Where does the time go?

Well, here it is - the day before V day. And I'm reminiscing of Korean ways....I suppose not reminiscing, but contemplating. Yep, I feel like actually writing in a bit more of a proper English way. Okay, so much for that!

All the stores and streets are loaded with the 'frouffiest' (non-English word?!) Valentine stuff that you could even imagine. Big humonsterous (my own English word) baskets of 'stuff', huge stuffed animals or chocolates all individually wrapped and decorated as cute anything! Hard to explain all the stuff. Oh, but guess what. Valentines is different here because only the girls have to buy something for the guys! What the...?!! And then they developed a day called 'White Day' where the guys buy for the girls! Imagine that!

Oh, and there's 'Black Day' too. That's when everyone who is single wears completely black, and they eat black noodles with black sauce and EVERYTHING is black! That makes complete sense because of how this culture is traditional in the sense that everyone is pressured to get married or be married. There are wedding centers everywhere you look pretty much, and I think it would be great to be married here, because everything is here. Just rent the space for a day and presto! you're Cinderella wedding is right there!

Oh man, I was looking through the Hyundai Department store last night...and I thought I would go and look at the men's clothing for a change...and there were the most amazing ties! Wowzers! There were lots with flowers on them, and there was one in particular that looked pixellated and integrated were Swarovski Crystals in it! Damn! It was 75,000 won (or close to $75) Wowzers. It was BEAUTIFUL! Hmmmm...maybe I should get that for me! Nah!

So last week I finally got myself to the National Museum here in Gwangju. It was really quite interesting, especially because everything I saw there was also somethign I could buy on the street. Except that the new things are new, and the old things are really old- if that makes any sense! It had pottery that was the original celadon (I think that's right) which is the light green color that Korea is known for in its pottery glazes. And the most memorable thing for me besides the paintings from the 11 century were the coffins. They looked like capsules and they were made from clay-just like pottery would be. Of course! I asked my students, and they called them tombs. How very cool. You could probably fit at least 3-5 people in them too!

So Candice came down to visit me this weekend which was really quite refreshing. We went around town and then to the jimjilbang on Sunday. Man, I really dont know what I'm going to do when I go back home to Canada and I cant go to a jimjilbang! I'll be in the rec centre with all the rest of them! I can understand it soooo much more now!

So the last few weeks have been kind of hard for me because-as I found out- I'm at a 3 month 'hump' and I couldnt figure out what was wrong until Yu-gin, one of the teachers mentioned it. I was having all these stupid anxieties about everything like my performance, and other things in my life all bundled up, and what a relief it was for me to realize that it happens to most people. Not quite in the same way, but there is a shift of things. Its hard to explain, but I suppose its just growing pains.

Well, that's about it for now...I wish I could record every thought that comes into my head sometimes. There's just so much, but I realized that there is only so much I can share...because its one thing to write or read or listen to it, but it's a whole other thing clompletely to experience it. I just wish words could convey that sometimes...but then I'm so glad that they dont at times too.

Oh, I just remembered, I got the book 'Memoirs of a Geisha' and read it, and then the movie just opened here a week ago, and I finally went to see it. The one thing that struck me while I watched it was that I have such a different and maybe better understanding of the movie because I am pretty much living it here! Well, not quite- I'm not in Japan or in the early 18th century, but I'm here in Asia, and very close to Japan, and I've been there now, and wow!!!! If I saw this in Canada I would just relate to it on an American point of view. A movie that has simply been stylized; but being here and living amongst these people (who are different but similar to Japanese people) and living with the architecture and different ways and spaces and ergonomics and customs of Korea makes me understand it soooo much more!

It was just a sudden realization that while she looked up and over the rooftops of Kyoto for the first time, that I see that here and that's my reality too! But it's just mixed in with modern times too! How bizarre and wonderful and I'm sooooo thankful that I'm having this experience!

Now I just need to learn Korean sooo much faster! Apply myself would be a good thing! Its hard though when your job is to speak English all day! Okay so that's no excuse. Allrighty!!!

Okay time to sleep...till the next time.

Havin a bad Korea day

Oh man. Yah, I admit it...i don't love Korea everyday. Last night I was up till 2 am with other anticipations in my more personal life, and then today school was a bit crazy. Then at taekwondo tonight I didnt do as well as my expectations. The instructor did say that I was flexible enough...but poor John got what I call the horrific stretch. Oh someone putting the physical pressure on someone else's body isnt my idea of fun, or Johns! Poor guy, I felt that almost as much as he did! Man, i feel like a control freak sometimes. Not so cool..and than that makes me more annoyed! Whaddya do. Go to sleep and wait for tomorrow.

SO the next issue is that I havent been learnign Korean as fast as I'd like. I just have to use my memory and practice and USe it more...I'm good at listening..but the speaking is another ting sometimes. It's good in a way because it makes me remember what it's like to learn another language, and the awkwardness of speaking it...and that makes me empathize with my students better. I've been somewhat guaging it by John, my co-worker, as we have arrived in Korea at the same time...and he's learnign faster than I am...darnit!

The next thing is that I'm trying to decide where the best website is for putting my albums of pictures. As you should know I love taking LOTS of pictures, as I think it really tells a story better than words at times. That might be because I'm such a visual person. Sometimes I think nothing gets through my head unless I visualize it or see it. That can be good and possibly bad at times. Whaddya do once again.

This past weekend (long weekend of the New Years Doggy - heh) I went to Mokpo, a coastal city about an hour away from Gwangju. I'm Sooo glad I went! The big attractions there were for me, the ocean, then Yundul mountain, and then the museums. It was sooo wonderful to be near the ocean again. It amazes me how powerful it is...the draw of it too.
Then I went on a taxi ride, with a woman taxi driver! cool! to the Yundul mountain, and the one place I wanted to go to was closed, and then across the road was a Buddhist monestery/temple, so I hiked up the stairs to that. Then I came back down and walked along the road when i heard music coming from the mountain. I looked up and tried to find the commotion...and decided that I shoudl go and check it out. So I went up one big set of stairs...then along 'stone paved' paths to more stairs and paths and stairs and stairs and paths to a statue, and lots of 'lookout' temple structures. The darker it got, and the higher I got, the more amazing it was.

Man, I'm sooo glad I came here to experience this..FINALLY! Another country and culture...why is it that I thrive on this? Dunno...but I love it. The mountain was also lit by lights that changed color. There's lots of lights that change color in Korea...on buildings...all of that..on mountains..anything. I love it!
So that was a night, and I walked down this hill to downtown. I swear everything in Korea in terms of what's in the stores is the same. But that's allright...then you know what you're gonna get anywhere! Ha! Then I took an adventurous taxi ride and asked for a jimjilbang (sauna) that was open 24 hrs. Some of the are open all night with sleeping rooms and some arent..so I had to make sure. Of course then was the time when the taxi driver, who was around 22 kept saying that I could stay at his house! Um...NOT! But thanx for the offer! ha haa.
A stay at the jimjilbang is definitely a thing that I wish everyone could appreciate! You go in for a nice shower, and srubadub, and a hot tub soak, and any temperature you want...well two or three temperatures anyway. A sauna in all temperatures..at least 4 or 5. Then get some clothes on (shorts and tshirts issued to you in the sauna colors). Then to find the place to sleep on a warm marble floor..ohhhh yeahhhhh! The only thing was that it was a bit noisier than I might like. There were families with brand new babies there all awake at midnight. Interesting how that works.
Sleeping on a hard warm floor is actually easier than I thought. At one point the room I was sleeping in was a bit warmer than I wanted, so I moved to another room. At one point, the cafe lady came to me and put a blanket and pillow on me...how sweet are these people?! A little later, I wasnt quite asleep...was somewhat tossing and turning, and then a mother and her baby on her back came in. There was a big window, and she stood there and sang her baby to sleep...and me too! I was thinking...how magical is a mother's lullaby...and how precious. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm.........zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz..............

The next morning was interesting to wake up to. There I was in a jimjilbang! IT wasnt so awkward after all. I got up, went to find a massage chair that wasnt being slept in by another person, and had a morning massage. NICE! THen down to have a nice long scrub shower, and hot tub...and on the road again!

I went for a walk after, and discovered I was a lot closer to the beach than I thought! It was so nice to be right at the water again. A father and his son was flying their kite there. That was neat.
Then I found a taxi, and went to the museums. WOW. The architecture was amazing. I ended up going to the Natural History Museum which was amazingly put together-combining great architecture with a wonderfully laid out display of everything from dinasaurs to insects of any type you can imagine.
THen back to the bus terminal, and back home. YAY.
Whew!
Gotta sleep now...till next time!

New Year Comin Up

Yes, the Asian or Lunar new year is this Monday here in Korea. This morning I got to work, and the director said, "Wendy, come here." Of course I'm so silly to think, okay what did I do, and he brought me into the 'office' and pointed to a 'group' of bags on the floor, and said "Happy New Year!!!" How sweet was that. So it was what I thought it would be.

Apparently the gifts that are given are either a gift set of no less than two or four tubes of toothpaste and at Least 4 bars of soap, and 3 plus body washes. Yep. Happy New year!
But then the other alternative is an alcohol set of some sort. One BIG bottle, or 3 or so bottles of nice Korean rice or berry wine or someting complete with little 'tea' cups. The cups are NEVER in groups of four, only three or two or maybe five. Yep. Four is a BAD number. Doesnt matter if you have 2 couples coming over....hmm that's a thought. I wonder if Koreans do invite 2 couples cuz the number. Huh.

