I have been sick for the past 3 days. Its now the last day of March and its raining again. April showers bring May flowers right? At this rate we should have nice flowers in a month.
March came in like a lamb and its going out like a lion. Unfortunately there has been nothing to do for the past few days. I have spent my time watching tv on the computer and killing time in the classroom.
I teach 5 hours today but its easier than the rest of the week simply because its not as uptight. I can't wait to come home at 6pm so I can hopefully just rest.
Busy thinking of ideas but just trying to recover for right now.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Friday, March 26, 2010
Soul Searching
Dear Readers,
As you are well aware of writing my blog is something that give me passion. Its something that gives me something to look forward to at the closure of each day. I write about whatever comes to mind. I think its important to inform people of Korea and answer anyones questions. Today I went to my work place and taught my 4 hours of classes. I am still loathing the place unfortunately but each day is giving me some sort of new chase to follow. My wife went to Gumi today in order to spend a final weekend with her family before she begins her Saturday work program (next month) I am lonely a little bit with her gone. Maybe there is some good things having her gone for a night-I am told that I need to think about things in a new light all the time. I really don't think there is much that is good having her gone but it is what it is.
Tomorrow I will go to work again. This time its in Nampo-dong and I will be teaching adults for at least 2 hours. I can't wait until next weekend! I hope I can get a good schedule there.
Today I went to Burns Breeze a restaurant in Gwangan practically on the beach. I wouldn't recommend that place though. The food is expensive. I ordered a Burger=6,000 and beer for 4000 they added a 1100 tax. There wasn't any sides, and the burger was small.
After washing down the grub I proceeded home. So much for a night out on the town to myself. All of my friends are gone its a sad fact that comes with marriage. AM I wrong?
I look forward to hearing from you
Nick
As you are well aware of writing my blog is something that give me passion. Its something that gives me something to look forward to at the closure of each day. I write about whatever comes to mind. I think its important to inform people of Korea and answer anyones questions. Today I went to my work place and taught my 4 hours of classes. I am still loathing the place unfortunately but each day is giving me some sort of new chase to follow. My wife went to Gumi today in order to spend a final weekend with her family before she begins her Saturday work program (next month) I am lonely a little bit with her gone. Maybe there is some good things having her gone for a night-I am told that I need to think about things in a new light all the time. I really don't think there is much that is good having her gone but it is what it is.
Tomorrow I will go to work again. This time its in Nampo-dong and I will be teaching adults for at least 2 hours. I can't wait until next weekend! I hope I can get a good schedule there.
Today I went to Burns Breeze a restaurant in Gwangan practically on the beach. I wouldn't recommend that place though. The food is expensive. I ordered a Burger=6,000 and beer for 4000 they added a 1100 tax. There wasn't any sides, and the burger was small.
After washing down the grub I proceeded home. So much for a night out on the town to myself. All of my friends are gone its a sad fact that comes with marriage. AM I wrong?
I look forward to hearing from you
Nick
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Fresh Perspective: Work to Live or live to work?
I just want to say that I don’t harbor bad thoughts about Korea nor do I think that my job is 100% unsatisfactory but I do think there are problems that need answers and some badly needed changes should occur here.
I came here with an open mind in June of 2007 as a young naïve individual seeking answers about my past, 3 years later I have found out a lot about myself and have begun to right the wrongs that I had held after I first left Korea. Since then I have worked 3 jobs. YALE Academy children's teacher, YBM ELS Adult teacher (where I went through many opportunities) In my hayday I had 4 jobs. Private teaching, Company work, Adults, and Saturday work. I was burning the candle at both ends but for the most part I was happy and now this.
To put it simple I hated my life, I hated Korea and I wanted to desperately leave it all behind while I lived in Gumi. I didn’t think Korea was positive in any way.
I came to Busan with a fresh perspective. I wanted to leave it all behind and look for other things to enjoy.
As far a work goes-it’s the same almost everywhere. People are supposed to care about their work but there is a difference. I live here everyday so I am seeing it and just wanting explanations. In America work is called your livelihood. Literally meaning how one supports his or her life. Its also ones life work and hopefully a source of contentment.
While its true that Americans work over 40 hours a week and maybe 10-12 hours a day its under a different principle. There are many socio-economic classes within America and within these subgroups follows many different lifestyles. Some are dirty rich and greedy. They appear as borderline thieves plundering or exploiting the weak. Others are literally thieves having to steal bread or something else in other to make ends meat. Other people are having to work 2 or three jobs. Its not important to talk about this right now since America is beset with a recession but from the America I left people had a different feeling and approach towards work. I feel Americans work to live. If we have a surplus of money we as most people do either save it in our bank or spend it on something fun for the time being. When we aren’t working we aren’t worrying about more money or wanting to do our actual job at home.
Unlike the situation I am apart of in Korea. I feel that this society literally Lives to work. People push their employees to do more than they are expected. I don't believe in working for free, or doing work during my time off. This doesn't mean I hate volunteering. When it comes to my job I follow my contract and do the best I can. I hate it when fellow co-workers try to appear as my boss and compare me using only salary as a basis.
In Korea it is what it is. Foreigners are overpaid babysitters. They don't really teach anything and they are used only to make parents believe that their kids are getting a first hand ESL experience. I am a tool nothing more nothing less. I came from a distant land, I am not getting round trip airfare I don't get a severance or bonus pay at the end of the contract I am getting paid for watching disrespectful kids, listening to people complain about me and seeing absolutely no change in teaching practices.
A side note- Circling a kids book in red doesn't constitute teaching. Simply saying the answers isn't really teaching but that's what the Korean teachers are paid to do. I am paid to say Repeat after me...blah blah blah............Horse shit. I am in a passionless job yet again and I hope to evade asap.
I came here with an open mind in June of 2007 as a young naïve individual seeking answers about my past, 3 years later I have found out a lot about myself and have begun to right the wrongs that I had held after I first left Korea. Since then I have worked 3 jobs. YALE Academy children's teacher, YBM ELS Adult teacher (where I went through many opportunities) In my hayday I had 4 jobs. Private teaching, Company work, Adults, and Saturday work. I was burning the candle at both ends but for the most part I was happy and now this.
To put it simple I hated my life, I hated Korea and I wanted to desperately leave it all behind while I lived in Gumi. I didn’t think Korea was positive in any way.
I came to Busan with a fresh perspective. I wanted to leave it all behind and look for other things to enjoy.
As far a work goes-it’s the same almost everywhere. People are supposed to care about their work but there is a difference. I live here everyday so I am seeing it and just wanting explanations. In America work is called your livelihood. Literally meaning how one supports his or her life. Its also ones life work and hopefully a source of contentment.
While its true that Americans work over 40 hours a week and maybe 10-12 hours a day its under a different principle. There are many socio-economic classes within America and within these subgroups follows many different lifestyles. Some are dirty rich and greedy. They appear as borderline thieves plundering or exploiting the weak. Others are literally thieves having to steal bread or something else in other to make ends meat. Other people are having to work 2 or three jobs. Its not important to talk about this right now since America is beset with a recession but from the America I left people had a different feeling and approach towards work. I feel Americans work to live. If we have a surplus of money we as most people do either save it in our bank or spend it on something fun for the time being. When we aren’t working we aren’t worrying about more money or wanting to do our actual job at home.
Unlike the situation I am apart of in Korea. I feel that this society literally Lives to work. People push their employees to do more than they are expected. I don't believe in working for free, or doing work during my time off. This doesn't mean I hate volunteering. When it comes to my job I follow my contract and do the best I can. I hate it when fellow co-workers try to appear as my boss and compare me using only salary as a basis.
In Korea it is what it is. Foreigners are overpaid babysitters. They don't really teach anything and they are used only to make parents believe that their kids are getting a first hand ESL experience. I am a tool nothing more nothing less. I came from a distant land, I am not getting round trip airfare I don't get a severance or bonus pay at the end of the contract I am getting paid for watching disrespectful kids, listening to people complain about me and seeing absolutely no change in teaching practices.
A side note- Circling a kids book in red doesn't constitute teaching. Simply saying the answers isn't really teaching but that's what the Korean teachers are paid to do. I am paid to say Repeat after me...blah blah blah............Horse shit. I am in a passionless job yet again and I hope to evade asap.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Far away from Reality
Today marks the 4th time I went to Shinsae elementary school near Centum city. I only go there on Wednesdays and so far I have had a series of mis-unfortunate events. As I have mentioned there was a 2 week period for spring break and another week which was cancelled due to heavy snow.
Working with Amy, the Korean teacher is much more pleasant that working at Yeonsan-dong. unlike my counterparts in Anmin she is not a member of the agency and therefore sees the truth in the after school program. She can see the reality of the situation instead of the hypocritical views expressed by other teachers.
