Date: March
I don't quiet know how it happened but this month it seems like I picked up a few hobbies. Or maybe, all my hobbies that I had said I would start, all started in this month.
1. Yoga.
This hobby was a complete unexpected surprise. I met a new friend Mihye a couple weeks ago and she invited us to try out her yoga class. Sarah and I were game so we packed up some sweats and headed to "Hot Yoga" to try out a class. We went in to pay for the class and find out that you can only pay for a months worth of classes (3 or 5 times a week). 3 times a week for 4 weeks is 80,000 won (around $80) and 5 times a week for 4 weeks is 90,000 won (around $90). I figured even if I went twice a week, it would be worth it.
I'm one week in (4 classes) and I do believe I am hooked. It is Hot Yoga--Bikrihim (?) yoga. The room is 38 degree celcius (around 100 degree F). HOT! But you sweat so much! And there is a different type of yoga every day so you get a different workout every time you go in. I really enjoy it--it is my type of work out.
2. Guitar
Next week all the after school clubs start. And one of those clubs is Guitar Club. I bought a guitar off a foreigner who was leaving about 1 month ago (early Feb) and have basically only learned the names of the strings, how to tune, and one or two chords. But, hopefully, next week I should start really learning. Granted, it is going to be in Korean, but I think (hope!) that just watching I can learn something. (I can't understand what the instructor in Yoga is saying, but by watching I know what I'm supposed to be doing.) I'm hoping the same principal will apply to guitar. Maybe. Please?!
3. Taekwon-do
Late last year, one of my gym teachers and a "Korean father figure" said that he would teach me Tae Kwon Do. I was totally game. I mean, Tae Know Do was invented in Korea. I would love to go home saying I learned a martial art in it's home country. That just sounds really neat to me.
Next week, (it is an after school club) Tae Kwon Do starts. Mr Sung said he would teach me during lunch every day (for around 30 minutes). It is going to be very interesting. I can't wait to see what happens.
4. Korean Lessons.
I had a couple Korean language lessons this past month and to supplement what I was learning from my korean friend. A going away gift my Dad got me was the Korean Rosetta stone. I am slowly working my way through it. It is neat to hear words that you actually know in real life. I went to lunch with Ms Kim and her boys last weekend and I actually understood an exchange between Ms Kim and her oldest son Saekjin. It was something along the lines of "eat this spaghetti!" "okay. That's good!' "Eat more! ' I probably made a fool out of myself by exclaiming, "OH MY! I understood that!!!!" I definitely made Ms Kim laugh.
But I really enjoy the hobbies I've started and hopefully will keep up.
Monday, March 28, 2011
School Musings
Date: March
This past month I have gotten back in the swing of teaching. It has yielded some frustrations because it is not the same as last year, but it has also produced some great moments to laugh about. I wanted to share some of them here.
Frustrations:
My one and only frustration this year has been the readjusting and adjusting to new co-teachers. My landlord is also my co-teacher this year (my home life and school life are a little too close for my comfort). Mr Kim, though, is also adjusting to a new school. I know the Foreign teacher from his last school and Matthew is very popular among the Korean population here in Gunsan. He's working on his fourth year here and was a teacher back home, so he knew what he was doing in the classroom. He actually didn't want/need a co-teacher in the room while he was teaching. So, when Mr Kim came to Seohyung, he did not quiet know what was expected of him. I had 2 very frustrating weeks of him coming late, or not coming at all to class. I was not having a good time in school--my second graders are little snots from hell--I love them, but they are little snots--and none of my lessons were working because I had zero control over the students. So I ended up saying "Thank you" to one of the co-teachers for being in class. This led to her being very confused because "of course I am in class." And that opened the door for me to say that some co-teachers aren't in class and we had a short discussion about it. The next day, Mr Kim was in all four of the classes. It has been one week and he has been in every class since I sort of blabbed about him to another co-teacher. I hope I didn't step on any toes, but since it has produced the result I wanted and needed, AND the classes are going so much better, I can't feel too bad.
POSITIVES (FUNNY STORIES):
1. They don't know who Bruce Lee is. I was playing a powerpoint Jeopardy game with them, where they had to guess where certain people were from (based on the language they spoke. Bonjour--french. Jambo--Kenya. Hello--America (it was a picture of me) ). Well, I stuck Bruce Lee in as the Chinese person (later I realized that Bruce was born in American, but spent the first 10 years of his life in Hong Kong) (I know I stereotyped him by just assuming he was Chinese, sorry!) Anyway, I asked the class if they knew who the guy in the picture was (it is an iconic picture of him in the yellow track suit).
Students: shake heads no.
Mr Kim said, "I know!"
Maggie: goofy--"Yes, Mr Kim!"
