Arrived/DC Memorials Near the Mall

Yes, we have safely arrived in America, after a difficult 22+ hour day of travel and then delicious Mexican food, and are enjoying the relaxing time in my parents' nicely remodeled home. I will update more about family for another time.

Our first day in America, we drove down to La Plata, where I used to do community theater, to see the final performance of Port Tobacco Players' Sweeney Todd. The play was amazing--the special effects and choreography created a great background mood for standout performances from the actress playing Mrs. Lovett and the actor playing young Toby. All of the other cast members were wonderful as well. I know the director and the producer well and have worked with them before, so I had high expectations for this production, but they were definitely surpassed. Bravo to everyone involved!

I also got to say hi to many old friends and introduce them, if briefly, to Min Gi. I miss this group of people so very much; I often reflect on how much I miss doing theater work, but the truth is that it is working with such awesome folks that makes the theater stuff so fun. I'll definitely get involved again when I'm back in the U.S. to live.

After the show, we headed to Northern Virginia to meet Amanda and Good Man for Chinese food. It was a great time, but too bad Amanda has to start teaching again, so she can't come play during weekdays. However, we did convince Good Man to join us the next day for shenanigans on the National Mall.

***

This morning, Min Gi and I headed down to the National Mall to meet Good Man and Peter, a friend of mine from high school. We started out at the Air and Space Museum, which is still pretty cool, even if some of the exhibits are now slightly outdated.

Models of Missiles--from an exhibit on the role of the military in space and flight development.

In another note, the Smithsonian Institute has sold out--the cafeteria now features overpriced McDonald's instead of overpriced generic Smithsonian cafeteria food. How tragic. We moved on to the memorials after checking out exhibits on aerial photography, the Wright Brothers, and the role of computers in space and flight technology.

Peter and I at the (relatively) new World War II Memorial, with the Washington Monument in the background.

Today was the anniversary of the armistice for the end (sort of) of the Korean war, so all the flags at the memorial sites were at half-mast, and the Korean War Memorial was decorated with funerary bouquets from the various embassies whose soldiers participated (and died) in the war effort on behalf of the UN.

Korean Soldiers in Rain Gear

Reflected Min Gi at the Korean War Memorial, carved with the faces of soldiers.

Finally, we worked our way around the reflecting pool, past the tidal basin to the Lincoln Monument, the Vietnam Memorial, and the White House (from a distance).

Vietnam War Memorial

After that, we walked up towards Metro Center to find a bar for a happy hour toast to our day's adventure. Good times and good fun for everybody! Check out the rest of the day's photos:

DC Memorials Near the Mall

Today, I love Korea.

On Wednesday, I had another appointment at Dongsan Hospital (because that's where the gastroenterologist lives) for my meds and such. I went a little early so I could stop by the dental clinic across the street, Seomun, for a cleaning.

Last time I went to the dentist in Korea, it was pretty awful. The guy had prehistoric equipment and while he scrubbed quite thoroughly before checking me out, he did not use rubber gloves while brutalizing my teeth. My gums developed sores for about three weeks following my appointment with this man. Needless to say, I've been terrified to return to a dentist since then.

However, Seomun clinic is clean, the receptionists and hygienists, while unable to speak a word of English, are super friendly and efficient. I was in and out in under 60 minutes. Also, since fear had kept me away for a long time, they wanted to do a second procedure in a week, but said it was ok to come when I got back from America. Furthermore, this follow up cleaning would be FREE (included in the 60,000 won fee--that's less than $50). Rock on, you awesome dentists. Also, one of the guys spoke some Spanish. I understand Spanish, but having studied so much Korean I can no longer speak it--it comes out in Korean word order (Yo espanol tres bien hablo... See? Just BAD).

So after my positive experience at this dentist, I went over to the hospital's international clinic for my appointment. The translators and doctors there are getting to know me all too well... Anyhow, after a lovely appointment where my doc declared my disease "in remission" (yay!), I went to get my prescription from the pharmacy next to the hospital.

