Aimee’s World Tour

In a country where I literally know 5 words of the spoken language unless you throw in brands like Mitsubishi, I feel quite welcome. 

The transportation was not difficult to navigate though today I had the hardest time locating a frickin internet cafe here in Kyoto.  I thought they:d be everywhere.  Obviously that has been remedied since I:m clicking away.  Currently I:m trying to figure out the directions to my guesthouse.  Technically I have but I have to pay at a seperate location and that:s the hangup.  I locked my backpack in a public locker because with a brick strapped to my back I felt a bit restricted.

I had expected last night to be good fun but my coworker was a little less than pleasant to be around.  I can:t quite put my finger on that one.  At any rate I had a place to rest my head, we enjoyed a nice late night meal and were up and at :em at 6 am!  Unfortunately I didn:t get to bed until 3 am so that allowed for 6 hours of sleep in the past two days.  Ana and I went our seperate ways by 8 am.  I was off to Kyoto and she back to the airport. 

Traveling solo has been pretty decent thus far.  I:m excited to get on the walking tour I found in my Lonely Planet Book.  I:ll let ya know how it goes.  I:ll be exploring Southern Higashiyama (a section of Kyoto).  My route hopes to include a stroll up Chawan zaka (teapot lane), the Kiyomizu dera temple, the quaint street of Ninen zara, the traditional cobblestone area of Ishibei kosi, the Kodai ji temple, a park called Maruyama koen famous for its cherry tree, the Yasaka Jinja shrine, the Chion in temple, the Shoien in temple, the Sanjo dori shrine, and the giant gate of Heinan jingu.  A good night:s rest is essential. 

I may have had pizza for dinner last night but the light meal on the plane over was sushi over rice and I ATE IT!!!!

^^
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bows,

your brave warrior

Today in exactly 15 minutes I will have been in Korea for an astounding 8 months.  I’m starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel.  The sun shines bright on August 31st, the last day of my contract!  Where do I go from there?

I am quite torn about my whereabouts for September.  I’ve considered everything from working at a bootcamp in Sydney, Austrailia, to being a teacher in Europe, to chillin out in LA.  There has always been the possibility of staying but it’s impossible to decide at this point. 

I never realized how tempermental children are.  Two days ago I had the most rewarding day and yesterday I wanted to ask the school to cancel my afternoon classes as I felt that they were a complete waste of everyone’s time.  It changes constantly.  However these are kids we’re talking about! 

Right now I’m writing to you from what has come to be one of my favorite little spots in Asia: the free internet lounge at the Incheon International Airport in South Korea.  I’m currently waiting to board for my flight into Kansai International Airport in Japan.  Yes… my next adventure is about to begin! 

A bonus to flying out on a friday evening… skipping afternoon classes!  Whoo hoo.  Ironically it turns out on Wed. my school decided to sent my friend Ana to Japan early Thursday yesterday morning,  I now have the good fortune of a free place to stay and the company of a good friend.  Yes, Ana Teacher has proved to quite the funny one.  Thank goodness. 

While I am excited to do a trip completely solo, as this will be my first one, I think I can allow for one night of guaranteed good company. 

Before getting on my way I’d like to share something with you.  While walking through the airport, two groups of girls caught my eye.  Both were Asian.  The first represents individuality.  These girls clearly were from an Asian country where one’s own style is embraced and accepted.  I’m guessing Japan because it sure as hell wasn’t Korea.  We’re still working on personality over here.  I literally turned and stared at the them as they walked by.  They were so… different.  So refreshing  – whether you liked the ensemble they were flaunting or not. 

The second group of girls were also Asian but probably in their 50’s as opposed to their 20’s and I’d guess Korean.  These women represented lifelong friendship and reminded me that age simply is a number.  A sense of comfort came over me as I saw the three of them laughing and walking around together.  They certainly didn’t have the style or the flare of my first specimens but it didn’t matter.  It didn’t matter that they weren’t 28 anymore, that they had changed in appearance over the years, that they were anything – other than together.  All materialistic thoughts were erased from my mind.  I have friends that are so dear to me right now that I know we’ll be walking through an airport one day just as happy.

