Doctor Visit

Well, yesterday I went to visit the doctor. About my rib really hurting and I thought it could possibly be broken or at least cracked. Thank God it isn't, but he ended up saying that he would give me a shot to help the muscle. And so that's what he did. But the freaky thing is that he gave me THREE shots UNDER the ribs, and in to the NERVES in my muscle! Okay, I was a bit freaked out, but man, it sure helped and worked!!
I just had blood work done too just before that, and that's no problem, but I was so nervous because when I was younger, I did a lot of reading in medical books and about midwifery. And there I learned about epidurals and how crazy and potentially dangerous they can be! A needle going RIGHT into your spinal cord and if it hits the wrong muscle...just a smidgen, you could be impaired for life. So guess what's going thru my mind when he's doign that. And needles going into the trunk of yer body is a bit freaky if u ask me. He said after when I mendtioned why I was nervous, was because of this, and he said...oH! I give about 12 epidurals every day! Well that made me feel better...after!
His office was beautiful...and the caption in the waiting room was "We care, God cures" Wow. You wouldnt see that in Canada, unless it was a very religous space, and not generally. I liked it actually.
I wish I got pictures of it. It was designed quite well. The place is actually a clinic, but when you go into the treatment room, there were beds all along the walls, and the emergency room curtains around them, open or closed, and a bunch of people there being treated. Interesting.
The finishes were nice, and it felt intimate and peaceful. I got an xray done of my ribs..,and got ushered around to different places. I saw the doctor about 4 or 5 times in general. The funny thing was talking to him at first, and we got talking about the design, and then he said...I guess you didnt come here to talk about design, and so I guess I'd better treat you! IT was quite nice. I didnt feel that I was being rushed, and I felt like I was being listened to. And it was personable. And in English! yay.
So now I'm taking some muscle relaxants for a few days. And I cant go to Taekwondo this week :( Oh well, I think i need a bit of a relaxing week.
It was relaxing yesterday, nice and warm and sunny...no coat kind of spring day. I got to work and the kids were gone on a picnic, so I didnt have to do anythign till 2! That was quite nice. I went and got some cheeze toast and a smoothie all for $2 or 2000 won. Sweet lunch! And quite good. And of course, cheap!
So today, I'm still feeling fine, I cant feel my rib issue so much, but if this cough keeps up, I'll be going back. He's doing blood work for antibodies to the vaccines I got in Canada and need to update. So we'll see. I just want to get them DONE! So 70,000 won later...this is with no medical insurance...and considering that's quite a fine price... in canada I dont even want to know how much that would be.
Well, that's it for now. I'll have to write about my weekend in Gukseong...but pictures do most of that. Just ask, and you'll get em, or email me. bendycha@hotmail.com Righto...catch ya later!

Yello Storm Today

Wow, what a crazy crazy day. I think I just explained about the storm earlier....so I won't repeat. My lungs are goin nuts. And this cough is really getting to me. It now feels like I've got booted in the ribs..or I've broken one or something.
Not sure if that was due to the Jungle Gym class of Taekwondo tonight or not. It was so much fun....and I highly recommend taking an exercise class with kids. They laugh things off and respect u for the silly things u do...or how silly u look. And that takes a certain amount of 'laff it off' yourself. And once u have that, yer fine.
So I'm drinking a bottle of Italian mineral water that cost me the equivalent of 1$. Ha! It's called Acqua Panna. I think i've seen it in canada...but not quite sure. "from the hills of Tuscany" Yep. The luxury!
Anyway...I'm not fallin apart..I'm just lettin u know what it's like.
Anyway...my mind is blank right now.
Oh, the other thing...I've been starting to think about what it would be like to be back in Canada. Strangie (I say 'strange + ie' because that's how the Koreans say it...and it's starting to stick cuz its funny) Yep, THAT"s where I'll be having the culture shock. I have only really felt it briefly that I know of here. I just love cultures and languages so much that I"m a natural! What can I say?! ha ha. Ya right.
Okay, gotta play with other puter stuff now. I really do love puters, and I really do spend wayy too much time on here. But it's cheap and time consuming, and brain consuming too. I've just found out about the world of plug ins for MSN. LOVEIN it.
And thanks to my ol faithful friend in Aussie-land....I'm gonna have a new funky avatar on here hopefully.
Anyhoo....the highlight of my day....listening to a certain hot Oud player online. Yep....that was memorable. ;)
Later!

