Out of the frying pan and into the fire!

No Regrets

2006-12-03T13:05:00.000+09:00

Thank GOD I made it out of Korea Alive. In the end there I didn't think I was going to make it!

Now I am maxin' and relaxin' on beautiful Bo Phut beach in Ko Samui.

I hope to get around to responding to many of the e-mails I've neglected over the past few months in the next 20-ish days. Please have patience. This process will continue once I hook-up with Nat in Australia.

Just know that I'm safe and I'm getting happier by the minute.

Much Love,
Tcy

Gone To Thailand...

2006-12-02T10:00:00.000+09:00

Yes, I know. I've been out of touch. Without an excuse. And now I've gone an flown to Thailand. What's the world coming to? Hopefully to a better end now that I'm out of Hell and en route to Paradise. I'll check-in again when I can, but effectively I may be incommunicado until January 10th. Sorry for the inconvenience. But I need to BREATHE for a little while...

HBD2ME

2006-12-01T08:45:00.000+09:00

Older, yes.
Wiser, ....?
The jury's still out on that one.
Check back with me at half-time.
I've only finished the first quarter.
Cheers to persistence!
-T

Annoying...

2006-10-27T10:01:00.000+09:00

Yesterday looked as though it was going to be a perfectly normal day until I left my first class and found the 9 disgruntled members of my youngest class waiting for me at my desk. Amidst the flurry of Korean words, pointed fingers and sloppy hugs, I was able to discern that Jessica had informed the class of imminent departure.

Now, there's no denying that I'm leaving the Hagwon. I will be high-tailing it out of here as fast as possible come Dec. 2nd, however for my youngest students, the ones who I've taught to read and write, I really wanted to have the chance to explain my departure myself. I knew it wouldn't be easy: for most of them I'm the first Hagwon teacher they've ever had. We have fun together in class, I see them every day, and I will miss them tremendously when I'm gone. That is precisely why I wanted to choose the right time and opportunity to tell them myself: so that I could explain why I'm abandoning them and somehow cushion the impact of my departure.

But all that went to SHIT yesterday. There were actual TEARS!!! -- And I'm not leaving for another whole MONTH!!!! Frickin' HELL!!! I was furious, but I'm sure I'll get over it after a Jess-free weekend. I don't know how she manages to rub me the wrong way almost every day, but she does... Oh, how she does....

A second success story

2006-10-25T23:38:00.000+09:00

Today 7 of our elementary school students participated in Mokpo's municipal English speaking competition. Unbelievably my boss permitted me to skip my first class so that I could attend the event and support our competitors. It was amazing to sit there in the audience amongst all the parents and teachers, most of whom only had one student to support, and cheer on my 7 spectacular students. After 2 weeks of daily extra classes, I was as nervous as they were, sitting in the auditorium listening to the other speeches. In the end I had to rush back to the Hagwon before the competition finished, to teach my regularly scheduled classes of the day, but that was not before I saw all of my students mount the stage and speak their hearts out. I was so proud. They did so well!

Incidentally, there were a number of other foreign teachers at the competition, however all of them work in the middle schools and have sweet-ass curse-kindling public school jobs (which means they teach maybe 15 classes a week with a full-fledged Korean teacher assisting them every step of the way, they get all the benefits I do and more, and they work from 9am to 3pm every day. Yes, I do hate most of them. No, I don't think its irrational.). When they approached me to find out why I was attending the event, a competitive air immediately arose as I gushed about my 7 students. The teachers also seemed put-off by the fact that I knew each of my pupils by their real names, rather than by the stupidly arbitrary English names they are forced to adopt when studying ESL in school. Probably the funniest part, for me, was the fact that all of my students came running to me to check their pronunciation, or review their introductions, or to be congratulated after they had finished. Despite the fact that the public school foreign English teachers were required to attend the competition just because their students were there, each child all but ignored them in favor of Yours Truly. I know I sound arrogant, but it was honestly very funny. And I do care a whole hell of a lot for my students, and wanted to be there for them today. I certainly don't care for the job or for my boss, but I can honestly say I love most of my pupils.

Later this evening the results arrived that 6 of our 7 had received prizes. One girl even made it to 2nd place! I couldn't believe their luck and couldn't help beaming like a bleeding idiot for the rest of the day. Even though hugging is a BIG "no no" here I honestly couldn't help myself when the first students returned to the academy. Yes, I hugged them. No, I don't regret it. They deserved it, just like they deserve the ice cream I'll be treating them to on Friday. Certainly nothing is sweeter than success, but Baskin-Robbin's sure does come close!

(From Left to Right we are: Gun-Joo, Myung-Ju, You-Jung, June-Young, Hyun-Jae, Yours-Truly, and Eun-Jin.)

(Seul-Bin was doing her interview at the time, so she missed the photo.)

Succeeding Vicariously

2006-10-24T23:40:00.000+09:00

Today one of our school's brightest students was accepted into an elite foreign language high school in Seoul. Of the 900 applicants, only 60 students are selected annually. It is a very difficult school to get into and their graduates are practically guaranteed admission to Korea's top universities. I have been teaching Jin Sung at least once a week since I arrived in Mokpo and he has always been a pleasure to work with. Although he is a little scattered and socially awkward, he has a good heart and tries very hard to succeed. I was, of course, ecstatic for him (especially after he begged me to stay 1.5 hours after work last week, without notice, to practice his interviewing skills), but I was totally unprepared for the recognition which followed.

It is rather common in Korea for appreciative parents to bring gifts of fruit and rice cakes to the Hagwon. This happens very often. Today, however, not only did 2 huge boxes of oranges and grapes arrive, but so did Mrs. Kwak herself. She approached me tentatively and then offered me the deepest, most appreciative bow I have ever seen and then shook my had very vigorously. I was honestly take aback because I've never seen an adult bend so low, especially to someone as young as myself. I think the secretary was also quite surprised because she stood there for a moment before fetching my Boss -- the usual recipient of any/all accolades. Thenceforth she was extremely polite to me for the rest of the day. Due to the language barrier no words were exchanged between Mrs. Kwak and myself except for "Thank You" and "You're Welcome! Congratulations!", but I later learned that Mrs. Kwak will pay for a staff luncheon and for pizza to be served in every class this Friday. A rather "cheesy" thank you, n'est pas?

Jin Sung later told me that the questions I asked when we had our last-minute Pow-Wow turned out to be the same questions the interviewers asked him on Friday, and that 2 of the 4 essay topics he was offered during the written portion of the test were identical to ones I asked him to write for our essay class last month. Fortune seems to be smiling down on the boy, and I honestly cannot take much credit for the dedication and energy he puts into his studies, but I am feeling a strange sort of pride tonight. Getting into this school was Jin Sung's dream. All of his aspiring endeavors and achievements were and will be linked to his acceptance into this school. When I asked him, last week, what he would do if he didn't get into the school, he was utterly perplexed.

Tonight I'm thinking about the dreams I once had, and the admissions and rejections I've experienced. I am so grateful that Jin Sung was not disenchanted last Friday and that his potential has not been checked. I could honestly almost cry with joy. I don't know why this is effecting me so much. He is certainly not one of my favorite students (not that I have favorites...), and I absolutely despise the work I do most of the time, but today it seemed as though I caught a glimpse of the lasting impression I will leave on one Korean student. And the power of this image almost made this exhausting experience worthwhile... almost.

Air Raid

2006-10-16T14:47:00.000+09:00

Today, as I was preparing for work, the most blood-chilling, second-stopping thing happened. The normally noisy Mokpo air was muted by the wails of a solitary siren which echoed between the apartment blocks and stopped all movements. Its scream was so loud and sustained that all music was obliterated, conversation was impossible, and thoughts were limited to the most essential ideas one takes for granted any other day of the year.

At the same time a low-flying jet could be heard overhead, and perhaps for the first time in my life I felt the futility and fear of being a war victim. Sitting in my bedroom, all I could do was wait for one sound to end and others to begin. In case of an emergency I could close my windows and lock my doors but what else...? And what good would that actually accomplish if a conflict really were to erupt?

The sirens sounded twice. They resonated in the marrow of my bones. Students later told me the noises were just a "social test", by which I think they mean a standard civic maintenance trial. But it certainly didn't feel like a test at the time...

I am here for one more month (give or take 2 weeks). Cross your fingers that nothing goes down in the North before then.

A Snapshot of China

2006-10-09T22:25:00.000+09:00

My travels in China were unforgettable and overwhelming and a mix of many other emotions. My sincerest thanks go out to my two travel companions, Pauline and Breda, without whom my experiences would have lacked a lot of lustre. The following are a few choice photos from my album of 450 shots. Yes, I am a nerdy tourist. I regret nothing.

Chinese Charm...

2006-10-08T10:13:00.000+09:00

This is a short but apt description of the social climate in China at present. I, personally, did not experience any cheating half as ridiculous as this, however I was scammed into a ridiculously priced Traditional Tea Ceremony and I soon learned that all shopping had to be conducted under the premise that the given prices were marked-up at least 350%. China was wonderful despite all this, but the personal interactions on has with its people really do leave a lasting negative impression. For many, I'm sure it will discourage any thoughts of returning -- which is a pity.

Read Trevor Metz's article here.

TKD Test

2006-09-23T22:10:00.000+09:00

I don't have any pictures of myself, however here are some choice shots from today's adventure in Wonderland. As expected, I was the only foreigner to be found at the competition and I was the "talk of the town" -- or so it seemed anyways. I still can't speak or understand Korean, but with all of the pointing, following, touching, screaming and laughing, I seemed to be causing some sort of commotion. Maybe I had toilet paper sticking out of my Dobok. Who knows...

The results of the test are unknown as of yet, but I can say that I was so nervous I barely remember what I did after stepping onto the mats. I know I fought with some girl, and I think I did some kicking and presented my Poomse. But honestly, I couldn't really say. I guess I'll find out in the coming weeks. I do remember enjoying the fighting. I wish I had the opportunity to do that more often! Apparently in both Rugby and Taekwondo I enjoy the kicking-the-shit-out-of-someone-else factor very much. Odd, a bit scary, but True...

Thailand

2006-09-23T22:03:00.000+09:00

The Canadian Government is not telling tourists to stay out of Thailand, so at this point I am still planning on heading there directly after I finish y Korean contract. Speaking of which, I have only 40 teaching days left! Is it wrong that I'm already counting? Perhaps, but I don't care. The sooner I am finished with this teaching stuff, the better. Seriously: I am not cut out for teaching! I don't think I'm particularly bad at it, but it drains the passion and soul right out of me! It's the thing I wake up dreading every morning and the thing I worry about as I drift in-and-out of sleep every night. There is some comfort in knowing that teaching is 100% NOT for ME, but the discomfort of doing it nevertheless is painful. I can hardly wait until Nov. 17th. I will be skipping on my way out the door. Goodbye and good riddance!!!

