YouTube and Talking to Birds

Well... I tried to include a small video of my kitties being silly onto YouTube for use in the blog when I was confronted by this evil message:

"본인확인제로 인해 한국 국가 설정시 동영상/댓글 업로드 기능을 자발적으로 비활성화합니다.
We have voluntarily disabled this functionality on kr.youtube.com because of the Korean real-name verification law."

Holy crap! You see last year, in response to the suicide of actress Choi Jin-sil, the South Korean government thought that cracking down on netizens ("net-citizens") who left cruel comments about her that supposedly pushed her over the edge would prevent suicide. (Because of course mean comments are the LEADING cause of suicide--not mental health problems and health care accessibility, no...). They thought people would be less inclined to be net bullies if they have to sign their real name to their comments. So they passed a real-name verification law.

Anyhow... I seem to be able to get around it by setting my location to "Worldwide" instead of "South Korea"

So I bring you Princess, talking to the birds:

Perhaps she is trying to learn Korean, and got confused...

Will there be "fireworks"?

There is some debate about whether North Korea's latest plan to piss off Obama and draw attention to the recent appointment of Kim Jong Il's third son as his planned successor involves launching rockets at Hawaii on the 4th of July. You can read about it here. The U.S. seems to be taking this as a strongly credible threat and beefing up security on the islands, although South Korea's military has seen no evidence of the missile preparations to date.

Once again, the general populace of South Korea remains completely unperturbed, despite escalating tensions and provoking actions and statements from their brothers to the North since Lee Myung-bak took office a year and a half ago. For once, I agree with them regarding this threat. First of all, it's not against mainland South Korea and instead focused on a U.S. soil attack, so there's no real reason for concern here. Second, the lack of activity (unlike the last missile launch) seems like it will either not happen or be rushed and fail. Finally, I may be growing desensitized--perhaps I'm starting to understand how if you grow up in a country under constant threat of attack you might not pay attention, even when that attack seems slightly more likely today than it did yesterday.

That said, I won't allow my apathy prevent me from hoping that indeed the "threat" proves to be as much of a joke as I think it will be for the sake of those in Hawaii (or any island nation in between should the missile fail to reach its intended target but still cause damages). Let's all hope for the same.

What Korea has given me...

Two years ago, I was wracked with anxiety about my plans to move half way around the world to a country I knew next to nothing about, leaving a career (and hobbies and a volunteer position) I loved and family and friends who were awesome. Living abroad has been a lifelong dream of mine (I grew up hearing stories of my parents' time in Ecuador with the Peace Corps), but I'd always been too afraid to do it. I am *so* glad I did.

Korea has given me...

--greater acceptance, and (more surprisingly and amazingly) even admiration, of myself.
--an understanding of the culturally determined parts of my head and the ability to let go of the ones I don't particularly care for.
--a (future) husband!
--patience, especially with transportation issues and difficult communication issues at the workplace.
--greater trust in the good of humanity.
--more appreciation of interdependence and community and the need to foster it.
--an increased thirst for adventure.
--a passion for taekwondo and swing dance (ironically, an art originating in my native land).
--a relativistic understanding of "exotic."
--a greater tolerance for situations requiring me to be outgoing, and the subsequent understanding that I, too, can be charming and win friends easily if I so desire.
--appreciation for the American education system as fostering creativity and independence.
--the ability to describe a person's face without relying on color (of eyes, hair, skin, etc.).
--an addiction to kimchi not likely to be overcome in the future.
--the chance to feel what's it's like to be a minority (albeit a relatively favored minority, but unlike PG county where I was also a minority, the power structure here is not my culture/race).
--a firm belief that should the young, beautiful (and unfortunately superficial) women of Korea could learn to harness the overwhelming power and wisdom of the ajumma from a younger (and perhaps more fashionable) age, they would rule the universe.
--a belief that I can do anything I want. I mean anything. Seriously, it's like I'm a second grader again.

...and about a thousand other things I can never hope to repay.

Sure... there have been downsides. Missing my sister's last year of high school and other markers of her passage to adulthood has been the hardest. Not being there for my dad and (now) my mom as they suffered from health issues is a very close second.

But choosing to come here is almost certainly in the top-five for "good decisions" I've made.