Sigh – ah – nor-ah,

Aimee  

I’ve come to a major conclusion about myself. I’m not a cold-weather cloudy skies kind of girl.  

It has been so beautiful outside lately that I can’t help but smile…and to get in shape once again. The hardest part of slimming down to a healthy weight is STAYING there.  I’ve fluctated so much since second semester senior year of college.  For someone who thinks health is so important I have been anything but.

Today I discovered that a park I previously believed to be the size of a soccer field is actually  linked to a mini mountain with a running/biking trail.  The shade from the trees provided a nice relief from the heat.  

After coming down the mountain and crossing the street I found myself at my usual running spot – a popular park along the river that has increased its beauty a thousand-fold with all the trees and flowers in bloom. 

Somehow I took an exit out of the park and ended up on the highway that leads to my school.  I took an offramp which was pretty stupid since I could have been hit by any car whipping around the bend but I made it back to my apt. without any calamities.  It was a great run. 

Rounding the corner to my building I ran into Justine.  She looked at me and said, “You have a bloody nose.”  Then we chatted about how we’re going out for Hayley’s birthday tonight.  Should be good times.  Hayley is another BIG reason I’ve worked out 5 times this week!

Springtime is wonderful.  I’m so excited it’s FINALLY here.  The winter was really getting to me.  I can’t express how good it feels to banish my winter coat.  (No mama, I managed not to lose this one!) 

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Moving right along.  I had probably one of the most rewarding days I’ve ever had at school yesterday.  Not only are my kids cute, but they are so sweet and well-behaved!  Their cuteness flies out the window when they’re acting up. Remember that for any of you who think having kids would be like totally like fun!  A little girl in a pink tutu and a giant bowl in her hair can seem like the devil but not today!

The day started off with a slight interuption from little Leo.
“I love you Aimee Teacher!” 
I almost melted.

Here’s a story about that little boy.  

Leo is a child who detests coloring and often wanders around the classroom on his own accord.  He hates wearing his slippers and likes to take off his socks and even put them in his mouth.  Leo is the worst behaved in the class but somehow has become my current favorite along with little Irene.  Dover as a whole is a very very good class.

Leo has been making some serious progress.  Yesterday I had asked Leo to color a picture of a sheep in his book but he wasn’t having it.  He said… “I’m hungry.” I was so happy because that was one of the sentences I had been teaching my class.  Quite honestly I’d rather him learn to speak than color a stupid sheep. 

I said to him in my now broken English, “Color sheep.  Wash hands.  Eat snack.”  So Leo said, “Sheep?  Wash hands?  Eat?”  I nodded, “Yes.”  Leo looked at me thoughtfully. “Ok,” he said and actually colored his sheep. It felt like Christmas.

“I’m done! I’m done.”  “Oh ok Leo.  Now you just have to color the duck.”  Sneaky Aimee Teacher.  No one had said anything about a duck.  Still, he complied with another thought out “Ok.”

As for frustrations, this time it’s my trip.  I wouldn’t say frustrated as much as a little worried.  I was online for a while last night and could not find any private accomodation that wasn’t booked!  Boo.  Japan isn’t dirt cheap like Thailand so I’m afraid to just wing it considering my income and my need for savings.  And I can’t quite explain my hesitation about staying at a hostel.  I think I just want some place private to rest when I need it. 

I’m about to head back to the travel agent to either reroute my trip to a different area of Japan or maybe just go to Bali, Indonesia instead.  Japan might be better in the summer anyways.  If I’m lucky the travel agent can book me something in Kyoto.  I’ll report back as soon as I find out.  Should I decide to extend my contract I would most likely have to go to Japan to renew my visa so I could spend a couple days there at that time. 