Mr Kim: "Jackie Chan!"
err.... *sound of car scretching to a stop* ... What?!
Maggie: "No! That's not Jackie Chan. That's Bruce Lee!"
Mr Kim: "Who?"
WHAT?!!
Maggie: "You don't know who Bruce Lee is?"
Mr Kim: "No. That is Jackie Chan!"
I guess my "Chinese stereotype" figure failed. But I was so shocked that they didn't know Bruce Lee. I would have thought that a country who's entire popular seems to be teethed on Taekwondo would have known/recognized/at least done an "ooh, yeah, that's right" when seeing Bruce Lee. He's like iconic Americana "Asian fighting style!" Granted, I'm not really into the whole martial arts scene, but...really?!
Really!?
2. I was doing a class game about White Day (which is sort of like Valentines Day except that on V-Day the girls get boys gifts and on White Day a month later, the guys get girls gifts). The basic concept was that one student would come up to the front of class and I would show a secret word on the board. The student's team had to get the student to guess the word with clues. Example: Secret Word: Rose. Clues: It's red. A flower. I love you. (Every secret word had "I love you" as a clue. I didn't think it was very effective clue, but it seemed to help.)
Anyway, one of the words that they had to guess was "pink." I was thinking they would say something along the lines of "color. Not red. not white. both!" Nope.
One of the boys immediately starts talking. "It is power rangers! It is girl! it is not yellow!" And bam! "Pink?" It was the easiest guessed word in the entire 40 minutes of this game. In fact, they used the same clues for the secret word "red." "It is power ranger! It is leader!"
For some reason, it was just perfect. It made me smile.
3. Same game as Funny No. 2.
The secret word was "Marriage." One of the boys broke the rules and started do gesturing. He said, "Boyfriend. Girlfriend. *gesture* Husband. Wife!" His gesture was why this makes the list. He pulled a Ross, from Friends. Remember Friends? Yes. Ok. Not the gesture where he puts his right hand in his left arm's elbow. The one where he taps his fists together. This is a lame photo, but something like this:
Ah...if the kid only knew what he was gesturing. I burst out laughing and couldn't breathe for a little while.
4. I was teaching how to order food last week and I showed a picture of my "lunch." A ham and cheese sandwich, a coke, and package of Lays. I went through four classes of the students saying the potato chips were "snacks" before I finally asked why they kept saying this. It turns out that in Korea, potato chips are not "potato chips" but "snacks." I then have to explain the different between Chips and snacks.
5. Also in the food ordering lesson, I show a small quick clip of an Xtranormal clip. Xtranormal is a 'make-you-own-movies' program where you can add your own dialogue and pick the characters and setting and such. I did not make the movie, but found it on YouTube.
Anyway, in this clip, it is a black Australian lady as the server and a goofy red headed British guy as the customer. The server has a very thick, Outback Australian accent. Like, she has Steve Irwin's voice in feminine form. On a whim one class I asked the students where they thought she was from. It was unanimous--Africa!
Oh, poor darlings. No. Not everyone who is black is from Africa. I tried to explain that my best friend in Gunsan (Sarah) is white and she's from Africa. I had one of my students tell me, "No. Only black people are from Africa." After a futile attempt to explain that, "No, not only black people in in Africa," I asked them again for where the server was from. I played the clip and asked them to listen really closely. Where is she from? America! "Tee-cah! America! She from America. She black!"
I finally told them "no, not Africa. not America. Australia." I tried to explain accents. The students told me that she didn't look like an Australian. They are white. This led into talking about the Aboriginal peoples in Australia. (Granted, this is all via translation with my co-teacher.)
It was a very interesting lesson. I asked a couple other classes where they thought Ms Server was from. The response was always "Africa!" "Not Africa? America!"
It leads me to believe that they can't hear the accents. And that stereotyping happens everywhere.
6. Starting about the 2nd week of class, I started having this weird thing happen at school. I would be sitting at my desk, in my English classroom, and I would have a male student come up to me and enthusiastically bow especially deep and then yell, at the top of his lungs, "Tee-cha! I love you!" And then skip/run/frolic off to go beat up a fellow classmate. Some girl students will come up to me after class and hand me a small trinket. Someone gave me a pencil they had carved (yes, I know, it is strange) while others give me a more straight forward gift of candy. I never quiet know what to do.
The rules for interaction between students and teachers is different here. Many teachers freely give out their phone numbers (they are almost considered like godparents or an aunt because they are responsible for helping the students succeed in school--and thus in life.) I have watched the interaction between some of the popular teachers and their adoring fans--errr, sorry, students and they are quiet hug-y. In America, you don't hug students. You rarely touch them. But here it is not uncommon for teachers to walk arm-in-arm with students, or an older female teacher to put her arms around a student and walk them down the hall. I have see a flock of female students surround a male teacher.
