Its been raining hard here in Korea for the past night and day, and its scheduled to continue until Sunday. I've been told this is Korea's rainy season, but I remember it raining a lot in late August and early September when we first arrived in Korea. The rain is really beautiful, it keeps the sky dark and the clouds are continuously swirling above. I read on the weather report that the rain tomorrow will actually be from a tropical storm! The rain does make it a little more difficult to get around quickly and to keep dry, but its a nice change from the super hot and humid temperatures we had last week. Yesterday morning I had to walk to the bus stop to take the one hour ride to my country school. The bus stop is about a ten or 15 minute walk. Yesterday was quite the obstacle course though! I had to dodge hordes of students with umbrellas, puddles, cars and rain! By the time I got to the bus, my shoes and socks were compleatly soaked! Luckily there is a pair of sandals waiting for me at my country school, so I was able to let everything air out during the day. Some of the boy students did notice my less than fashionable shoes (they were lent to me by the school for the year) saying they were men's shoes. We all had a good laugh.
Other than the heat and the rain we've been doing very well lately. We haven't been up to much since Sokcho a few weekends ago, but the last few days of teaching are quickly approaching. We have one more week until final exams and then the majority of the school goes on summer break. I'll be teaching for two weeks of the break, two classes in the morning and one two hour conversation class in the afternoon, the same schedule I had over winter break. I'm pretty positive about the classes and am just planning on having some fun with the kids before I leave. I mean it is their summer break too, so why not make it a little fun? So far I'm planning on watching Shrek, Tangled and an episode of Glee. After each show we'll stop and do worksheets and talk about what we see. I also think I might do a photograph scavenger hunt and then make a slide show to show the kids. I also have a few fun lessons like "How to Survive a Zombie Attack" and how to make a PBJ sandwich, to which we will then make the sandwich in class. I just hope the students are easy to deal with. I know a few of the girls who signed up for the conversation class and they are really sweet.
Anyhow, like I said only a few weeks left of teaching! There are a lot of students I'm really going to miss! Remarkably I've had a few really open up to me, which is I guess what teachers say always keeps them coming back. One girl likes to talk with me about America, another told me she is a lesbian, one boy asked for advice on how to approach a girl he likes... warms my heart and makes me feel so proud of them and happy to be here! Oh course in the end I can say things like that, now that is over! I do think if I were staying a second year things would be much easier, but I also think I'd get more and more bored.
Last weekend Jason and I visited Daegu to see our friend Tim from UCI and Campus Tours. There are just so many of us in Korea! Daegu is a big city, like Busan, so there was a huge variety of shops and restaurants. We didn't do much but eat Mexican food and walk around, but it was a nice time. It would be such a different experience in a big city! Everywhere we went in the popular downtown Tim ran into foreigners he knew, they were just everywhere! Plus we went in two apartments and they were tiny and old, mine is 10x nicer! And while variety would be nice, a few bars and resturants wouldn't even take in foreigners because we would have just overan the place. I could totally understand the Korean's not wanting a loud group of foriegners crowding up their space. The city was really nice but I feel like I get a better "Korean" experience being in Wonju.
Also in Daegu we had our first experience with a taxi driver trying to rip us off. That never happens in Korea! Our friend Tim lives about a 10 minute drive outside of the center of Deegu, he takes taxis back late at night all the time and it always costs 15,000 won. We got in and drove a little and then the driver pointed to his meters saying something like "oh, no meter, its 25,000 won." Tim argued with him right away, "no 15,000," to which the driver replied, "no, 25,000." This went on for about a minute before Tim just had the taxi pull over and we got out to find a new one. By this time the fare had gone up to 3500, not much. But Tim said no way were we going to pay. We jumped out of the taxi and immediatly flagged down another one, quickly got in and told the man to go. But our original taxi had not left, and the driver was out of his car. He came over to the window where Tim was sitting and yelled at him, demanding money, Tim kept saying no and speaking English to him, but I think that helped, he was explaining why we wouldn't pay in an angry tone, even if the guy couldn't understand him. The two taxi drivers said a few words to each other. Tim finally said, "no, your service is bad!" and the guy said "good service!" Tim told the new driver how much the first one was going to charge and he scoffed, obviously knowing it was rip off! The original driver went as far as to open the passenger door where Tim was but then finally just walked away muttering under his breath. I was really proud of Tim for sticking to his guns! I would have given in long ago! Who did this guy think he was though, that was a huge overcharge! The new driver was really nice and agreed we were being overcharged, asked us if we were teachers and then pointed out that he lived near to Tim. Exciting times!
The only other update I have is that in August Amber, Jason and I will be going to Taiwan! We leave on a Saturday and return the following Sunday! Not a super long trip, but I think we can still do and see a lot! The flight is only 2 1/2 hours from Seoul, it will take us longer to get to the airport on the bus from Wonju. Should be really fun and we've got to get planning!
Friday, June 24, 2011
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
A Sokcho and Seoraksan Weekend
Last weekend was another long weekend, with a national holiday falling on Monday. Jason, Scott, Amber and I decided to head north and up the coast to visit friends in Sokcho. We left early Saturday morning. The bus ride was 2 1/2 hours and unlike when I went to Sokcho with my family, the bus was not excruciatingly hot. Instead the bus driver was ancient and quite possibly the worst driver I've ever ridden with, he was constantly stomping on the brakes at totally random times, so nauseating.
Glad to exit the bus, we grabbed a taxi and headed to our friend Janine's apartment. We met Janine and her husband Ben during our EPIK orientation in Seoul during August. We've only seem them a few times since then but I've kept in touch with her through email. She's Canadian and he's Irish and they are both very laid back, fun, warm people. After chatting with Janine for awhile we walked to the beach (get that, we walked! So awesome!) The weather was much, much warmer than I had anticipated (curse you google weather!) The beach was beautiful and people were swimming in the water and chilling on the beach with drinks and blankets. The water was really cold, worse than the California coast, but that didn't stop Scott from stripping down to his boxers and jumping in. (It took a long time for him to finally decide he was going to jump in, since he hadn't brought his swim trunks.) The rest of us just sat on the beach and in the shade of the boardwalk. We were wearing jeans and no sunscreen, totally unprepared!
After a few hours Janine left us to meet up with a friend and we headed off to get some food. She told us to ask the taxi driver to take us to "Food Town." But what we heard was "Fuu Town." Her Canadian accent had foiled us! We told the taxi driver "Fuu town juseo!" and he looked at us like we were crazy. Luckily Scott had also memorized the name of a popular restaurant in the same area so we made it. When we met up with Janine later we all had a good laugh about our misunderstanding.
After our galbi dinner we hopped back in a taxi to go to Daepo Harbor. The Harbor was mostly under construction, they were adding a new park area, but there was a small sliver of shops lining a curving street that we were able to walk down. There were vendors on both sides selling fish and sea food of all kinds. We enjoyed taking in the sites but didn't buy anything but slushies. We could have bought tempura or squid stuffed with rice and vegetables.