While I was working in YALE I experienced much of the same problems that are still happening in this after school program. Here is a following of a brief list of harsh reality truths.
Today while I was working Amy mentioned that its impossible to love every one of the kids. Parents are foolish to believe that their child is perfect. Each day the kids scream, yell, and throw tangents that leave me in utter shock. I had a girl scream in her cell phone to her friend none the less. She was spouting bad words and it was an unpleasant sight as well as just weird.
Why do parents believe that their kids are so great? Parents are failing their kids by not educating them basic common sense. The push for excellence is marred by pure greed and stupidity.
As a foreigner life is truly difficult in the land of the morning calm. Foreigners are thought to be privileged because they are WHITE, speak english and more times than not come from America. I am appalled by this notion-
The harsh truth of the matter is that I do make more money than my Korean counter-parts. I don't need to compete over English and I don't have to be judged by the same rubric that Koreans judge themselves.
Whatever the contractual agreement that was reached is the business of the individual and its something that I don't want to hear about. Amy agreed with me and its sad that we only work once a week together.
This system is bullshit. I mentioned my 3rd job down and I already want out of this.
The teachers at Yeonsan don't want to listen to logic-they teach using wrong grammar, show kids wrong messages, and at the end of the day count the number of students. If they teach 10 students then they can make 30,000 a day or something like that. The pay is unfair but then again I am not part of the society that makes up these stupid rules.
I hate babbling and just reporting bad news but this system really sucks. I go to bed at 11 and go to school at 8 everyday...blah blah blah.... If they really want to learn english they should try a new tactic. Like trying to listen to an actual ESL Teacher.
I feel far from reality moved away from America nad put into a playground again where all people care about is the fucking Won. Its enough to make me puke.
I will be brutally honest with you- For all the readers who care I make 3000/month I work 6 days a week 4 hours a day on average and don't really enjoy much of it.
Right now-I am dealing with some problems far from reality. Kids screaming before class, during class and causing a scene. Parents watching them because they want their child to be the best. Push them into one more academy and maybe they will be--------not.
i have some friends who all hate their lives apparently. I don't hate my life. I am happily married and while I am trapped in a job and a country that I don't like at all I can manage. I do have some happy points. Why can't we figure out a way to solve these dilemma's and make Korea a better place instead of a work-a-holics paradise.
Working with Amy, the Korean teacher is much more pleasant that working at Yeonsan-dong. unlike my counterparts in Anmin she is not a member of the agency and therefore sees the truth in the after school program. She can see the reality of the situation instead of the hypocritical views expressed by other teachers.
While I was working in YALE I experienced much of the same problems that are still happening in this after school program. Here is a following of a brief list of harsh reality truths.
Today while I was working Amy mentioned that its impossible to love every one of the kids. Parents are foolish to believe that their child is perfect. Each day the kids scream, yell, and throw tangents that leave me in utter shock. I had a girl scream in her cell phone to her friend none the less. She was spouting bad words and it was an unpleasant sight as well as just weird.
Why do parents believe that their kids are so great? Parents are failing their kids by not educating them basic common sense. The push for excellence is marred by pure greed and stupidity.
As a foreigner life is truly difficult in the land of the morning calm. Foreigners are thought to be privileged because they are WHITE, speak english and more times than not come from America. I am appalled by this notion-
The harsh truth of the matter is that I do make more money than my Korean counter-parts. I don't need to compete over English and I don't have to be judged by the same rubric that Koreans judge themselves.
Whatever the contractual agreement that was reached is the business of the individual and its something that I don't want to hear about. Amy agreed with me and its sad that we only work once a week together.
This system is bullshit. I mentioned my 3rd job down and I already want out of this.
The teachers at Yeonsan don't want to listen to logic-they teach using wrong grammar, show kids wrong messages, and at the end of the day count the number of students. If they teach 10 students then they can make 30,000 a day or something like that. The pay is unfair but then again I am not part of the society that makes up these stupid rules.
I hate babbling and just reporting bad news but this system really sucks. I go to bed at 11 and go to school at 8 everyday...blah blah blah.... If they really want to learn english they should try a new tactic. Like trying to listen to an actual ESL Teacher.
I feel far from reality moved away from America nad put into a playground again where all people care about is the fucking Won. Its enough to make me puke.
I will be brutally honest with you- For all the readers who care I make 3000/month I work 6 days a week 4 hours a day on average and don't really enjoy much of it.
Right now-I am dealing with some problems far from reality. Kids screaming before class, during class and causing a scene. Parents watching them because they want their child to be the best. Push them into one more academy and maybe they will be--------not.
i have some friends who all hate their lives apparently. I don't hate my life. I am happily married and while I am trapped in a job and a country that I don't like at all I can manage. I do have some happy points. Why can't we figure out a way to solve these dilemma's and make Korea a better place instead of a work-a-holics paradise.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Gumi Outing
It was back to my old proving grounds where I first was a teacher. The place for a first for everything but we will write about that later.
After finishing my work on Saturday at YBM we departed Busan via my brother in laws car and drove for 2 hours to Gumi. It was a chance to just visit with her family since her father had just gotten out of the hospital.
After getting there we ate some food and I immediately hit the sack due to the fact that I had been up since 7am.
It was a trip to basically just visit with family. Time has gone bye really fast since I was there Sunday night and it is now Tuesday morning as I write this.
Soon, I am off to work and will be busy trying to figure out the busy week ahead of me. I am still getting used to the new schedule yet again-I honestly wish I could change my job yet again.
Its looking more official though that I will be able to have my YBM job back every Saturday for the duration of this year. I hope that I can find another new opportunity because this after school program has many pitfalls.
___________
When we came back to Busan we went to Gimhae Airport to pick-up my brother in laws girlfriend. It looks to me like an exciting place. Its close to Daejeo and life at the airport looks interesting to me.
Daejeo-is a suburb of busan its a place we will go for a tomato festival next week.
more to follow...
After finishing my work on Saturday at YBM we departed Busan via my brother in laws car and drove for 2 hours to Gumi. It was a chance to just visit with her family since her father had just gotten out of the hospital.
After getting there we ate some food and I immediately hit the sack due to the fact that I had been up since 7am.
It was a trip to basically just visit with family. Time has gone bye really fast since I was there Sunday night and it is now Tuesday morning as I write this.
Soon, I am off to work and will be busy trying to figure out the busy week ahead of me. I am still getting used to the new schedule yet again-I honestly wish I could change my job yet again.
Its looking more official though that I will be able to have my YBM job back every Saturday for the duration of this year. I hope that I can find another new opportunity because this after school program has many pitfalls.
___________
When we came back to Busan we went to Gimhae Airport to pick-up my brother in laws girlfriend. It looks to me like an exciting place. Its close to Daejeo and life at the airport looks interesting to me.
Daejeo-is a suburb of busan its a place we will go for a tomato festival next week.
more to follow...
Friday, March 19, 2010
Chasing Pride
*It's the wonderful season of Spring and we are mid-way past the month of March. It was my mother's birthday yesterday. It was also the day that I got my pay from my job site. there are many things to report on.
To begin with, its March madness and I am in a yahoo pool for 10,000 dollars the odds are not likely but later I can compare to my wife as well as other family members. Speaking of basketball....I introduced March Madness to my wife.
Each month we fill out a bracket in order to gamble and try to earn some extra money. Well when my wife filled out her bracket she had a few questions.
1. Which sport is this? OMG- her chance of earning money went down. Answer college basketball.
2. how many points do they score... its not football so more than 7....
So now my wife understands the rules and name of the game. Good luck on her pool! I am not talking about swimming pools either.
On the war front I mean work front.... I am getting irritated with my company. They paid me late, they complain about my preparation and teaching yet they don't do anything. This is just one example of the stupidity that has surrounded me here. I am sorry to my wife but I really hate this country. I worked 3 jobs and not one place can treat me with some respect. Give me more is all I hear.
I work for pride. I work for earning money just so I can say I earned a lot of money today. It certainly doesn't make me happy right now.
I found 10won which is a dime in America. This made me more happy than earning 200,000 won today or the 125,000 I will make tomorrow. I can't wait until I get my dream job.
Comments are more than welcome.
This was quite the dilemma has there are many problems happening at work.
To begin with, its March madness and I am in a yahoo pool for 10,000 dollars the odds are not likely but later I can compare to my wife as well as other family members. Speaking of basketball....I introduced March Madness to my wife.
Each month we fill out a bracket in order to gamble and try to earn some extra money. Well when my wife filled out her bracket she had a few questions.
