Funny thing, these are two of the better students.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Picture Of The Week: 3/31/2009
The picture this time comes from a few weeks ago. Every morning when i get to school, there is a line up of kids who are usually in trouble. It's usually uniform infractions or dress code issues, but there are also kids who are late for class as well. I've seen the line strech down about 30 kids deep. Well, one day, I got a picture of the start of the line.
Funny thing, these are two of the better students.
Funny thing, these are two of the better students.
Uniform Code
So I figured out the oddball issue with uniforms here.
It's not secert that Korea (and many Asian countries) have uniforms for schools. It's just one of those trademark things here.
Well, when I got here, I found out that many of the uniform companies use pop idols to advertize the uniforms. I find this odd because many of the uniforms used in the adds are always over the top compared to the uniforms the school use.
Now you see the uniforms in the ad here. Now take a look at the uniforms my students have:
Nothing quite so colorful. I'll go out on a limb and say that this is more of the normal look of the typical uniform here in Korea. I've seen a few oddball ones here and there, but most of them look pretty standard. So to me, it seemed like a waste of advertising. Especially when I saw the uniform shops near my friend's house.
I can only imagine telling an American student they had to wear something like that everyday. The riots would be intense. Honestly, we already have issues in America with the very idea of wearing a uniform, much less one that looks like it something out of an anime. But still, the whole thing still confused me until recently. Pointless to have pop stars selling your product when it's an pretty much something you HAVE to have. I mean, the school makes you wear them, right?
Well, sort of.
I asked one of my co-teachers about this the other day when the issue of school dress code came up (more on that another time). When I told her that I figured the school picked out the uniforms, she told me I was mistaken. Apperently, the students vote on the uniforms before the school year starts. In fact, she informed that that this year the uniform changed. . . at least the brand did. The same style uniform was used, but the students decided to change the brand they bought from.
NOW the advertizing makes sense.
Which makes things even more interesting that the government recently banned the practice of using idols to sell uniforms. The reason: rising cost of uniforms. Unifroms can run you between 150,000 - 300,000 won per set (That's anywhere from $100-250 bucks USD). Now consider that kids wear these things every day from 5-6 days a week from Late Feb. to The end of the year. That's a LOT of wear and tear.
However, I feel sorry for the school that has to wear the wild hot pink unifroms. . . ugh.
It's not secert that Korea (and many Asian countries) have uniforms for schools. It's just one of those trademark things here.
Well, when I got here, I found out that many of the uniform companies use pop idols to advertize the uniforms. I find this odd because many of the uniforms used in the adds are always over the top compared to the uniforms the school use.
Now you see the uniforms in the ad here. Now take a look at the uniforms my students have:
Nothing quite so colorful. I'll go out on a limb and say that this is more of the normal look of the typical uniform here in Korea. I've seen a few oddball ones here and there, but most of them look pretty standard. So to me, it seemed like a waste of advertising. Especially when I saw the uniform shops near my friend's house.
I can only imagine telling an American student they had to wear something like that everyday. The riots would be intense. Honestly, we already have issues in America with the very idea of wearing a uniform, much less one that looks like it something out of an anime. But still, the whole thing still confused me until recently. Pointless to have pop stars selling your product when it's an pretty much something you HAVE to have. I mean, the school makes you wear them, right?
Well, sort of.
I asked one of my co-teachers about this the other day when the issue of school dress code came up (more on that another time). When I told her that I figured the school picked out the uniforms, she told me I was mistaken. Apperently, the students vote on the uniforms before the school year starts. In fact, she informed that that this year the uniform changed. . . at least the brand did. The same style uniform was used, but the students decided to change the brand they bought from.
NOW the advertizing makes sense.
Which makes things even more interesting that the government recently banned the practice of using idols to sell uniforms. The reason: rising cost of uniforms. Unifroms can run you between 150,000 - 300,000 won per set (That's anywhere from $100-250 bucks USD). Now consider that kids wear these things every day from 5-6 days a week from Late Feb. to The end of the year. That's a LOT of wear and tear.
