and then took the piece in my hand. I grabbed it around the neck making sure it knew who was boss. I faced the door just in case anyone walked in. I didn't want to be caught in the act. I had to handle the situation delicately. Facing the door I lifted the lifeless animal to my lips, opened my mouth and stuck out my tongue. The tip of my tongue touched the llama´s leg. The one on the right-hand side towards the front. The experience was quite pleasant. The surface was smooth. My tastebuds tingled and sent the response to my brain. Salty... my previous conjecture was confirmed. I was filled with a new hope that perhaps the story I heard was a vile rumor, circulated to startle children and crush dreams. I said to myself, "If this llama can survive death, perhaps mine can too." When my roommates walked in I simply said "That llama is made out of salt" without given anymore information. When the time is right I´ll tell them how I came to find out that it was in fact a salt sculpture.

Girlish Charm

I mean what are you supposed to do when you see two Korean guys on a jet ski but say, "HELLO". Luckily, the two of us were the perfect amount of people for the two jet skis ;)

"Christina...look over there. What do you think?"

"Looks like we have to go over."

"Yea...you're right. Let's go"

Now, I didn't think we had to pretend we were drowning, but I thought it would add a nice spin to what we were attempting to do. Arms floundering and Christina's screaming did the job. You should have seen the looks on these guys' faces. Before "rescuing" us, we saw both of them light up their cigarettes on their jet skis in the middle of the water!! Korean men love their cigarettes.

When they motored near us we spoke English in really loud voices. Then I switched to the little Korean that I know, "같이 가요" gatchi gayo, or together let's go. I saw them nod. Yes!! we're in.

I hopped on the back. There's no more talking at this point. It's just the sound of the engine. HOLY SHIT! We jetted off so fast. I couldn't stop laughing and screaming simultaneously. My chauffeur (that's right, I called him my chauffeur) was also laughing. He first went around in a circle a few times then created a multitude of waves. After that, he went perpendicular to all the waves he created. We got some serious height. I wasn't sure if he was trying to actually fling me off the back or if he was going fast to have me hold tighter. I leave trying to figure that out up to you guys.

Some of the other foreigners (French, German, American) we traveled with were still at the beach. I caught a few of them standing up and I'm sure they were jealous! Mission accomplished. Well both missions... It wasn't just about the jet ski ride, it was about looking cool in front of everyone else. haha.

I can't lie. I had to use my girlish charm.

7/11 Storage

The note reads:

Hi Sam, ^,^

I'm Hyemi. Did you enjoy your camping in Ha-dong? I'm so sorry about return your clothes lately. I regret that we couldn't meet. Thanks so much your kindness and see U soon. ASAP!! ^.^

Ps. Maybe I'll go to Africa Togo for working in 2010.7-2010.8. Every prepare (company, my parent's assure...) is completed, except University's asure. So, I waiting university's asure until next Mon. I hope that I can go to Africa. Every prepare will finish, I'll contact to U.

The main part of this note is the following: I'm so sorry about return your clothes lately.

I let Hyemi borrow a long-sleve shirt and shorts after we went swimming in the river in Ha-dong. We had been trying to meet for a few days. Finally, she called and the conversation went something like this:

"Sam! This is Hyemi. Do you remember me?"

-"Yes, of course I remember you."

"I am moving my trash to another apartment"

-"?? ??. Do you mean you are moving your things to another apartment?"

"Ah, yes my things. Anyway, I leave your clothes at the 7/11 near your apartment. Just call me when you get them."

-"Umm...are you sure it's ok to leave them at the 7/11"

"Yes, it's ok."

-"ok. I will talk to you soon."

Normally, I would have panicked. But this is Korea, so I don't have to. When I got back from the beach I walked into the 7/11. "안녕하세요. 옷 있어요?" "Hello, do you have my clothes?"

There is a 2 second pause from the cashier and then he reaches to the side and hands me a bag. Thanks guy. Not only did I receive my clothes no questions asked, there was some Hershey kisses and a canned coffee awaiting me as well along with the note. I love Korea!!

