Thursday, September 10, 2009
More Flight Photos!
If you enjoyed the few pictures of the flight I posted earlier, you're in for a treat! Following this link will take you to photobucket where you can see all the pictures I took in the airports, on the plane, and from the plane window. If you've never flown internationally, this slideshow may be informative!
J/BOTW
Joy/Bummer of the Week, COMIN' ATCHA!
Do you want the good news or the bad news first? I always pick the bad news first so the good news softens the blow.
BOTW: The immigration office said that the photo I submitted to them for a foreigner registration card is too big, even thouh I took it at a passport-photo-taking location. I resubmitted a new Korean-taken photo, and I hope that works. This is really only a bummer because without it, I cannot get a cell phone--currently I'm sitting with no way to call anyone. This is my third weekend with no cell phone. :(
JOTW: I finally found out how to switch on the hot water for my sink and shower. Up until now, it's only been cold, so I'm truly joyful.
Do you want the good news or the bad news first? I always pick the bad news first so the good news softens the blow.
BOTW: The immigration office said that the photo I submitted to them for a foreigner registration card is too big, even thouh I took it at a passport-photo-taking location. I resubmitted a new Korean-taken photo, and I hope that works. This is really only a bummer because without it, I cannot get a cell phone--currently I'm sitting with no way to call anyone. This is my third weekend with no cell phone. :(
JOTW: I finally found out how to switch on the hot water for my sink and shower. Up until now, it's only been cold, so I'm truly joyful.
Friday, September 4, 2009
Oh, yeah, I'm a teacher!
Upon completion of my first week as an English teacher in Korea, I grant my readers with a blog! (CHEERS!)
As my very first entry of this blog states, my school's name is Reading Town in Gunpo-si, South Korea. Only a five-minute walk from my cozy apatu (pronounced as if you were French), Reading Town is located on the fourth floor of some high rise (they're everywhere!) across the street. Convenient.
At my doctor's visit with my school director--who, by the way, speaks almost no English--I asked her when she should expect me for my first day of work. She said, "Friday (August 28). Teachers come at 1:30." This job has been advertised to me as working from 10-6 every weekday from the first time I saw the posting. Since she said "teachers come at 1:30" and it was a Friday, I assumed it must be a teacher's day only: maybe a kind of teacher prep day for the upcoming semester or an orientation for me, both of which would be very normal for a first day of working at a new school.
Friday morning came, but I decided against wearing a tank top and jeans, even though I knew it would only be teachers. I actually went back an forth about it a few times--common for me--but finally decided to err or the side of "good first impression" for my fellow teachers. I trotted to work a few minutes early, and took the elevator to "FF," meaning "Fourth Floor," but without using the number 4.* The doors parted to a reception desk with four smiling Korean faces milling around it, dressed in extremely feminine professional attire. Well, all except one (you'll see what I mean below). I really dodged a bullet with my clothing choice that day! They introduced themselves as Katie, Janice, Erin, my fellow English teachers, and Lucia, the receptionist.
We did a little chit-chat, then Janice led me to work area, a desk at the end of a line of desks. At 1:30, they all sat down at their own desks and spoke in Korean to each other every few minutes. I noticed a schedule titled "Vanessa" above my desk and started copying it down, waiting for their turn to give me a briefing on the school. The schedule went until 8pm, which was odd, I thought. It wasn't long after that I heard children's voices outside of the teacher's office. Ms. Kim told me on medical exam day that the students had been waiting for me and were excited to see me. This was evidenced by the vibrating group of kids huddled around a strip of unfrosted glass, looking in on me with wide eyes. "Wait. Why are there kids here?" I asked first in my head, and then out loud. "We work in a school," said Katie, a snappingly. "Your first class starts--," she got up out of her seat and pointed to the written schedule in front of me, "--in ten minutes. They're taking an oral test. We'll send in one kid at a time, and you'll ask them these questions." She handed me a sheet with four questions and acceptable answers on it. Here was the first one: Q: What's this? A: A yellow bus. "So am I supposed to point to something and say 'what's this?'" She said, "Yes, you can point." Trying to be deduce what she might have been talking about, I suggested, "So the thing I point to must be in the room, and then I just point to the picture?" "Yes, you can point if you'd like." What? But I kept it cool, and headed to the room.
