One thing that's awesome about Korea is that many things are much cheaper than they would be back in the States, such as:
Taxis
Public Transportation
Korean Food
Haircuts
Cell phone plans
Soju
However, others (namely anything imported) are heinously expensive:
Starbucks (3,000 won for a tall roast of the day)
Cheese
Mediocre beer imports (like $6 for a bottle of Miller Lite, probably warm)
Any wines
Cosmetics ($17 for lipstick I could get for $5 in the States? No thanks)
Today I splurged on lunch, unintentionally. My sinuses started acting whack yesterday, so I was craving some Chicken Noodle Soup with a soda on the side.
I went to Butterfinger Pancakes, a Western restaurant near my school that does an amazing brunch and normally serves actual 'Western' portions. My order, a teeny bowl of Chicken noodle soup with 3, yes 3, soda crackers and a diet soda, came to 13,200 won. (about 12 US dollars)
I don't know how much cans of Campbell's Chicken Noodle are running these days, but I'm pretty sure I could have consumed the same meal for under $3 back home. I HATE that. I am not a thrifty person by any means, but nothing irks me more than paying 2 to 3 times more for something in Korea than I would in the States.
I really shouldn't complain though, considering I don't pay taxes or rent in Korea. I'm also moving to Japan very soon, where everything, not just imports, is wicked expensive.
Update on the Japan job: I have a phone interview next week, which is the 3rd phase of the application process. I think that I will get the job, but I don't know any concrete details, like when I start, what city I will be teaching in, exactly how long my contract will be, (the website says 3-5 months) etc.
A few months ago I wrote that I wasn't going to stress about it, and just go with the flow, but my zen-like attitude is quickly fading now that my contract is almost over. I need to know those details, so I can figure out if and when I can do some traveling around Asia between contracts and whether or not I can attend any of the 3 family weddings taking place this spring/summer. (Seriously, family and friends: if you could just pause the whole marriage/babies thing it would really help me out!)
I'm hoping they will fill me in next week. I'll keep you posted.
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Ulysses
"How dull it is to pause, to make an end,
To rust unburnish'd, not to shine in use!
As tho' to breathe were life!"
~Tennyson, "Ulysses"
I am one those nerdy English teacher types who writes down quotes that appeal to me, and this is one I remember jotting down during my British Lit. course in college.
I thought of it today as I was "rusting unburnished" at my desk at work. My teaching hours are very few these days, (16/week) and even then, classes are cancelled all the time for every reason under the sun. It's as if instruction is the least important of all things at this school.
Friday my classroom is being used to vaccinate students for the H1N1 virus. "Will I be teaching them in their homerooms then?" I asked.
No, they will just use that time as self-study. Because cramming for the tests is far more important than anything I could teach them. Starting next week, the students are taking finals, which means I have a whole week of sitting at my desk doing...nothing.
I'm hoping for a University teaching job in Japan, because at least then, students are over the mad testing phase of their lives and can focus on applicable skills like, I don't know, speaking?
Like Ulysses, I'm getting restless. I have too much time sitting at my desk instead of teaching. There's only so much Facebook stalking one can do before one's brain starts to turn to mush.
I hate this. I like feeling useful. Instead I feel like a waste of space.
To rust unburnish'd, not to shine in use!
As tho' to breathe were life!"
~Tennyson, "Ulysses"
I am one those nerdy English teacher types who writes down quotes that appeal to me, and this is one I remember jotting down during my British Lit. course in college.
I thought of it today as I was "rusting unburnished" at my desk at work. My teaching hours are very few these days, (16/week) and even then, classes are cancelled all the time for every reason under the sun. It's as if instruction is the least important of all things at this school.
Friday my classroom is being used to vaccinate students for the H1N1 virus. "Will I be teaching them in their homerooms then?" I asked.
No, they will just use that time as self-study. Because cramming for the tests is far more important than anything I could teach them. Starting next week, the students are taking finals, which means I have a whole week of sitting at my desk doing...nothing.
I'm hoping for a University teaching job in Japan, because at least then, students are over the mad testing phase of their lives and can focus on applicable skills like, I don't know, speaking?
Like Ulysses, I'm getting restless. I have too much time sitting at my desk instead of teaching. There's only so much Facebook stalking one can do before one's brain starts to turn to mush.
I hate this. I like feeling useful. Instead I feel like a waste of space.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Yellow belt 입니다!
Translation: I'm a yellow belt!
(At least, I think I passed the promotion test. They haven't actually given us the belts yet...)
