Home Sweet Home

My favorite girls! Kaitlyn & Jenny
Susan & I - Downtown Seattle
Eunju, Kaitlyn & I @ Boston's
Girl's Nite - to The Parlor
Housewarming

Ode to Gimpo

As I lay around a mass of random things I need to pack, I am left thinking in retrospect about this year's grueling, light-hearted, shopping-filled, quality-family-time and perplexed moments.

I think about how taxis drive away after they realize where you want to go, how people continually stare, how cicadas made me deaf in one ear because of their “sweet” song , and the dangerously crowded subways . And, I almost think that I never want to come to Korea again.

But, I eventually change my mind when I think about the grandma on the fourth floor that gives me food every time she sees me in the stairway, about bargaining when shopping, the food (cheap food in fact), and about my family.

Even with the unpleasantness of having to dodge people who want to practice their English with you, it’s a bit difficult to leave.

Land of the Morning Calm, I will miss you.

Beijing Summer 2007

If you have a magnifying glass, you'll see me frowning. The Great Wall of China should be renamed The Gargantuous, Never-Ending Steps of China.Yes, I know. Even after scaling The Wall, battling sweaty Europeans up the stairs and perspiring a full water bottle, I still look great. Thank you, thank you.


Buy only 3 bags of tea and get a pee pee boy. Pour hot water onto him and he pees out tea. Who thought drinking tea could be so much fun?

Globalization . . . at its best.

Favorites from Beijing.

The Sauna

Not only is this little peninsula characteristic of having saunas (찜질방), but it's also characteristic of BEING a sauna!

As I look out of my window, the skyline is a little reminscent of an early morning in January. There is enough moisture in the air that you aren't able to see just a few feet in front of you.

While it isn't January quite yet, I can't see. My skin is relishing in the fact that humidity is at 94%.

Raindrops aren't really falling on my head so much as raindrops are all around me and they aren't falling.

A Bit of Home

My parents left this afternoon. Even though I'm a bit saddened at their leave, they did leave behind some fantastic memories. Some, I'd like to share with you through this video.

My uncle on the left, and you'll notice my father on the right. Enjoy.

Ahhh! Monsters!

Sometimes, I'm glad my students don't hate me and they just really dislike eachother. This was such the case with Sarah and Jack. Jack bothers Sarah. Such is the reason why Sarah doesn't like Jack. We were studying body parts. They were supposed to draw monsters with 3 eyes, + some. Sarah drew Jack.

Here is Jack the monster:

The Korean People - Part III (The 50 Year Standoff between the North and the South)

In Part II of this series, I briefly mentioned the relationship between the North and the South. As a result of Korea's (as a whole) Confucian way of life, the country has been loyal and hopeful of their severed family's return (regardless of the North's misconception).

In Part III, I'll be discussing the peculiarities of the North-South standoff.

I recently made a trip to the border between North Korea and South. The Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) really is peculiar. While thousands of visitors to the South file into the depths of the tunnels hollowed out by North Korean emissaries, another thousand North Korean and South Korean soldiers stand with grave solemnity and military rifles pointed at each other.

After Korea was divided in two (The North with the Communists and the South with the Capitalists), the 38th parallel became one of the most heavily armed areas in the world - and has been so for over fifty years now. In those fifty years, the South (Republic of Korea - ROK) has discovered a number of tunnels that have reached unbelievably close to Seoul. In these tunnels, ROK soldiers found dynamite lodged into the walls. When confronted about this breach in agreement, the North replied that these tunnels were rich in coal - they were simply mining for natural resources. Later, ROK soldiers found that the stone in these tunnels were painted black. Now, tourists from all over the world can see the holes where dynamite was placed, see the paint on stone, and even drink fresh DMZ spring water in the tunnels.

Above these tunnels, a large "camoflauged" military lookout was built - mainly for tourists. On a clear day, it's possible to see "the largest flag pole in the world" with a North Korean flag on top. It's also possible to see a propoganda village where there are normal houses, soccer fields, and people riding on their bicycles - much of which was probably paid for by the South Korean government.

Amidst this severance between the two countries, there is a significant and hopeful point of unification along the border - Dorasan Station. This subway station was disconnected after the Korean War. It was recently reconnected in hopes of better relations between the North and the South.

Not only is the opening of this station a sign of peaceful relations between the two countries, Korean companies are investing more in North Korea.

