This has been long overdue but I was inspired after watching Jack Donaghy talk about baby names. Keep it classic because there's never going to be a President Ashton, to be fair Zack was a pretty big stretch already. Here in Korea, students who attend English Academies after school (instead of having fun) receive English names for when they are in their English Academies. I completely understand this because phonetically they're difficult to pronounce correctly and just memorizing names that don't really sound like names is really difficult; examples being Sang Hyeon, Tong Bim, Jyun Haen, Jang Seo, etc. There are names that do sound like Western names like Min Ju, Min Ji, Soo Min, Min Oh, Su Bin, and many more I think its just because they're shorter though. Regardless, English names are easier to read off and just remember for the typical Westerner.
I'm not totally sure who names these children, but my hunch is its the principal at the Academy. Obviously, this principal, or their delegate, is not their parent and their isn't a 9 month wait period to decide on one name you like. As a result there is an odd collection of students with either dated names or nicknames off of proper ones. One class I have has a Billy and a Chucky, not William and Charles. When they told me I replied "So you're names are Charles and William but they shortened it because you're younger, right?"
"No teacha, my name is Chaacky"
"And my name is Birry"
Thank you English Academy. By the way, there is no Korean boy who looks like a Chucky. The most popular names for boys and girls respectively are Tyler and Amy. This isn't too bad for girls, I've met a grown-up named Amy. However, every Tyler I have met back home and here is, and always will be, a teenage boy at heart. Some girls have really dated names like Daisy and Alice (to make matters worse I was calling her Ellis for weeks).
I haven't met many kids with J names like Jeremy, Joshua, Jenny, or Jordan and my presumption is because in Korea the j sound is more of a ch sound over top of the j making for a bunch of Cheremies, Choshes, Chennies, and Chordans. I guess its also why I haven't met any Raymonds, Leroys, Nigels, Lindseys and other L and R names. Unfortunately, poor Birry got the short end of the stick. So to all the Koreans in the 30+s with outdated, unpronounceable and childish names hopefully they're not on your passports or driver's licences.
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Friday, January 25, 2013
You know you miss it
When you leave something behind you really recognize what actually matters and what you value in your life. Coming to Korea, I knew I would miss family, friends, and certain foods (PC Kraft Dinner, and canned black olives). I completely neglected the thought that I wouldn't be able to clearly communicate with everyone. I realized I don't miss Slurpees, watching hockey or football live and have replaced these aspects of my life with other things: this blog, new friends, and a job.
This adventure of mine is a new routine. Teaching here has been my first full-time job apart from summer gigs. I've been here for almost 6 months, I can't even believe it but I've found myself in a cozy rut, and that's okay. Once my vacation started on Christmas Eve the rut spit me up and into new schedule I never really got a hold of since it was ever-changing with guests, winter camp and travel. One evident change was I had to make my own lunches. I obviously noted this, but I completely forgot about what I was eating.
This leads me to my travels to Incheon, prior to flying to the Philippines. I had just had some day old banana pancakes for lunch and trail mix on the train ride. I'm not going to you lie, reader, but I was pretty embarrassed about this sad excuse for a cold meal. For dinner I wanted food with sustenance, a certain heartiness, and a little bit of pep. Then it hit me like a truck: I haven't eaten the foundation of Korean food, while in Korea. Kimchi. Kimchi. Kimchi. That's what I had everyday at lunch, cucumber kimchi, cabbage kimchi, horseradish kimchi, all of a sudden I wanted it all right now.
Craving kimchi has brought on this revelation, I've grown accustomed to Korean culture, despite the language barrier. Food is at the center of any culture and gets everybody off. Apart from the odd meal out I was missing my daily kimchi fix. So how did I quench this thirst for probably one of the weirdest foods in the world? Kimchi stew. It didn't live up to expectations as a whole but biting into that first chunk of cabbage felt so warm and tasty, like something my mom made. Twas the perfect meal to send me off to the Philippines and reminded me why its only a vacation. Although its not my favourite food in the world, kimchi is still very good and arguably an token of Korean culture.
Here's a link on how to make it! Be warned this is the traditional way with a few modernized steps.
This adventure of mine is a new routine. Teaching here has been my first full-time job apart from summer gigs. I've been here for almost 6 months, I can't even believe it but I've found myself in a cozy rut, and that's okay. Once my vacation started on Christmas Eve the rut spit me up and into new schedule I never really got a hold of since it was ever-changing with guests, winter camp and travel. One evident change was I had to make my own lunches. I obviously noted this, but I completely forgot about what I was eating.
