Hola, amigos! Happy Spring! Too bad my boss told us tonight there's a chance it's gonna snow tomorrow (Thursday). Yayyyyyyyy... NOT. I'm so very ready for warm weather. Seoul environment keeps playing tricks on you. It's nice one weekend, frigid the next. Warm during the day, freezing at night. The spring season will only last a few weeks anyway, then move on to Yellow Dust and Monsoons. Should I ever record an indie album, that's gonna be my album title. Fact.
Updates:
- children have the ability to hurt my head for 2 hours, then magically make me laugh the last hour. They also have the magical ability to completely change my opinion about them, usually in a good way.
- nothing very exciting is happening in Seoul other than work, pay bills, work, watch some movies, work, do laundry, grocery shop, and work.
- speaking of movies, I've now seen 2 Oscar-nominated films: The Fighter and The King's Speech. both excellent.
- I've also seen a movie that surely will never be nominated for anything other than MTV Movie Awards: Beastly. Hey, every now and then you gotta balance the smart, well-acted movies with the cheesy but entertaining teen flicks. Next on the to-see list: Red Riding Hood.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Monday, March 14, 2011
Harsh Feelings towards Japan
I don't know the specific dates, but before Korea became independent and then later split during the Korean War, it was a territory of Japan. The Japanese were not always fair to the Koreans, and because of that there is still much Anti-Japan sentiments among the people, which I sometimes catch a glimpse of with the students.
I was curious to know their feelings about the earthquake and tsunami from this weekend. Just as I predicted, some students did not have kind words for those suffering in Japan. I wonder how much is actually their opinion, rather than the words placed in their mouths by parents and other adults. This reminds me of cohort where we discussed how at this age range, children are beginning to form their own opinions and ideologies while also battling and questioning those opinions given to them. As an educator you want them to see both sides and form their own conclusion, but what if it's the "wrong" one?
One of our vocabulary words for the day related to the reading topic was 'funding', and while discussing the meaning / examples, some students said they would not give funding to Japan, or acted as though the natural disaster was karma for past treatments towards Korea. It's unfortunate such feelings are encouraged to foster in people so young.
I was curious to know their feelings about the earthquake and tsunami from this weekend. Just as I predicted, some students did not have kind words for those suffering in Japan. I wonder how much is actually their opinion, rather than the words placed in their mouths by parents and other adults. This reminds me of cohort where we discussed how at this age range, children are beginning to form their own opinions and ideologies while also battling and questioning those opinions given to them. As an educator you want them to see both sides and form their own conclusion, but what if it's the "wrong" one?
One of our vocabulary words for the day related to the reading topic was 'funding', and while discussing the meaning / examples, some students said they would not give funding to Japan, or acted as though the natural disaster was karma for past treatments towards Korea. It's unfortunate such feelings are encouraged to foster in people so young.
Friday, March 11, 2011
Spring, Where art Thou?
Spring term has begun... and it's still cold. Definitely ready for some spring weather, even if it's only for a few days before it becomes hotter. The spring season here is apparently rather short. If only the winter and spring periods were switched...
Wednesday was my 23rd birthday. Had to work of course until 10pm, but I had a nice dinner with my co-workers afterwards. They surprised me with a cake and some of the guys put photos of TOP over their faces as they sang happy birthday to me. Andddd then my co-worker pulled one of the confetti poppers at my face, not reading the directions to avoid doing so. Fantastic moment caught on video as the force / shock knocked me off the stool at the restaurant. HAHA
Some of y'all have probably seen the news today about the earthquake and tsunamis in Japan. All is fine in Korea. It struck near Tokyo, which is on the opposite side of Korea. Pray for those affected!
Wednesday was my 23rd birthday. Had to work of course until 10pm, but I had a nice dinner with my co-workers afterwards. They surprised me with a cake and some of the guys put photos of TOP over their faces as they sang happy birthday to me. Andddd then my co-worker pulled one of the confetti poppers at my face, not reading the directions to avoid doing so. Fantastic moment caught on video as the force / shock knocked me off the stool at the restaurant. HAHA
Some of y'all have probably seen the news today about the earthquake and tsunamis in Japan. All is fine in Korea. It struck near Tokyo, which is on the opposite side of Korea. Pray for those affected!
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
BIGBANG is Back
Yep. Embracing the Korean music culture. Suppose it makes sense music is one of the first things I'm drawn to. Great concert. Loved seeing TOP again. haha They even made their way near our seats on a moving section of the stage. Some photos from Sunday:
The leader of the group, G-Dragon floating near us. He came closer as well. Was surprised / impressed he wasn't actually harnessed in.
Left to right: G-Dragon, TOP, Daesung, Taeyang, and Seungri.
Their new CD came out last week before their concert so they performed popular older songs, some of their new singles, as well as their solo or duo songs. Their latest CD, Tonight, is available on iTunes. I recommend "Intro", "What is Right", "Tonight", and "Cafe".
The leader of the group, G-Dragon floating near us. He came closer as well. Was surprised / impressed he wasn't actually harnessed in.
Left to right: G-Dragon, TOP, Daesung, Taeyang, and Seungri.
Their new CD came out last week before their concert so they performed popular older songs, some of their new singles, as well as their solo or duo songs. Their latest CD, Tonight, is available on iTunes. I recommend "Intro", "What is Right", "Tonight", and "Cafe".
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