If you aren't a taekwondoer yourself, you're probably like, "who cares?", but for me, it's really exciting to not be a clueless rookie a.k.a. white belt anymore. I never had aspirations of becoming the next Jet Li; I started learning taekwondo for the experience and because Vicky said it's a "proper workout." (The Brits like to use "proper" a lot) Also because I believe that I'm becoming more of a wuss as I age, and this is an attempt to de-wuss myself.
I started taking classes about 2 months ago, subjecting myself to loads of bruises, sore/pulled muscles, being shot at with BB guns and a sprained ankle.
I am in pain after nearly every practice, even after two months of classes. I swear the instructors sit around plotting new ways to torture us each practice. See picture of stunt double-esque flying somersaults below for an example.
In spite of all this, I am loving it! I'm not a violent person by any means, but there's something about fake kicking and punching people and shouting "Ki-yeop!' that is such a rush. Also, my 3 years of high-kicking with Dance Team have paid off, as taekwondo emphasizes the use of kicks over other types of martial arts.
I also have a newfound appreciation for people who are actually good at this. It's much harder than it looks.
Here are a few pictures I took during Sunday's promotion test, an incredibly nerve-wracking experience that involved demonstrating what I was supposed to know for stone-faced judges while the rest of the club sat on the sides watching me screw up...which I did several times. I can't even remember the last time I've been that nervous.
But I passed, because like TM (what we call our taekwondo master) said, our club's focus is on enjoying ourselves rather than perfection. Which is why it's perfect for me :)
Yellow to Green Belt pumsae 품새, or pattern:
Kicks
Vicky breakin' some boards
In the beginning of November, our club took a trip up to Gangcheon (north of Seoul somewhere) where we did the flying somersaults, learned how to break people's wrists, and shot at each other with BB guns.
Our club with Grandmaster Lee. Fighting!
Flying somersaults...ouch!
Playing with guns
Limbo contest. Finally, something I'm good at!
Good times :)
(At least, I think I passed the promotion test. They haven't actually given us the belts yet...)
If you aren't a taekwondoer yourself, you're probably like, "who cares?", but for me, it's really exciting to not be a clueless rookie a.k.a. white belt anymore. I never had aspirations of becoming the next Jet Li; I started learning taekwondo for the experience and because Vicky said it's a "proper workout." (The Brits like to use "proper" a lot) Also because I believe that I'm becoming more of a wuss as I age, and this is an attempt to de-wuss myself.
I started taking classes about 2 months ago, subjecting myself to loads of bruises, sore/pulled muscles, being shot at with BB guns and a sprained ankle.
I am in pain after nearly every practice, even after two months of classes. I swear the instructors sit around plotting new ways to torture us each practice. See picture of stunt double-esque flying somersaults below for an example.
In spite of all this, I am loving it! I'm not a violent person by any means, but there's something about fake kicking and punching people and shouting "Ki-yeop!' that is such a rush. Also, my 3 years of high-kicking with Dance Team have paid off, as taekwondo emphasizes the use of kicks over other types of martial arts.
I also have a newfound appreciation for people who are actually good at this. It's much harder than it looks.
Here are a few pictures I took during Sunday's promotion test, an incredibly nerve-wracking experience that involved demonstrating what I was supposed to know for stone-faced judges while the rest of the club sat on the sides watching me screw up...which I did several times. I can't even remember the last time I've been that nervous.
But I passed, because like TM (what we call our taekwondo master) said, our club's focus is on enjoying ourselves rather than perfection. Which is why it's perfect for me :)
Yellow to Green Belt pumsae 품새, or pattern:
Kicks
Vicky breakin' some boards
In the beginning of November, our club took a trip up to Gangcheon (north of Seoul somewhere) where we did the flying somersaults, learned how to break people's wrists, and shot at each other with BB guns.
Our club with Grandmaster Lee. Fighting!
Flying somersaults...ouch!
Playing with guns
Limbo contest. Finally, something I'm good at!
Good times :)
Monday, November 16, 2009
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
K-Pop vs. Old Pop, Halloween
I saw this sign last year when I visited Busan, and I took a picture because it cracked me up. Old Pop? Sounds like a very appealing genre.
I've heard the term come up several times this past year. Like in Summer Camp, when I was playing Jack Johnson during work time, and one of my students asked, "Teacher, this is Old Pop?" Uh...no.
I'm still not really sure what this Konglish term refers to, but I'm going to just guess and then go ahead and make another generalization. It seems there are three types of Korean music: "Old Pop," Sappy Love Ballads, and K-pop. There is a very distinct difference between Old Pop and the K-pop videos I've shared with you on this blog.
To demonstrate what Old Pop sounds like, I bring you (dubbed) Beyonce.