This leads me to my travels to Incheon, prior to flying to the Philippines. I had just had some day old banana pancakes for lunch and trail mix on the train ride. I'm not going to you lie, reader, but I was pretty embarrassed about this sad excuse for a cold meal. For dinner I wanted food with sustenance, a certain heartiness, and a little bit of pep. Then it hit me like a truck: I haven't eaten the foundation of Korean food, while in Korea. Kimchi. Kimchi. Kimchi. That's what I had everyday at lunch, cucumber kimchi, cabbage kimchi, horseradish kimchi, all of a sudden I wanted it all right now.
Craving kimchi has brought on this revelation, I've grown accustomed to Korean culture, despite the language barrier. Food is at the center of any culture and gets everybody off. Apart from the odd meal out I was missing my daily kimchi fix. So how did I quench this thirst for probably one of the weirdest foods in the world? Kimchi stew. It didn't live up to expectations as a whole but biting into that first chunk of cabbage felt so warm and tasty, like something my mom made. Twas the perfect meal to send me off to the Philippines and reminded me why its only a vacation. Although its not my favourite food in the world, kimchi is still very good and arguably an token of Korean culture.
Here's a link on how to make it! Be warned this is the traditional way with a few modernized steps.
Vaplaytion - My Adventures in the Philippines
After a week in the Philippines I have returned to my desk refreshed and excited about the 3-4 weeks of school I have before another 2 week break. The trip down to the lovely Isle of Siquijor (pronounced Sicky-whore) was a lengthy one: First I took a train from Busan up to Seoul (5 Hours), then a subway train to Incheon International Airport (1 Hour), rested in the airport until 8pm (2.5 Hours), then flew to Cebu (4 Hours), cleared customs and was out a little bit before 2am, next I was picked up by my cousins and their guides in a truck and driven to a coffee shop then the bus terminal (1 Hour), then there was the bus (3 Hours), then a nauseating fairy while the Wednesday sun rose (1 Hour), breakfast at a Jollibee (I had water because my stomach was swirling), and back onto a fairy to Siquijor Island (this one was better and didn't feel as long but took the same amount of time), tragically we got of at the wrong port, so we took a jeepni to our port then my cousins' multi-cab (a compact pickup with benches running down the side of the flat) home.
A jeepni is like a multi-cab but its lower to the ground and has a longer bench. It could fit 5 people comfortably on each bench but there were proably 7 people aside and a baby.
"Welcome to the Philippines." My cousin says half asleep as we ride through the potholes.
After having 2-3 hours of sleep since leaving Busan Tuesday morning I went to bed at 4pm. That was the only time I went to bed without an amazing dinner.
I'll give you the bullet form of all my activities in no particular (Island time was in effect) order with a comment or two, along with some pictures - I wish I took more, but now there's more incentive to go back.
First off, the weather was overcast for the first couple days which was a good segway into the blistering heat of the final few days there. So the first couple days consisted of a movie, cards, sudoku, books and food(I'm making a separate blog about food and drinks on this trip)
I saw two separate waterfalls, the water was cool and clear in both locations. One was much more secluded than the other (both names escape me). The other had teens and young men swinging off of vines and dropping into the water from the river bank.
I went into a cave as well. Figuring this would be like the man made cave in the DMZ I was unprepared for what was in store. It was an underground reservoir, filled with really cool stalactites and rock formations. It was a much muddier, confined Moria. Wearing flip-flops in there really put a damper on the adventure since they seemed to separate every 20 steps. Apart from that, I'd recommend it to anybody adventurous.
Basketball is the most popular sport in the Philippines currently, and there's usually pick-up once or twice a week. Figuring I could use some exercise after sitting for such a long time in passenger seats and hammocks, I went out and had a good time meeting tons of super cool guys that live for this sport from sixteen to forty. The cost was 10 pesos (a quarter in North America) for a game. I played two and slept like a baby that night.
Mornings are very different on Siquijor. A typhoon had knocked out one of the two power generators on the island, resulting in rolling brownouts. Obviously alarm clocks are no longer the most reliable tool to get up. Instead there are roosters. Not a rooster, roosters; from all over in the morning you can hear a chorus of different tones and screeches, all of which are annoying. One Philippine guy told me that the rooster is the most popular pet in Siquijor. The day always started early so we had plenty of time to get stuff done.
