Nomads Land

2008-02-28T01:04:00.003+09:00

The Bill 101 Debate

Quebec is know for being the little french haven of the North American continent. Growing up and going to all french schools, you kinda tend to think that English is unimportant because all the school system teaches you to say in English is hello and you get to learn your colours. YAAAA!!! Nevertheless fortunately I didn't get stuck in the all Franco way.

Jump to present day where I'm a fully functioning allophone, but somehow my Montreal accent is too Anglo and where the girl who barely speaks English somehow manages no problem. I was dealing with someone who surprisingly in his LAC-ST-JEAN accent said you speak very well but I can sense too much Anglo in your accent. Meanwhile my co-worker can barely string two words together in English. But that's OK cause in Quebec you can get a job only speaking French and never in a million years get if you speak French with too much of an accent. People wonder why everyone runs away to Toronto or Van, well because there's a lot less bullshit and it pays better. In Quebece most people peak at least 2 languages, have a University degree, have travelled and meanwhile they'll still be serving you coffee.

2008-02-20T11:54:00.001+09:00

V-Day

Is an evil evil holiday. Who's got 2 thumbs, brown hair and got broken up with on Valentine's Day???? ME!!!!

2008-02-02T11:51:00.000+09:00

It's a Small World After All

Here's a run down of what happened wednesday night.

Location: Cock n' Bull Pub
Time: sometime after 10pm.
Company: Fred, Steph, Larissa, Steve and me

me: hey guys this is Steve
Steve: nice to meet you.

10 minutes later Steve leans over and this is how it goes:

Steve: I think I know that girl, what's her name again?
Me: Larissa, i've known her for years, she's a creative writting Grad Student at Concordia.
Steve: hmmmm she from Montreal?
Me: um nope I think she's from the States originally.
Steve: Hmmmmmm cause um I think I may have gone on a date with her?
Me: really? a date?
Steve: um well not exactly but I think I kinda slept with her. Actually I ran into here and brought her home.
Fred: Hey!! I totally know you from somewhere!!!!!! Where do I know you from?

Why is the English community so small in Montreal??????

2008-01-31T08:27:00.000+09:00

She Who Does Not Cook

Right before we start, let me just say that if you know me, you know that my cooking skills are very sub-par. So you can imagine my panic when He who's toilet I broke, suggested I have him over for dinner. I spent Sunday night scrolling through pages of various recipes putting aside the ones I thought I would remotely have a change at not fucking up and the ones I knew were way to complicated. So Monday night, I spent my after work chill out time going grocery shopping and such. I got home to have a sanity coffee and cigarette and read the last of my book. Steve came over while I was in full cooking mode and graciously poured me a large glass of wine and gave me a hand in the kitchen. Good news no one dies or was sick. Even better news, I got a lift to work, and since it was -10 and really windy I was happy not to have to wait for the bus.

Soon month no. 2 of working at the bank... Every day I'm there, I feel more and more as part of the problem and definitely not part of the solution. People accept what I say to them, no argument or contest. They take my word and accept the options I give them as good solutions. But every once in a while I feel guilty, I feel like I'm not doing enough. When I was in Korea I loved it, I actually felt useful and as a valued part of society. Working in Ireland at hostels, I felt like a part of the traveller (backpacker for Cormac) community. Actually being helpful and discussing things I cared about and felt were interesting. I feel that now I talk about all the things I DID and not the things I'm DOING or will DO. I'm thinking about a new project for next year but I don't know what yet. The funds will be limited but they always were. I think next year will be time for a new continent and more meaningful experience.

2008-01-15T09:59:00.000+09:00

The bill for Samgypsal and 2 beers each. Don't forget +15% tip.

It makes running outside hard.

MMMM Smithwicks, my favorite beer from when I lived in Ireland.

HAHAHA typical Quebec French politics. Scratch out the English and Korea .... both are equally as offensive!!!!

It was good, kinda like in Korea.

Soju 20$- Used to be 1$ in Korea.

2008-01-15T09:44:00.000+09:00

Sometimes I wonder WHY!!!

I promised myself that when I left Korea I would drink a lot less. I'm afraid I might be starting to fall off the wagon but I'm sure I can do it!!!! Thursday night I ended up going to the Irish Embassy, apparently the new Concordia Uni bar. I went with Steve ( the dude who's toilet I broke...) and it was the meeting the friends to size me up night, or so I felt like that's what it was. I of course felt I had to order many many pints of Swithwicks to give my best impression. It turned out that all I did was drink a lot and blab on and on and on about Korea. I ended up going to bed at 4 am and stumbling into work the next morning though I woke up not at my house but somehow managed to squeeze some work clothes in my bag. Friday was dinner and wine at Fred and Steph's. Matt and Claire joined us. I'm so happy Claire still smokes- cause that means I never feel guilty going outside. And well drank more wine and with the lack of sleep I took a mini nap on their couch at one point. Saturday ugh... Ended up going to the SAQ to purchase vodka and rum. Shruti and Carlos came buy and after 24 beers and a lot of liquor, I decided it was best to keep drinking into Sunday. Cause that's what I do.

It's been officially 9 weeks that I've been back and so far so good. I started actually working my job job and I have to admit sometimes people still surprise me. Really!!! Is it that hard to balance a checkbook? Must you really write a bad cheque why why whyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!And soon enough when my bank account recovers from my rent/ phone bill/Internet bill/ Visa bill, I'll be hitting the gym again. I'm actually excited to start running, biking and whatever else. I though maybe I'd just do the outdoors thing but really I had running when it's freaking freezing outside. I appreciate all those brave people that go out in -20 degree weather.

That's the exciting update.... Still enjoying my massive 2 bedroom apartment all to myself...

2008-01-07T01:56:00.000+09:00

There was actually a second and a third date. Next time I was over I noticed the part that I had broken. It was actually attached to a bigger part that had been replaced. Turned out ok though.

2007-12-30T15:52:00.000+09:00

The Date, The Job and Family

It's the holidays again. With that I left my comfy quiet apartment to spend 2 days with my parents. Funny how even when we grow up we will still be little kids in the eyes of our parents. Needless to say my mother has been overly maternal since my return, I appreciate it and all, it's just that after having been away for so long, I know how to take care of myself. But I forget that in Korea most parents do everything for their kids. Those days when a seven year old couldn't dress himself. When my kiddies were unable to tie their shoe laces or function in almost every way possible without my assistance and well me doing everything or them. Or so they would have liked.

But now I work at a bank. No kiddies tearing around, no arguments with my boss as to what I'm entitled to have ( breach of contract ladies and gents). Now everything is nice and clean, all the i's are dotted and the t's are crossed. Frankly it's a little boring and I find myself missing my Korean experience more and more. I miss my Korean friends, a few in particular but such is life for the moment. Apparently according to Steph.... It took six months to get back in the groove of things.

And well I just wouldn't be me if I didn't go on a date where I made an ass of myself through my clumsiness. So last night I went out to Brutopia on Crecsent ( south of St-Catherine), we had a few beers chatted, got along fairly well all that stuff. Closing time was approaching so since he didn't live to far we decided to keep drinking at his place. At one point I decide to go to the bathroom and lo and behold, the toilet won't flush. I take of the cap and peer inside to see what the hold-up is. So I start fiddling and I broke it!!!! Yup something snapped and cracked and before you know it I had to walk right back in there and announce that I had just broken his toilet. All that and a bag of chips.

So that's the big update.

2007-12-07T12:35:00.000+09:00

So I Was On the Subway...

Day 2 of work: I work for a bank.

20:43

Location: subway cart- green line- Angrignon direction.

So I was talking to Matt about my new job and how it's times like these that I want to renew my passport in 24 hours, go to the airport and fly off to Korea.

Matt- 26 years old- project co-coordinator. We were chatting and so I blurt out, I wanna go back to Korea, it isn't so BORING!! Matt reminds me that a) I'm 26 so getting over the hill and also getting to old to go off and travel for another year when I should be concentrating on getting my career together. ( He also turned 26 like 2 weeks ago) b) That working for the bank offers so many career opportunities. c) Oh ya that at 26, I'm old.

When did 26 become the new 50? When???!!!!!

Also all my friends are getting married and starting to have kids. When did this happen? I leave for 2 1/2 years and this happens?

Sorry guys, had to have a little rant... going through a return to western civilization thing. It's been catching me off guard when I least expect it.

Up side, I move into my new apartment tomorrow- 15 minutes bus ride to downtown, 2 bedrooms, a living room, a bathroom with a nice deep bath and a kitchen, like 152 times bigger than my Korean kitchen. ( A STOVE!!!)

I'll just stop right here now.

2007-12-05T13:04:00.000+09:00

WITH 2007 COMING TO AN END. . .

1. Have you had any relationships this year?3 ( I think)
2. Have you had your birthday yet?yes
3. Kissed two people in the same night?no
4. Been on a diet? on a gimbap and shinramyun diet yes
5. Pulled an all nighter?yes tons when one lived in Ansan all weekends were all nighters.
6. Drank Starbucks?like 3 times. I hate North American starbucks
7. Went camping? Secret Island camping- Yellow Sea
8. Bought something(s)?yuppers
9. Met someone special/who changed your life? Changed my perspective about certain things.
10. Been out of province?And out of continent
11. What are you thinking about?I start work tomorow
12. Hugged someone?tons and tons and tons
13. Slept in someone else's bed?yes oh yes
14. Got a job? Yes
15. Loaned out money?definetly
16. Gotten in a car accident ?nope, but quite a few near misses
17. Gone over your mobile phone bill?hugely
18. Been called a bitch? yes but only by friends in a funny way.
19. Done something you regret?no maybe regretted something I should have done sooner.

LAST:

Last person you hugged?Matt
Last person to call you? Steph
When was the last time you felt stupid?yesterday
What was the last thing you yelled? can't remember yelling

TEN FACTS:

1. Living? Montreal
2. Natural Hair Colour? Brown
3. Initials? SSK
4. Hair style? Long and straight
5. Eye colour? brown
6. Height?5'7
7. Pets? nope not for me
8. Mood?tired, trying to get organized
9. Where would you rather be?In my apartment that I get to move into in 2 days.
10. What was the last thing you drank? water

THINGS ABOUT YOUR LOVE LIFE:

1. Have you ever been in love?yup
2. Do you believe in love?you bet
3. Why did your LAST relationship fail? I left the country
4. Have you ever been heartbroken?ya!
5. Have you ever broken someone's heart?ya!
6. Have you ever fallen for you best friend? never
7. Have you ever loved someone but never told them? no
8. Are you afraid of commitment?not as much as i used to be... still get my nervous moments, but they pass
9. Have you had more than 5 different serious relationships in your life?nope at 4 though

EMOTIONS:
1. Are you missing someone right now?ya, i guess
2. Are you happy?I am content

2007-11-26T06:46:00.001+09:00

I miss smoking in bars.

I know it's bad for you and makes you stink but I really do enjoy smoking. Now that I'm home it's illegal to smoke in bars and restaurants. Montreal was always coffee and cigarettes country. Friday night I was at Saint-Sulpice terrace and there I was all alone with the other rejects smoking a cig outside in -10 degree weather and tons of snow and slush.

I have to quit smoking.

Also does anyone have info on how long it will take Canadians to go through this whole new process for getting E2 visas? I tried getting info online no help there.

2007-11-25T02:06:00.000+09:00

3 Interviews and a Reunion

Apparently a lot can happen in just 2 days. Thursday I got up bright and early at 6:30 AM to prep for my interviews of the day. It was dark out, snowing ( I say snow cause in reality it was more like tiny ice pellets wishing through the air.) and freaking cold. I think the weatherman claimed it was only 0 degrees outside but I think our weatherman is crazy and probably meant to say it was -10 degrees. So I put on my nice boots and trekked downtown to meet my recruiter. It was so much simpler, after a quick chit chat I went for my second interview for a online shareholder trading company thingy. Can't say more. So I passed their Analytical test and according to them I had the highest score ever. Of all their employees, I was apparently the only person to score 100%. I think we have a big problem if that's the case, if you know me then you know that no.1 Math isn't my strong point and 2. neither is logic.

After my grueling interview of What would you do in this situation. I.E. If you lost 500,000$ of your clients money due to a mistake on your part, what would you do? Well I think I would try not to loose 500,000$ and ya know be careful.

That aside after 3 hours I was free to go to my 3 rd interview of the day. I jumped on the metro and an hour later I was in Cote-Vertu for the staffing consultant position. The interview lasted an hour and was approached by what is now known as all the standard interview questions. I expressed my desire to work downtown and with that we concluded.

Since the pedophile incident in Thailand Koreans are going through this whole craze of stricter visa controls and health checks and background checks and such. Truth is this sort of thing doesn't guarantee that the person you're hiring will or will not be screwed up. Most of the times an interview (lengthy and reasonably probing) may help in figuring out who's a little nuts and who isn't. I remember interviewing a guy for Wonderland and just after talking to him for all of 15 minutes I knew that he was creepy. Another example is a teacher I worked with who got fired. I remember meeting him and knowing something was off. When my boss met him he seemed to provide a less than stellar first impression, she was also kinda creeped out by him. Point is even if he had been health checked and background checked, I'm pretty sure he would have seemed like the ideal candidate. But if all the questions you ask is are you in good health, how old are you and when can you come? Well.... can't guarantee you know who you're hiring.

2007-11-20T06:21:00.000+09:00

So I've been home a couple of weeks, well almost and I have yet to find a job. I've been kinda a hermit only going out drinking a couple of times cause well I seem to be going through my money a lot faster than I thought I would. No really I think I have a hole in my pocket it's just not right. But then again things are mighty expensive.

