I made my teachers origami Witches, Skeletons, Frankenstein, and Dracula...They didn't know what they were. I had to explain to them in English what they were...Sometimes you just KNOW that you aren't in the states anymore. At least they think that i'm adorable? haha I love my job.
Anyeong!
Friday, October 29, 2010
Training
So the reason I haven't been posting this last week was due to the fact that I was in Seoul at teachers training! YAY! When I arrived in Korea I expected to be whisked straight from the airport to a week of intensive teacher training. Since I had zero teaching experience and zero degress concerning teaching I just presumed that I would immediately be forwarded to teaching 101, or how to teach when you really have no clue. Since I moved to Korea however, this wasn't the case; when I arrived on day one I was deposited in the capable hands of Eunyeong and was whisked off to school, where I taught the first day I was there. Oh Korea I love you. Anyway, four months later I finally got my training, which was amazing! I met some truly inspiring teachers that all live near me and I got hooked up in a network of teachers that is korea-wide and that's extremely helpful. I also got the exciting opportunity to BE the student, sure I just gradauated Uni in May and it really hasn't been that long since I was the student but my perspective has drastically changed. Instead of thinking "GAH! Will this never end? Will they never cease speaking? Must my ears bleed and my brain decompose before we are allowed to leave?!" I was thinking "Oh, that's a great way to model what I want my students to do. YOU CAN DO THAT?! oh yea, slower, more articulate, stop speaking like they understand, so maybe that's why they all stare at me blankly, I wonder if I just did..." Can you see the difference? Instead of just passively sitting I was actively learning! What a concept! Anyway, this week was a great opportunity for me to learn some new skills and to perfect some old skills as well as to meet new people. Some of the better quotes and comments from this week are as follows:
During one of our group-wide lectures the speaker was talking about the differences between Korean culture and American culture: "There I was with my Phillipino friend and an American friend at a coffee shop, we all ordered black coffee and Mark (I just made that up so I don't have to continue typing Phillipino) ordered a brownie. Well the brownie arrived at the table and Mark placed it in the center. I looked at the plate and realized that there was only one fork, I glanced about and realized that only one fork was going to be brought to us. The conversation continued and Mark began eating, I kept looking down at this delicious brownie, then back up to Mark's mouth as he slowly began eating the brownie. When he was about halfway done it became blatantly obvious to me that he wasn't going to share with me, the Korean part of me wailed "How could you betray me like this?"" This is an excellent of example of Korean culture! If you don't share with everyone involved you have most certainly betrayed them! It's good to remember that there definitely IS a cultural divide and that i'm the minority!
"You are a conversation teacher. Your goal is not to teach them grammar or prepare them for a test. Your goal is to get them to initiate and sustain communication." Good to remember as I plan lessons. Much more difficult to actually carry through to the classroom!
The most interesting and engaging speech that I attended was by a teacher in his second year here in Korea, he gave us two tips:
1. Steal everything
Essentially he stated that other teachers are our greatest resource and that we should continually be working with one another and sharing materials.
2. Be prepared to bomb...
Being a teacher means that you are going to fail, make terrible lesson plans, and lose kids along the way. That's part of teaching, but if you can realize your mistakes and correct them, the next time you make those mistakes they will be different or not as devastating. GOOD TO KNOW! Sometimes I feel like i'm never going to get the hang of teaching and that I should just stick my head in the sand and hide. Whew, i'm really glad I don't have to do that.
Anyeong!
During one of our group-wide lectures the speaker was talking about the differences between Korean culture and American culture: "There I was with my Phillipino friend and an American friend at a coffee shop, we all ordered black coffee and Mark (I just made that up so I don't have to continue typing Phillipino) ordered a brownie. Well the brownie arrived at the table and Mark placed it in the center. I looked at the plate and realized that there was only one fork, I glanced about and realized that only one fork was going to be brought to us. The conversation continued and Mark began eating, I kept looking down at this delicious brownie, then back up to Mark's mouth as he slowly began eating the brownie. When he was about halfway done it became blatantly obvious to me that he wasn't going to share with me, the Korean part of me wailed "How could you betray me like this?"" This is an excellent of example of Korean culture! If you don't share with everyone involved you have most certainly betrayed them! It's good to remember that there definitely IS a cultural divide and that i'm the minority!
"You are a conversation teacher. Your goal is not to teach them grammar or prepare them for a test. Your goal is to get them to initiate and sustain communication." Good to remember as I plan lessons. Much more difficult to actually carry through to the classroom!
The most interesting and engaging speech that I attended was by a teacher in his second year here in Korea, he gave us two tips:
1. Steal everything
Essentially he stated that other teachers are our greatest resource and that we should continually be working with one another and sharing materials.
2. Be prepared to bomb...
Being a teacher means that you are going to fail, make terrible lesson plans, and lose kids along the way. That's part of teaching, but if you can realize your mistakes and correct them, the next time you make those mistakes they will be different or not as devastating. GOOD TO KNOW! Sometimes I feel like i'm never going to get the hang of teaching and that I should just stick my head in the sand and hide. Whew, i'm really glad I don't have to do that.
Anyeong!
I'm Korean!
Today is the Friday before Halloween, so like every other country loving American I dressed up for work. Now you have to understand that once you venture outside the expansive borders of good ol' 'Murica things are a wee bit different. the most important and glaringly obviously example is that there are different holidays, take Chuseok for example, we've never even heard of it yet it's massively celebrated by millions of Koreans yearly. They eat rice cakes flavored with pine needles and sweetened bean paste(*barf*), they eat dok bocci, which is red sauce smothered rice cakes and chicken (*barf*); and yet they don't celebrate Halloween. Now, I understand that some of you may be jumping out of your chairs, onto your desks or couches, ripping your hair out, and screaming obsceneties at the heathen Koreans, believe me, it was my reaction too. But once I calmed down and stopped seeing red I realized that this was a prime opportunity for me to become (if possible) even more famous. First, since they don't celebrate Halloween even the smallest change in my wardrobe will be noticed, and second, since i'm the foreigner and it's my "culture" they will smile and accept everything that I do! GENIUS! So like any good American I donned my black wig and glitter sparkle face mask and marched myself to school. Now I didn't really do anything obscene, in fact i'd say that I look exactly the same...except I have black hair. But as I got closer to school I noticed that my students were staring and pointing whispering "mori" which means hair, repeatedly. When I arrived in the teachers room I walked straight to my desk, "Anyeong hah say yo" (good morning) they all briefly glanced up "anyeong..." their eyes bulged, their mouths dropped open, and they all literally stopped speaking. The entire room full of 60 teachers went dead silent, then "Mori!" They all began speaking quickly at once asking me about my hair and talking to one another about the drastic change. I smiled, blushed and put my blue peacock mask over my face and said "Happy Halloween!" they all started clapping! I am forever cemented in the annals of time now as a famous person. I mean, if you can get a roomful of people to clap for you just by showing up that must mean you've got the magic!
