Weekend Plans

This weekend Saejin, Heidi, Rachel Lynn and I are heading off to Dok Juk Island for some fun. By boat, it's about an hour off the coast of Incheon. I first went there a couple of years ago with Saejin, Heidi and James and loved the place despite sleeping in the dirtiest, most barren Min Bok (a room in some one's home). We've often talked about returning but never found the time. With Heidi and Rachel Lynn almost finished their Tour of Duty here we scheduled this weekend long in advance.

The only problem with long term planning made during the warm sunny months of Spring we forgot that the end of June is the start of the rainy season. We aren't going to let this bother us and I am determined to hit the beach with a beer in hand (it's legal mom don't worry) and go for a dip. Even if it rains the whole time the company I'm heading off with will make it fun. These pictures below can attest to that:

Back to Suji

My school computer is acting like it's better than my camera and refuses to communicate. It's too bad it wants to be so snotty because this past weekend I actually went out and had some fun. Friday night was a casual dinner and drinks sort of night but on Saturday I went with Saejin out to Suji. This is the suburb south of Seoul I used to live in and loved. The air is clean and the school I worked for is my favorite school I've been at.

Saejin and I went out there to check out my friend J's language school. Her place is in an area that was just starting to fill in when I lived there but is now a proper second downtown area for Suji. We were the last to arrive at her school for the tour but this had it's advantage because we could eat as much food as we wanted and J was able to go home to get a wine opener to crack open some wine that had been dropped off. Here we learnt it was J's birthday a couple of days ago and she asked us to join her and her friend's for some sushi.

The sushi restaurant did not belong in Suji. It was huge, with the longest sushi track running along the oversized tables and single bar seating area. If it were in Seoul the plates would of been a couple of dollars more each and there would of been a longer line of hungry tummies clogging the doorway. Too bad we'd filled up on food and wine before the dinner because I could have 20 more pieces of the delicious salmon slabs racing past our table.

After dinner we went to a quiet pub for some beer. Here, Saejin and I outlasted all the others so we moved on to the original downtown of Suji where I used to live. As many of the places changed we were lucky to find Mad Dog's Pub exactly as we'd left it. It did feel odd to be there but also very comforting. It was the taxi back into Seoul at three am that was out of place.

A Near Nightmare Scenario

This morning I arrived at school to find my stuff piled up in the hall covered in a thick blanket of dust from the construction taking place. The "uncle" of the school (we'd call him a janitor but a janitor who doesn't clean- the kids do that) used the fifth grade students as mules to transport my stuff down to the first floor. I'm now taking up space in the far corner of the Special Ed class. It's a whole lot quieter here as there are only three kids in the program (I'd like to add a fourth but his mom won't let me). The kids were surprised to see my desk there and Song Lee was her usual self peppering me with questions, most coming while her teacher was teaching.

I spent the bulk of my time reorganized my stuff into manageable places all the while thinking about my computer. Until three thirty today I had a computer that held no power and worse no Internet connection. I was forced to read all morning between class and this lead me to silently cursing in my head as I imagining a whole month of this. Admittedly I wasn't seeing any positives in being computer less and may or may not of been snappy with some students. After my final class of the day I came into the Special Ed room and my computer was alive with Yahoo.com begging me to log in. It was a beautiful sight.

The new Computer/Language Lab

A few months ago our school learnt that it was getting some money from the school board and City Hall to build a new computer/language lab. Since then I've heard everyday quoted as being the starting date. I once had a teacher actually insist the work had already begun. She said this as we were standing in the room.

From the sketchy information leaked my way I've learnt the starting date is now next Wednesday and they will finish up just in time for summer vacation a month later. Confused? Me too. But I did see the sixth graders empty out their room so I'm confident work will star this time. Tomorrow (kids come to school every 2nd Saturday - I don't work Saturdays) all the computers are leaving this room and heading into the now empty sixth grade room while my shelving of books and flashcards will receive refuge status in the music room. I spent all morning ripping down posters and packing them away so that I'll have them once things return to normal. I then went through my computer and transfer files and website information I wanted to keep because this old heap of junk is headed to China to be dismantled and or pollute.