At this point, I'm thinking, are they going to tell me what to do for the rest of my classes today? Are they going to tell me what to do for next week? Will they tell me any school policies, grading procedures, expectations, ANYTHING? The teachers and Lucia seemed friendly, except that one: Katie. The snappy one. When I asked questions, she looked at me as if to say, "Hello? Don't you know what you're doing?" My answer, Katie, is no. I did not know what I was doing. Remember? Does "first day" ring any bells?
So I got to my classroom with only enough time to notice how bare it was with no picture of a yellow bus before Ms. Kim aka Helen, the director, sent in one very young student at a time. *Gasp!* My heart melted when I saw them with their sweet little eyes peering through too-long bangs and little sloppy mouths casually chewing on little fingertips! My frustrations and anxieties about the not knowing a damn thing vanished--if only for a moment. (okay, moral of this snippet: I freaking love kids.) What I did, in the end, was just ask the kids the question. Surprisingly half the kids knew what I was talking about and somehow answered correctly. The other half was like, "Does it look like a speak English?"
As the day went on, more situations like this--where I had no idea what I was doing--arose. Nothing was told to me. Before every class, I had to ask what to do, where to find what to do, or how to do things. As the number of questions increased, snip-snap Katie became more aggravated with me. I thanked her when she answered, to which she responded, "Yeah." What's with that? Erin and Janice, however, remained smiling and helpful, so I focused my asking on them. The day was so-so. And now that my first full week is over, I should say that it was definitely the worst so far.
Over the course of the week, I cannot count how many times I was asked questions like, "You know you need to [fill in the blank with something I did not do], right?" or "Why didn't you [fill in the blank with something I did not do]?" If I were in America, I would have said, "I didn't have any training, so the answer is no," but I wanted to remain respectful to them because I was new and didn't want to seem condescending. I think they made a bad choice in not informing me of my job duties, but employer/employee relations may--and most likely are--different in Korea. So I just replied with a sincere, "Oh, no, I didn't know that. Thanks for telling me." And wouldn'tcha know: my days got easier and I have been feeling more confident every day.
On about Wednesday, Ms. Kim told me that students had been telling her, "We like Vanessa-teacher! She is fun!" On the lightness of a feather, I floated through the rest of my week. I had finally managed a daily routine for preparing my lessons, was getting through all the material, and if, in addition, the kids were pleased to have me as their teacher, I was going strong. I am going strong.
This week I will take a post pictures of my kids, the other teachers and my classroom. As always, I welcome all questions and comments, no matter how short or long. Post them here, or write me an email at vtieman01@gmail.com.
*Korean superstition says that the word for "4" sounds too much like the word for "death," so the numeral is often omitted on buildings. Like "13" in the US.
As my very first entry of this blog states, my school's name is Reading Town in Gunpo-si, South Korea. Only a five-minute walk from my cozy apatu (pronounced as if you were French), Reading Town is located on the fourth floor of some high rise (they're everywhere!) across the street. Convenient.
At my doctor's visit with my school director--who, by the way, speaks almost no English--I asked her when she should expect me for my first day of work. She said, "Friday (August 28). Teachers come at 1:30." This job has been advertised to me as working from 10-6 every weekday from the first time I saw the posting. Since she said "teachers come at 1:30" and it was a Friday, I assumed it must be a teacher's day only: maybe a kind of teacher prep day for the upcoming semester or an orientation for me, both of which would be very normal for a first day of working at a new school.
Friday morning came, but I decided against wearing a tank top and jeans, even though I knew it would only be teachers. I actually went back an forth about it a few times--common for me--but finally decided to err or the side of "good first impression" for my fellow teachers. I trotted to work a few minutes early, and took the elevator to "FF," meaning "Fourth Floor," but without using the number 4.* The doors parted to a reception desk with four smiling Korean faces milling around it, dressed in extremely feminine professional attire. Well, all except one (you'll see what I mean below). I really dodged a bullet with my clothing choice that day! They introduced themselves as Katie, Janice, Erin, my fellow English teachers, and Lucia, the receptionist.
