10. Whenever I change my hairstyle EVERYONE notices. This isn't so bad but the comments are something I can do without. Upon removing my extensions several teachers said to me: "...Oh haircut?!.." then I have the difficult choice of either explaining that I was wearing fake hair or lying and agreeing with them.
9. When taking the subway, walking toward an open seat doesn’t guarantee you the seat. So basically you snooze you lose. On many different occasions I have had my seat stolen. Having my seat stolen makes me angry >_<. But what makes me angrier is when I have my seat stolen by someone whom is on the train for just one stop. It makes no sense to me.
8. When commuting by subway one must calculate AAC time. AAC stands for Ahjumma, Ahjusshi, and Couples. Older people are everywhere in Korea, they live healthy and active lives but since they are older they move a little slow. This makes it a little hard to get through subway stations quickly. No don't feel too bad if you knock or bump them because these people will most likely knock you aside given the opportunity.
7. Couples are everywhere in Korea not just girl-boy, but boy-boy, and girl-girl. When I say boy-boy and girl-girl these relationships are hetro in Korea they aren't as homophobic. They are perfectly comfortable showing affection/having physical contact to a friend of the same sex which is pretty awesome. I think westerners are a little too uptight :P
6. These couples move at their own pace and pretty much are always in the way. Sometimes you just wanna punch them in the back of the head! *rwar*
5. TV is widely available on all cellphones… free of charge
4. 7 out of 10 of my female middle school students have some form of a bowl cut. 9 of 10 have bangs. Bangs are VERY important.
3. “Manicure” refers to a bottle of nail polish… so I’m a little unsure of what I should ask for when going to a nail shop.
2. Meat on a stick is quite tasty and widely available … yummy
1. When Korean people see me on the street they see it as an opportunity to use English. As I walk down the road I hear “HELLO NICE TO MEET YOU” … “TODAY IS A NICE DAY” … “HELLO WHERE A YOU FROM…” etc , etc….
Friday, February 12, 2010
Monday, February 8, 2010
On the Bus with L'il H
I have a few different ways I can travel to school the in mornings. I can take the bus, take the subway and walk, take a cab, or bus and subway it. Its usually the latter since the bus that takes me to the school directly is almost always late.
Anyway I was on the bus that goes directly goes to my school. Sometimes I see teachers on this bus but most of the time I see my students. One student in particular L'il H. This is kid is in my 5th grade class he has really good english and is always eager to talk to me. He was big man on campus when it came to english in his grade until a new kid transferred in from the states and took title from him.
This morning Lil H gets on the bus and he sees me and smiles and sits beside me. He starts telling me about his vacation (which really wasn't a vacation since he spent most of the time studying).
Usually when he talks to me he has something he wants to show off.. this time it was his clothes. He was wearing an all brand new outfit.
Lil H : Teacher, teacher... like my clothes?
Me: (smiles) yea
Lil H: Teacher this is my new style
Me: Really?
Lil H: Mine is hip-hop style.. I like hip hop style
Me: (hahahahahaha) nice
Perhaps this is one of those "you had to be there moments" but nevertheless it still was super cute and funny.... man I love that kid
Anyway I was on the bus that goes directly goes to my school. Sometimes I see teachers on this bus but most of the time I see my students. One student in particular L'il H. This is kid is in my 5th grade class he has really good english and is always eager to talk to me. He was big man on campus when it came to english in his grade until a new kid transferred in from the states and took title from him.
This morning Lil H gets on the bus and he sees me and smiles and sits beside me. He starts telling me about his vacation (which really wasn't a vacation since he spent most of the time studying).
Usually when he talks to me he has something he wants to show off.. this time it was his clothes. He was wearing an all brand new outfit.
Lil H : Teacher, teacher... like my clothes?
Me: (smiles) yea
Lil H: Teacher this is my new style
Me: Really?
Lil H: Mine is hip-hop style.. I like hip hop style
Me: (hahahahahaha) nice
Perhaps this is one of those "you had to be there moments" but nevertheless it still was super cute and funny.... man I love that kid
Monday, February 1, 2010
[Korean Music] 2pm
There are two boy bands that I constantly listen to... 1tym and Big Bang. But as of recent I have been sucked in to the realm that is 2PM. 2PM is probably one of the most popular boybands in S.Korea.