Anyeong and Happy Halloween!
Anyeong and Happy Halloween!
Friday, October 22, 2010
Idioms
So i'm teaching my 3rd grade girls (roughly 15 years old) about idioms and one of the idioms I chose is "dressed to kill". As they are all budding fashionistas I thought that perhaps they would enjoy this!
Me: so, what do you think "Dressed to kill" could mean?
MS: FASHION TERRORIST!
I burst out into laughter. From now on "dressed to kill will no longer mean you look fabulous, it now means you are a fashion terrorist! The fashion police had better be on their toes for fashion terrorists!!
Anyeong!
Me: so, what do you think "Dressed to kill" could mean?
MS: FASHION TERRORIST!
I burst out into laughter. From now on "dressed to kill will no longer mean you look fabulous, it now means you are a fashion terrorist! The fashion police had better be on their toes for fashion terrorists!!
Anyeong!
Hedgehog drama
I'll set the scene: Outside the local massive grocery store
Me: Hey guys! What do you have in there [inside the cage]
My Students (MS): It's nervous teachah!
Me: What's nervous?
MS:Teachah Teachah! Eye big, fall out! Nervous Nervous!
Me: What? What is it?
I walked closer to my students and peered inside the cage
MS: Teachah teachah! Eye big! Hospital hospital! Nervous Nervous!
Me: A hedgehog! It's such a cute Hedgehog! What happened?
MS: Poke eye! BAHNG BAHNG BAHNG! (makes thrusting gesture towards eye with fingers)
MS: Teachah! Nervous! Hospital!
Me: ok, bye!
a few minutes later they returned from the bowels of the building
Me: How'd it go?
MS: (very excitedly) TEACHAH TEACHAH! EYE BIG! CUT OUT! CUT OUT WITH...WITH...(makes cutting sign with fingers)
Me: Scissors? They are going to cut out it's eye with scissors?!
My students smile and nod.
MS: Teachah! We go! Bye bye.
Me: bye...
I swear, sometimes the language barrier is just too ridiculous for words...
Anyeong!
Me: Hey guys! What do you have in there [inside the cage]
My Students (MS): It's nervous teachah!
Me: What's nervous?
MS:Teachah Teachah! Eye big, fall out! Nervous Nervous!
Me: What? What is it?
I walked closer to my students and peered inside the cage
MS: Teachah teachah! Eye big! Hospital hospital! Nervous Nervous!
Me: A hedgehog! It's such a cute Hedgehog! What happened?
MS: Poke eye! BAHNG BAHNG BAHNG! (makes thrusting gesture towards eye with fingers)
MS: Teachah! Nervous! Hospital!
Me: ok, bye!
a few minutes later they returned from the bowels of the building
Me: How'd it go?
MS: (very excitedly) TEACHAH TEACHAH! EYE BIG! CUT OUT! CUT OUT WITH...WITH...(makes cutting sign with fingers)
Me: Scissors? They are going to cut out it's eye with scissors?!
My students smile and nod.
MS: Teachah! We go! Bye bye.
Me: bye...
I swear, sometimes the language barrier is just too ridiculous for words...
Anyeong!
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Let Me Introduce You To Hojung aka Hojo
Hojung and I met on the bus from Busan to Masan, I was returning from China and it had been a loooong day. After a week of being stuck in Shanghai, then a night of rockstar partying in Seoul, and 4 hours on a train with an old Korean man belching, coughing, hacking, and spitting lugies besides me I was done. I exited the train at Busan station and realized I had to get on the subway, and switch trains twice *sigh*. I finally managed to maneuver the city (with a 40 pound backpackers pack) and was on the bus to Masan. I had placed my overly large pack in the seat next to me and deposited myself next to the window. I had my book open and for the first time that day I was feeling like maybe I wouldn't pop off someone's head.
Until Hojung arrived in my life.
When I got on the bus I noticed a young guy staring at me intently, and then after I sat down., from the corner of my eye, I saw that same young guy hop up suddenly and move to the seat directly across the aisle from me. I sighed internally thinking "If you speak to me I swear to god I will murder you." Sure enough, after about a minute of staring at me awkwardly from across the aisle and around the pack Hojung made his move, "Can you speak at me for minutes?" I grimaced internally, carefully laid my book down and peered at him imperiously from over my pack. "Sure" I said, stupid move number one.
Well we got to talking and I realized that Hojung didn't speak much English (this should have been apparent from our first encounter at speaking but silly ol' me just had to give him the benefit of the doubt). Well trying to make things look rosy and golden I just convinced myself that I was practicing my korean, which I was, but that's beside the point. The drive from Busan to Masan is roughly 45 minutes by bus, which goes quickly if you are reading, but surprisingly quicker if you are attempting to communicate with someone.
We finally pulled into Masan station, and like the good Korean that he is, Hojung asked me if I had eaten, "Mogosayo?" I responded that no, I hadn't, he replied by inviting me out, and I accepted, stupid move number two. He asked me where I wanted to go, I looked at him incredulously, and very slowly informed him that I needed to take my pack home but that if he gave me his number I would call him when I got home and meet up with him later. So I went home, took a shower and put on some clothes that hadn't been rumpled up in my sweaty pack for a week and went back out to meet Hojung.
We had dinner at a lovely little restaurant that serves Samgyeupsal (pork belly) and we had a few beers and talked some more, it was lovely, really, but it should have ended there. BUT because he's Korean we just had to go out to a bar, and I accepted, stupid move number three (and quite possibly the stupidest of them all). Well we arrived in the bar and ordered some beers and began drinking, except that the bar he had chosen was REALLY loud, dark, and filled with flashing disco lights. Which I can assure you isn't conducive to a pair of people that can barely communicate with one another in a silent restaurant! After trying to start some conversation I finally gave up and began just drinking beer. I would stare across the table at him, and he would smile, and then look away, then I would look away, only to look back and see him staring at me. The whole time i'm thinking "Why did I allow myself to get into this incredibly awkward situation??" There was a group of young Korean men getting sufficiently drunk at the table next to us and they kept throwing glances at us as if we were freaks or something. Finally after about an hour of drinking beer and awkwardly glancing at one another I informed Hojung that I needed to go because I had to work the next day (a lie yes, but if you'd been there you'd have understood the necessity) so we paid and departed.
