well things are kind of falling in to place.
Jeff and I are confirmed for a tues night train to Daejeon and a wed morning trip to Gongju to meet Angela and see the castle mentioned before here. The rest of the timeline isn't confirmed but a trip to Danyang and the limestone caves is for sure.
In 2009 I remember travelling every weekend to different parts of Korea. However, it seems like it's been a while since I ent anywhere besides Seochang. Certainly I've done virtually no travelling since September. I think part of it is that Korean cities are all kind of the same, so it's harder to get get motivated to go see the few big ones I haven't seen yet. Furthermore, most country attractions involve mountains and temples, which are beautiful but are not exactly winter destinations (and how far do I want to go to see another mountain). That being said, while I'm not as excited for this trip as I am for Taiwan, I am happy to see a part of Korea that I have never seen before, see an actual castle and limestone caves, both of which are something new(ish) (I've been to two Korean forts in Jinju and Suwon and the palace in Seoul) and relax a bit. I'm also really excited for some time off, as my last time off was last September (not even a 3 day weekend). Well, time to finish packing.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Friday, January 28, 2011
vacation is FINALLY around the corner
well my 18 week stretch is coming to an end and I couldn't be happier. I'm kicking off the celebrations with a trip down to Seochang for a weekend chillin at Paul's place. Then it's back to work for two days before a 4 days trip to Chungcheong-do with Jeff, hitting Gongju castle, Danyang limestone caves and Chungju lake.
The last few weeks have seemed especially long, as the weather has made being outside for more than a few minutes miserable. I've layered up but after dark its still in the -10 range. This has also meant that I haven't left Daegu all that often with the result that I'm getting a bit of cabin fever. However, that has also served to make me beyond pumped for my holidays.
Here's a rundown of where I'm going:
Paul's place in Seochang. I've mentioned it before, it's between Ulsan and Busan (see older posts)
Gongju. It's the capital of the Baekje kingdom (one of the three that predated Korean unification.... and not the winner). The castle itself dated from the 1600's but is built on a 5th century dirt fort. There are also several tombs of Baekje kings that are a 15 minute walk from the castle.
Cheongju. Jeff's friend Angela lives there and is joining us for much of the trip. Never been to the city but seems a cool place to hang out.
Danyang. It's home to several limestone caves an the largest lake in Korea. There are several caves, some in walking distance of the city. The lake is huge and has several ferry option. Good for a day of exploring and a ferry ride half the way back to Cheongju.
I'm excited :)
The last few weeks have seemed especially long, as the weather has made being outside for more than a few minutes miserable. I've layered up but after dark its still in the -10 range. This has also meant that I haven't left Daegu all that often with the result that I'm getting a bit of cabin fever. However, that has also served to make me beyond pumped for my holidays.
Here's a rundown of where I'm going:
Paul's place in Seochang. I've mentioned it before, it's between Ulsan and Busan (see older posts)
Gongju. It's the capital of the Baekje kingdom (one of the three that predated Korean unification.... and not the winner). The castle itself dated from the 1600's but is built on a 5th century dirt fort. There are also several tombs of Baekje kings that are a 15 minute walk from the castle.
Cheongju. Jeff's friend Angela lives there and is joining us for much of the trip. Never been to the city but seems a cool place to hang out.
Danyang. It's home to several limestone caves an the largest lake in Korea. There are several caves, some in walking distance of the city. The lake is huge and has several ferry option. Good for a day of exploring and a ferry ride half the way back to Cheongju.
I'm excited :)
Monday, January 24, 2011
Korea/Japan Asian Cup. sigh
It's that sporting time again. Korea vs. Japan. The time when, win or lose, it will be miserable to be in Korea for the rest of the week. My friend David posted on this topic during the world cup, noting his pleasure in watching deflated Koreans after a big loss. However, I thought they took the loss well during the soccer world cup, but that was to Uruguay. This is Japan.
The 2009 Baseball World Cup Finals. Korea/Japan. Japan, the best team in the world beats Korea, the fourth best in extra innings by a score of 5-3 when Ichiro Suzuki, maybe the best (non-power) hitter of the last 50 years, hit a two run double to clinch it for Japan. Probable Korean responses:
1- proud that they got in over the U.S and Venezuela who are both superior teams?
2- proud to take the best national team in the world to extra innings?