The New year here is just like Christmas here. They told us at school today that a lot of Korean women work so hard that afterwards they have to go to the hospital or take medication!! As in cooking and serving and entertaining, etc... Wowzers!

Anyway....I wonder if Sex and the City is really a good show for me to watch. Its about one of the only tv shows i really enjoy because yes, I can identify. But my gosh!

Well, I wanted to go to Seoul for New Years, but I thik I'll have to stay home. Maybe go to the coast or something would be fun. Yah, I might just do that. A trip by myself perhaps. One to do some artwork. Yah, i think it's about time I do that. And I can maybe afford sometime to get an EASEL! Wooohooo! I can hardly wait.

So taekwondo is going well. I'm so glad that I'm taking it. It's moving along quite fast considering. Apparently in Korea the levels go along quite a lot faster than in the 'Americas'. I'll be hopefully getting my yellow belt next month. Yay! But i've got a lot to learn though. I'm so glad to be exercising though. A new obsession...

So I've finished reading "Memoirs of a Geisha" and I can hardly wait to go see it in the theatres this weekend. Yep, its just opening here this weekend. What is that, at least a month later than Canada? I think so.

Cats *the Broadway play* is coming at the beginning of Feb too. I hope I can go and see that. We'll see.

Well, time to go to bed. Talk soon....

Monoculturalism

Yep. I think that's the biggest thing about being here in Korea. The MONO culturalism. Everyone looks the same, dresses the same, acts the same...eats the same.... and I wonder if they think of doing anything different. And actually I'm somewhat appreciative. But I wouldnt trade it for the opportunity of knowing the things about different cultures and the people in them like I do...and that's what I love about life. And the fact that after all of that...we're all the same: humans. We all feel the same things generally, and act the same way generally, and love, and cry, and eat, and sleep...yep. We might think and act differently in some ways, like personal space or our methods of speaking or reacting or presenting ourselves to the world, or behaviours towards our family and friends and the outside world...but really, we're all the same species. Just different shades.

So, now that I've been in another far off land for almost 2 and a half months, coming on 3 already, its so interesting to observe what I've learned, and how I've become comfortable walking outside, and reminding myself that I am indeed in another country, and I love it. I can explore new things, and practice and learn another language on the basis of survival, and not just pure interest or to brag. ;) heh heh.

It's so much fun to see our differences too. Sure, they might not be quite what I'm used to, but that's the beauty of it. As far as I'm concerned, God has a great sense of humor! Mr. Creative Himself.

So, it was John's birthday today. He's 25. What a great age to be teaching English in a foreign country. Man, I wish I could have done this at his age. Anyway, I made him wear the crown that they have the kids wear when they have their birthdays. The staff at school sang him happy birthday...and tonight we went out to a place called Miller Time and they all sang him happy birthday in a Korean way of doing it, and they got Liz up with John 'on stage' to dance for the whole place! Ha! All the koreans watching the birthday boy dance! They gave us hats to put on so we could all get a Polaroid taken, and of course I wore the big a** fro! Woohooo!
Koreans are such hospitable and wonderful people.

Oh, which reminds me, they have a TV program here where a guy has one rose....no, it's not 'the bachelor', and about 10-15 girls have to dance as sexy as they can for him, and then he gives the rose to the sexiest dancer! haha! It's quite fun and entertaining to watch...and yes, sometimes embarrasing.

So without further adieu, I'm going to have to go to bed. I have volunteered to help at church tomorrow. Yep, I'm the English teacher there as well! Ha ha.

I hope I can get the movie of John on here....if not, I'll ahve to find another way of sharing a Korean style birthday with y'all.

Later!

Today

I get off work at 2 on Fridays which makes it quite a lovely weekend and Friday! Soooo glad. But then I dont know what to do. I'm scared to go shopping or 'eye shopping' as they call it here because U know how I am. Too much to buy! So, here I am at home. I guess it's good, so I can clean up my place once in a while. You really have to be on top of that here, cuz all these little itsy bitsy scurrying ants just find EVERY crumb you've got in a minute if you're not careful. So it's good...it's teaching me to be cleaner which is a good thing. Good thing I have a small space then!

It's John's birthday today, and we all sang him happy birthday and I went and made him wear the crown that they put on all the kids when they ahve a birthday. IT was hilarious! Heh heh.

I gotta run downtown in a minute. I will be meeting Rachel, *a girl from work* and looking for a present for John.

Last night I had to do some taekwondo again. They told us that we had to come for 'exercise', and just how nicely they do it, you cant refuse. And I dont really mind. I can learn more Taekwondo! It's so beautiful, really. I just see it as choreography that is really useful if you need it!

The moves he showed us last night are getting a bit more complicated...its fun, and I'm soooo glad I'm doing it.

K, I gotta run. Later!

What a day

Well, I had the second lesson in Taekwondo. It's kinda funny cuz John and I are the only white belts there. White is the beginning belt color. So we get called up in front of about 30 kids that are black belt to learn our white belt lessons! Great. Yep, we get the initial giggles, but overall I think they're just amused at two whities that are foreigners learning the ropes!
We start the class by doing some warm ups, and part of that are the basic kicks and punches. I can hardly wait till I can do the spin around one. It's the first time i've tried to do it, and i think i really like the feeling. Wow...I cant' believe I"m learning Taekwondo in Korea! Wowzers!
So, we learned the basic punches today, so I think I got it. It's easy..but it's choreography. I love it.
I'l finish this later. Gotta sleep

Pinnochio

The kids called me Pinnochio today! Lmao!!! I never thought of what it would be like in in reverse! Ha ha! I suppose it could look like that to a Korean! Ha ha.
That's about it really. I gotta get some sleep. I keep staying up super late cuz I cant seem to sleep. hmmmm.....
G'nite.

Breakthrough!

Well, I say breakthrough because I had the worst and best class today. In one of the classes called the 'orange' class that I was teaching... I went in with a little white board and was getting them to write their name and speak certain English phrases along with it; like, "can i have the marker please?" We were all doing fine, and I had all of their attention when all of a sudden I noticed one of the girls that is usually really good and just sits there without causing any kind of trubble giving one of the other girls a really huge scolding, and so much that she started bawling her eyes out. They all started coutning to 10, and then by the end of it she was a mess! (Mike, if you're reading this it was Ella and Becky). So Ella just kept on yelling right at Becky and Becky just kept on bawling. And then all the rest of the kids joined in. It was horrible! But it turned out to be a good thing only in terms of English, cuz I was asking Ella why she was so angry, and I heard most of the class speak more English that I thought they were capable of! Wowzers. Strange how that happens.

Anyhoo...in regards to my ailment of feeling really spaced out..today I really feel much much better and more myself. I guess it was just a phase. It's not quite over yet, but I feel better at least.

I"m on a longer break than normal right now because two classes are out doing something else. That's fine with me! So- I went downstairs to the piano school, and tinkered around on the piano for half hour. Man, I am SOOOO in need of practice. The piano teacher likes me enough to let me come in and play whenever, which I really like. Maybe I'll get back on track with piano, and who knows, maybe I'll take piano lessons too!

I'm on such a high right now. Just can't believe how easy my life is here. I have less stress in a way than i ever have in my life. I love my job, I like where I live, I like the friends I have made here, I have a constant challenge to learn Korean (the language), and I'm earning more than I have ever earned in my life, AND I can pay my bills at home off! My Mastercard has been in arrears for a few years now, even though my account is cancelled, but now i can finally pay the 500 that i owe! How pathetic is that? And my lawyer from my divorce years ago who has died in the process...poor guy. What a relief to feel like I can pay that stuff off. Wow.

AND I can afford to save a bit up for a new digital camera and a laptop hopefully. We'll see. I'd really like to come home for my girlfriend Alison's wedding in June though...Hmmm.... We'll see.

Kay I gotta run to class. Here goes!

MAN I love Korea!!

Yah, you heard me! I had such a good day today! It was so much fun. Well, I went to church to hang out with my Korean friends. THey are sooo super sweet. So hospitable. I got there just as church was out...and everyone was eating in the 'cafeteria'. They invited me in, and I got to eat lunch Korean potluck style. YUM. Rice and veggies, and Korean radish soup, that I thought was potatoes, but apparently not! And I think one of the best things about Korean food that I like is the bean or pepper paste. It's so yummy with veggies and stuff. With anything, really.

Anyway....it just so happened that there was a wedding after! So we went upstairs, and after a few minutes of people singing some hymns, the bride and groom walked up the aisle hand in hand, and 15 mins later it was all done! The only decorations were balloons in flower formations on the aisles! Oh, and the prettiest flower arrangements in the front. I'll try to add a picture. It was quite casual, really. The groom wore white gloves, and so the the bride in her traditional Korean dress in bright yellow and magenta. Afterwards one of the kids went up and gave her a bouquet of roses, and that was that. Everyone paraded by to congratulate them, and then the pictures. One of the girls there grabbed my hand, and sat me right beside the pastor and the bride, and everyone else sat behind. Wow...that was cool. I felt just like I could report that on National Geographic or something. It was just like some stories I've read there, except I'd have to sharpen up my writing A LOT! Ha ha. Then they brought in a cake, and moved the pulpit to the front in the middle, and put the cake up on it for a cake cutting picture- and that was that.

Then we had our meeting for next weekends camp at the church. I will help out with the kids and English stuff. Sounds allright to me. It was interesting sitting in on a meeting in Korean! Everyone sitting on the 'ondol' or heated floor.

