I've noticed my spelling and grammar has gotten REALLY bad. In fact, I'll be writing about how "scary" something is, and going back, I'll realize I've written "scared"...common Korean mistake. Later in this blog I write the word "weighed" but I misspelled this word twice as "weighted". Or I was writing the title to this blog, Backpack, and my fingers mis-typed and wrote "backbaby". I don't know why, but that's one thing I'm looking forward to going home for....improving my spelling and grammar!
Anyways...
I was cleaning out my classroom/workspace at KBU tonight after meeting a student there, [sidebar: there have been so many kind students giving me little gifts to remember them by!] and with all my stuff I put it in a backpack. There were things like books and papers and pens and pictures. little things that I've collected over the year. Well, after packing up, I met another student to have dinner and coffee. At the coffee shop he taught me how to play Go-Stop, a Korean card game. I've had the cards a long time, but didn't know the rules exactly. So I just used them for a matching game. So I was SOO thankful to learn how to actually play!
On the way to dinner, he noticed me struggling a little bit with my backpack, but we kept on going. After a few blocks, I was having trouble breathing because the backpack was pulling on my shoulders in such a way that was blocking my lungs from getting enough air. Plus, the polluted air this summer has really taken a toll on me.
He switched backpacks with me (he'd been carrying one too with nothing but his wallet and a book in it), and after realizing how heavy it was, he said my going away present was him carrying it home for me. Wow! It was a really sweet gesture. So after saying "no" a few times, I gave in and was very grateful. We took bets on how heavy the backpack was. My guess was 6 kilograms (13lb), his guess was 7-8 (15-17lb). When I got home I weighed it, and it was 10.5!!!! That's 23 pounds! Almost double what I'd guessed. He's been a good friend this last year, so when we got home, I asked him to play football together, and after a while, we finished and I gave it to him as a present.
July 27, 2010
Movies
This movie is from Insadong: a guy tap-dancing
Monkeys trying to get ice cream from Isaac
Yeouido Boat Interviews :) This video was taken about 20 seconds before we were all soaked!! Daniel was right to be afraid!
July 24, 2010
Visits
Even though school is finished for the summer, almost every day at least 1 student stops by to talk. I love that! It's so nice to have friends/students to talk to. Daniel comes by a few times a week, and I've enjoyed building our friendship. It's nice, whenever I have a question about Korea or Korean language, I remember it and wait to see Daniel. He's good at helping me with questions that I have, and I've really appreciated that over this last year. I hope that I'm as ready and willing to help international people in the states who want my advice/help with American things.
Last week we talked about underwater reservoirs, and how if your house is above them, then Koreans think that it is very unlucky, and ghosts haunt there. I guess kind of like lay lines. Only not having anythign to do with geography, but instead underground water. They use steel bars that move around when you find these underwater places. Kind of freaky. But interesting how everywhere in the world has similar "spooky" places and ways to find them.
We also talked about a theory that Koreans can all be put into 4 groups of people based on body and mind. It was so interesting! I guess because Koreans are a pretty pure group of people (they historically don't/haven't intermarried) that they can be categorized more clearly than say Americans could.
I came to a realization a few days ago. When I was first learning Korean, I could read easily, but first I would read through each letter in my head, and then slowly pronounce it. When looking at a page/board of Korean, it would all jumble in my mind, and no words would necessarily stand out. But during one of my talks with Daniel, the board was full of his writing, and I had no problem reading/pronouncing/understanding any of hte words. It is like reading English to me. I don't need to pronounce the words in my head first, I can just read them out. I'm not able to do it as fast as in English, but it's exciting to be able to have a base vocabulary and very basic understgadnign of how the Korean langtuage works. I'm so thankful for Daniel! He's been a good teacher/helper!!
Anotehr student came by Friday and was talking with me. After talking about a girl he likes, he asked about my guy relationships in the states and if I was planning to marry right away. I explained that I hadn't had an American boyfriend since high school, and he was shocked! He said that he expected that when I got to the airport that many American men would come up to me, tell me I'm beautiful, and ask for my phone number. He couldn't imagine anything other than that when people saw me. Haha! It was a very flattering idea... ^^
Last week we talked about underwater reservoirs, and how if your house is above them, then Koreans think that it is very unlucky, and ghosts haunt there. I guess kind of like lay lines. Only not having anythign to do with geography, but instead underground water. They use steel bars that move around when you find these underwater places. Kind of freaky. But interesting how everywhere in the world has similar "spooky" places and ways to find them.
