Monday, January 5, 2009
I'm THAT guy, showing up to the party late, only to complain.
i used to say to myself: "pain is a matter of perception", but now i'm just wondering if that's just what some people say to themselves to magnify their problems so as not to feel as alienated and weak as others. recently, i've become more aware of the suffering and obstacles many people go through on a daily basis, while still maintaining composure and the ability to function (a sentiment instigated by a recent viewing of the pursuit of happiness*). losing your entire family for no apparent reason other than your house happened to be in relative proximity to a political target...
*a note on art and the everlong "discourse surrounding"** what can be considered capable of holding the title--it sometimes pains me to reference hollywood (eventhough i was essentially a film major): i've been more and more convinced that one of my favorite quotes is true: LESTER BANGS: "Yeah, great art is about conflict and pain and guilt and longing and love disguised as sex, and sex disguised as love..."
**a note on "discourse surrounding": my triple c's recently vented their frustration and aberration for people who use this term. part of me agrees that it is unusual to use this terminology on a daily basis; but, i have a difficult time digesting their complaint because their own snobbery is so apparent. they drop "fun facts" as if they were merely sharing information, when it is obvious they just like to hear the sound of their "elite" voices.***
***everyone is a hypocrite though, right?
*a note on art and the everlong "discourse surrounding"** what can be considered capable of holding the title--it sometimes pains me to reference hollywood (eventhough i was essentially a film major): i've been more and more convinced that one of my favorite quotes is true: LESTER BANGS: "Yeah, great art is about conflict and pain and guilt and longing and love disguised as sex, and sex disguised as love..."
**a note on "discourse surrounding": my triple c's recently vented their frustration and aberration for people who use this term. part of me agrees that it is unusual to use this terminology on a daily basis; but, i have a difficult time digesting their complaint because their own snobbery is so apparent. they drop "fun facts" as if they were merely sharing information, when it is obvious they just like to hear the sound of their "elite" voices.***
***everyone is a hypocrite though, right?
Friday, December 12, 2008
Check this article out...
A Delayed Response: The Sequel
BY: THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
SEOUL (AP) -- Sadly, I have a feeling that this phrase will run like a decent trilogy gone greedy... As the dust settles after my ball-of-dust landing in Korea, the frequency of the new and mind-boggling has begun to slow. I have a few theories as to why: A) I would be going too far if i said that the "honeymoon period" is over, but I'm becoming less awestruck when I encounter something exciting about my culture, family, or self. 2) Alternate theory 1 is that a strong percentage of my experiences here have been foreign (go figure), and I'm just too overwhelmed to sort through my thoughts at times. It's going to take some time to get completely process them. And C)...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zIQlH60OEk
-Mirah, a Portland, Oregon-based songstress.
In other words, I thought for a moment that I was going to need a break from writing (which I technically already did) to commence an era of strictly private entries, but circumstances have changed. It will be a fly-by-my-seat adventure.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
No Luck: I do NOT have any real wood to knock in my apartment. This would have come in quite handy as I told people how fortunate I was for not catching any of the virus strains that have been running around, latched to a good number of my Mongolian rug rats, colleagues, and friends. With Luck: It was already Thursday by the time my diminutive, non-threatening cold-sore had matriculated, so I can't be too upset. I was able to take enough drugs and drink enough scalding water to lighten the blow today. And, this weekend's festivities are within grasp--I feel confident that I will actually get to see Anna Agnus Adeota Andahazy (another recent college grad teaching here) for the first time since we've both been K-side.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The gossip crew, consisting of Matthew Teacher and the CC's, often remind me of the horror stories endured by fellow soul-searchers in Korea. Being fired a few months before contract completion, constant harassment from bosses, being lied to about vacation, etc. etc. Also, I've learned that some people work nearly as much as many of the natives here. After talking with "Quadruple A" (Anna Agnus Adeodata Andahazy), it is clear that some teachers are overworked and underpaid. Quad A works 12 hour shifts quite regularly for a wage that amounts to just over 6 and a half bucks/hour based on the Korean won to US dollar ratio.
(for the math, see below. I felt compelled, being in Asia and all. Check: one non-PC term for this blog)
I've always laughed at the following:
Leadingtown seems to be a breeding ground for tension. It clouds the atmosphere. If it rained indoors, we would be burned alive on account of it desensitizing the smoke alarms. Though I've personally been able to avoid it, being in its midst doesn't do a whole lot for stress levels, especially while being sick and worrying about some other people I know.
