겨울 Happenings

I made it to the Busan Aquarium a couple weeks back. It was my first time in Busan and probably not the last. The city was wonderful, I wish I had spent some more time there, I'm thinking I should have spent the night but decided against it at the last minute and just got a train home. While in Busan I also went to the Museum of Modern Art- they had some pretty cool exhibits, most notable was the Henry Miller exhibit. Eventually I made my way to Busan Tower; I arrived just as the sun was setting which afforded me a wonderful panoramic view of a city gone dark coming to light. Other than photographs and memories I only took one thing back from Busan, a seashell.

I had a week of camp after my week of vacation. Perhaps some of the most fun that I've had in school in Korea. The kids were genuinely amazing- the camp was for less fortunate children, low income, low level, orphan type- you know the lot. I also made some new friends at camp! Other Korean and Native teachers.

Insert a Saturday trip to Lotte World here. I went with a couple Korean friends, Anna and Luka- the ones that Brian and I meet for language exchange. Ou

r weekly meetings have been less about language lately and more about just hanging out with friends, totally ok with me. So we went to Lotte world, the three of us- Brian is currently soaking up sun and avoiding clock spiders in the Land Down Under with his lovely lady, so he wasn't present. The day was AWESOME. I freakin' love amusement parks- the rides, the food, the atmosphere- totally dig it. The queues were a bit long, but most of the waits were worth it. My reaction to the rides was a bit different from all the Koreans around me... laughter. Instead of screaming, I laugh. I don't remember a time that I've laughed

as much and as genuinely as I did during some of the rides. SO much fun. We plan on going to Everland during spring break- a weekday this time.

Last Tuesday I met up with some Korean teachers and we went skiing at Muju Resort. It had been maybe two years since I skied, but it comes back pretty quick when you're flying down a mountain and need to remember how to slow down. We only spent three hours there- the total damage to my wallet was roughly 70,000 won, which isn't too bad considering I had to rent everything... even ski clothes. That night I met up with a cohort that I had met during camp the week prior.

The Groove Gate is near Jungangno Station; had I not been

led there then I would have undoubtedly failed to find it. The interior is something akin to the Ethnic Bar in Dunsan-dong, though a bit more open and sans hookahs. The owner is an ex-music producer named James (english name) who's really quite enjoyable to talk with. He's one of those guys that you just want to succeed- reminds me a bit of the owner at House Grill. We drank some beers while waiting for one more compatriot to arrive. Once she arrived and introductions were issued we ordered food, Pad Thai- only thing on the menu that night. I guess there's normally a cook that can do all sorts of Thai food, but he wasn't around that night so our host, James, offered us a dish that he would cook himself. Yes, it was delicious! I really want to make it back when the cook is around so I can try some other delicacies, I'm told the red curry is choice. James found out that I play banjo and I've been asked to return sometime in the future with the banj, I get nervous when I play in front of people, so

I've been practicing a bit more since Tuesday- I've even managed to get two new songs in my repertoire, 'Crazy' by Patsy Cline and 'Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps' originally by Osvaldo Farres. I should also mention that after a day of skiing with Koreans, a night drinking with two well-spoken Brits was just what I needed.

I suppose this is sufficient for now. I'd like to start writing more- not just blogging... fiction too. Here's a picture of Hemingway boxing in Africa. (Current desktop background)

Volley

There's a lot about working in a Korean school that's different from the US school sytem; much of it positive, though of course there are negatives as well.

This could be taken as either a positive or negative depending on your perspective and whether or not you participate.

If you work at an elementary school in South Korea, you will most likely be asked to play volleyball with the other teachers- at least that's what I've heard and it's certainly true in my situation. At my school we play volleyball every Wednesday from about 2:30-4:30+ (whenever the last game finishes). I didn't play the first couple of weeks because I was a little intimidated, I was told it was super competitive and the last time I had played was probably gym class in High School, over seven years ago, not too confident in my skills.

I finally worked up the nerve to join them one day, I waited until about 4 before I went outside that way I would only be in for about one game. Within the first few minutes of play I had made an amazing save, which was bad news because they all thought I was really good- so for the next twenty minutes the male teachers kept trying to set me up for spikes or other cool plays which I failed not so elegantly time and time again... I don't regret playing at all though! The feeling of comraderie I had after the game was incredible and they all gave me the double high fives that they love to do here. I felt really good, like I had finally crossed the volley valley and was part of the team.

As I continue to play every wednesday the comraderie I felt after the initial day has grown tremendously. By not playing I was really feeling left out, but because I wanted to play and actually enjoy it it's become a really positive experience for me. And I'm told by my coteacher that they all really enjoy having me play with them, so it's not just a positive experience for me but for them as well. I think it's important that we try to connect with our korean teachers here, NOT JUST our coteachers- but all of them. Some of my teachers can hardly speak a lick of English but by playing volleyball with them I've entered into a dialogue of friendship that doesn't really require words.

If you don't want to play or can't play volleyball or whatever other sport your school likes to play- try to find something to connect with your Korean coworkers about. It will really improve your experience teaching here.

Just Another Burger Monday

Edit: http://www.facebook.com/people/House-Grill/100001737251045

House Grill now has a facebook- also, check out the owner's blog to see his art.

Brian and I have decided to start a ritual; what ritual? You might ask. Well, we found a nice burger joint near the Yongmun Lotte that has decent prices and delicious grub; so we've decided to baptize Monday as "Burger Monday". Really though, I don't expect we'll go there every Monday as I'm pretty sure I'd get sick of burgers pretty fast... but it's nice to have the suggestion of routine.

Let me tell you about House Grill, the burger place. It's a hole in the wall joint with a swell interior where your chef, waiter, host, and owner are all the same person- and yes he speaks English relatively well. On the menu you'll notice the slogan "burger + art" in which the burgers are self-explanatory but the art might take a minute. Hanging on the walls are illustrations of characters that may have either come out of a Tim Burton movie or a Maurice Sendak children's book; though they come from neither! They are a creation of the owner and are all for sale for rather reasonable prices.

Pretty much... he's a cool Korean guy that studied art in the US for a while, where he also developed some reasonable language skills. He decided to come back to Korea, open a burger joint and use it as a medium of art distribution. Oh, and his chili fries are damn good.

If you're near the Yongmun Lotte in Daejeon be sure to keep an eye out for House Grill! Fantastic!

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