However, I feel sorry for the school that has to wear the wild hot pink unifroms. . . ugh.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Take Notes In Class
This is how I know I'm taking the idea of teaching more seriously.
I have a few kids who regularly visit my desk in the teacher's office. At some point during the day, a group of several girls will come hover around and start asking random questions. A few of them speak limited english, the rest either try or relay questions and comments thru their friends.
So one day, two of the girls that happen to be best friends start to explain their nicknames to me. One goes by Mouse and the other by the name Spongebob(When I see them together, I call them MouseBob). So after their giggle-filled explantion, they go off to class. Later in the day, I get a pair of notes from them:
Now of course, this is a cute gesture because I know both girls have limited english skills. I happy if any child shows any level of desire to try to use the language. It's technically what I'm here for afterall.
Now, being the teacher, what did I do?
I copied the notes on paper, corrected them, then gave the corrected versions back to the girls. They were actually happy once I gave them back.
However, what bothered me most is that despite the fact that there is a big name tag on my desk, they still got my name wrong.
It doesn't matter, I keep both notes stuck on my desk. Something I have noticed that the kids take pride in.
I have a few kids who regularly visit my desk in the teacher's office. At some point during the day, a group of several girls will come hover around and start asking random questions. A few of them speak limited english, the rest either try or relay questions and comments thru their friends.
So one day, two of the girls that happen to be best friends start to explain their nicknames to me. One goes by Mouse and the other by the name Spongebob(When I see them together, I call them MouseBob). So after their giggle-filled explantion, they go off to class. Later in the day, I get a pair of notes from them:
Now of course, this is a cute gesture because I know both girls have limited english skills. I happy if any child shows any level of desire to try to use the language. It's technically what I'm here for afterall.
Now, being the teacher, what did I do?
I copied the notes on paper, corrected them, then gave the corrected versions back to the girls. They were actually happy once I gave them back.
However, what bothered me most is that despite the fact that there is a big name tag on my desk, they still got my name wrong.
It doesn't matter, I keep both notes stuck on my desk. Something I have noticed that the kids take pride in.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
. . Try, Try, Again. . . if if that doesn't work; Cut & Paste
I feel sorriest for my Monday students. All last semester I would walk in on Monday with a set of lesson plans and at least one of them would fail miserably. The epic looks of confusion on student's faces would be all the evidence I need that whatever I was teacher or working on would need some serious revision. I each time this happened I would go back to the office (or back home if I didn’t have time) and revised the whole lesson. Sometimes I would trash it and start from scratch.
It looks like this time around I’m going to have the same issues.
Yesterday I had two lessons blow up in my face in a colossal pile of crap. I felt bad because I worked hard on them. I’ve been doing a lot better with my planning (at least I thought I was) and I really wanted to do well. I asked my co-teacher about both of them and the second year teacher, Mrs. Kim, gave me some good ideas to go with. The overall issue it seemed was that I was giving too much information but not explaining it correctly. For me, this is a tough situation because I sometimes feel like my co-teachers don’t always explain what they ask for. I can’t put the blame on them however; I don’t always ask questions. I pledged that this wouldn’t be the case in this semester because I felt I really mailed it in a few times last winter. This time, I asked both my co-teachers for suggestions and I went home and went to work. I even showed them the revisions this morning. Ms. Jeoung (unmarried) explained that I had a lot of good information, but it was too much.
I ended up cutting things down and revising my power points. It cost me some sleep, but I was much happier with the results. The students seemed to pay attention and at least understand the basics of what I said. I realize many of them don’t really care either way, but if I get the majority of their attention then I can’t complain.
