Just Go With It

It seems a mis-truth leaked to one of my classes prior to today, and though I am uncertain of where said rumour began, I do know that the outcome today was well received.

Walking down the stairs to one of my elementary school-aged classes, one of my students ran up and motioned for me to hurry to class. Upon nearing the doorway I saw that the lights were turned off and was expecting a prank that I wasn't so sure I could handle, but in fact, there was nothing malicious about their intentions...instead, I was greeted with a chorus of 'happy birthday', a cake on my desk with candles, presents, and a confetti firecraker! It was amazing, and the kids were SO excited that they had succeeded in surprising me. I didn't want to break their little hearts, and it seemed a shame to do so, so I played along. I celebrated my non-birthday birthday, by eating cake, talking about my birthday plans and playing games all class.

I wish I'd thought of this sooner!

Deck the Halls

The first week of December marked not only my 9th month in Korea, but also the beginning of the holiday season. Being my first Christmas away from home, I wanted to make my apartment as festive and homey as I could. With a scented candle burning and Christmas music playing, I decorated my standing plant with bulbs and lights, surrounded it with the presents my mom had sent from home, set out a bowl of candy canes, hung snowflakes from the ceiling and my stocking above my (makeshift) tree. My apartment felt so good to come home to, and I was prepared to celebrate the holidays alone.

I should have known that nothing is ever as good as it seems, still I wasn't prepared for the surprise I was hit with last week Wednesday… I would be moving. It was a heartbreaking transition, leaving my cozy apartment… home for the past 9 months, and packing up my life. I arrived here in Korea with a suitcase and a backpack to a spacious apartment with only a bed, desk, chair and microwave. However, knowing so many people who left before me, I have accumulated enough to make my place a comfortable haven, and moving a bit of a nightmare. But, now that everything is said and done, the new digs are great, the location is convenient and my Christmas decorations are back up and looking wonderful. Feliz Navidad!

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.