Well it's been exactly 9 1/2 months that I've been in Korea now; away from home, friends, family, my girlfriend, my yoga, Landmark, meditation, and Men's communities. I miss them ALL SO MUCH!!! I never really thought I would actually miss home as much as I do, but what can I say?? I miss many many things abouts about home; especially my mom & dad, my girlfriend (if I had a pet I would insert name here), the men on my Men's team, Bikram Yoga class in Hoboken, and of course I miss good Italian food, esp. pizza from Benny Tudino's (Home of the LARGEST Slice). How much do they charge for a slice of pizza there nowadays? I believe it was $2.25 when I left. You can buy an entire pie for six dollars here in Korea. Granted it's run through an oven on a conveyor belt, and the cheese tastes like plastic, but hey, you get what you pay for right? Plus they put corn, pickles and sweet potatoes on their pizza here. I actually like the sweet potatoes, but can do without the corn and pickles. Those crazy & wild Koreans, I tell ya....
So now for some more musings on Korea:
During our weekly culture club meeting here in Miryang, we were talking about the differences between weddings in Korea vs. weddings in America. My buddy Rich & I were talking about how fancy, elaborate and expensive weddings are nowadays in America. It can cost anywhere from $10,000-$50,000 for a wedding these days in America. As I've said previously, weddings in Korea are very low key, boring, and not very expensive. The customary amount to give as a gift is $50 ($30) if you are not very close with the person. I learned of this info. for a Korean friend of mine from Seoul. So as soon as our Korean friends heard how much us Americans spend on weddings, our one friend, Sunnie, "My goodness, for that price, you can't have many weddings then!" I kid you not, that's EXACTLY what she said!!! I responded by saying, "Well I would sure hope that people don't have "many" weddings. She really said it with the understanding that because weddings are so much cheaper in Korea (consists of a basic wedding hall & going out to a regular restaurant for an inexpensive dinner), that it's reasonable to "have a few weddings". I don't know if this reflects the typical opinions of most Korean women these days, but after reading some statistics of marriage and divorce in Korea, I think marriage might not be the sacred institution it once was once. A lot has changed for Korea over the past 20 years. For example, in 1983, only 5% of Korean marriages ended in divorce, but by 2003 the rate had risen to a whooping 47%. Korea's divorce rate had doubled between 1995 and 2006. In the early 1980s Korea's divorce rate was one of the lowest in the world, but by 2003, it was 3rd highest behind the US and Sweden. Times are definitely changing around the world and especially in Korea. One reason that contributes to this factor is the fact that Korean parent-arranged marriage became obsolete. No longer obligated to respect their parents' wishes, modern Korean couples are less willing to stay in marriages that turn sour.
One other Korean English teacher here, who hasn't traveled much outside of Korea, is going to Australia for 4 weeks during the summer to improve her English communication skills. When asked what she wants to while there, one answer was, "one thing I really want to do is smoke mariwuana". Marijuana is no where to be found in Korea along any other other illegal drugs, unless of course you go to certain sections of Seoul. I found it interesting and rather funny for her to blatantly say something like this at our Miryang Culture Club (MCC) mtg. I was impressed by her and admired her self-expression.
Speaking of self-expression, (that is one thing I definitely miss about being away from NY) I was so happy to see two little Korean boys (brothers) beating each other up on the subway when I was up in Seoul last time. The reason why I enjoyed seeing these two kids wrestling, grabbing, hitting, and carrying on with each other is because this does not the type of behavior that is typically demonstrated by Koreans. Most (all) of the time when I've been on the bus, subway, train, etc. there is this extreme reticent atmosphere as people sit patiently, very still, calm, subdued. There is almost this orderly aire of conformity and subordinate behavior that all Koreans adhere to while commuting via public transportation. So to actually see these 2 little boys fighting, being loud,and causing a raucous, it was so exciting, enlivening & refreshing for me to see. The parents didn't do or say anything. It kind of reminded me of how some parents handle (are oblivious (hands-off) to their children's behavior). Either way you look at it, it was good to witness and see some "realness" being expressed by these young children. That's the way life should be when your four, five, or six years old, right?? I think so at least. I' d welcome and appreciate any and all comments.
Thanks,
Darren
Monday, June 16, 2008
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Korea and Japan, So Close.....Yet So FAR FAR away!!
I recently took a trip to Fukuoka, Japan which is just 115 miles from Busan, S.Korea (2 1/2 hrs. by boat). I was excited to visit Japan to compare & contrast the two countries. Can there really be such a difference btw. 2 countries that are so close? Well, I was about to find out...The first thing you notice is the infrastructure of the roads, buildings, bridges, etc. They are much more modern in Japan. You can tell immediately that Japan is a much wealthier country, a much cleaner country, more western, diverse, and international. Fukuoka is a big port city of over 1.3 million people. The Japanese businessmen walk the streets (many even riding on bike), all wearing suits and ties. In Korea I hardly ever pass men in suits & ties. The few that I do see refer to themselves as "Salarymen" (I guess they mean businessman). I've noticed that the Koreans like to "make up" words in English/Konglish and think that they are speaking English. Like instead of "cell phone", they say, "hendafone" (can you figure that one out?). Let's turn to pageee 35, let's have some fisheee, for lunchee, etc. etc. etc. I pass many many old men & women selling fruits, vegetables, herbs, etc. on the side of the street (or in the markets) on my way to work in the morning.
I was immediately BLOWN AWAY by the level of professionalism, sophistication and class that the Japanese people possess. You would never see a Japanese person spitting all over the place, right in front of you, on the streets as you walk by. You especially wouldn't see Japanese men taking a pee in the middle of the street, in broad daylight, without even hiding behind a tree, a wall, a car, etc. This is a far cry from the all too familiar sights & sounds of Korea. The Saturday & got back to Busan, I saw a young HS girl spit on the street in front of me.....very lady like!!! Being in Korea for 9 months, you don't really notice these idiosyncrasies until you travel outside to another (more western) country. The Japanese people just seem to be a much calmer, relaxed, confident, serene (zen like) group of people. The Koreans tend to be a lot more rushed, always on the go, stressed out, etc. I don't know if it has anything to do with being under colonial rule by the Japanese for 35 years, or being attacked all throughout their history. The poor Koreans have been picked on & abused for many centuries by many different people simple because they are strategically located in between China & Japan. (a much sought after gateway for many).