While we were standing at the bus stop, me waiting for the 710 and him waiting for the 256 he suddenly turned to me and asked "How do you feel about sex?" I choked on my spit. When I found my voice again I asked him what he meant by that, he responded "You look beautiful so I thought I would like to hug you." I looked down and pretended to scratch my nose to cover the smile on my face, it was just too awkward to maintain a straight face! As I was looking down Hojung made a move, he stepped forward just a little and when I looked up to see what he was doing he attempted to swoop in for the kiss. I (of course) backed up and tripped off the curb, I whipped around to make sure I wasn't going to get hit by a speeding bus (totally possible) and realized that there was indeed one bus directly behind me with the doors open, veritably inviting me in. I stumbled forward and grabbed the handle, turned to look at Hojung and said, "My bus! See you later!" smiled, and bolted up the stairs. I paid for my fare, and requested the next stop off, departed the bus, and waited for the appropriate bus to arrive so that I could go home.
Well, for some oddly stupid reason i've agreed to see Hojung again at a coffee shop near my home and then to go to Korean classes afterward on Wednesday (can someone please explain WHY i'm stupid enough to agree to see this lunatic kisser again??). I'll keep you updated on my exploits as they develop further.
Aneyong!
Until Hojung arrived in my life.
When I got on the bus I noticed a young guy staring at me intently, and then after I sat down., from the corner of my eye, I saw that same young guy hop up suddenly and move to the seat directly across the aisle from me. I sighed internally thinking "If you speak to me I swear to god I will murder you." Sure enough, after about a minute of staring at me awkwardly from across the aisle and around the pack Hojung made his move, "Can you speak at me for minutes?" I grimaced internally, carefully laid my book down and peered at him imperiously from over my pack. "Sure" I said, stupid move number one.
Well we got to talking and I realized that Hojung didn't speak much English (this should have been apparent from our first encounter at speaking but silly ol' me just had to give him the benefit of the doubt). Well trying to make things look rosy and golden I just convinced myself that I was practicing my korean, which I was, but that's beside the point. The drive from Busan to Masan is roughly 45 minutes by bus, which goes quickly if you are reading, but surprisingly quicker if you are attempting to communicate with someone.
We finally pulled into Masan station, and like the good Korean that he is, Hojung asked me if I had eaten, "Mogosayo?" I responded that no, I hadn't, he replied by inviting me out, and I accepted, stupid move number two. He asked me where I wanted to go, I looked at him incredulously, and very slowly informed him that I needed to take my pack home but that if he gave me his number I would call him when I got home and meet up with him later. So I went home, took a shower and put on some clothes that hadn't been rumpled up in my sweaty pack for a week and went back out to meet Hojung.
We had dinner at a lovely little restaurant that serves Samgyeupsal (pork belly) and we had a few beers and talked some more, it was lovely, really, but it should have ended there. BUT because he's Korean we just had to go out to a bar, and I accepted, stupid move number three (and quite possibly the stupidest of them all). Well we arrived in the bar and ordered some beers and began drinking, except that the bar he had chosen was REALLY loud, dark, and filled with flashing disco lights. Which I can assure you isn't conducive to a pair of people that can barely communicate with one another in a silent restaurant! After trying to start some conversation I finally gave up and began just drinking beer. I would stare across the table at him, and he would smile, and then look away, then I would look away, only to look back and see him staring at me. The whole time i'm thinking "Why did I allow myself to get into this incredibly awkward situation??" There was a group of young Korean men getting sufficiently drunk at the table next to us and they kept throwing glances at us as if we were freaks or something. Finally after about an hour of drinking beer and awkwardly glancing at one another I informed Hojung that I needed to go because I had to work the next day (a lie yes, but if you'd been there you'd have understood the necessity) so we paid and departed.
While we were standing at the bus stop, me waiting for the 710 and him waiting for the 256 he suddenly turned to me and asked "How do you feel about sex?" I choked on my spit. When I found my voice again I asked him what he meant by that, he responded "You look beautiful so I thought I would like to hug you." I looked down and pretended to scratch my nose to cover the smile on my face, it was just too awkward to maintain a straight face! As I was looking down Hojung made a move, he stepped forward just a little and when I looked up to see what he was doing he attempted to swoop in for the kiss. I (of course) backed up and tripped off the curb, I whipped around to make sure I wasn't going to get hit by a speeding bus (totally possible) and realized that there was indeed one bus directly behind me with the doors open, veritably inviting me in. I stumbled forward and grabbed the handle, turned to look at Hojung and said, "My bus! See you later!" smiled, and bolted up the stairs. I paid for my fare, and requested the next stop off, departed the bus, and waited for the appropriate bus to arrive so that I could go home.
Well, for some oddly stupid reason i've agreed to see Hojung again at a coffee shop near my home and then to go to Korean classes afterward on Wednesday (can someone please explain WHY i'm stupid enough to agree to see this lunatic kisser again??). I'll keep you updated on my exploits as they develop further.
Aneyong!
Monday, October 18, 2010
Pretty Shiny Things
Today I told my vice principal "Panjahck Panjahck Ipudah!" Which means, bling bling pretty! I'm totally getting a raise for best suck up ever.
^.^
Anyeong!
^.^
Anyeong!
My Birthday!
So, I had a wonderful week full of lovely birthday surprises, gifts, and parties! Even though I occasionally bitch about being lonely, missing home, or not having enough friends this week was testimony to the amazing friends and support network I have garnered here in Korea!!
So on wednesday of last week my co-workers took me out to lunch! As I blogged earlier I had asked them if they wanted to come to my house for dinner and then it got delayed twice and they finally just called the whole thing off and took me out to a steak lunch. I'm not really complaining but I was a little confused as to why that happened. Oh well, steak sure beats cooking for 9 people, ESPECIALLY when I don't have to pay!!
They were soo cute and sweet that they surprised me with a birthday cake! I couldn't believe how sneaky they were! This cake (thankfully) didn't have any sort of potato on it!! I rejoiced a bit inside as I bit down and discovered merely yellow cake, whipped cream, and nuts. I have often times bitten into a delicious looking snack or cake only to discover sweet bean paste and or potatos of some sort infiltrating the delicious taste i'm expecting. Go team co-workers!!
Then Friday night I had a party and all my best friends showed up! Somebody amazing gave the bar that we were going to a heads up and they had made blue drink specials to match my dress and put happy birthday Molly signs up all over the bar! SO COOL!!!
Since I decided to have a halloween themed party I had to dress up, I went as Mrs. Peacock from the boardgame clue! I decided it was Mrs. Peacock, with the (retracting!!!!) knife, in the bar! It was a real success and everyone loved my outfit, that and because I wore electric blue I was the shiniest person in the bar and nobody outshone me! PERFECT for a birthday!!
Colette (what a doll!) brought me a birthday cake!! THIS cake had chocolate layers inside which totally trumped my co-workers cake, but then again so long as my cake from my co-workers doesn't have potatoes I consider that a plus.