But as a Foreigner I never really expected to get the same treatment. And it is not quite on the same level, but it is a little strange. I understand, to some extent, the hierarchy. So I don't need to do anything more than say thank you. But still, it is new enough for it to catch me off-guard when it happens. I never know what to do with said gifts. I mean, when the girl gave me the pencil she had wood carved for me, I a) didn't know what it was, b) had no idea what I can use it for (it didn't have any led--it is just a wood carving of a pencil, colored red on the sides and black on the tip...). After Ms Kim explained that the student had made it for me, that it wasn't a pencil and that it was my gift, I ended up just smiling, saying thank you, and returned the hug she gave me. I kept the pencil in my pocket and it's currently resting in my drawer at my desk. A little momento from the randomness that is Korea.
So...those are most of my random funnies for you. Hope you enjoyed. The bell at school just rang so I have to run off to go teach. More later!
This past month I have gotten back in the swing of teaching. It has yielded some frustrations because it is not the same as last year, but it has also produced some great moments to laugh about. I wanted to share some of them here.
Frustrations:
My one and only frustration this year has been the readjusting and adjusting to new co-teachers. My landlord is also my co-teacher this year (my home life and school life are a little too close for my comfort). Mr Kim, though, is also adjusting to a new school. I know the Foreign teacher from his last school and Matthew is very popular among the Korean population here in Gunsan. He's working on his fourth year here and was a teacher back home, so he knew what he was doing in the classroom. He actually didn't want/need a co-teacher in the room while he was teaching. So, when Mr Kim came to Seohyung, he did not quiet know what was expected of him. I had 2 very frustrating weeks of him coming late, or not coming at all to class. I was not having a good time in school--my second graders are little snots from hell--I love them, but they are little snots--and none of my lessons were working because I had zero control over the students. So I ended up saying "Thank you" to one of the co-teachers for being in class. This led to her being very confused because "of course I am in class." And that opened the door for me to say that some co-teachers aren't in class and we had a short discussion about it. The next day, Mr Kim was in all four of the classes. It has been one week and he has been in every class since I sort of blabbed about him to another co-teacher. I hope I didn't step on any toes, but since it has produced the result I wanted and needed, AND the classes are going so much better, I can't feel too bad.
POSITIVES (FUNNY STORIES):
1. They don't know who Bruce Lee is. I was playing a powerpoint Jeopardy game with them, where they had to guess where certain people were from (based on the language they spoke. Bonjour--french. Jambo--Kenya. Hello--America (it was a picture of me) ). Well, I stuck Bruce Lee in as the Chinese person (later I realized that Bruce was born in American, but spent the first 10 years of his life in Hong Kong) (I know I stereotyped him by just assuming he was Chinese, sorry!) Anyway, I asked the class if they knew who the guy in the picture was (it is an iconic picture of him in the yellow track suit).
Students: shake heads no.
Mr Kim said, "I know!"
Maggie: goofy--"Yes, Mr Kim!"
Mr Kim: "Jackie Chan!"
err.... *sound of car scretching to a stop* ... What?!
Maggie: "No! That's not Jackie Chan. That's Bruce Lee!"
Mr Kim: "Who?"
WHAT?!!
Maggie: "You don't know who Bruce Lee is?"
Mr Kim: "No. That is Jackie Chan!"
I guess my "Chinese stereotype" figure failed. But I was so shocked that they didn't know Bruce Lee. I would have thought that a country who's entire popular seems to be teethed on Taekwondo would have known/recognized/at least done an "ooh, yeah, that's right" when seeing Bruce Lee. He's like iconic Americana "Asian fighting style!" Granted, I'm not really into the whole martial arts scene, but...really?!
Really!?
2. I was doing a class game about White Day (which is sort of like Valentines Day except that on V-Day the girls get boys gifts and on White Day a month later, the guys get girls gifts). The basic concept was that one student would come up to the front of class and I would show a secret word on the board. The student's team had to get the student to guess the word with clues. Example: Secret Word: Rose. Clues: It's red. A flower. I love you. (Every secret word had "I love you" as a clue. I didn't think it was very effective clue, but it seemed to help.)
Anyway, one of the words that they had to guess was "pink." I was thinking they would say something along the lines of "color. Not red. not white. both!" Nope.
One of the boys immediately starts talking. "It is power rangers! It is girl! it is not yellow!" And bam! "Pink?" It was the easiest guessed word in the entire 40 minutes of this game. In fact, they used the same clues for the secret word "red." "It is power ranger! It is leader!"
For some reason, it was just perfect. It made me smile.