We did a little chit-chat, then Janice led me to work area, a desk at the end of a line of desks. At 1:30, they all sat down at their own desks and spoke in Korean to each other every few minutes. I noticed a schedule titled "Vanessa" above my desk and started copying it down, waiting for their turn to give me a briefing on the school. The schedule went until 8pm, which was odd, I thought. It wasn't long after that I heard children's voices outside of the teacher's office. Ms. Kim told me on medical exam day that the students had been waiting for me and were excited to see me. This was evidenced by the vibrating group of kids huddled around a strip of unfrosted glass, looking in on me with wide eyes. "Wait. Why are there kids here?" I asked first in my head, and then out loud. "We work in a school," said Katie, a snappingly. "Your first class starts--," she got up out of her seat and pointed to the written schedule in front of me, "--in ten minutes. They're taking an oral test. We'll send in one kid at a time, and you'll ask them these questions." She handed me a sheet with four questions and acceptable answers on it. Here was the first one: Q: What's this? A: A yellow bus. "So am I supposed to point to something and say 'what's this?'" She said, "Yes, you can point." Trying to be deduce what she might have been talking about, I suggested, "So the thing I point to must be in the room, and then I just point to the picture?" "Yes, you can point if you'd like." What? But I kept it cool, and headed to the room.
At this point, I'm thinking, are they going to tell me what to do for the rest of my classes today? Are they going to tell me what to do for next week? Will they tell me any school policies, grading procedures, expectations, ANYTHING? The teachers and Lucia seemed friendly, except that one: Katie. The snappy one. When I asked questions, she looked at me as if to say, "Hello? Don't you know what you're doing?" My answer, Katie, is no. I did not know what I was doing. Remember? Does "first day" ring any bells?
So I got to my classroom with only enough time to notice how bare it was with no picture of a yellow bus before Ms. Kim aka Helen, the director, sent in one very young student at a time. *Gasp!* My heart melted when I saw them with their sweet little eyes peering through too-long bangs and little sloppy mouths casually chewing on little fingertips! My frustrations and anxieties about the not knowing a damn thing vanished--if only for a moment. (okay, moral of this snippet: I freaking love kids.) What I did, in the end, was just ask the kids the question. Surprisingly half the kids knew what I was talking about and somehow answered correctly. The other half was like, "Does it look like a speak English?"
As the day went on, more situations like this--where I had no idea what I was doing--arose. Nothing was told to me. Before every class, I had to ask what to do, where to find what to do, or how to do things. As the number of questions increased, snip-snap Katie became more aggravated with me. I thanked her when she answered, to which she responded, "Yeah." What's with that? Erin and Janice, however, remained smiling and helpful, so I focused my asking on them. The day was so-so. And now that my first full week is over, I should say that it was definitely the worst so far.
Over the course of the week, I cannot count how many times I was asked questions like, "You know you need to [fill in the blank with something I did not do], right?" or "Why didn't you [fill in the blank with something I did not do]?" If I were in America, I would have said, "I didn't have any training, so the answer is no," but I wanted to remain respectful to them because I was new and didn't want to seem condescending. I think they made a bad choice in not informing me of my job duties, but employer/employee relations may--and most likely are--different in Korea. So I just replied with a sincere, "Oh, no, I didn't know that. Thanks for telling me." And wouldn'tcha know: my days got easier and I have been feeling more confident every day.
On about Wednesday, Ms. Kim told me that students had been telling her, "We like Vanessa-teacher! She is fun!" On the lightness of a feather, I floated through the rest of my week. I had finally managed a daily routine for preparing my lessons, was getting through all the material, and if, in addition, the kids were pleased to have me as their teacher, I was going strong. I am going strong.
This week I will take a post pictures of my kids, the other teachers and my classroom. As always, I welcome all questions and comments, no matter how short or long. Post them here, or write me an email at vtieman01@gmail.com.
*Korean superstition says that the word for "4" sounds too much like the word for "death," so the numeral is often omitted on buildings. Like "13" in the US.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
When you look at me, I hope you see a friend
Friends are few and far between here in Korea. Acquaintances, I have made a few nearby. Here's my list:
Mr. Han--the door man
Mr. Oasis--the man who works at the Oasis Mart below my apartment (I don't know his name)
Jeon--the guy I met two days ago in my hall who stood me up for dinner last night
Seriously.