Surprisingly Wonderful

You know that kids don't see you as a threat when they start touching you...

I was eating dinner with my friends when a nice family sat down at the table next to me. All of a sudden out of the corner of my eye I see a tiny hand floating towards me. Then, with one deft movement, BAM! She poked me! I turned my head and smiled and she smiled back. What a cute girl. I scrunched my face a little and she copied me. I had my own tiny Korean monkey.

I decided to take it further. I took my glasses off and put the circles of my hands to my eyes. She was a wonderful apprentice. I wanted to take it one step further. I turned my hands so my palms were against my face. My forefingers and thumbs were touching to create the circle. My other three fingers were resting on my cheeks. My little Korean monkey girl tried in vain to do what I was doing, but she couldn't. Her effort was a valiant one nonetheless.

After her failed attempt I decided it was time to eat my food. I turned away and continued talking with my friends and that's how our relationship was... surprisingly wonderful ^^

Get these men in Korea off me!

The last thing I wanted to do was talk to someone at a bus stop while I was waiting in vain for a friend to come visit. I wasn't sure of what time the bus would come so I ended up waiting outside for over an hour. I had a cheeta print scarf on and huge sunglasses trying to be incognito... and guess what, it didn't work.

This tiny Korean man came up to me and put out his hand for me to shake, "annonghaseyo" (shake) "annonghaseyo". I was hoping this would be the extent of our conversation but I knew that accepting the handshake meant more. I just didn't know how much. After the handshake the man went for the hug. I saw him open up his arms after I confirmed that I was American. I put my hands to his chest and pushed him back saying, "NOoooooo". He said something maybe to the effect of, "I thought Americans did this." I just said I don't hug people I don't know.

Then for the next 2 minutes (which is hell of a long time) we stood there standing and staring at each other on and off. I didn't know if I should run away. Contemplating it seemed like the right thing to do, but I was determined not to miss my friend's bus. So, I stood my ground. Luckily, or so I thought, the guy put his hand out to say goodbye. I figured he was trying to make up for his awkward beginning.

Hard feelings aside, I took his hand. I mean we're all trying to figure out where we stand in others' cultures. As soon as our hands met this guy went for the hug again. So quickly that he got one in and ran off! And this wasn't the ass-out type of hug. This was the "hey I'm really, really happy to see you" type of hug.

I stood there stunned. "What the hell was that," I muttered to myself. Deciding whether I should run after him or not, I decided that would be a bad idea. Maybe that's what he was baiting me to do. He probably would have fell down willing, letting me land on top of him.

Creepy bus station people. What am I going to do with them?

Sweating it out

It slowly swayed to the floor when I took a walk outside. After staring at it, I was transported to a time in middle school when the same thing happened. I heard a rumor once about me. Some people said that I was trying to stuff my bra. They spotted a tissue near me on the floor on a few occasions.

Those tissues weren't for that purpose. I was so angry that that was the rumor. I used the tissues to put under my arm pits to try to deter my uncontrollable sweating! I am still using this technique now... I just need a way to stop them from falling out.

MAC attack

The elation I feel is uncontrollable. I try to maintain composure as I carry the big cardboard box to my desk. I remember I have a box cutter in my drawer. Luckily, in Korea these are not considered weapons like they are in New York. I take it out making sure to savor the sound of each click as it draws nearer to a usable point. I slowly, deliberately cut the tape; the white tape that indicates that someone at customs has already seen what's inside. The pain that someone has viewed my Mac only stings for a second.

The first cut is difficult. Something is holding me back. But the next cuts are beautiful. Like a surgeon with a scalpel my precision is just that- surgical. The excitement is growing and growing. I open one side and peer in to see a clean white box. The handle is facing me. I reach in slowly and pull out my treasure. Just the box makes me smile. Online I'm chatting with a friend...

Antoine: im excited for u!!

me: do you remember the way you felt when you got your macbook?

if you do describe it to me

Antoine: i was in total awe

like my computer problems would be forever solved

Sent at 3:15 PM on Thursday

me: I just want to become immersed in MAC

i want to speak the language. I want to feel the POWER!!!!!!!