3. Same game as Funny No. 2.
The secret word was "Marriage." One of the boys broke the rules and started do gesturing. He said, "Boyfriend. Girlfriend. *gesture* Husband. Wife!" His gesture was why this makes the list. He pulled a Ross, from Friends. Remember Friends? Yes. Ok. Not the gesture where he puts his right hand in his left arm's elbow. The one where he taps his fists together. This is a lame photo, but something like this:
Ah...if the kid only knew what he was gesturing. I burst out laughing and couldn't breathe for a little while.
4. I was teaching how to order food last week and I showed a picture of my "lunch." A ham and cheese sandwich, a coke, and package of Lays. I went through four classes of the students saying the potato chips were "snacks" before I finally asked why they kept saying this. It turns out that in Korea, potato chips are not "potato chips" but "snacks." I then have to explain the different between Chips and snacks.
5. Also in the food ordering lesson, I show a small quick clip of an Xtranormal clip. Xtranormal is a 'make-you-own-movies' program where you can add your own dialogue and pick the characters and setting and such. I did not make the movie, but found it on YouTube.
Anyway, in this clip, it is a black Australian lady as the server and a goofy red headed British guy as the customer. The server has a very thick, Outback Australian accent. Like, she has Steve Irwin's voice in feminine form. On a whim one class I asked the students where they thought she was from. It was unanimous--Africa!
Oh, poor darlings. No. Not everyone who is black is from Africa. I tried to explain that my best friend in Gunsan (Sarah) is white and she's from Africa. I had one of my students tell me, "No. Only black people are from Africa." After a futile attempt to explain that, "No, not only black people in in Africa," I asked them again for where the server was from. I played the clip and asked them to listen really closely. Where is she from? America! "Tee-cah! America! She from America. She black!"
I finally told them "no, not Africa. not America. Australia." I tried to explain accents. The students told me that she didn't look like an Australian. They are white. This led into talking about the Aboriginal peoples in Australia. (Granted, this is all via translation with my co-teacher.)
It was a very interesting lesson. I asked a couple other classes where they thought Ms Server was from. The response was always "Africa!" "Not Africa? America!"
It leads me to believe that they can't hear the accents. And that stereotyping happens everywhere.
6. Starting about the 2nd week of class, I started having this weird thing happen at school. I would be sitting at my desk, in my English classroom, and I would have a male student come up to me and enthusiastically bow especially deep and then yell, at the top of his lungs, "Tee-cha! I love you!" And then skip/run/frolic off to go beat up a fellow classmate. Some girl students will come up to me after class and hand me a small trinket. Someone gave me a pencil they had carved (yes, I know, it is strange) while others give me a more straight forward gift of candy. I never quiet know what to do.
The rules for interaction between students and teachers is different here. Many teachers freely give out their phone numbers (they are almost considered like godparents or an aunt because they are responsible for helping the students succeed in school--and thus in life.) I have watched the interaction between some of the popular teachers and their adoring fans--errr, sorry, students and they are quiet hug-y. In America, you don't hug students. You rarely touch them. But here it is not uncommon for teachers to walk arm-in-arm with students, or an older female teacher to put her arms around a student and walk them down the hall. I have see a flock of female students surround a male teacher.
But as a Foreigner I never really expected to get the same treatment. And it is not quite on the same level, but it is a little strange. I understand, to some extent, the hierarchy. So I don't need to do anything more than say thank you. But still, it is new enough for it to catch me off-guard when it happens. I never know what to do with said gifts. I mean, when the girl gave me the pencil she had wood carved for me, I a) didn't know what it was, b) had no idea what I can use it for (it didn't have any led--it is just a wood carving of a pencil, colored red on the sides and black on the tip...). After Ms Kim explained that the student had made it for me, that it wasn't a pencil and that it was my gift, I ended up just smiling, saying thank you, and returned the hug she gave me. I kept the pencil in my pocket and it's currently resting in my drawer at my desk. A little momento from the randomness that is Korea.
So...those are most of my random funnies for you. Hope you enjoyed. The bell at school just rang so I have to run off to go teach. More later!
Seohyung Student Body Elections
Date: March 25, 2011
It is the beginning of a new school year here in Korea. I realized that while I may now understand the Korean school calendar, it has only been normalized for me because I actually live it. So, quickly, here is a rough break down of the school year for my Korean students. I should make a note: this is MY understanding of the calendar--which basically is only half complete because I've only lived half the calendar (believe it or not, I have not received a "Year Calendar" for 2011. I don't actually know when summer break or anything like that is!--I have asked for it, but no word yet...)
March: School Starts (1st Semester)
April: School
May: Early May is Children's Day and School Foundation Day and such, so there are a couple breaks
June: School...maybe? I think 1/2 way through, I think we go on summer vacation.