I have to admit, I feel that sometimes my lesson plans are the result of my ambition combined with frustration. I sometimes assume the level for my students is way higher than it actually is. Ms. Jeoung tends to tell me to keep in mind that the students don’t know as much as I think they do. SOME do, but I often take for ranted the things a lot of things implied that someone who is native would understand. The frustration is a combination of my impatience along with laziness. If I get caught under the gun, I don’t out as much effort into the work. It results in some rather poor lesson work. As I said before, I’m working on it all this time. I’m still learning a lot about what to do and how to do it.
It looks like this time around I’m going to have the same issues.
Yesterday I had two lessons blow up in my face in a colossal pile of crap. I felt bad because I worked hard on them. I’ve been doing a lot better with my planning (at least I thought I was) and I really wanted to do well. I asked my co-teacher about both of them and the second year teacher, Mrs. Kim, gave me some good ideas to go with. The overall issue it seemed was that I was giving too much information but not explaining it correctly. For me, this is a tough situation because I sometimes feel like my co-teachers don’t always explain what they ask for. I can’t put the blame on them however; I don’t always ask questions. I pledged that this wouldn’t be the case in this semester because I felt I really mailed it in a few times last winter. This time, I asked both my co-teachers for suggestions and I went home and went to work. I even showed them the revisions this morning. Ms. Jeoung (unmarried) explained that I had a lot of good information, but it was too much.
I ended up cutting things down and revising my power points. It cost me some sleep, but I was much happier with the results. The students seemed to pay attention and at least understand the basics of what I said. I realize many of them don’t really care either way, but if I get the majority of their attention then I can’t complain.
I have to admit, I feel that sometimes my lesson plans are the result of my ambition combined with frustration. I sometimes assume the level for my students is way higher than it actually is. Ms. Jeoung tends to tell me to keep in mind that the students don’t know as much as I think they do. SOME do, but I often take for ranted the things a lot of things implied that someone who is native would understand. The frustration is a combination of my impatience along with laziness. If I get caught under the gun, I don’t out as much effort into the work. It results in some rather poor lesson work. As I said before, I’m working on it all this time. I’m still learning a lot about what to do and how to do it.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Adventures In Korean Food!! ( and other random goodness)
Last Night me and Andrew met up with Mike K, Michelle and Kathy to grab Korean food. For me to get Korean food is rare, but I have to make that concession when I have guests in the city. It's just something you got to do here. Besides, the place I picked has food I actually like. It's spicy as hell and I usually end up drinking a ton of water, but I still love eating it. Oddly, Andrew was the only person NOT complaining about the spicy food. However, he's also from New Orleans so there's a good chance he's used to spicy stuff. If not for the abudance of pork, he's fit right in with Koreans and their love for hot food.
Me and Drew also got a chance to hit up a few game stores while we were downtown. He was amazed at the stuff the stores here carry (much like I was. . . I shudder to think what will happen when I visit Japan.) and we both ended up getting stuff here. I found a Hori arcade style fighting stick for the PS2/PSone. Because it was used and an older item, it was cheap (about $9.75 American). I got a converter for it and it now works on my PS3. Drew grabbed a PSP game for himself and then he got a few items for the crew back home.
I got to say it's nice to have part of the crew here. I have made some good friends here, but I can't replace the crew back home.
I'm supposed to go see "Watchmen" tonight. I have been looking forward to it. Despite the mixed reviews, I am curious as to how well the movie will translate the dense source material. I might post a mini-review about it, especially considering that I'm watching it over here instead back home. In the states, I would be watching it with a group of comic book heads who more than likely know it front to back. Here, I'm just curious.
Me and Drew also got a chance to hit up a few game stores while we were downtown. He was amazed at the stuff the stores here carry (much like I was. . . I shudder to think what will happen when I visit Japan.) and we both ended up getting stuff here. I found a Hori arcade style fighting stick for the PS2/PSone. Because it was used and an older item, it was cheap (about $9.75 American). I got a converter for it and it now works on my PS3. Drew grabbed a PSP game for himself and then he got a few items for the crew back home.
