Korean miscommunications, kindnesses, customs, and regifting

On Friday, I was asked to go on a picnic with two classes and a few teachers. Miscommunication (1), picnic meant field trip and some light hiking. I dressed in leggings, a dress, and boots, at least I opted for the ones without a heel.
Before, I walked over to a little store to grab some cookies. I'm always without gifts, and I needed some for Mrs. Kim, who was picking me up. Miscommuncation (2), I was told Mrs. Kim would be picking me up; she was outside on the bench waiting so we could get a taxi together. Kindness (1), they had arranged for her to meet me to ensure that I arrived at the right meeting location. Kindess (2), Mrs. Kim gave me three tangerines. Korean custom (1), a gift is received and then it is often expected that a gift should be given in return. I got out my cookies and handed Mrs. Kim one and also Mrs. Cheung one. Korean custom (2), it is often considered rude if a gift is given to one person while in the presence of another, if there is no gift for the other. ReGifting (1),Mrs Cheung offered me one of the tangerines that Mrs Kim had just handed her. I said, "no thank you." I already had three! So then she offers me a drink, that she had just "asked" a student to give her. I said "no thank you" again, I mean she had just gotten it, so obviously she wanted it. She stopped after that offer, and I'm sure I offended her, but I didn't expect a gift in return, I'm not Korean!
We went to several cultural sights around Mokpo. It was interesting, and I forgot my camera, which is not suprising at this point. eh? (i'm saying eh? these days thanks to my Canadian friends) There were not many postings in English, so Mrs. Cheung explained me the significance to Korean history and culture of each place. Koreans are very proud of their culture, but not always of their history. Koreans had to fight for their independence as a country, and Mrs. Cheung informed me "they are very embarrassed" of the period when Japan controlled their country. I don't know that our definition of embarassed fits the Koreans' feelings the best, but this was the word she chose to describe their feelings. She would often explain an aspect of their culture and say much nicer than (insert either Chinese or Japanese here). Then she would look at me awaiting my reassurance that yes this is true. So, I did what any good Korean woman does, and smiled and went along with her without questioning. (insert a little sarcasm here)
We stopped in a Korean traditional house, that was functioning as a tea room/gift store, and had cold tea made from pine trees. It was incredibly sweet, and I enjoyed it. One of the male teachers was with us, and he had Mrs. Cheung translate about the medicinal qualities of the tea, it is apparently good for blood circulation. I was informed he is known as 'king of the island" that he lives on. He owns a large amount of land and farms along with teaching 6 days a week. I'm hoping to accompany him to his island someday! Kindness (3), Mrs. Kim bought me a lovely gift from the store. I hope my korean thank you, smile, and "you are very kind" was enough for a thank you, because I was out of cookies :/
At lunchtime, the teachers had brought all types of food to share. Therefore, stating a "picnic" was partially true. Fail (4,786), I had not thought to bring food specifically for lunch. During the course of lunch, students kept coming over to plead for some of the teachers' food. The teachers kept "shooing" them away. Sidenote: how Koreans stay thin, I don't know. The girls had been snacking on junk food the entire day, and ate so much food at lunch. Finally, a student brought over a tangerine for the male teacher, so he in turn gave her kimbap, and off she went to the dismay of all the other students. Regifting (2), the teacher handed to me and said "from Jeju." After all the endless eating, I could not stomach another bite. I had attempted to stop 5 bites ago, and had been shoved more chopsticks in my hand and urged to continue. Regifting (2.5) Mrs. Cheung took the tangerine from the table. Regifting (3), Mrs. Cheung gave the tangerine to a student.
I napped on the ride home, and was home by 2pm. I also was paid 20,000 won to go on a picnic with free lunch, entertaing students, kind teachers, and my regular day's pay. My life in Korea is one mess of miscommunications, kindnesses, customs, and regifting....and I love it :)

My New Home

Pictures taken by Travis Tanner Urban on last week's hike of Yudal.


Tomorrow, I will have been living in Korea for exactly 4 months. In the past few weeks, I have started to finally grasp that this is my new home. It's not a vacation or a short term placement. I am a resident of Mokpo, South Korea. Mokpo is a small (260,000 people) city in the southern part of Korea. Along with the realization that this is my home, I have also adopted an appreciation for Mokpo. It isnt a bustling metropolis and there aren't many western comforts to be found, but its beauty and delicious food far outweigh those absent aspects.

This weekend was full of random activities adventures and great people. Friday night, Carla, Joe, Travis, and I went out to dinner at a place called the Drunken Chicken. These types of restaraunts are everywhere and serve chicken and beer. We attempted and "succeeded" in ordering our meal. Carla and Joe ended up getting two huge chicken dishes instead of one. The older man, who appeared to be the owner, was a little upset that we didnt speak Korean. On a side note, four months and I still only know about 10 words. I need to stop saying that I am going to learn and just do it. (nike style) He used his cellphone translations to ask if we were full or if we wanted more. He did know the word "cocktail" but then again, maybe thats important English for his position at the Drunken Chicken. I wish that I would have gotten a picture of their logo. It was two chicken sitting at a table, one handing the other a shot glass of (undoubtedly) soju and both looking a little inebriated. Hilarious! Koreans also never split a bill, either the person who did the inviting or the eldest pays for the bill. They must think we are so strange trying to calculate who owes what at the register.