July: I think this is when Summer break is. Not really sure...
August: School picks back up--2nd semester.
Sept-Oct-Nov: School like normal
December: Exams are 2nd week in Dec. Have another 3 weeks of class, but it's not tested on (yeah, don't understand that one)
Jan: Winter break.
Feb: Feb 7, 8, 9th are graduation days. then the rest of the month is off.
I realize now that I have written this that my understanding of the school calendar is completely bogus. Fail. Epic Fail. Sorry readers.
Anyway, I think what I was trying say was that the 1st semester starts in March and the 2nd semester is in August. (Unlike the American counterpart where school starts in August.)
That was a really long tanget just to lead into my topic for this post. Because it is the beginning of the school year, it is time for student body elections. Students run for body president and vp. I know that back home I didn't care, but I think being in Korea puts a little glitz and glammor on most of the seemingly mundane things. For example: Oh look rice! Lets take a picture! a piece of paper--picture! people--ooh! picture time!
ANYWAY! I came to school one day and was greeted by a boat load of students cheering for the candidates.
As a teacher I shouldn't have favorites, but I can't really help myself. I only know the students who are in my classes and of those, I really do have the ones that are "special" and "...special." So when I recognized one of the students faces posted all over the cardboard signs I couldn't help but be very excited for one Kim Jae Han.
In Middle School, the sexes are segregated on everything. It is a little ridiculous--definitely still at the stage where boys and girls have coodies! COODIES! RUN AND COVER! They sit on opposite sides of the classroom and DO NOT interact. (Tangent time: I made the first graders interact in this week's lesson--the boys had to go ask the girls what time they did X activity--and it was like pulling teeth. I had to literally drag a couple students over to the girls side of the room so they would start to interact. One girl actually did a "Tee-cha! No No!" She crossed her arms at me and pointed to a boy and "Tee-cha! NooOOoooO! Bad boy! Bad boy!" I mean, come on! Seriously?)
Back on topic.
The sex segregation is not in the classroom. For the election cheering--there was a boys side and girls side.
This is Kim Jae Han. He was in my classes last year and he is just a nice guy. He wasn't the best English speaker but his attitude was just polite.
The opposing team Mascots:
Just sitting around.
Posted outside the cafeteria are the posters for the student candidates. I love the SpongBob poster. Of course...
I snapped a quick movie of the chants that the students were singing for the different candidates.
The election actually is not just students dancing and parading around the school yard chanting different people's names. There is actually a performance part of the election process. Apparently a few years ago one of the candidates got up on stage and danced/sang/did an act and he won. So now, at Seohyung, there is a tradition of the candidates doing some sort of performance.
UNFORTUNATELY! The performances were held on a Friday...and I go to Oku Middle School out in the country on Fridays! SAD FACE! I was very sad to hear that I wouldn't be able to see the performances, but!
On Saturday, I was heading to have lunch with Sarah and some friends and ran into Kim Jae Han and his posse. AND GOOD NEWS! He WON! They were coming out of the place I was heading into and I think they just had the celebratory party. They recognized me and did this "Tee-cha!" and the girls of the group start gesturing emphatically to Kim and saying, "Winner! Winner!"
So, congratulations, Kim Jae Han!
It is the beginning of a new school year here in Korea. I realized that while I may now understand the Korean school calendar, it has only been normalized for me because I actually live it. So, quickly, here is a rough break down of the school year for my Korean students. I should make a note: this is MY understanding of the calendar--which basically is only half complete because I've only lived half the calendar (believe it or not, I have not received a "Year Calendar" for 2011. I don't actually know when summer break or anything like that is!--I have asked for it, but no word yet...)
March: School Starts (1st Semester)
April: School
May: Early May is Children's Day and School Foundation Day and such, so there are a couple breaks
June: School...maybe? I think 1/2 way through, I think we go on summer vacation.
July: I think this is when Summer break is. Not really sure...
August: School picks back up--2nd semester.
Sept-Oct-Nov: School like normal
December: Exams are 2nd week in Dec. Have another 3 weeks of class, but it's not tested on (yeah, don't understand that one)
Jan: Winter break.
Feb: Feb 7, 8, 9th are graduation days. then the rest of the month is off.
I realize now that I have written this that my understanding of the school calendar is completely bogus. Fail. Epic Fail. Sorry readers.
Anyway, I think what I was trying say was that the 1st semester starts in March and the 2nd semester is in August. (Unlike the American counterpart where school starts in August.)
That was a really long tanget just to lead into my topic for this post. Because it is the beginning of the school year, it is time for student body elections. Students run for body president and vp. I know that back home I didn't care, but I think being in Korea puts a little glitz and glammor on most of the seemingly mundane things. For example: Oh look rice! Lets take a picture! a piece of paper--picture! people--ooh! picture time!