Everyone dressed up! It was really really great to see the imaginations of everyone that I know and love in Korea! There were some really really great costumes! Like Zorro above! AND The father, sun, and holy ghost below!! hahaha
So all in all I had a really really great weekend full of fun and love! Thanks everyone who came out and made it splendid!!!
Anyeong!
So on wednesday of last week my co-workers took me out to lunch! As I blogged earlier I had asked them if they wanted to come to my house for dinner and then it got delayed twice and they finally just called the whole thing off and took me out to a steak lunch. I'm not really complaining but I was a little confused as to why that happened. Oh well, steak sure beats cooking for 9 people, ESPECIALLY when I don't have to pay!!
Anyeong!
Friday, October 15, 2010
Gook, Tahng, Chiggae VS. Soup, Stew. What's the Difference?
In korea when you have soup you'll have either a gook, tahng or a chiggae. In the states if you have soup you'll have soup and occasionaly stew, but stew is still considered soup. To me, it all looks the same, it's all broth based and has varying amounts of vegetables and meats in it, to Koreans, however, there is such a difference between the three that to call a chiggae a tahng or a gook a chiggae is an outrage and completeley unfounded. I really can't seem to figure it out though, they understand the english word "soup" but they are adamant that gook, tahng and chiggae are not soup. So this got me thinking, maybe I needed to take a moment to define soup. So I said, "soup is a broth based dish with varying vegetables and meats." Wait, I said that already...didn't I? Excuse me for being a crass, uncouth, uncultured American but isn't a broth based dish with varying vegetables and meats exactly what we are eating right now?? No? Well can you please exlain the difference to me? No? ok. So after three months of complete confusion i've finally discovered that chiggae is like a stew, really thick and that a tang is like a normal soup and a gook is broth with some seaweed or onions in it. Ok great, but this still doesn't allevite the fact that I STILL THINK IT'S ALL SOUP AND NOBODY UNDERSTANDS THIS. I guess it's just going to be one of those things where I get it, and that's the end of the story. But still...don't you think that maybe...just maybe they really ARE all the same thing??
On a side note, I needed to buy some buillion so that I can flavor the rice that I purchased, I ran into one of my co-teachers while in the market and when I asked her whether the package I was holding flavored soup (can you see my point of decline here??) she informed me that no, that would not flavor soup. That only a little was added to Chiggae to enhance the flavor. "Kind of like a flavored salt?" the answer was no, absolutely not. I smiled benignly and bought the stuff anyway. Upon returning home and opening it I discovered that it was indeed buillion. I just really really cannot win in the damn soup department.
On a side note, I needed to buy some buillion so that I can flavor the rice that I purchased, I ran into one of my co-teachers while in the market and when I asked her whether the package I was holding flavored soup (can you see my point of decline here??) she informed me that no, that would not flavor soup. That only a little was added to Chiggae to enhance the flavor. "Kind of like a flavored salt?" the answer was no, absolutely not. I smiled benignly and bought the stuff anyway. Upon returning home and opening it I discovered that it was indeed buillion. I just really really cannot win in the damn soup department.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Birthdays Birthdays Birthdays!
"Teacher! It's your yesterday birthday! Happy Congratulations!"
"You looks like a princess! It must be you birsday"
It is illegal to mail salt from the United States to the Republic of Korea. Who knew?
"I just want human legs!" I have no idea what this means but it was bellowed out of the windows of the school today no less than 4 times. Any thoughts about what my students mean by "human legs??"
"You looks like a princess! It must be you birsday"
It is illegal to mail salt from the United States to the Republic of Korea. Who knew?
"I just want human legs!" I have no idea what this means but it was bellowed out of the windows of the school today no less than 4 times. Any thoughts about what my students mean by "human legs??"
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
~*KPOP*~
KPOP permeates every part of the lives of my kids, I mean, EVERY part. KPOP stands for Korean pop music, pop music in the USA- Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, etc are present in the lives of my friends back home but perhaps it's the age that i'm dealing with that concentrates the pop phenomena and roots it ever more firmly in the lives of my kids. I mean, I remember being in 6th grade and being head over heels in love with the spice girls, backstreet boys, and N'sync; I suppose these kids just have artists like SHINee, Big Bang, 2NE1 (twenty one), and Rain (비). I have taken it upon myself to make an effor to learn at least one KPOP song by heart before I leave Korea, not too hard of a task right? Well, I don't think it would be but I have yet to start, so today marks the official day that I begin learning a KPOP song. I thought that initially I wanted to learn "Lollipop" by Big Bang and 2NE1 but I don't think it's really popular right now so i've decided to learn: no forget it, i'm learning "Lollipop" ^.^ (Korean happy face).
And here are the corresponding lyrics...EEEEK!
Lollipop Lyrics
Lolli Lolli Lollipop Oh 넌 나의 Lollipop
Lolli Lolli Lollipop Oh Lolli-Pop-Pop
Lolli Lolli Lollipop Boy 넌 나의 Lollipop
Lolli Lolli Lollipop Oh Lolli-Pop-Pop
막대사탕보다 더 달콤한
내 마음은 터질듯한 Dynamite
난 깔끔한 남자 T.O.P.
내사랑 Bling Bling like L E D
그댄 딱 내 스탈야
반짝반짝 스타야
색다른걸 원해?
Let me show you if that’s okay
Now come on
색깔은 Rainbow
날 느낀 순간 넌 빠져버린걸 알아
You just can’t control
날 사로 잡은 건
너와 나만이 아는 우리 둘의 Secret light
Lolli-Lolli-Lollipop 달콤하게 다가와
Lolli-Lolli-Lollipop 내게 속삭여줘
Lolli-Lolli-Lollipop 상큼하게 다가와
Lolli-Lolli-Lollipop 나를 원하잖아
Lolli Lolli Lollipop girl 넌 나의 Lollipop
Lolli Lolli Lollipop Oh Lolli-Pop-Pop
날 설레게 하는 너의 Body 너의 Move
이미 네 시선을 가둬버린 나의 Groove
식상함들은 매일 날 지치게 해
Let’s just keep You and I F.R.E.S.H
Now come on
색깔은 Rainbow
날 느낀 순간 넌 빠져버린걸 알아
You just can’t control
날 사로 잡은 건 너와 나만이 아는 우리 둘의 Secret Light
Lolli-Lolli-Lollipop 달콤하게 다가와
Lolli-Lolli-Lollipop 내게 속삭여줘
Lolli-Lolli-Lollipop 상큼하게 다가와
Lolli-Lolli-Lollipop 나를 원하잖아
Lolli Lolli Lollipop Oh 넌 나의 Lollipop
한 순간의 느낌이 아냐 지금 두 눈을 감아도 넌 내 앞에 서 있는걸
내가 바라던 그게 너야 그냥 이대로 너와 나 저 불빛아래
Lolli-Lolli-Lollipop 달콤하게 다가와
Lolli-Lolli-Lollipop 내게 속삭여줘
Lolli-Lolli-Lollipop 상큼하게 다가와
Lolli-Lolli-Lollipop 나를 원하잖아
Lolli Lolli Lollipop Oh 넌 나의 Lollipop
Lolli Lolli Lollipop Oh Lolli-Pop-Pop (Repeat x2)
Here's the video so you can get a taste of A- Korean pop music and B- what i'm endeavoring to learn....