Saturday I went to good ol PJ's with Trish and a few others and well we got a few pitchers and all that. I went back to Trish's place where we got a 6 pack of Alexander Keith's, considering all I had paid for that day was a pitcher of beer and a coffee I decided to splurge and take a taxi home. It was cold (below 0) maybe about -5, windy and late. Had I walked it would have taken me about 30 minutes or so same distance as Jungang station to my place in Ansan except not quite as linear. Cost in Korea 2$, cost in Canada 12$ I was shocked the taxi kept going and so did the meter. 12$ for a 5minute ride!!!!!

But I have yet another job interview on Thursday hopefully it won't suck and good news the job is downtown woohoo.

I went for an interview on Thursday at Bombardier for a position as an Engineer assistant. Basically running around doing peoples bidding and all that. It's Monday and still no answer. I was told that those jobs can take a while but I am impatient to start working!!!!!! I'm getting bored and restless.

Also I have not yet gotten a new passport or applications for it. Apparently the Government of Canada needs to hire a lot more people... cause I need to talk to someone.

2007-11-15T13:40:00.000+09:00

I know it's dumb but...

Today I bought Nutella and Honey Nut Cheerios, my 2 favorite things ever.

Still a little reverse culture schocked but hopefully some saturday night partying will help clear it all up. Possibly a night at PJ's cheap beer and a 7$ cab ride night. oooh ya!!

2007-11-14T02:34:00.000+09:00

The next time someone asks me if I've been in North Korea for the last year gets smacked. Really? Seriously? Kim Jong Il ?

2007-11-14T01:56:00.000+09:00

Back To The Great White North

As most of you know I'm home again now, I've left my Korean experience behind to now engage into becoming a full fledged productive member of society. I've just spent a month in Europe doing not much else aside from relaxing, seeing the sites and visiting a few friends. When I first left Korea I had weird withdrawal symptoms. I missed my friends, my little apartment and strangely the thing I sometimes miss the most is the ability to not understand what the people around me are saying. I remember being in London Fresh of the plane from Korea standing in line at the dep waiting to buy an overpriced pack of Benson and Hedges thinking how strange it was that I was hearing, listening, understanding the conversation the two people behind me were having. Completely odd, but you do get used to certain things in Asia and the return to western culture seems so strange in certain ways. I was at the supermarket yesterday looking around for the tofu, assuming that A) there would be an aisle of nothing but tofu and B) I would have an assorted selection. Well I was wrong and after wandering around for 20 minutes I found the tofu but decided it didn't quite look right.

Since coming back things are already different I haven't been out drinking yet, smoking is almost non-existant and soon I'll be in the gym. Things that in Korea seemed to be a little too common and a bit too convenient.

That being said I am also unemployed. I've started the ever tedious task of job applications and let's see so far I've seen HR jobs that wouldn't be so bad if only they paid a little more and well I've seen daycare jobs but if only they weren't so far out of the city. Every morning I contemplate what I'll be happy with that day and to be honest the reality of finding a job in Quebec is much more difficult than most places in Canada. In Quebec I've seen job postings that required you to be fluently bilingual ( no problem), have a University diploma (no problem) Minimum 5 years of experience ( kinda a problem) and then agree to pay you 11$ an hour which after tax doesn't come out to much. Yes I know I have the option to move out West but I really don't want to and so I take that and as a Montrealer would do accept the differences that come from living in Quebec.

When I was younger it never dawned on me that Quebec was different, being bilingual never phased me and I never considered it being a problem but it seems the Quebec government is getting a little ridiculous and the so called language police are pushing the limits of what people will tolerate.

2007-10-09T06:14:00.000+09:00

Why We All LOVE Nathan!!!

Nathan the ultimate Kiwi. Stefan was kind enough to put together a great compilation of all things Nathan:

http://picasaweb.google.com/stefanthomson/AllThingsNathan

I think we all need a good giggle and a little love for the kiwi and the canuk.

2007-10-09T03:23:00.000+09:00

50 Litres Is All You Need

Saturday evening 6:30 I left Korea, it wasn't a day of relief or extreme happiness. It just felt like another day. Though things in Korea will at times drive me crazy I keep getting this feeling that I am more than willing to go back. I landed in London and after going through customs I realized how unprepared I was for this journey back to the western world. People were nice in London, everyone has been friendly and helpful but for example yesterday I was walking down Grovestone road and after not seeing anyone for 5 minutes I spotted a girl on the other side of the street. My first impulse was '' Wow another wayguk???!!!!'' Silly Simona- what can I say I was still in Korea mode. While I was on my 22 hour flight I really started missing my friends and I felt more homesick leaving Korea than I had leaving Montreal. I still check my bag to see if anyone has texted me - of course not, I have no phone-, I wonder what the gang is doing- probably drinking- . London is great I spent two days walking around because no.1 I am too cheap to spend money on certain things and no.2 London is bloody expensive.

I got to walk from Piccadilly Circus to Trafalgar Square, Buckingham Palace- Tower of London the London Dungeons which was a wicked blast and all other touristy things. I got to take loads of pictures and chat with a few folk. So far a bit uneventful and I have yet to have my first pint in over a year. Some people are just tooooooooo tired to go for a beer. I spoke to a few foreigners to see what they thought of the place and well for the most part they didn't like London anymore. Either they had been here long enough and were bored or they just simply didn't like it. Most people who emigrate to another country always feel a yearning for their home country- Even if it's a poverty stricken 3rd world country- There is always that link that keeps us tied to our home.

It's bed time now for me, I'm much too tired after my walking around London, my feet hurt, it's kinda cold over here and I no longer like MTV.

Bonne Nuit

2007-09-30T23:09:00.000+09:00

The Last Day

Today is the last day in my apartment. For the last year it has been my tiny home. Even though I don't have an actual shower ( just a shower head over the sink) I will miss it. Today I packed up the rest of my stuff, took down all my pictures and emptied all my cabinets. Tomorrow I move to Nathan's place in Sanbon, it's also my last day at work, I don't feel ready to say goodbye to all my children and I'm not ready to say goodbye to all my friends. I will those who have always been so close and kind to me... Stefan, Nathan, Samantha and David. All these people who have been so kind and loving in my home away from home. I say Thanks and Get it Down ya! (kkkkk)

Korea has become my second home I bow at inanimate objects, always take my shoes off and try to be as curteous as possible. I am used to the bathrooms (trust me it takes a while to get used to it) I know how to bargain and I am a force to be reckoned with amongst the adjumma population... Trust me the elbows come out with no mercy. Korea has been great and I will miss it... truly deeply. I've had so many great opportunities that I'm not ready to leave yet. I wish I could stay for a bit longer... sometimes I think maybe just another 6 months, sometimes a year and at times well maybe longer. I've been travelling since I graduated from Uni, first Europe now Asia and I feel that there are a couple more continents that need my attention. The North American continent is obviously my home and Quebec... is Quebec always different, always unique... I know that being from Quebec will always make me a bit different... Language, culture... Everything basically.

I started the post a week ago and that week has come and gone. Monday was heart wrenching and baby class didn't quite understand that I was gone but apparently they were looking for me on Tuesday wondering where I had was and why I was not teaching them that morning. The week turned out to be busier than expected between lunches dinners and parties all of a sudden it was Saturday. Nathan was kind enough to let me stay at his place and even brought me to the airport. Friday was his adjumma adjoshi party and we cleaned bought tons of food and drinks and Stefan was kind enough to come over early and help with the party T. J. and David also cooked up so good food. So again thank you to everyone who has made this year so great without all of you well I would have been really bored.

2007-09-22T12:33:00.000+09:00

Last weekend David and I went exploring Seoul. We got off at Sookmyung Station and decided to walk to Yongsan station. Unfortunately we got a little lost and somehow ended up here of all places. Korean ghetto A la max. It was interesting to see the less than pristine version of Korea we always see. Everyday I see girls in high heels perfectly manicured, flawless hair and rarely do you see how the other half lives. Next to the impressively classy high rise buildings people were crammed together in tiny homes using their kitchen as their main living area. Some had outside shared bathrooms ( port-o-potties). But everyone was out and about in the alley enjoying BB Q's and soju. Recently Seoul was voted one of the most expensive cities to live in. Obviously it's based on the average family income but as a foreigner Seoul is extremely affordable.

Here's David looking scared. Somehow we ended up on the wrong side of the tracks. Behind Yongsan Station.

Also I have 2 days of work left. I can't believe I have finally finished my year in Korea. After this it's Europe for a month and finally home. 2 1/2 years later I'm going to be living in Montreal again. A lot of expats have warned me about reverse culture shock, where after being out of the country for so long it will be hard to readjust to the normal pace of life.

2007-09-21T18:34:00.000+09:00

Leaving the Pennisula

Monday I will celebrate my one year anniversary in Korea. The last year has provided me with an amazing chance to grow and really experience something different, at times exciting and at other times a little bland. But no matter the ups and downs I have enjoyed my entire time here. Every last second of it. I have met truly amazing people like Stefan, Nathan and Samantha and some very strange people... I know my time in Korea was such a positive experience because of the friendships I have made. Nathan and Stefan always willing to talk and offer constructive and useful advice. Always a sympathetic and kind ear. Yes I will miss the children and my tiny apartment and I'm not sure what will happen in Montreal. Maybe I will fall in love with the city again or maybe I will feel the need to travel some more. Only time will tell.

The kids have been the main source of joy for me, especially my 5 year old. I will miss every single kid I ever taught even the ones who drove me a little crazy. Korea has been a country of extremes. Though people can be very kind and polite face to face. Koreans often need to get to where there going and if you are in their path unfortunately you will get a rude comment or a simple push or shove. I think most foreigners here can feel a little persecuted or picked on but what I've come to realize is in Korea they also do it to themselves. Some may think they are being taken advantage of because they are round eyed and white but the truth is it probably is applicable to many Koreans. They don't see it as being taken advantage of but sometimes it's a case of not being clever enough. Sometimes you gotta push a little to get a little and if you don't ask no one going to give you anything. This being said I've grown accustomed to this and have become a lot less shy more assured and I am no longer afraid of the adjumma or the adjoshi yelling at me. This week I get 5 days off because of Chusok ( Korean Thanksgiving) What am I doing? Packing up the contents of my apartment... I started on Friday and I've filled up 2 boxes of things I hope will be useful I still have at least one box, maybe 2 but I'm hoping it won't go past 3 boxes. Today is going to be spent cleaning out the rest of my apartment and hopefully I'll have everything ready and packed up for the big move this weekend. After that I have a week to explore Seoul and spend time with friends, my boss asked me to renew my contract but I had to politely deny because well I need to go home!!!!!!

Needless to say I am procrastinating and should go back to packing. I'll be in good old Europe for a month and I think what freaks me out the most is having to ride The Tube in London. Yes I've managed to navigate in Hong Kong, Thailand and Taiwan but London freaks me out. Go Figure.

2007-09-13T17:56:00.001+09:00

The Newbies!

I would just like to say that I love my new co-workers, Samantha and David. LOVE!

2007-08-13T01:18:00.000+09:00

Back at work

This week was my first week back from Vacation.... I was not a happy camper it's hard going from lying on the beach in Thailand to having to work again. I saw the little kiddies again and was actually really happy to get to see them after being away for 10 ten days. I was not so impressed when Sue decided to wipe the snot from her nose onto my skirt but well she's 5 and so darn cute. How can one possibly get mad? The thing about teaching is I often don't feel like I know what the hell I'm doing. Baby class can be a bit of a challenge because they're attention spans are so short that after 10 minutes they kinda loose interest in the tall round eye standing at the front of the class making them repeat playing and cleaning. I think they are also resenting me a bit for making them learn to write the alphabet. In class this week Sue comes up to me after having written the letter G five times and motions to her arm and says OUCH!!! She also motions that having written for all of 5 minutes has given her an arm ache. Well that's unfortunate but I tell her she's a big girl and she can do it and when we finish the exercise then we can color. The kiddies get excited at the prospect of coloring that they hurry and work away frantically. What they didn't know was that there was only 4 minutes till lunchtime and by the time they were done it was time to go wash out hands. Sometimes I am a little evil but they catch on pretty quickly. One of my pet peeves is when the kids take FOREVER to eat lunch. I have to serve them lunch so it cuts into my unpaid break. I have to eat with them and then clean their little lunch trays to take back home. All the kids have these little trays that they bring in every day along with their chopsticks and spoons. Olivia is a bit of a princess and never wants to get her utensils from her cubby so I usually have to wait 5 minutes for her to get all her stuff and Dana well she thinks she's always forgotten them at home. After all that I get 20 minutes to relax before attempting to entertain them again. Sometimes I fail and they get bored of me so I end up whisking them away to the playroom where they can use the slide, play house or just run around while I chase them around the room. The afternoon kids are cool and pretty fun and always entertaining to talk to. I get along well with some of my afternoon kids so we usually do the coursework for about 30 minutes and chat for the last ten minutes of class. One of my students Rose has a Grandmother that lives in North Korea and this weekend she was going to visit her in the DMZ apparently her family has special status. She told me today that she lives in a house ( that's a big deal in Korea since most people live in high rise apartment blocks that all look the same) and her father works in an office. So apparently she has some special status that she gets to visit grandma. I asked her then why does your grandmother live there if your parents live in the south then can she come here. Rose informs that despite everything her home is there and she can never leave her home. To be honest I think her grandmother lives on the border in a particularly dangerous area surrounded by mine fields and has to be careful of where she treads. At least that's what I understood from the map she drew me. Of course she has no pictures to show of her visit and as of yet I have not made it to the DMZ but I'm working on it!!!!