Okay, but here's the good news.
EMart--the Wal-mart of Korea--carries a bottled beverage called "Hooch." So I can drown my sorrows at home, if need be. And,
I found some bread that actually helps me with lawn work. Finally.
Please post your comments and questions!
Mr. Han--the door man
Mr. Oasis--the man who works at the Oasis Mart below my apartment (I don't know his name)
Jeon--the guy I met two days ago in my hall who stood me up for dinner last night
Seriously.
Okay, but here's the good news.
EMart--the Wal-mart of Korea--carries a bottled beverage called "Hooch." So I can drown my sorrows at home, if need be. And,
I found some bread that actually helps me with lawn work. Finally. Please post your comments and questions!
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Koreans Love English
Koreans really love the English language. I know this because I see English everywhere: used in product names, company slogans, three English channels on basic cable (more on premium, I would assume), on stationary, and most widely on people's clothes. I met a guy who was visiting Korea--from the US--and all he wanted to find for someone back home was a shirt with some Korean writing on it. He couldn't find anything in the mall, but finally came upon what looked like a school uniform store. He stepped inside to the screech from the woman behind the counter to get out. English may be ubiquitous, but it correct grammar is only sometimes used.
I saw a man working at an outdoor display of cell phones, and the back of his shirt said, "Cover yoor fase before I fomit." That was really wonderful. I also saw a shirt at the outlet mall (Newcore Outlets at Sanbon Station) with some birds, saying, "Bird Need Safe" and something below it using the word "endangered," so the designer still asserted their message.
With English everywhere, I'd assume more people who be able to communicate with me. But in the words of a friend, "Don't assume: accept." Wise, I think. The prevalence of English may be because of Korea's interested in or desire to be more Western-like. There are English schools on every corner, but even so, I need to remember that I'm not in the US, and I can't expect to talk like I'm in the US. P.S. Korean night clubs are wild.
I saw a man working at an outdoor display of cell phones, and the back of his shirt said, "Cover yoor fase before I fomit." That was really wonderful. I also saw a shirt at the outlet mall (Newcore Outlets at Sanbon Station) with some birds, saying, "Bird Need Safe" and something below it using the word "endangered," so the designer still asserted their message.
With English everywhere, I'd assume more people who be able to communicate with me. But in the words of a friend, "Don't assume: accept." Wise, I think. The prevalence of English may be because of Korea's interested in or desire to be more Western-like. There are English schools on every corner, but even so, I need to remember that I'm not in the US, and I can't expect to talk like I'm in the US. P.S. Korean night clubs are wild.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Diana and I Explore Itaewon
My new friend, Diana, invited me to come with her to Seoul onaccoun'a it being her last day before starting work. I recommended Itaewon because of all the shopping and the surplus of foreign faces (for a change). We took the subway. She's a Washington D.C. native, so subway navigation comes easily to her.
I know we don't look that much alike by American standards, but I kept wondering if the Koreans we saw thought we must be twins, at least sisters.
Left: Many subway stops serve these tasty little molded pastries. They smell Delicioso!
Right: "Long-Love" condoms in the vending machine. Be safe, people, and love long, for christssake.
We got lost and had a great patchworked view of clay-roofed houses.
I was in freaking shopping heaven. I realize the cliche of an American woman loving bag and shoe (below) shopping, but I really love browsing this stuff. More great rip-off brand names: Parade=Prada, The Redface=The Northface, etcetera. Lots of leather goods and furs in the market.
If you feel the buzz from looking at this many hot, unique shoes in one place, please comment and let us share:)
Itaewon must seriously be the city of ugly dress shops, because this was only one of like six on the same block.
Two ladies had a little (tiny, like a phone booth) room on the street, painted pink , from which they sold kimbap, which is like a sushi roll, but with ham and other good vegetables in it, not raw fish. Salty, crunchy, cool, like a soft-textured mouth spritz. Best lunch I could imagine.
Corn ice cream treat. (as with all images, click to enlarge)
I'm looking at some New Zealand made ice cream in a coffee shop called Rotiboy Bakeshop (the sweet smells and A/C beckons us in).
After Itaewon wore us thin, we travelled back to Sanbon Station, our home base. The "breadou" you see above is a piece of toy bread. Check out what it claims (click to enlarge):
Freaking weird. And it's $3. Would you? Not I.