There was a problem. The pharmacy (also not English speaking) said I needed to go back to the hospital. Something about health insurance. I can barely understand health insurance stuff when it's in perfect English, so I went back to the hospital, slightly annoyed with the pharmacist.

However, I should not have been annoyed because the pharmacist was looking out for me. Turns out that after a few months with this chronic disease, I have to register my diagnosis with the Korean government to continue to receive benefits for my doc appointments and medications. So one more trip to my GI (who I LOVE because he said it was his fault, even though I didn't say that... if you know anything about Korean doctor culture, you know this makes him more rare than raw sushi!), and I've been registered as having a "rare disease." Yay Korean government! Yay socialized medicine! Yay doctor and pharmacist!

The only weird thing was the translator at the international clinic made some crack about how "my country is paying for you," which smacked of bitterness.

I kept it light and responded, "Well, I work pretty hard for your country, so I always understood it was part of the deal."

She laughed, which is good, but still. Being an immigrant in a nationalistic country does sometimes blow (sympathy with those back in the U.S.).

Thank you, Korea!

Boryeong Mud Festival

Friday July 10, Min Gi came over after work and picked me up for our road trip to the west coast of Korea for the festival in Korea most popular with foreigners in this country: The Mud Festival at Daecheon beach in Boryeong.

Min Gi claims I was trying to pose with an "S-line"

Min Gi all mudded up.

Highlights of the trip were:

-the beach, which reminded me of the gulf coast side of Florida
-the food (shellfish bake, 조개구이)
-the (affordable) motel we found the first night before the crowds arrived that had a whirlpool bath
-the mud slide
-camping out of the car
-the crazy wind and rain that cancelled Sunday's activities
-fireworks in the monsoon
-running into Jennifer and husband

Dining out of the back of the car... where we also slept on Saturday night.

Check out a few more photos of the silliness:

Boryeong Mud Festival

I'm going home...

Well... but let's hope I don't end up like Tim Curry's character did after he sang that song--betrayed by his lieutenant transvestite (who, it turns out, was having an incestuous and kinky relationship with his sister's elbows) before having his self-created true love murdered as he climbed a flimsy RKO set.

On the home front, I will be in America (mostly based in the Washington, DC area) from July 25 to August 17 (arriving back in Korea on August 18). I'm very excited to see family and friends and especially to introduce Min Gi to my culture and the people I love. However, preparing for my first real visit "home" in almost two years has taken most of my time, both logistically and emotionally. It's weird, but it's like in college when I was always "going home"--both when I went to my parents' house and then when I went back to the dorms. Straddling two places at once that both feel like home is rough. I imagine, now that I'm marrying a Korean person, more than just because I lived here, when I go to a third country that's not America or Korea, I'll be living in three places at once.

Well, that's been occupying my brain a lot lately. I started this post a long time ago, but some other things have prevented me from blogging well.

If you read William's blog, then you can see why I've been so busy at work, as well as how I ended up in my second Korean news article about my teaching endeavors. The theater festival was a great success. I am so, so proud of these kids. They are unbelievably awesome. Check out my photos from the second and first grade festivals, held over two days:

English Theater Festival at 외고.

The only unfortunate thing was that it made our rude, lazy, power-hungry principal look good. I shouldn't bash my boss on my blog, but he can't understand it, even though he used to teach English. Also, I don't really cares what he thinks anymore because the man fell asleep and sent LOUD text messages during the entire student festival. He is rude and disrespectful to the other teachers at the school and especially to the students, and I know that culturally, as the oldest person in the school, he can treat us however he wants and it's ok, but WHAT AN ASS.

In my personal life, I've been busy taking care of wedding planning, contract renewal, and details for moving when I return to Korea after my trip. More details coming soon, including information about my swine flu "quarantine" and a recap of the windy, crazy Mud Festival.

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!