What now...?!?

2006-09-20T11:06:00.000+09:00

Martial Law has been declared in Thailand following a military coup by the country's armed forces. Tanks are now rolling through the streets of Bangkok, and the Thai Prime Minister, who is presently stranded in the USA, has declared the city to be in a State of Emergency. Apparently turmoil has been brewing in Thailand since their last general election, and the current state of crisis erupted after 6 bombs were detonated last Saturday.

This may very well mean that my post-Korea plans will significantly, as I was slated to fly into Bangkok on November 20th. I shall be watching this calamity unfold and waiting too see what becomes of it. Perhaps I will have to limit my travels to Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam...

Or perhaps I will start looking into Singapore...

Who knows. But I hope this crisis ends quickly, not only for the sake of my selfishness, but for the sake of the Thais and others whose lives are now at stake.

An unhappy adieu to Angus

2006-09-19T23:47:00.000+09:00

Well, today was the day. The man of my life has left the country and now I am stranded in this God-forsaken backwater by myself. Sure there are over 50 other foreigners living in Mokpo, but none are even remotely as cool, kind, interesting, funny and fabulous as Angus. Hope lies in the fact that Sunny will be returning to Mokpo sooner rather than later, but Angus has truly been my best friend for the last 3 months and it's hard for me to imagine what my life will be like now that he's gone. He has helped me through the bad weeks, he totally took my mind off my cast while my foot was broken, he has shared my love for Korean movies, The Hours, magazines, music and wine -- all of which we enjoyed together almost every weekend. His departure only emphasizes the need for my own exodus. For the next two months I will have to try to busy myself with all the last-minute touristy things I want to do and get myself ready for my post-Korea adventures (which will hopefully include a trip to visit Angus' homeland). My plans will have to content me for the time being, but he mundane weekly hell won't pass quite so quickly without him waiting at the end of it with a corkscrew in hand.

I am already missing him and he left only a few hours ago. It's going to be a tough 2 months.

Shark Dive

2006-09-13T10:00:00.000+09:00

It was a blast-and-a-half to go swimming with the terrifying fish living in the Busan Aquarium. Although I wasn't allowed to bring my own camera into the tank, the Dive Master took some shots for which he's now charging a ridiculous fee. I've downloaded some small copies to give you an idea of what I saw while I was down there. It was definitely a CRAZY experience -- ESPECIALLY after hearing about Steve Irwin's death (R.I.P.) only two days later. There were some large rays swimming around the Busan tank, however my tense yet titillated attention was focused on the grey nurse sharks, leopard sharks, and reef sharks circling in our midst. Apparently my apprehensions were slightly misdirected! Actually, we were warned to steer clear of the sea turtles as they have been known to bite people on occasion. In fact, the same recreational diver was nipped twice on two different shark tank diving excursions!!! You'll all be relieved to hear that I exited the water safely and even got to keep a couple of the sharks teeth I collected off of the aquarium floor.

Overall, it was a great experience and I might try to diving again before leaving the country. I'm looking forward to diving in Thailand and maybe upgrading my level to Advanced Open Water Diver. It's a whole different world down there. It belittles you in that a really good way.

Where I'm at right now...

2006-08-26T15:27:00.000+09:00

Ok, so I'm rounding-out the final stretch of my Korean adventure. Three-quarters down, one to go ("Asssaaahhh!!!" (i.e. "Yessss!!!!" in Korean)). It's time to get some facts on the table to keep my head straight and to let others know where things are at.

1. I will be going to Busan next weekend to scuba-dive in the shark tank at the Busan aquarium. The fee is minimal and includes all-day access to the aquarium. I'm excited.

2. Perhaps my closest buddy in Mokpo will be returning to his New Zealand homeland in mid-September. His departure will bring an end to my solid Friday/Saturday night plans (out-on-the-town, watching movies, or nursing a bottle of Red at his place). If things work out, however, I may be seeing him again sooner rather than later. Regardless, I am not looking forward to his leaving and it will definitely encourage my own longing to leave this place.

3. On September 24th I will be testing for my Taekwondo Black Belt. Writing those words and reading them back seems ridiculous even to me, however it's happening and after a 2-hour Poomse lesson today I cannot deny that I'm getting psyched for the big event. Even if I will be testing amidst a group entirely composed of Korean Elementary School children, I have adopted a pride for my practice that was only strengthened by the breaking and healing of my foot (oddly enough). As long as I can keep myself intact through September I should be braving the judges at the end of the month. Cross your fingers for me.

4. I will be heading to Beijing and Shanghai on Sept. 30th for a week-long adventure. Highlights will include the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, the Temple of Heaven, a Beijing Opera, the Jinmao Tower, the Bund, Shanghai's French concession, an acrobatic show, among other things. Pictures will be posted.

5. That will bring us into October when I plan to finish-off any Korean sight-seeing excursions that tickle my fancy. I hope to return to Jeju-do and go to Mt. Seoraksan at the very least, but we'll see how the money situation is panning out at that point.

6. My final day at the Hagwon is Nov. 17th, 2006. I have tentatively reserved a flight to Thailand leaving Seoul on the morning of Nov. 20th, from which point I'll traipse around Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam, before getting my Dec. 19th flight to Sydney Australia. I will hopefully meet my brother Down Under at some point in time and jaunt over to New Zealand to visit Angus, before heading back up to Seoul on January 9th. From there I plan on collecting my effects, as it were, and catching an evening flight home to Canada, landing in Toronto roughly around the same time on the same day I left Korea -- WIERD! That will mean I will be available for business in Canada as of Jan 10th. All of the plans listed here are VERY TENTATIVE, however they reflect my wildest dreams following my escape fro Hell, er... I mean Mokpo.

(If there is anyone living in Vancouver or Calgary who wants to request a brief stop-over on my route home this is your opportunity to make your voice heard. Air Canada only flies to Toronto from Seoul via Vancouver and Calgary, which means that I could stop-over without paying any extra when heading home. If there is anyone still out there please let me know.)

7. I plan on sticking around Toronto for about a month before heading off to France for La Grande Aventure. The idea is to live in France until about mid-May and then resume some duties working on Toronto Island before heading to Graduate School in September. The plan to go to France was actually the whole reason behind my working in South Korea to begin with, so it would be somewhat silly to forego the climax after waiting for so long. I don't really plan on working in France. Just living and touring and relaxing. Maybe improving my French here and there. Who knows....

But that, my friends, is where my Grand Plan ends. Once I'm safely lodged in a Journalism school it is my intention to stick around Canada, build my career, make connections, hang out with my long-lost but oh-so-wonderful and talented friends, see a lot of theatre, (hopefully) become gainfully employed, and figure out how to live a fulfilling with (some) integrity.

Wow.
My brain hurts.
I must now go and buy some clothes. In a drunken stupor I mistakenly added the bleach before I added the water to a load of my favorite clothing. Unfortunately there were no survivors. Don't pity me. It was a stupid mistake.

Must to go.
Love you and miss you all.
-T

Shopping in Seoul

2006-07-30T12:25:00.000+09:00

If you thought Japan looked bright in "Lost in Translation" you've never been to a big Asian city before. It's the same in every town, city and metropolis. The only difference is the height and density of the neon.

Lovely!

Jeju-do

2006-07-16T12:21:00.000+09:00

Our sad little Jeju friend looked like he needed a bit of Canadian-style affection.

(There is no hugging here in South Korea. I tried to hug one of my young students once and I was almost accused of attempted assault. NO JOKE! There's not a lot of love over here. I take what I can get!)

The Hard Truth

2006-07-02T11:50:00.000+09:00

Adventures in dealing with ESL doctors means that every so often there are little grammatical misunderstandings that don't seem important when they are first transmitted, but can lead to surprisingly uncomfortable circumstances in the long-run. Such was the case with the supposedly "soft" cast I was to receive on Friday to replace, what seemed to me to be, my hard splint.

In fact, I didn't even realize that I was supposed to see the doctor on Friday and just dropped by his office to confirm my appointment the following day, when I was whisked into the "dressing room". They removed my splint, revealing my still black foot, and then proceeded to wrap my leg in cotton. The green gauze rolls they then brought out looked pliable enough, leading me to momentarily believe I might be receiving a deluxe tensor-wrap. Once wet, however, the mesh solidified into a rock-solid cast which now encases the majority of my lower leg. I will be wielding this walking weapon for 3-4 weeks, says Dr. Cho, which is just great...

On Monday I'm going to look into taking some relaxation and stretching classes to help deal with the discomforts of living life in a cast. Showering is just a picnic, as is getting caught in the rain (it is monsoon season), and climbing stairs. Fortunately, biking is more comfortable than walking, so I'm going to be doing that even more than I was before.

Vegans in Korea

2006-06-30T21:35:00.000+09:00

I can't help but feel for these poor people. Regardless of what they order, Korean chefs always find cause to throw some animal products into their regularly vegan-friendly dishes. Perhaps they feel they are doing the foreigners a favor by adding a bit of extra protein to the roughage. Accordingly, the kimchi tray following a vegan meal is always piled high with the offending products and appendages.It must take an inordinate amount of patience and understanding for a vegan to ever want to ever eat-out in this environment. I admire their principles but am myself too weak to maintain their rock-hard resolve. (Bring on the Bulgogi!)

The Sob Story

2006-06-28T22:50:00.000+09:00

So now I've really gone and done it. Last week, at Taekwondo, I was executing a side-kick with my right leg when the big toe of my left foot chose to stick to the mat beneath me while the rest of my foot rotated counter-clockwise. I heard and felt an ominous crack and swiftly sunk to the floor to inspect my delinquent appendage. All this occurred out of the sight of my instructor who then entered the gym with a look of puzzlement on his face regarding my strange situation. Of course we couldn't converse about what had happened, since neither of us speaks the same language, so we both just carried on as if nothing had. The centre of my left foot swelled slightly and adopted a mauve hue, but apart from a continual dull ache I really had nothing to complain about. Denial has always provided a swift remedy for many of my lesser ailments.

Today, however, as I was executing a turning face-kick, in full-view of my instructor, the baby toe of my right foot decided to take after it's uncle and stick to the mat as the rest of my foot twisted counter-clockwise in an effort to bring me full-circle. The result was an even more ominoius crack and another trip to the floor for Yours Truly. My instructor seemed embarrassed by this reaction and waited for me to ascend, but I was not so quick to rise or dismiss this potential second breakage. Don't get the impression that my Master is a heartless slave-driver: he's not. It's just that I often fall down (usually very awkwardly) when executing difficult kicks, and he has learned to ignore our collective embarrassment for my sake. After a moment he asked me if I was "all right" and I lied, of course, and said "yes"; so we continued our lesson (even though I came to the point of tears on several occasions). When he was though with me I biked home and went to work.

