I went on a nice walk today. The winter air was brisk but not biting, the river almost frozen over, white snow beautiful along the walking path. Perfect for reflection.
I haven't written on my blog for awhile; I apologize. But after my time of reflection, I feel compelled to writer WHAT I LIKE ABOUT KOREA.
I've lived in the Bundang area south of Seoul for a year and a half now with my husband and 2 children. I've made good friends and enjoy my job tremendously. But here are some of the specific things that I appreciate.
I like the balance of city and nature - walking by the river, hiking in the mountains, or visiting a large public park/green space are all very doable, as is getting to the city of Seoul to the big Coex Mall or the outdoor markets.
I like the food. Okay, I don't like all of the food. But I do like that my diet consists much more of vegetables and less of meat than it did. And I've adjusted to the lack of Wisconsin cheese. Less fatty fast food has been helpful in creating a more healthy me.
In addition to my teaching job which I thoroughly enjoy, I appreciate 2 very specific things about the staff at my school. First, there is endless social committee activities to choose from. Socializing in many different ways with many different people helps me feel like a part of the school community. Second, so many of the staff are physically active and encourage me to be also. I'm happy to say that the Biggest Loser competition at my school helped to boost my consistency in exercising. So, at 45 I'm consistently walking/running/jump roping; swimming, doing circuits, yoga, and walking up 15 flights and occasionally hiking, and playing volleyball. These things are making me healthier and happier.
I like that my children are getting an expanded world view, that they are learning about world affairs more than US affairs, learning world geography and culture by living it first hand, and making friends with kids from different nations.
I like the opportunity to know another culture, food, language, and music, as well as a different lifestyle (like apartment living!)
Lastly (for now), I've come to appreciate the jinjabongs (the public saunas). At first it seemed very bizaare to be in a space with women of all sizes, shapes, and ages in their birthday suits enjoying the public baths. But now I feel more comfortable about it all and see that for them it must bring a sense of balance and bonding. I may explain this in more detail at another time.
So, while at times I find myself missing "home" and family and friends from Wisconsin, I truly do enjoy and appreciate being an ex-pat in Korea. And for those of you who know me personally, I'd invite you to come visit and enjoy it all for yourselves.
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Saturday, December 10, 2011
"A Starry Night"
Last weekend was "A Starry Night", a winter ball celebration for the high school kids from the school where I teach. I had the privilege of chaperoning with my husband and a few other adults the 100 kids. The venue was a beautiful hall in the Gangnam area of Seoul. I was curious to see what a dance would be like in Korea versus back home. Well, kids are kids and dance music is dance music, but it still held some surprises.
At 7 PM, the students arrived as expected, in semi-formal attire and with dates. They made their way to the edges of the room to sit at candlelit tables and chat. The student-DJ began playing upbeat music that the kids knew and enjoyed. Pretty soon the high schoolers approached the dance floor. They were tentative at first, girls congregating with girls and guys with guys. After a bit, two groups forms - guys and girls. The music thundered and Ian blew the whistle to the beat. The scene so far reminded me of a junior high dance when I was a kid. It was charming. The kids were enjoying themselves.
As the music called to them, they came closer to the DJ dancing and bouncing. Before long nearly 100 kids all were jumping to the music on a small raised stage, something probably designed for a wedding soloist. They looked like a mosh pit minus the concert! This went of for a long time, no slow songs, no guy-girl combinations, just a ball of knats swarming the stage. Baffling.
Finally a few slow songs were on the playlist. I'd heard from other chaperones that the students rarely would slow dance. My husband and I decided to lead by example. So we took to the floor. We were amused by the genuine joy the kids had at seeing us dance; a few even took our picture on their cell phones. About 12 couples managed to make their way to the dance floor during the slow music.