I got to say it's nice to have part of the crew here. I have made some good friends here, but I can't replace the crew back home.
I'm supposed to go see "Watchmen" tonight. I have been looking forward to it. Despite the mixed reviews, I am curious as to how well the movie will translate the dense source material. I might post a mini-review about it, especially considering that I'm watching it over here instead back home. In the states, I would be watching it with a group of comic book heads who more than likely know it front to back. Here, I'm just curious.
Communication Is Important. . Even If You Have No Clue As To What's Being Said
I'm taking this as a good sign: I seem to be commuicating with my co-teacher better. I actually sat down and had a conversation with her today. In fact, I think I've talked to her more in the last two days than I in a whole month of last semster. She gave my info about classes. I think it's the fact that I'm coming to her about my lesson plans. I learned from last year to communicate more with her and it seems to help. Things can get lost in translation I think and I got to make sure to stay up to date or I will end up missing something.
Let me say that it pays massively to communicate with the teachers here. If you don't, you miss out on a lot. Like the fact that all the teachers are having a dinner tommrow. Which makes things kind of tough for me because I'm supposed to go to a dinner at Epic tommrow at Ariannas. On one hand, I'm all for bonding opportunities at work, but it's Ariannas. Even my co-teacher said it's a better resturant than the one the school teachers are going to!
I also learned that I will have to teach two first year classes with a Korean teacher in the classroom instead of an English one. THAT is going to be difficult. This means I have to take into account that the kids in the class wont' have anyone to translate if things get difficult. Which means I have make very simple lesson plans. LOTS of visual aids, video clips and simple work for the first year students. It's already going to be tough with them because the first year students tend to be the most scared. The current group already doesn't know me, so it's going be a bit of a challenge. I think it won't be too bad because the one thing about first years is that they tend to be easier to keep under control. Nothing I can't handle. Besides, the teacher might end up being good.
Let me say that it pays massively to communicate with the teachers here. If you don't, you miss out on a lot. Like the fact that all the teachers are having a dinner tommrow. Which makes things kind of tough for me because I'm supposed to go to a dinner at Epic tommrow at Ariannas. On one hand, I'm all for bonding opportunities at work, but it's Ariannas. Even my co-teacher said it's a better resturant than the one the school teachers are going to!
I also learned that I will have to teach two first year classes with a Korean teacher in the classroom instead of an English one. THAT is going to be difficult. This means I have to take into account that the kids in the class wont' have anyone to translate if things get difficult. Which means I have make very simple lesson plans. LOTS of visual aids, video clips and simple work for the first year students. It's already going to be tough with them because the first year students tend to be the most scared. The current group already doesn't know me, so it's going be a bit of a challenge. I think it won't be too bad because the one thing about first years is that they tend to be easier to keep under control. Nothing I can't handle. Besides, the teacher might end up being good.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Brand New (School) Day: Remember To Set Your Alarm!!!
I had a lot going on recently: Brian’s in-and-out visit, Andrew coming into town, heading up to Seoul with Kathy, trying to go to Busan at some point.
But the biggest thing is that school started this week.
I tried to mentally prepare myself for going back to school. After two months of little (English camps) to no (sitting in my apartment) work, I had to face up to going in and starting up with attempting to get Korean kids to pay attention in class. No easy task when it has no true standing on their grades. I’ll admit I missed working and having something to do, but I’ve thought about a few things I wanted to do in order to make things easier on me.
However, being nearly two hours late is not the way to start things for the new semester.
That’s right, folks. Yours truly had the most epic of screw ups the first day of school. After thinking that I set the alarm the previous evening, I forgot to actually CLICK the switch on the clock to activate alarm. The ending result: me running into school around 9:45 instead of 8:10 like I had planned.