For example, crying seems to be a popular activity here. The academic manager/director/i-don't-know-what-to-call her cries at least 3 times a week. Eating lunch in the break room hasn't been much of a treat as of late. It is a little uncomfortable when someone who I can't always understand, tries to explain how much she abhors the other admins and native teachers. And though at the time, it was joked about, said manager and another Korean-teacher has gone toe to larger toe in an all-out screaming match, that, obviously ended in tears--this has happened several times. Kleenex's are some of the most popular office supplies in the lounge.
Conversely, sometimes the confrontations aren't as conspicuous. On a separate occasion (just today), a seemingly harmless 5-minute b-day celebration turned into a battle of different proportions. Joseph Teacher (the name that haunts little Korean boys and girls everywhere), failed to make it to his brief cake ceremony, and a passive aggressive brawl ensued. For not attending, Jessica (the sweet 1st lady of Leadingtown, who's told me I have a nice voice), gave the entire cake away. Joseph, in response, turned a cold-shoulder to everyone. Not only that, he exploded at a fellow newbie, who, until today, was enjoying her safety from it all.
Morever, I have been witness to some pretty questionable shit that goes on, primarily, in the higher echelons of Leadingtown. Shady deals and hypocrisy are no strangers to theses halls.
I just recently found out that on some of our recent post-work outings, the receipt has been taken back to the big cheese, so that the buyer of the evening could be reimbursed. The catch is, the buyer hasn't been the one taking the receipt into Director San's office. The buyers (plural) happen to be everyone BUT the reimbursed.
Also, on one of these nights, I've been approached by an individual to leave the company to join a new Hagwan. The catch here is that the particular individual was precisely the person who, on my very first day, told me the biggest mistake I could make was merely associate myself with another foreign teacher not from Leadingtown (it was only insinuated what would happen if I were to consider leaving).
In my brief time, I've already seen a few victims of these circumstances. Chelsea (the woman without a definite title), Emma, Sunny, Sue, Oprah, and ??? have all either left or expressed their desire to do so. Who knows how far the collateral damage will spread.
The list could continue, but you get the picture. And ultimately, I DO realize things could be worse. I realize that I have been getting some preferential treatment for some reason (for example: I have a 4 less class sessions per week than other foreign teachers, I get to teach the more advanced classes, I haven't been approached for accidentally breaking the dress code, etc.)...I have my suspicions as to why, but that's another story. And after all, much of stress is relegated to Korean-only conversations and closed-door meetings. But, I sometimes just feel like saying, "YOU'RE JUST MAKING IT WORSE!" :) It's like I'm standing in front of Leni and Christine Wolf all over again; I can't help but wonder if they are talking about me.
the math
As of the 5th, the won traded at 1,475.75/dollar, according to Seoul Money Brokerage Services Ltd. It translates like this:
100 cents
-------------- = .067762
1,475.75 won
That means, for every 1000 won made here, we make around 68 cents. This is absolutely crazy considering that only four months ago, 1,000W gave you $1.
So, the 2,300,000W/month that was promised turns into approximately, 1,800,000W, after taxes and other expenses are taken out. This is equivalent to around 139716 pennies a month, or $1,397.16.
At the moment, it is safe to say she works 50 hours/week.
On average, each month has around 21 working days. (10 hours/week X 21 = 210 hours/month)
$1,397.16
------------ = $6.65/hour
210 hours
In The Next Issue:
-The Upside of Work
-Thanks for Sharing: Holidays with the Fam!
BY: THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
...So by now your realize that the publication is P or P. The reason for busting out the unpublished archives is to reveal more about the author. For further listening:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zIQlH60OEk
-Mirah, a Portland, Oregon-based songstress.