1. Which sport is this? OMG- her chance of earning money went down. Answer college basketball.
2. how many points do they score... its not football so more than 7....
So now my wife understands the rules and name of the game. Good luck on her pool! I am not talking about swimming pools either.
On the war front I mean work front.... I am getting irritated with my company. They paid me late, they complain about my preparation and teaching yet they don't do anything. This is just one example of the stupidity that has surrounded me here. I am sorry to my wife but I really hate this country. I worked 3 jobs and not one place can treat me with some respect. Give me more is all I hear.
I work for pride. I work for earning money just so I can say I earned a lot of money today. It certainly doesn't make me happy right now.
I found 10won which is a dime in America. This made me more happy than earning 200,000 won today or the 125,000 I will make tomorrow. I can't wait until I get my dream job.
Comments are more than welcome.
This was quite the dilemma has there are many problems happening at work.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Why Worry
Why worry?
In this life there are only two things to worry about.
Either you will be rich or poor.
If you are rich, there is nothing to worry about.
But if you are poor, there are only two things to worry about.
Either you will be healthy or sick.
If you are healthy, there is nothing to worry about.
But if you are sick, there are two things to worry about.
Either you will live or you will die.
If you live, there is nothing to worry about.
If you die there are only two things to worry about.
You will either go to heaven or to hell.
If you go to heaven, there will be nothing to worry about.
If you go to hell, you'll be so darn busy shaking hands with all your friends,
you won't have time to worry!
SO WHY WORRY?
Author Unknown
In this life there are only two things to worry about.
Either you will be rich or poor.
If you are rich, there is nothing to worry about.
But if you are poor, there are only two things to worry about.
Either you will be healthy or sick.
If you are healthy, there is nothing to worry about.
But if you are sick, there are two things to worry about.
Either you will live or you will die.
If you live, there is nothing to worry about.
If you die there are only two things to worry about.
You will either go to heaven or to hell.
If you go to heaven, there will be nothing to worry about.
If you go to hell, you'll be so darn busy shaking hands with all your friends,
you won't have time to worry!
SO WHY WORRY?
Author Unknown
If you are.....
If you are sad, unhappy, tired, and need some happy virus,
Just look at this and smile.
Ummmmmmm....
Pong!!!!!
HAHAHAHAHA~
Just look at this and smile.
Ummmmmmm....
Pong!!!!!
HAHAHAHAHA~
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Nightlife in Seoul
Before we got married last year, we went to Seoul just for fun.
we took these pictures at Namsan. There is a big tower there but there was no time to go up. We just heard there is a restaurant on top and it moves slowly so we can see whole scenery in Seoul sitting on the chair.
Maybe next time if we go there, I will take more pictures and upload here.
Vietnam rice noodles.
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Today I am trying to talk about Vietnam rice noodles. They are white more brighter than rice and chewy. Noodles are thinner than Korean Style noodles and easy to digest. So although you ate a lot, you will feel hunger again a few hours later. Especially Nick and I feel hungry all the time after eating this food.
As you can see the pictures above, there are two different sauces(one is barbeque and the other is hot sauce) three different side dishes. Lemon and chopped green spicy pepper, sliced salted onion and chopped salted radish. And also we can drink tea there. It's kind of herb tea.
Nick likes to eat plain type noodles. There are several pieces of sliced beef and chopped spring onions like you can see.
Mine is Sea food rice noodles. There are two different of clams, chopped squid and shrimps in the bowl. It's really spicy to me, so if you eat this one, you may cry or tear. I am quite pretty sure. As I told you before, Koreans really like to eat spicy food so it doesn't matter to me at all.
Whenever weather is cloudy, windy or cold, we go to this restaurant. It's really good excuse to go on a date and take a walk along GwangAn beach. Honey, should we go out today?
Today's breakfast Menu
I cooked four different types of food. Hash browns, boiled dumplings, bacons, fried spring rolls and fresh juice.
Can you see Nick's legs? He is waiting for his breakfast.
Wow, huge meal. Nick and I shared this together. According to him, I cooked too much in the morning. But we ate it all.
This is dumpling. When I went to America, I didn't find this one at all. How delicious!!!
This is soy sauce with chopped onions. haha. This is the best sauce when we eat dumplings or spring rolls.
Last one is fresh mix juice. Grapefruit and orange. So cool.
Can you see Nick's legs? He is waiting for his breakfast.
Wow, huge meal. Nick and I shared this together. According to him, I cooked too much in the morning. But we ate it all.
This is dumpling. When I went to America, I didn't find this one at all. How delicious!!!
This is soy sauce with chopped onions. haha. This is the best sauce when we eat dumplings or spring rolls.
Last one is fresh mix juice. Grapefruit and orange. So cool.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Yeon-san Dong: The English learning Environment
March 16th, 2010
As usual I made my way down to the subway station at 1pm and went to the transfer station at Suyeong. When transferring there its always interesting to see the big line-up. When getting on the subway we always rush to get the first seat. when getting off at Yeon-san dong there is the big push to the elevator...its like clockwork that this never ending cycle happens day in day out. Even now as I speak there probably is a long line of people forming at Suyeong as well as Yeonsan-dong.
After working in Yeonsan my wife and I dined at a kamja tong restaurant where we just sat and talked about the day. I didn't get paid yet so I am still angry about that. On a personal note this company is slowly showing me that it doesn't care to follow its guidelines. I will post more on that later.
To answer a comment I received earlier...
I have been living in Korea for 3 years. The Korean language was formed based off of the phonetic sounds. Thus the characters are written showing the placement of articulation with our tongue. In my experience I have read a few books, memorized the easy alphabet, am able to read everything and I can understand on an elementary level.
My wife and I converse in english most of the time except for the small talk jokes we share that are in Korean. I have a basic set of Korean vocab as well. However, there really is no way for me to use Korean. When koreans have befriended me and are actually comfortable around a foreigner then a real sense of cultural immersion can take place. When I am walking the streets and I am lost and I need to call on my skills I find most people are timid to say the least when responding to me. It must be real basic for example: Bathroom except the Korean word for that.
Living in Korea is difficult for foreigners. I have often felt that there is no purpose for us to be here unless we work. PLeasure is hard to define to a culture who is chasing dollars.
Kids- Maybe because they don't have an experience in a foreign country or maybe because they are too young are the reasons that they can't learn English properly. the parents push them into this program whether they are ready or not. It reminds me of a personal story when I was young. I was pushed into a program that I didn't want to do at first. This program was called Cross country and because of my mother I had to do it. Later, I enjoyed it and was actually successful at it. I miss it. Kids here have no sense of enjoyment with the English language. If we aren't playing a game its no fun. If its not class time its free time which means they can run around shouting, yelling, and calling me stupid. They truly get away with much more than I think they should and no one gives a rats ass.
Today-I showed up before 2, tried to get a lesson plan from the teachers to no avail and was told with 2 minutes to go that the korean teacher is just too busy. She needs to write up a report, check homework and prepare herself for the parents. This is to insure that they stay in the unorganized class. My 50 minutes are entirely up to me without so much as some discipline from the teacher.
So far my third job in Korea and yet again a disappointment. School house rock continues tomorrow where I make my 4th appearance at this school. Hope it goes better than today went.
As usual I made my way down to the subway station at 1pm and went to the transfer station at Suyeong. When transferring there its always interesting to see the big line-up. When getting on the subway we always rush to get the first seat. when getting off at Yeon-san dong there is the big push to the elevator...its like clockwork that this never ending cycle happens day in day out. Even now as I speak there probably is a long line of people forming at Suyeong as well as Yeonsan-dong.
After working in Yeonsan my wife and I dined at a kamja tong restaurant where we just sat and talked about the day. I didn't get paid yet so I am still angry about that. On a personal note this company is slowly showing me that it doesn't care to follow its guidelines. I will post more on that later.
To answer a comment I received earlier...
I have been living in Korea for 3 years. The Korean language was formed based off of the phonetic sounds. Thus the characters are written showing the placement of articulation with our tongue. In my experience I have read a few books, memorized the easy alphabet, am able to read everything and I can understand on an elementary level.
My wife and I converse in english most of the time except for the small talk jokes we share that are in Korean. I have a basic set of Korean vocab as well. However, there really is no way for me to use Korean. When koreans have befriended me and are actually comfortable around a foreigner then a real sense of cultural immersion can take place. When I am walking the streets and I am lost and I need to call on my skills I find most people are timid to say the least when responding to me. It must be real basic for example: Bathroom except the Korean word for that.
Living in Korea is difficult for foreigners. I have often felt that there is no purpose for us to be here unless we work. PLeasure is hard to define to a culture who is chasing dollars.