2007-08-07T20:34:00.000+09:00

When Did Prostitution Stop Being a Big Deal?

Friday July 27 th Julie and I arrived in Bangkok, Thailand. We got picked up at the airport and went directly to Pattaya, a beach town about 2 hours away from Bangkok. We arrived at our hotel, checked in, showered. All the normal vacation stuff. After a relaxing dinner we decided to head out to Walking Street:the center of Pattaya and well city center is a loose term. On our walk over we saw all the girlie bars that the news always likes to show in their undercover reports. But we got to Walking Street and the bar scene exploded I had heard about it and no matter how I explain it, you need to see it to believe it. The main road was lined with open air girlie-bars basically it's a bunch of little bars lit by pink neon lights. Sometimes you'll have a small boxing ring in the middle with Muai Thai fighters or a big screen TV showing various Pride fights. Girls beer and fighting everything you need for a good time. The side streets are host to various brothels, go-go bars and dancers and any kind of activity. People on the street hand out pamphlets for Ping-Pong shows ( not 2 girls playing ping-pong) Girls using ping-pongs as projectiles from .... well you get the idea. We sat down at a girlie-bar to do some people watching and the '' gentleman'' beside us decided to stick his hand down his '' girlfriends'' breast and fondle her. Front row seats ladies and gents. The funny thing about prostitution in Korea is that yes there's a lot of it but it isn't as open as it is in Thailand However it is largely accepted as a male way of life. For example everyday I come home and I have tons of little business cards stuck in my door advertising '' coffee shops'', massage parlors or escort services. The Ministry estimated that prostitution in Korea counts for 4% of the national GDP that is 22 billion dollars a year and the 5th largest industry. Rarely do you see just see girls on the street. Generally it's room salons where you buy a certain number of fake drinks and girls come and talk to you. Later you can make an arrangement if they wish to come home with you or more often the case rent a motel room. Room salons are popular amongst business men which after having gone for a business dinner complete with plenty of soju, stage 2 is a karaoke bar and generally last stage of the night is a room salon. Yes, prostitution is illegal but highly tolerated. The biggest red light district is located in Suwon, conveniently the American Army base is located in ... Suwon! Also very conveniently police stations are often located next to said red light districts, it is a normal part of culture and after having been here a while I don't bat an eyelash. For the last 10 months the Dabang (coffee shop/ delivery services- hot girls deliver coffee to your house- obviously the coffee is a front) has been busy and bustling but recently it has shut down. The constant stream of cars and people double parked has diminished considerable. Also it has helped with a reduction in dirty looks from the neighbors who assume we are Russian prostitutes.

Here are a few facts about Thai prostitution :Surprisingly prostitution in Thailand accounts for an estimated 3% of the Thai economy as opposed to 4% in the Korean economy. I am still a little sceptical about that.

Pattaya, after the Vietnam war US soldiers went to this quiet fishing village to relax and recuperate. Pattaya's Adult playground stems from this period, as it became a more popular tourist destination, the main industry is the sex industry. boy, girl, lady boy whatever you're looking for , you can find in Pattaya. Like Korea little of it is street walking, for the most part it takes place in girlie-bars, go-go bars, massage parlors and karaoke rooms. Usually when a girl is working at a bar you're required to by her a drink after that if you would like to go with her for ''a short-time'' you can by paying a bar fee. The bar fee is about 200 baht ( 10$) and you're required to pay the girl anywhere from 500 baht to 1000 baht ( 17$-35$) for the night. Most girls work at bars chat with customers or with they're friends trying to get someone who will pay for their night. My friend Matt lived in Thailand for 4 years and explained that most of the prostitution is like dating. If a foreigner is in town for lets say a week she will try to get a date. A date meaning he will usually pay for dinner, drinks at her bar and then pay her fee on top of it. most girls will get about 3 or 4 dates a week during high season and 1- 2 dates a week during low season. If a girl charges 1000 baht a date that 3 or 4 thousand baht a week. The alternative would be working in construction or in a factory where the average workers salary is about 4000 baht ( 140$) a month. So basically you're making a months salary in a week during high season. Thailand is still a melting pot for child prostitution and exploitation. The International Labour Organization estimates that 12, 000 children are being traffic in S-E Asia with the majority going to Thailand. Many other countries have these women imported to work in various salons under atrocious living conditions. Women from neighboring Laos and Cambodia sneak into Thailand or are sold into the sex industry as well women from Easter Europe mainly Russia who have been tricked into the Thai sex industry. The police force is so underpaid and overworked that though prostitution is illegal it is difficult to control and police the entire industry.

2007-07-23T21:19:00.000+09:00

Seongbongdo- Korea Beach and Amazon Women

This last weekend we ended up going to a secret island location for some fun in the sun and bon fire boozing. We headed down to Incheon ( where the airport is) Friday night so we could grab the ferry early Saturday morning. A small crew of us had left Ansan and 3 hours later on the subway we arrived at out little love motel across form the Ferry. All 6 of us crowded into a room 5 girls and Nathan, we knew from the start things were going to be good when we noticed the porn box next to the T.V. for 2$ you can get an hour of porn. Not Korean porn but Western porn, we assume the moans were English moans... Anyway it was a little too hardcore for our tastes ( the girls were making gagging sounds) but an interesting start to our little Secret Island trip. Saturday morning we all headed down to the Ferry hopping the boys had not gotten too drunk the night before and were going to make the 8: 30 meet. Everyone was on time. It turns out though Chad had not slept all night and had gotten home at 6AM showered and hopped on the subway to meet us. Waiting for the Ferry we witnessed and interesting argument between an Adjumma and an Adjossi. The Adjumma was selling Gimbap for 2$ a roll which is double the normal amount and for some reason she got into a fight with the local Adjossi. They were screaming and yelling on a sidewalk in front of the Terminals main entrance. The old man kept trying to push her away and walk away but she was having none of it. She kept running after him and hitting him... In his defence he did push her away a couple of times only because A. She was really going at him and B. She was actually much bigger than him. If they had gotten into an actual fist fight I would put my money down on the Grandma, she was the superior force no doubt about it. He was obviously not going to start a fight he was going to loose. After the fight heated up Adjossi Man knocked over her knife and cutting board and kicked her bowl of gimbap... Gimpab everywhere on the side walk. Finally the Adjumma gave up and went to collect her Gimbap sprawled on the dirty sidewalks of Incheon.

Once we got to the Secret Island it was all relaxation and fun. We had lunch chilled on the beach and went for a walk. some of the group decided to hit the rocks and climb but Jane, Jen, Julie, Danielle and I all decided there was an easier way. So we cut through the forest and before we knew it we found a road. We followed it to the end of the island and 20 minutes later we arrived at our destination. We sat and waited for the others and a WHILE later we finally saw them moving ever so slowly around the rocky coast. Chad had found a flag of sorts and staged a coup to colonize our side of the island we rebuffed them and offered peace offerings to which they attacked us with little fireworks in the shape of miniature planes. OK so they don't go very far and if they hit they only burn your clothing but really a small fiery object going at you isn't fun. After the negotiations ended and we accepted these refugees we all headed back to our room. We had a great Samgypsal bbq dinner and headed back down to the beach for a bonfire. We had gotten hold of crackers and marshmallows but all 3 stores on the island did not sell any chocolate. boohoo no smores! The next day we got up early an headed down to the beach... 2nd time on a beach in a month that's a record! We finally headed home... the worst part of a trip is going home a 2 hour ferry and 2 hours on the subway.. Julie, Nathan and I were so lazy we even had McDonalds. It was nice though I've only had Mcd's a handfull of times and Burger King 3 times. Now I have about 60 mosquito bites on my feet and they're driving me nuts and just want to scratch the little buggers away but yes I know... That makes it worse. I'm leaving for Thailand on Friday. I am so excited 3 more days of works and then a 10 day vacation. Life is just about perfect right now.

2007-07-17T15:44:00.001+09:00

Oh My God!

I am an insane pack rat. I had no idea how much stuff I had accumulated in this time. I left a little over 2 years ago and somehow travelling around I have managed to accumulate so much crap. I came to Korea with one big green suitcase and a smaller bag. So far my Big Green in filled up ready to get shipped back home. I leave in 2 months and gotta get my stuff ready. So far I've packed one suitcase and I think will probably have to send back at least one box. ARRGHHH. My tiny apartment seems minimalistic but not so apparently. Koreans usually sleep on yols and have the advantage of somehow not cluttering up their apartments. I need to figure out how that is done... Yols are extrmely practical because they're floor mats that you can just fold up.I've been cleaning out the clutter for 2 hours now and I sense I have many more to go. :-(

2007-07-15T22:13:00.000+09:00

Muddy Mud Mud

Mud Festival!!!! Saturday we packed up out little backpacks and headed down to Boreyong. Specifically Daechon Beach for the Annual Mud Festival. We were excited the whole way down to the beach waiting for our weekend to begin. Finally we got to the beach and checked into out ''motel/condo'' Basically it was a fairly small room and the 6 of us had to all sleep on the floor Korean style. We dropped our stuff off, changed into out bathing suits and marched down to the beach. There were mud pits at every entrance and fun little mud slides. The beach was littered with little table and big umbrellas. On each table was 3 bowls filed with fun fun beach mud that we got to paint on ourselves. We hit the beach and I realised it had been years since i got to swim in salty water. The Yellow Sea was more of a murky green but we didn't mind to much. We got ourselves into the mud pits and proceeded to slip and slide. Wrestle each other into the mud and trip one another. Later on in the day we met more foreigners who were more than happy to cover us with mud and keep caking it inot my hair. We got to wash ourselves off in the sea creating muddy clouds in the water. We had dinner at the '' condo'' Some fried chicken and Samgyipsal. Hayden and Christal were kind enough to go grocery shopping. We were feeling pretty good after copiuous amounts of fod, soju and beer. We headed down to the beach for a stroll and found out there were parties going on everywhere. We spotted the G'I.'s and watched them funnel beer down each others throats in front of the convenience store. Later we found the beach party and sat down for some more drinks and fireworks. I had heard from a few people that the Mud Fest was debaucherous and dirty but we found none of that. We went to bed drunk, happy and relaxed. I like weekends away. The next day we decided to stay a bit longer and enjoy the beach again. Once again we got down and dirty, went mud slidding and relaxed in the sea. Mark and Stefan spotted a jellyfish and so we all decided it was time to go home. I don't like stingy sea creatures. We got stuck in traffic on the way back but lucky for us Mark got to drive on the hard shoulder for a couple of km's because he has diplomatic plates. ( We know he 's a marine biologist but found out today he technically works for the U. N. ???? who knew)

The last 2 weeks have been quite relaxing... I love my knew schedule I finish early 2 days a week. This week was the perfect opportunity to buy bathing suits for the Mud Fest and my upcomming trip to Thailand. At the same time it was a depressing experience. Monday we went to Homever and well the ladies just laughed at me and Julie because yes we are larger than the average Korean woman. Thursday wasn'tso bad we went to Lotte Mart another department store and I found a bathing suit. The only bathing suit that fit me. But it was still to small in the upper body/chest area so even though I have a bathing suit I have to wear a tank top over it so that I can be decent on the beach. Right now I am burnt and my neck is sore from sleeping on the floor. We didn't have enough mats so I apparently slept in an ackward position. oops.

2007-06-23T15:02:00.000+09:00

The Things Kids Say

Children are always entertaining and funny. I get a kick out of my 5 and 6 year old students but the older kids peek my curiosity. This week I was teaching imperatives to my middle school class (12-13 years old) when they tell me about this girl in their school. She's 13 her boyfriend is 15 and she got pregnant. The gilrs are explaining this in their best English and drawing pictures on the board. They are aware she's 2 weeks pegnant. For some reason I wasn't aware that Korea would have a teen pregnancy issue in any way. Generally people are very reserved and sex is very taboo especially at 13. Most of my students don't like the opposite sex and think they're icky. What's more shocking is that she is 13 KOREAN AGE so actual age she's probably around 11. This blows my mind. I was aking my students well what will she do with the baby. Stella takes the reigns, Stella the daring and brave girl who admits that she likes Japan ( big no no in Korea) and says to me '' Teacher!!! Girl go to hospital, special doctor and mmmmmmmm... How can say? Erase baby'' ( Stella draws a baby on the board and erases it.) The kids proceed to draw 2 stick figures one wearing skirt. Both stick figures are side by side on the board in a bed. They explain to me ''See boy and girl sleeping, now girl baby.'' and they then ask me ''Teacher erase baby... what name?'' I was in no position to teach them the word abortion. I would probably get fired for that. What's strange is I have no idea about sex education in Korea. The girls are aware that once you get your period you are a woman but aside form that I doubt many things are talked about. Koreans have a very liberal attitude on sex that as long as it's not talked about and no one knows then everything is ok. But what about this 13 year old girl. Did she even know what she was doing? Was she aware of what could happen? A child of that age could never buy condoms or the pill. The pill is sold in pharmacies, no perscription needed folks. What's worse is that this event has shamed the family ( in Korean culture, I don't really see it as a family shame thing but miseducation). She will always be the girl that got pregnant and shunned. Shame is huge and everything you do does not relate directly to you as a person but the family unit as a whole. I would be curious to know what will happen to this girl a few years down the line.

I have 13 weeks left in Korea, just a touch under 3 months. Yesterday my boss asked me if I had booked my ticket yet. HOLD ON NOW!!! I thought I had plenty of time. I am not ready to leave yet. But I'm excited for the upcomming trips. I'll be going to The Mud Fest in Boreyong. Basically get down to the beach and cover yourself in mud. They have a bunch of activities like mud slides, mud wrestling or just rolling around in the mud it's supposed to be really good for the skin and just a grand ol time, the weekend after that is camping on a secret island.... Fun Fun and then well Thailand. Julie and I booked ourselves in Bangkok and Pattaya and all we anticipate on doing is eating some delicious Thai food, seeing the sights and sleeping on the beach. Yeah vacation only 27 days till I get to sleep in and relax for once.

