Teacher Evaluations

Some days teaching can be bit of a challenge, some days it can be a lot of fun, and others it can have me laughing my ass off. Perhaps this past Tuesday’s class with my child prodigy embodied all these elements in just one lesson. Let me start by saying that Simon and I have a great relationship.. he’s on my messenger list, he emails me papers to edit and calls me without fail every weekend to ask about his homework. So, I couldn’t take his actions too seriously….

Alright, so it was writing class, and Simon and I were editing and revising the paper he had written me for homework. Upon giving him a grade (80% - and very generous for the quality of the work) he snapped out of wonder child, into normal kid mode, believing the mark that I had given him was unfair for his efforts. In a fit of childhood rage, weighing heavily on the side of temper tantrum, he grabbed his essay, flipped it over, and claimed he was going to evaluate me. He chose the categories and the grades as I sat by shaking my head and laughing in disbelief. The first mark given was for “Style and Creativity” (though I’m unsure for what) where he was generous enough to give me a 5/10. Then came “Intelligence and EQ”, for which I scored a meager 3/10. The Third was for “Student Care”, where I barely made the board, earning an embarassing 1/10. But the last mark was the one that really got me, and made it all worth while.. Evil 10/10.

At least he got something right!

Momma B in the SK

One week off work, treats from home, and time with my mom... what a fabulous break! For 9 days I played tourist and tourguide, exploring the city (and country) with my mom. It was a great way for her to get a glimpse into my life here and the way of a foreigner in Korea. In just her short time here, she learned to read Korean, to say thank you and goodbye, and that when walking in the streets she was a minority and many people who could speak english, often felt inclined to say "hi". My favourite experience happened in Seoul, and here's how it went down:

(mom (M) and lynda (L) are leaving a palace in the city, and are approached by a Korean male in his late twenties on a bike (K))

K: Where are you from?
L: Canada
K: Ohhh, very good. I see you. You have nice sunglasses. You are rich.
L: Uh, thank you.. but I don't think so.
K: Can I guess.. She is mother?
L: Yes she is.
K: You are tall. People in Canada are tall? Not people in Korea.
L: ha ha some people are tall. My mom is even taller than me!
(dude turns his attention to my mom)
K: Mother... you are very lucky. You have intelligent daughter and tall daughter. I have many fantasy.
M: uhhh, thank you.
L: Gotta Go!

buwahahahahaha.... awesome. Guess the secrets out.

Team Lady Fury

There have been a number of occasions over the past 7 months where I’ve felt like I’m a competitor in The Amazing Race – bailing on cabs to run up mountain roads, speeding in a taxi through the mountains in a mad rush to catch a train, then jumping on that same train while it began to depart, perhaps even eating dog soup… and all was not in vain, as this past weekend, these trial tasks came in handy as I competed in The Amazing Race Busan. This was a foreigner charity event that saw 50 teams of 2, race around the entire city completing tasks, taking photos, finding specific products and locations while attempting to master the bus and subway systems and out race the other teams to the finish. For 7 hours tension was heated, bodies fatigued and legs in constant motion we did it all: kissed a fish, ate cooked silkworm larvae (almost), and formed a Korean/Waygook pyramid -among many others- before crossing the finish line. The race ended in a bar at Gwanagli beach, where the famous bridge there would become the backdrop to an absolutely phenomenal fireworks display for hundreds and thousands of onlookers. An explosive ending to a long and wonderful day. Go Team!

Guilty Pleasures

Since coming to Korea I’ve become quite involved in the bowling scene. It's such a competitive good time, it promotes teamwork and sportsmanship, and on a Friday night it definitely goes well with a bottle of soju. I know it’s a little geeky, but it’s insane amounts of fun, and I’ve even been able to rock the boys with some high scores and turkeys… Mad Skills… Truth is though, I’m no stranger to the lanes... I grew up in the middle of nowhere, but was just a 25 minute walk from a 10-pin alley, I played in a league every Saturday morning in grade school, and I even competed in tournaments with my parents.

Judge me if you may, but my blog is becoming a sort of confessional of the secrets of my past and present, and the bizarre inner workings of my mind. So, I figured there was no sense in stopping now… Truth: Bowling is Fun, and I love it!

And I challenge all you non-judging competitors to a night at the lanes!

Looking the Part

As the warm summer sun fades, and the cooler fall weather rolls in… I feel that our weekends at the beach may be replaced with hikes in the mountains. This past Saturday we ventured up and spent three hours on beautiful, and at times exhausting, trails that led from my neighbourhood to a temple at the other side of town. I’m convinced that hiking in Korea, (or Busan at least) should be considered a national sport. Every weekend, large numbers of people head to the trails for some mountain trekking. I’m not sure though which aspect is the most important… the hike itself, or the attire that goes along with it. Hiking gear will always include a full ensemble of hiking shoes, jackets and pants..(possibly matching if you’re a couple) and may also adorn any combination of the following: a walking stick, waist pack, visor, gloves, backpack and headband. In the more popular spots, all of these items are available for purchase at the base of the mountain just in case you’re an impulse buyer who forgot your wind breaker when you left the house. It doesn't matter the intensity of the hike, if you’re on a trail in a mountain you must come equipped to conquer based on attire. Goodbye Bikinis, Hello Fanny Packs.

Korean Thanksgiving

It’s called Chusok, it’s a three day holiday, and it’s a time for Koreans to be with their family and exchange gifts sets (think tea, honey, SPAM). What this meant for me was a short vacation, but having not booked a flight or ferry out of the country at least 2 months prior there was zero opportunity to leave Korea, but that in no way interfered with my holiday fun.

We kicked off the extra long weekend with a Friday night gong show of free beer. The following day we boarded a ferry to explore Geoje-do, a beautiful island about an hour off the coast of Busan. For three days we lazed, swam, gamed and drank. The weather wasn’t in our favour, but it didn’t impede at all on our good times. Koreans were more than helpful with calling us cabs, or driving us waygooks around the island in search of food.. then providing us with treats if they were too full to house us for the evening.

The results: Five Restful Days, Amazing Hospitality, Competition to the Max, Good Company, and Plenty of Laughs – all great reasons to give thanks.

A Slightly Tactless Entry

As we all know, a picture is worth a thousand words… so I’ll let these photos do the talking for this one.

Don't judge me too harshly...

BEFORE:

AFTER: