Just now some students handed me an economy sized hand sanitizer bottle. It is pretty big, and not your tiny little bottle type. They said it is meant for our classroom.
Apparantly all the classrooms are getting one. I guess the H1N1 scare has finally made school's realize it's time to take care of their cleaning habits.
Ah well I'm glad to see it and hope this keeps up even after the virus goes away, if it does.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Olympic Park (Revisit)
If you check back in my log of posts for 2008 you will find that around this time I went to Olympic Park. That was just about the same time as the sh*t started to hit the fan at the hagwon and I was in a heap of trouble.
Thankfully, since then life has panned out more smoothly with a few rough patches along the way. So it was that I asked JH to take me to Olympic park last Sunday so that I could make some new memories at the park.
Before we went into the park we stopped at an "Asian" themed restaurant in Jamsil called "Oriental Spoon." Ironically enough it was the same restaurant I went to the last time I went to Olympic Park.
We ordered spring rolls as appetizers and noodle dishes as our main meal. But I only got a shot of the rolls.
It was a really hot day Sunday, the kind of hot that is sultry and punishing. Yet we trucked on anyways wanting to spend some good time in the park.
If you look closely in this picture you can see an older gentlemen asleep on the bench.
Since it was a hot day one needed a cold drink, and thankfully there were some vending machines along the walkway.
Olympic Park is home to many outdoor sculptures, some of which convey a sense of humor and wit although speak to something more serious.
We stopped for a rest in a playground section of the park. It was fun to watch kids run around and see old men playing an Asian version of chess.
We came upon the World Peace Gate and bought some ice-cream at a nearby mini-mart.
After finishing our ice-cream we headed back to the car and decided to come back to the park in the fall, when the weather will be slightly more cool. I would like to come back and walk around the whole park so to get a feel for everything it has to offer.
Thankfully, since then life has panned out more smoothly with a few rough patches along the way. So it was that I asked JH to take me to Olympic park last Sunday so that I could make some new memories at the park.
Before we went into the park we stopped at an "Asian" themed restaurant in Jamsil called "Oriental Spoon." Ironically enough it was the same restaurant I went to the last time I went to Olympic Park.
We ordered spring rolls as appetizers and noodle dishes as our main meal. But I only got a shot of the rolls.
It was a really hot day Sunday, the kind of hot that is sultry and punishing. Yet we trucked on anyways wanting to spend some good time in the park.Korea's National Flower: 무궁화 or Hibiscus syriacus
And in doing a google search on this flower I came upon this entry in someone else's blog:
And in doing a google search on this flower I came upon this entry in someone else's blog:
My Korean teacher last night told me, “The spirit of the Korean people is like the national flower…”
“mugung” means “forever/eternity” and “hwa” is the chinese character for flower…
The Korean people have lasted, survived – the flowers survive for a long time, blossoming in early summer and staying in bloom through to almost November.
My Korean teacher also said, “The Japanese national flower is the ’sakura’ – or the ‘cherry blossom’. Every cherry bud blooms in one week, and then all falls to the grown the next. This is the spirit of the Japanese people.”
If you look closely in this picture you can see an older gentlemen asleep on the bench.
Since it was a hot day one needed a cold drink, and thankfully there were some vending machines along the walkway.
Olympic Park is home to many outdoor sculptures, some of which convey a sense of humor and wit although speak to something more serious.
We stopped for a rest in a playground section of the park. It was fun to watch kids run around and see old men playing an Asian version of chess.
We came upon the World Peace Gate and bought some ice-cream at a nearby mini-mart.
After finishing our ice-cream we headed back to the car and decided to come back to the park in the fall, when the weather will be slightly more cool. I would like to come back and walk around the whole park so to get a feel for everything it has to offer.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Podcast in iTunes
That podcast I made is available in iTunes now and is for free. Just follow this link and it will help you get it.
My first episode is just a very short thing that highlights my trip to Samcheondong last week. I use some sound recordings I took while there. I also recite some zen poetry.
I desire to make more podcasts that will highlight interviews with other expats. I hope it will become a regular thing but of course one needs time and patience to do it.
My first episode is just a very short thing that highlights my trip to Samcheondong last week. I use some sound recordings I took while there. I also recite some zen poetry.