The cleanliness in Japan really impressed me a lot. It doesn't smell there of garbage, urine, or "funk". Even the air and the sky is much cleaner, clearer, brighter and crisper. Korea always seems to have a foggy, hazy, thick cloud over head. People say it's the "yellow dust" (sand) that blows in from China. Apparently it doesn't blow over to Japan, or maybe it's because Japan isn't as crowded as Korea. Korea is the world's 26th most populous country with 48 million people. Having 475 persons per square km, Korea has the third largest population density in the world.
Prices of goods are 2-3 times more expensive in Japan than Korea. It costs me $.70-$1.00 for a 2 Liter bottle of water in Korea. It cost me $2.40 only for a 1.5 Liter bottle. Beer, drinks, food, transportation, etc. is much much cheaper in Korea than Japan.
The most impressive experience that summarizes just what type of people the Japanese are, occurred when I rode the subway. The people actually lined up, single file, in rows of two and stood for several minutes at the gate where the subway door would open. I watched, waited around, walking on the platform, sat on the bench, waiting for the train to arrive. When it did, I witnessed the MOST ORDERLY procession of people exiting the train (people actually moved aside, and made room for them to exist) and then I was SHOCKED as I watched each person calmly & casually walk into to train. I had to resist the urge to walk (barge) right up to the front of the line and just push my way in. I was able to stop myself once I looked around and saw the orderly procession, then I simply got in back of the line and slowly walked in. This was SO SO IMPRESSIVE to me!! I've never seen anything like that anywhere else in the world (I don't recall that happening in Tokyo).
So, all in all, me 2 night weekend trip to Japan was an absolute joy, pleasure, and fun getaway from the very conservative, strict (boring), old-fashioned, suppressed society of Korea. Korea is the most homogeneous country in the world, and the most "Asian" country in Asia. Singapore is the least "Asian" country (called "Asia Light") As is Hong Kong, Philippines, et al.
I'm off to Seoul this weekend where I'm delighted and pleased to be assisting on the Production Team for the fourth ever Landmark Forum in Korea!! The Landmark Forum is a unique, dynamic, weekend course that is designed to give people the freedom to be absolutely at ease no matter where they are, who they're with, or what the circumstance - the power to be in action effectively in those areas that are important to them. Such as:
• The quality of their relationships.
• The confidence with which they conduct their lives.
• The level of their personal productivity.
• The experience of the difference they make.
• The degree to which they enjoy their lives.
It's a MOST TREMENDOUS self-discovery program, one that is more like coaching vs teaching, more like conversation vs lecturing. In fact, it's the MAIN (sole) reason why I'm even out in Korea in the first place. Since graduating from college in 1996, the idea of living, teaching, and traveling in Asia has always been a dream of mine. I had simply forgotten about (gave up on) this dream (stopped talking about it to others)...Thanks to participating in the 2006 WISDOM COURSE of Landmark Education, I re-visited this long-lost dream, and the rest, as they say, is History (or the present moment actualization of my dream) However you care to interpret it....either way, it's all good; as Jim Carey said in "Bruce Almighty" "B-E-A-UUUU TIFUL!!!" Life certainly is BEAUTIFUL!
What a Wonderful World!!
Have a Great Day everyone, please remember that all you have to do is simply "speak up" open your mouth, move your lips so that the dreams, goals, and aspirations you had as a little boy or girl starts moving through your lips again. That's what I did during my Course, and look what happened to me!!
For more information about the Landmark Forum, please visit their website at:
www.LandmarkEducation.com
I was immediately BLOWN AWAY by the level of professionalism, sophistication and class that the Japanese people possess. You would never see a Japanese person spitting all over the place, right in front of you, on the streets as you walk by. You especially wouldn't see Japanese men taking a pee in the middle of the street, in broad daylight, without even hiding behind a tree, a wall, a car, etc. This is a far cry from the all too familiar sights & sounds of Korea. The Saturday & got back to Busan, I saw a young HS girl spit on the street in front of me.....very lady like!!! Being in Korea for 9 months, you don't really notice these idiosyncrasies until you travel outside to another (more western) country. The Japanese people just seem to be a much calmer, relaxed, confident, serene (zen like) group of people. The Koreans tend to be a lot more rushed, always on the go, stressed out, etc. I don't know if it has anything to do with being under colonial rule by the Japanese for 35 years, or being attacked all throughout their history. The poor Koreans have been picked on & abused for many centuries by many different people simple because they are strategically located in between China & Japan. (a much sought after gateway for many).
The cleanliness in Japan really impressed me a lot. It doesn't smell there of garbage, urine, or "funk". Even the air and the sky is much cleaner, clearer, brighter and crisper. Korea always seems to have a foggy, hazy, thick cloud over head. People say it's the "yellow dust" (sand) that blows in from China. Apparently it doesn't blow over to Japan, or maybe it's because Japan isn't as crowded as Korea. Korea is the world's 26th most populous country with 48 million people. Having 475 persons per square km, Korea has the third largest population density in the world.
Prices of goods are 2-3 times more expensive in Japan than Korea. It costs me $.70-$1.00 for a 2 Liter bottle of water in Korea. It cost me $2.40 only for a 1.5 Liter bottle. Beer, drinks, food, transportation, etc. is much much cheaper in Korea than Japan.
The most impressive experience that summarizes just what type of people the Japanese are, occurred when I rode the subway. The people actually lined up, single file, in rows of two and stood for several minutes at the gate where the subway door would open. I watched, waited around, walking on the platform, sat on the bench, waiting for the train to arrive. When it did, I witnessed the MOST ORDERLY procession of people exiting the train (people actually moved aside, and made room for them to exist) and then I was SHOCKED as I watched each person calmly & casually walk into to train. I had to resist the urge to walk (barge) right up to the front of the line and just push my way in. I was able to stop myself once I looked around and saw the orderly procession, then I simply got in back of the line and slowly walked in. This was SO SO IMPRESSIVE to me!! I've never seen anything like that anywhere else in the world (I don't recall that happening in Tokyo).
So, all in all, me 2 night weekend trip to Japan was an absolute joy, pleasure, and fun getaway from the very conservative, strict (boring), old-fashioned, suppressed society of Korea. Korea is the most homogeneous country in the world, and the most "Asian" country in Asia. Singapore is the least "Asian" country (called "Asia Light") As is Hong Kong, Philippines, et al.
I'm off to Seoul this weekend where I'm delighted and pleased to be assisting on the Production Team for the fourth ever Landmark Forum in Korea!! The Landmark Forum is a unique, dynamic, weekend course that is designed to give people the freedom to be absolutely at ease no matter where they are, who they're with, or what the circumstance - the power to be in action effectively in those areas that are important to them. Such as:
• The quality of their relationships.
