Thoughts on Korea
I just got home from spending almost two weeks in South Korea visiting my big sister Taryn. And as a self-acclaimed #1 reader of this blog (there are actual statistics to back up this claim) I offered to be a guest writer. Unfortunately for you, I am not as creative a writer as my big sis and words do not flow as eloquently from me. So, I have decided to make lists. It’s what I’m good at and, call me crazy, what I love doing. I must have taken all the organizational genes while Taryn got all the creative ones. As I list my likes and dislikes and general observations of my time in Korea… keep in mind that I was only there for 12 days and during a very cold streak. Therefore I did not get to see a whole lot or meet a ton of people to make my observations more generalized. I ask your forgiveness in advance.
Also, I add the question of whether I would come back to Korea if given the chance. I put this because when most people think about traveling to Asia—they think of the big cities of Tokyo, Beijing, Shanghai, and Hong Kong. No one really thinks of South Korea as a tourist “hot spot” or a “must see” when going to Asia. And really, I would have never gone there if it had not been for my sister living and working there. What I experienced in Korea made me fall in love with this place. It is difficult to describe exactly what it is about Seoul (or Korea in general) so I’m not even going to try. I would do it a great injustice. All I can do is this:
What I liked:
• #1 being the food: I even fell in love with kimchi
• The people: they were so polite and ready to offer a lost foreigner help and assistance
• Public transportation: how easy it was to get anywhere in the massive city of Seoul at a very cheap price (you will notice
it’s also one of my dislikes)
• That there was a coffee shop pretty much every other store on any block in Korea
• How much exercise I got from all the walking; I wish the US would encourage walking more
• All the shopping that you can find anywhere
• The language is so interesting and fun to listen to, yet extremely difficult to decipher the different sounds and words (it all
sounded the same to me because everything in the polite language ends the same way)
What I disliked:
• Most public restrooms were not heated
• Most public sinks did not have heated water
• Most public restrooms lacked either soap and/or toilet paper (or all of the above)
• The germs, due to lack of all of the above. Men hocking loogies all over the streets or subway stations—close quarters with people on the subways and buses—and the sudden changes from extreme cold weather outside to extreme heat on the subways….. makes any microbe want to have a party and multiply.
• Thus, public transportation (because of germs, and the snowstorm) is also one of my dislikes!
What I found pretty hilarious:
• Most of the Koreans were scared of us foreigners because we seem to be the root of the spread of swine flu (aka H1N1)
• That you have to take your shoes off to go into a dressing room at any clothing store (they’re pretty good at saying “shoes off!”)
• The language of “Konglish,” aka direct translations from Korean to English
Would I go back to Korea?
Answer: YES!!! I loved it there, despite the germs. The “likes” definitely outweighed the “dislikes.” Next time I go I will be more prepared with better walking shoes, more hand sanitizer, and I won’t go during the flu season.
In conclusion, (not to sound like an advertisement or anything…) if any of you are planning a trip to Asia ever in your life… do not overlook Korea. I hear in the summertime it is quite beautiful. Even in the wintertime there were moments that I was caught up in the beauty of the place (granted, I am a Minnesotan and do love snowy weather). If you never make it there, that’s ok. Chicago I hear has some great Korean restaurants. At least try the food!
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Monday, January 4, 2010
An open letter to Seoul Metro Users
Dearest Fellow Commuters,
We all know that getting to and fro in Seoul is, more often than not, a pain in the arse. It's been even worse the past few days with the unusual amount of snow we've been getting. People who normally drive are flocking to the already over-crowded subways.
On my commute home today, I found myself wanted to strangle the nearest living thing at least three times. Thus, I have compiled a list of suggestions to users of the Seoul Metro, although many could be applied to people just walking on sidewalks.
1. How about we learn how to walk? Let me be more specific. What if we adhered to a ground-breaking system in which walkers stayed to the right, allowing a two-way flow of traffic? Oh wait! There are stickers and signs all over the metro telling you do this; you just don't!
2. On a related note, how about stepping to the side when you are texting/using your cell phone instead of stopping right in front of me? This too, allows for a continuous flow of traffic.
3. When someone in front of you is walking a little too slowly for your liking, what about walking around them rather than plowing into them? Seems to me like it would require less physical exertion.
4. When the train is full, what about simply waiting for the next one rather than shoving yourself and the people in front of you inside, nearly crushing people to death in the process? Where on earth are you going that is so important?
5. When people are lining up to get on the train, how about allowing the first person in line to also be the first person on the train, rather than plowing them out of your way? Ajummas, I'm talking to you. People don't stand in line because it looks cool.
Look, I know we're all in a hurry to get where we need to go, but I just don't think that trampling and shoving are a necessary part of the daily commute. Maybe that's just the Minnesota nice in me.