Definitely a Korea exclusive (meaning not including the US): A male model used in a pink makeup and bath store's marketing. I'm all for it. A cute, clean guy who looks like he may run a 1950s candy shop in the window: I'm definitely down for that.
We ate at a place there recommended by Diana. These two dishes, plus soup for $10. Very good. And each table has a pull-out drawer with silverware and napkins inside! Bonus!
What is this thing? Any idea? It came with the apartment.
And I came home that night to this smiling face, keeping my place . Thanks, Von. :0)
Diana's positive attitude and assertions like, "I love Korea!" scattered about reminds me to look on the bright side of my stay here. I'm happy I found her, and since she's so close, we'll probably see each other the majority of days of the week. Looking forward to more good times avec mon Diana nouveau!
I know we don't look that much alike by American standards, but I kept wondering if the Koreans we saw thought we must be twins, at least sisters.
Left: Many subway stops serve these tasty little molded pastries. They smell Delicioso!
Right: "Long-Love" condoms in the vending machine. Be safe, people, and love long, for christssake.
We got lost and had a great patchworked view of clay-roofed houses.
I was in freaking shopping heaven. I realize the cliche of an American woman loving bag and shoe (below) shopping, but I really love browsing this stuff. More great rip-off brand names: Parade=Prada, The Redface=The Northface, etcetera. Lots of leather goods and furs in the market. 
If you feel the buzz from looking at this many hot, unique shoes in one place, please comment and let us share:)
Itaewon must seriously be the city of ugly dress shops, because this was only one of like six on the same block.
Two ladies had a little (tiny, like a phone booth) room on the street, painted pink , from which they sold kimbap, which is like a sushi roll, but with ham and other good vegetables in it, not raw fish. Salty, crunchy, cool, like a soft-textured mouth spritz. Best lunch I could imagine. 
Corn ice cream treat. (as with all images, click to enlarge)
I'm looking at some New Zealand made ice cream in a coffee shop called Rotiboy Bakeshop (the sweet smells and A/C beckons us in).
After Itaewon wore us thin, we travelled back to Sanbon Station, our home base. The "breadou" you see above is a piece of toy bread. Check out what it claims (click to enlarge):
Freaking weird. And it's $3. Would you? Not I.
Definitely a Korea exclusive (meaning not including the US): A male model used in a pink makeup and bath store's marketing. I'm all for it. A cute, clean guy who looks like he may run a 1950s candy shop in the window: I'm definitely down for that. 
We ate at a place there recommended by Diana. These two dishes, plus soup for $10. Very good. And each table has a pull-out drawer with silverware and napkins inside! Bonus! 
What is this thing? Any idea? It came with the apartment. 
And I came home that night to this smiling face, keeping my place . Thanks, Von. :0)Diana's positive attitude and assertions like, "I love Korea!" scattered about reminds me to look on the bright side of my stay here. I'm happy I found her, and since she's so close, we'll probably see each other the majority of days of the week. Looking forward to more good times avec mon Diana nouveau!
Sunday, August 23, 2009
New Friend (Maybe)
I found out that I won't have internet until Friday. I still don't have a power converter, but I should be able to get one today. There's a store called EMart in Sanbon (next town over), and I might go there today. I might have a new friend! She lives in Sanbon and her name is Diana. I met her at the doctor's office today doing the same thing I was (medical exam). My blood pressure was killer high, the nurse said. 167. I wonder why? All I eat is tuna and peaches. Heheh.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Whoa.
Okay. So I don't have internet at my house; I don't have a power cable adapter for my laptop. I can't put pictures up yet, but I have some lovely ones. Korea is full of lights and signs, fashion and food. As soon as I figure out how to say, "Can I take your picture?" I'll post a Look of the Week. As soon as I figure out how to say, "I'd like to order some food," I'll (eat, first of all, and) post Food of the Week. For now, I'm a little hungry most of the time, and a little lost most of the time. My senses are definitely on overload. Until next time.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Tomorrow
As many of you have heard, perhaps from Facebook or by phone, I will be leaving for Gunpo, South Korea tomorrow, Wednesday, August 19, 2009. I will be flying into the Incheon International Airport at 6:45pm on Thursday. Looking up pictures of the port, I found an article boasting its rating among international travelers as the world's best airport for customer service. (And look, Grandma and Grandpa Orpen: Kuala Lumpur was rated third!) I will post pictures of the inside and my new lovely home as soon as I get there and as soon as I get internet service. Perhaps there will be a PC Bang--internet cafe, pronounced "bong"--around the corner from my place.
