by-mR
I am opening up this post to your thoughts on these two topics:
Obama's first 100 days in office - as good as the libs say or as bad as the right says?
Just how bad is this "swine-flu"?
We have not been home these past months, and the US media does not penetrate quite this far, unless you seek them out. We trust you more anyway.
Seriously. Click on that blue comment link just below - write us!
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Needles in 3rd grade??
-by Micah-
It just fit in so well with yesterday's lesson about safety, I just had to show you this:
It just fit in so well with yesterday's lesson about safety, I just had to show you this:
Yes laddies and gentlemen, that is a 3rd grader coloring - and if you look close enough you will see that the blue item is a syringe with a needle, injecting the umbrella; an umbrella that this little girl so aptly colored a psychedelic rainbow of colors.
Apathy toward fires and now narcotics usage...
Just what ARE the Koreans teaching their children??
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Fire!
-by Micah-
As I was diligently putting together a surprise test for my after-school-class, contemplating the creation of another blog, (too much complaining about the lack of blogging – would you rather be inundated with posts?) what sounded to be a type of fire alarm goes off in the school; echoing off every wall, vibrating every crack in the plaster, ringing in the ears of everyone within a three block radius. (Howda ya like that Steph?)
Actually I was half way to the restroom when the shrill, pre-recorded blaring started. “To brave being locked in a stall as the firemen barge in, kicking down the door, or not to? That is the question. Just how bad do ya have to go son?”
Western instinct kicked in, so I calmly waked back to retrieve the bare-essentials, thinking I might spend some time across the block, as in any good fire-drill/scare. Kids were screaming as they ran in and out of classrooms, some hastily packing their school supplies into little backpacks, some just screaming because it was the fun thing to do. The teachers were all standing around, hands in pockets - looking puzzled as if they had never heard a fire-alarm before.
This went on for some minutes, compelling me to ask one of the few “English speaking” teachers if this was indeed a fire-alarm.
“Yes, we not know what we do…” her voice trailing off as she gazed down the hall at other teaches who were also looking clueless.
Well if they are all unconcerned I am going to the bathroom, dang-it.
It stopped just as suddenly as it started – classes commenced, no one had left the building, no firemen made an appearance, no one said anything further.
Now, I understand that Korea (and almost any other country in the word for that matter) is not as litigious as American. This is why they don’t bother to mark construction sights, they leave objects protruding from the ground in public places, some “aesthetically pleasing” structures are more of a hazard than pleasing.
But a fire-alarm in an elementary school! The contrast between today’s experience and my highschool fire-drills is staggering. “Don’t worry kids. We’ll be fine – keep studying till you can feel the heat on your face. We’re not leaving till the flames are licking the classroom door!”
Today’s lesson: study > safety
Actually I was half way to the restroom when the shrill, pre-recorded blaring started. “To brave being locked in a stall as the firemen barge in, kicking down the door, or not to? That is the question. Just how bad do ya have to go son?”
Western instinct kicked in, so I calmly waked back to retrieve the bare-essentials, thinking I might spend some time across the block, as in any good fire-drill/scare. Kids were screaming as they ran in and out of classrooms, some hastily packing their school supplies into little backpacks, some just screaming because it was the fun thing to do. The teachers were all standing around, hands in pockets - looking puzzled as if they had never heard a fire-alarm before.
This went on for some minutes, compelling me to ask one of the few “English speaking” teachers if this was indeed a fire-alarm.
“Yes, we not know what we do…” her voice trailing off as she gazed down the hall at other teaches who were also looking clueless.
Well if they are all unconcerned I am going to the bathroom, dang-it.
It stopped just as suddenly as it started – classes commenced, no one had left the building, no firemen made an appearance, no one said anything further.
Now, I understand that Korea (and almost any other country in the word for that matter) is not as litigious as American. This is why they don’t bother to mark construction sights, they leave objects protruding from the ground in public places, some “aesthetically pleasing” structures are more of a hazard than pleasing.