By 9:30 a most extraordinary thing happened. The dance organizer said the kids had been dancing straight for a few hours and were tired, he was considering calling it a night (about 30 minutes early). We mentioned that perhaps some would be angry to end early after paying good money for the event. He shook his head, understanding. Next thing we know, this young man is sitting down at the white baby grand in the hall and dedicating a song to the kids there. He proceeds to play a short song, perhaps original, while all the kids sit quietly and listen. "What an amazing group of young people," I think. Then the amazing becomes extraordinary. The students start chanting for one of their classmates to sit down and play. Dean somewhat reluctantly comes forward, sits, and begins playing a 6 minutes classical piece from memory. I was awed by how the students sat and listened attentively and THEN demanded he play another piece! Can you believe he proceeded to play a 9 minutes memorized and rather bombastic piece? Unbelievably, they shush one another and continue listening. Yet another few musicians made their way to play and sing before the night was over.
So there it was. My first high school dance in Korea; I felt as if I'd traveled back in time to a time and place a bit more innocent than Green Bay. (Ironic, when you consider we were not in a city of 100,000 but of 15 million people.) How could a dance turn into a classical concert? I'm still trying to wrap my head around it.
But let me leave you with this thought: several times now I've witness our students encouraging one another to perform and performers stepping up with no embarrassment. I've witnessed kids mess up while performing and others encouraging them with shouts and clapping rather than making fun of them. These moments I wouldn't trade for the world, even on "A Starry Night."
At 7 PM, the students arrived as expected, in semi-formal attire and with dates. They made their way to the edges of the room to sit at candlelit tables and chat. The student-DJ began playing upbeat music that the kids knew and enjoyed. Pretty soon the high schoolers approached the dance floor. They were tentative at first, girls congregating with girls and guys with guys. After a bit, two groups forms - guys and girls. The music thundered and Ian blew the whistle to the beat. The scene so far reminded me of a junior high dance when I was a kid. It was charming. The kids were enjoying themselves.
As the music called to them, they came closer to the DJ dancing and bouncing. Before long nearly 100 kids all were jumping to the music on a small raised stage, something probably designed for a wedding soloist. They looked like a mosh pit minus the concert! This went of for a long time, no slow songs, no guy-girl combinations, just a ball of knats swarming the stage. Baffling.
Finally a few slow songs were on the playlist. I'd heard from other chaperones that the students rarely would slow dance. My husband and I decided to lead by example. So we took to the floor. We were amused by the genuine joy the kids had at seeing us dance; a few even took our picture on their cell phones. About 12 couples managed to make their way to the dance floor during the slow music.
By 9:30 a most extraordinary thing happened. The dance organizer said the kids had been dancing straight for a few hours and were tired, he was considering calling it a night (about 30 minutes early). We mentioned that perhaps some would be angry to end early after paying good money for the event. He shook his head, understanding. Next thing we know, this young man is sitting down at the white baby grand in the hall and dedicating a song to the kids there. He proceeds to play a short song, perhaps original, while all the kids sit quietly and listen. "What an amazing group of young people," I think. Then the amazing becomes extraordinary. The students start chanting for one of their classmates to sit down and play. Dean somewhat reluctantly comes forward, sits, and begins playing a 6 minutes classical piece from memory. I was awed by how the students sat and listened attentively and THEN demanded he play another piece! Can you believe he proceeded to play a 9 minutes memorized and rather bombastic piece? Unbelievably, they shush one another and continue listening. Yet another few musicians made their way to play and sing before the night was over.
So there it was. My first high school dance in Korea; I felt as if I'd traveled back in time to a time and place a bit more innocent than Green Bay. (Ironic, when you consider we were not in a city of 100,000 but of 15 million people.) How could a dance turn into a classical concert? I'm still trying to wrap my head around it.
But let me leave you with this thought: several times now I've witness our students encouraging one another to perform and performers stepping up with no embarrassment. I've witnessed kids mess up while performing and others encouraging them with shouts and clapping rather than making fun of them. These moments I wouldn't trade for the world, even on "A Starry Night."
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Giving Thanks
It's hard to be away from family during Thanksgiving. Warm memories of turkey with all the fixings with immediate family, cousins, aunts and uncles, in-laws, and grandparents surface as soon as someone says "Thanksgiving." And, sadly, many of our family members back home won't have a large meal with many places set at the "adult table" and the "kiddie table." We seem to be scattered about the world now and maybe getting too old to prepare and host a big meal.
But for the exPat's in Korea, we've managed to keep tradition alive - after a fashion.