By the end of my second ESL class I was ready to admit I needed to see a doctor. My baby toe had doubled in size and turned a violent shade of violet and I was experiencing shooting pains that ascended my right leg every time I stepped down and which were affecting my concentration in-class. Fortunately I had a "break" (Ha!) in my schedule today, so my Boss and I walked over to the local clinic and got me in and out, with x-rays, a diagnosis, a splint and a prescription, in less than 40mins. Total Cost: 34,500 Won (~$40 CAD).

What I now know is that I didn't break anything in my left foot last week, but I did break a bone in my right foot today. I have to go back tomorrow to have a follow-up appointment, and possibly a more permanent cast. I don't think I'll be able to do my Black Belt testing next month, as I was supposed to do, unless I can bribe the doctor to give me a soft cast that I can put on and take off when I choose.

So my fate, for the time-being, is to remain sedentary: something I find very hard to do. I'm consoling myself with movies, but the English selection at our local video store is sadly slight. I am not asking for pity. More than anything I'm just annoyed at my stupid sticky toes and their crippling inclinations to act independently.

All this for a broken baby toe?

2006-06-28T22:28:00.000+09:00

I guess it serves me right for eyeing Neil Armstrong's space boots and wondering how I might incorporate them into my wardrobe...

Double-Take

2006-06-28T00:02:00.000+09:00

I'm somewhat certain that some of my students experienced one of those classic "made 'ya look twice" moments tonight as I left the hagwon.

There was a smaller than average turn-out for my evening essay class tonight: only the 3 girls who usually whisper their way through our discussions, in their native language (not mine), bothered to show up. The lack of respect between myself and these girls is entirely one-sided. For my part, I think they are all intelligent and interesting individuals. Getting them to reveal such aspects of their respective personalities, IN ENGLISH, however, is EXTREMELY difficult.

Having decided to abandon our text book in favor of "free talking", our halting conversation drifted to the topic of marriage. In Korea the "ideal age" for a woman to get married is 25. In Korea, I am considered to already be 25, as one's age is calculated from one's date of conception, rather than from one's date of birth. Twittering away in Korean, the girls asked when I was getting married and whether or not I had a boyfriend, fiance, prospects, etc. (Yes, even 14 year old girls feel perfectly entitled to pose these questions and then ridicule my unfavorable replies.) I did not need to be fluent in Korean to understand that they were mocking me and perhaps implying that I would/could never get married. Fair enough. At work I'm a virtual "old school marm" who has been cautioned about appearing "too sexy" in public (bare shoulders are OUT) and who, by 10:00pm, is tired, dilapidated and annoyed. Sure I don't seem like marriage material to them. None of my middle or high school teachers seemed remotely matrimonial (I didn't have the pleasure of being taught by Mr. Day). I was not offended, merely wearily amused at their tenacious discourtesy.

All that aside, we wrapped up our class early due to their unwillingness to contribute and my eagerness to get home, and it was because this premature finish that my wonderful double-take moment occurred. After putting up the classroom chairs and ordering my materials for the following day I went to the washroom, let down my hair and brushed it, washed my face and donned my green and pink "Von Dutch" hat, ready to head home. The girls were still standing at the entrance of our academy and as I brushed down the stairs and out the door there was an audible pause in their incessant conversation. Yes, I do believe, if only for a moment, they mistook their crotchety old teacher for someone who might actually have someplace to be and people to meet every Friday night. Someone a cute older boy might actually consider dating or maybe even marrying in the future. SHOCKING, I know.

It was a vainly validating moment for Yours Truly. Even if it was just a fleeting moment in my otherwise mundane day.

Quality ESL Teaching in Mokpo

2006-06-26T23:44:00.000+09:00

Let's look at Jessica's shopping list for this week, shall we?

Hmmm.... Floss, flax oil, grape oil... nothing out of the ordinary there.

But "Musterd" and "Jinger"? I think it'll be pretty hard to find those things here in rural Mokpo. They're English delicacies known only to the very best Western chefs. Too bad though. I love a good jinger and musterd sandwich.

Let me remind you that she is the one with the teaching qualifications. Not I.

(I am fully aware that it is unfair of me to ridicule my roommate on this forum in this fashion. Since, however, she posted this list on the shared refrigerator in our shared apartment I feel that photos are fair game. If anyone wishes to offer some defense on her behalf I'm all ears.)

The Sculpture Garden

2006-06-18T16:24:00.000+09:00

This is one of the few places in Mokpo where I can sometimes remember the person I was before I came to Korea...

"Is N.Y.U. for you?"

2006-06-16T01:13:00.000+09:00

I've begun to question whether or not I really desire/require to study at NYU. There is no denying that the the school is offering the program of my DREAMS: specifically the school of Journalism's Cultural Reporting & Criticism program; however a number of other factors have recently shaken my resolve to study there.

First is the cost issue: Tuition alone for the 2005-2006 school year, in which a student would complete 24 credit "points", was $24,576.00 USD's. As a Master's student I would be required to complete 32-40 points to gain my degree. The per-point rate (not including the other administrative, application and miscellaneous fees) is roughly calculated at $1,024.00 per point. Bear in mind that none of the figures I just mentioned include the cost of actually living in New York City, which puts a further damper on the whole grandiose idea of studying abroad.
I'm not saying that the tuition fees in Canada are anything to laugh at, but they're certainly more manageable from the perspective of paying off school-related loans in the future.

Second, I must be hard on myself and ask: if your dream is to work as a journalist in Canada, and you have absolutely no desire to be the next CNN bimbo, why do you need to educate yourself outside of your own country? Is there some profound journalistic wellspring located in downtown Manhattan that cannot be tapped north of the 49th parallel? And could you not make your own efforts to become enlightened in the specific cultural and critical domains being discussed "down South"? And if you were to study in New York, wouldn't you be unlikely to make many connections within the Canadian broadcasting community? Wouldn't it therefore be more difficult to "break into" the northern scene? And if you were offered a sweet position working in New York after you'd finished your studies would you be able to turn it down (considering your financial depravity)? And should you really be squandering your sweet skills "down South" when the country you truly love and respect is your hypothermic homeland?

The third factor to consider is it the questionable quality of American journalism at this point in time. With the media acting as the uncritical, unquestioning, uninformative minion of the country's HIGHLY QUESTIONABLE government, I cannot help but wonder if studying there would be a benefit or a detriment to the development of my own journalistic skills. Can I be educated by those for whom I have little respect and even less faith? With every major media network in the country owned and operated by only 5 wealthy conglomerates who have the power to pick and choose what news suits them and their affiliates, is this an environment in which I can gain journalistic integrity, abide by the ethics of the trade, and perhaps even critique some of the institutions that have made "America the Great" the America we hate? And will I feel comfortable learning in an environment where sentiments are remarkably "right-wing", whereas I am quite the opposite?

Fourth is the annoyance of the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE's): having to take and study for them here, in South Korea, while I am working 55 hours a week, testing for my Black Belt in Taekwondo, and trying to enjoy the limited time I have left (when I am not sleeping or eating, that is). Honestly, I was excited when I first started looking into the whole process but now it's turning into a nightmare. When was the last time I even thought about an "integer", let alone solved a quadratic equation?!?!? The whole thing just seems like a big headache that I'd rather do without, thankyouverymuch.

So this is my conundrum. I would welcome any ideas and opinions, be they negative, positive, or merely neutral. I am really having a hard time with this one. There isn't really anyone in Mokpo with whom I can talk to about it, so I'm putting it up to you. There's no rush. Applications aren't due until December 15th, 2006, so we've got some time... What says you?

No-Go for Togo

2006-06-14T00:49:00.000+09:00

South Korea has just won their first World Cup match against Togo 2:1. It was actually a very exciting game, and since none of my students showed up for their 9:20pm - 11:00pm class I was permitted to leave work early to join the masses in the local park, where hundreds of "Red Devils" had congregated to watch the game on a big screen in the open air. A drunk reveler took it upon himself to locate a single seat for me amidst the masses and furnish me with some blow-up batons so that I might cheer and support along with the rest of the crowd. IT was quite charming, although he did smell like he just walked out of a brewery. It really was the thought that counted. Everyone around me also took me under their wings, appreciating my Team Korea jersey and my obvious interest in the game. I was hugged, given popcorn and cotton candy, and slapped on the back numerous times: congratulating me for my interest. (All this came after I clarified that I'm not an American, of course. "Waygook"= Foreigner (neutral), "Meegook"= American (derogative).)

The game finished at midnight and I doubt there will be an end to the horn-honking and shouting for at least a few hours. Nevertheless I will attempt to sleep. This may prove to be a very exciting time to be in Korea. Let's all hope that Korea continues to perform well, shall we? Yes, we shall.

Wayfaring Fish

2006-06-13T13:14:00.000+09:00

After a 2-day absence Wanda appeared today, literally out of the blue, to share in her daily portion of fish food. Where she went: I haven't the foggiest. I'm trying not to think too much about it because there really isn't any answer. She must have been in the tank somewhere... But I swear I just cleaned it last week! I'm beginning to think it was an alien abduction. Seriously! Stranger things have happened here in Mokpo. I kid you not!

World Cup Fever

2006-06-10T14:12:00.000+09:00

It has begun.
A wave of red has washed over Mokpo.
The World Cup started last night and already there is nary a Korean person to be seen who is not wearing crimson on some part of their body. It's enough to make a person feel as though she's gone mad!
But I do have my own Red Devil paraphernalia close at hand and you know I'm going to be in the bar screaming with the rest of the loons when the ball drops against Togo next Tuesday. But until then I am maintaining my composure.
It's only civilized.

Seeing is Believing

2006-06-10T03:39:00.000+09:00

While my parents were touring Asia there were a couple of home-land comforts that they did not wish to do without. Included on that roster was a morning coffee at Starbucks and a bagle to boot. The barristas in Busan got to know us so well, in fact, that they gave us some "Eco Beans" to thank us for our patronage. The seeds have since sprouted here in my Mokpo apartment, and they actually have the word "Starbucks" inscribed on the outer surface of the sprouted bean. It actually seems mighty un-"Eco Friendly" to mulitate the plants in this fashion, however, since comsumerism rules here in Korea the beans are seen as Jack and the Beanstock's wet dream come true. I'm slightly concerned about the progeny I'll eventually harvest from these coffee company plants. I am, however, going to ingore my wild sci-fi fantasies and simply enjoy the satisfaction of reaping something living from the soil.