In other words, I thought for a moment that I was going to need a break from writing (which I technically already did) to commence an era of strictly private entries, but circumstances have changed. It will be a fly-by-my-seat adventure.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
No Luck: I do NOT have any real wood to knock in my apartment. This would have come in quite handy as I told people how fortunate I was for not catching any of the virus strains that have been running around, latched to a good number of my Mongolian rug rats, colleagues, and friends. With Luck: It was already Thursday by the time my diminutive, non-threatening cold-sore had matriculated, so I can't be too upset. I was able to take enough drugs and drink enough scalding water to lighten the blow today. And, this weekend's festivities are within grasp--I feel confident that I will actually get to see Anna Agnus Adeota Andahazy (another recent college grad teaching here) for the first time since we've both been K-side.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The gossip crew, consisting of Matthew Teacher and the CC's, often remind me of the horror stories endured by fellow soul-searchers in Korea. Being fired a few months before contract completion, constant harassment from bosses, being lied to about vacation, etc. etc. Also, I've learned that some people work nearly as much as many of the natives here. After talking with "Quadruple A" (Anna Agnus Adeodata Andahazy), it is clear that some teachers are overworked and underpaid. Quad A works 12 hour shifts quite regularly for a wage that amounts to just over 6 and a half bucks/hour based on the Korean won to US dollar ratio.
(for the math, see below. I felt compelled, being in Asia and all. Check: one non-PC term for this blog)
I've always laughed at the following:
"Sorry I'm crampin your style."
-Richard Wheeler (my first GF's father to me on my first date)
But, this phrase hasn't seemed as humorous since starting at Dongtan Leadingtown. Being aware of the sort of messy situations I could've ended up in hasn't made it any easier. As many of you know, sharing any criticism, positive or otherwise, with anyone now affiliated with Leadingtown, is strictly prohibited. Thank God for the internet! *note: the "L" in the preceeding and following references to "Leadingtown" has changed its name to maintain anonymity. I've let my furrowed brow hide for too long, and many supporting anecdotes have escaped me because of their sheer number. Be that as it may, here goes:-Richard Wheeler (my first GF's father to me on my first date)
Leadingtown seems to be a breeding ground for tension. It clouds the atmosphere. If it rained indoors, we would be burned alive on account of it desensitizing the smoke alarms. Though I've personally been able to avoid it, being in its midst doesn't do a whole lot for stress levels, especially while being sick and worrying about some other people I know.
For example, crying seems to be a popular activity here. The academic manager/director/i-don't-know-what-to-call her cries at least 3 times a week. Eating lunch in the break room hasn't been much of a treat as of late. It is a little uncomfortable when someone who I can't always understand, tries to explain how much she abhors the other admins and native teachers. And though at the time, it was joked about, said manager and another Korean-teacher has gone toe to larger toe in an all-out screaming match, that, obviously ended in tears--this has happened several times. Kleenex's are some of the most popular office supplies in the lounge.
Conversely, sometimes the confrontations aren't as conspicuous. On a separate occasion (just today), a seemingly harmless 5-minute b-day celebration turned into a battle of different proportions. Joseph Teacher (the name that haunts little Korean boys and girls everywhere), failed to make it to his brief cake ceremony, and a passive aggressive brawl ensued. For not attending, Jessica (the sweet 1st lady of Leadingtown, who's told me I have a nice voice), gave the entire cake away. Joseph, in response, turned a cold-shoulder to everyone. Not only that, he exploded at a fellow newbie, who, until today, was enjoying her safety from it all.
Morever, I have been witness to some pretty questionable shit that goes on, primarily, in the higher echelons of Leadingtown. Shady deals and hypocrisy are no strangers to theses halls.
I just recently found out that on some of our recent post-work outings, the receipt has been taken back to the big cheese, so that the buyer of the evening could be reimbursed. The catch is, the buyer hasn't been the one taking the receipt into Director San's office. The buyers (plural) happen to be everyone BUT the reimbursed.
Also, on one of these nights, I've been approached by an individual to leave the company to join a new Hagwan. The catch here is that the particular individual was precisely the person who, on my very first day, told me the biggest mistake I could make was merely associate myself with another foreign teacher not from Leadingtown (it was only insinuated what would happen if I were to consider leaving).
In my brief time, I've already seen a few victims of these circumstances. Chelsea (the woman without a definite title), Emma, Sunny, Sue, Oprah, and ??? have all either left or expressed their desire to do so. Who knows how far the collateral damage will spread.
