Also in my eye's sight is another sexy looking Korean creation a movie called "The Good, The Bad, and The Weird"
Although if I watched this movie here in Seoul I wouldn't be able to catch it with subtitles, but I think it would be fun anyways.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Bboy dancing & a Korean movie
I have never seen it live and don't know much about the rules and regulations. But from my perspective I can tell Bboy dancing in Korea is awesome and oh so sexy! I stumbled upon an extensive article about the history and popularity of Bboy dancing in Korea that I thought would be great to show that Koreans have their own edgy culture. 
Also in my eye's sight is another sexy looking Korean creation a movie called "The Good, The Bad, and The Weird"
Although if I watched this movie here in Seoul I wouldn't be able to catch it with subtitles, but I think it would be fun anyways.
Also in my eye's sight is another sexy looking Korean creation a movie called "The Good, The Bad, and The Weird"
Although if I watched this movie here in Seoul I wouldn't be able to catch it with subtitles, but I think it would be fun anyways.Sunday, June 29, 2008
Sketching
Sometimes you know there is something that you have been wanting to be doing, but you haven't found the time or mood. For me that is doing my art. Strange as it may seem, I kind of have to be in the mood for it or else what I produce isn't satisfactory or just not focused. So today with some time on my hands and no plans, I decided to take out my sketchbook and do some drawing. I enjoy figure drawing, so I chose to draw one of the guards I saw in front of the palace I visited last weekend.
Medium: Pencil on Paper.Thanks!
Party at School
Last week my school celebrated with a birthday party for all the kids who had a birthday in June. It was a fun little celebration with songs, cake and surprises. It was nice to see the kids having fun. This was with the younger age groups who I teach often.
Honeymoon stage wearing off
I think that glorious and shiny honeymoon stage you are suppose to experience when living in another country is starting to wear off for me.
Don't get me wrong, I still find myself feeling excited and proud to be over here. But I am starting to miss the American way of life. Basically I think it just comes from the fact that when you are the outsider, well you feel like an outsider. People look at you when you walk down the street, they stare and gawk. Everyone around you speaks but you can't understand what they say.
However, between all this there are some things I can control. For example, the more I learn Korean the more I will understand what people say around me. Also the more I find places I like to go in Seoul the less alienated I will feel.
Anyways, what have I been up to?
Lately it has been a lot of school planning. The first of July is coming up and that means new syllabus'. It feels nuts to plan out my weeks in advance, but I keep it up anyways. Yet, most of the teachers around me at the office just plan it the day they get there. So I feel somewhat foolish for being the goody-goody.
Besides school dominating most of my activities, Bo Kwan and I lounged around yesterday (Saturday) and then went to an area near Insadong and met his friends for beer and chicken. I didn't drink any beer but ate some chicken. It was nice to meet his friends, who come in packs of 10. They were curious about my life here and some of their questions I had a hard time answering. Hopefully after more thought I will think what to say better to a question like: "What is different in living in Korean than in living in America?" Honestly, I knew the answers but froze at how to congeal it all into sentences.
Today it is Emart again and then house stuff. It is raining and I think it helps my mood out a little.
Don't get me wrong, I still find myself feeling excited and proud to be over here. But I am starting to miss the American way of life. Basically I think it just comes from the fact that when you are the outsider, well you feel like an outsider. People look at you when you walk down the street, they stare and gawk. Everyone around you speaks but you can't understand what they say.
However, between all this there are some things I can control. For example, the more I learn Korean the more I will understand what people say around me. Also the more I find places I like to go in Seoul the less alienated I will feel.
Anyways, what have I been up to?
Lately it has been a lot of school planning. The first of July is coming up and that means new syllabus'. It feels nuts to plan out my weeks in advance, but I keep it up anyways. Yet, most of the teachers around me at the office just plan it the day they get there. So I feel somewhat foolish for being the goody-goody.
Besides school dominating most of my activities, Bo Kwan and I lounged around yesterday (Saturday) and then went to an area near Insadong and met his friends for beer and chicken. I didn't drink any beer but ate some chicken. It was nice to meet his friends, who come in packs of 10. They were curious about my life here and some of their questions I had a hard time answering. Hopefully after more thought I will think what to say better to a question like: "What is different in living in Korean than in living in America?" Honestly, I knew the answers but froze at how to congeal it all into sentences.
Today it is Emart again and then house stuff. It is raining and I think it helps my mood out a little.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Blooming
Hi, 
I am so proud of my plant!
My windowsill plant has bloomed these cute tiny little flowers.
I am so proud of my plant!Anyways, here are some random pictures taken out my window:
Monday, June 23, 2008
Love comes a knocking: Part II
Sunday is always that day where you get to relax and not have to work, but know the next day is the start of another work week. So sometimes you can feel excited for the day but also know that it will end and work will begin just around the corner. On this Sunday my plans were to go to Emart, get my usual groceries and then meet up with BK later. However, BK met me at the Emart and helped me shop and then we went out.
(Shot of Emart)
(Square seats you can't really sit on outside Emart)
Having BK there meant an extra pair of arms to carry my crap home, so I invested in an frying pan, cutting board and few more extra items. After Emart we got my stuff home and ate a little lunch. Then it was off to Kyobo bookstore and Gwanghwamun palace area.
(Shot of Emart)
(Square seats you can't really sit on outside Emart)Having BK there meant an extra pair of arms to carry my crap home, so I invested in an frying pan, cutting board and few more extra items. After Emart we got my stuff home and ate a little lunch. Then it was off to Kyobo bookstore and Gwanghwamun palace area.
A few pics on our way:
A ride in the elevator in my building.