We also talked about a theory that Koreans can all be put into 4 groups of people based on body and mind. It was so interesting! I guess because Koreans are a pretty pure group of people (they historically don't/haven't intermarried) that they can be categorized more clearly than say Americans could.
I came to a realization a few days ago. When I was first learning Korean, I could read easily, but first I would read through each letter in my head, and then slowly pronounce it. When looking at a page/board of Korean, it would all jumble in my mind, and no words would necessarily stand out. But during one of my talks with Daniel, the board was full of his writing, and I had no problem reading/pronouncing/understanding any of hte words. It is like reading English to me. I don't need to pronounce the words in my head first, I can just read them out. I'm not able to do it as fast as in English, but it's exciting to be able to have a base vocabulary and very basic understgadnign of how the Korean langtuage works. I'm so thankful for Daniel! He's been a good teacher/helper!!
Anotehr student came by Friday and was talking with me. After talking about a girl he likes, he asked about my guy relationships in the states and if I was planning to marry right away. I explained that I hadn't had an American boyfriend since high school, and he was shocked! He said that he expected that when I got to the airport that many American men would come up to me, tell me I'm beautiful, and ask for my phone number. He couldn't imagine anything other than that when people saw me. Haha! It was a very flattering idea... ^^
Han River/Yeouido
Daniel and JiSu met me at Yeouido this week to explore. We went to the National Assembly Building first to take a tour. We got there 20 minutes after the tours close though, so we just enjoyed the air conditioning for 15-20 minutes instead of taking the tour. Honestly, I was just enjoying the coolness, and didn't really mind if we did or didn't see the building. It was insanely hot! 91F with 60% humidity and almost no wind!!
Soon to be military guys :)
National Assembly Building
We decided that dinner was next on the agenda, so after walking around trying to find someplace, we found a really cute Korean bibimbap restaurant. Bibimbap is mixed vegetables and rice sometimes in a burning hot place. The bummer was that the air conditioner was broken. We laughed about how we felt like we were bibimbap! It was the best bibimbap we'd ever had though, so it was worth it.
By this time it was almost 7, so we rushed to the boat launch, and went on a cruise. It wasn't too exciting at first, but there was a tv guy on the ship shooting for KBS, Korea's most famous tv channel. So that was kind of cool. We stood up for the first 1/2 of the ride, and then when we got to the turn-around point, the boat stopped in the middle of the river. The bridge in front of us started shooting out water, and it was beautiful! It moved and changed color to the music that was playing. It's the longest water-fountain bridge in the world. Not that there are tons of water-fountain bridges...but it was neat to see how proud my friends were that it's in Korea instead of any other country. I love how Koreans are so proud of their country. They want so badly for the world to see the uniqueness and power of Korea and its people. In the last few years, Korea has definitely come out of its shell, expanding its trade and building international relations that didn't exist before. I love being in a newly developing country. There are problems that of course come with this, with them trying to work out kinks, but overall, it's a really exciting thing to see first-hand.
Anyways...at the water show, us 3 were the only ones at the front of the boat watching the show. The others were farther back so as not to get wet. But it was SOOO hot, so the spray from the water felt so good. After 5 minutes or so of the show, it shot the water out farther than it had been, and the 3 of us were completely drenched from head to toe! I won't lie, it felt good, and we had been kind of asking for it standing so close to the front of the boat. What a fun day! I'll really miss these 2 guys...
Boat Cruise
63 Building: the tallest building in Korea
After we got soaked!!
Soon to be military guys :)
National Assembly Building
We decided that dinner was next on the agenda, so after walking around trying to find someplace, we found a really cute Korean bibimbap restaurant. Bibimbap is mixed vegetables and rice sometimes in a burning hot place. The bummer was that the air conditioner was broken. We laughed about how we felt like we were bibimbap! It was the best bibimbap we'd ever had though, so it was worth it.By this time it was almost 7, so we rushed to the boat launch, and went on a cruise. It wasn't too exciting at first, but there was a tv guy on the ship shooting for KBS, Korea's most famous tv channel. So that was kind of cool. We stood up for the first 1/2 of the ride, and then when we got to the turn-around point, the boat stopped in the middle of the river. The bridge in front of us started shooting out water, and it was beautiful! It moved and changed color to the music that was playing. It's the longest water-fountain bridge in the world. Not that there are tons of water-fountain bridges...but it was neat to see how proud my friends were that it's in Korea instead of any other country. I love how Koreans are so proud of their country. They want so badly for the world to see the uniqueness and power of Korea and its people. In the last few years, Korea has definitely come out of its shell, expanding its trade and building international relations that didn't exist before. I love being in a newly developing country. There are problems that of course come with this, with them trying to work out kinks, but overall, it's a really exciting thing to see first-hand.