One afternoon was spent at Solangon Beach resort. They had water slides and platforms probably 10+ meters into the air. Jumping off was a really exciting feeling. Having a fear of heights, and understanding how to beat this fear. I did not look off the platform, or even stand on it. Just looked out into the horizon and ran off. The drop was probably around 2 seconds, my "woo" ended before the salty water shot up into my sinuses.
On Friday, the drinking night, we went to a sick bar called Caesar's. After subjecting myself to dingy and smoky bars lodged in a basement, being in an open-concept, and lighted, bar with a live band and a dance floor outside was so much fun I wish I could have stayed forever.Tragically not the case.
A jeepni is like a multi-cab but its lower to the ground and has a longer bench. It could fit 5 people comfortably on each bench but there were proably 7 people aside and a baby.
"Welcome to the Philippines." My cousin says half asleep as we ride through the potholes.
After having 2-3 hours of sleep since leaving Busan Tuesday morning I went to bed at 4pm. That was the only time I went to bed without an amazing dinner.
I'll give you the bullet form of all my activities in no particular (Island time was in effect) order with a comment or two, along with some pictures - I wish I took more, but now there's more incentive to go back.
First off, the weather was overcast for the first couple days which was a good segway into the blistering heat of the final few days there. So the first couple days consisted of a movie, cards, sudoku, books and food(I'm making a separate blog about food and drinks on this trip)
I saw two separate waterfalls, the water was cool and clear in both locations. One was much more secluded than the other (both names escape me). The other had teens and young men swinging off of vines and dropping into the water from the river bank.
I went into a cave as well. Figuring this would be like the man made cave in the DMZ I was unprepared for what was in store. It was an underground reservoir, filled with really cool stalactites and rock formations. It was a much muddier, confined Moria. Wearing flip-flops in there really put a damper on the adventure since they seemed to separate every 20 steps. Apart from that, I'd recommend it to anybody adventurous.
Basketball is the most popular sport in the Philippines currently, and there's usually pick-up once or twice a week. Figuring I could use some exercise after sitting for such a long time in passenger seats and hammocks, I went out and had a good time meeting tons of super cool guys that live for this sport from sixteen to forty. The cost was 10 pesos (a quarter in North America) for a game. I played two and slept like a baby that night.
Mornings are very different on Siquijor. A typhoon had knocked out one of the two power generators on the island, resulting in rolling brownouts. Obviously alarm clocks are no longer the most reliable tool to get up. Instead there are roosters. Not a rooster, roosters; from all over in the morning you can hear a chorus of different tones and screeches, all of which are annoying. One Philippine guy told me that the rooster is the most popular pet in Siquijor. The day always started early so we had plenty of time to get stuff done.
One afternoon was spent at Solangon Beach resort. They had water slides and platforms probably 10+ meters into the air. Jumping off was a really exciting feeling. Having a fear of heights, and understanding how to beat this fear. I did not look off the platform, or even stand on it. Just looked out into the horizon and ran off. The drop was probably around 2 seconds, my "woo" ended before the salty water shot up into my sinuses.
On Friday, the drinking night, we went to a sick bar called Caesar's. After subjecting myself to dingy and smoky bars lodged in a basement, being in an open-concept, and lighted, bar with a live band and a dance floor outside was so much fun I wish I could have stayed forever.Tragically not the case.
 |
| The view from the backyard of my hostel. |
 |
| Played under the lights for the first time. |
 |
Next to this pool (with fish), is a beautiful and
delish restaurant called Capilay's
|
Sunday, January 13, 2013
Hockey's Back!! Here are some predictions!
If you're reading this and then going directly to Pro-Line, you're an idiot. I barely play hockey, I enjoy watching, and since there isn't any saber-metrics mumbo-jumbo its a pretty big log jam in terms of predictions and identifying the best players. To tell you the truth, I haven't looked at anything past depth charts and Yahoo! Rankings, the latter differing tremendously from my own. This is 100% gut-feeling.
But before we get to my predictions these are things I look forward to seeing and hearing about (scroll down to find the predictions, some are just for fun, and I don't mean to offend anyone by them):
Will the Broadway Blues look as good on the ice as they do on paper? With Rick Nash finally playing with a distinguished set-up man in Brad Richards I wouldn't be surprised if he breaks 30 goals (remember this is a shortened season). Oh, and the other winger is Marian Gaborik, is that even fair? If everyone stays healthy that line should produce 150+ points together and if Hank Lundqvist has another stellar season the President's Trophy should be their's to take. Their defense ain't half bad either and since its a young core you can anticipate gradual improvement to an already impressive lineup.