The list could continue, but you get the picture. And ultimately, I DO realize things could be worse. I realize that I have been getting some preferential treatment for some reason (for example: I have a 4 less class sessions per week than other foreign teachers, I get to teach the more advanced classes, I haven't been approached for accidentally breaking the dress code, etc.)...I have my suspicions as to why, but that's another story. And after all, much of stress is relegated to Korean-only conversations and closed-door meetings. But, I sometimes just feel like saying, "YOU'RE JUST MAKING IT WORSE!" :) It's like I'm standing in front of Leni and Christine Wolf all over again; I can't help but wonder if they are talking about me.
the math
As of the 5th, the won traded at 1,475.75/dollar, according to Seoul Money Brokerage Services Ltd. It translates like this:
100 cents
-------------- = .067762
1,475.75 won
That means, for every 1000 won made here, we make around 68 cents. This is absolutely crazy considering that only four months ago, 1,000W gave you $1.
So, the 2,300,000W/month that was promised turns into approximately, 1,800,000W, after taxes and other expenses are taken out. This is equivalent to around 139716 pennies a month, or $1,397.16.
At the moment, it is safe to say she works 50 hours/week.
On average, each month has around 21 working days. (10 hours/week X 21 = 210 hours/month)
$1,397.16
------------ = $6.65/hour
210 hours
In The Next Issue:
-The Upside of Work
-Thanks for Sharing: Holidays with the Fam!
Sunday, November 30, 2008
More Firsts
...my thoughts go out to "2 fiances" and "brother tom"...
Like the phrase goes, "if you spend all your time cleaning before company comes, you'll have nothing to talk about with the company." I'll just have to settle for the highlights. This may be a cop-out for inefficiency.
Maybe when I finally start getting up a bit earlier, which I might be doing to start lap swimming with some co-workers and/or take language lessons, I'll be better at updating...
FIRST #1:
Last week, I had my first Korean-exclusive lunch at work. Though there is no specified time to break for lunch at my current place of employment, I managed to during the same time as some of the natives. I enjoy a good reminder of western culture and thought, don't get me wrong, but it was actually kind of a relief to experience Korea without having the constant reminder of my "yellow outsides and cream filling." Nor was I having to view my homeland within relative scope of my family--I must say again, my family here has more than gone out of its way to make sure I'm comfortable here, but--it was nice to be a free bird in the wild, at least for a spell.
FIRST #2:
The train of premiers kept rolling last Friday as I was able to do a 'lil socializing, post office hours, with "my people." I was fully indoctrinated in the art of soju, while simultaneously experiencing Japanese seafood pizza and the functions of my new phone. Good times indeed. And as I sat battling, archaically, to converse with some of the lesser-versed-in-English, I was overcome with the desire to REALLY learn Korean. Guilt, whom I often blame for many of my decisions or perceptions, has ironically been a back seat driver thus far in Korea. If I'm going to mingle with the Koreans, the least I could do is speak their language. The ease by which I've led my life so far in Korea has blinded me from truly pursuing the language that's eluded me for so many years. Being the spoiled baby isn't as glamorous as it always seems...
FIRST #3: ...taking that first step in testing my amateur Korean in the real world came with a price tag...a price tag named embarrassment. After FIRST # 2.5 (meeting another westerner besides my co-workers in suburban Byeongjeom), I went to a health club a few blocks from my studio, in the hopes of gaining a point of comparison with other places; a girl from work wanted me to buy her old membership from another gym near my school in Dongtan. And, though that place had some pretty neat distractions (in the form of video golf and numerous TVs), the thought of having to get all suit-and-tied at a gym wasn't very appealing.
After struggling through an Korean/English tour of the gym's offerings, I was satisfied and ready to sign a 6 month contract. I was a little too confident in my understanding of Korean, and unfortunately, thought that I caught the gist of the man pointing upstairs and muttering something in hangul. Assuming that I was to look at the locker rooms, I casually began to saunter my way up the 12-foot wide stair well. For a moment, I heard voices yelling, but thought nothing of it until it dawned on me that I was 2.2 from entering a world of nakee. Whoops! Talk about an introduction to Korean women!
...Consequently, though I had planned on cooling off my Korean in hopes of preventing potential scandalousness, I somehow managed to gather enough courage to "help" Molly pick up a few essentials later this last weekend. And, though my skills didn't serve the intended purpose, we shared some laughs; embarrassment doesn't sting nearly as bad when you're not going it alone.