I open the box. It's absolutely beautiful. The sexy, shiny silver with the symbol that has become known worldwide. It's so cold. So strong, but so cold.

me: IT'S SO BEAUTIFUL!

it feels cold...it needs love to warm it up (and a power cable) but mostly love

Antoine: LMAO

My teachers surround me. They are looking in awe. I tell one of them, "Just touch it." I grab her hand and place it on the notebook. She is feeling what I am feeling. The excitement jolts through her body because she sees how happy I am. "Whoa," she says. And like that we are all in love. "Turn it on," another co-worker pleads. My insides are torn. I want to do this by myself at home. I don't want to share the POWER. But that's what power does to you, it makes you selfish. I don't want to be selfish. Against my initial instinct I take the plastic off. I turn it on and BAM! The colors, ooh the colors.

English is the language selection and I am now experiencing more colors in different languages flying at my face. Everything is so clear. Languages I have never read, never spoken are appearing and disappearing but I know what every word means. It means welcome. Though in Mac language it means so much more. It means come in and enjoy the ride. I means welcome to a new world where everything is one. It's like what Paulo Coelho says in The Alchemist, "I learned that the world has a soul, and that whoever understands that soul can also understand the language of things..." I have entered into the Mac world.

I understand the Mac soul and therefore all the languages!! Now, if I can just connect to a wireless signal...

Sports Day

Now I better understand Mario Party and Mario Kart. I used to wonder where the Japanese got their ideas for the games. I am extrapolating a bit, but after witnessing "Sports Day" at one of elementary schools in Korea I can relate to what is in the game.

If you ever play battle mode in Mario Kart the point is to be the last man driving with some balloons intact. Each player starts out with 3 balloons. The goal is to pop the other players' balloons while driving around a course. Well, I saw this but LIVE!

There were two lines of students. Each student standing had a balloon tied around his or her foot. To make it more interesting the bigger students had the carry the younger students on their backs. At the sound of the fake gun team1 had to pop all of team2's balloons by stomping on them. I had a really good laugh watching the kids.

Another game that is played in Mario Party is a type of fishing game. You fish for things instead of fish. The teachers constructed a "box". It was a wheelbarrow wrapped with a huge blue tarp. You had two lines again. This time it wasn't the students. It was the students' grandparents. So you have all of these old Korean people in two lines. One person got a fishing pole with a non-dangerous hook at the end. They had to use the fishing pole and go fishing in the "box". You all remember how that was constructed... So in goes the first pole and viola! The grandfather hooked a bottle of oil! I know he was thinking, "Yes, just what I wanted!"

The next grandmother to go hooked a multitude of sponges. Wooohooo! Hold on to your pants. After each "catch", the grandparents returned to their respective lines and passed the pole down. I saw a small bag of rice come out, some vinegar, hand towels, a small pot. This was the best fishing day ever for these old folks. They were sweating in the sun, but I know deep down they were happy fishing for prizes.

The best part is tug of war. I think I'll just let the picture speak for itself. If you have trouble seeing...yes that is a grandmother holdin' it down on the end. This is to all the 하라보지's and 할모니's out there. Work it!

Vagina Monologues

"My vagina's angry. It is. It's pissed off. My vagina's furious and it needs to talk. It needs to talk about all is sh*t. It needs to talk to you..."

So, there you have it. It needs to talk. The performance went well and spirits were high. The light was definitely blinding. It was like you were talking to yourself, which is always fantastic. What a crazy sensation. You are speaking and people are laughing, but you can't see them.

