I have been posting these on Twitter but someone suggested I add them to my blog, so here is the fist batch of them. These are all actual conversations I have been apart of in Korea, mostly with my 11 and 12 year old students...enjoy!
ME: If we finish early next week we will watch a movie
STUDENT: Watch Harry Potter?
ME: No, we don't have time or money
STUDENT: My dad does
STUDENT: Teacher ok?
ME: I'm sick
STUDENT: What sick?
ME: You know 'cough, cough'
STUDENT: Teacher no kiss, make other teacher sick
ME: WHAT!?
STUDENT: Snow...outside
ME: Yes, I love the snow
STUDENT: Do you love it?
ME: Yes
STUDENT: Marry Snow
ME: Merry Christmas
STUDENT: No, snow is wife
ME: Open your book
STUDENT: Cook? English!
ME: I said book, with a "B"
STUDENT: CDEFGHIJKLMOPPXYZ
ME: You're right, lets cook
STUDENT: What is your study
ME: Political Science
STUDENT: Tutor me in science!
ME: No, POLITICAL science
STUDENT: Politics are liars...
STUDENT: Trebin teacher nice met you, make smile happy now?
ME: Don't tell anyone I am your English teacher...
STUDENT: Teacher is talking strange
ME: I had my tooth pulled
STUDENT: Thats why face is fat?
ME: yes
STUDENT: You should be this always ...
STUDENT: Trebun teacher, why face hair
ME: I like it
STUDENT: Why?
ME: Because it makes my face look skinny
STUDENT: But teacher fat body!
STUDENT: Teacher you like bouncing?
ME: Uhh...sure
STUDENT: Me too
ME: Why do you like bouncing?
STUDENT: No Bounceahhh!
ME: Oh Beyonce...
ME: You in trouble?
STUDENT: China
ME: China what?
STUDENT: I go there
ME: I said trouble not travel
STUDENT:Oh...give me candy
FEMALE KOREAN TEACHER: You have a massage?
ME: Massage? Uh what?
KOREAN TEACHER: Here (hands me paper)
ME: Oh yeah, a 'message'...
STUDENT: Trebun Teacher! Why they call 'gross series'?
ME: you mean Groceries?
STUDENT:yes that! They're not gross!
ME: I don't know...
Also here is an extended list of the names some of my students have chosen as their "English" names:
Boys: Dark Templar, Mr. Bin, Mother, Life Point, Christstar, Flame
Girls: Lucifer, Diamond, Candy, Cinnamon, Tree, Saint, Jeeze, Beyonce, Gaga
Friday, December 17, 2010
Friday, December 3, 2010
Thanksgiving on Three Continents
As the Holidays approached I was finding myself a little more home sick than usual, something that is rather hard for me to admit because I pride myself on my ability to be independent. To distract myself I volunteered for my favorite Thanksgiving job: cooking! This year provided the usual stresses and joys as well as many unforeseen hurdles that come when two cultures try and coexist. While preparing my recipes and shopping I found myself reminiscing about Thanksgivings past and realized that I have been on a different continent for Thanksgiving every year for the past three years, something that I assume is rather unusual for most. Not only have I been in three different continents, but every time I have been with entirely different people in entirely different cultures. All of these are so unique but also very comparable.
2008 - Mukono, Uganda
Uganda was such an emotional and trying experience that was full of change, learning and unlearning. Now that I think about it I realize that I have not really written much about my experience there which is surprising. Almost everything I am today as a human being came out of Africa. I expected to come away from Uganda with a better understanding of how people in third world country live. I expected to reaffirm my view of the world and the goals of my life. What I did not expect was to find that my values, goals, and understanding of God would change completely. I had my entire life all planned out, I knew exactly where I wanted to go and how I was going to get there. I have never viewed the people outside of those that I know with any sort of conviction for what they may be going through nor have I ever seen most of the the world as more than statistics. Africa changed me entirely and about the time Thanksgiving rolled around I was exhausted from the roller coaster ride my spirit was constantly on.
Thanksgiving was unlike any I had ever experienced. We played a giant game of football and as I recall I remember either sending a gaming winning pass or receiving one (either of these being a rare occurrence). Following that we had the largest and most extravagant meal I have ever been apart of for Thanksgiving. Everything you could imagine was there, and this was a huge deal because many of these dishes like stuffing and turkey had not really been seen while we where in Africa. About 50 foreigners and 50 Africans joined together for this intense buffet that included a smorgasbord of desserts followed by a screening of "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving" that was viewed on a bed sheet tied between to trees. All of this took place outside with the familiar smells of the holiday mingling with the scent I had come to know as the scent of Africa. By the time we shared this meal we were not strangers or students, we were friends.
