Children's Day

Today is Children's Day in Korea. It's a public holiday, so I was really looking forward to some down-time. But yesterday afternoon, one of my middle school girls invited me to come watch her taekwondo presentation at the Children's Day Festival to be held here in Gunwi. How could I let her down? And so it was that I dragged myself out of bed this morning to go be the supportive teacher. Norman, the new Native English Teacher in Uiheung (another town in the same county) also had students performing in the festival, so we arranged to go together. And am I glad I went!

On the banks of the Wicheon River.

The setting was one of the best I've seen in Korea. And to think this was here in my town all along. There is a podium on the banks of the Wicheon River, with gazebos and actual lawn (well, it's a soccer field, actually). I'm so glad that I finally discovered this area. Bernice has saying for a long time, that she just wishes she could find a patch of lawn, to picnic on, or lie down with a book, like we can back in SA. Space is a limited commodity here in Korea. Do you remember me mentioning that 70% of this country is hilly/mountainous? Most of the flat land is used for accommodation, commerce and farming. Which leaves little space for recreational parks like we are used to in South Africa. Yes, they certainly have parks and such, but these are usually so packed with people, everyone vying for a spot that it's just far too crowded. Especially for a Capetonian who grew up with Kirstenbosch Gardens, suburban parks, vast stretches of empty fields and a big backyard.


Anyway, as soon as we arrived, people came to introduce themselves and gave us contact numbers to call them if ever we need to run an errand or just want to hang out. A mother asked me to please take a photo with her teeny tot of a daughter. Yup! Celebrity foreigner status at work again! LOL. I felt sorry for Norman, because she didn't ask him. You see, Norman was born in Hong Kong, and moved to the US when he was 10 years old. So, being Chinese-American, he looks Asian and Korean people automatically think he is also Korean. So he gets off scot-free!


There were many of my students present. High school and middle school students were on duty, cooking and serving food and generally being helpful to the patrons. Well, that was the general idea. Teenagers are the same the world over. They like to walk around, check out the scene, watch the entertainment..... The last thing they want to do is be stuck behind a braai grid, turning meat for hundreds of people. But they were all very sweet, and it was lovely to interact with them in this kind of environment.

Some of my shy and not-so-shy high school students.

Speaking of food, everything was free. No one had to pay for anything. Water was free, as were the pork cutlets, steak and samgyeopsal (strips of pork belly,or uncured bacon). Hundreds of cucumbers were being served as refreshing snacks. It was pretty strange to see cucumbers being munched as though they were hotdogs. Super healthy option.

Cucumber snacks!

Middle school students peeling cucumbers for Asia! (far left)

The festivities began with the usual National Anthem, and opening speech by the Head of Education for the Gunwi County. There was a mini 'big' opening fanfare with streamers being shot from the stage, fireworks, and pyrotechnics. The mayor handed out awards to various students. Then was all the fun stuff. They gave away bicycles and soccer balls. And finally, was the taekwondo presentation. I was really impressed. Afterwards, I went to meet the instructor. Get this: he is Indian, he learned taekwondo in India, and is now here in Gunwi, teaching Korea's national martial arts form to Koreans! How bizarre, but wonderful that he has this opportunity. And there are definitely some elements of Bollywood in his routines!

Opening Ceremony

The mayor awarding students.

Bicycle Lucky Draw (there must have been 20 bikes to be given away).

My beautiful students.

Many planks were broken this day!

The intercultural exchange continued when a dance company took to the stage. It was so dramatic and entertaining. Right up my alley. Belly-dancing, break-dancing, tango, hip-hop all performing in the same item. I absolutely loved it. And then there was also some Spanish dancing, with a modern twist.

Spanish Dancing

I also met up with my Philippino friend, Racquel, who introduced me to some more Philippinos, Cambodians and Chinese. With Norman and me also there, it was truly an international gathering there on the banks of the Wicheon River in my little rural town of Gunwi.

