"Rocket Man"

I was sent a link to this site in which an ESL teacher and comic artist named Luke Martin posts his creations. Experience Korean culture from the eyes of just about every expat at his site: Roketship

Here are some of my favorites along with some of my thoughts on the subjects..

When going to E-Mart, the salespeople tend to yell at you to buy their goods. Plus I hate E-Mart because it is always so crowded.

Korean's always form lines in front of doors - or push in front of you so they can be the first one in or out said door. I've found myself waiting in front of subway or elevator doors in order to exit, only to find someone push there way in front of me so that they can get off first. 

(and they're not even in a hurry!)

On the subways salespeople will try to vend their items (usually crap). They are disruptive and loud, and I've never seen anyone buy anything from them. It is also illegal to do, and you are told to call the police if it happens - which it always does - and no one does.

Koreans rarely drink while eating (and I drink a lot of water when I eat). So you always have to say "Mool toe joosayo!" (More water please!). This cartoon is funny because I have a feeling when I go back home, I'm going to be speaking in broken English and making hand gestures out of habit.

Customer service people want to help me all the time, but it gets annoying quickly. Partially because half the time they can't speak English, but want to try. And also because they simply will not leave you alone. Particularly if you go shopping in the fashion districts where they will bargain with you, and compliment you to buy their goods.

 

Whenever I pass another foreigner it feels like there is a rule that you have to make eye-contact or smile because you a rarity -- and usually white. If I was back home I wouldn't be saying hi to every white person I saw, so why should I here? I think we're just all in the same place in life, and all experiencing the same things that you become used to making new friends on the basis of your ability to speak the same language. But it is still awkward even when we all feel the same way.

Couples wear the same clothes here. It's supposed to be cute. I refuse to do it, and my girlfriend gets kind of disappointed in me. My excuse is simple: "I can't wear the same things as you because the sizes are too small!" (plus I don't want to be THAT guy.)

This is basically how I learned to read Korean (mentally making symbols into pictographs). It says "Kimbap" which is basically cheap Korean sushi filled with veggies, crab, or even SPAM.

 My cell phone is the most advanced one I have ever owned (that's not saying much), but I don't know half of what it can do with most of the things to access are online and in Korean. Most Koreans own more advanced cell phones than I do, (where they watch TV, use as an mp3 player, or can text in Hangul (Korean) faster than I can speak!)

"This Train Don't Stop There Anymore"

Well folks it has been a pretty eventful week. I still haven't started teaching (I start Monday), but I'm glad I wasn't in a classroom this week. Why? Well, for one, the students were participating in parents day on Tuesday and the school was hosting "open class" Wednesday. Open class is when other English teachers from other schools in the district come and observe you teach and give you feedback. I met some nice teachers who live locally and are from parts of Canada, Florida, and New Mexico. They had some decent suggestions for me as a newer teacher and what to expect, avoid doing, and provided some interesting recommendations. Another reason I'm glad I wasn't in the classroom is that it has been super hot and humid this week (and the AC being broken isn't helping the situation). I don't think I have sweat more than this in my life. I literally feel like I am slicing through a fog of hot moisture when I walk to and from school. Just sitting at my desk has been unbearable at times. The Koreans might say it is hot as well, but they don't sweat at all (must be a genetic thing).

I know I had mentioned teaching at the Education Office on Fridays and possibly doing web-based broadcasted lessons. Turns out I don't have to go to this anymore (who knows if this will change, because my schedule seems to get randomized every other day at this point). Instead I am teaching 3-4 classes a week before and after school. Mondays and Tuesdays I have to be at school by 7:30 (ugh!). I don't know if this is the same kids every day, or once a week like the normal classes, but I'm not fretting about it right now. My first day is going to be playing games like Simon Says and Hangman. The rest of my normal day classes are getting some powerpoint presentations that I have been preparing for the past few weeks. (Hopefully I can use those with the am/pm classes too.

Friday Jordan and I met up with another friend of ours Chuck. We were going to go into Seoul at first and then the plan changed about 3 more times until we eventually went back to Pirate Bar. We got some drinks and there was a nice foreign turn out. I met some more people which was nice. Later we hit up Cass Bar. Cass is a name of a beer here. We hung out and I played darts with some Koreans (who were really bad at it). We met a couple Korean girls and they taught me some Korean words. I learned how to count to 10 which will come in handy in class when I need the kids attention.

Saturday night was my first trip on the subway and my first trip to Seoul! The subways are very clean, but very crowded (especially on a Saturday night). I found it a little confusing, but I'm sure I'll get used to it. It is dirt cheap though, and only costs about $3 round trip.

A bunch of us met up in Hongdae (Seoul's party central) for dinner and drinks. A guy named Brent was going back to Canada and had been in Korea for about 4 years I think. So we met up and had some sort of Bulgoki (grilled beef, which is always good). Afterward we walked (in the rain - as it had been raining all day) to a cozy bar/lounge called BricxX. It's a hooka bar where the drinks were only so-so. Not the greatest, but the atmosphere was cool. It was in a dark basement with a Jungle theme (I think they were having a Jungle Party theme that week and it's not normally like that). The waiters wore tarzan outfits (which the ladies liked). about 20 foreign teachers converged on this bar and they only have us 2 tables at first that we crammed around. Eventually we got them to give us a 3rd though. A bunch of people were heading out to a club afterwards, but I was already falling asleep. I can't stay up drinking unti 3am too often. A couple of us took the subway home - but it turned out we missed the last train and had to end up getting a cab to stop in Anyang to drop of Ivan's girlfriend and then the two of us took it back to Sanbon. Cabs aren't that expensive though which is great, as it was at least a 30 minute ride and only cost about 25000won ($20) for 3 people.

I'm still trying to go to the Palace near Anguk station, and might go next weekend. Maybe I can meet some cute girl at Hana International Club (a language exchange bar where you can meet people who want to talk with you) and maybe she'll be willing to bring me around parts of Seoul.
We shall see!

Happy Father's Day to my Dad! (you've always been like a father to me) hahaha.