Then later in the afternoon I went for a walk down Art street. I stopped in my favorite store that has gorgous tea pots and cups and everything you'll want for a tea party! I talked to the lady there, and I was talking to her (she had surprisingly good English) about tea ceremonies, and it turns out that she teaches it! Apparently it takes a year to learn! Wowzers! I wonder what it all involves! So now I've got a really good contact to see a real tea ceremony! Woohoo!

Then I went and decided to really get some paper that I saw before. It turns out that a sheet of paper that is approx 3.5 feet by 30" is a little more than a dollar! The fancy stuff too. So I got 6 of them for 8000 won. Woohooo! I walked out feeling like I just got gold or something. So now they're up on my wall cuz I didnt have anything on the walls, and I was feeling like I needed something. And now I have something that feels authentic too. It's so gorgeous!

Then I went by a shoe store, and so far I've been just pretty much ignoring them because the largest size is 250 (or 250 mm) and I'm 255. GRRRR. But I just thought, I'm gonna try these boots on for the fun of it to see if I can possibly fit into them, and I really didnt expect them to fit but GUESS WHAT? They DID! So I got a really cool pair of boots for so-called half price for 40,000 won. Man I love this! I think that just made my whole month! I found shoes that Fit me in Korea!

Then I met up with the ppl from church again, and we went to see Narnia. That was a good movie! It was just as I hoped it would be. What a symbolic story. The graphics were great. Sometimes I feel like I'm in Narnia here in Korea! Like a wonderland that I cant believe I'm really living here! I'm soooo grateful for the opportunity to finally experience another culture in another country altogether.

Oh, before we went to the movie, we went into a sticker picture store. Yep, they have stores here so you can go and dress up and take your picture with your friends. I've been wanting to for a long time, so I finally did. Yay!!! It was so much fun! I'll try and post that sometime too.

Okay, I really gotta sleep now. It's 3 am! I just cant seem to sleep at normal times lately. I think I need some really good exercise. I can hardly wait to start taekwondo on Monday!
Goodnight!

a letter to a friend

a letter to a friend in korea....thought i'd share it....
oh, and you'll have to excuse the 'no caps, poor grammar, etc' here...but i love being lazy online. it's just more fun that way.

im at school on a break. thought i'd leave u a message. im doing fine...feeling quite happy now, andwondering how in the heck i got myself a job that i really like. i was calculating my money and thinking...wowzers! i can really do this! all i really have to do is show up and talk to the kids! craziness! play games and stuff. and think of them!
and guess what. i signed up for takwondo and john and i wil be starting on monday night! Wierd! i can harldy wait. it's a block away from my house which makes it super convenient, and for two nights a week it's only 40 000! plus 30 000 for the uniform. ya i can do that! i am going to be wondering if im going to do well in it, or if i'm going to want to do it more. they said somethingn like 70 000 for every day of the week, or maybe it was just that they were giving us a deal from 70 to 40. dunno. who cares. im gonna live the kill bill dream! lmao.
my only complaint at the momment is that i cant get rid of this kink in my neck. grrrr. i keep sleeping wierd, or maybe its the hardness of the mattress. dunno.
and i went into Puma store last night and tried on some clothes. man..i can get a whole track suit for 150 000. sounds like fun to me. and i'm losing alot of weight...so i have a hope of getting into some super large korean pants! haha. i did go to home plus the other day, and found that i can fit into some clothes there. woohoo. some were really cute too.
i've lost 10 lbs so far. man this is great!

i've been doin that korean book i got with the cd. man it's really good. i can recognize a lot more than i thought. i think i'll do that every time i think of it...listen to the cd and do a lesson or two...and i'll be speaking in no time. yayy.
kay. gotta run

Guess what?

I just signed up for Taekwondo last night!! John and I are going up for battle I guess...unless there are other students in the class. Ha ha! I'm actually going to do it! The instructor is a 'master' of taekwondo, and he had quite a few medals on his wall. He is also in university for takwondo. I gotta figure out how to spell that right. We met the head instructor as well. They take takwondo very seriously it seems. But lightly as well. We went in with our slippers into the office, and they sat us down and were very hospitable. The price is really good too. 40,000 won for a month of classes 2x a week. Apparently its usually 70,000 won for classes every day a week I think, or its that price usually for what we are going to take. Either one. We start next Monday night, and we get our uniforms then too. Woohoo! I cant' believe I'm really goign to learn it in Korea!

The younger master said it will be hard. I'm not sure if that's physically hard or hard because of our language differences. Apparently they will teach us mostly in Korean, and I hope so because that means I'll learn words in Korean for things faster. Yayyy.

I'm excited because I have wanted to do this for a long time, but it was always too much. And also to get into shape. I have lost a bit of weight because of walking and all the stairs here. Probably because I was sick too. So I feel stronger to start doing something like this.

It's funny seeing how the kids all of a sudden whip out takwondo moves. Some of them are pretty good at it and could probably really hurt you if they wanted to!

I'm reading the book 'Memoirs of a Geisha' that I got in Seoul. I've been wanting to read it for a couple years, so I'm finally doing it. Especially because the movie is coming out. I'm learning a lot about geishas and its interesting now that I've been to Japan, and I'm learning the customs of Korean and Asian culture by living here, and understanding things about the story that I wouldnt completely if I wasnt here. It's interesting that I'm living here and happen to be reading this book here.

Well, gotta run to get ready for the next class. Later!

Land of Slippers

Ha ha, that title cracks me up. Its so true though...and I'm really liking it. Makes you feel so much cleaner. Anyway...
This weekend was quite uneventful. Stayed home all day Saturday. Did nothing. Was quite nice. EVer since I've come back from Seoul, I've been feeling really quite strange- like I'm in a daze or something. Its a combination of everything I suppose. Grandma passing on, and it feels so disconnected from the whole situation. Not sure how to deal with it, or how to make it feel real. Not that I really want it to feel real, but its just part of dealing with it generally I suppose.

Also, I've been dealing with the fact that it's time to work again. I like working with the kids, and I'm glad I'm doing it. It's such a learning experience. One, working with kids, and two, working with the Korean culture and ways of doing things. All the unspokens, and the things spoken, and the read between the lines kindof stuff. In a way, I really like the fact that I dont understand Korean. It just helps me not to worry about stuff I really dont need to, or dont need to know. If it was in Canada, I'd probably be all stressed about things I dont really need to....so there!

Also, I am just realizing that I'm really here, and I'm living my life in Korea for the rest of the year. It's going by fast, but it's going to be a while too. There's some important people that are in Canada that I was wondering, how on earth am I going to do this? Another 10 months? But then I talk to them, and I get all the encouragement I need to go through with it. Its funny. I knwo I've come here for a reason, and I'm so glad I have. I look at the whole world so much differently. Especially the people who have immigrated to another country such as Canada, and have uprooted their whole lives to start in another one. Wow...its hard, and I have respect for them.

I really gotta sleep soon, it's almost 2 am...but I slept in so much this morning, that I think it's going to balance out.

The other thing is, I really need to learn Korean. I need to buckle down and take the time to learn it. And I have to determine what is the best way to do that. I got a few books in Seoul that are helping a lot. (Mike, I did get that one by Stephen Revere, so we'll see-thanx for the reference). I also got the book Memoirs of a Geisha, and I'm enjoying getting into a book that I really like to read. That hasnt happened in a long time. And I can hardly wait to see the movie when it comes out.

Okay, here goes another week. Hopefully I'll feel more grounded and more myself soon. I think I have to go and exercise more is the deal. Tone up and everything. SO glad I'm losing weight...and today I found some pants that will fit me! WHew!

Gnite!

Another day

Today marks some new changes at Kids Club. Mr. Shim came in to explain them to us a little more. We teach 50 min classes now, and we have to have them memorize a statement or sentence. Then at the end of the class, they have to line up and tell the teacher what that sentence was. They also have to do their homework that we have to give them everyday, and report this to their parents. And, and and. I'm trying to keep it all together, and remember it all myself at this point!
My schedule changes too. Not a lot, but I start at either 10 or 11. I will miss coming in at 1:30 on Tues and Thurs. Oh well. I think I'll like this change, because it feels that I have something to follow to keep the kids and my thoughts on track. Like we're really accomplishing something. Also, there is the other school that we will be teaching at on every other Thursday. I'm not sure if I'm going there yet or not. I thought so, but we'll see. Doesnt really matter to me. It is a nice school, though. I feel bad that I couldnt meet the rest of the teachers before Christmas when they had an opening dinner. I was so sick that day.
My computer isn't working again. I'm dumb and didnt put a virus checker on it when I redid Windows, and was surfing around and got myself some nasty viruses. Dumb, dumb, dumb! Urgh. So, I'll have to get someone in to see what they can do. I wonder how much that is going to be. Hmmmmm. I think I should save up for a laptop. And I would like another camera too.
Oh man, in Seoul there was a huge dept store for just electronics. Woohooo.....the whole first floor was cameras. I found a really cool one that I would love to get sometime. It's very small and fast. It's a Lexis I think it's called, and it had a Leica lens. Yep...sounds good. The salesman said it's a very good 'number one' camera as well. I do know that a Leica lens is top of the line, if I understand that right. It's only 275! The one Canon camera that I would like, which the salesman said was "very expensive' was only 500! Wooooo! I can handle that expensive! That included a battery, warranty, and I'm sure I could get them to include a tripod too, and a better memory card, and a case too. Ya, that would be nice! So when I save enuff, if I actually do that, I'll have to get one.
Man, I don't know what's wrong with me. I'm all stressed out or worried about stuff I guess. Not sure exactly why. It's like I've unwound. I gotta wind back up somehow!! I dont like being bla.
So apparently I've lost weight, cuz YuJin noticed it today. Some other people have said that too. Well I'm not complaining! But the only thing is that I'm going to have to find a sewing machine and some fabric to make myself some better clothes to fit me! Not sure how that will happen, or if it will. My pants are driving me nuts falling off me all the time! Horrible! Ha ha!