Yello Dust Info

Hey u all,
For all the inquiries of the yellow dust issues I've been having...as in coughing and a bit of a raw throat from coughing..here's some good info about what's happening and why.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yellow_dust
Yep, there u go.
Today at noon got really quite dark. It felt like it was twilight or something. The strange thing is that it was just like a dark storm. And it rained and I heard thunder! Oh man I LOV thunder! But the air is dark and eery feeling, and looks yellowish.
I gotta run...to class....
Later

Coughin

Hi folks,
Well, what to write about first. I officially got my blue belt in Taekwondo! Yeayy. I'm so glad I've been doing that. I learned a few new moves, just like i do every night. Yay.
There's this kid there that has taken a liking to me...oh I think I already wrote about that. Anyway, he got me to count to 100 in Korean. Pure Korean numbers that is. Hana, dul, net, set, dasot, yasot, ilgop, yodol, ahop, yol, yolhana, yoldul, .... yep...u get the point.
I'm so proud of myself cuz I bought somethin in complete Korean the other day. I havent quite arrived at full sentences..but it did the trick. Even when the guy answered me in some English, I kept at Korean. Trade ya!
Um, what else. Oh, yesterday I was told my Mr. Shim-my boss, that we were goign on a field trip today. So we went today to Family Land...a theme park. IT was pretty fun actually. Poor John was sooo sick. It was the first time I've been on such a thing with so many kids. My official job was to be the school 'mascot' or something. And then parading around with at least 200 kids is an interesting experience. Herding them on to rides and stuff.
Man, Koreans are complete posers. I must say I love it. You dont have to worry about taking pictures and offending peole....well, with consideration anyway. And yes, everyone still wears 3 inch heels to the park! I must say I like that too. I just dont know how these girls all do it...but they ALL do!
Man, I cant think anymore. And this cough is hurting. I think I might get some good stomach muscles after all with this!

Cherry blossom weekend

Hello everyone,
Here goes an attempt at another entry. Its actually excerpts from a conversation with my 'brother', Michael
It saves me time and energy typing twice!
By the way- I'm 'juseyo' which means please in Korean in short....

oh man...i just got these stickers for your keyboard im going sticker nuts how embarrassing!juseyo 님의 말:i had the best most amazing tea experience yesterday
MichaelTell me about the tea
juseyo the tea ..well let me send u pics first
juseyo :nah..i'lll tell ya about it..too many pictures
juseyo 님의 말:well i went with candice to a very small town about 1.5 hrs away from Gwangju juseyo 님의 말:there's a cherry blossom festival there..and also it's 'famous' in korea for one of itls oldest markets there
juseyo 님의 말:complete with rice straw roof and stuff
juseyo 님의 말:so we were trying to find our friends juseyo 님의 말:and went into the little town and walked along a street with complete cherry blossom trees on either side...wow....on the way to hopefully see a big temple
juseyo 님의 말:but i saw this really cool lookng shop across the street
juseyo 님의 말:and first off..the door was enough to make me happy
juseyo 님의 말:but then we wen tin and there were all this amazing pottery
juseyo 님의 말:(pls dont mind my terrible english)
juseyo 님의 말:and as we were looking around, the lady owner of the shop invited us to sit down juseyo 님의 말:on stumps...literally around a table in the middle for tea
juseyo 님의 말:so we did, and i FINALLY got to witness the proper pouring and serving of green tea
juseyo 님의 말:the ceremony idea
juseyo 님의 말:there's a tea pot for steeping
juseyo 님의 말:a bown that you pour the steeped tea into juseyo 님의 말:bowl juseyo 님의 말:and you pour hot water into the bowl first ..swish it around
juseyo 님의 말:and then pour in a circular motion around the cups that you are going to drink out of
juseyo 님의 말:in 2 steps in that way
juseyo 님의 말:and then she got more hot water from the ..what do u call a 'tank' with hot water already in it...a boiler i guess
Michael 님의 말:I've heard all about the Japanese tea ritual, this sounds very similar
juseyo 님의 말:and then poured water through the strainer which was a wood strainer in the shape of a flower
juseyo 님의 말:(you'll notice it)
juseyo 님의 말:and then poured the tea through that
juseyo 님의 말:and into the bowl juseyo 님의 말:and then poured it into our cups
juseyo 님의 말:it was the most amazing green tea i've EVER tasted
juseyo 님의 말:even in Korea juseyo 님의 말:i was so excited juseyo 님의 말:and we bought some AMAZING insence
juseyo 님의 말:oops
juseyo 님의 말:and holders
juseyo 님의 말:and she ended up giving us a whole bag of tea each that cost 10 ea
juseyo 님의 말:which is really expensive here
juseyo 님의 말:well not really reallly..but on its way there
juseyo 님의 말:whew!
Michael 님의 말:That sounds like something amazing
Michael 님의 말:I'd love to experience that, I have a great appreciation for tea and ritual
juseyo 님의 말:me too
juseyo 님의 말:it was the perfect experience...in a way out small town of korea
juseyo 님의 말:i was jumping around i was so excited
Michael 님의 말:How is work, how is your health?
juseyo 님의 말:work is fine
juseyo 님의 말:health is fine considering im hacking up yello dust
juseyo 님의 말:from my lungs
juseyo 님의 말:my back just got really sore from my self afflictions of worry fits that i am constantly giving myself
juseyo 님의 말:other than that
juseyo 님의 말:im good
Michael 님의 말:Yellow dust does not sound good
juseyo 님의 말:its just wot happens here and everyone gets it
Michael 님의 말:What are you worried about, my sister?
juseyo 님의 말:o just ..im not sure wot they want me to do at school with a class..and it seems that they just leave u to try and teach these 4 yr olds for an hour with no idea of what they want to teach
juseyo 님의 말:most of it is my job to teach them English and part of that is to come up with my own material..but not really
juseyo 님의 말:i wish they had a curriculum that i could follow that worked
juseyo 님의 말:and i somewhat have that there..but it sucks
juseyo 님의 말:and when i give them these color sheets to learn the colors and shapes....and they color them ..and write their name on them...the parents dont like it cuz they think they're jsut coloring
juseyo 님의 말:and they're not...its a way to record, and to keep them controlled, and a method to teach them!
juseyo 님의 말:and the korean teachers know this..and try to deal with the parents abou thtis...or so they say
juseyo 님의 말:but im not sure what to do
juseyo 님의 말:but try to get differnt stuff
juseyo 님의 말:..so what can u do but the best u can
Michael 님의 말:This sounds like a bit of a precariious postition
juseyo 님의 말:it is...
juseyo 님의 말:and i dont know how to make everyone happy
juseyo 님의 말:so i think i might just go to the director and talk to him about it
님의 말:I had better go to sleep.
juseyo 님의 말:ok
Michael 님의 말:Take care
juseyo 님의 말:thanx for listening..or at least letting me blab
juseyo 님의 말:gnite