And here are the corresponding lyrics...EEEEK!
Lollipop Lyrics
Lolli Lolli Lollipop Oh 넌 나의 Lollipop
Lolli Lolli Lollipop Oh Lolli-Pop-Pop
Lolli Lolli Lollipop Boy 넌 나의 Lollipop
Lolli Lolli Lollipop Oh Lolli-Pop-Pop
막대사탕보다 더 달콤한
내 마음은 터질듯한 Dynamite
난 깔끔한 남자 T.O.P.
내사랑 Bling Bling like L E D
그댄 딱 내 스탈야
반짝반짝 스타야
색다른걸 원해?
Let me show you if that’s okay
Now come on
색깔은 Rainbow
날 느낀 순간 넌 빠져버린걸 알아
You just can’t control
날 사로 잡은 건
너와 나만이 아는 우리 둘의 Secret light
Lolli-Lolli-Lollipop 달콤하게 다가와
Lolli-Lolli-Lollipop 내게 속삭여줘
Lolli-Lolli-Lollipop 상큼하게 다가와
Lolli-Lolli-Lollipop 나를 원하잖아
Lolli Lolli Lollipop girl 넌 나의 Lollipop
Lolli Lolli Lollipop Oh Lolli-Pop-Pop
날 설레게 하는 너의 Body 너의 Move
이미 네 시선을 가둬버린 나의 Groove
식상함들은 매일 날 지치게 해
Let’s just keep You and I F.R.E.S.H
Now come on
색깔은 Rainbow
날 느낀 순간 넌 빠져버린걸 알아
You just can’t control
날 사로 잡은 건 너와 나만이 아는 우리 둘의 Secret Light
Lolli-Lolli-Lollipop 달콤하게 다가와
Lolli-Lolli-Lollipop 내게 속삭여줘
Lolli-Lolli-Lollipop 상큼하게 다가와
Lolli-Lolli-Lollipop 나를 원하잖아
Lolli Lolli Lollipop Oh 넌 나의 Lollipop
한 순간의 느낌이 아냐 지금 두 눈을 감아도 넌 내 앞에 서 있는걸
내가 바라던 그게 너야 그냥 이대로 너와 나 저 불빛아래
Lolli-Lolli-Lollipop 달콤하게 다가와
Lolli-Lolli-Lollipop 내게 속삭여줘
Lolli-Lolli-Lollipop 상큼하게 다가와
Lolli-Lolli-Lollipop 나를 원하잖아
Lolli Lolli Lollipop Oh 넌 나의 Lollipop
Lolli Lolli Lollipop Oh Lolli-Pop-Pop (Repeat x2)
Monday, October 11, 2010
A few Inspirational Conversations I Had Today. Or I Overheard. Or Possibly Made Up. hmm....
"I will kill you if you call me baby"
One of the first things I learned in Korean was the phrase "I will kill you" (내가 당신을 죽일거야) don't ask why this was one of the first phrases I learned, I don't remember why and it honestly doesn't matter as I don't use it. I mean, why would I? Anyway, during one of my *ahem* less attentive classes my co-teacher was attempting to corral the boys into paying attention, one of them responded "yes baby!" This sweet, sweet, willowy, korean women looked him straight in the eye and said "I will kill you if you call me baby." (in Korean of course) His eyes literally crossed in agitation and he visibly moved back into his seat. I on the other hand burst into laughter, great gusto gasps of breath. WAY TO GO Hyejeong! I had to sit down and laugh for almost a full 30 seconds before I could pull myself together and finish my lesson. "You are fashionista!"
Now, I admit that I enjoy fashion and I try to look decent but let's be honest, I'm a good 'ol girl from rural Utah who likes her t's, blue jeans, and flip flops. So imagine my surprise when one of my more fashion conscious students (actually, insert all the girls in the entire school into this category) sashayed up to me in the halls today and proudly declared, "You are a fashionista!" I looked to my right, then my left, then did a complete circle in the middle of the hall, "me?" she nodded happily and walked away. I was left standing in her wake completely perplexed, the thought that Molly doesn't comb her hair or shower unless absolutely necessary Jones as a fashionista was absurd! Surely this small child was blinded by the shininess of my hair? Apparently not as she didn't come running back screaming "joke teacher! Joke!" huh, go me!"We find it rude to congratulate on your birthday so we will lunch you on Wednesday"
Hmm...I cocked my right eyebrow to my hairline and dragged my left eyebrow to my iris, "What could this possibly mean?" I pondered. Eunyeong looked at me expectantly. I looked back. My eyebrows slowly drew even with each other and rested about mid-forehead, my eyes widened. Surely there was some genius response I was supposed to be giving at this point...if only I knew what that statement meant... I finally decided to smile, she smiled back and turned away happily, I turned away baffled. Upon second look at this statement it is clear to me that the dinner (that was supposed to be last Thursday but that was postponed until my birthday) was apparently being cancelled all together and being replaced with a lunch on Wednesday. Splendid arrangement if you ask me!Side note, i'm rather disappointed that my original one-person dinner invite morphed english teacher wide dinner morphed birthday celebration has been canceled. At first I was a little aghast that I was expected to host a dinner for more than one person, then I was astounded that I was expected to host this dinner on MY birthday. MY day. MY MY MY! But after speaking with Emily teacher I realized the wisdom in something she said: "Perhaps it's ridiculous of us to be expecting presents on our birthdays, perhaps we should always host people on our birthday and give them things." Like lavishing praise on them for putting up with the waygookeen (foreigner) as she attempts to come to terms with her new culture, school, lifestyle. Or like never openly criticizing my uneducated teaching methods but by gradually suggesting and helping to shape my classes so they fit well with the mold. Or like inviting me into their homes and their families. Or like always paying for the bill when we go out for dinner. Or like always having a smile ready for when we don't understand each other (insert cup theif here). Ya, maybe I should be thankful for that instead of celebrating MY birthday MY way.
Anyeong!
Picnics in the Park!!