Saturday, Carla, Joe, Travis, and I hiked Yudalsan, san meaning mountain. The view on top of Yudal makes me appreciate Mokpo's beauty every time. (Ok, ok, ok, maybe not the first time, but I was out of shape and dripping sweat when we reached the top, whilst Korean women were in high heeels and full makeup.) Trav and I have prob hiked it about 5-10 times, and most times we take a different path with different scenery.



After ourt hike, I went to my friend Kate's and we baked...oh how I miss baking. Trav and I do not have an oven. Ovens in Korea are about the size of a Easy Bake Oven. We went to dinner at a Korean bbq, where you prepare your own meat and wrap it and your veggies and rice in a lettuce leaf. It is sooo amazing and so cheap about 5,000 won or about 4 US dollars.
After dinner, we met up with more friends at a free concert in Peace Park. Peace Park is a boardwalk located in new downtown Hadang. They have free concerts quite often and its just another wonderful aspect of Korea. There are many performers, most of them are old with silly backup dancers. My friend Erin performed almost all the moves for me, because I forgot my glasses and couldn't see the ridiculousness in all its glory. At the end, there were two K-pop groups. One performer rapped and we decided she was similar to Eve or Little Kim. I am quite positive her lyrics weren't as scandalous, but then again, I don't understand a lot of Korean. :( The final act was U-Kiss a group of about 6-8 Korean boys doing sychronized dance moves with the occasional blurp of English, which was well of course like all K-pop....EPIC.
We ended the night at a place called Joki Joki. Kate's boyfriend read our palms. Young Tae is Korean, and his English is really good, as good if not better than the Korean English teachers at my school. His personality is amazing, he is absolutely hysterical. He said, "oh, you many personalities" and then went on to say "I want this, ok no I want this, or maybe I want this, you never make decisions." At first, I thought maybe I should discuss treatment with Keith, who was a previously a psychiatric nurse at a facility in London (how amazingly interesting is that?!) for multiple personality disorder ;) but the translation was that I can never decide and want a million different things. So true. I will have three men in my life, sorry Travis things aren't looking so great for you, kiddo. Most importantly. I will only live to "hmmmm about 55." "Hands...hands are very bad, but mine (his) are terrible." Great finish to a great night.

Sunday, was a day of getting up late, grocery shopping, napping, and Kelly, Travis, and me are headed to Ti Amo later for gelato. Perfect end to a perfect weekend.

I'm loving Korea, if you can't tell. It's been such a journey in the last four months, excited about what the next eight will have to offer.

I hope you enjoy the new layout, and I am attempting to shorten my entries, so they are not novels. (obv FAIL) Also, I will be adding pictures courtesy of Travis Tanner. I really need to start taking my own, it really makes a blog so much better. (obv FAIL, again)

Hope your weekend was also full of random exciting adventures.

OH KOREA

It has been exactly two months since I last posted, WHOOPS! I have been reminded (harassed) by my one faithful reader (my mom) for the past few months to update. SO here goes, first of all I was going to try and review the last two months but that IS impossible. So if you want to hear about my trip to China, you will have to just ask.

Major updates: My friend Chelsea's contract has ended and she has gone to live on the island with her boyfriend for a few months before heading back to Canada. Chelsea and I would hang out sometimes in the "women's lounge" of her school and vent about our students/staff. The women's lounge is an area where the women staff can go eat or take a nap. For the men it is acceptable to sleep in their chair in the teacher's room, but women must go to this room to take a nap. OH KOREA!

Carla from California is her replacement and now I have a lunch date :) Its nice to have someone to chat with over lunch. Both of our staffs asked the first day if we had brought a friend to lunch. OH KOREA!

One of my assignments involved the students writing about their future dreams whether it be a career or travel. I was checking papers, and one students wrote "wants to mate" She isn't a student who typically gives me a hard time, and she also has limited English knowledge. So I said "man" "woman" (using my hands combined the two) and said "baby." She started to giggle and said "teacher, no!" Further discussion, it turns out she wants to work on a ship. So we changed it to "wants to be a mate on a ship." OH KOREA!

Koreans never do/plan anything in advance.

A few weeks ago, a teacher walked into my room five minutes into my class and say "Lin-Ji, I need your room, go." I am expected to pack up all my stuff and my students and go to another room, because the air conditioning is out in the English building. (which my classes are not in)

Today, a teacher walked in to tell me that tomorrow she would be taking my picture for the school pamphlet.

Translation: A korean teacher's comfort is more important than the students English education. More important than that is my appearance in the school's pamphlet.

OH KOREA!

Besides all the culture differences, I do enjoy my life in Korea. I have so much less stress than in the US. Life is more affordable. When I go home from work, I don't obsess over my clients/students well being. When the students/staff say rude things to me, I can't understand them.

OH KOREA ! Thank you, you are just what I need at this point in my life :)

Are you where you need to be in your life right now?

If not, then do something about it!