Kids- Maybe because they don't have an experience in a foreign country or maybe because they are too young are the reasons that they can't learn English properly. the parents push them into this program whether they are ready or not. It reminds me of a personal story when I was young. I was pushed into a program that I didn't want to do at first. This program was called Cross country and because of my mother I had to do it. Later, I enjoyed it and was actually successful at it. I miss it. Kids here have no sense of enjoyment with the English language. If we aren't playing a game its no fun. If its not class time its free time which means they can run around shouting, yelling, and calling me stupid. They truly get away with much more than I think they should and no one gives a rats ass.
Today-I showed up before 2, tried to get a lesson plan from the teachers to no avail and was told with 2 minutes to go that the korean teacher is just too busy. She needs to write up a report, check homework and prepare herself for the parents. This is to insure that they stay in the unorganized class. My 50 minutes are entirely up to me without so much as some discipline from the teacher.
So far my third job in Korea and yet again a disappointment. School house rock continues tomorrow where I make my 4th appearance at this school. Hope it goes better than today went.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Tea with Star Trek
This would be a post for my mom if she read this...
I used to come home from my elementary school around 330 or 4pm when I was 10-13 years old. After coming home I would drink some black milk tea and watch an episode of Star Trek and then the Simpsons. I really liked Star Trek when I was growing up.
I think that I was comfortable watching a tv drama that had romance, action, mystery and suspense. It was my escape from trivial things that had happened to me at school. I miss those days a lot now.
Walking outside on the porch to pet my dog Roca, sit at the picnic table talking to the cats, waiting for my dad to come home in his white truck so maybe we could go to the lake, sharing some conversation with mom and my brother and arguing over something stupid because it seemed to be the favorite past time of my family. But there was always me break time and with that Star Trek the next generation or Star Trek Deep Space Nine.
I remember also watching Cheers, Frazier, Seinfeld and many other childhood shows Pretender, Law and Order, CSI and Simpsons as well as my second love... MASH.
Having Tea with Star Trek was unique, I was made fun of by my classmates for this, my brother eventually had a falling out with Star Trek and moved on to just being with friends while I continued to enjoy reminiscing about the past.
Nowadays, I teach kids who are a lot worse than the ones I grew up with and after spending 4 hours with them getting them to spit out some rudimentary english I go home to dinner, coffee and watch an episode of star trek, I find it a good way to end the day.
It makes me remember my childhood times and gives me hope that there is something more than just work and trivial nonsense going on around me.
I used to come home from my elementary school around 330 or 4pm when I was 10-13 years old. After coming home I would drink some black milk tea and watch an episode of Star Trek and then the Simpsons. I really liked Star Trek when I was growing up.
I think that I was comfortable watching a tv drama that had romance, action, mystery and suspense. It was my escape from trivial things that had happened to me at school. I miss those days a lot now.
Walking outside on the porch to pet my dog Roca, sit at the picnic table talking to the cats, waiting for my dad to come home in his white truck so maybe we could go to the lake, sharing some conversation with mom and my brother and arguing over something stupid because it seemed to be the favorite past time of my family. But there was always me break time and with that Star Trek the next generation or Star Trek Deep Space Nine.
I remember also watching Cheers, Frazier, Seinfeld and many other childhood shows Pretender, Law and Order, CSI and Simpsons as well as my second love... MASH.
Having Tea with Star Trek was unique, I was made fun of by my classmates for this, my brother eventually had a falling out with Star Trek and moved on to just being with friends while I continued to enjoy reminiscing about the past.
Nowadays, I teach kids who are a lot worse than the ones I grew up with and after spending 4 hours with them getting them to spit out some rudimentary english I go home to dinner, coffee and watch an episode of star trek, I find it a good way to end the day.
It makes me remember my childhood times and gives me hope that there is something more than just work and trivial nonsense going on around me.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Pub dining
Last night we went to Breeze Burns, a small pub overlooking Gwangan Beach. From this point you can also see Diamond Bridge which glows at night. Right now the weather is pretty dreary so its not really spectacular.
Yesterday was a fast day. I taught at YBM my 5 classes including my 2 Adult classes in the early morning. After teaching the three kids classes I was able to find my wife a job that will be joining me at YBM teaching the Saturday program class. This was good news to me, especially since I am getting along so well with the new director at YBM. I may be able to work there for a long time which will be good for me.
I will get paid tomorrow I believe and this was another reason to celebrate. WE went out and had fries and chicken at the pub. This was the first time we went to a pub while being in Korea and the atmosphere for the most part was great. We need to go out more often and enjoy the nightlife of Gwangan more frequently.
Its now Sunday and its a good time to just catch up around the house. Our Hollister package came in the mail and we are wearing our new clothes! I am going to continue writing in my book and or blog and my wife will sew for awhile. Its looking like a nice day to just rest and recover for the week behind us and the week ahead.
Yesterday was a fast day. I taught at YBM my 5 classes including my 2 Adult classes in the early morning. After teaching the three kids classes I was able to find my wife a job that will be joining me at YBM teaching the Saturday program class. This was good news to me, especially since I am getting along so well with the new director at YBM. I may be able to work there for a long time which will be good for me.
I will get paid tomorrow I believe and this was another reason to celebrate. WE went out and had fries and chicken at the pub. This was the first time we went to a pub while being in Korea and the atmosphere for the most part was great. We need to go out more often and enjoy the nightlife of Gwangan more frequently.
Its now Sunday and its a good time to just catch up around the house. Our Hollister package came in the mail and we are wearing our new clothes! I am going to continue writing in my book and or blog and my wife will sew for awhile. Its looking like a nice day to just rest and recover for the week behind us and the week ahead.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Do you like Vietnam food?
These days I am interested in going to Vietnam restaurant and eating rice noodles and Vietnam Wrap. Taste is various from sweet and greasy to super ultra spicy. Of course, I always choose spicy one. My face can be red and my stomach growls because of that, but my feeling is better all the time.
These pictures above are Vietnam Wrap. There is a big pot and you can put some green vegetables and mung-bean sprouts. It's similar to bean sprouts but a little different. These bean sprouts are essential ingredient of Vietnam food. If water boils, we put sliced beef in the pot, pick up and put on the rice paper. There are lots of sliced fresh vegetables as you saw the pictures. You can add whatever you want and then wrap. There are three different sauce. One is barbecue, another one is sour sauce and the other is spicy.
Next time, I will write more about rice noodles.
Friday, March 12, 2010
job site
As you may know I am an After School elementary ESL Teacher where I work at 2 different schools. I work everyday in Allack-dong which is a small district in Yeonsan-dong. (The biggest area of Busan) and one day (Wednesdays) near Centum City. The Cosmopolitan side of Busan.
I haven't really worked in Centum city though since they have had 2 vacation days and a snow day since I have been teaching. Thats all the times but 3.
Yeonsan-dong is beginning to be robotic in nature. I walk out of my house a little bit before 1pm. I enter the subway and go to Suyeong i order to transfer. I get into the car headed for Daejeo to the tune of " happy Metro, please continue riding on this subway, its comfortable, its fast blah blah blah,..its all in Korean and after a short break for the transfer to take place we are on our way. 8 minutes later I am pushed out the gate for Yeonsan.
Now, the interesting part... Yeonsan-dong is a very interesting place to me. Its a busy intersection and a place where many things are happening. There is a phenomenon that happens almost everywhere I go in Busan but especially here in Yeonsan-dong. When going up the escalator to leave the subway people are funneling their way in order to get onto the escalator. I hate it because people are so blind by the need to hurry the F*&* up that they forget bedside manners. Old women (people over 65) have a certain self-righteous aspect to them and feel they need to get out first.
I may seem to have a condescending attitude but I am sick of watching people treat others terribly. As I said the elderly feel that since they have been through hell and back they can push their way around all the time.
Another instance, today I saw a motorist nearly hit a little girl and her mom because he had to ride on the sidewalk. Chicken express coming through... I swear if someone gets their chicken 5 minutes later it may be just a little warm and then the company should be fined for be slow and giving cold chicken... that would be a great ironic story.
Enough complaints...
I got to my school, taught my 4 classes (with no prep time or lesson planned in advance) My colleague lost her voice and I am sick so teaching kids is quite tricky at times. At 6 I walked home.
This concludes the 5 days a week and now I look forward to returning to my alma-mater Nampo-dong! Tomorrow at 8am I will leave so excited!
I haven't really worked in Centum city though since they have had 2 vacation days and a snow day since I have been teaching. Thats all the times but 3.
Yeonsan-dong is beginning to be robotic in nature. I walk out of my house a little bit before 1pm. I enter the subway and go to Suyeong i order to transfer. I get into the car headed for Daejeo to the tune of " happy Metro, please continue riding on this subway, its comfortable, its fast blah blah blah,..its all in Korean and after a short break for the transfer to take place we are on our way. 8 minutes later I am pushed out the gate for Yeonsan.