The LA Kings really got it together after the trade deadline picking up Jeff Carter and some other notable players that turned what was the 8th seed in the West into Stanley Cup champions. Their style of play is the definition of playoff hockey, and its amazing to watch them play. Can they play like this for 48+ games? Only time will tell, no team has repeated since Detroit did with Yzerman, but because of the shortened season, this could be an opportunity for the Kings to go the distance again.
I went to University in Thunder Bay, home of the Staal family. Though I never got to meet them each child I taught on my placement has their favourite Staal brother. Now that Eric and Jordan are playing on Carolina together I am excited to see the imaginative plays from their childhood days. Like New York, they have an up and coming defensive core and a great goalie in Cam Ward. I don't know how the line-ups will breakdown but there's plenty of talented wingers to partner up with the Staals (Alexander Semin and Jeff Skinner are the top two). If everyone melds and they pick up a couple veterans at the trade deadline they are certainly cup contenders in my eyes.
In terms of talent, the best team is Pittsburgh: Gino Malkin AND Sid the Kid Crosby are Lemieuxesque players, which means they can turn 2 average players into superstars (just like Kevin Stevens). I can't say prior to the 2010 Olympics I was a Crosby fan, and the memory of his overtime goal has been lost since he hasn't played in while. Hopefully he's back in full swing and ready to compete in potentially the best division in hockey.
The Flyers also have an abundance of youthful players that can explode onto the scene this year. Longevity isn't an issue with 34 games dropped off the schedule it should be a high flying pace for young guns like Brayden Schenn, Sean Courturier, Wayne Simmonds, Jakub Voracek and Matt Read They'll be a fun team to watch led by 'chel poster boy Claude Giroux.
A few days ago Brian Burke was axed as the Leafs GM. This was a Hallelujah moment for me, he's been nothing but trouble since he's been in Toronto. We have abandoned draft picks for a player who has yet to live up to hyperbolic expectations that Burke has pitched, and the players that have been drafted can't seem to break the NHL roster. Having two horrible GMs in a row has sunk all my immediate hopes of hearing "The Maple Leafs are Stanley Cup Contenders" any time soon. My heart still bleeds blue and white though. I like our team, but I'm not in love with it. All I can do is wish these men the best and sit back and hope for the best.
I'm curious to see if Columbus breaks 10 wins too.
Now for the fun part:
Hart Trophy: Steven Stamkos - Although I haven't talked about the Lightning this guy is the center of Tampa's offense and since Perry didn't make the playoffs last year it seems like you can carry a team offensively despite not making the playoffs.
Art Ross Trophy: Sidney Crosby - Malkin gets injured for 10+ games; Crosby averages 1.5+ points per game while he's gone.
Maurice Richard Trophy: Steven Stamkos. - He did it once. He'll do it again. Gets 35+.
Norris Trophy: Drew Doughty - Riding the high off a championship he'll play like one, hangover free. Karlsson and Chara are the other nominees.
Lady Byng Trophy: One of the Sedin Twins - These softies have it on lock down if their numbers don't change from the past few seasons and cut down on their penalties.
Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy: Sidney Crosby - A league leading points total will be labelled as a bounce-back year never to be seen again ultimately earning him the BMMT along with regaining the title of NHL poster boy.
Frank J. Selke Trophy: Jordan Staal - Probably the most underrated 2-way forward in the league in my opinion. Jordie gets it in a landslide. Get ready for this: 16 - 22 - 38 and +19
Calder Memorial Trophy: Mikael Granlund - Despite the Finns flopping as a team Granlund had an exceptional World Juniors, and with a better cast he should average a point every other game at the least.
Vezina Trophy: Pekka Rinne - Playing for a team that wins its games 2-1 or 1-0, Rinne's integral to Nashville and I hope the league recognizes that this year, assuming he get 20+ wins.
William M. Jennings Trophy: Johnathan Quick and Jonathan Bernier - Bernier is growing into a starter all his own and Quick is just too, for lack of a better word, quick.
Ted Lindsay Trophy: Steven Stamkos - Just so everyone gets invited to the party in Muskoka.
Mark Messier Leadership Award: Shane Doan - The embodiment of grit and leadership should be recognized for his loyalty as well as his contributions to a) the team that drafted him eons ago and b) the Phoenix community, again.
NHL Plus-Minus Award*: Marc Staal +23 - Playing behind a potent offence and his shut-down style, its almost inevitable.
