Keep It in Your Pants...

This was the headline of today's Korea Herald:

'ADULTRY LAW IS CONSTITUTIONAL'

Here is some information: I guess since 1953, the Koreans have been pushing a law to make adultry illegal because it is "the public's perception that adultry undermines social order" and that the "law is intended to safe guard marriage, which is the bedrock of family life". So they believe that if you are caught having an affair, which will no doubt ruin your families life; you go to jail for two years. That won't ruin your families life at all. Of course, you can only go to jail if your spouse presses charges, but there is still the chance.

I just thought it was an interesting read and insight into the Korean mind. If you want to read the whole article you can click here. It doesn't take you to the article itself--so you have to search for it if you are reading this on any other day than today (10.31). Let me know what you think!!

Eva Longoria, I Feel Your Pain...

Remember when I first got here and both Ed and I loved the celebrity treatment. Well you can kind of down grade it to like now. Now when little boys come running up to me pointing and shouting "Waygook!!!"; I point back and say "Hungul Saram!!" or Korean person (of course this is only when their parents aren't looking).

I still get a giggle out of the kids that come running up to us and say (or screech) "HI!! HELLO!!", then run away giggling hysterically. They must think that they are playing a wicked funny trick on us: "He he Young-Bin. I just said hello, in English, to that foreigner over there and then ran away. They will never know it was me. It was the best joke ever!! He he he." Sometimes I want to say, 'I know it was you who shouted hello at me because you running away and laughing. You can't really hide, and I am smart enough to figure it out'....Oh well. This is the easy part. Sometimes it is the adults that I have trouble with.

For instance, Ed's new co-teacher (his old one is away for a month) has been making comments about his weight left and right. (By the way--he has lost several pounds--so it really shouldn't be an issue anymore). My favorite comment thus far that she has made is: "Oh. I know why you like goalie. You don't have to run." I'm surprised that Ed kept his composure after that one. I don't think I would have been able to. I've met her, and let me just tell you, she is no piece of work (snaggle tooth!).

Oh and its not just Ed who is getting it. I am too. Today I was asked if I was pregnant (I'm SOO NOT). I screeched 'NO!'. Turned red and left. You see, for some reason it is okay for them to point out that we are fat or ugly or look pregnant. However, the minute you say something about them, evil stank eye will come and haunt you. No more niceness; no more free fruit. You are dead to them.

So I say to Eva Longoria (who recently was called pregnant all over the news because she gained some weight-what like 4 pounds?) I feel your pain. Any one of normal size would look preggers next to a waif (hence Victora Beckham).

Sing! Sing! Sing!

Hugo belting out a tune.

So not much to report to you all in the West.

This weekend we actually stayed in Yeosu, but we were busy. Friday night was Noribong. Saturday was shopping and BBQ. Today was recovery from BBQ and 5 hours of soccer. Overall a very good weekend.

In case you don't know what a Noribong is, well it essentially is a Karaoke room, but better. It has glowing lights and great sound and any song you want (in Korean, Japanese, Chinese, English, and in between). We went with our friends Shannon, Hugo, and Joelle after playing Kings at the Mini-Stop (yes that is the equivalent to a 7-11-but you can sit outside the store). Anyways back to Noribong. This concept is everywhere in Korea. The Koreans love it and can't wait to go to noribong. I think for them it is a stress reliever to get up and sing and dance in front of family, co-workers, strangers, whomever. They don't really care, just as long as they can sing. In fact, when you first meet a Korean they usually ask if you like noribong.

Like anywhere though, some people like to make their business a little more special. The room we were in was called the Princess room. A small one by noribong standards. But it had lovely pillows and stuffed animals. Some different rooms even have beds (just in case you need a nap or need to buy a 'woman' to 'help' you 'sing'--yeah it can happen in noribongs--but you have to ask for it and it is expensive).

They also have a giant screen that not only displays the words, but also has videos that change along with the song. These videos, however, are completely random. They could be of a stream, or a Korean soap opera, or of animals. I have even seen Dance Revolution videos (just in case you want to follow some crazy cool dance steps while singing). In our room, we were blessed with a Korean soap opera that didn't match our song choices. There was always a woman crying when we were singing a song like "Sexy Back". I don't know why she was crying all the time, but she was.

So it was just us singing away--having a blast. Even though I really don't enjoy public singing that much, I have to admit, maybe noribongs should be something that America should adopt. Everyone could use just a little song and dance in their life. For some reason, belting out Bon Jovi makes the night a little better.