It will be an interesting month as I teach out of different classrooms and have no real home base at school. But I just need to keep reminding myself that the new room is worth the wait and a month's vacation home in Canada will cure me of any left over discomfort.

C.R.A.Z.Y.

Wednesday's are always a slow day at school but yesterday was especially slow because the fifth and sixth graders were off at camp. I brought in a movie to help pass the time. I first heard about C.R.A.Z.Y. when it won the Genie Award as Canada's top movie in 2005. Eventually I was able to track it down and I recommend others do it too. This French Canadian film is great example of a Canadian movie that deserves to be seen.

Because I can't be bothered to write my own, here's the plot outline from imdb.com:

It's a story of two love affairs. A father's love for his five sons. And one son's love for his father, a love so strong it compels him to live a lie. That son is Zac Beaulieu, born on the 25th of December 1960, different from all his brothers, but desperate to fit in. During the next 20 years, life takes Zac on a surprising and unexpected journey that ultimately leads him to accept his true nature and, even more importantly, leads his father to love him for who he really is. A mystical fable about a modern-day Christ-like figure, "C.R.A.Z.Y" exudes the beauty, the poetry and the madness of the human spirit in all its contradictions. Written by Jean-Marc Vallée

I read on-line that an American studio is thinking about remaking it in English which would be a huge mistake. I understand it's in a different language and general Americans movie goers aren't the brightest but this movie isn't made for them. It's made for people who like a strong storyline and the differing relations at work within it.

Facebook

The last few weeks work has been "busy". I use that term loosely as admitidly I have a lot of free time but lately that slice of pie has been gobbled up by camps, open classes, TV/movies and a website called Facebook. My initial reaction to facebook was one of utter disgust. Collecting "friends" and using a website to manage them sounded like a horrible invention. I snubbed it for as long as I could but curiosity did win me over.

One early morning I made up an alias (Joel Otto - my favorite Flame player from the late 80s) and went out to see what was out there. At first it was a little scary seeing the names and pictures of people I want nothing to do with. But eventually I found more people I used to be friends with and simple moved on from that I'd love to hear from again. I rejoined the website with my real name but working under two strict conditions. 1- I'd never join a facebook group and 2- I'd never request a friend, people will have to find me. So far it's worked out nicely but it leaves updating my blog as a secondary thing.

The Curious Incident of the Drunks in the Night-time

It's cooled down the last few nights so I gave the air conditioner the night off and slept with the windows open. That was until four young guys chose to drink outside in the little park that makes up a portion of my buildings' property. They started off quietly sipping beer but soon enough they started to one up each other with their wit. It was a collision of words that ran up the building seeping into all the open windows. I woke up to someone's cackle and tried to let sleep suck me in, but it wouldn't. Laying there wide awake I wanted something to happen and knowing Koreans quick tempers I didn't have long to wait.

Somebody seven floors up from me decided their sleep was more precious than the noise makers below and started chucking full water bottles out their window. The first one was the most shocking as it made a huge splash rightly startling the revelers. They scattered and started using a collection of off colour language to describe their feelings. The four of them then worked on their counting skills trying to find which floor they saw the object thrown from. They weren't so good at this. It took them a good five minutes to work out the water bottle came from the fourteenth floor. By this time I was up on my bed peering down on them and saw them bolt into the building to start presumably slamming on somebodies locked apartment door.

As quiet descended the gang of drunks were back outside to recount the floors. They must of been confused because the only consensus they could come to was to drink more. They tried to be quiet but once the second water bottle crashed at their feet they were off again. This time they were more certain in their counting skills and ran back into the building. These events repeated themselves at least five times between 2:00 and 3:30. This was when I finally closed my windows and cranked up the air con for sleep to drag me away.

Busy Week

This week I'll hardly be at school. I'll still be "working" but just from other places. Today at lunch I'm off to another school to take part in a camp there. This school is also in the boondocks but has a special wing to it where students from other schools in the city come to "camp". On the second day of camp the afternoon is the English time and I just have to lead them through some games. It's easy work and I get extra days off this summer by working it.

