Wednesday was a day off, and I still neglected to write an adventure. I know it is hard to believe, but I actually did stuff on my day off! So what was this day off all about I can hear you asking a mile (or many miles would be more acurate) away. It was Buddha's birthday, and a national holiday here in Korea.

 

For the holiday I went with some members of Korean Class to one of the local temples to look around and have some of the food they provide on the holiday. It wasn't all that special, but it was interesting to see some of the rituals that happen at this time of year. I was a little uncomfortable being there as it was really busy, but I had fun nonetheless.

 

While there I met a little girl. She spoke some English but not much. For some reason she seemed really interested in me. She kept coming up to me and asking me where I lived, where I was from, and what my name was. She told me her name, but refused to talk to any of the other people I was with. They all started making fun of me because of this but how could I blame them. I don't think I will ever quite know what the deal is with the little ones and them coming up to me.

 

After the temple trip, I spent the day with my friends. We watched an interesting Korean movie (it had subtitles so I could actually tell what was happening this time!), cooked dinner, and just hung out. I really shouldn't have stayed out so late, but I haven't really done a lot like this, so I felt it was worth it.

 

At kumdo class last night, there was a little kid who looked to be about the age of my kindergarten students or a year younger. He had a little uniform and bamboo sword it was really cute. He must have been taking classes for some time as he knew just what he was doing. I felt really inadequate compared to him. I guess that is why we shouldn't compare ourselves to others, eh?

 

Not much else has been going on.

I have stopped going to my Korean tutor. I was just getting frustrated with the lack of organization, and I wasn't putting the time into actual studying on my own, so I was overwhelmed when she presentded new information. It is my own fault, but perhaps this will give me an opportunity to actually study and integrate the language a little.

 

I figured out what LPG is. It seems that all the taxis and, I was told, about 30% of the cars run on LPG. It is cleaner and cheaper than ordinary fuel. So what is it? Liquid Propane Gas. Do we use this in the states? Could you get it if you wanted? If not, why? Is is somehow worse than regular gas? Anyone out there know anything about this?

 

Monday was an interesting day. I got my kumdo uniform, I made myself look like an idiot in front of the whole kumdo class (do to language and cultural differences), and my kindergarten class was  a blast for some reason I have as yet been unable to identify.  In the afternoon, while on my lunch break, I got a call from someone from Houghton who was visiting his brother in a city around 30 min away from here (Masan). Definitely not a call I was expecting!

 

He stopped by my institute and we talked for around 10 minutes between my classes. It was great to see someone from back in the States.  The rest of the day was the usual. I lost my disk that I need to complete my course work, but other than that, all is well. I only work until 6 pm today, so it shouldn't be too long of day.

 

I need to get ready for work now, so I hope you all have a good evening.

Today was a long day. I went to go to the MS Echo meeting only to find out that it was cancelled. I did however meet one of the members there, and we talked for about two hours, so that was good. He said he would check on Korean as a Foreign Language classes at the University for me. I think I need a little bit of structured learning in which to place all the unstructured learning I am receiving. I know I work better that way, even if there is nothing inheriently wrong with unstructured learning of a language.

 

I guess I could have made better use of my day, but I never make good use of my Saturdays. I need to start focusing on what I want to do, and in getting my work complete for my online class. This is very important as I am hoping to get credit for it, though I don't see how that is going to do me any good in the future. Who knows, maybe I just like spending money on useless things.

 

My director talked with me a couple of days ago and wants me to cancel my trip. She said she is having a hard time finding someone to take my classes, and that they really don't have a policy for vacations for teachers during the contract period. I didn't reiterate that I have 6 sick days that  I haven't used yet. She said it is easy when it comes time for a person to renew the contract to give them 4 weeks off, but to let them go during the contract was difficult. I am not quite sure what the difference is in her mind, as they would still need to find someone to take the classes, and for a longer period of time. It is confusing to me how the thinking process seems to work here in Korea.

 

Still, I am thinking about getting another position here in Korea, or going to China for six months come September. I am not sure what is going to happen as there are many variables that have yet to be placed. I have not done work in multivariable calculus in a long time, and then it was only a brief introduction to simple problems. This is definitely out of my realm of ability.

