Muju Boarding

My Dilemma

Annyong,
I feel I've been gone a long time, like Mr. Axl Rose. Sorry for the silence but, I'm busy? Is everybody busy though? Isn't that what happens with real people in the Xmas season? Still, I know this time of year is stressful, but I'm dealing with a different type of stress; life plans. Most my freetime lately has been spent in thought about what to do for the upcoming year. I've looked into many different possibilities and I'm still not sure where to go. Last week, I practically made up my mind to come home, have a break, then think about what avenue to explore next. Then a really good university contacted me and asked for an interview. It's an amazing opportunity but, even if I get the job, I'm not sure I want it. I will go and see what happens but I'm tore. If I get the job, I'll get paid good money, with tons of free time to go home and travel other places whenever I like. If I don't, I'll come home and probably go back to school and strengthen my resume. I guess it's comforting that there's good to both options. Feel free to drop any advice for my life planning and I'll update when the decision becomes clearer.
Happy Holidays or Merry Christmas (depending on your political status),
love,
dan

The Sex Museum

We HAD to go to the Sex and Health Museum. This wouldn't be a strange thing, except that it's in Korea. They try to keep sex quiet, hidden, almost absent here. I always ask, "where do all the babies come from?" The museum was fun, probably shocking for Koreans. Jeju island is the main honeymoon spot for Koreans so it makes sense they would put the museum here. Actually, I'm sure this is the only place in Korea they could have a museum like this. So, I guess Koreans really do have sex.

Look at that feast. That's for 2 people!

The Falls

A Chinese man came here hundreds of years ago looking for eternal life. We came here looking for the neverending coconut. He didn't find the life, but scratched his name in the rock. We found the coconut and drank for hours.

Eat Your Ride

Fall Discovery

These kind of sights are all over Korea, lying dormant as if they're waiting for you. This ancient village was mostly empty on a beautiful Saturday afternoon. I read that a famous scholar used to teach and write here during the Joseon Dynasty (late 17th century). I looked at some of his famous writings. This was long before the Korean language was respected enough to be used by the aristocracy so everyone wrote and spoke Chinese. Early on, the Korean language was only used by the poor as a simplified way of communication for those unable to afford proper education. I stared at those characters for a long time. I longed to learn how to write them. Then I got really happy thinking about how I can write and read Korean. I remembered that Asian symbols were just interesting before I got here. I really didn't understand the practicality of them because i never imagined being able to learn them. So, why not learn Chinese then? Nowadays, even though it is an essential part of their history, most Koreans don't even learn it because it's just too difficult. Chinese has thousands of symbols compared to Korean's 24. So, next time anyone tells you they're bored, you should suggest learning to read Chinese as a good activity.

A Childhood without Sun

I was put to an awkward test today by one of my clever students. I usually try to keep my classes light-heated. I think the students think more naturally in English when they're just having fun as opposed to constantly being critiqued. I've found I can correct their grammar and they'll repeat after me quickly and positively without losing their confidence or desire to speak. I want then all to want to communicate. But, teaching methodology aside, I really had to work hard to lighten the mood after a 12 year old girl, Carol, asked me, "teacher, have you ever thought about committing suicide?" (that's exactly the way she put it) Carol is one of three students in my conversation class for fluent kids. I think I giggled and began saying something about how I've thought about everything and it's OK to think. She explained, "my life is so boring. All I ever do is study. Sometimes I don't want to live." Initially, I saw this as her call for attention in class, which I know it partly was, but, knowing what I know about Korean society, her comments stunted my maneuvering and reminded me of a newspaper article.

I once read here that teen suicide is an big issue in Korea. The main reasoning was, as she said, there's too much pressure, studying and lack of free time or thought for Korean children. I see it everyday and I feel so bad for these kids. Starting at around age 8, they wake up before the sun, go the elementary school, then English academy, piano lesson, Chinese academy, general tutoring and then, as they ride the elevator to their apartment it's 9:15, they're falling asleep on their feet, like the elderly, and they still have an English tutor coming to their home for an hour lesson. These kids are beat, I see it.

It's horribly depressing everytime I ask a student, "what do you like doing," and they reply, "studying." There's no concept of free-time. The ones that lived in America are dying to go back to that life of leisure. That's what our childhood is through their eyes. The rest of the kids here think their endless herding from one school to another is normal. Really, I think this brutal competition is a uniquely Asian problem. And the mothers who force their kids to keep up are aware of the dangers of this life. Many have asked me to help them find away to get their children studying abroad. I think many mothers would actually rather live across the world from their children than put them through the educational rat-race here. It's sad and that's how I feel toward Carol.

I told her that we Americans have all our fun in youth then are rudely awoken to a life of harsh responsibilities and it's the opposite for Koreans. I lied and said things would get easier for her as she gets older. She said she plans to go to college in America. I think that's a great idea. I had a good experience at college, but that's not why I love the idea. I think it gives her something to look forward to as she rushes from one book to another in a multiplying pile.