Yours in travel,

Aimee Teacher

On Wednesday I wired some money home and have now completely paid off my student loans and therefore all debt (not including the paramount sum I owe my parents…)  I then went to Seohyon Station (3 stops down) and booked a flight to Osaka, Japan, a thirty minute train ride from Kyoto, where I plan on staying and sight-seeing.  

I’m so excited but a bit anxious because apparently Children’s Day is as  big a holiday in Japan as it is in Korea and everyone will be heading to Kyoto, the cultural heart of the country.  Kyoto is supposed to provide a real wealth of history, as it is the only major city in Japan not bombed during the War. 

I booked my flight from Sat. May 2 – Tuesday May 5th.   At school on Thursday I found out our Sports Day, scheduled for the Sat. I am leaving, was being postponed.  I immediately called my agent and bumped my flight up to Friday night (May 1st).  A much more decent amount of time.  And I get to skip my miserable after school classes.  I’ve asked my friend Ana to cover for me!

I’ve just about convinced myself to buy the “Lonely Planet: Japan” for the hefty sum of 40,000 Won.   I know it’s quite a chunk of cash in times like these but I would love to have researched and learned a lot about Kyoto as well as other areas of Japan. I’ll let you know how persuasive I am by the end of this entry.

I’ve been hearing a lot about capsule hotels.  Apparently they are a form of very, very cheap accomodation in Japan.  One friend saw them on the Discovery Channel and told me that I just have to do it! 

I’ve been finding places online but a lot are booked or are dorm room set-ups with up to 6 people.  On this trip I really want my own space to rest.   I’m gonna try to book all 4 nights this weekend even if they are at different spots.  I was able to wing it in Hong Kong and met up with a friend in Thailand but this time I just want it all settled. 

Off to Kyobo Books in Seoyhon Station to get my Japanese guidebook because yes, I’ve finally given in! 

~ Sigh – ah – nor-ah! (Can’t wait to slip that into normal conversation.) 

I feel it is very important to preface this entry with a three word summary: Waaah waaah waaaaaaaaaah.  

On a whole, I like Korea.  Now that spring is here I’m inspired to take a second look.  The cherry blossoms are amazing.  People travel from all over to see them. 

As for school, I work at a good private school.  Unlike some that take full advantage of “cheap foreign labor” my school treats us well.  We get paid on time, are given nice apts.  and have a lovely environment to work in.  I can’t believe I have yet to post pictures of Helen Doron. 

The staff is friendly, both foreign and Korean.  However putting them under a microscope, I don’t really have any Korean friends outside of school.  As for the foreigners, they are all nice but I only feel a connection with a couple of them.  Considering that there’s only 8 of us, that’s pretty good.  I often find myself daying dreaming some of you here!

This school year (started in March) has been very demanding with a much more jam-packed schedule and rigid afternoon-classes.  A lot of us don’t feel we have the proper prep time especially on the weeks that we have to ride the shuttle bus in the morning because we miss morning prep time and walk in literally as the first class  starts.

There are often gaps of miscommunication between foreigners and the Korean staff for no other reason than the language barrier but I think this is to be expected.    What could be modified, I believe, is the  degree of disorganization up top which most of the time I attribute as a plus.  These people make ME feel organized!  But there are even days when their disorganization affects me and I wonder what ARE they doing?! Today was one of those days.

Before reading, please please remember that my experience in Korea is described in pieces.  A single post is only ONE piece of an ongoing puzzle.  A post can let you in for a little while but you must remember that you have to leave to retrieve more pieces.

With this said I feel confident in sharing my theraputic (aka whiney) stream of consciousness.

“The school year has been insane so far. It’s the perfect time to let you in on how the teachers are feeling: exhausted, unprepared and frustrated. 

Prior to writing this I had been talking to a co-worker.  I think one year in Korea will be enough.  There are so many countries out there that I shouldn’t feel guilty and stay in Korea just because I don’t think I’ve seen enough of it.  Of course that’s just how I’m feeling today.  Even as I’m writing this I know it’s way too early to tell what I’m going to do come September or how I’ll feel tomorrow. 