Now, the interesting part... Yeonsan-dong is a very interesting place to me. Its a busy intersection and a place where many things are happening. There is a phenomenon that happens almost everywhere I go in Busan but especially here in Yeonsan-dong. When going up the escalator to leave the subway people are funneling their way in order to get onto the escalator. I hate it because people are so blind by the need to hurry the F*&* up that they forget bedside manners. Old women (people over 65) have a certain self-righteous aspect to them and feel they need to get out first.
I may seem to have a condescending attitude but I am sick of watching people treat others terribly. As I said the elderly feel that since they have been through hell and back they can push their way around all the time.
Another instance, today I saw a motorist nearly hit a little girl and her mom because he had to ride on the sidewalk. Chicken express coming through... I swear if someone gets their chicken 5 minutes later it may be just a little warm and then the company should be fined for be slow and giving cold chicken... that would be a great ironic story.
Enough complaints...
I got to my school, taught my 4 classes (with no prep time or lesson planned in advance) My colleague lost her voice and I am sick so teaching kids is quite tricky at times. At 6 I walked home.
This concludes the 5 days a week and now I look forward to returning to my alma-mater Nampo-dong! Tomorrow at 8am I will leave so excited!
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Card Game
There are many different Card Games that we play in our house. For example, there is the Mybi Card which I already mentioned but will refresh your memory. The Mybi card is my traffic card that needs to be continually recharged. The recharge amount is totally up to me. I usually put on 50,000won or $50 a month. Each day I travel via subway or bus so for me its a game just to see how long my rechargeable card will take me. I got lucky yesterday so I was able to save 1900won or almost $2 by not traveling. I know its a ridiculous game and something we all do-its called Budgeting but for me it helps kill the boredom of taking a subway/bus or just the waiting game before my classes begin.
The Second game we have is Happy Point. This is a bonus point card that allows us to save money for our next purchases. The most common place we use it is Dunkin Donuts. For example, if we buy coffee for both of us 3800 won then we can get 200won towards a free purchase. When we have 10,000won on our card we can buy a nice snack and coffee.
Next we have the Lotte Card, The Lotte Card is like a visa card but it gives reward points and special discount offers. For example, we ate Pizza the other day for a grand total of 35,000won but due to the Lotte Card we saved an additional 5000won.
These are my wifes 3 favorite cards as I still have no cards of my own. The only card I really have is my bank card and there's really nothing special about that.
We also have a variety of coffee Cards. For example, our favorite Davinci coffee. This is a branch with a few around Busan. If we order 10 cups of coffee we get the 11th for free. So far we are on 12. My Tom and Toms Coffee works like a Happy Point card so if we go there and spend close to a 100 dollars we can have a free cup of coffee. Maybe this will take a year or so I hope.
We also use my brother in laws SK captain membership card that gives us discounts from 20-30% of Domino's pizza Mr. Pizza or Pizza hut. We can get movie discounts as well. Loteria a burger establishment gives us 10% off. All of these are lucky benefits to SK holders.
Sometimes I wonder about SK its so Ironic SK South Korea?? Maybe its South Korea
One time we went to Outback and due to the card we were allowed 10%off
These card systems are what makes Korea go. Its definitely a business motive but as well as providing a more efficient way to travel and buy.
Another Card we use is Called Korail. This is the train transportation card and upon purchasing a card it saves 5% for the next purchase. You may save up these points towards a free ticket. Its similar to Delta Sky miles.
I am really interested in learning more about these cards and hopefully more importantly finding their counterparts in America.
Finally, we play some typical card Games. Five crown, skip-bo, and Phase 10 which could be found in any American store. (WE actually brought these back from America on our trip)
Lastly, we play a Traditional game that uses mini-hard cards. The game is called Go-stop. Its kind of Synonymous with Korea go-go-stop-go again. Thats just my opinion.
the object of the game is to receive 5 points before the other player. There could be up to 3 players. You play by collecting pairs that are worth 10 points 5 points or 1point. The cards are further separated into distinct piles: King pile, Animals (10points) 5points (the ones with ribbons) and just a plain pile
here is the list of points:
1. Ribbon cards (ddi) After getting 5 of them this equates 1 point If you get 3 of the same ribbon then thats a total of 3points.
2. Animal cards (dongmul) Cards that have an animal depicted are worth 10points and after collecting 5 of them you have yet another point. Godori is the best when you collect three birds! That itself is worth 5 points
3. Finally, there is Junk cards (pi) which is all worth just one and the easiest to collect. If you get 10 junk cards then you receive one point.
4. The kings: There are 5 kings after you have collected 3 of them you can claim points.
2 kings=0
3=3
4=4
5=5
please see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Go-Stop for more information
The Second game we have is Happy Point. This is a bonus point card that allows us to save money for our next purchases. The most common place we use it is Dunkin Donuts. For example, if we buy coffee for both of us 3800 won then we can get 200won towards a free purchase. When we have 10,000won on our card we can buy a nice snack and coffee.
Next we have the Lotte Card, The Lotte Card is like a visa card but it gives reward points and special discount offers. For example, we ate Pizza the other day for a grand total of 35,000won but due to the Lotte Card we saved an additional 5000won.
These are my wifes 3 favorite cards as I still have no cards of my own. The only card I really have is my bank card and there's really nothing special about that.
We also have a variety of coffee Cards. For example, our favorite Davinci coffee. This is a branch with a few around Busan. If we order 10 cups of coffee we get the 11th for free. So far we are on 12. My Tom and Toms Coffee works like a Happy Point card so if we go there and spend close to a 100 dollars we can have a free cup of coffee. Maybe this will take a year or so I hope.
We also use my brother in laws SK captain membership card that gives us discounts from 20-30% of Domino's pizza Mr. Pizza or Pizza hut. We can get movie discounts as well. Loteria a burger establishment gives us 10% off. All of these are lucky benefits to SK holders.
Sometimes I wonder about SK its so Ironic SK South Korea?? Maybe its South Korea
One time we went to Outback and due to the card we were allowed 10%off
These card systems are what makes Korea go. Its definitely a business motive but as well as providing a more efficient way to travel and buy.
Another Card we use is Called Korail. This is the train transportation card and upon purchasing a card it saves 5% for the next purchase. You may save up these points towards a free ticket. Its similar to Delta Sky miles.
I am really interested in learning more about these cards and hopefully more importantly finding their counterparts in America.
Finally, we play some typical card Games. Five crown, skip-bo, and Phase 10 which could be found in any American store. (WE actually brought these back from America on our trip)
Lastly, we play a Traditional game that uses mini-hard cards. The game is called Go-stop. Its kind of Synonymous with Korea go-go-stop-go again. Thats just my opinion.
the object of the game is to receive 5 points before the other player. There could be up to 3 players. You play by collecting pairs that are worth 10 points 5 points or 1point. The cards are further separated into distinct piles: King pile, Animals (10points) 5points (the ones with ribbons) and just a plain pile
here is the list of points:
1. Ribbon cards (ddi) After getting 5 of them this equates 1 point If you get 3 of the same ribbon then thats a total of 3points.
2. Animal cards (dongmul) Cards that have an animal depicted are worth 10points and after collecting 5 of them you have yet another point. Godori is the best when you collect three birds! That itself is worth 5 points
3. Finally, there is Junk cards (pi) which is all worth just one and the easiest to collect. If you get 10 junk cards then you receive one point.
4. The kings: There are 5 kings after you have collected 3 of them you can claim points.
2 kings=0
3=3
4=4
5=5
please see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Go-Stop for more information
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Snow Day
I woke up today at 9am to a message that said there would be no school today! I am so happy because I get paid whether I teach 4 hours or 0 hours. I really need a break already though because I am fighting a cold.
Its so Ironic a fricking snow day in Busan... The heart of the tropics in Korea. Busan is about as far south as you could possibly go, its similar in climate to Los Angeles.
Apparently, Korea is scared of Snow. It snowed an inch only, the wind is howling and because of this many of the buses won't work. I really am praying this happens again tomorrow. I am fed up with my education system thus far.
At this time I would normally be headed out the door to take a bus or subway to my school. I would arrive there and plan a lesson plan in 5 minutes and then come home.
Its now 12pm and I think I will do whatever the heart desires today.
Its so Ironic a fricking snow day in Busan... The heart of the tropics in Korea. Busan is about as far south as you could possibly go, its similar in climate to Los Angeles.
Apparently, Korea is scared of Snow. It snowed an inch only, the wind is howling and because of this many of the buses won't work. I really am praying this happens again tomorrow. I am fed up with my education system thus far.