Roger Crozier Saving Grace Award*: Carey Price - Honestly, total shot in the dark.
GM of the Year: Minnesota Wild's GM Chuck Fletcher - Grabbing the top two free agents then winning one round in the playoffs this year, he should get it.
Jack Adams Award: The Carolina Hurricanes' coach Kirk Muller - Settles no only Semin but sibling rivalries and a shaky start (1-5-2 (BTW: Does anyone know where the schedule is listed?)) and makes it to the second round of the playoffs.
President's Trophy: Pittsburgh Penguins.
I haven't found a website that shows the new 4 conference format, assuming that's still happening, but for playoff predictions, I'm assuming that every team will stay in their current East/West conference.
Prince of Wales Trophy: The New York Rangers defeat the Pittsburgh Penguins in 7.
Clarence S. Campbell Bowl: The Los Angeles Kings defeat the St. Louis Blues in 6.
Stanley Cup: The New York Rangers in 7.
Conn Smyth: Brad Richards earns his second playoff MVP trophy at this level, with the same coach, as he carries the team on his back, going above a point per game pace.
*As if these are awards now.
Mock me before any of this actually happens and, most of all, enjoy the season!
But before we get to my predictions these are things I look forward to seeing and hearing about (scroll down to find the predictions, some are just for fun, and I don't mean to offend anyone by them):
Will the Broadway Blues look as good on the ice as they do on paper? With Rick Nash finally playing with a distinguished set-up man in Brad Richards I wouldn't be surprised if he breaks 30 goals (remember this is a shortened season). Oh, and the other winger is Marian Gaborik, is that even fair? If everyone stays healthy that line should produce 150+ points together and if Hank Lundqvist has another stellar season the President's Trophy should be their's to take. Their defense ain't half bad either and since its a young core you can anticipate gradual improvement to an already impressive lineup.
The LA Kings really got it together after the trade deadline picking up Jeff Carter and some other notable players that turned what was the 8th seed in the West into Stanley Cup champions. Their style of play is the definition of playoff hockey, and its amazing to watch them play. Can they play like this for 48+ games? Only time will tell, no team has repeated since Detroit did with Yzerman, but because of the shortened season, this could be an opportunity for the Kings to go the distance again.
I went to University in Thunder Bay, home of the Staal family. Though I never got to meet them each child I taught on my placement has their favourite Staal brother. Now that Eric and Jordan are playing on Carolina together I am excited to see the imaginative plays from their childhood days. Like New York, they have an up and coming defensive core and a great goalie in Cam Ward. I don't know how the line-ups will breakdown but there's plenty of talented wingers to partner up with the Staals (Alexander Semin and Jeff Skinner are the top two). If everyone melds and they pick up a couple veterans at the trade deadline they are certainly cup contenders in my eyes.
In terms of talent, the best team is Pittsburgh: Gino Malkin AND Sid the Kid Crosby are Lemieuxesque players, which means they can turn 2 average players into superstars (just like Kevin Stevens). I can't say prior to the 2010 Olympics I was a Crosby fan, and the memory of his overtime goal has been lost since he hasn't played in while. Hopefully he's back in full swing and ready to compete in potentially the best division in hockey.
The Flyers also have an abundance of youthful players that can explode onto the scene this year. Longevity isn't an issue with 34 games dropped off the schedule it should be a high flying pace for young guns like Brayden Schenn, Sean Courturier, Wayne Simmonds, Jakub Voracek and Matt Read They'll be a fun team to watch led by 'chel poster boy Claude Giroux.
A few days ago Brian Burke was axed as the Leafs GM. This was a Hallelujah moment for me, he's been nothing but trouble since he's been in Toronto. We have abandoned draft picks for a player who has yet to live up to hyperbolic expectations that Burke has pitched, and the players that have been drafted can't seem to break the NHL roster. Having two horrible GMs in a row has sunk all my immediate hopes of hearing "The Maple Leafs are Stanley Cup Contenders" any time soon. My heart still bleeds blue and white though. I like our team, but I'm not in love with it. All I can do is wish these men the best and sit back and hope for the best.
I'm curious to see if Columbus breaks 10 wins too.
Now for the fun part:
Hart Trophy: Steven Stamkos - Although I haven't talked about the Lightning this guy is the center of Tampa's offense and since Perry didn't make the playoffs last year it seems like you can carry a team offensively despite not making the playoffs.