The school environment has been a bit ridiculous.  This private school in particular is excessively demanding. Let’s just talk about the parental factor.  I couldn’t imagine my parents having done this for a moment.

The parents, or should i say the moms. call and complain about things like their kid’s shirt being partially untucked when he/she gets home.  Honestly the list is long and irrational.  These kids are so babied no wonder all the boys out here seem so wimpy.  I don’t think a guy back home would be caught dead with a cell phone charm or a pink wallet. 

Out here children live with their parents until they get married.  If you’re not married at 33 you’re still living at home!  I couldn’t imagine.  Also it is uncommon and not really socially acceptable for the younger sibling to marry before the older one, the male being the exception.

My head is pounding above my right eye.  School is so long and exhausting. I wish we had the option of going home after school around 3 pm and only staying longer if we wanted to.  Unfortunatley we have much more intense after-school classes than last year and no time to prep for them.  I have to ride the shuttle bus every three weeks and get to school just as it is starting.  I hardly have any breaks during the day and things are just a bit chaotic. 

I had been told I would be watched yesterday by two parents.  The schedule was even posted on the board so you’d think well this is organized right?  Oh you’d think but it isn’t so.  I was told to talk to the twins and this other little girl the most so I did.  During the middle of my class I see a note through the window on the door: Leo’s mom is watching.  Oh great because he had his sock in his mouth a moment ago but I wasn’t focusing on discipling as much as offering those 3 girls a chance to speak.  Then believe it or not my helper teacher Emily handed me the attendance sheet which had a note on it: Matthew’s mom is watching.  Oh is she?  Really?  Lovely because he’s been running around like a frickin ape.  At least I knew before the class was over unlike my partner teacher Mina.  She was briefed after the fact.

I kind of found the whole thing amusing.  What else could I do though I must admit a part of me was hellah disappointed.  The kids this semester have been so rewarding.  Well needless to say, Matthew’s and Leo’s moms weren’t happy.  Leo usually doesn’t listen to either me or Mina.  Of course today Matthew and even Leo were seated and listening.  Leo had to be THAT good today didn’t he?  I  just don’t function well when I know I’m being watched.  Ellie always wants me to do something special for the lesson and it ends up not being natural.  So today when parents came for the other class I just did my usual and I think it went just fine. Actually both  Anna and Vanessa’s moms were very pleased and they had been the most difficult thus far. 

I’m able to sleep at night because I know that I try hard, that I care about the kids and that I make an effort to inform the parents.  Beyond that I have no control.  I think the school perpetuates the parental complains by catering to them.  What a waste of time. 

Lots of times the moms just like to chat because they are all very very rich and have nothing better to do.  Or they come up with some of the complaints I’ve already mentioned.  The moms seen to take every little thing their kid says and blame it on someone at the school.  (The Korean staff has to handle all the phone calls.)  I’m thinking, “You do realize your kid is like 5 or 6 years old and that by nature irrational?”  If I came home and reported something my parents would question me about what I might have done wrong, not run to the phone and threaten the school.  But this is how it goes. 

There was an interesting discussion about our weekly comments yesterday.  A Korean teacher was advising her co-teacher not to use the word “unfocused” because some  parents would go crazy over it.  I butted in with “you need to be honest in a nice way but if you’re not honest and finally this kid’s behavior gets really bad it will seem to come out of left field.”  What’s the point of patting parents on the back and wasting our time with comments that aren’t true?  Plus “unfocused” is what I use instead of, “your kid punched me in the ovary, hit 3 children, ran around and erased the board, threw his snack and ate a crayon.”  I think “so and so is a little unfocused but is doing well with his speaking” is letting that kid off pretty easy.  Actually my kids this year are soooo much better so I don’t have nearly as many crazy stories. 