Thankfully, I had taken a shower the night before so I didn’t have to do that. But I skipped breakfast and rush over to the school. I figured that I would have to deal with odd ass stares when I walk in the office, the regular teachers knowing I was late. While I’ve been here I’ve NEVER been late for school. I didn’t count on that this particular morning the school would have Opening Ceremonies for the new school year. As I walked into the school gates, I could see over 500 students along with all the teachers and staff standing outside the school. EVERYONE could see I was late and I could hear the kids saying my name as I walked by.
At that point, I couldn’t say anything. I just took my bag up to the office, came back down and got in line. Stood there as the principal gave a speech. . . I’m assuming it was aimed mostly at the new students. I have to guess or assume because I had no idea what was said. That’s how these functions and meetings go. I sit there and have no clue as to what’s being said. So I often entertain myself by looking around and observing things. The main thing I noticed this time around is that the opening of the school reminded me of Hogwarts only no cool robes, magic or sorting hat. All the kids were lined up in neat rows and sectioned off by their grade level. The watched as all the old first years and second years became the upperclassmen to a group of scared looking kids in street clothes. All the kids in the middle section were former 6th graders from elementary schools. They didn’t have to wear uniforms at their old schools and now they had to be in an extremely rigid world. This is where they had to get serious about school if they wanted to have a fighting chance in life in this country. Middle school makes or breaks you almost for life here, and the new kids looked appropriately scared. There was a point during the ceremony where the younger kids have to bow to both sets of upperclassmen and in return the upperclassmen nod to them in acceptance. I found the ritual of the whole thing so unique than what’s done back home in the states.
When it was all over, I went to the office. I had to end up hunting down information about my schedule and I finally found out what I needed to start doing for the new school year. Once I met the new English teacher, it really sunk in the Mrs. Jeoung, my old co-teacher, was gone. I had known all along that she wouldn’t be here this semester, but she was such a HUGE part of my life here at my school. I never connected with my other co-teachers like I did her and it’s going to be so evident this time. I have to be way more independent now, and that’s not the biggest thing. I’m going to miss her presence around here. Flat out the woman is a good teacher and students did like her a lot. I don’t need to know Korean to see that. She kept my classes in order and things ran smoothly. I rarely had classes that got bad when she was in them. On a personal note, she was the one person I could talk to on a regular basis and she by far knew the most about me. It may not seem like much, but when you sit in a room full of people everyday and you honestly can’t talk to them because of language issues, you notice when things change. That will be the toughest change to deal with.
Still, I’m looking forward to this. I think the classes will not be as tough to deal with because I have a better idea what to do and how to plan things out. Oh there will be problems. . . . no question. The first thing with the students is that 1/3 of the school population doesn’t know anything about me. The older kids have seen me, they are used to me and at least know who I am. Even if they don’t speak to me that much, they at least aren’t freaked out by my presence. But yesterday when I walked down the 1st year’s hall, the kids all started freaking out as if I had grown horns and started breathing fire. That part will go away, but it’s going to get on my nerves a bit.
But one thing is for sure. I'm going to remember to set my alarm!!!
But the biggest thing is that school started this week.
I tried to mentally prepare myself for going back to school. After two months of little (English camps) to no (sitting in my apartment) work, I had to face up to going in and starting up with attempting to get Korean kids to pay attention in class. No easy task when it has no true standing on their grades. I’ll admit I missed working and having something to do, but I’ve thought about a few things I wanted to do in order to make things easier on me.
However, being nearly two hours late is not the way to start things for the new semester.
That’s right, folks. Yours truly had the most epic of screw ups the first day of school. After thinking that I set the alarm the previous evening, I forgot to actually CLICK the switch on the clock to activate alarm. The ending result: me running into school around 9:45 instead of 8:10 like I had planned.
Thankfully, I had taken a shower the night before so I didn’t have to do that. But I skipped breakfast and rush over to the school. I figured that I would have to deal with odd ass stares when I walk in the office, the regular teachers knowing I was late. While I’ve been here I’ve NEVER been late for school. I didn’t count on that this particular morning the school would have Opening Ceremonies for the new school year. As I walked into the school gates, I could see over 500 students along with all the teachers and staff standing outside the school. EVERYONE could see I was late and I could hear the kids saying my name as I walked by.