Art Ross Trophy: Sidney Crosby - Malkin gets injured for 10+ games; Crosby averages 1.5+ points per game while he's gone.
Maurice Richard Trophy: Steven Stamkos. - He did it once. He'll do it again. Gets 35+.
Norris Trophy: Drew Doughty - Riding the high off a championship he'll play like one, hangover free. Karlsson and Chara are the other nominees.
Lady Byng Trophy: One of the Sedin Twins - These softies have it on lock down if their numbers don't change from the past few seasons and cut down on their penalties.
Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy: Sidney Crosby - A league leading points total will be labelled as a bounce-back year never to be seen again ultimately earning him the BMMT along with regaining the title of NHL poster boy.
Frank J. Selke Trophy: Jordan Staal - Probably the most underrated 2-way forward in the league in my opinion. Jordie gets it in a landslide. Get ready for this: 16 - 22 - 38 and +19
Calder Memorial Trophy: Mikael Granlund - Despite the Finns flopping as a team Granlund had an exceptional World Juniors, and with a better cast he should average a point every other game at the least.
Vezina Trophy: Pekka Rinne - Playing for a team that wins its games 2-1 or 1-0, Rinne's integral to Nashville and I hope the league recognizes that this year, assuming he get 20+ wins.
William M. Jennings Trophy: Johnathan Quick and Jonathan Bernier - Bernier is growing into a starter all his own and Quick is just too, for lack of a better word, quick.
Ted Lindsay Trophy: Steven Stamkos - Just so everyone gets invited to the party in Muskoka.
Mark Messier Leadership Award: Shane Doan - The embodiment of grit and leadership should be recognized for his loyalty as well as his contributions to a) the team that drafted him eons ago and b) the Phoenix community, again.
NHL Plus-Minus Award*: Marc Staal +23 - Playing behind a potent offence and his shut-down style, its almost inevitable.
King Clancy Memorial Trophy: N/A - In order to
win this award you have exemplify
leadership qualities on and off the ice and make a noteworthy humanitarian
contribution in his community, I won't take a guess here.
NHL Foundation Player Award: Taylor Hall - After a horrible accident last season resulting in this he does his fair share of "Play Safe" campaigns in Edmonton. Roger Crozier Saving Grace Award*: Carey Price - Honestly, total shot in the dark.
GM of the Year: Minnesota Wild's GM Chuck Fletcher - Grabbing the top two free agents then winning one round in the playoffs this year, he should get it.
Jack Adams Award: The Carolina Hurricanes' coach Kirk Muller - Settles no only Semin but sibling rivalries and a shaky start (1-5-2 (BTW: Does anyone know where the schedule is listed?)) and makes it to the second round of the playoffs.
President's Trophy: Pittsburgh Penguins.
I haven't found a website that shows the new 4 conference format, assuming that's still happening, but for playoff predictions, I'm assuming that every team will stay in their current East/West conference.
Prince of Wales Trophy: The New York Rangers defeat the Pittsburgh Penguins in 7.
Clarence S. Campbell Bowl: The Los Angeles Kings defeat the St. Louis Blues in 6.
Stanley Cup: The New York Rangers in 7.
Conn Smyth: Brad Richards earns his second playoff MVP trophy at this level, with the same coach, as he carries the team on his back, going above a point per game pace.
*As if these are awards now.
Mock me before any of this actually happens and, most of all, enjoy the season!
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Stable Stacey
I got her, Stable Stacey, nestled in my arms. She's awfully dainty, nice and portable. Here's the story of how me met:
I went down to Nampo-dong for the first time, its a pretty big market with lots of cool, and cheap, stuff: Obama ankle socks for 1,000 won. I was directed by a friend to go to a Yamaha store right out side the station. I was expecting to shop around a bit but I found a deal I couldn't turn down. The guy in the store was awesome at showing me around the crowded little shop. Then it caught my eyes. Sadly, it wasn't the guitar itself, but the price tag on it. 88,000 won (roughly $85). Looking at it more and hearing the sweet twang of the nylon strings I knew this was for me. Oh how I've missed it so. After getting picks, and a guitar strap pro-bono, I grabbed a pack of string, auto tuner, a soft case and a capo for another $35 or so. I felt like I was robbing the guy. Here are some pictures; its a classical guitar by Vizcaya, Tradicion Espanola.