At this time I would normally be headed out the door to take a bus or subway to my school. I would arrive there and plan a lesson plan in 5 minutes and then come home.
Its now 12pm and I think I will do whatever the heart desires today.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
100 Days
In Korea there are many traditions involving Dates. The most obvious ones are Anniversaries.
There are two specific couple anniversaries. The first date anniversary and the wedding Anniversary.
There are also several important dates that are also considered important. This week I have 2 of them very close to each other. Today March 9th is our 100th day as a married couple March 19th is our 1000th day of dating.
I have known my wife since june of 2007 when I first started working at YALE ACADEMY and my blog posts were in their infancy. Many things have changed since then.
Today we went to PNU subway stop 128 and we ate at Pizza hut and had a follow up of Dunkin Donuts Coffee. not the most classy of all places for a 100 days but something different to break the monotony in our schedule.
Today unfortunately we are both sick. I am coming down with a cold and going to work is a little hard. I taught 4 classes from 2pm to 6 and ended up having to yell more than I wanted to.
The kids were so bad because of the rain, too many kids in the class 16 to 18, or not enough control or language adequacy.
Anyways, I am looking forward to our 1000days tomorrow its back to work this time near Centum city...
I really hope my schedule gets better
There are two specific couple anniversaries. The first date anniversary and the wedding Anniversary.
There are also several important dates that are also considered important. This week I have 2 of them very close to each other. Today March 9th is our 100th day as a married couple March 19th is our 1000th day of dating.
I have known my wife since june of 2007 when I first started working at YALE ACADEMY and my blog posts were in their infancy. Many things have changed since then.
Today we went to PNU subway stop 128 and we ate at Pizza hut and had a follow up of Dunkin Donuts Coffee. not the most classy of all places for a 100 days but something different to break the monotony in our schedule.
Today unfortunately we are both sick. I am coming down with a cold and going to work is a little hard. I taught 4 classes from 2pm to 6 and ended up having to yell more than I wanted to.
The kids were so bad because of the rain, too many kids in the class 16 to 18, or not enough control or language adequacy.
Anyways, I am looking forward to our 1000days tomorrow its back to work this time near Centum city...
I really hope my schedule gets better
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Busan Metro System
Here is a map of the Busan Subway system. This is how I generally get around Busan through the use of my MyBi travel Card.
Down below is a list of the hotspots I travel to on a regular basis
Subway Line 3
Yeonsan-dong
This is a transfer station and where I actually get off in order to go to Allack-dong. Anmin elementary is located within 20 minutes walking distance from the subway station.
Gupo
This is a train station where we go in order to depart from Busan or when arriving back to Busan. Its a little cheaper for us to leave from this location since its 15 minutes closer to Gumi than Busan Station.
Subway Line 2
Geumnyeonsan station is my home. and next to that is Gwangan.
These two places are both situated on the beach. I never take a subway to Gwangan because its within walking distance. The beach is one of the most popular destinations in Busan.
Centum City
home of Shinsegae and Lotte Department Stores. A shoppers heaven and a place to waste money.
Kyungsung University- Home of two Universities and a chance to go drink coffee at the Starbucks close to both campuses.Starbucks is a franchise throughout Korea and this includes 3 within my district of Gwangan but we never go out for coffee only on occassion do we go out and this district is one of them.
Daeyeon- The third YBM Center is located here and we may end up working there later this year.
Seomyeon- Transfer Station Center of Busan and a place we rarely visit.
I have never been east of Seomyeon on Line 2 There are 24 subways stations past Seomyeon---In my opinion over half the city of Busan is located past Seomyeon.
Line 1
Saha-gu
Sinpyeong Hadan Saha Goejeong
I used to work in the Jangnim district Industrial factory area. Its not pretty and its quite far from any main source of nightlife, recreational hotspot etc.
Nampo-dong
Home of YBM, the old Center of Busan A Lotte Department Store created in December 2009. Nampo-dong was my old home as well. I was able to walk to work in under 5 minutes each day. gook-jae market is also here which is an outdoor market that sells anything you can find. There are many International products available
Two stops away is Busan Station. If we are going away for an extended time we usually taking the mugungawha or Sammauel train out of Busan Station. The plaza is huge and its actually a beautiful downtown district in my opinion.
Next up the line past Seomyeon is Busan National University. The only University in Busan that cracks the top 10 in Korea. It has wonderful Samgyapsal that is quite cheap (college area) and is close to Beomosa and a Botany area where you can view nice plants found around Busan and Korea.
After eating dinner we can go on a nature walk that follows the Oncheonjang river and can go all the way to Gwangan where we live. I love it here because it reminds me of Missoula.
These are the only hotspots in Busan that I have been to. Later I will enclose more information about each place as the events unfold.
Family -a slice of pizza
A few days ago I saw a book that sparked my interest. It was about a family that was living together under one roof but all where leading separate lives. It reminded me of me life back home. My family and I have been heading in our own directions ever since I began college. I didn't read the book and I can't compare beyond the title, but the title has a significant meaning. just as the Subtitle hinted A slice of pizza is about any portion of our life. ( Money, Marriage, travels, hobbies, etc). In other words, this is just another factoid of life...Shit happens, things change and there is little to nothing that we can do about it.
Back where I come from I am leaving behind my mother, father, and a younger brother. My extended family is a lot closer. I used to keep in correspondence with many of my cousins, aunts and uncles. I still have a wonderful relationship with all of them and hear from people sometimes. Lastly, I am happy to say that I have always had a special connection with my grandma. She and I have enjoy many cups of coffee and trips together from the time I was young to now.
When I was in college I got along better with my brother. We actually started to hang out a little more but I never did get to see his plays. Now he is pondering a career in Holllywood and it may be along time before I get out there.
My parents and I haven't ever seen eye to eye but since moving to Korea we get along better as well. I think getting married has made them realize that we need to not argue as much as we used to.
Distance doesn't help. I thought for along time it was nice beging away from home. I thought that my relationships would get stronger rather than weaker. Many of my friends and I have lost touch with each other. While my family cares a lot about me they have their own responsibilities: My brothers plays, fathers retirement plans, and my mothers own situations as well.
It would take a whole week to explain my families background, postion, and situation but this post should clarify a lot.
I truly miss America because it was so familiar to me. I felt like I owned Missoula. I was happy dealing with family issues, living my life with a carefree attitude. There was no rush, I enjoyed listening to my friends' dramas and trying to help them fix the situation, and in turn they helped me. I was poor (a lonely college student) but rich on friends, rich on life, and happy to be apart of that community. I had everything at my disposal.
If I could have things my way I would return to the way things used to be. Getting up and going to Food For Thought on Sundays studying anything from Spanish to Geography and as I said just enjoy the time on my own accord.
Being in Korea things are a little different than that romantic vision.
I grew up in Korea. From the playing grounds in America to the real life brutalizations I have faced since entering the workforce in Korea I have become someone that sees the world in a total different perspective.
Aside from my negative ramblings that have been catalogued in my previous blogs I have an understanding of how things are and how they came to be. I wish that certain things could be different and people whether Foreign or Korean could see things differently but that's not going to happen in the short run.
I have nobody to blame for where I have landed other than myself. My wifes family is the embodiment of Korea. If it wasn't for them I wouldn't be here.
Her parents are more strict and more conservative by nature. They work very hard and follow korean traditional thinking which means they put everything ahead of themselves for the sake of the children. I have a sister-in-law and brother-in-law. Her family is 15 years old than my parents (I believe) and as Korean Families go they are a lot closer than mine. Its a giant pizza instead of 4 little slices like mine.
I spend the holidays at her parents house because so far we haven't wanted to go on a personal vacation. I used to clamor my family for vacations when I was growing up but to no avail. Her brother lives upstairs from us and spends a lot of time with us. He takes us where we need because he has a car, and we share food together in order to save money. Sharing is how to spell family in Korea and it makes our life easier.
I am an Uncle now- I have one niece and a nephew from my sister in law. I see her around the holidays as well and now she is the only one left in Gumi taking care of my wife's parents.
In conclusion, I came to korea penniless and worked for 2 years and now I have a Korean family. In the middle of the two families is myself and the Pinnacle of my existence my wife.
In some instances it may be time to begin my own family but if the truth be known I am still wrestling with the debate Korea verses America and the misconceptions about life itself that may end up making Our family life hard.
This may be a two part or three part but I am interested in what anyone may think. I do know now that in the past I was especially negative and I am trying to change that. My hope is to better understand everything and anything that comes my way and I ask that you if you comment please let me know how I can better clarify. I am always looking for some new ideas.