Where's Wanda?

2006-06-08T10:41:00.000+09:00

Shortly after rousing myself out of bed this morning I went to offer fishy friends some sustenance only to find that my plural fish now seemed to be singular. To be sure that this wasn't merely a grammatical and visual error on my part I spent the better half of 5 minutes watching, tapping and prodding the tank and its environs for my frilly friend. I came up one fish short.

Bob has been acting strange lately. He's taken to swimming up and down (vertically) the walls of the tank at such an accelerated speed I am worried he might be preparing for a bit-part in "Free Willy 7". Or... perhaps the recent jolt of extra protein in his diet has prompted him to do strange things...?

Should I even begin to thing that Bob ate Wanda? He always seemed like such a docile goldfish. Could he possibly be the perpetrator of this fish-napping?

I'm still waiting to find a stinky fish carcass somewhere on my floor indicating Wanda's failed attempts at fishy fame, but until that time I'm going to be keeping a close eye on "Bob", if that is, in fact, his real name...

Holiday!

2006-06-06T21:51:00.000+09:00

Today is Remembrance Day in Korea: the day that all living people celebrate and honour those who have sacrificed their lives for this country, and there have been many. They too have a moment of silence, however it is at 10:00am rather than 11:00am. I'm sure you'll all be pleased to know that our Remembrance Day, which falls on November 11th (the final day of WW1), is also recognized here. Unfortunately it is celebrated as "Peppero Day", the day when the beloved Peppero (a.k.a. "Pocky" in Canada) chocolate cookie sticks are distributed to the masses for the sake of consumerist interests. I mean, come on guys! It does make sense: 11/11 = four straight-up Peppero sticks and one slanted one. The Roman numeral #1 was invented with this holiday in mind! World-War-Two, Shmworld-war-shmoo! It's all about the Peppero's YO!

It being a legitimate day-off for all people, a bunch of us packed into a bus and headed out to one of the many islands which bespeckle Korea's south-western coast. We enjoyed a day of sun, sand, surf and relaxation. With my SPF 40 in tow it was an amazing day that only got better when I discovered Charles, the crab, who was high-tailing it across the beach at an incredible pace. But he was no match for my bikini-clad stealth! I caught up with him and introduced him to all my mates. He was rather charming and even posed for a few pictures. Norma Desmond, eat your heart out!

Who the heck came up with that?

2006-06-04T13:23:00.000+09:00

If you've ever wondered where phrases like "eat your heart out", "I'll be a monkey's uncle", and "I haven't got a pot to piss in" originated, check out the following web site:

http://members.aol.com/MorelandC/HaveOriginsData.htm

I was shocked and amused to identify and understand the many idioms that pervade the English language. Warning: once you start reading it's hard to leave the site because there are just so many interesting origins behind the ridiculous things we say.

P.S. These types of idioms drive ESL students CRAZY! They cause my older students no end of grief when they appear in their reading materials, as their understood meanings bear little to no relation to their literal meanings. Imagine me trying to explain to a class full of clueless ESL students why "knock on wood" is a request for good luck... Yeah, I needed all the luck I could get, thank you very much!

The cat's meow

2006-06-04T03:30:00.001+09:00

Apparently my adopted kitten-while-in-Korea has given his snuggle of approval to the black leather jacket I purchased in Argentina. Although Seth belongs to Angus, he is definitely helping me through my days with love nudges and gentle purrs. His fashion sense is also impeccable, if I do say so myself (!).

Now I've gone and done it!

2006-06-03T16:31:00.001+09:00

Ever the adventurous "biker babe" that I am, I decided to ride my motorcycle to my Korean teacher's wedding today. The weather was gorgeous and sunny and perfect for biking/wedding so I donned my prettiest skirt, hopped on my Hog and high-tailed it to the wedding hall. What I didn't consider was the bare skin factor and the hot hot heat of my many exhaust pipes. No sooner had I gone a few kilometers, but I felt a deep burning sensation on my right calf. At the next traffic light I verified that yes, I had scorched my lower leg on my motorcycle. It's going to leave an ugly scar, but at least I'll always have bodily proof that I, Tracy Fuller, owned and operated a "Hog" during my brief stint in Mokpo, South Korea. Indeed, after seeing me ride my bike in a short skirt, a black leather jacket and knock-off Ray-Ban's I invite all Korean Biker Babes to eat their hearts out!

Ferocious Flatmates

2006-06-02T11:01:00.000+09:00

I committed a grievous error the other day. There were 2 salmon steaks left in the freezer of our apartment by the previous residents which neither Jessica nor I had claimed. The other day Jess let me know she was taking one and asked if I wanted the other. I said I did and thought nothing of it. Then I noticed a salmon steak sitting in the refrigerator thawing. Remembering that Jess had said she "was taking one" almost a week prior I assumed that she had already eaten hers and that this was the lone salmon steak left to thaw into oblivion if I didn't do something about it. So I marinated it in lemon and dill and ate the damn thing. Of course it turned out that the second steak was still somewhere in the freezer and I had just ruined a well-planned dinner. I am the unthinking insensitive asshole in this matter -- admittedly. But I thought the passive-aggressive note left for me to find on my return from work was too charming to go without a photo. Apparently sharing is not one of my strong points.

Elections: Korean Style

2006-05-31T12:18:00.000+09:00

Today marks the blissful close to South Korea's 2006 election period. I don't really know all the details, but apparently the entire country's municipal elections are held at the same time. This has meant that for the past 3 weeks rigorous campaigning has taken place in every nook and cranny of this tiny country. Let me assure you that campaigning Korean-style looks nothing like our tacky lawn-signs and occasional door-to-door hand-shaking. No, here we've had dozens of trucks circling the city, blaring our campaign songs from 7am to 10pm DAILY. There are advocates for each candidate positioned at the major street corners, dressed in matching outfits, singing songs, handing out yogurt drinks and dried squid, whose ceaseless attempts to pester pedestrian and distract drivers grew old after day 1. Some of the larger apartment complexes (read: mine) even have advocates positioned at the driveways leading in and out of our buildings to ensure that we are bowed to each and every time we pass through. If you're really lucky you'll get an impassioned Adjuma (read: older Korean woman) taking up the mike at one of the many soap-boxes which have sprung up in our parking lots, admonishing the transgressors and extolling the virtues of Mr. Mokpo 1-9. All of this is delivered directly into our apartments via the 1000000000mhz sound systems that are installed in each one of these temporary lecterns. Long-story-short: sleep has been hard to come by recently. I am thanking the heavens above that it will be over by nightfall but even that doesn't seem quite soon enough.

I must admit, however, that it has been a crazy spectacle to witness. I don't think I would have believed it had I not endured it myself, and I'm certain I'll never be able to explain it well-enough to capture the full extent of its irritation. Who knows, perhaps I'll even feel nostalgic about the whole affair when I return to the apathetic election climate in Canada. At least there's a real drive here to get people involved. The voting day was even declared a National Holiday to ensure that everyone would have the opportunity to vote.

Tracy's Sour Grapes: Yes, it was declared a National Holiday but did our Academy take the day off? Not a chance. Here's to democracy...

Reverie Sound Revue

2006-05-29T12:19:00.000+09:00

Thanks to the wonder of CBC Radio 3's weekly podcasts I have discovered the late, GREAT Canadian band Reverie Sound Revue. Particularly of note is their track "Walking around waiting downtown." Listening to it I am immediately transported back to my idle days of riding and rambling around downtown Toronto waiting for life to happen.

How much will my city have changed by the time I return? I shudder to think. Maybe the monster that will be the R.O.M. will finally be finished? I cannot even fathom how that metal skeleton will transform into a suspended sun-room for antique objects. I am excited to return. It's just not going to happen just yet...

Ferocious Flatmates

2006-05-28T16:18:00.000+09:00

I committed a grievous error the other day. There were 2 salmon steaks left in the freezer of our apartment by the previous residents which neither Jessica nor I had claimed. The other day Jess let me know she was taking one and asked if I wanted the other. I said I did and thought nothing of it. Then I noticed a salmon steak sitting in the refrigerator thawing. Remembering that Jess said she "was taking one" almost a week prior I assumed that she had already eaten hers and that this was the lone salmon steak left to thaw into oblivion if I didn't do something about it. So I marinated it in lemon and dill and ate the damn thing. Of course it turned out that the second steak was still somewhere in the freezer and I had just ruined a well-planned dinner. I am the unthinking insensitive asshole in this matter -- admittedly. But I thought the passive-aggressive note that was left for me on my return from work was too priceless to go without photos. Apparently sharing is not one of my strong points.

End of an Ex-pat Era

2006-05-28T13:47:00.000+09:00

The time has come for the first ex-pat's I met in Mokpo, those who threw out the lifeline and rescued me from certain loneliness, to return to Canada. After more fiascos than I could even begin to record here, Todd and Laura are returning home to Toronto for an unknown period of time. Suffice to say they wanted to stay but things really didn't work out.

At the bar last night I met a whole whack of new people. Apparently a large group has just arrived to teach in Mokpo's elementary schools. But for me their arrival only signaled the wave of departures that will wash over this place in the coming months. All the people who I first met: who directed me, instructed me, encouraged and cavorted with me, are leaving the picture. Some are leaving with plans to conquer more of the Far East. Others are returning to their respective homelands.

I can't help but feel a mix of emotions. In this microcosm of the working world, it is all too apparent how fleetingly people pass in and out of our lives. How they can have a tremendous impact and then be absent a day later. The "good-bye's" are just now beginning, and over the course of the next two months they will ebb and flow until the foreign faces of Mokpo have eroded entirely; transformed from those who were into those who will be. There are those with whom I would like to stay in contact: we exchange all the necessaries and part with the best intentions of writing. But most of these connections, wittingly or otherwise, will be lost along the way. Beginnings and endings are so pronounced here that it's hard to avoid the "bigger picture". Where are and who are the selected few without whom life would be unbearable? Have I told them they mean this much to me? Do they know how much I need them all the time? How weak I'd be without them? How can I pursue my ambitions without risking our bond? If I stood still would it be easier for either of us, or just as hard?

I feel the need to express my tremendous gratitude to everyone who has made my time here (in Mokpo and on Earth) a bit easier, a bit brighter, and 100% worthwhile. I don't write, I don't e-mail, and I definitely don't phone, but you're in my heart and mind every day, in everything I do. Thank you all.

Everything is Illuminated

2006-05-28T13:15:00.000+09:00

P.S. I watched this film yesterday and LOVED it. No tears but deep thoughts.

The Laura who's leaving...

2006-05-27T14:41:00.000+09:00

You will be missed, cheri!