The harbor took less time than we thought it would and soon we were left with nothing to do for an hour until Janine was to meet us again. So we headed to the Family Mart across the street, bought a bottle of wine, and waited. Soon Brian and Shannon joined us, as they were also visiting Sokcho for the day. So basically we ended up hanging out with the same people from Wonju we always hang out with. Too funny! Sitting in front of Family Mart always turns out well though and it’s nice to sit outside in the fresh air, in most restaurants you can't. Quickly enough though we all ended up at Janine's and sat talking until bed time.
The next day we woke up and Amber made us a great scrambled egg breakfast. We had planned to go to Seoraksan mountain that day but unexpectedly Ben came home. He had been doing a long overnight hike at Seoraksan all weekend. He had decided to come home early and told us the road into the base of the mountain where we were going to head was backed up for miles and would take hours to get through on the bus. Sadly we decided we'd better come up with a new plan. We decided to get up early the next morning and hike quickly before going back to Wonju.
With Ben back with the car (they bought a car in Korea and he can drive!) we decided to head further up the coast in search of, supposedly, the old summer home of Kim Jong-Ill, the leader of North Korea. Apparently he went there as a kid before the division. All we knew was that it was located near a lake close to the border. We drove around the lake a few times but never saw where to go! Unfortunately for us! I was beginning to doubt it really existed but I've since looked it up and it does, we just didn't find it. We did find one house though, which we at first thought was the right place, but it turned out to be the old summer house of the first President of Korea, Rhee Syngman. Funny how years apart two famous men had homes near each other! We went in the small museum dedicated to him and although there were only a few sentences here and there in English, I did learn about how democracy came to Korea after the Japanese occupation. Mr. Rhee was educated in the US at GW University, Harvard and Yale. His diplomas were even on display, and written in Latin! He also married a Hawaiian-American wife but apparently she adapted to Korean customs perfectly and became regarded as a true Korean. That doesn't often happen!
Again the weather was perfect and we stopped to eat in a small town near the lake. Then we headed back towards Sokcho and stopped at a bird watching sanctuary, which included another lake. We took a long walk around the lake because Ben and Janine knew of a really cool working traditional village beyond it. As we rounded a bend in the road there lay a perfect working village, a picturesque site in the lush green hills. It was so cute, the houses had thatched roofs and there were rice paddies surrounding them. But they still had electricity and cars. There was also a huge swing set made of large wood poles, about twice the size of a normal swing set. Jason and I eat took turns on it, Ben pushing Jason and Jason pushing me! Our walk was lovely, warm and sunny and surrounded by farm land and lush landscape. We even saw a snake! There's not much wildlife in Korea so this was pretty cool! (Korea has no large mammals living in its hills, no bears, no tigers, no deer, just small animals and not many at that. Once there really were tigers and bears but they were all killed to extinction when the Japanese occupied Korea. People think everything in North Korea must also be killed by now since people are starving there.)
The eerie thing about driving up the coast was that we were only about 5 miles from the border and the DMZ. We considered driving to the DMZ but we had four people in the back seat of the car and were worried they would frown at that since they do car inspections when you drive in. We saw signs that we were entering the tense border region anyhow. On the two lane road we drove up every so often there were spots were overpasses covered the road packed tight with boxes of charges. So if the North invaded, someone would light the charges, they would explode and tumble down on the road, blocking it. But in contrast, Ben also told us about the Trans-Korea road that is still being built. It’s a highway that connects the north of Korea all the way down to Busan. It’s also advertised that when it’s finished you can drive through to China and Russia! But it will never be finished. Unless North and South Korea unify. Yet the road it still being built on the South Korean side, so when reunification happens they will be ready. We remarked that if the North invaded, all it would have to do is drive down that road. Bizarre. Amber and Scott thought it was a hopeful sign but Jason and I just found it eerie and naive. Janine told us it is in the national curriculum that students learn in elementary school that South Korea does want to reunify with the North and that the day will come. Yet she said some of her teachers actually don't want that to happen, but they must teach it and they must tell their student's that is what they believe. Instead she said some teachers, logically and expectantly I think, believe reunification would destroy the South Korean economy and everyone's current way of life. I think it would too.
Finally it was time for dinner, and a big dinner it was! We had been waiting all weekend to have a special dinner Janine reserved for us. It was roast pumpkin filled with roasted duck inside. They roast it for 4-5 hours to perfection. It was a glorious, glorious meal. The pumpkin was simply delicious. One of the most delicious tastes I have ever experienced! And there was also a pumpkin puree that was to die for. I wanted to bottle it up and take it home with me to eat every day. I chowed down to the extreme. Pumpkin duck is quite expensive at 50,000 won, but it was well worth it. I could eat it every week!
We ended our day with a relaxing soak at a jimjilbang. This one was awesome because it had a coed part with outdoor hot tubs of various temperatures. And you got to wear a bathing suit instead of going nude. We spent a few hours soaking and dripping sweat in the sauna rooms before heading back to Janine and Ben's. It was great sitting outside in the warm evening air looking at the mountains and watching the lights of the town come on.
The next day we woke up at 6am to go hiking at Seoraksan. We wanted to beat the traffic and the heat, plus we didn't want to get home too late. Janine and Ben stayed home but the four of us headed up the mountain. I tried to convince everyone to ride the cable car and do the easy, shorter hike, but I was out numbered and we decided on the 4 hour round trip hike up to Ulsan peak. The hike started out easy but Scott and Amber were much quicker than the out of shape Jason and I. Scott even carried a whole watermelon up in his backpack so we could snack on it at the top! Half way through the hike there is a small restaurant. We saw old man carrying huge packs filled with boxes and bags up the trail to deliver goods to the restaurant, it was majorly impressive. There was also a Buddhist temple half way up carved right into the side of the mountain. I didn't get to look long but inside there were miniature Buddha’s carved right into the mountain! The hike got really difficult at the end though!! Like, horribly difficult! Like I wanted to die and give up difficult. There were 800 stairs for us to climb... straight up the rock!! It was simply awful. When I got to the top I grumpily proclaimed "I have determined I get absolutely no enjoyment from physical exertion, like hiking." I'm so dramatic. The view was beautiful from the top but that was about it. We had some great watermelon and then headed down, which was much easier. The whole thing took about 3 1/2 hours. We quickly saw the huge Buddha at the entrance to the mountain and then were back on the bus to Janine and Ben's.
We said goodbye to them and were on our way back to Wonju. Janine had made cookies so that was a plus. Ben dropped us at the bus station and we saw the Wonju bus just pulling out onto the road. We groaned because we had just missed it! But Jason gestured to the bus driver, which was now sitting at a stop light, if we could get on, and the guy gestured back, yes! So we ran across the street, quickly yelling goodbye to Ben, and jumped on the bus! We were so lucky! Otherwise we would have had to wait over another hour and it was already 1pm. We were also lucky we got on that bus because our driver was a champ. Although I slept pretty much the entire ride, I did wake up from time to time to see the intense, stopped traffic on the highway. Yet instead of getting us stuck on it, our driver knew how to take the tiny, one lane parallel roads that were off to the side of the highway. I woke up wondering why we were going over so many bumps only to look out my window and see countryside and country houses. I wondered why they were next to the highway until I realized we weren't on the highway. I could see the highway to my left and saw stopped cars and buses. If it wasn't for our driver we would have been one of them!