2007-06-17T12:33:00.000+09:00

Nathan

To celebrate Nathan here is a lovely compilation that Stefan put together. Check it out: http://picasaweb.google.com/stefanthomson/AllThingsNathan

2007-06-10T23:36:00.000+09:00

Yes It's Been a While!

The last month has been crazy busy. In May I went to Hong Kong for 4 days over a long weekend. Hong Kong was weird, a little crazy, relaxing and fun. Francesca and Julie landed at the airport and were greated by a wall of heat and humidity. Almost instantly our clothes were glued to our bodies. We got on the bus and found our Hostel. We found a building that matched the address but did not match my expectations the first floor was covered in shops selling clothes from Nepal, fake Cartier watches and conveniently a sex shop. We took the elevator to the 16th floor and were brought to our room. It was alright, we had A/C which was great. The room also had the smallest bathtub in the world. Hong Kong was fun for shopping we found clothes in our sizes and nothing fit funny. Woohoo! We ventured to Victoria Peak by tram which was cool. We stayed in Kowloon the dirty gritty version of Hong Kong and I loved it. It was great to see so many cultures and people. Korea can be quite homogeneous so it was refreshing to see foreigners every 3 feet. Upon our return from Hong Kong our Boss greeted us with a little surprise. It's called the New Foreign Teacher. My days of insane overtime are over!!!!!!! We met him Monday morning to show him the way to school. His name is Michael and he's from Wales. A bit of a shy person and a bit of an achoolic but who isn't in Korea? The last two weeks have basically been bringing him out, introducing him to the Ansan Massive ( the name that our group of 10 foreigners calls itself)making him feel comfy that kind of thing. Tonight we were going to have poker night at Stefans complete with Mexican food. Unfortunetly, Sour cream can only be purchased at Costco. There are 2 problems: A) None of us has a Costco card. B) I don't think anyone was willing to take the 2 hour trip there just to buy sour cream. So we made chili instead. Still quite tasty. Thanks Stefan!!!! I lost early on. My ten bucks went quickly which is fair enough. I have 15 weeks left in Korea and I'm starting to panick. Not a little but a lot.

2007-05-16T21:09:00.000+09:00

The Week in Review

Last week wasn't anything special to report except for the weekend. I had a very interestinf but screwed up Friday night. It makes you wonder about child services.... Last Friday we were all at Manhattans in Gojan-Dong ( you remember Raza JB for like 6 000won) so we're all just sitting there chatting minding our own business when this couple with 2 of their friends walk in around midnight. They had their 4 month old baby in tow. Not completely uncommon in Korea, I've seen it happen before. 2 hours later the mom starts walking around the bar when all of a sudden she drops her baby. YES SHE DROPPED HER KID ON THE FLOOR!!!!We couldn't believe our eyes. The woman then proceeded to the bathroom at which point we followed her. She had locked the stall and was puking her guts out baby in tow. She left the bathroom gave the baby to her husband and then she passed out. Mia the owner of the bar asked us to help her get them out. So Julie and I anded up carrying the girl out. We got them downstairs and she started to puke on the sidewalk. She's still pretty much passed out at this point. At this point her husband starts slapping the shit out of this girl. In case you're wondering I was holding the screaming baby this whole time.Luckily Chris, Stefan and Nathan were there. Finally we decide to call an ambulance. They arrived shortly after and whisked them away, the husband seemed unconcerned with all this and was giggling and saying ya it's ok, ok ok. No it freaking wasn't. But he was being Korean in hiding his uncomfortable situtation by giggling. He was a ashamed because of 2 things no. 1 his wife was to drunk and had passed out no.2 the foreigners helped him and called and ambulance and the cops for that matter. After that it was over. We won't get any news concerning the fate of these people but we suspect in true Korean culture the grandparents will take care of the baby.

Saturday was Dan's wedding he's English and got married to his girlfriend of 3 years. It was traditional style with Hanboks ( Korean traditional dress) in a palace courtyard in Anguk Seoul. Pictures will follow not to worry. It is still huge taboo for a korean to date a foreigner. Half the family was happy and the other half looked like they were going to a funeral. Comments floated around like ''such a pity her parents spent so much money on her education to have her marry a foreigner'' Or my favorite '' well she is much better looking than him'' which is true for most Korean women dating anyone. I've been a bit cynical about Korea recently but then I had a wonderful refresher on Sunday. I went down to Bundang which is like the Westmount of Seoul and was refreshed to see happy relaxed people. Actually I feel like that when I go to Seoul, people are generally nicer than in Ansan. For a few reasons. Ansan is a factory city as they call it and Ansan has the highest percentage of working prostitutes in Korea. My experience would have been quite different had I lived in Seoul. I'm not complaining just stating the obvious.

Monday was Nathan's B-Day. I need to explain about Nathan he is polite, very kind, studied in criminology and is from New Zealand. He lives a block away from me. During the week he works, studies Korean and has a bunch of tutoring gigs. He is the nicest person I've met in Korea and everyone says the same thing. But get a few drinks in him and well.... Anything can happen. He once woke up with a bunch of danger tape in his apartment no clue how he had acquired it. He has been known to tackle people and objects and has shown up at my place at 4 am after ringing the wrong doorbells. I knew Monday would be trouble so I gave myself a curfew of 1am. by 11 am he was singing hugging people and clutching the bottle of Jagermeister the bar had given him as a gift. I later received a barrage of txt messages at 4:30 AM and a txt the next day saying'' work will be a blast!!!'' Poor Nathan!

This concludes this weeks rant. I have Open House on Friday where the parents will visit and view a class. I must prepare 20 minutes of activites and learning so the parents can wow we have a female English teacher and our children are learning English. I am dreading this thing like it's nobody's business. It's all a big show. Classrooms are decorated , the school is cleaned and they try to pretend we aren't feeding their children crap that most Koreans don't eat. But I've got 19 weeks left and I will really miss Korea. I'm not ready to leave people always say oh well you'll see it'll slow down. Nope not looking that way so far... It keeps speeding up.

I guess I'll see you all soon.

2007-05-07T00:30:00.000+09:00

Busy Week?

I've been teaching over 7 months now and have realized how easily kids hurt themselves. Friday was scary...My school like most schools in Korea is not child friendly. Now this is fairly common in Korea since most schools are in office buildings. There are sharp edges everywhere. Uncovered electrical outlets and unsteady bookshelves. Friday, we were all in the playroom and little 5 year old Andrew lost his balance and knocked his head on the side tilling. He got up looked around and 3 seconds later blood was gushing from his head, we wrapped up his head in a towel and he was wisked to the hospital. He had to have 5 staples put in his head and his Mom later came to the school. She wasn't angry or upset... She shrugged off the incident as one of those things that happen. But it's not the first incident where kids hurt themselves, all preventable accidents by the way. I always worry when I see my kids. Hopping everytday that they won't hurt themselves and crack their head open. Wow I sound like a mom. scary! But in all truth I was never much of a kid person but I really do love all my little ones. Even though they sometimes give a headache. I have almost 20 weeks left and I really will miss Korea. I can't remember a time in the last 10 years when I was this happy for a steady year. I love my job, my friends and my life. Though I should be more productive. I still have no sense of direction for my life or what I want to do when I come back but I feel my personnality is a lot stronger. I am more assured, don't let myself be taken advantage of as much and a litle more street wise. The things I love about Korea vary so much. Sure I like to party and be at the bar till 6am. Yes the income is nice but the best part is when I'm with my kids. From the morning kiddie classes who always want to hug me or tell me they love me. Andrew always tells me I'm the best teacher in Korea though he's only ever had me and Nikkie my partner. My afternoon classes have a lot of personnality. They're wild, and crazy talk a lot sometimes to much. But they always share they're snacks with me and come knock on my door if I'm in class. Amy who comes about 30 minutes early likes to sit in on class with me doing wordsearches that I find for her online. Somehow I've managed to make Grammar fun. The girls like to ask if I have a boyfriend. I lie. In Korea it's not acceptable to be single at my age. Usually Koreans see it like something is wrong with you and no man will have you. So I made one up for the record he lives in Seoul and is a Canadian English teacher.

Sometimes I think about comming back to Korea but reallistically what will I do? Teach and travel... But for how long? Eventually I do want to have kids I feel like if I were to return to Montreal by the time I was 30 then it would be like starting all over again. Starting from scratch, but the idea of continuing my bohemian (kinda) lifestyle is to much to resist. I've found something that makes me happy for the time being but for how long? To many questions to be answered and to many unknown questions.

2007-04-23T23:24:00.000+09:00

7 Month Anniversary!!!!

Today is the end of my 7th month and soon I 'll be counting down the weeks shortly. I have 5 months and counting to go and so far have not planned what do to on my return to Canada. I have not planned my end of year trip to congratulate myself on my 1 year contract. Which by most standards I work for a crap school and work slave labor hours. But I'm having a great time doing it. I've noticed how attached I've become to the kids and them to me. I see my kindergarten class between 10 am and 2:30 pm 5 days a week. I teach them for 80 minutes a day and sometimes I have lunch with them or have music class. My classroom is next to the teachers room and usually I pass by to say Hi!!!! Sue always greets me with a hug and Tim makes a heart and tell me he loves me. These kids are only 4 and will probably forget all about me a month after I leave. But I don't think I'll be able to ever forget these kids. I never knew if I was a kid person but apparently I am. I just love going to my kindie class and sitting down with them. I have no clue what any of them are saying since they've only be studying for 2 months and we colour and make puzzles most of the time. When they hold up the purple crayon and yell out crayon!!!!!!!!!!!! They are so impressed with themselves. And well shucks I'm impressed to. They've almost become like my children, I worry about them and absolutely love em to bits.

I've decided I need to do more cultural things in Seoul and experience it a bit more. I've done a few things but nothing of note really or at least I don't seem to think so. I really do feel like I am at home here. Nothing seems to foreign to me. All my things are here ( and I have a lot of stuff). I get around easily and don't get freaked out by anything. Generally my life is pretty boring here and non-eventful, but I always forget that it is a bit more exotic because well I live in Korea. Planning a weekend trip to Taiwan or Hong Kong seems perfectly acceptable and normal. I've picked up a few strange habits and mannerisms. I am no longer annal retentive about not being able to go to the bathroom if someone else is in it. Actually speaking of loos.... They no longer freak me out. I think I've seen some of the worst toilets ever here in Korea. I'm not talking Turkish style here but stalls with porcelain pits, no tissue or soap to be seen. When there is soap it's usually a bar of soap that everyone shares. Koreans are extremely community minded so sharing soap is perfectly clean it would seem. Most Koreans never live alone. A young Korean would live with his or her parents until University or until they get married. Usually Koreans if they're lucky enough to go away for school will share an apartment but aside form that you would transition from your parents house to live with your wife or husband.

Last week was fairly tame. I went for drinks in Songtan which is where the U.S. Air Force army base is located. It's great for it's black markets where you can get waffles, Doritos and Deodorant. So I stocked up on deodorant because summer will be here at lightning speed. Sunday I took it easy and I don't think I left my apartment. I hadn't recovered for my lightning speed trip in Taipei and needed to recharge my batteries.

Another side note I am completely addicted to Facebook. I had no idea it would take up so much space agh!!!!!!!!!

Hmmmmm What shall I do tonight?

2007-04-16T21:36:00.000+09:00

Have you ever changed your clothes while in a vehicle?
Yup Mud Fest we were getting changed.
What’s something you MUST do before you die?
Skydiving and go to India, I really want to go to India for some reason.
Are you single? Do you want to be?
Um sorta, what would you define as single exactly?

What’s one thing you will not eat?
Fried silk worm larvae... No need for an explanation there.

When is the last time you went out of state?
I guess I'm out of state now. 40 minute subway ride to Seoul so Sunday
Who was your last received call?
Chris

Have you ever drank milk straight out of the carton?
Nope. I don’t drink milk.
Can you hula hoop?
Like a fucking champ.
Have you ever crawled through a window?
Yes. At a party cause no one heard us at the door snif!

Was today better than yesterday?
Damn straight! It's Saturday today!
Is anybody getting on your nerves? Does it count when I'm hungover and the children are especially loud.
You want that list alphabetized? I'm ok
Do you talk to yourself? Not often enough
Are you mad at anybody?
Not mad just ANGRY
Who’s on speed dial 5?
No speed dial for me

Do you use smiley faces on the computer a lot? Winks, I like winking.
What are you doing tonight? Going out in Hongdae
What time is it?
7:27 p.m.
Are you loud?
Only when I use my Angry Teacher voice.

What are you looking forward to?
Tonight
Do you watch Family Guy regularly?
Not as much since I moved away from Canada.