Perks of working at Helen Doron: I got thrown up on by Vanessa on Tuesday and yesteday Evy peed her pants and I was the only one available to change them.   Working here we also hear lot of redundant remarks from the Korean staff.  If they neglected to tell us something, which is quite common, we get talked to just as if we had known.  I’ll say, “This is the first I’ve heard of this.”  In response I’ll get something like, “Well anyway you’re not supposed to… blah blah.” 

Today I was a bit fed up because one of the Korean teachers was saying I shouldn’t have spoken to a parent of a kid I used to have and I was rather rude about it.  I later mentioned I was sorry I had taken it personally but this teacher is always so miserable looking and I just didn’t feel like getting rained on.  Anyhoo that kid ended up quitting due to numerous complaints on the parent’s part.  Oy.  How happy am I that tomorrow is Friday?

Surprise surprise – there was quite a nice surprise waiting for me at school today… As soon as I walked in Andrea said “Hey Aimee. They’re playing your song.”  I was thinking what song?  What song do I like?  Then Andrea showed me a piece of paper.  It literally WAS my song!!!  I had been asked to write lyrics that I had assumed were for graduation and figured they were thrown away and not useful.  Quite the contrary.  I am the proud writer of our school song.  A famous singer and one of the dad’s of a kid I teach wrote the music and sings the song.  How ironic is that??!!  I never knew what I wanted to do but I had always thought I’d be a good song lyricist and here I am! haha.” 

Gonna meet a friend for dinner. 

Love,

Aimee, the persistent teacher

PS Witten when I’m deliriously tired!

April 6, 2009 

Yesterday I looked up flights to Japan.  I heard Kyoto is amazing so I’m trying to squeeze that into three days and a night.  We have off Monday May 4 and Tuesday May 5 but have to work on a Saturday (we’re having sports day).  I plan to head out after the festivities on Sat. and get back Tuesday night. 

This will be my very first trip totally solo!!!  I’m so excited for the opportunity.  I was totally inspired to do it after I ended up exploring the Namsung Tower in Seoul yesterday.  It was pretty damn good.  I’ve been wanting to do that since I’ve been here and I finally said screw it and took a pricey cab ride across the river. 

Today North Korea launched a controversial missle despite warnings from around the globe.  And today I come clean.  I’ve never taught a day in my life.  For all of you suspicious of my sudden bond with children you now know the truth.  I can’t stand them.   Here is my latest entry:

March 26, 2009

“I couldn’t take the pressure to get the shots.   I was ready to cave.  At one point my feet completely fell asleep and I was so thirsty I drank half a bottle of mouthwash.  Like Price Club mouthwash so you know how big those can be.  

It was all so intense.  I even dropped my camera.  Ok I dropped it like 3 times.   I still, however, maintain that the lense cap didn’t snap until that guy rudely chucked it at me.  I had said I was sorry. 

The anxiety was overwhelming.  But before I quit my job I got some key shots.  Remember you saw them here first.  (wink wink)

 Ok so I was in Seoul at this rally against North Korea’s missles.  It was actually right ouside of the U.S. Embassy.  I can’t put my finger on it but I really don’t think Kim Jong Il is the kind popular you want to be.   Let’s take a look at my next shot.

Here is a mock missle that was created in the spirit of the crowd.  One of the little embers landed on my shoe but no damage was done. 

Oh wait – wrong photo.  This guy is actually yelling at me for snapping his picture so it’s slightly misleading.  Next slide please…

The zoom on my camera is insane but not as crazy as the leader of North Korea.  I snapped this just outside the newly renovated Pyongyang Theater in Pyongyang, N. Korea.  I was shaking in my women’s adidas running shoes.

I whisked myself over to Japan just in time to catch this protestor’s reaction.  I didn’t get to talk to the guy but I just have this feeling he’s not getting his megaphone back. 