On the plane, I plan to wear a t-shirt and jeans, but I've packed a blazer. Once I get done traveling by air, I'll be on my way to my school via "limousine shuttle bus." Don't worry, I'll let you know exactly what that means once I see it. A two hour ride. Whether I'll be wide-eyed for the scenery blurring by the windows or sound asleep, I will soon know. The blazer is to dress up my crumpled clothing and dark under-eye circles. "Boepgessuemnida!" Pleased to meet you! Away I go.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Haechi, New Symbol for the Soul of Asia
Today, while looking through top articles at http://www.koreanherald.co.kr/, I ran across a new campaign by the city of Seoul to encourage community within and global recognition . . . uh, among. What the city sacked was, "Hi, Seoul; Soul of Asia." A little weak, if you ask me (yeah, I know: nobody did). Its new slogan goes, "Haechi Seoul." And here's Haechi, their new "mascot," "cultural symbol."
Kind of like a St. Bernard. But it's actually a guardian lion animal/force with horns that protects against catastrophe; fires, in particular. I've also read that Haetae, as it's usually called when not named by it's chummy diminutive, has the power of determining good from evil. The mythical creature has appeared in Korean texts since the mid-1500s. Seoul has taken up Haechi as their new city symbol because cities of its size, population, and gross regional domestic product (kind of like its "wealth") usually have one. I think it's cute. Here's some more pictures.
Oh, and Seoul's official website has changed from the "Hi Seoul" to a Haechi Seoul web page. And the promotion is huge. The new website features pictures of the statues, Haechi promotion through graphic design--featured below, as well as language summoning the strengths of Haetae to bless and guide the city.
Browsing the new city site is a bit bothersome for you who may be reading my account: it's not yet available in English. But check out yet another side of our beloved Haechi to get the kids on board.
Look at that cutie. You better believe I'm getting a t-shirt with that loveable face on it (please leave me a comment if you'd like some Haechi promo junk too). And now I leave you with a song. Listen and see if you can hear the gurgling water sound (symbolizing ability to keep fire at bay?) The children chanting Haechi! in the background makes me long for my future students.
Peace friends,
Vanessa
Monday, July 13, 2009
I get by with a little help from my friends
My birthday's coming up (July 25th), and my trip to Korea sneaks its nose a little further through the mouse hole into my secure American bedroom. In the midst of planning for my move, people have been asking how they can help me. So! I made a wish list of some things that I could use if you would like to aid me in the process! All you have to do is visit this site:
http://www.yourlistonline.com/showLists.php?listID=6024
Pick an item from the list by clicking on the "(Suggested Link)" and buying it through that site. Once you've bought it, send Von an email saying what item is gone from the list (more surprising that way!). I've been feeling your support through this whole thing and I love it. Thanks for everything, family and friends!
Summer bugs and nice warm hugs,
Vanessa
http://www.yourlistonline.com/showLists.php?listID=6024
Pick an item from the list by clicking on the "(Suggested Link)" and buying it through that site. Once you've bought it, send Von an email saying what item is gone from the list (more surprising that way!). I've been feeling your support through this whole thing and I love it. Thanks for everything, family and friends!
Summer bugs and nice warm hugs,
Vanessa
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Seoul Restaurant, Milwaukee, WI
My friend Pete (who used to live across the hall here in Whitewater) suggested we go to a Korean restaurant to help me get more in the swing of living a Korean life. We decided on Seoul Restaurant in Milwaukee, the only Korean restaurant in the Mill. It's in a swank part of town, Lake Michigan a few blocks to the east and directly across from the American Apparel/Urban Outfitters building.