• The confidence with which they conduct their lives.
• The level of their personal productivity.
• The experience of the difference they make.
• The degree to which they enjoy their lives.
It's a MOST TREMENDOUS self-discovery program, one that is more like coaching vs teaching, more like conversation vs lecturing. In fact, it's the MAIN (sole) reason why I'm even out in Korea in the first place. Since graduating from college in 1996, the idea of living, teaching, and traveling in Asia has always been a dream of mine. I had simply forgotten about (gave up on) this dream (stopped talking about it to others)...Thanks to participating in the 2006 WISDOM COURSE of Landmark Education, I re-visited this long-lost dream, and the rest, as they say, is History (or the present moment actualization of my dream) However you care to interpret it....either way, it's all good; as Jim Carey said in "Bruce Almighty" "B-E-A-UUUU TIFUL!!!" Life certainly is BEAUTIFUL!
What a Wonderful World!!
Have a Great Day everyone, please remember that all you have to do is simply "speak up" open your mouth, move your lips so that the dreams, goals, and aspirations you had as a little boy or girl starts moving through your lips again. That's what I did during my Course, and look what happened to me!!
For more information about the Landmark Forum, please visit their website at:
www.LandmarkEducation.com
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Do Koreans ever think?
Koreans are really very nice, simple, sweet, adorable people, but sometimes I often wonder if they use much common sense. Seeing the way mothers carry their young infants straddled to their back, wrapped up by a blanket as support just cracks me up. I'm constantly watching mothers "hoist up" (adjust) their babies that are strapped on their backs held in merely by a blanket that is pulled down around the baby's bottom and that wraps up around the baby's back. It's just hilarious for me to see these poor little babies flailing around, looking like smushed bugs (frogs) that are stuck to their mother's back. It amazes me to see the poor little baby's head dangling off to one side as the mother puts on hand on the back of the baby's back (bottom) hoping that the baby doesn't bump into the door that the mother is walking through. It just doesn't seem like a very safe or efficient way to carry your child. I also am amazed to see how the mother's pull an entire blanket over the baby's body when it is raining out. The poor baby is completely covered by this blanket and has virtually no air coming in. This seems dangerous and cruel to me (maybe because I am slightly claustrophobic and get uncomfortable in small spaces). Other things I've seen that seem to lack common sense is the mother who gets into the front seat of the car with her baby still strapped to her back!!! I kid you not, I've seen a woman driving around with he baby pinned against the back of the car seat smushed against the mom's back and the car seat.
I've also seen 4-5 year old children sitting on the front seat (lap) of their parent, right in front of the steering wheel, with NO seat belt on!!!! Does anyone else see a potential problem with this? The craziest (stupidest) one of seen like like was a father riding his motorbike with TWO of his sons in front of him on his lap. The older, 4-5 year old boy was on the seat in front of him and the younger son, 2-3 was sitting in a milk crate type seat in front of his brother, touching the handlebars. Sometimes I can't believe the actions and behaviors of the Koreans.
Other cultural differences that I've noticed here include: While I was down by the river one evening, I saw this one young couple walking along the grass and then all of a sudden stop in front of something lying on the ground. I didn't know what it was, and thought maybe they were going to bend over & pick it up; but instead I saw the girl bend over and tie the shoelace of her boyfriend. He obviously had nothing wrong with him that would prevent him from tying his own shoe, but elected to have his girlfriend do it for him. How do you think that would go over these days in America? It's just a little old fashioned over here in that the women serves the man entirely over here.
The other funny thing that happened by the river that night was, I saw a young middle school girl blatantly throw a food wrapper on the ground. When I pointed to her, and said "garbage" (attempted to say it) in Korean... she looked confused, saw me pointing, picked it up, looked at me, (saw that I was a foreigner) and randomly said, "What time is it?" I laughed inside and said , "It's 7:15" That is one of the canned, pre-rehearsed English phrases that all Korean students learn. I can have a conversation with any middle school student as long as I stick to the "script" of "How are you? Where are you from? What time is it? How's the weather? Do you like apples? Sorry I can't! and the ever popular "What's This?" Any attempt at speaking English outside this box, and you might as well be speaking to a Martian. Good luck trying to improvise, they have no creative imagination to think outside the box. I actually am beginning to think that I speak better Korean (more practical) than they speak English. They definitely know more words than I do; but I can actually get around, and communicate what I need to convey with the very little broken Korean that I've learned here so far. It's all good and fun I guess, because they are in Korea and have really no need to speak practical English yet. It just makes me laugh about the "in the box" cookie-cutter way in which English is taught here. It's a very impractical methodology as far as I can tell. Oh, well, but it is providing a much needed job opening for native English teachers like myself. The lowest qualified college graduate back home can be a superstar here in Korea. That's why many people come here for one year, and they end up staying for 3-5+ years. It's so fascinating to me.
OK that's enough of my critical view for one night; until next time, have a good night.
I've also seen 4-5 year old children sitting on the front seat (lap) of their parent, right in front of the steering wheel, with NO seat belt on!!!! Does anyone else see a potential problem with this? The craziest (stupidest) one of seen like like was a father riding his motorbike with TWO of his sons in front of him on his lap. The older, 4-5 year old boy was on the seat in front of him and the younger son, 2-3 was sitting in a milk crate type seat in front of his brother, touching the handlebars. Sometimes I can't believe the actions and behaviors of the Koreans.
Other cultural differences that I've noticed here include: While I was down by the river one evening, I saw this one young couple walking along the grass and then all of a sudden stop in front of something lying on the ground. I didn't know what it was, and thought maybe they were going to bend over & pick it up; but instead I saw the girl bend over and tie the shoelace of her boyfriend. He obviously had nothing wrong with him that would prevent him from tying his own shoe, but elected to have his girlfriend do it for him. How do you think that would go over these days in America? It's just a little old fashioned over here in that the women serves the man entirely over here.