Work Horse

2006-05-26T10:41:00.000+09:00

Yesterday may have been my worst working day so far. I arrived at the academy shortly after 2pm and did not leave until 1am this morning. We are to begin testing the students next week and so I had to compose a huge stack of written examinations. On top of that, our older students will be participating in a speaking competition on June 17th that requires them to read 7-8 English novels. Guess who else has to read all those novels...?! And lastly, it is our school's policy that each student submit a 1 to 2-page diary each week, written on a topic of their or our choice. This means that I have a mean stack of notebooks cluttering my desk that haven't even been touched let alone corrected.

Next week we will administer all of the tests, which means I will also have to mark all the tests. Once that is done it will be my turn to write the written commentary regarding each students loquacity on our almost-monthly report cards. As of yesterday our enrollment was just shy of 300 students.

This all means that I may be buried beneath a mountain of work for a short time, but I promise to resurface sometime in mid-June. Last night I considered consoling my silent complaints with the fact that, at 1am, I wasn't the last person to leave our academy: there were still students half my age studying in our "listening lab" and my boss was still teaching a class to our high school students. Alas, that fact merely perturbed me all the more. If ever I thought it was tough being a student in Canada I'm now ready to admit that I was wrong. I've seen the dark side of the moon. It's not pretty. We had it good -- REALLY good.

B is for Bomb

2006-05-25T11:28:00.000+09:00

I firmly believe that, although it is a far cry from the binding broadcasting system John Grierson envisioned in 1939, the NFB of Canada has been and is involved in creating some of the best documentary films the world over.

South African documentary filmmaker Carey McKenzie's short film B is for Bomb (produced in U.S.A) was recently selected as the winner of the Cannes 2006 Online Film Competition. Narrated by a child, the film is an alphabetical listing of the hazards of nuclear power.

Having just returned from Hiroshima I found this film's message intelligible and intelligent. I encourage you to view it (for free!) if you have the time. The link is listed below.

http://www.silenceoncourt.tv/silencelight/?lg=en

Pride and Pointlessness

2006-05-24T23:48:00.000+09:00

Today I was asked to discuss Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice with my most advanced conversation class. In case you're unaware, P&P (as it is respectfully referred to by those of us who've read the book and/or watched the BBC mini-series more than 5 times) is THE BOOK that changed my reading life. It was the first book I ever "fell in love with" and it was my favorite book for a very long time.

Some might consider the opportunity to share their latent literary love with others a fantastic break. Being paid for the chance might seem like a dream come true. For me, however, I knew it was going to be trouble the moment the assignment arrived on my desk. Love can make one very particular about the object of their affection. Perhaps a bit protective. Remember: these are ESL students. They're our brightest ESL students, but the oldest of them isn't yet 16 years old, and as brilliant as I would have you believe me to be, I certainly didn't catch every wry witticism Jane pulled out of her hat the first time I read the novel -- and English is my first language! Having to explain, translate, summarize and simplify every theme, character, progression and conflict will end up killing both P&P and me. Yes, I am irrationally irritated. I know I'm an ESL teacher. But I don't enjoy stripping the wonder from my one-time-favorite novel just for the sake of some silly speaking competition. I just don't want to do it.

Today I attempted to explain what "sarcasm" is and how it can be detected within written discourses. We then discussed what "pride" and "prejudice" are and where they can be found in the novel. We spent 15 minutes decoding the novel's first sentence alone. June is going to be a long, long month. Poor Jane is probably rolling over in her grave. R.I.P&P.

Dobok

2006-05-23T00:06:00.000+09:00

I've splurged and bought myself a new Tae Kwon Do uniform, formally known as a "dobok". It is made by Adidas, its material is soft yet sturdy, it has the name of my school proudly printed on its back, there is a Korean flag stitched on its front, and generally I'm feeling like it's the coolest thing I own at present. I'm so giddy I might even sleep in the darn thing tonight! I never thought I'd be this excited about Tae Kwon Do, but now that the whole "you are going to be tested for your Black belt even though you're nowhere close to being ready for such a trail"-thing is over I am starting to enjoy the sport more and more. I'm very happy with my Red Belt and I wouldn't mind leaving Korea without advancing (colour-wise) any further.

Training in the humidity has proved to be a bit uncomfortable. I end up sweating like a beast after 5 minutes whereas my Master seemingly lasts the entire session without secreting a single bead of saline. It's terribly embarrassing! I'm actually beginning to believe the rumors circulating around the JimJillBong that Koreans don't perspire, which would explain the absence of ANY deodorants in Mokpo's supermarkets. Apparently you can go to the doctor and get a prescription to issue you some deodorant if you're really desperate, but I cannot be alone in thinking that that's a bit of a drastic measure. I'm just talking about some good old-fashioned sweat here. Jeeze!

Ok, so I'm sleeping in the Dobok tonight. It's official. I'm a loser. But I'll kick your ass if you say anything about it!

The GREat "GRE"

2006-05-22T00:30:00.000+09:00

To apply to NYU's Cultural Reporting and Criticism program I will have to take the GRE entrance exam. I've been looking into taking out here, if possible, and fortunately it seems as though that might not be too difficult. There's a testing centre an hour away from where I live, and there should be a testing date in late October which I'll be available to take prior to my November departure. I've only just begun looking into all this, but already I'm finding myself horribly intimidated and anxious about taking the test. It's been years since I took the SAT's and that was anything but easy. There's something about taking standardized tests which really rubs me the wrong way, but then I'm also conflicted because I understand their merits and why they are deemed necessary by institutions of education. So that leaves me where? Nowhere. But I guess I should start studying...

Drinking

2006-05-21T17:11:00.000+09:00

I've spent the last two nights out drinking. This morning, er... afternoon I woke up with a hideous hang-over and the resolve (which dissolved about 3 hours later) to never drink again. I can find no response to this state of affairs. I enjoy drinking with friends. I only drink socially. But there are some nights when my consumption gets out of hand. I blame my ingestion abilities entirely on Rugby, which introduced my very early to the drink and solidified my stomach to withstand alcohol's vilest volumes. These bad nights don't always happen, but they are frequent enough to be annoying and unsettling. Perhaps the introspective afternoons which follow such nights are fruitful enough to warrant their existence. All the same they are a nuisance and they bother my brain.

That's enough kvetching for today. Thanks.

Bob's Thoughts

2006-05-18T17:34:00.000+09:00

I'm quite tickled with my new roommates. Bob and Wanda are no more exciting than a moving poster, but they please me greatly. I do think Bob has some deeper thoughts about his circumstances since he has lived somewhat longer than Wanda so I think I'll sometimes post Bob's "deep thoughts" on this blog, just to keep things interesting.

Sound good? Good.

Oh, and it's Wanda. In case you were wondering...

Meet Bob and ....?

2006-05-18T13:21:00.000+09:00

I've inherited un poisson from a departing Irish bird. Meet Bob and his new female friend:

I have yet to select her name. She is rather flighty and frilly in contrast to Bob, but I think the "feminine influence" will do him some good. These are the top title contenders so far:

- Martha
- Wanda
- Namjacan ("Fish Cake" in Korean)

Any and all suggestions/opinions will be graciously accepted.

Back in Action

2006-05-18T11:17:00.000+09:00

So... I guess I've been a bit M.I.A. over the last 4 months, but I swear I've been LEGITIMATELY preoccupied.

It all fell apart following my first trip to Seoul. (Details will soon follow regarding the "breakdown in communication". Suffice to say it is my intention to "turn over a new leaf".)

As I edge closer to the half-way point of my Asian excursion there are many things that I'd like to change about my daily conduct. Maintaining this Blog is one of them. I am resolved to make it one of my top priorities. Please feel free to write hate-mail responses when I neglect to keep up my end of the bargain. I'm sure you can appreciate how much more motivating it is to write when it seems as though someone is listening and is perhaps even interested in what you've got to say.

So this is my Blog. I hope you enjoy it.

World Friendship Center

2006-05-10T16:53:00.000+09:00

While passing through Hiroshima, Japan, my parents and I stayed at a small Bed and Breakfast called the World Friendship Center. It is a small American-style oasis in the middle of the world's first A-Bombed city. We were hosted by Pauline and Don, two retired non-profit volunteers who run and teach out of the house that was created and is maintained by an American Church group. Although my parents found the futons uncomfortable (in comparison to the luxury beds at the Westin), the atmosphere was homey and comfortable. It was a nice break from the impersonal hotel rooms we stayed in everywhere else.

Hiroshima itself is also wonderful. The A-Bomb museum is moving and informative without being preachy or angry. The city is a thriving metropolis full of life. Their art gallery is small but worth visiting and their wide boulevards are perfect for biking. On the whole it came close to being the highlight of my trip.

Japan may still wish to invade and conquer South Korea...

2006-05-03T01:13:00.000+09:00

... but they won't do it before I invade and conquer them!

I'm off for my first "vacation" in 5.5 months.
(Quotation marks are necessitated due to the "parental guidance" designation of the trip -- Yeesh!)
Wish me LUCK!!!

Killer Korean Pelicans

2006-04-30T21:57:00.000+09:00

I made a brief trip to Gwang-ju today to do some shopping with the FABULOUS Ms. Shona Rowan. Unfortunately I was attacked by a gregarious pelican who happened to be hanging-about outside a local fast food joint. Needless to say, I was a goner. At least my suffering was "brief" ...!

(All apologies for that last pun. It was admittedly awful. Here's a photo to silence your groans):

Funny Korean Subway Sign

2006-02-15T05:48:00.000+09:00

These are the defense instructions for passengers caught in a subterranean airborne terrorism attack. Sure it looks like you're being asked to suffocate yourself in the manner that Mom always warned you against, but that's better than dying from poisoned gas, isn't it? Isn't it...?

VOTE

2006-01-24T02:04:00.000+09:00

Just do it, ok?
Where you put your check-mark is another issue entirely.
But the most important part is getting that check mark on the ballot and into a ballot box.
We can only live in a democratic society if we, the people, act democratically.
And that means voting.
Got it?
Good.

2 co-workers down, 2 to go...

2006-01-20T00:31:00.000+09:00

During my first "official" week of work at Lee English Academy one of our 5 employees walked out of our staff meeting and out of the life of our Hagwon forever. Since that time the workload of we, the remaining teachers, has increased 25% (not to mention the extra classes that have been scheduled during our students' 2-month break from public school). Did we received any extra wages for this blatant raise in our pay? No, certainly not. But was I complaining? No. Why? Because I was still just at my 30 contracted teaching hours per week, and 'cause there was little any of us could do about Joon's departure. So that's been life for the past 2 months (--can you believe it's already been two months?!?!?!?).