Instead we arrived in Wonju around 4pm. Jason I ate some kimbab, lesson planned and watched TV the rest of the night. Another good weekend under wrap!
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Teacher's Sports Day
Following on the heels of the student's sports day was teacher's sports day. Last Friday three bus loads full of Sangji Girls Middle and High School teachers made the hour long journey to Chuncheon. This day was only for private schools, not public schools, so instead of hundreds of schools participating from Gangwon province there were about 20 schools in total. In addition to Jason and I, our friend Scott also attended, as did an old friend from UCI named Ben who I had not yet previously met up with in Korea.
Arriving at school at 7:30 we promptly left and were given kimbab to eat on the bus. Although the ride was only an hour, we stopped at a road side snack shop. I think it was just for the teachers to have some fun and buy coffee because we didn't need to stop. They even bought me some coffee and tried to convince to me to run the relay race. "Relay? You run?" I laughed and shook my head, not wanting to be signed up for any more events. I was already slated to play women's kickball and team jump rope. Back on the bus we went and within 20 minutes we had passed through Chuncheon to the beautiful forested outskirts of the town where the sports complex is. It was a huge place, with three or four different stadiums devoted to baseball, soccer and tennis (I think.) Inside the soccer stadium tents were sent out lining the court for the different schools to park their stuff under and relax.
Sangji found our spot and the teachers quickly put down some shiny aluminum like material that they had brought in a large roll for us to sit on. They also immediately opened the two large coolers that had been carried in. They were filled with food and drink! And when I saw drink I mean not just water, soda and Gatorade, but beer, soju and mackeolli! This was to be more of a drinking and eating day than a time for playing sports. Before it was even 10:00 the women teachers had opened some beers and were chowing down on strips of pork with spicy dipping sauce. Unfortunately the festivities were cut short when we all had to stand up and go to the lawn for the long and boring opening ceremony.
And then bam, it was time to play kickball! All us women teachers had matching soccer jersey's on that we'd borrowed from the students, so we looked like a unified team. I'm not sure how athletic we really were. Most of the women were over 40 on our team although a few were surprisingly competitive. It seemed like most of the other schools had teams composed of really young teachers. Whatever. While Scott said his schools team wanted to lose right away so they wouldn't have to play, our team captain wanted to WIN! So thus started our first game. Each game only lasted three innings. At the end of the three, we were tied. Rather than have us keep playing, the officials decided rock, paper, scissors was the fairest way to decide who would advance. (I was stunned thinking, are you kidding me?!) By some twist of luck, our VP won and we advanced!
And so the day went on, we played 5 matches in total. We did so well we were in the semi-final match, our 5th match of the day, around 2pm. After we finished was the final men's soccer match and then the day would be over. This game was intense. The team we played had strong kickers and obviously knew the technical rules of the game, something our teachers lacked knowledge of. There were plenty of times we could have had an out but they just wouldn't throw the ball to the right base, or the other team would score a run because we wouldn't throw it back to the pitcher to stop the play! I tried to frantically convey to my teammates what to do many times but no one listened or understood when I would yell "second! The ball to second!!" Too bad. In the end we lost, 6-7. But our super competitive team captain couldn't let it go and she argued with the referees for over 20 minutes. In a very unfriendly like manner and a show of poor sportsman ship, we didn't even bow and shake hands with the other team, everyone just walked away! Basically our team thought we should have won because we got a player out at the last second thus her run shouldn't have counted. Yet she wasn't forced to run, so we needed to have tagged her rather than just simply stood on the base. No one understood this on our team and while I did, I couldn't convey my understanding to anyone. Language barrier to the max. So I just smiled and wandered away.
All the teachers were super impressed by me because I was practically the only one that could strongly kick the ball. Every time I would kick it over the outfield's head and gain two bases. I could also catch the ball when it came my way. Like I said, our team wasn't very athletic. This was the most athletic exercise I'd had in months, maybe even years! On the side line the teachers kept yelling to me "I love you! You are genius! Wow, big kick! My friend!" or in the end "MVP!!" Made me feel good and it was actually really fun to play. (Pathetically, I was swore for two days afterwards, so out of shape I am!!)
Besides playing so much kickball all I did was eat all day! Truly the main event for every teacher was eating and drinking! Before the day was done all the soju, watermelon, grapes, pork and other various snacks had been consumed. It was a horrible mess. Koreans are so funny sometimes! I would have eaten more if I had more time. Scott didn't play any games so he was stuffed. Jason managed to get on the soccer team and had lots of fun playing two games. I was impressed by his skills, I had no idea he was so athletic! He got super sunburned and was bright red at the end of the game. One teacher told him he looked like an apple.
Arriving at school at 7:30 we promptly left and were given kimbab to eat on the bus. Although the ride was only an hour, we stopped at a road side snack shop. I think it was just for the teachers to have some fun and buy coffee because we didn't need to stop. They even bought me some coffee and tried to convince to me to run the relay race. "Relay? You run?" I laughed and shook my head, not wanting to be signed up for any more events. I was already slated to play women's kickball and team jump rope. Back on the bus we went and within 20 minutes we had passed through Chuncheon to the beautiful forested outskirts of the town where the sports complex is. It was a huge place, with three or four different stadiums devoted to baseball, soccer and tennis (I think.) Inside the soccer stadium tents were sent out lining the court for the different schools to park their stuff under and relax.
Sangji found our spot and the teachers quickly put down some shiny aluminum like material that they had brought in a large roll for us to sit on. They also immediately opened the two large coolers that had been carried in. They were filled with food and drink! And when I saw drink I mean not just water, soda and Gatorade, but beer, soju and mackeolli! This was to be more of a drinking and eating day than a time for playing sports. Before it was even 10:00 the women teachers had opened some beers and were chowing down on strips of pork with spicy dipping sauce. Unfortunately the festivities were cut short when we all had to stand up and go to the lawn for the long and boring opening ceremony.
And then bam, it was time to play kickball! All us women teachers had matching soccer jersey's on that we'd borrowed from the students, so we looked like a unified team. I'm not sure how athletic we really were. Most of the women were over 40 on our team although a few were surprisingly competitive. It seemed like most of the other schools had teams composed of really young teachers. Whatever. While Scott said his schools team wanted to lose right away so they wouldn't have to play, our team captain wanted to WIN! So thus started our first game. Each game only lasted three innings. At the end of the three, we were tied. Rather than have us keep playing, the officials decided rock, paper, scissors was the fairest way to decide who would advance. (I was stunned thinking, are you kidding me?!) By some twist of luck, our VP won and we advanced!
And so the day went on, we played 5 matches in total. We did so well we were in the semi-final match, our 5th match of the day, around 2pm. After we finished was the final men's soccer match and then the day would be over. This game was intense. The team we played had strong kickers and obviously knew the technical rules of the game, something our teachers lacked knowledge of. There were plenty of times we could have had an out but they just wouldn't throw the ball to the right base, or the other team would score a run because we wouldn't throw it back to the pitcher to stop the play! I tried to frantically convey to my teammates what to do many times but no one listened or understood when I would yell "second! The ball to second!!" Too bad. In the end we lost, 6-7. But our super competitive team captain couldn't let it go and she argued with the referees for over 20 minutes. In a very unfriendly like manner and a show of poor sportsman ship, we didn't even bow and shake hands with the other team, everyone just walked away! Basically our team thought we should have won because we got a player out at the last second thus her run shouldn't have counted. Yet she wasn't forced to run, so we needed to have tagged her rather than just simply stood on the base. No one understood this on our team and while I did, I couldn't convey my understanding to anyone. Language barrier to the max. So I just smiled and wandered away.