The other funny thing that happened by the river that night was, I saw a young middle school girl blatantly throw a food wrapper on the ground. When I pointed to her, and said "garbage" (attempted to say it) in Korean... she looked confused, saw me pointing, picked it up, looked at me, (saw that I was a foreigner) and randomly said, "What time is it?" I laughed inside and said , "It's 7:15" That is one of the canned, pre-rehearsed English phrases that all Korean students learn. I can have a conversation with any middle school student as long as I stick to the "script" of "How are you? Where are you from? What time is it? How's the weather? Do you like apples? Sorry I can't! and the ever popular "What's This?" Any attempt at speaking English outside this box, and you might as well be speaking to a Martian. Good luck trying to improvise, they have no creative imagination to think outside the box. I actually am beginning to think that I speak better Korean (more practical) than they speak English. They definitely know more words than I do; but I can actually get around, and communicate what I need to convey with the very little broken Korean that I've learned here so far. It's all good and fun I guess, because they are in Korea and have really no need to speak practical English yet. It just makes me laugh about the "in the box" cookie-cutter way in which English is taught here. It's a very impractical methodology as far as I can tell. Oh, well, but it is providing a much needed job opening for native English teachers like myself. The lowest qualified college graduate back home can be a superstar here in Korea. That's why many people come here for one year, and they end up staying for 3-5+ years. It's so fascinating to me.
OK that's enough of my critical view for one night; until next time, have a good night.
Monday, May 12, 2008
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way Home from Busan
So last Sunday my buddy Rich and I were on the subway making our way to Busan Station to get the train back to Miryang. We had a good time at our Salsa dance class in Changwon the night before, then we commuted to Busan for a fun rooftop birthday party for some girl we didn't even know, but were invited anyway. We had a great time partying there, and afterwards went to dance at Club Foxy. We partied until 4am, when we then headed to Mc'D's for some food before finding a place to sleep. We elected for our usual, favorite spot (which is the $7/night sauna/spa/sleeping room) I tell you, these places are DEFINITELY the best things to ever happen to Korea, by far!!!!
So, on Sunday, while we were on the subway, a Korean man helped us figure out where we needed to go to catch a train to Miryang. He asked me where I was from, and I said, "New York, America." He asked me what I'm doing in Korea & where I was living. I said I was an English teacher in Miryang and he said, "Oh I have a friend teaching English in Miryang, he's name is Darren!!" I said "What??? Who?? Darren? I'm Darren!!" He actually made me think/wonder for a second whether there was another English teacher in Miryang named Darren. It turns out that I met this man when I was in Seoul with Flo attending the Sunday night evening session of the Landmark Forum!!! He apparently didn't recognize me ( I guess all foreigners (white people) probably all look the same to him huh? just the way we tend to think that all Asian people look the same). I obviously did not remember/recognize him as well either. We quickly realized that it was ME that met him in Feb in Seoul. We had a good laugh and shared a drink together at the train station. He was coming back from a friend's wedding that he went down for earlier that day; He took the 2 hour 45 min train ride down from Seoul in the morning, went to the wedding (apparently very dull & boring in Korea) and then was taking the KTX (bullet train) back to Seoul. He had to buy a standing room only ticket on the way home because there were no more seats available on the train. He told us a little bit about the quick, rapid, non-eventful weddings that take place here in Korea and the standard amount of money that one gives as a gift. I thought this would be a personal preference (issue), but he freely told that everyone gives 50,000 Won ($50), as a standard wedding gift. He then went on the explain, that if you aren't really that close with the person, than it's OK to give 30,000 Won ($30) as a gift. This seems like a far less amount than what we Americans typically tend to give for gifts at weddings these days.We asked him if he was married and he went on the explain a very strange (by Western standards) scenario. He said that he is/was married, but his wife decided to move out on him after one week of being married. So, for the past 3 years he has been technically married "on paper" but in reality lives a life alone, as a single man. This was odd & a bit sad to hear from him. Evidently there is a HUGE negative stigmatism attached to being divorced in Korea these days. Being a very conservative, old-fashioned society, I guess it's socially unacceptable to be divorced here. I know of couples who haven't lived together for 3-5 years, are, for all intensive purposes, separated, "divorced" but are still legally married because of was society would think if they said they actually were divorced. Again, to me, this is another example of the highly suppressed, pressurized environment in which the Koreans are forced to live today. Even as we are well into the first part of 21st century, Koreans are still living a quiet, conservative, reserved, prim, proper life as folks in America did back in the 1940s & 1950s. It really is a cute, sweet, innocent way of life here. A friend of mine from NJ who has been living in working in Asia for the past 7 years said, "Korea is the MOST Asian country in all of Asia" I guess he meant the most traditional, conservative, Eastern of all Asia countries. I did notice right away how much more Western Japan is than Korea. Everything seems so much more modern, trendy, and hip over there. What I really liked about Japan was the individuality of the people. They were all unique in their self-expression, their dress, their demeanor, and overall state of mind. They are not afraid to "be themselves", whereas in Korea, it's a very much "follow the crowd" mentality. No uniqueness here; Everyone looks the same, dresses the same, smells the same (very very clean by the way), all have same, old fashioned "bowl" haircuts; very few people have perms, curly, or colored hair here. And tattoos are very strange to Koreans. Forget about trying to be accepted if you are a gay person in Korea. You might as well be a leper because the idea is so foreign to them.
I do really admire & appreciate the "one for all & all for one" spirit that exists here though. Someone (a Korean) was explaining to me that because Korea has very few foreigners living here, they all feel as if they are all brothers and sisters (one family) amongst themselves, and show lots of closeness & affection towards each other. That's why in Korean customs, they are share food from the same plate (plates), eat from the same soup bowl, use the same cup for drinking from the water cooler, etc. That's why Korean women have no problem scrubbing the back of strange sitting next to them in the sauna. There is no uncomfortable, awkwardness that exists among the Koreans because it's as if they are all brothers & sisters living as one brotherhood amongst themselves. Whereas in America, we don't have this dynamic; Because our country is a virtuous potpourri (melting pot) of many races, nations, religions, etc, we tend be a little less open (touchy feely) with our communication among our fellow Americans. That's why I really love going to these Saunas here to see the pure love, openness, connection & bonding that takes place between a father and son; grandfather & grandson, Uncle & nephew, etc. it's just so special & precious to witness and see this. I also really loved being at a co-ed Spa this past Monday May 5th for Children's Day. Seeing so many families there with their cute lil children running around screaming, playing, eating ice cream, etc. was absolutely ADORABLE. I often find myself reaching for my camera when I'm in the Sauna, on the train, or anywhere else where I am around cute, little Korean children. They are all just so precious, sweet, innocent, excited, happy people. Plus they always pay me extra attention to me being a "waygook" (foreigner). I get to make friends and start a new "fan club" everywhere I go. I will have to posting pics of these cute Korean babies on my FLICKR site soon.
