Deskwarming - Day 11

Well, actually its day 11 of camp, so not necessarily day 11 of deskwarming. But nevertheless this is what I am up too -

Nothing
Facebook stalking
Pokemon (why won't the freaking Patrat's piss off??)
Kakaoing Blair
Working on my next YouTube upload

I was going to do some more Korean practice, but I haven't decided yet if I will actually do that or have a nap... Because Co has gone home!!! We had a super awkward hour where he sat at his comp and I was on mine, and he was on a phone call most of the time and then didn't bother to try and make any conversation. I didn't think it was possible but perhaps out strained relationship is getting worse... Do you think he is breaking up with me???

Actually, Co had a big revelation for me last week - he got married over New Year. WTF??? Now, I have said it before and I will say it again, I am sure he is a really agreeable person most of the time, but we have our differences. It seems he had a secret girlfriend the whole time and went and got hitched and didn't tell ANYONE. By anyone I mean not even his friends knew. When he came into school last week (not 2 weeks ago mind) he told me his happy and exciting news and then proceeded to say that he now had to tell all his family and friends. I repeat - WTF?? So he didn't tell anyone?!?!?!
Now, this is very un-Korean. From what I can gather, weddings are really big events here, and pretty much anyone the couple know is invited. So, was I deliberately not invited??? I know other people from other schools were invited to their co-teacher's weddings... Does he hate me that much? But when he said that he needed to let his university friends know he was married that made me think again... Perhaps it was a small intimate affair? Who knows, its a mystery. But all the best to him, maybe now he is getting some he might be a little more pleasant. And actually I am happy for him, because it would suck to be an older guy here and not be married.

You must get married

Its like a golden rule here or something. The shelf life for a woman is 30, once you hit that you are over the hill and you had better already be married. I have been told multiple times that 28 is actually the best age for a woman to get married so I still have some time. But I have also been encouraged by many of my co workers to get a boyfriend soon, because I am not that young and should not be too picky as I get older (I am 26).

Guys can get away with being single for a little longer, but I think 30 is the general rule of thumb. You wanna be married by then and move out of your parents home. One of my best friends is an exception to this rule. I mean, she is still super young but she doesn't believe that she needs to get hitched anytime soon and is happy to go it her own way. If only all young Koreans were like this! 

And I refuse to be depressed about not being invited to Co's wedding, especially because I have a wedding here coming up soon! And that will make me less depressed about missing some of my beautiful friends's special days at home.

Shout out - 

Shout out here to Louise and Ty, whose wedding I will miss, Elise and Aaron, who's wedding I will also miss and also to Steph and Billy whose engagement party and all that fun stuff I will miss. Sorry if I have missed anyone and congratulations.

Camp update

This week I have grade 5 students, and I had a whopping 10 students today! And they were all pretty good and did the activities. I can't complain, they were polite and funny, although they really didn't make much of an effort with their english. I think tomorrow I must make it a rule - only english at english camp. Now that they know I understand a little bit of Korean here and there they tend to be a little bit more lazy. Which is lazy on my part too I need to be more strict. So thats my goal for tomorrow maybe.

They still love jenga and tumbling monkeys, but meh, as long as they get through the work thats all I am concerned about. Actually I am a bit amazed at the difference between grade 4 and 5 in terms of what they know... Grade 5 is way above grade 4 in terms of their ability. I would be very interested to see how many of them attend hagwon after school...

They boys getting ready for an intense Tumbling Monkeys game while the girls grab the Jenga

In other news...

I went out last night to Suwon to a really great Indian restaurant, I have no idea what its called but it was GOOD. If I ever find a link for it I will put it up, it was walking distance of Suwon Station. We then went to see the movie 'Cloud Atlas' which I can honestly say I have no idea what happened. It was directed by the same guys who did The Matrix and starred a heap of cool people including Tom Hanks and Halle Berry. I still don't know what the plot line was but the message I got from it was love knows no bounds and that your lives are not your own, they are for other people. I might be way off and need to see it again but there you go. Had a mix of humour, violence, grossness, and love. And of course a bit of sex for good measure. 

I have been asked by some people at home about what is the top of the K-Pop charts right now... I don't know what is at the top, but I know I hear a whole heap of Girls Generation. I Got A Boy is playing everywhere and also the song they call 'Dancing Queen' but its actually just Mercy by Duffy. Go figure. 