Anyways...at the water show, us 3 were the only ones at the front of the boat watching the show. The others were farther back so as not to get wet. But it was SOOO hot, so the spray from the water felt so good. After 5 minutes or so of the show, it shot the water out farther than it had been, and the 3 of us were completely drenched from head to toe! I won't lie, it felt good, and we had been kind of asking for it standing so close to the front of the boat. What a fun day! I'll really miss these 2 guys...
Boat Cruise
63 Building: the tallest building in Korea
After we got soaked!!
Goodbye Hamsters
Since I'm leaving in 1 week, I thought it was important to find a home quickly for my little babies. Even though I've had problems with them biting me, chewing on their cages, fighting with each other, etc, I'll miss them. Well, now I DO miss them. It was nice to have something to say "Hello" to when I came home.
Liz came over last Saturday, and after a Shabu-Shabu lunch, we loaded the hamsters into bags, and into the pouring rain we went. Thankfully I live pretty close to the subway or the hamsters would have drowned. This month and last month have been pretty intense with monsoon rains and wind. Well, they survived the subway ride, and at Liz's house, they were tucked into their places. It's funny how clean my place has magically become without hamsters. They like to kick their bedding out of the cages, so now my floor is spotless a majority of the time. It's been a huge difference. I'll miss them, but Liz'll take good care of them I'm sure ^^
Tribute Pictures:
Goodbye
Liz came over last Saturday, and after a Shabu-Shabu lunch, we loaded the hamsters into bags, and into the pouring rain we went. Thankfully I live pretty close to the subway or the hamsters would have drowned. This month and last month have been pretty intense with monsoon rains and wind. Well, they survived the subway ride, and at Liz's house, they were tucked into their places. It's funny how clean my place has magically become without hamsters. They like to kick their bedding out of the cages, so now my floor is spotless a majority of the time. It's been a huge difference. I'll miss them, but Liz'll take good care of them I'm sure ^^
Tribute Pictures:
Goodbye
Children's Grand Park x3
When dad was visiting, we went to Children's Grand Park to see the zoo and walk around. A few weeks later, a professor asked Connie and I to accompany him and his son to the park, so that was time number 2 in the last month. 2 days later, a few students wanted to meet me at the Park and then go out for dinner afterward. 3 times in a 3 week period of time!! It was crazy, but I love the zoo, so I can't complain.
It was nice going with the professor's son, because I don't have a chance to talk with American children ever! It's nice hearing pure English from kids. We had a fun time, and even let loose at the arcade a bit before going home.
Monkey trying to get Isaac's ice cream
Yes, these are guinea pigs...at the zoo...
With the students, we had a fun time too. Sophie and Jisu (her boyfriend) are friends of mine, so it was so nice to spend time outside of school together. After the Park, we went to Taco Bell! It was the first week since opening, so it was really busy and crowded. But it felt like we were walking into America.
It was nice going with the professor's son, because I don't have a chance to talk with American children ever! It's nice hearing pure English from kids. We had a fun time, and even let loose at the arcade a bit before going home.
Monkey trying to get Isaac's ice cream
Yes, these are guinea pigs...at the zoo...
With the students, we had a fun time too. Sophie and Jisu (her boyfriend) are friends of mine, so it was so nice to spend time outside of school together. After the Park, we went to Taco Bell! It was the first week since opening, so it was really busy and crowded. But it felt like we were walking into America.
Jung&Co.