I find it interesting to learn that Koreans find Westerner babies to be so so cute, because of their big, wide eyes, milk white skin, etc. At the same time I find myself being so attracted to the sweet, cute, adorable beauty of the Korean infant. My one buddy Phil, from Houston, TX says he thinks the best feature of the Korean women are their "almond shaped" eyes. This is so funny because many Korean women don't like the shape of their eyes and they actually go get surgery done on their eyelids to make them look more Western. I've actually seen some very poorly done operations where their eyes look like playdough. It's really quite amusing to me when you think about the fact that us Westerners are trying to become darker by tanning, removing hair from our bodies, etc. While at the same time, Koreans (Asians) are trying to stay out of the sun, because they think having white skin is sexy, and being yellow (dark) skinned is not attractive. It makes me wonder if people can ever be happy/comfortable where they are. It seems as if so many people are trying to be MORE ....of one thing (i.e. patient), BETTER... of something else (i.e. better communicator) or DIFFERENT at another thing (i.e. different hair, body, etc). I know that I am guilty of this myself. I am always looking to improve, to excel, to gain that extra edge, etc. Why can't we just be happy with where we are now? So many of us are unfortunately controlled by wanting to "look good" or to avoid "looking bad". I know that this is an area that I experience a lot of. I think it's natural for human beings to want to "look good" to "fit in" "be liked". Why can't we all just be happy & comfortable where we are now, in our own bodies, with our faults, our own blemishes and shortcomings? I think as we get older we gradually learn to become independent of the opinions of others, not take things so personally anymore, and we learn to love and accept ourselves, warts & all. I think that is one of the best parts of growing older, wiser, and gaining precious life experience.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Random Korean Happenings
The coolest thing happened a few weeks ago when I was at school in the morning sending an email to my friend Ken in NY. He emailed me back on his Blackberry saying that he was having dinner at a Korean restaurant in NYC at the very moment I emailed him (9am for me is 8pm in NY). I immediately replied back with several useful Korean phrases to say while in the restaurant. Things like: "mul juseyo" (water please)
"mek ju juseyo" (beer please) "ma shi sa yo" (delicious) Thank you, good bye, etc. He emailed me back thanking him for the quick crash course in Korean phrases, and I just smiled thinking how wonderfully amazing and great the world in which we live in is now due to technology & the internet. Especially the internet. My top favorite sites have become: www.wikipedia.org the most amazing online encyclopedia where you can look up virtually anything and get a quick, thorough, historical, and factual overview. Everything from the story of Jesus and how Christianity was formed to Karl Marx's Communist Manifesto, info on books, movies, actors. The Korean War, countries, biographies, etc. I love the way it's laid out in a succinct, biographical, report-like manner. I also love www.dictionary.com which helps me learn many new words that I come across from doing the crosswords in the book that Flo gave me. The internet (google) also helps "assist" me in looking up certain clues that I'm stuck on. Like this one "Best Picture of 1970" starts with a "P". I was helpless here, so I looked it up and discovered it was......anybody care to guess??? (6 letters)............PATTON. I love the fun investigative process I'm using to look up facts, figures, people, movies, music, words, etc. on the internet. The other most favorite site of mine nowadays is: www.youtube.com You can watch virtually any music video of any song ever made; watch clips from movies, TV shows, funny bloopers, cartoons, inspirational and touching speeches, etc. Just go to this site and type in any thing you have a desire to see, watch, or listen to. Simply amazing.
I've really been enjoying Korea here lately. Because of the nice, beautiful spring like weather, I've been able to ride my bike to school in the mornings each day which takes me about 10-15 min. often times I find myself passing the slow moving cars & buses that are stuck in traffic on the main road that runs through town. Dan (my neighbor from UK) also rides his bike to school as well.
I had a fun, random occurrence this past Sunday in Busan.....
"mek ju juseyo" (beer please) "ma shi sa yo" (delicious) Thank you, good bye, etc. He emailed me back thanking him for the quick crash course in Korean phrases, and I just smiled thinking how wonderfully amazing and great the world in which we live in is now due to technology & the internet. Especially the internet. My top favorite sites have become: www.wikipedia.org the most amazing online encyclopedia where you can look up virtually anything and get a quick, thorough, historical, and factual overview. Everything from the story of Jesus and how Christianity was formed to Karl Marx's Communist Manifesto, info on books, movies, actors. The Korean War, countries, biographies, etc. I love the way it's laid out in a succinct, biographical, report-like manner. I also love www.dictionary.com which helps me learn many new words that I come across from doing the crosswords in the book that Flo gave me. The internet (google) also helps "assist" me in looking up certain clues that I'm stuck on. Like this one "Best Picture of 1970" starts with a "P". I was helpless here, so I looked it up and discovered it was......anybody care to guess??? (6 letters)............PATTON. I love the fun investigative process I'm using to look up facts, figures, people, movies, music, words, etc. on the internet. The other most favorite site of mine nowadays is: www.youtube.com You can watch virtually any music video of any song ever made; watch clips from movies, TV shows, funny bloopers, cartoons, inspirational and touching speeches, etc. Just go to this site and type in any thing you have a desire to see, watch, or listen to. Simply amazing.
I've really been enjoying Korea here lately. Because of the nice, beautiful spring like weather, I've been able to ride my bike to school in the mornings each day which takes me about 10-15 min. often times I find myself passing the slow moving cars & buses that are stuck in traffic on the main road that runs through town. Dan (my neighbor from UK) also rides his bike to school as well.
I had a fun, random occurrence this past Sunday in Busan.....
Today we had a GREAT Sports Day!
Today was such an awesome fun day of being outside in the gorgeous, warm, sunny, spring like day! All the elementary schools from Miryang gathered inside the soccer/track & field stadium for one full day of sports events & competitions. There were 5 middle schools and 5 elementary schools that came to cheer and show their school spirit for their fellow classmates. When I first arrived at 11am, the principal of my school invited me to sit down and eat/drink with him and the other male principals, administrators. They poured me a beer, ate some rice cakes and tomatoes. Later I went up to the stands to join the other teachers and students who were baking in the warm sun. They all looked so cute in their color-coordinated outfits, waving their colored bottles (noise makers) in the air. Each school had a different theme, style, and music routine that they cheered to. The events these kids participated in were AMAZING. They had the relay race, 100 meter dash, long jump (into a long sand pit), high jump, shot put, etc. I was so impressed with the quality and caliber of the kids participation as well as the professional grade equipment they used. The stadium is very nice and was built in 2001 to prepare for the 2002 FIFA World Cup that was hosted by Korea & Japan.