All the teachers were super impressed by me because I was practically the only one that could strongly kick the ball. Every time I would kick it over the outfield's head and gain two bases. I could also catch the ball when it came my way. Like I said, our team wasn't very athletic. This was the most athletic exercise I'd had in months, maybe even years! On the side line the teachers kept yelling to me "I love you! You are genius! Wow, big kick! My friend!" or in the end "MVP!!" Made me feel good and it was actually really fun to play. (Pathetically, I was swore for two days afterwards, so out of shape I am!!)
Besides playing so much kickball all I did was eat all day! Truly the main event for every teacher was eating and drinking! Before the day was done all the soju, watermelon, grapes, pork and other various snacks had been consumed. It was a horrible mess. Koreans are so funny sometimes! I would have eaten more if I had more time. Scott didn't play any games so he was stuffed. Jason managed to get on the soccer team and had lots of fun playing two games. I was impressed by his skills, I had no idea he was so athletic! He got super sunburned and was bright red at the end of the game. One teacher told him he looked like an apple.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Seoul Lantern Festival for Buddha's Birthday
The night I returned to Wonju from the USA I immediatly met up with my friend Liz. Liz is an old friend from UCI who was also a campus tour guide. She is currently working as an English teacher in Japan and had come to Korea for her one week of spring vacation. She had been travelling around Korea for the week but wanted to come hang out with me in Wonju. We both arrived in Wonju Thursday night around 8pm via bus so it was very easy to meet at the station. We took a taxi back to my place and talked until I finally decided I had to go to bed because I had work the next day.
School on Friday was Physical Exam day so the students had no classes. Which meant I was free to sit and do whatever the heck I wanted. I told Liz I would walk back to my apartment around 10:30 and bring her over for a tour of the school. She was really eager to see the similarities and differences between a Japanese and Korean school. Right away we met some students in the hallway who squealed "you're beautiful" and "I love you!" to Liz. She said this was very flattering and much more forward than a Japanese student would be. After going to the English Room and talking for about an hour we wandered downstairs to find out what was going on with lunch. We happen to run into two of the women I eat lunch with and Mr. Byeon. They suggested we all go out to eat together (even though I never eat with Mr. B, I think he just wanted to talk to the new foreigner.) We went to a simple restaurant where they tried to suggest pork katsu and tempura to here, to which Liz and I exchanged glances, as this is Japanese food, but Korean's will try to tell you it is Korean. We ended up with a noodle dish and kim bab, which is Korean. They asked her a lot of difficult and nervewraking questions like, how do Japanese and Korean students compare, what do you think of Korea, etc. She managed to field them pretty well although I could see the look her face when they asked certain questions, to us it seems so bold and a little rude but to them they don't see that at all. Lunch was nice though and they did treat us.
After that Mr. Byeon was all too happy to give Liz the master tour of Sangji, just like he gave my parents. Again Liz was a great sport and had a lot of fun. We visited numerous classrooms, she met the VP and lots of other teachers and saw the high school. She was interested in the cafeteria because in Japan they don't have any, the students eat lunch in their classrooms, so we went in and ended up having tea with the super nice lunch ladies! Liz was also given a Pororo bubble blower (a popular animated character in Korea) by one student and gave her a pen in return. Every room we went in Mr. Byeon had her blow bubbles, so odd!
Around 4pm we finally went home. I never get so detailed a tour and introduction to teachers I have never met unless a visitor is here. We were tired after that so we just relaxed around my apartment until 7pm when Amber came over for dinner. We went to a near by galbi place (grilled beef) which they both loved! Amber headed home afterwards but Liz and I went to grab a drink at a local bar called Pub. Where she lives in Japan is really small so she enjoyed getting to go out, even in a casual way, with a friend. We headed home about midnight even though two very shy Korean men tried to get us to stay and drink with them.
The next day we headed back to Seoul with Amber. We wanted to see the famous Lantern Festival held in Seoul for Buddha's Birthday. We left the apartment about 10am but didn't get to our hostel where we would stay the night in Seoul until close to 3pm in the afternoon, after all the bus and subway travel. Then we headed to the Myeongdong area to eat and do a little shopping at Forever 21. We had CPK (California Pizza Kitchen) because we were craving a little western food and it was the only thing I knew for sure where it was. We enjoyed strolling around Myeongdong, it was busy as ever! And I had a very successful shopping trip.
Around 8pm we walked to the City Hall area to see the start of the parade of lanterns. Although it was crowded, it was less so than I thought it would be and we were able to get right up next to the towering 10 feet high + lanterns! They were beautiful, made out of paper and sculpted into perfection. There were huge warriors, fish, mountains, flowers... and they were all light from inside. To move them men grabbed poles on the outside and pushed them along the street. The parade was a little harder to see but it looked beautiful as well, it was huge and filled with group after group of people dressed in traditional Korean outfirst walking or dancing down the street, each carrying a different kind of hand held paper lantern.
The area was starting to get more crowded so we walked down a side street in hopes of finding the buddhist temple we had heard was at the end of the parade route, where all the lanterns would be placed. We didn't find it but ended up walking in a huge circle. It was no matter though, because the night was warm and clear and tons of people were out enjoying it. We ended up seeing the main Gyeongbokgung palace again and the statues out front of it. They were light up in the night and lhanging lanterns lined the main streets. I was all really beautiful, I wish they always stayed up.
Finally we asked some people how to get to the temple and they pointed us in the right direction. Soon we were back in the throng of people, but this time it was filled with the performers from the parade who were rushing to get on the subway and go home. We saw some foreigners with paper lanterns in their hands and asked how we could get our own. They said the performers just gave them to them. Not a minute later, an old women in traditional wear walked up to Amber and gave her a baskeball size and shaped hand made paper lantern, with a lit candle inside. Then one was handed to Liz. We kept walking and an old man gave me one shaped like a lotus flower. We were so pleased! As we kept walking though, people tried to give us more and more! Liz refused a first but she and I ended up with three each! Unfornately with so many it was hard to keep them from getting damaged with all the people bumping into me. Amber had the better idea, only keep one perfect one. It was so hard to refuse though, I could see the old women look at us, hear them utter "waygook" under their breath (foreigner) and next thing I knew they were handing us a lantern! They just wanted us to be happy and included. And we did feel that way.
After almost walking in the opposite direction of the buddhist temple once again we finally found our way after almost throwing in the towel. And we are so glad we didn't! The temple was definitely the best part. As you walked up its front entrance you were sheltered by a floating carpet of lanterns. There were thousands of them, strung together and of all different colors, bright green, red, pink, yellow, orange, all glowing with the warmth of the candle within. Theye led the way to the temple itself, where sat a large golden buddha (wish I had known about this place when my family visited!). Out front was a stage and milling around were visitors and people in traditional costumes, dancing and playing instruments! It was just breathtaking. I would have been happy to sit and stare for hours at the colorful lanters, some which made shapes in the carpet above or spelled a word.