Well, that's the news for now. THere's so much more I want to write, but then when I sit down here, I can't remember it all! Allrighty.....later! Till next time.....

Trying

Today is Tuesday, the second day back at work. I'm having a real hard time staying awake today, and I'm feeling quite sad and maybe a bit depressed. So much has been happening, and it didnt help that I had a nightmare last night. Dreams are wierd here it seems. I wonder if I've really had a good dream that I remember. Why is it that it's so much easier to remember the bad ones?!! Well I suppose it's because I wake up fast with the bad ones and that means I remember them cuz they were interrupted.

Anyway, I'm feeling much better lately. The 'flu' shot I got here really helped. Quite interesting really. Got the shot on the butt. Why do they work there anyway? The nurse gave quite a good shot, really. I didnt even feel it, and she was slapping my butt and she gave it (sorry for the graphic!)...which I always want...I mean, I always ask them to pinch me while I get a shot. It makes it so much easier to deal with. A distraction...and that was!

I still have a cough from my lungs getting used to or rid of the bronchitis. I sure hope that goes soon. But I'm not too terribly worried. Oh, I gotta run...oops....will write more later. Got someone super important online to chat to;)

Happy and Sad new years in Seoul, Korea

Who would have thought. I just celebrated New years 2006 in Seoul, korea! right downtown in the middle of it all. i've never seen so many fireworks in one place in my life! Candice and I heard the bell ring...barely in the middle of it all. the bell is a huge traditional bell that they used to ring everyday to open and close the city gates at morning and night. now they just do it once a year. yay! everyone had roman candles and were letting them off in the street. 4 for 3000 won. you hold them up and light them and 30 go off in the street! there were people in drumming circles dancing and drumming. they looked so happy. they were dressed in white and blue and red in a traditional korean way, and some were waving huge flags.

we got to a solid line of police crossing the entire street about 4 people wide. that was a sight to see. they surroundeed the whole pavilion and circle where the bell was housed. there was a concert going on there too. the place got so crowded that you felt like a fish in a sardine can or somethign. human sandwich! quite an amazing feeling actually. you just go with the flow or you could be in trouble.

one moment before the countdown was when they played the korean anthem, and people started singing it. wow. and then the count down...!!! and i counted down with them all in korean! ship....o, ..., sam, il, i!!!!!!!!!! that was fun! and memorable....

so afterwards was the 'fun' part....all of a sudden we started getting pushed from every side...and then everyone was BEING moved, and you just float.....so we FINALLY moved through the crowd...and now...here we are..in a pc bang. and it's 'peaceful'. man, being here in seoul has been an eyeopener for me. i've never been where there are so many people in my life. seas and masses of people. lineups for subways 20 people wide or so. it just blows my mind. you just take every part for what it is...and go with the flow. where do i start describing that?

well, the saddest part of this new years is missing the important people that i love in my life, and i think about them all so much. One very important person i just found out about, and that's the news that my wonderful Grandma Orlo passed away the other day, and i just found out about it... I'm glad that she's gone and not in pain now. So sad taht I cant be there....and so happy that i phoned her last week. I will always remember her sweet voice, and all the happy moments i had with her, few as they were. And since most people say that i resemble her, i will try my best to live some of that because of her. she was always so pretty and sweet and fun. Its hard to comprehend that she's gone. Two Grandmas in a few months...and now one Grandpaw. life is trange sometimes....no, all the time. i'm so glad that i know that i will see her again one day...that i have that hope.

so...now i have the dilemma of what to do now. Candice and i are planning on going to sleep at a sauna. the saunas here have sleeping rooms and almost all of them are open 24 hours. i'm so addicted to them...i dont know what i'll do when i go back to canada! They'll be one of the things i will miss the most....and now i'm sooo understanding of why the Asian people do what they do....like always at the sauna or rec centres in canada! it's all coming together!

well, i should sign off for now.....so much to tell...and i really do have to keep up with my blog more often. well, i've got the chrismas holidays to blame for that!

best wishes everyone!

Baskin Robbins with..oh its Drew Barryshmore!

 

Another cute commercial

Koreans are really beautiful people!! 

A korean traditional movie that's playing right now...

 

Korean Cellphone Advert

 

