O Valencia!by: the real ginger on: July 11, 2008 8:47am
ONE MORE WEEK UNTIL SCHOOL IS FINISHED!! Well, I shouldn't get ahead of myself. To be more exact, it's one week until summer vacation is supposed to start, but I'll be doing a nine day summer English camp. I have no idea how many students will be joining me for it, but I know for certain that there will be at least four boys. There is an 8th grade boy who took my extra class way back last September and he's the one who gave it the name "The JA." He's been busy with hagwon classes since then, but he still goes out of his way to stop by afterschool and engage in a short conversation. Today, he tried to sneak up on me while I was bumming around in my empty classroom. We had a long talk that was kind of awkward because I didn't know if he was waiting for someone or if he genuinely wanted to stay and talk. But yeah, he told me that him and three of his friends signed up for my camp.
Speaking of him trying to sneak up behind me, there must have been something in the air/kimchi at my school today. The kids were insane. I've been showing a movie this week (I'm usually not a fan of showing movies in class, but after trying out a lesson on Monday, I figured it was in everyone's best interest to just save that lesson until after summer vacation) but one of my classes was sort of bad...so I made them do a worksheet. Shockingly, the kids didn't even complain and were constantly asking for help. When they ask for help, it's a great sign because it means that they are actually trying to figure things out. When they're bored with a worksheet, they tend to not ask any questions. Instead, they chat with their friends or doodle.
I accidentally gave one boy a massive papercut. He had taken my idioms poster and was waving it around. I asked him a couple times to give it back, but he just smiled, waved the poster, and went, "SA. RANG.HAE.YO! SA. RANG. HAE. YO!" I snatched it out of his hands but gave him a papercut in the process. He was shocked but thought it was so funny. He kept going, "Oh...oh my gad! How do this? How do this??" Ten minutes later when I came back around to check on his work, he had drawn fake blood all over his hand with my red whiteboard marker. -_-
Oh, I was talking with some of the girls in my extra class on Wednesday and they were saying that they were going to dye their hair over summer vacation. One proclaimed that she'd be going blonde and another said she would go red. It's weird, though--they're just going to have to re-dye their hair black one month later. Students aren't supposed to have perms or have colored hair and there is actually a group of men who stand at the school gates to inspect all the students' hairstyles, faces, piercings, and uniforms as they pass through in the morning. I mean, I ruin my hair with dying all the time. But they will ruin their beautiful hair just to have it a different color for 4 weeks. It doesn't quite seem worth it to me.
He jumped in front of them RIGHT as I was taking this.
Middle school BFF's
Hanging out the window Still drawing on my arms...some things will never change.
And this would be a compilation of my hair since coming to Korea. Ch-ch-changes...
A video of this last week. It's tame (no drinking/clubbing)--just restaurants, Dean, me, and the cat. This title is O Valencia! by The Decemberists
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Comments |
you look ultra-gorgeous! :D
and how did you draw that really cool arty thing on your arm! Hahhaa.
by: sinequanonerose
Jul 22, 2008 8:40am
Lelaye: Unfortunately, I don't think Blue is malicious or snarky enough to have a Stewie-esque voice. We adopted him--I'd heard really bad things about the pet stores here.
Of course you can be an English lover even if you don't like writing! But if you aren't sure, then just give it a go. It wasn't until I took a poetry course my sophomore year in college that I realized how much I liked writing. All it takes is a good teacher, some good examples, and a patch of time to set aside.
I think I'm a rather poor fiction writer, actually. For years, I've tried to cultivate a collection of short stories but I am too unfocused. I would love to be a novelist! Earlier this year, I joked about writing a chick lit about a girl coming to Korea to find love, since I could draw on the expat experience but also create different characters. I don't even LIKE chick lit, but I think it would be entertaining to write. When I write short stories, they tend to come off too serious. If I went into a project with a cheerful, laid-back attitude, maybe I'd surprise myself.
by: the real ginger
Jul 15, 2008 6:26pm
About your video, I wonder if you do that with spiders too. Blue, in a way, he reminds me of Stewie from Family Guy haha. Did you buy him at a pet store or adopted him?
I don't know what it is about your blogs but it's so damn interesting and I haven't a clue why. I mean, there's tons of blogs out there that I can read and I'd be sick of them so fast.. Anyways, I do enjoy reading your blogs and I've been following them from time to time. I'm also an english lover but I hate writing. I've never tried writing stories or poetry for the heck of it maybe like you I think I'm too scared to think I'm horrible at it. Sometimes I wonder if I'm truly an english lover if I don't even like writing, I'm more of an avid reader. Something about your blogs reminds me of the book Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. Probably because of the traveling, foreign country, and trying to find yourself (or in your case, a career) while relaxing at the same time. Maybe that's why I like reading your blogs, kind of like an autobiography. Ever consider writing a book?
by: Lelaye
Jul 14, 2008 10:53pm
koncettina: Actually, Dean and I made the decision to scrap the Italy plans for now. :( By going to Italy, I'd be skipping out on my sister's bridal shower and I'm her maid of honor. This is the one time she is getting married and I can go to Italy any time I want. So we are putting those plans on hold for now and going back to the US for two weeks in August. I was kind of disappointed, but I'm a family girl and I am always happy to visit home.
vana117724: What I like about the Heaven Cafe is that you get your own secluded little booth. There are bigger areas, too--a group of girls were celebrating a friend's birthday in a little tulle covered niche nearby. Korea is full of beautiful little cafes like that.