Determined to take our lanterns back to our respective homes we boarded the subway to dump them at our hostel before going to Hongdae for some night life. We got many stares on the subway. We ended the night eating chicken and beer, a must before Liz went back to Japan.
Sunday morning we munched on Dunkin Doughnuts before saying our goodbyes. it was a nice warm, sunny day. (Soon it would rain for the next week!) It was really nice seeing Liz and hearing her talk about Japan. It brought back good memories of UCI that I really enjoyed.
School on Friday was Physical Exam day so the students had no classes. Which meant I was free to sit and do whatever the heck I wanted. I told Liz I would walk back to my apartment around 10:30 and bring her over for a tour of the school. She was really eager to see the similarities and differences between a Japanese and Korean school. Right away we met some students in the hallway who squealed "you're beautiful" and "I love you!" to Liz. She said this was very flattering and much more forward than a Japanese student would be. After going to the English Room and talking for about an hour we wandered downstairs to find out what was going on with lunch. We happen to run into two of the women I eat lunch with and Mr. Byeon. They suggested we all go out to eat together (even though I never eat with Mr. B, I think he just wanted to talk to the new foreigner.) We went to a simple restaurant where they tried to suggest pork katsu and tempura to here, to which Liz and I exchanged glances, as this is Japanese food, but Korean's will try to tell you it is Korean. We ended up with a noodle dish and kim bab, which is Korean. They asked her a lot of difficult and nervewraking questions like, how do Japanese and Korean students compare, what do you think of Korea, etc. She managed to field them pretty well although I could see the look her face when they asked certain questions, to us it seems so bold and a little rude but to them they don't see that at all. Lunch was nice though and they did treat us.
After that Mr. Byeon was all too happy to give Liz the master tour of Sangji, just like he gave my parents. Again Liz was a great sport and had a lot of fun. We visited numerous classrooms, she met the VP and lots of other teachers and saw the high school. She was interested in the cafeteria because in Japan they don't have any, the students eat lunch in their classrooms, so we went in and ended up having tea with the super nice lunch ladies! Liz was also given a Pororo bubble blower (a popular animated character in Korea) by one student and gave her a pen in return. Every room we went in Mr. Byeon had her blow bubbles, so odd!
Around 4pm we finally went home. I never get so detailed a tour and introduction to teachers I have never met unless a visitor is here. We were tired after that so we just relaxed around my apartment until 7pm when Amber came over for dinner. We went to a near by galbi place (grilled beef) which they both loved! Amber headed home afterwards but Liz and I went to grab a drink at a local bar called Pub. Where she lives in Japan is really small so she enjoyed getting to go out, even in a casual way, with a friend. We headed home about midnight even though two very shy Korean men tried to get us to stay and drink with them.
The next day we headed back to Seoul with Amber. We wanted to see the famous Lantern Festival held in Seoul for Buddha's Birthday. We left the apartment about 10am but didn't get to our hostel where we would stay the night in Seoul until close to 3pm in the afternoon, after all the bus and subway travel. Then we headed to the Myeongdong area to eat and do a little shopping at Forever 21. We had CPK (California Pizza Kitchen) because we were craving a little western food and it was the only thing I knew for sure where it was. We enjoyed strolling around Myeongdong, it was busy as ever! And I had a very successful shopping trip.
Around 8pm we walked to the City Hall area to see the start of the parade of lanterns. Although it was crowded, it was less so than I thought it would be and we were able to get right up next to the towering 10 feet high + lanterns! They were beautiful, made out of paper and sculpted into perfection. There were huge warriors, fish, mountains, flowers... and they were all light from inside. To move them men grabbed poles on the outside and pushed them along the street. The parade was a little harder to see but it looked beautiful as well, it was huge and filled with group after group of people dressed in traditional Korean outfirst walking or dancing down the street, each carrying a different kind of hand held paper lantern.
The area was starting to get more crowded so we walked down a side street in hopes of finding the buddhist temple we had heard was at the end of the parade route, where all the lanterns would be placed. We didn't find it but ended up walking in a huge circle. It was no matter though, because the night was warm and clear and tons of people were out enjoying it. We ended up seeing the main Gyeongbokgung palace again and the statues out front of it. They were light up in the night and lhanging lanterns lined the main streets. I was all really beautiful, I wish they always stayed up.
Finally we asked some people how to get to the temple and they pointed us in the right direction. Soon we were back in the throng of people, but this time it was filled with the performers from the parade who were rushing to get on the subway and go home. We saw some foreigners with paper lanterns in their hands and asked how we could get our own. They said the performers just gave them to them. Not a minute later, an old women in traditional wear walked up to Amber and gave her a baskeball size and shaped hand made paper lantern, with a lit candle inside. Then one was handed to Liz. We kept walking and an old man gave me one shaped like a lotus flower. We were so pleased! As we kept walking though, people tried to give us more and more! Liz refused a first but she and I ended up with three each! Unfornately with so many it was hard to keep them from getting damaged with all the people bumping into me. Amber had the better idea, only keep one perfect one. It was so hard to refuse though, I could see the old women look at us, hear them utter "waygook" under their breath (foreigner) and next thing I knew they were handing us a lantern! They just wanted us to be happy and included. And we did feel that way.
After almost walking in the opposite direction of the buddhist temple once again we finally found our way after almost throwing in the towel. And we are so glad we didn't! The temple was definitely the best part. As you walked up its front entrance you were sheltered by a floating carpet of lanterns. There were thousands of them, strung together and of all different colors, bright green, red, pink, yellow, orange, all glowing with the warmth of the candle within. Theye led the way to the temple itself, where sat a large golden buddha (wish I had known about this place when my family visited!). Out front was a stage and milling around were visitors and people in traditional costumes, dancing and playing instruments! It was just breathtaking. I would have been happy to sit and stare for hours at the colorful lanters, some which made shapes in the carpet above or spelled a word.
Determined to take our lanterns back to our respective homes we boarded the subway to dump them at our hostel before going to Hongdae for some night life. We got many stares on the subway. We ended the night eating chicken and beer, a must before Liz went back to Japan.
Sunday morning we munched on Dunkin Doughnuts before saying our goodbyes. it was a nice warm, sunny day. (Soon it would rain for the next week!) It was really nice seeing Liz and hearing her talk about Japan. It brought back good memories of UCI that I really enjoyed.
Typical Day Schedule
I thought today I'd just give a general account of an average day in my school.
This is my Tuesday schedule...
7-7:30am: Wake up, shower, dress and have breakfast
8:30: Arrive at school, takes less than 5 minutes to walk over. Go up to the English Room and unlock the door, turn the computer on and settle in.
8:30-9:00: Prep time when students are in their homeroom classes doing... something.
9:00-9:45: 1st grade class 1-3 with Ms. K. Except today she is taking them and they are not coming to my class at all. So I am sitting here with free time. This is very typical. She says she is behind and I "don't need to worry" abou teaching them until June!