Fresh Seafood:
Octopus in its tank outside a restaurant near my home, which will let you chose which animal you want to eat.
A ride in the elevator in my building.Fresh Seafood:
Octopus in its tank outside a restaurant near my home, which will let you chose which animal you want to eat.Although somewhat tired I was pleased to be getting out of the house and seeing areas of Seoul, otherwise not traveled. 
Follow the purple line (5) from Gil-dong (on the right area of map) to the stop Gwanghwamun. (To see the picture better just click on it*)
The train ride took about 30-40 minutes, which allows enough time to converse about life here in Seoul
Kyobo bookstore was a very large bookstore, that has within it books in Japanese, Chinese, Korean and English.
We went to the English section in search of some textbook quality Learn Korean Books. 
I took a few snapshots of the books I was interested in, apparently you can buy them off the website's online store and get a discount. I liked this book because, inside the layout is like you are in a classroom, with drilling and tests. It is only 15,000 won, so not that bad considering it also comes with a CD. 
Other books I found were more about Korean culture, but some of which were a little too tourist-y for my blood. It would be great to get my hands on a book that details Korea's fauna and flora background as well as its geological history. Ah well, maybe someday (hmm perhaps the Internet will prove to be worthwhile for this cause).
We were running on a clock so with just a few more hours before BK needed to visit friends for a game of basketball, so we were off to the Gwanghwamun gate and palace area.
Follow the purple line (5) from Gil-dong (on the right area of map) to the stop Gwanghwamun. (To see the picture better just click on it*)The train ride took about 30-40 minutes, which allows enough time to converse about life here in Seoul
Kyobo bookstore was a very large bookstore, that has within it books in Japanese, Chinese, Korean and English.
We went to the English section in search of some textbook quality Learn Korean Books. 
I took a few snapshots of the books I was interested in, apparently you can buy them off the website's online store and get a discount. I liked this book because, inside the layout is like you are in a classroom, with drilling and tests. It is only 15,000 won, so not that bad considering it also comes with a CD. 
Other books I found were more about Korean culture, but some of which were a little too tourist-y for my blood. It would be great to get my hands on a book that details Korea's fauna and flora background as well as its geological history. Ah well, maybe someday (hmm perhaps the Internet will prove to be worthwhile for this cause).We were running on a clock so with just a few more hours before BK needed to visit friends for a game of basketball, so we were off to the Gwanghwamun gate and palace area.
This area of Seoul is where most of the large beef protesting has been going on, so along the streets were police buses and policemen. Yet no riot was occuring and I found the neighborhood to actual feel pretty peaceful. The site before us, however was even more breathtaking. Take a look: 
The gate is under repair so instead they built this very artful wall around the construction. I hope during my stay that the repair finishes and I can visit it again. That figure in the picture who is all in black, was one of the police officers.
Hi! My favorite part of this area is seeing a closer glimpse of the geology on the mountains in the background. I really hope to get out of the streets and onto the Mountain trails.
The gate is under repair so instead they built this very artful wall around the construction. I hope during my stay that the repair finishes and I can visit it again. That figure in the picture who is all in black, was one of the police officers.
Hi! My favorite part of this area is seeing a closer glimpse of the geology on the mountains in the background. I really hope to get out of the streets and onto the Mountain trails.Before we made behind the gate and into the palace area, I was famished and thirsty so we stopped for a sandwich and water. Recharged we walked across the street to the palace grounds.
On our way we passed through a little courtyard that was well landscaped and designed.
When we got to the palace area it felt like I was walking into my Korean Art History textbook and seeing it all come alive.
The position of the buildings and their location near the mountains was all planned to face in a certain direction of each other. You could definitely feel this sense of planning of this site that the people of Korea about 800 years ago chose as specific to what would bring them safety and also luck. But how about you just see for yourself.
The colors were so vibrant, and lovely. I now really want to buy that book that discusses the symbols that overlay these wooden architectures. To go deeper inside you had to have bought a ticket, but we were running out of time so I was only allowed a taste of this historical site. That's okay, because next time I can skip being awestruck and take more time exploring the inner areas of this site. A lovely mountainous picture: 
Can you see the temple on top of the mountain? I really want to go see it! I also really enjoyed walking on the dirt path you see in front you. It felt extremely reassuring and exhilarating to see dirt (soil), considering most of Seoul is paved over. Ah more geological enthusiasm, pardon me.
This ends my Sunday trip with BK, which was very lovely and pleasant. I look forward to my future trips and days where I don't go anywhere too. :)
On our way we passed through a little courtyard that was well landscaped and designed.
When we got to the palace area it felt like I was walking into my Korean Art History textbook and seeing it all come alive.
The position of the buildings and their location near the mountains was all planned to face in a certain direction of each other. You could definitely feel this sense of planning of this site that the people of Korea about 800 years ago chose as specific to what would bring them safety and also luck. But how about you just see for yourself.
The colors were so vibrant, and lovely. I now really want to buy that book that discusses the symbols that overlay these wooden architectures. To go deeper inside you had to have bought a ticket, but we were running out of time so I was only allowed a taste of this historical site. That's okay, because next time I can skip being awestruck and take more time exploring the inner areas of this site. A lovely mountainous picture: 
Can you see the temple on top of the mountain? I really want to go see it! I also really enjoyed walking on the dirt path you see in front you. It felt extremely reassuring and exhilarating to see dirt (soil), considering most of Seoul is paved over. Ah more geological enthusiasm, pardon me.This ends my Sunday trip with BK, which was very lovely and pleasant. I look forward to my future trips and days where I don't go anywhere too. :)
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