"Props...I love props..." - this was a fellow vagina speaking. It was at this moment that we had to actually throw props on stage. I told my Korean co-teacher, "when she says this, throw the things that are near your shoes." She gave me and understanding nod. To be sure I grabbed her arm and said, "NOW!" when it was our turn to give flight to objects of pleasure. There was red bondage tape, a leather strap, chains, lubricant, a dildo, and a older Korean woman's red platform shoe!! What?! All vagina's started laughing as they spotted the rather odd "prop" on stage. I couldn't take my eyes off of it. There was my 46 year old Korean teacher with a flaming red wig and only one shoe. One of the audience members came up to us after the show and said it was hilarious to see a Korean woman's platform shoe literally thrown into the category of "props".

Shin-suk..Mrs. Kim...You are a rockstar.

Hiking rockstars

It's been about 6 months. You would think the newness of the country would wear off by now. Nope! Just the other day a group of friends and I were hiking near a university close to my house. Halfway through our journey we had to make a pitstop. There was a Korean couple taking in the view and eating some rice cakes.

Something indestinguishable came out of the woman's mouth. Then she pointed to her sack of rice cakes. I didn't need a translator to tell me what she was hinting at. "Of course I will try some of your delicious rice cake," I replied. "Oh please, just one. My friends and I will share."

The four of us passed around a piece of 숙떡 (the rice cake) carefully nibbling since there was a lose powder covering the outside. "Yumm mmmm uhhh," were a few of the replies. We thanked our food gods, aka the Korean couple, and kept it moving.

As we finished the hike, three of us were on our way to my apartment. Before we could even leave the university campus area we spotted some Korean businessmen that had taken a liking to us. It was quite obvious. They slowed their pace down enormously. Then one of them turned around and sort of screamed, "Where are you from!?" "The US," we all said. Then another sort of scream, "What state?!" "Florida," said one of my friends closest to the man. The answer didn't register. The scream became louder and quicker, "What STATE?!" "Florida." "Ahhh, Flo-ri-DA".

Next thing you know these guys whip out their cameras. I knew it! I knew these salary men were secretly paparazzi. They asked to take a picture with us. We looked at each other unknowingly, then shrugged our shoulders. "Sure, why not?" We grouped together. We, the foreigners, were in the middle and all the Korean business men were flanking us. Another fellow hiker was passing by. Someone flagged him down so every single person could be in the picture. "Hana, dul, set! KIMCHI". Bam... then it was over.

"I will never see you again?" the main speaker stated, but really asked. "Yes, never again," we all replied. What a great way to end a conversation. "찰 가세요." "네."

Love Motels

Did I get the cream of the crop or what? This is one of the love motels in Korea. Usually people call any motel a love motel. I was in Busan one night and ended up staying later than I thought and needed a place to sleep. The next bus wasn't until 6 am.

I walked around the area I was in and chose the first motel I saw. I got a toothbrush and a razor when I checked in. When I stepped into my room, I jumped for joy. My first heart shaped bed! Well the mirror was heart shaped and the light shade (crazy right!). The actual bed was round, but who cares about those minor details. I had an assortment of hair products and lotions to choose from. The bathroom was also stocked with shampoo and conditioner. I'm not talking about the little packets they give you. They had Costco-sized bottles. The real deal. The idea is that everyone shares. They may wear masks when they are sick, but it's ok to share lotion and shampoo that has been used by other people I never met.

I never thought I could go to a motel and come out looking better than when I came in. The bed is not soft. It's hard with a really thin white mat. It's like your sleeping on the floor. But how could you sleep when you can stare at yourself in the cool heart shaped mirror?

Oh, and did I mention what you could purchase for a mere $10? Take a look.

How to eat Sya-beu Sya-beu (샤브샤브)+Kuk-su+BeokeumBap

해물샤브샤브 + 국수 + 버금밥- (seafood syabeu syabeu + guk-su + beokeumbap)
Pre-step: order and when the food comes revel in it's freshness. We had some beef, octopus, clams, and shrimp. The veggies were a medley of mushrooms, cabbage, and some other green stuff.

Step1: Make sure the brother is hot. Proceed to cut the vegetables to bite sizes and throw them in the soup. Add the seafood as you see fit. Then dip the beef in until cooked (1-2 min).