The place had a quaint 10 tables, full bar and what sounded like Korean pop music (K pop?) accompanying our menu browsing. When the waitress came to our table, I told her that I was moving to Korea in August. I came to start enjoying the food as soon as possible! She reassured me that living in Korea would be fun. "Korean food is the best food in the world," she uttered with great seriousness and confidence. We ordered a bottle of soju (a sweet and smooth vodka-esque spirit made from sweet potatoes) and in Korean custom, only filled the glasses of each other and not our own. The menu was extensive and featured lots of seafood: squid, seaweed, eel, fish, and shrimp. Not what I'm used to, but I've been getting adrenaline from facing the challenges of acclimating to Korean ways. Challenge on!
Here's Pete with his eel. It was fried with a sour kind of brown sauce. Creamy and delicious is all I can say. There's no comparison I know. It was wonderful. He's had it before, and dove right in.
Here's Brez (aka Jason Brazil), one of Pete's friends. I met him for the first time over this dinner. He lives in Milwaukee and drove over to meet us for supper. It seemed like he was a little overwhelmed by the menu too, so we suggested what the waitress suggested for American palettes: Korean BBQ. The waitress served him a sizzling iron platter of juicy marinated chopped beef with onions. Wrap that with a bit of rice in a cool, crisp lettuce leaf and shove it down the hatch! Another winner of a dish!
Now check this out. I heard and smelled this dish sizzling from another table and asked what it was. Dol Sat Bibimbap--not my picture--is served in a hot stone bowl and keeps cooking while you eat it. There's vegetables, your choice of any meat or tofu, rice, mushrooms, and lots of some kind of fermented sauce with a lot of heat. And that shiny yellow thing on top in a lightly cooked egg. Our waitress stirred it all up, cooking the egg and mixing in the sauce.
And here I am enjoying it! And it stays hot through the entire meal. The coolest thing was that our bottle of soju beared the torso and wind-blown hair or a beautiful young Korean woman. Our waitress said the woman was probably a pop star.
Our meal was served with side dishes, all to share. From the top and going left to right, we had dried seaweed, green beans, spicy cucumber salad, kimchi (spicy fermented cabbage), cooked spinach, and, last but the BEST BY FAR, dried squid. It was like jerky with a mild fish taste: salty and delicious!
I definitely want to go again before I leave. My boyfriend, Von, and I are planning a day to go to the Milwaukee Zoo and to Seoul Restaurant. Love is what I have for all the dishes I tried. Brenna, I don't know what you're talking about when you say you don't like kimchi.
The place had a quaint 10 tables, full bar and what sounded like Korean pop music (K pop?) accompanying our menu browsing. When the waitress came to our table, I told her that I was moving to Korea in August. I came to start enjoying the food as soon as possible! She reassured me that living in Korea would be fun. "Korean food is the best food in the world," she uttered with great seriousness and confidence. We ordered a bottle of soju (a sweet and smooth vodka-esque spirit made from sweet potatoes) and in Korean custom, only filled the glasses of each other and not our own. The menu was extensive and featured lots of seafood: squid, seaweed, eel, fish, and shrimp. Not what I'm used to, but I've been getting adrenaline from facing the challenges of acclimating to Korean ways. Challenge on!
Here's Pete with his eel. It was fried with a sour kind of brown sauce. Creamy and delicious is all I can say. There's no comparison I know. It was wonderful. He's had it before, and dove right in.
Here's Brez (aka Jason Brazil), one of Pete's friends. I met him for the first time over this dinner. He lives in Milwaukee and drove over to meet us for supper. It seemed like he was a little overwhelmed by the menu too, so we suggested what the waitress suggested for American palettes: Korean BBQ. The waitress served him a sizzling iron platter of juicy marinated chopped beef with onions. Wrap that with a bit of rice in a cool, crisp lettuce leaf and shove it down the hatch! Another winner of a dish!
Now check this out. I heard and smelled this dish sizzling from another table and asked what it was. Dol Sat Bibimbap--not my picture--is served in a hot stone bowl and keeps cooking while you eat it. There's vegetables, your choice of any meat or tofu, rice, mushrooms, and lots of some kind of fermented sauce with a lot of heat. And that shiny yellow thing on top in a lightly cooked egg. Our waitress stirred it all up, cooking the egg and mixing in the sauce.
And here I am enjoying it! And it stays hot through the entire meal. The coolest thing was that our bottle of soju beared the torso and wind-blown hair or a beautiful young Korean woman. Our waitress said the woman was probably a pop star.