Actually, we've had three Thanksgivings. Our school was kind enough to host a feast for all the employees and their families. They brought in turkey from the American base, stuffing, mashed potatoes, mixed vegetables, and pumpkin pie. We sat at the tables set up in the conference hall, ate, and visited. It was quite pleasant. I couldn't help but think that if I were at my last school (a Catholic school) we'd have a prayer together. I missed that.
Today at our new friends from Australia's apartment, we had another feast. It was a wonderful sitdown potluck meal. An international group - Australians, Canadians, Americans - and ages spanning 4 years to 45 with 10 kids and 11 adults managed to give thanks together, watch the Packers play Detroit, and enjoy each others stories. Sound familiar?
So while we certainly missed being "back home" we managed to bring home to Korea this Thanksgiving. I'm grateful for my family and my friends!
May God Bless you and your loved ones and may you find much to be grateful for.
B
But for the exPat's in Korea, we've managed to keep tradition alive - after a fashion.
Actually, we've had three Thanksgivings. Our school was kind enough to host a feast for all the employees and their families. They brought in turkey from the American base, stuffing, mashed potatoes, mixed vegetables, and pumpkin pie. We sat at the tables set up in the conference hall, ate, and visited. It was quite pleasant. I couldn't help but think that if I were at my last school (a Catholic school) we'd have a prayer together. I missed that.
Today at our new friends from Australia's apartment, we had another feast. It was a wonderful sitdown potluck meal. An international group - Australians, Canadians, Americans - and ages spanning 4 years to 45 with 10 kids and 11 adults managed to give thanks together, watch the Packers play Detroit, and enjoy each others stories. Sound familiar?
So while we certainly missed being "back home" we managed to bring home to Korea this Thanksgiving. I'm grateful for my family and my friends!
May God Bless you and your loved ones and may you find much to be grateful for.
B
Sunday, November 20, 2011
A Day with Yena
I waited for Yena at Starbucks near Sunae Station. I was anxious to see her and her straight, long black hair with short bangs. Yena graduated from my school just last June and I was eager to catch up with her life.
I didn't have to wait long. We were both quite pleased to see each other again, hugging and laughing through our hellos. After a quick trip to the Starbucks counter we headed upstairs to the comfy chairs to begin catching up.
Of all my students from last year, Yena is the only one I CAN see in person. She didn't head off right away to the US to a university, but instead has been pursuing admission to a Korean College. For the last several months she has been going through the rigorous admission process for International Studies at 4 different universities in Korea. She recently was admitted to one of her top choices and finally has a chance to catch up. Her school year will begin in March, which is common in Korea.
We jabbered back and forth for a good 45 minutes at Starbucks, barely even able to know I'd gotten the wrong order! I was intrigued with Yena's stories of the admission process. First there are incredibly rigorous tests to take, the College Scholastic Ability Test. Since she didn't attend Korean school so she had to prepare for the tests on her own. (How one does on the tests determines what level of university you are eligible for. They even divert air traffic so examinees don't have to hear the noise! Students typically study 12-14 hours a day in preparation.) After successful completion of tests, there's an interview process at the college with usually 2 professors. This is no what-is-your-favorite-book-interview. This is a read-a-passage-prior-to-entering-and-then-we'll-ask-different-philosophical-questions interview. Apparently one question had something to do with "how is the unknown known and how is the unknown unknown?" There were other questions relating to the field of international relations. And as Yena said, these were questions on things she hoped to be LEARNING, so how could she be expected to already know? At any rate, these interviews are 6 - 10 minutes and INTENSE. So Yena was thrilled to get into one of her top choice schools and the finest Korean College for International Studies. Yeah!
I asked Yena what happens when people DON'T get into a college. What are their other options? She said they usually do something else for awhile while they study for another year in preparation for the tests. Then they try the next year. I am so happy for her achieving this goal!
Our conversation continued at a sushi restaurant I had been curious to try. It's the kind of restaurant where small dishes of different colors (denoting different costs) with different delicacies slowly ride a conveyer belt through the establishment.