Milky is moulting like crazy and I have no idea why... Its still freezing here, so there is no reason for him to be losing so much fur. I can't leave the house without taking a cloud of white fluff with me. Its driving me crazy. And on the subject of the weather, I am really quite ready for it to warm up. I LOVED the snow, but I am tired of being cold. Never fear! I am still finding things to do and keep myself busy, although I am finally tired of being hungover so time to stah drinking and start saving my pennies. 

I have a big plan to go to Japan over my summer holiday so I want to have plenty of cash saved up by then. And then at the end of my contract I want to go to the Philippines for a few days and lie on the beach before I make the trek home. But that's still a while away. Its good to aim though!

I am actually nearly at the 5 month mark. Hard to believe it actually, I can't decide if I feel like I have been here forever or if I feel like I have just arrived. Either way this year os shaping up to be a fun one even though I am missing stuff at home. 

Peace out for now, I have an hour of my day left at school and there are still heaps of things I need to do...

xoxo

2 Months

Can you believe it?

Hasn't time just flown?!?!?! Tomorrow is my 2 month anniversary in Korea, and although I keep everyone updated about my general comings and goings, I thought I would do a bit of a reflection of my time here so far. 

  The biggest challenge for me hasn't been the language barrier, or the food, or any of the predictable obstacles, rather it has been living alone. Before I came to Korea, I had always lived at home with mum and sissy so I have always had others around me. Our house in Melbourne is HUGE by Korean standards, and when I first arrived I felt a bit claustrophobic in my 1 room apartment. I mean, I loved it from the moment I walked in, but it is definitely small. And quiet... I have always enjoyed my own company just fine, but I have discovered I am a terribly needy person. I NEED to be connected at all times, and I NEED company during the week. I have made it a priority to keep busy and as a result I actually don't spend many nights at home by myself. I tend to go out for dinner with someone on weeknights, so the only time I really have to myself are the weekends (during the day). And I try to keep Sunday night to myself but that's not a rule. 

  

  I can basically read and write in Korean now. I joined Korean class, which I go to on a Tuesday and a Thursday night, and there has been a big focus on the reading and writing of Hangul (Korean script is very different from ours). I can read signs, and sound them out and can pronounce words much better. The only thing is I have no idea what anything means... So I can read the paper, but I can't understand what I am reading. Kinda stupid, but it's a start! The course runs for 3 months, so it will wrap up around December sometime. Hopefully by then I will have all the basics mastered and then I can wing it from there. The teachers at school are pretty good, one friend in particular is an awesome person and is really helping me learn. I still have my goal of trying to learn as much of the language as possible while I am here.

  I was not a teacher when I left Melbourne, and I won't become one while I am here. But the last 2 months has given me direction for when I come home - I want to do a Dip. Ed and teach early primary/kinder. People have been telling me for years I should have done teaching, but I have always shied away from it... I never saw myself teaching anything, but in saying that when someone says 'teacher' I think of high school. But I really like the kids here, and I am sure they will be just as cute and funny at home. So I will stay clear of high school and stick to the little kids.

  I said as well that i won't become a teacher here...Let me explain this comment. The relationship between my co-teacher and myself is a ridiculous one. I don't teach at school, I basically just stand there while he dictated to the class in Korean. They hardly speak any English, and when they do get the opportunity to practice they are mostly too shy to give it a go. In his defence, Co is always trying to think of new ways to get the kids interested in English. But to me the easiest way to keep them entertained would be to play some games and sing some songs. The kids here (and the adults!) love to sing and dance, but he does not want to deviate from the text book curriculum. So as a result we have 8 classes of bored kids who don't want to speak English. They are sick of the workbook.

So I am not getting any teaching experience, unless he isn't at school for some reason and them I am left to control a heap of ratty children who have no clue what I am saying. 

So school isn't much fun to be honest. Hopefully it will get better, because I still have 10 months of it left. 

  I live for the weekends. Actually, I live for 4:30 on weekdays too. I have been more social since coming here than I have been in my entire life. I have already managed to drunkenly embarrass myself, do all-nighters, meet randoms and become friends with them and much more. The only thing I haven't done is 'hook up' with anyone, much to the disbelief of my friends here and at home. I am having just as much bad luck with boys in Korea as I have with boys in Australia. 