I desire to make more podcasts that will highlight interviews with other expats. I hope it will become a regular thing but of course one needs time and patience to do it.
Wise Advice
One of my relatives reads my blog. I usually get their comments via email, and their responses are typically very insightful. Since this person is an older figure in my life I respect what they say a lot.
Hopefully, even though I am not getting permission first (thinking it will be okay) I am going to publish pieces from their recent email.
I think it is important to share the conversations that I have with my relatives to show how living abroad touches one's family. Sometimes, even though, our family can be very supporting you get questions relating to what you are doing out in Korea and how long do you plan on doing it. With the world economy and especially America's unemployment rate the future of young folks (like myself) is unstable. So I can understand their concern.
Here for you reflects this kind of concern that travels across the digital waves.
I majored in Art History and it has been thought that I should break off from teaching and get back into this profession. However, as much as I love art and its history I find it very difficult to start pursuing this career. This is because I would need a Master's or Doctorate degree plus years of experience behind me. From my perspective I am living my passion for the subject by residing in Asia. In fact another relative also speaks this concern via email...
So what wise advice have you gotten throughout life? Especially for living abroad? I am also curious if there have been any novels or non-fiction you have read that were inspiring during your time abroad.
Hopefully, even though I am not getting permission first (thinking it will be okay) I am going to publish pieces from their recent email.
I think it is important to share the conversations that I have with my relatives to show how living abroad touches one's family. Sometimes, even though, our family can be very supporting you get questions relating to what you are doing out in Korea and how long do you plan on doing it. With the world economy and especially America's unemployment rate the future of young folks (like myself) is unstable. So I can understand their concern.
Here for you reflects this kind of concern that travels across the digital waves.
Something you recently posted has been gnawing at me. It seems you have no idea why your contract was not renewed. Since graduation, you've had three jobs. You were, apparently, very successful at the insurance agency (but bored out of your gourd). Your teaching experiences have been far less successful, yet you're seeking another teaching position.It is true. Why would I be continuing in this profession if it seems I keep on complaining about it and saying how difficult it is? The answer is that I view teaching in Korea like a layered cake.
- One layer = Teaching the kids
- Second layer = Working with Korean coteachers/coworkers.
- Third layer = Life outside the classroom.
I majored in Art History and it has been thought that I should break off from teaching and get back into this profession. However, as much as I love art and its history I find it very difficult to start pursuing this career. This is because I would need a Master's or Doctorate degree plus years of experience behind me. From my perspective I am living my passion for the subject by residing in Asia. In fact another relative also speaks this concern via email...
I just wonder where your passion for Asian Art and painting (creating art) fits into your career outlook/plans.But to blame Korea for my inability to be rehired back at this school is really not proper. I should look at myself and the choices I have made. I am pursuing a 3rd job here in Korea and I will probably not be able to use the excuse of "I am new here" at the new job.
Where does teaching English to foreigners rank in your passions or all of this?
As you didn't want to take Ed courses in college when I made that suggestion it appeared that you really didnt' want to teach for a lving
and so its seemed to me that teaching was just a means to an end so that you could experience living in Asia.
??
If your rejection by two schools still puzzles you, please try to understand now how to improve your future career, and act on what you learn. Don't reinforce by repetition, habits of behavior that undermine you. Try to adapt.One of my favorite aspects of sharing my blog with my relatives is getting their tidbits of wisdom. I strongly want to walk into my next job and start it off on the right foot. My habits of being paranoid and keeping to myself will have to go away. Of course I believe it is a two-way street and I will have to learn what my new coteacher / coworkers will want from me or will give to me.
Joy, I want you to find a comfortable niche somewhere in this world... perhaps in Korea, perhaps in the USA. I don't know you well enough to suggest specific career (or other) objectives, but all of us need feedback when we're not functioning at the level we expect and hope for ourselves. Be courageous enough to open yourself to a little hurt by listening to such info.Thank you! hehe The bottom line is that if I am to really figure what went wrong at my current school I will need to ask my coteacher. I want to do this but it is like walking into a room full of mirrors. Maybe I will have enough courage when my end date draws closer.
So what wise advice have you gotten throughout life? Especially for living abroad? I am also curious if there have been any novels or non-fiction you have read that were inspiring during your time abroad.