Patrons take what they want and as much as they want and the cost of the dishes is totaled at the end. I'd never done this before and don't speak the language well, so Yena was the perfect one to mentor me through the process. We sat in a booth instead of at the counter. And it turned out there was a picture menu to order from, as well. This ended up working best as the food was prepared a bit more fresh for us that way. We tried a bit of everything. As small dried whole fish, larger and fleshy cooked fish with their heads still on, along with various kinds of sushi traveled along the belt, Yena order. And ordered. And ordered. It was perfect, however, because I got to try a number of dishes. We had some California Roll (delicious), baked fish (very fatty and flaky), shrimp tempura (yummy), raw shrimp sushi (on rice with a seaweed wrap (not my favorite), and tuna roll. The tuna roll was a riot because it was so huge it was nearly impossible to pop it in your mouth AND chew. So we each took turns telling a story to the other while she chewed (trying not to laugh, of course).
What a lovely afternoon! Thanks to Yena I now understand the Korean college system a bit better AND will not hesitate to try the sushi place with the family in the future.
The adventure never ends.
I didn't have to wait long. We were both quite pleased to see each other again, hugging and laughing through our hellos. After a quick trip to the Starbucks counter we headed upstairs to the comfy chairs to begin catching up.
Of all my students from last year, Yena is the only one I CAN see in person. She didn't head off right away to the US to a university, but instead has been pursuing admission to a Korean College. For the last several months she has been going through the rigorous admission process for International Studies at 4 different universities in Korea. She recently was admitted to one of her top choices and finally has a chance to catch up. Her school year will begin in March, which is common in Korea.
We jabbered back and forth for a good 45 minutes at Starbucks, barely even able to know I'd gotten the wrong order! I was intrigued with Yena's stories of the admission process. First there are incredibly rigorous tests to take, the College Scholastic Ability Test. Since she didn't attend Korean school so she had to prepare for the tests on her own. (How one does on the tests determines what level of university you are eligible for. They even divert air traffic so examinees don't have to hear the noise! Students typically study 12-14 hours a day in preparation.) After successful completion of tests, there's an interview process at the college with usually 2 professors. This is no what-is-your-favorite-book-interview. This is a read-a-passage-prior-to-entering-and-then-we'll-ask-different-philosophical-questions interview. Apparently one question had something to do with "how is the unknown known and how is the unknown unknown?" There were other questions relating to the field of international relations. And as Yena said, these were questions on things she hoped to be LEARNING, so how could she be expected to already know? At any rate, these interviews are 6 - 10 minutes and INTENSE. So Yena was thrilled to get into one of her top choice schools and the finest Korean College for International Studies. Yeah!
I asked Yena what happens when people DON'T get into a college. What are their other options? She said they usually do something else for awhile while they study for another year in preparation for the tests. Then they try the next year. I am so happy for her achieving this goal!
Our conversation continued at a sushi restaurant I had been curious to try. It's the kind of restaurant where small dishes of different colors (denoting different costs) with different delicacies slowly ride a conveyer belt through the establishment.
Patrons take what they want and as much as they want and the cost of the dishes is totaled at the end. I'd never done this before and don't speak the language well, so Yena was the perfect one to mentor me through the process. We sat in a booth instead of at the counter. And it turned out there was a picture menu to order from, as well. This ended up working best as the food was prepared a bit more fresh for us that way. We tried a bit of everything. As small dried whole fish, larger and fleshy cooked fish with their heads still on, along with various kinds of sushi traveled along the belt, Yena order. And ordered. And ordered. It was perfect, however, because I got to try a number of dishes. We had some California Roll (delicious), baked fish (very fatty and flaky), shrimp tempura (yummy), raw shrimp sushi (on rice with a seaweed wrap (not my favorite), and tuna roll. The tuna roll was a riot because it was so huge it was nearly impossible to pop it in your mouth AND chew. So we each took turns telling a story to the other while she chewed (trying not to laugh, of course).
What a lovely afternoon! Thanks to Yena I now understand the Korean college system a bit better AND will not hesitate to try the sushi place with the family in the future.
The adventure never ends.
Saturday, November 5, 2011
"My old nemesis, STAIRS."
That's my phrase these days.
For some reason I felt compelled to join our staff's Biggest Loser Challenge (a 9-week weight loss challenge). I was ready to get back in the work out and walking mode after taking a year off (and putting on a few pounds, I might add). So, two weeks ago I committed myself to two things: the motto "elevators do not exist" and walking every morning.