What arrived yesterday was the straw that will, almost imminently, break this camel's back. Our 4th teacher called-in sick Wednesday morning, by mid-afternoon she had been admitted into the hospital, and before I left work that night she had received some sort of operation and was sleeping safely in the recovery room. What that means for me is that I my daily schedule now begins at 1:00pm, ends at 11:00pm, lacks any breaks to speak of, and includes 33% more paperwork.

I'm beginning to think the word "work" is the most foul four-letter word existent in the English language. I also think we should revise the spelling of the word "stress" so that it can be included with our other illustrious obscenities. What says you, pray?

Nunchucks

2006-01-19T00:28:00.000+09:00

Can I ask you a personal question?

When you hear the name "Michaelangelo" what do you think of:

A) The master renaissance painter whose inspired frescos have made the walls of the sistine chapel the crowning glory of the Vatican?

Or,

B) The nunchuck-weilding cartoon "hero in a half shell" who wore his orange mask with pride and ate gross amounts of pizza without abandon?

Well, I felt much more like the later character than the former when I had my first experience with nunchucks in my Tae Kwon Do class this morning. They're really fun but really difficult to control. Again, all the 8 year-old around me were effortless masters at the skill, whereas I was (again) the flailing clown who incurred numerous bruises during practice. Who knew coordination could be so important?

There were, however, some other developments today: we did some kicking practice, which offered me an opportunity to demonstrate the limited skills I garnered in Toronto prior to my grand departure. So I can kick, and I proved that today. I am by no means good, but I do have some power there (which is liberating to remember and utilize). So things are looking up in the general learning-to-kick-ass department.

Tae Kwon Go GO GO!!!!

2006-01-16T12:52:00.000+09:00

Oops! I totally neglected to tell you: I finally hunted down a Tae Kwon Do academy close to my place of work, that accommodates my CRAZY schedule, last Tuesday. The Master was very kind: he finally agreed to take me on after I stood in his office for about 15 minutes mumbling the words "Tae Kwon Do," "Me," and "Joo-say-oh" (which is: "I would like" in Korean) incessantly and refusing to leave his office until he indicated some sort of confirmation. In the end he bade me to return this Monday, Wednesday, Friday at 11am ready to practice (I think).

So started my tri-weekly classes this morning. I walked into the Do-Jan, nervously-excited to begin, only to discover that along with being the only foreigner in the class, I am the only girl and I am the only person over 12 years old. So I have become the entertainer of the class: flailing my long limbs around without any comprehensible instruction while the 8 year olds kick and punch circles around me. My one advantage is that I can do cartwheels better than any of the boys (a skill which seem utterly unrelated to the art of whoopin' some major ass -- Korean style, but hey -- I'll take what I can get).

Is it strange that I felt a rush of elated superiority when I realized I could execute a cartwheel better than a whole room of young boys? Wouldn't you feel the same way? Well... Ok, maybe not... However, the Master did approach me after class to shake my hand and (seemingly) congratulate me for not dying of embarrassment. I'm hoping Wednesday will bring more instruction and less youthful, high-pitched laughter. I'll keep you updated.

A secret admirer?

2006-01-16T11:51:00.000+09:00

Dear Robomatic: Who are you? And why are you encouraging my pseudo-academic tendencies? Based on Robert Graves' introduction, The Valley of the Latin Bear looks surprisingly attuned to my present circumstances. Where did you find this Hungarian doctor-turned-ESL teacher? I'm interested to know...

Idiocy 101

2006-01-16T11:39:00.000+09:00

Activities this past weekend included some shopping, some socializing, some solitary time, some bathhouse time, and some utter idiocy on the part of Yours Truly. I convinced the guy, named Guy, who's selling me his motorcycle to give me a couple of test-runs on the thing under his guidance prior to his departure. I figured this was a good idea,

A) because I've never driven a REAL motorcycle before,
B) because I've never (successfully) driven a "standard" vehicle (and no, driving to NYC in 5th gear does NOT count Daniel), and
C) becuase I thought it would be fun.

But oh no, oh no, things could not have turned out worse! First, I found out that my soon-to-be motorcycle is VERY old and lacking some basic necessities, such as mirrors (broken off, fixable) and an automatic ignition (there is a kick-start). But that's fine. I can take it to the garage and fix it up for not too much dough (considering I'm only paying $250 for the thing to begin with). After numerous attempts to start the dusty klunker we finally got her going, filled her with gas, and then took her to an abandoned back road on the outskirts of Mokpo to test her out. It was damned cold and the wind was picking up, but everything was going pretty smoothly until I was caught on one foot trying to kick-start the bike again (after having stalled it for the millionth time). It was at this point that a HUGE gust of wind came tearing across the empty industrial area. It caught me totally off-guard which meant I was falling over and the big old heavy bike was coming with me. Scrambling to keep myself from being hurt, I pulled my leg and arm out from under the descending vehicle, preferring that it take the full brunt of the impact rather than my appendages. Unfortunately the point of impact was the clutch handle-bar which, in the bitter cold, snapped neatly off the aging bike. Without a clutch there was no way to shift the bike out of neutral, which meant there was no way of riding it to a garage to get it fixed and no way of getting ourselves home. With my tail between my legs we walked for 55 minutes back to Guy's apartment, after having abandoned the bike behind an abandoned shop of some sort. Guy was really good about the whole thing but I felt like an utter and COMPLETE ass. He said he'd take care of getting it fixed and back inside of city limits, but I think I owe him a beer (if not 10) for putting up with my stupidity. As it turns out, I'm not a strong biker babe. I'm more like a squealing baby piglet scrambling to suckle at my indifferent momma hog's teat: not only am I unable to get to the goods but mom just gave me a huge kick in the ass. Frikin' HELL!!! Thanks Momma... Arg!

There's a hole in the door

2006-01-15T13:20:00.000+09:00

On the front door to my apartment there is a mysterious hole located on the bottom right-hand side (when viewed from the exterior hallway). I have no idea what the hole is for or why it's covered with such an elaborate metal face-plate (which, when slid open, reveals an empty cavity not large enough for a letter but not too small for a bomb). Every door in my building has one. Any guesses would be welcomed.

Sewing oats...

2006-01-13T13:14:00.000+09:00

Following my lacklustre Wednesday evening I woke up feeling that Thursday needed to be a pub night. Jess was rounding up the troops by phone for a good-sized gathering so I decided it was high-time for Tracy to be social.

And I was! For a good couple of hours following work (which ended at 11pm), I chatted and laughed with the foreign population in Mokpo. You see: I'm not totally hopeless -- even if I do have my nights of non-contact.

Knit-picking...

2006-01-11T18:28:00.000+09:00

One thing I think I'm beginning to realize is that there is a fundamental difference between those people who have ventured abroad to escape their former lives and those who are traveling to broaden their life experience. Those determined to "start afresh" or reinvent themselves seem to need the constant validation that is provided by the shallow social relationships formed here. I, for one, am very aware that I have some totally awesome, absolutely fabulous, friends-for-life living back at home and around the world. Thus, I find myself lacking the motivation to forge what will seemingly be transient relations (at best). Physical relationships aside, I believe it takes time, trust and honesty to form a friendship -- even the casual kind. The people I've met here haven't yet compelled me to want to make that kind of effort. Nor do I feel the need to really introduce myself to them. The other day a person at the bar, of all places, turned to Jessica and I and said, "Ok, so I really don't know you guys very well so why don't we do some of those standard 'who am I' questions, ok?" To which I responded, "Well actually Jess and I don't know each other very well either..." At which point Jess cut me off and said, "I think we know each other pretty well, don't you?" This was a point of pause for me. I didn't know what to say. I felt (and still feel) as though Jessica knows little to nothing about me, and yet there she was defending out (absent) acquaintanceship. Am I being pretentious? I just don't feel anyone can say they "know" anyone else after less than a month of conversance. She doesn't even know I went to an arts school for God's sake! Honestly, she knows nothing about me.

What I'm trying to say here is that I am wondering why I keep feeling bad for not making greater efforts to be social. I was walking home from work tonight after specifically declining an invitation to go out and although I was legitimately fatigued and uninterested, I was annoyed with myself for preferring to spend time alone. I started doing all this psycho-analytical bull-shit like: "Is this just another case of Tracy's running-away syndrome?" or "Are you depressed?" and "Is wanting to read your book instead of drinking beer in a smoky bar a bad thing?", "What are you hiding from?", "What do you want?".

That last one is probably the real question at hand. What is it that I want to gain from this experience abroad? Do I want to come away with foggy memories of nights in a bar with other foreigners? Do I want to say that I "finally got all that reading I've been meaning to do done"? Do I want to see the country and interact with the locals? Do I want to form a whole new group of friends? What is it I want to accomplish while living in Mokpo? This is a good question, and not one that I will necessarily be able to answer right away. But I'm glad I'm beginning to think about it. Even if it does keep me out of the bars and in my fuzzy pyjamas at home.

Renter's paradise...?

2006-01-11T01:04:00.000+09:00

This is the view of my suburban paradise from the top of our local mountain. I went climbing Sunday night and found this vista particularly arresting. (Yes, I realize I am using very ambiguous terms but paradise is what you make of it, n'est pas? At least, that's what I've always believed.) Toronto look's really REALLY good from this vantage point...

My Bookshelf

2006-01-09T12:19:00.000+09:00

For those interested, the following titles made up the 30lbs. of literature I "carried on" my flight from Toronto to Mokpo. In no particular order they are:

-*Don't Sweat the Small Stuff... and it's all small stuff by Richard Carlson
-The Dubliners by James Joyce
-From Ink Lake: Canadian Stories Edited by Michael Ondaatje
-Clara Callan by Richard B. Wright
-A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius by Dave Eggers
-A Student of Weather by Elizabeth Hay
-Introducing: Critical Theory
-Introducing: Sociology
-*The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
-Hopscotch by Julio Cortazar
-Kamouraska by Anne Hebert
-The French Lieutenant's Woman by John Fowles
-The Ash Garden by Dennis Bock
-The Selected Works of Gertrude Stein
-Love in the Time of Cholera by G.G. Marquez
-Louis Riel by Chester Brown
-Pyongyang: A Journey in North Korea by Guy Delisle's
-Introduction to Philosophy by Peter K. McInerney
-The Educated Imagination by Northrop Frye
-The Art of Fiction by John Gardner
-Eats, Shoots & Leaves by Lynne Truss
-Dialogues of Plato
-Who do you think you are? by Alice Munro
-A room of One's Own by Virginia Woolf
-Next Episode by Hubert Aquin
-*Disgrace by J.M. Coetzee
-Pilgrim by Timothy Findley
-Beloved by Toni Morrison
-Corelli's Mandolin by Louis de Bernieres
-The Stone Diaries by Carol Shields
-Barney's Version by Mordecai Richler
-Belle and Sebastian by Paul Whitelaw
-No Logo by Naomi Klein
-Norton Anthology of Modern Poems

(*** Stars indicate the books I have already read.)

