My apartment is freezing.

I want to move.

Christmas 2008 - New Year's too

I spent Christmas at Jeongbok's family's house. We made our own Christmas tree from poster board, construction paper, and post-its (accented with candy canes). We ordered pizza and exchanged presents. Koreans are serious about reciprocity, so I was worried that my Christmas gifts would be met with dread (guilt for not having anything to give me). Instead, they were thrilled. Jeongbok's mom scrounged up a wallet (probably in the drawer marked "just in case") and it magically appeared under the tree as well. However, what was even better was the note on it, handwritten. It said how thankful they were to have me there and wished me blessings in the new year. I was touched. (Yes, it was written in Korean. No, I couldn't understand ALL of it, but Jeongbok translated the rest.)

For New Year's we came back to Seoul and celebrated at the giant bell near City Hall. There were thousands of people, some intoxicated, and lots of roman candles shot off indiscriminately. Of course, Korean protestors took advantage of the free publicity and marched against Lee MyungBak. But when midnight struck, everyone cheered. A group lit lanterns that floated into the air, carrying countless wishes and messages of good luck. As for us, we drank wine by the "fake river." It was a beautiful night. On January 1, I bought a cake and sang Happy Birthday to the new year.

It's going to be a good one.

Christmas in Korea: Food

Some things never change

This week is the last time I'll teach my current students because they'll be moving up a grade at the new year. I put together a great goodbye lesson of How the Grinch Stole Christmas (which I've watched 12 times now), candy canes, and a class photo. I wanted to use the time to say goodbye to the students who've made me so happy here. However, my last class today was rudely interrupted by a school-wide writing test which no one informed me would happen.

I've come to accept the many schedule changes, surprise exams, and club activities that conflict with my class time, but I resented it today (of all days!).

A teacher came to the door right as I was going to push play and motioned for me to come. I gestured, "Me?" and he did what most Koreans do, he made fun of his English by saying something totally inappropriate. He said, "Yeah, baby!" The girls laughed with delight. I was aghast.

He explained in the hallway that there was a writing test, then we both went back inside. He explained what was happening to the students, then again used inappropriate English. The girls whined about the test. "Shut up," he replied.

I was not entertained. It's not funny anymore. Even though he was making a joke, it's not funny. This is the problem with learning English words without proper connotation and void of context. The thing is, I don't think he (or anyone else who does this, and that's most people in Korea) care about appropriateness or politeness or connotations of what they're saying. English is a joke. And as long as they treat it like that, they'll be one too...which means, to them, I'll continue to be the clown.

Dialogues

The last question on my final exam was a six line dialogue using the picture below. It should have contained at least two compliments (which they learned about in my compliments lesson) and must have been appropriate for the situation.

The picture is from the Naruto series. Naruto (B) is on the right, while his friend (A), whom I don't know because I don't know much of anything about the series, is on the left.

My students never cease to surprise me. Although I had to correct 600 of these, amidst the disappointing robot responses were gems of brilliance. Enjoy.
~an awesome response~
A: I like your hair style.
B: Me too! Thank you.
A: You are always enthusiastic.
B: Yeah, I think you are a superwoman.
A: I'm flattered! When I was young, I wanna be a superwoman.
B: Haha...Then your dream came true.

~a great dialogue~
I don't know what to buy my parents gift.
I will help you.
Really? Thanks. You're so kind~
^-^ Thanks. How about couple rings?
Couple rings? That's good! You are smart!
Smart? Hahaha...Thank you!

~a pretty standard answer~
Oh! Hi~
Hi~
You are so kind.
Thank you. You are so smart.
Thank you. Have a nice day!
Bye.

Not quite compliments:
Hello~
Hi~
You face is very good look.
Oh! Thank you. You too.
And you very taller than me.
Thanks.

You have a funny face!
W...What?
Ha...Ha...Ha...I'm sorry ^^;;
Hum...You are so aglry?
I don't think so!
And. you are so impatient!

Hey boy. You're style good.
Oh, really? You, too.
Hey...I'm a girl.
Don't distinguish! I love your style.
Oh, thanks.
See you later.

