Christmas in Korea

Yes, I know... I've been a blog slacker. Luckily, I have lots of interesting (and a couple not so interesting) things to share. In the time since I last wrote, I've made it through Christmas Eve, Christmas and a Japan trip. This post will be dedicated to Christmas in Korea since I believe it's important for one to realize that although acknowledged, it doesn't seem like it's as big a deal here as back home. For example, I worked on Christmas Eve. Yuck.

We had our birthday/Christmas party on Thursday, so really the morning was all fun, aside from the fact that I was unknowingly thrown into the position of party MC since Naomi decided not to go to work that day (thanks Naomi!). We celebrated all the kids who had birthdays in the month of December... and then we switched to the Christmas party where we had a carol contest and Santa came.

The kids wait for Santa to call them up one at a time, then show off all their presents.

Santa was pretty funny. He was this nervous Korean guy from another school, and he basically just repeated himself like 30 times to each  the kids. "Were you good this year? Will you  be good next year? Merry Christmas." The kids loved it though, so it was all good. They all mostly got huge gifts so they were happy.

Doesn't my homeroom class and I look thrilled? Hehe.

Gerstungkinder 2009

Then, we got our buffett. The kid's moms brought food for the school to eat, so we had all sorts of goodies including pizza with sweet potato (which was interesting), lots of fruits, kimbap, chicken wings, sandwiches, and a bunch of other little random foods. It was pretty good though. One of my students told me I was being unhealthy when I poured myself a Coke... haha, I told her it was Christmas so I was allowed. Whatever, I just love Coke.

The afternoon classes were a bunch of BS because I actually had to teach, no fun party for the older kids. Luckily, after my last student left at 5:25 I went to the teacher's room to see if there was a meeting and she said everyone else was leaving early so there wasn't one. I asked if I could leave early and thank goodness... she said yes! Off to Brigid's...

I spent about an hour and a half getting to Banghak station where I met Brigid and Sarah at "the Galbi place" or so it is known as. They already had quite a bit of soju and Cass... so it was my turn to finally try Soju. It wasn't too bad... would have been better if I hadn't recieved a half cup full of only soju, but it wasn't as terrible as I thought. Would be good mixed with something.

Anyway, from there we went to Camp Red Cloud, where we met Mark... hung out for a bit. Acted slightly ridiculous and then ended up at the Veteran's Club, where supposedly the officer party was supposed to be. Well...definitely no "party" but a bunch of guys older than my parents and for a brief moment the cute MP who we met on our way to the bunker earlier in the night. He was married and only 20, but he was cute enough toat with and look at for the 15 minutes he was there. Then... a rum and Coke, 4 beers and a shot later, I ended up fast asleep on Brigid's floor mattress, which was actually quite comfortable. Overall, and despite being at work for 8 hours, it was a pretty fun Chrimstas Eve.

 

Pictures: My Christmas Eve dinner... a shrimp cocktail. Me trying on Mark's gear and realizing how heavy it is. Brigid being slightly intoxicated.

I spent Christmas day with Brenna and her family, which was really nice. I bought a cute cake from Paris Baguette. They had really delicious looking cakes with chocolate and fruit and little characters, so I just had to buy one for them! They invited some other friends over too, so I basically spent my day eating delicious American foods (turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, salads, bread, pies… etc. etc. etc.) Then, we watched Elf and played all sorts of different games on the Wii. I totally kicked butt in bowling… and that’s about it. It was a nice relaxing day though.

Brenna was even kind enough to get me some cool gifts, Victoria’s Secret body wash, sprays, lotions, etc. She kept my tradition of getting goodies from VS! I was so excited!


Overall, Christmas was real enjoyable and a lot better than I expected. I was being a bit of a Scrooge this year, but really there was no need. I have made some really great friends who made the holidays really awesome!

 I have lots more pictures on Facebook so add me on there if you want to see more.

“I just like to smile, smiling's my favorite.” –Buddy the Elf.