But a fire-alarm in an elementary school! The contrast between today’s experience and my highschool fire-drills is staggering. “Don’t worry kids. We’ll be fine – keep studying till you can feel the heat on your face. We’re not leaving till the flames are licking the classroom door!”
Today’s lesson: study > safety
Micah is whining
-by Micah-
I feel like Steph is stealing all my thunder. You know, I only have so many talents of which I can truly call my own. After marrying someone who trumps me in just about every skill, one’s pride takes quite the hit. Which, in humility, I must say is healthy – God opposes the proud right? Well, that’s the last thing I want, God’s opposition. And here I am.
I created the blog, thinking, “Certainly, I will be the majority contributor – the author extraordinaire.” Well that may have been true in the beginning – but those days have past.
Reading the classics is nothing new for her, she polished off War and Peace in a matter of weeks; she actually enjoyed it. I have yet to meet anyone who has both completed the novel and enjoyed it to boot. Here in Korea she took a break with two Grisham novels and then jumped back into the classics with Dickens’ Bleak House (all 997 pgs.) and is now in the midst of Tale of Two Cities.
Nothing wrong with saturating oneself with classic literature, but now she has this idea of incorporating the writing style and, what’s more, the vocabulary of said classics into her blogging. I can’t compete with that!
…I’m gonna have to start my own blog.
I created the blog, thinking, “Certainly, I will be the majority contributor – the author extraordinaire.” Well that may have been true in the beginning – but those days have past.
Reading the classics is nothing new for her, she polished off War and Peace in a matter of weeks; she actually enjoyed it. I have yet to meet anyone who has both completed the novel and enjoyed it to boot. Here in Korea she took a break with two Grisham novels and then jumped back into the classics with Dickens’ Bleak House (all 997 pgs.) and is now in the midst of Tale of Two Cities.
Nothing wrong with saturating oneself with classic literature, but now she has this idea of incorporating the writing style and, what’s more, the vocabulary of said classics into her blogging. I can’t compete with that!
…I’m gonna have to start my own blog.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
When Chickens Attack
By: Steph
By this title, my mom may be transported back to her child hood when a headless chicken chased her around her neighborhood after recently getting its head chopped off. She was 3 and has since been scared to death of flapping creatures. Who could blame her really? This story is not traumatizing like that is, but it reflects the sinister nature of our winged friend’s foray back from the dead to ensnare unwitting travelers into its rigid claws. How can it accomplish this you ask? Well, let me tell you.
A couple weeks back we went out to dinner with my co-teacher and her husband for hot and spicy chicken feet. Yes that’s right, you didn’t misread, chicken feet. They took us to a restaurant renowned throughout Korea for having the spiciest poultry appendage. Before coming to Korea we had heard that Korean food was infamous for being the spiciest in all the world. Up until this time we had remained highly skeptical. But after our chicken feet experience I can say that rumor is probably true and probably originated from this small restaurant in Bucheon.
How this culinary experience works is you put on a plastic glove and stare at the center of the table where lies the decrepit claw of a late chicken. You wait until your Korean friends begin to partake and realize that it is not simply a joke played on foreigners. Then you cautiously pick up your first “beautiful” three-pronged specimen and tear off a bit of the gelatinous spice encrusted sinew. You gnaw on your prey and try to ignore the building fire in your mouth. Eventually it cannot be avoided and you gulp down 5 glasses of water and find what began as a flame is now a bonfire and has not been slackened by copious amounts of water. So you sit crying and laughing and trying to choke down more because the taste is good and the texture interesting but, like the sun, although it has redeeming qualities if you venture too close you die.
I had 3 or 4 chicken feet before I had to surrender to its prowess. I sat back and hoped I could survive the plunder. Micah didn’t do too badly during the meal, but I found out later he only had one chicken foot. Cheater. However I had the upper hand in the morning when he was crying on the john and I had no problems (ok maybe not crying, but very well near it).