3- whine and complain of Japanese cheating, Ichiro cheating, unfair scheduling and cite how they beat Japan in the group stages and then play that game on TV everyday for 6 months?
If you guessed 3 you are correct.
"Ichiro badmouthed Korea"
- he said he thought that his team was in top shape and felt that they could win. He also said (when asked) that Japan was the number one ranked team, and so yes, was better than Korea by that standard.
"the umpire wasn't fair"
- first, which umpire? Second, what play? No answer
"we beat Japan in the group stages! We beat them 3 times but they only beat us twice so we won"
- Japan rested top players in different group stages, especially as the played Taiwan before Korea did. Everyone knew what the final was and both sides played their top players in that game and Japan won.
"the schedule was unfair!"
- see Taiwan remark above
On the flip side, the games where Korea won were played over and over again on TV (only to be stopped with Yuna Kim and the Olympics, which you can STILL see on TV repeated in all it's glory).
Now it's soccer. So will Korea win and revel in it worse than a NZ test rugby victory over Aus or a Canadian hockey world cup victory over the US (to which the American replies "there's a hockey world cup?"), or will Japan cheat, bribe and otherwise steal the victory from Korea?
The 2009 Baseball World Cup Finals. Korea/Japan. Japan, the best team in the world beats Korea, the fourth best in extra innings by a score of 5-3 when Ichiro Suzuki, maybe the best (non-power) hitter of the last 50 years, hit a two run double to clinch it for Japan. Probable Korean responses:
1- proud that they got in over the U.S and Venezuela who are both superior teams?
2- proud to take the best national team in the world to extra innings?
3- whine and complain of Japanese cheating, Ichiro cheating, unfair scheduling and cite how they beat Japan in the group stages and then play that game on TV everyday for 6 months?
If you guessed 3 you are correct.
"Ichiro badmouthed Korea"
- he said he thought that his team was in top shape and felt that they could win. He also said (when asked) that Japan was the number one ranked team, and so yes, was better than Korea by that standard.
"the umpire wasn't fair"
- first, which umpire? Second, what play? No answer
"we beat Japan in the group stages! We beat them 3 times but they only beat us twice so we won"
- Japan rested top players in different group stages, especially as the played Taiwan before Korea did. Everyone knew what the final was and both sides played their top players in that game and Japan won.
"the schedule was unfair!"
- see Taiwan remark above
On the flip side, the games where Korea won were played over and over again on TV (only to be stopped with Yuna Kim and the Olympics, which you can STILL see on TV repeated in all it's glory).
Now it's soccer. So will Korea win and revel in it worse than a NZ test rugby victory over Aus or a Canadian hockey world cup victory over the US (to which the American replies "there's a hockey world cup?"), or will Japan cheat, bribe and otherwise steal the victory from Korea?
Sunday, January 23, 2011
planning a trip
Sorry about the lack of blogs, but winter in Korea is not a very exciting time of year. It's cold and only Universities give vacation at this time. Highlights this week have included learning to make buckwheat tea, buying a thermos mug and oversleeping.
So I was very happy to begin planning my first out of Korea vacation since 2009. It will be a 6 day trip in May to Taiwan to see Taipei and hike Taroko gorge. Geoff and I are going to go, as May is his vacation time where he will hit mainland China, Taiwan and Jeju-do. Although Taiwan is not as high on my list as Beijing or Shanghai (both of which I'd like to do in July) I have heard amazing things about Taiwan from everybody I know who's been. Nothings been booked yet but short of a natural disaster it's a go.
So I was very happy to begin planning my first out of Korea vacation since 2009. It will be a 6 day trip in May to Taiwan to see Taipei and hike Taroko gorge. Geoff and I are going to go, as May is his vacation time where he will hit mainland China, Taiwan and Jeju-do. Although Taiwan is not as high on my list as Beijing or Shanghai (both of which I'd like to do in July) I have heard amazing things about Taiwan from everybody I know who's been. Nothings been booked yet but short of a natural disaster it's a go.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Taking responsibility for what you say/blog before you become Glenn Beck.
One thing that has started to annoy me in recent weeks is the sheer number of blogs I've come across that seem to hae nothing better to do than bitch about or rip on various aspects of Korea (or else politics/culture/ life in general). Before you ask, no I can't be bothered to post links to them or naming names as what I consider to be bitching others may think is intelligent posting. Just do a google search if you really care. However, what has been annoying me in the approach taken when people are criticised for it.