Thank you, 대한민국.

Re-signing (Resigning?)

Friday afternoon, there was a meeting for Daegu's EPIK teachers who planned to renew for 2009-2010 to review the terms of our new contracts and allow us to sign for next year. They called it the "Resigning Meeting." A wonder no one caught the irony.

I actually really like the new contract--it's well-designed. The government has decided to replace airfare (and airfare reimbursement) with a set amount of money (1,300,000 won for a one-way and 2,000,000 for a round trip). Also, you don't have to use it for airfare, you can use it for whatever you want. This is wonderful for people like me who don't mind shopping around a little for a good airfare bargain. Heck if this contract had been my current contract my ticket AND most of Min Gi's for the trip to America (less than four weeks away!!!!) would be paid for. As it stands, I'll get reimbursed for my ticket--still not a terrible deal.

We're also getting more vacation days (10 in winter and 8 in summer), which is super, a raise of 100,000 won/month (not nearly enough to take the edge off the flailing won value, but still nice), and they're changing the end date of the contract to August 25 (which is great for me 'cause next year I'll be looking for U.S. jobs and will have to leave as early in August as I can).

Although I ran into a few lovely people who also work in the Daegu Public Schools as native speaker English teachers who I rarely see, but enjoy talking with, there were enough loud, rude, obnoxious, and thick people to make me cringe, thinking, And this is what some Koreans think Americans (Canadians, Australians, Kiwis, South Africans, Brits, Irish) are like?

I've said before that since Korea is so homogeneous, I often feel like a defacto ambassador for all of western culture. I'm often the only or one of a few foreigners my friends, acquaintances, and random strangers on the street have regular, personal interactions with. Not that it's right, but I do feel like the impression I leave might be how that person judges all Americans, white people, westerners, or western women. It can be a lot of pressure.

Apparently some of my "colleagues" (oh lord do I cringe calling some of those people that--I'm a professional educator and very few other foreign teachers in Korea, even good teachers, are that, though some do BECOME it while they are here) do not feel such self-imposed responsibility.

So I'll be here for one more year. And I feel a little strange. I know for a fact that were it not for Min Gi and our plans to get married in January (January 9, everybody, this is your official "save the date"), I would be elsewhere at the end of this contract.

You see, I love Korea. Even without my relationship, I would probably consider coming back here again. The lifestyle of an expat is quite comfortable and fun. However, I want to try some other countries before I settle down anywhere for a long time. I've gotten bit with the expat living bug, but I think I'd enjoy expat life in many different places. With my credentials and experience, I could easily hop on the international school circuit and spend the rest of my professional life country hopping every 2-3 years. I'd be thrilled with this.

However, there are two obstacles to this plan now. One: Min Gi and I would like to have children together one day. That means it would be in their best interest to stay in one country for long periods of time. However, he has agreed (and is excited about) living with me in at least one more country before we settle down anywhere. This makes him AWESOME. So in the short term, this actually is no obstacle at all.

Two: With Dad's health issues, I want to spend some time with my family while we're still all relatively healthy. I don't really have a desire to live in the U.S. again long term (I think it would be boring and I'd feel like I was stagnating, though there are DEFINITELY some things I miss). Missing family and friends is the hardest thing about living abroad, and right now, with what's going on back home, I think it's very important that I make this a priority for at least a year. The bonus to this is that I've learned so much about Korea while living here, that it helps me understand and appreciate Min Gi more (especially in the ways he's managed to overcome his cultural limitations--impressive in a person who has not traveled much). I'm hoping that spending a year or two in America does the same for him.

This will be my last year in Korea for at least another 3 or 4--wow. It'll be much harder to write about this at this time next year when I'm really leaving.

For now, I'm excited about hopping on the plane July 25 for three and half weeks of American fun! Now, if I could just find someone who would watch my cats for me during that time...

That's Very Hot!

Um... I have no words. This, my friends, is Choco Boy (초코보이):

This must be shared. Leah introduced me to it. If you can believe, the "Hot hot hot hot" song has made its way into mainstream Korean TV commercials.

Forever Love

Time to share the secret with those of you who don't know yet:

11:30 a.m. We have cleaned the house, walked around the neighborhood to check out housing for next year, and eaten breakfast at the kimbap shop.