From Nov 29 to Dec 20 Blogeasy

Its Thursday
Well, after a week of real performance anxiety, I got through it. I decided to come back to my creativity roots and make them happen. Yayyy.... And I had a good day. This last week (Mr.) Shim told John and I that we were going to be teaching at another school on Thursday. We'll switch off every other Thursday. We went there Wed and Thurs am, and its a nice little school. It's nicer than Kids Club, and a bit smaller because it's all on one floor, but it's really nice. The books are nicer than ours..or so it looks. We'll see. I was, of course, checking out all the design in there. Man, I love marble and granite and stainless steel and glass and how they use them. Especially interesting is the ergonomics and the space planning. Everything in Canada is SO BIG! My word, I would never be able to understand that unless I came to live here. Or at least visit another country that lives that way. Its making new development and Yaletown make soooo much more sense to me now!!! Oh, theres so much that happens everyday that I wish I could have a 'mental' recorder and download it on to my website! Yah that would be great...then theres all the pictures and thoughts you could ever imagine. Yah maybe not so much.!! Man, I wish I could pick up Korean really fast...faster than I am. It's so easy to get lazy, because the people here want to speak English with you...so it's something u can get away with. But I know hello and thankyou and goodbye quite well. And 'yogie' means 'here'. So that's always good for taxis! I dont think i've travelled in so many taxis in my life as here! It's great! Its been snowing a lot lately. We've got around 6 inches of snow more or less. I forgot how beautiful the snow is. I'm really really enjoying a dry winter. Humidifiers everywhere. I do wonder though, how summer is going to be and how I'm goign to handle it being so hot and humid. We'll see I suppose. Rain in the summer won't be so bad at all!!! Now I'm trying to figure out what to do for Xmas week off. New years in Seoul I'm sure. Woohoo...I can hardly wait...but I'm a bit worried about all the money that slowly and surely creeps away. Gotta watch that stuff. Maybe Thailand and Vietnam etc after the year is over for a few weeks. Wooo that would be great!! I'm so upset that I forgot my warm pants at home though. Ugh..I could use them right now. Ya, sorry, train of thought from nowhere.Man, I slept wierd last night...I always twist up wierd, and man...my pectoral muscle HURTS all day! I think that's the right word for it. Anyway..I really have to look into a massage therapist here...or ANYTHING. I could always do the rub down at the sauna. That might be nice. Wierd at first, but very nice. Hopefully I'll come back with some skin on my back after that!I didnt go to the sauna last week, and it really feels like a huge difference. I really miss it.
December 15, 2005 by bendycha Move Up Change Theme Edit Remove Archive
Allo....!!
Well, Its been a while since I've written. This one will be short and sweet...I think..Anyway...the weekend was busy enough to keep me occupied...which I'm glad for. I had a few moments of lonliness...but other than that...mind over matter I say! So mainly, I have a bit of 'graphic' matter to discuss. I finally tried a squat toilet! And I thought it would be awkward..but man...I think they need more of those! It was comfortable and not so awkward as I thought, and alot cleaner feeling. No pee on the seat! And no papering it either! Saves on the environment and evertyhing! Ha ha!!!! Sorry, but u know..that's part of the experience, you know...Ok, why is it that Korean movie vids are all sooo sad and one of the coupledies, adn then they're crying and soo sad. I find it depressing and intreguing. So today, honestly, I was feeling quite anxious about my work...and my 'gad mind tapes' were playing over and over in my mind. I blame it a bit on hormones...but seriously. I always seem to find a way to make my life more paranoid. Man, there's other resources for that! So then...I talked it out...thanx mum...and feel way better. Liz, a friend here said that its just a 'bad Korea day'. Allrighty...on to the next one. I just want the kids to listen to me!!! and when they dont...i wonder if I'm not doing sometihng that I should be. But I have to remember my mums wise words...there's control in chaos! And I'm really finding its true! Well...I want to write a lot more...but I gotta sleep! It's 2 am! ps....did I say that I LOVE radiant heating in floors? Oh yes I do. I'm already thinking of the things of Korea that I'll really miss when I leave!!!
December 13, 2005 by bendycha Move Up Change Theme Edit Remove Archive
Well whaddya know-I'm having one of those days
Welll...interesting...something new. I was watching the CNN news, and there were the Seoul stock exchange...Taiwan and Hong Kong and Australian currency stuff. Cool. I wish I coulrd remember what all those were called. Anyway, how can you tell that's not something I'm really into...the currency and stock exchange. Makes me clue in again where I am on this globe!! Okay, sorry for the guys reading this....but PMS has hit. Grrrrrrrrrrrr! I HATE hormones that you cant control. Well, I guess you could a bit..but MAN. THis SUCKS! I couldnt figure out what was wrong with me today ...but apparently it's got me. UGH. What can u do. GO TAKE TAEKWONDO!!! Ohhhh yes! I will be finding out tomorrow hopefully how and where to take it. Yayyy! Another issue is how much to spend on what now...as in that nasty word, or good word, whichever you look at it. I look at it both ways. I just got paid and I dont know what to do with it. That's a frustrating feeling, but a good feeling because I have a very good idea where most of it's going. To pay bills off!!! That's why I came here to make some money to pay off those bills!! So there!It's kindof interesting how women and men are portrayed here. The men are definitely in charge. And the women are strong, but very much 'in their place'. They dress very feminine which is really quite nice. They all have this way of talking (on TV mostly that I've seen) that is 'cheecky' and the sound of Korean accents this. What I've obseved of Korean now sounds kindof whiny to me! That's the most negative part of it...or the best part of it...whichever you care to think of it as. The voice goes up and down in long tones at the end of a word that sounds kindof whiny to an English person. I'm not quite sure if it's for emphasis or just the proper way of saying things. Also, 'ne' is 'yes' in Korean, but I always hear 'yeeeeeeeh' as if they're saying 'yeayyyyyyyy' and the voice intonation goes down then uuuuupppppp! It's kindof the equivalent to 'hei' in Japanese that is sharp, whereas the Korean 'yeeeaaaaaaayyy' is long. When you come in a store they might say 'yeeeaaaayyyy' or when you leave, or when you say goodbye on the phone or anything that takes place of other words that you just might not feel like saying. Its somethign you have to hear I suppose. I kindof like it, and then sometimes it bugs me. So guess what, I'm going to be saying it like craziness when I get back home! ha hahaha! Sometimes I have to remind myself that I'm living in another country. Even if it's all around me. Strage. Not sure how exactly to explain that. Oh another thing, all the words end with either 'yo' or 'hamnidaaaaaaaaaaaaa'. Something like that. I hope I pick this stuff up. Just for the fun of it anyway!
December 7, 2005 by bendycha Move Up Change Theme Edit Remove Archive
Saturday Dec 3
Woke up from a crazy dream. I should know better not to eat bread or anything before I sleep! Wierd how food does that to you. So after sitting around most of the morning, and into the afternoon, I finally decided to leave at around 2 to go downtown on my own adventure. I didnt quite know where to go, until I saw...DUH! The art street! So down I went to the subway, and on to the street of Art in Gwangju. As soon as I got off the subway I knew I was in the right spot, cuz there were buildings all around me that were covered in fabric! Top to bottom! The whole building was encased in art work temporarily I assume. U know when everyone gets together and does a 4'x5' or something piece of fabric or canvas or whatever and paints or draws whatever on it and then sews it together... It was beautiful. Some were pieced together in different colors to make a quilt looking piece in the middle. Look at the pictures if you can...you'll see what I mean.So on down the street was little shops, and my main find was old wood, an leather punching/decorating shop, lots of tea ceramic shops, and GoldMine! lots of places to get paintbrushes and paper and paints and canvas and PAPER! Oh the paper took my breath away. You would think you were walking into a fabric shop, but noooo...it's all paper on bolts! Paper on hangars, paper in rolls. Every color you could imagine, and some really beautiful prints. All handmade paper. Oh man. Guess what you're gonna get for Xmas! And oh yes, ink paintings and sketches. Big bamboo paint brushes..one I saw with horse hair that was HUGE. And stone ink wells that are just spectacular. Smooth black stone that is carved out on an angle for ink. Yum. Ha ha...yes ...yum! And then as I walked down a side street and noticed all the stone statues on the side of the street like they werew just dime a dozen...I saw some really gorgeous pieces of furniture there...I guess that I would pay attention to. Then I found a little shop that was ....what do you say when you find a treasure little down and out store full of shiny statues of Buddha, multiheaded shrine statues, a big knight or soldier in the front of the store, holding a piece of real armour....oh man....that thing...I wonder how old it is. If it's real...it must be...I dont know how old...hundreds of years? And then, I looked up, and this lady of the store gets up and looks all sleepy....then I look down and her husband is sleeping on the floor, and she just gets up and nods at me and sits there. I ask her if I can take pictures and she nods. Then her cell phone goes off...and here's this middle aged lady talking on her cell phone, while she and her husband sleep on the straw mat floor in the middle of ancient treasures! Oh man...I feel the National Geographic moment coming on! ha ha! It's funny that it just feels like I live here, and sometimes I have to wake up and tell myself that this is really happening! I feel so disconnected sometimes...but Oh I LOVE it. Maybe there really is something to my name meaning.--Wanderer. That's exactly what I love doing. Hmmmmm.....So then I look up, and see that there is the SDA church right ahead. Wierd. So I go across the street...and make a long story short, I meet up with some wonderfully nice people who invited me out to dinner, and then a movie. They paid for everything very graciously, and attempted to use their English as much as they could. Oh yes, we went to an ice-cream parlour after. IT's a whole other store/restaraunt that just sells icecream and coffee...etc... And it was gorgous! One of the girls and I completely are on the same page in terms of design and art and fashion...cuz she bee-lined to the Korean Vogue...oh yes...Korean Vogue complete with the model Devon Aoki on the front. And we gushed over the same things. You know, this whole experience really is showing me and proving that everyone is the same in so many ways....no matter what culture or language or ethnicity, we all are just the same. Maybe a little variation here and there...but really! What is it with me that has this unsatiable craving for everything ELSE. What ELSE is out there? What ELSE can I see or experience. What ELSE , what Else, what Else! SO we saw the movie in Korean, and I understood every bit of it except for some words where the situation explained it all. It was really funny and cute and amazing to experience. There's a reason why I like foreign film of any kind. For me, its' the visual experience, and then the story, and the cinemetography taking me into another viewpoint using color and light, and then language and little things that every culture has that is intrinsic to them. Mmmm life IS beautiful, and it really makes me see God so much more and how colorful he really is. And why did he make Asians to look like they do, and do the things that they do, and use the colors that they do, and to bow in 'respect' to eachother, .... and why did he make me 'white', and give me the desires that I have, and make me want to go everywhere that is foreign to me and LOVE it at the same time? Or anyone else for that matter. So I can hardly wait to go to Thailand if I can at Xmas. I really hope that works out! Well, I gotta sleep. I have to get rested for the sauna experience tomorrow...yay! I can HARDLY wait. Later! and dont forget to comment or write! Happy birthday mom!
December 3, 2005 by bendycha Move Up Change Theme Edit Remove Archive
It's Dec 1 !!!!
kids are funny creatures. They all laugh and point and have no shame. How do we every evolve into restrained adults that we are? How are we all born kids that have no conscience it seems? I curled my hair and went to work and let me tell you ...kids notice! They all came out and pointed laughing at me. One day I came in and didnt know I had a hole in my pants right in the butt... all the kids were grabbing my butt for some reason, an dI couldnt figgure out why... SOme of them try to tell you, but some are too shy, or some are just plain nasty! Some of them start to touch me in places that they shouldnt..but when you know theyre a kid, and they dont quite get it... But all the games you get to play....friends to hang out with all day, Friends to hit when you're mad, friends who will forget 15 minutes later after they've had their temper tantrum or cry. Man its fun to be a kid. There's so many little details that I see here that I wish I could catch them all. What was it today. Hmmm...of course i cant think of much today. Cuz I'm sitting here trying to write that's why. Oh I know...on the walk to work and back, there's a toy machine I pass all the time....and it sings Pink Panther..then it gets stuck in my head! Makes me laugh. John an dI went downtown last night and wandered around downtown. It's fun to see what's there. Man, there's so many little things I want to get. But then again they're all the same. Tonnes of knockoff purses and bags, belts, jewelry, hats, makeup stores, clothing stores, food/restaraunts... I love the crazy names they come up with. They seem to be named something that has nothing to do with what they sell. THere's a Barbie store that has nothing to do with anything Barbie. Stuff like that. I saw a bag the other day called "happy virus"!! A series of stuff tooo! There's another one called Booby! Ahem! Lol!!! I couldnt stop laughing out loud in the store! I tried to be respectful..but ...There are the little old ladies out there on the street. Today I walked by one lady that was so cute. She was so short and walking hunched over withher cane. So adorable. When I walked away I thought to myself, how beautiful is life, even when you're old. There is still beauty. Or ugliness is even beautiful. Oh! I just found out that the channel CV that i've been watching is called cinema republic!! Oh man, and now i just saw a movie where the woman was walking up and down the steps and they lit up and were opaque glass with fluorescent lamps that lit up when you walked on them. And that's not all! They made music! When you stepped on them, they played a note on the scale! Imagine that! Now where else would you see that in America other than a kids playland. Who said adults arent kids?! Or need to have things that are more playful!???WEll, I'll write more later when I'm not distracted by TV....
December 1, 2005 by bendycha Move Up Change Theme Edit Remove Archive
deep thoughts .....
Just watching a Korean documentary on North Korea. A woman is talking about her brothers who live in Pyongyang, the capital of North Korea. The commentor asks what it is like in that city, and she says that living anywhere in the world is the same, but it is the system that is different. Regardless of the biological differences, we are all still human beings. That says what I am feeling by living in Korea, we're all human beings; people. We're all living on this planet, and trying to survive however we can wherever we are. I'm also starting to realize what globalization really is. Comparing modern and traditional here, and wondering what it would be like if there wasnt TV or internet. Until recently, (early 1900's) life would have been MUCH different here. I would have seen a lot more tradional elements here than now. People become more aware of the differences that are really there aroudn the world. Crazy stuff. My mind is going crazy, as in I feel so many thoughts in my head about this. Living here makes me think differently, and I'm glad for it.
November 29, 2005 by bendycha Move Up Change Theme Edit Remove Archive
Tuesday I think
So I'm watching the korean music channel, and there's this one band that features a guy in a wheelchair singing and he's a star! Like a music superstar! I think that's amazing...where in Hollywood is someone in a wheelchair famous?! Get with the times America! Oh, so now I'm calling anything on the North American continent 'American'...how did that happen? Wel I suppose it really is true...Canada IS in North America! Wierd. That really used to bother me, but now it makes sense. Huh. Interesting. Strange how things change your point of view.I'm feeling somewhat restless after wierd dreams of people in my past and present combined. Bad things and good things combined. Wierd... I think I wake up with mixed feelings about everything. Feelings of panicky wierdness because I had terrible dreams that someone left or went away or even died. Feelings of relief that the people in my life that I value are still there...although far away. I wonder why I felt that I had to come and do this work in Korea. What am I meant to do here? Why is that? Why did I need to leave? Why do I need to feel this separation? Havent I had enough of that kind of thing already in my life? Is it because I just don't know anything else? Not really. My name means 'wanderer' apparently. I'm beginning to think its accurate. But my other longing is to settle down somewhere and have a family. I'm not sure that that will ever become reality. I always knew I had to travel around to see the world, and see everything in a different light. To experience....see things, to expand my perspectives. Why is that? Ever since I was ...well ever since I was old enough to think thoughts and remember them...maybe even before that...I had wanderlust. For this reason I'm soooooo glad I came to Korea. I'm so glad that I'm working with kids...even though I have no idea how to control them...and that's the point. I was teaching the kindergarten 5 year olds....and man...there IS NO controlling them! And if there is...you gotta establish that quick...or they'll just do whatever they want. They've been starting to say 'NO' to me, and that's gotta change. I know they always test you...but geez. Funny how I feel like I'm able to deal with this at this point in my life, where I'm not sure I would feel that way 5 years ago! I wonder if I'll ever have my own kids. Interesting how the desire and even need comes to have children. NEVER thought I'd EVER say that....EVER!! HA!Man, I love how these people dress. It's great how the guys are almost funkier than the girls. Girls are super girly. You should see all the PINK stores around and guys come in quite comfortably. There's one that Candice and I found in Seoul that was amazing! FULL of cosmetics everything....from Dove, Neutrogena, Pantene (eeeeeeesh!) Vidal Sasoon, Nivea, to all the Asian products I've never seen or heard of. That's the funnest part. And let me tell you, they've got packaging down! Funny how that is. The mix of modern and old (not sure I'd say traditional exactly) is here. There's the old perm machines in super modern designed spaces. It's shameful for daughters to be old maids here, and everyone marries Korean. It's interesting being in a culture that is NOT multi-cultural. There are the odd foreigners here and there that are obviously English teachers, or perhaps a traveller or two. But EVERYONE is really truly Korean. It's quite beautiful actually. To be somewhere where the traditional clothing is worn, and I've seen it qutie a few times already. More women then men so far... I'm kindof feeling a bit lonely tonight. But I feel like I need to be by myself too. I dont want to read, too hooked on internet and TV now. Love information finding here. But I wish I would just get away from the noise and stimulation sometimes. Being in university changed all that. Well...I'm going to go and try that. Talk later....I've checked my email for the millionth time today and no email. Oh well. Funny how I'm addicted to the idea to email...my only connection to the world it seems.....