I brought it back home on the subway. I opened it once or twice just to look at it.When I got home I tuned it, notified the world about it via Facebook, then got back in the groove. I played and watched Sons of Anarchy for hours. When I looked up at the clock it was 9pm. I hadn't eaten dinner, lesson planned, or even gone to the bathroom. I felt great, playing has always been therapeutic for me, and I'm glad it still has that hold on me even after 4 months away. My callouses have faded but this hobby is here to stay. I played my open mic playlist on my computer and I couldn't remember half the chord progression for any songs the songs. Being on vacation I'll make up for lost time, don't worry. Korean life, you just got a little bit better.
I went down to Nampo-dong for the first time, its a pretty big market with lots of cool, and cheap, stuff: Obama ankle socks for 1,000 won. I was directed by a friend to go to a Yamaha store right out side the station. I was expecting to shop around a bit but I found a deal I couldn't turn down. The guy in the store was awesome at showing me around the crowded little shop. Then it caught my eyes. Sadly, it wasn't the guitar itself, but the price tag on it. 88,000 won (roughly $85). Looking at it more and hearing the sweet twang of the nylon strings I knew this was for me. Oh how I've missed it so. After getting picks, and a guitar strap pro-bono, I grabbed a pack of string, auto tuner, a soft case and a capo for another $35 or so. I felt like I was robbing the guy. Here are some pictures; its a classical guitar by Vizcaya, Tradicion Espanola.
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Sleep on it.
I went out for dinner and a book swap last weekend, and had a good discussion with an American friend about jobs back home. Both markets are discouraging, especially in the teachers field. The only reason to go back home is for family and friends. So this surplus of teachers begs to question: Why does everyone want to become a teacher? Let's travel back to Medieval Times, that era were nothing really happened, no one went to school, literacy was useless, the Earth was flat, and leaders were deities, and the staple of making your keep was the family business. If your father was a blacksmith and your mother was a maid then by basic principle their sons and daughters would be blacksmiths and maids respectively. This still goes on but its not as prominently. My family members still run a family business started by my grandfather but its not the only card my siblings, cousins, and I are holding.
Currently, we're pigeon-holed into school systems for too many years. So instead of following the path of your father the blacksmith or your mother the maid, you follow the path of your role model(s): a teacher. Everyone had a at least one favourite teacher out of the fifty a person has over the course of their academic career, too bad you only get two parents (just kidding Mom and Dad). There's more to life than school, but when you're there for six hours a day and doing school work for another two it dominates your schedule. There's an obvious need to go back to the drawing board, and a surplus in several job markets is not the only reason, with education systems, but you can also hold the zounds of people filling out application forms need to step back and get a bigger perspective too. Too many teachers, or educators, is not a bad thing, only when they're competing in one of the narrowest job markets; education is a life-long process and because there's a tendency to roll backwards as opposed to leaping forwards almost everyone wants to have a future tantamount to their past. Thus, they become a teacher.
Here's the thing: having a Bachelor's in Education (BEd) does not limit you to teaching children. Think of all the people who have taught you something in your adult life outside of school walls. Maybe your boss showed you the best way to wow a customer, file faster, or even make the best coffee with the cheapest grounds. It doesn't matter. A BEd has this huge connotation on it, when you hold it up it says to everyone, "Look at me, I'm a teacher." Wrong. You are an educator, but maybe that's too attached to teaching too. Oh boy, this is a problem. I don't think I have a solution that can be explained thoroughly enough to get a bandwagon going all the way up to the Premiers and the Senators, but something has to change. All I'm trying to say is that becoming a teacher isn't the only thing available to to people with BEds. So step back and look, maybe into a mirror if you're feeling dramatic, and ask yourself, is teaching adults any less rewarding than teaching children? My answer changes once and while, I'd like to think that I'd be happy either way. Sometimes I really wish I could just be a blacksmith and save myself the trouble, but I'm sure I'd have to go to trade school now anyways. Whatever, I'll take my BEd and sleep on it.
Thanks for reading,
Currently, we're pigeon-holed into school systems for too many years. So instead of following the path of your father the blacksmith or your mother the maid, you follow the path of your role model(s): a teacher. Everyone had a at least one favourite teacher out of the fifty a person has over the course of their academic career, too bad you only get two parents (just kidding Mom and Dad). There's more to life than school, but when you're there for six hours a day and doing school work for another two it dominates your schedule. There's an obvious need to go back to the drawing board, and a surplus in several job markets is not the only reason, with education systems, but you can also hold the zounds of people filling out application forms need to step back and get a bigger perspective too. Too many teachers, or educators, is not a bad thing, only when they're competing in one of the narrowest job markets; education is a life-long process and because there's a tendency to roll backwards as opposed to leaping forwards almost everyone wants to have a future tantamount to their past. Thus, they become a teacher.