While these might be signs that North Korea will open its borders, there are still doubts that the two countries will be unified any time in the near future.

Minsu, Minsu, Minsu!

It's Thursday . . . and I'm posting.

As the South Korean sun is warmed up the winter streets of our little Gimpo, the new school year blossomed. With the new school year, the 3 little sources of bacteria that could infest my immune system have left me (i.e. Beth, Gloria and Lisa). Now, there are 10 little sources of infestation - with more strength, energy and restlessness than ever!

In this series, we'll take an indepth look at my students, what I teach them, and more importantly, what they teach me.

Here's our first examinee: Minsu.

Sleeping on the bus after a field trip.

Easter. Minsu stuffed his mouth with yoke.

Posing for the camera.
Grabbing the camera out of my hands and taking a picture of himself.

Minsu is hyper, has a lack of concentration, has a tendency to puke, and always has fluid flowing from his nose. But, this little guy has a soft spot in my heart.


Every morning, he comes into the office and says "Tania Teacher! _____ spoke Korean!" I always reply with the same answer "Good morning Minsu. Ok, thank you Minsu. I will talk to them in class." Even though I say the same thing every morning, he continues to inform me that someone has broken a rule.

In class, we sing songs every morning. Sometimes we dance. When we dance and sing at the same time, he gets a little wild. So wild, that he feels he has to walk over to his desk partner and hug them as tight as possible - then try to lift them up.



During playtime, Minsu likes to chase girls - which inevitably leads to hugging them as tight as possible - thus likely injuring them. Even though Minsu always gets in trouble, he still does it.

Maybe it's that Minsu doesn't hear me, or that Minsu doesn't understand me when I say his name - but there are times when I need to say his name 3 or 4 times before he listens to me. This is when I say "Minsu . . . . Minsu! Minsu! Minsu, Minsu, Minsu!"

Sometimes, he just bursts out laughing during the middle of class. Other times, he laughs at me when I do something that I would consider mundane. His laugh is so infecting. He opens his mouth as wide as he can, throws his head back, and he emits such a forceful "ha ha ha." That I can't help but laugh at him - even if he's in trouble. I can't help from laughing right now as I think about it! His little eyes squint and become even smaller!

Minsu laughs. He laughs at little things. Someone (Julie) once told me to laugh really hard when one of my children does something silly. Let me tell you, I laugh. Then he laughs at me for laughing at him. This causes endorphines to rush to my brain.

Minsu makes me want to teach for life. Like I said earlier, Minsu has a difficult time concentrating in class. As a result, I try to spend some time with just him to help him concentrate on the work. When he finally understands something and can do it on his own, he gets so excited! So excited! He smiles so big it's unbelievable.

This is why I love Minsu.

Introducing . . . Mi familia

I haven't said much about my family since I've been here. So now, here's an opportunity to learn all about these wonderful people.

The phrase "blood is thicker than water" has never been more real than in the past few months. My family has been so supportive, helpful and sacrificing since (and before) my arrival. Regardless of how uncomfortable and awkward our conversations (or lack thereof) might be, my family has continually been patient and willing to do for me above and beyond anything I would even ask for.

Here are they are:

One of my aunts and uncles. In the middle is my cousin and his new bride. This is a traditional wedding ceremony.
Uncles and aunts, mom and grandma looking at tulips.
Cousin, wife and one of three kids.
Cousin, wife and two of three kids.

Oi. Sorry.

It's been a little while since I've last published, hasn't it?

Well, I will definitely try harder as of now.

I'll try to keep my usual Thursday night updates.

Tania

"Number of Undernourished in NK Doubled"

From The Korea Times:

The number of undernourished people in North Korea has more than doubled over the past decade with a diminishing dietary energy supply despite the country's increased food production, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reported.
The annual report, released in Rome on Wednesday, said the number of undernourished in North Korea totaled 7.9 million for 2001-2003, more than twice as many as the 3.6 million recorded for 1990-1992.

The dietary energy supply, measured in daily calorie intake per person, fell to 2,150 for the 2001-2003 period from 2,470 in 1990-1992, marking a 1.25 percent decrease, it said.