One thing I found surprising was how many people (both students & teachers) complained of how hot it was. To me, it was a beautiful, crisp, bright, sunny, spring-like day (probably 70 degrees). To me, if was refreshing to be out in the sun, getting some color on my face and arms, etc. But to see these teachers bundled up, wearing gloves, hats, towels, scarfs, hoods, etc. was hillarious to me. The Korean women can't stand the sun (they love white skin) and will cover every inch of their body to block out the sun. The funniest was seeing this teacher with a black North Face jacket, with the hood pulled tightly over her head, and her hands tucked back under the long sleeves of the jacket. I laughed at her and asked her, faceticiously, if she were cold.
This is actually one of the first things I can honestly say I've seen Koreans (esp. teachers) complain about. Because it's a very suppressed society, I notice that many people don't raise their voice, balk, or speak their mind at anything that occurs. They just very politely accept things as they come, bear & grin any task that is asked of them. I personally thinks this leads to a culture of very suppressed people, who push down their feelings, bite their lip, and just do what they are told like good little soldier boys & girls. In America, they (the administration) wouldn't be able to get away with half this stuff. I had actually been wondering recently if their was 'anything' that the Koreans would vocally complain about (speak up for). I have not really much complaining, bickering, or resentment from any of the Koreans since I've been here. This once again, is attributed to the vast cultural differences btw. Korea and many western countries like the US. So it was kind of amusing for me to hear the vocal, whiny, grumpy complaints about how "uncomfortably hot" it was. If they are complaining this much about it being 70-75 degrees, clear, breezy, etc. what are they going to be like in June, July & August when it's stifling hot, humid and in the 90's? They will just complain more, or stay inside with the air conditioning on.
This discovery actually made me chuckle a bit, because of all the possible things that most westerners would tend to complain about back home (school administration, meetings, schedules, paperwork, projects, the Koreans instead tend to put their focus, frustration, and complaints into something they have absolutely NO CONTROL over like the weather. This cracks me up!! My friend Christina said it perfectly:
"they complain about the weather because nobody has control over it so they're not hurting anyone or wont get in trouble by complaining"
I agree completely with this statement. Christina is doing so great great by the way. She is taking Salsa dance classes with us on Saturday night's and she has also been taking Korean classes each week. She's so good now, that she actually writes a summary (journal) of what she did for the day in Korean!!! Wow, I was so impressed to see that she actually writes full sentences, thoughts, ideas, etc. in Korean. I'm excited because I can write Florinda's and my name in Korean. But to actually write full, complete sentences, wow, you go girl!!
One thing I found surprising was how many people (both students & teachers) complained of how hot it was. To me, it was a beautiful, crisp, bright, sunny, spring-like day (probably 70 degrees). To me, if was refreshing to be out in the sun, getting some color on my face and arms, etc. But to see these teachers bundled up, wearing gloves, hats, towels, scarfs, hoods, etc. was hillarious to me. The Korean women can't stand the sun (they love white skin) and will cover every inch of their body to block out the sun. The funniest was seeing this teacher with a black North Face jacket, with the hood pulled tightly over her head, and her hands tucked back under the long sleeves of the jacket. I laughed at her and asked her, faceticiously, if she were cold.
This is actually one of the first things I can honestly say I've seen Koreans (esp. teachers) complain about. Because it's a very suppressed society, I notice that many people don't raise their voice, balk, or speak their mind at anything that occurs. They just very politely accept things as they come, bear & grin any task that is asked of them. I personally thinks this leads to a culture of very suppressed people, who push down their feelings, bite their lip, and just do what they are told like good little soldier boys & girls. In America, they (the administration) wouldn't be able to get away with half this stuff. I had actually been wondering recently if their was 'anything' that the Koreans would vocally complain about (speak up for). I have not really much complaining, bickering, or resentment from any of the Koreans since I've been here. This once again, is attributed to the vast cultural differences btw. Korea and many western countries like the US. So it was kind of amusing for me to hear the vocal, whiny, grumpy complaints about how "uncomfortably hot" it was. If they are complaining this much about it being 70-75 degrees, clear, breezy, etc. what are they going to be like in June, July & August when it's stifling hot, humid and in the 90's? They will just complain more, or stay inside with the air conditioning on.
This discovery actually made me chuckle a bit, because of all the possible things that most westerners would tend to complain about back home (school administration, meetings, schedules, paperwork, projects, the Koreans instead tend to put their focus, frustration, and complaints into something they have absolutely NO CONTROL over like the weather. This cracks me up!! My friend Christina said it perfectly:
"they complain about the weather because nobody has control over it so they're not hurting anyone or wont get in trouble by complaining"
I agree completely with this statement. Christina is doing so great great by the way. She is taking Salsa dance classes with us on Saturday night's and she has also been taking Korean classes each week. She's so good now, that she actually writes a summary (journal) of what she did for the day in Korean!!! Wow, I was so impressed to see that she actually writes full sentences, thoughts, ideas, etc. in Korean. I'm excited because I can write Florinda's and my name in Korean. But to actually write full, complete sentences, wow, you go girl!!
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
New Semester Brings Lots of Changes at Milju in Miryang
Well it's been a long time since I've written and I have so much to share with everyone. Let me first start by saying how wonderful it was to have Flo come out here and spend her 2 week vacation with me. We really did have a magical, fun, and adventurous time together. It was fun to be able to show her around my town, go to my school, play volleyball with all the teachers ("nice bodyline" they would say to Flo), go hiking, singing in Nore Bang (Karaoke Room), bowling, etc. Two things Flo forgot to mention was going to Bugok Hawaii, a "beautiful" (kinda old) resort area that contains many bubbling hot natural springs. The water here is so therapeutic and rich in minerals, that I could feel the smoothness of the minerals on my skin the second I dipped my hand in. It felt like soaking in an Epsom Salt hot bath. We enjoyed the amenities of the indoor/outdoor co-ed Jungle Spa sauna where we enjoyed the lush surroundings of bamboo tree, palm trees, etc. We saw part of the acrobatic dance show and enjoyed a delicious pork BBQ dinner.
The other exciting thing I took Flo to was Dr. Fish (fishee in Konglish). This is a place at Home Plus (Target type store) where you can dip your feet in one of three different pools that contain these "very hungry" silver fish that will nibble at your feet, ankles, toes, EVERYWHERE!!!! After 20 minutes of getting this constant tickling sensation, you dry your feet off and enjoy your pristine, dead-skin free feet (the fish supposedly eat the dead skin off your feet). This is a wild experience only to be found in Korea as far as I know. Flo was brave, and made it though 20 minutes worth (we went twice b/c we didn't bring the camera the first time hehe).