At that point, I couldn’t say anything. I just took my bag up to the office, came back down and got in line. Stood there as the principal gave a speech. . . I’m assuming it was aimed mostly at the new students. I have to guess or assume because I had no idea what was said. That’s how these functions and meetings go. I sit there and have no clue as to what’s being said. So I often entertain myself by looking around and observing things. The main thing I noticed this time around is that the opening of the school reminded me of Hogwarts only no cool robes, magic or sorting hat. All the kids were lined up in neat rows and sectioned off by their grade level. The watched as all the old first years and second years became the upperclassmen to a group of scared looking kids in street clothes. All the kids in the middle section were former 6th graders from elementary schools. They didn’t have to wear uniforms at their old schools and now they had to be in an extremely rigid world. This is where they had to get serious about school if they wanted to have a fighting chance in life in this country. Middle school makes or breaks you almost for life here, and the new kids looked appropriately scared. There was a point during the ceremony where the younger kids have to bow to both sets of upperclassmen and in return the upperclassmen nod to them in acceptance. I found the ritual of the whole thing so unique than what’s done back home in the states.
When it was all over, I went to the office. I had to end up hunting down information about my schedule and I finally found out what I needed to start doing for the new school year. Once I met the new English teacher, it really sunk in the Mrs. Jeoung, my old co-teacher, was gone. I had known all along that she wouldn’t be here this semester, but she was such a HUGE part of my life here at my school. I never connected with my other co-teachers like I did her and it’s going to be so evident this time. I have to be way more independent now, and that’s not the biggest thing. I’m going to miss her presence around here. Flat out the woman is a good teacher and students did like her a lot. I don’t need to know Korean to see that. She kept my classes in order and things ran smoothly. I rarely had classes that got bad when she was in them. On a personal note, she was the one person I could talk to on a regular basis and she by far knew the most about me. It may not seem like much, but when you sit in a room full of people everyday and you honestly can’t talk to them because of language issues, you notice when things change. That will be the toughest change to deal with.
Still, I’m looking forward to this. I think the classes will not be as tough to deal with because I have a better idea what to do and how to plan things out. Oh there will be problems. . . . no question. The first thing with the students is that 1/3 of the school population doesn’t know anything about me. The older kids have seen me, they are used to me and at least know who I am. Even if they don’t speak to me that much, they at least aren’t freaked out by my presence. But yesterday when I walked down the 1st year’s hall, the kids all started freaking out as if I had grown horns and started breathing fire. That part will go away, but it’s going to get on my nerves a bit.
But one thing is for sure. I'm going to remember to set my alarm!!!
The Incredible Adventure in Seoul + Andrew in Korean
My friend Brian visited me two weeks ago and I somehow I accidently erased all the pictures. His visit was too short; only four days and he was back on the plane. I was happy to see him and hang out, but it was a long way to go for such a short trip. Still, I'm greatful to have friends willing to come visit me.
Speaking of which, this week my friend Andrew came in from the states to visit me as well. There is a little more excitement because he’s staying about 10 days so we will have time to do more stuff. Drew is also a gamer (like me) and pretty much has a very similar sense of humor.
Because he came in Saturday, I went up to Seoul to meet up with him. Kathy ended up coming up with me and the whole trip morphed into a visit to Seoul Grand Park. Now let me say that Kathy is always informed and prepared when it comes to travel. She manages to come up with details that I never even considered. However, I was grateful to have her around. Because the trip to the Park/Museum/Zoo was her idea, I was just along for the ride. I hadn’t left Daegu sense the second month I was here so I was a bit stir crazy and ready to see Seoul again.