Joelle and I

Shannon dancing and part of Ed

Dance party Korea! (look at the TV-they are singing Total Eclipse of the Heart-and there are men shaking hands--does not match!)

Yeah, you do get that into it. And those green spots are from the light show that goes on in your noribong!! (Yeah!! Light Show!!)

Ed pretend singing at this point. Even though he doesn't look like he is having fun, he is. He actually is great for getting Koreans to come into our noribongs and singing Korean/English songs like "Run With Me". Google it--it is his favorite at the moment!

PS: Thank you sooo much for the packages that we have been getting. I mean wow! We totally didn't expect anything and here we are with cookie mixes, smarties, (which I've decided that none of my students are good enough to have-so I must eat them all myself--thanks Mom and Dad!), to chips, Peeps, soup, and more (Seth and Kristina--you guys are amazing!) So here is a very public THANK YOU to Mom, Dad, Seth, Kristina, Q-ie, and Claire!!! XOXOXOXO

What Can You Create??

You know those motorized wheelchairs that make mobility so much more easier? Well, they are quite popular here in Korea. Not because people are physically dependent on them. But because of the endless possibilities that they can provide for transportation and business.

Transportation is easy right? These babies help people get around. Or here in Korea they just use them as one may use a scooter. Yup, just drive 'em down the middle of the street during rush hour traffic. Some have even installed horns on them (loud ones) so that other cars can get out of their way, or just to let the other driver know that they are there. Old men usually 'drive' them in the roadways. But I've seen some women too. Here is an example of how it looks, except the cars just go around the 'drivers' and the police don't care.

Okay, so business? You may be wondering what type of business I'm talking about. How can owning a personal motorized be a business venture? Do they just sell them on the street here in Korea? Nope. My friends, when you have time, energy, and lots of creativity, your personal motorized wheelchair can become this:

Yes that is the man with all of this creativity. He has a movable cart of stuff. And yes, that is his motorized wheelchair.

I took this picture so you could see that it is really is one...look at the wheels! And notice how much stuff he has on it! It is like a metal cage of sellable items around the cart. Genius!

And more stuff on top!

This is what Ed bought from him. It is a little bag, that you can stuff into that stuffed dog on the front. Amazing!

I'm not sure how he gets in and out of his 'cart'. That is actually assuming, though that he does leave the 'cart' and does not live in it. I wouldn't be surprised if he managed somehow to do that too!

I LOVE Korean Field Trips!!

Pottery Guy

Do you remember how great field trips are? Do you remember how fun they were--a whole day with no learning, hanging out with friends, doing whatever (okay kind of whatever)? Well that changes when you are a teacher. It becomes something that used to be fun and relaxing to a whole bunch of crap work and headaches. You have to book the place, pay for the buses, pay for the kids who can't pay to get there, remember medicines, get permission slips signed, explain to administration why you want to go where you want to go to, worry about kids behaving, getting lost, or throwing up. Basically it changes from being a totally cool experience, to something that I never, ever wanted to do again with any of my students.

Well my friends, that has changed, because I LOVE Korean field trips. Here is a list why:

1. Teachers tell the students where to go and what time to be there. It is the student's job to get there. The teachers don't care how they do it (bus, train, parent, or walking), they just have to be there.
2. The students actually show up.







3. If the student shows up wearing 'short shorts' (aka bootie shorts), the Korean teachers will make them stand with their arms up, and then Korean co-teacher will knuckle them off the side of the head--but hey its okay! The student wore inappropriate clothing. It is their fault they got a whack.
4. You don't really have to watch the group. If you wanted a smoke, or a nap, its okay! You can do it! The students are responsible for themselves.



No Teachers!!!



5. Lunch time is amazing. And by amazing, I mean you can drink. Yes I had a shot of wine.
6. The students eat lunch by themselves...that's right, no teachers there to open the milk cartoon or to tell them to stop stuffing their face with Kimbab. If a student gets sick, its his/her own fault.
7. The students have to call their own parents to come and get them if they get sick. Teachers don't care if the student stuffed himself with Kimbab. All they have to do is tell them that they are going home because they are sick and it is okay!
8. I didn't have to watch out for any student. If anything, I was the one to have to be herded!

Another famous Korean pose

I'm telling you, it was like being on a real field trip again. Korean field trip. Sign me up. I'll bring the Soju!

Here you go Joe!

No Teachers!

Notice how they are standing...isn't it cute?

Okay so there is one Korean teacher...but don't the kids look happy?