2008 School Semester Update:
So now that the New School Year started on March 3rd, there has been lots & lots of changes since we broke for winter break back in December. First of all my main co-teacher, Sunny, who was responsible for picking me up, getting me settled in with a cell phone, bank account, etc. got transferred to another school. There is a law in Korea which prevents teachers from staying at any one school for more than 5 years. This caused a great deal of shuffling amongst many teachers & administrators. The vice-principal left (he got promoted to Principal at another school). The 1st Grade teacher got switched to the 6th Grade, while the other 1st Grade teacher (Moonlight) left Korea, sold her house, took her two young boys, and her husband and moved to China! She got hired to teach English at a school in China. Moonlight had been at Milju Elementary for 5 years and had to switch schools, so she took this opportunity to transfer her & her entire family to China. This is the typical, last minute, running around routine that is very common in Korea. I didn't know who my new co-teacher would be until one week before the semester. Mintzi taught 4th Grade last year, and is now the full-time English teacher with me. And since the gym teacher married the 6th Grade teacher, they both couldn't stay at Milju because there is a rule (whether unwritten or not) that "says" a married couple can't teach/work at the same school; so she transferred to another school down the road. But the craziest off season move (in my opinion) was the Music teacher (a very talented, musically gifted woman) who was asked (told/forced) to become the Science teacher. Can you believe that?? To go from teaching music, (a very creative, right-brained, artsy, imaginative, feeling based subject) to Science (a very left-brained, a very logical, detailed oriented, fact-based subject) seems complete wild, extreme, and unfathomable. They are at two completely different ends of the spectrum!! But this is the way it works at all elementary schools here. Any teacher is (should be) qualified to teach any subject and any grade level. My co-teacher now, had no idea that she was going to selected to teach English with me and she was surprised when they picked her b/c she felt that her English wasn't that strong. This is what I find so remarkable about these Koreans. They are so creative & resourceful, and willing to jump right in and help out wherever needed. For example did you know that a few years back when the Korean government was in a financial crisis, the Korean citizens VOLUNTARILY collected money to donate & give to help out the government. Can you believe that?? This is the strong, patriotic, nationalistic fervor many Koreans are proud to live by. Also during the 2005 APEC (Asia Pacific Economic Conf) the city Busan asked the citizens to please refrain from driving their cars on alternating days. They used an odd/even system based on people's license plate; WOW!!!
There are definitely a few things I had to get used to as the new semester started in March (new school year for Koreans). The 6th graders from last have graduated and are down the block at the Middle School where Ken (English teacher from Liverpool) tells me kids are well behaved & good in class, speak English well, etc. But he says the only problem with my kids are that they are ALWAYS asking for candy: "Teacha, teacha, candy please!" I can't imagine why they would say that....ooops ooops, sorry Ken. I guess I spoiled them a little too much during my first 6 months here.
Let's see, what other changes can I tell you about....Oh yes, how can I forget one of the most exciting changes (at least for me anyway) is that we got NEW silver metal lunch trays in the cafeteria. What's really exciting is that these new trays have SIX slots for food whereas the old one only had FIVE slots!!! I'm telling you, that was one of the biggest highlights of the new semester. And extra serving of some yummy, savory, Korean dish for me to enjoy each day! Yippee!! I'm proud to say that I'm still wiping my tray clean each day when it comes to school lunches.
The 3rd graders (2nd graders from last year) are now being introduced to English for the first in their public school careers, and needless to say, it's a real trip!! So so basic, simple stupid stuff like: "Hello Zeeto, Hi Julie" "Bye-bye Minsu, good bye Mina" Lots of cute little songs and chants to keep the kids attention. The basic goal in 3rd & 4th grade is to get these kids EXCITED to learn English. And from the looks (reactions) of my children, I'd say I'm accomplishing that task quite successfully. Like another English teacher said, "I can't believe they pay me for doing this!" Karri from Canada says the secret to teaching elementary school, is to not be embarrassed to act like a little (a big) kid. To jump up & down, making funny faces, gestures, body postures, etc. the wilder, the sillier, the better. I can't agree more with Karri; 3rd & 4th grade kids are my absolute FAVORITE grades because I feel totally at peace, comfortable, and fully self-expressed and in my element with these students. They are so young, impressionable and are so pure & innocent. They are has concerned about "looking good" as the 5th & 6th graders are. Because of my experience here in Korea & the time I spent substituting in NJ, I have decided I want to obtain y Master's Degree in Early Childhood Education (K-6). This is shocking for me to actually want to go into elementary education b/c of my horrific experience back home. My very day substituting was a nightmarish, experience. These wild, little, crazy 8 year old 3rd graders ran me ragged for the entire day. I was so shell shocked, that I began to wonder whether I was getting my "payback" (paying my karma) for all the many times times I spent torturing my substitute teachers when I was in school.
But now that I've been working work young elementary kids for so long, I really feel as if I am finally finding my calling in life. It's just so clear to me that this is what I'm here for. I'm finally discovering the gifts the God has given me, and am open cultivating the gifts that God has blessed me with.
The expereinces that I incur everyday at school are a true miracle, blessing, and treat for me. Everything from from the kids yelling my name, saying hello to me from the classroom windows, to having one boy grab my hand, hug me, and jump into my arms, wrapping his arms around me while he is suspended in mid air. Today I had several students come to my desk and say: "Darren, teacher, I love you". They don't really know what it means, but it's nice to hear. Than, last week I had a young lil 2nd grader, smile at me, say hello, and then stick his MIDDLE FINGER in the air at me!!! I smiled back, a bit in shock, and said "Don't do that!!" (haji ma!!! in Korean) I just had to walk away shaking my head & smiling at just what had happened. You definitely can't take things too seriously when dealing with these kids, esp when they have no idea what it means, and are just copying what they see on TV.
I'm also excited to report that because of this new dance move that I've been mimicking from one of the hot new Korean pop bands, I've gained even more increased fame & popularity, esp. among the girls. The song is called, "Baby one more time" by Jewelry and they do this one move move where you wave your right arm up and over towards your left and until your two index fingers touch. I'm getting many requests from my students asking me to sing this song & do the little dance move. It works really well after we finish the "Head, shoulders, knees, and toes" song. They all put their hands over their mouths and gigglein awe. It really doesn't take much to impress Koreans (esp the kids).
The other exciting thing I took Flo to was Dr. Fish (fishee in Konglish). This is a place at Home Plus (Target type store) where you can dip your feet in one of three different pools that contain these "very hungry" silver fish that will nibble at your feet, ankles, toes, EVERYWHERE!!!! After 20 minutes of getting this constant tickling sensation, you dry your feet off and enjoy your pristine, dead-skin free feet (the fish supposedly eat the dead skin off your feet). This is a wild experience only to be found in Korea as far as I know. Flo was brave, and made it though 20 minutes worth (we went twice b/c we didn't bring the camera the first time hehe).
