Some days, I love Korea and the opportunity of teaching. Other days, not so much. Occasionally, I wonder where the wind would carry me if I had not crossed such a strong ocean current. Whether I love it or hate it, I'm in Korea and am amazed at how fast time is going by. I peaced outta the USA nearly six weeks ago. In that time, I have taught long hours, been confused and frustrated by language barriers, and been upset at my present predicament. Where I wouldn't be in the U.S. these days is hiking foreign mountains, visiting ancient buddhist temples, visiting massive fish markets, nor enjoying the solitude of writing and reading. I dream of rooftop memories, though I admit, I did not have a mountain out my bedroom window in Minneapolis. By day, I stay put with a classroom of curious minds. By evening, I travel wherever the moon guides.
I've been dreaming anxiously of the coming weeks. I head back to the Pacific Ocean in two weeks time for a weekend excursion. The plan is to take a slow train to Busan on Friday night and arrive early in the morning on Saturday. Imagine beach gazing at 5 a.m. with not a soul in sight. Similar sights were gazed upon during my last trip, but this one is a little more planned out. Five weeks time, where would I be in Minnesota. In Asia, in five weeks time, I'll be in China visiting on Chuseok (a Korean holiday).
I teach of environmental values every opportunity I get. This country is built on materialism and accessories, I have to take my opportunities where I get them. "Macadamia, where do you think your food comes from!" "Grocery store, Mr. Jordan!" Kindergarten and pre-k classes at school all have a name system for each class, which I thoroughly enjoy. Perhaps it's not all in vain. I share one day an environmental truth, "don't cut down trees, etc." No wonder she's my favorite student (in any class, in any grade). Jenny writes in an assignment, "where would all the tanagers live and sing if the trees were cut down." She's a kindergartner...... I mentioned tanagers once. I don't prefer that all (or nearly all) my students have English names. Part of me feels like it is a Western trait for parents (or kids) to pick out an English name to pick out an English name to assimilate better. While the U.S. wasn't particularly colonial or imperial of Korea, I still become weary of declaring that are naming system is better than their Korean birth names.
I've settled well into Korean culture. Or, perhaps a better expression would be to say, I've settled well into learning how to avoid Korean culture. Pick one or the other; it all depends on the day. I bought a bicycle two weeks ago and ride to work every day. I greatly enjoy it, as I have consistently always loved anything related to such an economically-friendly, environmentally-friendly, health-and-exercise-friendly, city-congestion-friendly, and stress-friendly mode of transportation. Previously, my commute to work consisted of a thirty minutes of bus waiting, bus riding, subway waiting, subway riding. I typically make it to school in eight minutes, which will add an extra forty-five minutes of free time to each day. Forty-five minutes happens to each a lot more sleep or book reading time.
I previously wrote of phone contact in Korea. Again, you can call the Minnesota telephone number (612) 424-3774. Assuming I'm at my computer, it will connect your cell phone / landline to my computer. I picked up a cell phone a few weeks ago. Let me say that Koreans love their technology. When I first moved here, I said to myself, "hmmmm. cell phone use in the subway system, underground." Then, I noticed everyone watching satellite tv on their cell phones... in the subway. I got a kick-butt cell phone, which happens to be way better than my previous U.S. phone. It was the cheapest one I could find. Anyway, I set up call forwarding on my Korean cell phone. You call my that Minnesota phone number, if I'm not connected to my computer, the call will be forwarded to my Korean phone. It's awesome, because I have free incoming phone calls on it. Call me anytime, except when I'm at work (+14 to Central time).
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