Au revoir Monsieur Layton

2006-01-05T12:39:00.000+09:00

One of Canada's literary icons "left the building" today. Irving Layton was a self-proclaimed arrogant asshole, but isn't that why we all (including his 5 divorced wives) loved him so much? Reminds me a bit of my grandfather for no good reason... Here are some "choice cuts":

Misunderstanding

I placed
my hand
upon
her thigh.

By the way
she moved
away
I could see
her devotion
to literature
was not
perfect.

On My Way To School

On my way to school
I used to pass
A Baptist church
And fields of grass.

"Jesus Saves"
Above the gate
Would comfort me
If I were late.

The church is gone,
The street is paved,
The Home Bank thrives
Where Jesus Saved.

R.I.P. old man. For more along these lines see http://irvinglayton.blogspot.com/

On the brink of starting all over again...

2006-01-02T12:44:00.000+09:00

Without exception, the most boring day yet...

9:00am -- I wake up involuntarily, eat breakfast and then go back to sleep.
11:30am -- I wake up again and decide to climb the local mountain with Jessica.
12:00pm -- We stop by the bank before heading to the mountain. It is at this point that I decide to admit to both myself and Jessica that I'm still too sick for such an excursion, so I wimp out and go back to our apartment and crawl back into bed.
3:00pm -- I wake up again, watch another movie and then eat some dinner.
5:30pm -- I decide I need a hot bath so I head out to the local bathhouse to bathe naked with a bunch of Korean women.
6:00pm -- I meet another "Westerner" who gives me her number and invites me to have dinner with her sometime during the next few weeks. (This is not at all strange, even though we're both naked, and sitting in a hot-tub surrounded by a bunch of other naked Korean women. I make a note to call her once I no longer have a temperature or mucus invollunarily dripping down my face (whichever comes first).)
7:30pm -- I return home, watch some TV and then head to bed. Another uneventful weekend in Mokpo. If someone hadn't reminded me it was New Year's I doubt I would have thought any differently about it.

So no exciting stories... I guess I'll have to make next year the year to remember...

Sickness Stalls the Senses...

2006-01-01T15:51:00.000+09:00

Today's unfortunately lacklustre itinerary:

9:00am -- Wake up (full of snot and coughing uncontrolably...)
9:15am -- Go to a doctor's office (under the supervision of my Korean boss's husband).
9:30am -- Have my temperature and blood pressure taken. Sit in the foreign doctor's office with numerous other sick persons. Total waiting time: 12 minutes.
9:45am -- Receive prognosis: I have asthma and (if my pocket translator serves me correctly) fluid in my lungs. I must return to this doctor again on Monday. Fee charged: a whopping $3.
9:50am -- Receive requisite needle in the bum (the result of any and every visit to a Korean doctor (or so say the other ex-pat's in Mokpo)).
9:55am -- Go to my first Korean pharmacist to pick up a melange of 7 pills to be take 3 times a day for the following 3 days. Fee charged: Another whopping $3.
10:04am -- Go to a dermatologist's office to assess the grossness that are my hands right now.
10:05am -- See the doctor who tells me that I have an infection and suggests that the cats in my midst might be negatively affecting my epidermis. "Rubbish," I think, "Pure RUBBISH!!!"
10:07am -- Receive a prescription and a bill (another $3).
10:10am -- Have my prescription filled at another Korean pharmacy (this time it was $3.50)
10:30am -- I arrive back at my apartment ready for my 1st nap of the day.
1:00pm -- I wake up coughing, and full of mucus. I eat lunch, download a movie, and walk to the supermarket to buy some more Kleenex and other essentials.
3:00pm -- Return home for nap #2.
5:00pm -- I wake up and eat some dinner, channel-surf until 9:00pm after which I watch another movie, watch the fireworks over the Mokpo Harbour (out the window of my 7th-floor apartment), and fall asleep before midnight alone in my apartment (Jessica decided to go out and be social).

Certainly not my most exciting New Year's ever, but perhaps a smart way to spend the weekend if I am to survive the next 2 months of intensive English language school. The public schools are now having their 2-month vacation so our Hagwon is running extra classes, inducting new students, and generally running FULL STEAM AHEAD until March. Needless to say, life in Tracyville is sadly simple: eat, sleep, work (sigh!).

Tae Kwon Don't

2005-12-20T22:09:00.000+09:00

So... I'm eating my words because there are no Tae Kwon Do academies that offer adult classes during the hours when I am available. What? The world doesn't revolve around my 1pm to 11pm schedule? You're kidding! So I'm back to the drawing board in trying to find a way to get myself off my sorry ass. It's growing bigger by the way. The pants I bought just before leaving no longer fit. I am deeply ashamed.

Productive Shmroductive!!

2005-12-17T18:13:00.000+09:00

So here I thought I was going to come to Korea and begin getting all the things I've been meaning to do for so long done. I was going to begin by cracking the infamous "to-read list", I would follow that up with some soul-searching, and then I was going to round-out the whole experience with a bit of self enlightenment. Needless to say I've done nothing of the sort. I've started sleeping in until noon, going out for beers every night, and generally living my life in the brief periods of time which precede and follow my hours at work. It's rather depressing. I need to get out and bike some more. My general lack of activity has dulled my mood and deadened my senses. I haven't the desire to do anything, however I know that's only because I am not doing anything. This week I shall try to find a Tae Kwon Do academy. I miss it and I can't imagine why I should have any trouble finding a gym here.

To be or not to be ... social

2005-12-14T23:47:00.001+09:00

It's a strange thing to be in living in a foreign country, away from all family, friends, loved ones and enemies. There is a need, on one hand, to forge instantaneous, informal and indistinct relationships with whomsoever crosses one's path; but there is also a desire to sideline oneself and find better uses for one's new-found solitude. It that depressive? I don't think so. How many of us have been silently wishing for some REAL free time over the past, say, 8 years? Well now I've got it, and I don't really want to waste it or spend it doing meaningless things. Doing so, however, is much easier said than done when it all comes down to it.

So here I am: about to lose the roommate that was here when I arrived -- about to be thrown into the real sink-or-swim society of Mokpo's English-speaking population. How do I feel? Resentful that I will have to start making an effort. Annoyed that I will start worrying about being "accepted" in this miniature village of misplaced persons. Concerned what will happen. What people will think if I don't make the effort to "get involved"? Sure this all sounds stupid and petty but in the grand scheme of things one year is not very long, and knowing me I will throw myself into "too much stuff" unless I really start thinking seriously about my choices. And in this microcosm that includes chosing or avoiding people. So I'm in inter-personal limbo. Self-inflicted, no doubt. But limbo nonetheless.

Warning: Special Day!

2005-12-11T20:28:00.000+09:00

Just a reminder: Today is Annely's 24th birthday. She is wonderfabulous and deserves many calls, e-mails, drinks and gifts. Please show her some love on my behalf if you see her (we'll work out reimbursement at a later date). (Yes, I will pay in FULL).

YOU'RE ONE OF A KIND SHMANZ!
LOVE YOU TO BITS!

Online AT LAST!!!!

2005-12-09T10:53:00.000+09:00

Yes, it's true. I am sitting in my Korean apartment, listening to CBC radio and drinking coffee. Paradise could not be sweeter.

I will be writing more often from now on. Consider yourself WARNED!!!

Technical Difficulties...

2005-12-06T22:36:00.000+09:00

I have somehow managed to FRY my thumb drive less than 2 weeks into my Mokpo adventure. I'm not exactly sure how it happened, but I imagine sticking it in and out of various PC's in various Internet Cafe's didn't do it much good. It will be more difficult to make postings and reply to individual messages until I can find a suitable replacement (as I have been writing on my own machine at home and transporting my messages to the machines with access this whole time). It shouldn't be too difficult, however. It's just a pain in the ass I'd rather not have to deal with.

Just keeping you up-to-date.

A fabulous "Ingrish" Shirt found in Downtown Mokpo

2005-12-06T22:27:00.000+09:00

What do the Pig and Bicycle have to do with anything...?

Perspective...

2005-12-06T22:21:00.000+09:00

Perhaps I should have learned this lesson years ago, but if I didn't take it to heart way-back-when the lesson was definitely reinforced ten-fold this weekend in Mokpo. Perhaps I mentioned to a few of you that I was not too impressed with my surroundings here in South Korea. "It's not what I expected, but I'm not quite sure what it was I expecting," was my mantra this past week when meeting all the ex-pats and other english-speaking people in my midst. It's a bit gloomy here: there is an unending haze that hangs in the air, the buildings are not very dense and alternate jarringly between tall utilitarian apartment buildings and low-rise commercial blocks, there are not many parks, no grass to speak of and very few trees. But following a 3-hour bike ride which took me all the way around Mokpo's peninsula, I discovered that there is much more to Mokpo than I had imagined.

Let's think in terms we can all understand: If Mokpo were Toronto I would be living in Scarborough -- but not in the nice area by the bluffs. I'm talking Markham Rd. and the 401. It's still part of Toronto, just not the part that anyone wants to live in. So that's where I am. But the bright side is that the rest of Mokpo is BEAUTIFUL with miniature mountains erupting amidst the city's boroughs, small temples situated here and there amidst the inner-city vegetable fields, a beautiful harbour that wraps around the city filling the already water-laden air with the smell of the sea. Yes, my ambitions to live next to the ocean for a year will have been fulfilled by the time I leave here. Vancouver: eat your heart out!

Birthday Abroad

2005-12-02T12:10:00.000+09:00

So another year has come and gone. In Korea one's age is an essential indicator of their social rank and level of respectability. They also calculate their age such that day 1 = 1 yr, which means that I am ALREADY 25 in Korea. Scary thought, I know! But this is definitely not the worst place I've celebrated my "big day" (think Dec. 2001....). Although I did not inform any of my Korean compatriots as to the significance of Dec. 1st, I had a good day at work which ended with a glass of wine, some ice cream, and a good Korean flick ("Oldboy") back at my apartment. Not too shabby if I do say so myself. Although the surprise party of 2003 at 23 Major will go down in hisotry as one of the best b-day's EVER!!! Thanks to all those who wrote and remembered. It means a lot -- even if I don't say it.

The roomies...

2005-12-01T03:59:00.001+09:00

Craig and Candy
holding Korean pizza
(i.e.: it's served to you in a paper cup)

Four legs too many...