Our meal was served with side dishes, all to share. From the top and going left to right, we had dried seaweed, green beans, spicy cucumber salad, kimchi (spicy fermented cabbage), cooked spinach, and, last but the BEST BY FAR, dried squid. It was like jerky with a mild fish taste: salty and delicious!
I definitely want to go again before I leave. My boyfriend, Von, and I are planning a day to go to the Milwaukee Zoo and to Seoul Restaurant. Love is what I have for all the dishes I tried. Brenna, I don't know what you're talking about when you say you don't like kimchi.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
I feel welcome already . . .
The agency I'm working through is Teach ESL Korea (www.teacheslkorea.com). For anyone whose been to the website, you know how inviting and friendly it looks. Much of the language is focused on the happiness, income, and benefits of the jobs for the teacher. THAT'S ME. In my application to JET, it was much different. The hiring process was a mysteriously dark and unkown world with more than a half year of waiting and wondering what our fates would be. The income is publicized no where, and was only found out through rumors from other applicants at the interview in Chicago. I feel like Korea is beckoning for me. They have a spot for me, WAITING! I cannot say the same about Whitewater. I have lost count of the times someone has asked me at the middle school, having worked with them for months, "so is your student teaching done after this semester?" Or, "What class at the university are you volunteering here for?" There is no place for someone who is young and who has finished college in Whitewater. It's as if people don't quite hear me when I say I don't attend the university. Let me belong Korea! Let me belong!
Friday, May 29, 2009
"So You Must Speak Korean?"
Every time I speak with someone new about moving to Korea to teach English, I undoubtedly hear, with some variations in phrasing, "so you must speak Korean!" The answer is no. Right now I do not speak Korean beyond the survival phrases like, "annyeonghaseyo" (hello), and "shillehagessumnida" (excuse me). I'll probably quickly learn "where's the toilet?" and "Do you speak English," but that will come soon . . . .
I was hired as an English teacher in the satellite city (to Seoul) of Gunpo-si, starting August 11, 2009. My phone interview went very well, was comfortable, and included lots of praise for my responses to questions--never a bad thing in a stressful situation!
I'll be working with 8-13 year-olds in a school on an upper level of an office building. When I told my grandma that, she said, "that's odd." I had a good laugh in my head, but agreed with her unconscious statement that schools in buildings without a football field and room for a wood shop aren't typical in rural or suburban America, at least. Talking with her also brought me face to face with the fact that this is the most radical move anyone in my family has made since my ancestors, the Tanems and the Anensens arrived here from Scandinavia 200+ years ago. One small step for Tieman; one giant leap for Tieman kind? I honestly LOVE to think so!
Here are some pictu
res of my school, Reading Town, taken by my replacee, Adam. 
I like how new everything looks (not like most schools I've taught in). Korea has been rapidly modernizing in the last 20 years, so many buildings--from stores to apartments to schools--look very new.
Now would you look at those little moppets. The one with the black belt on the right can be my body guard. I don't know if I'll have these students, but I hope I get some cuties like these.
I was hired as an English teacher in the satellite city (to Seoul) of Gunpo-si, starting August 11, 2009. My phone interview went very well, was comfortable, and included lots of praise for my responses to questions--never a bad thing in a stressful situation!
I'll be working with 8-13 year-olds in a school on an upper level of an office building. When I told my grandma that, she said, "that's odd." I had a good laugh in my head, but agreed with her unconscious statement that schools in buildings without a football field and room for a wood shop aren't typical in rural or suburban America, at least. Talking with her also brought me face to face with the fact that this is the most radical move anyone in my family has made since my ancestors, the Tanems and the Anensens arrived here from Scandinavia 200+ years ago. One small step for Tieman; one giant leap for Tieman kind? I honestly LOVE to think so!
Here are some pictu
res of my school, Reading Town, taken by my replacee, Adam. 
I like how new everything looks (not like most schools I've taught in). Korea has been rapidly modernizing in the last 20 years, so many buildings--from stores to apartments to schools--look very new.
Now would you look at those little moppets. The one with the black belt on the right can be my body guard. I don't know if I'll have these students, but I hope I get some cuties like these.
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