Now writing that "all Koreans are narrow minded" or "all Koreans drink too much" is their prerogative, and that's fine, but what drives me nuts is the "well I can say whatever I want, free speech" arguement when someone calls them on it. It's the arguement Fox News uses when Glenn Beck calls Obama a Marxist who wants to practice Euthanasia or a Muslim extremist with ties to terrorist cells. Yes, you CAN say those things, but you'd better have something better than a picture of him in traditional Somali dress and the fact that he lived in Jakarta to back that up. Just citing free speech does not make your cause righteous. It allows Glenn Beck to get a T.V show over someone who is sane.
Not that I'm arguing against free speech, but if you are going to post about how "old Koreans should be cleaning up your garbage cause they're such @sshoes" or "Korean children think there are rabbits on the moon making rice-cakes, they are all so stupid (as opposed to western children believing a fat man in red with flying reindeer gives you presents)" then you should be prepared to defend that, or at least accept that other people may not appreciate that. If you are not, then don't post it. Citing free speech does not, or it should not, make your cause righteous or give you a pass to say whatever thing you want. No one is suggesting you CAN'T say these things, they are only suggesting that you take responsibility for what you say. That's true whether you're Glenn Beck or a blogger in Korea.
Now writing that "all Koreans are narrow minded" or "all Koreans drink too much" is their prerogative, and that's fine, but what drives me nuts is the "well I can say whatever I want, free speech" arguement when someone calls them on it. It's the arguement Fox News uses when Glenn Beck calls Obama a Marxist who wants to practice Euthanasia or a Muslim extremist with ties to terrorist cells. Yes, you CAN say those things, but you'd better have something better than a picture of him in traditional Somali dress and the fact that he lived in Jakarta to back that up. Just citing free speech does not make your cause righteous. It allows Glenn Beck to get a T.V show over someone who is sane.
Not that I'm arguing against free speech, but if you are going to post about how "old Koreans should be cleaning up your garbage cause they're such @sshoes" or "Korean children think there are rabbits on the moon making rice-cakes, they are all so stupid (as opposed to western children believing a fat man in red with flying reindeer gives you presents)" then you should be prepared to defend that, or at least accept that other people may not appreciate that. If you are not, then don't post it. Citing free speech does not, or it should not, make your cause righteous or give you a pass to say whatever thing you want. No one is suggesting you CAN'T say these things, they are only suggesting that you take responsibility for what you say. That's true whether you're Glenn Beck or a blogger in Korea.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Tuesday's zero class day
yup,
my 3 classes have gone to.... zero. I am at work for 7 hours with nothing to do but study Korean and hanja, email professors, read and try to look busy.
Worst off, I'm not being lazy. I DO have prep work to do, but with all the extra time I've finished it all already. I have also been helping kids as they come in with homework, but that's just a few. This is an honest "work" day with no actual classes.
my 3 classes have gone to.... zero. I am at work for 7 hours with nothing to do but study Korean and hanja, email professors, read and try to look busy.
Worst off, I'm not being lazy. I DO have prep work to do, but with all the extra time I've finished it all already. I have also been helping kids as they come in with homework, but that's just a few. This is an honest "work" day with no actual classes.
Two major accomplishments
Well my work in 2010 paid off today when I paid off the last of my visa card. While I will be using it again this year for travel I won't put another serious dent in it until I go back to school. While I'm going to use my next couple of cheques for student loans it makes a May trip to Japan or Taiwan really possible. It also means that I have some cash to drop on school when I want to go back.
On that note, I've been in touch with several profs in Canada and Seoul and have now plotted a solid course. Uni in Seoul transfer to one of three Canadian Universities to do, what will become, two M.A's. The only question yet to answer is do I start this year or work, travel a lot and start in 2012.
I feel like this is only a start, but I'm starting to feel productive again.
On that note, I've been in touch with several profs in Canada and Seoul and have now plotted a solid course. Uni in Seoul transfer to one of three Canadian Universities to do, what will become, two M.A's. The only question yet to answer is do I start this year or work, travel a lot and start in 2012.
I feel like this is only a start, but I'm starting to feel productive again.