Obama was not available for photographs.  Actually I screwed up, went to the wrong site,  and they fired me.  Crap.  Now I have to pose as a teacher for the rest of the year just so my parents don’t launch anything my way. ”

Well I could have just posted another article but I thought this might be a little more entertaining.  =)

In the spirit of the previous post regarding the possible North Korean rocket launch, my mind wanders to the tiny slippers I see every day.  Most of them are Spiderman or  Hello Kitty but you can certainly find some Thomas the Train ones if you look. 

It amazes me how children function.  And if adults could be the same, how different the world would be. They don’t hold grudges.  They take the bad and bounce right back.  In fact they literally hit the ground running.  One kid can smack his classmate into the wall or steal her lego car but after some crocodile tears it’s like their minds are wiped blank and they are the best of friends.  It happens at least 10 times a day among this culture of tiny people – the less sophisticated ones… or are they? 

I’m constantly telling my kids not to hit, push, or throw and always, always to share.  Actually I’m working on explaining the meaning of share to this latest batch.  And then I think of myself.  I think how some things annoy or frustrate me and then I realize Aimee, that’s because you’re NOT sharing.  You’re not saying please and thank you and you’re not letting things go.  In fact adults might struggle with this concept even more than our younger counterparts- only we’re “mature”.  Sure we don’t poop our pants, (well not until we’re really old anyway) but we could stand to open up our “open minds” and learn a thing or two.   

I was outside with my Dover class during Outdoor Time (I can’t take credit for these clever names…)  when I heard “Teacher! Look here! Look here!”  My little prodigy Lauren (ok she’s not a prodigy… she’s just been lucky enough to have lived in the states by the age of 3 and a half) basically looks like a giant baby.  The way her hair is and even the little booties she wears.  Matthew is also a tiny tiny little boy but they can’t really be much bigger at this age. 

Matthew and Lauren were walking toward me ever so slowly, ever so carefully, cradling an indestructable green bouncy ball like a baby chick.  “Look,” said Lauren.  “We’re playing together.”  I was completely taken aback and delighted at the same time.  It was one of the sweetest and most innocent things I had ever experienced.  For all of us who may have forgotten what it is like to share, to find pleasure in the good, I am sharing this tale. 

I now present to you Mr. Robert Fulghum.

(Applause)

“All I really need to know I learned in kindergarden. 

All I really need to know about how to live and what to do and how to be I learned in kindergarden.   

Wisdom was not at the top of the graduate school mountain, but there in the sandpile at Sunday School. 

These are the things I learned:

Share everything.

Play fair.

Don’t hit people.

Put things back where you found them.

Clean up your own mess.

Don’t take things that aren’t yours.

Say you’re sorry when you hurt somebody.

Wash your hands before you eat.

Flush.

Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you.

Live a balanced life – learn some and think some and draw and paint and sing and dance and play and work every day some.

Take a nap every afternoon.

When you go out into the world, watch out for traffic, hold hands, and stick together.

Be aware of wonder.

Remember the little seed in the styrofoam cup: The roots go down and the plant goes up and nobody really knows how or why, but we are all like that.

Goldfish and hamsters and white mice and even the little seed in the Styrofoam cup – they all die.  So do we.

And then remember the Dick-and-Jane books and the first word you learned – the biggest
word of all – LOOK.

Everything you need to know is in there somewhere.  The Golden Rule and love and basic sanitation.  Ecology and politics and equality and sane living.

Take any of those items and extrapolate it into sophisticated adult terms and apply it to your
family life or your work or your government or your world and it holds true and clear and firm.
Think what a better world it would be if all – the whole world – had cookies and milk about three o’clock every afternoon and then lay down with our blankies for a nap. Or if all governments had a basic policy to always put thing back where they found them and to clean up their own mess.

And it is still true, no matter how old you are – when you go out into the world, it is best
to hold hands and stick together.”

“Why thank you Robert.  That was lovely though I must say I never had nap time then or now.  Thanks for coming everybody.  There is only one cookie on your way out.  Please share. Bye-bye.” 