 

We went to the Provicial Office Bulding with the kindergarten students yesterday. They have a park outside that is very beautiful and the students were supposed to scetch nature. Not all of my students quite  understood this, so we got pictures of  robots and things of that nature as well.

 

It was a beautiful sunny day, as seems to be the norm this time of year in Korea, and I enjoyed it very much. And after the students were finished, we got to play a little before going back to the institute. What more can one ask for? Other than that, all is going well.

The days are getting longer, my arms are getting sorer, and the weather is getting warmer. Rainy season starts soon I am not looking forward to that. Kumdo is going well. Today's lesson went well. I started out doing the move all wrong, but after an hour and a half, I finally started to get it right.

 

The students are getting on my nerves again. Interestingly enough it isn't the kindergarten students this time it is my older ones. They aren't doing there homework, they aren't bringing their books. I am not sure what to do anymore.

 

The days are getting mundane, and I feel my language ability has become static and far too low a level, but this comes from my inability to make time to study. I really need to relearn how to schedule things!

 

I got $100 gift certificate to the department store for teachers' day, and today I went with a couple of friends to spend it. The place is severely overpriced, so spend the money I did. They are trying to change my image overhere, but I am not sure it is going to work. I let them choose what I was to buy, and it wasn't too bad, but I never would have chosen it myself.

 

I really am not doing too much other than that. I am not eating right, I have lost a lot of weight, and I am trying to figure out what and how to cook so I can be both economical and well fed. I am not sure it is possible. I eat out just about everyday, but it is relatively inexpensive, and the way I deal with leftovers, I end up wasting anything that isn't eaten right away.

 

Sounds like I am complaining, but I really am not. I enjoy my life here, but, as anywhere, it has its ups and downs. It is a little tough not being able to see family and friends, even though I am experiencing things I would never experience back in the states. I am happy I am here, though I am not sure for how long.

 

It is getting busier and busier here in Korea. The days are getting warmer, the rainy season is coming, and I am getting up at 5:30am almost every morning. The air is clear, the sun is usually already up, and I get a work out guided by a man who doesn't speak English. It is truely wonderful.

 

Yes, the kumdo lessons are going well. I have learned that I am too stiff and need to learn to relax. I also have learned that I have to practice counting in Korean. I had to do so in class today and I keep skipping 8. I feel like an idiot, but I just count 9 twice so as not to distract the people too much.

 

The kindergarten class is as energetic as usual, but they seem to be better behaved. They are starting to really enjoy toying with me though. I am not sure if this is a good or bad thing as it is mostly before and after class. They still are having a hard time with when it is time to go to the bathroom and get a drink of water. I am having a hard time sticking to the rule of not letting them go during class as I am not certain if they really have to go or not, and I am not really interested in having wet children on my hands.

 

My online course was supposed to end this Saturday, but they decided to extend it until the end of the month. I was going to have a hard time finishing by Saturday, so I was a little worried, but now that this news has come forth, I am very glad. It seems that things have once again worked themselves out in my somewhat mystical and blessed life.

 

I guess there isn't much else going on, and I should get to bed as it is 11:20pm and I have to get up at 5:30am. Hope all is well on the homefront.

The morning came early today. I was up most of the night I just couldn't sleep for some reason. Then  I had to get up at 5:30am to go to Kumdo class, which started at 6am. It went well, though the language barrier makes things a little difficult to understand when he tries to explain them.

 

It felt good to be doing something that early in the morning though. I figure if I am going to be up anyway, I might as well do something productive. The bamboo sword is a little aukward to hold correctly, and I am always putting my feet too close together, but what can one expect when just starting out (especially when they are a natural clutz)? It isn't much of an arobic work out, but it sure excercises your legs and arms!

 

After going back home and eating a couple of bananas for breakfast and taking my medication, I read a little for my class.  I am so far behind I am not sure I am going to be able to catch up. I guess that is what happens when you can't rely on getting the same, or even a comperable, computer. I am going to try to make it up though I have never given up easily, and this will be no exception.

 

I am feeling much better. I only have 4 more doses of the medicine to take. Hopefully the sickness will have been completely irradicated by then I am sure it is pretty close to that now. I need to go now as it is getting close to time to start work.