It was a really cool culture experience though and I’m really glad we got to partake in it. Not a single foreigner I’ve talked to has ventured to take a dip into this food festivity, and I’m glad that we can say we survived the chicken foot attack of ‘09.
By this title, my mom may be transported back to her child hood when a headless chicken chased her around her neighborhood after recently getting its head chopped off. She was 3 and has since been scared to death of flapping creatures. Who could blame her really? This story is not traumatizing like that is, but it reflects the sinister nature of our winged friend’s foray back from the dead to ensnare unwitting travelers into its rigid claws. How can it accomplish this you ask? Well, let me tell you.
A couple weeks back we went out to dinner with my co-teacher and her husband for hot and spicy chicken feet. Yes that’s right, you didn’t misread, chicken feet. They took us to a restaurant renowned throughout Korea for having the spiciest poultry appendage. Before coming to Korea we had heard that Korean food was infamous for being the spiciest in all the world. Up until this time we had remained highly skeptical. But after our chicken feet experience I can say that rumor is probably true and probably originated from this small restaurant in Bucheon.
How this culinary experience works is you put on a plastic glove and stare at the center of the table where lies the decrepit claw of a late chicken. You wait until your Korean friends begin to partake and realize that it is not simply a joke played on foreigners. Then you cautiously pick up your first “beautiful” three-pronged specimen and tear off a bit of the gelatinous spice encrusted sinew. You gnaw on your prey and try to ignore the building fire in your mouth. Eventually it cannot be avoided and you gulp down 5 glasses of water and find what began as a flame is now a bonfire and has not been slackened by copious amounts of water. So you sit crying and laughing and trying to choke down more because the taste is good and the texture interesting but, like the sun, although it has redeeming qualities if you venture too close you die.
I had 3 or 4 chicken feet before I had to surrender to its prowess. I sat back and hoped I could survive the plunder. Micah didn’t do too badly during the meal, but I found out later he only had one chicken foot. Cheater. However I had the upper hand in the morning when he was crying on the john and I had no problems (ok maybe not crying, but very well near it).
It was a really cool culture experience though and I’m really glad we got to partake in it. Not a single foreigner I’ve talked to has ventured to take a dip into this food festivity, and I’m glad that we can say we survived the chicken foot attack of ‘09.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Gyeongbok take 2
Doorway to the unknown...
Another palace but this one has a little lake and is surrounded by cherry blossom trees!
How gorgeous is that!
Spring at Gyeongbok Palace take 1
A little bit of cultural info to broaden your minds.
Gyeongbok Palace
The palace was originally constructed in 1394 by King Taejo and "Gyeongbokgung" was named by minister Jeong. Part of the palace was burnt down during the Japanese invasions of Korea (1592-1598). In 1911, the government of Japan demolished all but 10 buildings during the period of Japanese occupation,
Micah at the front of Gyeongbok Palace watching the changing of the guard.
Look at this wall! Have you seen this wall?
ARG! I'm a warrior!
One of the many beautiful palaces.
Glimpse of the mountains in the background.
Gyeongbok Palace
The palace was originally constructed in 1394 by King Taejo and "Gyeongbokgung" was named by minister Jeong. Part of the palace was burnt down during the Japanese invasions of Korea (1592-1598). In 1911, the government of Japan demolished all but 10 buildings during the period of Japanese occupation,
Micah at the front of Gyeongbok Palace watching the changing of the guard.
Look at this wall! Have you seen this wall?
ARG! I'm a warrior!
One of the many beautiful palaces.
Glimpse of the mountains in the background.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Slackin on posts....