I can't wait for all this snow to melt, so that the drivers among us can go back to nearly running me over with their cars instead.
Cordially yours,
Annoyed Commuter
We all know that getting to and fro in Seoul is, more often than not, a pain in the arse. It's been even worse the past few days with the unusual amount of snow we've been getting. People who normally drive are flocking to the already over-crowded subways.
On my commute home today, I found myself wanted to strangle the nearest living thing at least three times. Thus, I have compiled a list of suggestions to users of the Seoul Metro, although many could be applied to people just walking on sidewalks.
1. How about we learn how to walk? Let me be more specific. What if we adhered to a ground-breaking system in which walkers stayed to the right, allowing a two-way flow of traffic? Oh wait! There are stickers and signs all over the metro telling you do this; you just don't!
2. On a related note, how about stepping to the side when you are texting/using your cell phone instead of stopping right in front of me? This too, allows for a continuous flow of traffic.
3. When someone in front of you is walking a little too slowly for your liking, what about walking around them rather than plowing into them? Seems to me like it would require less physical exertion.
4. When the train is full, what about simply waiting for the next one rather than shoving yourself and the people in front of you inside, nearly crushing people to death in the process? Where on earth are you going that is so important?
5. When people are lining up to get on the train, how about allowing the first person in line to also be the first person on the train, rather than plowing them out of your way? Ajummas, I'm talking to you. People don't stand in line because it looks cool.
Look, I know we're all in a hurry to get where we need to go, but I just don't think that trampling and shoving are a necessary part of the daily commute. Maybe that's just the Minnesota nice in me.
I can't wait for all this snow to melt, so that the drivers among us can go back to nearly running me over with their cars instead.
Cordially yours,
Annoyed Commuter
Friday, December 18, 2009
Assah!!!
(Translation: Awesome!!!)
I spend so much time worrying about things that in the end, just seem to work themselves out.
I had my phone interview with Westgate yesterday, and I finally found out the details I desperately wanted to know. The past few months I'd been worried that they would want me to start in March, giving me no time to travel between contracts and maybe a week or so to go home and visit my family.
But as luck would have it, I wouldn't start until April 29th, giving me TWO whole months off to travel and also spend some time at home! It's perfect. I say "wouldn't" because I haven't actually been given the job yet, but I was feeling good vibes...through the phone :)
Anyway I think I'm going to spend the month of March traveling in Asia. I finally have this big chunk of time to visit some of the places on my ever-growing list. My contract ends February 28th, and I think on March 1st I'll fly into Bangkok, and spend a week or so in Thailand, my happy place.
After that, I'd like to hit up Vietnam and Laos, followed by Beijing. Beijing isn't really close to the other places, but I can't leave Asia without visiting The Great Wall of China, it would just be wrong. Then from Beijing, I'd fly home to Minnesota in the end of March, and spend April at home with the fam.
There are, of course, many more places I'd like to visit, but seeing as I'm horrible at saving money/budgeting, I'm sticking to places where I know I'll get more bang for my won. India will have to wait.
But I'm super excited. A major reason I decided to stay abroad another year was so that I could travel more, and for awhile it didn't seem that I would get to do much of it this year (what with familial obligations eating up all my vacation days) but lo and behold, it's happening :)
On a related note, my students finally caught wind that I'm leaving them, and for Japan of all places! Their faces register utter shock and horror when I tell them this. Most Koreans still harbor ill-feelings towards Japan for that whole 35- year occupation thing, and you can't really blame them. Like many Koreans complain, the Japanese government never issued a formal apology, and they sort of pretend like it never happened. A few of my students also told me that Japanese people have very "low quality" pronunciation when speaking English, and proceeded to mock their pronunciation of words like "McDonalds." As if their pronunciation was perfect... but anyway, I got a little choked up saying goodbye to a few kids. I'm around for 2 more months though, so it doesn't feel like goodbye yet. Plus I'm too busy daydreaming about my trip ;)
I spend so much time worrying about things that in the end, just seem to work themselves out.
I had my phone interview with Westgate yesterday, and I finally found out the details I desperately wanted to know. The past few months I'd been worried that they would want me to start in March, giving me no time to travel between contracts and maybe a week or so to go home and visit my family.
But as luck would have it, I wouldn't start until April 29th, giving me TWO whole months off to travel and also spend some time at home! It's perfect. I say "wouldn't" because I haven't actually been given the job yet, but I was feeling good vibes...through the phone :)
Anyway I think I'm going to spend the month of March traveling in Asia. I finally have this big chunk of time to visit some of the places on my ever-growing list. My contract ends February 28th, and I think on March 1st I'll fly into Bangkok, and spend a week or so in Thailand, my happy place.
