Gloria Ralphed

Time escapes me. At home, at school, walking home, walking to school - anywhere. So in my attempt to prevent time from escaping through the cracks of my fingers, I came up with some strategies:

1. Listen to the news on my walk to work.
2. Grade papers on the subway on the weekends.
3. Take less showers.
4. Don't do laundry.
5. Have the kindergarteners drink their milk fast so that I could get ready for the next class during their milk/play time.

Most of them have been successful thus far - except for the last one.

I figured that by having the girls compete in drinking milk during their milk/play time, this would cause them to drink their milk faster - allowing me more time to get ready for their afternoon class. This idea was working out well for the past couple of weeks. Unfortunately, pride comes before the fall.

The girls drank their milk like they normally do. They all finished and took their green milk cartons to the kitchen. Then, they scurried off to play with their friends. Both playrooms were full of children screaming, playing clapping games like "Miss Susie went to Sea," and sliding down the plastic castle.

Gloria fell half over in the hallway. Two or three girls stopped. Gloria walked 6-7 steps toward me. I thought she had blown snot - all the other kids have been doing it lately. So I told her to go to the sink. As I assisted her the first few steps toward the sink, I realized it was all over her face, her hand, and dripping down her blue suede jacket. It was puke.

She washed her face. I took off her jacket. She played. I tried to wipe down the suede. She felt fine. I was thought I was going to ralph.

Go Tania! Good going on time saving strategies!

The Korean People - Part I

I’ve been meaning to post (on numerous occasions) about my thoughts on the Korean people as a whole. I think I’ve held off for so long because of my very meager knowledge about Korean culture and society. But, I’ve been doing some reading since I’ve arrived in Korea. So, hopefully I’ll be able to express some thoughts without critical or overgenerous overtones.

Just as any religion has a large affect on a country’s people, Confucianism has been an elemental part of Korean society. Over 35% of the Korean population claims to hold to Christianity. The five largest protestant churches in the world are located in Seoul. (Rhie, 86). While Christianity is currently the reigning religion in South Korea, Confucianism has affected Korean society much longer and deeper than Christianity has.

Before getting too far, let me give a quick summary of Confucianism. Confucianism developed in China and holds that one must govern him/herself prior to any other governance. Personal cultivation, hierarchical relationships, and filial piety are just a few of the tenets and results from Confucianism.

As a result of China’s relationship with and rule over the Korean peninsula for some period of time, Korea has adapted this form of Confucianism. Throughout Korean history, Confucianism has found itself as government-mandated practice. With its great emphasis on relationships, Confucianism has continued to affect every person that comes in contact with Korea culture – be it within the borders of Korea or not. I say this because Koreans are often closed off to those relationships that are not beneficial for them. Even when accidentally bumping into a person on the street, or associating with a server at a restaurant, Koreans are not as likely to say “sorry” or “thank you” as much as a westerner is accustomed with.

Also key in relationships is the hierarchical relationship. The elderly are given much greater respect than in the west. The elderly have much more independence and authority. In the short time that I’ve been here, I’ve been surprised at the number of elderly men and women that walk the streets working or pinching the cheeks of children they’ve never met before. In the west, most of the elderly are cooped up in nursing homes where their families visit them once a month. Here, they live with the eldest son – until death do parts them. They rule the country.

The relationship between a student and teacher is often a long-lasting one. Students tend to stay friends with their classmates from their grade school years until adult years. The strength in these relationships depends on their respect and hesitancy to deface the character of the friend. Once a friend, always a friend. Once a brother, always a brother - which leads to the topic of North Korea. But, it’ll have to wait for the sake of my sanity.

I Long For . . .

Oh how I long for the smells of Thanksgiving.
I miss the smells of pumpkin pie, turkey in the oven for hours, and cranberry sauce tantalizing taste buds throughout the morning.
The rememberance of after Thanksgiving sales is even affecting my ever-saddening mood.
Who would've though Koreans didn't eat turkey?

Thailand Here I Come!

I will officially be spending my Christmas and New Year's in Thailand! Woo hoo!

Happy Peppero Day!

Commonly known as "Pocky" in the US, Pepero, established in 1983, is the Korean brand of this Japanese chocolate covered bread stick.