ANYWAY! I came to school one day and was greeted by a boat load of students cheering for the candidates.
As a teacher I shouldn't have favorites, but I can't really help myself. I only know the students who are in my classes and of those, I really do have the ones that are "special" and "...special." So when I recognized one of the students faces posted all over the cardboard signs I couldn't help but be very excited for one Kim Jae Han.
 |
| Kim Jae Han's cheering committee (A little camera shy, but loud and cheery nonetheless) |
Back on topic.
The sex segregation is not in the classroom. For the election cheering--there was a boys side and girls side.
 |
| "Tee-cha! PICTURE?! OK! Chee-zu!" |
I snapped a quick movie of the chants that the students were singing for the different candidates.
The election actually is not just students dancing and parading around the school yard chanting different people's names. There is actually a performance part of the election process. Apparently a few years ago one of the candidates got up on stage and danced/sang/did an act and he won. So now, at Seohyung, there is a tradition of the candidates doing some sort of performance.
UNFORTUNATELY! The performances were held on a Friday...and I go to Oku Middle School out in the country on Fridays! SAD FACE! I was very sad to hear that I wouldn't be able to see the performances, but!
On Saturday, I was heading to have lunch with Sarah and some friends and ran into Kim Jae Han and his posse. AND GOOD NEWS! He WON! They were coming out of the place I was heading into and I think they just had the celebratory party. They recognized me and did this "Tee-cha!" and the girls of the group start gesturing emphatically to Kim and saying, "Winner! Winner!"
So, congratulations, Kim Jae Han!
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Thailand: Bamboo Rafting
Date: February
I've been very slack about putting up some photos of my February trip to Thailand. It is time to remedy that.
We went on a bamboo raft trip around a rice field. It wasn't exactly the most exciting thing we did, but it was beautiful and the water felt great after a couple days of hiking. The water was only maybe 7 feet deep--at the deepest point. So the giant ugly orange life vests were annoying, but I understand why they had to be worn. It was great to just lay back and enjoy the sun.
One of the girls on the trip, Yvonne, took all the photos, so I give her a big shout-out for being our photographer! Thanks!
I've been very slack about putting up some photos of my February trip to Thailand. It is time to remedy that.
We went on a bamboo raft trip around a rice field. It wasn't exactly the most exciting thing we did, but it was beautiful and the water felt great after a couple days of hiking. The water was only maybe 7 feet deep--at the deepest point. So the giant ugly orange life vests were annoying, but I understand why they had to be worn. It was great to just lay back and enjoy the sun.
One of the girls on the trip, Yvonne, took all the photos, so I give her a big shout-out for being our photographer! Thanks!
 |
| Getting into our raft. It is literally dried bamboo and rubber lengths. Our combined weight sunk the raft just enough that our feet got wet. It was bliss...(unless you looked at your toes and realized you really needed a pedicure...) |
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| Off we go...it was beautiful |
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| Our raft guide... |
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| Op! They caught up! This was definitely a "Hey guys! SMILE!" |
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| Ellie is trying out her hand at steering. |
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| Along the banks some people would be playing. Others were fishing. You can really understand why they call river's the way of life. People's lives were centered on the water. It was incredible to see--even if it was a short, superficial view. |
Random Happenings in the Teacher's Room
Date: 3/23/2011
I was sitting at my desk, listening to music (only 1 earphone so that I can still hear if there is a commotion or my name being called/talked about) when two of my favorite teachers start doing something random right next to me:
I whip out my camera (which was sitting on the desk next to me as I had just taken photos of the gym class outside) and snap a shot. There is a whole conversation going on around me. I cannot figure out for the life of me what is going on.
Son Teacher (the male) is grabbing the pinkies of Itou Teacher, and pinching them. Then he'll grab her middle finger and pinch the nails. But Itou Teacher will give a girlish squeal and squirm until she can clasp her fingers to her chest. Son Teacher doesn't give up though, and keeps manipulating her hands. I couldn't figure out....
Until my VP--the female in the background--points to her head and says, "Head ache." Ahhh! Light bulb! Son Teacher is pinching pressure points to try an alleviate Itou Teacher's headache. Got it! I had wondered why Itou Teacher had spent the whole morning asleep in her chair with heat packs and a towel over her face.
After this goes on for a good five minutes, we play one of my favorite Korean Games: Guess My Age-e! I have been told that Teacher Itou is the oldest teacher at the school, but how I am to guess her age, and then 4 teachers after her. I am horrible at this game. Luckily, they give me a break and end up writing the number on their palms after I balk.
There are many variations of this game: "Guess how long I've been in Korea" and "Guess the Waegook/Foreigners' Age" are two other popular games.