After that, I'd like to hit up Vietnam and Laos, followed by Beijing. Beijing isn't really close to the other places, but I can't leave Asia without visiting The Great Wall of China, it would just be wrong. Then from Beijing, I'd fly home to Minnesota in the end of March, and spend April at home with the fam.
There are, of course, many more places I'd like to visit, but seeing as I'm horrible at saving money/budgeting, I'm sticking to places where I know I'll get more bang for my won. India will have to wait.
But I'm super excited. A major reason I decided to stay abroad another year was so that I could travel more, and for awhile it didn't seem that I would get to do much of it this year (what with familial obligations eating up all my vacation days) but lo and behold, it's happening :)
On a related note, my students finally caught wind that I'm leaving them, and for Japan of all places! Their faces register utter shock and horror when I tell them this. Most Koreans still harbor ill-feelings towards Japan for that whole 35- year occupation thing, and you can't really blame them. Like many Koreans complain, the Japanese government never issued a formal apology, and they sort of pretend like it never happened. A few of my students also told me that Japanese people have very "low quality" pronunciation when speaking English, and proceeded to mock their pronunciation of words like "McDonalds." As if their pronunciation was perfect... but anyway, I got a little choked up saying goodbye to a few kids. I'm around for 2 more months though, so it doesn't feel like goodbye yet. Plus I'm too busy daydreaming about my trip ;)
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
She's singin' in Korean
Tuesday night at Korean class I met some fellow Minnesotans from the class right before mine. When Minnesotans meet outisde of MN, usually bonds of a shared homeland are immediately formed. We're clique-y like that. They said, "Hey, wanna sing Rudolph with us in the Christmas program?" They were probably just being nice, but I was like "Sure!"
So I had two days to learn Rudolph in Korean in order to perform it tonight at the Yeoksam Global Village Center's Christmas Party.
In order to get the pronunciation down, I spent a good chunk of time at work this morning browsing youtube and trying to sing along with Korean superstar BoA. (If the Korean taxpayers only knew...) She's really famous in Japan, so in this clip, she sings it first in Japanese, then Korean, then English.
Here are the Korean lyrics if you want to sing along ;)
루돌프 사슴코는
매우 반짝이는 코
만일 네가 봤다면
불 붙는다 했겠지
다른 모든 사슴들
놀려대며 웃었네
가엾은 저 루돌프
외톨이가 되었네
안개 낀 성탄절날
산타 말하길
루돌프 코가 밝으니
썰매를 끌어주렴
그후론 사슴들이 그를 매우 사랑했네
루돌프 사슴코는 길이길이 기억되리
Romanized:
Roo dohl peu sa seum ko neun
meh oo bahn jjahk ee neun ko
mahn il nae ga bwah da myun
bul bit neun da haet gat ji
Da reun moh deen sa seum deel
nol ryuh dae myuh oot suht nae
ga yuh eun juh roo dohl peu
wae tul ee ga dwi uht nae
Ahn gae kkin song tan juhl nal San ta mal ha kil
roo dohl peu ko ga bahl geu ni
ssul meh reul keul uh joo reum
Geu hoo rohn sa seum deel ee
geu reul meh oo sarang haet nae
roo dohl peu sa seum ko neun
kil ee kil ee ki uhk dwi ri
So I had two days to learn Rudolph in Korean in order to perform it tonight at the Yeoksam Global Village Center's Christmas Party.
In order to get the pronunciation down, I spent a good chunk of time at work this morning browsing youtube and trying to sing along with Korean superstar BoA. (If the Korean taxpayers only knew...) She's really famous in Japan, so in this clip, she sings it first in Japanese, then Korean, then English.
Here are the Korean lyrics if you want to sing along ;)
루돌프 사슴코는
매우 반짝이는 코
만일 네가 봤다면
불 붙는다 했겠지
다른 모든 사슴들
놀려대며 웃었네
가엾은 저 루돌프
외톨이가 되었네
안개 낀 성탄절날
산타 말하길
루돌프 코가 밝으니
썰매를 끌어주렴
그후론 사슴들이 그를 매우 사랑했네
루돌프 사슴코는 길이길이 기억되리
Romanized:
Roo dohl peu sa seum ko neun
meh oo bahn jjahk ee neun ko
mahn il nae ga bwah da myun
bul bit neun da haet gat ji
Da reun moh deen sa seum deel
nol ryuh dae myuh oot suht nae
ga yuh eun juh roo dohl peu
wae tul ee ga dwi uht nae
Ahn gae kkin song tan juhl nal San ta mal ha kil
roo dohl peu ko ga bahl geu ni
ssul meh reul keul uh joo reum
Geu hoo rohn sa seum deel ee
geu reul meh oo sarang haet nae
roo dohl peu sa seum ko neun
kil ee kil ee ki uhk dwi ri
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Chicken soup FAIL
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.
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.
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 :)
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