Well, Korea, here it is...

…the list of things I want to do while I’m here. By November 1st of next year, I want to have all of these things completed. For a year’s worth of things, this really isn’t that much… but it’s a goal list and that’s all that matters.

In alphabetical order since I'm just like that, I want to:

• Go hiking at least once (like actually make a day of it...)
• Go on the DMZ tour through the USO
• Go to an art gallery
• Go to at least 15 new restaurants (7/15)
• Go to a museum
• Go to a performing arts show 
• Go to a sporting event (I'm hoping a baseball game...hehe)
• Learn one new Korean word each week (0/42)
• Make Pancakes (Mainly because I've had a craving since I got here)
• Put at least half my paycheck into my savings account each month
• Read at least one book a month (1/11)
• Sing at a Norebang karoke room  
• Take at least one interesting picture a week with the Nikon (0/42)
• Take at least one picture a week with the Sony (0/42)
• Try as many new foods as I can (10)
• Try soju
• Visit another country
• Visit at least one noteworthy place a month (0/11)
• Write at least one article every two weeks for either an online site or a local magazine/newspaper/whatever I can find (0/21)
• Write at least one blog post a week (0/42)
• Watch the sun rise or set

I'm sure there's more than this and the numbers might be off because I did them quickly... but this is it for now. So, what do I want to take away from Korea?

• A new sense of independence-- being able to do everything alone without thinking twice
• An appreciation for everything I take for granted back home including ease of communication and the convenience of being able to get around easily, as well as a ton of other, more eye opening things
• A new understanding and compassion for children that I never had before
• A new understanding of the world, experience of travel 
• Courage to do what I want with life
• Money to start doing what I want and to find my place

Gwanghwamun and Myeong dong

I love bookstores. I love books. I love that I finally bought Gone with the Wind today, and I can't wait to read it. I also can't wait to read The Predictioneer's Game. Both will be amazing.

The Kyobo bookstore in Gwanghwamun (Line 5, exit 3) was really cool because there's a big "Foreign Books" area. It's also easy to get to. It literally took me about 15 minutes to get in, find my book, and get out. It probably would have been less but the number of people in the bookstore alone was insane. The number of people in this city and at certain places at particular times never fails to shock me.

After the bookstore, I went to Forever 21 in Myeong dong (Line 4, exit 5). That place will make me go broke if I go there too often. I love it! Too bad it's more expensive here... but there's 4 or 5 floors of clothe, shoes and accessories, it's HUGE.

The store had Christmas music playing and Adam Sandler's Hanukkah Song came on. I couldn't help but laugh. It's so funny when some music comes on and hardly anyone knows what the lyrics are saying. Heh.

Anyway, I now have 6 new shirts, a new necklace and hat, and because I’m a dedicated shopper (haha) I got a free planner! I’m excited about that, I’ve been wanting one and it’s in English. Perk.

I'm not a pillow.

Three people on the subway decided I looked comfortable enough to lean on while they slept. Ok, so they weren’t literally laying on me… but they were a little too close for comfort. I was also a human tissue yesterday when one of my students got hit with the door because she was playing right by it. I side hugged her while she cried, then she took the bottom of my shirt and wiped her face on it. Needless to say, it was disgusting, and I highly dislike snot.

My students have the ability to make me laugh. I really do like them most of the time.


Case in point… this is what one of my students wrote on his test. The directions said, “combine the following groups of sentences to make one sentence.” These were the sentences:

-The stream was pretty.
-The stream was little.
-The stream was fast-moving.
-The stream was safe to drink from.

Instead of getting the correct answer, which would involve using commas between the adjectives to make one sentence, this is what I got:

“I go to mountain. The stream was pretty, and fast-moving. I drink it because stream was safe to drink from. I drink a lot so stream was little.”

This makes me smile and chuckle every time I read it. I really want to give him points for creativity and think I will. I mean, he at least knew what the sentences meant, bonus points.