2009 - Grangeville, Idaho
Back in the states for this one. This time I was with old friends spending thanksgiving with a family - the first time in 4 years - the Reardon family in Northern Idaho. This was just one big laugh the whole time with singing, walks and endless food all weekend long. I cannot remember the last time I was fed so much. Miriam Reardon's, actually it's Miriam Clark now, mother would bring out a snack and as we finished she would bring another, than another. We had more food the day before and the day after Thanksgiving than we had on the day itself! It was a conveyer belt of treats! This was such a warm and traditional big family style day that I had not been apart of since I was a little kid. I think it was the most fun I have ever had with my sister and my best friend (Miss Lacey Smith) at the same time. I remember feeling like I was in a family and didn't have to worry about a thing, I felt like a carefree kid again who was just along for the ride. I think it is one of my fondest memories from my College days. I love and adore the Reardons!
2010 - Cheonan, South Korea
2008 - Mukono, Uganda
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| Watching "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving" |
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| Our attempt at football |
2009 - Grangeville, Idaho
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| Taylor, Lacey, Me and the Readons on their front porch |
2010 - Cheonan, South Korea
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| The 24 pounder! and Go SEAHAWKS! |
South Korea has been a bit of a challenge for me, as I mentioned, but this year's Thanksgiving was on par with the past two in terms of fun, fellowship, and learning. This year I was once again able to put on my Chef hat and go to town. We were fortunate enough to be given the use of a mega-church's industrial kitchen, it was like a dream for me, a kitchen that was able to perfectly cook our 24 pound turkey ($90) in just three hours. The day started a bit bumpy when I got up at 8, expecting to begin cooking at 9, only to find out that we couldn't start until 11:30 and upon arrival we had to share the kitchen with a church kitchen staff of 15. After these initial shocks, I kicked it into high gear and was able to produce: Turkey, that I really didn't eat a thing until leftovers, but I was satisfied with the results. I have never cooked for so many people or made so many dishes in three hours. We followed up the smorgasbord with football, which made my day.
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| The Meal! |
This year I have been reflecting on the past and all of the amazing opportunities that I have been given at such a young age. My family is all over the world and I miss you guys so much but each year this family seems to grow. I pray that I continue to have these traveling opportunities and that someday I will be able to use the lessons learned in an effective ministry. The world is so much bigger than I ever imagined! I am so thankful for everyone who has let me be apart of their lives. Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas!
Thursday, November 25, 2010
North Korea
So a quick little note about the troubles with North Korea.
Let me briefly summarize the incident:
South Korea does annual military drills across the country, these drills started last weekend. The water boarder between the North and South has been hotly contested by the North since the UN created it back in the fifties, the South seems to observe the boundary but the North is very anxious over it, this has lead to several navel skirmishes in the area over the past 60 years. Last March a South Korean warship, the Cheonan - named after my city - was sunk and the signs point to North Korea though they firmly deny this. On tuesday, during the drills, the North sent a barrage of some 200 missiles to an island in the Yellow Sea that is about as close to this water border as you can get. The island has both civilian and military populations. Four people, two marines and two residents, have been confirmed as killed with many others injured. The South returned fire in defense. North Korea claims it was provoked but South Korea denies this.
Analysis:
Talking to many Koreans and reading many news outlets, here is what I think; I believe that the North was not provoked in the way they are saying, they claim they were fired on first. South Korea is not stupid and such actions would bring harsh criticism from the west. However it is reasonable to assume a feeling of provocation when a country you are at war with - yes they are still technically at war - holds military exercises miles from your boarder. This being the case it is still unreasonable to attack unless you think you will gain something. Several Koreans have told me that in the past, the North would do something like this - though not to this scale - in order to goad the South into sending food and other support. You see the North is in shambles and its people are starving by the thousands. Past presidents have quickly ceded to these demands but the current president has refused saying that aid is dependent on nuclear disarmament. Something that is far from happening according to a recent report that claims US scientists have just been shown a massive uranium enrichment plant that has been erected in the North. This stance has mixed support from the average South Korean. Taking all of this into account I think it is safe to assume this was a desperate act by the North to get attention from the world and possibly supplies. Also it is worth noting that Kim Jung Il's son has just been made a top military official in order to boost his image for succession, this may also be a kind of pea-cocking on his part. I do not believe this will escalate much further, I think the North wants attention and aid. Click the link for a more in depth story.
Korean skirmish: http://tinyurl.com/27mwyu5
North Korean Uranium: http://tinyurl.com/28sah5n
What does this mean?
For me and the many who live here it means little. In fact there is by far more news and concern about this incident everywhere else in the world than there is in South Korea. This is life as usual in a lot of ways. Though this incident was more severe than any in recent memory and has people talking, not many think it is going anywhere and most are just going about life as usual. The bombing took place about 100 miles away from where I am and the fact that nothing else has happened leads me to believe I am pretty safe. Cheers.