Today, all over the nation, children and teenage girls gave an array of different Pepero to their friends. Almond Covered Pepero (my fav), Cafe Latte Pepero, Giant Pepero, Candy Covered Pepero, Chocolate-filled Pepero, and the classic Pepero were sold and bought in mass quantities from grocery stores, bakeries, the equivalent to 7-11, department stores, and jewelry stores all over Korea.

The person who, just 4 years ago, decided to establish Pepero Day is reaping praise fro his/her colleagues after the end of this very celebrated day.

Yesterday, my students gave me Pepero, made me Pepero, and reminded me of how much of a kid I am.

Canada vs. USA

AMERICA WINS!!!

Yesterday, in a smashing event of sportsmanship, the US beat Canada in the Peace Queen Cup Finals at The World Cup Stadium in Seoul, South Korea.

The air was thick competition as two western countries duked it out in Seoul. The intensity of the game was outrageous. Canadians dressed in their flags and funny hats, Americans with painted faces and more funny hats, and Koreans - some rooting for Canada others for the US, were in attendance.

In the first half, while the US had a few chances at making a goal, neither team made goals. In the second half, the US finally made a goal and Canada was unable to catch up.

As intense as it was, the game was not only entertaining, but it really brought out a lot of national pride. I'm slowly beginning to notice why Korea has such a pride in their country. Soccer is huge here. Going to soccer games and cheering on your country really does increase your pride in your country.

I know full well of all the many atrocities that the US has committed in recent years as well as in the past. Regardless of the mistakes, too often citizens of the US - and other countries for that matter - fail to recognize that some good results out of the some actions of the US. Billions of dollars in aid goes to countries in need, the implentation of one of the most sought out systems of government, and athletes to satiate the desire for entertainment and a facet for national pride.

Balance I say, balance!

You're not truly American Until . . .

The weirdest subway ride of my life to and from the World Cup Stadium made me realized how much September 11, 2001 has affected my outlook on every day occurences.

Canada vs. Italia at the World Cup Stadium.

Karen's cousin is on Canada's National Women's soccer team. So excitedly we made a trip to Seoul on Saturday. So unexcitedly, we got off the subway utterly embarrased and thought this was the worst of the day.

The subway ride to the stadium was relaxing compared to what we would face in the hours ahead. We rode for about 15 stops or so when a young man made a V-line straight toward the 외국 (foreigner, pronounced like wehguk). "사랑해요, 사랑해요! 외국 사람 좋아요!" (I love you, I love you! I like foreigners). Trying to be sly, I pretended to be asleep until Karen jabbed me with her fingers and kicked me with her rock solid shoes. So I "woke up" to a Korean man making ridiculour heart symbols with his arms and taking our hands in an effort to make a hand shake. I hoped that pretending to not know any Korean would get him to leave us alone. Unfortunately this attempt only made him try harder to make us understand what he meant. His eagerness led to an embarassing spectacle for us and a great show for all the other natives on the subway.

He finally got off a stop before ours.

We got off at the next stop, walked up the stairs, and there he was. "Go, go, go!" I said as I pushed Karen quickly up the stairs and out of the direction of our friend on the subway.

We made it just in time for the soccer game. Canada won. Woo hoo.

We meant to visit with her cousin for a few minutes. We couldn't find her. World Cup Stadium is big. We walked around and we stopped where we saw men with black vests, helmets, and white lettering "tri-city international."
"We probably shouldn't get too close, they might we're suspicious looking?
"What? What do you mean?"
"They might think we're going to bomb them."
They didn't pull out any guns and we didn't bomb them.

We ate, bought groceries, and got on the subway.
"It smells like pee in here," Karen said. And it did.
"It smells like pee really bad," Karen said. And it did. There was a man sitting at the end of the subway. A man that was sitting by him got up and moved. There was a puddle. I thought it was a beverage. It was at one point. The puddle kept getting bigger. A little girl pulled her pretty pink princess suitcase around. As children do, she carelessly walked around the subway getting ready for her stop while her mother woke up her other daughter. The girl walked back my direction with her suitcase. Trailing on the wheel of her suitcase was a stream of liquid. I pulled Karen's leg back so she wouldn't touch it.
"What is it?"
"It's pee."
Karen looked down. Our groceries! My feet! No one said anything.
"Get off! We have to get off now!" I said.
Close to tears I pouted as we went toward the "washroom."
Back on the subway, I was a little relieved. Nothing worse could happen. Up the stairs and we're stopped by Immigration police. Nope, not us they were looking for.