Here's the thing: having a Bachelor's in Education (BEd) does not limit you to teaching children. Think of all the people who have taught you something in your adult life outside of school walls. Maybe your boss showed you the best way to wow a customer, file faster, or even make the best coffee with the cheapest grounds. It doesn't matter. A BEd has this huge connotation on it, when you hold it up it says to everyone, "Look at me, I'm a teacher." Wrong. You are an educator, but maybe that's too attached to teaching too. Oh boy, this is a problem. I don't think I have a solution that can be explained thoroughly enough to get a bandwagon going all the way up to the Premiers and the Senators, but something has to change. All I'm trying to say is that becoming a teacher isn't the only thing available to to people with BEds. So step back and look, maybe into a mirror if you're feeling dramatic, and ask yourself, is teaching adults any less rewarding than teaching children? My answer changes once and while, I'd like to think that I'd be happy either way. Sometimes I really wish I could just be a blacksmith and save myself the trouble, but I'm sure I'd have to go to trade school now anyways. Whatever, I'll take my BEd and sleep on it.
Thanks for reading,
Saturday, January 5, 2013
Winter Camp -
I have 8 days of Winter camp, and as I wait for my roommate to prepare for our Journey to Daegu, I'll tell you what I've done so far. You might think some of its fun, educational and/or unearned me-time. The first day was Christmas Eve so I sported my Christmas vest for what's felt like the millionth time and we did Christmas stuff: read the Polar Express, wrap some presents, do a word search, make ornaments out of geometric patterns, and take some pictures. I had the idea that they could take a family-type photo but that didn't happen. Instead they made a tower of presents more than once and knocked it down every time. We played hangman to wind down the day, which ends at 12:10.
Following day was Christmas, so everybody had a vacation. The following day we watched Monsters Inc. which was a really frustrating setup. The TV was older than most of the others in the school and could not read the disc properly. So it was in black and white with colors pushed up half way up the screen. Obviously subtitles didn't work either, or ever for that matter, so they watched it in Korean. The following days we did some rhyming activities and read a couple stories saturated in rhymes (special shout-out to Dr. Seuss) and the Monorail song from the Simpsons. On the last day we kept on rhyming made trail mix which was a big hit, and then just a bunch of games: hot seat, 7 up, hangman, and what's wrong with this picture.
Working with these kids was a ton of fun because of their energy and the fact they bought into most of the things I gave them. The major challenge was channeling their energy into something productive, but during their break times I gave some of the boys and girls team-building tasks and seeing them work through that as team was really exciting.
Working with these kids was a ton of fun because of their energy and the fact they bought into most of the things I gave them. The major challenge was channeling their energy into something productive, but during their break times I gave some of the boys and girls team-building tasks and seeing them work through that as team was really exciting.
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| Tower of Presents |
The following week I had a different set of kids. It wasn't really a set this time; it was two timid girls for 3 of the 4 days. It was a completely different experience, going from a bunch of off-the-wall 4th Grade boys to 2-3 Grade 6 girls. Classroom management was not needed. All they did was giggle and only one would say, "We are very smart, hee hee hee." They were and I thought it would be a very boring time because they seemed very grade-orientated. This wasn't the case, the first afternoon they did finger painting and straw painting and went absolutely nuts, but in a controlled manner. Nothing spilled, no stained clothes, and they even helped clean up! They just laughed the whole time, there was no method to their work just trying to get as many bright colours on the page as possible. The next three days went by smoothly I gave them tasks where they could work together because these friends seemed attached at the hip as most girls are with their best friend.
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| Finger Painting |
When I worked with my Grade 6 co-teacher, I become the Enunciator, I merely pronounce single words, not even phrases, and the students repeat after me. I feel I don't get to know any of the students on a personal level unless they are remedial, which is incredibly stupid because I can barely speak Korean and they barely speak English, so this style is a joke. At the beginning of this past week I didn't recognize these two girls, and never knew their personality. I'm sure its different in a classroom setting, but still there isn't even any participation in my Grade 6 classes, so how would I know. This Wicked Witch of a co-teacher has sucked the life out of these kids and I doubt they have any interest in English after this year; precisely why I'm going to try and reestablish myself as a teacher and not just a voice to repeat after once the winter break is over. This could be an actual resolution people!
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