Let me briefly summarize the incident:
South Korea does annual military drills across the country, these drills started last weekend. The water boarder between the North and South has been hotly contested by the North since the UN created it back in the fifties, the South seems to observe the boundary but the North is very anxious over it, this has lead to several navel skirmishes in the area over the past 60 years. Last March a South Korean warship, the Cheonan - named after my city - was sunk and the signs point to North Korea though they firmly deny this. On tuesday, during the drills, the North sent a barrage of some 200 missiles to an island in the Yellow Sea that is about as close to this water border as you can get. The island has both civilian and military populations. Four people, two marines and two residents, have been confirmed as killed with many others injured. The South returned fire in defense. North Korea claims it was provoked but South Korea denies this.
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| Yeongpang Island, South Korea. This photo was taken during the bombing |
Talking to many Koreans and reading many news outlets, here is what I think; I believe that the North was not provoked in the way they are saying, they claim they were fired on first. South Korea is not stupid and such actions would bring harsh criticism from the west. However it is reasonable to assume a feeling of provocation when a country you are at war with - yes they are still technically at war - holds military exercises miles from your boarder. This being the case it is still unreasonable to attack unless you think you will gain something. Several Koreans have told me that in the past, the North would do something like this - though not to this scale - in order to goad the South into sending food and other support. You see the North is in shambles and its people are starving by the thousands. Past presidents have quickly ceded to these demands but the current president has refused saying that aid is dependent on nuclear disarmament. Something that is far from happening according to a recent report that claims US scientists have just been shown a massive uranium enrichment plant that has been erected in the North. This stance has mixed support from the average South Korean. Taking all of this into account I think it is safe to assume this was a desperate act by the North to get attention from the world and possibly supplies. Also it is worth noting that Kim Jung Il's son has just been made a top military official in order to boost his image for succession, this may also be a kind of pea-cocking on his part. I do not believe this will escalate much further, I think the North wants attention and aid. Click the link for a more in depth story.
Korean skirmish: http://tinyurl.com/27mwyu5
North Korean Uranium: http://tinyurl.com/28sah5n
What does this mean?
For me and the many who live here it means little. In fact there is by far more news and concern about this incident everywhere else in the world than there is in South Korea. This is life as usual in a lot of ways. Though this incident was more severe than any in recent memory and has people talking, not many think it is going anywhere and most are just going about life as usual. The bombing took place about 100 miles away from where I am and the fact that nothing else has happened leads me to believe I am pretty safe. Cheers.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Pepero Day!
Happy Pepero Day! Today we will be having a short lesson on Korean holidays. Today happens to be one, although Pepero Day carries the same weight as Valentines in the US and it is not a national holiday. Pepero Day is devoted to a specific style of cookie that is popular in several Asian countries. You may or may not be familiar with it; in the US you can find its Japanese equivalent “Pocky” at Wal-Mart. I find these cookies to be awesomely delicious and affordable, I have long been a Pocky fan. The reason today is Pepero Day is due to the fact that November 11 is written 11/11; a date which appears to be in the form of the tasty cookie (although when I was in junior high 11/11 was another “day”). Of course in the states it is Veterans Day. US honors Soldiers, Korea honors cookies…I am going to have to go with cookies on this one – and yes I know that statement is going to get me in trouble with some of you but what can I say? Have you heard me talk about pacifism? I am a lover (eater) not a fighter
Now I know you are super curious about other Korean holidays now that you have heard about Pepero day. Koreans celebrate a holiday called Chuseok – very similar to our thanksgiving – in October, it is a three-day event that closes schools for the week and families make a pilgrimage to their historical homes. During this time Korea Nazarene University was a Ghost town as was much of Cheonan City. The pictures I have seen (and included for you) are of glorious feasts that remind me of our own love of smorgasbords during the holidays.
Now Christmas has not yet arrived but I was surprised to find out, as no doubt you will be too, that it is not the family holiday of gifts and trees we are familiar with, but rather a couple’s holiday. Don’t get me wrong, Christmas music and Santa are still here but you are much more likely to see people going out on a date than going home to mom and dad. I guess you could say it’s more of a “Baby its Cold Outside” sort of day than it is a “Frosty the Snowman” sort.
Another holiday I recently heard about is Black and White day. Black day is a holiday where girls give their boyfriends gifts and White Day, which takes place thirty days later, is when the boyfriends reciprocate. Interesting to me, no excuse for crappy gifts when you get a whole month to plan, plus you can buy accordingly. It is always awkward when your girlfriend gets you a 300-dollar watch and you get her flowers!
And of course Koreans celebrate birthdays much in the way we do...with cake - I had to mention this so i could have some sort of segue for this picture of one of my co-workers birthday cakes.
Korean holidays! Another one of those little differences you find out about as you go. Just some interesting info I found out and thought it would be fun to share. Of course this may not all be entirely accurate as much of this info was procured from my Australian co-worker, although he is married to a Korean so he should be aware of such things. Until next time! Cheers!
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