  I have finally figured out the public transport. The system here is amazing and efficient. I have no idea how Melbourne has managed to fuck up Myki so badly, when they use basically the same system here. If it can work for 11 million people in Seoul, I am sure they can figure it out for the 6 million or whatever the number is in Melbourne. Get it together before I come back. Melbourne, you have 10 months. 

The trains/subways are clean and fast, and they arrive on time. Well, sometimes the subway is a little off but thats ok as I am usually a little late. 

  I have said it before, and I will say it again - Korean food is good. Especially the BBQ, I go mental for galbi. In fact we ate it this morning at about 4am after the bar closed... But the lunches at school I am totally over. The smell of the cafeteria makes me want to puke most days. I mean, its ok once you go in but outside it smells gross. 

I have eater food here that I have never eaten before, like the prawns (which I still don't like) and I eat so much meat its not even funny. In saying this, there are a heap of foods I am missing. This afternoon I could have killed someone for a crumpet. Or macaroni. Or decent cheese. Also i am not super impressed by the milk here... I know there is better milk at the Highway Mart, but its easier to grab milk from 7-11, so as a result I drink sub-par milk (firstworldproblems). 

When I first arrived I lost a heap of weight. I think I dropped 3 kilos in the first week or 2, from stereo and being scared to eat anything. Now the kilos are back on plus extra. Don't worry, November is get fit month...I got a skipping rope and everything :)

Kimbap

Mandoo

  Not being able to understand what they are saying has not stopped me from getting into K-Dramas. I love the t.v dramas here, they are so overacted you can pick up whats going on most of the time anyway. Some of them are on really late though, but luckily for me I have a super cool t.v that lets me replay shows whenever! It craps me off though that I need to pay if I want to re-watch episodes on OCN. 

K-Pop has been a guilty pleasure of mine for a while, and here I can listen without fear of judgement! I usually put the music channel on while I get ready for work, so I can watch clips while I get dressed. 

  I surprised myself with how quickly I have settled into life here. I have my little routine, and have been slowly creating myself a nice little nest here. Its easy to live in Korea, provided you are happy to be completely out of the loop. I pretty much never have any idea what is going on, and so far it has worked pretty well for me. Its clean here, and although the wearer is getting cold now, I like the climate. It is actually pretty similar to home. 

I hardly notice people staring at me anymore. Or maybe it just doesn't bother me... I go about my business, they go about theirs. But its funny, because I have taken to staring at foreigners too haha. I see one, and in my head i'm like "ooo a foreigner!" 

  To sum it up, I like it here. I feel like I have been here longer, especially because I am now meeting people who have just arrived. And then I speak with people that have been here for years, and it blows my mind! You just don't notice where the time is going! I hope the rest of my year is as enjoyable as the first 2 months have been :)

Seoul

In other news...

Sissy is coming! I don't think her flights are booked yet, but she will be in Korea in late December/early January to spend New Year with me. i am so excited! We will stay in Seoul for NYE so hopefully there will be a big party somewhere... Which I am sure there will be :) I am really glad she is coming, plus it has given me something good to look forward to. I have been trying not to think too much about having to spend Christmas alone. Well, hopefully by then I will have my dog so it won't be so bad.

I have been on a shopping frenzy the last couple of days, buying nothing in particular. I hardly have anything to show for it! But once I get my phone that will be it for speeding until next pay. One of my goals was to save money while being in Korea, not spend money. I must remember to save save save! 

Thats about it for now. 

Happy 2 months to me :)

xoxoxo

Gangnam Style!

Teacher, you know Psy? 

Yes, student, I sure do... In fact, I think just about everyone in the world now knows Psy. And if you don't, then let me tell you a little bit about this guy and how the Korean's have reacted to him...

Psy

The guy isn't young, he is mid 30's which for Korean rappers and stars that is basically a dinosaur. He also doesn't have the standard look, as in he looks like a middle aged guy (albeit with a nicely puffed out face and very smooth skin) rather than the super skinny girly looking guys that usually grace the K-Pop charts.

nb

At somepoint I will do a blog about K-Pop here, it needs its own blog because it is such a huge thing here. More like a strange cult or religion to be honest...