===============================================================
While the economy worsens almost daily here, and the money I'm earning may not cover my debts in the US, there are a few upsides:
I hear dental work is extremely cheap! Matthew teacher has already taken advantage of this phenomena. He was just finishing treatments on his fifth root canal this weekend, which he paid a fraction of what the American procedure would've cost.
Also, glasses aren't too expensive either...I may have to get another pair of Asian glasses before I leave!
===============================================================
Slightly random: With the right marketing, I think this candy bar has American-Bar-Crowd-Success written all over it. What better way to wash down that late night Perkins, Silver Mine, or Micky D's with...
I'm thinking that, now, a weekly meeting will probably be more realistic. This last weekend was another good one (more shopping and exploring)...
a group of performers in Insadong--performing a Fr. John Drummy favorite: "Battle Hymn of the Republic"
view from the top of Choo-Yun's Office-Tel (apartment/shopping center)
...I've come to the conclusion that if I were to express all of my thoughts, unworthy of sharing as some of them are, via weblog, I would have less time to actually experience them as opposed to writing about them.
a group of performers in Insadong--performing a Fr. John Drummy favorite: "Battle Hymn of the Republic"
view from the top of Choo-Yun's Office-Tel (apartment/shopping center)...I've come to the conclusion that if I were to express all of my thoughts, unworthy of sharing as some of them are, via weblog, I would have less time to actually experience them as opposed to writing about them.
Like the phrase goes, "if you spend all your time cleaning before company comes, you'll have nothing to talk about with the company." I'll just have to settle for the highlights. This may be a cop-out for inefficiency.Maybe when I finally start getting up a bit earlier, which I might be doing to start lap swimming with some co-workers and/or take language lessons, I'll be better at updating...
FIRST #1:
Last week, I had my first Korean-exclusive lunch at work. Though there is no specified time to break for lunch at my current place of employment, I managed to during the same time as some of the natives. I enjoy a good reminder of western culture and thought, don't get me wrong, but it was actually kind of a relief to experience Korea without having the constant reminder of my "yellow outsides and cream filling." Nor was I having to view my homeland within relative scope of my family--I must say again, my family here has more than gone out of its way to make sure I'm comfortable here, but--it was nice to be a free bird in the wild, at least for a spell.
FIRST #2:
The train of premiers kept rolling last Friday as I was able to do a 'lil socializing, post office hours, with "my people." I was fully indoctrinated in the art of soju, while simultaneously experiencing Japanese seafood pizza and the functions of my new phone. Good times indeed. And as I sat battling, archaically, to converse with some of the lesser-versed-in-English, I was overcome with the desire to REALLY learn Korean. Guilt, whom I often blame for many of my decisions or perceptions, has ironically been a back seat driver thus far in Korea. If I'm going to mingle with the Koreans, the least I could do is speak their language. The ease by which I've led my life so far in Korea has blinded me from truly pursuing the language that's eluded me for so many years. Being the spoiled baby isn't as glamorous as it always seems...
FIRST #3: ...taking that first step in testing my amateur Korean in the real world came with a price tag...a price tag named embarrassment. After FIRST # 2.5 (meeting another westerner besides my co-workers in suburban Byeongjeom), I went to a health club a few blocks from my studio, in the hopes of gaining a point of comparison with other places; a girl from work wanted me to buy her old membership from another gym near my school in Dongtan. And, though that place had some pretty neat distractions (in the form of video golf and numerous TVs), the thought of having to get all suit-and-tied at a gym wasn't very appealing.
After struggling through an Korean/English tour of the gym's offerings, I was satisfied and ready to sign a 6 month contract. I was a little too confident in my understanding of Korean, and unfortunately, thought that I caught the gist of the man pointing upstairs and muttering something in hangul. Assuming that I was to look at the locker rooms, I casually began to saunter my way up the 12-foot wide stair well. For a moment, I heard voices yelling, but thought nothing of it until it dawned on me that I was 2.2 from entering a world of nakee. Whoops! Talk about an introduction to Korean women!
...Consequently, though I had planned on cooling off my Korean in hopes of preventing potential scandalousness, I somehow managed to gather enough courage to "help" Molly pick up a few essentials later this last weekend. And, though my skills didn't serve the intended purpose, we shared some laughs; embarrassment doesn't sting nearly as bad when you're not going it alone.