so there it is...
The weekend was lovely though, although it went a bit too fast. I wish i felt more relaxed. But we went out to see a cherry blossom festival. We wanted to see a temple, but it was too far, and our time was running out.
Candice came down from Seoul, and that was really nice to hang out with her.
We went out to a town called Gurye, and then to another I cant remember the name right now. IT was a little tiny village and it was really beautiful. There was this hideously lit, but beautiful in its own way, bridge crossing the river. Yes, of course I have pictures!
There was a beautiful road lined with cherry blossoming trees on both sides that ran along the river, and it was sooo crowded. There is also one of the oldest open traditional markets there. Yep. I got my pic taken with this cool Korean biker. We didnt even realize it till we saw him going by with his girl on the back! Hilarious! He was all decked out too... and with his friend in Army uniform and those aviator glasses. yep..they were pretty hip.

Blasting Korean music and ajumas (grandmas) dancing around was entertaining too. Then there were suggestive wood carvings mounted on tables along with a drink of some sort that I'm sure was believed to make you more ...ahem...verile!

So we had dinner, and looked around, and then it was time to go back. WE had to get a taxi. I cant believe it. We got a taxi to go for a 10 min drive.! As if ! If we did that in Canada that woudl be a small fortune. It was 17,000 won or 17 dollars! Craziness! I love Korea for that!
LOVE it!
Then we just missed the next bus into Gwangju, so we went and hung out, and then went to find a jimjilbang. Gotta love Korea for that too. 6 bucks and you've got a place to lay yer head. and a shower and the rest in the morning.
It was the most crowded jimjilbang I"ve seen or been in...for sleeping especially. Imagine being in a large room with people everywhere they could find room on the floor, and almost all of them snoring. IT was kindof soothing in a strange way! We all were sleeping on the stone floor...which doesnt turn out to be so bad after all....if you have a pillow, which i didnt for the first half of the night. Hmmmm. Maybe that's why my back isnt so good after all tonight.
Anyway, we got back, and then Candice had to go back to Suwon, and I went home and did my thing.
Here we go for another school week. I better get to bed soon.
:D

Descriptions

Just came back from Taekwondo and the master said that next week I'll have my blue belt! Woohooooo! Yayyy! I'm so happy! I was sooo tired tonight...and i didnt even want to go...but it paid off after all.