Friday, January 7, 2011
looking for advice
I feel like I've reached a bit of an impasse in my life and I'm wondering what others, especially those in the esl game but others as well, think. Here's the situation:
I'm really ready to get back to school. What I want to do in life I can not do without further education (whether I stay in Korea longer or return to Canada or go somewhere else). I have talked to several professors in Canada and all say that I have a solid thesis topic, but that my not doing an honours hurts my application. I had the gpa for an honours but didn't have the energy for another year of school back in 2007. In hindsight very dumb but there's nothing that can be done about it now. My other option is grad school in Seoul. A two year programme in Seoul would open the doors that my honours would have back in Canada and then some. It would also allow me entrance to uni jobs in Korea should I want to work again.It's also not exceptionally expensive to do, though I would only be able to work p/t if at all in my first 6 months. Here's my big debate:
another year of working lets me do some travelling and saving for that, but has me being 30 years old before I begin my MA (I had wanted to be finished it by 30). It means 3.5 years of hagwan work with all the fun that goes along with that. Going back this September allows me to do much less travelling and gives me substantially less money but does have me starting, and thus finishing, a year sooner.
Both have pro's and both have con's and neither is perfect so......... I'm hoping to get advice from people not emotionally involved, as they will have a clarity that I lack. Please feel free to comment/email with thoughts.
I'm really ready to get back to school. What I want to do in life I can not do without further education (whether I stay in Korea longer or return to Canada or go somewhere else). I have talked to several professors in Canada and all say that I have a solid thesis topic, but that my not doing an honours hurts my application. I had the gpa for an honours but didn't have the energy for another year of school back in 2007. In hindsight very dumb but there's nothing that can be done about it now. My other option is grad school in Seoul. A two year programme in Seoul would open the doors that my honours would have back in Canada and then some. It would also allow me entrance to uni jobs in Korea should I want to work again.It's also not exceptionally expensive to do, though I would only be able to work p/t if at all in my first 6 months. Here's my big debate:
another year of working lets me do some travelling and saving for that, but has me being 30 years old before I begin my MA (I had wanted to be finished it by 30). It means 3.5 years of hagwan work with all the fun that goes along with that. Going back this September allows me to do much less travelling and gives me substantially less money but does have me starting, and thus finishing, a year sooner.
Both have pro's and both have con's and neither is perfect so......... I'm hoping to get advice from people not emotionally involved, as they will have a clarity that I lack. Please feel free to comment/email with thoughts.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
a detailed analysis of Chinese genetic attributes and inherited traits
I don't usually post this sort of stuff on my blog, but my buddy Kurt put it up and I can't stop watching.
This is from the number one rated news station in the United States. Perhaps a more detailed study of Chinese and the Chinese people will be useful in generations to come......
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pLJxMzoXdY&feature=player_embedded
This is from the number one rated news station in the United States. Perhaps a more detailed study of Chinese and the Chinese people will be useful in generations to come......
Monday, January 3, 2011
more changes at work
as I mentioned last month, my workplace is undergoing many structural changes designed to improve the curriculum for the students and I do think it has been quite successful. Classes have been structured in a way to let the faster kids grow and the kids that struggle with English slow down and actually retain what they have learned. It's great. Except for us. I now seem to have more free time than ever before. I can't remember the last time I had a full day when I taught 6 classes and went home feeling tired. While some people might think this is great I do not, as I can finish my prep in far less time than I have and so I wind up bored and trying to be busy. I've tried to get in on sitting test classes and making up worksheets but that only goes so far. While I know they are re-tooling I find myself feeling quite useless there, sort of an overpaid babysitter and am getting impatient to feel busy again. Though I do have to admit that this free time has done wonders for my hanja, Korean, general going back to school studying and travel planning that is really not what I'm supposed to be doing there. I still find SEI worlds better than my old YES Academy and I know they are doing what they are to help the kids (which is really what it's about) but i do hope that they find more for us to do sooner than later.
Where's the salt?
Not a question that one usually asks in Korea, but I think it's a fair one. I don't mean the 8x daily recommended amount in each cup of ramen or the actual dipping salt many gogi or fried chicken places give you, I mean road salt. Daegu has been under a good blanket of snow for almost a week now (there's been ice on the ground and fresh snow regularly) and yet there's been virtually no salting of the raods by anybody. A few main roads (like 8 lanes or more) are being cared for but main roads and sidewalks get none unless someone puts it out themselves (which surprisingly few business owners do). So far I've managed just one tumble and have a slightly bruised arm and a very bruised ego to show for it but I have students with broken limbs and bruises all over from falling all over the place. As stated in an earlier post, given that sidewalks are often used as parking lots, the need for salting seems even more obvious and yet........