===============================================================
While the economy worsens almost daily here, and the money I'm earning may not cover my debts in the US, there are a few upsides:
I hear dental work is extremely cheap! Matthew teacher has already taken advantage of this phenomena. He was just finishing treatments on his fifth root canal this weekend, which he paid a fraction of what the American procedure would've cost.
Also, glasses aren't too expensive either...I may have to get another pair of Asian glasses before I leave!
===============================================================
Slightly random: With the right marketing, I think this candy bar has American-Bar-Crowd-Success written all over it. What better way to wash down that late night Perkins, Silver Mine, or Micky D's with...
Thursday, November 27, 2008
a dagger to the heart...
beware the fickle heart, the one who haunts at night
it's vessels spread throughout the soul, an ancient naval sight
beware the fickle heart, a cactus tree indeed
for those who oft share their blood, end up left to bleed.
it's vessels spread throughout the soul, an ancient naval sight
beware the fickle heart, a cactus tree indeed
for those who oft share their blood, end up left to bleed.
(the preceding was NOT a poem about the packers radio network)
Monday, November 24, 2008
THE RED FACE
It was another good weekend in the South of Seoul. That is, minus an America's Funniest Home Videos-moment that involved a clock-obsessed brother, a wall, and a dust pan; it is a moment some of you may have been able to view in real-time via the wonders of the webcam. Plus, the Badgers won!
I've just finished reading my Korean-American cohort's blog. Mugs' sister's boyfriend's sibling's child (or the niece of Debbie's BF, for short) just arrived in Korea late last week after a journey that led her further down the path of jet-lagged-ness. After intermittent messaging over the past few months, we were finally able to meet face-to-face. For a much better account of Saturday's events, check out Molly's public prose at:
http://seiyoung1.blogspot.com/
--I truly share all of the sentiments in this, her latest entry (save for the anxious market experience, which my family's support has saved me from). It's a must read for any patron of P or P and much more interesting and detailed than what I would've written--big thanks to Molly! I apologize for my plagurism, but here is an excerpt which I must share..
"The best part of the trip was our discovery of an outdoor brand called The Redface. Oh yes, it's just a gift wrapped in hilarity. It's obviously ripping off The Northface, but i don't think they get the joke in the translation. Everyone that knows me has experienced my "redface" at one time or another as a result of alcohol consumption. Not all Asians are lucky enough to turn a shade of crimson but many do. Expect some photos of me suited up in some Redface gear...rockin my own "redface" as well...haha."
For some reason, she didn't feel comfortable subjecting herself to an affiliation with the brand just yet, so I did for the sake of all of your enjoyment.
<--- I've been learning a lot in the last few days. While my CC's (as i will, hereafter, refer to my Canadian colleagues) were busy exploring one of Seoul's many gu, or regional areas, I was catching up on a life that I was had been absent for. Saturday night, I was introduced to some new beer accompaniments while I learned some more about the history of the Suh's. The most shocking discovery was that the Korean name I had assumed for twenty-two years was mine, turned out to be the work of the orphanage I called home for a few months before I left for a life of more opportunity. My older sisters originally named me--sounds vaguely familiar don't it?--Sung Jie. Talk about not really knowing yourself.
If turning my world upside down (a bit of a dramatization) wasn't enough, more realizations followed. The social status that I found my family in when I first met them did nothing to unsettle my suspicions that they might have been capable of raising me. But, after learning of their struggles after I was gone, that feeling was more or less laid to rest.
Work ethic must not translate very directly between the western world and Korea. And I'm not speaking only for the slower-paced midwest US; the CC's and my "Carolinan...carolinanite" can back me up when I say that the definition is fairly different between two places for a majority of the population (I, by no means, intend to discredit the blood, sweat, and tears exhausted by many people close to me in the US--actually, the following sounds a lot like my family back home). Hae mi, for example, started saving money for her education at a young age. And when I say education, I'm not talking about the 500-seat lecture-halled institutions of higher learning...I'm talking about middle school!
(Most Korean elementary school students are at school ALL fricking day long, forgoing the hours of cartoon watching for a strict diet of school, school, and school. School can come in the form of an English academy [i.e. a hagwon like mine], a martial arts school, daily [as opposed to weekly] music lessons, Math School, Science School...you get the picture)
I have been asking many of my Korean co-workers what kind of after school-school they attended, and when posed with the same question, my sister sat quietly ashamed. Her thirst for knowledge is evidenced when I look at her book shelf filled with English books, a language she had never been able to afford classes for.
