Good evening from Suwon, SoKo! Jesus, is it already July? Yes, actually the outta-control humidity here tells me that it is indeed July. *wipes sweat from brow*
Things have been busy around these parts as usual. Let's see, what has happened since last updated? My co-teacher had her baby (welcome to the world Ha Eun!) and went on maternity leave, sticking me with a new 5th and 6th grade co-teacher who I am still warming up to. I went on a tour to the DMZ, and actually saw the city in North Korea that I will be visiting at the end of the month (Kaesong). The DMZ itself was rather surreal but not nearly as tense as people make it out to be. Then again, this is coming from the girl who was tear-gased in Palestine. In short, danger is relative. I don't find North Korea particularly threatening. I also had a few too many nights out in Hongdae, Korea's self-proclaimed party district. If there's anything Korea does well, its nightlife. Don't plan on calling it a night before 6 a.m. In fact, no night out is complete without the following: drinking copious amounts of soju and/or bad Korean beer, dancing on a table and/or bar, visiting a noraebang (karaoke room), being propositioned by a "juicy girl" (Korean prostitute), eating dapoki (rice dumplings in spicy tomato sauce- the ultimate late-night snack), and finally drinking coffee to sober up enough to navigate the subway home. It makes you feel like Korea has a very youthful vibe . . .
On a somewhat related note (okay not really), I've been receiving amazing praise recently for my teaching. I found out a few days ago that a few foreign teachers that have been struggling are going to visit my advanced class this Thursday (at the request of their co-teachers) . . . Apparently Young-shin has been bragging about me to the Korean teachers at other schools! Haha . . . also, unrelated to my teaching . . . I had a meeting with my principal on Friday and was informed that the principal of another school (who I swear I don't remember meeting) said that I was "the most beautiful foreign teacher in all of Gyeonggi-do" . . . and my principal said that she agrees :P I love the ego boost! She also ask if I had a boyfriend and assured me (totally umprompted on my behalf!!) that she would find me a nice Korean boy. Fabulous . . .
Aside from that, life is not terribly exciting . . . oh hell, what I am talking about? That IS exciting :D I'm still trying to learn Korean, but I seem to have platformed somewhere along the way. I really need to make an attempt to learn Hangul (Korean script), but I'm lacking the motivation (and the time). At the moment, I'd rather use my time to develop my yoga practice, which I am going to start up again this week . . . starting tomorrow I'll be doing hatha and vinyasa three times a week at a place called Su Yoga downtown. I'm super-excited.
Till next time . . .
Anyonghi kaseyo,
Dana
1 comment:
Found your blog....sounds like you are having fun.
Let me know if this comes through...I am a little new to blogs. I have an excuse....I'm old.
I hear things have changed quite a bit since Jan and I were there in 77 & 78. A lot more modern.
Were are glad you are getting out to see the sights. The DMZ is interesting as there are quite a few animals, birds, and plants that are found no where but there as it is uninhabited by either side for decades.
How are you communicating with Your dad and Sara?
I am just finishing up a Skype setup. I will let you know how it works. So far the cost has been only $39.00 for the camera and calls are free over the internet. Program download was free also.
Let me know if you receive this.
Uncle Kelly
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