If time was ever a confusing, intangible figment of space, defying my rational mind and intellect, It’s now. The days don’t matter – but they are all that matter – little, tiny measurements that control whether I’m here or there, whether I’m sane or on the brink. Every month something changes. My classes change, my schedule changes, my workload changes and the kids come and go.
Time is impossible to ignore when a contract is involved. I can count, and counting is threatening, a constant reminder that when time is up, I must carry on or continue to nurture and dig my roots in Korea. A beautiful burden, and a load I hope to carry many more times in my life.
It’s been six months. WHEW. And because of time’s delusional capabilities, I find it ever more important to find ways to focus on the present. In the present, time is not scary because it’s not real.
It’s in my blood to plan. I love to plan. August will come and I’ll be ready for it, but next month is March, and then comes April and as the days continue to snowball, organizing and setting goals for my next adventure still seem trite. What will I do in March? What crazy hobby will I tackle? Which beautiful, sparkling, gem of a human will I meet? Who will leave? What will I do with all the inspiration that is pouring out of my skin?
I can’t imagine being anywhere else, (and this too will change.)
HERE. NOW. I AM.
On the bus this week I concluded that each month I’ve spent in Korea can be summarized in one word.
September’s word?: PARTY
October: INTEGRATE
November: RUN
December: FAMILY
January: CLIMB
February’s word? WORK.
I pulled a number of very long weeks, a feet that was challenging and at times, burdensome. February often left me out of my element, exhausted and yearning for sleep, human interaction and the energy to cook and play. But it reminded me how good it feels to work, and in contrast, how good it feels to take a rest. I am now a seasoned advocate of the power nap, and I can pack a damn good sack lunch. My bank account is also smiling and I somehow feel refreshed knowing I am capable of the intense extreme that is over working and under sleeping.
I continue to own and take responsibility for my happiness, and I am so, tremendously prepared to devour these next six months.
And after that? I’ll be ready for that too.
HERE’S TO MARCH, AND THE TAIL END OF THIS WILDLY FASCINATING ADVENTURE.
February 22, 2012
February 20, 2012
SUNDAY FUNDAY
Korean's usually live at home until they get married and therefore have a huge array of places to get together with friends and lovers before they have a place of their own.
norae bang: Seen Lost in Translation? Remember when they are in the room singing? Basically a norae bang is a room brilliantly designed to house friends for a night of semi-private karaoke. You rent the room for a few bucks an hour, order a few drinks and promptly make a fool of yourself in front of a few less people than might frequent your neighborhood karaoke bar.
PC bang: This is nothing more than a huge room with super nice computers. For A DOLLAR AN HOUR, you can get online, play every video game invented and waste your life away.
DVD bang: If you haven't caught on, "bang" in Korean means "room." Walking into a DVD bang is similar to walking in to a Blockbuster, except instead of taking the movie home with you, you walk down the hall and watch it in a private room on HUGE couch with a plethora of pillows. There's even a fridge inside, so fee free to bring some booze or Cokes!
Video game bang: You guessed it. Wii, PlayStation, Nintendo. It's basically a gamer's paradise.
AND TODAY, I was enlightened to this gem:
GAME BOARD ROOMS.
As if walking into a restaurant, your shuffled to a table with your friends and handed a menu listing multiple board games. To play doesn't cost money, but it is assumed that you are going to consume a coffee, beer or juice to pay for your time.
I also went to an arcade this afternoon, and spent a few minutes inside a dog and cat cafe until the site of cute, cuddly animals with hair bows and make-up was trumped by the smell of cat piss and dog food.
OHHHHH, KOREA.
norae bang: Seen Lost in Translation? Remember when they are in the room singing? Basically a norae bang is a room brilliantly designed to house friends for a night of semi-private karaoke. You rent the room for a few bucks an hour, order a few drinks and promptly make a fool of yourself in front of a few less people than might frequent your neighborhood karaoke bar.
PC bang: This is nothing more than a huge room with super nice computers. For A DOLLAR AN HOUR, you can get online, play every video game invented and waste your life away.
DVD bang: If you haven't caught on, "bang" in Korean means "room." Walking into a DVD bang is similar to walking in to a Blockbuster, except instead of taking the movie home with you, you walk down the hall and watch it in a private room on HUGE couch with a plethora of pillows. There's even a fridge inside, so fee free to bring some booze or Cokes!
Video game bang: You guessed it. Wii, PlayStation, Nintendo. It's basically a gamer's paradise.
AND TODAY, I was enlightened to this gem:
GAME BOARD ROOMS.