Wow. I'm glad to hear your brave sound.
Wow! Thank you.
Are you getting better with your throat?
You always think of me. Your mind is so kind.
You also have it.
That's why I like you.

Oh! You have a nice hair style.
Really? Thank you. You, too.
Thanks. I want to your big mouth.
No. I want to your Big eyes.
Haha...Your so very kind.
You're welcome.

I think you are very famous in Korea.
Really? I think so.
But Sangmi doesn't know you.
Oh my god! I'm so sad.
Just kidding.
Oh! That's a good news!~

~not what I was assigned, but incredibly entertaining~
What are you doing Naruto?
I'm fighting with my enemies.
Are you ok? Can I help you?
No thanks, You're so kind!
I know you're so strong! Cheer up!
Thanks you, just wait a minute. I'll them off.

You very small.
What? I am angry!
Calm down.
I can't stand it anymore.
Let's call it a day.
You...You...cursed.

You're idiot.
What? You too!
I'm very wise.
Shut up please!
I think of divorcing you!
What?! Why?!

What's up? Man.
I have ask you out. Do you have a time?
Ummm. I think your suggest.
No. Hurry up. I'm so nerves.
Oh. When we meet tomorrow.
No. Right now.

I'm so upset.
Why?
I'm hungry
Me too!!
I'm very boring
Let's play together.

I love you.
What????
I love you!
What's the matter?
Maybe...I like you.
Really?

~my favorite~
I think you're brave!
Why do you think so?
Because you saved my puppy.
Your puppy is brave too.
Why?
Because he bit me.

Seoul Grand Park

I took a trip to Seoul Grand Park last weekend. This huge campus holds an amusement park, zoo, and a mountain. It's in the southern end of Seoul city limits, but is easily accessible by subway.

Anyone who knows me, knows I love zoos. I was giddy on the subway imagining the evolutionary adaptations that I could witness first-hand and subsequently make fun of. (Is there any animal more ridiculous than the anteater?) Of course, I was particularly excited for the primate exhibit. Unfortunately, the primate exhibit was under renovation, so no great apes that day.

I DID get to see the lions fed. The zookeeper blew a whistle and chucked large chunks of flesh over the fence. The lions took turns catching the meat mid-air and growled. "I want a kitten," I thought.

I also got to watch the marine show which included kissing seals and flipping dolphins. At one point, a small macaque came out with an apron on for no apparent reason at all.

I am amazed by human ingenuity. The fact that we train animals to do acrobatics using a whistle and anchovies still boggles the mind.

Seoul Grand Park at dusk.

Beautiful winter day with Jeongbok.

Korean Wake

Yesterday, my executive director's husband passed away, and fourteen hours later, I was attending his wake. The funeral home is attached to the hospital, but reminded me more of a fancy department store. There were escalators, spotless tiled floors, and attendants on each floor in spiffy uniforms directing you where to go. The flat screen TVs on the wall listed the deceased names, dates, and where the services were being held. They look vaguely like the airport screens listing arrivals and departures. This made me think, "What do Korean maternity wards look like?"

Upon entering the room, I gifted money in an envelope (the Korean tradition), signed the guest book, then was led into a side room. Here is where my executive director was (with her children). She was in a black hanbok. The room was full of flowers, and on the far side was a picture of her husband. I wasn't exactly sure what to do. This was a delicate situation. I didn't want to be culturally insensitive. Thankfully, the other women from the office were there too. I followed their lead.

We all picked up a beautiful white flower. (I'm still trying to discover the English name.) We placed the flower under the photo, lit incense, then bowed twice all the way to the floor. Then we turned to the grieving family and bowed to them. This was the tough part. She thanked me for coming. Though she's Korean, I felt I should do what I felt was right at the time, and I gave her a hug. A hug is not a traditional act of condolence in Korea, but I think she appreciated it nonetheless.

After leaving the side room, I sat down at the tables and ate dinner. Food is always involved in important Korean events. The soup was so good, I ate a second bowl, or perhaps I was still a bit nervous. I was definitely a bit sad. Friday, I catch a bus early in the morning to go to the burial.