Racquel (from the Philippines) and Mrs So (one of my Korean evening class students)

Mrs So and Norman Lo

At lunchtime, I went home to rest. The festivities continued without me. But I was happy and sated with my morning dose of culture. It was truly heart-warming to see just how much Korea values her children.


I wonder, what else do you have in store for me, Korea?

School Field Trip

Me, at Woobang Land in Daegu

Today was our middle school's field trip to Woobang Tower Land for the students. They wrote mid-term tests last week, so this week they get to enjoy the lovely spring weather and have some fun and entertainment away from school.

What a beautiful setting!

The tulips were an amazing sight to behold.

Some of my 1st-grade students at the Nature Park.

Another Tina Turner chicken.

This is the second time I went to the same venue with my middle school. I wrote about it last year. This year, however, I knew exactly what to expect. So the day passed very quickly. I only went on one ride this time, the kiddies' merry-go-round (go figure!). The weather was lovely, there was a nice breeze and it was good to be away from school. But the weird thing is that it was more exhausting than being at school! But in a good way :) I'll let the photo's do the talking.....

Yutnori

Today was the final day of mid-term tests at our high school. (At first, I typed MY but then changed it to OUR....VERY Korean, everything is OURS, not MINE.) After lunch, the teachers had some fun and games in the school gym, playing traditional Korean games. I played yutnori (pronounced YUNORI). There are two teams, each divided into groups of four. I ended up being dragged into it as well. There are four wooden sticks of varying shapes; some are rounded, others are flattened on one side. Teams face each other across a mat. Each person takes turns to toss the sticks onto a mat in front of them. I just did my own thing for my first two turns, and managed to score for the team, bringing the score up from where it had been straggling. But after that, someone decided to show me how I should actually do it. And that's when my sticks started rolling off the mat, thus meaning no score. But, I'm happy to say that we won the first round :). We played 3 rounds, thus allowing everyone an opportunity to play. At the end of the 3rd round, it was 4:30 and time for me to go home.


Yay! It's weekend!

She's back!

Well, I'm back after a long absence of three weeks. Life has suddenly become very busy here in Korea. Last year, someone asked me whether the Koreans were slave-driving me yet. I laughed in reply and boasted of how much free time I had.

Hello 2010! I now also teach supplementary classes at middle school as well as evening classes (Mondays through Wednesdays) to parents and other adults. I also have a professional group, consisting of a bank manager and a dentist, with whom I meet on Wednesdays and Thursdays. (Yes, on a Wednesday, AFTER my other evening class!) The first two weeks saw me walking around like a zombie. But in this, the third week, my body has finally adjusted to the new schedule. Hence, me finally having time (and energy) to update my blog!

Korean classes are also going well. But between 5 evening classes, 4 nights a week, and Korean class every Saturday, I now only have Sundays to myself. So I jealously guard my Sundays. A Sunday is now my only time to rest and catch up on household chores. I even manage to squeeze in some time for a new hobby I just started.... painting! Who would have thought? I've never regarded myself as an artist. But at least I can do abstract stuff and call it art! So I am now slowly but surely decorating my apartment with art by moi!

Spring has also finally made an appearance, with beautiful flowering cherry blossom trees everywhere. Pictures of these natural wonders have always drawn me to Asia. I get a thrill every time I look at these trees. Sometimes, I cannot believe that I am here in Asia, and able to see and touch these very trees and their delicate blossoms, of which I dreamed for years and years.

Cherry blossom tree with a Korean ancestral home in the background.

Giant cherry blossom tree at Gunwi High School.

Awesome sight of a 'Spring shower' sky.

Cherry blossom tree lined avenue.

It rained cherry blossom petals!