The first song I heard I think was "I Hate You" then after that is was "Again and Again"
2PM was originally a 7 man group. Now they are down to six because someone did some digging on the former leader Jaebum. What they found was that Jaebum had written some very insulting myspace journal entries about his time in Korea. Jaebum is from the states and his parents are korean. So living and working in Korea he had to deal with a lot and he decided to vent it on myspace. Long story short he left the group though many fans, the record label, and his bandmates want him to come back. I hope he returns... he was a nice piece of eye candy. any way here is one of there recent singles "Heartbeat" I admit I didn't like it at first because the beat sounded so odd but sure enough it grew on me. So much so that I recently purchased the CD
The first song I heard I think was "I Hate You" then after that is was "Again and Again"
2PM was originally a 7 man group. Now they are down to six because someone did some digging on the former leader Jaebum. What they found was that Jaebum had written some very insulting myspace journal entries about his time in Korea. Jaebum is from the states and his parents are korean. So living and working in Korea he had to deal with a lot and he decided to vent it on myspace. Long story short he left the group though many fans, the record label, and his bandmates want him to come back. I hope he returns... he was a nice piece of eye candy. any way here is one of there recent singles "Heartbeat" I admit I didn't like it at first because the beat sounded so odd but sure enough it grew on me. So much so that I recently purchased the CD
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Sorry, Sorry...
I keep neglecting this blog. I know there are several people want to know what has been going on with me. Its been almost 6mos and there this almost nothing on here.
I'm just posting this short note to let everyone know that I'm over my laziness and will be making best effort to post something on at least a weekly basis. There are several things that have happened over the last month that I'll be writing about and they are sure to amuse you.
I'm going to end my message here... I've only had about 2 and 1/2 hrs of sleep and need to go sleep before I collapse.
I'm just posting this short note to let everyone know that I'm over my laziness and will be making best effort to post something on at least a weekly basis. There are several things that have happened over the last month that I'll be writing about and they are sure to amuse you.
I'm going to end my message here... I've only had about 2 and 1/2 hrs of sleep and need to go sleep before I collapse.
Friday, December 18, 2009
More Middle school Mayhem...
Okay so things have gotten a bit better at my middle school.
I complained about the way things were going and people listened. Although I think they missed the mark on where the issue truly lies... The end result was that I no longer have to teach 3 classes on Mondays at my middle school. Which is great more time to watch dramas online. *ahem* I mean lesson plan. hahaha
I have to admit I'm developing a love/hate relationship with my third grade students at my middle school. They don't pay attention, talk in class, and most of the time just sleep... but there are some that work hard and participate that make the class worth while.
Some students even come into my office and talk. They don't have all the vocab to say what they want which makes for interesting conversations. One student for about the past month has been coming into my office and asking me about kpop. "Do you know T-ara?" "Do you know Kara?" etc... On one occasion he started to do the dance from the "Mister" music video. So its been a weekly event having him come into my office to dance for me. The dancing isn't all that great but I think he just wants to make me laugh. Dancerboi really makes my day.
Today in class I was doing a lesson on "What do you want?" and they were to practice saying things they want. Well Dancerboi says to me "I want you" . I have to admit I was caught off guard there since the way it was said didn't seem like a joke. I suppose if I spoke Korean, wasn't his teacher, and, was ten years younger something could possibly happen but in this reality... no dice!
For a few weeks now the head teacher has been coming into my office and telling me classes are canceled so I can "take a rest" so I do nothing but twiddle my thumbs waiting to go home. I have been tempted on several occasions to play ninja a leave early.. maybe one day I will... sssshhhhh
I complained about the way things were going and people listened. Although I think they missed the mark on where the issue truly lies... The end result was that I no longer have to teach 3 classes on Mondays at my middle school. Which is great more time to watch dramas online. *ahem* I mean lesson plan. hahaha
I have to admit I'm developing a love/hate relationship with my third grade students at my middle school. They don't pay attention, talk in class, and most of the time just sleep... but there are some that work hard and participate that make the class worth while.
Some students even come into my office and talk. They don't have all the vocab to say what they want which makes for interesting conversations. One student for about the past month has been coming into my office and asking me about kpop. "Do you know T-ara?" "Do you know Kara?" etc... On one occasion he started to do the dance from the "Mister" music video. So its been a weekly event having him come into my office to dance for me. The dancing isn't all that great but I think he just wants to make me laugh. Dancerboi really makes my day.
Today in class I was doing a lesson on "What do you want?" and they were to practice saying things they want. Well Dancerboi says to me "I want you" . I have to admit I was caught off guard there since the way it was said didn't seem like a joke. I suppose if I spoke Korean, wasn't his teacher, and, was ten years younger something could possibly happen but in this reality... no dice!
For a few weeks now the head teacher has been coming into my office and telling me classes are canceled so I can "take a rest" so I do nothing but twiddle my thumbs waiting to go home. I have been tempted on several occasions to play ninja a leave early.. maybe one day I will... sssshhhhh
Sunday, December 13, 2009
I'M ALIIIIIVEEEEEEEE
Okay guys... sorry for not keeping up on the blogging. I have several posts I want to make but for some reason whenever I got ready to write something I got distracted.