Back again!

Well, folks, since I do like this blogger better in terms of presentation, I might just be coming back. What a pain, huh? Here's the latest and the update from blogeasy.

Dec 20, 2005
Yes, Folks, It really did snow here today. TONNES! A foot of snow at Least today. Wowzers, I've never seen so much snow dump like that! The weather here changes in an instant....literally! Around 2-3 oclock today it was so windy and snowy that you couldnt see across the street. It was quite exciting really. The kids got to go home early, and so did we! Woohooo! I'm still sick, but getting over it. Dont remember if I wrote about it or not. Did i tell y'all about my doctor trip yet? Well, if I did, you're getting the second rendition of it. I went to school to teach yesterday and I was hurtin! So Rachel (a teacher) made the phone call to the director Mr. Shim, and then we headed off to the 'hospital'. The hospital here was more like a clinic. We got there, and I had to put my name and phone number and address on a little piece of paper. Thank God Rachel took me, cuz I'd have NO idea what it said in Korean, although I could figure it out by context. The receptionist had a thermometer and came and stuck it in both ears, to confirm if I really was sick I assume. Then she went to tell the doctor.
So we were ushered in to the doctor's office, and he apparently just was on a break or something, because he was visibly putting his white coat on as we walked in. He sat me down on a stool beside his desk. There was a silver trolley next to the desk, which had some instruments on it. Nothing scary, just super shiny stainless steel. Looked like it would be in a restaurant buffet for serving, perhaps. So he asked me some questions like 'how do you feel' and 'where are you sick' in English. His English actually surprised me, it was not so bad at all. Its funny how you become a critic of English skills here. All the time he asked the questions, he was typing away on his computer. When he asked my weight, Rachel giggled, and he had this amusing look on his face. Not to be rude, but just because it was interesting I think. Okay, whatever! What does that have to do with it I wonder.
He then took a stainless steel tongue depressor, and said that he would look at my throat. Then he got these interesting scissor like instrument and said he was going to look at my nose, so he stuck it up my nose and the instrument opened up to look. Quite lovely and attractive, I'm sure. He made some 'discovery/approval/I've found something' sound'. No kidding, I'm sniffling away! Hello! Then he said he would listen to my breathing, and took a stethascope and put it on my back, and said 'impression', 'expression'. Interesting how these words come up that you dont really think of, but they work. Hmmm. So then, his diagnosis was that I had a chest infection. Yep...I agree with that. So he printed off the page he was typing away at, and we were done. Oh, he prescribed (sp?) some medication for me to take for 4 days. And that's it. Next thing I knew I was being ushered out by Rachel who went and picked up my purse for me. Interesting how they do that, and I trust them.
Rachel and I went out to the receptionist, and she gave us the paper, and had to pay a little under 20,000 won (around 20 dollars). Rachel said 'Give me 20,000 won' and this is how I found out. It seems rude to Western ears sometimes, but it's all fine and good in Korean language. So we went downstairs to the pharmacy, and got the prescription filled, which was another 10,000 won. Apparently as I found out later, for Koreans to get this treatment, it would have all cost 3000 won! Wow. Anyway, the pharmacist came out with a big bottle of pink liquid, and some paper packages with about 6 pills each in them. I'm supposed to take this 3 x a day for 4 days. Okay then.
The thing I notice about things here is that everything is in envelopes, or paper bag 'envelopes'. The envelopes all open at the end, not lengthwise, or at the top like I'm used to. The pills were packaged in paper that were divided into portions. I'll have to take a picture I think. The paper is like wax paper....pretty cool actually. So that's my doctor story. I took the pills as soon as I got back, and in an hour or so, I was alot better than I had been a bit ago! I really dont know how I did the day though, honestly.
Well, I'm sitting here wondering what to do with myself. No one to chat with online, cuz it's about 2 am in Canada/Vancouver right now. Hmmmm. Tv it is I think. Movie time! Oh man! I just had a brilliant thought....something to make my day happier....HOOPS AND YOYO!!! Wanna join me in a laugh? Go to www.hoopsandyoyo.com and check it out! The more buttons you click the better! Tee hee! Love em those guys!

changing blog location

http://bendycha.blogeasy.com

I think I'm going to be changing the location of my daily blogs to this site. It's easier to post ...especially in Korean! Check both if you like, but I think I'll be going here...unless something else happens.

Is this working yet?

Hey! What's going on? I've been writing everyday, and it stopped posting! Grrr.....
Oh, I think I might have been hitting the delete button instead of the publish button. I hope not..but this might be the case.

Look what I found! Backtracking! Yayyyy!

Well, today ....lets say I got through it. I woke up wondering how I was going to control and entertain the kindys, and by the time it got to it....it went spectacularily. You should have seen me doing 'smiley face, surprised face, sad face, funny face (complete with tongue sticking out!)' with them! Ha haaa! Elementary was another story though...I had a couple of classes run my class! Ahem. WE'll have to see about that next time. I think it's rules, and then rewards. That's gotta do it. It's funny how I don't know how I'm gonna do a class, and then I just go in, and I have no choice and just DO it. Wowzers. Thank God for the CELTA course I took, believe it or not. It is helping me to teach them better.... One guy, Andrew ( you know, almost all of them have 'western' names- I hope no one 'gave' them out, because I think that native people shouldnt have to adapt their names as much as ossible. They have those names and that is their identity. oookayyy...just my opinion....so Andrew, he is about 16 or so, and he has been quite quiet. And today I got him talking and the rest of the class by using tone of voice. SAY those question marks like you mean them! Heh. Oh, I went and got myself a pair of what I would like to think are Donna karan sunglasses tonight. All mine are broken, and i just can't bear to live without sunglasses...also because my eyes all water up when I dont have them. They were only 35$!!!! Even if they weren't real...who cares...it was certainly fun. And they came in a cool case....very very cool!Ooooh tonight I got the best picture of an elderly lady on the street. Oh man, it should go to National Geographic I would think! (I wish) Woohooo! She was adorable when I motioned to take her picture. She made some gesture that she was a bit embarrassed, but she wasnt really. She wiped her forehead, and then grinned the cutest grin ever. Man...that was worth a thousand words. I noticed that some people walking down the street have masks on. I asked YuGen what that was about and she said that most women wear them because it is to preserve their skin!!!! Imagine that! And all this time I was thinking that it was because of SARS or something! Ha! I do think it's becasue of pollution too though. I dont feel that there is really a lot of pollution here though. Maybe in the summer or somthing. I can't begin to tell you how great it is to not be in the rain! I am truly on vacation from winter here! Kay...I can't seem to concentrate right now....will write more later....Later!!!