And then, of course, Saturdays in Daegu are a treat. I get to satisfy the city-girl in me. Saturdays start off with an hour-long bus ride into Daegu, followed by breakfast at Starbucks with friends, prior to Korean class. I have met a wonderful group of like-minded crazies, and we have so much fun together, learning a new language! Class is usually followed by lunch together with whoever happens to be available. We try out a new restaurant every Saturday! This is usually followed by some form of shopping or another (shoes, or new jeans, or luxury groceries - imported from the Western World - [this includes avocado pears and South African wines at exorbitant prices, but what's a girl to do?], or just hobby supplies). And before we know it, it's the end of the day! So much socialising and shopping to do, not enough time!

Friendships and relationships are still progressing very nicely. I have more students wanting to practice their English, so I spend my lunch breaks walking outside with them, and talking in the fresh Spring air. One girl has even planned topics for me! Her topic for today was, 'Nicknames'! At my high school, they also started an English radio broadcast programme. I coach the students' with their enunciation etc, and thus can still wear my Speech and Drama Teacher hat!

I have also gained many new friends through my evening classes. The downside of this, however, is all the dinner invitations!!

So, I am happy to report that all's well here in the Land of the Morning Calm.

Till next time!

Happy April Fools' Day!

I must admit that the Koreans really do some great things! I appreciate how they make the most of special days. Today, our high school students had prepared fake chalk on the chalk rail, so teachers had to carry chalk with them to class. The kids also coated the door handles with glue, and one class of boys reversed their classroom by turning their chairs round to face the back! They even placed the teachers' lectern at the back of the room. I can't remember us school kids playing cute tricks like that when I was at school!

And then, tonight, I met some of my students' parents. They want to learn English. I am grateful for the opportunity to teach adults. In my opinion, it can only add to my teaching experience. It will be very interesting, since they are at beginner level. Then again, I am in the same boat as they are when it comes to Korean. So here's hoping it will be an equal exchange. My Korean course is proving to be very handy!

One Year in Korea

Today marks my one-year anniversary in Korea. I feel happy, settled and am enjoying great relationships with my Korean students and colleagues. I have also started Korean classes, and have loads of help and advice from my Korean pals (친구 = cheen-goo = friends). Even my high school principal has come on board with my learning! He checked my homework, and even sent me a bilingual email, to further motivate me to study hard!

I was pleasantly surprised a couple of days ago, when one of the admin ladies came into the teachers' office with a newspaper clipping with a photograph of me! How did this happen?! What are the chances of them actually catching it? Very very sharp eyes, I tell you!

Newspaper clipping of Bernice and I writing our hopes for 2010.

Common Colds, Jabs in the Bum, and Yellow Chinese dust

Well, it's that time of year again. Spring.... Change of season.... Allergic rhinitis time. The time of year when I am most susceptible to throat, ear and chest infections. I know my body's responses to these seasonal mishaps so well, that I am able to diagnose myself very accurately by now. Usually, I can go to the doctor and inform him/her of my symptoms and request a script for antibiotics, and before I know it, all's well. So imagine my huge surprise when I fell sick as a dog after my birthday weekend in Busan, barely managed to drag myself to the doctor on Monday, only to be told that I had a COMMON COLD! How's that for taking the wind out of one's sails! I got a jab in the bum, and meds for 3 days.

I still felt ridiculously ill the following day, so stayed at home. I must say, I have NEVER been that sick from a COMMON COLD. It took all week and into the start of the following week before I began to feel like myself again.

Another wonderful characteristic of Spring in Korea is the Yellow Dust which blankets the Korean peninsula. This Yellow Dust blows in from China and Mongolia (the Gobi Desert). This year, the highest levels ever were recorded on Saturday and Sunday (2684 micrograms per cubic metre). I was in Daegu for the start of my Korean language course at the YMCA. I couldn't understand why my nose was burning so terribly and the sky was overcast with an eerie blanket of what looked like highveld rain clouds. Meanwhile it was the dust, which kept many Koreans indoors for fear of respiratory problems, and apparently drivers and pedestrians who were out and about complained that the dust clouded their visibility.