One older guy there and I keep getting paired up ...either in stretches or he teaches me poomse or the technique sequences that are crucial to Taekwondo and advancing. Poor guy...he's maybe 15-18 years old..and he gets so embarrassed. It's quite cute actually. His name is something like Eun which means Silver in English! How cool is that?

There's a boy there that has taken a liking to me, if not a crush (I must add that he's about 10 yrs old) and he is keen on teaching me Korean. It's really cute. He's really quite good at English, and he's teaching me Korean...complete with drills! And then he makes funny faces at me.

Man, I've discoverd that my memory sucks for when you are told a word and expected to remember it somehow! Grrr. Koreans seem to think at times that you can learn it by being told once...I wish! But then I have to teach them English, and that takes repitition...HELLO! Even the teachers at school do that. They've at times said..."dont you remember?" Um ...hi...do you teach a language? Yes you do...and HOW many times do you have to repeat? Man, that felt good to say!
But then I still love them. What can u do.

I'm getting the requests to go to Play Bank (the jungle gym downstairs) or starting to get the 'can we go outside' for class. Then if I say I'm not allowed...which apparently I'm not...then they all start saying in korean thinking I cant understand them that other teachers have let them and they were cooler and I'm hard on them. Well sorry kids. I'd love to...but I'd rather keep my job. We'll see what buttons I can hopefully push to get them out once in a while! What ever happened to field trips n stuff? Hmmmm... Okay...so I want to be the cool teacher. Ha ha. I try anyway. Some things are just not comparable though.

So I was just reading in the Gwangju News (in English for foreigners) about the Yellow Dust season or 'Hwangsa' as it is called in Korean. I am noticing a difference in the back of my throat and having to blow my nose as usual. Sorry..but that's a fact of life. Mucus and all. Eeegh, I hate that word! Here's an excerpt from the magazine...
"...the annuall phenomenon "hwangsa", or yellow dust, is made up of clouds of dust brought from China and Mongolia's Taklamakan desert, the Gobi desert and the huanghe river basin. Carried by strong winds in the spring, the dust affects China, Korea, japan and Southeast Asia. Since desertivication is the main cause, yellow dust doesn't occur in the winter because the ground is frozen; in the summer, rooted plants prevent the dust from being spread."
Cool, huh? I keep looking for yellow hues to the sky and air, but I havent really seen anything to note. Apparently you can see it in Seoul. I' wanna go up and see it! I'm so glad I live in Gwangju. Less pollution and stuff like that to deal with.

Oh, and I'm reading an article about getting eye glasses here in Asia. Yep, dirt cheap! You can get frames ranging from W10,000 to W200,000 (won) for designer frames. Most are priced around W10,000 to W75,000 but you ca get a discount on almost any of them in the W50,000 range. (for price conversion just add or knock off some zeros for Canadian vs Korean prices- 10,000 won is $10 Canadian approximately). The article says you can get the whole thing for $23-$50. Yep...cuz I did. I didnt realize that I was getting the whole treatment till they told me to sit at the eye station, and they checked my eyes. Thanx! I needed to do that anyway! And then you can get them fixed for free if u need to. Nice!

Sometimes i feel guilty for how inexpensive some things are ...realizing the labour that went into it...but that's how it is here. Strange but true. The thing is that you tip in other ways. And also I realize that people give more of other things...and I hope I do the same for them in return.

Okay, I'm gonna publish this for now. If anything to make sure that I dont lose all this writing work!
Gnite if I dont get back on here again.

part 2

yep ppl are walkin around an dsocializing here at 2 am on a sunday night. dunno. lol
anyway the saunas have stones and things in them. one has pink quartz, and another one has clay balls. it's housed inbetween logs

Night at a Jim-jil-bang

Yep...I'm here at Migliore's Jim-jil-bang. Migliore is the equivalent to Sears in Canada....and they happen to have jimjilbangs/saunas upstairs...just like most things in Korea...just go up the stairs and u never know what you'll find. A lot of theatres are on the top floor of these dept stores too.
This jimjilbang is just great. I think its' the best one i've been to so far. And I say again...what on earth am i gonna DO when i get back to Canada with no jimjilbangs? :O Sauna it up 'normal' style I guess like the rest of them. I'm on a puter here and its timed...so hopefullly it wont quit on me.
The best part about this placeis that they have mini nori-bangs or karaoke huts! pay 50 cents and sing a song w yer friend!