Min Gi is lying on the floor while I hang up the load of laundry. "Do you want to go anywhere special today?"

"Um... we didn't really have any plans, but here," I hand him the South Korea Moon Handbook. "Open it up to any page and let's go there."

"East Gyeongju," he reads. "Hey, we could go visit Ha Young [our friend who moved to Gyeongju about three months ago] in Gyeongju."

"That sounds fun."

A couple hours later at the Folk Art Village, we are looking for presents for my parents when Min Gi notices the amethyst jewelry.

"Wow. These are so beautiful." He looks at me in a strange, sappy way. "What do you like?"

I look at a few rings and pick out two (one I like the style a little more set in silver, the other set in white gold) and explain the differences and the advantages/disadvantages of the bands. Then he kicks me out of the store.

Back in the car, he seems to have something in his mouth when he hands me a small jewelry box. I open it up (anticipation building, of course), and it's empty!

"I need some energy from your sweet kiss." Ok, he definitely has something in his mouth.

I kiss him. He tries to put a ring in my mouth.

I'm laughing at this point because, as sweet as he is, it's kind of gross. He chose the ring in the style I liked better. I make him wash it off before he puts it on my finger.

"Did you know amethyst means 'forever love'?" I shake my head. "Well, I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I love you. Will you marry me?"

"Of course!" (We've been planning the wedding for about a month, guys... I didn't tell you 'cause he wanted to do a romantic proposal).

"Is that yes?"

"Yes, it's yes, you silly man!"

His reaction to my answer.

"Hold your ring up for the camera, honey!"

For those of you who care about this kind of thing: Amethyst (with two flanking amethyst chips) set in silver.

Later, we met up with Ha Young at a large park near his new house. We had a great dinner and then watched some local kids play in a fountain. It was really fun. Min Gi also got Ha Young to agree to announce our wedding (we're not exactly having an officiant).

Me and my Korean brother, being goofy.

Small children, easily entertained and very entertaining.

Driving home, relaxed and happy. "I don't like how I proposed. I want to try again."

"I thought you were very sweet, honey."

"I was thinking about proposing at Boryeong [we're going there in a couple weeks for the mud festival]. Or I could do other things. One time for proposing is not enough."

"Well, if you really want to, you can propose again."

"Give me back the ring!"

"No! We're engaged, now. But you can propose again if you want."

"Ok. Wait for part two."

"I will."

So I guess this story is to be continued... ? I have no idea.

Check out the rest of the album and enjoy your day. I know I did!

Engaged!

Good News, Sand Art, Laos

Well, I have good news: Dad is now cancer-free. Hopefully he will remain that way for some time through healthier living and sheer stubborn will. Yay Dad! So even as I've gotten some crap health news, not all is bad in the world of E-family health.

I have other good news, but I won't share it with you all yet. I'm a tease. You'll know soon enough, lovely blog people. I suspect sometime in July.

***

Two weeks ago, Min Gi and I went to the Sand Art Festival in Busan at Haeundae beach. I went last year, too, but I think the art this year was more interesting and politically-themed. Last year it was mostly about how much they hate American beef. This year featured a tribute to former president and recently deceased Roh Moo-hyun, an anti-nuclear war protest, and this interesting anti-whaling design:

Look at the little whaling boat. And the red and white dye used on the sand.

We also discovered that sailing could be a recreational activity in Korea, although still nowhere near as popular as in the U.S.

Since it was still May two weeks ago, technically it was not "beach season" in Korea, and so even with the festival and perfect beach weather, Haeundae was not nearly as crowded as it is in July or August. We set up the green tent, purchased from Sarah before she went down under, and I hogged the corner of shade it cast so my pasty white skin wouldn't end up bright red. I was, unfortunately, feeling sicky, so I didn't go in the water...

But Min Gi got to practice for his new gig as a beer model (haha!)

In Korea, you can order delivery anywhere, even on the beach!

The day was lovely. We took the slow train directly from Haeundae home. It takes a lot longer than the KTX, but the seats are comfortable and the views are beautiful--all along the south and east coast then through the gorgeous Gyeongsang Province country scenery. If you have a little extra time in your trip between Daegu and Busan, I highly recommend taking the longer train!