© Robert Fulghum, 1990.
Found in Robert Fulghum, All I Really Need To Know I Learned In Kindergarten, Villard Books: New York, 1990, page 6-7.

Billy Joel sings, “We didn’t start the fi-re… it was always burning since the world’s been turning.”  In this case it’s 1953. 

I don’t like the majority of business tactics I’ve experienced in South Korea and sometimes find a gap when it comes to decision and logic.  Yet the South Koreans can’t seem to reason with the North Koreans and they’re the ones with the missle. 

While probably an opportunity for high media coverage and a field day for CNN reporters, I am still choosing to share the latest news of Korea’s world status. 

Reporting live from Bun Dang-Gu, South Korea, this is Aimee Teacher. 

North Korea watched intently for rocket launch

Associated Press

By KWANG-TAE KIM, Associated Press Writer Kwang-tae Kim, Associated Press Writer – Fri Apr 3, 3:21 pm ET

SEOUL, South Korea – Spy satellites trained high-resolution cameras on a coastal North Korean launch pad. U.S., Japan and South Korea deployed warships with radar and other surveillance equipment in the waters near the communist nation — all for one of the most closely watched rocket launches ever.

North Korea plans to launch what it says is an experimental communications satellite — perhaps as early as Saturday — from its Musudan-ri facility in the northeastern part of the country.

Washington, Seoul and Tokyo suspect North Korea’s real motive is to test its long-range missile technology. The planned launch has sparked alarm because North Korea has admitted it has nuclear weapons and has repeatedly broken promises to shelve its nuclear program or halt rocket tests.

President Barack Obama, appearing Friday with French President Nicolas Sarcozy in Strasbourg, France, called the launch “provocative” and said it should be stopped.

Cloudy conditions were forecast for the launch area Saturday — not perfect, but without the strong winds that could force a delay. Saturday is the start of a five-day window for the rocket, North Korea said.

Fueling of the rocket at Musudan-ri appears nearly complete, South Korea’s Yonhap news agency reported, citing an unidentified government official. Experts say the launch would likely follow quickly because rocket fuels are generally highly corrosive.

Efforts to persuade North Korea to give up the plan continued, though there were no signs of a last-minute diplomatic breakthrough.

Two U.S. destroyers are believed to have departed from South Korea to monitor the launch. South Korea is using its destroyer equipped with Aegis ballistic missile defense technology, according to a Seoul military official who asked not to be identified, citing department policy.

North Korea has complained that the U.S. is using high-altitude U-2 spy planes and has warned the aircraft would be shot down.

Japan has deployed warships and Patriot missile interceptors off its northern coast to shoot down any wayward rocket parts that the North has said might fall over the area. Tokyo has said it is only protecting its territory and has no intention of trying to shoot down the rocket itself, but North Korea accused Japan of inciting militarism at home to justify developing a nuclear weapons program of its own.

The North has said its rocket will fly over Japan and its first stage is expected to fall in waters less than 75 miles from Japan’s northwestern shore, according to coordinates the government in Pyongyang provided to U.N. agencies. The other zone where the second stage should fall lies in the middle of the Pacific between Japan and Hawaii.

Pressure on Pyongyang to drop the plan has been intense. The U.S., South Korea and Japan discussed the issue with world leaders at the G-20 Summit in London.

China, North Korea’s closest ally, said it was working to avert a launch. Beijing has tried to persuade North Korea on several occasions and will attempt to do so “to the last minute,” Chinese President Hu Jintao told his South Korean counterpart, Lee Myung-bak, on Friday in London, according to the South Korean president’s spokeswoman, Lee Dong-kwan.

Obama said the planned launch has put “enormous strains” on international talks over North Korea’s disputed nuclear ambitions.

The U.S. will “take appropriate steps to let North Korea know that it can’t threaten the safety and security of other countries with impunity,” he said.