I met Jung to go to Seoul Tower (Namsan), and we met for dinner first. We had samgyeopsal (like thick bacon) and took a bus with 2 other friends to Namsan. It was the first time I've felt car-sick in a really long time, but they were all really understanding. Namsan was beautiful. I've been there in the day, but not at night. The base of the tower was lit up, and when the music started on the hour, the lights shone dancing on the tower. Along with the lights and music, there was a mist spraying into the air from holes in the ground. It was so hot, so we decided to run through it. I didn't catch their glances, so when they counted to 3, I was the only one who ran through! After laughing, soaking on the other side, I convinced them how good the cool water was, so they ran through also. Laughing, we walked down the mountain. It was a good 1.5 hour walk down to the subway, and 1.5 hour ride home, but it was all worth it. What a beautiful night.
July 13, 2010
Last Week
Last week I went out with 2 girls from my Children Center. They're so fun to be around, and very close to me. Outside of people directly students or teachers at KBU, I probably have 5-6 friends. So them being 2 of those friends means a lot to me. We went shopping around Nowon, and then sat in an ice cream store eating together and enjoying one of our last times out.
WanSeok's mom made bulgogi (marinated, stir-fried beef), kimchi cheon (fried, battered kimchi), kimchi (that she'd made herself), and other delicious foods. Yum!! It was like she knew all of my favorite things! Hmm...WanSeok must have tipped her off ^^ After dinner, we just talked and looked at picture albums. It's funny, in Korea I always feel very aware of myself and how I act and talk--especially in front of older Korean people. Yet, with WanSeok's parents, in his house, I don't feel that way at all. It's one of very few places that I feel really comfortable and not pressured or awkward at all. It makes me so happy to be around him and his family. There's something about them...
In the shop, we talked about if I'll ever come back to Korea. I and one of the girls don't have boyfriends, so we linked pinkies and promised each other that once I finished school and had a boyfriend/husband, that I would come back to Korea, find the girls, and us and our boyfriends/husbands would take a trip together to the beach. What an exciting thing to talk about! I hope that once I'm married that I would have the opportunity to take my husband back to Korea, a place that has changed my life and impacted me in a way that I can't explain.
I also met WanSeok last weekend. I took a bus 2 hours south to Bundang, where I used to live. It was like being in a dream...While in the bus, I could look out and see my old apartment, the same old shoe store on the corner, the same vacant piece of land that has development signs on it, the memories flooded back. It was incredible. I also realized how good that I had it that first year here...Being in Nowon is great, and being downtown Seoul is great, but they're all so different. Downtown is like any other dirty, crowded, big city. Nowon is like living in a poor countryside. Bundang is like being in Hollywood! It has enormous buildings that are gated and have 24 hour security. The people dress very posh. There are TONS of parks and free, open grass areas (a luxury in Korea). I still love living in Nowon, but I didn't realize how nice Bundang was...-----------------------------
WanSeok's mom made bulgogi (marinated, stir-fried beef), kimchi cheon (fried, battered kimchi), kimchi (that she'd made herself), and other delicious foods. Yum!! It was like she knew all of my favorite things! Hmm...WanSeok must have tipped her off ^^ After dinner, we just talked and looked at picture albums. It's funny, in Korea I always feel very aware of myself and how I act and talk--especially in front of older Korean people. Yet, with WanSeok's parents, in his house, I don't feel that way at all. It's one of very few places that I feel really comfortable and not pressured or awkward at all. It makes me so happy to be around him and his family. There's something about them...
-----------------------------
In class, we were talking about things that you would buy as a gift for a girl, and things that you might buy for a guy. One of those things we mentioned were cuff links. Nothing special, but I had to take a long time explaining what exactly cuff links were. After 2 minutes or so of talking and drawing pictures, we finally were all on the same page. Nothing special, but sometimes these things take time...and in a 3 hour class, 2 minutes of explaining cuff links is no big deal ^^ 30 seconds after I stopped talking about cuff links, one of the students who'd been quiet that whole time raised her hand and asked, "Why were we talking about 'couple rings'? And who wears them on their sleeves?!" Everyone started laughing. Couple rings are popular in Korea--they're rings that couples where to show they're going out. I guess it would be easy to mix up "cuff links" with "couple rings"...July 4, 2010
Videos (from the zoo and my street)
Prarie Dog Lullaby
3 Little Monkeys
Night Political Calls
Day Political Call
Dad's trip pictures
Pretty Subway Exit
Children's Grand Park (with zoo)
His idea, not mine :) haha
Doosan vs. Kia Baseball Game
With WanSeok down by the Han River
Foggy Sunday morning
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