2005-11-30T11:45:00.000+09:00

My boss took our teaching staff out to lunch today so that we could celebrate my arrival and commemorate the departure of Candice, my current roommate. For some reason I was led to believe that we were going out for chicken -- a special Korean dish called "Samgyet'ang" which is prepared by stuffing a chicken with ginseng, cabbage and a variety of spices, and then boiling the chicken whole in a broth of rice wine and vegetables. Unfortunately I didn't get the memo telling us that we were actually going out for fresh seafood.

When I say FRESH SEAFOOD what I mean is: they brought a kettle FULL of STILL LIVING (read: moving) creatures (shrimps, crabs, squid, clams, mussels, and various other sea life) to our table, turned on the in-set BBQ, and boiled our slimey friends alive (in a broth of red peppers, bean sprouts and onions) right before our very eyes! And as if that wasn't enough, just as the food finished cooking the waitress returned with a strange black tub. She then pulled the lid off of the furiously boiling kettle and then dumped a LIVE OCTOPUS into the mix!!!!!!!!!!

Following the meal my boss said that my face went SO white when I saw the squirming creature that she was concerned I might faint! I must assure you that as soon as I realized I was going to have to put that writhing creature into my mouth I nearly brought-up all of our delicious appetizers. Naturally I was "honoured" with the first serving from the kettle. Smiling, I chewed appreciatively on the tightly curled tentacles and carefully swallowed in an effort to avoid having the creature's suction-cups choke me to death after only 1 week of work abroad. Never before have I eaten such an... EXOTIC meal. Apparently octopus is a delicacy in Mokpo, and I will be hard-pressed to avoid eating it again if I dine with others. Truth be told: I actually enjoyed the food today. It actually tasted very good. --But that doesn't mean I'm going to start eating the LIVE BABY OCTOPUS LEGS which are the TRUE specialty around these parts. That's going just one step too far in my opinion.

PS. I tried to take a photo of our meal before we ate it but apparently that's bad form in Korea. Sorry guys! I will get my ass into gear on the photo front this week -- PROMISE!!!

We're approaching cruising altitude...

2005-11-26T21:47:00.001+09:00

Ok, so things are beginning to get interesting here. I went out with my co-workers last night to play a rousing game of Korean "pocketball" (I.E. Pool) and over the course of the evening the ENTIRE Ex-Pat ESL poplulation of Mokpo seemed to filter through the establishment. Crazy but also AMAZING!!! There are a lot more foreigners here that I expected, and many of them seem very kind and funny. Perhaps I've lucked-out coming to this small South Korean fishing port... (Don't worry, none of them are HALF as cool as my friends back home. There will be no replacing going on, I ASSURE YOU!)

Job-wise, I still can't conceive of myself as a teacher, but actually the work is coming very naturally to me and the kids are responding very positively to my instruction. Needless to say, that's probably a stary-eyed first-week-on-the-job perspective, but it's not a bad way to begin.

Whoa... Everything's written in Korean!

2005-11-24T10:35:00.000+09:00

Well, I have arrived alive, although SEVERLY Jet-Lagged, in Mokpo, South Korea. They have already put me to work, however I am only shaddowing the other ex-pat teachers at Lee English Academy for the time being (which is FINE WITH ME!). I have set myself up in the school's apartment which I am presently sharing with 2 other teachers: Candice and Craig, both of whom are from Alberta, Canada. They are both very kind, accommodating and lovely, and the 3 of us may be making a jaunt to visit the De-militarized Zone this weekend to ensure that they both see it before leaving Korea for good. I haven't any pictures to speak of yet, but I promise I will post them once I remember to tote my camera with me when leaving the house. There is some resistance, on my part, of plaing the tourist role when if fact I will be living here for the next 12 months. But I'm sure everyone takes pictures initially, so if for no other reason I will make the effort just so that all of you can get a better idea of where I'm at and what my life is like here in Mokpo. I have yet to get internet installed in my apartment, but once that happens I promise to be a bit more in-touch on this front, so that you don't forget about me entirely or learn to live without my quirky out-written self.

Thanks again to all those who came out to SUPERMARKET on Sat. That was really good for my inner-self. It thanks you heartily. And for those I neglected to tell about my going-away-gig: I'm sorry. I was having a lot of trouble doing the goodbye thing and I thought it would be better just to leave without stirring up everyone's emotions. I now fell very different about that and I'm very sorry I was so insensitie. Please belive me when I say I love you and I miss you very much. Please don't cut me off! I was stupid, but I promise to try harder from now on.

Much Love, -- Tcy

A chip off the ol' Block: The Original Cup-a-Joe

2005-11-16T14:21:00.000+09:00

Spent the dreary, rainy evening with Numero-Uno tonight and had a FANtastic time. It's been too long since the two of us urban, chic, motivated and happenin' gals have had a chance to just hang solo without thousands of outside concerns crowding the conversation. It was really really really GREAT, and its one of the most essential things I am going to miss once I leave this crazy hazy town. Truly. There are some things in life that can never be duplicated or replaced -- like laughing 'til it hurts over cats and whistles. Explanations aside, in this case only the original will do.
Got it?
Good.
"Hi now, goodnight...!"

Immune System Drudgery Delays Flight

2005-11-15T05:02:00.000+09:00

Due to my present state of sickliness I have been forced to delay my Korean departure by 3 days, meaning that I will leave Canada not on the 17th of November, but on the evening of the 20th.

Please note that this means there will be some celebrations happenin' on Saturday the 19th at a yet-to-be-determined location. Suggestions will be gladly accepted. Declinations of attendance will be scorned eternally (with all my heart). RSVP if you care...

Back to the drawing board...

2005-11-12T12:04:00.000+09:00

2 Leather Jackets, a tan, a cold, minus one wallet and one camera, but with 1000 great memories, 100 wonderful moments, at least 4 GREAT stories, and after 14-hour flight; my unplanned excursion to South America has come to an end. What can I really say...? Only this: GO!!! Just Go! Planning-shmanning! It's all overrated and besides, if you get too caught up in the logistics of it all you'll never make it there. It is a place unlike any other I've encountered. Sure you'll have to take a 20h bus ride to see Vero. But it's SOOOO worth it. Trust me. (Limited) Pictures and stories to come....

So I am back in Toronto for a whopping 6 days before heading off to the FAR East. I have much to do and very little time to get it done but I do want to promote coffee this week as an event NOT TO BE MISSED. Although random coffees may occur across the globe in various places and spaces, this will be the last official "Sunday-Night COFFEE" for quite some time. Although tradition would suggest otherwise, I believe it should be held at Futures (to accommodate drinking and cake), however the day and time shall remain the same (Sunday, 9:00pm). So that's my ADVANCED WARNING to everyone. Don't say I didn't warn you!

ARGENTINA

2005-11-06T08:13:00.000+09:00

Is wonderful.
Beautiful.
Unbelievable.
HOTTTTT.
Life-Changing.
Eye-opening.
SOMETHING WE SHOULD DISCUSS OVER MATE...
I will write something more substantial soon.
I promise.
I love and miss you all.
But there is no other place ON EARTH i would rather be right now.
Love,
-Tcy

End of an Era

2005-10-31T14:00:00.000+09:00

Ok, so actually it was just over 3 years, but it seems like a whole Era. I leave the house tonight dressed as Eva Peron, anticipating my forthcoming journey South on this pre-Halloween eve. What everyone won't realize is that I've left my charming little oral ornament at home. Nope! Truth be told my own mother won't notice until weeks have passed and I point it out to her specifically. When prompted with the question, "Mom, don't you notice anything different about me?" Her immediate response will naturally be the assumption that I've put another hole in one of my ears. Sheesh! And I always thought facial piercings were unmistakably obvious. I guess I was overestimating myself...

Hush little baby, don't you cry...

2005-10-25T05:57:00.000+09:00

So my 2005 stint on the Toronto Islands ended the other day with a rush of mixed emotions, quick goodbyes, and cheesy stationary (typical Tracy-styles as you well know...). I cannot even begin to iterate how quickly this summer passed me by: "What!?! I had employees????" Although I try I cannot seem to figure out where the time went... Mind you: I have quite a collection (complete with photos) of significant and hilarious memories that will forever remind me of this summer. Yes, it was really very good, now wasn't it? But it's time to get on with things, or as the Bob-the-gate-guy put it: "It's time to get back to my real life,"-- Whatever that means.... What does he know that I don't?

But seriously, I'm going to miss my days on the Islands. But here me now: I'm not yet through with the place, got it? I'm just taking a leave of absence, ye'hear? Good. I'm glad we've straightened that out.

Making the Rounds

2005-10-22T11:04:00.000+09:00

So... I'm in North Bay this evening for what will likely be that last time for quite some time. Tomorrow I'll be in Ottawa visiting my Uncle and Aunt. I've been cleaning off my hard drive and I came across the photos from my month in Jonquiere, Quebec. The language bursary program was one of the MOST amazing experiences of my summer. I came away with amazing Souveniers and one amazing friend who may very well turn out to be a part of my life for the long haul...

Anyway, these roots impressed me today. It made me think of where I come from and where I am going. And why. To those who have helped lay the foundation: Thanks. I promise I'm not throwing it all away. Stick around, ok? I'll try to keep it all together and return to the same grounds in the end. Meet me back here in two years time. I'll be waiting.

Cutting old threads..

2005-10-19T11:49:00.000+09:00

With Buenos Aires on the horizon I've effectively eliminated "TracyOutEast". This is now my OFFICIAL "Home away from Home". Write it down. Bookmark it. You don't necessarily have to check it, but you do need to be aware of its existence. Just in case you start missing me or something.... If that becomes an issue: Don't Worry, I've got you covered.

Sunday night Coffee, however, is going to be a bit different from now on...

A new home...

2005-10-17T14:02:00.000+09:00

With the collapse of the Ulsan contract I became rather disenchanted with my "TracyOutEast" Blogspot so I have decided to start afresh from here. And where is here exactly? Well, very much the same place I was when I created "TOE": still in Toronto, still working on Toronto Island, still without an apartment of my own, still waiting for my adventures to begin... But this is a start. A fresh start. A good start.

Itinerary:

Buenos Aires and Icuazu -- Oct. 31st to Nov. 11th.
Mokpo city, South Korea -- Mid-November.

And YES (a thousand times!!!), I have read the scary Globe and Mail article re: Illegal Alliens being thrown out of S.Korea -- (see: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/ArticleNews/TPStory/LAC/20051010/KOREA10/TPInternational/?query=korea+teachers+visa). Worry not: I will not be teaching illegally, nor will I be engaging in any illegal activities. Yes, I am boring. No, it hasn't always been this way.

More to come in the coming days. Maybe I'll figure out how to post pictures... Until then Adieu. Bon Soir. Reve bien, d'accord? Bon.