Back where I come from I am leaving behind my mother, father, and a younger brother. My extended family is a lot closer. I used to keep in correspondence with many of my cousins, aunts and uncles. I still have a wonderful relationship with all of them and hear from people sometimes. Lastly, I am happy to say that I have always had a special connection with my grandma. She and I have enjoy many cups of coffee and trips together from the time I was young to now.
When I was in college I got along better with my brother. We actually started to hang out a little more but I never did get to see his plays. Now he is pondering a career in Holllywood and it may be along time before I get out there.
My parents and I haven't ever seen eye to eye but since moving to Korea we get along better as well. I think getting married has made them realize that we need to not argue as much as we used to.
Distance doesn't help. I thought for along time it was nice beging away from home. I thought that my relationships would get stronger rather than weaker. Many of my friends and I have lost touch with each other. While my family cares a lot about me they have their own responsibilities: My brothers plays, fathers retirement plans, and my mothers own situations as well.
It would take a whole week to explain my families background, postion, and situation but this post should clarify a lot.
I truly miss America because it was so familiar to me. I felt like I owned Missoula. I was happy dealing with family issues, living my life with a carefree attitude. There was no rush, I enjoyed listening to my friends' dramas and trying to help them fix the situation, and in turn they helped me. I was poor (a lonely college student) but rich on friends, rich on life, and happy to be apart of that community. I had everything at my disposal.
If I could have things my way I would return to the way things used to be. Getting up and going to Food For Thought on Sundays studying anything from Spanish to Geography and as I said just enjoy the time on my own accord.
Being in Korea things are a little different than that romantic vision.
I grew up in Korea. From the playing grounds in America to the real life brutalizations I have faced since entering the workforce in Korea I have become someone that sees the world in a total different perspective.
Aside from my negative ramblings that have been catalogued in my previous blogs I have an understanding of how things are and how they came to be. I wish that certain things could be different and people whether Foreign or Korean could see things differently but that's not going to happen in the short run.
I have nobody to blame for where I have landed other than myself. My wifes family is the embodiment of Korea. If it wasn't for them I wouldn't be here.
Her parents are more strict and more conservative by nature. They work very hard and follow korean traditional thinking which means they put everything ahead of themselves for the sake of the children. I have a sister-in-law and brother-in-law. Her family is 15 years old than my parents (I believe) and as Korean Families go they are a lot closer than mine. Its a giant pizza instead of 4 little slices like mine.
I spend the holidays at her parents house because so far we haven't wanted to go on a personal vacation. I used to clamor my family for vacations when I was growing up but to no avail. Her brother lives upstairs from us and spends a lot of time with us. He takes us where we need because he has a car, and we share food together in order to save money. Sharing is how to spell family in Korea and it makes our life easier.
I am an Uncle now- I have one niece and a nephew from my sister in law. I see her around the holidays as well and now she is the only one left in Gumi taking care of my wife's parents.
In conclusion, I came to korea penniless and worked for 2 years and now I have a Korean family. In the middle of the two families is myself and the Pinnacle of my existence my wife.
In some instances it may be time to begin my own family but if the truth be known I am still wrestling with the debate Korea verses America and the misconceptions about life itself that may end up making Our family life hard.
This may be a two part or three part but I am interested in what anyone may think. I do know now that in the past I was especially negative and I am trying to change that. My hope is to better understand everything and anything that comes my way and I ask that you if you comment please let me know how I can better clarify. I am always looking for some new ideas.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Return to Nampo-dong
My weekend was off to a flying start since as of last Thursday I got the go ahead that I was searching for ever since returning to Busan. I was laying in bed Thursday morning when I thought my alarm went off. Apparently, My alarm was a strange phone number singing to me and not only that to my shock it was actually a phone call from YBM that woke me with a jolt. YBM asked me if I wanted to work Adult classes as well as the junior program on Saturday for the month of March. It was actually my dream to return to Nampo-dong ever since I left that company. I would work from 10am to 12pm and then again 3pm to 6pm with kiddies.
YBM was my home it was a place I felt wonderful for the first time since arriving in Korea in 2007. I liked it there. The company had a lot of problems, and its fair share of drama but a lot of it was also my fault and my failure for not fixing it while I had the chance. I was not short-sighted though as I made an attempt to get my Saturday program back. It finally paid off and I may be able to work there a long time again!
My teaching isn't the greatest but being given this chance again to serve YBM and show them that I can do well made me so happy. Yes, I get 500 dollars a month but its more than that this is my shot at redemption to make things right for me, for my wife, for YBM for korea? Who knows.
I feel like I am making great strides and trying to solidify myself to being the best I could possibly be.
I am just thankful for this new opportunity and maybe a chance for me to make things positive again.
I want to thank all of my followers for helping me with making my blog better and I won't disapoint.
tomorrow is Coping with family...
and I will definitely try to answer all of your comments! THANK YOU SO MUCH
YBM was my home it was a place I felt wonderful for the first time since arriving in Korea in 2007. I liked it there. The company had a lot of problems, and its fair share of drama but a lot of it was also my fault and my failure for not fixing it while I had the chance. I was not short-sighted though as I made an attempt to get my Saturday program back. It finally paid off and I may be able to work there a long time again!
My teaching isn't the greatest but being given this chance again to serve YBM and show them that I can do well made me so happy. Yes, I get 500 dollars a month but its more than that this is my shot at redemption to make things right for me, for my wife, for YBM for korea? Who knows.
I feel like I am making great strides and trying to solidify myself to being the best I could possibly be.
I am just thankful for this new opportunity and maybe a chance for me to make things positive again.
I want to thank all of my followers for helping me with making my blog better and I won't disapoint.
tomorrow is Coping with family...
and I will definitely try to answer all of your comments! THANK YOU SO MUCH
A day at Shinsegae Department Store with my wife. We are at the ice rink although we didn't go ice skating
Walking along haeundae Beach. I think there is a lot of resorts, businesses and apartments in this area. It was a pretty day and a chance to see the seagulls
Me, overlooking Dalmaji hill that leads back down to HAEUNDAE Beach
Me at Shinsegae Department Store The Worlds Largest Department Store...big deal...I don't care though
These are just some random pictures of me throughout my korean venture. Hope you enjoyed them!
When we are bored....
We go to the beach near our house and drink milk tea or coffee there.
Sometimes we walk along the seaside and collect pretty seashells.
Taking each other's pictures can be one way to kill time. Nick likes to lean one side and pause for me. He looks like a model.
And we play game a lot. Phase 10, Five crowns, Yatzi(??) and GO-STOP. Go-Stop is Korean game and it's a little harder than other games. There are 12 different pictures and each picture has 4 cards. Nick and I are really interested in playing this game, so after meal time we play this. The loser has to do the dishes and give 10 dollars to winner. The winner can take a rest and get 10 dollars. But most of time, I just do the dishes.
When you are bored, what do you do? If you have a good idea, please comment here.
How to Make Spring Rolls - Korean Style
Today I made fusion Korean Style "Spring Roll".
When I and Nick went to Vietnam Restaurant, we ate this one and I tried to make
this my style. This isn't hard to cook. Actually It's really easy if you have basic
ingredients and some sauce.
First, We need pepper, warm water, rice paper, fried pork, salt, dangmyun(Korean noodle)and mushroom. I used ground black pepper power. And If you have some strips of bacon, you can use it instead of pork. I chopped it at first and then I added some salt and pepper. Dangmyun is popular noodles in Korea. If you don't have this one, you can add more vegetables or sliced fruit. I think cooking is depending on your taste or your family's taste, not the recipe.
Can you see the mushroom, noodle and fried pork? When you use rice paper, you have to soak in warm water. Then you can put some ingredient inside and then roll it.
I finished making first roll. Maybe you can't roll well for the first time, but if you make the rice paper soaked enough in water, you won't have a hard time. Trust me!
This is JUST my third try. But I did well.
Um.. I rolled everything. Do they look delicious? Don't know yet. Last time, I rolled well, but the taste was terrible. I cooked two different types of spring roll. One had cheddar cheese and noodle, the other had kimchi inside. When you add something like cheese(it melts because of heat), it looks ugly and taste is bad. Second one was too salty. Kimchi is salty, but I added proper amount of salt in noodle again. If you don't like salty food, don't add any salt. Just make wonderful sauce for this.
Now, you can fry all of these things. I don't like oily food so I just dropped a little of oil on the pan, and I turned it over several times.
I made my favorite sauce. 2 teaspoons of ketchup, 1 teaspoons of steak sauce and chopped garlic. Fry garlic first and then add ketchup and steak sauce.
As I told you above, if you like sweet sauce use some fruit. We had hot spicy sauce in Vietnam restaurant. But Nick and I have weak stomach, so I had to change the sauce. Don't follow the recipe. Make your own food. You can be a great cook.