 

I received more information about the red mask ghost today. I am really tired of hearing about it, but at least this time the level of English was such that it cleared up a lot of questions. It seems that it started as a story in a Japanese book. I am not sure how it spread across the waters, but it is here for sure.

 

Anyway, this lady went to a plastic surgeon for a facelift. The doctor made a mistake and slit the side of her face almost to her ears. (This makes it look as if she has a permanent, broad smile.) She wears a mask to cover this flaw. The mask was originally  whit, but it is now red because of the blood. She was distrought over this happening and killed herself, this is why there is a ghost.

 

The students all say they heard about it on the news, so I am not sure what to make of that. They also say the ghost is following a schedule: she was in Busan last night and tomorrow night she will be in Changwon where we are. They even say she is scheduled to be in this particular neighborhood at 7pm. This ghost keeps a better schedule than I do!

 

Other than the ghost stories, all is well. I am feeling a little better, though still some sinus presure. I am trying to figure out what I am doing, and I have realized that it is a useless task, though I think I still try anyway. I don't know, but there is just something fun about beating ones head against a brick wall.

Yesterday was a lot of fun. I went on the outing with the church they had a lot of games for the children, which the adults were forced to participate in as well. Actually, I think I was the only one who didn't participate rather willingly, but I had fun with most of it. We did things like a potato sack race, racing blind folded, doing the limbo, and other nonesensical stuff like that. They also tried to force me to participate in the relay, but there was no way I was doing that the way that I felt.

 

I still had some illness left over. THe medicine the doctor gave me was only for my throat. He stated today that it is tough to get over an illness if you don't clear up the throat first. I just sort of nodded and let it go. He did give me some more medication this time though it is for my, what I think is a, sinus infection. I told the doctor about my slightly sore ear, my stuffy nose, and the pain around my eyes. He let me see the picture of my ears, the one that sounds echoey was a little red the other was fine.

 

THe doctor did tell me that the reason for the echoing was not my illness though, it was do to the equilibrium of the preasure on either side of the eardrum being upset by not getting enough rest. Perhaps he is right, but I am not sure if that is going to change any time soon. He also looked up my nose and said that I had an infection this is why he prescribed this other brownish powder, the tast of which I have yet the pleasure of experiencing. When I finally take it, I will let you know.

 

Of course, as I was in pain at that moment, acupuncture was in order. I was not surprised, but I was a little scared. What type of acupuncture do they do for sinus pain? I found out soon enough. They took me back to the room, had me lie down on the bed, and pulled down my left sock. This is where the first needle went. It surprised me when he put it in as I was not expecting it, but it also hurt! Then he put 2 in my left hand. The final five or six he put under my eyes and around my nose.

Then they covered my eyes with a cloth and put the heat lamp over the area. I felt like I was tanning. THey kept me that way for 15 minutes. Though the pain was almost nonexistent, my eyes watered, and it looked as though I were crying. I was glad when they finally took out the needles. It did help though! My congestion cleared up almost immediately after the needles were in place! How is that for service?

 

Anyway, after the games yesterday I went to a Buddist temple. I talked with one of the monks for about an hour and a half while we drank tea. We talked about some of the differences between Christianity and Buddism and the interesting practice of praying that Buddists do even though Buddah believed that prayer was useless.

 

Today I named my new kindegarten student: Haily. She is very smart and fits in so well that I don't feel like I have a new student at all. I am pleased with the results. I was not so pleased with my 4:30 class though. We were working on commas, and the directions were to place a comma between the city and state, and between the day and the year. Some of them had a hard time recognizing the cities and states, which is kind of understandable, but most also missed the comma between the day and the year. I was not to happy about that. This just shows the lack of attention they were paying. I became quite upset with them and made them listen to me explain the lesson again. We studied for the whole hour and a half.

 

I decided I am going to do kumdo. It is the Korean version of Kendo as far as I have been told. I have to look it up to get even more information on it. I will start Monday morning at 6am. I need something to do in the mornings since I get up early anyway this is as good a way as any to start the day.

 

Well, that is all for now. I'll talk to you later. Take care of yourselves.