On Friday my students and I all went out for a picnic in the park! I opted to go with Eunyeong and her class for this field trip, it definitely made me feel amazing when I was informed that all the first and second graders were complaining loudly that I wasn't going with THEIR classes ^.^ (Korean happy face!)
The first and second grade students went somewhere else in Masan and my third graders and I went to Yongji Park in Changwon. Each child had their photo individually taken and then their photo taken with their class. I jumped into the photo with Eunyeong's class (i'm sure based off the ruckus over the field trip I attended that this will cause quite the stir. Doesn't it make a person feel great to be fought over?!) After the pictures we all had an old-fashioned picnic, each teacher brought a little something to share. Mostly kimbap- Korean sushi without raw fish, fruit, and of course beer. It was absolutely delicious!
Following this picnic some people opted to go see a movie, I know that I certainly wasn't going to miss out on an opportunity to watch a free movie so I hightailed it to the theater with my self appointed "movie buddy." I'm sure tomorrow morning she'll be like, "Molly teacher, movie buddy! Remember?" and of course i'll respond: "Of course!" but in all reality, I probably won't remember her once she puts on her school uniform and becomes just another korean face in the crowd...oops!
I just LOVE it that the personalities of these kids is able to come out more without the confines of the school and the rules that are applied to them daily.
Anyeong!
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Assemblies
We had an assembly yesterday it was extremely informative! The children all lined up in perfect rows on the soccer pitch in front of the school. Once they were all in place the teachers all lined up in a row about 20 feet in front of them. One of my co-workers grabbed the mike, stood up on the raised platform above the heads of stock-still students and began barking orders. His voice echoing off the walls of the nearby apartment building was bombarding my ears with static noise, but the result of this static was astounding! The students in varying orders (think squadrons) were squatting down and then standing up shouting "Samgye! Junehakyo!" Then the next squadron would squat, "Samgye!" then stand "Junehakyo!" and so on and so forth. I think the funniest part of this particular scene is that "Samgye! Junehakyo!" means "Samgye (my town) Middle School!" so the students are squatting and standing to the chant of their middle school. Once all the squadrons had been ordered, squat, and stood, the children, in one grand block, marched forward a few steps, turned around and marched back a few steps. This shouldn't be reminiscent of Hitler's army of perfect Arians but rather a sea of black bobs and white skater shoes scuffling about in the dirt. Talk about discipline! I think that if my teachers had asked me to do this when I was a middle school student I would have keeled over laughing!! They finally stopped marching and with a last resounding boom they all adopted a stand still parade stance and locked their hands behind their backand the principle began to speak. The rest of the assemlby was normal by American standards and since I didn't understand a word of it a mute point but for several minutes I was still struggling to tuck my smile into my appropriate pants and act like an adult.
Tomorrow my students and I are going on a field trip! We are going to a park and then to the movies. I have never heard of a field trip quite like this one so i'm pretty excited to see what this is all about and hopefully i'll get an opportunity to relate to them on a more personal level!
Anyeong!
Tomorrow my students and I are going on a field trip! We are going to a park and then to the movies. I have never heard of a field trip quite like this one so i'm pretty excited to see what this is all about and hopefully i'll get an opportunity to relate to them on a more personal level!
Anyeong!
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Please, Invite Them All.
One day two weeks ago on a whim I invited Eunyeong over to my house for dinner; I said that I would cook a traditional western meal (insert anything with a tortilla and refried beans) so that she could get a little taste of western cooking. Yesterday she came to me and asked if I was still interested in hosting dinner, I said yes of course and she informed me that the english teachers were all very excited to be coming over for dinner! The smile froze on my face and my eyebrows arched up in surprise, "the english teachers?" I repeated. She smiled and nodded happily. "How many english teachers are there total?" I asked, "8" she replied happily. My eyebrows disappeared into my hairline. So on Thursday I will now be hosting 8 Korean English teachers in my home, my two room flat where the only food to be found at this point is seaweed, rice, and soju.
Last night in a state of near panic I went to my Korean class with Helen, Helen is a Korean Ajumma which means she is married and over 30 and extremely Korean. She teaches Korean to those expats that make the effort and has proved to be an invaluable source of knowledge and advice for me as I struggle to acclimate in my new land. I arrived at her door at 8pm promptly, she let me in, and I let it out. I explained my dilemma to her and then further explained that I only own 3 plates, 2 dishes, 1 fork, and assorted mismatched pots, pans, and chopsticks. Which is perfect for a 22 year old on her first venture into the world of jobs and homes. It is less than ideal for hosting a 9 person dinner party. Helen smiled and immediately led me to the golden cupboard, inside was stacks and stacks of dishes, and cutlery, "I like plates" said Helen. "I like Helen" said Molly. Thankfully I am now proudly in possession of a sufficient number of plates and cutlery to feed my guests, I went shopping yesterday and purchased some of the easier items for Chicken Fajitas and am going on a shopping endeavour later tonight for the remainder of the ingredients.
If nothing else, this will be a multi-pronged life lesson. 1. always be careful how you phrase your invites to Koreans. 2. How to plan a dinner party for 9. Here's to hoping I don't learn anymore lessons as the dinner draws near.
Anyeong!
Last night in a state of near panic I went to my Korean class with Helen, Helen is a Korean Ajumma which means she is married and over 30 and extremely Korean. She teaches Korean to those expats that make the effort and has proved to be an invaluable source of knowledge and advice for me as I struggle to acclimate in my new land. I arrived at her door at 8pm promptly, she let me in, and I let it out. I explained my dilemma to her and then further explained that I only own 3 plates, 2 dishes, 1 fork, and assorted mismatched pots, pans, and chopsticks. Which is perfect for a 22 year old on her first venture into the world of jobs and homes. It is less than ideal for hosting a 9 person dinner party. Helen smiled and immediately led me to the golden cupboard, inside was stacks and stacks of dishes, and cutlery, "I like plates" said Helen. "I like Helen" said Molly. Thankfully I am now proudly in possession of a sufficient number of plates and cutlery to feed my guests, I went shopping yesterday and purchased some of the easier items for Chicken Fajitas and am going on a shopping endeavour later tonight for the remainder of the ingredients.
If nothing else, this will be a multi-pronged life lesson. 1. always be careful how you phrase your invites to Koreans. 2. How to plan a dinner party for 9. Here's to hoping I don't learn anymore lessons as the dinner draws near.
Anyeong!
Monday, October 4, 2010
Who Knew Hot Water Caused Headaches?
