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.