First thing about Seoul I love; there is considerably much less staring. People in Seoul are more accustomed to seeing foreigners. Also, this is the country’s New York City. People don’t have time to gawk because they usually have something to do and somewhere to go. So the ride on the subway line isn’t quite as bad as Daegu. The trip to Seoul Grand Park wasn’t too long. However, it’s longer than most trips in Daegu. You quickly see the difference in the two cities by just riding the subway alone.
We got there and headed to the National Museum of Contemporary Art. To get there, we had to take a transport up the hill. What’s funny about this is how we knew that once we picked a section to sit in, we would clear it of any Koreans. This is just fact; Koreans will go out of their way NOT to sit near foreigners. I have to wonder if it’s so bad back home but I can’t see how it’s much worse than all the black kids sitting at one table in the lunch room during high school and all the white kids at the other. Still, it’s kind of humorous to me. . . . sometimes.
We ended up seeing quite a few interesting pieces. I loved the stuff made during the Korean War and some of the Modern pieces and photography. I’m not as deep into it as Kathy, whose knowledge of art and art history far exceed mine. Still, I like what I like and some of the pieces were amazing to me. I’m sad I couldn’t take pictures of some of them, but I might have to ask Kathy about her list of artist she pulled while we where there.
Desi met up with us after Kathy took some pictures of the area with the sculptures and the three of us headed to the Zoo. I hadn’t visited a Zoo in a while and I forgot that they are usually inhabited by children. Seeing as how Desi is the only one of us not camera shy, she ended up being the subject of more than a few pictures. I took a few pictures of animals, but my point and click isn’t equipped to get good shots of stuff. I left it to Kathy’s mega camera.
We rode the air lift back down to the entrance to the park and the whole time Desi and Kathy made fun of the fact that I was a bit nervous about being up in the air on a cable. I admit, I’m not great with heights but it’s not like I’m hysterical about it. Kind of takes me a second to get my nerves settled. It was about the time we got back on the Subway that I got a call from Andrew saying he arrived at the airport. We got some food while we waited for him to call when he got to the train station. Drew got in and we hoped the train to get back to Daegu. Andrew and I caught up about what was going on back home and his first impressions of Korea (he was surprised at the way the bus drivers narrowly miss hitting damn near everything) and the fact that Korea doesn’t have the same level of politeness (as least by western standards) when it comes to things like standing in line and bumping into people.
We got back to Daegu and it was getting slightly late. Still, we dropped Andrew’s luggage back at my place and we all went off in search for something to eat. I got a call from a friend saying he was downtown with some other people and me, Desi and Andrew met up with them. After grabbing some food, I showed Andrew a few places most of the foreigners hang downtown and introduced him to various people. He slid right into the situation and had a lot of fun. I was happy to finally be out the house after my self-imposed three week exile. For once, I was happy to get a few drinks and it was a good time by all. At some point, we all made it to a Norebang and the epically bad singing began.
Now understand that Norebang for me and Drew is greatness. We typically throw parties back home the enviably involve playing Singstar, Guitar Hero, and Rock Band. Bad singing for entertainment is the normal thing for us because it combines our wiliness to be silly with the love for gaming. In the end, we went wandering until it was time to go home. . . . but not before Andrew pulled down a heater off the wall in a club and sat on it. A HEATER. As if it were a chair. It was at that point that I realized both of us might have more than our share of drinks. However, mission accomplished: I showed my friend a good first night in Korea and I also got to spend a fun day in Seoul. I also got to hang with friends and that’s usually a good thing.
(All The pictures here were taken by my friend Kathy. Wonderful photographer and good person too.)
Speaking of which, this week my friend Andrew came in from the states to visit me as well. There is a little more excitement because he’s staying about 10 days so we will have time to do more stuff. Drew is also a gamer (like me) and pretty much has a very similar sense of humor.
