Its been awhile...

You know you've been in Korea (or Asia) for awhile when:

You prefer the floor over something cushioned
You are comfortable squatting for long periods of time
You want Korean food more than American food
You wear Jade
You have a fan displayed in your apartment
You're comfortable sitting/standing really really really close to a stranger (sometimes one who even falls asleep on you)
You enjoy eating with chopsticks
You favor kimchi (ok, not really, i still don't like it)
You enjoy eating rice cakes.
You don't mind eating red bean (aka: sneaky bean)

A little Hangul

Ok, Korean language....

Korean language is called hangul.

English sounds to Korean sounds:

F=p

l=r  (these are kind interchangeable)

one of the hardest words to hear a Korean say is "laugh"

it has the l/r and then the gh make an f sound, but in Korean it's a p sound.  Whew.  It took my like ten minutes one time to figure out what a student was asking for.

Today a boy was reading the word "food."
Now say it in your head with a "p" instead of an "f"

Yup, you "pooed" ;)

I couldn't help myself to laughing.  I told the kids what he just said.  Its not as embarrassing as it sounds.  The entire class was laughing, but i think they were laughing more because they're teacher was laughing.
Boy, English is fun!

Snowboarding

This weekend i was so stoked!  I got to go snowboarding.  If the weather is cold, i should be able to go snowboarding.  But most of the time here in Ulsan, its just plain cold and never snows, and if it snows it doesn't snow enough, nor does it stick.  So i finally got to go to a mini mountain about an hour away.  I went with a handful of South Africans and two other Americans.  No one had ever snowboarded or skied before, so i was the only one somewhat prepared.  Most of them did really well and were really excited by their new found passion.  I taught one girl how to snowboard and she picked it up pretty quickly.  

My friend Bernice

I'm so happy!

part of the crew in our ridiculous rented gear

The view from the top

(notice that there is no snow anywhere else)

I love their choice of snowboard gear.  Im a little jealous i don't have any.  I almost wanted to make some new friends.

Yup, im a orange cone.

The place we went was super small, but was just what the doctor ordered.  It was enough to get by.  It was the smallest "resort" I've ever been to and ever seen, but it was still fun to play around for a half day.  I can't wait for real snow and real runs.  California is so good at spoiling me.  ;)

Happy New Year (again) Part 1

Well it was reently the Chinese New Year, which is celebrated in most of Asia.  I'm sure they celebrate is all a little differently.  On Friday our school had our own little celebration.  All the kids wore a hanbok (traditional Korean clothing) and so did the teachers.  And so did i.  My boss has been in ENgland for a couple weeks now and earlier we talked about what i would wear on this day.  My boss said i could wear her hanbok since i don't own one.  So i thought she would forget, but she brought it to the school before she left for Europe.  I was shocked she remembered, she's been so busy.  I remember that she told me how expensive her hanbok was, a grand total or 1 million won.  Which comes out to about $1,000.  Yikes!!!!    It was very beautiful and i felt very honored for her to let my wear something so special.

I've never seen so many colors in clothing that kids go together and then really don't go together, and yet it all looks beautiful.  I don't really understand the thinking behind these color combinations.
Here's some of the fun we had that day!

the beautiful hanbok i got to wear!  So much detail, it was all embroidered.  

 First, we had to learn how to properly bow.  Ask me when I see you and I'll show you.  Its harder than it looks.

Im the one taking the photo in the mirror

more bowing

my favorite thing were the little crowns that the girls wore

(the most pink i think i've ever worn)

the boy in the red is wearing a hanbok like an emperor would wear

The kids came up and bowed, then sat down and they received little money gifts (very common to get this time of year) and the teachers would say something to them.  Probably something like do well in school, eat well... yadda yadda yadda.

the cool kids in the back

receiving the money

we played a game like hacky sac.  it looked like a pom pom, but had a little weight on it with a bell.  I only got three kicks in a row.  its a little challenging in a hanbok

her little shoe kept falling off

Overall it was a fun day that i am really glad i got to participate in.  

The Final Field Trip

Well, this was a couple weeks ago.  The kindergarten had their final field trip that was extra special since they're graduating!  They chose to go sledding.  And they kids asked Joanne, "What about Alissa teacher?  Can she come?"  So, Joanne asked the boss and then me, and thanks to my generous boss i got to go!  I was super excited we were going sledding.  I didn't really have the proper gear so i didn't fly down the mini mountain as many times as i wanted to.  I rather not be wet on a cold day.  Here are some photos from our day:

They are building a CA beach ;)

The smoking section: the small fence really helps.

the place

It was kinda like Six Flags and Disneyland mashed together, but on a smaller scale.

the medium hill, with the big hill in the distance

the baby hill with the roller coasters

Ginny class

After Geyoungju World, we went to a museum that has a lot of the old emperor's things.  We didn't have enough time to really explore the place.

all we ever do is take photos on our field trips,  thats all the parents want

traditional emperor and empress.

Home Sweet Home

Well, i've caught myself a couple times saying, "Im going home now," but i'm really speaking of going to my apt in Korea.  Sometimes i catch myself and other times it just slips out.  Korea does feel like home.  Sometimes, I feel more comfortable in Korea because I know what to expect, even though many times the unexpected still happens.  But I'm sure I'll step back onto the beautiful CA soil and feel right back at home. But for now, I need to remain mentally present (and physically) until my contract is due.  So, back to home.  I realized i never shared my home with you.  So here is the little humble abode (from the outside).

this is the street/ back alley i live on.  This is very typical and safe.  In any other country i'd be a bit skeptical.  

They were doing so remodeling.  You'll see this truck contraption whenever they move someone in or only need to do some construction.  Its pretty cool and a little strange.  

My apt building.  My window faces the other side.  I get great sunrises and nice light all day, but i'm never home much to enjoy it.  

Its really crazy to see these trucks like 20 stories high.  

We have a door code and have to push some buttons to be let in.

 And another door code to get into my apt.  Which means, i don't have any keys.  Nice-uh!  Which also means, i won't loose any keys ;)

What it really looks like.

This is on the inside of my door.  You can't just turn the knob to open the door when you want to go out.  You have to push a button and then the door unlocks and then you can open the door.  It was a little weird to get used to.  Most of Korea you have to push a button to unlock the door.  And if its a business/restaurant the door is usually all glass and very clean.  Surprisingly, I haven't walked into one yet.  :)

Child at Heart

In Korea you never have to grow up

Who wouldn't want polar bear mittens with hearts?

Angry birds anyone?

And if none of these strike your fancy there are plenty of bows and flowers to tie back you hair with.  Sometimes i forget i recently turned 25, i still think I'm 7. :)