On Thursday and Friday I'm also off campus but this time to watch other foreign teachers teaching. Open classes are awkward to teach and to watch. The kids act way better than normal putting on a big show for the supervisors, principal and other English teachers. The object of these classes are to share ideas and feedback. Most of the teachers watching are nice about it and try to take away some good ideas then we pass on suggestions in a positive way. This year there is a meat head teaching in the system and he uses this time to talk about himself. Last time his partner teacher (a Korean) was trying to hide under the table each and every time he talked. As I love watching dumb people talk I'm looking forward to the classes. They will end off the week nicely.

Roadtrip....Gwangju

Two weeks ago I went down to Gwangju to visit my friend Martin and his girlfriend Priya. They met me at Gwangju Station and we headed straight to the nearest information booth. We knew there was a museum dedicated to the Gwangju massacre but didn't know it's name in Korean. Turns out neither did this worker. She did have some places that were dedicated to the events of 1980 and the biggest was the Cemetery on the edge of town honouring the dead.

Once we arrived the first thing you see is a huge tower that looked a lot like something from the Lord of the Rings. Behind this were the cemetery plots of the dead. I never know if I should be taking pictures here and the place was barren of people so it was hard to gage what other people were doing.

From this tower we went into a silent room where pictures of the dead sat along the tiers of stairs that made up the wall. In the centre of the room, most of the faces were of young men who were killed or died of their injuries after the protests (the government forbade the hospitals from treating the wounded). I liked that this tomb had room in it where those lucky enough to have lived past the uprising but did take part can also be honoured.

After we silently absorbed all this we made our way to the museum. I didn't take any pictures inside there but highly recommend the place. It had news footage of the events and lots of information for those who haven't heard about this before. The part I liked best was that the government had given itself medals over their handling of the protests. Not thinking ahead, when the military government fell the next government used this list of winners to track down all those responsible.

Memorial Day Shopping

Yesterday, the God of public holidays broke up the week by making June 6th Memorial Day. To honour the deaths of veterans I spent the afternoon watching Saejin keep capitalism alive by shopping. Now, his normal shopping style is to head directly into any brand named store and let the price dictate his taste. The more expensive the product the more he likes it. If a shirt had three sleeves but sold for the price of five nights out on the town, he would buy it.

When he suggested we go shopping in Dongdaemun I was shocked. Dongdaemun is a 24 hour shopping area that's pushed heavily in the Japanese tour guides where countless stalls all sell the same knock off clothes. You're expected to barter with the sellers to try and get the clothes for the cheapest price. At nights it's rumoured that the prices go down and this is when the place gets packed. As long as you're no bigger than a large size in Western clothes you'll be able to find something to wear at a decent price. Saejin worked his magic and was able to get some good deals on clothes he insists are only for his office. They all look alright but because of the prices he's too ashamed to wear them in public. He's extremely vain that way.

Playing Pool with the Principal

Last week during a random "chicken" party, the Principal asked me to join him and a couple of other teachers to play pool. I committed with a weak maybe but he smelt the waffling of my words as they left my mouth. He called me on it, first with a disgusted, "Maybe?" and then a stronger I'm your boss tone of, "Yes!" So tonight (on the eve of a mid week holiday) we are off to play a game of pool I've never played. There are no pockets and yet it's not a billiards table and there are only four balls. Koreans love this game and I've watched others play but never figured out all the rules. I'm sure at some point they will vaguely get passed on to me but it won't matter. I'm shit at any sport requiring a stick.

KTXing it South

The week that never ends is three hours away where a fresh, crisp beer and the unashamed watching of Big Brother UK are waiting. Those are my only plans I have for tonight because tomorrow morning I'm taking the bullet train to Gwangju to see my friend Martin and his fiancee...(name to be added later but I think it's Pria).

Gwangju is the biggest city near Suncheon and a place I'm familiar with. I like this place as it has a strong arts community but more because it's the birthplace of modern democratic Korea. In 1980 this city's students protested against the then military government in power and the government spazzed the way dictators do and ended up killing hundreds of protesters. They were mowed down in what has come to be known as the Gwangju Massacre . In all my visits to the city I've seen where it all took place but have yet to make it out to the museum remembering this huge moment in Korea's history.

Once that box gets ticked then I'm sure Martin and I will head to a pub somewhere and catch up. I haven't seen him in over four years (he left Korea but like many, came back) and I'm looking forward to hanging out again.