"To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and to endure the betrayal of false friends. To appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know that even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded." — Bessie Anderson Stanley

Teacher Amanda needs teaching practice.

Explaining the meaning of words is not my strong point. I'm actually really awful at it, and I think it's because I think about it too much. I'm not trying to sound like a brainiac or anything, because that's not it at all, but seriously, when a student asks me the meaning of a word my mind goes into overdrive.

For example, today in a class with only one student, we read an article that had the words "explosives" and "drugs." (It was an article about dogs working for people). So, I let her read it to herself and underline any words she didn't know. Of course, she didn't know "drugs."

Insert for those of  you who aren't aware: Koreans don't do drugs. At least not in Korea. At least not that I've ever heard of or heard talk of. Well, they probably do... but they definitely don't let you know about it. Ok... again with the over thinking...

Anyway... the word medicine came to mind. Bad effects. Not wanting to let my ten-year-old student know that drugs make some people feel good. Bad. Bad. Bad. Medicine. Then, a large list of names came to mind and then I decided to stick with saying illegal medicine as my final answer.

Her response?

Are they what Obama drank when he was younger?

My response?

Did you read that? I have no idea. Probably... Yeah. (Thinking maybe she's referring to alcohol, but then I'd have to explain that).

Her response?

Yes he did. I read. Why people do that?

...silence...

She looked at me and then said that maybe other people reccommend they do drugs and that's why. "A"++ for student. "F" for teacher.

Ok... maybe I was just having one of those days. I also got asked what "geez" was after I used it a couple times in class today...luckily, that was by a kindergartener and they lose interest quickly.

Sleep time for Teacher Amanda. I need an "A" day tomorrow. 

"Begin doing what you want to do now. We are not living in eternity. We have only this moment, sparkling like a star in our hand — and melting like a snowflake.” --Marie Beyon Ray

Umm... yeah...

My Nikon literally has dust on it. Guess it's time to start taking more pictures with it and set the Sony aside for a bit.

I decided to take a picture of my dinner: Kimbap.

I forgot how much I love my Nikon.

I love my Sony too...

that is all.

"All photographs are there to remind us of what we forget. In this - as in other ways - they are the opposite of paintings. Paintings record what the painter remembers. Because each one of us forgets different things, a photo more than a painting may change its meaning according to who is looking at it." ~John Berger

Favorite part of the day? Listening to music on the subway ride home.

Or to work.... or wherever I'm going. What would I do without music? I have no idea. My favorite thing about it is that one song can bring you back to any moment or place in time and can make you feel exactly as you felt when you heard it for the first time.

I can't wait to get my iPod Touch. All I've been doing lately is organizing my itunes, getting my 4,299 songs ready to travel with me.

I've been really thinking about a lot of things lately. I had a lot on my mind last week, and I'm starting to realize there's some things in life I need that I'm not getting... as well as things I do that I need to stop for a while. Have you ever had a moment where a huge weight was lifted off your shoulder and things were put into perspective? Well, I feel like that. I know, you have no idea what I'm talking about... but that's ok.

Uijeongbu: Take 2.

I didn't get lost.... or end up at the wrong station. I really like traveling to northern parts of Seoul because I get to see mountains. I'm not sure why, but I'm completely infatuated by them. I really want to go hiking, but I'm still on a hunt for someone to go with who will put up with my slack ass.

I took this out Brigid's apartment complex window while waiting for the elevator.

I would love this view.

Anyway, here are some things I learned this weekend:

1. I'm a terrible bowler. Awful. Probably shouldn't even be allowed, and my enthusiasm level when playing is pretty pathetic.

2. I really really miss American food. I ate a bacon cheeseburger and it was amazing.

3. Korean fights are funny because I have no idea what’s going on and the argument sounds like really pissed off babbling. I had a perfect seat on the subway this weekend for one, and couldn’t help but laugh when one of the guys pushed the other one off the subway at one of the stops and the doors closed on him before he could get back on. He punched the window as the train left.