Stephen Bosworth, the U.S. envoy on North Korea, said the communist nation would face consequences if the launch goes ahead. But he also said he is prepared to go to Pyongyang whenever it would be useful in order to restart international negotiations aimed at getting North Korea to abandon its nuclear program.

After the “dust from the missiles settles,” he told reporters, the United States will be keen to get back to the six-nation talks.

Regional powers have warned of consequences, repeatedly noting that the launch would violate a U.N. Security Council resolution banning North Korea from ballistic missile activity.

North Korea has warned against any efforts to censure it, claiming it, like other countries, has the right to the peaceful use of outer space. It also has threatened retaliation against any efforts to intercept the rocket, telling Japan such a move would mean “war.”

Despite their opposition, the U.S., Japan and South Korea appear resigned to North Korea going ahead with the launch. Pyongyang announced the launch in advance in marked contrast to firings in 1998 and 2006. The monitoring effort is clearly the biggest for a North Korean launch.

Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso said Thursday that a Saturday launch was likely. A senior U.S. intelligence official also told The Associated Press that North Korea was on track for liftoff then. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss intelligence issues.

South Korea has set up task forces, including at the Defense Ministry and Joint Chiefs of Staff, to monitor and swiftly respond to a launch.

The Foreign Ministry also planned to meet Saturday to draw up post-launch measures.

Lee was likely to convene a National Security Council meeting in the event of a launch, said a government official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because a final decision had yet to be made.

Japan and other nations plan to request an emergency session of the U.N. Security Council as soon as this weekend. A strong united response likely would prove difficult, however, because China and Russia hold veto power in the council and could argue that the 2006 ban does not extend to nonmilitary space missions.

Still, Hu agreed with Lee that the “rocket launch would negatively affect peace and stability in Northeast Asia and there should be a discussion among related countries” after it takes place, Lee’s office said.

Reaction among ordinary South Koreans was largely muted. Most went about their business on a pleasant spring day. Still, some tension and concern was evident. At a rally in Seoul, about 100 activists burned a North Korean flag and a missile replica plastered with leader Kim Jong Il’s portrait.

___

Associated Press writers Jae-soon Chang, Ji-youn Oh and Kelly Olsen in Seoul, Pauline Jelinek in Washington, and John Heilprin at the U.N. contributed to this report.

Uncle Jimmy, I’m sorry I never got around to sending your postcard.  I love you. 

View/Sign Guest Book James Charles Fisher James Charles Fisher, of North Fort Myers and Upper Dam, ME, died peacefully in his sleep March 26, 2009 after a brief, but valiant, battle with brain cancer.Born in Kearny, NJ on May 18, 1933, he met and married Jacqueline Cox Fisher January 22, 1955. Jim spent his early years working a variety of jobs before settling in to a distinguished and successful sales career at Liberty Mutual. He retired from Liberty’s management team after 31 years with the company. Upon retirement, Jim and Jackie set out to travel through out the US and Canada – going as far northwest as Alaska and south into Mexico – culminating a life long dream to travel. They eventually settled into retirement, splitting their time between their home in North Fort Myers Florida, and their dream home at Upper Dam, Maine.Jim will be remembered for his tenacity, strength and abilities. He will be greatly missed by Jacqueline, his wife of 54 years, and their children, Sharon Malick, and husband Dave, of Clearwater, FL, Cindy Fisher of Maynard, MA, Kathy Fisher of Greenland, NH and Eric Fisher, and wife Beth, of Durham, NH. He is survived by numerous grandchildren. He will also be missed by the hummingbirds, chickadees and other sundry birds that he fed steadily and with love during his summers at camp in Maine. The red squirrels, while respectfully lamenting his loss, have already established plans to move into his shed and bird feeders.There are no calling hours. A private memorial service will be held this summer for immediate family members. Condolences may be sent to the family at 3 Gerrish Drive, Durham, NH 03824. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust: RLHT, P.O. Box 249, Oquossoc, ME 04964 – www.RLHT.org.