I have refrained from writing much on the blog for lack of time, and motivation when it happens that I do have time. I can’t write at school because the website is blocked for some odd reason. So I decided to write in Word and then paste it into the blog (novel concept I know) and to do this while I am at school and have ample time. I just finished reading Bleak House by Charles Dickens which claimed my attention at any and every free moment: at a stoplight while on the bus, during my off time at school, at home, at the bust stop, and, yes, even in the bathroom. But now that’s done and I don’t know what to do with myself. Ha. It was a freakin good book if you have the time to sit down and read a 1o00 pager. (or something like that, I can’t remember precisely). And now on to the next! Man I’m going to be so well read by the time I get back. Anyway, the new plan is to keep you guys updated. Sorry for our lack of info, but we are neophytes in the whole blogging business.
Ok so, Korea. Korea is awesome! At least I think so. Micah is having a little bit harder of a time because his co-teacher isn’t a guy so he can’t relate as well to her and can’t form a closer bond. Whereas I have the best co-teacher ever! Seriously, I’m not just saying that because I know she’s reading this, hehe. But truly, you will have to come out and meet her when you visit. Or she and her husband will just have to visit us in the States.
I just got back from a training week for GEPIK (Geonggi province English teachers) that lasted four days and three nights. And when I mean just got back, I mean last week…. It was really long, but really good. The food was great, the company was fun, and the materials enlightened me as to the Korean culture and how to teach English better here. I was really inspired to do the best I can and get the most out of my experience because of three people from Bucheon: Darren, and Martina and Simon (you may know these two from “Eat your Kimchi” a sweet blog that they’ve set up. If you don’t know them, you should check out their site because it’s hilarious!). So I am learning Korean like a fiend and trying to talk more with my co-teachers and be a “cool” teacher by brushing up on Kpop culture. Seriously, go to You Tube and check out some of “Rain’s” music videos. He’s a good dancer (even if a little conceited) and they’re fun to watch. Ok…..on to the next blog because I’ve been expatiating for too long and your probably not reading anymore anyway blah dee bloo dee blah! Hehe I shall see who read this far by the comments….
Ok so, Korea. Korea is awesome! At least I think so. Micah is having a little bit harder of a time because his co-teacher isn’t a guy so he can’t relate as well to her and can’t form a closer bond. Whereas I have the best co-teacher ever! Seriously, I’m not just saying that because I know she’s reading this, hehe. But truly, you will have to come out and meet her when you visit. Or she and her husband will just have to visit us in the States.
I just got back from a training week for GEPIK (Geonggi province English teachers) that lasted four days and three nights. And when I mean just got back, I mean last week…. It was really long, but really good. The food was great, the company was fun, and the materials enlightened me as to the Korean culture and how to teach English better here. I was really inspired to do the best I can and get the most out of my experience because of three people from Bucheon: Darren, and Martina and Simon (you may know these two from “Eat your Kimchi” a sweet blog that they’ve set up. If you don’t know them, you should check out their site because it’s hilarious!). So I am learning Korean like a fiend and trying to talk more with my co-teachers and be a “cool” teacher by brushing up on Kpop culture. Seriously, go to You Tube and check out some of “Rain’s” music videos. He’s a good dancer (even if a little conceited) and they’re fun to watch. Ok…..on to the next blog because I’ve been expatiating for too long and your probably not reading anymore anyway blah dee bloo dee blah! Hehe I shall see who read this far by the comments….
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Idioms
A nearly two week reprieve from our beloved blog!? No way man! Not cool. Our public awaits with the proverbial abated breath as we rest on our proverbial laurels. Yes, it’s “abated” not “bated,” nor is it “baited” as we have recently been led to believe; look it up if you don’t believe me.
Anyway, suffice it to say, we are sorry for the delay of game – we’ll bring you back to your regularly scheduled program…sheesh, how many idioms can I fit into one post?...that’s a rhetorical question.
You thought this was going somewhere?
Anyway, suffice it to say, we are sorry for the delay of game – we’ll bring you back to your regularly scheduled program…sheesh, how many idioms can I fit into one post?...that’s a rhetorical question.
You thought this was going somewhere?
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