Have you ever been on a diet?
Ya kinda

What does your last outbox text say?
Sure we are going to get messed up.
Are you wearing socks?
nope it's summer.
Have you ever been on a cruise? nope
Have you ever gone scuba diving?
No, but I want to.
What’s your favorite smell?
cookies

Have you ever been on a rollercoaster?
Yes. Me no likey

Do you care what others think about you?
Sometimes. Never if they're strangers, though.
What do you do all the time when you’re driving?
I don't know how to drive ;-)

Do you trust people easily? Yes and no, I think everone must be nice.
Do you follow college football?
Nope

Favorite football team?
none

Do you watch the Olympics?
Yes. Especially the summer Olympics.
Do you have a favorite number?
Yes. 13
Are you multitasking right now?
yes
Could you handle being in the military?
Never

Do you believe in Karma?
Yes. Definetly
What is your school mascot? Um we didn't have one
How is the weather today?
Ugh!Dusty? And it's the rainy season.
Stupidest thing you ever did with your cell phone?
I make alot of drunk calls/texts.
Where were you an hour ago?
In my apartment
Have you been to the movies in the last 5 days?
I haven't been to the movies in 10 months unless you count a dvd bang.
What was the last thing you had to drink?
Coffee
What are you wearing right now?
Tank top and shorts
What was your last purchase?
A beer, water and eggs.
Who was the last person you talked to on the phone?
Chris
Have you bought any clothing items in the last week? I buy something every week it's kinda sad.
Do you have a pet?
Not in Korea.
What’s the last sporting event you watched?
Rugby watching the All Blacks.
If you could be anywhere right now, where would you be?
My apartment
What is the last thing you purchased online?
South East Asia on a Shoestring from Amazon.com
What’s your favorite soup?
Duenjongjigae (spicy tofu soup)
Do you miss anyone?
Hell YA!!
What are your plans for the weekend?
Hongdae tonight and relaxing tomorrow.
Ever go to camp?
Nope.
Are you an honor roll student?
HA!
Are you wearing perfume or cologne?
Vanilla scent from the body shop.
Where are your best friends located?
Montreal and Ansan
Do you have a tan?
Yes and several different tan lines at that.
How old do you want to be when you have kids?
About 30
Last person who made you cry?
He shall remain nameless but we all know who HE is. ;-)
How do you like your soda?
in a can
What is your mood?
Relaxed and lazy
Are you someone’s best friend?
Yes... I like to think I am

2007-04-16T21:29:00.000+09:00

I went to the top of Taipei 101.... Taipei from the 99th floor

Here's the link for the Taipei photos:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=14827&l=a40c4&id=841945233

2007-03-30T22:21:00.000+09:00

I'm Turning 28?????????????????

Tuesday April 3rd was my 26 th Birthday. I already had a hard time with that extra year closer to 30 but in Korea, it is worse. Koreans calculate age differently. You tack on 2 years so officially in Korea I will be 28. Apparently I already skipped 26 and landed at 27 on the 24 the of September. The way it works is they minus the current year from the year you were born. So 2007- 1981= 26 that's on January first, then on the actual day of your birthday well you tack on another year. Age is extremely important in Korea. Everything is done by that hierarchy. Many children of different ages can't be friends if they are not the same age. Often you will ask them if this is your best friend and the girls will say no. Even though They are always together, chat and fix each others hair. The answer is simply well we are not of the same age. When drinking soju, the oldest person must pour for everyone else, and then the youngest person pours the elders drink. You must NEVER pour your own.

Did the usual weekend B-Day drinking and worked a lot again. Last week dragged because I was going to Taiwan for the weekend. I loved Taiwan , the people were great and sweet shopping was excellent and it was really easy to get around. It's weird leaving Korea and getting outside the bubble. Koreans are a bit more pushy and less foreigner friendly. Only because they aren't accustomed to the presence of foreigners. Taiwan was so relaxed and easy and not because I was on vacation. I felt the difference at the airport. There were no adjummas elbowing in front of you. No adjossis spitting all over the place. Women were free to wear the most revealing clothes possible and were not forbidden from smoking in the street. It was a pleasant change from the conservative outlook in Korea. Girls and boys hung out at the shopping mall and did not point or stare at me. Relief. The Chinese was a little difficult. I couldn't pick up on any similarities aside from the counting system, Koreans use 2 systems Korean and Chinese. So aside from knowing how many and thank you.... No luck with the Chinese. I already have terrible pronunciation in Korean I'd be curious how I would fare with Chinese. Strange how I got attached to the kids. I actually missed them when I saw them this morning. I have to say my 5 year old baby class is my favorite class to teach. They aren't fussy and I have a blast with them.

I'm down to 5 1/2 months and need to start organizing my summer vacation in Thailand.... Oooh Hong Kong in 5 weeks another shopping weekend I presume.

2007-03-26T22:54:00.000+09:00

I Feel Like a Teacher Again!!!!!!!

Finally the kiddies are making progress. After a month with the new baby class they are finally starting to make some progress. They know they're colors bathroom and water please. They've picked up on my saying cool and OK when something is good. They know how to say I'm hungry but still don't understand me when I say '' It's OK lunch is in 15 minutes''. They glare at me like it's my fault that I don't feed them straight away. This is the fourth week I've been teaching them and I had started to feel like a crappy teacher cause I didn't feel like they were learning anything but this week I feel like we have liftoff. They know the routine and are starting to become self-sufficient. It's great because so many parents spoil they're children they expect the teacher to do everything for them. I have children that expect me to write their homework down for them and get their pencils and notebooks. That doesn't work with me. I get along well with the kids and have not had to be a bitch with any of my students. Some kids will try their luck to see how far they can go. I try not to let them go to far.

Another bright note is my Korean seems to be improving by osmosis. I've stopped actively learning the language not because I wanted to but just cause I was tired. Somehow I am assimilating information nonetheless. Also the ajummas have learned I am a force to be reckoned with. In Korean culture elders are extremely respected, unfortunately some of these elders take the respect thing a little to far. I'm all for respecting my elders however many of the ajummas and ajossis are simply rude, pushy and often unpleasant with me. A large factor is I'm a foreigner. Example I had to wait in line to put more money on my subway pass. Anyone past the age of 65 rides for free. They never wait in line and simply cut in front of everyone to get their free ticket. So it doesn't sound like a big deal but when there's 15 people in front of you and you constantly get a flow of little ladies pushing in front of everyone the line takes a lot longer. So I've started fighting back. I was disgusted last week when an 80 year old woman got up to let a 60 year old man sit on the subway. I mean come on! This poor thing was bent over, could barely walk and she got up to give him a seat. When I see the respect that's given to men and not to women in Korea I just want to go up to a bunch of Korean men and teach them a lesson about how people should be treated. I got up and gave her my seat, the sweet little adjumma didn't look at me fearfully and when her stop came she was sweet in telling the other Koreans that it was my seat and they should move out of the way. See still pushy but for once it was in my favor.

Not much new this weekend... I went to Manhattan bar in Gojan-dong ( the area my school is in) we started at midnight and decided to leave around 5 am as the bar staff looked sick of seeing us there. We then proceeded to the Norribang down the street ( private Kareoke rooms) and had a blast singing cheesy rock songs. We cleared out around 7:30 am Saturday morning. Stefan and I were looking for a cab. Our Kiwi friend Nathan started running away from us to I don't know where. We later found out he ran 30 minutes to catch MacDonald's breakfast. Saturday I met up with my Rolph and another friend in Songtan. Songtan is where the U.S. Air Force base is and Unlike Itaewon. You have all the comforts of home but without the sleaze. It was clean relaxed and nice. I found deodorant, very exciting for me!!!! And they had DORITOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! There are no Doritos in Korea. I miss Doritos Spicy!!! Later that night it was Girls Night Out so all the girls we know all paired up and went out to party. There were 10 girls and we were all excited not to be surrounded by boys. It was nice to have female company for once. Proper female company. Sunday was sleeping in and relaxing all day. I went for dinner with Rolph and we then went to watch The Last King of Scotland. I recommend it for sure. I've also become addicted to the Internet. I spend hours on it doing nothing. My apartment is once again messy because of this :-(

Still no news on the foreign teacher.... Anyone wanna come teach in Korea????? Tomorrow would be nice. Please!!!!!!!!!!!

2007-03-22T00:02:00.000+09:00

My addictions ............. Korea the world of vices...........

The average Seoul family earns 3.2 million won a month in cnd $ that's close to 4000$ a month. My monthly earnings never dip below 2.5 million won cause I work insane overtime. The average 1st year contract is 2 million won. Many of us have more disposable income than we don't know what to do with. The majority of foreigners earn their money and pay of various types of debt. I am very fortunate that I have zero debt. No school loans, no credit card payments. I've had the same CIBC credit card since I was 19 and it tops out at 700$ This involves me spending 80 $ on a sweater . The reality is even though I live in a crappy studio provided by my school, many English teachers earn more than enough to support themselves. So what does this money go to? Vices. Everyone ion Korea has a vice weather it be technological, smoking, drinking or hookers. People pick up the strangest vices and bad habits. Korea seems to feed them. So many people were straight laced before getting here and somehow the job, solitude, exclusion and discrimination can take it's toll. I also live in the country basically where the closest big town Beomgye (pronounced Bum gay yes you heard me it Bum gay let's all have a giggle) There ain't much to do here so beer and soju take up most of our time unfortunately. Yup there's bowling night on Tuesday's but aside from that extracurricular activities involve drinking because there is nothing else to do. There are no cultural scenes, no markets ... yes a couple of movie theaters but all in Korean. The coffee shops are expensive and classy; Dunkin Donuts would not take to a bunch of foreigners walking in. We would probably be bad for business. So our disposable income goes to feed our vices in order to leave the bubble that is Korea and feel like people once more. Sometimes I go into work and feel like a Dancing Monkey. Don't get me wrong Korea has been good to me I'm just reaching the stage that we all do..... burnout. This month I've taught 240 classes which is a lot!!!!!! With no new foreign teacher in sight it looks like next month will be the same unfortunately :-(

Vices I have acquired:

-Smoking a lot
-Drinking a lot
-Drinking on school nights
-Serial dating

Good Habits:

-Healthy eating
-Cleaning my apartment everyday
- doing my laundry every 3 days ( I don't have many clothes and I always get something on them)
-Just starting to think things through

By the way I am drunk writing this blog post
-

2007-03-19T23:03:00.000+09:00

Saint-Pat's day and well just plain ol tired now.....

Me and Julie Saint-Patricks Day Parade, Seoul South Korea

Our school has not yet been successful in finding a new foreign teacher and so the insane overtime continues. Friday I taught 13 classes and I usually average 11 classes a day most people generally teach maybe 6 or 7 classes a day. So I really get screwed. I teach maybe 50 classes overtime a month which is a lot. And I'm going a little crazy. I know Koreans have hard work ethics but as much as they will spend a long time at the office. They will not necessarily be working hard that whole time. Star craft breaks will be in there. A nap may come in sometime in the afternoon and time to gossip with co-workers as well. I may be feeling bitter about my hours because I get more than any other teacher. Julie gets to teach 7 classes Tuesdays and Thursdays and I get 10. I teach the youngest kindie classes so I get them for 2 sometimes 3 periods in the morning. Usually one or two will begin to cry for I have no idea what reason. Sometimes Sue is upset Andrew is using her silver crayon. Sometimes Tiny Tim ( he is really tiny) decides to show that even though he's the smallest kid in the school he can still pack a punch. Point is no matter how silly the reason is, the kids get affected by it so they get upset and I somehow have to calm them. Please be reminded aside from saying it's OK in Korean these kids just started and know nothing more than their names, hello, water and bathroom. Yes let us all have a good chuckle at the though of me surrounded by 10 5 year olds who speak no English and I can't talk to them in Korean and couldn't either. It would be a miracle if I got them to sit still for more than 10 minutes. Last week dragged and I finally managed to get to Friday.

Friday night I went to Dans for a few drinks and then we went for chicken and beer. I got home early around 2am. 2 am is very early for me, I usually crawl in at 6 am. Saturday we got the troops together and went to the Saint-Patricks day parade in Seoul. It consisted of various foreigner groups, army guys and sports club.... Anything to make a parade. The actual parade lasted 20 minutes and the rest was the same people marching up and down the street for the next 2 hours. Later we went for Indian food in Itaewon and then Bruce and I went for a few beers at Seoul pub. We made our way back to Ansan and in true Korean style I put my head back and slept the hour and a bit ride back home. We joined Nathan at Manhattan Bar where we were the only 3 customers and finished of by meeting the crew at Bong Bar. Sunday was an exciting day.... I bought my computer a nice HP Compaq. This amazes me I asked my boss at noon that I needed Internet ... In Montreal you would have to wait a few days before such a thing was possible. Not so 4 hours later I was informed that my Internet was hooked up and ready to use. HOLY CRAP!!!!!!!! The guy that sold me the computer also showed me how to scam free wireless Internet with my laptop. I mean really. Unfortunately no one uses wireless in my area... I checked ;-)

At the end of the week it will officially be 6 months that I've been in Korea and honestly I'm looking forward to coming home. I plan on making a couple of little trips but I am starting to miss being home. I've been gone a while and the thing is while being in Korea it feels like your life is on pause. Sure I'm living and really happy but it just seems I'm in a bubble which is why so many foreigners stay here for a few years everything is easy. When we go home, we miss our disposable income... there's a lot of disposable income trust me, our free rent, the way we get babied and how everyone does things for us. On another side I won't miss the Russian comments the fact that I'm restricted in the people I can interact with. I mean is it normal to get excited talking to someone who can understand you?

It's Monday again and I'm enjoying a Monday beer and smoke in my tiny apartment one thing i've learned is not to be such a pack rat.... I do not need so many things, Space is limited and I mut use it wisely. I've also begun a weird addiction to Tofu....

Hopefully next time I post it'll be about our new foreign teacher.....

Take care!!!!!!