9:45-9:55: Class ends and students have a 10 minute passing period. Oh wait, they stay in the same class all day and its the teachers that move from room to room. Seems a long time to me... Anyway.
9:55-10:40: Class 1-1 with Mr. B. Here I stand next to the podium and read sentences out of the book, line by line, and then he translates them into Korean. Every now and then someone asks me a question about the USA to which Mr. B translates everything between Korean and English. We also from time to time watch US pop music videos or funny videos that are totally unrelated to English on the interent.
10:40-10:50: Another 10 minute passing period
10:50-11:35: Period 3, Class 3-3 with Mr. P. In this class I am soley responsible for making and teaching the lesson plan, slightly related to the book but presented however I want. Mr. P helps when I ask him to and is always engaged.
11:35-11:45: Another 10 minute passing period.
11:45-12:30: Period 4, Class 1-4 with Ms. K. Again I don't get to see them today. More free time.
12:30-1:30: Lunch in the school cafeteria. Costs 2800 won. I sit everyday with three other women teachers. Only one speaks English. No one says anything to me although lately I can hear my name being brought up and when I ask the English teacher to translate (what what?) she shruggs and keeps eating.
1:30-2:15: Period 5, no class. Free time.
2:15-2:25: 10 minute passing.
2:25-3:10: Period 6, class 3-5 with Mr. P. Another third grade class same as above. Although today I suspect their class might be cancelled so they can go to an assembly prepping them on the field trip they are taking tomorrow. We shall see. If so, free time.
3:10-3:35: Cleaning time. The students clean the school, half heartedly. I chat with the girls that come to see and talk to me in the English Room.
3:35-4:20: Period 7. Most of the time all the students go home now. I never have a class except on Tuesdays when I teach 10 "gifted" children. Its a nice small class where we mostly do talking or simple activities. I believe it is actually on for today. I haven't taught it in over a month.
4:30: Go home.
4:35-on... Watch TV, eat dinner, go for a walk...
Repeat.
This is my Tuesday schedule...
7-7:30am: Wake up, shower, dress and have breakfast
8:30: Arrive at school, takes less than 5 minutes to walk over. Go up to the English Room and unlock the door, turn the computer on and settle in.
8:30-9:00: Prep time when students are in their homeroom classes doing... something.
9:00-9:45: 1st grade class 1-3 with Ms. K. Except today she is taking them and they are not coming to my class at all. So I am sitting here with free time. This is very typical. She says she is behind and I "don't need to worry" abou teaching them until June!
9:45-9:55: Class ends and students have a 10 minute passing period. Oh wait, they stay in the same class all day and its the teachers that move from room to room. Seems a long time to me... Anyway.
9:55-10:40: Class 1-1 with Mr. B. Here I stand next to the podium and read sentences out of the book, line by line, and then he translates them into Korean. Every now and then someone asks me a question about the USA to which Mr. B translates everything between Korean and English. We also from time to time watch US pop music videos or funny videos that are totally unrelated to English on the interent.
10:40-10:50: Another 10 minute passing period
10:50-11:35: Period 3, Class 3-3 with Mr. P. In this class I am soley responsible for making and teaching the lesson plan, slightly related to the book but presented however I want. Mr. P helps when I ask him to and is always engaged.
11:35-11:45: Another 10 minute passing period.
11:45-12:30: Period 4, Class 1-4 with Ms. K. Again I don't get to see them today. More free time.
12:30-1:30: Lunch in the school cafeteria. Costs 2800 won. I sit everyday with three other women teachers. Only one speaks English. No one says anything to me although lately I can hear my name being brought up and when I ask the English teacher to translate (what what?) she shruggs and keeps eating.
1:30-2:15: Period 5, no class. Free time.
2:15-2:25: 10 minute passing.
2:25-3:10: Period 6, class 3-5 with Mr. P. Another third grade class same as above. Although today I suspect their class might be cancelled so they can go to an assembly prepping them on the field trip they are taking tomorrow. We shall see. If so, free time.
3:10-3:35: Cleaning time. The students clean the school, half heartedly. I chat with the girls that come to see and talk to me in the English Room.
3:35-4:20: Period 7. Most of the time all the students go home now. I never have a class except on Tuesdays when I teach 10 "gifted" children. Its a nice small class where we mostly do talking or simple activities. I believe it is actually on for today. I haven't taught it in over a month.
4:30: Go home.
4:35-on... Watch TV, eat dinner, go for a walk...
Repeat.
Monday, May 23, 2011
School Sports Day
Last week at Sangji Girls Middle School was School Sport's Day. Instead of the normal schedule, all the classes were cancelled and the entire school spent the day outside engaging in numerous sports competition. The day was tons of fun, one of my favorite days at school so far!
Right after the first bell rang students began to carry the chairs out of their class rooms and place them around the large dirt sports field in the center of the Sangji campus. Every class from all three grades was outside and ready to compete against one another. There would be a winning team from every grade. The competitions started with some speechs by the school officials and then the strangest stretching warm up I've ever seen! I couldn't stop bursting out in laugher as I watched the whole school, and even the teachers, stretch in unision while a loud, slightly annoying kids sound blared over the field loud speakers. The stretches were the whimpest stretches I'd ever seen, almost more like a half hearted dance, but everyone knew the moves. I was surprised the teachers did too and I figured they must have all learned them in elementry school. It was too cute! (And hilarious!)
After that the classes broke off to start the various competitions. There was a form of dodgeball, tug of rope, jump roping, kick ball, another strange game sort of like kick ball and sprinting. The teachers kept track of what classes won and which ones lost and the students moved up their grade level brackets. I enjoyed walking around and talking to all the different groups of students, taking their pictures and eating candy. The mother's of many students also came to school that day and passed out sandwhiches, water and Power Sweat, which was very nice!
The best part about the day though, aside from seeing the girls happy, outside, being atheletic and cheering for one another, was the costumes! Sport's Day is a big deal and every classes dresses in their own home made costume! It was hilarious to see the kids so dected out! Some classes had bought soccer jersey's and had them personalized with their names on the bag. One class had cat ears and tales, another straw hats, another pink rimmed classes with clip on angel hallows on top. They were all so cute! It really added to the festivity of the day and made it all the more enjoyable to hang out with them. Each homeroom teacher also dressed up like their students so there was great unity among groups.
After lunch there was only one more sport, the rely race all around the track! But before that could start, I was roped into a kick ball game, female teachers versus the student's mothers! I just happen to be walking by when a teacher pointed and me and said "Madeline could play?!" I agreed and had half expected to have to play some sport during the day. It was actually really fun to do something athletic and team orientated again! I've missed it. I was also definitely the best player. The female teachers at my school, well most of them, aren't that athletic, but they were trying and doing pretty well! I was just able to kick and catch better than everyone else. We ended up creaming the moms.
Then the rely race started, the whole school lined the track and cheered for their classmates. Each grade ran a race. At the end all the points were tallied and the first, second and third place winners were announced for each grade. Each winning class was given a large box (they got progressively larger) filled with goodies.