In the meantime, check out the album:

Busan Sand Art Festival

***

Work has been really stressful and busy lately. From the gifted classes, to being so ill a week ago I had to take two days off, to organizing two major projects/presentations with my 360 students, it's been a lot. I will post about the drama festival William and I have been working on soon, as it's been really interesting and challenging to organize.

However, Friday afternoon we had a little break from the usual routine for a special visit from the Lao Ambassador to Korea for a Global Meeting. In the hot auditorium, it went on for about 30 minutes too long (the whole thing was 2 hours), but it was a great opportunity to learn a little more about the only landlocked Southeast Asian country.

Here the smiling ambassador removes his jacket in the middle of his speech, laughing about how the climate reminds him of home.

I want to post...

...but every time I start to write, I end up telling not-so-amusing stories about the side effects of my lovely new meds that are making my life rather unpleasant at the moment.

So until that feeling passes, blogging will be limited and infrequent. Appreciate the fact that I'm keeping my feelings about it all to myself.

Quitting? Cadavers? Angels?

What a long, strange, emotional day it's been.

I had one more (very unpleasant) procedure this morning to confirm my diagnosis. Alas, it is the chronic autoimmune disease my doctor suspected it to be. Although we were pretty sure that's what it was, finally being confirmed made me just crash... Now I really do have to deal with this for the rest of my life. I started the medication to actually treat the condition (before we were treating symptoms). It's gonna be a rough ride.

Which got me thinking that I'm really stressed out by taekwondo these days. The late time makes it hard to get a good night's sleep. Also, by the time 9:20 rolls around, I'm too tired to try as hard as I can. So I realized that for my health, I might have to give up my lessons. This made me really sad because I so much enjoy learning taekwondo, but I just haven't been going that often since I've been so tired and stressed out these days.

So I sent a message to Kwanjangnim saying that I'd like to talk because my health was not so good (he knows I've been missing a lot these days and that I've been going to the hospital). He suggested coming to the 6:30 class... Now, why didn't I think of that? I felt so much better after talking to him. I can keep doing taekwondo, even if it's with the younger kids, but still get to bed at a reasonable hour.

Awesome!

After my medical appointment, I met my friend Boo-yoon, who is a med student at Kyungbuk National University, for lunch. We went to a Russian restaurant downtown that is not particularly vegetarian friendly on the menu, but they willingly substituted eggs for meat on a stir fry dish. It was quite delicious.

Then we went to his school which was having a festival of sorts. Each of the different departments (medical specialties) had displays set up to teach the general public about different diseases and health issues. Boo-yoon's group gave a demo about cardiovascular disease, and he got a kick out of making his friends try to give their presentations in English.

Anyhow, the most bizarre exhibit was the anatomy group. The first part featured fetuses and babies with congenital birth defects preserved in formaldehyde jars. It was very disturbing, especially the really awful defects, like being born with no brain or only one eye. Then they had three cadavers on display--two men and one woman. Now, I've seen a dissected cat before, so I was kind of interested to see a human, but really it just looked disturbingly like hacked up meat. Especially with the faces covered, they just didn't look human at all. And the preservative they were using made all the organs various shades of brown. It was all just really overwhelming, so I had to leave after just a few minutes.

And no, I didn't get any photos. I did ask if I could take some, but Boo-yoon said it would be disrespectful.

All medical-scienced out from my day thus far, I treated myself to the movie Angels and Demons based on the book by Dan Brown. This was a far better movie than The Da Vinci Code, though I had read that book before watching the disappointing film version, whereas I went in today with no prior knowledge of the story. I really enjoyed Ewan McGregor's performance and Hans Zimmer's score.

So now, I'm off to the early bedtime I've allotted myself. Happily. I hope your day was less... bizarre.

Thanks, North Korea. Thanks.

Isn't our little peninsula just chock full of international news this week?

Today, Kim Jong Crazy conducted a nuclear test.

Also, not yet picked up internationally, but I'm expecting it to be any moment now, some English teachers are being quarantined after participating in a hagwon's training session with a swine-flu infected teacher. As it is, a co-worker all asked me if I'd spent time with other foreigners this weekend and suggested I go get checked at a hospital.

Because every foreigner in Korea knows and regularly socializes with every other foreigner here. Really.