Now I think it might work....for Thursday Nov 10

I've always liked the number 10. Just seems clean and neat and simple to the contrary...in that I mean the binary code!!! Heh. Okay, enough of the philosophizing...

I'm so sad that the last two blogs didnt work. They had some good information that I don't think that I can replicate. I think I went and deleted them accidentally because I can't read Korean yet. Darnit. Whaddya do.

Well I got an amazing picture that should have been on National Geographic or something. This elderly lady that is a vendor on the street....oh man...I couldn't resist. I havent really asked someone for their picture in Korea yet, except for the guys at the airport (!) because I didnt know how hospitable they would feel. But this lady as soon as I motioned to her that I wanted to take her picture, she acted like she was not suitable for a picture. She wiped her forehead with her sleeve, and muttered some think like....oh not me!, and then grinned away. I can hardly wait to post this picture. I walked away with a big grin on my face!
It's something to paint I think!

Well, the last two days were quite somethign. Talk about learning curve! I honestly don't know how I'm managing these kids or the classroom....but I am somehow! Only 5 minutes between classes....so really I dont have time to think about it..which ends up being good. Today I did an hour class with only one student, Jenny, with NO warning. I was quite proud of myself...even if I did just follow the book. Wait a minute..who am I kidding? I always follow the book! Tee hee!

Did I say yet about all the horn honking? EVERYWHERE!!! Loud music on the street, motorcycles on the road and the sidewalk...it's not that dangerous feeling though. Bicycles ringing their bells at you to get out of the way...little babies strapped on to mother's backs....really! On the way home tonight, as I stopped to look at the variety of sizes of live octopus in separate basins, a lady said 'octopus' in korean (I wish I could remember it now), and picked up a live octopus to show me! I've never seen a live one before...and it all curled up...coool! Then I noticed that her baby was on her back, an dhe was eating a 'pocky stick' . For those who don't know what a pocky stick is...go to your local Asian store....actually they're getting more popular in other stores too. They are sweet 'cracker' like sticks dipped in chocolate, or strawberry, or vanilla, or other wierd things. They can get quite addicting. So her baby had one, and she said "pepero", or what I know it as....a pocky stick.

Apparently tomorrow in Korea, because it is November 11, or 11/11, and the 1 is in the shape of a stick, everyone brings pepero's to school to share and trade! Ha! Interesting! I wonder if the adults do that too....

Okay, I went shopping again tonoight for food and such at Zero Market. Koreans are very appreciative of beauty and the like. Everyother store is a beauty shop, hairdresser, or clothing store, with gadget stores inbetween full of stationery or plants or food. Anyway, I got a few face packs, which are a sheet instead of a mask for your face. The options are crazy and really really awesome. Let's see, one was lotus, one was aloe, one was kiwi, one was carrot, ....I got potato!, a collagen one (don't tell!), and a ginseng essence mask. There were more that I can't really remember right now.

There was perfume like CK1 that was about 25$! Oh, and since I lost it, I got a pair of sunglasses last night for $35 that I'd like to think were Donna Karan cuz it says DK on it. Who knows. From the case it came in, it should be! Oh yes, there's a glasses shop every street at least...maybe even 2 or 3! They have the funkiest glasses there!

Oh, and for the interior designers or those interested, all the lighting is VERY environmentally friendly. Or power consuming friendly. Now I'm trying to remember what the lamp is called...grrr but they're the long skinny ones that are very white bright. Every store has tonnes of them..and most are hanging right out in the open. I've got a great 'fluorescent' light in my room, and MR16's in every corner. Man this is GREAT!

Oh, and it's really easy to remember to take off your shoes everywhere, because the floor is lower there, and the shoe cupboard is right beside it. Yep. I think I like it.

Okay...back to the supermarket....I went to buy green veggies...and went to take some, and it was promptly whisked out of my hand by a lady who had a bag for me, and put it on a scale to price it. It was priced and handed back to me like it was in the bulk section of SaveOn with a sticker on it. COOL! You get SERVICED here! What I love the most is that the garlic is all peeled for you! Comeon Canada! Get with the times! Tee hee. Well, there's something about buying a clove of garlic anyway.

And I got ketchup, thousand island is the only dressing I saw there, and I LOVE 1000 island too. Olive Oil mayo...and Nick if you're reading this....IT"S REAL MAYO! We can now live in Korea! Heh. Nott that salad dressing crap that I can't stand! So...my dinner tonight is potatoes and mayo /ketchup, and corn from a can. Yep, that's fine by me. Salad coming up. All of us Irish ppl can survive here now! Heh.

What else...hmmm
I'm gonna close off for now, and hope that this saves and I dont delete it!
Love you all and keep in touch okay?
There is an option to comment, and I'd love to see some!

First day in GwangJu

Yep, I did my first day at school. The kids are sooo ADORABLE! They all came out to ask who I was. All peering around corners and through the door windows to see the new English teacher. Teacher Wendy I am now called. Tee hee. So I went around every half hour to different classes and did the same thing (a game). Man, I really need to figure out how to not talk as much and give very short and clear instructions. Flashback from CELTA class. All the things I'm seeing and experiencing. And I need to find a way to be stern with them, not to let them get away with stuff like speaking Korean in class, even if the Korean teachers do.

YuGen (Eugene) is the head teacher it seems, and SHE is really sweet. She showed me around and can speak English quite well. She has been at this school for 2 years, she said.

The kindergarten kids are my favorite so far. There was one boy who had really cool hair...a big long piece in the front that was majenta! Awesome! One little girl is just a doll....literally looks like one. She came up to me to untie her vest. I need to get a picture of her. Two little pigtails on top of her head. Adorable!!

The school has 4 floors, and I'm going to be getting a LOT of exercise here. It's nice to walk. It's been a while! Damn those cars anyway! But I must say, I saw the funniest thing this morning on the way to work. One of the many motorcycles went by, a guy piggybacking a girl with the music blasting, and he was wearing PINK SLIPPERS with mickey mouse on them! I laughed so hard! Well, as much as I could on the street without looking completely insane!

Speaking of slippers, I love how this country works with them. I hate slippers usually, I just feel that they're a pain, but here I really quite like them. I think the difference is the floors all hardwood. It feels clean and hygenic.

So I went shopping last night for something for breakfast. Learning money is interesting. Not really feeling like I know how much I'm really spending. What I'm going by so far is when Jacob (the guy that got me the job in LA) gave me 10,000 won, he said that was equal to 10$. So I got some barley, (i was thinking rice...oh well), some milk, crackers, orange juice (mum, there's so much oranges - mandarins , rather, that I won't get sick if I have them everyday which I'm sure I will be.!!)

Oh, and there's eyelashes EVERYWHERE! lol. These girls must be pros at applying them! And sock hanging out on the sidewalks every second store it seems. Vegetable merchants on the sidewalks too. Live eels in a basin squirming around for lunch...yum. NOT!

Samsung and LG everything. I'm not complaining! The scale of the buildings are so interesting. Very scaled to the people that live here. I really like it actually. It's down to earth in a way. Canadian/American stuff is all so big box and unfriendly. Ha...listen to me. But I really do like the proportions. Stores are built so close to the sidewalk. I'll have to take a picture of it...hard to explain right here.

The apartment buildings are everywhere and very tall and narrow. They have huge numbers on the ends, and a symbol that is different. I can see how Asians are familiar with the small sizes in Vancouver...but even those must seem large to them, or at least normal.

I am trying to analyze or pay attention to what jet lag is all about. So far it seems to be okay. I just feel a bit fuzzy somewhat...like i could be stoned or somthing! ha ha. I'm trying to drink as much water as I can.

The smell in the air...that's what is interesting. How do you describe something like that? It's like cabbage or something. Thank God it doesnt smell like mothballs like I thought it might. I think I'd go insane after that...or get to love it or something wierd like that. Anyway...the time that is bad for me is ...well like this morning I was fine, then I came online to see what time it ws in Canada...and I saw how far away I was from home, and I felt like puking. Like that panic attack I described previously. I'm glad that I'll be working and keeping busy cuz if I dont then I'll feel like getting sick or something. I especially felt this when I thought of certain special persons that I am away from. Day at a time...

Well, I should go and do some preparation for tomorrow. I have to look through the teaching books to see what to teach ,and what level to teach what. One thing I'm a bit nervous about is how to keep those kindys attention. Everything has to be quick and happening or else they'll lose interest and run off. Eeek! It's funny that I've just been thrown into this.

So I signed the contract with Shim today and gave him my papers. He asked me iabout Kwantlen University College...because of the 'college' part. He was skeptical that it was a university. Nope. So I will have a few worrisome weeks until my E-2 visa gets done. I will be going to Japan as soon as he gets the papers back from the ambassador who checks it out on my end. I am legal to stay in Korea for 6 months without a visa, and a year with one. I wish I could have get clearer answers from everyone about how this worked...but I'm here now, and will make the best of it. I got Shim to sign a note that said that he will send me to Japan etc...so that eases my mind SO much. And I got a copy of the contract that we signed too. Thank goodness I did that. I wouldnt let him have the contract until I had a copy. Dont want to take chances on that. Same with the note for Japan.