2007-03-11T18:33:00.000+09:00

H'ppeny Bridge~ Dublin, Ireland

No More Drinking for Me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So another week has passed and another weekend.... I'll begin the tale from this point on. Currently it is Sunday evening 6:34pm in a couple of hours I'll be at Trevor's house watching DVD's. I arrived home this morning by subway at 9am. Sober, tired and I had a headache. Last night was Rolph's B-day and he turned all of 29. We began the evening at 7pm at Rolph's apartment in Guro ( S-W Seoul) and around 10pm we headed to Hongdae for an evening of Darts and beer. Rolph is a trouble maker and since it was a boys night out I knew we were in for some entertainment. Boys night out means I can tag along because it has been said that I'm like a guy... And I make sure no one gets arrested. We began at Cocks and made our way to Itaewon. Now I used to hate Itaewon cause of all the army guys. The trick I've learned is to go to the shadiest places on Hooker Hill and Homo Hill. Yes there is a Hooker Hill and a Homo Hill. It's Little America what do you expect?????!!!! The evening started off innocently enough at Polley's Kettle where for 7 000 won ( about 8.50$) you get a plastic 2 litre soda bottle that's been cut off at the top filled with Soju and Kool-Aid. I was chatting with the boys that I had met that evening and all was grand till it happened again!!! I was talking to friend #6 ( I can't remember his name S something) and he blatantly said so you're Rolph's girlfriend right?! Again this always happens to me , so I stutter and say I don't know- No! I'm not. Oh so wink wink buddies -Again I don't know, No!!!! I ran away from friend #6 and this scary conversation and we proceeded to the next location a club on Homo hill that was great. The people were super nice and laid back and the tunes were good. I will spare you all the rest of the evening because it was messy and I don't wish to revisit it.

The week has been one for the books. The new Kindie classes have started and This week I spent 80 minutes a day teaching Hello and My name is.... 5 days of Hello! and My name is.....

Some of my students still don't understand hello and at 5 years old they're attention span is probably 5 minutes long. Yes it's challenging when you've got the little ones running around on top of the fact that they know no English whatsoever. Sit down and Line up are 2 things I've been working on. This wouldn't be so stressful if we weren't understaffed. We're looking for a 4th foreign teacher (anyone interested?) so Monday, Wednesday and Fridays I teach 12 classes back to back. I eat lunch with the kids so I technically have 1 ~ 20 minute break from 10:10 AM to 7:40 PM. I'm a little stressed out to say the least. Tuesdays and Thursdays are easy days considering I only teach 10 classes and have an 80 minute break. I also get to finish at 7:40pm woohooo!!!!!!!!! The work piling up is starting to get to me. I think that's why I drink so much. But we all do. It's weird by North American standards I'm a raging alcoholic... Yes indeed sweet little innocent me. I no longer have hangovers and never drink alone but I drink 5 days a week. Saturday and Sunday mornings I never get home before 5 am. This morning I came home at 9AM and was drinking until 6:30 in the morning. The bar finally kicked us out. But we weren't the last ones. The scene resembles 3 am closing time in Montreal where a sea of people can be found getting food and taxis except the sun is Rising. We were in a taxi crossing the river and the skyscrapers twinkled with morning light. It seems this is standard from everyone I talk to. My friends are no different neither are many people I meet. The problem is unfortunately it isn't much of a drain on my finances. I'm to far out to shop, I work so much that groceries are minimal because I get fed at school, my friends and I always split and share everything when we got out so things always cost a little less. Last night only cost me 50, 000 won (60$) including 1 cover charge and 2 taxis. In Ireland or Canada this evening would have easily cost me 100$ but I spend so little everyday that the weekends tend to be a free for all. There isn't much to do and aside from going stir-crazy.... drinking is the 2nd most accessible and popular activity.

I started this post Sunday night. It is now Thursday and I feel like I'm going to die. The children are exhausting me.... Especially the 5 year olds who need constant attention and affection. Apparently with my 2 arms I am supposed to hold 10 children and play with them all simultaneously... I just want a vacation where I can lie down and sleep on a beach for a week.

Tomorrow is Friday and I get to relax. I'll be going to the Saint-Patricks day parade in Seoul. I missed it in Ireland and I'll miss it again boohoo!

Until next time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2007-03-04T23:45:00.000+09:00

20 years ago my parents made the move to Montreal, since then I have lived in 3 different cities, Dublin, Louvain-la-Neuve ( Belgium) and Ansan-si South Korea. Every city has represented a different period of my life. I appreciate different aspects of each city and each has provided me with different feelings. Montreal is where I grew up. It being a bilingual city and fairly liberal I was lucky that I went to French school, lived in an English neighborhood and had Romaninan parents. I never considered myself special for speaking 3 languages since most people I knew spoke at least 2. Because there are so many Italians, Greeks, Chinese and various other cultures most first and second generations speak 3 languages. By the time I graduated University I felt I needed time away from Montreal I didn't want to live in Toronto- no self-respecting Montrealer would ever do that. Despite many arguments the Montreal Canadians is still the best hockey team in history.... 23 Stanley Cups or 24 I can't remember.... Despite being very cultural, diverse and fun I felt I needed to explore and somehow find myself. So I got down to the USIT center at Concordia University and checked out my options for a working holiday visa. Australia was my first choice but much to expensive so I decided on Ireland. I said goodbye to friends thinking I wouldn't be gone that long.... Ya I'm still not home yet over a year and half later. I arrived in Dublin and was dissapointed by it, I had not found a sense of comfort and didn't have much luck finding a place I fit in. But I stuck it out... found a job, a boyfriend and friends.... Ireland was the first wobbly steps for me being in an adult relationship. Dennis and I lived together, he would hang out at the hostel where I worked and it seemed like we would work well together. December 2005 I went home for a month and realised I was bored and needed to travel more. Where? Anywhere. So I ended up in Belgium with Dennis and it was probably the worst period I had gone through.... I was broke, the relationship had soured because of obsessive jealousy on his part and after a few months of that we decided to return to Ireland. I found myself a job and was freed from the relationship. Second time around Dublin opened up to me. I had found what I felt ( and feel don't worry boys) true friends that I could talk to and trust. Cormac and Mick were there for friendly pints at Fibbers on Parnell street and sometimes Wheelan's on Camden Street. The hostel I worked at provided a constant feed of friendly travellers and to this day it's the job I loved the most. Even though the pay was shit it beat by a long shot my crappy job as a clerk at Couche-Tard.... Wanna see exploitation go work for Couche-Tard! Bastards!!!! Then there was Mega Video, that comes in a close second as best job. Followed by Star Choice which was like the Couche-Tard of call centers but I loved it because of the people I met there that I'm still friends with. After that was Croissanterie where I was the local coffee girl feeding people addictions and mine for that matter ( I'm down to 5 cups a day woohoo!). And then there was Rogers. I spent 3 years working there and was paid an amazing $14.50 which is double the amount of minimum wage. I was lucky enough to graduate with no debt thanks to Rogers. I also met great people I miss my chats on illegal clerical breaks from the phones with Davyd or Marc-Andre Desjeans... They always had a witty comment to keep me sane. But I'm ranting here. Dublin jobs were always scattered I would easilly leave one for another I was there working 9 months and had 5 different jobs. Korea is more stable... I love my job, I love the kids and I have fun at work. My friends are stable for now but as of May people will start leaving and since I'm the newest addition I will get to say goodbye to my friends and greet the newcommers. What will come after Korea? I started my sixth month so I'm halfway through almost but I feel despite it all I've found a temporary home. Montreal is my hometown but is it home? i know I'll find out in a few months.

2007-03-04T23:42:00.000+09:00

OOOHHH! Poutine how I miss you so.... We've been apart for so long! Yes Cormac it's from good ol Quebec- Fries, curd cheese and gravy it's got nothing on garlic and cheese chips... Nothing you hear me!

2007-03-04T23:38:00.000+09:00

Dinner or 5 AM Breakfast Kimchee Jigae - soup made of kimchee and tofu and Galbi marinated beef that you cook over and open fire.... and tons of side dishes.... I love Kimchee I've become and addict and I get tofu cravings sometimes.... But man sometimes a girl needs a Poutine

2007-03-04T23:34:00.000+09:00

MMMMM..... Favorite Breakfast meal...

Bibimbap: Rice, chilli paste, Seaweed, lettuce and an egg. I love this stuff

2007-03-04T16:02:00.000+09:00

Sunday Sunday Sunday.....

I've come to realise that living out in the sticks has changed my Korean experience. People who live in Seoul definitely have more of an exciting time than I do and get to mingle with Koreans and are experiencing so much more than I am. I live in Ansan City a satellite city of Seoul and it is considered the country. Coming in from Seoul you pass through fields, farms and rural areas. Jungang and Sahdong (my neighborhood) are surrounded by mountains. Hiking excursions are only a 15 minute walk away to the closest mountain and the Temple at the top of the mountain doesn't seem like a far stretch. Markets are pretty much non-existing and the walk to the subway station is 25 minutes away. There are parks, grass and very little concrete. There are still empty fields where there is room to build still. Things that are non-existent in Seoul. My Korean is pretty bad but not as bad as many people I've met from Seoul who have been here longer than I have. Koreans don't really socialise with the foreigners in Ansan because they are not used to us yet and shopkeepers are still shocked when they see me walk in. So far I've met 10 Koreans in Ansan that speak English and it seems every time I go into Seoul everyone speaks English. I've never seen a foreigner in Ansan that I haven't met yet I'm always disoriented when I see white people in Seoul. It seems so strange to me.

Aside from being excluded by most Koreans Seoul wayguks do not regard us country bumpkins very highly. Usually the conversation goes like this '' Oh yes I live in Mapo, where's Ansan? Oh my God you live there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!'' Yes I do and it's not so bad so what we have 1 McDonald's and a Pizza Hut and hey they just opened a Domino's!! Though I don't actually care for fast food... I broke down and had Mcd's 3 times since I've been here. Yes we have our regular hangouts and sure there's only 3 main streets but I don't miss the hustle and bustle of the city. It's impossible to get lost cause of the size and yes I do have to travel quite a bit to get anywhere but at least I spend less money. The Dongdaemun market is a 2 hour trip away and it's quite comforting that I can't shop at my own convenience. Trust me it's a really good thing...

I'm quite satisfied to have missed another Canadian winter. It's snowed twice since I've been here and hasn't been very cold either. I've packed away my winter jackets and no longer need winter boots. Hurray!!!! My scarf and hat are tucked away in my closet and I haven't worn winter gloves in ages... The summer announces itself to be hot and humid something I am not looking forward to... I hate humid summers. Times keeps trekking on at lightning speed I completed my fifth month and I swear I just got here a month ago! Really!!

This week was a bit of a party week for me. We had Thursday off and the weekend started Wednesday in Hongdae, Thursday was trivia night at Hang Out Bar and after the quiz we congregated at Bong Bar just hop and skip away and parked ourselves there till 4 am. Friday we went to Chad's place in Mapo ( central Seoul) and an innocent wine and cheese turned into the cops being called at 11:45.... The Korean officers seemed a little upset that a bunch of foreigners were disturbing the peace ( rightly so). We grabbed everyone and headed off to Hongdae again... The night wasn't quite as messy as Wednesday but by 5 am out of 15 people there were 6 of us having dinner/ breakfast at the best Chinese restaurant I have ever been to on any continent. Saturday was a painful day but being a trooper I met the boys at the mall where we decided to investigate this new Condom Shop we had heard away. Tucked away in a corner we went in to check out their um ''services'' and we were quite please to see that it resembled Condomania. No there were no vibrators but it's the first store of it's kind that we had seen in Korea. Koreans have a strange relationship with sex. It's very closed and never discussed though from what I've heard it's quite freaky so to see a sex shop in a mall is quite the event. I see Korea changing slowly pulling away from conservative values. The count to women smoking in public is now at 15. A few weeks ago I cam across a group of schoolgirls smoking in an alley. Yes they were in an alley but the key is that they were outside something that I doubt would have been seen even a year ago. The alley was not exactly that hidden.

Another week has ended and tomorrow the shit storm begins.... This month I'll probably be over 220 classes because I now start 30 minutes earlier and end 20 minutes later... I'll see if I'm still coherent by Friday....

2007-03-01T17:28:00.000+09:00

1 Tequila... 2 Tequila.... 3 Tequila.... Floor

This week was very odd. It was kinda like the quiet before the storm. Thursday is memorial day so I have the day off and I get Friday morning off because the 8 year old kids start middle school. All our morning students are transferring to the afternoon and we get a bunch of new classes as of Monday morning. There is a problem though we do not have enough teachers. About a month ago our school kinda started looking for a new foreign teacher but their efforts were not wholehearted. And so Monday the shit storm will begin, already we are understaffed and I taught total 219 classes this month and my hours will only increase during March, until we find another foreign teacher that is. Sure I get paid for the overtime but my patience with the kids runs low at 7 pm after having taught 11 classes already. I don't have any prep to do and I just show up to teach but combining classes, switching classes and loosing every single break I had is starting to take it's toll.