2008 School Semester Update:
So now that the New School Year started on March 3rd, there has been lots & lots of changes since we broke for winter break back in December. First of all my main co-teacher, Sunny, who was responsible for picking me up, getting me settled in with a cell phone, bank account, etc. got transferred to another school. There is a law in Korea which prevents teachers from staying at any one school for more than 5 years. This caused a great deal of shuffling amongst many teachers & administrators. The vice-principal left (he got promoted to Principal at another school). The 1st Grade teacher got switched to the 6th Grade, while the other 1st Grade teacher (Moonlight) left Korea, sold her house, took her two young boys, and her husband and moved to China! She got hired to teach English at a school in China. Moonlight had been at Milju Elementary for 5 years and had to switch schools, so she took this opportunity to transfer her & her entire family to China. This is the typical, last minute, running around routine that is very common in Korea. I didn't know who my new co-teacher would be until one week before the semester. Mintzi taught 4th Grade last year, and is now the full-time English teacher with me. And since the gym teacher married the 6th Grade teacher, they both couldn't stay at Milju because there is a rule (whether unwritten or not) that "says" a married couple can't teach/work at the same school; so she transferred to another school down the road. But the craziest off season move (in my opinion) was the Music teacher (a very talented, musically gifted woman) who was asked (told/forced) to become the Science teacher. Can you believe that?? To go from teaching music, (a very creative, right-brained, artsy, imaginative, feeling based subject) to Science (a very left-brained, a very logical, detailed oriented, fact-based subject) seems complete wild, extreme, and unfathomable. They are at two completely different ends of the spectrum!! But this is the way it works at all elementary schools here. Any teacher is (should be) qualified to teach any subject and any grade level. My co-teacher now, had no idea that she was going to selected to teach English with me and she was surprised when they picked her b/c she felt that her English wasn't that strong. This is what I find so remarkable about these Koreans. They are so creative & resourceful, and willing to jump right in and help out wherever needed. For example did you know that a few years back when the Korean government was in a financial crisis, the Korean citizens VOLUNTARILY collected money to donate & give to help out the government. Can you believe that?? This is the strong, patriotic, nationalistic fervor many Koreans are proud to live by. Also during the 2005 APEC (Asia Pacific Economic Conf) the city Busan asked the citizens to please refrain from driving their cars on alternating days. They used an odd/even system based on people's license plate; WOW!!!
There are definitely a few things I had to get used to as the new semester started in March (new school year for Koreans). The 6th graders from last have graduated and are down the block at the Middle School where Ken (English teacher from Liverpool) tells me kids are well behaved & good in class, speak English well, etc. But he says the only problem with my kids are that they are ALWAYS asking for candy: "Teacha, teacha, candy please!" I can't imagine why they would say that....ooops ooops, sorry Ken. I guess I spoiled them a little too much during my first 6 months here.
Let's see, what other changes can I tell you about....Oh yes, how can I forget one of the most exciting changes (at least for me anyway) is that we got NEW silver metal lunch trays in the cafeteria. What's really exciting is that these new trays have SIX slots for food whereas the old one only had FIVE slots!!! I'm telling you, that was one of the biggest highlights of the new semester. And extra serving of some yummy, savory, Korean dish for me to enjoy each day! Yippee!! I'm proud to say that I'm still wiping my tray clean each day when it comes to school lunches.
The 3rd graders (2nd graders from last year) are now being introduced to English for the first in their public school careers, and needless to say, it's a real trip!! So so basic, simple stupid stuff like: "Hello Zeeto, Hi Julie" "Bye-bye Minsu, good bye Mina" Lots of cute little songs and chants to keep the kids attention. The basic goal in 3rd & 4th grade is to get these kids EXCITED to learn English. And from the looks (reactions) of my children, I'd say I'm accomplishing that task quite successfully. Like another English teacher said, "I can't believe they pay me for doing this!" Karri from Canada says the secret to teaching elementary school, is to not be embarrassed to act like a little (a big) kid. To jump up & down, making funny faces, gestures, body postures, etc. the wilder, the sillier, the better. I can't agree more with Karri; 3rd & 4th grade kids are my absolute FAVORITE grades because I feel totally at peace, comfortable, and fully self-expressed and in my element with these students. They are so young, impressionable and are so pure & innocent. They are has concerned about "looking good" as the 5th & 6th graders are. Because of my experience here in Korea & the time I spent substituting in NJ, I have decided I want to obtain y Master's Degree in Early Childhood Education (K-6). This is shocking for me to actually want to go into elementary education b/c of my horrific experience back home. My very day substituting was a nightmarish, experience. These wild, little, crazy 8 year old 3rd graders ran me ragged for the entire day. I was so shell shocked, that I began to wonder whether I was getting my "payback" (paying my karma) for all the many times times I spent torturing my substitute teachers when I was in school.
But now that I've been working work young elementary kids for so long, I really feel as if I am finally finding my calling in life. It's just so clear to me that this is what I'm here for. I'm finally discovering the gifts the God has given me, and am open cultivating the gifts that God has blessed me with.
The expereinces that I incur everyday at school are a true miracle, blessing, and treat for me. Everything from from the kids yelling my name, saying hello to me from the classroom windows, to having one boy grab my hand, hug me, and jump into my arms, wrapping his arms around me while he is suspended in mid air. Today I had several students come to my desk and say: "Darren, teacher, I love you". They don't really know what it means, but it's nice to hear. Than, last week I had a young lil 2nd grader, smile at me, say hello, and then stick his MIDDLE FINGER in the air at me!!! I smiled back, a bit in shock, and said "Don't do that!!" (haji ma!!! in Korean) I just had to walk away shaking my head & smiling at just what had happened. You definitely can't take things too seriously when dealing with these kids, esp when they have no idea what it means, and are just copying what they see on TV.
I'm also excited to report that because of this new dance move that I've been mimicking from one of the hot new Korean pop bands, I've gained even more increased fame & popularity, esp. among the girls. The song is called, "Baby one more time" by Jewelry and they do this one move move where you wave your right arm up and over towards your left and until your two index fingers touch. I'm getting many requests from my students asking me to sing this song & do the little dance move. It works really well after we finish the "Head, shoulders, knees, and toes" song. They all put their hands over their mouths and gigglein awe. It really doesn't take much to impress Koreans (esp the kids).
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