Then the day was over and it was time to go home early! I wish everyday was Sport's Day! The weather was perfect, hot and sunny, and the kids were so relaxed and excited.
Right after the first bell rang students began to carry the chairs out of their class rooms and place them around the large dirt sports field in the center of the Sangji campus. Every class from all three grades was outside and ready to compete against one another. There would be a winning team from every grade. The competitions started with some speechs by the school officials and then the strangest stretching warm up I've ever seen! I couldn't stop bursting out in laugher as I watched the whole school, and even the teachers, stretch in unision while a loud, slightly annoying kids sound blared over the field loud speakers. The stretches were the whimpest stretches I'd ever seen, almost more like a half hearted dance, but everyone knew the moves. I was surprised the teachers did too and I figured they must have all learned them in elementry school. It was too cute! (And hilarious!)
After that the classes broke off to start the various competitions. There was a form of dodgeball, tug of rope, jump roping, kick ball, another strange game sort of like kick ball and sprinting. The teachers kept track of what classes won and which ones lost and the students moved up their grade level brackets. I enjoyed walking around and talking to all the different groups of students, taking their pictures and eating candy. The mother's of many students also came to school that day and passed out sandwhiches, water and Power Sweat, which was very nice!
The best part about the day though, aside from seeing the girls happy, outside, being atheletic and cheering for one another, was the costumes! Sport's Day is a big deal and every classes dresses in their own home made costume! It was hilarious to see the kids so dected out! Some classes had bought soccer jersey's and had them personalized with their names on the bag. One class had cat ears and tales, another straw hats, another pink rimmed classes with clip on angel hallows on top. They were all so cute! It really added to the festivity of the day and made it all the more enjoyable to hang out with them. Each homeroom teacher also dressed up like their students so there was great unity among groups.
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| 1st graders |
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| I love their different outfits! Hawaiian, old people skirt, pjs |
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| Tug of War |
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| 2nd grade, so cute and colorful! |
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| 3rd grade class 3-2, most are also in my after school class |
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| Her friend, Yum Yum and Me |
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| Our school President is on the right |
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| These girls are such talkers in class, but cute and sweet outside of it! |
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| Some of my favorite students |
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| More colorful 1st graders |
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| The entire school at the end of the day |
After lunch there was only one more sport, the rely race all around the track! But before that could start, I was roped into a kick ball game, female teachers versus the student's mothers! I just happen to be walking by when a teacher pointed and me and said "Madeline could play?!" I agreed and had half expected to have to play some sport during the day. It was actually really fun to do something athletic and team orientated again! I've missed it. I was also definitely the best player. The female teachers at my school, well most of them, aren't that athletic, but they were trying and doing pretty well! I was just able to kick and catch better than everyone else. We ended up creaming the moms.
Then the rely race started, the whole school lined the track and cheered for their classmates. Each grade ran a race. At the end all the points were tallied and the first, second and third place winners were announced for each grade. Each winning class was given a large box (they got progressively larger) filled with goodies.
Then the day was over and it was time to go home early! I wish everyday was Sport's Day! The weather was perfect, hot and sunny, and the kids were so relaxed and excited.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
California Girls... A Brief Trip to the West Coast
A few weeks ago Jason and I took a quick trip back to the US for a close friend's wedding. We left Wonju on Wednesday, arriving too early at the bus station and forced to sit in Krispy Kreame for 2 hours. From the bus we arrived at Incheon International Airport where we quickly and easily check in for our Asiania Flight. We each had two large suitcases because we took home as much winter wear as we could. Then we treated ourselves to Kraze Burgers before boarding the plane.
10 hours later we arrived at LAX where Jason's parents met us. It didn't seem too strange to be in LA again, we'd both driven the freeway so many times. I did notice that the sun was so bright and the sky so blue, a welcome relief from the frequent gloomy skies of Korea. Soon we arrived in Lancaster which felt again, just like home! We had so delicous Taco Bell before my mom arrived and I headed off with her. We decided to hit up the mall because I wanted to buy some things for the wedding. We enjoyed coffee (finally a good cup of coffee!!) and strolling the mall. Afterwards we went home where I got to see Dad and the dogs and the we headed off to Shakey's for dinner.
Thursday was another busy day. Jason's parents dropped him off at my house so we could live to drive up North for the wedding that was happening Saturday in Santa Cruz. I got my hair cut that morning and then away we went. On our way we stopped for the night in San Luis Obispo to see my brother Scott! It was really nice to see him and such a fun night. We went in a downtown bar for some drinks before walking the beautiful streets of SLO for the weekly farmer's market. I chowded down on chicken kabob's and Italian soup. So good! It felt so nice to have so much food variety and to spend time with the family in such a fun atmosphere.
Friday morning we met Scott again for an oh-so-delicious brunch. We went to a diner like sandwhich shop. My sandwhich was glorious! Cheese, check! Turkey, check! Mustard, check! (I'm getting hungry just thinking about it.) Then it was back in the car for the rest of our drive to Santa Cruz. We checked into our beautifully landscaped hotel and then Jason headed off to the resort where the wedding was to be held for the rehersal. I stayed with Mom at the hotel and because Dad was feeling sick and didn't want to go out, we headed to the hotel bar to cash in our free drink coupons! We ended up staying for a couple of hours just chatting away and get some awesome half off nachos during happy hour! Then I had to leave to go to the rehersal dinner. There I finally got to see the bride and groom, our good friends Lauren and Josh! We had a nice dinner but didn't stay too late. After returning to our hotel, Mom, Jason and I had a quick before at the bar before going to bed. (This was also the day of the royal wedding so it was on all the TVs.)
On Saturday it was time for the wedding! The wedding was at 1pm and in a beautiful outdoor setting at Sea Scape Resort in Santa Cruz. The spot was on a sea cliff overlooking the beach below. It was a smaller wedding and the whole ceremony was casual and light. Lauren's stepdad married them, they wrote their own vows and the flower boy was a grown, 25 year old man! After that the fun started in the fancy reception. There were waitors walking around with food platters and the drink bar was unlimited! I really enjoyed relaxing and chatting with different people. We did some dancing and things started to pick up. The reception had to end at 6pm which left the group momentarily split and some of us ended up sitting in the hotel lobby sipping our tequila sunrises. The night ended with a party in someone's room and Jason and I left around 9pm. Again we had a drink with my mom back at our hotel.
Sunday morning it was time to head back to Lancaster. Again we had so delicious coffee before hitting the road. The California coast was amazing at this time of year. All the flowers were lush and in bloom, there was green everywhere and warm sunshine! It was so perfect! We stopped in SLO again on our way home to meet Scott one more time. He showed us the car he'd been working on with his mechanical enginnering club and we had a great pizza lunch at Woodstalks. Then it was back on the road. We got to Lancaster late, about 7pm and Jason's parents came for him. Mom and I headed in to Chronic Tacos (oh so good! I finally had Mexican food!) and saw the news on Osama bin Laden. Quite the eventful weekend we'd picked to visit home!
