Similarity in History: US and Korea

I was mentioning at one point that my Korean students are very creative.  They had watched the movie Tangled based off of the German fairy tale known as Rapunzel.  In this movie you have a kidnapped princess who wants to visit the world outside her home (which is a tower) in order to better see the lanterns that always appear on her birthday.  She blackmails a thief into helping her.  They fall in love.  Her mother (who really isn't) steals her back.  He saves the day.  They go back to her real family and everyone lives happily ever after.

There are a series of characters in this Disney film that could get the students' attention.  Rapunzel is the obvious choice.  She is beautiful, kind, and has long magic hair that glows when she sings.  The thief, known as Flynn Ryder (but whose real name is Eugene), is also much loved for his caustic sense of humor.  Rapunzel's pet chameleon named Pascal really keeps the story going and is a cool, fun character.  Maximus, a palace horse and eternal nemesis of Eugene, is smart and brave in tracking down the thief but becomes a friend and helps save the day.  I figured some of my students would pick Mother Gothel, the evil lady who had kidnapped Rapunzel because she is pretty neat too.  Then there were some thugs who we all nicknamed: hook, cupid, mime, etc.  You can guess what their characteristics might be.

Some of my students really liked Eugene (the thief).  However, they spelled in their essay his name as Yu Jing or some other Korean version.  That amused me.  They took a European name and make it Korean.

My dearest twin had the amazing thought... America did that to immigrants.  A lot of people who moved to the states had their names changed "accidently" by customs.  We did it too.

Japan - But the Best End

So I woke up this morning and realized I had slept a wonderful and much needed 10 hours.  Enjoyed using the beauty products the hotel provided me with, then went downstairs to check out.  Check out was at 10am, so I have 3.5 hours to kill before I could go get my visa.  I pulled out the map I had picked up at the hotel and planned a route to food... the scenic route of course.  Got to see a shrine, temple, and two parks.  The first park was for walking dogs.  The second was for little kids.  Neither had benches, chairs, or tables.  So I kept going.  People watched for quite a while.  Walked in a shopping area where the street is closed to traffic and the top is covered with a roof.  Found a starbucks there... but didn't get any.

At the embassy, I found two white guys ahead of me.  Recognized one from the day before.  Typical.  Neither spoke to me.  Outside on my way in, I saw a middle aged couple.  I managed to catch the lady's eye and smile.  She returned the smile.  Finally, a foreigner acknowledged me.  *sigh*

Now that I was armed with my visa, I merrily made my way back to Namba Station... and got lost at the front door.  It is more than a station, it is a mall.  Lovely.  However there was a map and an area with the Nankai Line or something close enough to that... so I went in that direction.  Saw signed with an airplane and that name, kept going.  Right up to second floor where there were ticket machines.  After five minutes of panicking over how to use them and what I wanted, a light bulb blinked on and I quickly got my ticket and headed to the tracks.

Once there, I approached a lady and held my ticket out to her.  I wanted to confirm I was at the right tracks and this train went to Kansai airport.  She looked desperately at me and finally got out "changee" while making circles with her two hands.  I understood and knodded my thanks.  I was at the right tracks, however I didn't want this train, but the next one.  An English announcement of the next train confirmed that.

Never have I been so eager to get to an airport.  Nor looked forward to a plane ride so much.  If there wasn't an ocean between me and my school, I wouldn't have been so nervous.  Made it to the airport, got something to eat (McDonalds) but couldn't finish it.  Some things about travel never change.  I went to throw my trash away and was curious what to do.  One said paper.  One said plastic.  One was for liquids.  Where though did I put my left over sandwich?  A worker there pointed to paper.  Paper is was.

Went up to 4th floor, did a survey and got a free playing card with an anime screenshot on it, got my ticket to my airplane... found my gate.  Again there was a cute guy.  He watched me a lot.  I watched him alot... when I wasn't sleeping.  What is it with finding cute guys everywhere I go?  Anyrate, a foreigner couple sat nearby when it was almost time to board.  I was laying there and suddenly realized I was hearing English.  I looked over at them thinking they were Asian because the girl's English was like my Korean students... but both of them were white.  I went back to sleep.  Finally boarded.  Plane took off.  Watch Osaka disappear below me, and it was a pretty view with the lights at night.

