In Korea...

Here are some 'strange' things I have noticed so far...

• I check my email so many times a day its kinda sickening
• I found out who my true friends are
• There is no daylight savings time
• The attitude about N Korea is "yeah, whatever"
• Women wear heels all the time
• You have to take your shoes off at the door - before entering homes and restaurants
• I can't wear anything sleeveless, but wearing a skirt with your butt hanging out is OK
• Nothing is too short
• Everyone has a cell phone
• Track suits are totally in (especially if you wear heels with them)
• So are high-tops
• Guys carry their girlfriends purses
• Guys carry their own purses
• Clashing colors, prints, and styles totally match
• Cars drive and park on the sidewalk
• Red lights mean nothing
• Taxi drivers tell you no if your destination is not a big enough fare
• You have to go to the pharmacy to get any form of medication (including aspirin)
• Everyone is photo-crazy; I think the Koreans take more pictures than I do
• Couples wear matching t-shirts, shoes, jackets, underwear, etc.
• It's OK for people to run into you and just keep going
• Normal pizza toppings include corn, potatoes, sweet potatoes, and of course kimchi
• Red pepper is the main ingredient in almost everything
• Side dishes are a little strange (relish and onions with pizza, pickles with pasta)
• When you go out to eat, side-dishes are unlimited refills
• The reason behind everything is because "it's good for your health"
• Even though they hate English, every t-shirt, baseball cap, bag, etc. is written in English
• Often times, these things are spelled wrong or are completely inappropriate
• Old people and kids stare at me all the time - I swear, even dogs stare at me
• Every Korean seems to have an umbrella when it rains
• Anytime is coffee time; and the coffee shops are always packed
• Seoul never sleeps, but the subway does
• The subway closes earlier on the weekend, than on weekdays
• People talk to me in Korean like I understand them and just keep going
• Korean men do not age well
• Korean girls date the ugliest foreign guys

That's all I can think of for now, but I am sure there are tons more!

Seodaemun Prison

South Korea is a country that has not been independent very long. Many things here are influenced by Japan or China. But I have gotten the general feeling, that Japan is not a favorite among Koreans. There is even an island (Dokdo, I think) that the two countries both claim it is their own.

There are some things I try not to ask too many questions about - touchy subjects - Japan is one of those things. When visiting palaces, I always read about how a lot of history was destroyed during Japanese invasions. Although I am sure this stirs up some bad feelings, the invasions were so long ago (or so I thought) that it didn't make sense to me. The other day, I visited a place that might explain some of the cold feelings Korea has toward Japan that happened a little more recently: Seodaemun Prison.

I had no idea that a place like this and the things that happened there, even existed. I realize that in some point in time, all races, religions, cultures, etc. have been persecuted but I was shocked that I knew nothing about this prison or what went on there.

From what I gather, Korea was under Japans rule from 1910-1945. Those who opposed (the Korean independence fighters) the colonial rule and cultural genocide - banning of the Korean language and adopting Japanese names - were imprisoned here. Over the years more than 400,000 people were held here and upwards of 400 died or were killed.

The first stop was the museum. Inside I saw various journals, photographs, torture devices, solitary cells, and life-sized wax figures sculpted in misery. You could hear screams echoing through the halls, Japanese soldiers shouting, and the crack of a whip. Although this was only a recording, it was very disturbing and sent chills down my spine.

As I made my way around the grounds of the prison, I was amazed at its beauty. The grass was so green, there were ponds everywhere, and the view of the mountains was incredible. The outside of the buildings almost resembled Western, brick school houses. It was hard to imagine how such a beautiful place was used for such terrible purposes.

I was able to walk though many cell blocks, work houses, torture chambers, interrogation rooms, and even the execution house. It was not until I came to the corpse tunnel (a tunnel used to sneak out the dead bodies to a local cemetery) that I decided to end my tour.

Although this was a sad place to visit, I encourage anyone living in Seoul, to visit this place. It truly is magnificent!

Guro High School

I understand that this might be boring to some of you, but too bad! I'm not forcing you to read it, I'm just putting the info. out there!

A lot of people from home (and other English teachers) keep asking me what my school and classroom look like. To be honest, I haven't really seen much of the school - beside my office, my classroom, and the library (that has a total of 7 books in English). Not sure if this will paint too much of a picture, but I hope it helps!

As many of you may know, I teach first grade English (first grade meaning, the first grade in high school, 10th grade) at Guro High School.

I have right around 400 students; I teach 16 classes a week (so I only see each group of students, ranging from 35 -17 per class, for 50 minutes, once a week).

I am very lucky to have my own classroom (English Only Zone (1)). The ironic thing about the name of my room is that I am the only person that uses English in my class. I think some of my fellow coteachers are not too happy that I have my own room and they do not. I suspect the complete classroom make-over my room is supposed to get over summer vacation isn't going to help that...

We don't have janitors at our school, so the cleaning is left up to the kids! Needless to say, I spend a lot of time picking up trash, sweeping the floor, and pushing in chairs. Oh the joys of my students not understanding when I ask them to clean up after themselves!

Below are a few (bad) shots of my classroom.

Lately, I have been spending the majority of the day in my classroom and away from the teachers office. In Korea, all the teachers have a desk and computer in one of several teacher offices: this is where you can usually find them if they are not teaching or in the nap room. Yes, that's right, I said nap room! It's totally acceptable for teachers to take a snooze in this room, or right at their desk! I have yet to partake in this Korean 'tradition'...

The nicest part of my school is, no doubt, the garden. I know mom, you never thought you'd hear those words from me! There is a courtyard in between 3 of the buildings that has a little stream, benches, plants, and trees (including Japanese Maples, my favorite). Most of the kids hang out here between classes (10 minutes) and during lunch (an hour).

That reminds me! There is no student cafeteria at my school. The students report to their homeroom at lunchtime and the lunch ladies push steam tables around that have lunch at the ready.