Believe it or not I am starting to get bored in Korea after 5 months in little Jungang-Dong I've gotten tired of always seeing the same thing over and over again. So last night we headed to Hongdae... There were supposed to be at least 10 of us but everyone bailed aside from me, Stefan and Nathan. We decided to have our own fun the 3 of us hopped into a taxi ( the boys took to long to get ready so we missed the last subway into Seoul) and 45 minutes later we had arrived. Our first stop was Ho Bar IV where the booze is cheap only 1.50$ for a beer and 2$ tequila shots. After and hour and half we needed a change of location. We recruited 3 Aussies who were in Korea for a one day stop over and we proceeded to go bar hopping we made it to a total of 4 bars in 4 hours and this morning- well afternoon I woke up in my bed. I'm still not quite sure how I got there but my camera indicates that we did got for Korean bbq Galbi at the end of the night and all 3 of us somehow got into a cab. I know I drank a lot because the contents of my wallet were quite empty but all in a good days fun. Hongdae was fairly empty but it was nice not to have to be pushed or bumped into and I needed the night out on the town. Even though I only worked 3 full days this week, Wednesday felt like Friday. I was just as tired and exhausted- working at Rogers I was always tired because I hated it. I'm trying to plan my end of year trip and save money for when I go home. I'm also trying to figure what it is I want to do. Sometimes I feel like staying home and other times I catch myself looking at adds for teaching English in Cambodia or Taiwan perhaps Thailand ;-). All in all I think I will probably most definitely come back to Korea. After a few months home that is. I really do enjoy my life here and I do have a lot of fun. Despite certain cultural differences i.e. the fact that women get a raw deal and that most older Koreans have no respect for anyone younger than them. I understand that the culture dictates that your elders must be respected but many older Koreans strut about like the world is owed to them. The barge through, cut in line, look at others with an air of disdain and generally try to make anyone elses life a true pain in the ass. Younger Koreans are generally very kind and open and always curious. What strikes me is how appologetic most Koreans are for their English, I'm the one that's embarrassed for my bad Korean. I can barely have a conversation yet they feel bad for not being able to communicate with me. I am in their country I am the one that must make more of an effort and go to my Korean classes on a more regular bassis. Yet they always politely laugh it off and give me a hug.

Interesting side note... My school has changed the afternoon class format and I will start teaching Math and Social Studies to the 8 year old children. I can't even count and they expect me to teach Math.... I can't even remember long division!! This may be a problem........

And yeah! for me I'll be going to Taiwan in April... can't wait!

2007-02-26T22:37:00.000+09:00

Grad....Dating in Korea and Fireworks...

Last week was an especially stress filled week as we were prepping our kids for grad. It was all rehearsals and practice. We made last minute adjustments practiced over and over again till the kids hated us and finally got to present this to the parents on Saturday. I dragged my ass out of bed at 8 am to get ready.... I had to look presentable to the mothers... I put on a skirt, did my hair and makeup and prayed nothing would go wrong... Julie and I spent 15 minutes chain smoking in hiding behind a vegetable truck freaking out.But finally the ceremony began and so did 3 hours of non-stop frantic running around. In the end the parents were happy, impressed and proud of their children.Our bosses thanked us and took us out for lunch. I had gone for chicken and beer ( A great way to get drunk in Korea) the night before and at lunch our bosses kept refilling our glasses with Soju which shows that they were truly happy with the way things went. We got dropped off at home around 4 and I was planning on taking a nap since I had only gotten 5 hours of sleep... But an hour later I was getting ready to meet friends. I went to Stefan's house a 45 second walk from my house and we polished off a bottle of Soju in 20 minutes. We met up with Tom, Nathan, Dan and Hayden for dinner at a western style restaurant. This means they had lots of pasta dishes even Lasagna which I have yet to find in most places. After that we headed to Bier Garten where they have iced coasters in the tables so your beer stays cool no matter how long you keep it there.

Sunday I went into Seoul to Gagnam and hung around with my friends Dan and Jose.It's always refreshing to go into Seoul because people don't stare nearly as much as in Ansan. Because I'm kinda in the suburbs White people are an oddity. Another interesting thing I've noticed is dating in Korea is completely different. Because most people are here for a year dating is much less stressful... People don't worry about it so much. People hook up and break up.There are boyfriends and girlfriends but taken on a much less serious level. So many insecurities are lost because of the temporary status. I've been seeing a South African dude for almost a month now. I don't know what it is, we've gone on dates basically, talked on the phone and just hang out. He's spent the weekend at my house and vice-versa. What is it you ask? I have no clue... would I call it dating... who knows? The point being is back home I wouldn't want to be on uncertain terms. But here it agrees with me. I don't mind and don't feel a need to define or ask questions for that matter. I enjoy his company and have fun when we go out and I am completely content with that. I've noticed when I was younger (like I'm old now) relationships were so important, even in Ireland but after that last big one and moving to Korea I'm no longer fussed with finding someone if it happens so be it but I'm more preoccupied with my job and finding places to travel, meeting new friends and just spending time on my own. I enjoy my time reading and spending it with my friends.... Korea was the best choice to find a place I could be comfortable in. This being because I am surrounded by people and there's always something to do even if it involves me and 5 of the boys shooting of fireworks into the river at midnight. Aside from Julie all of my friends are male and I find they can sometimes be more sensitive and understanding than most women I've met. There is a sorta agreement that people watch out for each other and take care of one another especially since I'm the baby and have been here the least amount of time.

That's it for this week I've got off on Thursday for Memorial Day and it looks like an all nighter in Hongdae.... Drinking till 6 AM.... they really should close the bars earlier.... nah maybe not.

2007-02-19T19:16:00.000+09:00

Graduation

Most children in Korea begin elementary school at 8 years of age. The year starts in March and goes until January. This coming Saturday we must prepare our children for Graduation. The daytime students are switching to the after school program and a new bunch of kiddies will be attending. On the menu for this Saturday are graduation speeches, 3 songs and a play for each class. We have begun preparations almost 3 weeks ago and the moment of truth occurs in less than 7 days. I have to admit I can be quite hard on my kids but only because many of them are accustomed to being babied by their mothers. Steph knows what I'm talking about. Some times for a kid to get a pencil it can become a battle. Many children are dotted on by their mothers and have nothing to do for themselves. Many of my students will simply yell out '' Teacher here'' when they need something thrown in the trash bin or will grumble when I ask them to take out their books. Can't Teacher get it for me???? But this Saturday we are supposed to impress the mothers by showing them how well their children can speak English. Please note that 95% of the parents speak no English at all and this 2 1/2 hour ceremony will take place almost exclusively in English. But like everything in a Hogwon, English is a status symbol. It is less about how much the child has learned but mostly about the fact that these parents can afford to send their children to an expensive English school. Hogwon's are about image not education. Out of 3 foreign teachers at my school, 2 of us are girls. In the eyes of many Korean mothers visiting our school this makes us a superior school compared to one with only male teachers. One of my new afternoon classes started with 2 students and in less that a month we now have 10 kids in that class. None of them speak a word of English and were looking at me quizzically when I said ''Hello''. The speed at which these children learn continues to amaze me. Emma one of the little girls now understands most of what I ask and passes it along to the other students. Robin is able to tell which color is which and he can count to twenty. This may sound trivial but after a month I am completely floored by these kids. Back to Grad....

On a different topic here's a video of a popular South Korean band called BABY V.O.X doing a gig up in North Korea. It's not about the group but all about the crowd...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xo7liYi1kA8

2007-02-19T18:48:00.000+09:00

Happy New Year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Lunar New Year or otherwise know as Chinese New Year! As many Asian countries celebrate with countless fireworks, parades and flying dragons. Koreans follow a much more subdued and quiet festival. In Seoul most streets were empty and stores were closed. Even for Chusok in October there were many more festivities. But for many Koreans, the new year is about spending time with family. Christmas is a lively time and so is Western New Years but to celebrate the year of the Golden Pig many choose to spend it quietly at Grandmother's house. A traditional meal is shared and enjoyed with family. Many will dress up in Hanbok traditional Korean dress and enjoy sweet rice cakes, soup and sticky rice, garettok and other fried meats. Solnal is probably the most important holiday in Korea this year it is not only the Year of the Pig, but the year of the Golden Pig. Why is that so special... Well according to Chinese folklore this special year occurs once every six hundred years. Korean birth rates are expected to rise 10% due to the superstition that children born during this year will have very prosperous lives.

I decided to spend it with friends. Friday night we went to Manhattan's and Bong bar just in Jungang-dong where I live here in Ansan. Saturday night I went into Seoul to meet up with Rolph, my South African friend. Usually when the two of us get together trouble seems to follow but compared to the last two outings nothing eventful happened. We went to Hongdae the bar and party district and the streets were quiet. Everyone was home with their families and luckily our drunken escapades did not get us in to trouble as they usually do. I did discover a couple of cool bars that were unknown to me before that but I fear I can no longer remember where they are. We went to Bricks or Brixxs ( I can't remember) which is a shisha bar. It had been so long since I have a shisha and there seemed to be something lacking. In Montreal the Shisha places are well lit and you usually have a rude waiter or owner glaring at you to make your decision. In true Korean style we were surrounded by trendy looking foreigners and treated kindly by the staff. Therefore my first Shisha experience in Korea had much to desired. Where was the rudeness?????

School begins tomorrow uh oh!!!!

2007-02-10T15:27:00.000+09:00

OOOOPPSSSSS

For some reason I thought this month was my fourth month in Korea. OH no! It's my fifth....

I sat down and wondered where and when did I loose a month. I've been getting scared because time has been flying. It seems I haven't had time to enjoy the view. Everyone always says oh ya it slows down after the first 3 months. But it hasn't and I don't see it slowing down anytime soon. For the first time in my life I feel truly stable and happy. I like my job even if it's exhausting. I have a group of friends all people I get along with well. I 'm making money and saving more than I ever have in the past and money is good. I afford my lifestyle very comfortably and never seem to deprive myself of anything. For now everything is drama free. Sure there was the spitting incident but that is irrelevant to my current happiness. I get discounts because I am apparently a pretty foreigner. My boss appreciates my work and I feel like my work is valued. I even renegotiated my over time pay to get more money and he paid me retroactively. So there is nothing to complain about.

I've been reading Steph's blog and one of her entries is about everyone settling down. Well I don't think I'll be subject to that fate. In high school my friends Christine and Sandra told me they never saw me as marriage material. Apparently I'm too hard headed and expect to much. That is completely true. I get bored, freaked out or simply no longer interested. With everyone at home getting careers, live in boyfriends or getting married I feel like I don't quite fit. I've been gone since June 2005 and will probably return home in November of this year. Unfortunately I still have to travel bug and feel like I can still travel for another few years. But I feel like I need to go home and settle down. Why do we feel like getting a job, a partner and a mortgage is the only way. I was engaged last year for reasons I can only claim were to many months of drunkenness. But it happened~ I saw and left. Not that I think anything is wrong with settling down I think it's great and wonderful and sometimes I wish I had that ''gene''. It just doesn't seem to be in the cards for me.

I was dating an American I had met in Dublin, we did the long distance thing and then he came to Korea for a month to visit. After a week I knew.... We were going to break up. It was for no reason, he was really sweet, smart, kind and a law student ( there's always a oooh followed by the law thing). A great catch but of course I had to run away. I've been running away from responsibility my whole life. Never wanting to settle down for anything or anyone. I get antsy, the only thing I can hold down is a job and that's out of necessity. Korea agrees with me because I can always see something new and do something I've never done before. In Korea people want to be matched up. Marriage is a symbol of success and your worthiness as a Korean. No boyfriend????? Hmmm something must be wrong with him/her?????

But enough of my ranting. I've got a play to prep my kids for..... Oooh I hope it'll be ok!!!!!!!!

2007-02-04T13:02:00.000+09:00

The Smoking Gun

All over the world smoking is being banned. In cafes, restaurants, bars even doorways. I agree with it, as a smoker I can understand how it is unpleasant and annoying for non-smokers. In Korea however it is flavour country, a strong man is a man who smokes. The difference here is that women can not smoke in public due to cultural restrictions. A woman seen smoking in public is labeled a slut, prostitute or a bad girl. Korea is becoming more open and liberal but not at the same time.Cheating is rampant and often expected, girls wear the shortest skirts possible yet would never dare to wear a tank top and show their shoulders. In a country of two extremes how can you know what's what. Girls smoking has now become in my eyes a symbol of female empowerment, freedom, thinking outside the box and even the equivalent of a hippie. In a country where you are judged head to toe from the clothes you wear to what shade eyeshadow.... A girl smoking is the ultimate breaking free from the shackles of society.

Still trying to figure out where I fit this week Julie and I were having a cig on our lunch break. For the past 3 months we walk 2 buildings away get a coffee at Mini Stop ( the dep) and enjoy our 30 minutes of free time away from the children. That all changed this week. The director of a nearby Hogwon ( English School) called our Director Mr. Lee to complain that he had seen us smoking and demanded that we not smoke outside as people may think that the ''bad girls'' were teaching at his school. Our boss had a dilemma, he felt so bad that he suggested making a smoking room out of the furnace room but ultimately we now have to smoke on the roof of the building, out of sight. The issue is that if we were guys this would not have happened. Women are discriminated against for most everything in this country.

Final piece of exciting news of the week is last night on my way home from WA Bar I was spat on by and ajossi ( old married Korean man) not once, not twice but three times. The reason I can only assume is that he probably thought I was a hooker. I live in an interesting and diverse neighborhood. My apartment building is near Hanyang University and I happen to be smack dab in between the university accommodation and the Russian hookers. Across the street from my house is a coffee shop that delivers coffee. Now it's not the coffee you're really getting delivered it's the young Korean girls that provide extra services for a price. Many times in a taxi the driver will often ask Russia????? The answer is always no and the cabbie quickly starts apologizing profusely.

This week also concluded my third month in Korea and the beginning of my fourth. I am starting to feel restless and a little exhausted by the kids. My work schedule is busy since we are understaffed and I work overtime but at least I get more money. Hopefully next week will be eventful in a positive way.