Lol the stick thing was this plastic reading light. Our cat has a "crazy foot" and he likes to defend himself with it.
7wWWw7: Unfortunately, what you witnessed is very, very common. I saw about three instances of it today alone. Tons of people buy these little puppies and you see them being carried around on the subway and shopping areas with pink/orange/yellow dyed ears and wearing cowboy boots, ribbons, dresses, bows, etc. I love animals, too, and I hate seeing them all dressed up. Most puppies in Seoul have had their vocal chords cut, as well, so that they won't bother anyone with their barking. They're just there to look cute and not being bothersome. Earlier this year, there was some internet commotion because some young lady brought her purse puppy onto the subway where it proceeded to take a crap in the train. Someone took a video and it showed people on the train ordering her to clean it up but she was embarrassed and refused. The person put the video up on the internet and the girl got really angry--I think she was trying to sue? Everyone was criticizing her for owning this dressed up little dog and not taking any responsibility for its actions.
_stacy_: I just posted something about the Italy trip at the top of this response, so you can read about that there. Yup, the kids only get one month and many get less than that or none at all. I have to run a 10 day camp, so that's less than 3 weeks for some of my students. Last year, I taught at a summer camp and the kids had JUST gotten out of school a few days before. Their parents drove them or flew them to our sleep away camp and they were there for weeks. The kids, needless to say, were completely exhausted. Our camp day ran from 7 am-9 pm. I felt so bad for the kids. All they wanted to do was be...KIDS! And we were making them study in English for hours every day.
lil_buddha_gal: I wasn't allowed to dye my hair until I was 16, but when I went to college, I went CRAZY dying my hair. Now, I think I look weird with black hair. Medium brown hair suits my skin tone well so I've stuck with it for a few years. When I'm older, maybe I'll dye it black again, but in Korea...I really don't like blending in with the crowd. It also makes it difficult for my boyfriend to find me in a crowd. -_-;
Da Xing Di: I want the camp to be as chill as possible so we'll try to go on a field trip, like to the National Museum or to a palace. I just really hope their English is good...because 10 days of students who can't speak English well and no co-teacher will be painful.
by: the real ginger
Jul 13, 2008 2:56am
by: Da Xing Di
Jul 13, 2008 12:35am
hey gal..
missed ur entries lately. been so busy wif exams grr. O.o
aw. kids can be a lil annoying sometimes dont they?
gosh love the resturants so colourful. man i wish i had versitile hair. i can only have one hair style. always so boring. man teenagers and thier dying. i say black is the best. natural and beautiful. i never wanna dye my hair.
i gtg. hopefully i can come back to see some more entries. have heaps of fun on that camp. and also pics pics pics please hehe..
bye byes ^^
by: lil_buddha_gal
Jul 12, 2008 10:12pm
Hi Ginger!
Your kids are so cute; I lol at the part about the boy waving your poster and how you accidentally gave him a paper cut. Wow, Korean students only get 1 month for summer vacation? That's pretty strict considering all the studying and hagwon classes they have to attend. Over in America, it's at least 2 months. I liked the little vid with the funny faces you and Dean made. Are you getting ready for the Italy trip, and if so, are you going to continue to blog?
by: _stacy_
Jul 12, 2008 6:35pm
Hi Ginger
I have a question that has nothing to do with your entry I just can't seem to find a better opportunity. I hope it's OK.
It's about dogs. No not about the dog soup. I fine with that. Different culture, different customs.
Anyway, few days ago I saw 4 Korean girls from my school walking their dog who they had dressed up in silly dresses and "decorated" with ribbons. They were basically treated as a fashion accessory rather than a living creature. I was wondering if it was just them or if its common over there. I really love dogs by the way so I'm kinda curious about that.
by: 7wWWw7
Jul 12, 2008 2:39pm
You know I wished I didn't read you blog today.... I'm on a diet and then I stumble upon your
youtube video filled with food!!!! I didn't know that there was Vietnamese food in Korea. Heaven's Cafe looks gorgeous. Seriously I think I might just stop in Korea to eat. lol. I've been reading a blog, also of a Korean Adoptee, and he always raves about the food. I'm so jealous now.
And wowers.... Korean kids have summer vacation so late. I think I would die from the pressure of just being a student in korea.
Anyway, I think you look absolutely gorgeous with your haircolor right now. And yoiur cat is so cute... whoever was waving that stick thingy scared me to death... I thought it was going to hit your cat.
by: vana117724
Jul 11, 2008 10:36am
Truly I always assumed that cats hated their owners....or were just always pissed off!
Anyway the milkshake-looking-thing of doom looked like...doom. Amazing. I love it that the kids are always trying to "impress" with the English speaking. Just saying the simplest thing and usually being wrong they're just so happy! I love it!!! Saranghaeyo...I know what that means! =P
Did you go on your vacation to Italy yet???
by: koncettina
Jul 11, 2008 10:29am