Anyway this is just a quick little update.
Teaching has been going fine. Life has been a little hectic because I have been going out a lot lately. Most people here just want to hit a bar or club... but I prefer to roam the streets of Seoul. Insadong is AMAZING~
I have been meeting a lot of great new people and reconnecting with old friends so I haven't been feeling that lonely.
Well I'll end this here... I hope to post up some new entries in a few days~
Anyway this is just a quick little update.
Teaching has been going fine. Life has been a little hectic because I have been going out a lot lately. Most people here just want to hit a bar or club... but I prefer to roam the streets of Seoul. Insadong is AMAZING~
I have been meeting a lot of great new people and reconnecting with old friends so I haven't been feeling that lonely.
Well I'll end this here... I hope to post up some new entries in a few days~
Sunday, November 8, 2009
[10 Random Things] #1
okay I haven't had time to post in a while so when I'm short on time I'll post "10 random things"
10. Most of the department store/supermarkets are referred to as “marts”. Example “E-Mart, Lotte Mart, Grand Mart….etc” . Actually found a place called “BS Mart” … that’s an unfortunate name >_>… Unless they market themselves like; “BS Mart… good food low prices and NO BS!”
9. Middle school and High school girls don’t fear the cold. These girls are hardcore wearing their uniform pencil skirts to school every morning. Personally if it was me I would wear pants to school then change later. I really don’t know how they do it.
8. Middle and High school students always seem to have their uniform on. It’s like they never take the thing off. When I was in High school my uniform was the first thing to go once the bell rang. Even 11pm at night you can see kids still in uniform.
7. Middle and High school students are always in some sort of a school. Most of them don’t finish classes until 11:30pm at night. I don’t know how they survive especially when have to wake up early the next day.
6. Samsung, LG and Lotte seem to rule the country. I’m pretty sure these companies employ more than half the populous. I’m pretty sure I work for Samsung but don’t even know it.
5. 42% of Koreans admit to never making contact with a foreigner before.
4. Traffic signals are mere suggestions and are to be taken lightly.
3. Most of the coffee shops here are nothing like Tim Horton’s or Coffee Time. Coffee shops here are cafés. These places are more akin to Starbucks. Prices can be pretty steep the cheapest thing on the menu are between 3,800 ~ 4,000won ($4~ish CDN) and that just for the small size.
2. Koreans like their skin care products. There are several store chains that supply skin care products. My favourites so far are Skin Food, The Face Shop, and, Tony Moly,
1. When they say don’t feed the bears.. man, you’d better not feed the bears!. LOL No one gets my Simpsons references here… There are other native English teachers that I know but some don’t watch the show or if they do they may not know exactly what I’m talking about. TT_TT I miss you Kik!
10. Most of the department store/supermarkets are referred to as “marts”. Example “E-Mart, Lotte Mart, Grand Mart….etc” . Actually found a place called “BS Mart” … that’s an unfortunate name >_>… Unless they market themselves like; “BS Mart… good food low prices and NO BS!”
9. Middle school and High school girls don’t fear the cold. These girls are hardcore wearing their uniform pencil skirts to school every morning. Personally if it was me I would wear pants to school then change later. I really don’t know how they do it.
8. Middle and High school students always seem to have their uniform on. It’s like they never take the thing off. When I was in High school my uniform was the first thing to go once the bell rang. Even 11pm at night you can see kids still in uniform.
7. Middle and High school students are always in some sort of a school. Most of them don’t finish classes until 11:30pm at night. I don’t know how they survive especially when have to wake up early the next day.
6. Samsung, LG and Lotte seem to rule the country. I’m pretty sure these companies employ more than half the populous. I’m pretty sure I work for Samsung but don’t even know it.
5. 42% of Koreans admit to never making contact with a foreigner before.
4. Traffic signals are mere suggestions and are to be taken lightly.
3. Most of the coffee shops here are nothing like Tim Horton’s or Coffee Time. Coffee shops here are cafés. These places are more akin to Starbucks. Prices can be pretty steep the cheapest thing on the menu are between 3,800 ~ 4,000won ($4~ish CDN) and that just for the small size.
2. Koreans like their skin care products. There are several store chains that supply skin care products. My favourites so far are Skin Food, The Face Shop, and, Tony Moly,
1. When they say don’t feed the bears.. man, you’d better not feed the bears!. LOL No one gets my Simpsons references here… There are other native English teachers that I know but some don’t watch the show or if they do they may not know exactly what I’m talking about. TT_TT I miss you Kik!
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