The Bethlehem Project

The Bethlehem Project relies solely on the support of private donors with a heart to feed the hungry children of North Korea. Without this generous support children will continue to be ignored and suffer from lack of food and easily preventable malnourishment.

www.bethlehemproject.net
bethlehemproject@gmail.com

Asia reach Ministries
70 West Long Lake Road, Suite 118
Troy, MI 48098

The Power of Infestations of Bacteria

I never understood why people chose to concieve children that could become infestations of bacteria. But on Wednesdays when the week is getting rough and no relief seems to be apparent, I can understand why.

When I'm fed up with the cold, with the workplace, and monotony, I am continually surprised and amazed at the patience that my students have with me.

Oh so thankful and blessed.

This photo was taken after the girls and I learned about winter. In the winter, birds don't have food. So, we made bird feeders. Unfortunately, I guess magpies don't like butter rolls, peanut butter and bird seed. The girls were disappointed the first day after we had made these feeders. Then after the weekend, we went back on the roof and they were somewhat relieved that a small flake of Lisa's butter roll was missing (possibly from ripping off while placing fishing line through the roll - but the girls didn't know that).

Next time, I'll be a better teacher and do some research on what kind of food birds like. I thought all birds liked peanut butter.

Favorite Pictures from Thailand

"After Laughter, Action"

I found this editorial in The Korea Times.

After Laughter, Action
by Coutrney E. Martin
Baltimore Sun News Service

If Marshall McLuhan was right that "the medium is the message," in the case of wildly popular fake news, the message must be: Laugh your head off or you'll just end up crying your eyes out. But what if a few angry and motivating tears are what we need? What if all this laughing is pacifying us - making us inert? I hate to say it - I love my Amy Poehler fix as much as the next gal - but I fear therapeutic irony is rendering us politically impotent.

We are drawn to fake news for obvious reasons. Reading witty Onion headlines feels a lot better than another depressing, straight news story. Watching Job Stewart's adorable and brilliantly timed shrug beats Wolf Blitzer's barely perceptible personality any day. Sometimes funny news feels more honest than the serious stuff the ironic take more close to the truth than the supposedly "objective" one.

Laughing is inherently healing, and in a time of secret government contracts and State of the Union addresses given in fake Souther accents, we all need a little relief. But like comfort food consumed night after night in place of broccoli, we are gorging ourselves on what feels good instead of processing what feels so bad - and doing something about it. Other than voting, when was the last time you performed a political act more public than sending a link to The Onion's funniest new podcast to your old college roommates?

These fake news juggernauts - Stewart and Stephen Colbert on Comedy Central, Seth Meyers and Amy Pehler on SNL, the folks at The Onion Web site - have such rich material because our government is so outlandishly corrupt. It is not their witty rendering of that material that we should be spending most of out time on, but the material itself. There is a role, a very necessary role, for humor and release in this depressing climate, but not as a complete replacement of our moral consience or outraged action.

Satire, of course, has a long and proven history as the source of bona fide social change. Aristophanes' "Lysistrat," Upton Sinclair's "The Jungle," George Orwell's "Animal Farm" - all of these led to new public awareness that then led to protest, even some pragmatic reforms.

It seems that the difference between a satire such as "Animal Farm" and "The Daily Show" is that the latter too often makes us comfortable, satiated, even happy, as opposed to the very motivating and sometimes terrifying disequilibrium caused by Orwell. Rebels distributed copies of "Animal Farm," a novella satirizing totalitarianism, to displaced Soviets in Ukraine right after World War II.

But what are we doing with this knowledge, besides rehashing it at the water cooler the next morning? Contrary to Bill O'Reily's jealous claim that "Daily Show" viewers are all "stoned slackers" and "dopey kids," Comedy Central reports that Stewart's viewers are 78 percent more likely to have a household income of $75,000 and an occupation of "professional, owner or manager."

It appears that those of us who respond to ironic or "fake" news are a well-educated, socialy and politically aware, upper-middle class bunch. The onus is on us not to just get our jollies at the strategic spinning of our government's latest foible, but to do something about it.

I'm not advocating boycotting sweet Jon or leaving the Onion to rot. I am reminding us all, especially the young and appropriately outraged, not to let our laughter soothe our social conscience. We should be so uncomfortable with the state of things that we can't idly sit by, giggling at our daily dose of fake news and then falling asleep.

In this side-splittingly hypocritical country, you are entitled to the pursuit of happiness - so go ahead, laugh. But please, refrain from laughing until "it don't hurt no more." It should hurt. It should hurt so badly that you have to get up from the couch and do something about it.