4. Some Korean men get really happy to see American women. It’s slightly creepy and slightly flattering in a… well… creepy way. I had a guy stare at me on the subway and when the seat next to mine opened up he was more than happy to take it. It was fine until he tried to play footsy. No way Jose… or whatever guys are called here.

5. People who wear high heels walk slowly and it annoys me. It also annoys me that I’m like a magnet for people… as soon as I try and pass a slow walker they move in front of me. It also annoys me when I’m waiting for the subway or bus and someone comes up and stands directly in front of me to get on first. Can anyone say “asshole” in Korean? Ha, I sure can’t.

Korean Food...

…is so cheap! We got all of this for only $10. Since I went with Naomi it only came to $5. It was super delicious too! I quickly got over the fact the shrimp still had arms and eyes and that there were squid tentacles scattered randomly in the big bowl. I didn’t eat them… but I got over it and enjoyed my meal.

Christmas is slightly depressing this year.

I really just want it to be over and for it to be March so it’ll start warming up. I really hate the cold… I really wish I had family or someone here to share Christmas with and watch A Christmas Story and drink hot chocolate…and I really want to buy Christmas presents and send cards and see my cats (I realize the cats thing is randomly thrown it, but whatever, these are my wishes). Plus, Christmas is way more fun with little kids around.


Luckily, I was invited to Brenna and her family’s house this year. Oh, and I get to spend Christmas Ever with my students, because, well… I’m working.

Bah Humbug.

Photo op: it had to be done.

Yeah, I suppose I can crop this to make it look better, but I’m lazy. Oh, and thank god I finally found a curling iron for less than $45 yesterday... my hair is in major need of help... sheesh.

“No matter how qualified or deserving we are, we will never reach a better life until we can imagine it for ourselves and allow ourselves to have it.” -Richard Bach

Once a while you just need to reassure yourself.

....it is or it isn't... I will or I won't... and I do or I don't. I refuse to waste any more time sitting around and thinking what might or might not happen or what I should or shouldn't do. Life's too short for silly mind games... from now on, I'm going with the flow and seeing where I end up.

Next stop: back to Uijeongbu for bowling....

....to be continued.

"A man who dares to waste one hour of time has not discovered the value of life." --Charles Darwin

Uijeongbu, Nogyang, and Bosan... it's not too hard getting lost in the subway station.

And by "lost," I mean unable to be found, as opposed to not knowing where I am. I thought I knew where I was the whole time. However, I really didn't. I was in the completely wrong station, wondering where everyone I was supposed to meet had gone off to.

This is why I need a cell phone.

I went to Uijeongbu station first, which was about an hour ride from my station. I waited for an hour, asked a few English speakers if there were other exits in the station that I was possibly missing... and then went on a hunt for a PC bang. No luck, so without a phone number written down or access to a computer, I decided to head to the next station (the one I thought we were going to for our movie), in case they decided to go there and wait.

When I finally got to Nogyang, I realized that I had finally made it to the actual station I was supposed to go to first. I also noticed a PC Zone across the street from the station so I decided to go check it out. I was freezing and there was no sign of Brenna or her family. I took the elevator to the 7th floor and heard all kinds of computer game noises and walked in looking helpless. The guy was nice and spoke a little English, so he helped me get set up on a computer and a lady who worked there brought me a cup of coffee. I got Brenna's number, stayed a minute to warm up... then head back to the station.

I snapped this picture before stepping inside the station: I thought it was pretty.

Pay Phones... Pain Phones... same difference.

I had no idea how to work the darn thing, and I even had a lady try to help me. The language barrier was holding me back from having any idea what she was saying except "no." Even our game of charades wasn't totally working. I decided to wait around a minute to see if Brenna would get my message and come rescue me from the station (I'm assuming you realize by now that I had no idea where she lives from the station) but that didn't seem to be happening either.