What does this mean exactly?
First of all, it means that rather than waking at 6 AM, I wake at 5:20 AM put on my walking gear and i-pod and head out for a 30 minute walk on a lit trail near my house. Actually, this is not new to me. Over the years I've walked Bucky and Roscoe in Bellevue, then did Walk-and-Talk with my sister on cell phones while walking Boomer in the woods near our home in Green Bay, then walking Boomer in Brillion, etc. I've always had a dog to motivate me to walk! At any rate, when we moved to Korea I wasn't sure I wanted to walk in the mornings without my Boomer and especially before sunrise. But now that we've lived here a year, I feel perfectly safe and I was ready to get back at it. So, walking it is.
Secondly, it means stairs. Fifteen flights of stairs, to be exact. Since we live on the 15th floor, and since "elevators don't exist" stairs have become my "nemesis" to be sure. Well, at least they WERE. I'm proud to say that over the past two weeks I have averaged walking up to our apartment two times a day. Sometimes it turns out to be three times a day. At first I could only make it to the 7th floor before I needed my rest. Then 8, then 10, then 11. Now I've begun regularly making it all the way without stopping in under 4 minutes. Sometimes I even walk up from the basement parking lot which turns out to be 17 flights.
What is this doing to my weight?
I'd like to say it's done miracles, but I can't. So, this has sparked me to try adding a third phase to my "get-fit" life - do MORE. "More" might mean biking, swimming for 30 minutes in the morning as well, doing some weight training, aerobics, or circuit training. But we'll see what results occur once that becomes routine.
At any rate, I'm proud to say that I don't get a pounding heart and winded on the 7th floor any more and that Alec seems to enjoy walking up with me, too. That's a bonus, right? Show the kids how it's done!
So, to all the Biggest Loser Wanna Be's out there. . . Take a step today. Take the stairs!
Saturday, October 22, 2011
School Days
There seems to be so much going on lately. So much that I haven't found a minute to write a blog. I've actually been contemplating for a few weeks what to write. Sure, we've hit a couple new places in the Seoul area - a ceramics festival that was amazing where three of us made pots on the wheel, and a Arts Village near the DMZ where Anna and I were fascinated by the hundreds of minerals on display at a museum, among other things. But, I needed something else.
What has REALLY been taking the majority of my energy lately is school. Why? Well, here's the part where being an English teacher comes in. Even with 65 students, I'm finding it difficult to get it all done. As the end of the quarter neared I had 65 individual conferences to attend to, 32 papers in-class essays, then 32 analysis papers and finally 33 Multi-genre projects to grade (or as the Australians say, "mark").
I'd gotten through most of the essays by the time the Multi-genre projects came in. But you know how it is - finish one thing just in time to get started on the next. I'm ALMOST complaining. Perhaps I even WOULD be complaining, if it weren't for the Multi-genre projects. I have to thank my colleague Anthony for this idea. I'd not heard of it before. But it resonated with me because it sounded a lot like a portfolio (and you know how I love portfolios.)
Students had been studying Romanticism in American Literature. How to assess their understanding of Romanticism? Well, allow them to BE a Romantic by exploring several genres all centered around a Romantic ideal (individuality, inner experience, inspiration from nature, imagination, innocence. . . ) Ask the students to find a way to make the project flow and tie it all together with a reflective and informative preface.
I'd never done this before, so, you know. . . I was a bit. . . nervous. Would they take it seriously? Would they find their inner Romanticist? Would they get anything out of it? Would I have a bunch of thrown together crud or would I find brilliance?
Here's the part where I LOVE being an English teacher.
That's right. I found brilliance. The students have been imaginative, creative, innovative, honest, and soul searching. They have discovered new things about themselves, looked inside in ways they hadn't before, began to notice innocence and nature all around them again. They've reflected on family and relationships, society and the environment. They've become poets and photographers, graphic artists and song writers, clever storytellers and contrite letter writers. I'm so proud of my juniors! Their job this year is to find their VOICES as writers and speakers. And I just saw them take a big leap in that direction.
I couldn't be prouder.
Now. . . back to work!
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