I moved to Korea in July, and I got hot water in October; "How did she bathe?" You may wonder, i'll answer it simply: I didn't. Well maybe "I didn't" is a bit extreme, I did bathe, but I just bathed quickly. As the old Italian woman who Liz rents an apartment from in Italy says in "Eat, Pray, Love" the movie, "All the important parts" got washed. Now you may think i'm a stinking lunatic (literally speaking), but I would like to DARE anyone to try showering in frigid water in the middle of their bathroom for 3 months. As some of you have undoubtedly noticed, it WAS summer and it WAS 90 degrees with 80% humidity, but I say shut it! Until you have been showering in freezing water (under duress mind you) for 3 months you cannot reason with me.
All of this is beside the point of my story however; after I returned from China I noticed a significant drop in temperature and after my first cold shower I came to the concrete conclusion that this could not continue on. I needed hot water and I needed it before my next shower. So I did the only logical thing, I went to my landlords house to ask them to help me fix my problem, as I forgot that I don't speak Korean and they don't speak English this turned out to be the least logical thing I could do. Thankfully I was able to remedy my botched attempt at communicating by telling Eunyeong what I needed. She called my landlord and quicklly fixed the situation, apparently my landlords were extremely agitated and worried about me as what I had communicated the previous night was that I thought there was a cat stuck in my wall. I don't understand it either. I figured that everything was said and done at this point and that I should have hot water. Yay!
I was wrong, oh so very very wrong.
My landlord came over on Sunday morning as I was lounging about watching movies with my friend Jason, thankfully Jason speaks Korean and was able to help me effectively communicate precisely what it was that I needed, and to answer some questions my landlord had. Fixed fixed at last I sang in my brain as I did a happy dance. I danced prematurely.
Lucky me, at 6am the next morning I heard the pounding of god on my door and "Mohlly! Mohlly!" I stumbled out of bed, in my underwear, about had the door unlocked when I realized what I was doing. I mumbled something and trudged over to put on some pants. When I finally opened the door there were both of my landlords smiling and happy (at 6am, what is WRONG with these people!?). They trooped into my home and began fiddling with the buttons. I sat back on the bed and put my head in my hands watching them tiredly. Then the questions began. My male landlord began asking questions and gesticulating about, point at this, and then that, making the cross sign for "no!" in korean. I just nodded and kept saying "I don't know, I don't know" both in English and Korean, shrugging my shoulders helplessly. Obviously that was a failed tactic because he began to repeat himself, each time his voice rising in crescendo until he was veritably yelling at me. I, trying to respond in the nicest way possible and without actually realizing what I was doing becasue it was 6AM, was bellering back "I don't know! I don't know!" Finally my landlord began saying "Jason, Jason" and making the calling sign with his hand, I tried to explain that it was early and that we couldn't call him but it took about 5 minutes of pointing to my clock and making snoring noises before he understand. He finally smiled at me, said "ok!" and left. I slumpt on the bed, exhausted and eventually fell back to sleep.
Monday evening arrived and I was sitting on my bed doing something when I heard the knocking again, I sighed heavily and got up to open the door. My landlord traipsed in and began asking for Jason, thankfully it was past 6am this time and I felt comfortable calling him and begging him to deal with my landlord. After about 15 minutes of the landlord and I playing pass the phone we discerned that some workers would need to be called in to look at the problem (hadn't I already discerned this 3 months ago!?). Well THANKFULLY by Tuesday I had water, and my first hot shower in 3 months. I cannot begin to describe to you the joys I felt at scrubbing off 3 months worth of skin. Ah, the simple pleasures of life.
Anyeong!
All of this is beside the point of my story however; after I returned from China I noticed a significant drop in temperature and after my first cold shower I came to the concrete conclusion that this could not continue on. I needed hot water and I needed it before my next shower. So I did the only logical thing, I went to my landlords house to ask them to help me fix my problem, as I forgot that I don't speak Korean and they don't speak English this turned out to be the least logical thing I could do. Thankfully I was able to remedy my botched attempt at communicating by telling Eunyeong what I needed. She called my landlord and quicklly fixed the situation, apparently my landlords were extremely agitated and worried about me as what I had communicated the previous night was that I thought there was a cat stuck in my wall. I don't understand it either. I figured that everything was said and done at this point and that I should have hot water. Yay!
I was wrong, oh so very very wrong.
My landlord came over on Sunday morning as I was lounging about watching movies with my friend Jason, thankfully Jason speaks Korean and was able to help me effectively communicate precisely what it was that I needed, and to answer some questions my landlord had. Fixed fixed at last I sang in my brain as I did a happy dance. I danced prematurely.
Lucky me, at 6am the next morning I heard the pounding of god on my door and "Mohlly! Mohlly!" I stumbled out of bed, in my underwear, about had the door unlocked when I realized what I was doing. I mumbled something and trudged over to put on some pants. When I finally opened the door there were both of my landlords smiling and happy (at 6am, what is WRONG with these people!?). They trooped into my home and began fiddling with the buttons. I sat back on the bed and put my head in my hands watching them tiredly. Then the questions began. My male landlord began asking questions and gesticulating about, point at this, and then that, making the cross sign for "no!" in korean. I just nodded and kept saying "I don't know, I don't know" both in English and Korean, shrugging my shoulders helplessly. Obviously that was a failed tactic because he began to repeat himself, each time his voice rising in crescendo until he was veritably yelling at me. I, trying to respond in the nicest way possible and without actually realizing what I was doing becasue it was 6AM, was bellering back "I don't know! I don't know!" Finally my landlord began saying "Jason, Jason" and making the calling sign with his hand, I tried to explain that it was early and that we couldn't call him but it took about 5 minutes of pointing to my clock and making snoring noises before he understand. He finally smiled at me, said "ok!" and left. I slumpt on the bed, exhausted and eventually fell back to sleep.
Monday evening arrived and I was sitting on my bed doing something when I heard the knocking again, I sighed heavily and got up to open the door. My landlord traipsed in and began asking for Jason, thankfully it was past 6am this time and I felt comfortable calling him and begging him to deal with my landlord. After about 15 minutes of the landlord and I playing pass the phone we discerned that some workers would need to be called in to look at the problem (hadn't I already discerned this 3 months ago!?). Well THANKFULLY by Tuesday I had water, and my first hot shower in 3 months. I cannot begin to describe to you the joys I felt at scrubbing off 3 months worth of skin. Ah, the simple pleasures of life.
Anyeong!
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Samgye- My Little Piece of Korean Heaven
Anyeong!
Friday, October 1, 2010
That One Time When I Went To China
After much writer's block and grappling with how best to approach my trip to China i've decided to just write! I suppose I didn't need a week to figure that out but whatever.
As I flew into Shanghai Saturday afternoon I looked out the airplane window and below me was just mud brown. I spent maybe five minutes straining my eyes trying desperately to discern what I was looking at. I finally located what appeared to be a boat and I realized that the brown much below me was the ocean! So needless to say, my first impression of China was a bit... muddy.