The Big Show

Usually there isn't much pressure on me in the classroom. My boss trusts me to do my thing and he only peaks his head in the window from time to time. The classrooms are all fitted with cameras for the mothers to watch their children but I doubt many do. I haven't heard a complaint yet and, as a rule, no input at all means you're doing a good job. It's usually a casual thing but last Monday we had Open Class where the mothers attend class and we all try to look dignified. This was my 4th open class so I wasn't fretting as much as others but it's still 45 minutes you can't wait to be over. Also, I wanted to put on a good show for the Illinois Class' mothers because they've been here for three years and will soon be graduating our kindergarten program. These kids never speak Korean in class and their even able to argue with eachother in English. (At one point in the class, Amy was reading and Ann started reading too. Amy looked at Ann with the meanest 6 year old scowl and said, "Stop Following Me!!!")
I walked in the class and opened the floor for them to ask me some questions. The ability to ask questions is something not many of the children have because most teachers just ask them questions all class. I'm trying to move them beyond that level. Pint-size Brian raised his hand and said, (in these exact words) "Daniel teacher, why did you shave today?" The mothers laughed, I blushed and said, "because your mothers are here today and I want to look pretty." The class went smooth, I was able to make them look smart and yet obedient.
These mothers are picky. If one student doesn't participate as much as the others, mothers have been known to change schools. All based on one 45 minute class, insane. But Illinois class were all showing off and the mothers, like me, were visibly proud. "Teacher, I can spell communication." "Teacher, I can spell your name backwards." "Teacher, this story is just imaginary, it's not real."
I listened to them and couldn't stop thinking about how far they'd come. As babies, they were led into Swaton, given English names and struggled with ABC for a long time. The class ended in miraculous fashion: I said close your books, collected them and grabbed the last one as the bell rang. For us teachers, that's like Jordan hitting the game-winning shot as the buzzer goes off. I knew I killed this test and, unlike before, didn't feel the need to ask my Korean co-teacher what the mothers said about me. Without looking for it, I got some reassurance the very next day as one of the mothers came into Swaton just to give me a 100$ bottle of wine and chocolate. She can't speak English so I guess she wants the present to do the talking. I drank it last night and felt very satisfied.

Halloween, or something like it

Halloween is especially fun in Korea because most the people are completely unaware of this holiday. The foreigners roam the streets in strange apparel and the Koreans must be thinking....well, i don't know what they're thinking. Taxis are more reluctant to pick us up, a crowded bar will pave a walkway for us and the passerbys on the streets no longer feel the need to stare subtly. This year I created a superhero, Kimchi Man. I couldn't believe that, given the importance of Kimchi in their everyday lives, it seems no Korean had ever thought of such a superhero before. I had a fro, gloves, a cape, chopsticks in the fro, and a shirt that read; "Kimchi Power." I also brought some Kimchi around with me and offered it around but most of it just ended up on my shirt by the end of the night. I explained to the people, in booming Korean that, "if you eat lots of kimchi, you'll get the power." The best part was the ability to look this ridiculous on stage, in front of a packed bar. We headlined a 3 band show and killed. I felt this was our best yet, my first time ever being on stage and being completely at ease. It helped that the first 2 bands were awful. We played half originals, half covers. Imagine this: on drums- Korea's president, on bass- a confederate hillbilly republican, singing- a Koran holding terrorist and on bass- kimchi man. And we're singing "America (Fuck Yeah)" We were definitely a photo-opt. Later on, my crew of freakshows went to a Korean dance club (booby booby) where we were treated like royalty. The cover charge was waved, and they rolled out a carpet leading us onto the stage. Some might have difficulty being a dancing clown for so many people but our experience teaching these children has groomed us for such a job. Since Koreans are oblivious to the significance of Halloween, I think we ought to dress in insane costumes on random dates just to put a charge in the people. I hope everyone had a good Halloween and I'll be anxiously awaiting any pictures or stories.

Kimchi Man!

Halloween Show

NKorea

A few words on Kim Jong il- I wonder what the American media is making of the bomb testing. I remember when I came home I was surprised to hear people asking me about our "war with N. Korea." Actually, many don't know the difference between North and South Korea, but I can't blame them; I probably wouldn't either had I not moved here. The feeling here is much more casual. An hour after the nuke testing, the foreigners were discussing it, obviously a bit rattled. As the day went on, I noticed the Koreans were just going about their normal business and, if asked what they thought, they'd laugh it off and change the subject. I wondered if this was their way of handling something that may be too painful to talk about. I kept prying as to why Koreans don't seem the least bit concerned about the news. A doctor student of mine finally explained it to me. He said the rational is this; S. Korea and N.Korea have technically been at war for so long with no real violence between them. Reports of possible turmoil are constantly in the news, but nothing ever really happens. Most people believe there won't be any more fighting but unification is impossible until Kim Jong il's regime is gone. I think he knows this too, and unfortunately he's more concerned with honoring his father and protecting his power than he is feeding his people. The surrounding countries are rightfully pissed about his actions but they can't do anything other than implement economic sanctions on the North. And they know this only means more people will starve while Kim Jong il, his aids and his army remain rich. I guess we're all just waiting for him to die, hoping an inevitable change will come about when the time is right.