I can hardly wait to go to Japan to see what the differences are. I havent seen anything really traditional here except for a gondola with a traditional Korean structure and roof down the street. Everythign is quite modern, in a Korean way. All the bannisters and railings are usually metal. Even in my building they are, and floors in the hallway that I think are granite. man I should really know that. Oh, and Alison, you know that puky granite that is in that hotel downtown Vancouver that we went to your wedding thing there? It's here too....hahaha! I laughed when I saw that. Can't escape that ugly stuff that looks like poo! Lmao!!!!

You know what's funny, I have no idea what I'm going to do because my suitcases are so huge, an dthis room is so small. They look like pieces of furniture!! I dont know what do to about that yet.

Oh, and I LOVE the bathrooms with the wet room concept. Just a hand held shower and a porkchop sink and counter (for the people who dont knwo what a porkchop counter is, it's a counter that is in the shape of a porkchop. Narrow orver the toilet, an dlarge for the sink.) The color of the matierial is wierd. I cant' figure out what it is. Stone or plastic or something . It's yellow.
I can hose my whole bathroom down which is quite nice feeling I must say.

I have to get myself an alarm clock soon. I asked Shim to give me a wakeup call this morening. I thoughtt I'd be sleeping for ages, but I woke up at 8 am Korea time. Hmmm. I wonder what will happen tomorrow morning.

K I want to keep going for a long time...but I dont feel liek I'm making any sense right now.
Love you all...
Wendy

Start of a new day in Gwang Ju, Korea!

Backtrack: excerpts from diary starting the trip to South Korea, Friday, November 4/05

...So much has happened in the last few days/week that I cant even begin to cover. After moving out of my house by the 31 Oct, I had no idea what was about to happen. I've been thinkng about going to Korea for a while, but it didnt seem to be happening. Then all of a sudden, I had to choose once again from 2 contracts. I ended up choosing the one where I'm at right now....but that's going far ahead. It was the most difficult decision in my life....but I have been really praying about it, and everything directed me to go. So, I decided to do it, to take a year of my life, and get this travel-lust out of my system; pay a chunk of student loans, and learn to live in another country with another language and lifestyle. Then it would put me into a situation where I could think about proceeding with the rest of my life plans of hopefully being with someone who means the world to me, an dhaving a family, and being able to financially get ahead to take care of my parents someday when they need it.
How on earth do you pack for moving to another CONTINENT for a YEAR?!!!
So....now I'm on the plane...to KOREA!!! I left on the plane from Vancouver that left at 7:20 pm, and arrives in Los Angeles at 10:00pm. I met Jacob, the guy who coordinated and recruited me, and his friend Andy. They were quite nice and Jacob was very organized in giving me directions when I get to Incheon Airport in Seoul. He bought me ice cream at Haagen Daas and that was all the time we had. Went to check-in, and that was that. LAX is a bit dirtier than I remembered, but still has some funky elements to it. (Pictures to follow).
I am questioning a few things that Jacob told me about the school here. Apparently I am the 12th teacher ever here...Hmmm. I thought there were 12 teachers here or something. nope... well I'm here now, and i'll make the best of it. I dont think it will be that bad...just a bit unexpected.
On to the big 747 Boeing Jet. Huge! How can those things even get off the ground let alone fly?!! NUTS! I didnt even really feel it taking off in a way. Man I love taking off. All that power, the sounds, the lift off....that it actually happens!
I wasnt so sure aobut my seat on this ride though. When Jacob booked by tickets I forgot to say window seat. Crappy. So i ended up in the middle and right behind a wall with the tv screen on it. I thought I would feel claustrophobic, but in the end it was just fine, and actually nice that i could put my feet up against the wall and stretch out a bit. I asked if I could get another seat but the flight was completely full. ( The stewardesses are so beautiful! and their 'costumes' are exquisite. Pale blue and cream. Their hair is perfectly in a bun and everyone has a blue bow that I thought at first was chopsticks. And I SWEAR that they changed their lipsticks for the dinner and breakfast. All of them! Ha ha)
I was sleeping on the flight anyway, and it was night the whole time. So there. I cant believe I actually slept travelling...but i did! Ha! (Hi mom!) Thankyou to Michael who gave me his neck pillow...I didnt even think of it, and man, it would have been HOrrid without it! Muchas gracias....oh wait a min...kamsa hamnida. That's Korean and I'd better use it! I already have! I'm already getting the bow happening. That's fun.
The meals were really quite good. I had pasta with tomato sauce, dinner roll, cheesecake, green tea....and a few other things I forget. Breakfast was a big chunk of egg with 'sweet' beans and tomato paste on top...and a hot half of tomato...that was awesome! And tea of course.
And the best part was in the 'morning' when they brought by the hot face cloths...oh man that was awesome. And the hand cream in the bathrooms (called Odyssey) was so awesome. And some 'face spray' I'm assuming. Smelled amazing and I gotta get me some of that. That's strange because usually I cant take those smells too much..but that was good.
I hope I'm making sense here...
THe most interesting part was when the map came up of where we were in the world. Wowzers. Seeing our plane cross the Pacific ocean, and then realizing that I was flying over JAPAN, and then into Seoul. Crazy!
Landed in Seoul to the most beautiful airport I've ever seen. So very clean lines and the finishes were amazing. I'm trying to remember the wood exactly that were the panels everywhere, and the lighting! the ceiling panels! The carpets and flooring...oh man...Gorgeous! Pictures as well will follow...hopefully, if i can figure out how to download them here.
Oh...on the flight...for you information buffs....we were flying 525 mph or 842 kph at a height of 36000 feet or 11000 m. The temperature in Seoul is 16 degrees celcius...i cant spell anymore! and I'm here to teach English! Haaaa! I've got a traveling time of 24 hours for an excuse right now. and still going.
Oh yah...I stopped by a window at the emergency exit on the plane, and looked out for anything. And there were the stars...and they looked different. I can hardly wait to study them to see if and what are the differences. WIERD! And I saw a falling star when I looked...and at that height...I wonder if that was ..um...forgot ....ha....it looked 3D when it fell. wow.
so back to Incheon airport...that cracks me up that name. In fact I like it cuz it reminds me of my mum..and cute inch worms!
We landed at 1:25 pm Saturday Pacific time, and 6:20 am Sunday, Seoul time! How do you comprehend that anyway?
to be continued...

New Stuff

Well, lots is going on right now. I'm trying to decide about going to Korea. I think I have to because the bills keep coming in. And I have to think about the future, not just my immediate one! Hard times.

I am working with www.dekora.com and I absolutely LOVE it. I think I've found what I need to do. But that will have to come later, I think. Doin it for now, get some experience, and hopefully come back to Dekora.

My friend Sonny just came back from NYC for his show. www.say2k.tv Let's see the pictures Sonnayeh!

Worked on new web sites too...finally! Starting to set up my own business....let's get this party started!!

www.wendychamberlain.bravehost.com
http://www.geocities.com/bendycha


Went to the Railway to see Chin and his entorage last night. Was fun as always, even if it was brief. The night before we all went to Chai, a most fabulous restaraunt on Broadway right above another fabulous eating place East is East. LOVE that place. Why dont I live there!!! Interiors are amazingly done.

Well, havta run. Till next time. I really gotta get on with this!

Went to see another movie!

Hey. Went to see Sin City with my friend Victor tonight. Was great! Hilarious! Damsel in distress, big hulking strong man saves the day, again, and again, and again, and ...u get the picture. Very Tarantino. LOVE the comic book style with the splashes of color. Fabulous daarhlink! What else can i tell you. Well, I'd love to be Jessica Alba's character. And you know, Bruce Willis has an awesome body! Whaddya know. K i gotta sleep...

Wendy's Page

Wendy's Page

I just went to the Ridge to see a few movies/films. Wow..eye awakening...thought provoking. 'Asassination of President Nixon', and Hotel Rwanda.

The first film made me super depressed, and i really dont need anymore of that in my life at the moment! The next one, Hotel Rwanda was definitely worth the time and effort and money. IT's true that everyone should see this one! Filmed and acted quite wonderfully, and won many awards as is appropriate for this film.

Leaves you wondering about the nature of humans in general, or it did at least, for me.

So, now on to the next event in life, finding a job, solidifying goals, and as Liana says: Believe, Behave, Become. So that has got to be my motto; push on, and you will make it. Define your goals and believe in them, so that they will come true, and you can define your life around them.

But, of course, as it says in my favorite movie 'Kama Sutra-the love story', that "dont look for straight lines,--life is never like that." This I believe. There are no solid, straight answers, only beliefs and hope and somewhere in there, love.

A goal for me, to let u in on one of them, is to be more giving, and more unselfish....

Wendy's Page

Wendy's Page

Hey, what's goin on? I'm still jobless. Partly because of me, and partly because of them...yes it's nice to put the blame on people other than yourself.
I got my digital camera working, finally, and need to take more pictures that are up to date.
Seriusly getting antsy because I havent felt creative in the least for a lonnnng time. Someone HELP me!

First Nations Artist Sonny Assu - sAy2k.tv v3.0

First Nations Artist Sonny Assu - sAy2k.tv v3.0 http://say2k.tv/index.html

Here's my good friendly "white Indian" (as he calls himself)'s webpage who just got his first tattoo!! And it's a mighty fine one if I say so myself! Now he's tryin to get me to get one too. Ha!