It is Children's Day today, and, for me, that means a day off! I was not sure what I was going to do with my day off until yesterday after work. Mrs. Young came up to me and asked if I was going to join them at the church event today. I didn't realize they were having a church event for Children's Day, which may be due to my not having been at church Sunday, but it sounds as if it could be a good thing. So, I am going to be hanging out near the Provincial Office doing whatever it is the church feels it should do for something like Children's Day.

 

In class yesterday, all 7 of my student were scaring themselves with talk of two ghosts in the Changwon area. Apparently there is a blue masked ghost and a red masked ghost. They were Japanese people who died and are now going around killing Koreans. I have no idea about most of the paticulars as they were unable to explain them. I asked one of them to tell me in English what she was talking about and she said there was no English. They all said I didn't have to worry about the ghosts because they just went after Koreans.

 

The beginging of class was filled with them using red markers and colored penciles to draw a symbol on their hands to protect them from these ghosts. It almost reminded me of the Blair Witch phenomenon.

 

Kindergarten was extra fun yesterday as well. The teachers ate snack with the students and we had popcorn and ice cream an excelent combination. We also played games with our classes for about an hour. I found my students ready to make up their own games with their own rules with no help from me. I was thankful for that as I had no idea this was the plan until I came to work that morning. Last minute is the general way of things here in Korea.

 

I also got a new kindergarten sudent. I forgot to tell Mrs. Young what the student is going to need, so I probably won't get it until two weeks from now. She seems to fit in nicely with the rest of the class, and is quite intelligent. Now that I have 9 students, I find that is giong to be a big help.

 

That is all for now I have to be on my way to randez-vous with church members.

After a long, much needed, though not necessarily desired, pause, I have returned with another description of my life as it finds itself at the crossroads here in Korea. I was approached by my director about my plans after this contract is up: will I extend, or will I leave? I thought this would be an easy descision when the time came, but I am finding that it really isn't I am not sure what I want to do.

 

Anyway, the reason for the long time span is twofold: first, I have been very busy lately I am not sure why, but that is what happens when you work I suppose. Secondly, I have been really sick. I was actually sick to the point that I shouldn't have even been working, but I couldn't bring myself to use the sick days I have I need them to hopefully be able to make it to a wedding in June.  I have survived though, and I am taking some rather bitter tasting medicine that I have to mix with hot water. I like the powder stuff better than pills, but it is still a hassle to take.

 

Last night I went to a free  concert where they performed traditional Korean music. They wore the magnificintly brightly colored hanboks, and, in one of the dances, they wore the hats with the long ribbons attached to the top. These are spun around almost constantly as they dance quite an awesome effect. The main performer is apparantly world famous for his drum playing. I am not sure what the names of the instruments are, but there are four of them in the particular style of performance he was doing. If I wasn't so tired, I would try to find out more about it and elaborate.

 

My students are behaving much better than before. I am not sure what has caused the change, but I am happy for it. I think it is because they feel it is time for me to leave and they want me to stay they wouldn't be able to control a new teacher quite so well as they do me .  Actually I think it has a lot to do with finally getting used to the way I do things, at least with my Kindergarten students. They are really warming up to me, and they are so cute, even if I can only understand a little of what they are saying.

 

My afternoon students are another story. I have one that is 10 years old and obsessed with being beautiful, make up, and boys. It is quite scary how vain she is. I wanted to tell her this, but I couldn't be sure which meaning was the one I wanted in the English-Korean dictionary.

 

I recieved a package last Friday!! It was for Easter and had taked just over a month to arrive, but I was very thankful for it. I opend it in my 6:00 class because I couldn't wait until I got home to do so. Packages are always so much fun, and this one was know exception. The barrall of monkeys was a good indicator of the rest of the package, though not quite as edible as the candy. So far I have shared the swirl candy with my students most like them a couple do not like them at all. I wonder how they will feel about the regular life savors?

 

The alphabet cards are a hit with my Kindergarten students. We play a game where if you are able to name the letter, you get the card. There are two that get a large majority the others need a little more work. I have thought of a way to use the nerf football in class (the small size is perfect for the hands of my kindergarteners), and the stickers are a love of all. One can not find stickers like those (except the star ones) in Korea. The kids just love stickers. I guess one never really outgrows that, eh?

 

I guess I better cut this short before I bore you with what I ate for lunch today or how many times I walk in circles waiting for class to start. Hope all is well with you.