But it is just a normal day in the office here at Seohyung Middle School.
I was sitting at my desk, listening to music (only 1 earphone so that I can still hear if there is a commotion or my name being called/talked about) when two of my favorite teachers start doing something random right next to me:
Son Teacher (the male) is grabbing the pinkies of Itou Teacher, and pinching them. Then he'll grab her middle finger and pinch the nails. But Itou Teacher will give a girlish squeal and squirm until she can clasp her fingers to her chest. Son Teacher doesn't give up though, and keeps manipulating her hands. I couldn't figure out....
Until my VP--the female in the background--points to her head and says, "Head ache." Ahhh! Light bulb! Son Teacher is pinching pressure points to try an alleviate Itou Teacher's headache. Got it! I had wondered why Itou Teacher had spent the whole morning asleep in her chair with heat packs and a towel over her face.
After this goes on for a good five minutes, we play one of my favorite Korean Games: Guess My Age-e! I have been told that Teacher Itou is the oldest teacher at the school, but how I am to guess her age, and then 4 teachers after her. I am horrible at this game. Luckily, they give me a break and end up writing the number on their palms after I balk.
There are many variations of this game: "Guess how long I've been in Korea" and "Guess the Waegook/Foreigners' Age" are two other popular games.
But it is just a normal day in the office here at Seohyung Middle School.
Gym Class
Date: 3/23/2011
The weather is beautiful today and Seohyung's Middle School is taking full advantage of the pretty weather. I was walking back from lunch and spied on the students part-taking in their gym class activities.
For the most part of what I can see, gym class involves walking around the "track"/"soccer field." Sometimes you run...sometimes you do the chicken walk. Always under the watchful eye of the Korean Teacher.
There was a 2nd set of students who were busy jumping rope. Jumping Rope seems to be a really popular past time in Korea. Whenever I talk about hobbies or sports, Jumping Rope always comes up--which is just a little foreign to me. (But hey, foreign country, sooo....)
Mostly they looked to be running through the jump rope--not really jumping in the middle. But one student (last photo) did a little twist action.
And, as always, the waygook with her camera is spotted.
The weather is beautiful today and Seohyung's Middle School is taking full advantage of the pretty weather. I was walking back from lunch and spied on the students part-taking in their gym class activities.
For the most part of what I can see, gym class involves walking around the "track"/"soccer field." Sometimes you run...sometimes you do the chicken walk. Always under the watchful eye of the Korean Teacher.
Mostly they looked to be running through the jump rope--not really jumping in the middle. But one student (last photo) did a little twist action.
And, as always, the waygook with her camera is spotted.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
White Day Contest
Date: 3/12/2011
Sarah and I went up to Seoul for a weekend. Our first stop was Yangsan Electronic Market, but it wasn't as exciting as we thought it would be. So we had 2 hours to kill before we had to figure our way to our next destination: a Booze Cruise. We were wondering around the train station, in a giant mall plaza place, and we came across a play area set up with a bunch of activities.
This was actually my favorite part of the weekend. It was unexpected, a surprise and some good memories. It might seem like a stupid thing to look fondly back upon, but to me, it is what exploring another country is all about.
So, we drink a coffee and watch some kids play with the games.
But we couldn't contain ourselves for long. Or, at least, I couldn't. I made Sarah go hula hoop. I have never been able to...but that didn't stop Sarah from retaliation.
We just finishing up with the Panda when a new activity started to happen at the stage. I was feeling very impish and went up to a nice looking Korean male with a name tag and asked him what was going on. It was a White Day Contest. Only couples. So I innocently asked, "You have girlfriend?" Shucks, struck out. But then he said that Sarah and I could be a couple! I was game, so I grabbed Sarah wrist and dragged her up to the front of the stage. I stared up at the man/announcer who was explaining the rules and watched him like I totally understood what he was saying (I didn't have a clue.) The helpful, "I have a girlfriend" Korean man who told us we could be in the contest bounds up to the side and says that the waegooks want to be in! The announcer gets this panic-ed "oh crap! I have to speak English" fear flashing across his face, but I pipe up and say, "No, it's okay! We understand!" Which, of course, we don't. But we've been in Korea long enough to know that if we watch and mimic for the most part we'll get it right.
They tell us we're be in the 2nd group--which is perfect. We can watch Round 1 contests and then just do the exact same thing. No problem....
And then we see Contest No. 1. Problem.
They bring out a tray of peppero sticks (a 6 inch cookie stick). The object of this challenge? Bite the pepero stick into the smallest piece possible without your lips touching. So, the woman holds the stick in her mouth and the man chomps down until they have the smallest stick remaining. Sarah and I look at each other and burst out laughing! Mr. Helpful, "I have a girlfriend but you two can be a couple" Man knew this was a challenge! Yes, there is a much closer relationship between the sexes and many things (like holding hands) is not seen as weird over here, but I draw the line at putting my lips that close to a female friends.