Anyway, Psy is considrered a rapper, which surprised many of my Australia friends when I told them. He has a heap of songs and is a judge on one of those singing talent shows, like X-Factor. The guy is super famous, but it used to be that older Korean people didn't like him much. He is a little bit vulgar for them, and some of his songs are considered offensive. But since he released Gangnam Style they have come round, and pretty much the whole country has gone nuts for him. 

He has an interesting back story, in terms of his personal life which effected his professional life. Now, don't quote me on this because it was a story told to me by one of my co-workers and things may have been lost in translation, but Psy has done 2 separate stints in the military. He served first as a technical of some sort, but did not fill certain requirement. He would have gotten away with it if he wasn't famous, but when people realised that he has skipped out a little bit, his fans were really mad. So he deliberately re-inrolled himself and went back and did another 2 years or something with the Army. So now his fans love him because he is super patriotic. This is a big deal here by the way, if you don't love RoK then you suck and no one likes you.

He is a rich guy and always has been, he grew up in Gangnam and his father was a big shot company man, I think maybe for Hyundai or something...

Anyway, he is signed with YG Entertainment which is one of the 2 biggest music studios in Korea. Others who are with this company are 2NE1 and BIGBANG. There are a heap of other really big names signed with YG.

Gangnam

Gangnam is a very affluent district to the south of the Han River in Seoul. It is the 'Beverly Hills' of Seoul with a lot of 'new money' in the district. All the kids are spoilt and rich, and go to private schools.  It has upmarket clubs and bars and heaps of plastic surgery clinics. I haven't been to Gangnam yet but when I do i will post photos :)

Gangnam is also where many celebrities live and work - the big music studios/produces are here as well as film and t.v. studios. 

The Song

So here is the deal with the song...

Psy is basically poking fun at all the beautiful people who live in this super trendy area. He is saying yes they are rich and beautiful, but they are just like everyone else. Read the song lyrics here

The clip went viral. I was totally shocked when Georgia told me it was something like no. 30 on the I Tunes countdown about a week after I came to Korea. So i was blown away when i heard it was number 1 in Australia, and also in America. WTF! This is K-Pop! And people absolutely love it!!! Psy has been everywhere, all over t.v. in different countries. The video has had millions of views. He is now signed with Justin Beiber's manager in the U.S or something... And I hear he might be performing at Future Music Festival in Australia!

The guy is amazing! And he is super funny too, and is very humble in interviews.

Something that I read on the internet made me laugh... I have been trying to keep up with news from home, and read on some tabloid sight about American's only liking this song because they were mocking it and the poor Korean's don't realise they are being made fun of. For starters, the song is meant to be tongue in cheek anyway, so it is already mocking itself. And Psy meant for it to be funny! The Koreans also know it is a stupid song! Thats why they love it. And as far as whether or not the Korean people know they are being mocked, well, I don't think they would care anyway. If you see knew how badly they tease other countries including America then you would also find this comment funny. 

The upshot?

The upshot is Gangnam Style is a funny song. It still hasn't gotten old here, it is played in every shop, on every radio station, out of every car that drives past and on every commercial. Psy pony dances to mobile phone ads, refrigerator ads and many others. Everyone knows the dance (myself included) and its not weird to dance to it in the street if you hear it come on. Apparently in Melbourne, clubs are playing the song. My sister was out on the weekend and she said it was played twice at Baroq House in the CBD. I asked her if everyone did the 'pony dance' she said no! This would not be tolerated here. You MUST dance to Psy!

My kids danced to it at their sports day (which I still haven't uploaded the video of I am sorry!!!) and it was one of the first things they asked me when I started teaching. 

And I have now seem him live! Well, I was too far away to actually see him but I have been to a Psy concert! Here are some pics from my awesome night last night:

Looking very Korean 

They were taking photos of me so I took photos of them :)

It was funny too, I dunno if it was because of the pink flashing bow I was wearing, or my crazy dancing or my blonde hair but heaps of people came up after and wanted their photo with me. So I might be all over the internet today lol. I got filmed while I was dancing away too.

Gotta love a free concert with one of the biggest starts n Korea performing! 

We all went out after and got messy on soju and beer. It was a super fun night over all... I have had such a good week hanging out with my new friends, learning Korean and just enjoying life. Now all I need is to be paid so I can do the whole thing again for another month! 

I have officially passed my 1 month point (actually I am way over it now but I forgot to blog about it) and I am just hoping that the rest of my time here goes as well as this. Still loving Korea.

xoxoxo