And, When I told her that I had been working since age 14 to fund my obsession with music and eventually offset a portion of the costs incurred from a college education, she told me the stories of La Go and Hye-Il. The 2nd and 4th oldest sons of my parents (for whom I don't have names for yet) didn't finish high school in hopes of maybe working, in a different approach, to eventually achieve a life of comfort or affluence. I would guess that their motivation was this: to leave a home where the man of the house--a man that was no more than a few years their senior--could not afford to provide rooms for everyone. La Go (whose name I learned literally means, "stand up", a distinction that they all seem to seem proud of), left before high school even began to begin making money. He was using his "weekend time" when he came to see me Sunday night after working 6 hours on Sunday. Hae-il, whose recent success as a music/movie producer came after years of jumping jobs, didn't even BEGIN middle school. My 12 different jobs seemed like child's play in contrast to the dozens of positions these two men have held.
Morever, this knowledge came while I already knew of Sunjin's absolutely insane work hours (8 am to 1 am, 6 days/week), and Sunjae's (8 am to 10pm, 6 days/week). It seems that the recent teetering economy Korea has seen can't be blamed on a lack of effort...I could go on, but I've belabored the point enough.
I'm tired...potential topics to follow:
-koreans' fascination with obama
-my first lunch with the koreans (at work)
-"hey look! a white guy! and, my embarrasing gym experience
-(proposed) teaching
-more sibling similarities
-the story of the clock
I've just finished reading my Korean-American cohort's blog. Mugs' sister's boyfriend's sibling's child (or the niece of Debbie's BF, for short) just arrived in Korea late last week after a journey that led her further down the path of jet-lagged-ness. After intermittent messaging over the past few months, we were finally able to meet face-to-face. For a much better account of Saturday's events, check out Molly's public prose at:
http://seiyoung1.blogspot.com/
--I truly share all of the sentiments in this, her latest entry (save for the anxious market experience, which my family's support has saved me from). It's a must read for any patron of P or P and much more interesting and detailed than what I would've written--big thanks to Molly! I apologize for my plagurism, but here is an excerpt which I must share..
"The best part of the trip was our discovery of an outdoor brand called The Redface. Oh yes, it's just a gift wrapped in hilarity. It's obviously ripping off The Northface, but i don't think they get the joke in the translation. Everyone that knows me has experienced my "redface" at one time or another as a result of alcohol consumption. Not all Asians are lucky enough to turn a shade of crimson but many do. Expect some photos of me suited up in some Redface gear...rockin my own "redface" as well...haha."
For some reason, she didn't feel comfortable subjecting herself to an affiliation with the brand just yet, so I did for the sake of all of your enjoyment.<--- I've been learning a lot in the last few days. While my CC's (as i will, hereafter, refer to my Canadian colleagues) were busy exploring one of Seoul's many gu, or regional areas, I was catching up on a life that I was had been absent for. Saturday night, I was introduced to some new beer accompaniments while I learned some more about the history of the Suh's. The most shocking discovery was that the Korean name I had assumed for twenty-two years was mine, turned out to be the work of the orphanage I called home for a few months before I left for a life of more opportunity. My older sisters originally named me--sounds vaguely familiar don't it?--Sung Jie. Talk about not really knowing yourself.
If turning my world upside down (a bit of a dramatization) wasn't enough, more realizations followed. The social status that I found my family in when I first met them did nothing to unsettle my suspicions that they might have been capable of raising me. But, after learning of their struggles after I was gone, that feeling was more or less laid to rest.
Work ethic must not translate very directly between the western world and Korea. And I'm not speaking only for the slower-paced midwest US; the CC's and my "Carolinan...carolinanite" can back me up when I say that the definition is fairly different between two places for a majority of the population (I, by no means, intend to discredit the blood, sweat, and tears exhausted by many people close to me in the US--actually, the following sounds a lot like my family back home). Hae mi, for example, started saving money for her education at a young age. And when I say education, I'm not talking about the 500-seat lecture-halled institutions of higher learning...I'm talking about middle school!