I also have a picture site www.flickr.com/photos/simonainkorea

2007-01-22T22:54:00.000+09:00

My Kids Are so Smart

Every morning I wake up in my little one room apartment ( 2 1/2) take a shower and have a morning coffee. I go to school for 9 1/2 hours and then go home and relax. Tuesday's is drunken bowling and Thursday's is Pub Quiz night. My schedule is easy, stress free and uncomplicated. Yes I work 9 1/2 hours a day but my days are far shorter than those of most koreans or even my students. The average work day can go from 10 to 14 hours or even longer for many people. My Students are constantly busy and on top of going to English school during the day most have 1 or 2 sometimes 3 other classes to go each and every day. One of my students Sarah goes to middle school from 7 am to 3pm, she then has swimming lessons for 2 hours 3 days a week, English class for 80 minutes 3 days a week also. Piano academy everyday for an hour and private violin lessons twice a week for an hour. I said wow you're really busy... Her response: " No I am the least busy out of all my friends''. The children don't complain however they are perfectly content and never question the reason behind their busy schedules. In Canada a child would be screaming claiming he was burnt out.

There seems to be two schools of thought in Korea when it comes to child raising. You have the parents who push their children to hard and end up crying in my lap from exaustion or the parents that do not push at all and accept their child as they are. Despite a busy scholatic and extra-curricular schedule I have noticed an abscence of chores. Most children have no dishwashing responsabilities, no floors to sweep and no beds to make. 3 meals a day are served and cleaned up by their parents. As smart as some children may seem many of them can't zip up their jackets or don't know what to do with an empty cup. One perticular student once said to me momy doesn't make me put things in the trash bin... Here teacher. Even when I am amazed that they can learn a song in 2 days. However I am always frustrated by some childrens lack of every day know how. I don't know of anyone growing up in Montreal that didn't have to earn their allowance in some way yet here Mothers take care of everyone in the household down to the tiniest detail.

Education is probably the most prized posession. A childs education will influence their lives immensly. Even when women are still expected to be homemakers, going to a top school is important to meeting the right match later in life. A successful business man will never go out with a waitress. Many Koreans still marry based on money, good business and good relations. Love it would seem is the least important factor.

MMMMM a post work beer!

2006-12-12T18:14:00.000+09:00

The Holidays

Ok I know that I've been very irresponsible in updating the Blog but it just seems everytime I try to sit down and write something comes up. So here's an Update on the last couple of months.

The first month consisted in me going to Seoul every weekend trying to make new friends, meet people you know change it up a bit. It's been a little over a month or so that I have met other people that live in my area. That being Jugnang-do. We have bowling night on tuesdsays that has become drunken bowling and thursday is Trivia night. During the week another activity usually pops up and all to often I don't get home till 5AM on the weekends. The drinking culture in Korea is something to be explained. In Canada it is seen as bad form to loose it. Stumbling, slurring acts of stupidness are often looked at dissaprovingly. Alittle shake of the head and a sigh followed by a witty comment of '' Wow is he American, people shouldn't drink that much''. In Korea... the rules are not so. Countless times have I seen girls being carried on their friends back. Guys being held up and dragged home by their friends. The worst I've seen was some poor girl completely passed out being carried by her four friends who dropped her on the street in Hongdae ( not very clean at all) where she proceeded to puke her guts out. Now that may not happen that often in montreal but it's a nightly thing. Though Koreans can be very conservative from not showing to much skin. Working extremely hard.... When it comes to drinking it's all good. Little side note, it is completely unacceptable for women to smoke in public. As a korean woman you run a very high chance of getting spat on but as 5AM turns into 6 AM the ladies light up as they stumble over their heels.

On another note This was my first real Christmas away from home and it went pretty smoothly I;ve acquired a bit of a clique here in Jugnang seeing as we are so little foreigners, we kinda stick together. Christmas Eve we all met up at Trevors house for Christmas Dinner. Turkey was unavailable but we managed with some chicken, mashed potatoes and stuffing. We all left at about 5 am quite drunk and not being homesic. Being away for the holidays seemed to agree with me. I was surrounded by my friends and good people, ate good food and did not listen to Christmas carols. Koreans don't really celebrate Christmas in the over dramatic crazy money culture buy as much as you possibly can sort of way. All the stores were still open there was no mad rush for Christmas shopping it almost seemed like any other day. It was refreshing not be constantly reminded that you must show your love by purchasing useless and-or extravagant gifts. For my kids Christmas consisted of going to Grandmother's house for dinner and 1 small gift like a new hat or scarf. There are no Christmas trees in most Korean households or last minute shopping.

New Years was a completely different setting. The 8 of us all pilled into the subway each carrying a 2 lire bottle of juice with about a bottle of Soju thrown in the mix (soju, korean rice wine). We went to Jonkgak a 1 1/2 hour trip from where I live and we were greated by the smell of burning and loud pops. This turned out to be hand held fireworks that seemed quite dangerous yet oh so fun. Dangerous because girls would just put a live one on the ground in order to fix their hair or answer their phone. Yes these are small fireworks but watching a small flaming object going for you is not fun. We purchased about 6 each for less than 2 $ and joined in on the celebration. Some people were already quite drunk and the sky was completely lit up by thousands of people shooting these fireworks. The air was covered in soot and people crowded everywhere. The vibe from the crowd made everything buzz I just couldn't believe how we were packed in like sardines among thousands upon thousands of people. They rang the Bell at midnight under the old South Gate next to Dongdaemun and as soon as that happened the streets started clearing out. With no hope of finding a taxi, we walked to Hongdae ( about an hour) to continue the celebrations. We ended up at HO Bar 4. Yes HO Bar there are 5 actually HO Bar 1 through 4 and HO Bar Luxury. After we ended up at a Dance club where a friend of mine who shall remain nameless almost got lucky only to be rebuffed when the ''moment of truth'' arose. We streamed out onto the street at about 5AM and calmly made our way to the taxi.

I don't make New Years resolutions and do not see a point in making them. 2006 was a strange year. I spent last New Years at home with my friends and since then had been enganged lived in Belgium, broke up moved to Dublin for the 2nd time and finally got to Korea at the end of September. New Years resolutions do not seem to apply to me.

2006-10-08T19:30:00.000+09:00

Another week in Korea has come to an end and my vocabulary has been upped to a total of 20 Korean words and I have finally figured out the word for no.

I was off most of last week for Chussok which would be Korean thanksgiving... It began with a day of grocery shopping which to date is the most traumatizing event so far. Hoards of people everywhere, the fish and meat section closely resemble a market with people pulling you to their stands shouting DISCOUNT!!! Families were driving their carts as you would a car, bumping you and cutting you off. I discovered that yes you can get cut of by a shopping basket. Another interesting note as Julie and I were were making our way through the supermarket is that not only are we weird foreign girls doing our shopping but the contents of our baskets had become a very intriguing thing for most koreans. As we made our way through, the crowd had formed to see what we were buying and an older Korean woman started following us checking our every purchase. We stayed clear of the more shall we say ethnic foods such as the pile of dried squid or the live ones for that matter. I like my food dead when I buy it. All in all we came out of it unscathed and vowed to only go grocery shopping during the week when less people were around for fear of someday getting trampled.

That night I headed down to Seoul to visit Steph and get a head start on our upcomming ''camping'' trip. We went to the marketplace which I would describe as knockoff heaven, see Korea has no copyright laws so Louis Vuitton and Cannel are fair game. We left early in the morning to begin our trip to the East coast. We arrived at our ``campsite`` which in Korean means a condo that you rent. I think they call it camping because you sleep traditional style, on the floor on a thin mattress that you roll up called a YO. We headed to the mountains that same day and went walking visiting 2 Buddhist temples and the largest Buddha in Korea. We ''scalled'' a rock formation and the next day we went hicking again to visit the very famous Yoogsoon falls which i would describe not as a waterfall but as a shower leak. Despite that it was still a lot of fun.

Teaching takes up most of my time, I work long hours but not as long as many koreans. The work day starts at 10 am and my last class finishes at 7:20pm I'm a bit outside of Seoul so I don't really have time to go into the city during the week. But I make up for it on the weekends.

The teaching portion so far I'm getting used to, the kids are well behaved and really adorable. Corporal punishment is still legal in schools here and I found that out the hardway. One of the kids was causing trouble and made a little girl cry not knowing what was going on I asked a korean teacher to translate, turns out Don was teasing Nina and Wendy the korean teacher promptly took him out class and proceeded to smack his upturned hand with a hard wooden ruler. Needless to say I have never sent a kid to the principals office ever!!! They are very hard of children here, I have students that go to school all day and school here starts at 7am and ends at 3pm. They then usually have an after school activity like tae kwon do and then they come to english school. They probably get home around 8pm eat and then do homework till 1am. Yet they never complain they just accept it and look at it well that's how it is. Many people work from 8 in the morning to 8-9-10 or even eleven at night most days of the week and though not compulsory many go to work on Saturdays as well and often times you'll see them after work hitting the Soju (Korean rice vodka kinda like Sake). I do not drink Soju I just think it's nasty. Drinking is a huge part of korean culture the drinking age is 18 but it's really only a suggestion and bars don't really have a closing time they just shut when no ones there but never will you see a bar closing before 4am on the weekends. So far I've even managed to stay in a bar till sun up and then gone for korean bbq. I've met quite a few foreigners and I'm still looking for my niche, not many foreign people live in my area so I usually got to Hongdae or Itaewon (Little America) And I've learnt to stay clear of American GI's. We usually end up in an argument but only because they make ridiculous statements such as ''D-UH CNN IS CANADIAN IT'S THE CANADIAN NEWS NETWORK'' I mean come on do you really think that the Canadian News Network would report solely on the States never to mentioning Canada, yes obviously!!!!!!!! Real Smart. Ok so I'm generalizing here but it's really common I'm sure there are exceptions to the rule. Ok no more ranting....

Another weekend has come and gone and I've just come to notice that almost a month has gone by. I'll post more than twice a month I just lost complete track of time....

2006-10-03T23:15:00.000+09:00

Here I sit after exactly 8 days in Korea. After an extremely long flight I was greated by my recruiter at Incheon Airport in Seoul with a sign saying: '' Simona Welcome to Korea''. We got on the bus that would bring me to my new Home Ansan a satelite city of Seoul. On the bus ride I remember seeing a multitude of neon signs and high rise buildings. My first night I was greated by Julie a fellow Montrealer who is my neighboor, my collegue and my drinking buddy for the next year.

My first week was starting at the school, welcome parties and dinners and going out on the town in downtown Seoul. Don't get me wrong I'm here to teach but it seems as all us foreigners are here for a year, we've all left our family and friends to embark on an experience, to discover a new country, a new way of living and for most to discover ourselves. It's not easy after a week of explaining myself through hand gestures, pointing and my 5 words of Korea, being subway, thank you, beer, yes and hello ( I haven't figured out no or goodbye yet) I was starved for conversation and we all are. I struggle through the easiest transactions, from getting international phone cards to ordering a beer the only thing that schocks me is how friendly people are. The koreans are patient and understanding and extremely helpful. As westerners Julie and I have become the new town attraction. People stare, point, look into our shopping carts to see what we're buying and the children are constantly poking our butts, touching my hair and arms. Rules and cultural conventions don't apply to us and neither are we expected to adhere to them. The english teachers can smoke in front of the school owner and director yet it would be absolutely scandalous to do so for a korean teacher. It's a country of contradictions, while people will play badminton and go power walking DDT is sprayed on the streets and the smog can be seen from anywhere. it's very badly seen for a girl to smoke in public yet at a bar everyone lights up. I have so much left to discover and learn I hope I can fit it all in within the year.

So a bit more about my job.... We're a private school with about 100 students we have kiddie classes in the morning from 10 to 3 and then we have an afternoon class the students range from 4 to 13 years of age and I love em all already. My apartment is a 15 minute walk from school and for montrealers it's a 2 1/2 or a flat with a main room, seperate kitchen, bathroom and laundry room. I teach the ABC's, reading, writting and phonics. By the time 7:30 rolls around which is when I get off work I'm exausted and just want a beer. So last week and weekend I checked out the drinking spots tuesday was Sanbon, wednesday was Junang-do, thursday was trivia night at the foreign bar in my neighberhood called hang-out and saturday I went out to meet Steph. For those who don't know Steph and I haven't seen each other in more than a year.

In montreal the year before we both left to pursue different explorations she was my confidant, moral and emotional support and friday night sessions with Sex and the City, beer and popcorn ;-) After all that time she picked me up at the Hongdae subway stop and we picked up where we left off. We talked till 3am and some more the next day. We chat on the phone and it seems like we're just sitting in Fats on Saint-Catherine's have a pitcher of Old Montreal complaining about our service jobs and the papers we had to write.
We both understand each other. I've just arrived but through all her experiences I feel I have a head start. People tell me you've only been here a week???!!!!!! You're so well adjusted you don't seem freaked out. Well why? I've been chatting over msn and reading her blog for about a year I know what to expect. Chris also has trained me... through hearing her stories and experiences I have a global view of the pros and most importantly the cons.

I have a year here and I will definetly make the most of it.... At the end of my first week I've been able to do everything I've needed. Except use international calling cards... You'd figure it wouldn't be that hard...

2006-09-21T18:53:00.000+09:00

A little over a year ago I left Montreal to live in Ireland for a period of a month to a year depending on how things went. Well nothing went according to plan at all and here I am in Dublin working at a hostel. Over that one year period I have changed, and the most drastic change is having acquired itchy feet. And so tomorrow I head to South Korea to dedicate another year of my life. Will it go according to plan? probably not. Will I get into trouble? Most definetly it just wouldn't be me if everything went smoothly. Tonight will be the goodbye drinks at the hostel, for the past 4 months I have seen people with impossible hangovers, cleaned up vomit, chatted with STRANGE people and met a lot of great boys and girls. That chapter is over in my life and I am starting all over again. The concept of home has become so alien to me that I no longer know what it is. People say home is a place, a state of mind a person or the classic home is where the heart is. For me it's a complete sense of comfort, I'm hoping to find that in Korea. Yes I've heard the horror stories despite it all I still want to see and experience.