Because he came in Saturday, I went up to Seoul to meet up with him. Kathy ended up coming up with me and the whole trip morphed into a visit to Seoul Grand Park. Now let me say that Kathy is always informed and prepared when it comes to travel. She manages to come up with details that I never even considered. However, I was grateful to have her around. Because the trip to the Park/Museum/Zoo was her idea, I was just along for the ride. I hadn’t left Daegu sense the second month I was here so I was a bit stir crazy and ready to see Seoul again.
First thing about Seoul I love; there is considerably much less staring. People in Seoul are more accustomed to seeing foreigners. Also, this is the country’s New York City. People don’t have time to gawk because they usually have something to do and somewhere to go. So the ride on the subway line isn’t quite as bad as Daegu. The trip to Seoul Grand Park wasn’t too long. However, it’s longer than most trips in Daegu. You quickly see the difference in the two cities by just riding the subway alone.
We got there and headed to the National Museum of Contemporary Art. To get there, we had to take a transport up the hill. What’s funny about this is how we knew that once we picked a section to sit in, we would clear it of any Koreans. This is just fact; Koreans will go out of their way NOT to sit near foreigners. I have to wonder if it’s so bad back home but I can’t see how it’s much worse than all the black kids sitting at one table in the lunch room during high school and all the white kids at the other. Still, it’s kind of humorous to me. . . . sometimes.
We ended up seeing quite a few interesting pieces. I loved the stuff made during the Korean War and some of the Modern pieces and photography. I’m not as deep into it as Kathy, whose knowledge of art and art history far exceed mine. Still, I like what I like and some of the pieces were amazing to me. I’m sad I couldn’t take pictures of some of them, but I might have to ask Kathy about her list of artist she pulled while we where there.
Desi met up with us after Kathy took some pictures of the area with the sculptures and the three of us headed to the Zoo. I hadn’t visited a Zoo in a while and I forgot that they are usually inhabited by children. Seeing as how Desi is the only one of us not camera shy, she ended up being the subject of more than a few pictures. I took a few pictures of animals, but my point and click isn’t equipped to get good shots of stuff. I left it to Kathy’s mega camera.
We rode the air lift back down to the entrance to the park and the whole time Desi and Kathy made fun of the fact that I was a bit nervous about being up in the air on a cable. I admit, I’m not great with heights but it’s not like I’m hysterical about it. Kind of takes me a second to get my nerves settled. It was about the time we got back on the Subway that I got a call from Andrew saying he arrived at the airport. We got some food while we waited for him to call when he got to the train station. Drew got in and we hoped the train to get back to Daegu. Andrew and I caught up about what was going on back home and his first impressions of Korea (he was surprised at the way the bus drivers narrowly miss hitting damn near everything) and the fact that Korea doesn’t have the same level of politeness (as least by western standards) when it comes to things like standing in line and bumping into people.
We got back to Daegu and it was getting slightly late. Still, we dropped Andrew’s luggage back at my place and we all went off in search for something to eat. I got a call from a friend saying he was downtown with some other people and me, Desi and Andrew met up with them. After grabbing some food, I showed Andrew a few places most of the foreigners hang downtown and introduced him to various people. He slid right into the situation and had a lot of fun. I was happy to finally be out the house after my self-imposed three week exile. For once, I was happy to get a few drinks and it was a good time by all. At some point, we all made it to a Norebang and the epically bad singing began.
Now understand that Norebang for me and Drew is greatness. We typically throw parties back home the enviably involve playing Singstar, Guitar Hero, and Rock Band. Bad singing for entertainment is the normal thing for us because it combines our wiliness to be silly with the love for gaming. In the end, we went wandering until it was time to go home. . . . but not before Andrew pulled down a heater off the wall in a club and sat on it. A HEATER. As if it were a chair. It was at that point that I realized both of us might have more than our share of drinks. However, mission accomplished: I showed my friend a good first night in Korea and I also got to spend a fun day in Seoul. I also got to hang with friends and that’s usually a good thing.
(All The pictures here were taken by my friend Kathy. Wonderful photographer and good person too.)
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