Step 2: After finishing the soup, move on to round 2. the noodles. Oh, these are so good. The soup broth is a little spicy. When you put the noodles in, wait for 5-6 minutes or until cooked the way you like. Lower the heat

Step 3: Scream "Yogio!" because now it's time for 복음밥 or fried rice. The waitress scoops out any remaining noodles and the sauce. Then she adds rice and raw egg. There's some scallion and a little bit of carrot too. She mixes everything together with a spoon and spatula. After, she just uses the spoon to smooth the rice in the pot. This is when it becomes 'fried'. When she's done we turn off the flame and use the spoon to scrap the rice off of the pot. MMM massitsoyo. Delicious!

Being Scared

Not me. I'm not scared. It's my Korean co-teacher. Actually all of them. In my program, EPIK, it specifies that we should co-teach. This way the students will hear two voices instead of just one in the classroom. Well, the way it usually goes is like this: I teach the entire 45 minutes. The Korean co-teacher will translate what the kids don't understand and help with discipline. I'm trying to integrate them because I know it has to be boring for them.

-"선생님 (literally means teacher) do you want to present the first four slides of the lecture?"

- "No, I enjoy my free-time. The students want to listen to you. Don't worry about me."

see how the self-sacrifice has a little bit of selfishness sprinkled in? haha. I don't want to speak ill of my co-teacher, but that's what she said.

-"선생님 (teacher) it has to be boring. Besides I think you should. It is good to hear two voices."

-"Well ok, maybe next class then."

HA! I got her. Did you see that? I just have to push a little.

I did this with another teacher, one who I am closer with. She jumped on the opportunity. When she was presenting I could see she was a little nervous, but she did well. All it takes is a little practice. I even saw her doing some of my gestures. It was really flattering. I know my co-teachers will find their voice soon. So, maybe I won't have to do as much work... It's a little bit of self-sacrifice with a bit of selfishness sprinkled in. But don't tell anyone ;)

Bar or Videogames...Videogames!!

The decision is simple really.

Why go to a bar when you can have endless fun in a PC Bang? These PC Bangs vary in size, but are always going to offer at least one game you want to play. Look how wrapped up Nebi is. I think he thinks he is really there. Look at the raw emotion on his face!

You know you are dedicated when you play through the pain. Your shoulders starts to hurt first from hunching over. Then your trigger finger from shooting. Next you know you are leaning your elbows on any available space while still trying to kill those bastards with guns on the screen. It's a hard job, but somebody's got to do it.

Putting Kids to Work

At the end of the day it's not the janitor that cleans up, the kids are the ones to work. Everything from watering the plants to taking out the garbage in the bathroom. The kids take shifts every week. They even help the lunch ladies serve lunch. They dress up in full gear too. They have gloves, a face mask, and a hair net. It's quite amazing.

In the teacher's room, they sweep, empty everyone's personal trash cans, wash dishes and vacuum. Yes, they vacuum. Don't you wish you were the janitor in this school? You wouldn't have to do anything! Maybe fix a light bulb and turn on the heat at the beginning of the day. That's it!

Seoul, Korea: The Subway

The subway is a truely magical place. You can do most of your shopping there. You can buy a phone. You can eat. You can also share a small place with zillions of other people during rush hour. I was able to buy a pair of stolen shoes for 10,000won, which is about US$9.00. I delighted in a wonderful fruit salad and I saw a man in a state I have never witnessed before.

I had to wait against the wall while my friend went to use the bathroom (btw the bathrooms in the subways are actually clean!). I was squatting down because my feet hurt from the $9 heels I bought at a different stop-go figure. I had a few bags scattered around my feet and was staring aimlessly at all the people walking by.

Then I saw him. A man so striking that I could not take my eyes off of him. I was afraid he might catch my gaze, but soon realized he was in a world of his own. Creeping slowly down the stairs, and I mean slowly, holding the railing for dear life, an older gentlemen in a disheveled suit was trying to use the subway. I would say here, "just like everybody else", but he wasn't like everybody else. At first, I thought he was homeless, but the suit was not dirty, just disheveled. Then I thought he was mentally retarded, but I had to strike that because someone would have been helping him. Lastly, I came to the conclusion that this man was completely smashed, bombed, drunk off his ass, ... (insert any other word for drunk).