Got to Gimhae airport in Busan and happily bought a bus ticket.  While waiting for the bus I called Teacher Oh so he would know what time to pick me up at the bus station.  Asked some of those really good looking airport police if I could take a picture... they apologized and said no.  Disappointed, and a bit embarrassed, I hid in a food court and ate ice cream.  My throat hurt so it felt good.  Slight sore throat still here after the weekend.  Sadly.

Got on the bus, made it to Dongdaegu.  However it wasn't the same building that I got on the bus at.  So I was lost and was worried how Teacher Oh was going to find me.  Poor guy was tired as it was driving me to these appointments and caring for his newborn son.  I decided to start walking until I recognized something, but saw a payphone first.  Great, I would call him... but then I saw him coming towards me.  So grateful.

I made up for not talking much the last two days by talking to him.  Probably helped keep him awake.

I have three sets of Japanese coins... and more random coins but they aren't in sets.  The 50 coin was the rarest for me to get.  It has a hole!

I must have been biting my mouth in my sleep from the stress of this trip because it has a hole in the cheek that leeks clear, weird tasting liquid.  Looks like a sore sorta.  Hoping salt water swished around helps.  Or just cool juice.  Whatever helps it heal quickly!

Japan was expensive.  Compared to the USA, moderately so.  Compared to Korea, very much so.  I didn't do much shopping, but enjoyed seeing things and taking a few pics.  Though I didn't take much pictures because I didn't want to offend anyone.  *sigh*  It was a good experience and helped prove to myself that between Jesus and I, things will be okay.  He directs and takes care of me, and I soak up everything I can.

First Day - Japan

Okay, so right off the bat I am just going to say... I don't handle airports and planes very well.  At all.  That said you can imagine I had no appetite before I got to Busan and was feeling rather nauseous from the moment I went inside the airport to the moment I finally landed.  With that horrible bit of info out of the way, let's discuss me going to Japan!

Teacher Oh picked me up at 5am and took me to the bus station.  I got a nice bus ride straight to Gimhae.  That is how I suggest getting to and from airports.  Anyrate, then I went inside and got my ticket.  The security guards are young men in black walking in teams of two... and looking so incredible.  Oh man.

Then I went through security.  Their security is a bit lax.  You don't have to take off your shoes and pull out your liquids.  They just want your laptop out.  That is all.  That was easy.  Got some breakfast, of which I could only eat half.  Then I changed my 500,000 won for about 30000 yen.  Okay that sucked.  Finally it was time to get on the plane.  Went through the gate, down some stairs, onto a bus, walked to the plane and climbed on.  Did I mention I wasn't feeling so good by this point?  Anyrate I got some pics of Japan as we went over.

Then we landed.  I gladly got off that plane... after making some insane eye contact with a pair of intense eyes.  Why am I do attracted to all these men?  At least it wasn't one way.  Thankfully lost him in the crowd.  Well, I let him go on ahead.  Found my way on a tram to the main building where I walked through quarantine, inspection, and finally immigration.  Once through all that, I happily made my way out to the train platform.  I pulled out a map, pointed at Namba Station, and asked what to do.  Everyone was really helpful. Not in the nice and smiley way that Koreans are.  More professional and formal.  I went where they pointed and sat down on a train.  Stayed on that for like 50 minutes until I got to Namba Station.

I was armed with my map and headed eagerly outside.  Half a block later I was lost.  So I asked some traffic person for help.  He scratched his head and muttered train station... then called some fellow who knew a few more English words to help me.  I didn't understand his Japanese, but I did make out some of the pidgin English... so I got to walking and finally found my hotel.  Checked in and then headed to the Korean Embassy.

That was quite the experience.  I saw a lot of stuff and made mental notes to get pics on the way back or stop by to shop for food tomorrow.  Used 2/3rds of my yen already on transportation, hotel, visa... *sigh*.  At least McDonalds is cheap.  Sorta.  Compared to everything else, yes.  Compared to America, no.

Got to the embassy, went inside.  Allowed my complete exhaustion to show in my face as I asked "What now?"  Did I mention I didn't sleep well all weekend?  Particularly the night before I flew?  I was tired.  Like I would start to zone out and have crazy dreams that made no sense, only to jerk awake.  Anyrate, a lot of paperwork and even more time spent sitting... I finally get the visa stuff stored away.  No interview though.  That is kinda weird.  I can pick my visa up at 1:30 tomorrow.