You will hear this type of music blasting from little radios in street markets or at the rest stops on bus trips. It always makes me giggle.
Fast forward to 2009, where K-pop groups are made up of good-looking, fashion forward kids with killer dance moves. I bring you the most requested video in my classes as of late, Shinee's "Ring ding dong." (Or "Ling ding dong," as one of my students scribbled on the assignment he was supposed to be working on last week)
Korean pop music has come a long way. Be sure to watch until the end when the boys sprout angel wings :)
Speaking of K-pop...
Last weekend was Halloween, and my two favorite costumes were K-pop stars. Much to Vicky and my delight, we spotted a pretty authentic-looking G-Dragon in Itaewon Saturday night.
Real G-Dragon:
Fake G-Dragon:
Also, a fellow S.M.O.E. Teacher made a very convincing Sandara Park from 2ne1.
Real Sandara: (She's the chick with the ponytail)
Fake Sandara:
I dressed as a Pop star as well, but an American one. I couldn't believe my luck in finding the perfect blonde wig with ridiculous hairbow attachment, but I did. Now I'm pretty sure you can find anything in Dongdaemun Market.
Real Gaga:
Fake Gaga:
I had a blast being a fake celebrity, with people calling out "Lady Gaga!" all night and asking for pictures with me. However, when my friend Chris showed up in his Waldo costume, I was totally upstaged. Everyone loves Waldo, apparently. I'm not bitter though...
Chris as Waldo/Wally
P.S. Did you know they call Waldo "Wally" in England? Crazy Brits.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
I heart Seoul
(Yet another emo posting)
There is a spot on the orange line from Oksu to Apgujeong Station where you go over the Han and it offers a 60-second, picturesque view of the city. I remember the first time I saw it during my first weekend in Seoul. It was a clear night and all the lights of the city were shining and reflecting on the river all magically. I had only been here 5 days and I remember thinking how cool it was that this was where I lived now.
I still feel a little bit of that when I ride the orange line over the Han. I love Seoul. It’s overwhelming sometimes, but most of the time, I feel really lucky to live here.
I don’t leave Korea for another four months, but I’m already getting sad about it. I know I will love Japan, (granted I get the job) but Seoul and I have had a good run. This summer I didn’t think I could possibly do another whole year, but now that my departure is nearing, I'm thinking another 6 months wouldn’t have been that bad.
I do feel like I’ve done the best I could to “suck the marrow from life” during my time here though, and as good as I have it here, it’s time to try something new. Time to go to another country and experience those first few weeks where everything is new and exciting and a little scary too. That’s why I left North High, and Minnesota and my family and friends. And that's why I am leaving this city that has become my home.
P.S. A quick google search revealed that the "spot" is the Dongho Bridge. Here's a picture of it that I did not take...so I'm posting it illegally. When I figure out how to use my camera, I'll take one of my own.
There is a spot on the orange line from Oksu to Apgujeong Station where you go over the Han and it offers a 60-second, picturesque view of the city. I remember the first time I saw it during my first weekend in Seoul. It was a clear night and all the lights of the city were shining and reflecting on the river all magically. I had only been here 5 days and I remember thinking how cool it was that this was where I lived now.
I still feel a little bit of that when I ride the orange line over the Han. I love Seoul. It’s overwhelming sometimes, but most of the time, I feel really lucky to live here.
I don’t leave Korea for another four months, but I’m already getting sad about it. I know I will love Japan, (granted I get the job) but Seoul and I have had a good run. This summer I didn’t think I could possibly do another whole year, but now that my departure is nearing, I'm thinking another 6 months wouldn’t have been that bad.
I do feel like I’ve done the best I could to “suck the marrow from life” during my time here though, and as good as I have it here, it’s time to try something new. Time to go to another country and experience those first few weeks where everything is new and exciting and a little scary too. That’s why I left North High, and Minnesota and my family and friends. And that's why I am leaving this city that has become my home.
P.S. A quick google search revealed that the "spot" is the Dongho Bridge. Here's a picture of it that I did not take...so I'm posting it illegally. When I figure out how to use my camera, I'll take one of my own.
Seoul Fashion Week
This past Thursday I attended my first fashion show. Seoul Fashion Week is going on right now, where 30-some, mostly Korean designers present their Spring and Summer collections. We ended up seeing designer Lee Young Hee's show. Her collection wasn't anything I could wear (probably couldn't afford or fit any of the clothes) but it was still cool to see a real-live fashion show, and I hope to attend more in the future. Japan Fashion Week this spring maybe?
I still haven't figured out my camera, but I managed to get a few decent pictures:
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