just another American teacher in SK

At the end of the day on Friday, the teachers took me out for a “farewell” dinner, to a very nice restaurant in the country near Gimpo.

I almost cried when we arrived ~ the restaurant overlooks a pond and the lawn is equiped with “American-style” barbeque grills.  I couldn’t believe what I was seeing ~ it was like sitting on the deck on the lake, any lake, at home  …  home, sweet home.

We had a wonderful dinner ~ seated on chairs at a waist-high table, with “normal” utinsels (knife, fork, spoon), cotton placemats, 8 oz glasses …  
The menu included a “Western Beef Steak”  entree, which was actually breaded veal. And everyone else had … god knows what.   

After dinner, the elderly gardener approached me and gestured that I walk with him through the gardens.  (These situations always make the co-teachers nervous, but I asked to allow a walk with him without a translator.)  He pointed to every plant, chattering away in Korean ~ I don’t have any idea what he was talking about, but he seemed content with my English identification of plants and shrubs (azealea, japanese maple, hosta, hydrangea, clematis … blah, blah, blah)

After my stroll with the gardener, the owner approached me, curious about where I’m from, etc., and launched into a lengthy conversation  (in lovely clear English) about his restaurant and his desire for the “Western” influence.

The Korean teachers (my hosts and dinner companions) are completely baffled  (and horrified)  at this point ~ they don’t know if they should “save me” or just continue with their own communion and let me be.  The owner returned me to the group and settled everyone down with a round of green tea …

Anyway, the night ended with a gift from all the teachers and a resounding “You are the BEST native English teacher we have EVER had!!”  “We are so sorry … SO sorry … that we are so busy that we can’t spend time with the foreign teachers.  Oh, it’s so sad …” blah, blah, blah.

blah, blah blah ~ too little, too late.  Why didn’t you bring me here months ago?  Not that it would have made any significant difference … but if I knew there was something (ANYTHING) that could alleviate some of the culture shock, it may have enhanced my experience.  

We had a nice dinner, pleasant conversations, culminating with gifts and photographs.  But, to be totally honest, I have little interest in keeping in touch.  Sad, but true.

I asked that the teachers not tell the students until the end of the week that I am leaving, simply because it's too disruptive ~ I wanted to keep the questions about "why?" to a dull roar. But they know ... [Continue reading this entry]

That's it ... I'm outta here. **  sorry, the link to the original AP news story (May 28, 2009) is broken, but here it is in a nutshell

The U.S. and South Korea military forces are on high alert after North Korea renounced ... [Continue reading this entry]

Former President Roh Moo-hyun jumped to his death off a cliff behind his home in southern South Korea. I'm not suggesting that I know much of anything about South Korean politics ~ in fact, I really don't know much about SK ... [Continue reading this entry]

We enjoyed 18 wonderful years with our cat, Cid Stosha.  I remember the day that we went to the Humane Society, where Marie chose the "pretty one".  I remember the day that our neighbor in the condo called to report ... [Continue reading this entry]

We are celebrating the anniversary of the opening of the Boys Middle School. Whoopdee-damn-do. I have no obligations, no schedule.  I checked, and double-checked, (and got it in writing) that I actually do not have to be physically present at the school ... [Continue reading this entry]

Here's the situation ~ I'm sitting in the teacher's room during my 2-hour free period, at my desk, minding my own business ... Following another delightful meal of fiery-assed, nasty-smellin'  kimchi, I can't get the rotten taste out of my mouth ... [Continue reading this entry]

A bit of sarcasm in my original post?  Maybe ... Statistically (in terms of attendance), Everland is one of the world's most successful theme parks.  I  don't know why.  The park has a nice setting in between forest-covered mountains and contains all ... [Continue reading this entry]

The teachers + 250 kids went to Everland today.  The Samsung Everland amusement park is one of the biggest theme parks in the world, and features "thrill rides", a water park, a zoo and safari park, an enormous botanical garden, ... [Continue reading this entry]

Summer is approaching - the first indicator is the parasol (or sun umbrella), but you know that summer is near when the dreaded enormous head visors come out.

While the foreigners enjoy a nice "sun-kissed" color, Asians are very ... [Continue reading this entry]

"I am very surprised that you are eating kimchi. You adjusting to the Korean food?  Is better now?" That is a direct quote from the co-teacher that has been previously referred to at the Ct2.   Going forward, let's just ... [Continue reading this entry]

I could hear car horns blowing and people shouting as I approached the intersection ~ a middle-aged woman was practically dragging a crazy-legged man across the street.  The pair had clearly exceeded the 20-second pedestrian crossing  allotment, but I ... [Continue reading this entry]

As I was walking back to my apartment today, I came upon an elderly man pulling a cart loaded with stuff.  I approached him, offering to assist by putting my hand on his cart, but he slapped away my hand ... [Continue reading this entry]

Happy Mother's Day, Mom!  I hope you got the flowers!  I love you and I miss you!!  Your darling-est daughter

 

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY to all the moms out there!!

 

We just concluded Celebration of Family ... [Continue reading this entry]

The food here affects all of us differently ~ I've lost weight, but other foreign teachers have put on some pounds.  I poop like a rocket launching, but others have been to the hospital to deal with constipation.  But we ... [Continue reading this entry]

I'm getting used to the bus to Seoul.   The great thing is the departure schedule ~ there's a bus every 20 minutes or so.   The bad thing is every bus is almost always FULL and you will generally have ... [Continue reading this entry]

I'm walking home from school and I see a white guy with red hair, smokin' a cig and hangin' his head over a residence wall, observing the construction activities in our alley.  So, of course (shy gal that I am), ... [Continue reading this entry]

I will never drive a car in Korea.  All the controls are there ~ traffic lights, separated lanes, crosswalks, traffic signs ~ all of which are blissfully ignored by all the folks in automobiles.  Reportedly, Korea has a significantly high traffic ... [Continue reading this entry]

The CCTV systems are everywhere ~ every street corner, every hallway, every store, every school ...   Korea is not unique with its abundance of monitors, it is a bit unnerving to realize that every single movement you make outside of your private ... [Continue reading this entry]

(Rufus Wainright fans may find it amusing that I looked at the clock upon awakening and it was, indeed, 11:11 am) What a FANTASTIC weekend it has been!! I got home around 9 pm last night, and Tim got back from ... [Continue reading this entry]

I'm still dealing with the coughing and wheezing noises described in an earlier entry, which stopped for a while but started up again. Obviously, if the choice is between the local quack shop or the International Clinic, I will schedule an appointment while ... [Continue reading this entry]