It Will Take Over
Something is coming to Korea that will take over their population. Perhaps most of their young male population.
Two words: Starcraft II
If you live here and watch Korean TV then you know how obsessed these kids and adults can be over this game. Since there is a new one coming out I can't help but imagine the grip it will have over this culture.
Looks something like this:
Two words: Starcraft II
If you live here and watch Korean TV then you know how obsessed these kids and adults can be over this game. Since there is a new one coming out I can't help but imagine the grip it will have over this culture.
Looks something like this:
Monday, August 24, 2009
Random Trip to Wonju
Being back at school seemed to go pretty smoothly. My coteacher is no where to be seen so I guess she is still on vacation. School doesn't officially start till Wednesday but till then I am teaching the Advanced class in the morning.
Last Saturday JH and I had nothing planned until he got a call from his boss saying he had to go out to Wonju to take care of a problem with a client. One of his clients is at the Oak Valley Resort and was having problems with some tiles they ordered. This place is famous for its ski resort in the winter and golfing resort in the summer. I had never been to Wonju so I hopped along for the ride.
What should have taken us about an hour and a half to get there took three hours due to traffic. Once we got there I dropped off JH at the construction site and then went exploring on my own to see what this glorious place was all about.
Indeed it was very beautiful and full of splendor. The condo building felt like a real hotel unlike the dingy typical love-hotels you find around Seoul. I walked around and found a banquet hall empty. It had the feeling of an eerily open space, but also had a nice interior, for which I am sure guests enjoy sharing meals together.
The place was huge and was spread out over many areas, all of which were surrounded by sparkling green golf pastures. The only experiences I have with golf are putt-putt, and I don't even know if you can call that a "golfing experience." If I were a serious golfer I would consider this place as a good way to get real life practice down. The typical situation for golfing in Seoul and major cities seems to be artificial practice. Basically you have a building in which a huge net comes out from one side and you can hit a ball far off into the net. If you see large green nets next to a building you know it is for practicing golf.
But here you don't need a net to catch your ball. Sometimes you hear about how Korea is experiencing a drought, well I wonder where these guys are getting all their water.
As a reward for trekking out there with JH we ate at a Galbi place nearby. This was the type of galbi that was not soaked in sauce. It was a delicious meal and we enjoyed it fully.
We started to make our way home but as we did so we passed over a river. Instantly we knew we had to stop and spend some time admiring this natural beauty.
I would like to come back to Wonju to swim in the river and enjoy the scenery. It was a great random trip and another place I can say I have been to in Korea.
Last Saturday JH and I had nothing planned until he got a call from his boss saying he had to go out to Wonju to take care of a problem with a client. One of his clients is at the Oak Valley Resort and was having problems with some tiles they ordered. This place is famous for its ski resort in the winter and golfing resort in the summer. I had never been to Wonju so I hopped along for the ride.
What should have taken us about an hour and a half to get there took three hours due to traffic. Once we got there I dropped off JH at the construction site and then went exploring on my own to see what this glorious place was all about.
Indeed it was very beautiful and full of splendor. The condo building felt like a real hotel unlike the dingy typical love-hotels you find around Seoul. I walked around and found a banquet hall empty. It had the feeling of an eerily open space, but also had a nice interior, for which I am sure guests enjoy sharing meals together.
The place was huge and was spread out over many areas, all of which were surrounded by sparkling green golf pastures. The only experiences I have with golf are putt-putt, and I don't even know if you can call that a "golfing experience." If I were a serious golfer I would consider this place as a good way to get real life practice down. The typical situation for golfing in Seoul and major cities seems to be artificial practice. Basically you have a building in which a huge net comes out from one side and you can hit a ball far off into the net. If you see large green nets next to a building you know it is for practicing golf.
But here you don't need a net to catch your ball. Sometimes you hear about how Korea is experiencing a drought, well I wonder where these guys are getting all their water.
As a reward for trekking out there with JH we ate at a Galbi place nearby. This was the type of galbi that was not soaked in sauce. It was a delicious meal and we enjoyed it fully.
We started to make our way home but as we did so we passed over a river. Instantly we knew we had to stop and spend some time admiring this natural beauty.
I would like to come back to Wonju to swim in the river and enjoy the scenery. It was a great random trip and another place I can say I have been to in Korea.
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