So on the way back I pulled out my camera and started snapping pictures.  Found McDonalds and got a late lunch... well, I hadn't been eating so half then and the other half later for supper.  Then I made my way back to the hotel.  I was almost 3pm and check-in wasn't until 4pm... so I chilled and read a book.  Then the lady at the desk brought my key (which turns on the lights as well as unlocks my door), and a basket full of beauty products.  I picked up one of everything.  It was nice.

Then my vacation started.  I have a normal bathroom.  A bit small... like a camper.  However it has a tub and shower... so I took a bath.  And then a little later I took another.  And I used a face mask and pampered myself.  I enjoyed sitting back and reading.  I plan to sleep well tonight.  They provide slippers, coffee, all toiletry items anyone could need, pajamas, a pants press, New Testement, Buddha book... TV that is all in Japanese... At least the heating is the same as in Korea :)  Figured that out easily enough.  It is a lot warmer here though.  I am grateful for that.  It would suck though if there was a tsunami right now... I am pretty sure I am only a foot above sea level.  Your either on a mountain or you are not.  Most are not.

Anyrate, I am sure there was a lot more I was going to say.  However the outlets are not like American outlets or Korean outlets so I have limited battery.  And I want to post some pics on facebook yet tonight.  So I am going to go.

Tomorrow's plan is check out by 10am.  Walk around and eat until 1:30.  Get my visa.  Get to the train station.  Get to the airport.  Wait for plane... go back to Korea... at like 8pm at night.  Call Teacher Oh and let him know when my bus leaves.  Get on bus and have him pick me up in Daegu probably around 10pm.  Get back home around 10:45 or 11?  Maybe?  Then get up early and teach?

Actually I want to thank Teacher Oh right now and right here.  He is getting only a few hours of sleep transporting me all over... getting home late, leaving early... and dealing with a newborn kid.  So he is in worse shape than me.  I pray he didn't fall asleep at the wheel this morning after dropping me off.

Now I am saying bye.  God bless!

Japan - Not the Best Start

I made a reservation at a hotel where I will be staying tomorrow night.  I made the reservation through a service that said you could pay for your stay there.  In cash if you prefer.  So trustingly I made the reservation.  They charged my bank account.  It is expensive to stay in Japan.  I want the school to pay for it.  So having it come out of my bank account seriously was not a good idea.  Hoping when I get to the hotel tomorrow with cash in hand, that they will put the money they took back in my account.  Japan isn't starting out with a good rep.  They need to work on their PR a lot.

Korean/American words

So you know how I am over here and should be learning some of the Korean language.  And that is a good idea, I'm not saying it isn't.  I just want to show how different a lot of things are.  Americans call South Koreans, well, Koreans.  And we call their language Korean.  We do this in fact for many cultures.

However, they are not actually Koreans... and their language isn't Korean.  South Koreans call themselves Hanguk-in.  And their written language is Hangul.  Their traditional clothes are called Hanbok.  Notice that these all start with "Han."  If you are from North Korea then it is entirely different.

South Koreans call Americans by a completely different name.  Our country and citizenship doesn't sound even close to what they call us.  I don't remember what the names are, and I apologize for that.  Just thought it was interesting.

Date

The other day Teacher Oh took me into Jain to get pictures for my visa.  On our way back, he was explaining a lot of what we would have to do once I had my visa.  Set up bank account, go get a physical at the hospital.  He then said we would be going on another date.  I looked at him in surprise, so he expanded, "When guy and girl go somewhere together, it is called a date."  He meant the best, and I couldn't help it.  I giggled.  It was funny!

And for those romantic relatives and friends of mine... don't matchmake us.  He is married with a newborn son ;)

Soy Sauce

Linda was eating chicken the other day with the freshmen boys.  I was with the freshmen girls.  She was explaining to them how she couldn't remember the Korean word for soy sauce.  She liked to be able to ask specifically for the soy sauce chicken.  The boys explained that it wasn't just soy sauce, but soy sauce was the base.  (Hint for Mindy the next time she attempts to make chicken.)

They went further and explained it wasn't good for you to eat just soy sauce.  That if you ate just soy sauce, it would turn you into a girl.  Linda thinks she now knows why Kim Hyun Joong is so cute... he eats a lot of soy sauce.  ^_^