I couldn't stop laughing. You have to see the irony in this situation. This man was moving so slowly, while everyone quickly passed by. When he got to the bottom of the steps he had one hand on the rail and the other was grappling the wall. You have to image a V. The stairs were one side and the wall with no railing was the other. Because there was nothing to hold on to, the man was at a loss. He couldn't move from his spot. Have you ever watched a caterpillar walk on a stick? What happens when it gets to the end? It moves a quarter of it's body over the edge of the stick and starts flailing around to try to stick to something. The man was like that caterpillar!

My friend and I watched this man for, no lie, 7 minutes. He could not get to the turn style. It was as if he was stuck in a wind tunnel, but only him because everyone else was zooming by.

Some pictures of the students

They really don't like their pictures taken unless they throw up the peace sign.

Lost, yet Found in Translation 1

I'll working untill bottom of March. It's tooooo hard for me.I'll get a new place near meditation center, and new job-not big money.Maybe i'll move to new place next weekend. Sorry to you, because i couldn't share with you enough. My eyes are really narrow like a horse. But now i want to concentrate for me. It's time to change everything to me. So understand me^^

I wanted to be her friend and that is what she replied. That was the greatest let down ever!

The First Day of the Semester 2010

10 new faces and the familiar sound of the printer- this is what I walked in to. To my surprise, my desk was unceremoniously usurped by one of the new faces. I felt lost. Where was I to go? Fortunately, I was ushered to am empty desk without a computer. I was in line's sight of my new desk. It's just that the old teacher sitting at the desk hadn't removed himself from my territory. I wanted that seat, which was flanked on either side by my English teachers.

There's 15 minutes before classes begin. Now, as I sit at my computer desk I am forced to listen to random teachers standing and talking in turn. I'm no sure what they are saying, but I'm sure they're saying something important. After the VP and the principal (it would be silly just to write P) say some closing words the printers start rearing up again. The papers start shuffling out and the gossip resumes. Ah, the first day.

I have no classes. Instead, I will move my old teacher's stuff out and will sit in my thrown within the hour. My computer is broken so I have to stare at a black screen from 9:10 am until 4:30pm. Yessssssssssssss

The Super (Intendent) II

When there's something strange in your neighborhood, who ya gonna call?
Ghost Busters!
When you're trying to throw your garbage out onto the curb, who is gonna find you and reprimand you for not having the right type of bag?
The Super!

Ladies and gentleman, ladies and gentleman. When I didn't think my super had any more tricks up his sleeve, he whips one more out. Nebi walks past him on Saturday with a bag we saved from E-mart, which is a Wal-Mart type store with everything. We filled it up with garbage (no bottles or food because those go in separate bags). "Hey", says Nebi while I follow behind him. I see the super eye the bag and I knew something was coming. Sure enough right before the bag gets itself out the door with Nebi's supervision, the super says something and says, "Ani!" "No".

The garbage stinks but this doesn't deter the super from opening it. First, he tries the knot standing. He can't get it open. Next, he throws the bag on the floor and kneels down. Success. He looks in and finds it satisfactory. Then, he starts pointing towards the 7-11. I'm thinking he wants me to put the garbage in the crates outside the store. I walk over and "plop" right into the plastic crate. I look at him and say, "Yogi?". He comes over and says, "Ahhhhhhhiiiiii!". Then we go into 7-11. He is holding the garbage and yelling at the two young Korean guys behind the register. Next thing I know, they are scrambling and one of them pulls out an orange bag half the size of the bag the super is holding. Nebi and I look at each other and we could see we were both thinking, "How the hell is he going to fit the garbage in that?". All we could do at this point was watch everything unfold.