As if walking into a restaurant, your shuffled to a table with your friends and handed a menu listing multiple board games. To play doesn't cost money, but it is assumed that you are going to consume a coffee, beer or juice to pay for your time.
I also went to an arcade this afternoon, and spent a few minutes inside a dog and cat cafe until the site of cute, cuddly animals with hair bows and make-up was trumped by the smell of cat piss and dog food.
OHHHHH, KOREA.
February 13, 2012
감자탕
OR, gamjatang.
OR, pork bone soup.
OR, I died and went to heaven Part II.
kimchi, potatoes, pork spine, green onions, hot peppers, sesame paste, bean sprouts
This gamjatang restaurant is open 24 hours, making a 1 am trip to engulf this masterpiece possible. Thank you, Korea, for craving spicy soup when you're drunk. (Denny's officially has a contender.)
OR, pork bone soup.
OR, I died and went to heaven Part II.
kimchi, potatoes, pork spine, green onions, hot peppers, sesame paste, bean sprouts
This gamjatang restaurant is open 24 hours, making a 1 am trip to engulf this masterpiece possible. Thank you, Korea, for craving spicy soup when you're drunk. (Denny's officially has a contender.)
NOM NOM NOM
I have no idea what this is called, so let's just call it the
I DIED AND WENT TO HEAVEN, PART I.
Unfortunately I was too busy stuffing my face to take a picture of what this looks like before it enters your mouth, but basically you take everything you see pictured and place it on a piece of rice paper. Then you wrap it up and shove it in your mouth. REPEAT as many times as you can before you remember that you're only on part one of a three course meal..
This is a form of shabu shabu, so after you've had enough asian rice paper burritos, a nice Korean lady takes the meat out of your hot pot and you get some algae and noodles. As a person who is not generally wild about noodles, these were pretty awesome. When the noodles are gone, a nice rice pooridge is cooked...
AAAAAND THEN... FOOD COMA NUMBER 23432 OF MY KOREAN ADVENTURE.
I DIED AND WENT TO HEAVEN, PART I.
Unfortunately I was too busy stuffing my face to take a picture of what this looks like before it enters your mouth, but basically you take everything you see pictured and place it on a piece of rice paper. Then you wrap it up and shove it in your mouth. REPEAT as many times as you can before you remember that you're only on part one of a three course meal..
This is a form of shabu shabu, so after you've had enough asian rice paper burritos, a nice Korean lady takes the meat out of your hot pot and you get some algae and noodles. As a person who is not generally wild about noodles, these were pretty awesome. When the noodles are gone, a nice rice pooridge is cooked...
AAAAAND THEN... FOOD COMA NUMBER 23432 OF MY KOREAN ADVENTURE.
February 6, 2012
WAITING FOR THE BUS
It was a mild 41 degrees Fahrenheit today, a temperature that isn't even rivaling the heat wave that is passing through my hometown of Indianapolis. I slept till 12, took my usual bus route to the climbing gym, went downtown for some yoga, and then ate a delicious dinner with friends. Sunday is easily my favorite day of the week, a day of rejuvenation and accomplishment after my sometimes wild, sometimes downright lazy weekends.
DAMYANG GIRLS NIGHT
Yes, you're looking at taco soup in an oversized Tupperware container. We might not be classy, but we eat well.
TEACHER PROBLEMS
A WEEK'S WORTH OF CONVERSATIONS I REALLY WISH DIDN'T HAPPEN:
GHOSTS. RACISM. SUICIDE AND CURSE WORDS.
"Miss Hansen, have you ever seen a ghost?"
"There are three kinds of people in this world. You, me and black people!"
"Why do people commit suicide?"
"SH*T!"
"Excuse me?"
"SH*T! You know, like POO!"
(as if they were enlightening me to the word)
For the most part my job is very lighthearted and fun, but this week presented some complicated topics that I had to address extempore, and just as quickly, dodge before things got uncomfortable.
Kids, dude. They are intuitive, creative, fragile little creatures.
GHOSTS. RACISM. SUICIDE AND CURSE WORDS.
"Miss Hansen, have you ever seen a ghost?"
"There are three kinds of people in this world. You, me and black people!"
"Why do people commit suicide?"
"SH*T!"
"Excuse me?"
"SH*T! You know, like POO!"
(as if they were enlightening me to the word)
For the most part my job is very lighthearted and fun, but this week presented some complicated topics that I had to address extempore, and just as quickly, dodge before things got uncomfortable.
Kids, dude. They are intuitive, creative, fragile little creatures.
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