June 21-25: It was my second week of school. Because of last week's schedule changes, I had yet to meet three of my classes. The week overall went well. It is still hard to decide whether the students are being unmotivated or simply do not understand me. I think the latter occurs more frequently. The students are very familar with "ok" and "yes." So, while those of us who understand the English lesson would say "yes" or "ok" if we understood. My students think that since this is the appropriate response in a conversation, they should say it repeatedly even if they have no clue what I have just explained. So while I stand up there teaching the lesson, I either hear an echo of every word I say or "ok ok ok teacher" "yes yes yes teacher." Being the rookie that I am, I took this to mean that they understood, and I could pass out the in class work. After this, out of 35 students, there a typically 4-6 students doing the work I handed out, 8-10 doing work for other classes, and the remainder are reading comics, pulling eachother's leg hairs out with tweezers, admiring their reflection in the mirror, recurling their bangs, talking and laughing with others, or hitting the student (who is always their friend) who is sitting next to them. Ay Ay Ay ! We had a discussion regarding the use of "ok" and "yes" in my class, but I am sure that was lost in translation as well! I have one 3rd grade class with a student who speaks fluent English, so she always translates for me. Apparently, this would be the role of a co-teacher..... if I had one.
One of my third grade classes was new to me this week. I answered the standard questions. Do you have a boyfriend? When I answer they cover their mouths and say ahhh! The second question is older or younger? Well this response is most likely the funniest, the fact that I have a younger boyfriend, apparently makes me extra "sexy" Next, what color are your eyes? When I show them that I have blue eyes, they are insistent that I have lenses. (contacts) SO then I have to proof to them that indeed I have no lenses. Many of the girls have blue lenses, which is so funny, because the brown shows right through them. But, I understand during high school I got brown contacts, and the blue of my eyes was much larger so I had brown eyes with blue around them! I'm sure at the time I thought it was really cool. However, this class decided to also ask me....My chest size! I blushed and walked to the front of the classroom, and began to teach the lesson. Lesson number possibly four or five, Korean middle school girls always say what is on their minds.
Before I left a very intelligent friend of mine (Lee-Ann) told me that you can always tell people about your travels and show them pictures, but you can never share the sounds, smells, and tastes. She is so insightful! So I thought that although I can not let you experience such things first hand, I would attempt to describe them in writing.
First we will start with the sounds. On my walks to and from school in the morning, the usual sounds are cars honking and children talking as they walk or run to school. As I am walking up the steps to my school, there are usually at least three voices yelling "hello Lin-ji." The girls have a difficult time getting their mouths to form the sound of Lin-z, so my Korean name is Lin-ji. I can empathize, because I fail getting my mouth to correctly articulate their names. When English speakers talk, our mouths tend to open fairly wide and words carry out for a longer period of time. When Koreans speak it seems to come through clenched teeth and every syllable/word is short and precise. So when I try to pronounce their names it turns into a sing-song instead of a very short and precise name. I am also aware that my voice is much slower than the typical English speaker. (thank you sorority sister who so "nicely" pointed that out one night and Osgood for catering to such slow talking) On with the purpose of this paragraph, during passing periods which are ten minutes long, it is sheer and utter chaos. Girls are running, skipping, yelling, and singing down the halls. These sounds can also be heard in Lin-ji's class. These sounds are NOT heard in other classes, I have walked around during my free periods, and it is silent!
A few days this week, I decided to listen to my headphones on the walk to and from work. This was actually really interresting experience, because I am always trying to listen so intently on conversations (of which I may catch one word) and miss out on the gestures and body language. While, waiting to cross the street I was able to understand the relationships of the people around me. A mom was explaining to her son (who was probably six) how to get to school every day and which route to take. Korean children are much more independent than children in the US. Two little girls were flirting with a little boy. The only way children know how to flirt pointing and laughing and then the boy gave the girls the finger.
On to the smells of Mokpo. Depending what day it is, upon leaving my apartment my nose is assaulted with the smell of garbage. In Korea, you pile your trash up, maybe in certain areas or maybe it is random I have not decided yet. The trash is just in bags so the smells seep out into the streets. It also is rainy seaon which aids in the dispersion of the raunchy gargage scent.
The smells at lunch are always a nice reprieve. In my opinion, it is typically a spicey aroma. I do not have many smell observations, I will continue to sniff out more to share.
Finally the tastes of Mokpo. Every day at lunch, is a new adventure for my palate. Chef Travy is very jealous, that everyday I eat an authentic Korean lunch for free :) So far I have had so many different dishes. Many of the soups have a fishy taste to them, and I am not all that crazy about them. The first day we had a pork tenderloin, it was very tasty. The kimchi, which I eat daily, is a spicey cabbage. I really like it, however at some of the restaurants it tastes a little different. The fish is served with scales and bones, you do not eat them, but you have to pick at it, so I avoid fish as well. The other meats pork and beef are usually smokey tasting and are usually good. Unfortunately for me, chicken is not a huge deal at our school or the smaller restaurants. There are numerous chicken and beer joints. Trav and I ate at one last Sunday, and it was a honey barbeque flavored. It was good, probably my fave thus far in regards to eating out. The school has had several delicous dishes.
I am aware that I have neglected the senses of sight and touch. When we get the internet, you can share in the sights as we will be able to post pictures. As far as feels, I assume that Korean people feel the same as all other humans (oh Karol with a K) do, and I am not going to rub on them to test this assumption. I have not felt any other textures that need to be explained, but if I come across some, I will let you know!
Ok well my fingers say it is quitting time! I received my alien card Friday, will be getting paid on Monday, and hopefully Trav and I will be able to get internet in our apt and cellphones! Also next week Tuesday through Friday is test week, so I only have to go to school in the mornings! Yay for me! I will have many more adventures to post next week as well as a special entry "ATW" or "Across the World" aspects of life that are both in the US and Korea. This will mostly be a light hearted sarcastic list, so fair warning do not be suprised or insulted, afterall this is the UNEDITED VERSION!
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