(Most Korean elementary school students are at school ALL fricking day long, forgoing the hours of cartoon watching for a strict diet of school, school, and school. School can come in the form of an English academy [i.e. a hagwon like mine], a martial arts school, daily [as opposed to weekly] music lessons, Math School, Science School...you get the picture)
I have been asking many of my Korean co-workers what kind of after school-school they attended, and when posed with the same question, my sister sat quietly ashamed. Her thirst for knowledge is evidenced when I look at her book shelf filled with English books, a language she had never been able to afford classes for.
And, When I told her that I had been working since age 14 to fund my obsession with music and eventually offset a portion of the costs incurred from a college education, she told me the stories of La Go and Hye-Il. The 2nd and 4th oldest sons of my parents (for whom I don't have names for yet) didn't finish high school in hopes of maybe working, in a different approach, to eventually achieve a life of comfort or affluence. I would guess that their motivation was this: to leave a home where the man of the house--a man that was no more than a few years their senior--could not afford to provide rooms for everyone. La Go (whose name I learned literally means, "stand up", a distinction that they all seem to seem proud of), left before high school even began to begin making money. He was using his "weekend time" when he came to see me Sunday night after working 6 hours on Sunday. Hae-il, whose recent success as a music/movie producer came after years of jumping jobs, didn't even BEGIN middle school. My 12 different jobs seemed like child's play in contrast to the dozens of positions these two men have held.
Morever, this knowledge came while I already knew of Sunjin's absolutely insane work hours (8 am to 1 am, 6 days/week), and Sunjae's (8 am to 10pm, 6 days/week). It seems that the recent teetering economy Korea has seen can't be blamed on a lack of effort...I could go on, but I've belabored the point enough.
I'm tired...potential topics to follow:
-koreans' fascination with obama
-my first lunch with the koreans (at work)
-"hey look! a white guy! and, my embarrasing gym experience
-(proposed) teaching
-more sibling similarities
-the story of the clock
Friday, November 21, 2008
More views from the hood...
오늘 좋아해오 (excuse my korean):
i got a new phone today! my two youngest sibs came over this morning and hooked me up with a phone. not gonna lie, it's pretty bombalish. its a: touch screen, video phone, cable tv (yeah, i know...it's pretty ridiculous, right?), internet machine, refrigerator, and 2 ton jack all in one. okay, so the last 2 were a bit of an exaggeration, but you get my drift. it is my new favy gadget. now if i could just figure out how to text in hangul...
also, i was given a couple days off the last week of december...yaay! i'll actually get to see one of my super successful sibs for more than a couple days :) the penultimate parslow is coming to visit in t-minus 1 month!
furthermore, i finally found a gym and dry cleaner. after a few mishaps at the local watering hole--none of which, of course, could be attributed to me--the latter is a bit more pressing. however, a gym is equally important, but its much easier to hide my post-athlete bod behind some cleanly pressed threads.
exciting as well, is the possibility of another american teaching at my hagwon. i guess she's also a fellow korean-american uw alumn...what are the chances?
okay...if you haven't noticed by now, i usually don't stick with what i tell you i'm going to cover, that is, if you're keeping track. you can go ahead and call me a future politician ;)
오늘 좋아해오 (excuse my korean):
i got a new phone today! my two youngest sibs came over this morning and hooked me up with a phone. not gonna lie, it's pretty bombalish. its a: touch screen, video phone, cable tv (yeah, i know...it's pretty ridiculous, right?), internet machine, refrigerator, and 2 ton jack all in one. okay, so the last 2 were a bit of an exaggeration, but you get my drift. it is my new favy gadget. now if i could just figure out how to text in hangul...
also, i was given a couple days off the last week of december...yaay! i'll actually get to see one of my super successful sibs for more than a couple days :) the penultimate parslow is coming to visit in t-minus 1 month!
furthermore, i finally found a gym and dry cleaner. after a few mishaps at the local watering hole--none of which, of course, could be attributed to me--the latter is a bit more pressing. however, a gym is equally important, but its much easier to hide my post-athlete bod behind some cleanly pressed threads.
exciting as well, is the possibility of another american teaching at my hagwon. i guess she's also a fellow korean-american uw alumn...what are the chances?
okay...if you haven't noticed by now, i usually don't stick with what i tell you i'm going to cover, that is, if you're keeping track. you can go ahead and call me a future politician ;)
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