So last night when we went to E Mart, we ended our trip in the food court. It was late so I decided supper wasn't a good idea anymore after all the free samples that had been available in the grocery section. I stopped at my all time favorite place: starbucks.
This time I went in to buy. As usual for starbucks standards, the workers were super kind and friendly. Both flashed me big grins and looked eager to help. I bought my all time favorite drink, caramel frapp without whipped cream. The guy that was behind the desk was really nice and I really wanted to say thank you in Korean. That is the second word I know in Korean.
Unfortunately, he was so nice... and good looking... that I couldn't remember the word for the life of me. So after an awkward pause I said thank you in English, smiled foolishly, and retreated to a table. He took it in stride. Probably figured out that I liked him.
The joys of being in Korea is that I most likely will never run into him again. Yay! Go me!
Friday, October 21, 2011
Taxi Ride
Last night I went to E Mart for much needed groceries. In Korea, if you are going to buy something you need to make sure you can carry it. Dragged stuff out to the curb and got into a taxi.
The taxi driver (didn't know Sahm Yook.... or Namsan... but recognized Jain) started driving back to the school. As he was driving, I was amused to note that I was in one lane and he was in another.
Then I was thoroughly humored as we ran a red light... and another... and another... and another.
The drivers in South Korea have to be more skilled and aware of what is happening around them than those in the US are for this very reason. You have someplace to be, you get there as quickly as you can. And you do it by whatever means necessary. If there is no one crossing the intersection and no traffic camera... you drive through even if the light is red.
The taxi driver (didn't know Sahm Yook.... or Namsan... but recognized Jain) started driving back to the school. As he was driving, I was amused to note that I was in one lane and he was in another.
Then I was thoroughly humored as we ran a red light... and another... and another... and another.
The drivers in South Korea have to be more skilled and aware of what is happening around them than those in the US are for this very reason. You have someplace to be, you get there as quickly as you can. And you do it by whatever means necessary. If there is no one crossing the intersection and no traffic camera... you drive through even if the light is red.
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Not Cute Test Answer
Test Question:
Remembering what the chapter was about, why do you think the students would want to build a house?
Answer:
They want to relax after playing soccer.
(What?)
Remembering what the chapter was about, why do you think the students would want to build a house?
Answer:
They want to relax after playing soccer.
(What?)
Cute Test Answer
Test Question: How might citizens improve their community?
Answer: They might watch movies.
Answer: They might watch movies.
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Translators
Translating Koreans words is a very amusing process.
If you use google, due to the lack of words in the Korean language, you can get some very humorous translations. Try it sometime :)
In the case of chapel and church, it is up to our English students. Three are asked so join us three teachers and translate for us. The first time I was very impressed. Today, I got insight into how difficult it is for them. The girl who sat by me told me she was nervous. I learned why. She couldn't translate hardly a thing. It was okay, we have fun otherwise. I felt bad for her because she felt bad for not being of use.
If you use google, due to the lack of words in the Korean language, you can get some very humorous translations. Try it sometime :)
In the case of chapel and church, it is up to our English students. Three are asked so join us three teachers and translate for us. The first time I was very impressed. Today, I got insight into how difficult it is for them. The girl who sat by me told me she was nervous. I learned why. She couldn't translate hardly a thing. It was okay, we have fun otherwise. I felt bad for her because she felt bad for not being of use.
Monday, October 17, 2011
Chapstick
Korean students have interesting habits.
1. They come to school even when they are sick. Yes, that includes temperature.
2. They don't use chapstick.
I can understand being so hard working that you go until you in your death bed. The chapstick thing is beyond me though. Evidently it is so expensive or something over here that they don't use it.
Results: sniffling and coughing kids running to get tissues for their bleeding lips.
I am so tempted to get them all chapstick for my birthday. Backwards I know, but man alive! Who likes running around with bleeding lips?
Let's see:
1 literature class: 16 students?
3 culture classes: 44 students?
2 conversation classes: 30 students?
90 things of chapstick! Or maybe not... that wasn't even including when I co-teach for other teachers... and those classes are bigger... that would probably be around $300 for just my classes wouldn't it :P
But bleeding lips... wow.
1. They come to school even when they are sick. Yes, that includes temperature.
2. They don't use chapstick.
I can understand being so hard working that you go until you in your death bed. The chapstick thing is beyond me though. Evidently it is so expensive or something over here that they don't use it.
Results: sniffling and coughing kids running to get tissues for their bleeding lips.
I am so tempted to get them all chapstick for my birthday. Backwards I know, but man alive! Who likes running around with bleeding lips?
Let's see:
1 literature class: 16 students?
3 culture classes: 44 students?
2 conversation classes: 30 students?
90 things of chapstick! Or maybe not... that wasn't even including when I co-teach for other teachers... and those classes are bigger... that would probably be around $300 for just my classes wouldn't it :P
But bleeding lips... wow.
Firsts
Had several firsts this weekend.
Due to lack of planning on my part, I didn't have enough food to eat all weekend in my apartment. I mean I could have if I wanted really spicy and weird tasting ramen for each meal. It just didn't seem like a good idea though.
So Saturday night I went to the cafe by myself for the first time. I really rather not do things by myself. Especially if I haven't done and been there before by myself. I got to the cafe, hesitantly filled up my tray, and sat down near two staff. They glanced over and went back to talking. I picked up my chopsticks and started eating. Which was hard since my hands were shaking so much. That was one tasty meal though and dessert was really good. Dough fried in a ring with the taste and texture of funnel cakes. They were covered in sugar :)
Went again on Sunday for lunch and supper... with supper being amazing again.
Another first was I walked to Namsan by myself on Sunday. I realized if I closed my eyes, it wouldn't be hard to imagine being at my grandparents farm. When I got there, I ran into students at the bus stop. The grocery store turned out to be closed, so I should have gone and hung out with them. That way I wouldn't totally ride the bus alone. I headed back home instead, and ran into more students on their way to town. That was kinda neat.
Survived that as well :)
Then after supper one of the Korean teachers and I went for a walk. She and I had sat together at supper and though we didn't say much, it was kinda neat what we did talk about. We are all human with our own joys and fears.
Due to lack of planning on my part, I didn't have enough food to eat all weekend in my apartment. I mean I could have if I wanted really spicy and weird tasting ramen for each meal. It just didn't seem like a good idea though.
So Saturday night I went to the cafe by myself for the first time. I really rather not do things by myself. Especially if I haven't done and been there before by myself. I got to the cafe, hesitantly filled up my tray, and sat down near two staff. They glanced over and went back to talking. I picked up my chopsticks and started eating. Which was hard since my hands were shaking so much. That was one tasty meal though and dessert was really good. Dough fried in a ring with the taste and texture of funnel cakes. They were covered in sugar :)
Went again on Sunday for lunch and supper... with supper being amazing again.
Another first was I walked to Namsan by myself on Sunday. I realized if I closed my eyes, it wouldn't be hard to imagine being at my grandparents farm. When I got there, I ran into students at the bus stop. The grocery store turned out to be closed, so I should have gone and hung out with them. That way I wouldn't totally ride the bus alone. I headed back home instead, and ran into more students on their way to town. That was kinda neat.
Survived that as well :)
Then after supper one of the Korean teachers and I went for a walk. She and I had sat together at supper and though we didn't say much, it was kinda neat what we did talk about. We are all human with our own joys and fears.
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