I mean:
But Sarah and I gamely continue to sit in our seats and watch the competition--which was very entertaining!!!
But have no fear because they provided blankets so the ladies could be covered! Only in Korea would they think of this small detail!
There were several methods of carrying your girlfriend. Piggback was most popular. But the tallest couple decided on her sitting on his shoulders. My favorite though was the fireman carry.
Alright, all ready? Yes? SQUAT!
The Announcer was ruthless! Up and down. The first couple dropped because he lost balance. The second couple out was the youngest pair in the group and I think the Announcer made a comment about how he hasn't done military yet--he's still a baby. (I know the word for baby which I why I think this...)
Challenge No. 3 was to stand on a ever-decreasing-in-size piece of paper. You stand on the paper, then fold it in half and stand. Then get off, fold the paper, and somehow manage to stand on the paper again. This resulted in some funny carrying techniques.
Challenge No. 4 was a Ball Catching Challenge. One person threw the ball in the air, you both spin around, and then try to catch the ball with your bodies. A lot harder than it sounds!
This round had take 45 minutes and unfortunately, Sarah and I had to leave in order to make our Booze Cruise. As they were getting ready for the next round, Sarah and I tried to sneak out, but the Announcer caught us. We pointed to our wrists (our imaginary watches) and said sorry with an extra deep bow. They seemed actually sad that we couldn't join in with their fun. And I was sad that we couldn't either! We would have been a laughing stock, but it would have been a blast.
Oh well...next White Day I'll drag a boyfriend up to Seoul....
Sarah and I went up to Seoul for a weekend. Our first stop was Yangsan Electronic Market, but it wasn't as exciting as we thought it would be. So we had 2 hours to kill before we had to figure our way to our next destination: a Booze Cruise. We were wondering around the train station, in a giant mall plaza place, and we came across a play area set up with a bunch of activities.
 |
| The play area comes equipped with it's own castle and cherry blossom orchard. |
So, we drink a coffee and watch some kids play with the games.
 |
| This dad actually attempted to hula hoop with a 3 year old and a baby strapped to his chest. If he had been able to do it--without hurting his daughter-- I would have handed him the Dad of the Year award on the spot. |
There was a giant panda from the Disney Movie on one side of the park. We (well, I) skipped over to it and posed with Mr Panda.
 |
| My mad Kung-fu skills |
 |
| This was suppose to be another Kung-fu skill shot--it turned out to be a "lets see how bad Maggie is at balance!" pose |
 |
| Sarah has better coordination than I do. She looks like she's actually doing a Kung-fu pose. |
 |
| But I am master at camera and with my sudden sneak attack was able to catch the unsuspecting waegook by surprise! |
They tell us we're be in the 2nd group--which is perfect. We can watch Round 1 contests and then just do the exact same thing. No problem....
And then we see Contest No. 1. Problem.
They bring out a tray of peppero sticks (a 6 inch cookie stick). The object of this challenge? Bite the pepero stick into the smallest piece possible without your lips touching. So, the woman holds the stick in her mouth and the man chomps down until they have the smallest stick remaining. Sarah and I look at each other and burst out laughing! Mr. Helpful, "I have a girlfriend but you two can be a couple" Man knew this was a challenge! Yes, there is a much closer relationship between the sexes and many things (like holding hands) is not seen as weird over here, but I draw the line at putting my lips that close to a female friends.
I mean:
 |
| Mr Announcer is measuring the sticks. I don't understand a lot of Korean, but I know my numbers. "Sa cent-ee-mee-tas!" is not very hard to figure out. Four CENTIMETERS! |
Challenge No.4 was a workout for the men. They would have to do squats while carrying their woman. The ladies were all nicely dressed and a few of them were wearing Korean-Length skirts (translation: very short!). Some were obviously a little nervous about mooning the audience...
The last 3 couples were a riot to watch squat and stand up again and again. It basically turned into a speed contest. Who could keep up the pace the longest?
 |
| The winners! |
This was the only couple that was able to catch the ball.
This round had take 45 minutes and unfortunately, Sarah and I had to leave in order to make our Booze Cruise. As they were getting ready for the next round, Sarah and I tried to sneak out, but the Announcer caught us. We pointed to our wrists (our imaginary watches) and said sorry with an extra deep bow. They seemed actually sad that we couldn't join in with their fun. And I was sad that we couldn't either! We would have been a laughing stock, but it would have been a blast.
Oh well...next White Day I'll drag a boyfriend up to Seoul....
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