Well, at least April is right around the corner :P
Well, at least April is right around the corner :P
The Shootin' Range
Yes, on Sunday I went to a shooting range. I had never been to one before, so we decided to check the one out that is about 30 mins north of my place. It's a very controlled environment, with rifles for clay shooting and several handguns. I managed 2/10 on the clay shooting (getting all of my instructions in a second language.....) but fared worse on the handgun where, one bullseye aside, they were all low of the mark (watch out if I ever aim at your chest or stomach :P)
I have never been one for guns. Personally I don't understand what pleasure/fixation people have with them. However, I can see why people get in to the clay shooting, as it's more of a challenge for yourself than anything else, and no one but the clay gets hurt.
I have never been one for guns. Personally I don't understand what pleasure/fixation people have with them. However, I can see why people get in to the clay shooting, as it's more of a challenge for yourself than anything else, and no one but the clay gets hurt.
the year 2010
well 2010 has come and gone. I've tried think about how to sum up this year and find it is very difficult, especially compared to other years as on the surface it seems less exciting or adventurous. In 2008 I graduated from University, travelled to Thailand, Cambodia and Hong Kong and moved to Korea. In 2009 I changed jobs, changed cities, and managed another tour of SE Asia. 2010, in contrast, had no massive trips, no new and better jobs, no big move. It was a much more low key year. That's not to say cool stuff didn't happen. Geoff moved out here, my Dad came for a visit, I saw more of Korea than I had thought I would, but overall it was a less exciting year.
However, it was a successful year in many respects.
As of January 10th I will have no credit card debt. THAT is a huge accomplishment that was made possible only by working the way i did this year. Of course, I'm fairly sure that I'll be booking flights to Japan for May on it, but I won't fall in to a massive debt again until I go back to school. I also managed to contact several grad schools and profs and feel that 2011 will be the year I finally go back to school (though I haven't ruled out working and being completely debt free by 2012 and going back then). I also finally began a serious study of Korean language with the result that, while I'm VERY far from fluent, I can have basic conversations and actually understand much more of what I read around me. I also can read about 100 Chinese characters, which if I keep going will eventually give me some literacy in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau and to a lesser extent mainland China and Japan.
That being said, I hope that 2011 will also bring a few changes. I'd like to change jobs by either going to school in Seoul and work part time or else move to a university job. I'd like to slim down a bit, get back to my 2009 figure and corresponding energy. I also hope to do a bit more travelling; in particular, Japan (Tokyo or Kyoto) and Beijing in July. I'd also like to get back to Vancouver for a month to see friends and family.... maybe after Beijng.
So to sum up this year, I feel that it was good; not great, but good. The work I have put in this year should make for a great 2011 (I felt this way in 2006 and 2007, knowing what 2008 would hold) but the year itself was not as memorable as the two that preceded it. Needless to say, I'm excited for what 2011 and 2012 should bring.
However, it was a successful year in many respects.
As of January 10th I will have no credit card debt. THAT is a huge accomplishment that was made possible only by working the way i did this year. Of course, I'm fairly sure that I'll be booking flights to Japan for May on it, but I won't fall in to a massive debt again until I go back to school. I also managed to contact several grad schools and profs and feel that 2011 will be the year I finally go back to school (though I haven't ruled out working and being completely debt free by 2012 and going back then). I also finally began a serious study of Korean language with the result that, while I'm VERY far from fluent, I can have basic conversations and actually understand much more of what I read around me. I also can read about 100 Chinese characters, which if I keep going will eventually give me some literacy in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau and to a lesser extent mainland China and Japan.
That being said, I hope that 2011 will also bring a few changes. I'd like to change jobs by either going to school in Seoul and work part time or else move to a university job. I'd like to slim down a bit, get back to my 2009 figure and corresponding energy. I also hope to do a bit more travelling; in particular, Japan (Tokyo or Kyoto) and Beijing in July. I'd also like to get back to Vancouver for a month to see friends and family.... maybe after Beijng.
So to sum up this year, I feel that it was good; not great, but good. The work I have put in this year should make for a great 2011 (I felt this way in 2006 and 2007, knowing what 2008 would hold) but the year itself was not as memorable as the two that preceded it. Needless to say, I'm excited for what 2011 and 2012 should bring.
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