Monday and Tuesday I hung around with Mom and Dad. It was so nice and relaxing. Mom and I did some major shopping at the mall. Then we went to Grandma's to see her and George, finally! It was again as if nothing had changed. I really liked getting to see them. We went to Lancaster Blvd for a delicous dinner at a newish restaurant. Before we left Dad made sure to show me the new bowling alley and bar in the basebament of Beck's. It was actually pretty cool! Really snazzy, so surprising for Lancaster! On Tuesday I had dinner with Jason and his family and then spent my final night at home watching NCIS with Mom and Dad, just like old times.
Sadly I had to leave Wednesday morning for LAX. Dad and I got up at 3:30am to leave, stopping for AM PM coffee on the way. I checked in no problem and had went through the full body scanner (I don't get what the big deal is?) waving to Dad goodbye as I went up the escalator. I was alone this time as Jason was able to stay until Sunday. His school had given him more time off than mine. Mine wanted be to be back for one day of school on Friday. Go figure. I had a quick layover in San Francsico and then a long 12 hour flight that was quite boring. The most eventful thing that happened was when the flight attendents miscalculated when we were going to land. I don't know how they managed that, sinec I knewe we were supposed to land at 3pm, not 4pm. They had just started to serve the final meal when the captian said "get ready to land in 30 minutes" -- they became frantic and told everyone to eat quickly. One lady even snapped her fingers at me to hurry up! It was so rude, they made the mistake, not me! Somehow, they got everything done and sat down no less than 30 seconds before we landed! They were not a very good flight crew throught the trip, always talking loudly, mildly cussing and always leaving the blaring light on in their kitchen (which was right next to me) because they always forgot to close the curtain.
I arrived in Wonju with no trouble Thursday night. (I lost a whole two days traveling!)
I had a great trip! It was really as if nothing had changed! I have to admit though, coming back to Korea, and then Wonju and then my own apartment where all my things have their place, it felt like I was coming home. Lancaster will always be home-home no matter what, but you know what I mean?
10 hours later we arrived at LAX where Jason's parents met us. It didn't seem too strange to be in LA again, we'd both driven the freeway so many times. I did notice that the sun was so bright and the sky so blue, a welcome relief from the frequent gloomy skies of Korea. Soon we arrived in Lancaster which felt again, just like home! We had so delicous Taco Bell before my mom arrived and I headed off with her. We decided to hit up the mall because I wanted to buy some things for the wedding. We enjoyed coffee (finally a good cup of coffee!!) and strolling the mall. Afterwards we went home where I got to see Dad and the dogs and the we headed off to Shakey's for dinner.
Thursday was another busy day. Jason's parents dropped him off at my house so we could live to drive up North for the wedding that was happening Saturday in Santa Cruz. I got my hair cut that morning and then away we went. On our way we stopped for the night in San Luis Obispo to see my brother Scott! It was really nice to see him and such a fun night. We went in a downtown bar for some drinks before walking the beautiful streets of SLO for the weekly farmer's market. I chowded down on chicken kabob's and Italian soup. So good! It felt so nice to have so much food variety and to spend time with the family in such a fun atmosphere.
Friday morning we met Scott again for an oh-so-delicious brunch. We went to a diner like sandwhich shop. My sandwhich was glorious! Cheese, check! Turkey, check! Mustard, check! (I'm getting hungry just thinking about it.) Then it was back in the car for the rest of our drive to Santa Cruz. We checked into our beautifully landscaped hotel and then Jason headed off to the resort where the wedding was to be held for the rehersal. I stayed with Mom at the hotel and because Dad was feeling sick and didn't want to go out, we headed to the hotel bar to cash in our free drink coupons! We ended up staying for a couple of hours just chatting away and get some awesome half off nachos during happy hour! Then I had to leave to go to the rehersal dinner. There I finally got to see the bride and groom, our good friends Lauren and Josh! We had a nice dinner but didn't stay too late. After returning to our hotel, Mom, Jason and I had a quick before at the bar before going to bed. (This was also the day of the royal wedding so it was on all the TVs.)
On Saturday it was time for the wedding! The wedding was at 1pm and in a beautiful outdoor setting at Sea Scape Resort in Santa Cruz. The spot was on a sea cliff overlooking the beach below. It was a smaller wedding and the whole ceremony was casual and light. Lauren's stepdad married them, they wrote their own vows and the flower boy was a grown, 25 year old man! After that the fun started in the fancy reception. There were waitors walking around with food platters and the drink bar was unlimited! I really enjoyed relaxing and chatting with different people. We did some dancing and things started to pick up. The reception had to end at 6pm which left the group momentarily split and some of us ended up sitting in the hotel lobby sipping our tequila sunrises. The night ended with a party in someone's room and Jason and I left around 9pm. Again we had a drink with my mom back at our hotel.
Sunday morning it was time to head back to Lancaster. Again we had so delicious coffee before hitting the road. The California coast was amazing at this time of year. All the flowers were lush and in bloom, there was green everywhere and warm sunshine! It was so perfect! We stopped in SLO again on our way home to meet Scott one more time. He showed us the car he'd been working on with his mechanical enginnering club and we had a great pizza lunch at Woodstalks. Then it was back on the road. We got to Lancaster late, about 7pm and Jason's parents came for him. Mom and I headed in to Chronic Tacos (oh so good! I finally had Mexican food!) and saw the news on Osama bin Laden. Quite the eventful weekend we'd picked to visit home!
Monday and Tuesday I hung around with Mom and Dad. It was so nice and relaxing. Mom and I did some major shopping at the mall. Then we went to Grandma's to see her and George, finally! It was again as if nothing had changed. I really liked getting to see them. We went to Lancaster Blvd for a delicous dinner at a newish restaurant. Before we left Dad made sure to show me the new bowling alley and bar in the basebament of Beck's. It was actually pretty cool! Really snazzy, so surprising for Lancaster! On Tuesday I had dinner with Jason and his family and then spent my final night at home watching NCIS with Mom and Dad, just like old times.
Sadly I had to leave Wednesday morning for LAX. Dad and I got up at 3:30am to leave, stopping for AM PM coffee on the way. I checked in no problem and had went through the full body scanner (I don't get what the big deal is?) waving to Dad goodbye as I went up the escalator. I was alone this time as Jason was able to stay until Sunday. His school had given him more time off than mine. Mine wanted be to be back for one day of school on Friday. Go figure. I had a quick layover in San Francsico and then a long 12 hour flight that was quite boring. The most eventful thing that happened was when the flight attendents miscalculated when we were going to land. I don't know how they managed that, sinec I knewe we were supposed to land at 3pm, not 4pm. They had just started to serve the final meal when the captian said "get ready to land in 30 minutes" -- they became frantic and told everyone to eat quickly. One lady even snapped her fingers at me to hurry up! It was so rude, they made the mistake, not me! Somehow, they got everything done and sat down no less than 30 seconds before we landed! They were not a very good flight crew throught the trip, always talking loudly, mildly cussing and always leaving the blaring light on in their kitchen (which was right next to me) because they always forgot to close the curtain.
I arrived in Wonju with no trouble Thursday night. (I lost a whole two days traveling!)
I had a great trip! It was really as if nothing had changed! I have to admit though, coming back to Korea, and then Wonju and then my own apartment where all my things have their place, it felt like I was coming home. Lancaster will always be home-home no matter what, but you know what I mean?
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