Appropriately written,
T

The Korean People - Part II (Relationship between the North and the South)

In my last post about Korean society, I noted that as a result of Confucianism, Koreans are a very loyal people. This extreme loyalty is one that is really quite evident in the relationship between South Korea and North Korea.

Loyalty, as a result of Confucianism, has so deeply been rooted into Korean culture that even going to Hanil Super for that extra milk that is so desperately needed in the morning is symbolic of this trait. Getting milk at Family Mart could be a sign of disloyalty. While searching future employment, looking at different jobs simultaneously is considered disloyal. With such a deep tendency toward loyalty, it is no wonder that many Korean people (especially younger generations) are empathetic toward their brothers and sisters to the North. Even when children in my classes were given an assignment to create a new country flag, several made flags consisting of North and South Korean Flag symbols - in hope for unity. To make things clear, the people are in no way in favor of nuclear proliferation. They are rather solely in favor of unity of the Korean people.

It is important to remember that South Korea only very recently established its democracy just a little over 50 years ago. This is the same time of the North-South split. As a result, thousands of years of a united people has just recently divided.

From what I have observed, many younger Koreans feel empathy for North Korea. Unlike the West, fear is not a strong emotion when it comes to the possibility of North Korea’s nuclear ambitions. One individual that I had spoken with stated that because the South was in such close proximity, there was no reason to fear. More of a concern is whether stocks would continue to plummet as a result of nuclear tests. If the South were to be attacked, the North would pay just as much as the South would.

I watched a segment where random, ordinary people were interviewed about the reigning political situation. A taxi driver and his customer were asked what they thought. They both replied that the international community ought to give NK some slack or leeway - because they are essentially the same people.

While the younger generations have compassion for NK, older generations keep memories of the Korean War. As a result, many lack the same compassion as their younger counterparts.

The population varies in thought. I believe that in the last election, the younger pro-compassion voters just missed electing a president that empathizes with NK. Currently, the Korean government has taken a single stance on the issue. It is my conjecture that as a result of pressure from the international community, SK has been a leader against the nuclear ambitions of NK.

The South has not only been a leader, but also a participant in one of the strangest and most peculiar military standoffs ever.

This leads to a topic for the next post – the 50 year standoff between North Korea and South Korea.

Highlights from Thailand - Day 1,2

On Day 1 in the afternoon we had a two hour drive from Bangkok to the beautiful beaches of Pattaya. That night in Pattaya was an interesting one to say the least. On vacations, people don't really ever say that they've seen too much. Most often than not, it's always "I haven't seen enough." Unfortunately that evening, I saw too much of Pattaya. With the language barrier (both Thai and Korean), as well as an overeagerness to experience all that a vacation could offer, I too quickly accepted an invitation with my tour counterparts that has forever tainted my life. I'll be more careful next time.

Even though my eyes were scalded, we had an hour foot massage that made up for some damage to my frail youth.

After a walk on the beach,and not enough sleep, we headed to Samui island in the morning for parasailing and banana boating. (boo-hoo no parasailing pictures)

After Samui Island, we went elephant riding. Our elephant trainer gave us grasshoppers he had made out of leaves.

I thought I was going to fall in elephant dung.

After dinner, we went on a city tour of Pattaya. Our guide led us around the city until we came across a bar that featured Muai Thai (or Thai boxing). While the boxers egged on the audience and asked for tips, we were more interested in these . . .

Grasshoppers, caterpillars, silk worms, and the crunchiest - scorpions. While eating bugs might not have been my favorite past time as a child (except for that rolley polley I ate from the waterose), the bugs weren't too bad. Eh, just like french fries. Good day.

Highlights from Thailand - Day 1

After gathering at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok last Tuesday, eight people with different likes, languages, and lifestyles connected with a single desire to explore the beauty and wonder of Thailand for 3 days.

A family of four (son - 호신 Ho Sin and daughter 신희 Sin Hee), a Korean couple living in America for over two decades, Karen, and I all embarked on this trip while we melted in Thai December heat (averaging mid-low 90s).

So as not to bore you with details, here are pictures of our stay in Bangkok on Day 1.

Bored in the Airport

The Grand Palace (which holds a replica of the Emerald Buddha)

I forgot where this was, but the King who built it was influenced by Buckingham Palace, thus the very grave looks on the guards.