The super goes in. And hard might I add. Let me remind you that we are still in the 7-11 that is connected to my building. He is on his knees on the floor with the garbage that stinks. He is trying to shove the huge bag into the little one. He is putting in serious work. Grunting at various points, I had to move closer to the register to laugh. I looked at Nebi, who was standing directly over him. He was smiling trying to contain his amusement. The vista was hilarious; an open refrigerator with all sorts of yogurts, drinks, and other goodies. Then my super, kneeling down shoving stinking garbage into a bag that could not possibly hold everything.

I was wrong. I super shoved the big bag into the little one and tied it triumphantly. He handed back the garbage and pointed to the front label. "Ahhh, ooohhhh. OK", is all I could say. We all left the store and said thank you to the clerks.

We we left the building to throw the garbage on the corner, Nebi and I burst out laughing. We can't get enough of this guy.

Norae Bang with my Teachers

"I used to think that I could not go on/ And life was nothing but an awful song/ But now I know the meaning of true love/ I'm leaning on the everlasting arms/
If I can see it/ Then I can do it/ If I just believe it/ There's nothing to it"
- I believe I can fly (R.Kelly)



"나만의 별이 되 줄 수 있나요/
세상 끝까지 그대를 지키죠/
그대 나를 봐요 그대/
나 이제 고백하죠/

사랑해 사랑해/ 사랑해 사랑해/ 사랑해 사랑해/ 사랑해 사랑해

사랑해 사랑해/ 사랑해 사랑해/
사랑해 사랑해/ 사랑해 사랑해/"
-Saranghae - (I have not idea who sings this, but my co-teacher was really into it)

After I got up and sang my song, I witnessed a complete breakdown of order and hierarchy. Some of the administrative assistants were jumping around and doing fist pumps in the air. Others got in a huge group and sang together, not wanting their terrible sounding friends to stand alone. It eased the pain to say the least. Another one of the older teachers got up to sing "Maria Maria" with me. He mostly just repeated "Maria Maria" the whole time, but he belted out "Maria you know your my lover", which sounded like this: "Mar-ia you-ah know-ah R my LOVERRRRRRRR". Truly fantastic stuff.

After many beers and soju shots some things got a little out of hand. One of my female co-workers sat so close to me that she spit in my face. I couldn't move because I was squished between other people. Then she went on to say, "You so (spit spit)pretty. Your face. I like you." And she gazed at me for a long time. Her face was literally less than an inch away from mine. It looked as though she was going to kiss me. Then another male teacher saw and pulled her up. Phew It was only when we were done singing that the same female teacher cornered me outside. She was stupid drunk and still spitting on me while talking too. She grabbed me and said, "Avatar". I said, "Oh I saw it too." Still trying to be polite. Then she motioned. She put her hand on her chest and then on mine and said, "Avatar I want to be." I understood, "Oh, teacher, you want to be my avatar? You want to be like me?" And she shook her head noting that I was exactly right. How touching? If it wasn't in such a creepy drunk way I would have been overjoyed. In this state I was just like, "Bitch,I know...I'm the bomb! Now get your hands off of me!"

Modesty has always been one of my most prized attributes. ^_^

The Bus Stop

I was wondering why there are mops on most of the city buses I get on. Usually, it’s posted against the side of the bus in between two chairs and people try to stay away from those seats.

It’s 11:00 at night and I just hopped on the bus to go home from a friends. I was attempting to walk, but it was too cold and would have taken 45 minutes to do so. Hardly anyone is on the bus with me. There aren’t too many lights on the main roads, but when you do encounter one you can wait anywhere between 2 and 5 minutes. We get to the infamous 5-way stop. In the interim while I’m waiting, the bus driver becomes one of the most efficient men I have ever seen. First, he takes the change meter off and jiggles it around (to what end, I have not clue. He just looks busy). Next, he grabs the mop and begins wiping down the floor of the bus. I had to lift my feet as he cleaned under my seat. There was no polite warning, just a look and a nudge. I got the hint and admired his work ethic.

I’m guessing that was normal and even if it wasn't, the bus driver didn't waste a second of his time. Now, let’s try to get that done on the New York subways! I wouldn’t mind picking me feet up for that.