When I and Nick went to Vietnam Restaurant, we ate this one and I tried to make
this my style. This isn't hard to cook. Actually It's really easy if you have basic
ingredients and some sauce.
First, We need pepper, warm water, rice paper, fried pork, salt, dangmyun(Korean noodle)and mushroom. I used ground black pepper power. And If you have some strips of bacon, you can use it instead of pork. I chopped it at first and then I added some salt and pepper. Dangmyun is popular noodles in Korea. If you don't have this one, you can add more vegetables or sliced fruit. I think cooking is depending on your taste or your family's taste, not the recipe.
Can you see the mushroom, noodle and fried pork? When you use rice paper, you have to soak in warm water. Then you can put some ingredient inside and then roll it.
I finished making first roll. Maybe you can't roll well for the first time, but if you make the rice paper soaked enough in water, you won't have a hard time. Trust me!
This is JUST my third try. But I did well.
Um.. I rolled everything. Do they look delicious? Don't know yet. Last time, I rolled well, but the taste was terrible. I cooked two different types of spring roll. One had cheddar cheese and noodle, the other had kimchi inside. When you add something like cheese(it melts because of heat), it looks ugly and taste is bad. Second one was too salty. Kimchi is salty, but I added proper amount of salt in noodle again. If you don't like salty food, don't add any salt. Just make wonderful sauce for this.
Now, you can fry all of these things. I don't like oily food so I just dropped a little of oil on the pan, and I turned it over several times.
I made my favorite sauce. 2 teaspoons of ketchup, 1 teaspoons of steak sauce and chopped garlic. Fry garlic first and then add ketchup and steak sauce.
As I told you above, if you like sweet sauce use some fruit. We had hot spicy sauce in Vietnam restaurant. But Nick and I have weak stomach, so I had to change the sauce. Don't follow the recipe. Make your own food. You can be a great cook.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Blogger note
I am happy if I get readers to my blog. I would like to read more comments. I appreciate any suggestions, feedbacks, and constructive criticism. I would even like to respond via an email or facebook if you would like more information on a certain topic.
I would like to make a blog open for questions so please ASK and let me know what you think.
I would like to make a blog open for questions so please ASK and let me know what you think.
Rainy Day favorites
A Rainy day special in Korea. The rain wasn't has heavy as it could have been but it was still uncomfortable.
In Korea its known as the fox rain because its hard to gauge whether or not we need an umbrella.
I made my way out to work at 1:02. I had to walk to the subway Geumryeonsan stop 210 and it took me only 7 minutes to get there. The rain wasn't so bad. After transferring at Suyeong and getting off at Yeonsan dong I tried to take a bus but to no avail.
The bus wouldn't come so after waiting 3 minutes in the rain, I ran down the street. Unfortunately, it was 1:30 when I got to Yeon-san so I was a little pressed for time. I needed to teach at 2. I only teach 4 schools a day but still the school is unorganized, maybe because of the rain. The teacher doesn't prepare any material nor does she give me the books and materials I need in order to teach the class, it makes the class time of 50 minutes confusing and uncertain.
A rainy day favorite of mine is having no kids show up...Less is the best for me simply because I can relax more. I don't particular like large crowds especially if they are squawking students.
In the morning, I had some hot chocolate because I could sense the heavy rain outside my house. For the last few days the wind has been howling and its been unpleasant. Most people stay inside their homes and just watch TV or read a book. Kids come to school and are too full of energy but at least they come a little late so it helps.
In Korea many people eat spicy food. For me it doesn't make sense to add a lot of hot peppers and whatnot because the food losses its taste. I can't stand spicy food like this, there simply is no flavor. Thats why I don't care for the molten lava gochu jang crop pot for ddok boki or dakbokum (spicy chicken mix) that is steamed. MY wife made it today.
Her favorite food is this but she doesn't cook it much since I don't like it. I ate it and it was tasty because my wife doesn't overload the paste with spices. I think we are going to open a restaurant someday so the more we can practice cooking the better. Most of the time Koreans have fried food and Soju on a rainy day.
Looking back in America I used to have hot chocolate, and cookies. I would enjoy a movie and make it a homestay for the day.
I am hoping that if it rains everyone can enjoy their favorite and take a breather from the day to day lifestyle of Korea: GO GO GO instead they can stay stay stay.
here is just another fact of Korea.
In Korea its known as the fox rain because its hard to gauge whether or not we need an umbrella.
I made my way out to work at 1:02. I had to walk to the subway Geumryeonsan stop 210 and it took me only 7 minutes to get there. The rain wasn't so bad. After transferring at Suyeong and getting off at Yeonsan dong I tried to take a bus but to no avail.
The bus wouldn't come so after waiting 3 minutes in the rain, I ran down the street. Unfortunately, it was 1:30 when I got to Yeon-san so I was a little pressed for time. I needed to teach at 2. I only teach 4 schools a day but still the school is unorganized, maybe because of the rain. The teacher doesn't prepare any material nor does she give me the books and materials I need in order to teach the class, it makes the class time of 50 minutes confusing and uncertain.
A rainy day favorite of mine is having no kids show up...Less is the best for me simply because I can relax more. I don't particular like large crowds especially if they are squawking students.
In the morning, I had some hot chocolate because I could sense the heavy rain outside my house. For the last few days the wind has been howling and its been unpleasant. Most people stay inside their homes and just watch TV or read a book. Kids come to school and are too full of energy but at least they come a little late so it helps.
In Korea many people eat spicy food. For me it doesn't make sense to add a lot of hot peppers and whatnot because the food losses its taste. I can't stand spicy food like this, there simply is no flavor. Thats why I don't care for the molten lava gochu jang crop pot for ddok boki or dakbokum (spicy chicken mix) that is steamed. MY wife made it today.
Her favorite food is this but she doesn't cook it much since I don't like it. I ate it and it was tasty because my wife doesn't overload the paste with spices. I think we are going to open a restaurant someday so the more we can practice cooking the better. Most of the time Koreans have fried food and Soju on a rainy day.
Looking back in America I used to have hot chocolate, and cookies. I would enjoy a movie and make it a homestay for the day.
I am hoping that if it rains everyone can enjoy their favorite and take a breather from the day to day lifestyle of Korea: GO GO GO instead they can stay stay stay.
here is just another fact of Korea.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Jangsan terminal
Today I went to Jangsan.
Jangsan is a terminal destination on Subway line 2.
Dalmaji Hill was our destination. This is a hill that overlooks Haeundae and from there you can see not only the Ocean but many farms. To be honest I wasn't too impressed. The farms were neat, the buildings were a mix of old and new and unfortunately there was a lot of trash just dumped on the hillside.
We walked maybe for 40 minutes down the streets of Jangsan and eventually up the hill. It was a chilly afternoon and rather cold. Our attire wasn't actually appropriate for the weather so it was a little uncomfortable.
My wife and I walked along haeundae before making our way back to Gwangan to enjoy Papparoti.
Today was just a nice day for some tourism. It was a chance to see something new and pass the time in a relaxing manner without worrying about the day to day trivial nuances of the workers regime.
I was able toreflect a little bit and enjoy some time with my wife.
Papparoti is a Bun franchise in Korea and makes wonderful milk tea.
I was so happy that I received a comment on one of my blog posts today. I want to write more and report more about things around Korea. I am an aspiring writer who is looking for constructive criticism, open ideas and any suggestions etc. that would help me better serve the blogger world.
this post isn't very good but I want to keep writing.
Jangsan is a terminal destination on Subway line 2.
Dalmaji Hill was our destination. This is a hill that overlooks Haeundae and from there you can see not only the Ocean but many farms. To be honest I wasn't too impressed. The farms were neat, the buildings were a mix of old and new and unfortunately there was a lot of trash just dumped on the hillside.
We walked maybe for 40 minutes down the streets of Jangsan and eventually up the hill. It was a chilly afternoon and rather cold. Our attire wasn't actually appropriate for the weather so it was a little uncomfortable.
My wife and I walked along haeundae before making our way back to Gwangan to enjoy Papparoti.
Today was just a nice day for some tourism. It was a chance to see something new and pass the time in a relaxing manner without worrying about the day to day trivial nuances of the workers regime.
I was able toreflect a little bit and enjoy some time with my wife.
Papparoti is a Bun franchise in Korea and makes wonderful milk tea.
I was so happy that I received a comment on one of my blog posts today. I want to write more and report more about things around Korea. I am an aspiring writer who is looking for constructive criticism, open ideas and any suggestions etc. that would help me better serve the blogger world.
this post isn't very good but I want to keep writing.
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