My good friend from the states Alex came and joined late Sunday evening so I had all of saturday to kick around Shanghai by myself. I walked for 6 hours, I walked so far my head hurt from standing up so long! Shanghai is an amazing city, it's packed full of people, and there is this interesting eclectic mix of new and old China. The government of Shanghai is trying desperately hard to put on the best face they possibly can as the World Expo is located in Shanghai and the government (undoubtedly) wants the world to see China as a force to be measured with and to be taken seriously. I don't blame them, but wandering around the backroads was more exciting then sticking to the designated tourist areas (not to mention 100% cheaper). I think the photo below is a great example of what i'm talking about, in the background is the Shanghai Pearl, one of the pride and joys of Shanghais' tourism industry. The Bund (the river front) is gorgeous, and the flag of China is proudly displayed and flapping in the wind. And then you look closely and you realize that the barge marring the beauty of these sights is not just any boat, it's actually a garbage boat, a perfect combination of young and old, pretty and ugly, tourism and reality.
At first the sheer amount of people in Shanghai was amazing to me, no matter where it was that I turned I was constantly being touched, pushed, shoved, talked to, talked over, or someone was trying to sell me something; but I can assure you that quickly got old! Some other dangers of the sidewalk besides the volume of people were the motorcycles, the are driven on the sidewalk so you constantly have to be aware and wary of speeding cyclists, yikes! Going back to the antiquities of China, occasionally they still toss their dirty water and garbage out their apartment windows, so you are constantly on the lookout for a trash bath, the air conditioners and buildings themselves drip dirty water on top of your head (or in your mouth if you are as unlucky as I was). The children don't wear diapers and have slits in their clothes so whenever they have to use the restroom them just squat in the gutters, or are hoisted over the nearest flower bed by their parents. So the gutter is pretty much out of the question for walking in. The busses (as with Korea) are the largest vehicles in the road so they take the continual liberty of turning any time they want, which causes the cars to respond and you frequently end up with cars driving the wrong way on the road which causes untold car jams and the honking is a incessant. So in recap, there is nowhere safe to walk, you must constantly be on the lookout for pickpockets, questionable market deals, trash baths, motorcyclists, poop, and motorized vehicles. YIKES!
Alex and I searched in futile for a bar where we could meet some locals and try some Chinese liquor but there wasn't really anything that we found so we opted to be satisfied with eating. Food in China is a bit of an adventure as they eat EVERY part of the animal not to mention a myriad of bizarre things like chicken feet and toads. Ew. Thankfully we met some really really nice people, who we didn't understand but who were understanding as we did our foreigner charades act.
The World Expo was a bit of a let down, it was like going back to my 6th grade World Fair at Helen M. Knight Elementary were we all made 3 fold board posters detailing a different country and wandered about the school trying some food and exploring out classmates hard work, except that this expo was with buidlings instead of 3 fold posterboard (Thank you Alex for that excellent depiction). We waited in line for Egypt for roughly 30 minutes to get inside and realize that there was not a whole lot inside, less than a handful of statues from early Egyptian history and a really cool white ribbon. Totally NOT worth my 30 minute wait. Ah well, you don't know this unless you embark on the journey first do you??
Anyway, I felt as though China would have been better if I had gone with some friends who speak Chinese or are Chinese because then I would have been exposed to more of the cultural and lifestyle aspects of the Chinese as opposed to the tourist. One thing is certain, I will NOT be going back to China without a Chinese person, and something that is less sure is whether I will actually ever make it back to China. There are so many exciting places out in the world to return somewhere that was not very fulfilling just seems silly; but perhaps that was a first time world travelers traveling blunder and China is where i'll settle. Whatever the case may be, i'm pretty dang pleased to be back in Korea.
Anyeong!
As I flew into Shanghai Saturday afternoon I looked out the airplane window and below me was just mud brown. I spent maybe five minutes straining my eyes trying desperately to discern what I was looking at. I finally located what appeared to be a boat and I realized that the brown much below me was the ocean! So needless to say, my first impression of China was a bit... muddy.
At first the sheer amount of people in Shanghai was amazing to me, no matter where it was that I turned I was constantly being touched, pushed, shoved, talked to, talked over, or someone was trying to sell me something; but I can assure you that quickly got old! Some other dangers of the sidewalk besides the volume of people were the motorcycles, the are driven on the sidewalk so you constantly have to be aware and wary of speeding cyclists, yikes! Going back to the antiquities of China, occasionally they still toss their dirty water and garbage out their apartment windows, so you are constantly on the lookout for a trash bath, the air conditioners and buildings themselves drip dirty water on top of your head (or in your mouth if you are as unlucky as I was). The children don't wear diapers and have slits in their clothes so whenever they have to use the restroom them just squat in the gutters, or are hoisted over the nearest flower bed by their parents. So the gutter is pretty much out of the question for walking in. The busses (as with Korea) are the largest vehicles in the road so they take the continual liberty of turning any time they want, which causes the cars to respond and you frequently end up with cars driving the wrong way on the road which causes untold car jams and the honking is a incessant. So in recap, there is nowhere safe to walk, you must constantly be on the lookout for pickpockets, questionable market deals, trash baths, motorcyclists, poop, and motorized vehicles. YIKES!
Alex and I searched in futile for a bar where we could meet some locals and try some Chinese liquor but there wasn't really anything that we found so we opted to be satisfied with eating. Food in China is a bit of an adventure as they eat EVERY part of the animal not to mention a myriad of bizarre things like chicken feet and toads. Ew. Thankfully we met some really really nice people, who we didn't understand but who were understanding as we did our foreigner charades act.
The World Expo was a bit of a let down, it was like going back to my 6th grade World Fair at Helen M. Knight Elementary were we all made 3 fold board posters detailing a different country and wandered about the school trying some food and exploring out classmates hard work, except that this expo was with buidlings instead of 3 fold posterboard (Thank you Alex for that excellent depiction). We waited in line for Egypt for roughly 30 minutes to get inside and realize that there was not a whole lot inside, less than a handful of statues from early Egyptian history and a really cool white ribbon. Totally NOT worth my 30 minute wait. Ah well, you don't know this unless you embark on the journey first do you??
Anyway, I felt as though China would have been better if I had gone with some friends who speak Chinese or are Chinese because then I would have been exposed to more of the cultural and lifestyle aspects of the Chinese as opposed to the tourist. One thing is certain, I will NOT be going back to China without a Chinese person, and something that is less sure is whether I will actually ever make it back to China. There are so many exciting places out in the world to return somewhere that was not very fulfilling just seems silly; but perhaps that was a first time world travelers traveling blunder and China is where i'll settle. Whatever the case may be, i'm pretty dang pleased to be back in Korea.
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