I went to the information desk and asked if they had a phone I could borrow and showed them the number to emphasize my point. The lady pulled out her cell phone and started dialing, and I was super grateful. I was finally in touch with Brenna and they were at a completely different station because they thought maybe that was where I had went. So, my journey to Bosan was about to begin.

Did I ever tell you that subway trains can be a pain in the ass?

Long story short... the stupid thing took me to the very next stop and then after a lot of people got off, it decided to head back to Nogyang instead of going forward and in the direction of Bosan. I was so mad. So, I got off... walked down the stairs and back up to the opposite platform to get back on a train heading toward Bosan and 15 minutes later I was finally on my way.

Finally...

I saw Brenna and her kids standing there! I was so happy, it was already past 4 p.m. (my adventures began at 11a.m.) so we decided to head to the food court and eat before our movie.

Taco Bell, oh how I love you.

Yes, I got to eat Taco Bell! The perks of knowing people who can get me on base. I was so excited. It's the little things in life that mean the most...

New Moon.

Good... not great. I mean, I'm sure I'll watch it a billion times, but I definitely love the books way more.

Subway Tales... again.

Wow, an empty subway? So rare...

Shortly after Brenna and her family got off, I made a new friend on the empty train. Actually, he made me his friend, I continuding my own business but he kept trying to talk to me in terrible English and mostly Korean.

Since I’m a fairly nice person, I answered him and tried to understand him through a game of guessing and charades. In the end… this is what I found out about my friend:

He is a 60 year old who sells shoes with his wife. He was on his was to buy alcohol, drink, then head back home to go to sleep. He told me I was beautiful and was shocked when I told him I was 23 because he thought I looked 11. He was also shocked that I told him I don’t drink alcohol. (Lies… but I did not want an invite).

He was nice, slightly creepy but I don’t think he was trying to be, and he gave me a individually packaged cookie before he got off the train. I was happy this morning to eat it.

So, overall this weekend was quite an adventure. Luckily, I now know where I’m going if I ever want to visit Brenna again or if I want to meet nice soldiers who want to take me to Taco Bell. =)

This was sort of all crammed information, but I’m tired and need to get my music organized for my Christmas present, yay!

Until next time.

“Time passes. Even when it seems impossible. Even when each tick of the second hand aches like the pulse of blood behind a bruise. It passes unevenly, in strange lurches and dragging lulls, but pass it does.” –Stephenie Myers, New Moon

I'm Officially on the Teacher's Page.

Check me out.

http://www.gerstungkinder.com/SEP9/homepage/pageview/pageview.asp?CateCode=INTRO23

I'm also a bit of a fibber... but you wouldn't have known if I didn't tell you, right? Hehe.

My Newest Accessory

Provided graciously to me by my school today:

I was going to rebel and not wear it, but I happened to be teaching the littlest kids at the time it was handed out (equivalent to about 3 and 4 year olds in the states) and right after I took it off they started pointing to their faces. "Teacher, why no?"

Fine. I'll wear it. I only did for that class though. I mean, can't the germs just crawl around the darn mask into the side holes and get me that way? I don't think this helps much unless I'm trying to prevent giving my illness to others.

And I'm standing by my theory no matter what you say.

Classes Cancelled

I get to sleep in tomorrow! Well, only a little bit. Instead of being there at 9:30, I get to go in at 10. The kindergarteners' classes have been cancelled for the next three days. This means I don't start teaching until 2:30 tomorrow and Friday, and on Thursday I might not be teaching at all... and if my one student does show up I won't start teaching until 4.

So, why do I have to be there at 10 you ask? Supposedly, we get to clean. I'd prefer teaching a billion times over cleaning some random room in the school. They'll learn quickly that they should just hire someone to clean because I'm not much help. Then, I'll be getting paid to do a lot of nothing for three days.  Except complaining about sitting around being such a waste of time.

Finally.

I finally found nail polish remover and hair spray. Thank goodness... so what if it was from the random little store around the corner? I am happy... and my unmanicured toes are wriggling for joy.

"He who hesitates is a damned fool."- Mae West